A Letter to Tricia

Tricia Keough is a cholangio patient from New York City. We have shared many fond conversations together. She is staying with friends in Salt Lake City.

She is dying.

Here is a letter I sent her today in care of her friend Joni:

Dear Joni:

I am Val McCrea’s (www.mccrea.blogspot.com) dad from California. Tricia and I have had many great discussions during the course of her illness.

The Apostle Paul wrote to us many letters under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Here is a letter to Tricia from me. Please read it to her.

Dear Tricia:

The God who created the Heavens and the Earth also made you in His image and after His likeness. Before He set the Sun, Moon and Stars in their course, He knew you personally. He looked ahead and saw you. He loves you. He has given you the truth in His Word. The path of life is clearly revealed in The Bible. It is like a hedge in an English garden. Outside of it’s boundaries lies only darkness and despair. All scripture is inspired by God. It is God-breathed. From Genesis to Revelation, Jesus Christ is the Grand Theme. The words I speak to you today are Holy and Truthful. Here is the central theme of all humanity. The Good News. The Best News. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Listen and live forever in the presence of God Most High.

In Acts chapter 16, a jailer was commanded to guard Paul and Silas carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in stocks. About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. A violent earthquake hit and shook the prison doors open. The prisoner’s chains fell off. The jailer, knowing he would be executed for losing the prisoners was about to fall on his own sword when Paul shouted, “Don’t do it. We are all here. None have escaped.” The jailer fell trembling before Paul and asked, “sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”

Dearest Tricia, the message to the Phillipian jailer is the message I deliver to you today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. God is aware that you are locked in an inner prison and bound in stocks. But an Earthquake is coming that will release you just as it did for Paul and Silas. Here are some scripture references that are like lighthouses on a rocky coast. Do not be concerned about different denominations. The core of Christian belief lies in these verses.

Our present condition : Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.

The consequence: Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s response: Romans 5:8. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Not by our good works: Ephesians 2:8&9. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.

Jesus knocks at the door: Revelation 3:20. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Joni Craighead [mailto:joni@radiks.net]
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 5:36 PM
To: 'Stacie Lindsey'; 'Nancy Suh'; 'Richard Sloan'; 'Charlene Sloan'; 'Chris Mccrea'; 'fam'; 'Rudy Pena'; 'Betty Johnson'
Subject: RE: Tricia

Stacie –

Thank you for the update on Tricia. Please tell her that there definitely is life in Heaven above with the Lord. When Mike crossed over, he went with a smile on his face, so Heaven must be a very beautiful place. His passing was very peaceful.

Give her a big hug for me and tell her I love her.

Joni

-----Original Message-----
From: Stacie Lindsey [mailto:stacie.lindsey@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 11:19 AM
To: Nancy Suh; Richard Sloan; Charlene Sloan; Chris Mccrea; fam; Joni Craighead; Rudy Pena; Betty Johnson
Subject: Tricia

Wanted to give you a little update on Tricia. Marianne and I went and spent a few hours with her last night. She looked good. She can't walk any more and she is on oxygen, but this has helped her speech some although it's still difficult for her to communicate in the sassy fashion we are all accustomed to, but the sass is still there (haha).

She's lost all her hair and is very worried about that, but she really looks good. She has gained 10 lbs since she came to Utah and she has not suffered any appetite loss. She is having a visitor from New York this weekend and she is anxious and excited about that. She feels nervous that her appearance makes people uncomfortable.

We had a wonderful visit. She wanted to ask Marianne some personal questions and Marianne was very graceful when talking with her about the last days of Mark's life and what it was like. She wanted to know if Mark was afraid, as she does not have confidence that there is really something after this life. She said if she felt sure, she would be ready to pack her bags and get there with her parents. Neither Marianne nor I sensed any fear in Mark as his time came close, sadness at leaving his family but not fear.

Tricia asks me every time I see her about what we believe in the after life and if I really believe her parents will be waiting for her. I know it. I know it as I know God lives. I know that all of those that have passed are well and happy and doing God's work. I know it, I just wish I could pass my confidence to Tricia so that she didn't have to be afraid.

I will see her next week as well.

Love to you all.

Stacie