Okay, but who remembers that kiss though ??

We never had the privilege of being neighbors or even living in the same state - but we always made time for coffee if we were in the same 50 mile radius.

I came across Colleen's children's book, Out of the Shadow World, in a TGC article and bought it immediately. I'm a sucker for good children's literature, especially written by people who love Jesus. I read it, loved it, and decided to do a novel study with it with my 4th graders at a private school in Memphis, TN. In the middle of reading it with my students, I sent a message via this website to thank Colleen for writing a beautiful story that helps children form a theology of suffering. She messaged back and offered to Zoom with my class when we finished our study, and she invited us to ask her questions. My students had so many that we couldn't fit them all into our Zoom call - I had to email her later, and Colleen sweetly answered every question with a voice message. This is a picture of our Zoom call with her.

“Sweet friend” is a phrase Colleen generously bestowed on many but was no less dear because of its bounty. That friendship to me was an anchor the Lord used to steady the crash of life’s hardest waves. Her precise words spoken with such care and understanding had a way of bringing beauty that would scare away the perceived ugliness of suffering.
I honestly didn’t think I would get a chance to have a cup of tea with Colleen before heaven. We attended the same church for several years but I had only ever seen her at a distance. We had tried via texting for almost a year to get together and it never happened. Then I moved to Texas. But God saw fit to allow this to be when our friendship started. Over the next few years she became my pen pal friend. I’m sure she had plenty she could have been doing other than texting me, but I will forever cherish those exchanges. One of the many things we texted was about getting to have tea in heaven since we had been thwarted so many times. But then, on Nov 24, 2024 God made a way for that tea to happen in Colleen’s living room. It was just one of many ways the Lord revealed His specific and personal love to me through Colleen.

A cup of tea with a friend, a wedding veil, and singing songs from a row of pews has meaning beyond the mundane because of knowing Colleen. Like in Narnia where everything is bigger and brighter as they reached their destination, those three things now have a richer, brighter meaning than they did before. They are gifts from the hands of her fiercely tender God to bring me closer to understanding the depth and glory of His love towards all of us. He is an all powerful God, who blesses us with little reminders of His love in the everyday activities of life. God is good.

Our wedding got cancelled due to COVID and we ended up doing a "drive by" reception. Eddie, Colleen, and Jeremy were all there with their car decorated and their new puppy hanging out the window!

Several months ago I wrote to Colleen on Instagram and thanked her for her faith and witness. She replied with the most beautiful and encouraging audio message. I have attached the transcribed version of her sweet message. I never got to meet Colleen in person, but I own 2 of her books and have been following her story for the past few years. What a beautiful soul with a heart on fire for the Lord! I pray to have such a strong faith and to be a witness to others as Colleen was. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Colleen’s love story gave me hope that good marriages could happen in the 30’s. She prayed with me for my future husband & was able to be there to celebrate that happy day. Her friendship was such a gift when I needed it most. I loved her depth, honesty, joy, laughter and radiant faith.

This picture was from a car trip to the doctor's office in Orange County! She asked me to accompany her to a follow up appointment and I loved how she intentionally used the long drive there and back to have good conversations as worship music played in the background. Once inside the doctor's office, I watched her interact with the nurses, doctors, and staff and observed additional glimpses of the many ways that God was using Colleen wherever she went. She embodied the concept of leaving a room better than you found it. I smile when I think about her because she was the first person ever to send me voice memos. Each of her voice memos started with "Hello Sweet Friend" and came just at the right time and they contained the encouragement that I needed to hear from a wiser, fellow sister in Christ. I was so blessed to know that in those moments, God saw me, brought me to Colleen's mind, and gave her the uplifting words to say. I think about sitting on her couch in Riverside and how she asked good, deep follow up questions with grace and empathy in an effort to get to know me better. Her compassion allowed me to be honest, vulnerable, and transparent, with even the messier parts of my story. I remember her listening patiently and crying. Those conversations with her made me realize that it was okay for me to grieve slowly and walk/limp through healing process, all the while knowing that God was still good and sovereign. She didn't try to minimize my past or fix everything in my present. That was such a gift to me.
Being a friend of Colleen's over the years often caused me to think about the kind of legacy I want to have. She lived in such a way that people could clearly say with confidence that she loved the Lord and that was the most important thing about her. I am so grateful for the lessons that she taught me about God, life, and faith. Now I can't wait to get to heaven... I think about us all laughing, *snorting* and having a good ole time with our Lord togethef. We won't be in a rush or have to get a babysitter to meet for coffee. Everyone can eat whatever they want without any food allergies or limitations. We will have even more time for stories of God's faithfulness and sweet fellowship with God and His people... "endless days to sing His praise."

I’m so thankful Colleen was brought into my life via social media. The wisdom shared by her deeply impacted me & will be cherished forever. I have no doubt that the seeds planted by Colleen will reap great harvests & that she will have a front row seat to see that from her heavenly home! Well done, faithful servant of the Most High.??