A year ago today, Lori filmed this message to all...Brandi and I were on our trip to the mainland and our good friend Alwyn Erub and his friend videotaped this 13 minute testimony and thank you. Little did we know that Lori had only 12 days left here with us on earth, but an eternity with God. She did it in one take..my brother from another mother and great friend Jerry Abdul was there and called her "one take Lori!. Heidi Van Horn and Sulin Kalua, a part of Lori's care group were there as well and among the bountiful of blessings was that Doug and Lisa Nobriga, Lori's brother and sister-in-law came up to visit to her from Kauai.
Her message was filled with so much hope, joy, praise and thankfulness that what God was doing in her life was bigger than what we understood. I was able to see the the initial version after Lori passed, she never got to see it. But why would she, she made it..lol. They did some edits, including, taking out a picture of Brandi, who Alwyn and his co-producer thought was Lori at a young age...people always knew whose daughter Brandi was...Brandi and her were twins from birth.
This video was shown at her Celebration of Life Service and we believe it helped people see God's sovereign and gracious plan through it all. I treasure this video, because I get to hear her voice and see her smile and her humor and every little subtle thing that I knew of her....so amazing. I am so reminded how blessed I was to be married to this wonderful woman of God for 25+ years. She loved me through it all, she never gave up on me, she saw the good of God in me, even when I did not...she may have been mad at me at times, disappointed but her love was aloha pau'ole love, never ending. Please enjoy the video and thank you all for being a part of the journey.
Another thing I wanted to share was that a news report was released just a few days ago.
The cancer drug Keytruda, that Lori was Hawaii's first clinical trial case, and #488 in the entire USA, has been shown to be extending people's fight with cancer at a 40% success rate of extending their lives either in full remission or stoppage of the tumor growth. Lori did 3 rounds in July, August and September 2014. Though it may not have had the full effect that is being talked about now, her results and experiences contributed to the 655 test case group. Lori was willing to take the risks of an unknown drug, not to just extend her life, but be a test case for future treatment. As always, looking out for the interest of others in lieu of herself.
Keytruda article #1
Keytruda article #2
In Philippians 2:1-4, it says this:
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others.
Lori lived out her life in the way the Apostle Paul asked all Christians to live, as Jesus asked us to live...regard others more important than yourself...look out for the interest of others. That doesn't mean that you look down at yourself or put others on pedestals, it means that we must love others as Jesus loves them, as He sees them - as valuable and important enough to have concern, care for them...to be involved in their lives with love, support, grace and mercy. Lori lived like that 100%..and you saw the fruits in her family, in her close friends, in the hundreds and 1000's of kids she came in contact with...she loved others and put others first at the sake of her own interest...wow!
Thank you babes for the living legacy and the fight you fought.
Lord, thank You!! That is all that needs to be said! Love you Lord and love you Lori!!
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