Melanie Person: We Can Hear the Lord Saying "Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant!"

            Melanie Person  1959 - 2012

The Native Alaskans that adopted me in Alaska had a saying when a wonderful person went to be with the Lord.  They would say, "A great tree has fallen, and the whole forest mourns."  In my own churches this past week a great tree has fallen, and we all mourn, even as we rejoice in her promotion to God's army in heaven. Melanie Person was a remarkable Christian woman.

Here are remarks given at her Celebration Service:

We come here today to remember Melanie Person, to celebrate her life, to rejoice that she now lives with the Lord, to thank God that because of the miracle salvation in Jesus Christ  we will surely see her again.

Melanie was a longtime leader of church and community.  She meant so much to the family of this church, and the Lone Rock Presbyterian Church.  We mourn her passing with her family and friends, but we also are so very thankful for the blessing of her life and rejoice in all the ways she touched so many people with her hard work and service and kindness. 

What is more, we celebrate the promise of the resurrection and the assurance that this faithful Christian, is even now resting in the arms of God, through the power and glory of Jesus Christ Our Lord.  Melanie had a long and wonderful life here on this earth, and we rest in the belief that she is in a better place, with God. 

We take comfort in the Christian conviction that nothing in this life can compare to the vast joy we will experience with God on the other side of the veil.  Melanie is in that joy now, reunited with other loved ones and friends.  May that thought give the family and friends and the church she loved so dearly, much comfort.

I have been a pastor, in one way or another, for nearly 26 years now – in Florida helping my own father, in Alaska, in Lancaster, Wisconsin and  in Burt and Woden.  In that time I have been privileged to walk with many families in this final walk that we all have to make.  Yet I have never seen any more courage in the face of a difficult illness, and still consistent caring for others and service to God, than I saw in Melanie Person.  She never stopped working for the mission of Christ, right to the very end of her time on this earth.

We wanted Melanie to stay longer, and we told the Lord that.  We prayed for healing and more good days here. But, God showed forth a purpose and a call for Melanie  to come home to be with Him.  She is in that better place, rejoicing with God.  But we miss her deeply.

As I look back on it all, God Melanie to teach us many lessons, to show us how a good woman dedicates herself to God gives herself over to the Lord.  We are confident that Melanie has now received ultimate healing .  No more pain. No more tears. Just full healing and restoration with God.
Melanie left this earth with dignity and honor, in the midst of his families great love, with the comfort of thousands of prayers from Burt and Kossuth county on her behalf.  Melanie lived life to its fullest.  She left us in the hands of God. And the fact that we believe that because Jesus lives, Melanie continues to live, too, with God.

Melanie wrote an award winning essay at the age of 18, that we have shared with you who have come to pay respects to her and the family.  The truths she expressed in this essaycontinued to frame her life, as she married Dale, raised a great family with him, began a highlysuccessful career, The essay is about the miracle of salvation and it is entitled, "The Decision That Changed My Life."  That most important decision led het to follow Jesus all the rest of her years here on earth.

Melanie helped many people come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Her work as a Sunday School teacher and youth director helped youth discover and deepen their faith.  Her ministry of

encouraging Bible reading, prayer and study was a profound encouragement for hundreds of adults. Her card and book mark ministry touched many folks in deep ways. Melanie lived for Jesus, putting God first, and loving and caring for others. Melanie simply did what God calls on all Christians to do – to follow Jesus, love others, and to serve family, church,  and community as God gives us the opportunity to do so.  May we carry on that legacy of sharing the love of Jesus. 

Praise God for the life and legacy of Melanie Person.  We will miss her so very, very much.  But one day, in that bright tomorrow in God's own time, we look forward to seeing her again.  See you then, Melanie!