Sadie's Tribute (given at her Celebration of Life ceremony)

My name is Teri Bryant, and I am honored to give Sadie’s tribute this afternoon!

I met Sadie this year through her sister, Marsha, a divine appointment. I feel like I’ve known these sisters ALL my life. We became more than acquaintances we became instant friends, with a deep bond. You see what connected us was our faith in Jesus Christ.  One of my other connections with Sadie was butterflies…(They’re Free…spreading joy, fluttering and lighting here & there)…so Sadie and I became butterfly sisters. Sadie was a prayer warrior, she loved praying for others. What I noticed about Sadie was her great big genuine smile, her sweet heart and her beautiful spirit…Just like Jesus!

When you asked Sadie, how are you? She always said:   "I’m o.k.", always concerned more about the other person, with a huge smile on her face. Sadie could light up a room with her smile. Anthony ~ you have that same smile…Keep on smilin’. J She was fun-loving and she also enjoyed her quiet place with the Lord. She had such a love for God, family and friends. She had a confidence about her…she knew what she wanted, how to get it and she knew where she was going! She was set apart, chosen and special!

This summer, Sadie and her sisters led worship on July 15^th at a women’s bible series called Watered in the Word, a gathering for women from many of the area churches in the Columbia River Gorge. Her sister, Marsha, was the honored speaker that evening. They were so well-received that they were asked to do the Watered in The Word Finale by the Hood River on August 15^th. It was another sweet time of worship, prayer and being in God’s Word and fellowship.

Exactly 30 days ago from today, on August 29^th, I got a call on Saturday at 6 a.m….it was Marsha…Sadie wants to talk to you (3-way conference call).“Teri, the Holy Spirit woke me up at 5 a.m. and told me to go to the river and pray.” O.K. then! I grabbed a blanket, my bible and a hymnal.   I drove up the street to Marsha’s home, and we headed to the river. We were there for two hours praying, worshipping and just being together. A seagull soared overhead, then an eagle flew over. I was reading from my Bible the passage in Philippians on the program…and Sadie said “Shout it out!”. And when Sadie tells you to shout it out…it’s so compelling…and it’s because of the Holy Spirit in her! Two different times a feather floated closeby on the water, and Sadie quietly pointed at them and just smiled. Not sure what God was speaking to her about that; but I’m sure it meant something to her. One of the things I didn’t share that day with her and her Sisters was the song I heard on the radio on the way to Marsha’s; because it wasn’t time yet.

Last Tuesday, the day Sadie went to be the Lord I shared it with Marsha, Billie & Teynia: "But I hold onto this hope and the promise that He brings that there will be a place with no more suffering. There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face. But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always."

Sadie rallied and was full of life. Everyday that I knew her, Sadie lived victoriously lifting up the name of Jesus Christ. Just a few days before the Lord took Sadie to be with Him, I visited her while she was in Infusion at Providence, her face lit up with a BIG smile, she told me twice in a row, I just wanna get outta here, I wanna go Home. I replied, "I know you do!" The Lord heard her plea; He heard her cry. He spared her suffering. This world is not our home, Heaven is! Sadie’s in glory! Our days are ordained by God, He took her home to be with Him the first day of Autumn…when seasons change! It was a warm, sunny, peaceful fall day. Did you see the bright sun setting that evening the Lord took Sadie home? It was a glowing fiery red…Sadie’s in glory!---------------------------

That morning, I was up at 5 to pray (at the time I didn’t know that God had taken her to be with Him)…these are the Scriptures God gave to me for Sadie: 2 Cor. 4:17 "Our light and momentary troubles achieve for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." And in Hebrews 12: "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (the heroes of faith…inspiring examples who bear testimony to the power of faith and to God’s faithfulness-that’s Sadie). Sadie ran with perseverance the race set before her! She finished her course with joy, and the ministry, which she received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24 "We run our race to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Cor. 9:25b Sadie is now wearing her crown! She fixed her eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of her faith Sadie fought a good fight, she finished her course, she kept the faith. Now there is in store for her the crown of righteousness. 2 Tim. 4:7-8

(Crown presentation): One of Sadie’s favorite songs by Juanita Bynum was “Behind the Veil”. When I searched for this crown for Sadie, it couldn’t be just any crown! You see, this one has a Big heart in the center, with a lot of lines flowing from it, representing the many lives she touched, she impacted. So Anthony, your mom’s crown, when the Lord brings you your bride… someday… down the road…not too soon; If you want, your bride can wear your mom’s crown with her bridal veil, to keep Sadie’s legacy going! There WILL be a day…Until that day, I’m giving this crown to Marsha for safekeeping as a reminder of our Sadie, a Woman of Honor!