A friend of ours, Lisa Van Komen, passed away on Saturday in Layton, UT. I first met Lisa, face to face, at my home in the Fall of 2008. I had sort of met her before that though -- you see, I was asked to be the Stake YW Camp director for the following summer. I had done a lot of camping before but never even been a ward camp director so I knew I needed help and lots of it. I didn't know very many people in the Stake - so the YW Presidency at the time gave me a list of names (about 5 names) and asked me to choose a few. I diligently took my names to the temple -- I felt very strongly about this calling and the importance of girls camp in a young woman's life. I have the toughest time with names (even those I've known forever, I still sometimes go blank) so you can imagine my struggle as I looked at the names one last time before I got out of the car. I spent some time praying more about these women and trying receive the answer to who I should have as an assistant. Nothing came to mind except Van Komen. Honestly, I couldn't even remember who or what Van Komen was! I am so glad that the Lord knows me and knew I needed Lisa's help that year.
Needless to say, Lisa was one of the assistants that year and she was my saving grace. She had a wonderful memory (obviously a downfall of mine) and more than than that she had a beautiful temperment. She was loving and kind towards all people, even when some of the women would get a bit frustrating -- she still held her head high with a positive attitude and told me to hang in there, we'd be fine. I wondered, at times, if she was right. But she KNEW she was right. Selfishly - boy am I glad I took those names to the temple! (because she was right:))
Right before Camp that summer, Lisa was called to be the Stake Young Womens Secretary. What a great way for Lisa to get to know the girls of the Stake than to have already been working with them! Even more importantly, sometime in the next few months, Lisa was called to be the Stake Young Womens President. She was the BEST. She had a love for the girls that was over the top and she had a LOVE for the Lord. It showed and the girls knew it!
Let's back up to girls camp, as I was preparing for camp, I had a feeling I should ask my sister in law, Rene, to be the camp photographer. I couldn't figure out why, but I just kept thinking about it. I submitted her name and the YW President said she had had the same thoughts. So - Rene was able to come and be the Camp Photographer. Somewhere in between camp she was called to her ward YW program over the Beehives. (can you see this all coming together) Lisa and Rene rubbed shoulders a bit at camp but still didn't know each other really well.
When Lisa was called as Young Women President (and Philip was the High Counselor with YW in our Stake) she called Rene as one of her Counselors in the stake. I can't help but think that the Lord was preparing both Rene and Lisa at camp by having them rub shoulders so that Lisa could get to know Rene a bit. See Rene's post about Lisa HERE.
See how that whole long story came full circle? I am so glad that we truly are able to be inspired by the Lord. He takes care of us, He watches over us and only He knows what is best in the BIG picture. Lisa will be greatly missed here on earth. I know she will be doing some amazing work in Heaven just as soon as she can!
P.S. This year I was supposed to run camp again (2011) but I got the chance (notice that positive wording?:)) to move to a new area. Because we didn't move until January, I had already been submitting names for assistants and had a tentative schedule, ideas etc. in my mind of what I thought our girls needed this year. I was excited to try very hard to get a woman to speak at girls camp ... I didn't know how to reach her or how to go about it -- but I knew she was needed at the Stake that year. I never breathed a word of this to anyone (life got too crazy when we realized we might be moving) but you'll never guess who spoke at the camp ? Yep, Check her out HERE ( at the bottom of the post) I didn't find out until I read Rene's blog.
The Lord truly does have His hand in ALL things.
6 comments:
This made me sad. I didn't know her but she spoke in Stake Conference last May. It was very inspiring to listen to her. She had a great spirit. Also, I heard the girls in our ward say that lady who spoke at camp was AMAZING!
I have to say that even with our speaker at camp, who was incredible, the most inspiring moment at girls camp was when Pres. Steenblik told the girls that Sis. van Komen was literally sacrificing her life to be there with them. She was an amazing woman.
I think of the phrase in the Book of Mormon "tender mercies" when I hear stories like this and experience them in my own life. Thanks for sharing yours today.
And so sorry to hear about your friend. She sounds like she was amazing.
I see this type of thing all the time. It is also a fact as it relates to people here on the earth now as well as those who have already gone beyond, but who yet live. The interesting thing to me is how The Lord directs and encourages certain outcomes in our lives without being the least bit authoritarian or limiting our choices. His plan for our growth and development are truly amazing. His example is even more than amazing. "He leads us, He leads us along." Why do we sometimes find it difficult to follow? Love your heart MEgan. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Grandpa Bart
Ditto Grandpa Bart. Very touching entry and I love you heart too honey!
It's amazing to look back at experiences and recognize the Lord's hand. I got chills when I read that part about the speaker at camp. She was definitely the right lady to be there and shared an amazing story and testimony.
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