Kari
Renee Bouchie Luoma
Kari was one of
the most beautiful people I have ever known.
Memories flood my mind. Christmas
and Thanksgiving get-togethers at Grandma’s house, New Year’s Eve at my
parent’s place, sleepovers in her bear-filled bedroom, birthday parties,
wedding showers, walking around Target, coloring pretty pictures, sitting at
the piano together, singing in the car as we drove around town, long
conversations, and so many more… they are memories I will cherish forever. I was beyond blessed to grow up knowing her
in such a special way!
I was blessed
to watch her graduate from college and receive her diploma. I was blessed to serve as her personal
attendant at her wedding, and blessed to have her as mine for my wedding. When I was pregnant with my first child I
spent many weeks on strict bed rest.
Kari came and spent a day with me.
She brought me a purse she had knitted and painted my nails. She pampered me with love.
If
I were to choose one word to describe Kari it would be: loving.
Kari loved to
sing and she loved to laugh! Whether it
was something silly, serious, or a burst of praise to the Lord, she always had
a song. Kari was full of joy. She had a great laugh that would pull you in. Oftentimes she’d laugh so hard she’d
cry. She was so much fun! I can just imagine her singing and dancing
with the angels in heaven!
Kari loved
kids! She had a passion for all the little ones she worked with at church over
the years, the girls she counseled at camp, and the neighborhood kids around
her. The last time we talked, about two
weeks before she died, we were talking about Vacation Bible School. She was telling me about the summer she had a
little mini VBS at her house with five kids from her neighborhood, and how fun
it was. Kids brought her joy. Kari wanted to be a mom so badly and was
really excited about the adoption process that they were in. But now, she’ll be my baby’s mommy in heaven. And that is a special thought to me!
Kari loved her
family! She bubbled over with love and
excitement at getting to be with her loved ones. You’d walk in and she would hurry over with a
huge smile on her face and her arms up in the air ready to give you the biggest
hug! You could count on it. The last
year of Grandma Vivian’s life Kari spent a weekend every month with her. What a gift!
She cared so much about people….
Kari loved Jeremiah! They
have a beautiful love that will never die.
Jeremiah is a gift to our family.
Kari and I never had a conversation that didn’t include something sweet
about her wonderful husband. Their
wedding was beautiful. Jeremiah was the
luckiest man that day!
Most of all,
Kari loved God. Through everything -
heart surgery, brain cancer, losing her dad, etc… Kari persevered. While shedding a tear was pretty normal for
her tender heart, she would find the good in any situation. She clung to the Lord and praised His name. She loved Him dearly and she knew who she was
in Christ – a daughter of the King, His beloved, His child, His servant. There was never a phone call that ended
without her asking how she could pray for me; Never a conversation that didn’t
include what the Lord was doing in our lives.
Kari was inspiring! She leaves
behind an amazing testimony and legacy! The
last post she made on Facebook spoke amazingly of who she was. She wrote this:
If
you’re looking for God’s will for your life check out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Be joyful
always;
17 Pray
continually;
18 Give thanks
in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
My beautiful
Kari, I can just imagine you hearing, “Well done, my good and faithful
servant.” Thank you for serving the
Lord, loving others unconditionally, and persevering in this life. Thank you for your big Care-Bear hugs and
smiles that never ceased to brighten my day. I will miss you so very, very much. But the next time I see you will be a
wonderful joyous day before the Lord. I
love you…..
Love,
Kelsey
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