Kandi lost her beloved husband, Lowry, last year to an illness that overcame him rapidly.  This additional tragedy seems like too much to bear.

But we have God’s word:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  And, “I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.”  Please lift Kandi and her family up in your prayers.

Update:

Since Cooper’s death, Kandi has penned two beautiful and moving columns for the SunHerald:  “Each of us has to choose which way to turn” and “You never know when the call will come.” In the midst of great personal loss, she continues to inspire with her determination to travel the narrow way.

If you wish to post a message of condolences to the Jasper family, click here:  http://jjjasper.com/archives/132

J.O.Y. President Mary Cecil Forbus presents speaker Kandi Anderson with a varigated Bougainvillea.

I’m sure you’ve heard of wedding crashers before, but have you ever heard of a J.O.Y.* Group crasher?  When I heard that Kandi Anderson would be speaking to the J.O.Y. Group at Grace Memorial Baptist Church this past Tuesday, I decided to see if I could slip in unnoticed.

The J.O.Y. Group was created for the more mature ladies at our church (and I do aspire to be mature one day!), but I ventured that no one was going to check my i.d.    Besides, I didn’t see a bouncer posted at the door!

Of course, the ladies were warm and welcoming, and I got to enjoy speaker Kandi Anderson’s special brand of humor and inspiration.  Kandi writes a regular column for The Sun Herald (check out “Everyday Reflections” in the Saturday edition); she is also the author of Buried Under Life’s Dirt and Fertilizer…IT’S JUST ANOTHER BLOOMIN’ DAY! She hopes to release her new book, That’ll Preach! in the near future.

As many in our local community know, Kandi’s beloved husband, Lowry (former pastor of Bel-Aire Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi), was diagnosed with brain tumors in the prime of his life, and passed away within weeks of the discovery.   “I sure miss my sweetheart,” Kandi once said to me, but it is evident that she still has her zest for life and faith in God’s plan.

We were blessed to learn from her presentation that, in time, God provided Kandi with a wonderful, magical moment to assure her that Lowry’s love reaches from Heaven.  She has a beautiful story to tell.

Visit Kandi’s website to learn more about her ministry:  www.kandianderson.com

*J.O.Y. stands for Jesus first, Others second, You last …it’s a widow’s support group.