It is well...

"It is well, it is well. It is well, it is well, with my soul...."

These lyrics have been in my mind all day as I think of my childhood friend Kerry. She is the bravest person I know, and as her life on Earth is coming to an end, she remains a faithful servant ready to meet her maker. It is too difficult to imagine finding peace with death, but Kerry is so strong and I know that it is well with her soul.

Kerry and I grew up in church together. The Harrington girls and the Patterson girls shared many adventures, and between church plays, lock-ins, sleepovers, and our annual Christmas dinner between our families, we created wonderful memories. Kerry and her younger brother Kevin have cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that causes a build up of thick mucus that affects multiple organs, mostly the lungs. I remember spending the night at Kerry's house and watching as both of her parents beat on her back for half and hour as a nightly ritual to facilitate with her breathing. Twenty years later, this progressive disease has taken its toll on my dear friend.

On February 3rd, Kerry got a call from Duke about possibly having organs. By 6 o'clock that evening she was taken into surgery. Fifteen hours later, Kerry had received a bilateral lung, liver, and pancreas transplant. She has spent most of her days since that day fighting infections, organ failure, and complication after complication. Even in her darkest of days, she clings to the Lord. Through her strength and courage, I can only imagine how many people she has brought to the Lord. She is a true teacher of faith.

Kerry has been on dialysis for kidney failure and has been trying to gain enough strength to be listed for another liver transplant. Ten days ago the pulmonary team shared that they didn't think they would be able to get her out of the hospital. Since that time, Kerry's focus has shifted from fighting this battle to management of her pain. My heart goes out to Kerry and her family as they share there final moments together.

Please say a prayer for Kerry and the Harringtons.

"I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11