The past six days have been the worst days of my life. On
Sunday morning, 15 minutes before serving breakfast for our guests at the
B&B, we find out my brother-in-law, Shane, who was only 31 years old had
died. His girlfriend, Shirley, called Mary with this horrible and horrendous
news. We were in complete shock and still are. Chet, John and Dylan quickly
left to meet Granna and Mary at the lake house. I stayed back, tried pulling
myself back together and served breakfast, and it was not easy. Mary, John and
Dylan took the next flight to Denver to meet up with Rick, which they had to
tell him the news over the phone. They then flew to LAX and the next day were
on a flight to Narita and then to Singapore to figure out what happened. I write
this on Friday and they are still in Singapore working with the CIA, FBI,
police and Embassy. They have been having a very very hard time trying to deal
with everything and bringing the body back to California. Shirley has been with
them every step of the way. But a miracle did happen, and Shirley was able to
get a visa for three weeks to come to the States and be with us. I so look
forward to meeting her and being with the Todd family. I’m blessed beyond
measure for marrying into the Todd family. I feel like John and Dylan are my
brothers, not just brothers-in-law and I feel like Rick and Mary are my
parents. I love them all dearly.
Words can’t even begin to explain the pain we all feel, and
I know it’s SO much harder for my husband, Dylan, John and especially Rick and
Mary. But I’m certain God’s glory will prevail and there with be good brought
out of this horrific time in our lives. This is one of the worst things and no
one should ever have to go through something like this. And of course you never
think it’s going to happen to your family. Shane was an amazing man. He was
extremely intelligent, athletic, smart, funny, sweet, good sense of humor,
thoughtful and we loved him so much. This all happened two days before Dylan’s
21st birthday and Shane was supposed to be flying to Montana and
moving home in just a week, July 1st. I ask the Lord how can this
happen? What happened? Will we ever have our questions answered? But we do know
Shane is in heaven with our heavenly Father and we look forward to the day we
get to see him again! Shane we love you so much and you will be forever missed.
You will always hold that very special place in my heart and the rest of your
family.
Chet decided to stay back with Granna and I at the B&B
and hold down the fort. Although, he did want to be with the rest of his family,
in Singapore, so badly. We had been so extremely busy at the B&B that I
felt like a chicken with my head cut off. Trying to get everything ready for
leaving and still having so many guests was a little too much, but God brought
us through it. The Todd’s have a dear friend, Andy, who called us the day we
found out Shane went to be with the Lord who wanted to take over the B&B
for us so we can be with the family in California. Chet was picking him up from
the airport two days later. We trained him for two days, I planned everything
to the T, baked as mush as I could and handed the B&B over to Andy and Judy
who are our lifesavers. Once Andy leaves Judy and Michelle will be taking over
the B&B and they are also an answer to prayer. We wouldn’t have been able
to leave this busy time with the B&B and go to California if it weren’t for
the three of them! We thank them SO very much for helping us. We will be
forever grateful for them! Now Chet and I are on a flight to Denver and we pray
we make the second flight or else we have to fly to San Diego. I think we will
be able to process and accept this more once we get to California and are not
on survival mode with the B&B.
We thank everyone for his or her prayers. It’s what has
gotten us through the past six days. We ask you continue to pray for the entire
Todd family.
Here's Shane's Service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_jWRwtiJ5c
Here's Shane's Service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_jWRwtiJ5c