Heaven got a new angel ... We will miss you Debbie Peters

I. CAN'T. BREATHE!!!!

Just a few years ago, the Musician began working with an amazing group of people. They were so instrumental in helping him to get Warrior Cry Music Project off the ground. Global Training Ministries is still the parent non-profit he works with. I was the luckiest beneficiary of the partnership, because I got to know and love Debbie, Jim, and Lavon ... the musicianaries of GTM.  I don't know why they liked me, but I'm so glad they did.

The Extraordinary Threesome have known each other their whole lives. They grew up together. They formed GTM together. Jim and Debbie married each other. They started with a dream and grew it to become an outreach that saved souls and lives across 43 nations. Several years ago, they added our wounded soldiers to their flock. That's how they met the Musician. Seeing them walk into the hospital, they are celebrities. Soldiers who are wounded and in the depths of despair are pulled from the brink by their generous spirits. GTM is also T-Shirts 4 Troops. They remind our soldiers that they are our superheroes. They can bring out the smile from someone who hasn't smiled in months due to their injuries. For a little bit, that person has no pain. And somehow, magically, that person gets a little better every day. They bring back that flicker of life and hope and love. People who had given up on life decide to fight to live ... just after a few minutes with Debbie and Jim and Lavon. If you meet someone who has ever met them, you know what an impact they have. It's really indescribable. I've seen it. I've met those people. I am one of those people. 

They adopted me as a member of their family. I always call them the family I chose. I love my family by blood, I have to. The family a person chooses is different. I can't explain it. It just is. No blood ties, but feels just as close and just as much a part of who you are. 

Jim and Debbie came to my promotion a few months ago. They were busy, but made time for me. They were only here a few days. During that time, they touched dozens of lives in the warrior transition unit and burn unit and among my friends and family. I hope I made her proud. I can't believe they made the trip just because I asked them to.  All three of them were here just 6 weeks ago for another whirlwind trip visiting soldiers at San Antonio Military Medical Center. They continued to inspire everyone. Their stories inspired me.  I didn't know it was the last time I would see her smile. I wouldn't have let her go. 

Debbie was excited about everything in life. She loved every minute. She was excited to share little details of her experiences. She laughed. And she laughed. And she hugged like you wouldn't believe. You could really feel love coming through the hugs. She made you feel like you were the only person on earth at that moment.  She was a really talented pianist and her music could just take you somewhere else. She was modest and did most of her work behind the scenes. Jim and Lavon are the public faces that tell jokes in sermons and feed off each other like a pair of stand-up comics. Debbie smiled and nodded and you knew, she was the glue. She wouldn't have wanted all of this attention. If she were here, she would find a way to make everyone feel better about this.  She would make us smile. 

Debbie was healthy. She made smoothies for breakfast with coconut oil and Jim tolerated it. Saturday, Jim posted on Facebook ... he needed prayers for Debbie. She had a massive stroke. I was out of town and called the Musician. I could hear his heart stop. But, it was going to be OK. IT HAD TO BE!!! Just a little setback. We decided to travel to visit when she was out of the hospital and there would be less chaos in the lives of those who loved her. We wanted to give them privacy and space. We knew they would need help when she was recovering. We scoured Facebook feeds for information. We reached out daily to let them know she was in our prayers, but we didn't want to intrude. Jim and Lavon and Jillian and Eric had enough going on. Debbie was put on a ventilator. She became unresponsive. Today, they made the hardest decision and extubated her. She breathed. And then she stopped. 

I can't believe it. It's not real. It can't be. How did this happen? I keep thinking I should just text her. She'll text back. She always does. Maybe I will look on Facebook and she will post something thanking everyone who is showing how much they loved her. Her page and the pages of her family are full of tributes. She can't be gone. Her time was too short. I don't understand this.  Just to hear her voice, I am watching this video over and over. Listen to her laughter. I can't believe I won't hear it again. 

I know that I should be saying things like "She's in a better place." "She has gone home to Christ." I know I should be celebrating her life, her impact. But how can I? How can this be the plan for her? How are those of us who loved her so much supposed to keep going? 

I suppose I don't have a choice. I have to keep going. It's hard to know how.  But, if you read my blog, check out GTM. See for yourselves what she did. Rejoice in her life and grieve her death. Support GTM ministry in her memory. It's the legacy she would want. And enjoy the pictures that I have of her and others have been posting all over today. 

See for yourself. Debbie Peters' spirit was total bright, brief, light!!! Heaven is brighter today. An angel on earth has gone home. 

P.S. Debbie: Since there isn't a Caribou coffee around here, I'm going to Taco Cabana for a Black Bean Taco and Margarita with you tonight. I know how much you loved it.