Jenny Buttke - The loss of a dear friend.

Jenny was called Home yesterday after a battle with stomach cancer.  I remember at the end of September Jenny told me she wasn't feeling good and was having a hard time keeping food down. On October 5th she went to urgent care because she was so weak from the lack of food. They did a CT scan, x-rays, and blood work, but they couldn't find anything wrong so she went home frustrated. She did some internet research and thought it might be a gastric paralysis and hoped she could find a natural remedy; that it would be temporary.
Things took a turn for the worst after that.
October 24, Jenny texted me that she was in the hospital at Dean St. Mary's. They did a colonoscopy and an endoscopy and found masses in her stomach, colon, ovaries, and various other places. That is when she started giving chickens away. That may seem like an odd statement but, God Bless her, that was Jenny. She knew she wouldn't be able to take care of them and she wanted to make sure they found good homes, which they did.
On October 29, friends gathered together in Jenny's hospital room to get the verdict. She told us the doctor said treatment would be futile and she had about 3 months. There were a lot of tears, but I was amazed at how she was still able to laugh and be her cheeky self and before long we were all laughing and joking with her. Jenny accepted the diagnosis with grace and thanksgiving for the time the Lord was giving her. She saw an opportunity to spend time with friends and family and be able to say goodbye and prepare her children. Her children being her biggest concern knowing this would be the toughest on them.

Jenny was such a gentle and soft spoken woman. Philippians 4:4-7 reminds me of her.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When she told us of her prognosis, she wasn't anxious. The rest of us were more of a mess than she was. She seemed at peace, grateful that she knew Jesus and praised him.

She touched so many people throughout her life and I feel blessed having known her. She was secure in her faith and knew her Heavenly Father was waiting for her with open arms. Although I miss her terribly, I know I will see her again someday. Save a spot for me at the banquet table, Jenny.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3