Notes from the Care Pages

By Kim, Joe's sister

• Hello my name is Kim and I am one of Joe’s many siblings. I have been asked to read to you from the “Carepages” today, but first I want to take a moment and thank the Cameron’s for giving many of us access to the sight and thank those who took the time to make the updates, especially Cheryl, Joe and Allison. I’m sure it wasn’t always easy to do, but for those of us living far away, it really helped us to feel connected to the journey they were on.

  Many people graciously and eloquently shared their memories and testimonies of Cheryl in Carepage postings. Time only permits a few excerpts to, but I think these are representative of the bunch. They lovingly speak to us of Cheryl as Friend, as Educator and as an inspirational example of what living a Christian life looks like.

  by Kathy Casillas
  ...Cheryl took dance at the same studio that I did when I was in elementary school and middle school. She was a few levels above me. She really was an amazing ballarina! Very poised and I believe very talented. I can close my eyes and picture her right now just the way she danced. Anyway...I always wished that someday I could be as good as her. We ended up going to the same church. I think I always admired her all these years in the same way since our dance days! She was a gifted teacher and support at Valley Presbyterian School and Church. She was hilarious when she joined up with the "Labettes" to do a song and dance routine for us at a few key events. They brought the house down every time! Cheryl was a fantastic actress as well as dancer.
  On bedrest with my second child...Cheryl sent me a card that I carry in my Bible to this day. In it were words of encouragement as well as this verse, Lamentations 3:21-23...Therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindness never ceases, his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. That Bible verse ministered to me more than I could put into words and brought me great comfort

  by Renee Vick
  The only thing I did regularly with Cheryl was singing in the church choir  Besides being the administrative assistant to the choir director for many years, Cheryl was also sort of a champion of the alto section, having enough of a range to be able to sing along with the 2nd sopranos when necessary. It was just great to be a part of this group where each person "had a voice" and the whole point was to blend our voices together in one "accord" for the glory of the Lord. It's a beautiful picture of the body of Christ - people of different personality types, backgrounds and experiences singing together as one. And although we often had to work hard to get it all right and in sync, we also had a lot of laughs. And I laughed, grateful for the privilege of being able to join my voice to the others and have the glorious experience of watching and hearing the Lord make harmony out of chaos week after week!
  Being the linguist that I am, I looked up the name Cheryl on the internet and discovered it comes from French "cher", which means "dear" or "precious". (Our word "cherish" comes from the same root.) That's a good description of our sister. And when she married Joe, she completed her name with the German word for "morning". What a coïncidence - or is it? At least in my mind, Cheryl will be forever associated with "the morning" and God's faithfulness

  by Patti Kaiser
  I will think of Cheryl whenever I see my daughter enjoying a book. When her reading skills were coming along a bit slowly in second grade, she spent time in the learning lab with Cheryl. Cheryl clearly made this time special for the kids because rather than thinking of it as a chore or extra work, My daughter loved her time with her reading group and obviously counted it as a privelege and a fun time. She was really sad when she "graduated" from the learning lab and was sad to leave Mrs. Morgan's group. Cheryl told me how much she would miss the group herself.
  by Loraine Brewer
  I have so many wonderful memories of Cheryl, but I will address the area of her as a teacher. She was perfect for the learning lab, but also as a classroom teacher as she excelled at both. She was self motivated, loved the children, calm, giving, steady, and an excellent model of Christ's love -all wonderful qualities working with children. Needless to say she was well skilled and educated in her field. She was respected by her peers. I never saw her angry or raise her voice nor did she have ill to say of another. She was dedicated to her Lord, her family and her ministry.
  I will miss her and Praise the Lord that I had the opportunity to serve our Lord beside her.
  Loraine

  by Barbara Thomas
  I am one of those who was blessed by Cheryl's friendship and witness. She took over my class during a death in my family freeing me up to help my family. I could do what I needed to do because I knew my class was in good hands (Cheryl's) Additionally, I was privileged to serve with her in ministry at VPS for many years. She truly was a servant who demonstrated a loving, kind, and helpful spirit. Cheryl was a talented singer and teacher. She loved doing both. I could always count on Cheryl to be on key when I wasn't. barbara & eric

  It was a joy to know Cheryl. Her quick sense of humor lit up a conversation. Her steady, calm personality soothed us. Her warm smile made us welcome. Her trust in God's will for her inspires us.
  Mary and Merrill Hall.

  She will be missed. I am so very grateful she is part of our family.