Madeliene Apuzen

I took care of my husband after his stroke. And he never went back to the house. He was a man so robust, full of life, and so intelligent; he could preach, could teach, and people appreciated him. But after the stroke, he was like a vegetable. I said, “Oh life, life is…. This is life.”

So I was there, watching him. In the hospital they did not allow visitors, but I was there every day and they gave me a bed. So, even though it was snowing, raining, hailing, I was there. I stayed there for a month in the hospital.

And then, and then later on, I just worshipped the Lord. The bed of my husband was my altar. And so the ecstasy, you know? The joy of being in the presence of God. It’s so beautiful. To have that peace; to be at peace in your heart and to have the joy that you are worshipping the true and the living God. The greatest. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. You worship Him. And so sometimes I raised my hands and then I jumped. 

That day he died, I was telling him, “I’m going to attend the conference for two days.” And so I was packing. It was 1 o’clock, so it was hot. We gave him a bath. After my nephew put him to bed, I put cream on him. I massaged his body. And then I said, “I just love you so much. I don’t regret taking care of you. I love you. And I love the Lord because of you. The Lord allowed me to take care of you. I really appreciate taking care of you. The Lord is with me, and I experience his presence when I’m with you taking care of you. But I’m going to miss you tonight because I’m preparing to go to a conference.”

And then I just allowed him to sleep. He slept so soundly I thought he loved my massage. And then when I looked at him, I said, “Why does he sleep so long? He never moves, even a bit. Why? What happened?” I looked at him, his hands. I saw the blood inside, under the skin. I said, “Oh my God, there is something going on.” And then I massaged, massaged, massaged, massaged. And then I checked to see if he had a pulse. It was gone. 

I said, “Oh glory to God! My husband went to be with the Lord so quietly. Without struggle.” He left so quietly. So smooth. So wonderful. So I said, “Oh, he is with the Lord now. He is at rest. The Lord wiped away all tears from his eyes. Now he hears His words that welcome a good and faithful servant. ‘Enter thou into the Lord, into the joy of the Lord.’”