I first met Penny in early 2016 when she was a student in my husband’s English class.

She was a college student just up the road from our coffee shop and had signed up for a class to gain more experience in advanced English speaking. She had recently decided to follow Christ, and it was evident it was no half-hearted commitment. We attended her baptism a few weeks later, and watched with joy as Jesus came alive in and through her life.

Penny spent that summer (2016) in America on a work exchange program and came to our wedding – she blessed us by reading our wedding passage in Chinese during the ceremony. She would be a part of our family’s life for the rest of her life – reading books to our babies, taking them for walks, practicing Chinese and laughing with them. When Penny “A-Yi” walked in the room, we all knew we were receiving a blessing.

Penny died on Wednesday in a tragic house fire. Tragic in every sense of the word. A family dispute turned violent, and when their home was set on fire – Penny, her two sisters-in-law and mother were trapped with the four sleeping children upstairs. None of them made it out. I’m still in total disbelief as I write these words.

It’s common to “deify” someone after their death – to paint a picture of them that seems perfect and flawless. Penny wasn’t perfect, but Penny was undoubtedly remarkable. If you had asked me about her two weeks ago – I would’ve said the same thing.

Penny could have done anything with her life – I mean anything. She was gorgeous, smart, kind, popular, curious, funny – so easy to love and get to know. She had a college degree and graduated with high marks. I sat in the audience as she showed her class her senior project, a documentary she made about a professional archer in Taiwan. She received the highest score – her professor remarked to the whole class about her work ethic and storytelling. Penny was fluent in English and had spent a few summers in America – she had job offers and opportunities there, ones she seriously considered.

A lot of her friends were missionaries – she wanted to be one too. She looked into different YWAM bases around the world, but ultimately she knew it wasn’t the right time. I’ll never forget a conversation we had when she finally made a decision for what she was going to do after college.

“I’m moving home.”

I pushed back – “What? Why? Penny, you can do anything! Why immerse yourself in your family drama?”

Do you know what she told me?

“Neilson and Faith need to know God.”

At the time that was her only nephew and niece. She listened to God and felt it was of utmost importance to be a part of their everyday life, bring them to church and teach them about God. And she did. Without Penny, they may have never heard the gospel – but instead, they not only knew Jesus but had the opportunity to learn from the Bible and pray to the God who hears.

Her third nephew Caleb was born a month before my Caleb, and he too got to share in her love. He was born with some health complications and she took care of Faith and Neilson while he was in the hospital – and they prayed every night for a miracle for their baby brother. They celebrated God’s power as he answered their prayers, Caleb got to come home.

Penny had no idea that on June 15th, 2022 all 4 of them would die in a fire, along with their baby cousin, their aunt, mom, and grandma.

But Penny knew God.

When God told her to do something, she listened.

Humans often measure achievement in size, wealth or influence. But in Scripture, God tells us to leave those goals alone and pursue obedience. Perhaps this obedience will produce a large harvest of fruit – but ultimately success lies in our posture at the Master’s feet. Believers are called to sit in God’s presence, to know Him, and to listen to what He says – walking in trustful obedience.

I got to know Penny long enough to say that was how she lived her life.

Simple.

Faithful.

Willing.

Obedient.

Penny loved children – she loved mine. But she loved Neilson, Faith, Caleb, and baby Joy the most.

And on Wednesday night I believe they held her hand as they all took their first steps into God’s marvelous light. She ushered them into church every Sunday, and there’s not a doubt in my hand they were all in tow as she stepped into the eternal presence of God.

Those of us who loved Penny are crushed, devastated – it’s been a long time since I’ve felt such deep loss. A world without Penny seems like a dimmer world.

But there is a Kingdom coming. It’s here and it’s not fully yet. One where we never have to suffer loss and pain like this. And the builders are people just like Penny:

Simple.

Faithful.

Willing.

Obedient.

To Penny: thanks for being my friend. I love you. ❤️