Sarah Vincent

Dearest Sarah, I would have never thought God would see it fit for me to plan your memorial service. My love for you does stretch beyond measure. You were my best friend, sister and mentor. You have prepared me with your wisdom and love.  And for that I am eternally grateful. I have not cried since your transition to the heavens. That Christmas morning when you took your last breath I kissed your hand and said a prayer. Oh how I miss you so.  

I will carry on your banner for Christ in the example you showed me how....simply loving God and loving people. I will do it cheerfully even when those who rise up against me.  Words of kindness is what you used....Yes, I will use that also.  

I will watch over your Monkey, Moska and Buff. They are my connection to you. Again....thank you for giving them to us. 

I pray you were pleased as I honored you today with the fanfare you so deserved. A humble woman, meek in spirit, slow to speak, very quick to love, giver to the poor and strength was your banner. 

Today......I let go and smiled.  I pray you were pleased.

Loving you eternally,

Your Sister Jackie

Sarah and Charlie, Crystal and Brit took karate classes with my family.  For years mind you, we met three times a week to fight and laugh, sweat and ache together.   The Laus love the Vincents....always will.  We taught each other along the way about family and friendship.

This past year Sarah and her family have faced challenges that I cannot even imagine.
Sarah taught me about God's love and how to love God.  She taught me how to care for others. Sarah always was giving to others.  She taught me how to face each day, treasure each day and be grateful and hopeful.  Her laugh was beautiful, a real gift.

Oh how I will miss Sarah.

I love you Sarah, Thank you for being my friend.

Mar

Sarah was one of my dearest friends at Muscatel Jr. High and for our first two years at Rosemead High
School before I then moved away to Hacienda Heights. I had the pleasure of revisiting with Sarah at our 10 year reunion (see photo of '86) catching up on life and just having fun as we did in school. I do remember how beautiful she was that evening :-) I did not see Sarah again until her "50TH" birthday party. She had battled cancer but was doing fine. I prayed for Sarah sending my love her way. Seven months ago Rob Lewis helped re-unite us. Sarah said she was having medical issues. So the next morning I called her at 11am to reconfirm my visit and told her I was on my way. She said, “okay, I am getting ready!” Once I pulled up in the parking space I could see Sarah waiting for me and I knew the cancer was back. I was heartbroken and wanted to cry, but I put my smiling face on and got out of the car and quickly walked over to her and gave her a tight loving hug. It was like old times again. We went inside and Sarah introduced me to Charlie. Sarah pulled out all of her Rosemead H.S. annuals and I began to fill her in on all the fun we had had at our reunions, parties and gatherings over the years. We laughed and joked around but when we were quiet, I asked her about her medical issues. I felt the lump on her neck. She said that she had less than six months to live. My heart dropped and I began to cry. She looked at me and said, "please don't cry, I have done enough of that and I don't want to cry any more". I looked at her with a smile as tears ran down my face and she said let's say a prayer together. So we held hands as we prayed. Sarah later asked, “can you tell me who has passed away and of what did they die of ?” It hit me that she was preparing to see our classmates again and wanted to take this information with her, so I began to fill her in on the information I knew. I then got up and told Sarah it was so hard for me to leave her. We hugged and I kissed her a few times on her cheek as we kept saying how wonderful it was to have revisited after so many years, and how it felt like we were still in high school. That feeling had never left us. I hugged Charlie who had been so gracious, and who had been tuning in and out of our conversations all day. I am so thankful for the chance to have spent a beautiful fun day with her renewing our love for one another. We will forever be friends. I love you Sarah.

Sarah was a caring a loving woman. You could feel it as soon as you were in her presence. She cared about you the person, where your heart was, and where you were going. 

God knew I needed her (even if it was but for a season).  That's why He sent her to meet my brother and eventually they married. Not many "get close" to their in-laws, but I never saw Sarah as an in-law, she was my sister, my friend.

I watched how Sarah cared and took care of her husband and children. I watched how she cared and loved on her parents and siblings. I knew that was the kind of woman I wanted to be.  As I sat and observed those moments, I don't think she knew or maybe she did know...she was teaching and pouring into me over the years.  I remember she told me, "Chica, make sure you are make up ready and have a meal waiting for your husband when he gets home from work." Sarah always, always greeted my brother with a kiss when he came home from work. She always, always had a clean home for her family and a meal ready.

I miss her deeply. My life has changed. The sister and confidant I had through her has ended. But I find great joy in knowing she is with our Heavenly Father, free from pain.  Sarah was the Proverbs 31 woman. Softly doing what God has called her to do with love and grace in her own special way.  I love you Sarah and always will.

-Jackie

The Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31: 10-31 - NKJV)

Who can find a virtous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion of her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen gaments an sells the,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.