Nomi Orr

N'omi's graduation was almost a year ago, on April 19, 2006. The impact of her life was and is huge, powerful and godly. It would be wonderful to hear anything you would like to share about N'omi, about your experience with her, about what she taught you, or how she blessed you. Please click on "Post a comment" below and write whatever God puts in your heart.

109 people showed up for the memorial time. It was magnificent! I shared a bit about my life with N'omi. Then many people got up and spoke about what N'omi had meant to them in their life, and how she helped them get closer to God.

People flew in and drove in from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Illinois, and all over Virginia.

Afterward, we went over to John and Pat's for the Glory Party - and it was glorious! Lots of food, wonderful fellowship, much laughter, some tears, great encouragement to live up to what N'omi saw in us - what God put in us.

The word of the Lord to all of us, as N'omi was fond of quoting our dear friend Ed Banyai: "Carry on." 

I went out for a walk this afternoon. While walking, I asked God to give me a brief summary of N'omi's life message. Here's what He told me:

1. God is real.
2. He isn't mad at you.
3. Your move. 

We ordered pizza last night. After my son placed the order, the girl said, "There's no charge for this order." Perplexed, my son asked, "Why?" "Because you're our favorite customer," she said.

When Brian, our usual delivery guy, came with the order, he also delivered a beautiful sympathy card, signed by the whole crew. (They had seen the obituary.)

Thank you, dear Domino's people! We love more than your pizza! 

In the 33 years we were together, N'omi died twice. The first time was just a few days after we had gotten saved. Her heart gave out. We were in Nashville, in a place with no phone, and I would not have known whom to call anyway.

She was gone - from my point of view - for about 30 minutes. No breathing, no pulse. From her point of view, it was timeless. She was walking with Yeshua in a wonderful kind of green place, beautiful sky, supernatural clarity. When she realized what was going on, she said, "But what about Joel and the kids?" The Lord told her she didn't have to go back, but she could if she wanted to.

She doesn't recall having made a decision, but while she was considering the facts - I had just met the kids, 8-13 (the three that were with us), a few days earlier; they didn't know me; etc. - she was suddenly back.

Then about 10 years ago, she was crocheting in the living room, and closed her eyes. Oddly, the scene remained exactly as it had been with her eyes open - except that the Lord walked in from the kitchen and said, "Let's go." She opened her eyes and couldn't see Him, but could still hear Him. She said, "What do you mean, 'let's go'?" He said, "If you come here and look back, you'll see your body in the chair."

She thought about that, and asked, "But what about Joel?" The Lord said, "You can stay if you want to, but you've picked a difficult path. But I'll see you in the Rapture."

Later, she promised me, "I'll never leave if I have a choice."

Over the ensuing months, she went through many, many health challenges, overcoming each one in the Lord. West Nile Virus; 10 attacks of scarlet fever, resulting in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome; in January, she fell down our stairs; and many more.

Seeing her in constant pain was heartbreaking. But she was always so courageous.

At one point - I don't recall precisely when - I said, "My love, I release you from your promise. If Yeshua gives you another invitation, take it, and don't look back. I'll see you not long after."

Still, we didn't expect her to die. Looking back over the last few weeks, the decline is evident; but she had been through equally rough patches in the past, and had always pulled through.

I had installed a baby monitor, so that when I had to leave the bedroom, I could listen to her. I had only been in my office for a couple of minutes, when I heard her breathing stop. I was by her in 5 seconds, but she was gone.

The next morning, a question came to me: "Lord," I said, "why wasn't I with her at the moment she left?" "Because if you had been there," He said, "she wouldn't have left."

This was just last Wednesday, not even a week ago. I'm experiencing time strangely. God's comfort has been palpable - absolutely amazing. I've had peace and joy, all the time! And so have my children and grandchildren, who have surrounded me with love, blessing, and support.

I know there is a huge crater in my heart - but God is filling it every moment with His love. This is what I've always known He could do, and wants to do - but the experience of it is, to use an overused word, awesome. I have some tears now and then, but I have always cried easily. Just say, "holocaust," or "Jerusalem," and I can feel my physiology changing.

I haven't been able to travel - because of N'omi's condition - for several months. My consulting business (www.cyonresearch.com; www.joelorr.com ) chugs along. I'm doing some Internet marketing things (www.joelsarticles.com; several others). My latest book, "Every Man a Hero, Every Woman a Coach" ( www.everymanahero.com) is slowly gaining traction.

God hasn't mapped things out for me yet, but I believe that a central part of everything will be the strengthening of my family and fellowship.