Prayers for the Magnasco family

Gosh - two posts in one day.

My mother in-law just called to tell me that Mackenzie's birthday gift should be delivered by UPS today. We also talked about other things and then she told me that a good friend of theirs died yesterday. I heard the Holy Spirit prodding me to ask who. Uggg.....John Magnasco. I am so sad. JT's parents know so many people, I usually don't know who they are talking about - but John, oh gosh, yes, I know him. Let me share.

When Brandon was in kindergarden and I was single (although JT was around a bit), we arrived home to our apartment with yellow tape up - during the day a plumber was working in an apartment connected to ours and while welding pipes, he started a fire. Burned out 4 of us.

We ended up living in a hotel for a few weeks - paid for by the insurance company.

My friend Tina lived in some cute condos and mentioned to me that a couple were available.

I got one - my landloards were John & Debbie Magnasco - this was back in 1995 or 1996 or so. And funny thing - I went to Junior High with their daughter, Dawn.

I am a bit shocked right now, as the news I just heard about 10 minutes ago.

Let me say that when I rented from them, I was not a follower of Christ, although I knew of Him, I was pretty lost. I was a single mom who supported the two if us just fine, worked hard, but also partied pretty hard.

The Magnasco's invited me to church for the Easter service and I went. I sat with them, right behind guess who.....none other than my now in-laws. Such a small world.

John & Debbie treated me more like family than a tennant and I have always just adored them. Anytime I go to San Jose I just have to go to church and my highlight is always seeing them. We have also exchanged Christmas cards for years.

John suffered a heart attack yesterday while driving. I am so sad for Debbie and their entire family.

If I was asked to name who single handedly made a huge impact on my life - their names are the ones I would give. I give credit to them both for the love & kindness they showed me and reintroducing me to the love of Christ in my young adulthood. I did continue to go to that church and actually worked in Children's Ministries there for a while. I truly don't think I would be where I am today, had it not been for them. John is someone who has left a huge impression in this world and without a doubt lived his life for Christ and bringing others to Him. I will miss him terribly.

I'm just sad. Praying for Debbie, their children, the grandchildren, the church....