My name is Linda Larson Schlitz and  I know miracles happen because  I have been changed. Forever. I will never be the same after meeting, ministering with and to Randy Thompson. I have listened to him preach, teach and love his family and friends I have been enthralled by his music and been brought to my knees by his writing. Now, as I walk through the transformation of Randy the Music Minister, Preacher and Teacher to the childlike man with Dementia I am filled with a range of emotions that I can’t even explain. As I pour through the things he has written since his brain began to deteriorate I am aware of the anointing of the Holy Spirit on Randy.  Though others saw his deterioration no one knew, including Randy what all was going on.

But he knew something had changed. He was aware that his life had taken a turn toward heaven. He was entering a new realm that he had never known and he was excited about it. He fully intended to write more songs and change more lives. He wanted to continue to lead others to Christ and see them be freed from the bondage of sin and the pain of this world.  He longed to hear those words… “Well done my good and faithful servant” and before the last thing he ever wrote and posted, he entered the gates of heaven and heard Jesus share those words.

It was as if he knew that his life as he and all the rest of us knew it to be, was over.  The music he believed he would be writing will be to the King of Kings when Randy enters into the gates of glory and sings praises for all eternity. The way he will change lives will be through all he has ever done. He has left a legacy of music, writing and testimonies across the world. He has left a family that came to know Jesus and has continued to spread the good news to others.

He has continued to be the loving, kind gentle soul he always was, unlike most dementia patients. His neurologist is amazed and doesn’t  understand how this couple has done what Randy and Linda have done in these last days but as Linda explains it through her own pain and confusion…. Randy’s brain may be deteriorating but his heart is filled with Jesus and nothing can change that.

If you didn’t know Randy but are willing to listen to his music and read his writing, you will be changed. If you did know Randy and experienced who he was you already have been changed. If you did none of these but have come in contact with any of us who were changed by his ministry you will see what one life can do and what he would tell you….your life matters too. Jesus can do the same for you. He can use you too to change lives and to live a life of freedom and hope in this world but that we are merely sojourners in a foreign land.

Randy would say look not so much at the destination but enjoy the journey. Know Jesus is walking with you every step of the way and He has a plan for your life that may not always make sense but He is allowing you the opportunity to walk through it so you and others may learn to depend on Him for your strength and hope. He would say love is most important and forgiveness is merely a response of our relationship to Him. He will make us vessels of love if we allow Him to change us.

Randy would also implore you not to be sad for him but to rejoice with him as he enters the joy of what his Lord has for him. As Randy enters this next phase of his life, in a memory care facility, there is no doubt in our minds that staff, other residents and their family members will be changed.  As Linda visits her husband and does what she does so incredibly well in loving him, her love and amazing way of ministering to others will lead others to Christ. And if we choose to enter into this opportunity to be an extension of what Randy has already done by sharing his music, his writing and his life, we can rest assured that we too will receive jewels in our crowns because in being obedient, others will come to know Christ.

That is what Randy lived for and that is what he has sacrificed his life to die for.  I have been blessed and privileged to be a part of his life and see what his ministry has done. My husband came to know Christ through Randy’s music and we are here now to walk with Linda and Randy through this transition because of what Randy and Linda have done for both of us over the years.

It is my hope and prayer that if you are reading this but have NOT read everything Randy and Linda have written or listened to everything he has sang that you would take the time to do so that you too might come to a closer relationship with Jesus and can live in the joy of His salvation. Here are the links that you need to check out. Consider Randy’s last blogs on  “A Believers Journey”.  It was his dream that He was in heaven….I believe he entered that realm which led him to share 3 dreams he had….he called them all  “I had a Dream. ”  God spoke to him through those dreams and we are blessed to have the opportunity to experience his final writing journey.

I WROTE THIS BLOG JULY 17th, 2018- It is now September 21st, 2022 and Randy is still in the Assisted living home, Linda is still adjusting to life without him at home but in 2 weeks I will be joining her to work on publishing the book Randy wrote after he got dementia and only days before his mind left him unable to even carry on a conversation.  Please get on our newsletter list to keep updated about Randy’s book launch and be able to share the message that he and Linda offer.

Here are some of the things they already have out there, READ THEM, Pass them on and then sign up to get on Linda’s newsletter list.

Randy’s website, music and newsletters   www.randythompson.org

Randy’s final blogs http://randythompson.blogspot.com/

Linda’s Blog http://lindathompson.blogspot.com/