Deborah Standard

53, of Arvada, entered into Heaven on November 12, 2010. She is survived by her mother, Mary Ann Croissant. Her two children, Audrey (Jade) Claybrook and David Standard. Two grandchildren: Eben and Barek. Two brothers, Milton (Cindy) Croissant, Jr. and Martin (Tammy) Croissant; one sister, Tonya Croissant. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her father, Milton M. Croissant, Sr., and her husband, Larry Standard. Funeral service, Wednesday, November 17, 12PM, at Faith Bible Chapel, in the Prayer Chapel, on the west side of 64th and Ward Rd., in Arvada, Colorado. Interment at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Donations may be made in Deb's name to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of ALS.


Deborah Standard
June 9, 2008
Testimony

Up until a few years ago, my life and testimony were up beat and visibly blessed by God.
I was born into a great family and grew up feeling loved and supported. As a child, I attended church with some friends where, one year, I saved up money to go to a summer Bible camp. At camp, one night around the campfire, the gospel was shared. I was convicted of my sin and knew I didn't want to go to hell. I also took Christ's sacrifice on the cross personally. So that night, at the age of around 9, I received Christ as my savior. It was in college, where I was involved in a Christian campus ministry, that I made a lordship decision and grew most in my spiritual walk.

After graduation, I took a job in a neighboring state where I met my husband and we had our two children. We enjoyed fellowship and service in several churches and again, I felt very blessed by God.

Going on 5 years ago, my husband died and my and my children's lives were challenged in unexpected ways. After my husband's death, God impressed on me that He is El Elyon, I was deeply humbled and submitted to His will. I was also grounded more in my belief in heaven. Two years later, with my children older, and circumstances pointing in the right direction, I followed a long held desire and call to missions.

During my pursuit of missions with Africa Inland Mission, God dealt with me through several frustrations and my faith was, again, challenged in unexpected ways. After several delays, a month before I was to leave for Chad, Africa for a two year training program, I was diagnosed with ALS and taken off the team. The Lord has been gracious to me, however, and I was able to go to the capital of Chad and teach English to Muslim students for six months. God truly blessed my time there and I am forever grateful for the opportunity He gave me.

Now, as I deal with my disease and its day to day physical limitations, I am in the process of figuring out a new relationship to El Elyon. There is a song, "Blessed be the Name", which has become my theme since my husband's death. The blessings of God seem to be unseen now, but still, "My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name."