JACKIE'S MOM AND THE JOURNEY

Hello, all. Like most earth dwellers, we've been through some challenging times as have many of our friends. On April 10th, after a long fight with some mysterious disease, Jackie's mom died. Over there on your left is how she looked when I was allowed into the family. That's at Jackie's wedding shower.

The funeral was on April 26th and it was a time of grieving, saying our good byes and a time to reflect on the Lord's goodness to us all. It was a time when much of the family was all together in one place and where we heard, again, the good news of the resurrection and the promises to those who live their lives for Christ. The funeral home had a pastor come and speak and that was a special surprise and blessing. I talked to him a bit by email and when I met him at the funeral home I found out he was a former YWAMer who had served in Africa. Small world. I shared a bit from my perspective about her life and how she exemplified the life of a care giver and servant to others.

Del, who she was married to when I came into the family, died of brain cancer. She kept him at home and cared for him throughout his time of dying and suffering. Her 2nd husband, Harold, died of Alzheimer's and she was at the home daily where he had to stay as his mind deteriorated and needed around the clock care. Whenever there was a need, she was there to give help and support. What an example she was to us as one who gives their all so that others might be comfortable.

Another soft spot in her life was playing with the grandkids and great grandkids. I don't think anything brought her more joy than to be surrounded by her kids--every generation of them. Elijah, our youngest grand son, cried and cried and cried when he realized what had happened. Tears shed testify of love given. Over there on the right is the ever hostess. Justine had to have everyone over to her house for any holiday or excuse so she could prepare a gigantic meal of some sort. But that wasn't enough--she then would try and clean it all up.

When Jackie and I dated, Del and Justine weren't Christians. The strangest thing happened though. We got married, went on our honeymoon and when we came home a few days later, they had become Christians and were going to our church. What a blessing that was and is to us.



There on the left is some of the family. It's a much bigger group when everyone gets together. This was taken a few years ago, before we went to Thailand.






We had about a week's warning, though we didn't really know it, that Justine would soon die. Jackie's sisters went over to see her and celebrate her birthday. Jackie wasn't able to travel because of her knee and was sad. She did talk to her on the phone the night before she died so that was a blessing. Here they are a couple of years ago.





Here's Jackie with her 2 sisters and mom. It's a good thing to have family.

We are always grateful to all of you who have prayed for us and for Justine. When we first heard of her illness we were in Thailand. Jackie flew back and stayed with her for 3 months and you guys supported us with prayers and even your finances. Times like that are never forgotten and people like you are always cherished. We count ourselves as blessed because we have folks like you that care and pray for us. Thank you so much.

We continue our journey toward Christ. A couple of weeks ago Jackie and I became a part of St. Justins Orthodox church. On the left, Fr. Ted is anointing us with oil, praying for the Holy Spirit's filling and joining us to the church.











On the right is Fr. Arkadi. He's a Russian Priest who is leading a Russian speaking service for immigrants. He's a giant and such a tender hearted man. That's Leah next to Jackie. For you old timers who were around with us in the Charismatic wild days, I've met a Don Basham look alike. He's standing in the back just to the right of Leah's head.

We are all on a journey. Justine has begun a new one and we are also on a new one, though we are still earth bound. It is with Godly hope that we will be joining our loved ones in the place of rest where the brightness and countenance of God ever lights their lives. May His joy and mercies be yours in abundance.

Bob and Jackie

JANELL'S JOURNEY

You are probably wondering why I'm writing about Janell's life...easy--she's much more to us than a Janell. Janell came into our lives when she was a student at YWAM's campus in Montana where Jackie and I were the school leaders. That was way back in 1990. She pretty much was cold, elusive and definitely not wanting a group hug. Over time, things got better. Then they got worse. She had some medical mishaps and in order for her to finish up her school, she moved in with us and became part of the family. Leah had her big sister. It was pretty much uneventful having Janell living with us until she nearly bled to death in bed. But we all survived DTS together and Janell married Dale, who'd been planning on marrying her for quite some time. A couple of years later we moved to Hong Kong and asked if they would come and be on staff with us over there. It was a great year together, working in the DTS. Their first son, Caleb, was born in Hong Kong and I got to drive them to the hospital. I got lost coming home but thank God going we found it OK. After Hong Kong we all went our separate ways and pursued God. Jackie and I hung in with YWAM another 4 or 5 years and they eventually moved to Colorado and by 2003 were up to about 10 kids--3 were born to them and the other and 4 were adopted with 3 more in the process. Then their world fell apart--hard. I'm really shortening this but while we were off in Thailand on another one of our adventures in Christ, Janell had a couple of strokes and a few other near-death experiences and wound up paralyzed.

For, it seems, the last year we've been on our blog site and in our emails asking for prayers for this person or that one and it's been a tough year in many ways. There have been times we've wondered what else could possibly happen when sure enough, something else happened that knocked us backwards a couple of steps. But this is a different kind of story. I asked Janell if I could tell some more of her story and she referred me to something she'd already written, so here's what's going on in her life:

As I have said before, my desire is that you know “the whole story”. But I can’t leave you hangin’ and thinking about days gone by, (years gone by) while I am rejoicing in the most awesome miracle of my life. So, this is the beginning of what is happening... I wrote this March 7, 2008. Please stay tuned, as so much has happened since then!!

I keep starting to write something about this, then deleting and backing up. uhm...

In the past few weeks, Dale and I have been challenging our kids with "what are you living for?" You are either living for God or you are not. It's very convicting to raise kids, because it forces me to examine my own heart. Then when I pray for my kid's heart issues, this conviction comes: “maybe my kids are having a hard time living for God, because I am having a hard time living for God.”

So the question came, what am I living for?

I don't know.

I used to live for God.

I am not sure how to put into words the things have transpired since. Except that God is doing something very personal with me. Repentance and trust are in the middle of it all.

During the preceding weeks, I had the overwhelming feeling that I just couldn’t continue to live in the physical condition that I was. This feeling has come and go over the past 5 years but I just couldn’t shake it. With a refreshed desire to listen to the Lord, I prayed and waited. Prayed and waited. The still small voice, that I was once so familiar with returned to me in the sweetest of ways.

“It is time, Janell”

That morning, Monday, March 3, 2008 I did not put on ANY leg brace... no KAFO, no AFO, ‘no nothing’. Dale and I went to Costco together, I walked around using crutches. There was still a measure of concentration involved, especially in order to not hyperextend my knee. But it's not like anything that's happened in the past 5 years. (Did you know on March 23 it will be 5 years?)

Tuesday, same story, no brace, just crutches. So, two days. I hadn't told even Dale. Something about the whole thing was very personal. Tuesday evening I showed Dale. He just stared... "do that again, let me see that again, what is going on? ... is God healing you???"

We cried.

Wednesday I went to Boulder Running Company and bought myself some running shoes. The lady that helped me must have thought I was a nut... I crutch in and ask for help with running shoes... I said, "I'm not quite running yet, but I will be." (thanks Cydney!)

So, my left leg did not sprout muscles. But I can move it. I can move my hand too.

I don't know what more to say, (EXCEPT PRAISE GOD!!) something REALLY awesome is happening.

Here we are at the 20th YWAM/Montana anniversary. That's Theresa in the brown coat, another one of our Hong Kong staff and much, much more than that to us. She's family too.

I called the other day to talk to Janell and she was in the middle of lifting weights and couldn't talk. Dale had already told me she'd done 45 minutes on the tread mill thingie. So she's making good progress. Is it a miracle? Janell even being alive is a miracle. Janell following God is a miracle. We all have valleys to walk through but I've never in my life seen a valley so deep as the one she's gone through. There are so many left out details that it would take a ton more pages just to fill them in. Janell said it started with repentance. And therein lies a great miracle--a heart renewed for God. He's always about the heart, this wonderful Father we've met through Christ His glorious Son. No matter how deep and long the valley, He has walked through it before us and is always there for us when we call out to Him. We may never get out of our wheel chairs as Janell has, but then we can all have hearts burning with love for our God and that is indeed a wonderful miracle. However, I am so glad that she's out of the chair! I so wish we could be in CO right now to be with them to share their joy. Oh yeah, my wife can't walk! But she will....

I hope this has been an encouragement to you. We are so grateful to God for what He's done for Dale, Janell and their kids.