Love Amazing, Love Divine

Has it really been almost two weeks since my last post?

I have so many items to post right now, that the thought of breaking it down into chunks is overwhelming. So, in honor of Valentines Day, I thought it may be nice to post some of the love we have been feeling here lately.

We celebrated Rob's birthday. We went to a local restaurant and then went back to Grammy and Pop Pop's house for dessert. It was a perfect way for Rob to begin a new year. We love Daddy!

We had the honor of going into Emily's classroom to celebrate Chinese New Year. Even one of Emily's dearest friends was permitted to leave her classroom and come in to join us. We read a story, answered questions, colored dragon fans and ate Moon Cookies. The kids really enjoyed it and Emily was so happy to talk to her classmates about why China is special for our family. We spoke of how we all see the same moon and serve the same God. No love finer than that!

"...as far as east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

Unfortunately, we also attended a funeral. Perhaps one of the largest and most ceremonial funerals our county has ever seen, it was a beautiful celebration of a life well lived. We waited in line a very long time the evening of the viewing. We had arrived early to see Chris brought in on a horse drawn carriage. The streets were crowded and many, many people were there to support the family of this fallen officer. Two of Chris' brother in laws offered that we might move up toward the front to see their family. We opted to stay right where we were. That room was filled with compassion and love. We heard stories of amazing things he had done as a police officer. We heard people speak about his devotion to his wife and children. We shared some of our own fondest memories of Chris' wife and her family growing up. And even more beautiful than all of that, we met people in that line who had never met Chris Jones. They felt a kindred spirit to his vocation or just community outpouring, whatever inspired them to attend and stand in line two, three hours at a time, it was lovely. We were blessed by that experience.

Rest in Peace, Chris. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Last weekend, we had the distinct pleasure and priviledge to celebrate our friend, Jim. His wife Sharon, a sister in the Lord and and a sister in my life, blessed her husband with a surprise. She hosted a fete to celebrate Jim's 45th birthday and his impending trip to Israel. It was divine in every way that they are divine.

When Sharon and I began a friendship last year, I would have never imagined how the Lord would weave His plan into the fabric of our lives. Our daughters are friends, which is precious, but our families are family which is a treasure. Jim has long dreamed of taking a trip to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked. Jim and Sharon live their entire life in obedience and accordance to God's will. Whether it is lifting loved ones in prayer, opening their home for fellowship, or finding friends in the company of complete strangers, this family is carrying the word of our Lord everywhere they go.

The service staff at the party made comment of how much love was in that room and I concur. Jim is a special, special man. As iron sharpens iron, Jim takes this verse seriously and is a true brother to his friends. He cares. Sharon cares. Their children care. Hearing their lifelong friends speak so eloquently about Jim and his family and the ways they have touched lives was moving on every level. Friends like this are a gift from God. How blessed we are to have been in their company to have had the joy of being part of those moments. We look forward to a lifetime of loving one another. (Feel welcome to visit Sharon's blog to see all the special touches she prayerfully added to make this occasion unique and special)

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17