Lives Lived Well and Now with Jesus

Friday night Richie and Lydia stopped by so that Lydia could practice singing "Treasure of Jesus" with Ted for an upcoming Christmas program.   It is such a beautiful song, and the lyrics are so fitting both for the program, and for the news we received that evening
(and last night as well). 

 

Soon after they finished practicing the song on Friday night,

we received a phone call from Janet, Richie's mom,
 that their beloved uncle,

a Wycliffe missionary for most of his life,

had gone home to be with Jesus.  

We were so sad to hear the news of the loss this will be to so many . . .

his dear wife, Helen;

his family;

and many, many friends all over the world. 

At the same time, as Richie re-told his amazing story,

we enjoyed reminiscing and rejoicing over his life . . .

a life lived surrendered to the Lord and for His glory.  

No doubt, as he entered into the presence of Jesus,

he heard "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

 

Among many amazing things that Don did in the Lord's service,

 was to be a part of the search team for

Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, and Pete Fleming

in the jungles of Ecuador after their death in 1956 by the Auca Indians. 

Don and his team-mates are written about in Elisabeth Elliot's book

"Through Gates of Splendor."

He is also in a few of the photographs on pages 208-211,

wearing a Hawaiian shirt and his logging hard hat. :-)

 

In addition to his news,

we heard late last night that our very beloved and faithful friend, neighbor and "adopted" grandma,

suddenly went home to be with Jesus.
She also lived her life fully devoted to the Lord and to others.

These two dearly loved ones, Don Johnson and Marilyn Jerke, entered into eternity within about 24 hours of each other.

Words can't express how much we will miss them!  

 

What can I do
How can I live
To show my world
The treasure of Jesus

What will it take
What could I give
So they can know
The treasure He is

If I can sing
Let my songs be full of His Glory
If I can speak
Let my words be full of His Grace
If I should live or die
Let me be found pursuing this prize
The One that alone satisfies
The Treasure of Jesus

And if I can sing
Let my songs be full of His Glory
If I can speak
Let all my words be full of His Grace
And if I should live or die
Let me be found pursuing this prize
The One that alone satisfies
The Treasure of Jesus 



Thanksgiving Blessings!

We hope you all had a very blessed day of giving thanks to the Lord!

 

Our day got off to a wonderful start with Lydia coming

 over early to help prepare and enjoy a big breakfast.

(We really missed Richie, though, as he was working.) 

 

Then, after our delightful breakfast,

and with a little hop, skip and a jump,

we went over to see these three dear ones,

 

 

 After watching some of the Macy's parade,

we came back to our place to get ready for our big feast!

 

 Looks like Daddy is giving Joe some turkey-carving pointers.

Or is it the other way around? : -)

The feast!

 The moment this young man has been waiting for!

 

After dinner, we had some puppy time . . .

and baby time!

 

We also really enjoyed watching Louie Giglio's "Indescribable" DVD

as part of our thanks-giving to our awesome God!   

 

 

And then . . . the time came to enjoy

Cassidy's AMAZING blueberry cheesecake and

Valerie's apple pie and chocolate pecan pie!! 

YUM!

 

What a wonderful day!!!

We linked this blessed Thanksgiving day visit
over at a dear bloggy friends' place to join in the fun at: 
A Place Called Simplicity


From Our Family to Yours . . .

~ Happy Thanksgiving! ~

"Give thanks to the Lord,

for he is good;

his love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1
 

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men,

for he satisfies the thirsty

and fills the hungry with good things."

Psalm 107:8-9

 

~ As we thank the Lord for all He has done for us,

and for the abundant blessings He has bestowed . . .

YOU are at the top of our list!  ~

 

"O Lord my God,

I will give you thanks forever."

Psalm 30:12b

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us,
and we are his;
we are his people,
the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Psalm 100

May our Lord be pleased
today, tomorrow,

and all year round,

as we all strive to . . .    

"Be joyful always;

pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances . . . "

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

". . . continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -

the fruit of lips that confess his name.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others,

for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

Hebrews 12:15-16

". . . be thankful,

 and so worship God acceptably

with reverence and awe."

Hebrews 12:28b