Happy 29th Birthday Lindsay!!!

Lindsay on the whitewater, Summer 2004

Today, Lindsay would have turned 29. She died shortly before her 23rd birthday, but in her relatively short time here on earth, she lived a remarkable life! With a passion for God and a love for the outdoors, she found a kindred spirit in Jason and they both found their calling in working with youth at Christian adventure camps. What an amazing way to serve the Lord! And they were both uniquely equipped to do so.

I never had the chance to get to know Lindsay well, I only met her once before she died... but I am so looking forward to getting to know her in heaven! I want to tell her (and Jason) about the incredible impact their lives had on others. They both certainly changed my life!

I have learned from Lindsay's family and friends that she was an extremely caring person with a humble and tender heart and she lived that out by genuinely caring for others. She truly was a reflection of God's grace, as we are all called to be. What a blessing it is that God has been glorified by the life that she led! She set an amazing example for us all of what a life of purity and Godly love is all about!

I love what she wrote in a journal the evening before she died. It was the last thing she ever wrote:

"The sun is going down in the horizon, and all I see is the beams shining on the cliff face, and I know that God is awesome. I look around and I see His creation all around me."

She didn't just see a beautiful sunset on a California beach, she saw God's handiwork and the incredible beauty of His Creation! That is the perspective that comes with a truly changed heart because of the love of Christ!

These are also journal entries that she had written earlier... more evidence of the perspective that she lived with each day:

"I greatly desire to have many crowns to give my God when I get to heaven. Nothing on earth matters in light of eternity. It is so easy to get caught up in the things of the world and forget what really matters. How amazing that we have forever to spend with Christ. The more we worship and spend our lives for Christ on earth the better we can serve Him in heaven. I sometimes think of myself as a pilgrim in a foreign land traveling through life. We are here temporarily. I should be less materialistic and give more to God. Don’t waste time." "Heaven will be a wonderful place of no suffering, hurt, loneliness; it’s a great thing to look forward to."

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A beautiful note to Lindsay from her mom:

"I am so proud of the woman you became. I love you and miss you with all of my heart. Life will never be the same since you went home to be with our Lord. I am so looking forward to heaven and eternity with my girl. I love you so much Lins... What a special lady you are and so many lives are better for knowing you. Love, Mom