Ten years!

A decade. That's how long this has been a reality.

Ten years ago, two humble, adventurous and faith-filled people were murdered. They did nothing to deserve it. It was unprovoked. (How threatening could two people sleeping on a beach be?) Their last words recorded were in a journal that had been previously left on that beach for visitors to sign. They were happy! They were in awe of God and full of joy that they would be married soon! They were blissfully unaware that the unthinkable was about to happen.

There is some consolation in knowing that they didn't see it coming. They weren't in distress. They had no idea that someone with completely evil intentions was about to take their lives. Due to the nature of their injuries, their deaths were swift. So they fell asleep and suddenly they were meeting Jesus face-to-face! That is a beautiful truth that is so comforting... but it doesn't negate the fact that there needs to be justice. Not revenge, but justice.

However, in recognition of this 10-year mark, I want to write about my memories of Jason... to write about his LIFE. He was hilarious and so much fun when we were growing up! Even as a kid, he was adventurous and LOVED to be outside! We were always out in the woods, playing in the yard, climbing trees, riding our bikes on trails, etc. It didn't surprise me that his love for the outdoors continued on into his adulthood. He had (and still does) the most amazing family! Jason was essentially my first real friend. There are pictures of us together at 2 years old. I don't remember a time in my life when I didn't know who Jason Allen was. :) So that's why his sudden and horrifying death affected me so much. I just never EVER imagined anything like that could hit so close to home. It ripped my heart out. :( When I go back and re-read some of my first posts, I can't help but cry because the words bring me right back there and I feel the heaviness of that grief. But 10 years on, I can truly say that God has been so faithful to not let satan have any victories in this tragedy. God brought beautiful things from something that was meant only to destroy. Jason & Lindsay dreamed of starting their own ministry. In death, God has let that ministry continue, albeit in a different way than they had planned. But if they have any idea of how their story has become a ministry of sorts, and how it has changed people's lives for the better because they have come to know Christ... I know they would be so humbled and honored!

For two young adults who traded material possessions to serve the Lord in the great outdoors, they weren't interested in any type of recognition or fame. They loved the ministries they worked in, where they could work with kids and show them the great fun and adventure you can have in God's creation! Tying ministry together with outdoor adventure... for them you couldn't get any better than that. That was their passion and they were living it! They were the real deal! They lived to serve the Lord. So when the sadness creeps in and I'm tempted to focus on the tragedy of their deaths instead of the beauty of their lives, I imagine Jason & Lindsay having a blast in heaven... having the greatest adventures ever... and that one day we will get to join them in that. Beauty from ashes.

Here are photos of them that I will leave uncaptioned. I just want you all to look at them and see their faces. They were real people who were dearly loved and are truly missed. They lived to serve God and serve others. They were funny and fun-loving. They were kind and compassionate. They did nothing to deserve what was done to them.

Please pray for justice for Jason & Lindsay! Not only because their killer needs to be held accountable for what he did, but to protect anyone else who may be in danger. I pray that someone reading this knows something about who did this. If you are that person, PLEASE do the right thing and come forward! There is still a $50,000 reward from the State of California for information that will lead detectives to the killer. Ten years is too long. These families deserve answers.

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Here is a beautiful tribute from Jason's family that is to be read at the memorial service in Jenner, California today:

Psalm 98:

"O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth! Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn, shout joyfully before the King, the Lord.

Let the sea roar and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity."

We thank you for gathering here today to remember our children. We cannot be with you physically, but as our family stands along the shores of Lake Michigan this morning, our hearts join you in spirit.

As we reflect upon Jason and Lindsay, we are reminded how blessed we are that God entrusted them to us. We also recall how their lives influenced others.

First of all, they influenced those who knew them intimately. The friendships they made were genuine and lasting. They loved adventure and were fun to be with. They knew how to enjoy God’s great outdoors. Yet, beyond that wild and crazy side, they both had a quiet reflective side — a side that directed their hearts to seek and develop a relationship with Christ. Consequently, God gave them a longing to tell others of His love and called them to ministry.

Secondly, Jason and Lindsay influenced others in their deaths. Their legacy, their testimony, has touched the hearts of many around the world. God has used this tragedy to point others to Christ. This is how we remember our children, and it has been our great comfort.

Psalm 98 is full of praise to our great God. Jason and Lindsay join in the roaring of the sea, the clapping of the rivers and the singing of the mountains. Let us rejoice with them in the salvation of the Lord, knowing we will see them again.

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Bob and Delores Allen and family

Jason Scott Allen & Lindsay Christine Cutshall

~10 years in heaven today~

Forever in our hearts... until eternity! ♥