Jason's 39th Birthday!

Today, Jason would have been 39 years old. Every year that another birthday passes, my heart breaks knowing his dreams for his life with Lindsay were never fulfilled. I have so many memories of our childhood together and many of them make me laugh! He was so funny and full of energy and we had so much fun together! We used our imaginations to come up with fun games. We spent a lot of time outdoors. Lately, people around here have been looking for morel mushrooms because, apparently, they are really delicious. (I wouldn't know, as I don't like mushrooms AT ALL... haha!) I remember finding them out in the woods with Jason and we would stomp on them because we thought they were poisonous. I still remember how it felt to squish them, and it cracks me up! :) So every time I see a morel mushroom, I think of Jason. Just one of many memories that make me smile. Our childhood was idyllic, and I am so grateful for that! That is why his death absolutely broke my heart, because our early years together meant so much to me. I treasured my childhood with him and our other neighborhood friends. His tragic death cast a shadow over my memories for many years, but thankfully, God has removed that shadow and I can laugh and smile now as I remember those memories. God has been so good! He has touched so many hearts and changed so many lives through Jason & Lindsay's story.

Me & Jason at age 3

It is surreal and AMAZING to be able to write this now knowing the person responsible for killing them is in custody! I am enormously grateful to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department! I have so many questions as to why their killer (Shaun Gallon) did this. I'm not sure we'll ever find out, as it seems he does not have any empathy or remorse. If he did, he would have turned himself in long ago. Sadly, his evil nature led to him murdering his own brother too. I don't know what his brother was like... he could have been just as evil or he could have been the absolute opposite... or somewhere in between. But I am saddened that another person died at the hands of Jason & Lindsay's killer. That is exactly what I hoped and prayed would never happen. :( And that is why this is so bittersweet.

With that said, I am looking forward to seeing justice for Jason & Lindsay... if for nothing else than to give their families that closure, if there is such a thing. They already have the peace of knowing that Jason & Lindsay are safe in the physical presence of Jesus! No evil can ever touch them ever again. But it will sure be a huge blessing to see the person responsible for killing them to finally be held accountable for it! I hope he will someday feel remorse and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. Despite the evil crimes he has committed, God's grace even extends to him! But he needs to choose to turn from evil, and he's in it deep. There's no other way to heaven than to truly repent to Jesus and to receive the gift of salvation! I think it will take a lot for him to do that, but it's possible. Nothing will bring Jason & Lindsay back and Shaun Gallon's brother back, that is why it is important he faces justice now. I thank God that now he WILL!

I want to honor Jason today by remembering his legacy of faith and obedience to God. He chose to walk the straight and narrow and he lived his life in such a way that honored God. Perhaps that is why God allowed his death. God knew that this tragedy would turn our lives upside down, but He also knew that this would give us an eternal perspective. God knew that shining a light on the deep faith that Jason lived with would inspire people to follow Jesus. (This obviously applies to Lindsay's legacy as well.) God knew that the steadfast faith that Jason's family (as well as Lindsay's) would display in the aftermath of this enormous loss would challenge people to live with greater faith... and to understand that God can give us strength and peace that passes all understanding, even in the most heartbreaking of circumstances. And, most of all, God has shown that He is good, even when life is deeply painful. He was so very tangibly present in the raw grief... offering such a sense of peace and comfort when the devastation was so intense. I know that Jason would be humbled to know that his untimely death led people to turn to Jesus and experience Him in such powerful, life-changing ways. What Shaun Gallon meant for evil, God turned around for good. He brought beauty from the ashes.

To conclude, here is a beautiful message from Jason's parents:

With the developments of the past few days, Jason and Lindsay's legacy is once again in the forefront. It was always their desire to honor God with their lives and to be obedient to His calling. They surrendered their lives totally, to be used for His glory. Who knew that Christ would be honored not only in the way they lived their lives but also in their deaths? Only God knew. He knew that before they were born. They were faithful to the end.

I am reminded of Paul's desire to advance the gospel in any way God deemed best. In Philippians 1:20. Paul says:

"My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body whether by life or by death." (HCSB)

Jason, we, as your parents, are proud of you, and on May 16, we will celebrate the 26 years that God loaned you to us. Happy Birthday, son! We look forward to celebrating eternity with you.
Love, Mom and Dad