Jason's 40th Birthday!!! :)

Jason rockin' the whitewater, Summer 2004

Today, Jason would have turned 40! I turned 40 last August and, even though I sort of dreaded the "Big 4-0," it was a truly special day because my family planned some really awesome surprises! So I wonder how Jason would have been celebrating his birthday today... since this really is a special one!

I went to a visitation last night for my great-aunt who passed away a few days ago at age 93. She lived a long life and died very peacefully, surrounded by family. The circumstances of her life and death are different in SO many ways, but similarly, we know how much she loved the Lord and that she's now in heaven! There is such an enormous sense of joy and peace in knowing that! We celebrate her life because of who she was, the lives she touched, the memories she gave to everyone who knew her, and her love for the Lord! This applies to Jason as well. He was only here for 26 years and 3 months, but he made his life count! And because we KNOW that he accepted Christ and followed Him, there is NO doubt that he too is in heaven! The comfort in that is hard to put into words. We have such a treasure in Christ! HE took the punishment that WE deserve, and because of that, we can be saved for eternity! His love for us is unfathomable! No matter what we have done, His arms are open to welcome us. He dearly wants us all to turn to Him and to know the freedom of repentance, which leads to a peace and a joy that is indescribable! I have seen the most hardened people completely transformed after they've accepted Jesus! Jesus is not just some myth... He is real, He is powerful, and His love, peace, grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, (etc., etc., etc.) are life changing!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." ~John 3:16

♥

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." ~Psalm 103:8-12

So today, I give thanks to God for the memories I have of Jason which are a treasure to me. We had such fun when we were kids and I am forever grateful for that privilege! I never could have imagined how things would turn out, but I also never imagined how God could turn this tragedy into something beautiful. So many people have come to know Jesus through Jason & Lindsay's story and their influence. That is priceless and it means they did not die in vain! For their story to glorify God is all they would have ever wanted... and I am so glad that is the case.

Below is a sweet tribute from Jason's mom, in honor of his birthday today:

For Jason’s 40th birthday, I thought I would share a birthday memory of him. When he was in high school, he wanted to buy an old Jeep and fix it up. He found one within his price range that looked as though it had been through the war. It was pretty beat up, and it did not run. His dad, somewhat hesitant about purchasing this vehicle, gave in and allowed him to buy it. After all, it could be a great father-son project to get this Jeep fixed up and running. The Jeep had to be towed to our house and was given its place of honor in our garage.

They worked diligently night after night. When they were able to get it started, the engine was so loud that it would rock the neighborhood. I would not allow them to work on it after 10:00 pm for fear the police would show up at our door!

After months of toil and not a whole lot of success, Jason grew sick of this Jeep. His dream had become a source of frustration and financial liability. He decided to sell it. But who would want to buy an old dilapidated Jeep that would barely run?

Jason advertised it in a truck trader magazine that had a circulation that covered the state of Michigan. Finally, after several weeks and much prayer, we got a phone call from a girl in Jackson, Michigan.

"Do you still have the Jeep for sale?" she asked.

"Yes", I replied.

"Good! I want it and will bring cash," she said.

Shocked I said, "But you haven’t seen it."

"That’s o.k. I want it!"

"It doesn’t run, and it will have to be towed," I said, not wanting her to make a two-hour trip for nothing.

Not hesitating she said, "I still want it."

Quickly I added, "There is a large hole in the side of the Jeep."

"That’s o.k. I really, really want it! I will bring the money." She was determined.

"Great," I said. "We will look forward to seeing you."

When she came, Jason was so nervous that he stayed in his bedroom. He didn’t even meet her, as he was afraid she would change her mind once she actually saw the Jeep. Instead, he lay on his bedroom floor praying.

She didn’t bat an eye when she saw it. In fact, she looked thrilled to have found it. I took her money, and she and her friend loaded up the Jeep and left. I went up to Jason’s room and said, "God sold your Jeep, and see how much He loves you? He sold it on your birthday! Happy Birthday!"

With that Jason let out one of his famous victory cheers! God had given him a great birthday gift.

Happy Birthday Beloved Son! We sure do miss you.
Mom and Dad

The infamous Jeep. :)

Celebrating his birthday and selling the Jeep! :)

Happy 40th Birthday Jason! ♥ You are loved by so many and you will never be forgotten!