The Adventure Continues…

In my last blog I shared some of the things we have been doing and promised to write a series of blogs giving you the details.  There is one other thing that has distracted us from blog writing, that I want to share it with you.  Any of you who follow us on Facebook have probably already heard that we experienced a tragic loss in our family.  As I write this, Kevin is with our family in Colorado celebrating the life of our beloved, amazing nephew, Taylor.  Taylor was taken home to be with Jesus a week and a half ago, when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while attempting to cross the street, in a crosswalk.  Taylor passed from this life to the next at the age of 21, two weeks before he was supposed to be married to an amazing, Jesus-loving, girl, Sarah.

This tragedy has been a hard blow for our family.  It’s hard to accept that this vibrant young man, so full of life and love and joy and adventure is just not with us any more.  He won’t be lighting up the room with his smile or darkening the door with his large muscular frame.  There are no answers for why he was taken from us and I don’t think answers would make it feel any better, really.  We trust the Lord.  We trust that He has a plan.  As a family we are already seeing how God used Taylor’s short time here on earth to encourage others in their faith, to urge others toward abundant and joyful living, and to guide others upward, toward Jesus, toward a life of fullness in Christ.  Taylor loved mountain climbing, hiking, getting out there and inhaling life in a deep way so he could exhale joy, laughter, goofiness, goodness, and praise.  He journeyed here on earth with us as an adventurer, always inviting others to do the same.  He was fearless in the way he lived and in the way he loved.

Now, Taylor is climbing, running, dancing, laughing, worshipping unhindered.  His joy is perfect.  We are left to continue this journey.   We are left to take up the mantle of joy and climb higher, nearer, closer to Jesus and to invite others to walk with us, climb with us, dance with us.

Pray for our family as we process our grief over the coming weeks, months, and years.  Join us in the adventure. Live fully for Jesus and bring anyone who will come along with you.  Cling to the Holy Spirit as your guide and devour the Word as both your map, compass, and your trail food.  Breathe deeply of the pure, clear, presence of God and exhale joy, goodness, blessing, laughter, hope, and life.

Continue the adventure.