Please Pray With Me

We received very sad news this week. Jon's cousin Mary Jane's 16 year old son Eric passed away. He fought a valiant 18 month battle with leukemia. We had the privilege of meeting Eric several times, including spending a day with him and his family at their home in North Carolina two years ago. I was so impressed by this young man. He was very, very smart.... a talented artist.... an avid racing fan... and a faith-filled follower of Jesus. He impressed and inspired so many people as he dealt with his illness and embraced death confident in God's love and plans for him.

Please pray for the repose of Eric's soul and most especially for his parents Mary Jane and Ross and his brother Mark. These will be very difficult days of grieving and they really need prayers and support. They are a beautiful family and they have been through so much.

Jon and one of his sisters will be traveling to North Carolina to attend the funeral. We all will visit the family in September as part of our trip to Myrtle Beach.

It's sometimes to hard to understand why God allows such suffering and pain and tragedy to happen. Eric spent some of his last moments praying Jeremiah 29.11 which says "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". He trusted in God and entered into His loving embrace. I choose to be inspired by Eric's example. Please join me in embracing the gifts and challenges of today... the happiness and the pain... confident in our Loving Father's faithfulness and providence. It is only through His grace that we can live the life He wants for us, however long or short that may be.

Ross, Eric, Mary Jane, and Mark

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,

And let perpetual Light shine upon him.

May his soul

And the souls of all the faithful departed

Through the mercy of God

Rest in peace.

Amen.