This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of my mother’s death. I wish I could say I understood grief, but honestly, the older I get, I conclude, grief still has it’s way of surprising me.

Yesterday I was putting up clothing that I had packed in our crate from the US. I unpacked one of my mom’s blouses, and one of her hats. It dawned on me that this time last year, Oct 30, 2010 when I went home to TX for my mother’s funeral, that I snatched these two articles from her home and packed them in my suitcase for when I return to Taiwan. Then in April 2011, when we left Taiwan to go stateside for 4 months, I had packed the same two articles in my check in luggage, taking them to TX with me. In August 2011 we packed a crate of things to send to Taiwan. Yes, Mom’s blouse and hat tucked among the things, which I rediscovered yesterday!

I haven’t worn them, I just like to pack and keep them and take them back and forth from one side of the world to the other. I recognize the Lord’s comfort here.

Isa 53:4-6

4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him. NAS

When Jesus went to the cross – he even bore our griefs.
How do you know you if have really surrendered your grief to the Lord?
Could it be when you recognize his comfort? Like I said, grief still has a way of surprising me, but better yet, the Lord’s comfort is even greater.

Do you like My Mom’s Hat?

My daughter, Paige, planned a “Surprise Momma’s Day Brunch” to honor me and the many mommas that influence and care for her while I live overseas. Most of these women I know, and a few I have heard about over the years.  I am so thankful for the many women that influence her in a variety of ways, pointing her towards Christ – to shine for him.  The table setting was beautiful and the food was fantastic!  Her husband, Chris, took her daddy and dad-in- law fishing while we did the girl thing.  It was a very fun day, full of surprises.

Man, it’s been a while since the last post. We’ve been really busy . . . and still are.

We’re getting ready to take a break from our 2nd home and reconnect with folks back in the US. We’ve also been planning a special week for this summer when we will visit here

This photo of Moraine Lake Lodge is courtesy of TripAdvisor

and here

This photo of Jasper National Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Hoping to see you soon,

J and F

It was 38 years ago today that Fran & I snuck off and got married. I don’t think either one of us really thought about what life might be like 35+ years into the future or even wondered if we would still be man and wife after so many years. But God is good and even though at the time we were not walking with Him, He had a plan for us that we could not have even dreamed of – what an adventure He had prepared for us!

to someone very special!

Forever our little girl

In loving memory of Barbara Hogue, 1927 – 2010
Fran’s mother went home to be with her Lord last Friday.

Obituary

This one’s for you, son.

His specialty. No Bake Cookies.
Ran across a recipe today and had to come home and make a batch – mmmmmmmmmmmm

We’ve been so busy over the last couple of months and then catching up over the last couple of days that I failed to notice a milestone. Our blog celebrated it’s EIGHTH birthday on Monday.

A couple of years after our arrival in Taiwan we decided that it would be better to use a blog than monthly newsletters to keep friends and family updated on our life and ministry. We have done a so-so job of regularly posting what’s going on on this side of the water.

As always, I intend to do better in the future

Stay tuned.

I completed my Saturday goal and (click) here are some of the pictures taken while we were on vacation in the Dallas area.

Fran and I are having a great time on vacation with the kids . . .