The most upbeat man I have ever met!

From December 10-23, we traveled throughout our son, Jacob’s, mission. His two-year mission was to invite people to come unto Christ in the Spokane, Washington area. He returned home in August, but it was just a week before school started, so there wasn’t time then to travel with him. We decided to go on his Christmas break. Jacob served in Medical Lake, Washington for 4.5 months; then Post Falls, Idaho for 3 months; then Bonner’s Ferry for 6 months; then Spokane Valley for the last 12 months.

It’s hard to express how healing it was for me to go with Jacob to meet the people he met and taught and learned to love. Jacob was on his mission when Ashton died. On that day, we spoke by phone for about 90 minutes. We cried together and prayed together. We could have had him come home, but we all felt like he should stay and continue to serve. We felt like that was what God wanted him to do. We all felt like that’s what Ashton would have wanted him to do, also.

By going with Jacob to his mission, we were able to tell the people there “thank you” face-to-face for watching over Jacob while he was not physically with us. One of the ladies he taught has a teen-age son. She told us, “As another mother, I want you to know that your son was watched over and loved while he was away from you.” I can’t tell you what comfort that brought to me. I knew that was happening, but it was healing to see and talk to and hug and thank the people who were angels watching over our son.

In Bonner’s Ferry, I think I met the most upbeat man I have ever known. Within minutes, he captured my heart as he told joke after joke. When he asked about each of our children, we of course included Ashton and mentioned that he had passed away from suicide almost two years ago. His response was “Grand Coolee! That’s the biggest ‘dam’ I can think of!” What a fitting response! He then taught me about “The Law of Investments” as it relates to one reason why it hurts so much to lose a child: parents have invested so much of their time and love to raising their children. Losing one of those children through death causes immeasurable pain.

During our travels, we saw some stunning scenery and beautiful wildlife. We ate some delectable food. We had some nice visits with each other as we drove.

I must confess that Christmas Day was hard for me: I missed my son, Ashton! As we drove to visit Candace and her family in Sierra Vista, we listened to “Lamb of God” by Rob Gardner. My heart was especially tender as I remembered that Christ is acquainted with my grief and carries my sorrows. Because of Him, I will see Ashton again in his resurrected, flawless body, without the limitations of his “broken mind.” I can’t adequately describe what comfort that brings to a grieving father!

Written by Carter