Memories

Few words can bring many Tears, but also many Joys.

June has been a difficult month for my son Jon... Well he is serving his  time in prison,  life outside of prison doesn't stand still. Life goes on without him.  Family and events do change...My son being in prison doesn't only effect him, it effects everyone in his family

 that love him. 

Many changes have happened since he has been there. Brother, and sisters have graduated from highschool, and college. Illness's have happened with family members that he couldn't be there for. His son has grown up and has been involved with several events that Jon would have loved to be there for him and encourage him.  Changes have been made on his family farm, and he missed out on, and he would like to be part of the changes. Family trips have happened that he missed out on. One person for many years will be missing in the family trips album.

Holidays have happened with him not at the  table enjoying in the family time, and celebration. But choices were made. And we go on from here.
 God holds us up and makes each time we see him a joy and a time to make more memories. 

Last week Jon's brother Tyler was married to a great gal..This made Jon  really sad that he couldn't be there for him. He wasn't able to stand up for his bother, and show him that he loves him and is proud of the decisions he has made. But it made him happy that his younger brother found a great girl to spend the rest of his life with.   Jon was made a Honorary Best Man because he is Tyler's brother and someone Tyler loves very much.. The botherly bond will always be there. They have shared many sweet times together growing up.  Jon's son was a Jr. groomsmen so was able to be part of the wedding.  But Jon missed it all...Tears happened at times thinking about Jon, a son and brother couldn't be there with us and help us celebrate this wonderful time. 

It meant allot to Jon to have his son Preston and himself included in the wedding celebration. This is such an exciting time for Tyler..  Jon's words and thoughts he wanted to share to Tyler and Rebekah are " He is so sorry he couldn't join in this special day. He is so very happy for his brother that he found a special girl. And he will be thinking about them and praying for them all the time. He wished them the best, and he knows good things will come to them, because their relationship and marriage is based on biblical values and their  putting God first. "

Jon wasn't able to be there with his presence, but he was there in our thoughts.  And we will be a ble to share all the excitement of the day with him through pictures and stories. Jon will always be a important part of our family. And someday will be able to be with us for these wonderful occasions.

But for now Jon continues to grow in God's grace, and love. And plays an important role in reaching other to Christ. And helping others with his thoughts and prayers on this blog.  God has given him a ministry in the situation he is in..Thank You Jesus!

Jon's grandma years ago wrote an artical about marriage and I would like to share it with you.

You Me and Us!

Martin Luther observed that "It is the very nature of God to make something out of nothing." It is not hard then to understand that in marriage two become one- that a new living being is created.

God does not say that the two people who come in marriage cease to exist- only that as they dedicate themselves to each other there becomes a newly created One.

Is it possible then, that like any newborn, this newly created "marriage" needs attention, time and nourishing? it's been said that most marriages are successful, its the living together afterwards that get difficult! it takes a long time for that newly created One to mature- like any child growing up is a process. That third person in the marriage, born a t the wedding (after a period of gestation we callcourtship) is, like a baby fragile and immature. If a newborn child is nourished and cherished it will grow healthy and indestructible and will take on a personality all it's own. It is not just a combination of the two who fostered it, but more than that, more than either of them.

In marriage, too, this newly created One, is intended to become a One all it's own, with more strength and wisdom and caring than either of it's partners. With caring and nuturing it becomes strong and giving. Both can draw from it and lean on it and find joy in it.

But if the newly created "marriage" is not nourished and given time and attention, it, like an undernourished child, becomes sick and sometimes dies. Perhaps thats why divoce is so sad. Devorce is the killing of that person who was created at the  wedding wirh so much love and hope and potential. And those left to morn, need much healking: for even though the two original people go on, that third persson in the relationship has died.

Perhaps we've misunderstood when we've thought of marriage as two peole giving up their indentities to become only one.  Perhaps it's rather two people, giving of themselves to become three!

And perhaps that's why the death of a marriage partner is so very traumatic. Not only is the visible half of the partnership gone, but for the one left, two-thirds of the "you, me and us" it has become, is gone! When a spouse is lost, so is that thrid person that One, who has become the two people together - and more. And all that is left is one of the thirds!

What a privilege it is to be part of God's creating a new person in marriage. What an awesome long term responsibility to feed and nourish andcare for that newly created third One which God creates when we marry. What a joy to see that One, that "marriage", grow and mature and flourish and blossom into a thing of beauty and strength giving  so much pleasure and joy to so many people.

Written By:  Mavis Rogness

Eph. 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts throught faith. And I pray that you, being rooted nd established in love may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ , and to know tht love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen