Monday, October 16, 2006
Monday
Here comes the cold, rainy weather of fall. I, like many others I'm sure, am not ready for it :). Well, we've just started down this road of grieving. I'm not sure what the next weeks and months will look like. Aaron and I went to our campus' fall retreat this past weekend. It was good to see the students and spend time with them. It's just going to take me awhile before I'll be able to really engage 100% in campus ministry. One student there, a junior, was a girl I had met when she was a freshmen. Right at the beginning of the fall we had a significant conversation about who Jesus is and what his death and resurrection really mean and how they open the door to a relationship with God - not just church attendance and doing all the "right" things but really knowing God. Well, at the end of that conversation she made a decision to allow Jesus to be the first priority in her life - realizing her own imperfection and need to acknowledge Jesus as the one who came and died for her sins on the cross. Well, now she's meeting freshmen and leading a Bible study in that same dorm. She brought a freshmen girl with her to the retreat. This freshmen was facing some of the same questions about life and who Jesus is. At the end of the conversation this freshman came to the same decision - she needed Jesus in her life as well. It is always a total joy to me to see how the Lord can use me to talk to a student and then use that student to reach out to others too. I continue to be reminded of how much Aaron and I need Jesus and the strength, peace, joy, and love that He offers. It's been hard the last few days. I don't know where we'd be without the prayers of others and the Lord's grace and strength. At the funeral we had a passage out of John 6 where Jesus basically tells the people following him that they have to be willing to give 100% - well some leave. So Jesus turns to the 12 disciples and asks if they'll leave too. And Peter replies, "Where else shall we go? You alone have the words to eternal life." I think we've identified with that passage through this whole journey. Where else can we go? Well, now I've written quite a bit, and we need to go (currently at the public library :). Much love, Aaron and Heather
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11 comments:
Hi Aaron and Heather,
It has been nice to keep updated on your life through this website. You are both in my thoughts and my prayers! I look forward to seeing you next time Ben and I are in Eau Claire.
Aaron And Heather,
We are still praying and thinking of you often. It is incredible to hear the stories of the students and how God is using you guys to impact so many lives. You have made a huge ripple on this world. You have told and shown people through your words and actions, what an incredible relationship with God is all about. You continue to be an example to us what true faith is all about.
Just remember on the days it is hard we all still love you and are praying for you. Have a great week with all your students!!
Love,
Jess
Aaron and Heather,
I was so glad to see you and get to spend time with you guys at fall retreat. I am really glad you guys came. See you soon.
Jeff
There is NO where that we can go that God is not with us. What a wonderful Saviour we have that loves us in the high moments and hugs and cries with us in the low moments. We are so proud of you and little Payton as she fought for her life with you by her side. And now we are so proud of you as you travel your life with her spirit inside your heart as you reach out to young lives that so desparately need to know that the God of creation is with us always. God bless ans keep you now and forever. Lonnie and Marlene Miller
If only I could tell you how much you've taught me in the last two years Heather. Your faith in God and me has been such an insparation.
I continue to look up to you and your strength through faith.
You are a model to me of how I want to live my life for the Lord.
There isn't a day that I don't thank Him for gracing my life with your presence.
Love,
Victoria
Dearest Heather:
You are so precious. I do not even pretend to understand how very difficult this time of grieving is for you and Aaron; I just continue to pray. What great reminders God is displaying before you with those who have been saved due to your direct witness. The ministry that you and Aaron have are effective and thriving; His Kingdom is blessed by the lives of you two. Leading individuals to the Cross is no easy task and yet you are doing just that. I admire each of you for your courage. I thank God for every remembrance of you.
Love in Christ, Joyce Alison
Heather and Aaron,
I am still praying for you guys every chance I get. May the Lord give you strength to get through the hard days. I am still disapointed I had to miss fall retreat, but I am glad you were able to be surrounded by many, many people who love you. God Bless.
Haley Haus
Dear, dear friends...
For some reason the Lord is in the habit of waking me in the middle of the night with you on my mind. So, as long as He asks me I will take the "night shift."
Though we have not posted since last week, we want you to know that you have not ceased to be ever on our minds and in our prayers. Even over this weekend, the Lord spoke tenderly to me some things I would like to share with you more personally.
We were so blessed to celebrate Payton's life with you last week. Aaron, you demonstrated such courage in how you honored her. Thank you for sharing those sweet moments with us... from her little stretching to the perfect "Aaacho!" I could not help being even more "taken" with her than I already was! Thank you for sharing her life with us... it was so clear that you both thoroughly enjoyed your little girl and celebrate the life God gave her. How precious that was to behold!
When I awoke to a rainy day on Wednesday, I began praying that the Lord would allow the sun to peak out during your time together as a family. Early in the afternoon here in the Cities He allowed that to happen, somehow assuring me that He was with you... both comforting and upholding you. How I was praying that your time as a family would be somehow sweet and good in the midst of the grieving!
Throughout this grieving process we continue to uphold you in constant prayer. We cannot imagine the loss and loneliness you must feel for her. As I have been praying for you today and meditating upon the Word, the Lord has brought Psalm 121 to mind.. "I lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." I am certain that He will be your Helper and Comforter as you continue to grieve. We want you to know that we are still here as well... grieving with you and praying for you.
We love you very much!
love,
Sarah
Hi Heather and Aaron,
It's so good to hear from you through your blog and to see how God continues to use you in bringing others to Him. We continue to pray for you each morning during our prayer time at the church office.
We look forward to having you in our midst once again at Calvary.
May God comfort you and encourage you as you grieve the loss of Payton and may He strengthen you in the days to come.
Inge (and Dudley)
Glad life continues for you both. Be careful not to overdo it, though. God can and will use you in good times and bad, but ministry to yourself is key at this time for you both. Don't feel pressured to resume life as "normal" because it's not. Just a thought!
Love and prayers
Sometimes the weather has a way of reflecting the feelings that I have inside of me... that the cold and rainy days can sometimes be comforting because I know that even in the midst of the storms they will pass and the sunlight will shine upon me and warm my face as i turn it upwards to look at it... it even warms me if i'm not looking. God remains with you, dear friends.
Please don't feel the pressure to be 100% fully engaged in ministry right away. It might take quite awhile for your heart to be fully there and that's okay. God is using you now. Your faith has been multiplied and has encouraged so many even without you trying. I know it might be hard to see or even to feel right now but it's true. God has used you greatly and continues to use you. He loves you... and so do I.
Sending a big hug. Love, Shanda
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