Dear family and friends…

We seemed to recognize movement in our grief more significantly this month than we have before.  It was a busy month with the Krabbe Symposium, the first filming for the documentary, Jessie’s birthday, deadlines in working with the publisher for the layout of the book, and vacation on Balboa Island, but in the midst of all these things we began to recognize how much our emotional and even physical reserves have grown in the last 22 months.  Though the sheer length of journeying through loss can be terribly discouraging, especially as there are so many peripheral pains that impact us as well, we are encouraged to see progress in the healing of our hearts.

We will be participating in an Every Step Walk down in Oceanside this month to raise money for Hunter’s Hope (Team Jud’s Buds).  This is in part because we are toying with the idea of locally organizing such an event in honor of Judson and hope to gain some insight into the process.  We will keep you posted with our plans.

September brings the beginning of a new year of activities (teaching team for women’s Bible Study, couples fellowship, etc.) but it also leads us into the fall season, finding us on the cusp of the 2nd anniversary since Judson entered his heavenly dwelling.  We are overcome with hope as we envision Judson living vibrantly in paradise, but his absence from our home here on earth continues to grievously affect our every thought and feeling.  We have been told that there will come a day when our many notions of Jud will simply be expressions of joy, but for now they remain deeply colored by sorrow.  So we continue groaning through our pain, all the while praying that even our lament can be an act of worship.

Thank you for your love and support,
Christina (on behalf of Drake too)