It's Valentine's Day !  We're half way through the month of February and I have not posted since December.

It's never fun to post sad things and there are a few sad things to post here before I can move on into 2013.
We might well have had the wind knocked out of us but there is help to lean on...

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Sunday, December 22, 2012  Gary and Fay Miller's home burned to the ground.  Gary and Fay Miller founded Mountain Ministry over 40 years ago.  They have given their lives and everything they own into the hands of God for His purpose.  Their home has been the center of their ministry. 

This was the photo that appeared in the local newspaper.

Everyone noticed that there was a "cross" visible in the picture.

CLICK HERE for the news story

Part of the news article reads:

"A fire Sunday night burned the home of Mountain Ministries, a faith-based program in Rose Valley that helps felons conquer drug and alcohol addiction. The extent of the damage is not yet known.  Twenty-five firefighters and 14 fire trucks from throughout the region battled the fire in the remote eastern region of Cowlitz County, 20 minutes from the nearest fire station and about 40 minutes from downtown Kelso, Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue spokesman Bryan Ditterick said.  The blaze started around 5 p.m. in the fireplace but extended from the chimney to the roof, Ditterick said."

Because this blaze happened just two days before Christmas, ALL of the presents for appx 110 men, women and children were on the 2nd floor of the home... and were destroyed beyond use along with all of Gary and Fay's belongings.  The fire started around 5pm and by 11pm it was gone.

Quite a gut punch.  Most of the presents were donated by local churches just days before the fire. It's one thing to lose your own belongs but having Christmas presents meant for others destroyed without a way to replace them in time for Christmas day (2 days away)... just added to the loss.   I mean, where do you begin?

Word spread quickly. The next day, Monday,  presents began to arrive....and they kept on arriving. Christmas day at around 2pm a large white cargo trailer pulled up to the Women's center in Rainier and it took all of us to help to unload it. As the presents piled into the center, Connie Kruse looked at me and said, "We need more people to give these to."   We were all overwhelmed with joy.

Gary and Fay Miller were humbled as the community poured love into the ministries needs.

That is ongoing... and unfolding now.  Their insurance coverage is in doubt as the insurance company has responded with a "no coverage" reply... because their "home" is really a "ministry"....  We're in prayer on that and many other issues...the fire department has sent them a bill for $12,000.  Gary and Fay are both calm and trusting in the Lord as they work through the aftermath.

But that wasn't to be the worst.  There was a greater grief to come.  

One that brought us to our knees.  

James Anthony Robinson Jr.

August 3, 2012  -  January 17, 2013

Born 5:01 am  -  Passed into the arms of Jesus 8:01am

Little James, passed away in his sleep without making a sound. He was at his dad's for the weekend.

The sheriff's office called Tad Kruse, looking for the baby's mother... it was horrible news.

His mom, Jani, came into the Women's program when she was in the beginning of the pregnancy. So many things could have happened in the first few months as she fought her addictions but little baby boy hung in there.  He was born in August, a month early, but was doing fine. He was the youngest of all the children here and made Christmas so special. January came. A year had gone by already.  His mom was looking forward to her graduation from the program in just a few more weeks. Now, instead of a graduation celebration the Mountain Ministries family prepared for the baby's memorial.

The memorial was February 2nd. It was a celebration of God's never failing love.  The proclamation on the front cover of the memorial leaflet was a picture of the hand of Jesus holding a baby's hand and the words, "NEVER LOSE FAITH".  Along with a friend, Jani twirled and spun worship flags to music to show her gladness in the Lord as the slide show for her baby boy's life was played. It was a day of both tears and gladness. The service moved outside where a rose bush was planted, prayers were said and dozens of balloons were released by family and friends.  Yes, there were tears for a life on earth halted too soon but there is no doubt that the baby is in heaven with Jesus and that his mommy and little 5 yr old sister look forward to joining him some day. The back page of the memorial leaflet had Psalm 23 printed on it and below that was His promise...  

Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4