Scott and I arrived home to Colorado late last Tuesday evening. I stepped out of the vehicle and breathed in the scents of sage and pine. We had driven through thunderstorms and watched lightening race across the sky. The clouds had parted and the stars were shining. We live in a gated ranch community in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and, each time I drive through the gate, I am quite sure my stress level drops. Oh, how I love coming home!

Scott’s father had been struggling for several months and he died peacefully in his sleep early on Sunday morning, August 11^th. The memorial service was held in Bemidji, Minnesota, on Saturday, August 17^th. Lloyd has gone home to be with Jesus. With family and friends, we celebrated Lloyd’s life but the real celebration was the fact that we will see him again in heaven.

Our Father has set us on this earth to be His missionaries and spread His message of salvation to all those who do not know that He is the only way to eternal life in heaven. We are here to bring glory to the Lord. I count it an honor and a privilege to serve Him in this way. At the same time I want to remember this is not my home (referencing 2 Corinthians 5). As much as I love my home in Colorado, and as much as I loved my home in North Dakota when I was a child, I look forward to meeting Jesus face to face.

I love to travel. I love to visit friends and family. I love to see and experience new things and places. Yet there is always a great feeling of peace when I come home. As we mourn the loss of Scott’s father, we know he is at peace because he is home, really home. He is with Jesus and we will join him some day. 

This is why we, as Lutheran Women in Mission, share Jesus. This is why we serve others and give to missions. We are His missionaries and we spread His message of salvation … so all may know Jesus and go home!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by God’s grace,

Debbie