While You Were Away....

For the last eight days we have been off adventuring through Canada. When we left I plugged in my cell phone and left it at home. We brought Jason's just in case we might need it. Five days later we checked Jason's phone. It makes you nervous when you receive texts like- "Are you guys ok?", "Did your house receive any water damage?", "Do you need help?" Jason had multiple voice messages- "Brother Mons bring your shovel and meet at the church!" Jason quickly called a neighbor and found out that the mountain side three doors north and three doors west had a landslide, flooding over a dozen neighbors homes, trapping and killing three neighbors! Upon our return it has been amazing to learn of the number of volunteers that overran our neighborhood. Over 1,00o people came out on Sunday to move rock, mud and clean out peoples basements. It was frustrating to only be able to pray for our neighbors and friends.We are grateful that our home was ok! I am grateful to live a community where people help people.

The other message we received was letting us know that our dear friend Vance Thompson died. Vance is the neighborhood Grandpa! Telling Ellie about Vance's death was heart breaking. In her short little life she has seen death up close more than Jason or I did until we were into our teenage years.

Ellie and Vance had a very special relationship. During her kindergarten year Vance would do Ellie's nightly reading assignments with her. Vance has attended a number of her birthday parties at her request, he never missed stopping at her lemonade stands, he joined her at the schools Veteran's day assembly as her guest.

Last year the neighborhood kids planned a parade and had Vance be the grand marshal. The kids took great care to decorate his scooter and make sure he had a cape to wear for the big day! Ellie dearly loved Vance and she will miss him!

When I think about what I learned from Vance there are things that will stay with me forever and I hope that I can be like him!

-You can be friends to anyone no matter how young or old they are! At 88 years old, Vance has touched our families life forever.

-It is ok to be proud of your family! Vance always talked about the accomplishments of his kids, grand kids, and great grand kids. The way he talked about them you knew what was important to Vance.

-You are never to old to make changes and teach others by the mistakes that you have made. For many years of his life Vance was an alcoholic. He never made excuses for what he did but would tell you how it ruined relationships and work. Vance used his life experiences to teach those around him.

-Vance never missed an opportunity to tell us that he loved us!

Thank you Vance for letting us be your friend! You have forever touched our families life. I am so grateful that I have a firm belief that I will be able to see Vance again.

Don't forget to take time for the little things!