A Jon Post
You really should see how incredibly beautiful my wife and daughter are. These pictures really don’t do them justice. Anaya definitely got all her good looks from me because Layne still has all of hers.
The amazing thing is that Layne is made all the more beautiful by her service to the sick and the dying.
A Jon Post
It seems like I’ve been “doing something” for a while now. Layne and I have been pretty busy over the last couple months and I’ve felt like I’ve lost some of my time for something else. Something very African and very much a part of what Layne and I try to do in our ministry.
Just standing there.
It’s funny, but as an American, I have learned that it is not an acceptable part of my culture to be around people or next to someone and just stand there. We have to be doing something, we have to be talking about something, we must have a purpose. Being here I’ve learned that those things don’t necessarily translate to the culture I’m in now.
As I’ve rushed around doing something on a nearly continuous basis (or at least felt like I have) for the last couple months, I’ve missed some opportunities to stop…
And just stand there.
I don’t honestly know who coined the phrase “Don’t just stand there, do something!” but whoever it was I don’t think they have ever been next to a man dying on a bed who has not had a face to smile at him for 6 months. I don’t think they’ve ever sat beside a mother whose son has just lost his 2-year battle with a sickness that rotted flesh from bone and ripped breath from lungs. That phrase really makes no sense in such a context.
When faced with such powerlessness… I think one of the most encouraging suggestions is:
“Don’t just do something, stand there!”
Just stand there. Just hold a hand. Just weep with them. Don’t say anything, don’t try to fix what cannot be mended with words or service… just stand there.
A tragically troubled man, who served God and loved people named Henri Nouwen once said,
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not healing, not curing, and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
I miss those times.
I don’t want to forget that Christ can be found, Christ can be known, Christ can be seen…
By just standing there.
A Layne Post
Jonathan Heller has been the most caring, loving, romantic, passionate, strong, and wise husband. I know many people would say these things of their husbands, but I honestly think I have the best out there. I would follow Jon anywhere. Really, I would. And I have. With him by my side, I feel safe and secure. Much of that is because I am able to rely on Jon’s wisdom and guidance that comes from our heavenly Father. He makes it easy to submit to his spiritual leadership. I respect Jon in every way; he is an example of Christ to me. I knew when I married him that I loved him, but I had no idea what was to come.
With each year that has passed I have fallen deeper in love with him. When Anaya was born I knew things may change a bit, and they have… for the better! (Who knew there was so much better?!) The day she was born he took to her like a natural. He is so patient and gentle, nurturing and kind. My heart becomes so full when I listen to him read and sing to her, when he prays over her. Anaya looks to her Daddy with awestruck eyes. I can already see the special bond she has with him, and I love it! Fatherhood suits him well.
Anaya is blessed to call Jon her Daddy, as I am to call him my husband.
Father's Day 2011
Happy Father’s Day
&
Happy 3rd Anniversary,
Jonathan Heller!
Yesterday I heard my husband talking with his mom; he was saying, “The last time we saw Joe and Evie (our brother and sister-in-love) was when they were getting into their car on the way to their honeymoon; we’ve never spent time with them married!”
How the time passes.
We have recently passed the one and a half year mark. I feel it shows most in the children, which is one of the hardest parts about being here… missing our time with our nieces and nephews. Here is a look at the changes since we’ve been gone.
Teagan and Aunt Layne - November 2009
Teagan now!
Gauge and Aunt Layne - November 2009
Gauge now! 4 years old!
Uncle Jon and Layne - October 2009
Layla now!
Aunt Layne and Uncle Jon with Micah and Layla - October 2009
Micah now!
And the new additions…
And our very own…
Sigh. It will be good to catch up at the end of this year.
A Jon Post
As I was trying to decide what to write this week I started reading back over the last year and a half worth of blogs we’ve put up here. I read some of the hard times in our lives, times of death, of sickness, of pain, mixed with joyous moments in our lives, times of birth, of life, of smiles. In all of those times, in all of these “blogs”, in all of our crying out in triumph, defeat, life and death… you are there with us.
When we wrote of our tears, you cried with us. You encouraged us. You stirred us on to love and good deeds. You breathed words of life and comfort when we needed them.
When we wrote of our fun, you laughed with us. You told us of the great things the Lord has done for us.
In all of these times, of laughter, mourning, dancing, weeping, life, death, health, sickness, smiles, tears… you were… you are there with us.
Your encouragement means so much to us. Simple comments on simple blogs, mean something to us.
You are as much a part of this as we are. You are.
We love you guys.