Dear Super Friends of JSP,

Dear Super Friends of JSP,

As many of you know the Jackson Smith Peck Children’s Foundation was formed in February 2005. It was never our intention to launch a children’s foundation. We simply requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in honor of Jack for his “Wee” school to build a children’s playground. Through your generosity, in that initial year we were able to accomplish many wonderful things in addition to completing the playground and pavilion.
Over the past four years, we have partnered and served with many great organizations such as: Warehouse of Hope (www.warehouseof hope.org), The Lighthouse Family Retreat (www.lighthousefamilyretreat.org), and Eagle Ranch Children’s Home (www.eagleranch.org). We encourage you to look into these ministries and see what a tremendous impact these organizations have on the children and families that they serve. JSP has also given to many families and children who are in need. We have come alongside and provided for many children who have needed extra help to overcome some of life’s difficult obstacles, such as childhood illness, counseling, or simple basic needs. We have learned so much during these first few years and have been blessed by helping many.
Immediately following our personal loss, we desperately needed a place to go as a family and receive counseling and healing. Our desire was to find a place where people understood us and could help our entire family process our tragic loss. Although we are thankful for the programs that we were able to attend, we needed so much more. Witnessing our hurting children first hand encouraged us to take action and find somewhere that they also could receive the healing that they needed. Unfortunately, we determined that there were not a lot of options available. As we continued our journey as a family, we trained and educated ourselves at many different programs and facilities around the country. In the process, we grew convinced that ministering to others who were grieving was a critical ingredient to our own healing.
In the spring of 2006, we began our first adult bereavement program at West Ridge Church. That summer we trained at the Dougy Center in Portland, OR and implemented a kids program in the fall of 2006. This allowed JSP to serve entire families that had experienced loss. Now having gained the experience of four years of grief ministry, combined with intensive education and training, we feel like God’s is expanding the vision for JSP.
Grief and loss are universal, everyone experiences it, yet there are very few who truly understand it. It is our mission to help bring light to the dark path through the valley of grief. Allow us to paint a picture of the God sized dream He has given us.
Jack’s House will be a unique bereavement ministry with a primary purpose to help families choose to live again. This very powerful decision, made first by parents, offers hope and healing to their children and future generations. Parents who do the “work” that grief requires in turn open the door for their grieving children to do the same.

We have seen many families accept the loss of their loved ones while ignoring their own pain. They move ahead with plans to endure the rest of their lives, this side of Heaven. The result is a joyless life that causes others in the family to lose heart. To tolerate grief only sows seeds of bitterness in the heart, which produces a harvest of pain in the lives of those we truly love.

Our mission is to offer hope and healing to the broken hearted and to come alongside and share the weight of those who, through no fault of their own, have been given a heavy burden to carry. In the bigger picture of our vision, we see a whole community benefiting directly and indirectly. The most obvious outcomes will be the healing of bereaved families. Parents will receive education, support and encouragement to take the next steps of grief. Marriages will be strengthened and kept safe from divorce. Siblings will have a place to safely process their grief. Supporting family members can find helpful information to support their grieving family members. We have even witnessed volunteers, who serve the families on a weekly basis, being ministered to through the hope that is offered by our program. Jack’s House will serve those in need, who will return to serve others as they have been served. Our focus is to help bind hearts, one family at a time. We trust these efforts will multiply and begin to bind “a community of hearts” working together as one. Imagine communities becoming stronger rather than weaker with each tragedy.

Please Join With Us! As we move forward with our dream, we are reaching out to you for support.

We Need Your Prayers!
*Pray that God would keep His hand on this ministry and give us wisdom and discernment as we go forward.
*Pray that God would provide leaders and volunteers that will be necessary to succeed
*Pray for the families that we serve
*Pray for financial support.

We Need Your Financial Support!

*We need the resources to grow our staff, acquire a permanent facility and to continue our training.
*Please visit our website to make an online donation. www.jspfoundation.com

We Need Your Help!

*Spread the word about JSP
*To see how JSP is helping others, we have attached two testimonies written by families who have been a part of our grief program.

With Much Love-
Smith and Julie Peck

Today we remember you..

“Somewhere there is someone that dreams of your smile, and finds in your presence that life is worthwhile, so when you are lonely remember its true, someone somewhere is thinking of you”

Author Unknown

Jack,

We love you and miss you dearly today as we remember the time we had with you here on this earth.

Love-

Dad, Mom, Maddie and Macie

The Christmas Blessing 2009

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

JSP's fall "Through the valley" grief share session has ended this season with an amazing face to face encounter with Joy! Every year we invite our families to an end of session dinner, hosted by JSP at Roz's house (Smith's wonderful mom!). They come only expecting dinner... but they receive much more. During our 13 week session we are busy collecting shirts of their lost loved ones. The families have no idea what we are going to do with their special shirts, so with much hesitation they hand them over. We have a team of blanket makers that take their shirts and transform them into cherished treasures, we lovingly call "Shirt Blankets". What makes these blankets unique is that they can actually put on their loved one's shirt which is sewn to a blanket made just for them. They can then wrap the blanket around their shoulders and feel close to the loved one they miss. It's like getting a hug straight from heaven any time they want. In addition to the blankets we surprise them with a serenade from their friends and family. We secretly call all the participants family and friends before the dinner to invite them to participate in a "surprise serenade". We do this to remind our families that they are not alone in their grief.. that they have not been forgotten, and are still being prayed for and supported. While our grief share families are eating dinner, we are secretly meeting with their friends and family at "Lost Mountain Baptist Church"which is located across the street from Roz's house.
For about 30 minutes they practice a special selections of songs with our choir leaders. As soon as dinner is over they rush over to surprise their grieving loved ones. Imagine, being invited to an end of year party and only expecting dinner... just when you think the night is coming to an end it's really only beginning, because the best has yet to come. Off in the distance, you faintly hear joyful clapping accompanied by a sea of voices singing "This is the day the Lord has made". At first, our families are some what confused. One child looked at me and said, "Why do I hear clapping?" I replied,"We always clap after dinner!" With a big smile on his face he jumped up from his chair and joined in. With in seconds, all the dinner guest realize what is going on. This is my favorite part of the entire evening. The look on their faces... it is a look of someone surprised by joy. For the first time, they are met in the midst of their sorrow by an intense feeling of "JOY!" With happy tears flowing, they welcome their families with tight loving embraces. It is a night that gives our families a glimpse of what Heaven might be like.

One of our guest said, "You could have stopped with the dinner and I would have been more than happy. It was one of the nicest dinner's I've had in a long time. But when my family entered the room singing, and then we received our special blankets..The night kept getting better and better!"

What he said reminds me of God's love for us. It also reminds me of His plans for us, better than we could ever possibly imagine!

JSP is so grateful for all of those who believe in our mission to bind the broken hearted. Click on the window below to catch a small glimpse of how your support offers hope for the weary.

From Christmas Blessing 2009

.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV)

Happy Birthday Jack!!!

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Jack, Thank you for the gift of love you continue to bring to our lives today. Our hearts are strengthened each day by our memories of you, which gives us the courage to live with joy today!!

Love,
Mom, Dad, Maddie and Macie

Please note!!! Our events have been rescheduled (Click here to go directly to the invitation)

A Schedule Change for 'The Corn Toss Tournament' and 'JSP Day' Weekend..
Mark your calendars, one new date for both events..

Due to the recent weather, we are postponing 'The Corn Toss Tournament' and 'JSP Day' weekend.

October 10th, 10:00 am - 7pm will be the new date and time.

We are combining both of the events to be held on that one day. A day of high energy competition and thankful celebration all wrapped into one full day of fun!

The Corn Toss Tournament will start @ 10:30 am.. So be ready to play.

For those of you who are not playing in the tournament, load up the car with your family and friends to share with us a day of celebration. It will be a fall carnival like atmosphere. Fun for the whole family! We will have a 'moon bounce', 'big slide', face painting, and other fun activates for the kids. The concession stand will be loaded with all of your carnival favorites!

We will also have JSP t-shirts for sale.

Again, sorry for the schedule change. We are hoping for a very successful event. We want all who come to have (rain free, and mud free) fun.
The support gathered at this event will be used to fund our program this fall and to help launch 'Jack's House'.

Thank you again for being so flexible...

Smith and Julie Peck

Click here to view our program proposal & budget

"Corn in the Cobb" Registration Form

Just a reminder for those of you planning on joining us for the 1st annual "Corn In The Cobb Toss". Please double click on the corn man above to download the registration form and fax (770-422-2539) it to me so that I can place a t-shirt order. All those who play will receive a free t-shirt as a token of our appreciation for your support. As usual, Jay Foxworthy has come up with a great design for our shirts...you will not want to miss out on this one!
Also, please feel free to pass along this invite to any one that would like to come.

Are you still on the fence about attending next weekends events? Do you feel like you just don't have what it takes to compete? Check out the two informative video's below...and know that this is your chance to finally shine!!!

"One's who chose to live again!"

“The grief within me has its own heartbeat. It has its own life, its own song. Part of me wants to resist the rhythms of my grief. Yet, as I surrender to the song, I learn to listen deep within my soul.”
-Alan Wolfelt, Ph. D.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"- Isaiah 55:8

“Our journey in this life cannot always be understood.
Realizing “we are not in control” can actually offer comfort in our grief.

Accept that this life can be confusing, complicated and at times overwhelming.

Surrender to your grief and determine to seek out truth.

The process will expose purpose for the pain endured –

and reveal a child of God transformed and anchored by hope.
One who chooses to live again!”
- Julie Peck

Simply conveyed above, the purpose of our program is to help families choose to live again. This very powerful decision, made first by parents, offers hope and healing to their children and future generations. Parents who do the “work” that grief requires; in turn open the door for their grieving children to do the same.
We have seen many families accept the loss of their loved ones while ignoring their pain. They move ahead with plans to endure the rest of their lives; this side of Heaven. The result is a joyless life that causes others in the family to lose heart. To tolerate grief only sows seeds of bitterness in the heart, which produces a harvest pain in the lives of those we truly love.

Our mission is to offer hope and healing to the broken hearted; to come along side and share the weight of those who, through no fault of their own, have been given a heavy burden to carry. In the bigger picture of our vision, we see a whole community benefiting directly and indirectly by the work done at Jack’s House. The obvious affects will be seen in the healing of bereaved families. Parents will receive education, support and encouragement to take the next steps of grief. Marriages will be strengthen and kept safe from the statistics of divorce. Siblings will have a place to come and safely process their grief. Supporting family members can find helpful information to support their grieving family members. We even see the volunteers, who serve the families on a weekly basis, being ministered to through the hope that is offered by our program. Jack’s house will serve those in need; who will return to serve others as they have been served. Our focus is to help bind one family’s heart at a time. One heart at a time will multiply into many, which will begin to bind “a community of hearts” to work together as one. Imagine communities becoming stronger rather than weaker with each tragedy.

What will make “Jacks House” so unique?

• Jack’s House is one of the few grief centers in the country that will offer support to the whole family
• Jack’s House is founded on Christian values and will offer services to all regardless of their belief system
  
• Jack’s House will help children feel comfortable by using art, creative therapies and games to help them express feelings and learn new ways to cope
  
• Jack’s House offers women’s, men’s and couples bible studies. We also plan to offer summer retreat’s for the whole family
  
• Jack’s House support groups are led by peer leaders who share their own real life experiences with loss.

We have a dream! A God sized dream that could have only come through our own pain and frustrations.

We Have A God Sized Dream!

Our dream is to provide a place and a plan for families to navigate their way through grief.
Our dream is for Mom’s and Dad’s to stay married.
Our dream is for siblings to feel included as someone who is grieving too.
Our dream is for all who grieve the loss of a loved one to find a new sense of purpose for their forever changed lives.
Our dream is for families to see that God cares about them.
Our dream is for families to see God’s grace and love in the midst of their pain.
Our dream is for families to heal, to return to a new normal life, and find that they will smile again.
Our dream is for families to see that life here on earth is not something to be endured. Life will be enjoyed again. Should be lived again; to the fullest.
Our dream is for families to anchor their lives with hope in their harbor of grief. Our dream is for families to live out this life with joy; to trust in the promise of our future reunion.
Our dream is to help families understand that our loved one in heaven is joyful… and wants us to be filled with joy as well.
Our dream is to help families grieve and mourn. To process the pain and do the hard work of grief.
Our dream is to help bind the brokenhearted.
Our dream is to bind the heart of a father, mother, brother and sister to beat again as one. One person at a time, one family at a time one community at a time.

Don't miss the action!!

1st Annual "Corn In The Cobb" Bag Toss Tournament!
When: Sat, September 26, 11am – 5pm
Where: 1890 Battlefiled Road Marietta, GA 30064
Description: Please join us for the 1st Annual "Corn In The Cobb" Bag Toss Tournament!

Here is the scenario, teams of two will spend a great afternoon playing corn toss, watching college football and eating great food until it all comes down to the final throw. Someone will slide their bag into the hole to take home the 1st ever JSP's "King of Corn" trophy!!! Imagine the pride you'll feel when you take home the golden corn. You'll "pop" with pride every time you look at your mantel. "The smack talk has already began" Hurry and reserve your spot; teams are filling up fast! The cost per person is $40.00 RSVP by emailing me a “Count me in" conformation. All you need to bring is a chair .. We will have a concession stand available providing lunch... All money raised will go towards JSP's new vision and program- "Jack's House" - Jack's house provides a place and a plan to help families navigate their way through grief. We hope to rebuild broken hearts by helping families find joy, hope and a renewed sense of purpose for their forever changed lives.

JSP Day

When:Sun, September 27, 2pm – 6pm
Where:1890 Battlefield Road Marietta, GA 30064
Description:Please join us for a day of fun to celebrate Jack's birthday.

Food and fun for all! Kids bring your bathing suites because we plan on having a huge waterslide. We will be sharing JSP's new vision of "Jack's House" We hope to see you there!

Our vision- "Jack's House"

to

" Jack's House"

Mission Statement

Our mission is to serve families who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Jack’s place provides a place to rebuild broken hearts by helping Them find
joy, hope and renewed sense of purpose for their forever changed lives.

Our Program

No one plans for bad things to happen. Jack’s place provides a place and a plan to help families navigate their way through grief. We accomplish this mission through our distinct volunteers, nurturing environment and inspirational program. Jack’s place is a fun place! It’s a place where a kid can be a kid again. For children, fun high energy activities are essential to the success our program. Time spent playing in a carefree environment is equally as important as their peer support group time. For parents, it’s a place where a parent can finally be at rest to share with others who are living through similar life challenges.

Why we do what we do......

"The trouble with love is that it comes to an end.

I've got a feeling.. I'm gonna find you again. Just in a place where love can't die!"

As JSP moves into a new season to help the broken hearted I found myself asking "why do we do what we do? " The answer is simple ....we believe there is a place where we will find our loved ones again -where love can't die! Our passion comes from the desire to unveil the truth.
When a heart is shattered by the loss of a loved one ; only the love of Christ can bind it back together again. That process begins by showing others the power of His resurrection in our own lives. When we first believed ... He began to bind.. so today we can honestly love and encourage others to believe - this is not the end!

So you may be asking..."What do you do?" Good question! Beginning this fall we will be rolling out a new grief curriculum we brought back from California this summer. As far as we know its not being taught in our state! We were very impressed with the idea of "companioning the bereaved".. it teaches us to journey with others along their road of grief ; not to lead but to walk beside. Our new class will be held at our home with 12 new families. We are hoping to have a couple of fundraising events so we can accommodate the program. We will be looking for volunteers to help facilitate the kids program, donate dinners to feed the families and to help support our families in many other ways. We will also be looking for people who can help donate materials to help us pull off this program. Lumber for a pavilion and picnic tables are at the top of our wish list. We also are thinking of having a "pep-rally"... I would love to host a conference that offered a night of motivational music to inspire those who have broken hearts to fight the good fight. My hope would be to also have a couple of inspirational messages from others who have came through great trials... Other events in my dream is Movie night on the lawn and night trial hikes on the National Kennesaw Battlefield. I have lots to do so let me know if you are interested in helping... we would love to have you!!!-

With Much Love- The Peck's

P.S. Looking back, I am amazed that our lives have taken this turn. In the beginning our dreams never included God.. today I am honored and humbled to think that His always included us.... Thank you God - for creating a place where love can't die; a place where we will all be together again. The song below.. says it all!

My Friend, Missy Morgan

My Friend, Missy Morgan

Missy Morgan is my friend! I say that to make a point…
The fact that I cannot physically see her doesn’t end our relationship..
It will continue because now I see her through the eyes of my heart…

Last year, I stumbled across a sentence that made me question God…
“God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see.”
Gen. 1:1
All we see and don’t see? What in the world does that mean?
Why would God choose these words to be His first words written to us in the bible?
My question led me to a very comforting answer … That has opened my eyes to see “the unseen things”. They taught me how to see what I don’t see…. So I can live with what I do see….

If truth be known, I was a teensy bit afraid to be Missy’s friend.
Why?
Because I didn’t want her to ever know the pain I knew.

Who would have ever dreamed that Missy Morgan’s and Julie Peck’s paths would cross?

A mother who had just lost a son and a mother whose greatest fear was to lose a son.

I remember the week we first met. It was June of 2006, our first time serving at the “Lighthouse”. Smith suggested that we go because a good friend of his … thought the mission of the lighthouse reflected the heart of JSP’s newly birthed vision. Another reason ….that wasn’t mentioned, but clearly understood by both of us… was personal..
We were also going because we learned early on…while traveling our own journey of grief …..That somehow…. helping others helped us… It demanded our full attention which forced our eyes to focus on something besides our own pain.

The Morgan’s were returning to the lighthouse to enjoy their 2nd visit. The year before they had been had served by an amazing family, “The Howards “who are still their close friends today. They also experienced meaningful connections with caring volunteers.
But, most importantly they connected with fellow warriors who were also battling cancer.
I am sure that Missy came to have fun, to be loved on, to rest and relax and enjoy much needed time together with her family.
I came to serve, make new friends, fold and wash clothes, make beds, and to hopefully make life a little easier that week for a family who needed a break from late night hospital check in’s because someone had spiked another fever..

What happened when our paths collided with our own agenda’s?

Let me take you behind the scenes...

30 min before we met the Morgan’s I decided to take a moment to learn about Ryan’s cancer. My eyes had never seen the word neouroblastoma before. I walked into my room, closed the door turned on the television, and grabbed my paperwork hoping to find a definition to this word. Needless to say, I could not find the medical dictionary that I thought may have been included. Somewhat satisfied with not understanding, I heard a voice on the television that by chance had been turned on to a show that was explaining the history of Alex’s Lemonade stand. Alex had neoroblastoma too…. Wow what a coincidence…. As I listened I became quickly aware of the weight this word carried. It didn’t take too long before I found myself crying in my bedroom asking God “Why”….I know that day I was unaware of the why.. But God was not..

It was no coincidence that Missy and I became friends the summer of 2006. God orchestrates our lives- “From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” – Acts 17:26
It is no accident which neighborhood you grew up in, who lived next door, who went to school with you, who is part of your church, and who works with you. Our relationships are appointed by God, so there’s every reason for me to believe that our friendship was appointed by God as well and it will continue in Heaven. God’s plan doesn’t stop on the Earth- Friendships that begin here on Earth will continue in Heaven.
When God said, “It is not good for man to be alone” –Genesis 2:18, He was speaking not only of marriage but also of the need for friendship. He was saying, I’ll make these people so that they’ll need one another.”
Did we need one another? I surely didn’t think so... But as the week came to an end, I forced myself to confess my past to Missy and she said back to me… “Julie, I am not sure why, but I know in my heart that we were suppose to know one another”
I am thankful today for our friendship. It was not always an easy one… we did have many moments of laughter and I am very thankful for that.. But we also had moments that I brought me to my knees..
I will never forget the conversation we had sharing lunch at the McDonalds’ located across the street from Scottish rite…
“Julie, I never planned on having cancer… I never planned on my son having cancer” she said as she casually took a bite of her “Fish Filet” my reply … honest silence ….because none of us plan for the bad… there were no words to offer … just a look that offered love.
Or the conversation we had this past November at Emory hospital. As she was waiting to be released by the doctors to go home… she turned to me and said… “I guess I will get to meet Jackson...”
That was Missy Morgan for you.. Always looking at the glass half full…and speaking the truth! Her honesty gives me peace today. With that statement she gave me assurance of where she was sure that she was going… and I cannot wait to see her again..
As I reflected this week on our friendship, I remember something that happened the day after Jack died that. I just happened to open my bible which I had never opened before on my own....My eyes fell to a page that had been scribble on by Jack… The verse I read was Isaiah 43:10 it said…
“You are my witnesses and my servant, whom I have chosen..”
June 2006, Missy and I agreed to begin a relationship. A friendship forged between “two soldiers” on the battlefield of life. Our Mission, that was unknown at the time… was to witness to one another. Missy witnessed to me a life lived to the fullest no matter what the circumstances were… I witnessed to her a life that could be restored and lived again to the fullest no matter what the circumstances were… Nothing can ever replace the loving relationship we shared while fighting the heart breaking battles of this life.
I know when I get to Heaven I will remember my experience of fighting side by side with Missy Morgan in trenches of this fallen Earth.
She has had and will continue to have a profound influence on my life.
I will miss her greatly …. Until we meet again!

“We have not lost our dear ones who have departed from this life, but have merely sent them ahead of us, so we also shall depart and shall come to that life where they will be more than ever dear as they will be better known to us, and where we shall love them without fear of parting.” – Augustine

The Morgan's

"Super Ryan, The Morgan's, Our friends, Our Chosen Family

"Friends are your chosen family. They are the

folks that you chose to be in the trenches with you!"

I love this picture! It was taken when we first met our dear friends, the Morgan's, I will never forget the first time I met Ryan Morgan! It was in town hall at Rosemary beach. He stole my heart the first moment I laid eyes on him... what a guy! He came in and took over. I must say I was a bit nervous of how the week would go, but after about 2 minutes, Ryan showed me that I could relax, sit back and enjoy the ride. His family is probably one of the most courageous, fun and loving families I have ever met. Every moment they are together is one full of purpose and meaning. Not one second is wasted! That week I learned so much about life. I learned that every moment should be cherished and enjoyed. Finding excitement was not a problem for them.. from stealing the flags of other family campers to sneaking away to enjoy a fun filled afternoon at the local water park.. you name it they did it! I will never forget the thought I took home with me after our first week with them was over- "Life can be fun again for our family!"

Today, The Morgan's are still a big part of our lives and are still teaching us so much. I am so inspired by the love that this family has for one another. I wanted to let all our wonderful super fiends know that they need prayers and encouragement. If you know the Morgan's, I am sure that they are not only friends... but your chosen family as well. Please join, our family, and JSP in supporting them especially in prayer. Please take a moment to visit Ryan's blog - http://superryan.blogspot.com/ .

I know that this family needs prayers for wisdom, compassion, guidance and great strength.

Much love,

The Peck's

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows." ~Sydney J. Harris

"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em,

'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it."
- Theodore Roosevelt

JSP is off to school! The most common response we've received from our vision casting season has been- "If your going to help grieving families, then you'd better educate yourself and be the best at what you do!" No question to that - you can never get enough training, especially in the area of grief. From the very beginning we saw that education and training would be the key components to creating an effective grief program. Our hope is to help others to see more than their reflection in the mirror, see it as a window of opportunity to live life with purpose! Replacing the mirror with a window!!!

When our mirror turned into a window we saw a need in the community for a grief program. I do no like the fact that we ever saw this need, but now that we do , we must press forward and make our dream a reality. Life "schooled" us on a horrific lesson, one that can not be learned in a classroom. Now that we have learned the lesson, we see the importance of going back to the classroom.

“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.”

- Tom Bodett.

The lesson learned? Grief is hard, and education is greatly needed. We talk to families all the time who are aimlessly wandering through grief. How grief effects the family is very complex. Many life altering issues effect the foundation of a family. Marital, parental and financial just name a few. We want to provide a plan that will educate the family as a whole on the issues they will be facing. Our main goal is to dig up all seeds of bitterness planted as a by product of not understanding the bigger picture and God's plan.

Our next few steps this summer is to acquire more knowledge. This week we are attending a conference in California that is offering education on grieving children and families. We are very excited to add this next layer of education to JSP's portfolio. We hope to return with many new resources for the grieving families in our community. There are two classes that I am very excited about: #1 The difference between the way parents and children grieve. #2 How ADD, ADHD and learning disabilities effect a grieving child ( I believe this topic is uncharted territory and needs to be addressed!)

Please pray that this week will bear much fruit. I will check back in during the week to keep you updated.

Dear super friends, Thank you again for all your support!

Love- Smith and Julie

"JSP" has a new dream!

Join us and be a part of something BIG! Help us be the difference that strengthens our community by rebuilding one broken family at a time.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference” - Robert Frost

Our family has journeyed through a major valley of grief. Today we can honestly say we have found a new joy that allows us to continue moving forward. Unfortunately, we feel like the path back to living life joyfully again was the “one less traveled by”. Finding help to recover from major grief is extremely difficult to find. Most programs are designed for adults or children... not the family as a whole.
Families need a place discuss the daily battles of death and disease. For the past 3 years JSP has been hard at work helping broken families who are struggling with a child dealing with cancer and families who are dealing with the loss of a child. The major concern in our hearts is if parents do not recover from grief, then the children are forever the casualty of a bitter environment. Our goal is to help families live again happily! We help them find a “new normal”. We hope to help them find joy, hope and renewed sense of purpose for their pain.
Already this year, JSP has been able to purchase nets for children in Africa, help build a well in Africa, walk with families along their journey of fighting childhood cancer, and facilitate groups that help families cope with the ladder effects of grief; helping them cross over to living a joyful life again. We want to finish strong this year by casting our vision- our new dream!

JSP's new dream - Building "The JSP Center"

No one plans for bad things to happen. The JSP Center will provide a place and a plan to help families navigate their way through grief. We hope to accomplish this mission through loving volunteers, a nurturing environment and an inspirational peer support group program. Jack’s place is a fun place! It’s a place where a kid can be a kid again. For children, fun high energy activities are essential to the success our program. Time spent playing in a carefree environment is equally as important as their peer support group time. For parents, it’s a place where a parent can finally be at rest to share with others who are living through similar life challenges.
JSP's efforts will now be devoted to raising funds to build a center for hurting families. Many suffer from grief caused by the loss of a loved one and fighting childhood cancer. “The JSP Center” would equip families to navigate through life's storms. It would provide rest, healing and hope for the weary. Alone, we fail, but together we can share hope and hope always points to a bright future!