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

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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)