Got a phone call Monday night that Jason's cousin Jake was killed in a head on collision that morning.
His sweet wife Priscilla and 3 babies were left without him. I was absolutely heartbroken for them to put it mildly. There are no words to do it justice. He was 24 and far too young with so much life left to live. Thankfully, Jake was a man of God and lived a Godly life so we know he's in heaven with the Lord, rejoicing in the fruits of his labors. No sorrow, no worry, only pure joy with God for all eternity.
The first thing we did when Jason picked me up from the airport was head over to Jud and Julie's (his parents) to see the family. They were all just in utter shock and completely heartbroken. His new widow was completely somber and barely standing under her own efforts. She managed to say she was being carried. By God and by all of us. She was just being carried and that's the best way to describe her. The kids were obviously keeping her going, thank goodness for that. She turned to Jason and told him she was sorry for his loss and I just about burst into tears. Because that was them, always thinking of others before themselves. Truly souls beyond their years in both their earthly and heavenly relationships. Beyond inspiring.
The funeral was the hardest I've ever been to. I sobbed like a baby. It was just overwhelming, the crippling heartbreak and yet clinging desperately to their faith and His promise to carry out burdens for us as well as is in our hardest times. Soul shattering. I just don't have words to describe what a major loss they suffered. 6 brothers and sisters, parents, lots of family and his sweet, young wife and those babies. All three 3 and under. The youngest being 6 months.
God being the ever faithful provider, worked through all of us to help Jake's family in a campaign to raise money, as he was the sole financial provider and they had no savings because they had just bought a house. To date they have raised over $47,000 and counting. God is so good. Even in a time of the worst possible devastation, he provides hope.
I know we were really looking forward to spending more time with them since our youngest two are the same age as theirs. Abel and Beckett being only a day apart. We will still be able to see them and spend time with them, just terrible sad it won't be with Jake.
Thank you for being a great example to us all and for affirming my faith that much more. Praying for your family in this new existence without you and for guidance on how to help them through.
Goodbye Jake. Until we meet again.
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