Sisters

I have been blessed with sisters. I am the 5th of 8 children, and the second of four daughters. My oldest sister, Sarah Jean, is only a year and ten months older than me. I am so thankful that God gave me an older sister (and two younger ones).

Sarah has always the ideal big sister…ever since I can remember, I have always admired her, even when we were younger. When we would play “housie” together, I would go over to her “house” and I always loved how she had it fixed up. I’d go back to my “house” and fix it up just like she had it. When I was about ten years old, our grandmother, Mimi, bought us each a big doll…mine was a girl and hers was a boy. I remember we played for hours with those dolls…I named mine Rhonda Sue and she named hers Marvin Dale (remember, Sarah?).

l to r: David, Sarah, Dad and me (1982)

We went through our teen-age "trials" together…I’d tell her and she’d tell me. We shared everything from secrets to clothes.

We graduated from High School together and then went off to Bible college together, enrolling in the exact same classes and going through every single class in Bible college together. So even in Bible college, we studied for tests together, quizzing each other and making sure we were ready. After the test was over, whichever of the two got done first, we’d wait outside of the classroom door for the other one, and share “how it went in there.”

We graduated from Bible college together and came back home and worked in Dad’s ministry…together. We got married the same year, and had our first babies within one month of each other.

Sarah and me two weeks ago

Today, I still admire her. To me, she is the perfect wife, mother (to six beautiful children!), house-keeper and missionary. I love to go visit her, and after our time together, I come back with a renewed purpose to be a better wife, mother, house-keeper and Christian.

Jason and Sarah's six beautiful children:

Two weeks ago, we were able to make the 5-hour trip to visit Sarah and her family. We were together for (almost) 4 whole days, and we had SUCH a nice time together! We had not seen each other for 3 months, and it was so wonderful to visit with her family again.

(Jackie and Debbie washing dishes together)

I am thankful for this wonderful sister/friend God has given to me.

My two younger sisters, Elizabeth and Ruth.

They, too, are a blessing, an encouragement, and a great inspiration to me. I admire them in their Christian lives, and for the excellent manner in which they fulfill their roles as wife, mother, and missionary. Sisters are special; but the fact that my sisters are my FRIENDS, and very godly Christians make them 100 times more special to me!

Thank YOU, LORD, for my sisters, my friends….my encouragers!

Mrs. Colleen Bond

Someday when I've traveled my last mile here,

The call will be coming for me

I'll enter the life boat that will be near

To carry me over the sea.

He'll hold my hand

As over the river I go

Then safe I'll be

In beautiful Heaven I know.

I'm ready to go to that golden shore

To live there while ages shall roll

I want to meet loved ones, and saints of yore

In Heaven, Blessed Home of the soul.

When my sibblings and I were younger, I remeber singing that sweet song in the Petra Baptist Church. Pastor W.N. Bond and Deacon Horace Clowdis would wave their hands as we would sing that song, and I would see sweet Mrs. Bond wipe a tear from her eye.

Mrs. Colleen Bond was one of the sweetest Christian ladies that I have ever known. Having known Dad since he was just nineteen years old, she came to love us as her own grandchildren. I remember going to her house when we were there and eating delicious home-cooked dinners. I loved to hear her sweet, happy laugh...I can still hear it this morning.

Yesterday evening, the Lord called Sweet Mrs. Bond to Heaven...and Heaven just became sweeter to me. My heart grieves, not for her, but for us who remain...for Dear Bro. Bond.... But my heart rejoices that she is in Heaven with her Lord, and that we will see her again someday!

So we need not sorrow, as others which have no hope. For one day we SHALL BE caught up together with our loved ones in the clouds, to meet our Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. What blessed hope we have! I'll see you again some day, Sweet Mrs. Bond!

"Thank You, Lord, for putting Mrs. Bond in my life. Thank you for her sweet testimony. Thank you for the privilege I had of knowing her."

When we went to the States in December, we were able to go to Petra Baptist Church, and Andrew met the Bonds....I am so thankful we had that opportunity! Last night, when I told Andrew that Mrs. Bond had passed away, he said, "Thank the Lord we were able to go see them! I am so thankful I got to meet her!”