“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Grace Frizen has been ushered in to the everlasting presence of her King. What a woman. What a representation of a faith and life that I want to emulate.
Jack and Grace Frizen are some of our heroes here at PIONEERS. In fact, we even have a building named after them. After studying at Wheaton College, Jack was snatched up to serve in WWII. God used the time Jack spent stationed in the Philippines to give him a heart for the world, a heart for Asia, and more specifically, a heart for the Filipino people. After returning to the US, Jack along with several other GIs founded the Far Eastern Gospel Crusade, now SEND Int'l. While serving on the board and attending Columbia Bible College, Jack met his wife, Grace. Together they served for eight years as missionaries in the Philippines and then was Executive Director of the IFMA, Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association, for 30 years.
This sweet couple are truly lovers of the King and soldiers in his Kingdom. God has multiplied their humble work 100 times over! SEND Int'l is a major mission agency that, among other places, has been toiling the soil in Japan for decades. The Philippines was an unreached nation when the Frizens went in 1954, but with a 16% Evangelical population, the Philippines is now becoming a significant missionary-sending country. With the IFMA, Jack and Grace had the privilege of encouraging and empowering missionaries and mission agencies to do the work God has called them to. This support role continues today as Jack serves as a missions consultant to PIONEERS.
Dr. Frizen (as we call him, pronouced fri-ZAIN) makes me smile. I love seeing him around the PIONEERS campus. He always has a smile, a hand squeeze, or a hug for you. And he espouses words of encouragement and wisdom that comes from a deep heart of love. Grace has had dementia for several years, but even when she would occasionally visit campus, her eyes spoke compassion as she reached out for a hug.
Two weeks ago, Dr. Frizen gave an update on her condition. He described the pain of checking her into an assisted living situation, of watching her personality change from the woman he knew, and of kissing a wife who doesn't recognize him. The doctor did not think her body would fight the cancer much longer. "For the past six weeks, I've had a taste of what it's like to take care of her 24 hours a day, and it's not been easy," he said. "But she took care of me for over 50 years." As I listened to Dr. Frizen's expression of love for the wife of his youth, tears streamed down my face. It was so pure, so beautiful.
And now, she's home. Pray for Dr. Frizen as he grieves and rejoices for her at the same time. They've lived well - not without pain, but with a great confidence as they walked hand-in-hand with Almighty God. A life worth living.
Wednesday, December 28
Thursday, December 15
Me and my Harley
I am officially a fan of Harley Davidson Motorcyles!
Last night, I went to hear a speaker share how he came to understand the Gospel, leaving behind a life of violence and substance abuse for real life in Christ. He strutted in with 120 tattoos showing through his tank top and leather vest, a hard Massachusetts accent, a crazy life story, and a love for Jesus that shone through it all.
Here's what I saw last night that I love about the gospel:
1- It always embraces the unexpected. At this time of year, consider the Christmas story: Could our Savior really come to earth in the most vulnerable way, as a baby, to re-claim His world and establish His Kingdom? Certainly His humble beginnings on earth were completely unexpected. And here in front of me last night was a man whose physical appearance makes him, quite honestly, an unexpected Christian. Now that's a whole other topic as a mistake of the Church, but anyhow, he comes in an unexpected way. But isn't our faith itself such a mystery? I'm not sure I can describe it in one word any better. What a mystery that he chooses us, loves us, and catches us up into His great story! It's altogether rather unexpected, isn't it? And that speaks to my sense of adventure. I eagerly "expect the unexpected", looking forward to what is ahead on this great adventure and journey of faith.
2- God is so good to give us such diversity in our family! Oh how I love meeting new people and seeing how God has uniquely wired them to be a part of His Kingdom work. We all have different gifts, abilities, and makeup, and it simply fascinates me how our God weaves it all together into a beautiful story of His grace.
SO...the unexpected and the diversity of Al Paquette caught me up in the worship of our God! And, you're thinking, how does this ever tie into Harley Davidsons? Yes, he drove in on a *sweet* looking motorcycle with several other friends. My eyes were wide as I glanced over the bikes, introduced myself, and asked for a ride!
Well, yes, he obliged and we started to get ready. I mentioned slightly how I might get cold (though not for a second a deterrant!), and his wife offered me her leather jacket. Oh yeah. Picture me getting on the back of a Harley Davidson Ultra Classic, the cadillac of all motorcycles, with my black helmet, riding sunglasses, and leather jacket. I looked hot.
We really only rode around for a few minutes, but it was a dream, let me tell you. Al's favorite part about riding is the experience of seeing and smelling everything around you. I quite agree. It was exhilarating!
So...a Harley has now been added to my Christmas list. Okay, maybe that's a little extreme. But it did make another list. Do you have a list of things to do before you die? My Mom encouraged me to do this when I was young, and I've already been able to cross off a few accomplished items. But now I've got a new one: road trip to the mountains on a motorcycle! Can you imagine?! Me and my Harley....
Last night, I went to hear a speaker share how he came to understand the Gospel, leaving behind a life of violence and substance abuse for real life in Christ. He strutted in with 120 tattoos showing through his tank top and leather vest, a hard Massachusetts accent, a crazy life story, and a love for Jesus that shone through it all.
Here's what I saw last night that I love about the gospel:
1- It always embraces the unexpected. At this time of year, consider the Christmas story: Could our Savior really come to earth in the most vulnerable way, as a baby, to re-claim His world and establish His Kingdom? Certainly His humble beginnings on earth were completely unexpected. And here in front of me last night was a man whose physical appearance makes him, quite honestly, an unexpected Christian. Now that's a whole other topic as a mistake of the Church, but anyhow, he comes in an unexpected way. But isn't our faith itself such a mystery? I'm not sure I can describe it in one word any better. What a mystery that he chooses us, loves us, and catches us up into His great story! It's altogether rather unexpected, isn't it? And that speaks to my sense of adventure. I eagerly "expect the unexpected", looking forward to what is ahead on this great adventure and journey of faith.
2- God is so good to give us such diversity in our family! Oh how I love meeting new people and seeing how God has uniquely wired them to be a part of His Kingdom work. We all have different gifts, abilities, and makeup, and it simply fascinates me how our God weaves it all together into a beautiful story of His grace.
SO...the unexpected and the diversity of Al Paquette caught me up in the worship of our God! And, you're thinking, how does this ever tie into Harley Davidsons? Yes, he drove in on a *sweet* looking motorcycle with several other friends. My eyes were wide as I glanced over the bikes, introduced myself, and asked for a ride!
Well, yes, he obliged and we started to get ready. I mentioned slightly how I might get cold (though not for a second a deterrant!), and his wife offered me her leather jacket. Oh yeah. Picture me getting on the back of a Harley Davidson Ultra Classic, the cadillac of all motorcycles, with my black helmet, riding sunglasses, and leather jacket. I looked hot.
We really only rode around for a few minutes, but it was a dream, let me tell you. Al's favorite part about riding is the experience of seeing and smelling everything around you. I quite agree. It was exhilarating!
So...a Harley has now been added to my Christmas list. Okay, maybe that's a little extreme. But it did make another list. Do you have a list of things to do before you die? My Mom encouraged me to do this when I was young, and I've already been able to cross off a few accomplished items. But now I've got a new one: road trip to the mountains on a motorcycle! Can you imagine?! Me and my Harley....
Monday, December 12
Whoa, where have I been?
Yeah, I know. Definitely not here. Sorry! How many people told me this weekend that it's time for me to get in the game and post an update? More than I remember. But, hey, thanks for reading! :)
It's 5:08pm. It's been a normal Monday at the office - busy, lots of meetings, desk is still ridiculously messy. It will have to hold off for one more day, though, because I'm taking tomorrow off for doctors appts (flex money - use it or lose it before 12/31) and taking an RTS final. See you Wednesday!
I'm off to another Christmas Party. I think this is #4 of the season with a few more to go. But tonight is the annual Crandall Ornament and Cookie Exchange Extravaganza...or so I call it. This has to be at least year 15 that I've been to this party --- it's a staple of my holiday season! And so I'm off.
Don't forget to leave a message! Try to fool me and see if I can figure out who you are. :)
It's 5:08pm. It's been a normal Monday at the office - busy, lots of meetings, desk is still ridiculously messy. It will have to hold off for one more day, though, because I'm taking tomorrow off for doctors appts (flex money - use it or lose it before 12/31) and taking an RTS final. See you Wednesday!
I'm off to another Christmas Party. I think this is #4 of the season with a few more to go. But tonight is the annual Crandall Ornament and Cookie Exchange Extravaganza...or so I call it. This has to be at least year 15 that I've been to this party --- it's a staple of my holiday season! And so I'm off.
Don't forget to leave a message! Try to fool me and see if I can figure out who you are. :)
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