February 27 – “A Tribute to Joshua Stone”

We had a very sad day yesterday.  A 13 year old boy from our church died in an accident at his family's home.  Josh Stone was one of those lively, try anything, know no fear, a lot like Nathan Vaughan kind of guys.  He was the ring bearer for Josh and Christi at their wedding.  He always had a smile either on his face already or lurking back behind whatever scheme he was concocting at the time.  He was a budding Master of Mischief, and none of us ever knew what would be coming next when Josh was around.  He was fun.    OK.  I have to admit it.  This is really going to be a tough one to walk through.  Josh was the second child born after we came to Seaside (about a month after Travis), so we have literally watched him grow up.  We got to hold him shortly after Mom and Dad and Big Sister.  He's been to our home and we've been to his.  He has shown us his animals and I have shown him my baseball cards.  He asked some of the best questions I ever encountered, and that includes when I was teaching master's level students.  He is truly one of our "Seaside Kids."   We should find out some more this afternoon about a timeline for a memorial service.  I'll try to add postings when I can.   Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."   Father, peace is elusive right now.  Help us capture it and hold on, for in doing so we hold on to you.  Amen.