I grew up on the mission field in the Philippines. My parents were missionaries and we lived there for twelve years. It was our home. My sisters and I didn't know any different. We moved to the Philippines when I was four and a half and my baby sister, Erin, was 9 months old. We considered the other Southern Baptist missionaries our family. We called them aunt and uncle so-and-so. And we considered their children our cousins; because we all relied on each other to be family since all of our families were halfway across the world in the US.
We got news Sunday night that one of our "cousins", Kris Beasley was killed in a tragic car accident. He was to graduate in December from Southwestern Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri with a degree in criminal justice. He survived two tours in Iraq serving in the military. The news was devastating. His parents are currently serving in Chang Mai, Thailand. His sister, Megan, who is a teacher in Bolivar, MO and attending SBU to get her masters in education, had to identify his body. Please pray for her. I cannot even imagine the pain that she is experiencing. Uncle Phil and Aunt Pam, Kris' parents, along with another missionary couple, Uncle Glen and Aunt Marvella Thompson, got tickets back to the US. The funeral is set for Thursday, September 27th, at First Baptist Church in Lathrop, MO. We will not be at the funeral, but our hearts and prayers are with the Beasley family and everyone who will be at the funeral.
This tragic event has made me realize that the Lord already knows the day and time that He will take us home. And it may not be the time we expect or even want it to be. I want to see my kids grow up and get married and have children. I'm sure Kris and his family wanted to see the day he would get married and have children and grandchildren. But we are not guaranteed another breath. God calls every breath we take and we take it for granted. I want a closer relationship with my Savior before I die. I used to say before Jim and I had kids that it will be easier to read the Bible and spend time in prayer and grow closer to the Lord when I'm staying home with my kids; but it hasn't gotten any easier. And now I keep saying, "When my kids get a little older, it will be easier." Well, I am convinced that there is no time to wait. We are only guaranteed the here and now and we cannot take it for granted. If you are reading this and you do not know Jesus who died for your sins, say a prayer. Repent and ask for His forgiveness for your sins. Thank Him for dying on the cross for you. Receive His love and ask him to live in your heart. And if you have just prayed, please email me or contact me somehow so I can pray for you. Tell someone if you don't want to tell me.
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12
4 comments:
I will pray too...for the Beasley family and for those who may read what you wrote and feel the pressure of the Holy Spirit to accept Him.
And I agree about saying that "another time" will be easier. It will never be easy, the devil won't allow that. So, we have to take time from somewhere else and just do it!
Oh Ash...I am so sorry to hear that. Our lives truly are a vapor. Thanks for sharing your heart- I think that's something that most Christian's struggle with. Satan is the master manipulator and just loves to keep us busy. I will pray for Kris and his family during this most difficult time...I can't even imagine. Call me if you want to talk. Love you!
Please also pray for Kris' girlfriend who was driving the vehicle when the accident happened. We were very good friends with both of them and will miss Kris tremendously and pray for Rebecca to heal physical, spiritually, and mental through all of this.
I was SGT Beasley's assistant squad leader for the last few months, my name is SGT Kasey Stanford. I need to contact his sister but the only phone number I have is Kris's cell phone, and i really dont want to call that number....The night he left us she called me late at night and when i went to answer i accidentally hung up. Well, the next morning i called his phone back joking around about him waking me up in the middle of the night and now he wont answer the phone. I found out about 15 min later what had happened and my heart sunk, not only because i had lost a friend but from worry that his sister or someone would hear that voicemail and cost them more heartache. Please if someone has an email address or something for megan i would like to apologize to her. Thank you.
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