Below is a copy of the letter I wrote that Pastor Ray read aloud at Jason's memorial service. I've had a few requests to post it, and I am happy to do so. 

Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers for our family. I know it's been a while since I have posted. I am slowly trying to get our house back in order and have been focused on getting the kids back in school and all the other things that come along with such a loss. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love everyone has shown us. 

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Our family and friends,

I never imagined Jason would bring us together this way. Blake, Ryan, and I are filled with both grief and gratitude. Grief for the loss we feel so profoundly and gratitude for the blessing of having shared our lives with the husband and father who was our everything.

Over the last three months, Jason and I felt overwhelmed by the support that poured into our family from near and far. We knew we had a village, but we never knew we had so many villages. We had no idea how much your hearts could overflow into our family. We are eternally grateful to God for providing us with what and who we needed when we needed it most.

Jason’s journey with Christ was significant, and I believe his testimony deserves to be shared with all who have gathered to honor him today.  

On the morning of Sunday, February 4th, Jason and I attended the Next Steps class at Oakwood Church. We attended Oakwood for many years but never became members. I don’t know why we never took that formal step, but our hearts desired more, and we wanted to officially make Oakwood our home.

I quietly sat next to Jason and read out the membership card to him – because I was the official “form filler” in our relationship – and I patiently waited for him to answer each question.

-         Do you wish to be a member of Oakwood? – He answered aloud, “Yes.”

-         Have you accepted Christ as Savior? – He answered aloud, “Yes.”

That moment of Jason accepting Christ as Savior is the strength that carried us through the next few months. You see, that evening, we decided to go to Christus Santa Rosa ER because Jason was desperate for answers to his pain. That evening, we learned his pain was misdiagnosed, and instead, he had cancer.

Jason and I firmly believe God revealed his cancer to us that day because of Jason’s declaration. It was God’s timing and planning. Jason’s cancer journey was heart-wrenching. Yet, he never stopped fighting. He never gave up. He never complained. His strength was unwavering.

God revealed to Jason the hardest test of his life, but only after he knew his faith would provide him with the strength and comfort he needed. When it was time to prepare for the unfathomable, God provided us with comforting words. Jason would be at peace regardless of the outcome.

It’s really hard to grasp how Jason’s cancer took him away from us so quickly, but just as he trusted God’s timing and plan, we will continue to do the same.

As we gather to honor Jason today, let us celebrate his beautiful legacy of faith, love, and kindness. May his testimony inspire you to walk ever closer to our Savior, just as he did through the most challenging time in his life.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Cara