"There is a time and a season for every activity  under heaven..." (Eccl. 3:1).

Spring typically heralds new beginnings and this year is no exception what with our rookie grant writing endeavors and new offices on the horizon. However, with the deaths of two dear friends, spring has also been a poignant time of reflection upon lives well-lived.

First, I want to thank all of you who contributed toward the new offices for ELM. We eventually met the overall funding goal which included the deposit of $2600 to retain the offices we wanted until grants came in. Unfortunately, another client appeared right after our appeal went out and the owners chose to temporarily lease them the space until December. The result: no new offices for ELM ....yet! In December, should we still have our hearts set on that particular address, the realtor and owner have agreed to consider us again. Meanwhile we'll keep looking. On the positive side, the delay has given us more time to get the grant monies in, minus the worry of losing the deposit. Our heartfelt  thanks go out for the encouraging responses from so many of you over our plans to expand. Hang in there, it's gonna happen!

As I noted above, these past few months have seen the passing of two dear friends. The death of one of them came suddenly in a car accident. Katherine Allen was a beloved, loyal friend who led Sought Out Ministries in Virginia Beach fearlessly, profoundly affecting the lives of scores of Christian men and women. Always ready with some unsolicited (but nonetheless indebted to for it) advice and counsel, Katherine's knowing look and smile let you know that "This is the way, walk in it!"  An indomitable woman to be sure [View Katherine's video on ELM's website], hers was a rich, full life. It is easy to imagine the Lord greeting her in heaven with, "Well done good and faithful servant."

Tom Evenstad, together with his wife Marilyn have encouraged and supported ELM for years. I had the privilege of being present during the last days of my friend's battle with an aggressive strain of cancer. Tom was a quiet, dedicated man of prayer and faithful intercessor for many, many people. His memorial service was a revealing testament to all the lives he affected. His was a graduation ceremony, a celebratory occasion with friends old and young brought together at the Evenstad's gracious home to honor him. I have attended many a memorial service but Tom's felt especially personal in the intimate setting of their beautiful garden.  As I listened to the memorable stories from Tom's loved ones, I kept thinking over and over of the Scripture in Psalms which says, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints."

Tom and Katherine's deaths (both of whom were the same age as me), have led to serious reflection upon my own life: the accomplishments and missed opportunities with the Lord...and the future of ELM. Each time I have come away excited about what is yet in store!  I want to finish life and service to the Lord well; grateful for more time given to fulfill His purposes here on Earth. As St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, "...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me." 

Indeed, it is time to press on to the glorious, fruit-bearing seasons ahead of us in Christ Jesus.

By Jonathan Hunter