Letter to Jonathan, Sarah, Josh, and Christina from Aunt Jackie (May 30, 2014)

Dear Jonathon, Sarah, Joshua and Christina,

     Do you remember the time this picture was taken? It was June 2011 at the Outer Banks, North Carolina. The last time you cousins were all together... well not all...Bradley was in the Police Academy and couldn’t get the time off and Taylor had left to get back to Virginia to start a new job. That is why they were represented on paper plates. I can hardly look at this picture without crying. Thinking of the walks, talks, reminiscing, playing on the beach, crab catching, castle building, kayaking, pedicures by Gretel ...only three short years ago, yet it seems like a million!
     In the last three years there have been: high school and college graduations, the birth of children; Penny Rose and Jackson whom we have never met; and who knows if you, Sarah, have had your second baby. We will not receive an announcement or phone call. We will not be able to see or touch him or her. Not your mom and dad or Auntie Gretel. Not Grampa and Gramma Beck, cousins, or friends. Weddings have come and gone: Gretel's, Jacquelyn, and Joshua's. Every anniversary, birthday, holiday or special occasion brings overwhelming sadness and tears for us. I wonder do you cry on these same occasions? So much time gone, never to be regained. It was only a few short weeks after this photo that your mom was "put away" and your family,... our family, was torn apart!
     We miss you all desperately! I cannot believe that in the pit of your hearts you cannot know that this is all SO wrong ! You are being held in a prison by those who claim to be setting people free with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I fear that Jesus HImself would not even be welcome into your church. For He said in John 6:37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." How many precious lambs has Pastor Scott cast out? I know of many...your own mom, your dad, your own sister at the top of the list.

Please, please, I plead with you to come home.

Always Praying
Always loving you
Always watching and looking over the horizon to catch a glimpse of your return
Always, your Aunt Jackie