Timing is a powerful tool that God uses to fulfill His purposes. Learning patience and peace as we wait is a precious gift that is given us through the Holy Spirit.”                Sarah March 2008   

The 5-month recovery effort to bring Lygon home was recorded here through updates following each effort. It was a heart-wrenching time during which many people around the world followed the story and supported us through prayer, cards and letters, meals, even climbing the mountain with us to set up base camp. During this period, we asked for prayers for wisdom, patience, and peace, but mostly we prayed for God’s plans to be completed in His timing.

To see pictures of the recovery effort:

http://www.starkphotojournalist.com/Stories/Lygons-Homecoming/7846942_miR2j/1/489960739_ns9B7#489960739_ns9B7

 

April 9, 2008 - e mail to Kevin Wright and Jim Doenges

(roll your mouse over each picture to enlarge)

Tim Hall and I did make it up to the south ridge overlooking the basin last weekend,

4/5-4/6. The south ridge is virtually totally clear of snow all the way. The ridge sides are also pretty clear of snow except in couloirs or shadows. We trudged up through the mouth of the Tobin Creek drainage fighting the willows for several hours. We spent the night in the snow near the creek maybe a mile up from the mouth of the drainage. The next morning we gained the south ridge and made the easy walk up to the 13,100’ peak on the south endof the basin. We have been given permission to set up whatever we need on one of the parcels in the San Luis Valley Ranches, and then to access the Tobin Creek Drainage from the east end of 24th Street (That is the north most of the grid of roads in that area.)  

After observing the avalanche area, we descended, grabbed our gear and came out over the north ridge of Tobin to avoid the willows. We still found a few willows, but by staying high enough we were able to avoid anything difficult, and then came south back to our car on 24th Street.

We believe that accessing the south ridge by taking a direct north and east path from the east end of 24th Street can totally avoid the willows and gain the southwest ridge by a moderate slope on that side. If I am correct, that would totally avoid any snow right now, would be a relatively simple approach with absolutely no technical climbing, and as such would make a day trip up to the observation point over the basin possible.

I have attached a few pictures to hopefully give you an “eye” into the drainage and surrounding area.

Additionally, if we can continue to search out paths along the lower end of the southwest ridge, I believe extracting the body through that direction avoids any slope hazards or avalanche danger. I also have a lot of volunteers that could be available in relatively short notice if we need help.

Speaking of that, I have a question: a friend that attends our church is very close to a man near Little Bear that owns a string of horses that he uses as pack horses during hunting season. Would access to a horse(s) assist the recovery effort in any way?

At one point we were discussing the possibilities of setting up a schedule for folks to go to that south ridge and scope the field for any sign and take a few photos. Do you think that is still possible? If so, I’d like to communicate our plans as much as possible with Wolfgang and Jane Sattler who are the land owners there and who are very interested in doing what they can to assist our efforts.

I hope things are going well for you and your AVSAR team.

Nick

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Update: 04/18/08   (roll your mouse over each picture to enlarge)

Wednesday was Lygon’s birthday, so Sarah, Lexy and I went and spent the day on Little Bear.  We discovered a blessing and birthday gift for Lygon.  We found some pink ribbons tied to trees interspersed with cairns … Lygon’s Cairns … if I may be so bold.  I don’t know why pink was chosen … or if they are just faded red … but there they were!Pink.  These pink ribbons and cairns will lead anyone making a trip to the avalanche field from 24^th Street (4-wheel drive road at the end of private land) through the forested area, across the Tobin Creek drainage at a place where there are few willows, and up to the ridge that is a clear path to the 13,100 foot peak overlooking the avalanche field.  This path will make routine observations of the field on a “one-day” hike very feasible.  This is a great victory.

 

If you are interested in volunteering to go the mountain and spend a day hiking up to the ridge and taking some pictures of the avalanche field, please contact Nick Stevens (see contacts page).

 

Also for Lygon’s birthday, we tied a small cross made out of willow branches and dried flowers to the Lake Como Road trailhead sign.  It is just below the notice about the avalanche.

 

Snow status:  the snow from last week is still evident, leaving the ridges in Tobin Creek with more snow than was there 2 weeks ago when Tim and Nick were there.  Also Wednesday night brought another spring storm system through Colorado that dumped more snow on top of Little Bear. (See attached photos)

 

Continue to pray for optimal timing for the recovery effort … God’s timing.  Thank you.”

 

Update: 05/01/08   (roll your mouse over each picture to enlarge)

The following is a brief report of what the team of three from Custer County Search and Rescue did and found during the reconnaissance yesterday of the Lygon Stevens recovery area.....
We had no problem with finding the approach that was discovered by Nick Stevens, flagged with faded pink surveyor's tape and used that to gain the prominent ridge line on the right side of the Tobin Creek drainage. Nor did we have any problem with any of the landowners.
We continued on the aforementioned ridge until approximately 11,400', just beyond treeline at which point we made a descending traverse across talus into the Tobin Creek drainage which we then ascended directly to Little Bear Lake and beyond to the avalanche sight. I'll note here that our egres was a direct line through the bottom of the drainage which we all agreed is NOT recommended due to thick brush and blowdown.
We got to a high point at the bottom of the cirque below the southwest face of Little Bear and identified the suspect area where Lygon may be, based on the photos. We glassed the area from that vantage point and found nothing.
We then proceeded to the suspect area just below the "Cave".
One of us ascended approximately 100' above the cliff band with the "Cave" to perform an east-west search of that area and found nothing, figuring a 60% P.O.D.
One of us carefully scanned the base of the entire cliffband including the cave of course and found nothing with a 75% P.O.D.
The third performed a fairly thorough surface search of the suspect area using a tight zigzag pattern and found nothing with a 75% P.O.D.
After the above, two of us started probing what we thought might be the "epicenter" of the avalanche zone for about 30 minutes. I think this was an exercise in futility but we thought since we made the effort to get up there we may as well try. More importantly what we did discover was that the average snow depth in what seemed to be the thickest area was 5-6 feet. Outside of this area it was 3-4 feet.
I've attached a few photos that may help give you an idea of the current conditions. The one with two of us in it shows a 10'6" probe pushed in and hitting rock.
Our conclusions are that Lygon may be just a few feet beneath the surface now and that if the weather stays warmish it may be a only a few weeks until she's exposed.
Please know that we at CCSAR are willing to return to do another recon and of course help with the recovery efforts. We have a good feel for the approach and the area.

Sincerely, AlanCarter

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Update: 05/10/08

Here is a link to the pictures, use back button to return to this site after viewing:

As activity surrounding the recovery is heating up, the Men’s Ministry at Rez has turned out in incredible numbers. They are an amazing group of men!! On Thursday the 8th, Dave Clarkson led a group of men including Pablo Sanchez and Johnny Maze in to carry supplies for a base camp from which search teams can stage. With heavy packs of tents and fuel and sleeping bags, they spent all day Thursday adding additional flagging to the trail and making their way up the southwest ridge. After stopping for the night near the ridge, they cached their supplies before heading out Friday noon. Nick with four others – Mick Scarpella, Norbert Hollermann and Wayne and Patty Freilund – came in Friday to carry the supplies further in, spending the night on the mountain. As of 1:30 pm Saturday, Nick, Mick, and Norbert had spent 2.5 hours on the debris field searching. A quick text from Nick said “No luck and we’re heading out.” 

In addition to these teams, two men have set up RV’s on the Sattler’s land. Frank Dabbiero and Al Briggs have posted themselves there offering food and rest to the teams as they come and go. Many thanks to Gene Wilson for the use of his RV, and to Sonny Weimer who has given us use of his SAT phones. Without a doubt, none of this could have happened without the enthusiastic direction of Jerry Cooper. He has already spent countless hours coordinating the support supplies and volunteers. Dave Clarkson, too, continues to plan the strategy and organize the teams.  We continue to trust the One who made time for His perfect timing.

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Update 5/26/08: 

The last two weeks have seen several developments in the recovery effort.

“What amazes me about going up in the mountains is not what I learn about the mountains, but about what people reveal about their own courage and what they learn about themselves. The goal is not the destination, it's the journey.” Dave Clarkson after the May 10th push to get a base camp set up

• May 10 - the trip ended with Nick, Mick, and Norbert clambering over the rocks and boulders and pushing through wind and snow to get to the snow field. This made them the 1st private team that has been able to start a search for Lygon. This also was Nick’s first opportunity to stand on the avalanche field with Lygon – occurring exactly 4 months since the day of the avalanche - a huge moment for him. Their final analysis of the field, per Mick, concluded: “I believe that we set our packs down at about the same place the CCSAR Team did. Their probe indicated six to seven feet deep. That is about the same as my initial probe - six to seven feet. The two probes Nick and I made- where the depth was beyond the length of our probe (eight feet +) - was about 100 ft higher up the slope. There is definitely more melt on all of the edges, with the size of the exposed areas of rock noticeably larger. We did encounter that layer of water ice about one to two inches under the surface which made it nearly impossible to get a probe through. That layer seemed to be everywhere we tried probing and ranged from one half inch to two inches thick. I would guess that the average melt in the basin since the CCSAR Team was at the site was no more than four to six inches, although it would appear that the melt above the cliff band was greater.” Up to this point, we were all a little anxious that the slide was retreating faster than expected, that exposure might occur before any close monitoring could be done. With this new analysis, we are all a bit more comfortable in feeling we may have some time and flexibility. The break afforded us a week to enjoy graduations on May 17th as Nicklis graduated from CSU and Lexy had her high school graduation.

• May 16 - Jack Retzlaff, a strong mountain climber and faithful friend who stood with us at the rescue site in January, went up to the base camp and was able to observe just over the ridge. He noted that there were a couple of inches of newer snow on the ground from timberline on up. It did not appear the snowfield had changed from his comparison of pictures from the week before. Thank you, Jack, for your help with the observation.

• May 24 - Kevin Wright and some of the AVSAR were headed up with these objectives: to complete another visual assessment of the field focusing on the area of highest probable detection (starting at the point just under "the cave"), mark potential helicopter landing sites with GPS, photograph the current status of the snowfield’s size and melt, and do a snow pit analysis / probing to analyze layers, depth, and status of the snowpack. Unfortunately, one of the team became ill and they turned back before reaching the slide area.

• May 24-27 – Nick led a team of five, including Sarah, Lauren, Lexy, and friends Doug Towne and Eckart Lemberg, and even the family dog, Summit, to the mountain. That update with pictures of the slide area which Nick and Lexy were able to reach, will be posted soon!

In all these efforts, we want to make it clear that we see the hand of God and the blessing of God. The mountain is difficult and dangerous, the climb exhausting. The faces of those who have called or climbed reflect a sense of His calling them to spend themselves on this cause. We are grateful to all for their faithfulness to respond.

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Sunday, May 25
Most everyone slept in and, with what looked like a fair-weather day ahead, all agreed to stay on the mountain. Nick and Lexy set out for the avalanche field crossing the talus and into the Tobin Creek basin at about 11:15. The others took a more leisurely pace and worked their way up the southwest ridge to as high an observation post as possible.

Nick and Lexy (and Summit!) reached the avalanche field around 4:00 pm. The snow that had fallen on Friday night was mostly gone from the talus slopes on their way in and totally gone during their return trip. Little Bear Lake and the beginning of Tobin Creek below it are thawing and losing their ice cover. Water is flowing. The avalanche field has lost another 4 – 6 inches in depth as many more rocks are becoming visible. Also a lot more evidence of rock fall was seen. There was no sign of Lygon or any debris. The east side of the debris field, which has the longest run out area, was probed to check for depth. Near the toe snowpack was around 4 feet deep and progressed in depth the higher up the slope, reaching about 8 feet at some points. There was one spot to the west of that (closer to where Nicklis probably came to rest in the avalanche – a very likely spot for Lygon to be) that was still beyond the length of the 9’ avalanche probe.

Sarah, Lauren, Doug, and Eckart had spent the afternoon ascending the ridgeline in hopes of gaining a view into the slide area. Lauren and Eckart were able to go the farthest, scrambling over unending boulder fields to around 13,000 ft. but were not able to see the field.

Nick and Lexy made it back to base camp around 8:00 PM. The others had already eaten dinner, tightened down the tents, and improved the functionality of the camp greatly. All went to bed early after a second exhausting day - anticipating an early rise and exit as quickly as possible.

This was an important day for us all. The time that Nick and Lexy spent together and prayed together at the avalanche site was significant in understanding yet again the greatness of our God. We gave thanks for Lygon being a part of our lives, grateful she had gained eternity with Him. Lauren and Sarah also found time alone on the ridge where they were able to come to new insights into Lygon’s calling to the mountains. Lauren was able to declare a tremendous victory this week as her knees performed beautifully! Hallelujah!

Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)
The team rose at 6:00 am, ate breakfast, broke camp, cleaned tents, re-cached the gear that stayed on the mountain, did some LNT clean up, and were on the trail back down by 9:00. The four hour hike out was much easier than that coming in. Resolve to keep looking, to keep coming back was regenerated with each step.

Thank you, Doug, for being there to allow Nick and Lexy to spend as much time as needed on the avalanche basin, and for being an emotional support for all the girls. Thank you, Eckart, for your encouraging words and open love for Lygon despite never having met her. May God bless you both.

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Update - Memorial Day Trip     05/24/08 – 05/26/08

Here is a link to the pictures, use back button to return to this site after viewing:

http://picasaweb.google.com/nsnickthegray/RecoveryTrip052508

Six people formed the team including Nick, Sarah, Lauren, Lexy, Doug Towne, and Eckart Lemberg. The Stevens family wanted to spend Memorial Day weekend getting as close to the avalanche field as physical capabilities would allow. Doug Towne, a close friend of the family for years and fellow father comrade for Nick, was led to accompany Nick to assist in any way he could. Mr. Lemberg, 79, is a strong runner having competed in the Boulder Boulder for 25 years and run the Everest marathon twice. He has been moved deeply by Lygon’s story, has lent equipment to the effort, and had a strong desire to climb the mountain with us. Also the family took their Lab/Vizla cross 10 month old puppy named Summit with them. (Summit made it to the avalanche field. Nick was curious about the effect of the climb on a dog if search dogs become available. Summit was able to function on the field despite the difficult climb. He didn’t know what to do, but he was able to move around on the field! He was totally spent after making it home and slept for most of the next day. It would be very difficult for an older dog.)

The team assembled in Loveland at 5:30AM, Saturday, 5/24 for the drive to Little Bear, arriving at the RV on the Sattler land at 10:30 to change, rearrange packs, and prepare.

The first day was an education for everyone as the climb was steeper, talus more treacherous, and packs heavier than the crew anticipated. Gear was exchanged at various times. Around 5:00 pm, with just the 1st talus on the way up the ridge behind them, it was apparent the team would not be able to make the cache before sunset at the current pace. Nick added Eckart’s pack to his and other gear was picked up by Lexy and Doug in order to hasten the pace. Camp was reached by the last of the team around 8:00 pm making it about a 7-hour trip. The snow fields used to set up tents 2 weeks ago were almost gone, so the camp was moved down hill about 100 yards till snow was found. The tents were hurriedly set up - somewhat haphazardly - by a very tired but persistent team. Dinner was also rushed, but everyone did have a warm meal prior to going to sleep.

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Sunday June 15th

 

Here is a link to the pictures, use back button to return to this site after viewing:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ensfam/LittleBearJune1012?authkey=5uZS4m4XbPI

 

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” We fully believe that is what happened this week even with all its disappointments. What a ride this week has been. We cancelled the June 10th probe-line trip when we heard from AVSAR about an operation they were planning to do on the 11th. Their plans were to fly in, by Flight For Life, some SAR personnel along with an experienced avi dog and dog-handler. Minimal distraction (and wind!) was key to their success, so we agreed to discourage anyone from being on the mountain and to take up observation positions ourselves on the southwest ridge during their search rather than be on the slide area. In this way our team could watch but be out of distraction’s way in a less dangerous, less-likely-to-suffer-injury place.
The best laid plans of mice and men often don’t compliment mother nature – or rather, the divine plans of our God who plans our steps. Our team, led by the invincible Jim Doenges with Lauren, Chris Stark and Michael Dalton, was in position when the helicopter made its first flight in for an observation pass around 8:30 Wednesday morning. The helicopter’s maneuvers were quite dramatic and were captured in excellent high-def video by Michael. As the helicopter moved out of the area, the winds began to pick up. Nick, Sarah, Lexy, Nick’s sister Pat, and our good friend Mick Scarpello waited at the Alamosa airport along with the SAR personnel, dog team, and sheriff. The winds there were bad from early on and only got worse. By 11am the operation was scrubbed. Jim, Lauren, Chris, and Michael on the mountain made their way down from the ridge to base camp after thoroughly glassing every area of the opposite ridge and avalanche field. Chris, a photojournalist, captured extremely specific, high definition photos of the slide area. With the failed recovery attempt, we are more grateful than ever for the mountain crew’s efforts to be in place. It was NOT easy to get up in the cold pre-dawn then pack heavy camera gear up 2000 feet and 2 miles on a rocky ridge. Because of their push, we are convinced that Lygon is not exposed and the area in which she lies is becoming even more localized. Efforts by SAR to gain the slide area will be greatly enhanced by use of these photos.
Nick and Sarah had the privilege of meeting with Alamosa County Sheriff Stong and SAR afterward to discuss future efforts. They are an amazing group of men with caring, giving hearts. We have great respect for them. Plans for overland access with use of an avi dog were made for Friday and Saturday, but by Thursday evening were postponed due to scheduling conflicts with the dog and handler. These plans are now tentatively set for sometime this coming week. Nothing is definite.
Please keep these efforts in prayer. More than our desire to find Lygon is our desire for it to be in HIS timing. There were three planned attempts to locate her this last week (our planned probe-line and the two efforts by SAR) - all of which had to be abandoned. We do NOT want to get ahead of God and look forward to the unfolding of HIS plan and the guiding of our steps in it.
We are so very grateful for Jerry Cooper and Frank Dabbiero who manned the dusty, windy RV outpost on Wednesday and Thursday. They made us all very comfortable as we planned, and revised those plans, by radio with the mountain crew. On Thursday, they prepared a literal feast for everyone – all eleven of us - when the crew made it back to the RV’s. We also enjoyed the company of Pamela Dickson from the Loveland Reporter-Herald. Her heroic efforts at climbing the mountain on Tuesday, and her sensitivity in watching and recording what went on for three days were greatly appreciated.
Not all escaped without injury, however. As Nick and Mick made their way up the talus slopes toward base camp late Tuesday, Nick had a misstep and fell backward on the rocky slope hitting his shoulder and head. If ever there were three great men that rose to action, Jim, Mick, and Marcos are the mightiest! Marcos and Jim flew down from base camp in record time. Marcos accurately evaluated Nick’s condition (slight concussion, possible broken collar bone), then he and Mick escorted Nick BACK down the mountain – in the dark, still carrying packs - to get him to a safe place to rest. Jim packed all the needed gear back up with him to base camp to carry on with the plans there. Next day, Wednesday, Mick and Marcos completed their hero-status exam by climbing back up the mountain to base camp to help bring down gear on Thursday. Because of the fall, Lauren became the only one of the mountain crew who had actually been there before and knew the area. She came through with flying colors – we are so proud of her for taking the helm in the areas where she was needed. She’s a great radio communicator too! Thanks to Jim’s meticulous planning, the observation mission, with all its peculiarities, was carried out to fulfillment. Nick’s collar bone is indeed fractured. If not for the sovereignty of our Lord, it would be a crushing disappointment since he will not be able to climb for some time. Still, in quietness and trust is our strength and we will do what’s before us.
Many thanks and sighs of gratitude to all who continue to stand with us during this. The disappointments and realigning of plans can be handled with a measure of confidence because of the faith of our friends. We love you all and anticipate a recovery on the horizon.

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Monday June 23

We request your thoughts and prayers this week as Sheriff Stong, Kevin and the search & rescue guys are planning another major recovery effort. We are so grateful for their efforts and feel confident they will do their best to see we bring Lygon home this week. Back up plans are in place should weather dictate a change. Many, many thanks to all for continuing your vigilance with us throughout this long winter, spring, and now early summer. Your support and encouragement has been invaluable. Who would have thought it would be over 5 months!?!

His reminder to us all - I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Author and Finisher.

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Tuesday June 24

The Stevens family have just released this information:  Lygon's body was successfully recovered this morning.  The weather cooperated and the helicopter team was able to get in and retrieve the body which has been flown out to the coroners office...The winds picked up as soon as the operation was complete, they are thankful for all of your prayers that greatly aided in the recovery effort.  More information will follow.

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Thursday June 26

We’re all home now – including our precious sweetheart. There were miracles abounding over the last two days. Our hearts are at last at peace in having some of those hardest questions answered. She was in an area we considered most likely from the beginning. An area of deepest snow, over which the teams had searched more than once. Even two weeks ago, the close up scanning revealed no indication she was in that spot. Tuesday morning, as Jim and Marcos positioned themselves on the ridge overlooking the slide area in anticipation of AVSAR carrying out a comprehensive search effort in the basin below, Marcos glassed the area and quickly spotted her. Although she had become completely exposed in the last day or two, there was no damage from the exposure. We are so grateful for that. In fact, there was no indication of any of the things we had feared - no sign of struggle, no lingering awareness, no broken bones, no internal damage, no head injury, no torn organs, no bleeding, no scratches! According to the coroner, “There was simply no sign of trauma – she must have gone right away.” She was still wearing all her gear, even her sunglasses. We KNOW she was in the hand of God, never left alone. We know He took her home with Him just as her body began to slide. We are on our knees in awe. Though we had been so extremely disappointed when recovery efforts had failed two weeks ago, we have been reminded that our God is the God of time, and Tuesday was His day, His timing. It was evident to all.

Pamela and Chris from the Reporter-Herald in Loveland were with us at the trailhead and put together an excellent piece on what took place Tuesday.
http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=17553 

Also, please read the update on the Climbing for Christ website. http://www.climbingforchrist.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2573  It gives wonderful insights, and pics, into what happened.

Many thanks go to John from the Ute Creek Station Coffee House in Fort Garland for supplying everyone at the trailhead with breakfast and coffee! It was appreciated by all.

The graveside ceremony will be 3:00 Saturday afternoon in Estes Park. The way in will be marked, of course, with pink ribbons.

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Monday June 30

Lygon Elizabeth Stevens was buried Saturday, June 28 in a beautiful ceremony at Estes Valley Memorial Gardens in Estes Park. The way in to the cemetery was lined with pink ribbons - thanks to Janie and Nikki James, Jessie and Jordon Glosser, and Lexy. All those whose feet had climbed the mountain in the effort to bring her down over the last five months were her pall bearers. They completed the task, they laid her to rest. She is now in a peaceful, green meadow next to an aspen grove bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. A large cliff with a crack feature in the shape of a perfect cross overlooks her. There are views of Deer Mountain and Sundance Peak from her grave. A linden tree was planted beside her. The ‘anthem to the wilderness’ she wrote of was brilliant – the hummingbirds, the crickets, the river, the wind in the trees – the sounds of life were all around. The sound of life had voice, too, in the words of Nicklis as he spoke of overcoming the ‘why’ with the question of ‘Who’ – and there is no offense with the works of God when you understand Who He is. Nick welcomed everyone, thanking all that have supported us and helped the recovery. Mick Scarpella lead a powerful prayer, and Jim Doenges spoke eloquently of the “cairns” which Lygon left as markers in her words. Nate McHenry, who stood with us at the base of the mountain on January 12 leading us in worship, did so again. Nick's sister, Gail Matthews, spoke at the tree planting beside the gravesite. “We live between the trees - the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge in Genesis and the Tree of Life in Revelation.” Close friends Kristi Cudmore, Marissa Schulze, and Julie Larson led the way after us with the shovel and dirt to plant the tree. Jerry Cooper, Clint Hartley, and John Bigham oversaw the tree planting.  A final prayer was said by dear friend John James as the casket was lowered and our hearts came to grips with the finished work.

 

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July 9, 2008
In the two weeks since Lygon was found, brought home, and settled in Estes, we have found ourselves in a not-unexpected lull. We have now collected the pictures from the graveside service - though they did travel first to Israel before we got THEM back home! It was a beautiful service, simple and powerful, like Lygon.
http://picasaweb.google.com/ensfam/ServiceInEstesPark062808?authkey=jlWj25K37Zg 
We are looking forward to the memorial climb up Long’s Peak on July 26th. Click here for more information on the climb.

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January 10th, 2009
It’s been one year since that morning of the avalanche that swept Lygon and Nicklis over the cliff. One year since Lygon was escorted to heaven. One year since Nicklis climbed his way out back to this life. We will forever see that as a day of two great miracles. So much has transpired since then it’s hard to fathom one year could contain it all. Where do we find ourselves now? Still standing - by His grace- with both hope and awe. Hope in heaven has never been more real to us, nor hope in the hand of God guiding our purposes here on earth. And awe fills us daily that we were given the very great privilege of being Lygon’s parents and siblings; awe that her quiet words have travelled around the world; awe that, in spite of our aching for her presence, there is no denying the divine at work here.
In the year that’s passed, we have been abundantly blessed beyond imagination by the words, encouragements, and acts of kindness of so many. Every gesture of love has become a deposit in our hearts. May the Lord repay you all for what you have given us – there’s no way we could ever match it all.
As for where we are now: Lauren returned to Israel this past summer, holding her own vigil of perseverance against discouragement, to finish her Masters. She will be coming home in February a woman secure in the love of her God. Nicklis fought a long, hard battle with the enemy of our souls going on to graduate in Economics from CSU while making some of his best grades ever. He led a 40-day 40-night mountaineering expedition this summer for Solid Rock in Wyoming. This fall, with the help of some true friends, he conquered a snow climb to regain his assurance on the slopes. He speaks powerfully of faith in the power and goodness of God. Lexy graduated from high school and has gone on to play tennis for Colorado Christian University. She has grown from a carefree teenager into a mature beautiful young woman with a new willingness to take on challenges. Nick has seen great opportunities both at work and personally. Forever changed by this year, he carries a poignant message of a father’s heart. He and Sarah have not laid down their armor yet. This past October Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer. This time has become for us a time of rest and renewal as we stand still and see the victory the Lord is working on our behalf.
See you on Long’s Peak in August for the 2nd Annual Memorial Hike!

 

See you on Long’s Peak in August for the 2nd Annual Memorial Climb.