This is one of my most favorite pictures of Jim.  Still doing his family history and have discovered some very interesting things about his ancestors.

During this time of grief when I find my self feeling so alone and missing Jim, I find something of his that helps me cope and reminds me just how much he loved and trusted in God.I found the following in one of his books.

This is a sermon Jim wrote on 12/17/2000.  Our pastor was going to be out so he asked Jim to fill in.

"Do You feel God's Love"?
1 John 3:1 reads " How great is the love the father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

You are a child of God and he loves you.  Think about it.  HE LOVES YOU!!!! HE LOVES ME!!!

I wonder how many of us truly allow ourselves to feel God's Love.  
> we too busy?
>Are we too wrapped up in the pace and demands that living today requires?
>Or are our priorities focused on ourselves instead of being focused on God?

>ARE WE JUST TO PREOCCUPIED TO SEE AND FEEL GOD'S LOVE?

Last week Pastor Bob, talked about the feelings of hope and hopelessness.  Webster defines hope as "an expectation of something desired" therefore hopelessness would be without expectation, it would be empty and full of despair.  I don't think that Satan has a more powerful weapon than that of hopelessness and despair. (Jim warned me about this when he was Ill)

There was a time in my life when I truly felt hopeless.  I was pretty wrapped up in myself and what I thought would make me happy.  The brief happiness I thought I was feeling was soon replaced with feelings of emptiness and loneliness.  The world around me seemed to be full of  pain not love.  It felt as though I was in a pit that was getting deeper and deeper and there was no way for me to get out

Where was God in all this"  I had grown up being taught tha God loved me, why then, didn't I feel his love with me now?  Had God turned his back on me?

In Psalm6:4 we read "Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love."

In Psalm59:16 we read "But I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble."

In Pslam 66:20 we read "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me."

No, God hadn't turned his back on me.  I had been too wrapped up in myself, to notice that his love was all around me.

Today (when I slow myself down), I can see and feel his love.  I can see his love:
>IN MY WIFE
>IN MY CHILDREN
>IN MY GRANDCHILDREN
>IN MY FRIENDS
>IN YOU, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST
> IN ALL THE BEAUTY HE HAS SURROUNDED US WITH.
>IN THE GIFT OF HIS SON.

I would like to read a story about a fathers love for his child.  It is from " He Chose the Nails" by Max Lucado.

God loves us how much?  In John 3:16 we read "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

You are a child of God and he loves you.  Slow down, take the time to feel and experience his love.  It's his gift to you.  The invitation is still good, the only thing we need to do is accept it.

Let us pray,

Dear Heavenly Father, we give thanks to you for your steadfast love.  We pray that you would fill us with your Spirit and give us the strenght to slow down and feel your presence.   Give us the strength to accept your gift of love and share it with those around us.  

Amen. 

Andy and Janet Kovalchick from PA. shared these wonderful words about Jim.

"We have so many wonderful memories of Jim.  He was truly an exemplary human being-in the way that he lived his life, his unshakeable faith in God and in his love for his family and friends.

 We feel truly blessed to be counted as one (two) of his friends.  The times we've spent with him on the golf course, dinners together-dspecially cook-outs at you home(with Jim being the master , bar-be-que chef, and just spending time together are our treasured memories.

 A tradition that we had started in our home in 2004 was to draw names between our families and make a special gift with that person in mind.  In 2005 Jim drew Adam's name and his gift to his grandson was a photo album of some of his (Jim's) favorite pictures and a letter. 

Good morning everyone,

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Crystal Eley. 

My father, Russell, is Jim's brother.

Jim was my uncle.

I wanted to say a few words on behalf of my family.  Both my dad and my sister had some specific sentiments that they wanted me to share, and there have certainly been many thoughts and memories that have resonated with me, since learning of Jim's passing.

First, Let me convey my deepest sympathies to Jim's wife Tina and to his

immediate family.  While I have been profoundly saddened by his loss, I cannot begin to imagine the pain that you all, who were closest to him, must be feeling. It is my belief that Jim remains with you.  Please know that we and everyone who loves and supports you is thinking of and praying for you.

(Pause)

My uncle Jim...

All of our Jims...husband Jim, father Jim, son Jim, brother Jim, grandfather

Jim, dearly beloved Jim...you're missed terribly...

I would say, if you knew Jim, well, or even if superficially, there were

features he possessed that communicated his genuineness.

So much of that "real"ness, that "I'll say it like it is" ness, was present in his eyes. 

I like to say that Uncle Jim had very expressive eyes, and a very mischievous

smile.  And so, when my sister, Cristina, made mention of similar impressions

and their impact on her memory of our uncle, I believed that our shared insight was special and bonding.

My sister wrote of how meaningful it was to her when she and Jim would find time to speak of life, the good and the bad.  She wrote about what it meant to share some of her greatest personal achievements with him and how it moved her to read joy and pride in his face.

I know that I speak for us both when I say that I will miss those most

expressive and true, physical features of Jim's.

As for describing Jim's character, there are so many words that come to mind:

Faithful, Courageous, Resolute, Strong, Hopeful, Positive, Blessed...

Perhaps of Jim most pronounced attributes, his tenacity and perseverance truly resonate with me.

Jim, he who rode stubbornness straight through fault to virtue...

There are far too many an example of Jim's relentless pursuit of worthy cause. Even in situations that seemed, I dare say, hopeless, he would persist, not intrusively, but with a sense of personal conviction, and purpose. 

How he moved mountains...one pebble at a time.

It is that type of commitment that brings people together, that changes lives. We can all learn from him.

I'm reminded of a story I was once told, true, and related to loss.

It moved me enough for me to want to retell it here.

A priest that my husband and I know had taken a family trip back to Ireland.  It was a big trip, only the third I believe since he'd left as a child.  He brought his children, his grandchildren, amazing to see the new generations interacting with one another.  The trip was full and memorable.  As the days drew closer to his family's return to the states, he set aside a quiet evening for dinner with his three siblings, all of whom had gathered from afar for this reunion of sorts.  They were all getting older and there was an unspoken sense that perhaps this would be the last time they'd all be together.  As the evening wound down, coffees were finished, and the four of them continued to talk, seemingly not wanting the night to end.  When at last it was time to go, his sister began to cry.  The priest turned to her and he said, "My sister, don't cry, please, I have to say goodbye now... I'll see you soon, or I'll see you forever."

Love that.  Love you, Jim.

See you forever

When I was a single mother in the 80s, Jim and Tina took me under their wing and included me in their lives when I most needed such good friends.  They nurtured me and encouraged me until I met my husband and they were there when we said our vows.  Jim was even in charge of the sound system for our wedding music.  We had some good times together that I'll never forget.   I so regret that I lost touch with them when we moved to Florida but am glad that we were able to reconnect so that I could let them know that I've never forgotten the friendship we share.  Their caring and concern has been a positive influence on my life.  Their love and commitment for each other was an example to all. 

SCRIPTURE:

Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. 

REFLECTION ON JIMS LIFE:

The day I met Jim and Tina it was love at first sight. A visit that could have been just one encounter became a journey, one that we walked together until the end.

Im thankful that Keith and Mary moved to Panama, sometimes God has plans that surprise us and change our lives.

The more I got to know him I could understand that his life was tough, so many losses and pain, but he never felt helpless. God always took care of him and when meeting Jesus, He was his only strength. Not even polio, the loss of his brother, not even his past filled of hardships or his difficult family relationships could kill his desire to live and trust God.

When I saw him I could understand that Tina came to his life as a support and that made him feel like inspite of the roughness of the road, he could trip but wouldn’t fall again. She also found in him someone trustworthy that would give her back trust in loving.

I remember every detail he had with me and how special our encounters were to him, I could also see how I started by being ‘father’ to him and become ‘my son’. He was like my dad. You cannot hide love and we always expressed to each other how much we loved each other.

God knew how to make it happen: he brought us together, made us like family, brought people along the way and even D-O-G, the joy of serving the weak, the desire to find God in everything.

When I found out about his cancer, I prayed that he would get better, when I saw he got worse I asked that cáncer wouldnt kill his desire to live, when I saw him so weak and in pain, I asked Him to take Jim where there is no pain and that he could rejoice in His love. You’re not gone dad, I still remember his laughter, hugs and kisses. I still remember our meals shared together, rummy. He has not leaved, hes still with me.

See you later dad.

                                                                                                                                    -Adonai

A man of integrity and faith. Devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, faithful servant to the Lord and friend to all.

So many memories - it’s difficult to capture them in a simple reflection.  Jim was my confidant, my friend, my dance student, and my dad.  I could always count on him for telling me the ‘truth’, even though I didn’t want to hear it; he always gave it to me straight.  He always gave it straight to everyone.

And yes, I did say dance student. I remember one evening, many years ago, in our living room, listening to ‘Funky Town’, Jim approached me for a dance lesson.  His goal….to dance with my mom on the dance floor, without embarrassing himself or her.  My mom was the love of his life.  I think he loved her the moment he met her. He had a Japanese Daruma doll.  I don’t know where he got it from, but that doll was his sole mission in life for a few years.  The doll has a rich history, but in short, it was a paper mache doll head with a painted face that had Asian features, except the eyes were not painted. You made a wish and painted one eye black.  When your wish came true, you painted the other eye.  He would never tell me his wish, but I knew his wish was to marry my mother.  That doll head sat on a book shelf in our house and I would look at it every day to see if that other I was painted.  Very shortly after they were married, the other eye was painted.  Jim loved deeply and openly, as many will attest to.

Happiness is when, what you think, what you say and what you do, are in harmony.

-         Mahatma Ghandi

If you were a part Jim’s life, you were a witness to his undeniably consistent actions, words and behavior and knew that he was truly happy.  He probably sang to you, comforted you, cried with you, celebrated with you and loved you, unconditionally.

He will never be gone from me. He is my motivation to live and love fully, to forgive and to accept.

Enjoy the testimony of this life with the words that follow.

I was able to visit my Uncle Jim and Aunt Tina for the first time in over 20 years in November 2014. So glad i was afforded that chance. Will miss you Uncle.

I feel perky! Oh so perky!...

He sang those words when I first met him in their home in Pennsylvania and when I last saw him in Tucson, AZ.

In the midst of his pain, he sang those words with a smile on his face. I know he had rough days and nights, but when he could he made an effort to be with me. It struck me to see him like that, but now as the Lord continues to speak to my heart and uses the times and conversations held with him, Holy Spirit reminds me of the words we find in Philippians 4:4-5 – Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again, rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming son. 

The picture of him singing in the midst of pain should helps us remember what Paul tells us in the previous verse. God commands us to rejoice in Him, not in our circumstances, but to look to Him and search for Him, because He will satisfy, His presence fills us with joy. But it is a command, we have to make the choice to seek Him, above everything else. To sing His praises and seek His face, not what He gives, but Who He Is.

WWJD. He gave me two of those bracelets! They mostly helped me keep him in my prayers and every once in a while think of what it really meant. He ‘adopted’ me in his heart as his grandaughter from Panama. And he certainly meant a lot to me in spite of the distance, he spoke to me kindly and strongly when he felt he needed to. His words spoke to my heart and led me to repentance and forgiveness toward a person and a particular situation.

His love and care for his wife since I first met them helped change the image I had of a couple, and I admired the love they had for each other. Jesus says there’s no greater love than that of who gives his life for his friends, and I could see how this situation brought this to happen in their life together. It also encouraged my heart and love for others. He was certainly used by the Lord and the memories of our time shared together will continue to be used by the Lord to shape us and make us more like Jesus.

- Ana Gabriela

My dear Friend Jim

Is amazing how God uses people to change the course of our lives and Jim sure did, his love and passion to the Lord made a significant impact in my life.  Jim and Tina blessed my life almost eight years ago, when they fell in love with the San Felix Mission in Panama.  The years went by, and our relationship became stronger. I had the privilege of spending quality time with my favorite couple.  As I got to know them, it helped me understand that God has plans for good.  I remember their plans to move to Panama, and work at the Mission, but God had other plans, which Jim accepted, asked God for new direction and he followed without regrets.  Definitely, doors were opened and found a place where he shared with his lovely wife and best friend Tina.

As David says in Psalm 1:2 Delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night, they are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.  Jim knew and obeyed the law, and the Lord used him to plant seeds everywhere. I will keep in my heart our daily morning prayers and devotionals, which lifted up my spirit and energyzed my soul. God  made us a spiritual family, a bonding that surpasses human understanding, that goes beyond political boundaries that lasts forever.

Jim filled my life with love, kindness, mercy and compassion.  His heart was full of joy, faith and thankfulness.  He expressed his  love even to my friends. I remember how he interceeded for Peter, a 17 year old who was fighting cancer, for the family who lost their son in Las Lajas beach, for my husband when he lost his job, and so on.  Jim took care of us, even from the distance.  He was a prayer warrior, a servant of the Lord whose relationship helped him to be strong and courageous, all his life, specially this past year.   Cancer did not defeat him, his desire to praise God and worship him did not cease.  His good morning songs, his ‘I love you’s, cheered me up.  What a beautiful spirit, what a beatiful man, who loved his wife with all his heart.   For Jim, love came natural, it was Gods love, which he poured into the lives of many.  Bless you friend!!

The day I got the news, I asked God, why!! But the Lord said, I’ll be glorified, I will use him, even in this trial.  He waited quietly before God, his hope was in him, even in pain, he was obedient.  He knew his final destination.  The day God called Jim to his presence I was praying for Jim and Tina, for strength and peace,  suddenly an image of Jesus welcoming Jim home came into my mind.  I saw him renewed, standing straight and filled of peace.  It  reminded me of Psalm 91:1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty…. He alone is their refuge, his place of safety; he is with God, because he trusted him.   Today he is in the presense of the Most High, worshiping and praising, with uncle Keith. 

Thank you Lord for this awesome gift, James Eley’s life which you used to bless me, my family, his family, and friends in many, many ways.  

                                                                                                - Carmen

The song "Cover me" was a song Carmen requested be played at Jim's memorial service.  

Jim loved birdhouses and hummingbird feeders not to mention wind chimes.  He liked painting them and getting them ready for me to detail them.  He had about 8 more to paint with our grand-daughter Taubrea but was not up to it when they visited.  

A trip to Nogales with Father Adonai in April of 2014

Right around the time Jim was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he started talking about wanting to obtain the movie, 'Song of the South'. He remembered this movie from his childhood and loved the songs and the story it told. I thought obtaining that movie was one of the easiest things that I've ever been tasked with; except...... because of the films depiction of black former slaves and of race relations in reconstruction-era Georgia, the movie was never released on home video in the United States. In fact, although it was released in other countries, and available on e-bay, sellers would not send the video to the U.S.  Believe me I tried!

Fast forward a year and listening to Jim sing all of the songs from the movie (including Zippie dee do dah), every time I visited my parents in Tucson; it's now November 2014.  I was determined to obtain the movie as a Christmas present for Jim.  After trying to buy it on e-bay in the U.K. and Austrailia (several times), with no success. I contacted a co-worker, from the past, that lives in the U.K. and asked her if she could buy it for me and then personally send it to me.  She agreed and two weeks later, I had the video!

December 28th, I'm back in Tucson and can't wait to play the video for Jim.  I told him Santa accidently left a present for him at my house. He was so excited!!!  By this time, he was limited to his bed and only awake for short periods of time.  I set up the VHS to test the video and it did not work properly! 

Thank goodness Melissa and Jeff were visiting! Jeff found the movie on one of "those" sites that provides movies that maybe they shouldn't....at any rate, I was able to download the file to my computer and play it via an HDMI cable to the television, in the bedroom, for Jim to watch.

It was magic! Although Jim was in and out of sleepiness, he was keeping track of the sequence of the movie and even singing the songs and reciting some of the lines from the movie.

To say that this was the greatest Christmas present ever, is an understatement.

A little background on the Song of the South:

It's a 1946 American live-action/animated musical film produced by Walt Disney, based on the Uncle Remus stories collected by Joel Chandler Harris. It was Disney's first feature film using live actors, who provide a sentimental frame story for several animated segments. The film depicts the character Uncle Remus, a former slave, cheerfully relating to several children, including the film's protagonist, the folk tales of the adventures of anthropomorphic Br'er Rabbit and his friends. The film's song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" won the 1947 Academy Award for Best Song, is frequently used as part of Disney's montage themes, and has become widely used in popular culture. The film inspired the Disney theme park attraction Splash Mountain.

"Jim was a valued friend and even more as a positive influence to us as to what was good in life. He had so much to offer anyone fortunate to now him.  I trust that heaven is now better than ever before, and we can hear him asking St. Perter for 'strokes'.

We received an email from Bob Moyer, who is serving at the mission in Panama.  We sent us warm thoughts and shared the following:

"For me, Jim will always be remembered for two sayings.  First: 'What are your motives; and second: 'It's not your ability that God is looking for, but your availability'.  I have used these many times.  I thanks Jim for these 2 gems."