Today August 14th 2009 marks the fifth anniversary of Mitch's home going to be with the Lord.  Death here on earth is permanent, there's sorrow and pain, but life still goes on.  Look what has happen because of Mitch's life these last five years! On behalf of my family, friends and our Board of Directors, thank you so much for your prayers, love and support in helping us make a difference.

A mother's pain and blessing…
We all have a story, we all have a journey, this is mine…

So many have asked, August 14, 2009, Five years…

Blessing:  March 26, 1981, Thursday, God gave us Mitchell.  All 7 pounds 7 ounces, 19 inches long, blonde reddish hair and brilliant blue eyes!

June 21, 1981, Father's Day Dedication Service.  Mitchell never did belong to us.  He belonged to God.  Thankfully God allowed us to be mom and dad for 23 years, 4 months, and 22 days.

August 14, 2004, Mitchell entered heaven.  What a blessing to know that when believers in Christ die, they are instantly with Jesus.
II Corinthians 5:8

That Saturday night my life changed forever.  August 12, 2004, Mitch, along with 16 of his buddies, drove five hours to Wisconsin for their annual fun-filled water rafting weekend.  We, my husband Bob and I, were at a friend's 50th birthday party in Prospect Heights, IL.  We were surrounded by our friends.  Blessing: Bob and I were together.  We live in Arizona. It was rare that we were together in Illinois.  In fact Bob had a flight to go home the next morning.  God had a different plan.

My cell phone rang; it was my sister Jillian asking for Bob.  I heard uncertainty in her shaky voice.  I asked her, "Is it Mitch or Jeff?"  Her son Jeff, my nephew was also on the trip.  All she said was I needed to talk to Bob.  I said no.  She then replied, "Mitch is missing."  I can't explain it, but I instantly knew Mitch was home - his real home - heaven.  I got Bob, told him Mitch was missing and handed him my cell phone.

Needless to say, that ended the birthday celebration.  Within minutes our friends were down on their knees praying for Mitch to be found safe.  In my heart I knew Mitch was safely in the arms of Jesus.  I was silently praying, God please may they find his body.  At the party was our friend, Bill Martin.  At the time, he was the Police Commander in Arlington Heights, IL.  He was able to make phone calls and contact people we couldn't.  Around 10 pm we received the call, they found Mitchell's body.  I was in our friend's living room praying when I was asked to go into our friend's office.  There Bob told me our Mitchell was gone…Bob and I cried and held onto each other.

Blessing: Our pastor, James MacDonald was there, held us and prayed with us.  Then the phone calls to family…One of the hardest calls was to our daughter Nicolee and son-in-law Paul in South Carolina, to tell your daughter, her brother is gone.  Hearing my daughter scream, having your son-in-law of only 2 months saying, what do I do?  To feel their pain…Blessing:  Nicolee was not alone.

Bob and I went back to our Roselle, IL. condo at 1:30 am.  We didn't know what to do.  Shock, disbelief - is this really happening?  Our Mitchie gone?!  I only had one place to go - God.  I asked for a verse, picked up my Bible and God gave me Psalm 91:2, "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, whom I trust."  We later learned on 8-14-04, Mitchell flipped off a cliff into the Wolf River and never came up.  We believe he got the wind knocked out of him as he hit the water.  His death certificate states:  Drowned while swimming.

It's been five years…what has gotten me through?  Focusing on God.  Embracing his love, goodness, mercy, holiness, grace and comfort.  Knowing Mitch loved God and believed in Him.  John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  Jesus died on the cross for our sins so we could be forgiven through faith in Him.  His sacrifices were based on His love, not on our merit.  Salvation is a gift.  Jesus wants us to give Him our heart.  Accept the free gift of salvation.  Mitch accepted the gift of salvation.  That's where the blessing comes in.  I know I will see Mitch again in heaven.  Psalm 139:13-16.  Mitch was walking close to our Lord, now Mitch is walking with our Lord.  There will always be an ache in my heart for Mitch that will only be healed when we are united in heaven together.

I thank God that my grieving Mitch is not feelings of helplessness, fear, anger or guilt.  It's immense sadness because Mitch was such a great guy.  Blessing: Revelation 21:4, "God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Mitchell's journey is complete…
My journey continues…

Gaye Swaback
Mitchell's Mom