We wonder, we ask.

So many people looking in on the recent events of Jim's life ask questions, propose theories, and wonder about what caused him to make this move he has made. Hints from his whole life: events, interests, habits, personality, accomplishments, involvements, hurts, pains, relationships, emotional landscape, things said, passions, and beliefs...all point us to speculations, theories, and insights. One lesson for all of us to learn: we are all a combination of good and bad. There is no perfection and seeking it is futile and destructive to our well being. Knowing it, admitting it, and receiving Christ's forgiveness in the middle of it is the only way to real peace.

I share a slide show created by Celeste at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church for last Friday's prayer service, from our library of lifetime photos, for a partial glimpse of Jim's life. Perhaps one more tidbit of insight. Love to you all. Karen

24 Hour Prayer Vigil for Jim Schwartz

Knowing that lots of the people we love are far away and so many people around the country have been sending their love and prayers our way, we'd love to have people all over coming together during this 24 hour period (Friday 6 am to Saturday 6 am) covering this prayer vigil. Please sign up just by sending a message about which hour you will be praying for Jim, and his family. List of specific prayer requests to be posted soon. Some will probably relate to a search party that is being organized for this weekend or the next to go into a Woods Canyon that we now realize he did walk into 3 months ago. No certainty, of course, that after 3 months he is still there, but we know too that he could be. Will post the sign up list for prayer vigil as it develops. Thank you to all!

PRAYER SERVICE AND VIGIL FOR JIM SCHWARTZ AND FAMILY FRIDAY JAN. 27th

To family and friends of Find Jim Schwartz:
Some awesome new friends at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church here in Sedona are hosting a prayer service, all day prayer room, and prayer vigil this Friday 1/27 for husband and father, Jim Schwartz, and family. The invitation is for all in Sedona and the Verde Valley to participate in one way or another, as well as for all who gather frequently here in the Facebook medium or blog. Please check out this flyer for details and stay tuned for how you can sign up for a one hour block during the 24-hour prayer vigil (6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday). We know so many people have kept us in your prayers, and for that we are so grateful. We sense this deeply. This Friday offers us all an opportunity for concentrated prayer time together. Photos and information will be shared along with prayer and praise suggestions.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Life is a mystery to be lived--not a problem to be solved. A very wise pastor said that, among many other wise things, a few weeks ago in church. Thank you, Pastor Greg for reminding us of this. None of us will ever have all of the answers, and our family may never have any answers, but we long for some knowledge about the life of the one we love named Jim. Please continue to pray for Jim, and for some answers for us in this new year.

On a much happier note...our family was blessed with wonderful news on the cusp of the New Year when Ali and Paul announced their engagement last weekend. So wedding bells are ringing in our New Year, and we are so happy for both of them.

The best to you all, as you live into the mystery of life.

Karen