Feature Article
No Greater Joy
by Jeanette Taylor
It's already been one and a half years since we lost our precious
daughter Lacey Richelle. Only those who have lost a child fully
understand the pain in our hearts. Grieving the loss of your child is
never over, but the pain lessens with time.
My prayer for several months has been for God to bring joy back into our lives. God has chosen to do this through some of the women to whom I have taught the Bible or co-labored with in ministry. The following are some thoughts that these dear ladies have shared about what our time together has meant to them.
"God has brought us together through tragic circumstances-the loss of our children. It was through these circumstances that I realized that Jeannette and Dick Taylor had an inner faith and hope that I was missing in my life. Jeannette has 'shown me the way' to my Savior Jesus Christ and is teaching me how to have a personal relationship with God. For the first time in my life, I am anxious to continue learning the Bible." -Joanne
"I met Jeannette nearly seven years ago through REST Ministries Women's Bible Study in prison. As she would sing for the women, her voice would fill the stark little chapel with promises from God and hope of a better life. What I admire most about Jeannette is her willingness to do just about anything from teaching a Bible study at the last minute to taking women into her home. She's been willing to do it all." -Michelle
"It turns out that Jeannette didn't open up her home to my daughter and me, she opened up her family to us . . . adopted us in a sense. We were never guests . . . we were family. It was the first healthy family I'd ever lived with. Things don't always fall into place in familial relationships-they require some diligence, love, and lots of commitment and understanding. Learning this with an earthly family was so helpful in understanding my role in the family of God." -Denise
"Over the past year, Jeanette has helped me through God to become a much happier person. I've learned how to be more giving toward my husband (2 Cor. 9:7). I've learned to be more forgiving (1 John 1:9). I've learned how to pray in Jesus' name (John 16:24). I've learned to trust in the Lord (Prov. 3:5,6). A verse that has stuck with me the most is Philippians 4:13 (Jeannette's dad's favorite verse), 'I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.' " -Tressa
I praise God daily that He can use me whether or not I am in pain; and I am learning every day that I only have to be willing to live in His strength. I have no greater joy than to see people walk in His truth. My prayer is that the above testimonies of God's working in the lives of these women prove to be a great blessing to you. To God be the glory!
Jeannette and her husband, Dick, minister with CDM in the Philadelphia Metro Area, and she works part time in the Samovar Russian TeaRoom. The Taylors have been married nearly 18 years and have four children, Tifanee, Matthew (wife Nancy), Cameron, and Lacey (safely home at 14 years). Jeannette loves to cook, read, hike, run, and ride with Dick on his motorcycle.
by Jeanette Taylor
It's already been one and a half years since we lost our precious
daughter Lacey Richelle. Only those who have lost a child fully
understand the pain in our hearts. Grieving the loss of your child is
never over, but the pain lessens with time.My prayer for several months has been for God to bring joy back into our lives. God has chosen to do this through some of the women to whom I have taught the Bible or co-labored with in ministry. The following are some thoughts that these dear ladies have shared about what our time together has meant to them.
"God has brought us together through tragic circumstances-the loss of our children. It was through these circumstances that I realized that Jeannette and Dick Taylor had an inner faith and hope that I was missing in my life. Jeannette has 'shown me the way' to my Savior Jesus Christ and is teaching me how to have a personal relationship with God. For the first time in my life, I am anxious to continue learning the Bible." -Joanne
"I met Jeannette nearly seven years ago through REST Ministries Women's Bible Study in prison. As she would sing for the women, her voice would fill the stark little chapel with promises from God and hope of a better life. What I admire most about Jeannette is her willingness to do just about anything from teaching a Bible study at the last minute to taking women into her home. She's been willing to do it all." -Michelle
"It turns out that Jeannette didn't open up her home to my daughter and me, she opened up her family to us . . . adopted us in a sense. We were never guests . . . we were family. It was the first healthy family I'd ever lived with. Things don't always fall into place in familial relationships-they require some diligence, love, and lots of commitment and understanding. Learning this with an earthly family was so helpful in understanding my role in the family of God." -Denise
"Over the past year, Jeanette has helped me through God to become a much happier person. I've learned how to be more giving toward my husband (2 Cor. 9:7). I've learned to be more forgiving (1 John 1:9). I've learned how to pray in Jesus' name (John 16:24). I've learned to trust in the Lord (Prov. 3:5,6). A verse that has stuck with me the most is Philippians 4:13 (Jeannette's dad's favorite verse), 'I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.' " -Tressa
I praise God daily that He can use me whether or not I am in pain; and I am learning every day that I only have to be willing to live in His strength. I have no greater joy than to see people walk in His truth. My prayer is that the above testimonies of God's working in the lives of these women prove to be a great blessing to you. To God be the glory!
Jeannette and her husband, Dick, minister with CDM in the Philadelphia Metro Area, and she works part time in the Samovar Russian TeaRoom. The Taylors have been married nearly 18 years and have four children, Tifanee, Matthew (wife Nancy), Cameron, and Lacey (safely home at 14 years). Jeannette loves to cook, read, hike, run, and ride with Dick on his motorcycle.