The Journey - Winter 2021

Journey The

Winter 2021

Paige Mast Blevins & David Ward Finding Peace in the Presence of God

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: THE BARRIKLOW FAMILY PAM GREER HANNAH LACKEY

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Journey The

Ben Cox Graphic Designer & Editor Ashley Poore Contributing Writers Ben Cox | Elizabeth Barriklow | Pam Greer | Ashley Poore Nate Roten | Paige Mast Blevins | David Ward | Hannah Lackey Social Media & Marketing Director Cameron Reynolds Distribution Manager Connie Cox | Accounts Manager Heather Cotten Owner & Publisher

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Online flip-through version, distribution locations, and other inspirational content available at: JOURNEYNC.COM 828.263.0095 | info@journeync.com 324 HWY 105 Ext. Suite 14 • Boone, NC 28607

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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YOU’RE NEVER WHERE YOU THOUGHT YOU’D BE

How David & Bronwyn Barriklow learned to walk in faith through the unexpected

By Elizabeth Barriklow

HE TURNED MY STORY, INTO HIS GLORY How God brought one woman from a life of addiction to a life in Christ

By Ashley Poore and Pam Greer

LIGHTS THAT SHINE IN THE DARKNESS: PAIGE MAST BLEVINS

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Finding God-things in the midst of tragedy

By Nate Roten with Paige Mast Blevins

LIGHTS THAT SHINE IN THE DARKNESS: DAVID WARD How a grieving father found strength in his heavenly Father

By Nate Roten with David Ward

LIGHTS THAT SHINE IN THE DARKNESS: KEY TAKEAWAYS Reflections on Biblical truths learned through life’s greatest heartaches

By Nate Roten

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CHANGING SEASONS

Reflections during the season of pumpkin spice lattes, apple picking and fall festivities

By Hannah Lackey

Cover Photo: Paige Mast Blevins & Family, David & Chris Ward: A father and a wife of two fallen police officers share how they found peace in the presence of God.

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THOUGHTS FROM THE “Unless One Is Born Again, He Cannot See The Kingdom Of God��

T

By Ben Cox

his is the title I have chosen to introduce our Winter 2021 edition of “The Journey Magazine and Website, JourneyNC.com.” These are not my words, they are the “Red Letter” words spoken

by Jesus Christ of Nazareth, by way of Egypt, by way of Bethlehem, by way of Heaven! These words were spoken first to a man named Nicodemus and now we have them to ponder for our own lives..

Here is an account of that encounter as told by John the Apostle, one of Jesus’ twelve chosen disciples.

John 3:1-2: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him.” It’s significant that Nicodemus said that because many of his colleagues were saying that Jesus was doing His miracles by the power of Beezulbub, which was their name for Satan.

Now consider with me how Jesus responded to Nicodemus from John 3:3: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This started a discussion between Nicodemus and Jesus about what it means to be born again, leading us to a passage of Scripture that many are familiar with, 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” The region we live in is known as the Bible Belt and the term “born again” is one that most people are familiar with. Therefore, it may come as a surprise for some of us that many people, Christians included, don’t like the term. But,

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

what many people actually disdain, is the idea of Hell or a God that would condemn anyone to go there. However, I implore you to prayerfully and carefully consider what Jesus said in v. 17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

The stories we have featured in this magazine and for the last 15 years are about people who claim to have experienced this supernatural transformation that Jesus calls being “born again.” What I’ve noticed through the years is that no two stories are alike. You’ll see that again in this edition, but you will also see some similarities among these stories that are important to note. Let me draw your attention to just a few that come to mind: •

•

• •

Many had profound childhood experiences that were real to them, but the gospel seeds that were planted didn’t take root until later in life.

Not all have to get to rock bottom before they come to acknowledge how much they need a Savior.

Many may not have had the kind of dramatic encounters with God that others have.

No one who testifies claims to be perfect, but in every story we see good fruit that springs up in a person’s life because their old self-centered, self-absorbed nature has been replaced by this new nature that Jesus describes in John 3.

Now, let’s circle back to that passage. After Jesus introduced Nicodemus to the concept of being born again, Nicodemus asked two good questions.

John 3:4 “Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second

“

John 3:5-15 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

that which dwells in our old nature. The Good News is God will replace our self-centered natures with His nature for all who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Furthermore, by the power of His Holy Spirit, that all who are born of the Spirit receive, He will enable us to die to our old nature over and over again, forgiving us when we fail and helping us become more whole in Him until that day when we see Him face to face.

“

time into his mother’s womb and be born?’” Now consider carefully with me Jesus’ answers to these questions and the rest of the dialogue leading up to John 3:16-17.

The Good News is God will replace our self-centered natures with His nature...

“Nicodemus answered and said to Him, ‘How can these things be?’”

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’”

There we have it!! Jesus said it, the Old Testament prophets foretold it and the New Testament writers confirmed it in so many different places and ways: Those who are “born of the Spirit” or “born again” are those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah or Savior that He claimed to be and that all of humanity needs!!

In this season where we celebrate the birth of our Savior and in this period of history where “everything that can be shaken is being shaken,” may each of you who read these words find great comfort in the fact that Jesus’ light can and will penetrate and overcome all darkness, including

Now let’s reconsider the idea of a God who would condemn anyone to go to Hell. Does God condemn people to Hell? According to Jesus, in the rest of the John 3 passage, that’s something we choose for ourselves if we’re so prideful as to reject the way that Jesus made for us.

John 3:18-21: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, while moving forward into an uncertain future, may be be greatly encouraged with the fact that His light can penetrate and overcome the deepest darkness of broken humanity.

If you are not assured that you are born again or if you have strayed from your relationship with God and need someone to talk and pray with, you may call me at (828) 964-8600 or email us at info@journeync.com. Not only will we pray with you, we will help connect you to other Christians who can help encourage and strengthen you in your faith.

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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Love (God’s Love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fade-less under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fade out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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You're Never Where You Thought You'd Be HOW DAVID & BRONWYN BARRIKLOW LEARNED TO WALK IN FAITH THROUGH THE UNEXPECTED

By Elizabeth Barricklow

T

YOU’RE NEVER WHERE YOU THOUGHT YOU’D BE

his is one of the many lessons my parents, Bronwyn and David Barricklow, have learned through almost five decades of marriage and business ownership – two journeys of faith that have a lot in common, as they see it.

“Whether you’re starting a business or getting married, you never really have the full picture of what you’re getting into. But that’s part of the process and the beauty of our journey with God. There’s a level of optimism and naivety that is healthy… But it’s never what you thought it would be,” Dave says.

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

Bronwyn agrees. “If you knew everything ahead of time, there’s probably a lot of things you wouldn’t do… But I think it’s all part of God’s plan.”

Would they have opened a new bakery and pizzeria in 2019 in North Wilkesboro if they had known what would happen in 2020? Would they have opened their first bakery back in the 1970’s in Michigan if they had known how much its success would demand of them? Or that they would end up selling it, after 25 years, in order to save their marriage? Who knows? What my parents do know (and have always tried to teach my brothers and me) is that wherever you are, God is there with you - ready to teach you and love you in ways you never anticipated. Now that my parents are in what they call their “third phase of life,”

they are eager to share both the lessons and the blessings they’ve gathered over the years.

When David and Bronwyn got married and opened their first bakery, they had no idea what they were getting into (as far as marriage or business).

Dave grew up on a dairy farm in the small town of Onsted, Michigan and always wanted to own his own business. While working in a bakery during college, he realized he loved baking as much as he loved donuts and the dream of “Dom Bakeries” was born. (Dave and his friend Tom combined their names to make “Dom.” Tom decided to be a teacher instead of a baker, but the name stuck.)

Bronwyn came from a middle-class family in Cleveland and had always wanted to be a stayat-home mom. “My idea of marriage was this idealistic picture of being in love, having kids, having a home…”

Both the country boy and the city girl believed the bakery would be a great opportunity to serve the Lord. “We were young and enthusiastic about our faith. (We thought) we’d be successful and would be able to donate lots of money to missions and programs in the name of Jesus.”

Three generations of Barricklow’s celebrate the opening of David & Bronwyn’s new business, Dom Bakeries & Pizzeria, in North Wilkesboro. Elizabeth (daughter, David, & Brownyn are in the middle. To their left: Josh (oldest son) with his wife, Rebekah, and their kids, Riley and Dean. To their right: Zach (second oldest son) with his wife, Lauren, and their kids, Lucy (front), Cora, & Noah.

(The Barricklow’s youngest son, Joel, and his family are not present, as they had recently moved to England. They were greatly missed!)

Bronwyn & David Barricklow get ready to open their new business in downtown North Wilkesboro.

Despite the unexpected challenges of the 1970’s economy, the business was, indeed, blessed with success. Over the next couple of decades, Dom Bakeries became a household name in the Ann Arbor area. My three brothers and I grew up working in the bakery – wiping off counters, boxing up orders, standing on overturned buckets to load the commercial dishwasher… We learned invaluable lessons about responsibility, teamwork, etc. (most of which I didn’t truly appreciate until later in life). But we also saw our parents struggling with the burden of financial strain and long working hours.

During that time, Dave recalls, “We blew up.

We went from one store to nine stores, zero kids to four kids… Life got really busy. And the balance between (Bronwyn and I) got further away.”

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Dave & Bronwyn’s kids (L-R: Josh, Elizabeth, & Zach) grew up working in their original bakery in Michigan.

“I had pulled away from the bakery when we started having kids,” Bronwyn says. “(By the time the older two were in high school), I was focused 100% on family and home. He was focused 100% on work and providing. I didn’t really understand how to support him, and he didn’t know how to get time off to be more part of the family.”

intently to God for answers. And He began to act. First, it was Bronwyn…”

“I decided I couldn’t do marriage like that anymore,” Bronwyn says. “I felt like I was just watching him punch his time clock until he died. He was tired and unhappy, and I was struggling to keep that from overflowing into the family.”

On the surface, They chose marriage it seemed their over the business dreams had come By letting go of what we thought we and decided to sell. true: they had a were supposed to be doing, we were “We sold it in two family, a home, a weeks to the first able to see that God could use our successful business... buyers.” (The family But looking back, gifts and talents in different ways. who bought Dom Bronwyn realizes Bakeries in the late their dreams had 90’s is still running become their idols. the main store in Ypsilanti with continued “God’s commands are always for our good, but success.) Next, they sold the house and moved I hadn’t realized that the first one (Thou shalt to Dave’s hometown, about an hour away, for a have no other gods before Me.) was really about fresh start. They both agree, “It was the greatest protecting us. Whenever we put something thing we ever did.” before God, it hurts us rather than helps us.”

“

“

“We’d created a monster of this business,” says Dave. “But, through it all, we were both looking

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After they moved, something truly incredible happened: they switched places. Bronwyn

took a full-time teaching job and became the breadwinner, while Dave was doing the laundry and picking the kids up from school.

Suddenly, Bronwyn was more focused on work and Dave on relationships. The lessons were transformative. Bronwyn says, “I needed to learn the reality of what it’s like to work till 7:00pm and then come home. And, yeah, I didn’t feel like being sociable either…

Meanwhile, Dave became the social butterfly – reconnecting with people, being part of the community.”

Merry Christmas from

Dave says, “For Bronwyn, (relationship building) came naturally, but for me there was a learning curve. God showed me how fruitful and enjoyable relationships can be.” During their time in Onsted, Dave coached seventh grade basketball, served on the school board, and – still an entrepreneur at heart – ran a carwash and a landscaping/snow removal service with my two younger brothers. Bronwyn says, “By letting go of what we thought we were supposed to be doing, we were able to see that God could use our gifts and talents in different ways.”

to invest in the community. “We moved into a community that had been hit pretty hard financially with the loss of (businesses and jobs). But it’s a beautiful town.”

Sixteen years later, they decided to uproot and start over once again – this time, in North Carolina, where my brothers and I had re-settled. “We never thought we’d leave Michigan. But then came the grandkids…”

They moved to Wilkes County and opened an Anytime Fitness, which seemed like a perfect semi-retirement gig. “We had both been praying a lot about what to do with this next phase of life… When all the doors started opening, we felt God telling us this was the right move.”

For Bronwyn, the gym was a chance to serve others and share God’s love. “We’re helping people get healthy and creating a place where they can feel like they belong.”

As they fell in love with Wilkes, they felt more and more passionate about wanting

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Dave started baking 50 years ago and was one of the first and youngest people in the U.S. to earn a Master Baker’s Certificate.

Dave, who is not programmed for retirement (even if it’s “semi”), began to envision a local bakery. “A good bakery can become a destination. It’s a treat,” he says. “And everybody wants a good, fun environment where they can sit and talk with their family or have a business meeting… We started praying about it…”

When they bought a building and began to renovate, Dave says, “I felt God saying, ‘If you’re going to do this in my name, then do it well.

Make something that will be constructive for the community…’ I believe the Kingdom of God is here now and we are all part of it. It’s not just heaven. It’s here and we all have our own Kingdom within it which we’re responsible for, like the

parable of the talents... It’s important to me to build something good in God’s Kingdom.”

In May of 2019, at the ages of seventy (David) and “not-yet-seventy” (Bronwyn), they opened a new Dom Bakeries – this time, also a pizzeria – in downtown North Wilkesboro.

At first, Bronwyn was not onboard. While Dave missed baking (the part of the business that was his true passion), she remembered the stress. But Dave had moved forward anyway, so Bronwyn turned to God. “I was in a position where someone else had made a decision that would affect my life.

As I started praying about this, I realized how many people are there too – dealing with something they didn’t ask for… You can choose to become a bitter person or a better person. If you trust God and allow Him to guide you, he will walk you through it…

I’ve learned a ton. God has made me a better person, and I’ve come to a place where I really enjoy it.”

“If you trust God

and allow Him to guide you, he will walk you through it.

“

As with most new businesses, the first year was a test of faith for everyone involved. The baking was familiar, but the restaurant side of the business was new, and that ended up falling on Bronwyn’s shoulders. “It was terrifying at

« Abby Hauser, Dom Bakeries’ newest cake decorator, poses with one of her delicious creations.

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Dave & Bronwyn’s granddaughter, Lucy, with a sweet sprinkle doughnut smile!

Then, as if the situation didn’t already feel like a story from the Old Testament, the pandemic hit. Lockdown started when the business was less than a year old.

“We were already losing too much money,” Dave recalls. “Then, COVID put us in a position of ‘do or die.’ We had to decide that we weren’t going to die. This pushed us closer to the Lord.”

times, trying to manage all the employees and managers and making sure we had supplies…

When we first opened, we got slammed and we weren’t ready for it… It was a daily faith walk for me. I had to get in the car every day and say, ‘I can do today. Let’s just do it today.’

And day-by-day, God gets you through.”

As hard as everyone was working, the numbers were not working out, and Dave was as stressed as he’d ever been back in Michigan. “There is always financial pressure in business, especially small businesses because people don’t usually have deep pockets, so you have to borrow money. God calls us to be responsible for the money we’ve borrowed and for the people who work for us, the vendors, the bills…”

Six months after opening, Bronwyn went into the hospital with heart trouble and had to get a pacemaker. “At that point, I started to question whether I should have done this,” says Dave.

He had been sure that God was calling him to start the business, but now he wondered if it was really his own ego. He was frustrated and exhausted.

COVID became a perfect example of how God can make anything work for good. “It actually gave us a chance to reboot,” Bronwyn explained. Shutting down the dinein part of the business relieved some of the workload, the drive-through was a lifesaver, and, most importantly, the community support was incredible. “We had so many people coming in, saying, ‘We want you to stay open. We’re going to support you as much as we can.’” This reaffirmed Dave and Bronwyn’s commitment to Wilkes.

The business survived 2020 and the faith walk continues. “The business is still evolving,” Dave says. “It’s amazing, considering COVID, how well we are doing. We’ve been trying to follow the Lord, asking how He wants this business to work.”

“God has repeatedly fulfilled our needs, but not in the way we expected,” says Bronwyn, who has come to really enjoy the business, especially the people. “Our employees are like family to me. And I love the customers.

I’ve realized the little things can really make a difference to people. You can make someone’s

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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day happier, show them you care and that they matter… I want this to be a place where people can come and feel welcome. The love of God can be felt even in a bakery.”

She sees that love in the little things.

The ladies playing bridge upstairs by the fireplace. The family with five kids that comes every Friday night for pizza and pastries. And, of course, everyone’s favorite: the little kids who race up to the showcase and press their faces against the glass, as though peering into a magical sugary wonderland. (It’s worth the extra cleaning.)

For both Bronwyn and Dave, the business is truly a ministry. Bronwyn says, “It’s easy to look at the ‘giants’ of faith – the Billy Grahams of the world who have done amazing things – and elevate those people as if they are on some higher level that we’re all striving to get to, but

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Dave & Bronwyn chappily elebrated their 48th wedding anniversary this year. that’s a mistake. There are no small people. We’re all God’s children doing God’s work. I think God just wants us to hold His hand right where we are.” Even if you’re not where you thought you’d be.

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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He Turned My Story, Into His Glory HOW GOD BROUGHT ONE WOMAN FROM A LIFE OF ADDICTION TO A LIFE IN CHRIST

By Ashley Poore and Pam Greer “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captive and release from darkness for the prisoners… to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes.”

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ISAIAH 61:1-3

hen you begin a conversation with Pam Greer, you start out with no idea of the trials, the struggles, and the situations that she has been through during her lifetime. But, by the time you finish talking with her, you have no doubt of the grace and the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon her through the kinds of struggles that can destroy a person’s life.

Pam was an addict. She was only sixteen years old when she was introduced to methamphetamine and became dependent on the high that drugs like this gave her.

However, the Lord had bigger plans for Pam. Through many years of incarceration, rehabilitation efforts, and toxic relationships, the Lord pulled Pam from a life of misery and darkness and into His saving grace and mercy.

Pam Corum Greer was born and raised in the High Country thirty nine years ago to Johnny and Georgia Corum. Georgia was left to carry the weight of being a single parent to Pam and her two brothers when their father decided to step out of the picture. Pam was only two years old. When she was nine, the Lord brought Gene Potter into their lives who became a good stepfather to Pam and a husband to Georgia. Pam’s mother worked hard, taking on three jobs to support her family, but she also worked hard to raise her kids in a Christian home. In a home where they knew who the Lord was. “My mother took us to church so we would learn the ways of the Lord,” Pam explains.

Pam’s childhood was filled with all of the activities and passions that often come with being a kid. Through her mother’s hard work, Pam and her brothers did not go without. They were given the same Pam’s high school basketball team, where Pam was selected for the position of team captian.

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

On the left, Pam’s mug shot, compared to her high school basketball picture on the right. From a happy and fulfilled teenager to a woman at rock bottom. opportunities that most kids are blessed to be involved in.

Sports and activities were a large part of Pam’s childhood from an early age.

“I really did it all as a kid growing up with all the normal activities like roller skating, which I thought I was pretty good at, and I played basketball like it was my day job as a youngster! I ran track in the Junior Olympics, and played in the band.”

Pam’s personal journey with the Lord began at an early age while she was attending a Summer Bible School.

“One summer at age eleven or twelve, I went to vacation Bible School at a church in Vilas, NC. One night I had a terrifying dream of the devil chasing me.

I was so scared that I shared it at Bible School the next morning. They led me into a salvation prayer. I then knew there was such a thing as a devil, and he was very intimidating. I thought that because of the dream and the salvation prayer that I had been saved. ”

In her heart and mind, Pam wanted to live for the Lord.

But her life took a very different path when she entered High School. “I was so excited about High School and all the opportunities there with sports that I loved. I could not comprehend anyone dropping out of High School when I would hear about it. Why would someone give that up? It was something I would never do.”

Pam’s high school years began like many others, with heavy involvement in sports and eventually becoming a leader for her team. “My freshman year I played basketball and ran school cross country. I was an average teenager.

Sophomore year - I was selected team captain of our basketball team. I was happy and fulfilled.”

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Speaking her heart, Pam Greer shares her raw testimony with a group of individuals from Meat Camp Baptist Church

something Pam became curious about. This was when Pam was first introduced to methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine and my boyfriend became my besties.”

Pam was wild with defiance. Her mom lived in intense and constant worry and fear over her daughter and her safety. She never knew when or if Pam would come home.

“Needless to say, this lifestyle did not fit in with the High School schedule, so I dropped out.

Before drugs, I could not comprehend why anyone would drop out. Now at age sixteen I was one of them. My teen years were whittled away with much of the same litany of drugs, wild living, and the wild culture of people who were living the same life as me. Drugs, smoking, and a careless and carefree lifestyle of living with whomever.”

That “whomever” was occasionally Georgia, Pam’s worried mother.

That same year was when her downward spiral began.

“I met a guy who was older and we started dating. He smoked. I would go to practice smelling like smoke and the coaches would make me run sprints because it smelled like I was the one smoking. They attempted to discipline me because they knew the guy was a bad influence, but I was completely unaware of their good intentions.”

This caused Pam to begin to rebel against them.

“They took my captain’s position away. I quit the team. I stole my mom’s car. I’d sneak out at night and wouldn’t come home for days at a time. I had repeated stints in ISS (In School Suspension) and OSS (Out of School Suspension.)

Things would only get worse from here. Pam’s boyfriend seemed to constantly have an abundance of energy,

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

“I came and went over the years at my mother’s house. I noticed my mom was so distraught over my life and it had an effect on me - but I pushed those thoughts away because I would see the pain that I was causing her. It broke my heart, but not enough to stop. It would bring my high down from the drugs if I thought about her worrying about me. Mom tried everything - she told me she didn’t want me to wake up at thirty years old and “not have a pot to pee in.”

The next decade of Pam’s life was spent entrenching herself further into drugs and selling as well. During her twenties, Pam would find herself in and out of jail.

During one of these stints in jail, Pam met a woman named Nannette Franklin who was visiting the jail to minister to the inmates. Neither Pam nor Nannette had any idea of the significance of their relationship and how this connection would come into play years later.

“Jail became an unwanted second home. I was ordered to rehab, drug court, drug classes; yet none of them were successful. After I was released from all of the attempts at rehabilitation and jail - my faithful and loving mom picked me up and took me back to her home.”

On the surface, Pam was taking the steps that were expected of a felon and an addict. She went through the motions of staying in rehabilitation facilities and taking classes intended to help addicts, graduating through many of these programs that had been court ordered. But Pam was not ready to face her addiction just yet. While at home, Pam stayed clean for approximately two months.

The longest she had stayed off of drugs in sixteen years.

The turning point in Pam’s story began with more stints of incarceration over the next seven years, visiting various jails across North Carolina without bond and later being prosecuted for meth trafficking by a Federal Judge. She was given a sentence of over five years for her crimes.

“

My life was a scary fence ride - God pulling my heart one way, and the devil jerking me the other way. I had become someone that I didn't even know anymore.

Her addiction had finally brought her to her lowest point. She was no longer fulfilled with the effect the drugs had on her, with her relationships, and with her wavering spirituality.

“I was miserable in every way. Nothing, the drugs or the way I was living my life, satisfied me. I had succumbed to weighing the drugs I bought to sell and reading my bible right beside each other. My life was a scary fence ride God pulling my heart one way, and the devil jerking me the other way. I had become someone that I didn’t even know anymore.”

It was 2012 and Pam had felt as though she had finally hit rock bottom.

“

After Pam was released from jail she returned to the same lifestyle as before. To support her addiction, Pam began selling methamphetamine. Over the course of the next six years, she had sold enough of the drug to get the attention of the FBI. This attention brought on an investigation that would soon leave Pam at the very end of her breaking point.

“December 10th was my Mom’s birthday. I knew I needed to choose how I was going to live my life from here on out.

I prayed for God to deal with me, looking in the mirror and praying from my heart. But I still went to get more drugs after that cry to the Lord. That night I was arrested

by Homeland Security. I did not know that my life would begin to change like this - not realizing this was part of His plan in ‘dealing with me’ as I had asked Him to.”

“I can remember waking up in a Mecklenburg County jail cell at thirty one years old, with no pot to pee in. My mother had been right. The fear of my future was at risk then, and was on the line now. The seriousness of my crime had Federal marshals surrounding us - federally convicted criminals being flown to undisclosed places of incarceration in the U.S.” Looking at her surroundings, at the people whose hands were shackled and bolted to the floor of the plane alongside of her own, Pam finally realized the severity of her actions.

The Lord watched over Pam during her sentence, showing his blessings through a shorter sentence than the original sixty three months she was given. Going into her incarceration, Pam believed that she had signed her life away but the Lord had bigger plans for her.

“At the three year mark in my prison sentence, I had

taken many classes including a very intense daily program called RDAP (Residential Drug Abuse Program), and was released from prison in the summer of 2015, sooner than my original sentencing date. I was put on a Greyhound bus from Illinois to North Carolina. I spent time in a halfway house, took post RDAP time, then moved home to Zionville, NC in December of 2015.

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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I got a job. I had several jobs. Sometimes people in my situation will tell you they can’t get a job because of their past. But my experience shows that’s just not true.

You can get a job if you want a job.

Though one would think I would have straightened up this time, I ended up trying meth twice. When I did, I realized that I was mentally, emotionally, and physically a different person. Instead, I would go out to bars with friends. I would often hang out with my friends and their families and wish that I had made better choices in my life. I had accepted that I had sacrificed the chance of a family for drugs. I bought a new car, I bought a trailer in Tennessee.” But these material things still did not fulfill the need in Pam’s heart.

“Getting back into civilian life was still a huge challenge for me to navigate. I would have thought that my rock bottom would have led me to salvation right away from that previous prayer and mirror experience. I had said what I wanted to say, and believed I had meant it- but the devil does not like to lose his unaware converts of evil doings. The battle was fierce. I had things, but I still had an emptiness and needed a genuine change to come.

In March of 2018, I walked into a revival at Zionville Baptist Church and I surrendered to Christ Jesus, my Lord, that day and was SAVED! Praise God!

At that point I was changed by God’s grace, mercy, and love and I truly began to live a different life. I sold the trailer in Tennessee, and moved back home with my mom. I wanted to live for the Lord. I started loving myself instead of feeling ashamed, condemned, worthless, and disappointing to all who had loved me. I started to value myself as the Lord does.”

As the Lord was working through Pam by sharing her testimony, He brought Nannette Franklin back into her life after their meeting in the jail twenty years prior.

Nanette is the manager of the Safe Harbor High Country Recovery Center for Women that is located in Boone.

Safe Harbor offers assistance for faith-based recovery resources throughout the community and offers an option for women to be placed in their Residential or Transitional Programs for recovery that is located in Hickory. Through Pam and Nannette’s reconnection, the Lord has given them an opportunity to share with others the struggles that women with addiction face but also the hope they have in the Lord and through faith-based organizations such as Safe Harbor.

Through Pam’s experience and her testimony, she provides heartbreaking insight to a life plagued with addiction. Combined with Nannette’s servant heart towards troubled women, the two

Answering the Lord’s call; Pam Greer & Nanette Franklin work together to share the hope and grace of the Lord to women who struggle with addiction

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An abundance of blessings; Larry & Pam Greer with their daughter, Mahala Faith Ann of them have a connected passion for helping others who find themselves troubled with addiction.

Pam shares this all with a twinkle in her eyes, in awe that God would give her so much and bless her abundantly with all the things she believed to be beyond her.

“I have been given a great position with the county of Watauga, with state benefits as it is a local government job.

I attend a church every week that I love and I’m involved with the youth program.”

In August of 2019, Pam reconnected with an old friend named Larry Greer. The two were married on her parents’ wedding anniversary and welcomed a baby girl in September of 2020 - Mahala Faith Ann. With a daughter of her own now, Pam has a new understanding of what her mother went through with Pam. She understands the depth of a mother’s love and just how strong a mother’s worry can be.

“I do get overwhelmed at times as a mother myself, thinking about what my mother endured through those years of pain that I had caused her.”

Pam and Larry have recently been appointed as custodians and housekeepers of their church. A blessing, Pam explains, for someone like herself who is a convicted felon.

Pam explains that her relationship with Christ, is her high now. The feeling that God gives her now is much greater than any high she received from any drug.

“All that I am today, not yesterday - defines my future with Christ Jesus I can do all things possible. God placed it on my heart at the beginning of the year that He wanted me to share my story of how He has worked in my life. I truly have so much to thank Him for.”

“And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”

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Lights that Shine in the Darkness: Paige Mast Blevins FINDING GOD-THINGS IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY

By Nate Roten with Paige Mast Blevins

T

he High Country is an amazing place to live. Just a short drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway provides widesweeping mountain views and gently rolling pastures. Thousands of tourists pour into our community each autumn to witness the mountains come alive with color as the leaves change. We have dozens of incredible hiking trails and fishing spots to enjoy during the warmer months and ski slopes to enjoy during the winter ones. The beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains is truly incredible, and yet, what makes a place desirable is the community of people that live here.

If the beauty of creation is what draws people to the High Country, it’s the people of Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties that make them want to stay. The small-town feel and warmth of our communities are what make it one of the friendliest places to live. It is the caliber of people’s character and faith that makes a community worth living in and in our stories today, we will see how the lives of two people have been forged in the crucible of heartache and tragedy. I have had the pleasure of sitting down with Paige Mast-Blevins and David Ward - two members of our community whose Every May, Hunter and Paige take a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the National Law enforcement Candlelight Memorial Service

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

William’s son, Hunter, is able to honor his late father by visiting the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. and seeing his father’s name engraved into the memorial wall. testimonies have been woven together to display God’s love and grace in a time where that seems impossible.

These stories stem from the tragic loss of three of the High Country’s finest Law Enforcement Officers – Deputy William Mast, Sargent Chris Ward, and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox. Today, they have a message that we all so desperately need to hear.

Paige Mast-Blevins On July 26, 2012, tragedy struck the High Country when Deputy William Mast was shot and killed while answering the call of a domestic dispute. In a matter of minutes, the life of his wife, Paige, was forever altered. Before this horrible night, Paige and William were a normal couple who lived a normal life. They started dating when William was thirteen years old and enjoyed a decade-long relationship, having dated for seven years and married for three. In their third year of marriage, there was also electricity in the air as they eagerly awaited the birth of their first child, Hunter.

On the day of the shooting, there was no sense of pending disaster. It was a normal day, much like any other day, but as Paige reflected, she could see many blessings that she calls Godthings. The first God-thing was in the way their final day together had started. Being nearly fullterm, Paige was craving a Bo-berry biscuit from

Paige’s late husband, Deputy William Mast

Bojangles, so as any dutiful husband would do, William picked some up on his way back from the gym, then spent some time at the table with Paige chatting and catching up on the morning routines.

When it was time for William to go to work, Paige waved goodbye at the door, which William typically didn’t want to do, because that sort of goodbye felt permanent. Paige did, however, and then went about her day.

Looking back, that day was a blessing. What would have been a normal day of workout routines and daily chores ended up being a day for them to connect one final time. The two spoke on the phone around ten o’clock at night when William had a break in his schedule, then Paige drifted off to sleep until she would be pulled from her bed by a life-altering knock at the door.

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At 3:00 am, Paige was awakened by police officers knocking on her front door. When she answered and saw Aaron Billings (William’s best friend and co-worker), she immediately knew that William was gone and that her worst nightmare had become reality. Looking back, however, even in that very moment where she received the worst news of her life, she could say that having her cousin, Staci Norris, there to support her was a God-thing. Staci’s husband, Seth, was also there having been called in by the Sheriff’s department as a chaplain. No one knew they were cousins, so Paige recognized their presence on her doorstep as a blessing from the Lord. She also has a large dog who is not a fan of human men. Where he would normally start barking and get into the alpha-male mode, he was silent that night and later during the gathering of family and friends at their home shortly after. Even such a small detail of her dog being uncharacteristically quiet and peaceful was a blessing. It was a God-thing.

Once the news was delivered, Paige had to make a trip to the ER. She did her best to hold it together while she was there, but she reached a tipping point and had to retreat into the bathroom. It was all too much, all she wanted to do was sit and hide because coming out and walking back into that room meant facing the reality of her husband’s death. The grief was becoming too overwhelming. By God’s grace, however, she eventually gathered her wits and walked back out, carrying on with the support of her family, friends, and relationship with Jesus.

Just seventeen days after William’s death, her son Hunter was born. Even though it was crushing to know William wasn’t there to meet his son, Paige knew that God gave her Hunter so she could endure these dark days that seemed to have a sorrow-filled gravity that held her in bed. God knew she needed her little boy and her boy needed her, and Paige recognized this dependence as another display of God’s grace over their lives.

As her family, her law enforcement community, and friends continued to rally around her, she

eventually found solid footing and began to focus on helping others and being encouraged by other God-thing moments. Moments like looking past the painful retreat to the bathroom to avoid reality, to the reality of the gospel of Jesus being preached and people accepting Him as their Lord.

Any amount of words will fall short to describe the comfort and hope that brings. But, even with this, God did not cease to pour out his peace and compassion.

“

Just seeing his car drive by their house filled her with peace and was just another way that God spoke to her, saying that William was alright and they were going to be as well.

“

In the months leading up to William’s death, Paige remembers having candid conversations with him about their faith. Paige grew up in a Christian household.

She accepted Christ as an adolescent and became serious about her faith in December of 2008. William grew up knowing about God but as the two of them discussed the nature of their faith, William started to realize that he had not truly accepted Jesus as Lord.

Praise God he made that profession of faith just twenty-five days before he was killed. Because of that profession of faith, Paige can have full assurance that both she and Hunter will see William again.

In November of that same year, William’s police car took on a new owner and happened to drive by one day while Paige was looking out the window. Just seeing his car drive by their house filled her with peace and was just another way that God spoke to her, saying that William was alright and they were going to be as well.

As time marched on, God gave Paige the honor of helping others who have gone through similar hardships. One by one, she

A newfound strength; Paige was able to continue on through the darkest days becaue of Hunter. He needed her, and she needed him too.

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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was given opportunities to speak at CIT (Crisis Intervention Training), NC COPS (Concerns for Police Survivors), and built relationships with other widows to comfort them as one who has been where they are and understands their struggles.

The blessings continued to come as Hunter would tell his mother about the dreams he had of his dad, how he would take walks with him and talk with him. This happened, not once, but on many occasions. Paige even had one dream, after a bout of worry and concern over the multitude of questions floating around in her head. In her dream, she sat across the table from William and he told her to ask all her questions and he would answer them. She proceeded to do just that, and

though she could not remember a single answer he gave when she woke up, he had given her answers and that was all she needed to move forward.

Now, nearly a decade after this horrible event, God has blessed her and Hunter with a new family member. Paige was remarried to Kody Blevins, who has given her and Hunter a new chapter in life. They have also expanded their family with the birth of their daughter, Harper, in 2018. God has provided a man that doesn’t want to come and erase the memory of a previous husband and father but rather wants to ensure his memory lives on, encouraging Hunter to think of William often.

As our discussion ended, Paige reminded me that she is still not whole. A piece of her will always be missing, but as she recounted the last nine

years, she recognized that she was blessed to have gone through this season of life and has been able to see fruit from the trials.

God was and still is using this time in her life to bring about good things in her life, the lives of those she can speak into, and to ultimately bring glory to His name.

God has poured out an abundance of blessings for Paige and Hunter, bringing the two of them Kody and Harper to complete their family.

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As I interviewed her, I was encouraged by just how many times Paige gave the glory to God by mentioning all the little God-things and using terms like “God saw fit to give me.” How many of us, if we are truly honest with ourselves, could come out on the other side of a tragedy like this and proclaim the goodness of God like that? It is truly remarkable to find such a strong faith that can look at such a terrible event and point to the power of God’s goodness.

In 2012, a 5K called Hunter’s Heros was established to support and remember all public safety members and their families. At the 8th annual race in 2021, Hunter was able to join in and run as well.

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David Ward with his son, Chris Ward, and Chris’s nephew Samuel

Lights that Shine in the Darkness: David Ward HOW A GRIEVING FATHER FOUND STRENGTH IN HIS HEAVENLY FATHER

By Nate Roten with David Ward

O

David Ward n April 28, 2021, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department dispatched officers to a home for a welfare check where a thirteenhour standoff ensued. This resulted in the death of two officers: Sargent Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox as well as the family that was in the home.

The entire High Country followed the reports throughout the day hoping and praying that the standoff would resolve peacefully. Unfortunately, we were reminded of the dangers our law enforcement face daily. Tragedy struck our little mountain community once again.

David, the father of Sargent Ward, was two hours away when he received the call that his son Chris had been shot. He immediately did as any parent would do in the situation and rushed back up the mountain as fast as humanly possible while praying that God would save his son’s life. Praying was all he could do. What else could anyone do? David had

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experienced loss when his wife, Libby, had passed away in 2010. He felt God’s love then through the compassion of his family and friends, but even this didn’t prepare him for the loss of a child. Yet, while the uncertainty and dread continued to churn in his stomach, he was also filled with a peace and felt God confirming that He will be holding his hand throughout this time.

David was met by members of the Sheriff’s Department when he arrived in Boone, who stood with him steadfastly, yet in equal shock, as they loaded Chris on an emergency flight to the medical center in Johnson City, Tennessee. David sat in a small room of the hospital surrounded by law enforcement with other family members: Chris’ wife Candice, Chris’ daughter Molly and her boyfriend, Grant; his sister Keisha and brother-in-law, Kyle; and David’s close friend, Betty Wood. As he waited to receive any updates, he felt almost nothing at all.

He was numb and in shock. They were all in doubt of the type of news the next moments would bring,

Father & Son; David and Chris Ward back in the 80s despite this, there was still a lingering peace in David’s heart as he reflected on a Monday night years ago where Chris had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Being a Pastor, David wanted to comfort those around him, but God showed His compassion by sending a hospital chaplain to remind him that it was okay to take the time to process and mourn as a dad for a while. Soon after, David’s Pastor joined them in Johnson City, and they all processed the terrible news together that no parent wants to receive.

It was during this time that he connected with the 23rd psalm more deeply. David felt the hollowness and sorrow of being in the literal valley

of death’s shadow, and yet, he knew God had him by the hand the entire time. The Good Shepherd was comforting him.

There is a verse that has always been close to David’s heart, which is Jeremiah 33:3, which says,

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Even before the death of his son, he would often be reminded of this verse in odd ways. Many times, he would just happen to glance at his watch or even wake up randomly and squint at the clock that showed a time of 3:33. It happened again in the hospital. David would look at the time and it was exactly 3:33 and he would be reminded of that verse. God was using his word to bring comfort.

That wasn’t the only time God used the words of scripture to minister to David. Upon returning home, he was comforted by many of his Pastor friends, family, as well as his church community at Westside Baptist Church that following Sunday.

Just a few days after Chris’ death, Candice had also given David Chris’ Bible, which was a treasure.

On the next Sunday (Mother’s Day), David’s mother was watching a preacher on TV who was preaching on Isaiah 57:15. At the same time, their church was preparing for revival and Isaiah 57:15 was a key verse for one of the sermons. Coincidence?

Hardly. On top of two mentions of the same verse, David noticed something in Chris’ Bible. As he turned to Isaiah 57, he saw that Chris had marked up verse 15, having highlighted the word eternity and underlined the phrase with him.

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For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

God was using the truth of scripture to reassure David that his son was okay. Chris was right there at His side and always will be. As David told the church about Chris’ Scriptural highlights, everyone was amazed at the presence of God and the comfort He gives.

Incredibly, David explained that from that time until now, he has never been angry. He has been blessed with incredible support from his church and the law enforcement community. He has drawn peace from scripture and prayer. Was he heartbroken? Of course, but he hasn’t assigned blame or desired to sit in the judge’s seat to condemn. It was only by the grace of

God that anger and bitterness didn’t take over.

That isn’t a phenomenon we encounter often. It is only by the Spirit of God that we can react in such a humble and God-honoring way. David allowed the fruit of the Spirit to have its work in his mind and heart. Instead of growing angry and callous, he poured out his grieving heart to God and sought to allow God’s glory to be on display. The only question he asked during this time was, “why my son?”

And God was faithful to answer. In return, God simply asked the question back to David.

“Why my Son?” That is when the reality of the gospel from God’s vantage point hit home. God the Father fully understands what it is like to experience the death of a son. He knows full well the heartache and pain that comes with seeing your child being hurt. God isn’t a distant ruler of the universe who keeps his creation at an arm’s-length. No, He sent His Son as light into the darkness knowing exactly what would happen.

Jesus would be mistreated throughout the lifetime of his earthly ministry. He would be mocked, beaten beyond human recognition, unjustly tried in the courts, and executed in the most painful way possible. God extends His grace and compassion as the One who can completely sympathize with what David was going through. He could because He endured the same horrors.

That one answer, “why my Son?” was all David needed to continue to lean on God in complete dependence to carry him through this time. God had proven himself to be real, engaged, trustworthy, and sufficient in a way David had never experienced before.

David’s late son, Sargent Chris Ward

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

A proud father; David Ward with his daughter Keisha and his son Chris

“

“

Instead of growing angry and callous, he poured out his grieving heart to God and sought to allow God’s glory to be on display.

As our time together ended, David reiterated a point that is vitally important for us to hear. He said he drew strength and peace from God’s word and time with Him in prayer. Like Hebrews 4:12 says, God’s word is living and active, and he allows tragedy in our lives to bring Him glory. We may not always

be able to see how that works until much later, but God’s name is to be praised, not condemned. We don’t blame God for events like these, we praise him in the midst of it because He is worthy of all praise at all times.

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

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Lights that Shine in the Darkness: Key Takeaways

By Nate Roten

T

he testimonies of Paige Mast Blevins and David Ward are separated by nine years, and yet, there is a central message that both are telling. It’s a message Paige and David have accepted, and it’s a message to our loving, diverse, small-town community. They are truths that speak into our culture, and yet, transcends culture to be relevant to anyone at any time.

Having heard their powerful stories with some time to reflect on them, I believe they are both explaining three essential truths plus a call to action, and if we miss them, then we will lose out on so much beneficial fruit produced in life’s hardest circumstances. Thankfully, most of us have not had to walk through challenging circumstances like the tragic death of a spouse or a child. So, if we are blessed to be spared from this level of heartache, let’s be diligent to learn the lessons taught from those who have endured it.

Truth #1: God is real and comforts His own The first takeaway is that God is real and he offers a real relationship with real love and abundant compassion. Did you see how both Paige and David were comforted by God? It came in different forms, but He was present and engaged in their time of pain and sorrow.

For Paige, He poured out His compassion in consistent, small doses she described as ‘Godthings.’ God was in the details, nothing being too ordinary or small for God to use. Even something so trivial as a quiet and submissive dog that is usually loud and dominant or William’s police car driving by her house.

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For David, God was constantly taking him to His word and strengthening him through prayer. Many times throughout the day, God would draw his attention to Jeremiah 3:33 and Isaiah 57:15, reiterating His love and confirming Chris’ eternal status.

God is a God of action and compassion for his people.

He isn’t just a distant cosmic ruler, but a heavenly Father who loves his children. He loves us so much that he was willing to send his own Son, Jesus, to suffer and die at the hands of cruel men so that by his sacrifice, we may be redeemed to a restored relationship with Him, both now and in eternity.

He is also a God who shows his love through the compassion of his people. Over and over again, both David and Paige described the support they received from their community. That same support and empathy extending out to the Fox and Ligon family as well. Fortunately, our community as a whole has seen the event as a tragedy for all parties involved and have responded with the love that Christ asks of his people. The Spirit is called the Comforter, and for those who have God’s Spirit inside them, He can be a fountain of comfort that defies reason. He ministers to His people directly, and yet, scripture also tells us that other Christians are also God’s chosen means to minister to His people. We were created to be in community and relationships so that we could uphold and support one another. In fact, there are over thirty references to the ‘one anothers’ in the New Testament, one of which is to bear one another’s burdens. So, their stories bear witness that the Sovereign God of creation proved faithful as he comforted and upheld them in their darkest days.

Truth #2: True peace and forgiveness are attributes of the Spirit As you read through David’s story, did you find it odd that he never got angry? Wouldn’t that be the default reaction for most of us, especially in our culture of social justice? Wouldn’t we all cry out for justice? Wouldn’t we become angry and bitter at the senseless loss of life? And if we were honest with ourselves, wouldn’t we seek an outlet for that anger whether it was poured out on someone or even on God Himself?

Or what about an uncommon peace that settles in a heart that has been completely broken. Isn’t that the opposite of what we would expect when someone we love is taken from us in such a sudden and violent way? Both Paige and David explained how there were times where this inexplicable peace came over them. We can somewhat relate to and empathize with the parts of grief holding them down in the bed or staying hidden in a room so that reality doesn’t have to be dealt with. That we can understand. What is hard for many of us to grasp are the times where the opposite of what we think should happen ends up being the case.

When we see people react with uncommon grace, it is only because they are displaying what is called the fruit of the Spirit. When peace replaces rage, it is not from the human will, but is a product of being in a relationship with God. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Peace in heartache. Joy in sorrow. Love in others and for God’s glory in a time where the heart is completely shattered. Being willing to let go of a personal sense of justice into the hands of a God who will judge justly. These aren’t normal human reactions. They are evidence that God’s nature and attributes are at work in the person.

Paige and David displayed the fruit of the Spirit in the midst of losing those most precious to them.

I think they would both say that this wasn’t a reflection of how good-natured they are, but is proof of a holy God doing a good work in their lives. Just like the moon has no inherent light within itself but can only reflect the light of the sun, so too God’s people can reflect His glory in the darkest of nights. Why? So that the brilliance of His glory might be made known and understood. This truth leads us to the third takeaway.

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Truth #3: God doesn’t promise to prevent tragedy, but to walk with us and use it for His glory.

Nowhere in scripture are we told that we are exempt from pain or loss. It’s a common mistake in our western Christian culture to think that upon becoming a follower of Christ, everything will go well from that moment onward. We think that once

William and Paige on a Christmas hunting trip to Holmes County Ohio Nine years after losing her husband, she stands in multiple positions of influence. She has ongoing opportunities to positively influence others through her work with CIT (Crisis Intervention Training), NC COPS (Concerns for Police Survivors), and building relationships with other widows of fallen officers. He restored her family by giving her Kody and another child. In short, there is a greater purpose to her life. If it wasn’t felt before, it certainly is now.

David and Paige both experienced the love of a community. Don’t you think that is a grace they have been given? This article bears witness to two stories that show an entire community of thousands that God is real, faithful, loving, and compassionate.

There is purpose in the pain. That purpose is to point to an eternal truth, which is our second point…

we say yes to Christ, we will only experience his blessings and prosperity, sheltered from the woes of this world.

In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact of the matter is that we still live in a broken world marred by sin. We aren’t exempt from living in this world and the pain it produces. It is unreasonable to think that we could live in such an environment and remain untouched by it.

No, we are not sheltered from hurt and loss, but we are promised that God will be with us in the dark valleys, just like Psalm 23 says. We are reassured that God will indeed work out all things for good for the sake of those that love Him, and I believe there are two main reasons why it happens this way.

First, as just stated, God will work out all our experiences for our good. We may ask how on earth good can come from senseless death. That’s a fair question to ask. While we may not see the fullness of that answer on this side of heaven, I think it is easy to see it in part from Paige’s story.

Hard times like these display God’s glory. We are the moon. He is the sun. We are created to reflect his brilliance, not our own. During both interviews, it was stated multiple times that they don’t want the spotlight. They want God to get the glory. He alone is worthy of it. There is great power in allowing people to bear witness to your hardship. It is a mercy that strengthens one another and points to something (or rather someone) that is bigger than ourselves. God gets to be magnified.

A Call to Action: Our Law Enforcement Deserves our full support Just like we can never fully understand what Paige and David have walked through unless we have also experienced the same circumstance, we can never fully understand or appreciate all that our police force does for us. Unfortunately, we live in a culture that is growing increasingly callous toward the very ones that put their lives on the line, and it is shameful. Thankfully our small mountain community doesn’t have the hard edge like many other cities in the United States, but stories like these should remind us of the sacrifices they make to serve and protect us and how we should honor and respect their service.

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If we are to be a community that reflects the loving and caring nature of the God we want others to know and love, then can we allow the testimony of David and Paige to prompt us to action? Like the days following 9-11, our town was stirred to action in the wake of the deaths of Sgt. Ward and Deputy Fox. It was a heartfelt reaction to a tragic event.

strikes? Our support doesn’t need to always be in the limelight, but rather, I think we could better serve them in normal, everyday circumstances that serve as a constant reminder that they are appreciated, respected, and cared for.

May our community “realize that we are all

created to live in service to one another to reflect the glory of the God who made us..

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“

But, can these stories show us how to love and support the ones who protect us before tragedy strikes? In the Bible-belt south, can our little community demonstrate to the rest of the nation how to act upon the ‘one anothers’ of scripture and love our Law Enforcement so they can be encouraged and supported every day and not after disaster

May our community realize that we are all created to live in service to one another to reflect the glory of the God who made us, who loves us, and who made a way to be reconciled back to His love through a relationship with Jesus.

David’s family, friends, and church were who he found strength in during a tragic time; The Ward Family (Left to Right) Samuel, Molly, Chris, Candice, Benjamin, David, Katie, Betty Wood, Keisha, and Kyle Hicks

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Changing Seasons

Brent Westergren and Hannah Lackey Picture taken at Brent and Hannah’s future home this fall before their wedding.

REFLECTIONS DURING THE SEASON OF PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES, APPLE PICKING AND FALL FESTIVITIES

R

By Hannah Lackey

ussian tea, cinnamon candles, fresh fall leaves, and baked pumpkin seeds- these are the fall smells of my childhood that I savor during this time of year. Growing up, each season of the year brought new family activities, church functions, and school events that shaped my upbringing and who I am today. For some unknown reason, as I believe

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with many other fellow North Carolinians, the season of fall became my favorite. The color of the leaves, the start of school, fall festivals, pumpkin carving, and Thanksgiving meals are all childhood highlights. Regardless of the season of year, whether my beloved fall or not, growing up in Lincoln County in a Christian family was a precious gift that I would never trade. Christ and my family were, and still

are today, my anchors. These anchors are what ground me during the everchanging tides -dare I say, seasonswithin culture, churches, politics, and personal life events.

in fifth-grade: I decided that no matter the cost, I was going to dedicate my life, including every job, spoken word, project, college choice, spouse choice, and friendship to Christ. Jesus became my Lord and Savior. While I may not have understood the implications of my decision at the time, it has continued to be evident throughout my life.

“I decided that no matter the

So when did these anchors begin to secure my bodily vessel? When I was in fifth-grade, I attended a tent revival at my local Baptist church. You all know what I’m referring to, right?

The kind of revival where an evangelist comes to preach in a hot and sweaty, stained, white tent in the middle of a ballfield? The evangelist at this specific tent revival preached on the common revival topic of salvation. I was captivated. While I grew up in a Christian family and had heard and read the Bible stories in Sunday school, Sunday morning sermons, and during family devotions at home, I never made Christ my Lord and Savior. The message under that stained, white tent was convicting: I needed a Savior to cleanse me of my own stains and I needed to dedicate my life to Christ. As convicting as the sermon was, I did not decide to follow Christ during those subsequent nights. I wrestled with thoughts of doubt, fear of shame, and an overwhelming sense of guilt. After several weeks passed, I finally decided to talk to my parents. I couldn’t pass up another night of rest, both mentally and physically. After speaking with my parents and my pastor, I finally decided to give my life to Christ. In our southern Christian culture we say, “I asked Jesus into my heart,” or “I accepted Christ,” or “I got saved.”

While all of these terms are relevant in our microcosm of fried food and good hospitality, I would like to ascribe a deeper phrase to the weight of that decision

cost, I was going to dedicate my life, including every job, spoken word, project, college choice, spouse choice, and friendship to Christ.

Since that profound moment, life’s seasons have brought many changes, trials, and decisions. While I could write pages upon pages of the triumphs, joys, failures, and hardships I have faced in my life, I’ll narrow it down to a few recent anecdotes. After accepting Christ, most of my life appeared to be “normal.” I attended middle school and high school, graduated from Liberty University with both my undergraduate degree and Master’s, and started a job with Samaritan’s Purse. Granted, there were some profound moments even during these seasons of life; not to mention the breathtaking fall Parkway hikes and apple picking in the high country. Yet, life’s greatest challenges and joys were still to come.

“

From left to right: Angie Lackey, Hannah Lackey, Mary Lou Lackey, Carl Lackey - The Lackey family enjoying a windy fall hike at Rough Ridge.

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Father and daughter, Carl Lackey and Hannah Lackey celebrating Carl’s 50th birthday with his favorite soda, Cheerwine. Cheers to 50! call, I immediately caved as the tears began to stream. I started begging God to save my dad’s life.

After all, my wedding was in three months. I couldn’t afford to lose the man that would walk me down the aisle, give me away, practice the daddydaughter dance, and then sway on that dance floor on the last day I would be legally called his. To be honest, I’m not sure how I pushed through the immediate fear, other than through the supernatural intervention of God and my family’s support.

Through God’s abundant grace, my dad stayed off the ventilator and returned home after a week in the ICU.

This past year (2021) I have experienced some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Memorial Day weekend, my dearly loved fiancé proposed to me. What could be more joyful than to say “yes, absolutely yes” to the man that wanted to pursue Christ and His will alongside me. However, in the same year, during the month of July, I watched my dad battle COVID-19 from afar. Within 12 hours, my dad’s symptoms progressed from a fever to an extreme shortness of breath as he was transferred to the ICU, inhaling the maximum oxygen flow. I still remember the chilling Sunday morning call from my mom: “Hannah, your dad is being transferred to ICU and is close to being on a ventilator.” After that

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After the constant adrenaline rush earlier this year, it is difficult to mentally come back to earth. As fall approaches, and the anticipated changes that marriage will bring, I can’t help but to look back on this past year and ponder the stability I maintained throughout the many different seasons of life. God truly has been faithful to me, my fiancé, and my family. The words describing God that we learned in Sunday school, including “faithful, steadfast, and merciful” are more real to me now than they ever have been before. Even as I write this small testimony, I tear up thinking about the goodness of God this year. Our world needs to hear this goodness now more than ever. Through the recent election, COVID-19 pandemic, and shifting

culture paradigms, it has become evident that society needs an anchor-- an anchor for truth, justice, love and mercy. This anchor for me is and always will be Christ. I pray that the Holy Spirit will infiltrate our small town of Boone, nestled safely in the rolling hills of the high country as His people pray, meet the needs of the homeless, love the elderly when they can’t leave their homes, care for those who are vulnerable to COVID-19, host university students in their homes, comfort those who have lost loved ones, and speak gracious truth in spheres of local government. As we enjoy the changing colored leaves, pumpkin lattes, turkey dinners, and fall festivities with friends and family, may we hold fast to the anchor of our soul during the ever-changing seasons.

Hannah Lackey Picutre taken this fall

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52 | Alliance Insurance Group

34 | Dom Bakeries - Wilkesboro

34 | Lifestore

47 | AMOREM

18 | Dougnet

39 | Los Arcoiris Mexican Restaurant

25 | Appalachian Furniture

07 | Dr. Pepper, Triangle Vending, TYH

17 | Margate Health & Rehab

55 | Appalachian Health Care

40 | Flooring Outlet

40 | McDonald’s - Boone

17 | Appalachian Legacy Funeral Services

32 | Frosty’s Choose & Cut

32 | Melanie’s Food Fantasy

26 | Arete Engineers

29 | The Goldsmith

08 | Morris Hatton Ministries

25 | Ashe County Department of Social Services

17 | Goodman & Boston, CPAs, PA

08 | Mountain Advantage Tree & Landscape

07 | Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group

40 | Grace Lutheran Church

16 | New River Building Supply

48 | Austin & Barnes Funeral Home

18 | Greene Construction Inc.

02 | Parker Tie Co.

12 | Bare’s Tire and Auto Repair

52 | H & W Oil Company

48 | Peak Insurance

48 | Beverly Guy Accounting

26 | Hampton Funeral Home

39 | Pollard Glass Co.

15 | Blue Ridge Insurance Service

26 | Hampton’s Body Shop

34 | Precision Cabinets

40 | Bojangles

48 | Hardee’s - Boone & Ashe

01 | Samaritan’s Purse

25 | Boone Rent-All

33 | High Country 365 Dining Pass

47 | Scott Brothers

23 | Budget Blinds

48 | High Country Insurance Services

08 | Skyline/Skybest

48 | Castle Auto Repair

39 | High Mountain Creekside Cabins

17 | Smoky Mountain Barbecue

53 | Chandler Concrete

25 | Highland Landscape Supplies

08 | Steve Johnson Auto World

54 | Chetola Resort

36 | Jason Cornett - Farm Bureau

07 | Stick Boy Bread Company

03 | Chick-Fil-A Boone

07 | Jeff’s Plumbing

40 | Top Notch Hearing

39 | Church of Jesus Christ

26 | Jefferson Rent-All

26 | Town Of Boone Public Works

34 | Current Chiropractic

39 | Johnny Carson - Farm Bureau

43 | Wall to Wall Construction

15 | Dacchille Construction Company

39 | Legacy Pre-Finishing

20 | Watsonatta Western World

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THE JOURNEY | Winter 2021

High Country Holiday Bucket List Experience the wonder of Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort Support Western Youth Network during the Festival of Trees Go on a Scavenger Hunt for Elf on a Shelf at Tanger Outlets Attend a High Country Christmas parade Shop a Holiday Artisan Market & support local artists Pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child Write Christmas cards or bake cookies to spread holiday cheer

As we celebrate God’s great gift this holiday season, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

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Winter 2021

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