Dear family and friends...

I know many of you were unable to tune in to the live radio broadcast on Tuesday, February 23 of Talk from the Heart with Rich Buhler where Drake and I were guests sharing Judson's story and promoting the upcoming release of Jud's book Eyes that See.  We were honored by the opportunity and blessed by our time at the station.  If you missed the interview, you can listen by clicking the following link:

Talk from the Heart Radio Interview with Rich Buhler

Please note: There are two areas where there is a blip in the recording, but little content is missed.

As always, thank you for your love and support!

With gratitude,
Christina (on behalf of Drake too)

P.S.  There will also be an encore broadcast this weekend at 7 am PST on both Saturday and Sunday at KBRT740.com or southern CA residents can tune in to AM 740.

Dear family and friends…

We have very exciting news to share with regard to Judson’s book.

But before I delve into the good news, I want to provide a little context about the publishing industry for those of you who, like me, have limited knowledge about the business…

In recent years there has been an explosion of books on the market.  Approximately 290,000 books were published last year, just in the United States.  Because of the sheer volume, nowadays most traditionally published books are be put into full distribution –meaning they are available everywhere books are sold by purchasing online or placing an order through a bookstore—but only a very small percentage of those books actually make it onto bookstore shelves.  It is estimated that less than 15% of books published each year are actually carried in stores by retailers.   And of those 15%, the five largest publishers (Random House, Harper Collins, Time Warner, etc.) account for about 80% of shelved books.  All that to say, for an unknown, no-name, first-time author, published by a small, Christian publishing house out of Oklahoma to be picked up by a major book retailer for in-store sales is extremely rare.  Hence the exciting news…

Barnes & Noble has decided to carry Eyes that See on their shelves. 

Our publisher met last Thursday with the buyer for Barnes & Noble and, though the specific details have yet to be determined, they have chosen to include Eyes that See in their summer line-up of new books in stores.  And because Barnes & Noble is the leading in-store book retailer worldwide, other bookstores are expected to follow.  This is HUGE news for the little book that grew organically out of the life and death of our precious boy.

So here is the low-down… Eyes that See is currently in Early Release and available now for immediate purchase exclusively at STORYofJUDSON.com.  The Official Release date remains April 6, 2010 at which time the book will be in full distribution and available everywhere books are sold (online or in-store ordering).  Then in July 2010 Eyes that See is expected to be on Barnes & Noble shelves.

We are grateful, encouraged, and trust we are continuing to see God at work in Judson’s story.  Understandably our hearts are all wrapped up in this project as it feels like a piece of our beloved son, but we want to move forward with open hands, constantly surrendering our hopes for the legacy of our boy, allowing God to work however he may choose. 

Thank you so much for your love and support.  It means the world to us!

Always missing Jud,
Christina (on behalf of Drake too)

Dear family and friends…

We have two especially exciting things to share with you.

A couple months ago our publisher informed us that they had selected Eyes that See: Judson’s Story as one of their “Focus Titles” for the year.  This is a HUGE honor in that out of the hundreds of books they publish annually, they only choose approximately 16-20 books as “Focus Titles.”  These books receive extra marketing and promotion by the publisher and are highlighted as their top books. 

Consequently, our publisher has a big meeting regarding Judson’s book this Thursday, February 11th.  Without going into detail, the outcome of this meeting could make a marked impact on the promotion and visibility of Judson’s story.  We are asking for your prayers—for God to be especially present as the Director of Marketing represents Judson’s story, for Eyes that See to be well-received, and that God would continue to bless this project by opening doors.

Speaking of open doors, we are honored by an invitation to be guests on the radio program Talk from the Heart with Rich Buhler.  Talk from the Heart is a long-standing radio program airing in southern CA on KBRT AM 740 weekdays from 3-5 pm.   We will be joining Rich on Tuesday, February 23 from 4-5 pm PST.  Non-local listeners can also catch a live stream of the program at KBRT740.com.  We feel privileged to be able to share Judson’s story in this way.

Thank you for blessing us with your love, support, and prayers!

With gratitude,
Christina (on behalf of Drake too)

Dear family and friends,

Going into Tuesday night’s book signing at Starbucks near our home in Costa Mesa, we didn’t know what to expect—it was the first book signing for Eyes that See and full of apprehension for Christina.  Even though book-signings are an expectation from the publisher, it felt like a risk and we half-wondered whether Christina would spend much of her time just twiddling her thumbs at the table hoping people might stop by.

As it turned out, Christina didn’t have any time to twiddle her thumbs with the many who came out to support us.  Friends showed up to the event early and a steady stream of people came through Starbucks until after 7 p.m., the scheduled end-time.  All in all, we had over a hundred folks of all ages join us.  We were honored and encouraged by the outpouring of love and kind words from so many and enjoyed all the activity at our favorite Starbucks—what a blessing!

We’re grateful to all who joined us that night to celebrate Judson’s life and the book that shares his story.  We are also very thankful to our hosts at Starbucks on Harbor and Wilson, to Dean and Sarah for helping us sell books and keep an eye on Jessie, and especially to Cristina Robeck for taking photos throughout the night—she really captured the vibe of the event!  (See more event photos on Judson’s Facebook Page.)

How many more signings will Christina do?  Time will tell…  But we were certainly blessed by the celebration we had Tuesday night and grateful for the opportunity to share Jud’s story in this way!

With gratitude,
Drake (on behalf of Christina too)

Dear family and friends…

With Jud's book Eyes that See now in limited-release much has been happening for our family.

Many of you may have already noticed, but Judson’s website has been significantly upgraded with a great deal of new material, including:

1. Eyes that See page
2. Book Trailer Video
3. Judson’s Legacy Speaking Ministry (Listen to clips of Christina and Drake speaking)
4. Opportunity to Donate to Hunter’s Hope in Judson’s Honor
5. A Brief Biography of Judson
6. And so much more…

If you haven’t done so, we hope you will take a little time to look around and rediscover STORYofJUDSON.com.

Christina is also having her first book signing this Tuesday, December 8^th from 5 - 7 pm at our favorite Starbucks in Costa Mesa on the corner of Harbor and Wilson.  If you live in the area we would be blessed by your presence.  Come grab a coffee and a copy of the book (or bring your copy if you already have one) or simply come celebrate with us!  Click here to learn more.

We are also honored to have had the Daily Pilot, a local newspaper affiliate of the L.A. Times, pick up the story.  The article titled “Family Sees Past Loss to Gratitude,” published in the Sunday, December 6 edition is available online at http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2009/12/05/entertainment/dpt-levasheff120609.txt.  We are grateful for their interest in Judson’s story!

We want to offer many thanks to all who have eagerly purchased a copy of Eyes that See – what a great encouragement to us!  We also want to let you know that we are giving away two free copies of the book...simply post your name in the comment section of Christina’s 500^th blog post and two names will be drawn to select the recipients.

Our lives are full.  Our hearts are full.  We are grateful.

Much love and gratitude,
Christina and Drake

Dear family and friends…

Today marks two years.  Two years without our beloved son.  Two years of mourning.  Two years of longing.  Two years of heartache.

The day Judson died we could not imagine surviving two years without our Juddy…we could not imagine making it even one day without our boy.  But here we are, two years later.  Slowly, and with a severe limp, we have been putting one foot in front of the other.  The darkness of November 7th has gradually been touched with light.  And as we have been learning to live with the tremendous weight that accompanies suffering and loss, we have been discovering the joy that can even be found in recognizing that our lives are not our own—relinquishing the desires we have for ourselves and submitting to the plan God has for us.

Yet, even has we have been growing in our ability to live in loss, we have continued to seek relationship with our Jud Bud.  We have continued to pursue him, even in his absence.  We have continued to embrace him as our son and Jessie’s brother, never to be a forgotten member of the family.  Trusting Jud is a fully alive boy in heaven, we believe our efforts will ultimately manifest in eternity.  Moreover, we also believe there is much to be gained even in this lifetime through our on-going relationship with Jud.

And there is no question we have been inspired by Judson.  He is continuing to reshape the very fabric of our lives, giving us vision for our future, stimulating our ministry as a family, and challenging us to be faithful servants.

We often step back and wonder with tears, aches, and pain how this became our journey and would give anything to return to the life we had before Judson got sick.  But we are also overcome with gratitude for the ways God has been moving and working.  Most of all we just stand in awe that the Lord gave us the incredible privilege of parenting such a blessing of a boy, even if it was only 2 years 10+ months.

But that great privilege also continues to stir our grief.  Grief stinks.  Grief separates.  Grief isolates.  Grief makes us vulnerable.  Grief fatigues.  Grief is needy.  Grief is hard.  But what has blown us away as we have approached two whole years of living without Jud, is that people still remember.  People still care.  People still pray.  People still think of us.  People still reach out.  Even when grief stinks, we are so grateful to know we are not alone.

Thank you.

With love and gratitude,
Christina (on behalf of Drake too)

Dear family and friends…

Many who read these updates were journeying and praying for our family during Judson’s illness, crying out to God with us for healing.  God did not heal our son.  But in the process, he is giving us a ministry of comfort to those who suffer.

This update is to ask you to consider partnering with us again in prayer, this time crying out to God with us for the healing of many hearts through Jud’s story.

We have been lead to start a ministry, Judson’s Legacy, in honor of our boy.  It will exist to encourage, challenge, and comfort people with the hope of Jesus Christ through writing, speaking, and audio/visual media. In addition, we will partner with compassionate organizations, like Hunter’s Hope, that minister to those who suffer.

If we have learned anything through Judson’s affliction, it is that God moves mightily in people’s hearts when his Church comes together bowed before the Throne, calling upon the Lord to manifest his kingdom here on earth.  Our God is a God of comfort, reflecting his heavenly reign.  He has comforted our family in our troubles and we long to extend that comfort to others (2 Corinthians 1:4).

As I write this letter, Judson’s book, Eyes that See, is now in the hands of the printer.  Would you join us in prayer for this project?  Would you ask our Father to pour out his Spirit through the pages of this book, that all who read would encounter God in a new or fresh way?  Would you ask the Lord to begin preparing hearts to pick up and read Judson’s story?  Would you ask God to continue to make our Juddy a blessing?  Whether it be people reading the book, or invitations to speak, or opportunities to write more articles, or through watching Judson’s videos, would you ask God to open doors for this ministry?  Please also pray that God would place a hedge of protection around our family as we further engage this battle that is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).

We believe he is calling us to use the gifts he has given us coupled with the journey and story that has become ours.  We want to be faithful.

We are incredibly grateful for your partnership in prayer, support, and love!

With hope,
Christina (on behalf of Drake too)

Dear family and friends…

As the season is changing—pumpkins displayed in every store, talk of costumes, and the smell of hot cider—the leaves on Judson’s tree are turning brown.  Watching his sycamore slowly lose its foliage seems to aptly reflect the cycle of dying that seems to occur in my heart with the onset of Fall.  The intensity of pain has increased several notches as we are surrounded with seasonal reminders that bring us back to the last weeks with our little man.

It is strange to be one month from the second anniversary of Judson’s death.  What would otherwise be considered a significant amount of time, allowing much to occur—our precious lady growing from a toddler into a little girl, a book on the brink of being published, a documentary in the works, and many more gray hairs—our hearts feel the ache of holding our Jud Bud while he took his last breaths as if it were yesterday.

We feel pressures with the lapse of time, as if we should somehow feel different than we do: both internal and external pressures constantly poking at our tender places, elevating our fears and frustrations.  And it becomes a constant necessity to throw ourselves into the arms of our Heavenly Father, begging him to allow his perspective, and not that of anyone else, to speak loudly into our raw places.

And he does.  He reminds us that he loves us.  He reminds us that we are his.  He reminds us that he is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and yet still cares deeply for little ol’ us.  He reminds us that he is enough.  And oh, how we need to be reminded that he is enough!

As we soon enter our third year of living without Jud, after November 7th I expect I will no longer write a Levasheff Update each month, but rather, periodically update when there is new “news” in our lives.  I will continue to regularly write in my “No Artificial Colors or Flavors” blog, which I’ve always intended to be my raw, honest experience of life…in the last two and a half years, my entries have obviously been colored mostly by my journey with Jud, but as time passes I imagine it will morph into other things as well.

Though we ache and cry and continue to groan, we have much to be thankful for.  Our hearts are especially full as we consider the people who have consistently walked with us through the highs, lows, and deeply broken places, even sacrificing their own comfort by personally feeling our pain.  Thank you for filling us up by genuinely caring!

Much love and gratitude,
Christina (on behalf of Drake too)