Happy Birthday to Shaun

Shaun's Birthday - 2007

It's Shaun's birthday today.

Last year I got to spend it with Shaun. He spent a large part of the day flying. He got up at about 4 am, announced that is was cold and dark and he would just "microwave my underwear and go for it", and flew the cub from Spokane into Salt Lake #2 Airport - landing right about...now! I picked him up - and we drove to Zinn Bistro to celebrate over a dinner of Spinach Crepes.

The next morning we bundled up for some snowmobiling! There was way too much snow and we had to keep moving constantly to avoid getting ridiculously stuck. We rode for a few hours and then bailed to go hop in the plane instead.
Shaun flew us into the mountains - trying to throw me off with some aerobatics - even though that meant the super cub would get covered in splashed oil. I loved flying with Shaun. He made attempts to teach me - but my patience wasn't always as long as my learning curve :)
I always felt completely safe with Shaun - he was certainly a master of his domain. We'd be flying along and all of the sudden he'd pull the stick back and do a backwards loop - then look behind him with a mischievously innocent smile. We hopped around - landing in various fields and diving into mountain gullies... Shaun was at peace when he flew.

Today is probably one of my best memories with Shaun. He held me tight for the first time and I remember wondering how it could possibly be fair that one person could be so incredibly handsome on both the outside and the inside. Shaun has always felt like coming home. I miss him.
Shaun was a sweet little boy - and became an incredible man. His parents and sister are truly some of the best people I've met. The apple didn't fall far from the tree... Norm and Margie - you raised a tremendous son. I feel very blessed to have had him in my life. Thank you.

Merry Christmas - and to quote Shaun - "may the peace of this season yada yada yada"

Happy Birthday Shaun.
Love you.
Heidi

Six Months and Counting

(Photo I took at the beautiful location of Shaun's memorial service)

Shaun’s thoughts:

“The gift of choice started with the fall of Eve :) (Adam didn't have a chance... poor 'ole sap... ha!) The most amazing thing is the concept of free will. The battle between God and Satan is truly not fair. God is going to win. He has all the cards. He even knows the ending, as does Satan. But faith allows us to make a decision to choose God because of our love for God. To know God is to love God. If we could see everything, we'd see just how unfair the battle really is, how God promises more than we can imagine and Satan promises death.

Brian [Brian is Shaun’s friend, a youth pastor in Washington who he greatly admired and respected for dedicating his life to what he believed in] and I were talking about this a few weeks ago, and I enjoyed some of his insights about a few of these details. The thief on the cross turned to Jesus and said, "I want to be in your kingdom some day." (paraphrased New Lunt version) Jesus told the man he would be saved, then they died. Up until then the man had been living a life worthy of criminal punishment, not at all Christ-like. Jesus didn't ask him to say anything special, or to "first do these tasks" or anything else. The man simply believed in Jesus and He was saved.

David is an interesting character in the Bible. He did just about every terrible thing a person could do. One of those "reality is worse than fiction" kind of deals. And yet David is the only person God ever called "a man after My own Heart." David did awful things, and yet he kept coming back to God, asking for forgiveness, asking God to be in his heart. If we were saved by what we did, David would be screwed. But we're saved through God's grace, through Jesus dying on the cross for our sins-- any of them, and us accepting that.

Anyway, all this brings me back to my original thought (though it isn't my thought, I'm stealing from other people, I'm sure)- Anything I do in this life should be aimed at helping to restore God's community with the people He created and loves. By telling people about Jesus, by living an example of a Christ-like life, by treating people well, by showing transparency in my dealings, by loving people as Jesus loves people to open their eyes to Him.

Well, I gotta admit, I find myself drawn toward the first 3 things more easily than the last paragraph. [This was following a silly pseudo-intellectual conversation on what was important in life and whether carpet should be considered toward the top of the list…]. OK, except for the carpet thing. I just really don't care about carpet. I know that is so irresponsible and selfish, but I just don't care. I probably need to attend a shag conference or something. Carpet does so much for me and I just walk all over it.

But anyway, back to what I was starting to say before I so rudely interrupted myself. My paragraph is my latest thoughts on purpose. It continues to evolve, hopefully in a mature and accurate direction. I know it's different than it was even 10 years ago. If someone were to look at my life and guess which paragraph I live by, I'm afraid it wouldn't be obvious enough. So I have a struggle with what I know is ideal, and whether or not I have my priorities in the right place. My friend Brian walks the talk, and I admire him for that. I can talk, but I'm working on the walk.”
~~Note from Shaun – December 2007

Again – I’ve struggled with whether or not to share my personal thoughts, and whether to share Shaun’s personal thoughts. Shaun was a very private person, but when it came to whether or not he could influence another’s life, help another move one step closer to eternity because of his transparency, he would have always chosen to share. I share his and my thoughts now, because he strengthens me, and I hope he can strengthen another heart. It’s unfair he’s gone from the world. I guess I don’t feel like it’s my right to keep his beauty to myself. Some things I’ll selfishly keep… some things I hope to share in an effort to keep expanding his impact.

Today, six months from the date of my heart’s darkest tragedy, please indulge the crudeness of my efforts and allow me to be a bit personal, to cry, to mourn the loss of my soul-friend, and my ‘shining moment in the sun’. In working with troubled relationships and marriages every day, I recognize the elusive nature of depthful connection, and the challenging, yet surreal beauty of its creation. So many can go their whole lives without creating that connection, without finding a person who connects, understands, and touches those deep, dark parts of our souls.

By some beautiful miracle, I found that gift in Shaun. Together, we carefully and respectfully discovered the core of the other, then moved in and set-up camp. Although love is meant to be pure and preciously protected, not all view it as such - and life experiences can jade the heart and lock doors. One's core is justifiably protected and seldom un-earthed... and few possess and develop the individual combination of traits, love, spirit, and courage to embark on that treasured responsibility and then commit to the challenge of fixing and forgiving when we foul it up. I feel blessed to have experienced the miracle - and with someone who amazes me, who inspires me, and who lovingly encourages me to be better simply by being himself. I feel I have been eternally blessed for that gift.

In Shaun’s honor, fight the good fight today. The battle is waging, but the outcome is already determined. The only defining point yet to be seen is whether or not we will allow ourselves to forget the truth and become a casualty of deception. Be good. Be honest. Try to love those that you have a hard time loving. And remember that ‘courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.’

To those that are aching for Shaun today (and every day). I’m praying for you. I hope you feel him in your heart and hear his soft encouragement and laughter in your mind. I hope we reach out for our Savior and find the light at the end of the too-dark tunnel. Shaun’s core believed in something real. He sacrificed for it. He cried for it. He lived for it. As Shaun’s Dad beautifully closes his thoughts with… Fly to Jesus, Shaun.

Loving you.

Heidi

(Shaun’s family has posted a video of Shaun that his Dad took moments before Shaun embarked on his final flight to Alaska. A film company based out of New York heard about Shaun and was interested in highlighting Shaun’s adventures in a movie on Real Life Adventurers. The film company requested a home-video for voice quality and visual perception purposes only. You can view this video on Shaun’s blog – www.shaunlunt.typepad.com)

Birthday Wishes - Nov. 2008

It’s my birthday today. I spent the better part of the day today reading through Shaun’s notes, emails, etc. I’ve avoided much of that over the last couple of months… thinking that it might relieve some pain. It hasn’t… it’s just made things feel… well, empty.
Re-living where we were a year ago today, I have had the biggest smile on my face that I’ve had for months. Granted, there were tears flowing freely, but the sweetness of his heart, his witty charm, chased the darkness out and made me laugh the gut laugh! Like he always has, his humor, his silliness, and his love lit a flame of warmth and light inside me.

Shaun is so clever and delightful with words… but he is also so concerned, real, and humble in his testimony. It seems like his words are more for me right now than they were then…

“I don't understand it all. God tells me I won't understand it all until I'm with Him. Ahh, there it is again... faith. Man that's a tough one. For whatever God has in store for you, I don't know, but I know he'll take care of you for relying on Him. His Grace is sufficient. We all hurry to make our lives something, but I think God's timeline is much different. He's working in our lives through a process of us learning to trust Him. Patience is something I struggle with, seems like it's been long enough, in my eyes. And yet I pray for God's Will to be done...so I must let it be His Will and not mine.”
- Shaun Lunt – 12/01/07

Such a sweet man. He simply and transparently shares words of wisdom.
I wish he were here.
I wish I were there.

Anybody know if Birthday wishes on candles actually come true? Except I didn't actually have a cake... or a candle...

But, as Shaun reminds me even now, faith has to win. God’s timeline is different than my own. Bad days eventually come to an end. Heavenly promises are always kept. He’s working in our lives… be patient… let it be His will and not mine.

Missing you always.
Heidi

Isaiah 41:10 - For the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Nine Weeks

Last night was another of many long, sleepless, and tearful nights. It has been 9 weeks, and the ache in my heart has not diminished. If anything, the passing of time makes his absence that much more acute. 

When I think of Shaun, I find myself smiling through the tears. He lives in my heart and memory, and he never ceases to make me laugh. I still feel so very very blessed to have had him in my life. 

Shaun and I both feel that God is the closest, and our minds and hearts the most silent when we are in the outdoors.  That is now when I often feel the closest to Shaun as well, when I'm somewhere far from city lights, sounds and smells. I feel him near me. I feel his encouragement. I feel his love. 

I have continued to do some of our favorite outdoor activities - backpacking, camping, cycling, rock climbing, etc.  I appreciate time spent with others - it often lifts me. I also really appreciate being alone - because that's when I can often be the least alone. 

Shaun told his mom in a quiet moment as he left for Alaska that he was ready to 'go'. I've never known another person so well prepared to leave this life. It was just the rest of us who weren't ready to let him go. 

He lived for his Father in Heaven - and he still lives for Him now.  

I guess I share these thoughts, because, in the end, I want to share how Shaun's influence and life testify of the God he loves.  Shaun's life continues to testify to my heart every single day...

When I have let my grief push me loose from my spiritual moorings, Shaun's voice continually helps me find my anchor again. 

These last 9 weeks have been so very long. The idea of "life" seems too long to wait to see Shaun again. Tonight, I put my faith in God, who I'm beginning to learn also cries with me at night. I have work to do.  I pray that I can live for my Father. That I will choose Him when the choosing is hard. 

Shaun's sister, Shelly, said it beautifully... "Heaven has become so much sweeter for me in the last weeks. Not that it is truly any sweeter, but that my relating to the concept and the promise now has Shaun's face beside God's". 

I'm excited to go home... 

I miss you, Shaun.  :)

Thank You

I wanted to write a quick note and thank friends and family for their sweet notes and especially for their sweet prayers. It has been 24 days and the reality of things is still a surreal nightmare at best.

Now comes that point in life where we can choose whether to walk with God, or walk away from Him. There is no peace in the latter. Someday I hope to understand this... for now, I trust that there is a God who loves me, knows my ache, and will walk me through this life.

One of Shaun's favorite scriptures ... jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I miss you, Shaun.

Chaui - August 6, 2007 to June 20, 2008

(Christmas Day with the kiddies - don't worry - I didn't humiliate him like this regularly!)Chaui, short for Chauite, is named for the town drunk in Pejibaye, Costa Rica. Chaui couldn't really bark, sounded garbled and drunk... hence his name-sake.

My cute little pup, Chaui, was killed on Friday evening. Guess God needed him too...
Chaui and I had gotten pretty dang attached and had some great adventures (hiking, climbing, boating, and exploring). Like most dogs I think, he was really sensitive to the feelings around him. Over the last 2 weeks since Shaun was killed (to the hour almost), Chaui has layed his little head on my chest while I cry. He didn't know what to do - so he'd just look at me and try to lick my tears. Crazy how consoling a little cuddling dog can be. Life has been lonely since Shaun's been gone - just got a lot more so...

I don't understand the plan in all of this - but I believe that Shaun is in heaven, I believe he is at peace and engaged in God's work, and now he's got a little piece of me there. It doesn't make anything feel better, but it is a little comforting to think that Chaui cuddled up in my arms a half-hour before he cuddled up in Shaun's...

I've got Becky's dog now, Jax, he's Chaui's brother - very different in temperment - but sweet. He's a little wussy with hiking and adventure - but we'll both adapt together. (In the above pic, we're climbing in Moab, Chaui's lovin it, Jax is trying to bite my head to get him down).
There has to be some adventure in heaven, or for some of us (including Shaun and I), it wouldn't quite be heaven. Shaun's got a new pal to do stuff with until I get there...

I'm pretty dang homesick...

Shaun :) - xo xo

SHAUN LUNT

The last picture of Shaun - sent from his iPhone earlier in the week with this little note:
"Just landed on the knik river, sitting in my chair. Awesome! (close to anchorage, so have a signal for my iPhone)". He is happy.


Dear friends and family,

Friday evening, my love - Shaun, returned to the Father who gave him life. He was doing what he loved, flying his Super Cub and hopping across beaches near Bethel, Alaska. He saw a cool whale skeleton on the beach and circled around to get a picture. He is an amazing and very skilled pilot. We're not sure exactly what happened, but it appears that he may have been trying to frame a great picture with one hand and flying with the other while slowly circling the skeleton. His plane stalled only 100' from the beach with no room to recover and spiraled down at about 70 mph. I pray that he didn't hurt. Although the pain is immense for his dear friend and fellow pilot Loni Habersetzer, who watched this happen, I am so deeply grateful that someone was flying along side him and he wasn't alone.

He is a tremendous spirit. It is a privilege to know him, and an even greater privilege to love him. He loves his Savior with a depth and passion I've never seen. He walks with God. He lived his life as an absolute testimony of his faith. Shaun paid the price to know God - in the everyday decisions that he made - he sacrified to know God. He so badly wanted his life to mean something - to make a difference. Shaun loves with the same depth and passion. He would give the world if it would bring a small smile to those he loves. He couldn't go more than a few days without calling his family. He needed their connection - and they needed his. His eyes would turn soft and he would smile whenever he spoke of them. They lived inside his heart. Shaun lifts those who know him. He reminded me who I was - and would in a way, miraculous and solely his own, lift me to a higher place and remind me that I always belonged there.

From our pictures you know that Shaun was adventurous and funny and silly - but the real heart of Shaun was brimming with love to be shared. He was always occupied with whether he was serving God enough. He was constantly concerned for the wellbeing of his family and loved ones. His depth over-powers me... I am continually in awe of who he is. I don't have the words to say. It seems like no amount of time would be long enough with him. The loss is so deeply acute.

Thank you to all of you for your love and prayers - they are so welcome and so appreciated. Please continue to pray for Shaun's family. They are so deeply overwhelmed with grief.

Words are inadequate to tell about Shaun - He is so rich and deep and indescribable. Along with all who have had the blessing of Shaun - I ache for the day when I can be with him again. He was an angel among men - EVERYONE who knows him could see that. I have beautiful memories... it has been a blessing to share some of his life with him. I am better for having loved him - that is all he would have wanted.

Nothing can express his legacy and nothing can express my grief at his loss.
I love you Shaun, until heaven...
Forever yours,
Heid

Shaun's Celebration Service

Dear friends of Shaun,
Shaun's family is planning a memorial service for Shaun this coming Sunday evening, June 15 at 7:00 PM. The location is a very special place that Shaun dearly loved:

Camp Mivoden
17415 Hayden Lake Road
Hayden Lake, Idaho

This is located just a few miles north of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, but allow extra time since you will need to travel a small road around the far side of the lake to the youth camp. Directions are at: http://www.mivoden.com/home/directions Depending on weather we will plan a portion of the celebration of Shaun's life to be out of doors in an ampitheater with a campfire so bring a jacket and be sure to dress casual. Out of doors and casual dress was Shaun's style. Oh, be warned, Shaun hated ties so we will have a person armed with a pair of scissors to cut off any tie that shows up. Light refreshments follow.

The family of Shaun Lunt

PS We will have a Book of Life if you wish to write a note about Shaun bring any memorablia relating to the legacy of his life ... pictures or anything. The book will then be a treasure for the Lunt family. Thank you.

Southern California - May 2008

Shaun sighting in his new .457 Magnum rifle before he gets ready to head to Alaska in a couple of weeks for 2 more months of flying around and living the good life. It's good being Shaun Lunt - unless there's bears involved...

Shaun getting knocked around a bit after shooting the .457 round through his rifle. And he's STILL a great shot...

This was after shooting some .45-70 rounds saying, "Hey, that wasn't so bad!"... then we swtiched to the .457 Magnum...

Shooting the .457 Magnum, shortened barrel, un-ported, Wild West rifle. I only shot it once... My arm went numb and tingly, tears came to my eyes, and I felt like somebody just hit me with a 2x4. If that sucker doesn't stop a bear - what the heck will??

This was fun - shot the .308 sniper rifle at about 250 yards. The scope makes things so much eaiser!

Shaun shooting the .308 sniper rifle... he's good at EVERYTHING!

The .457 ammo isn't on the paper - it's bigger and meaner than the .45-70. Shaun always asks me what I would rather be shot with... are you kidding me?
In the hangar before Shaun heads out to do some aerobatic flying in an Extra. He had to have a heart to heart with the Super Cub so there weren't any hard feelings.
It was another great trip to visit Shaun! He's headed back to Alaska for another couple of months of flying. Keep an eye on his site for his new photos and adventures in the northland. http://www.shaunlunt.typepad.com/. Grizzly Bears beware!!! I'll miss you... PLEASE be safe! I LOVE YOU!

San Diego - Red Bull Air Race - May 04 2008

Shaun and I drove to San Diego for the Red Bull Air Race!! Very cool! I couldn't believe the speed those suckers fly at! They get some serious G's! Before heading to the race we visited seal beach in La Jolla.

seals... hmmm...

We had a great spot to sit at the Air Race - perfect view of the course. These planes fly a little faster than the Super Cub...

Impressive flying.
Loved the Air Race. Great day!

Death Valley - April 2008

Death Valley for a little hiking, camping and shooting stuff

Found some wildflowers in the sand dunes and decided to land and pull out the guns...

We shot the .40 S&W, 12-gauge shotgun (my first time shooting clay discs - I didn't stink too bad!), and the .454 Casull (which scared the crap out of me and I only fired it once!). Shaun on the other hand, was a perfect shot, once again...

We took off again to head toward Death Valley and found a really cool dried lake bed to land in. Only the crust was hard, about 1/2 inch below was gooey salty stuff - pretty interesting.

Ah, our little oasis in the desert... Just a few palm trees and a hot spring in the middle of nowhere.

Life is good...
Headed back to Southern California, found a gorgeous canyon to fly up. You can't really tell, but the ground was covered with wildflowers. We landed here and explored for a few... the Super Cub is awesome. But the pilot is even better. :)
Shaun found a lake and did a little Super-Cub-skiing :). Another successful adventure and a fun trip!

Shaun Lunt - Extraordinaire :)

Ok, so I have to toot Shaun's horn for a minute - because he would never do it himself. Coolest thing! Shaun and his photography are in the May 2008 Issue of The Smithsonian - Air & Space Magazine! You can't see the photography online (oddly enough) so go check it out when you're wandering through the grocery store. The article is called "School of Hard Rocks". Also, if you want to see more, go look at his Super Cub adventures in Alaska at
http://www.shaunlunt.typepad.com/
He is an amazing pilot and photographer - just ask The Smithsonian! :)

April Fool's Day

I pulled April Foolio's Day on the 2nd this year - everybody would have been too suspecting otherwise. I actually DID have a hair appointment - but only cut off about 4 inches. The wig store helped me elaborate. It was great - everybody was very diplomatic and kind. I now know that I can't trust anybody... ;)

Southern Utah - March 2008

Shaun and I met in St. George for one more March adventure of biking, hiking, flying, and shooting stuff.

Shaun biking Gooseberry Mesa - all I know is that it's too hard for the likes of me...

Southern Utah redrock... did I mention I love it?

Shaun landed the Super Cub in some really cool places... I'm sure none of them were illegal.
We landed on the top of a butte and found some rocks that were patiently waiting to be trundled...

... we obliged.

We flew out to the desert and decided it was time to shoot some stuff...
Shaun's targets (radishes, we're eco-friendly)...

MY target... (little bigger, but again, eco-friendly).

I swear - the guy never misses...

Yep - Bought a gun. It's a Kahr .40 and I love it.
Rainy weather grounded us so we naturally turned to our favorite amusement - shootin stuff. We determined that fruit was no longer exciting enough and hit the dollar store for some 'targets'. Shaun decided that we needed a big remote controlled truck so we could have a 'moving target'. By the way, the dollar store doesn't actually sell many things that are a dollar.
We set up our lawn decor, ceramic frogs, exploding soda cans, etc...

Die bird, Die... Shaun is a ridiculously good shot. The bird never had a chance...