Abigail Fredrick’s Talk: Gary Haugen’s Link to Follow
At Mark’s passing, he leaves behind his parents and sisters as well as my sister and their 1 year old daughter. After his eight years as a SEAL, when he decided to work as a private contractor, I was a bit annoyed with his decision as I kept thinking that he didn’t have my sister’s best interest in mind because his work was so dangerous and something could happen. And then when they adopted Cora I was even more annoyed because I kept thinking what it would now mean for not only my sister but their daughter as well if something were to happen. And now something has happened. However, my heart has really been changed by reflecting on a talk that Gary Haugen of the International Justice Mission gave at a conference this past Fall; about it being better to be brave than safe and that choosing to be brave means choosing not to be safe.
Mark clearly had what is needed to be an amazing SEAL and amazing contractor. He was gifted by God with a heart, mind and will that allowed him to perform at a top level with the toughest and bravest of men and he had a true calling to his work. And from what we’ve heard, he befriended and helped those in the most dire of situations – Afghanis and Iraqis- who are fighting for their lives and their countries.
One of Mark’s friends wrote on the website (http://www.markmetherell.com ):
I always knew Mark was a Christian, but he had a very quiet faith while at Wheaton. I think while he was in the Teams his faith grew and matured significantly. I remember talking to him soon after he was an official SEAL and he explained how many Christians there were among the SEALS. Apparently when you put your life at risk every day in training, you begin to realize that you could die at any moment.
Another wrote:
As I read over tributes to Mark the pieces start to fit together. And they only serve to deepen my respect for (him). Most of us choose the safe course in life even as we see a path that may be our truest path yet forego that road out of fear, inertia, complacency. Mark seemed to have clicked one day in determining that he knew his path and was going to be THAT true to himself.
Mark chose to be brave knowing that he was choosing to not be safe. He put his life completely in God’s hands and God chose to take him home – but after a life lived more fully and more closely to God than many will ever live. He hiked up the mountain and did not stay in the visitor’s center. (see Gary’s talk for reference)
As Pastor Jeff from the Little Church by the Sea said, a verse that fully embodied Mark was Micah 6:8:
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Laguna Beach where they shared a quiet moment and tossed a floral wreath contributed by Mark’s sister Alison, onto the familiar rocks Mark knew so well. As they disappeared into the mist, friends and family testking 646-003 waited patiently on the shore for the clan’s wave-riding return. Due to the size of the waves.
I always knew Mark was a Christian, but he had a very quiet faith while at Wheaton. I think while he was in the Teams his faith grew and matured significantly. I remember talking to him soon after he was an official SEAL and he explained how many Christians there were among the SEALS. Apparently when you put testking 646-563 your life at risk every day in training, you begin to realize that you could die at any moment.
Endearingly synonymous to Mark’s surf style, the wave sets were impressive as they all paddled out together quite a distance to “Second Reef” off of Brooks Street in Laguna Beach where they shared a quiet moment and tossed a floral wreath contributed by testking 000-076 Mark’s sister Alison, onto the familiar rocks Mark knew so well. As they disappeared into the mist, friends and family waited patiently on the shore for the clan’s wave-riding return.
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