As we close out 2010 I consider where we are as a result of this year. A year ago I was wrapping up my first trimester in our best pregnancy yet. Having lost Noah at 14 weeks, we nonetheless felt very good about the twins as we rounded the third month. We held tightly to the Lord , hoping 2010 would be "our year" for joyous parenthood. How wonderful the midyear mark was as we delivered two "robust" (the word we had used in prayer often) boys of 7 + pounds EACH. The Lord poured out His grace & mercy as we navigated early days of parenthood bliss. We rejoiced over & over at His goodness, his workmanship & bounty.

Who could have guessed that just 6 months & 2 days after joyous June 2 my mother would go to be with Our Lord. News of her sudden, fatal heart attack chilled my soul. I am still in shock that she has gone but rejoice that just as David said in 2 Samuel, (she) cannot come to me, but I will go to her." Having had the opportunity to study death in scripture just last year when our unborn daughter, Hope, went to be with Jesus, scripture is fresh in my mind to bring reassurance & grace regarding my mother. My father celebrates with us the freedom in Christ that mom has: the healing from all wounds, physical or emotional and the truth that because we trust Jesus as our Saviour, we will be reunited. Scripture says that if we confess with our mouth and believe with our heart (our true core being) that Jesus is the risen Lord, we will be saved. Praise the Lord this does not mean if we do "good" works or are "good" people. For as good as we may seem in eulogy, all of us are human and we have shortcomings. Every person falls short of the standard of perfection that would render us good enough to enter into heaven! Yet because Christ died, and rose again to conquer death, we can have complete redemption in Him! 1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins he is faithful and will forgive us our sins... but many think that is enough and say "I believe in Jesus". Even the devil believed... so it is important to take in context the steps required ... we must confess with our mouth, AND believe in our heart. As you start the new year I hope you will make your best resolution ever by confessing your own human imperfections and your trust in Jesus to redeem you, sealing your own fate. Then you too will rejoice in the sting of death, whether that of a relative, friend or unborn baby, knowing that you will be reunited in Christ to spend all of eternity together praising Him!! Hallelujah! We rejoice with you!!