I Know that My Redeemer Lives

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another."  Job 19: 25-27

These verses are the basis for the common Easter hymn, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."  We sing the words as a proclamation of Jesus' resurrection, His atonement for our sins, and the assurance that we have of life everlasting with Him.  I find it intriguing that these verses are not found in the New Testament spoken by Mary or one of the disciples after finding the empty tomb on Easter morning, or after seeing Christ for themselves when He appeared to them, but instead they are found in the Old Testament, spoken by Job to his friends after he has suffered the loss of his wealth, his children, and his own health.  He speaks these words with confidence while enduring tremendous adversity in order to paint a clear picture that he has of his hope in salvation and everlasting life.  His testimony, especially under these circumstances, is an excellent reminder of just how much hope and comfort our Redeemer brings.  Job is able to look beyond his time on earth, and his earthly suffering to see what awaits him and all believers when his physical life has ended.

Job's proclamation brings great comfort as I think about Lynnea and all of the suffering that she endured during her short time here with us on earth, and all of the glory that she is now experiencing in heaven because of Christ's death and resurrection.  It is immensely comforting to know that, no matter how much suffering this life brings, ultimately there is not only an end to that suffering, but unimaginable glory and joy waiting for us.  He is risen.  He is risen indeed.  Hallelujah.

Pictures of Ashlyn

Today we went over to Megan's apartment for a little photo shoot with Ashlyn.  Here are just a few of the pictures Megan took today (completely unedited here -- I'll post more after she gets a chance to play with them in PhotoShop).  This morning before heading over there, I told Ashlyn that auntie Megan wanted to take some pictures of her with her new camera.  Ashlyn's response was, "Yes, I'm going to have my pictures taken because I am the most beautiful girl in the world."  And oh so humble too...

It Takes a Village...

I have a favor to ask all of you that are on Facebook.  Please go to the following link (it's a link to a note that I wrote) It Takes a Village... and leave a comment on the note.  The parenting website MomSquawk.com is having a contest to help them choose a few new bloggers to write for them on a consistent basis, which is something I would enjoy doing.  They requested that potential bloggers write a short piece for on their Facebook page, and the winner will be determined based on the number of comments that each note receives.  So, please help me start a discussion on my note. Thank you everyone!

Nine Months

It has been nine months since we said good-bye to Lynnea.  It was hard today sitting in the examining room with the pediatrician for Ashlyn's 4-year-old well-child check-up.  This was our first time back there since Lynnea died.  Ashlyn enjoyed the check-up, though I think she also sensed that it was a little strange to be there without Lynnea (Ashlyn came along for many of Lynnea's visits), and she reminisced some about what it was like when we used to take Lynnea to see the pediatrician, as we sat in the same examining room that we were in for all of Lynnea's visits.  The pediatrician teared up a little at the end of our visit as we talked a little bit about how life is now without Lynnea here. 

Life keeps moving forward, but I still miss her; we all do.  In order to use some of the experiences that we had with Lynnea to benefit others, I have been working on a few books to help families that are faced with having hospitalized children, or the loss of a child.  I have started a publishing company called Heart of Hope Publishing and will be publishing my first book in the near future titled But I Still Miss You.  It is a book for young children to help them cope with the loss of a sibling or other close relative.  Other books will hopefully soon follow.