In The Midst of Celebration...

Stephen has been in private pediatric practice here on the island now for coming up to sixteen years this summer. For a few of those years he didn't have a partner to share call with, which was hard, but especially hard during the holidays. Over the years we've noticed something.
It doesn't matter who's on call, tragedy always strikes at Christmas.
What's up with that?
He has seen countless families go through devastating circumstances this time of year.
This year we've been sucker-punched. Friends of ours from church have lost their little girl, still born on Tuesday morning.
How do you deal with this kind of pain? This kind of indescribable agony?
I'm struggling for answers where there are none.
I'm wishing for words that won't come.
I'm longing to make it right, but I can't.
Jesus can.
It doesn't seem possible right now, but I know He can.
I have to believe it. For in Him lies our hope.
I know that what we have been going through is miniscule compared to the pain of those empty arms, the feelings they are experiencing...and I don't know how to help.
I know how to pray, but even my prayers feel like whispered words that disappear too quickly on the wind.
Oh, God, we need Your grace right now.
Your Love and Your Hope for tomorrow.
If you can take a moment to pray for us, this couple and our church family, I know we need it.

Merry Christmas!

Due to time constraints and the mounting 'to do' list that may or may not get done before December 25th, I'm just going to wish you all a very merry Christmas, and see you in the New Year.

In the Presence of Brilliance

Do you ever look at your children (when they're not watching), and think, "Where in the world did they come from?" In a good way of course!
I do this all the time. I can't believe the things they have already accomplished, and all that they want to do with their lives. I'm just so proud of both of them, I felt like sharing that today.
Here are a few pictures of us - the family portrait was this past summer, the others were taken at my birthday back in October, and also one of Chris as The Dentist in the school's recent production of Little Shop of Horrors.