Christmas

(Awesome picture by Liz Lemon Swindle-she is incredible!)

I don't even know where to start. So much has happened since my last post. Our Christmas holidays started out so happy, and full of different activities and concerts. Neil and Annie came down from Seattle and we were all able to be together for Christmas which was so wonderful! We always have so much fun when they come and all of the kids love playing together. We sang carols and built snowmen, and it was so nice to be with family. But then- just a few days before Christmas- my cousin's 10 year old son was accidentally strangled and killed in a freak accident while playing. After that the world just seemed to stop dead in it's tracks for me. I was just so devastated and heartbroken for my sweet cousin and her family- And watching them try and deal with this horrific loss right at Christmas-time was just so hard. I found that I just couldn't even control my emotions, I just sobbed and sobbed- just so sick at heart for my cousin and her husband- and their little boy who is now without his big brother. And what can you say to someone who is experiencing something so horrific?! Nothing. There was absolutely nothing that could be said to ease the pain of it. Without going into tons of detail- I just want to say that this year- with all of the horror that came with losing Jake- I am more grateful than ever for the birth of my Savior. I can't even fathom losing a child- EVER! I literally get nauseous when I think about it. But, knowing that Jesus made it possible for us to be sealed as families, and that we will be able to see Jake again was such a comfort to me. It is through Him that Jake can be a forever family with his mom and dad and little brother that he left behind. And because we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmastime- that was such a poignant reminder for me. I am so grateful- that he was born- and that he lived and paid the ultimate price for me. I am so grateful for eternal families!
Happy Birthday Jesus. Thank you for coming- and for giving us a reason to celebrate.