He Gives and He Takes Away

Through this sorrow I have been learning many things. The most important of which is that God is sovereign and we are responsible for our own actions apart from the cross. It has been especially hard knowing that my own father spurned the truth of the gospel, even at the end, in favor of his own pride. Yet, our God is still a good God. He does not desire that we spurn his offers of salvation, He continually (in many lives) reaches out the truth toward us and yet because of His character "God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5). I have had to remember so much of His character these last several weeks as we first knew the time was near, but then we knew that Hope was no longer necessary. His character is what has allowed me to remember that no matter the choices that my father made, no matter how little concern he had for his own soul, God is always loving and faithful, just and pure. I say that not because I ever doubted the character of God, but because I realize the nature of a human life that rebels continually against their creator. I understand, while I am still deeply sorrowed by it, that God cannot allow us to go our own way. This has encouraged me, even while tears have been present.

A Few Memories.....

With His mother Summer 2009.

Not the best of everyone, but we will take what we can get!

With Petra and an old Friend from Alaska

days at my sister's wedding 2009.

With My grammy at my wedding.

 My Wedding 2003.

 His entire side of the family including his parents, 1999.

Chatanika River, Alaska 1991 or 92.

1982.

 Easter 1986.

Christmas 1982.

In memory of DMB

1948-2010