Updates on us

There have been several reasons why I haven't posted in the past few months. The primary reason was that I didn't have our pictures from our annual beach trip uploaded and accessible on my computer. Months have gone by and I still don't have the pictures from our trip, but I'm going to write a post anyway because too much has happened to wait on them.

"I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand,
and I tell you, 'Don't be afraid. I will help you." Isiah 41:13

A lot has happened in the past few months- good and bad. It's hard to even begin with the bad for I start to cry just thinking about it. My brother Jan "Ace" Hanes died in a car accident on August 9, 2009. I was at my Mom's house when we found out the news and am so thankful I was there to be with her and she was there for me too. We were speechless and couldn't believe the news as the coroner spoke, "I'm sorry ma'am, but your son passed away this morning."

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18

I remember the day as if it were yesterday; words shared with family and friends, planning the funeral, what we placed in his casket, the details of the service, the whole nine yards. It would be a paper if I wrote it all. But, what I want to share is what I'm praying for. Since the morning I received the news, my constant pray has been that God will be glorified in my brother's death. That somehow God would speak to those who do not know Him and that they would be changed. I may never know til I reach His celestial place what impact Ace's death made on others, but I pray for my family, for my friends, and for Ace's friends. I pray that God will be glorified and that they will find rest in Him.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will find you rest."

Matthew 11:28