This morning in devotions we prayed for a woman in my mission who was having heart problems. She had what they thought was a heart attack, but they weren't certain. She couldn't get the care she needed here in Dakar so they evacuated her to Paris. We were praying for her safety and for the doctors to have wisdom. In the middle of reading today, I found out that she died on the way to Paris. One of my kids is in our mission as well...its really sobering to get such news. She was young, she has a husband and two little boys under the age of 6 (I think) who have been left behind.

This week I also found out that a young couple at my church at home had a stillborn baby. They are a wonderful couple full of faith and love for everyone. It was their first child.

I look at things that have happened just to those I know and love this year and wonder what God is doing. We find in His Word that He is good and all-knowing and loves us as His own children. Yet painful things still happen. It's hard sometimes to reconcile those things with who He is...however, He is Lord and does know what He is doing. When we don't understand, it seems He asks us to just trust His heart. I am thankful for the Body of Christ. We are able to comfort one another, encourage one another, and pray for one another. I have seen the power of this in my own life this year as the true Body has done those things for me as God undid me.

My heart is heavy for these two families. I ache for them. But I know that God is with them, bringing them comfort and peace and His strength...and praying that as they walk through the hard days ahead, He will be the One they look to. That they can still trust Him even now. He is always good. And that is not said lightly, but from the heart of someone who also gone through much this year and is thankful for my Jesus who loves us furiously and recklessly.

Please pray for these families.