sorry no pix tonight...

hey friends, i just wanted to take a moment and reflect on the life of someone very dear to our hearts in the goede household--mark mullins, the husband of todd's cousin meredith. mark has been battling brain cancer for several years but aside from that, he is a man of GOD, a NAVY vet, a law school graduate, a friend, a daddy, and a husband, and an inspiration to anyone who met him. after a valiant and noble effort in his fight, mark's body was no match and he went home to be with the LORD on december 29th, his beautiful wife holding him in her arms to escort him to the gates of HEAVEN. we thank GOD he is no longer suffering, as his pain was apparently unimaginable at times, but we also will miss him and ache for his dear family as the emptiness of their loss will not likely heal quickly. we also REJOICE as mark is in HEAVEN with our LORD and SAVIOR and we know assuredly we will see him again when we arrive there someday. i know many of you reading this did not know mark and meredith...and i only wish todd and i were able to know him better. our brief times with him, though, were dare-i-say life changing? JESUS says in the book of MARK that all will be tested with fire...and our mark exuded grace and faith under such fire--an amazing example to us all. mark's unwavering devotion to GOD and to JESUS, even in the face of a nasty vengeful cancer, in the face of pain and true suffering, was a testament to what is possible with a true and authentic faith in JESUS CHRIST, who will stand firm with us no matter what we are walking through. i am in awe of mark and i grieve with meredith and their two precious boys and i know that GOD is the defender of widows and the father to the fatherless--HE promises so in HIS WORD. may we all take a few steps back to inventory our blessings, especially on the eve of this new year. health. shelter. food. clothing. family. friends. a purpose. a SAVIOR. i truly thank GOD for all and give HIM all the glory, even in the death of our friend. i wish you all a blessed and joyous 2010...