I have recently received news that Valerie Elliott, my friend with advanced Stage 4 melanoma, passed away last night. She leaves behind a family and a husband who I'll be praying for almost constantly. If you could lift up a prayer for Valerie's Mom, Dad, and relatives, as well as her husband, Brad, I'm sure they'd appreciate it. 

This ache I have in my heart for her family is all too familiar. Why must we know the feeling of sorrow and heartache all too well? I know, because this world is sinful. This feeling I have is the same I had the morning I found out that a fellow student in high-school died the previous night in a car crash. This feeling is similar to, but milder, than the one I had when my mom called me to tell me my Nana passed away. These are memories I will never forget. I hate that we all have these horrible times etched onto our brains. Thankfully, we have the hope and the great promise that one day all pain, sorrow, and sin will be wiped away. What a great promise this is! I thank God that there is something better than death, sickness, and pain. 

"He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever." Revelation 21:4