The man who never tiptoed.

All around you people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely. But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip or dance, just don't tiptoe.

 Words fail me. So I chose to quote others.

I love you so much.

Thank you for helping me learn to jump. I was so excited to tell you that I'm doing it. I'm jumping. No turning back now. You always ran headfirst into life, Chris. Your life was an example of living boldly.

I love you for running, for hopping, for skipping, and for dancing. For being you.

I miss you already.

rejoice in the life.

What do you do when your heart is broken for your family? 

I mean, how do I even express that? It's just... stunning. My IC family is torn, and I can do nothing. 

I want to do something. Something to heal the wounds that today caused.

God, work in mighty ways. Nate's death- along with the many Ugandans killed today- will not be in vain. I don't understand your ways, and I never will. But I know that You are sovereign, Father. I know that You have a plan and that You use even the worst of events for Your glory. Be with the Henns, and with Lindsey, and the families of the Ugandans killed today. Be with the IC family in this time of brokenness, and move in the hearts of those left in the wake of this bombing. 

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" -John 12.24

Friends,

I don't say enough how much I love you. If I could hold every one of you in my arms right now, I would. I beg of you, don't take today for granted. I thought today of the NY Times article I read not too long after the bombing. It said that "one American" had died. That's a headline I've read so many times. "Plane crashes in Bahamas. 24 injured, 4 killed." "Explosion at Auto Factory Leaves 17 Dead." Numbers.

But today it was a member of the family I hold so close to my heart. That "one" meant something. These numbers I read are not just random people. They are someone's child; someone's girlfriend or boyfriend; someone's teacher; someone's father or mother; someone's best friend. How often do I just assume that those people in my life will continue to be there tomorrow? 

Each one of you who reads this has shared in my life to some degree. Some more than others, but you have left an imprint on my life and I am so grateful every time I think of you. The beautiful hearts and souls I see in each and every one of you is absolutely breathtaking. I don't know why God has shown me such grace in giving me you, but He has, and I am in awe of the lives I am surrounded by. 

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Tomorrow, at 4.34 PM I will be joining Natalie Sheehan in dancing my heart out in memory of Nate Henn. It will be a celebration of his life, and his sacrifice. It will be a celebration of the life I have been given, and the friends I have been blessed with. Rejoice in the life, my beloved. We will not always have the chance to dance.