It's been some weeks since Trent's passing, so I thought I'd share some things I learned over this time.

“God is trying to teach me something through this. It’s that life isn’t about happiness…..I need to TRUST GOD and live my life for HIS GLORY…….Whether I’m happy or not.” Trent Koontz October, 2013

Trent shared this with Peggy during a time when he seemed depressed. She shared this with our family at the memorial service. This is pretty profound for an 18 year old. I'm 56 and I don't think I've got my head completely wrapped around trusting God this much. Since Trent passed, I'm starting to understand.

"Trent Koontz did not die, he's still alive, he doesn't know death, he never knew death... at the point where he came to know Jesus..he got life," Pastor Bob Burris March, 2014

This sermon came the Sunday after Trent's passing. I've read this many times in the Bible, but it really never came to light until Pastor Bob spoke on Jesus raising Lazarus. Wow! It hit home that Sunday! This was a real gift to me. Thanks Bob.

Since Trent's passing, I've spent many hours trying to imagine what Trent looks like in heaven. I had a friend stop by the other day and I shared my struggle to picture Trent in heaven and he said; "Read Genesis. God made Adam and Eve and put them to work in the garden. God gave them work to do. It's the same in heaven. God's going to give everyone something to do. They aren’t just sitting around. Trent's busy right now doing whatever God has given to do!" Grieving is difficult, but its words like this that really help.

The day Trent departed, several of us were sitting in the living room and I shared that the previous week I prayed for a miracle and searched the bible to find out how the apostles performed miracles. One of my friends said, "Maybe you need to consider that the miracle did happen. Maybe the miracle was Trent going to heaven?" Good suggestion. 

So, what have I learned this year? Friends are really more like family and family loves you more than you can imagine. I think I got more hugs this year than all previous hugs combined. How can that be bad? I have no idea what's going to happen in 2014, but whatever it, I'll get through it. God has held me up and set me back on a path this year. I believe He will always be there.

Go hug a friend. Go love your family.