Tara, Jacob, Kristin & Susannah

Jacob loves his little "Nannah"

Kristin and Tara get together almost everyday.

Getting through together.

Bath Time!

Daddy called just as we got started
Bubbles!!
Susannah loves life, including her bath times.

More Photo Opps...

Back to the rock at the Butterfly Garden in Cook Park
Cozy with Daddy.
Full tummy, happy baby!

Lots of love, lots of smiles and lots of hugs in this little family. It was a privilege to be there and help during this time of recovery from the loss of Preston. We who know the Lord have wonderful hope even in death, but there is still a great, big hole in everyone's lives. The community that was blessed to know Preston will be making adjustments for a long time to come. His warmth and joy still reverberate through Lake Bible Church and everyone misses him.

Jonathan and Kristin have stepped up to the challenge and responsibility of caring for and comforting people throughout the church. They are keeping all of the youth programs going, as well as meeting needs in the rest of the church as people grieve in various ways. They care for Tara and Jacob daily, just as if they are part of their own family. I was humbled by the tireless work these two are doing in their pastoral calling. It is amazing to see how God shapes people, turning tragedy to triumph so that the world may see how great His grace and love are!

Verses from today's One Year Bible reading...

I found this in today's reading of the One Year Bible, I feel sure it is for Tara right now:

Isaiah 32:17 - "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."

Isaiah 33:6 - "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure."

Tara speaks

For anyone who wants to see Preston's story from his wife's point of view, please follow this link.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/28491769.html?video=YHI&t=a

God, who leads us to our divine appointments, goes through them with us. Blessed be His Name.

How Could He?

I have been wrestling with how God could take Preston as He did today. How could He allow this tsunami of loss and sorrow to wash over us? Why would He take someone who was so good and so utterly devoted to serving Him in this world?

Then, as I was watering the garden this afternoon with the garden hose and my tears, I started to think, what kind of a God does it take to shape a man like Preston? What kind of a God did Preston believe in that made him so pure of heart, so humble and so faithful? Preston embraced kindness and goodness while most of his peers were out serving themselves. He lived a sacrificial lifestyle so that others might live, come to faith and know Christ. How does a 24 year old man become so wise and responsible? What kind of a God does that?

If we could hear Preston's voice right now he would tell us what kind of God He is because now he sees him. He would say it is worth everything to know this God and follow him. He would tell us that everything we hope for is true.

It's one thing to ask what kind of God takes the life of a wonderful 24 year old man in the midst of his young family. It's another thing to ask what kind of God shaped such a man to begin with. If Preston had lived to be 124 years old, he would not have been more ready to go home. By God's grace may we all let the Lord shape us through this disaster and may we all come out as golden as Preston did.

Preston

Christ follower,

Husband, Father,

Friend, Partner in ministry,

brilliant mind and loving spirit,

Preston Newby did all things well.

All of us who know him give thanks for him and bless his memory.