Some of you may know that both my brothers have a disease that is attacking their kidneys.  My eldest brother, Joel, has been affected the most drastically and has just been to Hamilton for some baseline tests as he is on a transplant list.  While in Hamilton it was discovered that he has a cyst "somewhere" in his abdomen - nice that they were so exact!  All of this to say that although I have known that his health has not been good for a few years I think that it is time for me to accept that this may be the beginning of the end.  As I have been thinking about this I have had mixed thoughts.  Having Joel for a brother has been quite a learning experience and for that I am grateful.  Joel is quite a humerous young man and I have enjoyed many a good laugh with him - I will miss him.  However, I know that I will meet him in glory some day and for that day I look forward.  Joel may soon see our Savior face to face, smell the fresh scent of heaven and be made whole. 

I began to think about what it will be like to meet Joel in heaven - his body and mind restored.  It will be beautiful!  I am glad that he won't remember the times I was embarassed of him or spoke ill of him.  I'm glad that he will know nothing of the pain of earth and only of the joy of heaven - and for some reason I think he may have already figured that out...some days I really want in his head!!  You know the funny thing is, as I thought of all of this I forgot a huge piece of the puzzle - ME.  I got thinkinging, what will it be like for Joel to ME - MY body and mind restored?  How could I be so ignorant to think that I wouldn't be any different - oh how different I will be.  I want to Joel to meet me minus my sin - to love him, to speak to him, to worship with him in a way unknown to us until we reach Heaven. 

The embrace will be long and it will be beautiful!