It has been a rough week.

What are we supposed to do when our dreams are crushed and our heart’s deepest desires left unfulfilled? Life doesn’t always hand us what we want.  It can leave us grieving, longing for something untouchable.

God graciously granted us a child in 2008 after years of trying to conceive, including five rounds of fertility treatments.  Connor brings great joy into our lives so I do not mean to minimize the gift he is by sharing our recent struggles . . . but we really wanted another child.  I had vivid dreams about positive pregnancy tests and nursing my newborn in the hospital, but now after five more fertility treatments and a miscarriage, we are heartbroken.  Hundreds of shots and thousands of dollars later, still no baby.

Since this round of fertility treatments did not work, I found myself questioning . . .

I am deeply saddened when I look at the moral decline of our nation . . . not just because I am concerned about our children's future, but also because I see the pain and brokenness in the lives of so many people. Many are searching for love and acceptance, and the last place they are finding it is in the church.  This should not be! Churches were not meant to be Country Clubs where like-minded people gather; they are supposed to be safe havens where the hurting and the outcast are welcomed with love. Jesus said . . .

I signed up for Facebook (FB) after my son was born in 2008.  It was fabulous connecting with old friends and sharing pictures of our families with each other.  However, it did not take long before I started to receive friend requests from old high school classmates, and friends of friends that I barely knew.  It seemed harmless to accept their requests, but before long, my newsfeed page was covered with posts from people with whom I did not have a relationship.  I did not care about their political opinions or what they ate for dinner, but somehow I ended up thumbing through all their posts.  At times, I even felt an unspoken pressure to . . .

There was a time in my life when I was really struggling in a relationship. I had prayed for God to restore things, but after being wounded yet one more time by this person, I was weary of the fight for peace. Their words hurt too much, and I was not sure I had the strength to face this person with grace.

I sat down at my computer feeling broken, wanting desperately to defend myself and point out the wrong they had done to me, but knowing this would only escalate the distance between us. I wiped my tears as I tried to find the right words. Deep within, a voice kept whispering . . .

It is hard to find the words to describe the true essence and character of my father Brian Connor. He touched so many people in his lifetime with Christ’s love, and this was his greatest joy. His memory will live on and his legacy will resonate through the lives of many people.

Brian used to call me his angel and Amy his princess. Ever since we were children, he told us we could be anything we set our hearts on. He told us to shoot for the stars and never settle for less than the best. He was our biggest fan in our successes and our biggest advocate when we faced challenges along the way. I knew I was....