Better Late than Never!

Here are some belated Christmas pictures I wanted to share...





We visited a country church that was having a Bethlehem village exhibit one cold night, and it was a lot of fun. Yes, that is Bridger in the basket!

(click the picture for a larger view)

We made it to the mall to see Santa just in time (on Dec 23rd, I believe). Santa had his hands full, and the photographer elf did her best, but getting them both to look the same direction at the same time and smile was tough.

(click the picture for a larger view)

And finally, Brooke's preschool acted out the Christmas story and staged the Nativity scene. She is an angel (of course). Look just to the right of center. Next year she wants to be a wise man so that she can wear a bathrobe!

(click the picture for a larger view)

Sad news

Ashley's baby Jacobsen went to be with Jesus early Monday morning. He had Type I SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), a genetic condition caused by both parents being carriers of a rare recessive gene. He was exactly four months old. While I am happy for him -- for all of the suffering he has been spared and how he has been given abundant life, free from death and all pain -- I am so tremendously sad for the immense loss felt by Rich, Ashley, our family and all of those who have been touched by his short life. The last week was especially rough, with lots of scary episodes and long days in the hospital. Many, many tears have been shed.

Services will be Thursday night. You can read his obituary here: http://www.legacy.com/atlanta/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=101324058

Thank you for all of your prayers and concern, which have not been in vain. Though we may never fully see why God allowed such pain to come to this sweet, young family (Ashley is only 24), we know that He is sovereign and good. As sad as we are, this will ultimately bring the most glory to God.


Praise to the Lord that there is more than this life! He has been healed, though not in the way for which we prayed. Jacobsen's life is not over and it was not in vain. We will see that precious boy again... and next time, for all eternity.


Please continue to pray for:

• the Holy Spirit to comfort and heal our family.
  
• the direction and growth of this precious young family.
  
• that God will use this event to reach those who don't truly know Jesus as their Savior and Lord -- and that more people will join us in heaven because of Jacobsen's short life.
  

I am reminded of what Colts' football coach Tony Dungy said after his son's death:

“If God had talked to me before James’ death and said his death would have helped all these people, it would have saved them and healed their sins, but I would have to take your son, I would have said no, I can’t do that.


“But God had the same choice 2,000 years ago with His Son, Jesus Christ, and it paved the way for you and me to have eternal life. That’s the benefit I got, that’s the benefit James got and that’s the benefit you can get if you accept Jesus into your heart today as your Savior.”

Rich and Ashley have chosen their church's recreation ministry to receive donations in Jacobsen's honor because of the eternal impact it is making in bringing children to know Jesus. I'll paraphrase Ashley's mom, Susan: "What ultimate good would it do to cure a disease and still lose someone for all eternity?"

Please don't misunderstand. SMA is a horrible disease and we need to continue to seek for a treatment and a cure. When it's all said and done, though, the death rate on this planet is 100%, whether it comes when we're 4 months old or 104. What comes after our very short lives in eternity is more important than however many days we were given. In honor of Jacobsen, please consider carefully what you know of Jesus and his atoning death for you. If anyone would like to continue this discussion, please email me.

Donations can be made in memory of William Jacobsen Manross to:
Salem Baptist Church Recreation Ministry
Salem Baptist Church
1724 Hwy 155 North
McDonough, GA 30252