Jayda died yesterday at 10:55pm.  Janna and I arrived at the hospital 45 minutes prior to her passing, and I'm deeply great full to God for the chance to be with her, and with family as she died.  I am truly overwhelmed by her death, and yet to my sorrow has come an incredible peace and presence of God.  I know that Jesus has defeated death, and so I have hope for life beyond this one.  Jayda knew Jesus, and in her last days I believe she came to know Him on a level that many of us never have.  She spoke of Him often, and the language she used reminded me that His presence is a very real and everyday reality.

I wrote a new song last week, and it's filled my days ever since

"Whatever the situation
No matter the cost
When my heart feels like singing
Or saying nothing at all

I'm going to praise You Jesus
You've always been there for me
In my joy and in my sorrow<
I know it's going to be okay
I'm going to live to Your glory
And pray the world sees you in me
For as long as I live
I'm going to praise

I'm going to praise You Jesus
You've always been there for me
In my living and in my dying
I know You've conquered the grave
I'm going to live to your honour
Giving glory to Your name
With every breathe You give me
I'm going to praise "

God is teaching me more than can fit into a blog entry right now.  I may write a book, and will for sure be working on an album in the months to come.  More than anything, I pray that the remainder of my life gives testimony to the impact Jayda had on me.  I pray too that I can be a witness to the deep things of Christ's heart that have become clear to me in that past 3 years.  Through out this journey with Jayda… I've wrote many songs, prayed many prayers, heard God whisper many words, and seen Jesus hand many times… I am eternally great full for it all.

Today, as I write this, I am most great full to God for my sister.  She was an amazing girl, and had become an even more incredible woman, wife, mother, and friend.  She was always real, and called things like she saw them.  She loved people deeply, and her God most of all.  It is weird to not have her here with us anymore.  I will miss her often and with all my heart.  I praise God for her life, her friendship, her love.  It has been an honour to be her big brother, and I'm honoured to know she loved me as deeply as she did.  I'm so glad that her fight is over, and that she now knows life to the full!  She had a huge heart for worship and never could contain the creative desires that God stirred in her.  I can only imagine that she is already a huge part of heavens worship.

On Mother's Day (last month) Jayda spoke at her church.  I wasn't there, but I've been told that she read a psalm that I've read many times this week.  It has really spoke to my heart, as I know it did to Jayda's.  It was Psalm 23:

 1 The Lord is my shepherd;
      I have all that I need.
 2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
      he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    3 He renews my strength.
   He guides me along right paths,
      bringing honor to his name.
 4 Even when I walk
      through the darkest valley,
   I will not be afraid,
      for you are close beside me.
   Your rod and your staff
      protect and comfort me.
 5 You prepare a feast for me
      in the presence of my enemies.
   You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
      My cup overflows with blessings.
 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
      all the days of my life,
   and I will live in the house of the Lord
      forever.