This is Steve, my first post on our blog. On Friday, we learned my good friend and colleague Mark had passed away. As Mark was only slightly older than myself, this event was tragic, sudden, and unexpected. He was a good friend and example to me. He was honest, hard working, and innovative. He was kind and humble, and a great listener. He was our team's M.V.P. He will be missed by many who were privileged to share his life.

When tragedies such as this occur, it makes us all reflect on how fragile, precious, and important each moment of life really is. We honor those who have gone on before us not with long periods of sadness, but with appreciation of the gifts their lives have given us. Mark touched many lives with his kind, humble, brilliant personality. Today I found comfort in a Hymn we sung at church:

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Through words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost Thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to Thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

Hymns #293

It is times like this that one asks the all important questions: What is the meaning of life? Is there life after death? My faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ gives me answers to these questions. I know that there is a purpose to life, and we can be reunited with our loved ones after our time in mortality is over. We can live again with our families and loved ones. Jesus Christ paid the price to make this possible. His is a gospel of hope. Through countless experiences I have come to know this is true: God loves us, He know us, He wants us to be happy, and He has a plan for us to return to Him.