Bye Bye Brandon

Got some not so good news today. Anyone from Eagle's Nest reading this, you may have already heard, but today was my day of being informed. Our friend Brandon has died. The funeral will be held this friday in Medicine Hat.

We fought real hard for him. Even this summer we got to see some incredible miracles happen. For example his blood iron count going from a shocking 7800 to a normal 18. The doctors were really amazed with that because #1, they were trying to figure out how Brandon was alive with blood iron levels that high and #2, your blood iron level doesn't just drop that much in such a short period of time.

For a long time Brandon fought a very rare blood disease. Basically his body did not produce red blood cells, or much of what your body was supposed to make when it came to blood. He would be told repeatedly that he should make his final arragements and every time his doctors would witness a miracle, as each time he would be touched and bounce back to health.

He really tried his best to live a normal and fearless life. He achieved that. He wanted to go to YWAM, so he did. He wanted to be a youth pastor, so he enrolled in college last semester. He just went for it. He fought to live a normal life and for the great majority he accomplished that.

This last fall and winter I got to know him and his family a lot better. It was wonderful to spend time with them and they all quickly skyrocketed up my list of favorite people to hang out with. VERY authentic and real. VERY giving and loving. I think they learned that the hard way, always having to be mindful to treasure every moment. They are instant family people.

Although we all knew Brandon was sick it was kind of like we all knew he would never leave. I spent the better part of this evening convincing myself that Brandon had died. It's just really wierd.

A couple of months ago Brandon got really sick again, but this time it was too much. Brandon got to go home. I remember him telling me that he really wanted to learn more about spiritual stuff... I guess now he is the master! It would be the nice thing to say that I can't imagine what he is experiencing right now, but that's not true. I want to imagine and I am going to try my best to imagine where he is and how much fun he is having with Daddy in Heaven right now. He has joined the great host of Heaven and out of anything, that has got to be one wild ride right about now.

If you can, take a few moments and pray for Brandon's family. They're solid and they are awesome. Still he's got younger siblings who'll have to work this one out. Thank the Lord for his parents. Just bless them and speak major peace and God's perfect presence over them and the family.

Where, O death is your victory?
Where, O death is your sting?

That's right. The victory is in Jesus. Wonderful Jesus.

Here's to you, Brandon........ we'll be catching you later.