I have done quite a bit of domestic air travel over the course of my life. Flying in and out of Darwin you end up sitting in a airline seat for 4-5 hours. I find myself getting restless toward the end of the flight and am hanging out for the moment when the engine note changes, the angle of descent increases and the captain announces that we are 'coming in to land'. Better still is the moment when the seatbelt light is re-illuminated. At that point you know that the destination is in sight and the journey will soon end.

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For Sue, the seatbelt light is on now. It has been a wonderful journey, and it is not complete yet, but she is looking forward to being 'home' soon. Sue is secure that the knowledge that her death is but a transition from a worldly to a heavenly existence within her eternal life. On the weekend we had a wonderful quiet and intimate conversation during which Sue confirmed that as far as she was concerned 'all was said and done' in saying goodbye and that she is 'ready and waiting' on God's impeccable timing. She then confirmed that she knows that she is going to heaven because "I love God and He loves me". What a simple and sound theology. What a release it was for her, me and the kids to know that she is secure and content as she embraces her coming transition.

Sue is here at home and we expect that she will be able to stay here to the end. Even better, she is in her own bed and I can lay with her and hold her hand as we drift to sleep as we have every night in the past. Our home is often busy with our kids and their spouses, medical people, and visitors (though Sue is not seeing anyone now). While there are obviously individual and collective moments when the emotions well up and overflow, there is also much much joy and laughter. Our home continues to be a place of hospitality and vitality, itself a fitting legacy to Sue's passion and influence. The palliative care team and the community nurses have all commented that they love coming here and sharing time with us all. These people have joined the ranks of our supporters and friends. Weird huh?

As I type, I have the final verse of In Christ Alone by Getty/Townend running through my head. I think it says it all.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

And so, community of fellow sojourners, it seems most likely that the next (but not last) blog post will be to share with you that Sue has died as she has lived - a much loved and expansively loving child of God.

We continue to give prayerful thanks to you all for your faithful interest and support in our lives. I doubt that you could begin to understand how significant it is to us to be carried in the hearts and minds of so many, so faithfully. True empathy is a gift, but it also comes at a price. Thank you for your willingness to bear that price.

Grace and peace to you all.