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The following are three letters that I wrote during class on April 14. I felt that the exercise done in class was extremely productive and wanted to include them on my blog. The first letter is me to God, the second is God to me, and the third is me to me.

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Dear God,

I encounter you every week, however, many times throughout the week I feel that You are distant from me. Sunday's at Terra Nova I feel close to you and close to the rest of my community of believers, however, through the week I miss your presence. I realize this may totally be my fault because my devotions and prayer are sporadic at best. At the same time, I go to seminary, work at a church, and know that you are everywhere. If I can find you everywhere then why don't I?
This 'everywhere' has been difficult for me to grasp especially this past week. I felt Your presence while my wife and I cried on the couch, but where were you earlier when my baby died? How is it something that seemed so God-inspired, like our pregnancy, ended so needlessly and tragically. Why is it that a being that I never met, and up until two months ago never knew existed, meant so much to me?
It seems that every year for the last seven years, we receive information that destroys my wife and I...an yet also unites us. Why is the Spring time our valley? I hope. I pray. I await Your answer.

Dustyn

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Dustyn,

I love you. It was not my plan for this devastation to befall you and humanity. This cost you, and it cost me just as much if not more. My heart breaks for you just like it breaks for all my children on the planet. I am here with you through the pain.
I love your questions so continue to ask them. Never cease looking for the answers. Continue serving, loving, caring, and sharing. Do not let atrocities like losing a child dissuade you from following Me. Use these life situations to help others going through the same problems.
Remember I was with your baby from the very beginning, even when it was created. I held it in My hands while still in the womb, and loved it before, during and after its life ceased. It is with me and wishes to see you. I am sorry its creation has caused you pain, but understand that I am the creator of life. I hold the abilities of life and death therefore felt it the right time to bring your baby home.

God

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Dustyn,

What can I say but sometimes life sucks. Sometimes through my life I feel that there is this constant barrage of destruction that heads my way. Every year around this time Robin and I seem to be left on our own in some way. I continue to come back to the promises of God to humanity to get me through those times. Promises like:

- I will never leave you
- I will never forsake you
- I will save you i you ask me to
- I love you and nothing could ever change that
- I have left someone to help you...the Holy Spirit

These are some of the promises that we must come back to in our times of struggle to remember who God is. When you seem lost and alone, go back to what you know to be true. If you are so far that you can't remember what you know, seek help for someone who can lead you to the truth you once knew.

Dustyn