On the 22nd, my uncle, my dad's brother, who lived in California, died from what so far looks to be the same thing that caused the death of my own father, and as well the first heart-attack of their father, and they were all around the same age- 45ish.

I was shocked to hear of it, but since he had been suffering from many physical problems, which caused him a lot of pain on a daily basis, it was more understandable- his health being fragile and with the family history. As far as I know of yet, it was some sort of cardiac failure, but they planned to do an autopsy so I'll find out eventually.

My uncle, Scott, was the most understanding, compassionate, sweet-hearted person that I probably ever knew; I'd say the same thing if he were still living. He cared immensely about those he loved, and he loved fully and completely, and he loved many. He was a Christian, and more than being sad that he's no longer among us living, I was happy and even rejoiced for him that he was with the author of love, his Father. As far as I'm concerned, all I have to do is wait and I'll see him again, but in glory.

In fact, shortly after I found out about his physical death, (for he's alive spiritually,) I had a strong and distinct impression that he was, (and I know this is a clique and sounds corny,) smiling down on me, but the glory that accompanied this impression, which was his own glory, and the joy and peace that he exuded in this impression, I will from here on out recall when I think about death. I "saw" him chuckle, as he did living, and felt that he firmly wanted me to know that all is well in the world as a Christian, all is for it's own reason and is right, and that peace and joy inherently belong to the Christian, if only he were to accept everything as God' will, and God's will as Good. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God." ~Romans 8:28 This was the same type of impression that I got while driving on my way to visit Vu when were were recently engaged, but that one was of my dad knowing that I was engaged. In life he told me several times, oddly, that he believed that when you're "dead" you will be informed of things like your children getting married, and that was the only example he used in describing this. If these impressions were of my mind alone, that's fine, but I'm inclined to say that they were of my spirit, and not originating in my self. I didn't believe you would be informed of those things after dying, or of being visited by the dead like Scott appeared to have done when smiling at me. And yet they happened.

In reference to the natural body dying:
"It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." ~1 Corinthians 15:42-44

"O death, where is your sting? ...The sting of death is sin... but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~1 Corinthians 15:55-57

I "will not grieve as do [those] who have no hope." ~1 Thessaloinians 4:13