Missy loved children. Baby sitting was so much fun for her that it somehow didn't seem right that she would be paid for it. Her sense of humor and an ability to see situations as funny while they were occurring certainly helped. And Missy had a calmness about her that allowed her to be in a chaotic place without being bothered particularly.

We wonder what kind of mother Missy would have been had she had children of her own. Her spontaneity, creativity, and love for others would have made hers a happy, wonderful place for kids to grow in. The joy of the Lord would have filled a very happy home.

Missy loved to volunteer with children's groups: a tutoring group in East Palo Alto, a foster child program called Help One Child, summer trips to a Mexico orphanage, her high school servant safari to Mexico at Spring Break, and others. How Missy enjoyed time with kids. And how kids responded to Missy.

Why, Lord, would you limit Missy's days to these few? How can we understand your ways?

The prophet Isaiah speaks well when he says, "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; The devout are taken away, while no one understands."

Yes, Lord, we do trust. But we do not understand.