Merry Christmas, and happy New Year from all of the Tench's..... Our Christmas was filled with much family, joy, and happiness this year, and we were constantly reminded of just how truly blessed we all continue to be. Understandably, there was some sadness regarding the loss of my father, but we were also thankful that his suffering is over and that he is with our Lord in Heaven. Life is Good, and Eternal Life is even better! For more than a year now, it has been my honor to keep all of you (our family, friends, church, and loved ones) up to date regarding my father's battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Lung Transplant, and ultimately Posttransplantation Lymphoproliferative Disorder. During this time I could see with more clarity than ever that God was working, not just in my father's life, but also in mine and my family's. We have faced many challenges in 2008.... even with me being laid off from my job this past Summer (coincidentally on the same day my dad found out he had lymphoma).... but even that, I have come to see as part of the blessings we were given this Fall. I was given the gift of time.... time to spend with my father and help him and my family walk through the struggle of these past four months. I know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle, and the outpouring of prayers and support from everyone has been a rock on which we could always rely. I have no words to adequately express how thankful my family and I have been for everything you have done. As I have said before.... God has been our support for this journey, and it is clear that you were all instruments of his work. In the next few days I will be creating a hardbound book derived from the content of this Caringbridge website. It will contain all of the story, journal, and photos. The lovingly written guestbook entries, which we continue to treasure, will also become part of its pages. If anyone is interested in obtaining a copy, please send me an e-mail at tenchfamily@tench.com. I am also bringing online a new website (a Blog of sorts) to keep our family and friends abreast of the many new adventures, trips, holidays, joys, and life we will continue to celebrate and be thankful for in the years ahead: http://tench.shutterfly.com And so, I now bring to a close this final Caringbridge chapter for my dad, Jim Tench. My father will forever be my role model for facing challenge, working hard, and ultimately letting go--trusting to faith.... whatever God's ultimate plan for us may be. Thanks Dad! Please keep in touch! Love, James. Life is Good!