"There's nothing like a brand new baby"

That's what my friend Emily always says. Today, I realized how true that statement is.

I've tried and tried to formulate words to adequately describe the feelings I've felt today as I watched my beautiful sister and ever supportive brother-in-law marvel over their brand new piece of heaven. Heaven is the most accurate description of the little boy that has blessed our family, and has only been here a few short hours! Such unequivocal perfection can only come from one place... heaven. It is my belief that heaven was in fact very near this sweet baby, as he said goodbye to his angel brother that we said a tearful goodbye to 10 months ago today.

This is what a beautiful, perfect, amazing piece of heaven looks like.

As we drove to the hospital today, this time with joyful anticipation, the words of a dear Apostle ran through my mind.

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

One of the blessings of the gospel is the knowledge that when the curtain of death signals the end of our mortal lives, life will continue on the other side of the veil. There we will be given new opportunities. Not even death can take from us the eternal blessings promised by a loving Heavenly Father.

Because Heavenly Father is merciful, a principle of compensation prevails."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Come What May, and Love It,” Ensign, Nov 2008,

As completely joyful as today has been, my mind can't help but recall the last time we drove to the hospital, that time with absolute sorrow at something that was taken from us. Tears flowed freely as I tried to understand why my sweet sister should have to bear the burden of losing a child, at such a young age. I still don't understand how so much pain can be felt by the human soul. I do know, now more than ever, that we have a merciful Heavenly Father, and "that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."

That day was today.

And he is such a wonderful kind of compensation.

As I looked into the beautiful, bright eyes of this brand new, fresh from heaven Baby Angel, my heart overflowed with immense love for him. And also for another Angel Baby that because of the Plan of Salvation, I will get to hold in my arms and admire with all the love an auntie can. Heaven felt pretty darn close at that very moment.

There really is nothing like a brand new baby.