Erin Alies Photography: Darin "Precious Present" Collins: In the Arms of Jesus

I know it seems

Like this could be

The darkest day you've known

But believe you me

The God of strength

Will never let you go

He will overcome, I know

And the arms that hold the universe

Are holding you tonight

You can rest inside

It's gonna be alright

And the voice that calmed the raging sea

Is calling you His child

So be still and know He's in control

He will never let you go

Through many dangers, toils and snares

You have already come

His grace has brought you safe this far

(And) His grace will lead you home

And the arms that hold the universe

Are holding you tonight

You can rest inside

It's gonna be alright

And the voice that calmed the raging sea

Is calling you His child

So be still and know He's in control

He will never let you go

You can hope, you can rise, you can stand

He has still got the whole world in His hands

You can hope, you can rise, you can stand

He's still got the whole world, the whole world in His hands

And the arms that hold the universe

Are holding you tonight

You can rest inside

It's gonna be alright

And the voice that calmed the raging sea

Is calling you His child

So be still and know He's in control

He will never let you go

(He's) Still got the whole world in His hands

in His hands, yeah

Still got the whole world in His hands

*Arms of the Universe, 33 miles.

Yesterday morning Darin Collins was born into the arms of Jesus; 4 oz. 7 inches, 10 fingers, 10 toes, God's perfect design. Darin means "precious present," and that is just what he is to his mommy and daddy and the rest of his family. Darin's mommy and daddy are dear friends of mine who have been on an incredible journey of suffering in the last year as they gave their daughter Rachel Lael to Jesus at 39 weeks and now their sweet baby Darin joins her in Heaven at 16 weeks. They know that God has a plan, that he works through suffering, and that even though they have so much pain right now, one day they will join their angels in Heaven for eternity. Jeff and Sara, Kayla and Ty...I could not be more proud of you, more blessed by you, and could not love you more.

A letter to Darin, followed by images I've never been more proud of.

~Dear Darin,

When your mommy told me you were coming, I smiled from the inside out. You are joy. Your life was precious from the moment in began and we praised God that you were there. When mommy went to see you on the ultrasound and they could not hear your heartbeat we knew you were already with Jesus. We were so sad because we knew that we would not get to keep you, but rejoice that Jesus is holding you with your big sister Rachel. We know that Rachel needed you. We waited for you to come and held you when you did.We saw the knot in your cord...I like to think that there was so much joy inside you that you were dancing in there. Mommy and Daddy named you Darin which means precious present, because every life is precious...your life is precious. At 4 oz, 7 inches...you have 10 perfect tiny fingers, 10 perfect tiny toes and I took one look at you and fell in love. Your big sister Kayla could not be more proud of you and held you all day. Your big brother Tyler loved looking at you and showing you to people...he said to the nurse "we like our baby."...we LOVE you Darin. Mommy, Daddy, Kayla and Tyler can't wait to be with you one day...I can't wait to hold you again one day. You are our precious present. I love you, you are always in my heart. ~"Auntie" Erin