Eight years ago, Nanci and I did a question and answer time with the group of young moms at our church. One of the questions we answered was, “What do you like most about Jesus?” I remember this question and Nanci’s answer well.

Nanci and I used to talk a lot about our New Earth post-bucket lists, consisting of all the things we look forward to doing after we die, and in particular, after the resurrection. Nanci’s post-bucket list included her dream to spend a lot of time by a lake, playing with dogs. She often told me that she was asking Jesus to let her serve Him by living near the water and taking care of dogs and otters, as well lions, cheetahs, dolphins, monk seals, manta rays, and whales (she never mentioned eels!).

You get to hear Nanci’s contagious laugh in this video clip. I am confident that when Jesus brought her into His presence, she received a rich welcome and heard His laugh of delight—and those wonderful words, “Well done.”

(If you’d like to watch our full Q&As at the Mom to Mom group, see part one and part two here.)

Photo by Tara Winstead