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looked into his eyes, she saw compassion and love.
    The altogether lovely One leaned forward and smiled when she finally met his gaze. “Olympia, my beloved.” He spoke in the warm voice of a father who has spent years yearning for a long-lost child. “I have waited so long to welcome you home.”
    Olympia lowered her arms to the floor, prostrating herself in the presence of Majesty. Hundreds of other human spirits bowed in various places around the throne. For each the Savior had a smile and a personal greeting, but still she felt utterly cherished and adored. The Lord of Glory had chosen her; he had brought her home.
    She wasn’t sure how long she knelt in adoration and gratitude, but Caleb’s gentle touch roused her to movement. “Come,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “Others are waiting to greet you.”
    An instant later she found herself standing on a large balcony suspended above the azure heavens. Hundreds of people milled about her in transparent forms that had the features and shapes of human bodies without the substance. “They are incorporeal,” Caleb said, apparently reading her thoughts, “spirit beings, like you.”
    Suddenly, Edmund stood before her. Even if she had not seen the outline of his former self, she would have recognized the warmth of his smile, the joy in his heart, and the kindness of his spirit.
    â€œOlympia!” Love warmed his voice. “Welcome to the kingdom of God!”
    â€œEdmund!” She hurried to hug him, then felt an instant’s frustration when she realized she could not. But Edmund had mastered life in the spirit realm, and when she closed her eyes his spirit drew near to hers, enveloping her in a way that left no room for doubts or frustration. Breathing in his essence, Olympia realized this was the warmest embrace she had ever experienced. Two spirits united in love and holiness. . . . As close as she and Edmund had been on earth, this was far more thrilling.
    Edmund was smiling when she opened her eyes. “Welcome, darling. So many people have been waiting for you.”
    Speechless with amazed joy, Olympia shifted her gaze in time to see her mother, her father, Ferrell, and Ruth Ann gathered in a small half-circle. She embraced each of them as she had embraced Edmund, and as she drew near to each of them she marveled that such closeness could exist between two human souls.
    She smiled after greeting her former sister-in-law, realizing that her feelings of antipathy had completely vanished.
    â€œWe have no place for resentment here,” Ruth Ann said, a smile lighting her features. “Resentment is a product of competition, and here there is no need to compete. We are all loved by the Savior, all redeemed by his precious blood. We are one in the Lord, and as one, we are equal.”
    Again, she felt Caleb’s touch. “Someone here would like to meet you.”
    Olympia turned to see another man, tall and white-haired, but full of life. His eyes snapped as he stepped forward to embrace her in love. “Olympia! I’ve heard many things about you, and I’ve seen you offer worthy service in the name of the Lord. I am pleased to have you as a descendant.”
    She gaped at the stranger. “And you are . . .”
    He bowed slightly. “On earth I was a humble sea captain. I am the Lord’s servant, Jacques de Cuvier.”
    If she’d had a mortal body, Olympia knew she would have fainted.
    â€œWe have so much to tell you.”
    Dazed, Olympia swiveled as someone else spoke. “Mama?”
    Her mother, who’d been in heaven over fifty years, stepped forward, light sparkling in her eyes. “I know it was hard for you to be parted from me when you were so young, but you were never far from my thoughts. I have watched you so many times over the course of your life. I’ve prayed for you in your struggles, hoping you would lean on the Spirit for understanding rather