8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV

From the moment Hugh Dermott O'Connor - later to become Francis Joel Smith - was conceived, God's sovereign and perfect plan was in motion.

Born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that a_ects the formation of the face during the first trimester of pregnancy, Hugh's face was so severely deformed emergency surgery was performed moments after his bvvirth so he could breathe. Soon thereafter, he was deemed deaf and retarded. Should he survive, many believed he was destined to live out his life inside the walls of an institution.

The Lord had other plans. Decades earlier, Bob and Betty Smith, were divinely brought together, prepared, and placed exactly where they needed to be to take this struggling, suffering child who battled for survival, into their home. During their marriage they adopted ten total children with various struggles and challenges and raised them all to love the Lord.

At two-and-a-half years old, Hugh was seamlessly integrated into the "put together" Smith family where he was renamed Francis Joel Smith. Through daily scripture reading and prayer he was nourished spiritually, and relentless ongoing tube feedings nourished him physically. Above all, they taught their children to look to the Lord first, no matter what, and never give in to their challenges. The Lord steadily provided for their needs. Through prayer and obedience, every challenge was met head on. When Francis was nine years old, he was Born Again when he accepted the atoning, wondrous, perfect work Jesus did on the cross, and believed in Jesus as his own personal Savior.

On October 25th, 2023, the angels escorted Francis into the eternity of his choice, Heaven, where he flew into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Perfect and whole he is now rejoined with his beloved family and numerous friends who chose to love the Lord during their earthly lives.