David, Meghan, & Brady Azam: Thanks Les for sharing.  This is one of my favorite hymns as well and I think it is because of the story behind it.  I was teaching my 5th/6th graders on Job the other day and used this story...they are remarkably similar.  I'm almost positive that Spafford wrote some of this hymn on his journey to England to meet his wife after the crash.  Could you imagine being in those same waters where your children perished and writing about "sea billows" rolling?  Thank God for people like Horratio Spafford that we may see the evidence of faith in his life and know that God can carry us through things such as this.  Thank you for sharing your heart and reminding us of this amazing story behind this beloved hymn Les. (December 08th, 2008)