B's step-sister J past away late last week from massive heart attack at the age of 53. She is 11 years older than B and so they knew separate lives. B was asked to speak at her short memorial services held in Murray cemetery yesterday. I am so grateful for the Gospel, and the direction and knowledge we have! As he considered what to say, how to share his beliefs that she is not really dead. She lives on, just not on this earth in that mortal body we knew, we all came to realize deeper how grateful we are for our own testimonies of eternity.
Weather has been very strange this year! We drove up, over snow covered passes to get to SLC late on Tuesday night. B worked from SLC on Wednesday and then the services were mid-day on Thursday. The request for him to speak didn't come until late in the day on Wednesday. Many on B's side of our family are not active in any religion. Their beliefs of a God at all are tested and sparse. I am so grateful to recognize that the perfect weather was a gift from a loving Father just for us. As a result of requests from J's kids and spouse K, her body was cremated, and they only wanted a short graveside memorial where they were to intern her ashes next to her baby brother Neil's. Immediately following the services (which were difficult for many who were standing in lumpy grass around the grave, but enjoyed in peaceful, perfect sunshine,) we walked back to the car, noticing the very light rain sprinkling on us, I believe raindrops from heaven, testifying of life hereafter and her continued love and concern for her family. B did a great job, I am so grateful he has a testimony of the resurrection of Christ and of His great sacrifice for us to also be resurrected and then live as immortal beings together! I am grateful to know that our bodies and spirits will be reunited to a perfect state, and that life will continue in a form we can't now comprehend. I am grateful to understand that family was created by God, our Father, and will continue after this life!
We returned home to St. George after the funeral, with amazing, beautiful rainbows (even double rainbows for much of the way!!!) following us all the way! I love the song "I'll build you a rainbow, way up high above, and send down a sunbeam, plump full of love. Sprinkle down raindrops, tear drops of love, I'll be happy in heaven watching over my boy!" I know it was loved ones from the other side - Farmor and others - watching over, guiding us, protecting us from danger, and encouraging us to continue doing our best as parents and children here in this earth life!
I am so grateful for the blessing to be a mother! I am thrilled to be an instrument in the hand of God to partner with him and my amazing husband to allow little ones to come to this earth! I am grateful for good health and for amazing young people around me! I am constantly amazed at their ability to accomplish! I am 5+ months along now, and can't do all that I wish I could. I know this time will be short, my J will leave on his mission, and this test of pregnancy will come to an end to welcome a little one from heaven! Thank you Father for blessing me! Thank you for an amazing husband, for the power of the priesthood here on this earth, for the knowledge we have of eternity! Thank you for beautiful young people I get to learn and grow with! Please lead me, guide me, walk beside me! Help me find Thy way!
Weather has been very strange this year! We drove up, over snow covered passes to get to SLC late on Tuesday night. B worked from SLC on Wednesday and then the services were mid-day on Thursday. The request for him to speak didn't come until late in the day on Wednesday. Many on B's side of our family are not active in any religion. Their beliefs of a God at all are tested and sparse. I am so grateful to recognize that the perfect weather was a gift from a loving Father just for us. As a result of requests from J's kids and spouse K, her body was cremated, and they only wanted a short graveside memorial where they were to intern her ashes next to her baby brother Neil's. Immediately following the services (which were difficult for many who were standing in lumpy grass around the grave, but enjoyed in peaceful, perfect sunshine,) we walked back to the car, noticing the very light rain sprinkling on us, I believe raindrops from heaven, testifying of life hereafter and her continued love and concern for her family. B did a great job, I am so grateful he has a testimony of the resurrection of Christ and of His great sacrifice for us to also be resurrected and then live as immortal beings together! I am grateful to know that our bodies and spirits will be reunited to a perfect state, and that life will continue in a form we can't now comprehend. I am grateful to understand that family was created by God, our Father, and will continue after this life!
We returned home to St. George after the funeral, with amazing, beautiful rainbows (even double rainbows for much of the way!!!) following us all the way! I love the song "I'll build you a rainbow, way up high above, and send down a sunbeam, plump full of love. Sprinkle down raindrops, tear drops of love, I'll be happy in heaven watching over my boy!" I know it was loved ones from the other side - Farmor and others - watching over, guiding us, protecting us from danger, and encouraging us to continue doing our best as parents and children here in this earth life!
I am so grateful for the blessing to be a mother! I am thrilled to be an instrument in the hand of God to partner with him and my amazing husband to allow little ones to come to this earth! I am grateful for good health and for amazing young people around me! I am constantly amazed at their ability to accomplish! I am 5+ months along now, and can't do all that I wish I could. I know this time will be short, my J will leave on his mission, and this test of pregnancy will come to an end to welcome a little one from heaven! Thank you Father for blessing me! Thank you for an amazing husband, for the power of the priesthood here on this earth, for the knowledge we have of eternity! Thank you for beautiful young people I get to learn and grow with! Please lead me, guide me, walk beside me! Help me find Thy way!