What matters most...

I had the opportunity to go visit Jaymeson and Shelby last week to help out and I returned a better person - not by anything I had done. I received food from heaven there and reaped the benefits of many tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be an aunt and sister. I am so grateful for the gospel and the plan of happiness it really is. I am grateful for the power of optimism and the peace that we can receive by the grace of God. I'm grateful that when life hands us struggles, the Lord never denies us His hand. I've been blessed with the gift of very real and direct communication with my Father in Heaven - again for no reason on my part. Undeservedly, peace is never out of reach, even when storms rage in life. I'm amazed that He cares for us so. Just wanted to jot my thought down while it was on my mind.

Joyous Reunion

How much I'll miss his familiar face, but how much I rejoice that he is reunited with his dear wife and has returned in glory to the presence of the Father and Son, who certainly have said "Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant." His was the face of a common man with the reflection of the Lord in it. His was the voice of an aged man, but it resonated the voice of a Heavenly Messenger. His mouth spoke words that gave me resolve and determination to be a better person, to stand taller, to have hope and charity. He stirred my soul, he was the prelude to my tears of gratitude. We are so incredibly blessed to live in a time when we hear oft a live stream from heaven - words of inspiration and comfort. I was in President Hinckley's presence as a child once and had never felt something up to that point so close to the presence of a heavenly being. I love this man and hope that next time I am in his presence, I'll be able to thank him for his dedicated love and service.