Sunday Will Come

This picture of Xela and me was taken 30 years ago in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.    I love it!  A couple of weeks ago I was holding my sweet little granddaughter, Jessalyn; she has been living in our home for seven months now so I have closely watched her grow from a preemie newborn to a chubby, happy 8 month old.  As I was holding her I felt this overwhelming feeling of love in my heart for her and gratitude for my five babies.  I loved my babies.  Having these two little girls, Jessalyn and Keira, living with us seems like a second chance at loving unconditionally.  I feel that kind of love for all of my grandchildren; I'm hoping their parents will benefit.

There have been some eventful happenings lately:  two 5K races, one 5.25 mile trail race, attending my oldest son's 2nd business location grand opening, getting answers from General Conference, Easter, teaching two Gospel Doctrine Sunday School lessons (gulp), and receiving a tender mercy while in the temple (other blog). And of course confronting all my weaknesses. 

I've been reading a remarkable book called, "Rescuing Wayward Children" by Larry Barkdull.  The greatest truth I have learned is the importance of sanctifying ourselves so we can therefore redeem our children.  I learned that I need to let the Lord do His work, trust Him, have faith in Him, and know that He knows what is best whether change takes place tomorrow or 50 years from now.  And perhaps even after we've left this frail existence. 

Elder Wirthlin gave a General Conference talk in October 2006, titled, "Sunday Will Come."  He said, "Each of us will have our own Fridays--those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces and it seems we can never be put together again.  But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death--Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.  No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come.  In this life or in the next, Sunday will come."  

How Blessed is this Grandma!

Nick and I spent a week in Salt Lake City over Thanksgiving with Gens and his family.  I've never spent time in SLC except for a day or two.  This time I explored the city on foot, at least the blocks from Trolley Square to Temple Square and Capital Hill.  I loved it!  We did a lot of driving into the different canyons for sightseeing and playing, too.  I decided that I have more fun playing as a grandma than I did as a kid.

We went to Pioneer Heritage Park ("This Is the Place" monument) for their annual Christmas village walk through with all the lights, carolers, train ride and even reindeer. We bundled up in our gloves, hat, and warm winter coats. It was freezing! My favorite exhibit was the live nativity with a sweet, living baby Jesus. When we were "following the star" to the manger I could sense we were going to witness something sacred.  As we walked into the little wooden structure where Mary and Joseph were with their newborn babe I almost felt like I was a shepherd kneeling in awe on that sacred night over 2000 years ago. What a wonderful start of the Christmas season!        

Families Should Be Forever!

Nick and Linda Goodman Family--1997

I sat and watched a civil case at Superior Court this week about a son who was counter-suing his mother who had sued him for $58,000. The law suit was for payment on a truck and money borrowed, and the counter-suit was for money the mother owed for work done by the son. They went back and forth, back and forth, when the judge finally said, "you need to take this out of court and sit down together as mother and son and work it out." Both sat in their seats shaking their heads like, "never!" I don't know what the outcome will be nor do I really care, but it sure got me thinking about the tragedy of this family being torn apart. There has to have been some time when this mother held her little baby boy, hugged her young son, and loved him. What happened?

I have seen other families being torn apart lately. I have a feeling that Heavenly Father is very sad when this happens. He is not pleased when mothers, fathers, children are at odds with each other, or when they are separated or separate themselves.

I met a young expectant mother of three whose husband was deported. I don't know where you stand on the immigration issue, but I know where I stood until I met her. This family should be together.

Divorce is running wild, even among the believers. No doubt some circumstances warrant this, but "can't we all just get along?"

I shared in my last post that the talks and spirit at General Conference chastened me. I searched the scriptures trying to find out why. One of the talks said if we want to be like Christ then we have to know who He is and what He says. I was prompted to read 3 Nephi which is about His visit to the Americas after the crucifixion. He teaches the people His new laws such as "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you." Also, "whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." And much, much more about loving, caring and forgiving each other.

I've certainly read this before, but there's new meaning in these "new laws." My experiences of late suggest that families must follow them if they are to succeed, and love each other the best way possible. Perhaps it begins with mothers and fathers.

Life is Good

I'm in Utah for my nephew, Adam's wedding, a Gent (my side) family reunion, hugging Keira, visiting Jorgen and Amy, another reunion of friends we knew while stationed in Spain and another wedding (the daughter of one of the families from Spain).

Keira Jacalynn, 3 months

Adam and Maile, July 23, 2010

Jorgen, Grandpa, Keira, and Amy

My heart is full to overflowing with feelings of gratitude and love for all the good that exists in my life. Yet I know if it weren't for the bad I would not understand or appreciate the good.