What a Blessing

Today was... I had the opportunity to share a wonderful day with a wonderful family. The Whitehead family is the greatest definition of love everlasting. Today, we had a simple ceremony for Dad Whitehead's passing. What a wonderful way to celebrate someone's life! A few simple expressions of love and friendship were shared by family and friends alike. I really appreciated the humbleness of each person as they got up to share some serious and sometimes funny tidbits of their lives with dad. Each person shared in their own way how they felt. It was a great blessing to be counted amongst the family membership, to know so many God fearing people with a great respect for each other and God.

Dad showed us all how to live a simple life. The best example was given by one of the grandsons on how simply he lived. He didn't worry about the little things. He always felt that anything could be solved through work and the love of Jesus Christ. Dad proclaimed his love for Jesus on may occasions. He made sure his sons knew the importance of a good work ethic and also of the great love for their Heavenly Father. He showed through example how to live for your family and for God. They were intertwined and treated the with the same respect. He and mom made sure the boys had everything they needed and even some things they just wanted. The boys learned through hard work and responsibility that they could accomplish anything. I think the best thing I heard was when Dad's father talked to some of the boys in his church one Sunday afternoon. Grandpa Whitehead asked all the boys at church to come to his house that afternoon. He told them that he expected to be able to see everyone of them in Heaven. Through this example, he emphasized the importance of living a Godly life, knowing that in the end, you will make it to God's kingdom. The importance in our lives is to live worthy to be with God. To show through our example and fortitude the way to eternal life. We as children of God must be worthy to go back to him someday to hear; "Well done, my Good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things. Thou shalt be made ruler over many things." 

I know without a doubt that Dad is with Mom now. The day started out raining in spurts to downpours. The clouds were dark and unruly. When the ending of the ceremony came to pass, the sun shone through the clouds. Mom was sharing with us her joy of being reunited with Dad again. Oh, what a glorious day. What a glorious blessing.

What's true, then again, what's false?

I think God put me here to learn more than anything else. I guess in my years of ignorance, the one thing I am learning is how little I know. Lately, people have informed me of falsehoods and rumors that seem or be rampant in society. We hear of many of these through curiosity and sometimes through anger and contention. 

I am learning to check out the information and to relay what I find as the answer, truth and fact. If people choose to ignore it at that point, then all I can do is pray that their eyes are opened to the realism of truth. I'm not sure if I am supposed to be the voice on these things, but I will do what I can when I am prompted. 

I want to say more but I feel the urge to hold off. I think it is so I can learn more facts. I know that Heavenly Father uses us as talking vessels for the truth. I also know that we are not to act in defense of the truth under contentious circumstances. I pray that if you find yourself in a questionable situation of defending the truth, be it religious or otherwise, that we will remember to pray and ask for assistance to know what to say and how to say it. God loves all of mankind even though he doesn't like all that we do. He is here to help us know what to say and most important, when and how to say it. I know that I've been directed to speak the truth when people are ready to hear it. I pray that someday, we will be able share our truths without provocation, and especially without contention. 

Tough weekend

I've been at my Father-in-laws home this weekend, watching his almost catatonic face as he suffers in his last days. The best motion of life was the softness in his eyes. You could see how the spirit was with him. Dad lives a very full life. He's not gone yet but soon will be. He was blessed with a large family so strong strapping sons. All of which were taught the concept of family importance and self reliance. They learned to respect others and maybe they got stepped on a bit, or lost a few battles here and there, but they all are full of life and a true love of God.

Gary's parents always taught them to trust in God and to pray. They shared a huge bond of love and understanding. I know for me it is humbling to see so many successful people in one family. I measure their success on the love of their children and how they are so cohesive. You can see in the children, the love of their parents. You also see the strength of their individual personalities. Bill and Dorothy Whitehead are a wonderful example of how to raise a loving family. They truly loved each other. They gave their children the opportunity to have their own free agency, in a time when it wasn't so much a tradition to do so. The boys all made very wise decisions. It's amazing how they ll seem to share the same traditions in their own families during the holidays and birthdays. Train a child in the way they should go and they will not stray far from it. It's a true concept in this family. They love God and show great respect to each other, their wives, children and other people who the deal with.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you would think I was describing another Mormon family. No, they are not LDS, but they show such a wonderful example of a good family life.  We as members of the church must remember that there is a lot of really good people in this world. They will be with God as are we. Their examples will shine as brightly as any that we can share. We know that Heavenly Father wants all his children to be with him. It is our responsibility to share how we feel. I was able to share a small portion of my testimony of the Book of Mormon this weekend. I know that it was inspired to talk about the comparison of the two sticks. The stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph. I know also that it was just a conversation and not a conversion. I know God loves us all... We need to remember more than how we live, but also how we share our lives with others...

I'm going to miss Dad when he goes to the great beyond, but I know of assurity he will be in a better place and no longer suffering. I know his family here on earth is prepared for his passing and they accept in their own way the will of the Lord. Their compassion and acceptance humbled me this weekend and helped me to remember the importance of our lives. It's important for me to remember who is in charge always. Our lives are intertwined with other lives not only to teach but to learn. I've been doing a lot of learning lately...

Conference session, 183rd semi annual...

I missed the first 30 minutes of this mornings conference. What I gathered from the rest of the session, was that we are being reminded of our obligations we made when we were baptized and confirmed. I was grateful that modern technology allowed me to watch on my iPad. Our leaders are so inspired to speak the words of God. I enjoyed seeing the diversity of our leadership. It was a pleasure to realize how far stretched the gospel is. I felt humbled as well through the admonitions of President Uctdorf. Sorry if I spelled his name wrong. He was an encouragement to me. I have a difficult time getting off my can and going to church. I say this with tears in my eyes. I don't like missing church. I know part of the time, it cant be helped, but I also know that I need to motivate myself more to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I have been praying and reading the scriptures this week. It has helped me to be able to get my heart in order so I can do the little things and grow in the gospel. I can't believe how much just a small touch of spiritualism has helped. My heart is so full. I am beginning to lose my fear for the future.

I have really been blessed this week. My communication lines with Aric (my oldest grandson) has grown leaps and bounds. He first is going by his name as Aric, and also he wishes to be able to communicate with Melanie again. Not right away, but he wants to open the door. I can't express how much this fills my heart with love and appreciation for my life and MY family. I know without a doubt that once again, God has his hand in opening the communication in our family. Aric is excited to get back in touch with us and wants to see everybody again. I just can't wait.

 

I have been humbled in so many ways. I feel loved so much. My friends and family show love to me. I have been blessed so much. I love my God and I love how life can be good even in these trying times. I also am blessed to live here on the coast and to enjoy everyday the beauty of its beaches and the ocean. It's also awesome to know that I can see the mountains and valleys so closely. Heavenly Father made all this for us. He gave us his son so we can be with him again. He gave us contention so we can learn to compromise and help each other. He gave us love so we can learn charity and give to those in need. He gave us understanding so we can help and pray for those who need encouragement. He gave us family and friends so we can teach and learn from each other. He gave us patience so we can realize the blessings of prayer and perseverance. He gave us faith so we can have something to lean on when all else seems to fall apart.

I'm so grateful for all I have. I am so full of love and the spirit right now. I pray that my words hit someone in a good way. I only hope and pray that we as a people can come together as one in purpose and in prayer. I KNOW the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I KNOW that God lives and loves us. I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true along with the Holy Bible and the other scriptures are true as far as they are translated correctly. I KNOW that the leaders of the church as inspired by Heavenly Father. I KNOW that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet, Seer and Revelater for our time. I KNOW that Jesus Christ will come down in his time and clean up the trials and problems we are facing... God is always with us...Keep the faith and go on...