He Is Not Here

Last September, I was struggling with the knowledge that my Mom was getting ready to pass away. It was a very difficult time for me and my family. I was staying with my parents during the last months of my Mom's life. I had a hard time leaving her during that time, because I was afraid if I left, she would pass away and I wouldn't be able to say goodbye. On one occasion, I decided to go with my brother, Stephen and my sister, Stephanie to a bookstore. I was feeling anxious being away from my Mom, and still struggling with the thoughts of loosing her. As I walked around the bookstore I saw a painting for sale that instantly brought me peace. I had never seen the painting before and I stood there entranced by the simple message it portrayed. It was a painting by Walter Rane entitled He Is Not Here. Seeing this painting about the Savior, without the Savior in it, had such an impact on me. I had not fully thought about impact of the resurrection until seeing the empty tomb.

I wanted to buy the painting, but decided to wait. A couple of months later, just after my Mom passed away, I went back to the bookstore to see the painting again. The one that I wanted was gone. There were other copies of the painting, but none that were framed as beautifully as the one that I had seen originally. I returned to my Dad's house and found the painting that I wanted sitting in the Kitchen. My brother Stephen, had purchased it for me. I still get emotional when I think about his generosity. I have the painting hanging above the couch in our living room and when I get discouraged, I look at it and once again feel the peace that the complete atonement brings.

He Is Not Here
by Walter Rane

This Easter feels different, to me, than any other Easter. I feel the full impact of the Atonement on a more personal level. I have had many experiences where I have been able to reap the benefits of the atoning blood that was spilt for me in the garden, but I had never considered the personal benefits of the atoning body that was given so that resurrection could be possible. It is because of the Savior giving His life, that I know that I will be able to see my Mom whole and healthy again. I know that we will be together again. I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and for His willingness to fulfill the atoning sacrifice which makes it possible for us to be completely whole.

Those words, "He is not here, for He is risen", have a powerful place in my heart. For now, my Mom is not here. I can't call her on the phone and ask for her advice, or walk through the garden with her, but I know that one day I will be able to see her again and we will be able to pick up right where we left off.

Temples

Yesterday, Dwight and I attended a Dedication service for the Draper Temple. It was such a peaceful, and spiritual experience. We are blessed to have three Temples surrounding us. We are able to see all three Temples (The Oquirrh Mountain, Jordan River and Draper) from our home. In a few months, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple will be complete and we will be able to participate in the Open House and attend the Dedication. We are very blessed to have a Temple so close. There are some people who spend their life savings to travel to the Temple, or who have no opportunity at all to attend the Temple.

There is much curiosity about what goes on inside the Temple. If you are interested in learning more click here to watch a short video about the blessings of the Temple.

I am so grateful that I am able to reap the blessings of the Temple. It is a beautiful place to be. I feel like I am home when I sit in the Temple.

My Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday, so I have been thinking about him all morning. I am blessed to have such a good Dad. He has done so much for me.

When I was younger, my Dad worked full-time, served as a Bishop in our Ward, and went to school to finish his Masters Degree - all at the same time. I remember one night I was having a hard time. My favorite quilt that my Grandma made for me had been put in the dryer and part of it melted. I was crying and refused to go to sleep. My Dad came home from his evening classes and rocked me in a chair in the living room. He was drinking the last Sprite from the fridge and he let me have a drink. I thought that I was so special because I was cuddled in my Dad's arms and drinking some of the coveted Sprite. Even though we didn't see my Dad much during those busy times, we talked to him on the phone and we always knew he was there for us. His sacrifice taught me about the importance of seeing things through, of serving even when times are difficult and of working hard.

I remember standing on his feet and dancing with him on New Years Eve in the basement family room. I always thought that he was so tall and strong and I felt safe when I was near him.

He plays the violin beautifully. In fact, he went through his first couple of years of College on a scholarship because of his incredible talent. Some evenings he would walk through the hall and into each of our bedrooms and play his violin as we were falling asleep.

He built a playhouse for us in the back yard using a huge wooden crate. He threw a rope across a tall branch in the massive tree behind our house and made the biggest swing I had ever seen. He would take us sledding and camping and on numerous vacations. He would also take us flying in the car. This is now a favorite of the Grandkids. He would speed up the car and "take off" and then come in for a slightly bumpy landing.

My Dad provided well for us. He made sure that we lived in a nice house in a safe and nice neighborhood, even if it meant that he had a longer commute to work. I never felt like I had to go without, even though he taught us the importance of saving money and spending wisely.

Howard W. Hunter said, "One of the greatest things a Father can do for his children is to love their Mother". It was such a blessing to witness how much my Dad loved my Mom, and how much my Mom loved my Dad. I would get a little embarrassed when he would walk in the door from work and kiss my mom, but I always thought it was such a special thing. I recognized that love even more when I was older and became a wife myself. I am impressed with the honor that he showed for my Mom. He treated her with respect and as an equal. He was extremely supportive throughout all of her cancer trials. He retired early from his long and successful career so he could spend as much time with her as possible during her last year. Watching him care for her is something I will treasure always. When the Hospice team came in during her last months, they told us repeatedly that he was an amazing husband. One of the Hospice workers said that he had never seen a husband care for a wife so well. I know that he truly loves her.

Thank you Dad for constantly teaching me and for being such a wonderful Father. I am truly blessed. I love you.

The Draper Temple

This morning I went with my sister, Jessica, her husband Justin, and my Dad to the Draper Temple open house. It was a beautiful and peaceful place to be.

We went to a Stake Center to park. We watched a short video about the Temple and then we were shuttled via bus to the Temple. It was only the 4 of us and the tour guide on the bus. Just before the bus pulled away, my Dad's cousin-in-law stepped on the bus to say hello. He was one of the many volunteers at the Stake Center. It was a wonderful surprise. When we were touring the Temple, we saw his cousin, Barbara.

We were the only ones touring the Temple for the majority of the tour. It was neat to walk around in the Temple and enjoy the quiet beauty that is there.

I am so grateful for Temples. My testimony about the importance of Temples has grown even more in the past few months. Last Friday marked the 40th anniversary of my parents wedding, which took place in the Salt Lake Temple. My Dad invited us to go and do a session at the Temple that night. I think it was such an appropriate way to celebrate such an important day in our lives. It is so comforting to know that I am sealed to my family for eternity. Even though we are apart from my Mom for now, we will be with her again.

For more information about Temples, click here.

Light

On Monday, we went to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square. The weather was perfect for walking around and enjoying the lights.

I find it brilliant that we celebrate Christmas so close to the darkest day of the year. I think it is a perfect way to remember the light. I love to see all of the Christmas lights and think about how amazing it is to have both electricity and the light that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we are in trying times, but amidst all of the gloom, there is light. There is hope, and joy and love.

I am grateful that I have a knowledge of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that by following Him, and His light, I will be truly happy. He is the light and the life of the world.

John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving Proclamation By Abraham Lincoln:

"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."

I'm grateful that in our country, Thanksgiving is a day to remember the blessings we have received from God. I have a heart full of gratitude this year. It has been a difficult year, but because of a belief in God and in his mercy, I have felt peace.

I am grateful that I have been blessed with wonderful family and friends.