Thoughts...

Yesterday, I was fortunate to attend a lovely funeral for a very wonderful man. It seems lately, that I attend a funeral about every other month, and it makes me sad. Where are all these great people going?

In my belief, it is Heaven, and with their loved ones that have passed on. I believe that we will see them once again, in their glory. However, my most concrete and firm belief is that we will return to Jesus and our Heavenly Father; with their outstretched arms saying, "you've done well." I hope at least, I have "done well."

Every evening Chris and I read together before bed. Currently, we are reading the "Kingdom and the Crown," series (I have read these previously, but I wanted to share this experience with Chris). Anyway, these books follow the life and times of Jesus Christ, and his ministry, in a Historical Fiction format. Chris and I just read the story of the man who had Palsy's disease. Christ was resting when 4 men carried a crippled man to him, the man was very stricken with the disease. Christ simply asks the man if he believes he can be healed; and of course the man does. The once stricken man stands up, as instructed by Jesus, and goes to prepare supper with his 4 friends, completly healed. This story makes me think of  those friends and relatives that have recently passed on. They will be healed as well. How glorious it must be to finally know without a doubt that God lives, and He loves us, and NEVER left us, and to feel His arms around us.

For those of you that may believe differently, I mean no disrespect, but this is my simple Testimony. However, I do know that I have some friends and family that are struggling with things in their personal lives (and may read this), and I just want them to know that I KNOW that Heavenly Father is aching for them, and does see their pain. Never give up hope. Never think you are forgotten. There have been times in my life when I felt abandoned by the Savior, but it was I who abandoned Him. I know the pain when you feel so alone that you could cry...pray, He is there, He is listening. I believe that Jesus died for us, not just some, all of us. That means you! And, because of His sacrifice Familes will be, and can be Forever.

Chris and I, both, have experienced times in our lives when we wanted nothing to do with Heavenly Father or Christ, we actually avoided it at all costs...but we soon found out what was the actual cost. I love my Heavenly Father, and I thank Him everyday for the blessings I receive (even though I feel like I do not deserve them). I am thankful for all my friends and family, and I do not know what I would do without any of you. I hope that for those of you who are struggling, know that I pray for you, and yearn for you to know that you are loved more than you know. "If you could only see yourself as I see you."

Well, those are the musings of a woman awake at 5 in the morning....I must have had a dream last night that I was a preacher in some church revival out East in the 1800's. Some people shouldn't eat dairy past 10, I guess I should not read Historical Fiction past 11. Sorry. However, I assume you don't mind reading my ramblings, you got to the end of the post. Ha.

P.S. Over Conference weekend, I fell in love with this picture. It reminds me of my Riley...it makes me tear up.