Her rough demeanor belied the goodness and warmth that her close friends and family knew so well. No stranger to hard work, she took side jobs cleaning houses and offices to supplement the family income. On weekends, she often cooked fry bread with her family and invited her friends to enjoy hot fry bread via Facebook. Her father’s fry bread stand was a crowd favorite during the annual Easter pageant at the Mesa Arizona Temple.
She often put the needs of her family and friends ahead of her own, going without so others would not; freely giving of herself. Tragically, she gave her life defending her family from an armed intruder.
One of my least favorite activities is renewing my drivers license, or registering my vehicle.
Today, I got to do both.
If you ever want a feeling of hopelessness, walk into almost any department of motor vehicle office, in any state, and the long lines will make you long for a BarcaLounger and a television remote. Add two hyper children into the mix, and you have a vision of what outer darkness could be like.
When I was younger, before the consolidated block we have now, the sacrament used to be administered during junior Sunday School. Aside from making me feel really old, I have some unique memories from attending church.
One of my favorite primary songs we sang as the bread was being broken was “We Bow Our Heads.”
For the first time in my life, I was invited to take the sacrament to a sister in the ward who is recuperating from surgery.
The word ‘remember’ is used frequently in the scriptures. In an October 2007 Conference address, President Eyring provided timely counsel and stressed the importance of remembering.
Today was an important day for remembering as I attended my maternal grandmother’s funeral and graveside service.
As my aunt, uncles and mother spoke at the funeral service, they spoke of memories that guided and shaped their lives.
A flood of memories rushed into my mind as I reflected on the impact my grandmother had on my life; my upbringing; the upbringing of my children.
I also reflected on how I want to be remembered by my family, friends, and my own children.
In response to President Eyring’s questions, “Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children?” I can respond without hesitation—yes!
Over the past several months, I have leaned and relied heavily upon the Lord; especially with the recent passing of my grandmother.
The Lord has blessed me richly and abundantly as I have remembered and followed Him.
Thanks be to God for rich blessings in store for those who but do His will–the promise of eternal life and exaltation.
I testify that He lives and that He loves each of His children. May we always remember Him and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
In a recent stake conference, a counselor in the mission presidency gave a powerful talk about looking on the heart, and not someone’s outward appearance.
As a member of the mission presidency, he is often called on to do follow-up interviews before someone is baptized. When he walked into the room for the interview, he saw a young man covered in tattoos and body piercings.
Gazing upon this young man, he said a silent prayer in his heart, “Lord, help me to see in him what thou seest in Him.”
