Life changing

Being in the Bountiful Temple to get Liz her endowment was the best day. It was inspiring. The spirit in the temple was like a warm blanket just resting on us all. IT was inspiring to see so many family and ward members together in the Lord’s house. Liz was there and happy. I am so grateful I could be there that day.

Leaving the temple I had two impressions:

1.)The veil is thin. We can be close to all those who pass on before us. The separation is real but it isn’t far away. It struck Karyn and I both in the session and the strength of the spirit was incredible. Going to the temple will keep us close to all our Loved Ones, especially the Savior.

2.)Every time I have witnessed a death—especially one in our family, I have felt that it needs to be a turning point, an epiphany or a new starting place for making myself more congruent. I want to live better. I want to have my actions match my beliefs and my knowledge more often. I want to be better.

I decided this time I would pick specific things I can do better instead of just a nebulous ideal.

1.) I want to not complain but will count my blessings more.

2.) I want to speak to my children and my husband with more tenderness and patience.

No regrets that I wish I had taken more time to play instead of ask them to play together, or play later.

No regrets that I wish I had asked them more often what they think or how they feel.

No regrets with getting frustrated with attitude and sassy answers but instead responding in love.

No regrets that I didn’t love enough, or show enough love to my dearest family.

3.) I am going to learn a new skill every year. I was really impressed with how much Liz learned in her short 19 years of life. I need to get to work! There are a lot of talents I want to learn.

My niece Liz is a wonderful artist. She is so bright and worked hard to become. She read a lot of books. She liked animals and loved her family. I like that she was/is so tenacious. She loved and trusted. She learned to let people help her. She helped others the way they needed it. She is hopeful even when it is hard to be. She planned to be sealed to her sweetheart on July 10th. Her funeral was July 9th.

I like to think she didn’t lose the fight because the Victory was already won. She gave it her all and still came out on top even if the end came sooner than we hoped. There is no denying it was His will that she advance ahead of us, as there was no shortness of faith, prayers or fasting for her and her family.

I trust in God, and in His Son Jesus Christ. I trust in His Plan.

I count on the blessings of his infinite atonement and that families really are eternal.