"My New Life"

No, I am not speaking of MY own personal new life, or am I? After watching this YouTube video on lds.org this morning, perhaps it IS a new life for me of appreciation and joy for the gift of being a mother and of the oft taught concept of experiencing the Savior's love and feeling joy even in what may seem to others as insurmountable adversity. Please take a few minutes and watch this at LDS.org

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Brigham and the Miracle of Boston

These pictures were taken last Saturday. You can tell he lost a little weight but he looks great, doesn't he?

These are all pictures taken the Friday before they left for Boston.
Such a precious little person!

Both because I was busy taking care of Chloe and Lily and because I couldn't seem to gather my thoughts, I did not post about Brigham's heart surgery until now. I need to get some impressions and feelings down in writing. This has all been such a whirlwind that in some ways it now seems like a dream. Julie expressed this to me when we went to visit them in Logan last Saturday. Did it all really happen? Oh, YES, it did! And our sweet little Brig is back home with his brother and sisters and looking as if nothing out of the ordinary even happened...unless you look at the scar on his chest which though it is healing so beautifully is a very constant reminder of the last few weeks. I have learned so many things through this experience. I know with even greater assurance that Heavenly Father knows each of us and has a personal plan for us. We just need to trust Him and have faith that whatever happens is for our best good and also for the best good of those around us. I believe that Brig's heart problem happened for the purpose of teaching all who love him more about that trust and acceptance of God's will that we need to have. But I also was reminded again of the power of the combined prayers of many, many people and that Heavenly Father listens to those prayers and is willing to grant what we ask when in accordance to His plan. It is sometimes hard to say "Thy will be done" and mean it. But as Elder Neil Maxwell said, our will is the only thing that is really our own to offer. We are grateful that at least for now that plan for Brigham is to remain with us here on earth! Our hearts are so full of gratitude and awe of the way all of this has unfolded. The miracle of the whole situation is, as Julie said, that they ended up at Childrens Hospital Boston with the most experienced and best qualified surgeon in the world to perform this very intricate surgery. Heavenly Father truly is Omniscient! Julie and Stanton have been given strength beyond their capabilities to deal with all this. The promised strength, peace and comfort of the Holy Ghost is real! We have all experienced it in times of trial. You look back on an event and wonder how you got through it...and you know. I am thankful that Julie kept such a wonderful journal of events including pictures and videos so that none of us forget this incredible journey from a "broken" to a healed heart. Through the infinite Atonement all of our hearts no matter how they are "broken" can be healed. Each moment spent with Brigham will be even that much more precious because of what he and his family have experienced and what we have all learned. We love you, Brig!

Attending General Conference in the Conference Center- What a Perk!

I pinch myself everytime we sit in the Conference Center for General Conference! What an amazing blessing, one we hope to take advantage of until Greg is released! What an inspirational two days of vertical learning whether you enjoyed from TV, via the internet, satellite broadcast, or in person! We had tickets for the Saturday morning and Sunday morning sessions and watched the Saturday afternoon session in our room at the Crystal Inn. We listened to the Sunday pm session on our way home from Salt Lake. Greg also had a ticket to the Priesthood Session which he attended with Ron Mumford, Scott Jefferies and Scott's brother.

Some of my favorite moments:

1. Elder Joseph Wirthlin's mother's counsel to him as a young man: "Come What May and Love It! ..... How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can't--at least not in the moment. I don't think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don't think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life."


2. Elder Neil L. Anderson: "You Don't Know Everything...but You Know Enough!"


3. Pres Dieter Uchtdorf: "And to all who feel discouraged, worried, or lonely, I say with love and deep concern for you, Never give in, Never surrender! Never allow despair to overcome your spirit. Embrace and rely upon 'The Hope of Israel'!"


4. Pres. Thomas S. Monson: "Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. Remember the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it."


5. Pres. Boyd K. Packer: "We will stay on course. We will anchor ourselves as families and as a church to these principles and ordinances. Whatever tests be ahead, and they will be many, we must remain faithful and true!"


6. Sister Elaine Dalton: "In the strength of the Lord, I can do ALL things."


7. Elder Todd Christopherson: "The Lord calls upon us to be beacons of righteousness to guide those who seek the safety and blessings of Zion."


8. Pres. Thomas S. Monson: "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each or us will run out of tomorrows!"


9. Last, but by no means least, was the announcement of a temple to be built in Rome! What a thrill for all those who have worked so hard to build the church there all these years, both missionaries and members alike. But it is especially moving for those first called to proselyte there 40 years ago. I know Greg was not the only one of those original missionaries to shed a tear that day. I now know how my dad felt when the first temple was built in Brazil! What a marvelous blessing! We were so glad to be in the session when it was announced. There are 22,000 saints in Italy now and as I looked around, I realized that is how many people the Conference Center seats!
   

I have enjoyed reading some of the talks on the internet while waiting for our November issue of the Ensign. We certainly have plenty to ponder on and put into practice in the coming months, that is for sure! Anyway, Dad and I had a wonderful time together and look forward to taking Regan with us next April and Todd next November!

Ward 24th of July Celebration

Again, I forgot to take my camera, but I need to blog about the wonderful ward party that took place last Thursday night, July 24th, in celebration of Pioneer Day. It was held behind the church and we had about 300 people come and enjoy a FABULOUS and I mean FABULOUS dinner of barbequed ribs, dutch oven potatoes with bacon and cheese, tossed salad, homemade scones, and dutch oven peach cobbler with ice cream. Our ward members are taking the admonition from our leaders to love and care for their neighbors and INVITE. We had many people there who were not members and many who are not active and they all had a wonderful time. There was such a feeling of good will and love there! I know Heavenly Father was pleased with the sacrifice of those who spent so many hours of preparation to make it all happen.