A few weeks ago, after being asked to serve the Young Women in our church, I went to my first class with them. They had been studying The Plan of Salvation that month and were ending it by speaking of death and what comes after.
The spirit was strong as everyone shared stories of those they had lost and how they have come to know that their loved ones live on.
I have been taught this plan growing up. I accepted it and believed in it.
But it is those tender experiences of losing loved ones and saying goodbye to them with a heavy heart at funerals- and also welcoming new life as a tiny perfect newborn baby enters the world... that I have developed a burning testimony of the marvelous Plan of our Maker.
Before Thanksgiving, family called one early morning with the sad news that Jeff's Nonie had passed away suddenly. It was heartbreaking. She was the life of the family and had a way of making all of us feel individually loved and important to her. She was obsessed with Logan, in the very best way. On the last vacation we took together, the last thing I would hear every night before she drifted off to sleep was "Oh, he is so cute" or "We are so lucky" or "I love him so much."
It may sound silly but since she passed, Logan often points and grins at one of the ceiling corners in his room, and we like to think that is where she watched over him from.
Jeff bore sweet testimony at her funeral that he couldn't wait to hug her and see her smiling face in heaven one day.
While planning funeral services I could see Grandpa getting a little overwhelmed, so I asked him if he'd go on a walk with me. I wish I had a picture of him and Logan and I walking hand-in-hand down the sidewalk. It was another tender mercy that made me think- of course families are forever. Our heavenly Father loves us and it wouldn't be any other way.
This past fall, Nonie called us over so Logan could play in the leaves in the backyard that she loved so much. She was so happy and it's a sweet memory to look back on.
We love and miss you Nonie...
And then there was this little miracle...
baby Finn.
I was so honored that my sister Jessie invited me to be with her for his birth.
It wasn't long ago I was in the hospital waiting for Taylor and Madi to be born and there I was snuggeling and crying with them as they met their perfect baby brother.
You are a beautiful Mother, Jess, and I admire your strength and your dedication to family.
Finn is a blessed boy!
Alma 40:11
"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection-- Behold it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men...are taken home to that God who gave them life."
