Today I attended the funeral of Robert Weaver. He was in the news, the man who was killed in an attack from a black bear near Delta Jct at his cabin on George lake. He was also the father to my friends Becky and Brittany, and a member of my church-Travis had worked with him and his wife alot recently in the family history center where they were directors, and Travis provides tech support.
The thought I shared with Becky weighed on my mind for a while. My father was also taken in an unexpected and non peacable manner, and that fact bothered me for a long time. You can't help but be bothered at the idea that his last moments were spent in pain and fear. It bothered me for a long long time, untill I had a realization--which realization take a little back story to understand.
When I was maybe 14 I went to a Sunday Evening Discussion for Youth. At church earlier in the day they had given us "tickets" to put our name on for the disscussion that evening. When we showed up and turned in our "ticket" we "boarded a plane" (it was a bunch of chairs set up in rows like plane seats, and they had youth leaders walking through offering small drinks and refreshments. They told us to fasten our seat belts and that we would reach our destination shortly, then started a film. Knowing this was pretend, I thought maybe the film was part of the lesson, but 2 minutes in when we had all kinda settled and relaxed, there was a loud boom and the lights went out and the TV shut off, and a brother came to the front of the room, informed us we had crashed and there were no survivors-and then instructed us to follow him silently. He led us through several rooms where scriptures were read reguarding the state of those who die and where our spirits go. The last room being the dimmed overflow to the chapel with the dividers to the chapel sligtly ajar so we could see part way in, that it was brightly lit-----and one by one our names were called and we were asked to pass through into the chapel (a representation of spirital paradise, or the Celestial kingdom). As we walked in one by one there were ward members dressed in white temple clothes, with smiling faces and warm hugs to greet us. The rest of the evening was a small testimony meeting, but what I took away from that was how happy I felt, how peaceful and wonderful it was as I saw familiar faces and was called in by name.
Now, with that experience, I gained a testimony. And what I know is that that small representation was limited by mortal experience and by mortal minds and feelings-and that though it may not be a perfect representation, I am certain that when we pass through the veil into the next stage of our existance, I know that it is a peaceful and happy experience. I know, that we will see familiar faces, and that we will recognize the voice of our Spiritual Father. I know that while my dad, and while Bro Weaver suffered pain and fear in their mortal death, spiritually they were received to greater peace and joy than we can imagine.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
What I know now about Primary
In my patriarchal blessing, there is a line that reads,
Though patriarchal blessings are intended for personal benefit and instruction regarding the plot and possibilities within our own life, and this statement refers to those spirits I'm so anxiously waiting to meet and call my own, I think from my experience in primary thus far, I can say that it extends to all heavenly fathers children.
What I know-about the commandment to be like unto a little child, is that little children desire to please. They truly and honestly want to do the right thing. Even if they think they want to be rebellious, I've witnessed the softening of hearts who would seem defiant-the melting and joy on their face when they know they've done the right thing.
These restless spirits are such an inspiration to me. I think of where they are now, and where I was then, and how unkind the world has revealed itself to be. Things that they can't even imagine lay ahead of them, both good and bad. They just want to do the right thing. Its humbling to be put in a position of stewardship to guide them.
What did I need to know? I learned the basics in primary. I hope I can help them to feel our Fathers love, and I hope they will learn that no matter what happens they are not alone. I hope they will come to know that God is real, that Christ is their Savior. I hope they will know that in the moments which will challenge them most if they turn to him in faith he will not leave them comfortless. I hope they know that their best is sufficient because of the infinite and all encompassing blessings of the atonement, but when they do less than their best they can make it better and learn and grow. I hope they will know how to recognize truth, and how to stand up to temptations and be ready to face the mortal experiences with courage and faith. I hope they will know that God keeps his promises, and I hope they will be able to recognize our fathers tender mercies and blessings.
I'm excited for the opportunity to work with the kids and our amazing Primary President/presidency. I pray that I'll be forgiven for my short comings and that I might be of some influence for good.
"They will be restless spirits for they are great spirits."
Though patriarchal blessings are intended for personal benefit and instruction regarding the plot and possibilities within our own life, and this statement refers to those spirits I'm so anxiously waiting to meet and call my own, I think from my experience in primary thus far, I can say that it extends to all heavenly fathers children.
What I know-about the commandment to be like unto a little child, is that little children desire to please. They truly and honestly want to do the right thing. Even if they think they want to be rebellious, I've witnessed the softening of hearts who would seem defiant-the melting and joy on their face when they know they've done the right thing.
These restless spirits are such an inspiration to me. I think of where they are now, and where I was then, and how unkind the world has revealed itself to be. Things that they can't even imagine lay ahead of them, both good and bad. They just want to do the right thing. Its humbling to be put in a position of stewardship to guide them.
What did I need to know? I learned the basics in primary. I hope I can help them to feel our Fathers love, and I hope they will learn that no matter what happens they are not alone. I hope they will come to know that God is real, that Christ is their Savior. I hope they will know that in the moments which will challenge them most if they turn to him in faith he will not leave them comfortless. I hope they know that their best is sufficient because of the infinite and all encompassing blessings of the atonement, but when they do less than their best they can make it better and learn and grow. I hope they will know how to recognize truth, and how to stand up to temptations and be ready to face the mortal experiences with courage and faith. I hope they will know that God keeps his promises, and I hope they will be able to recognize our fathers tender mercies and blessings.
I'm excited for the opportunity to work with the kids and our amazing Primary President/presidency. I pray that I'll be forgiven for my short comings and that I might be of some influence for good.
Monday, June 3, 2013
May in Review.
May.
What a month.
Snow, and ice and finally, finally, sun. It's been in the 80's for about 2 weeks now. Glorious, almost too much so. The snow is gone, and the flowers are planted.
May was full of this: Kids, babies, tears, giggles, walks and naps. Lawn mowers, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, cookies--oh SO many cookies. New medicine, hot flashes, fatigue, waiting. Lots and lots of waiting. Sisters, Aunts, cousin, neices. Cleaning and packing and boxing and home repairs, yard work. Let down and dissapointment at not getting a job I had gotten my hopes up for, followed by the excitement and anticipation and finally relief and assurance that the right job has come along. I started Thursday at Dr Andrew Wappetts dental clinic as a dental assistant.
Then we met my dads 15 yr anniversary since he passed. Followed by my period. New medicine helped, but goal not acheived. Start of round 2. Also, with the start of a new job, I have a new calling. I'm the second counselor in the Primary Presidency. Let the party commence. I have a seperate post for thoughts on that. But when last week I expressed what an adventure it would hold, it was a week of new begginings. New chapters. And amid it all I'm feeling good.
What a month.
Snow, and ice and finally, finally, sun. It's been in the 80's for about 2 weeks now. Glorious, almost too much so. The snow is gone, and the flowers are planted.
May was full of this: Kids, babies, tears, giggles, walks and naps. Lawn mowers, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, cookies--oh SO many cookies. New medicine, hot flashes, fatigue, waiting. Lots and lots of waiting. Sisters, Aunts, cousin, neices. Cleaning and packing and boxing and home repairs, yard work. Let down and dissapointment at not getting a job I had gotten my hopes up for, followed by the excitement and anticipation and finally relief and assurance that the right job has come along. I started Thursday at Dr Andrew Wappetts dental clinic as a dental assistant.
Then we met my dads 15 yr anniversary since he passed. Followed by my period. New medicine helped, but goal not acheived. Start of round 2. Also, with the start of a new job, I have a new calling. I'm the second counselor in the Primary Presidency. Let the party commence. I have a seperate post for thoughts on that. But when last week I expressed what an adventure it would hold, it was a week of new begginings. New chapters. And amid it all I'm feeling good.
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