Faith

So many thoughts, so little ambition to write them down! I was able to go to the sealing of Rachael yesterday (Richard and Beth Hawley's new little daughter). What a beautiful experience. She is such a special little girl and is lucky to have an eternal family. While there I felt those in heaven gathering for this special event. They rejoiced as we did. This brings me to my subject today. These past few weeks I have been pondering and learning about FAITH. I look at all those who have come before and wonder of the faith they must have had. I think of Adam and Eve going out in the unknown world yet having the faith to trust in a loving Heavenly Father that He would do as He said he would and teach them. I think about Esther and the faith it must have taken to approach the king for her people. How Mary the mother of Christ must have had a tremendous amount of faith to listen to the angel and accept the unknown. The faith she and Joseph must have had to raise the Son of God. How much faith it must have taken for Alma to turn his life completely around and spend the rest of his life declaring the gospel to those who hated him. How much faith it must have taken for my grandparents to accept the gospel in their life when their families and those around of them were against it. And then I think do I have enough faith to accept His will for me? Am I willing to put my trust in my Savior and believe and accept is atonement for me? I am so humbled and grateful by those who have gone on before for their examples of faith that teach me daily.

Bryan

Many of you moms write about your children on their birthday. Well, my son Bryan had a birthday today. Bryan as always been one of those children who keeps their parents on their toes. He loves life. He loves to say things to me so see if he can get a reaction out of me (which he usually does). He was the neighborhood charmer. He would go around the neighborhood and talk to all of his buddies and friends. He spent hours playing pool with Harold Wagner, talked to Mrs. Garcia, helped Carol and Bob next door, played with the Green boys, helped Madge in her garden. I remember one day when my father was really sick, Bryan decided to walk to school where his father was teaching. One of our friends found him but took him to the wrong house because he looked like one of their children. Scared me to death but he was fine. Bryan loves music and always has. His dad and I would joke that we had to go to his concerts just to see what instrument he was going to play. He reminds me a lot of my grandpa Haggen who could play any instrument he picked up. I love to listen to him and his brother sing as well as him play the piano. Bryan, you've been a joy!