A Sweet Ride

A difficult week ended on a sweet note.

Last Monday was the last devotional of the month and our entire Mission Presidency and their wives, along with many others with whom we have become close, stood during the closing song which is always "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" on the final Monday in a month. It was an emotional day. President and Sister Simmons who have been on so many missions that they were prepared for the feelings we very solid during the song, but President Savoldi and his wife and President Boye and his wife were very emotional. It is so difficult to say goodbye because we know that this will never come again. Even if we do happen to see each other outside of the mission someday, it will not be the same as we feel right now. I remember having similar emotions when I was leaving my mission in Thailand. It was so difficult to leave not because I didn't want to return home, but because I didn't want to leave behind what I had gained...what I had come to love. Tomorrow morning's devotional will be our first introduction to our new Mission President.

I wonder, did we feel this way when we left the pre-existence? Were we sad to leave our Heavenly Father and Mother? Sad to leave our closest brothers and sisters? Or were we so excited to come to the earth and receive our body and learn the new things we knew we could only learn here that we didn't feel that sadness of separation?

On Tuesday afternoon I was able to take some time and go down to Provo and help Autumn and Derrick with Edison. They needed some help because Derrick has to argue his thesis this week and Autumn was trying to make the blessing outfit for Edison while preparing the house for Derrick's family who were coming for the blessing. Edison is having some minor digestive issues but is uncomfortable enough to need to be held a lot so I got to take care of him for about 5 hours. It was "grand". ^_^

As I held him and talked to him, I wondered what was going on in his brain. How did that separation go for him when he left and came here? Was he very anxious to come to this family? To be the oldest brother? I felt so happy that I had 5 hours to tell him how much he was loved and how anxious we are for him to come to know us, to grow, to learn. I told him lots of things.
I sang a song or two. We had a great time. But then I had to leave.

So I have thought a lot about separation and change and choice. I have been praying for some answers and I received them this week. I love how the Spirit can enlighten our minds at unexpected moments. Change is a good thing. It helps us to stay focused on the things that matter most.

Today was the sweet note to the week. Edison received his priesthood blessing from his father. Edison's cute white romper was finished and the little jacket made from the train of Autumn's wedding dress was precious. She was busy to the last minute before the Sacrament Meeting began because it was her last week to teach as the Beehive Adviser for the Young Women plus food for the luncheon after church (homemade rolls....yum!). She did really well. My mother wanted to go with us so we drove her and we sat there all together; mother, daughter, granddaughter and great grandson. Very cool. For my mom, Edison is the 38th great grandchild.
Yes, our family reunions are huge and a little chaotic but always wonderful.

Life is treasure. The earth is a fabulous gift from God. Today one of the speakers referred to a talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott in which he asked the question, "How are you using the privilege of mortality?"

I am trying to use my mortality....whatever I have left of it....well.

There is a fun adage floating around the mission I want to share:

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride."


Edison (above) in the new outfit but mom did not want to take a chance of any drool soiling the clothes before heading to church.
Edison was asleep most of the meeting and did not cry. It was a little miracle!

After the meeting Edison woke up and was ready for a refill. Derrick was happy to comply because Edison had been so good during the meeting. He did remove the little jacket (on the arm of the chair) before feeding to save it from the possible need of cleaning.