I walked into the Butler 11th Ward building today and while stepping across the threshold said to Laura that this was the fourth funeral I had attended in this building. As that thought entered my mind I reflected on those occasions and these lives that have meant so much to me. The first and also my first funeral was Grandpa Al. Several years later he was followed by his older brother Uncle Ted. Ten years ago Grandma Vi's funeral was held there on Natalie's second birthday. Today we remembered the life of Aunt Judy.
As I think about these four lives I am filled with gratitude. Truly their lives were a reflection of their faith in Jesus Christ. They let their lights so shine that I was blessed by their good works. Their examples and their testimonies strengthened mine and I glorify my Father which is in Heaven.
In the Scriptures we learn about the councils in heaven and that we existed there before the world was. Among us were noble and great leaders. In our own families I think we can look to those who have built a foundation of faith and see them as noble and great, chosen to usher their posterity into the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for these noble and great members of my family, for their faith in the Lord and their lives of service.
I thought about Aunt Judy a lot today as stories were shared. I remembered a few things. When I was about 5 years old I was quite the little bike rider. I used to ride behind Seliger Elementary School in Carson City and was quite good on a little dirt track there. My favorite thing was to go off jumps. One day when Aunt Judy and the fam were visiting I was back behind the school with a bike. Carrie was with me, we must have been on our way to play at the school. The bike had a broken pedal and there was only a thin metal rod for my foot. I went off a steep jump, lost control as my foot slipped off that rod and crashed. That rod happened to puncture the inside of my right leg. I still have the scar some 33 years later. I jumped up and ran home leaving Carrie and the bike behind. To a 5 year old a stab wound like that meant certain death. I am surprised I lived to tell the tale. When I got home I was blessed to have the best nurse ever there ready to take care of me. She assured me that I would be okay and I have lived my entire life believing that she saved my life that day. Indeed she did.
The drive from Salt Lake to Carson City is a long, long, long and boring drive. When I had my Eagle Court of Honor Aunt Judy and Grandma made that drive. It seems like a pretty simple thing but having made that drive it means a lot to me that she would do it. I am sure there were a number of other things going on in her life but she sacrificed her time to bring Grandma and support me. She did the same thing a few years later when I returned home from my mission. I knew that I was important to them and that I was loved and that meant a lot to me.
Indeed there are lives that touch ours for good. Some of those we remember are those who have passed on. There are also many whose lives of faith amid the trials of the day touch our hearts and strengthen us. As I visited briefly with Darren, Brian and Carrie I was moved by their strength. I have always looked up to my cousins and learn again through their examples of faith in a time of heartache.
The services were wonderful and those who spoke did so with the spirit. I mentioned yesterday that it was apparent that Aunt Judy had touched a lot of peoples lives. That was confirmed again today. Thank you Aunt Judy and thank you Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Ted for your noble and great lives that have touched mine for good.
As I think about these four lives I am filled with gratitude. Truly their lives were a reflection of their faith in Jesus Christ. They let their lights so shine that I was blessed by their good works. Their examples and their testimonies strengthened mine and I glorify my Father which is in Heaven.
In the Scriptures we learn about the councils in heaven and that we existed there before the world was. Among us were noble and great leaders. In our own families I think we can look to those who have built a foundation of faith and see them as noble and great, chosen to usher their posterity into the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for these noble and great members of my family, for their faith in the Lord and their lives of service.
I thought about Aunt Judy a lot today as stories were shared. I remembered a few things. When I was about 5 years old I was quite the little bike rider. I used to ride behind Seliger Elementary School in Carson City and was quite good on a little dirt track there. My favorite thing was to go off jumps. One day when Aunt Judy and the fam were visiting I was back behind the school with a bike. Carrie was with me, we must have been on our way to play at the school. The bike had a broken pedal and there was only a thin metal rod for my foot. I went off a steep jump, lost control as my foot slipped off that rod and crashed. That rod happened to puncture the inside of my right leg. I still have the scar some 33 years later. I jumped up and ran home leaving Carrie and the bike behind. To a 5 year old a stab wound like that meant certain death. I am surprised I lived to tell the tale. When I got home I was blessed to have the best nurse ever there ready to take care of me. She assured me that I would be okay and I have lived my entire life believing that she saved my life that day. Indeed she did.
The drive from Salt Lake to Carson City is a long, long, long and boring drive. When I had my Eagle Court of Honor Aunt Judy and Grandma made that drive. It seems like a pretty simple thing but having made that drive it means a lot to me that she would do it. I am sure there were a number of other things going on in her life but she sacrificed her time to bring Grandma and support me. She did the same thing a few years later when I returned home from my mission. I knew that I was important to them and that I was loved and that meant a lot to me.
Indeed there are lives that touch ours for good. Some of those we remember are those who have passed on. There are also many whose lives of faith amid the trials of the day touch our hearts and strengthen us. As I visited briefly with Darren, Brian and Carrie I was moved by their strength. I have always looked up to my cousins and learn again through their examples of faith in a time of heartache.
The services were wonderful and those who spoke did so with the spirit. I mentioned yesterday that it was apparent that Aunt Judy had touched a lot of peoples lives. That was confirmed again today. Thank you Aunt Judy and thank you Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Ted for your noble and great lives that have touched mine for good.
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