Grateful for the Gospel

We just got back to town last night. We were able to go to Boise this weekend. However, it wasn't just for fun. My grandmother died Saturday morning. My Mother and my Father were able to be with her when she passed from this life to the next. That made me really happy for her. She had been sick for a really long time and had just simply deteriorated to the point that she wasn't living much of a life at all. It was a blessing that she was finally able to go and be with Grandpa!

I sure am grateful for the gospel in my life. It makes me happy to know that this life isn't the end of things. How depressing would that be?!!? My Mom shared a little story with me that totally touched my heart. She said that just be for Grandma left, she could feel her Dad (grandpa) there in the room, and also her grandparents...Grandma's mom and dad!!! How awesome that they could be there to help her transition!!! It still makes me sad though when I think that Grandma didn't know that there was life beyond death. I think that is why she held on to this life to hard....I bet she knows now though!!!

The funeral was really good. I was able to sing "Jesus Lover of My Soul" with my brother Mike. It was AWESOME. The spirit was there, our voices were just perfect and it made my heart sing to know that I was able to use my talent for Grandma one more time. She always loved it when I would sing. Anyway, it was great to be able to do that for my family. There were some really good memories that people shared and I really enjoyed that. It made me really think of some of the good times that I had with my Grandma.

I remember when Grandpa had died, and she and I were alone in the house, she really cried and I was able to be the one to comfort her. I remember praying to Heavenly Father that I would be given the strength and the spirit to be a comfort to Grandma. I know that my prayers were answered!!! After that, I remember eating a lot of zucchini for dinners!!! Grandpa refused to eat it and Grandma and I just splurged after he was gone!!! I think we ate zucchini about as many ways as one might think possible!! Even after she moved in with my parents and I would be visiting, I remember that the nights we had zucchini that she would always mention the fact that we (Grandma and I) would eat a lot of zucchini for dinners after Grandpa died. Crazy how we remember the little fun moments so well, huh!?!

Grandma and I had a lot of great talks when we lived together! We would talk about Grandpa, nursing, religion, and my lack of a husband at the time!!! She was always a reliable source to go to when I needed a boost of self-esteem in the man department! I cherish those moments now!!

It was great to see all of Grandma's stuff at the luncheon that we had prior to her funeral service at the graveside. Her wedding dress is priceless! And the fact that my mother still has the pattern is really cool too. The pictures of her are treasured memories, and her quilts and cross-stichings are true works of art. I am so glad that people were willing and able to share everything on Tuesday. Thank you!! I am really glad that I am able to have so many wonderful thing to remind me of Grandma here at my home!! So much of it is furnished with her things, and I also have many little knick-knacky kinds of stuff too!

After all this, I am again reminded just how limited our life here is and how much more wonderful things will be in the next life if we will just live worthily of attaining it. I truly have a testimony of what is to come and know that it is all possible because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are blessed to live in a time that the Gospel is restored, and that the truths of it are available to everyone. I am grateful to be sealed to my family, both past and present, forever!!! What a gift!!!!!!!

-Ali-