Be Still

This past weekend we went to Virginia for a wedding (more on that occasion later.) Being just an hour away from home meant of course that a visit to the most wonderful family in the universe was a necessity. It was fun to see them and we had a great time together.

But late Monday night one of our dearest family friends had a heart attack and passed away. I'll never forget the events of that morning. My mom came and told me then I listened as she told each of my sisters the terrible news. The hardest part was cuddling with my 7 year old brother as he cried and tried to understand.

This friend was an amazing lady- talented, sweet, friendly, the biggest BYU fan ever, and funny. Just that afternoon we had gone over to show her my latest quilting project. She told me my stitches were very even (a complete lie) but I will be forever grateful for that last compliment she gave me. She had four children- a missionary in Guatemala, a 16 year old, a 14 year old, and a 9 year old that now have to face life without their sweet mother.

That morning my whole family sat in my parents' bed crying and wondering how this wonderful friend could be gone so soon. The words of the primary song "Families Can be Together Forever" kept running through my mind and I was so grateful that these children could know that because they are an eternal family they will be with their mom again. My dad pulled out his scriptures and read us Psalms 46:10-11, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." He reminded us that even when things seem tough and unfair, we can trust Heavenly Father and know that He has a plan. We can have faith in His infinite atonement to comfort us and bring us peace.

I know that our Heavenly Father loves us. I know that it will be terribly hard, but this family will receive the comfort and strength they need. I know that this life is much bigger than the here and now, and that Heavenly Father's plan will make everything okay.

Happy St. Pattys!

The one day of the year when it's cool to eat green bread.

Great People

There are so many great people in my life, and one of those is my principal. He is a genuinely nice guy who wants to help us do our job without putting too much pressure on us- love that. But today he did the nicest thing ever for me. I went into the workroom to check my box and there was a candy bar inside. I immediately began salivating over this treat and thought, "how kind of that random person to give me some delicious chocolate to brighten this terribly looooong week." Well, upon inspection of the candy bar I realized that it had one of my student's names on it. Darn kids. They don't need more chocolate.

My principal happened to be in the workroom as well and I told him that I was so disappointed because for a second I thought the candy bar was mine! He laughed and didn't judge me too harshly when I (jokingly) said, "She won't know if I eat it right now will she?" Then about five minutes later he came walking into my classroom with a bright, shiny, beautiful, chocolate candy bar with MY name on it! I laughed so hard and couldn't believe how lucky I am to work for this man.