Just Keep Swimming

Today is one of those days where, I, like Dory, must just keep swimming. To say the least, life is difficult right now and wanting to do anything is hard. But, Josh came up with a great idea. He decided that we should carve pumpkins for Luke and go put them by his tree, our new tradition. So, tonight for FHE, that is what we did. Brian and I were doing well keeping our heads just above water. . . helping the boys carve their pumpkins. But. . . when we got to Luke's tree. . . we could no longer hold our heads above the water. Floods of emotions came. . . drowning us.

But, that is what we will bear, those precious painful memories, because we love him. And we will kick, with all our might, to reach the surface again. . . to endure, because we love him.

Because, this is the face that I want to see for eternity. . . .

The Luke Box

Shortly after Luke passed, Brian and Nathan decided that they wanted to make a chest just for Luke. . . somewhere we could put Luke's things that we wanted to keep. They worked months and months on it, pouring their blood, sweat, and tears (lots of those) into it. It is finally finished. It is a beautiful chest. I wish we didn't need it.

Shattered

I have a bit of a personal confession to make. . . on the day Luke past, my faith was shattered. Kind of like a window one shuts to hard or a door that is slammed, there are large shards of glass still intact, or pieces still affixed tightly to the frame, clinging to life. But, there are those pieces that break into a million pieces that, at the time, seemed gone, never be recovered.

I have to teach a lesson in Relief Society in a few weeks on faith in Jesus Christ. I have been contemplating how I would teach this lesson when my faith is so broken. Last night, I decided to study the lesson and read through it. It said the same things I knew and have heard my whole life. That, if one has sufficient faith, a miracle will follow. THAT is the principle I have struggled with the most since Luke's death. Because I prayed, I had faith, and he was not healed. Why? Was my faith not sufficient enough? What about the times when prayers are not answered with the miracle? I set out to find the answer. I got out books written by prophets, specifically I read a book by Thomas S. Monson, written when he was an apostle, about faith preceding miracles. He recounted story after story of people who had faith and prayed and were healed, or saw their crops grow, or miraculously food had come to those who had none. All because of FAITH. And so my question went unanswered. Until this morning.

I woke up at 6 o'clock. There was no reason for me to be awake, but I could not go back to sleep. My mind drifted back to this principle of faith and miracles and again, I thought, how am I going to teach this. Then the thought (I believe revelation) came to me that maybe there was a miracle, just not the one you wanted. I searched my heart for the miracles that have come since that day. . . like the miracle of eternal families; the miracle of love between Brian and I, that our marriage is intact and is strengthened because of this trial; or that of a family in our ward, who decided that they needed to be sealed as a family because of this experience.

The next thought I had was about a prayer. A prayer that was said with much faith, and that didn't turn out the way the prayer giver had wanted it to. It is the prayer that Christ offered in the Garden of Gethsemane "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt." (Matt. 26:39). Did you know that he prayed that same prayer three times? He pleaded with His father to help him, to take away this horrible pain. But Christ added something that I did not to His prayer, "not as I will, but as Thou wilt." And so I do it now. . . "as Thou wilt".

And then the Father answered His prayer the only way He could. And Heavenly Father answered mine the only way He could.

And ever so carefully, my shattered faith, is slowly, line upon line and precept on precept becoming whole again.

The Mighty Hunter Rides Again

Picture this: You are in the middle of the hot desert, sitting in a box made of your own hand, sweating and cursing the sun. Suddenly, along comes a buck, an antelope buck, not the buck of your dreams but still a "good enough" one. You draw back your bow, let the arrow fly and THWACK, you kill the first animal of your life with a bow.

Now, doesn't that make you tingle with excitement. . . .no? Huh.

Yeah, you're right, only Brian would find that exhilarating. And that is exactly what he got to do.



And to top off his already great season, he shot an 4 x 4 elk with his bow this last week. Now, if he can get a deer, he will have pulled off the perfect season. Can he do it? . . . . stayed tuned.


And I know you are all wondering, "What about Jan?" Well, let's just say she saw, she shot, she hit, she couldn't find it. Insert whimper here.

In Remembrance

Yesterday, we had a party at Luke's tree with a lot of people from Brian's work. They had purchased the tree for us and also, a "In Remembrance" rock to put in front of the tree. Well, the rock got installed this last week so we all got together to remember Luke. It was a good day. Brian's co-workers have become our friends, and I am so grateful for that support they give to him, everyday, when he is at work. Because, it is not easy for him to be there sometimes. So, to all of you, who support us on a daily basis, be it through prayer or a phone call or whatever, I want to say a big THANK YOU!!!

Today, I was thinking about the phrase "In Remembrance". In the LDS world, we hear it a lot. It is used to help us remember the Savior, his atonement, and all that he made possible for us. I think it must have been wonderful for Heavenly Father to have a way to have His son's name and life remembered. To have that peace that He would never be forgotten. I know that we will always remember Luke with having so much life and love for those around him. We love you, Luke! Forever, For Always, No Matter What!

Hmmmm. . .

People are always asking me how I am doing. . . which I still really appreciate. . . . I often say "fine, we're doing fine" but most of the time, in my head, I say "Hmmmmm." And, what does that mean? Well, I wish I could explain! I wish I could convey that sorrow that Brian and I feel everyday. I wonder, if I could explain it better, then it would feel better. I would feel better. But I can't explain "it". "It" to me is happiness with a generous hint of despair, laughter with a tear in your eye, moving forward while running backwards. . . what, this makes no sense. . . you are right, it doesn't. It has been 9 months since Luke died. 9 months since I felt him and held him and dressed him and kissed him. Who knew 9 months could be an eternity.

S. Michael Wilcox, who wrote When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered, said "One day, no matter what reason we may have for unhappiness; whatever trial we may face, have faced, or are then facing; one day they will all come to an end. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). The tears will be wiped away. That end we may hope for. That end we may be assured of. In the meantime we may know that whatever happens he is going to turn it into good for us. Let the mountain waves crash. Life will be sweet eventually."

Life will be sweet eventually. . .

My Robin Hood Experience

Brian has been after me to start practice shooting with my bow (bow season is only 2 months away, ya know). And so, this is what happened. That's right, look closely. . . that is what we like to call a Robin Hood. I shot one arrow into the other. *SIGH* yep, I am just that good. So who needs to practice now, I ask you?