I often get impressions
and inspiration as I walk the two miles to, and then from, being with Kristie
each morning and evening. I was struck yesterday
by President Henry B. Eyring's message in the last General Conference that, "Families are the
basic organizational unit of the eternal realms, and so He [God] intends for
them also to be the basic unit on earth. Though earthly families are far from
perfect, they give God’s children the best chance to be welcomed to the world
with the only love on earth that comes close to what we felt in heaven—parental
love. Families are also the best way to preserve and pass on moral
virtues and true principles that are most likely to lead us back to God’s
presence."
Having just spent a week with family in Utah (our
daughter's family; my three sisters; many cousins, nieces, nephew, and their
children; as well as two of Kristie's brothers, her niece and children) helped
me see more clearly the importance and blessing of earthly families in my life.
It only seems like a few
days ago that I was a child, feeding the bummer lambs (Hickory, Dickory, Doc, and
Mousey) with my three sisters, and last Thursday we were together again (without
the lambs) to perform family sealings in the Provo City Center Temple. Being with my sisters seems to ground me and
remind me of the home in which we were raised and where there were family prayers each morning and night to recognize God, give thanks for blessings, and implore divine assistance. It is no wonder that I feel there is a plan and purpose to our chaotic earthly experience.
I was impressed to find
out that both my oldest cousin and his wife served missions and that he was a
medic on the front lines during the Korean War.
I always saw him as the tall, quiet type; but came away after this
visit much more impressed with what I learned about him and the wonderful
spirit which was very evident in their home.
I also learned that
a cousin's wife joined the church in the Northern States Mission while I
was serving there. I knew many of the
missionaries who taught her; and the names of her family members were included as
newly baptized members in my missionary newsletters.
Being with Kristie's two oldest brothers was an enjoyable reminder of the quirky Neilson sense of humor that always makes it so fun to be with her family, and was not wasted on my 4-year old grandson, as the video shows. Click the full screen button in the bottom right corner after the video starts to get the full effect.
Being in our daughter's
home was a significant reminder of the profound influence parents have to
impact and bless their children. Both of
our daughters remind me of my own mother, and how I experienced heavenly love through
her. I am truly grateful for and blessed
by my family - even eternally.
