It's September 30th, and the walk is over.
My heart was so full yesterday with so much emotion, I knew this was going to be a hard day for our family but I also felt a strong need to be there.
I needed to let the families that are still battling this terrible disease that they are not along, that there are people fighting this battle with them.
I needed them to know life is precious and never to be taken for granted. Our children are so precious and we need to be there voice, and stand for them.
I needed to see the families we went through treatments with. I needed to see the faces of these children to know that not all is lost, that we do have success.
I needed to hug the parents that where there for us in our time of need.
I needed to hug and cry with the nurses that took such good care of us in our darkest days.
I needed to see Kathy and Bonnie from the hospital to say thank you.
I even needed to see Elliott, the dog that prayed for Tanner.
But most of all I needed to have that moment of silence for Tanner.
To show my love for my son, to honor his memory, to remember the strong person he was and the example he was to so many.
I needed to make sure he is never forgotten.
Now I need to say thank you to the amazing women who organized this event.
Wow 84 teams, 3000 walkers, $157,000 raised so far.
You should be so proud of the voice you gave to childhood cancer this day.
A voice that said we are united and some day there will be no more childhood cancer.
THANK YOU!!
Now I have rested and an ready to help my dad fight his battle with Colon cancer. Back into the world I hoped I would never re-enter.
But life is about learning lessons and becoming a better person. It's about faith, family and trusting in what we cannot see. It's about helping others along there way, and making a better day.
Today will be a better day. We made a difference yesterday, not just with money but as a support to each other.
No one should ever fight alone, that was not Heavenly Fathers intent, he put certain people in our live to help us through these times.
I am so grateful for the people he has placed in my life.
I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that Families are forever, not just this life but forever! This is what gets us through we will see Tanner again, and it will be a joy beyond measure, but for now we will honor his memory and love the memories we shared together.
Kristi
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
TANNER' SIGNATURE SEASONING
The packaging needed to represent Tanner's character and class.
The product needed to be of good quality and at an affordable price.
Most importantly was to have a portion of the sales go to benefit childhood cancer research.
It was important to us to do what we could to raise awareness of this horrible disease, known as, childhood cancer. We wanted to do whatever we could to ensure that another parent doesn't suffer the pain and heartache of losing their child.
In this small way we feel Tanners memory will live on.
It may not be the mountain that we want to move but stone by stone we feel someday this will be accomplished.
The only place it is available is through Lees MARKETPLACE in Logan and soon to be in Smithfield and North Ogden. We will be bringing some with us to the Curesearch walk in September. The cost will be $5.25 including sales tax.
We are so grateful for the continued love and support we feel everyday.
Forever Strong
Robert
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Dear family and friends,
May 14th is a day that will never be forgotten, one year ago today we lost our son Tanner. At times I can’t believe it has been a year and others I have live through every second of it.
We have had many hard days, many spiritual days, and a few good days. We miss him more than words could ever explain. We are so grateful for the continued love and support we receive. It would not be possible to endure this kind of sadness without strength given to us from so many wonderful people.
We have been asked if there is going to be any kind of planned remembrance today. We as a family are going to spend some quite time together and plant a memory tree in our yard for Tanner, with a BBQ. Tanner loved grilling outdoors. This will be our time to honor him.
Our family, especially Robert have been working on a project. We are very passionate about an organization called "Curesearch" They are the fund-raising arm for Children’s Oncology Group. They give 94% of funds raised to research. That is amazing! We will be introducing a new product called "Tanner’s signature seasoning". We are so excited to announce that Lee’s market place in Logan, Smithfield and Ogden stores will all be carrying this product exclusively soon. We have made arrangements with Lee’s and Curesearch that $.1.00 of every bottle sold with go toward finding a cure for childhood cancer! Please look for this is stores soon.
Now here is where you can help. PLEASE consider joining Tanner’s team as we plan to attend a "walk for a cure" in Salt Lake this September 29th of this year. It is not necessary for you to attend at the walk with us, though we would love to have you, but we are asking you to please join our team, by making a minium donation of $10.00. Our goal is to have at least 50 team members, but we know we can do so much more. Please include all your family members if possible so we meet and exceed our goal. In memory of Tanner please consider joining our Team.
Please click on the link below to take you to the donation site. Its on Tanner blog at:
http://tanner-foreverstrong.blogspot.com/
Click on:
--click here to donate
– Follow easy instructions
May 14th is a day that will never be forgotten, one year ago today we lost our son Tanner. At times I can’t believe it has been a year and others I have live through every second of it.
We have had many hard days, many spiritual days, and a few good days. We miss him more than words could ever explain. We are so grateful for the continued love and support we receive. It would not be possible to endure this kind of sadness without strength given to us from so many wonderful people.
We have been asked if there is going to be any kind of planned remembrance today. We as a family are going to spend some quite time together and plant a memory tree in our yard for Tanner, with a BBQ. Tanner loved grilling outdoors. This will be our time to honor him.
Our family, especially Robert have been working on a project. We are very passionate about an organization called "Curesearch" They are the fund-raising arm for Children’s Oncology Group. They give 94% of funds raised to research. That is amazing! We will be introducing a new product called "Tanner’s signature seasoning". We are so excited to announce that Lee’s market place in Logan, Smithfield and Ogden stores will all be carrying this product exclusively soon. We have made arrangements with Lee’s and Curesearch that $.1.00 of every bottle sold with go toward finding a cure for childhood cancer! Please look for this is stores soon.
Now here is where you can help. PLEASE consider joining Tanner’s team as we plan to attend a "walk for a cure" in Salt Lake this September 29th of this year. It is not necessary for you to attend at the walk with us, though we would love to have you, but we are asking you to please join our team, by making a minium donation of $10.00. Our goal is to have at least 50 team members, but we know we can do so much more. Please include all your family members if possible so we meet and exceed our goal. In memory of Tanner please consider joining our Team.
Please click on the link below to take you to the donation site. Its on Tanner blog at:
http://tanner-foreverstrong.blogspot.com/
Click on:
--click here to donate
– Follow easy instructions
Friday, March 30, 2012
ITS NOT GOODBYE
This is an amazing Video that Sam Tyler, whom we previously were neighbors to, Wrote and composed in memory of Kim Nelson and our Tanner. She left on Wednesday to enter the MTC to serve her mission in the Washington DC mission. Sam was devastated when Kim left us one year ago today. She began to think about her future plans and what she needed to do. Then just 6 short weeks later Tanner left this world also. I think it was about this time she had decided that she would serve a mission. I remember talking to her at Logan Highs homecoming parade last fall. She was excited to let us hear this song she had wrote for Tanner and Kim. But last fall Kristi and I just didn't want to relive the pain that was still so fresh and still on our minds daily. So we basically kept putting her off. She emailed the lyrics and I thought to myself , Ok that's nice but I don't want to think about this. Fast forward to about 6 weeks ago. Wendy (Sam's mom) called Kristi and told her she and Sam needed to come over to visit. We we just assumed that it was just a pre-mission leaving visit. When I invited them in, Sam had her guitar with her. Then I remembered about the song and figured it out. We had a great visit then Sam informed us that we HAD to hear this song before she left. Well it has now been 10 months since Tanner has been gone and it is easier in some ways. As I sat and listened to her play and sing this song she wrote. I was had this overwhelming feeling that we needed to get this out for others to hear. I called an old neighbor down the street from Sam who does wedding videos as a side business and ask him to film it. Sam got it to me the day before she left to the MTC. I hope you feel as Kristi and I did of the powerful impact that these lyric have and that it is truly not goodbye.
As I mentioned earlier March 31 marks 1 year since Kim Nelson passed away. My memory of her is that she had a deep love for her Savior. I remember being in next door with Tanner and she was having a video party around valentines day last year. She was pretty sick at the time as I was following her progress but she wouldn't let her illness stop her from enjoying visits from friends. That is just the way Kim is, just so thoughtful of others.
Things with family are good and we are trying to put some things together to raise awareness for childhood cancer at some summer events here in Logan in additions for some retail sales at the store. I am learning about the world of retail and packaging. I might add a bit frustrating but in the end it should be well worthwhile.
If I could ask, please post some comments of what you think or feel of the video that I might share with Sam and her family.
Forever Strong
Robert
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Same Question Different Answer
It has been several weeks since I shared any thoughts here in this site. There has been alot happen since the new year. And I can honestly say it is all good. What some of you know and most probably do not is that I started a new job the end of January. Yes indeed after almost 16 years and after giving my first ever 2 week notice a began a new adventure at Lees Marketplace here in Logan. It is an amazing environment and has some of the greatest people on their management team you could ever dream about. I am managing the Deli and it is great. I now have a home life and wish I could have done this 5 years ago. I simply decided it was time to move on due to the extreme amount of time I was spending at work and not at home. On any given week it was getting to be normal to spend a minimum of 60 hours a week and there was not going to be any relief from this schedule any time soon.
This is the same store that Tanner had been working at prior to his last diagnosis. It has been interesting to hear the comments from some of those who saw him on a regular basis. Last week I was told of how when a lady in the bakery would restock the donuts every morning, she would feel Tanners presence and turn around but he would not be there.
I wish I could explain how wonderful it is to have made this change and be part of such an incredible company and team.
Last week we received an e-mail from Elder Tyler who in serving in South America. This is an excerpt of the letter.
" Here in my new new sector i met this lady. She is a member and she is going through a really hard time right now. Actually their whole family is. About two months ago their 18 yr old son died of Cancer. Leukemia. And they are having a really hard time right now cause the ward isn't exactly very uplifting. I told them that i had my best friend die from the same thing almost a year ago and i have said everything that i can say but they still wont come back to church. When i first heard what happened i immediately thought of the strongest family in the world. I wanted to ask you guys what you have done and what you are still doing to overcome Tanners death. If you could give me some ideas that i could use to help them it would be awesome."
Kristi asked me how should we respond but prefaced the question with "remember he is in a 3rd world country type area and it is not like we have it here.
I thought about it and had no idea how to respond. I told her I would think about it and put something together in a couple of days. She told me to read what she had already written. With her permission I would like to share this with you.
Dear Elder Tyler,
So many emotions are going through my mind and heart right now. I can since your concern for this family. I wish I had the magic words to make the pain go away but this is the best I can do. Please share this with them if you feel it is appropriate;
Dear Family,
From the other side of the world, my heart aches with yours. I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. Even as I write I long to find the words that will help ease your pain, so I pray that what I have to say may help you find peace.
I too lost my son to this horrible disease know as cancer, leukemia, the same as your son, I know the heartache of watching your child suffer, the heartache of saying goodbye, and the heartache of longing to see them again. The heartache of being a mother and watching them take their first breath and their last. As a mother my heart aches with yours. It has been 10 months since my son passed away, I still cry, I still long to see him again, but I want you to know, there is peace. There is a place of comfort. In time there comes a feeling of gratitude, gratitude for the gift of being the mothers of such special spirits, they were chosen and accepted the call to teach love, compassion, faith, honor, service and charity. They passed. We were chosen to help them become all of these wonderful things.
And now we are left to pick up the pieces, we press forward with faith, we honor their names by continuing to follow the example they have set. We find ways to honor our sons, kind deeds, serving others, and sharing our testimony of our Saviors love.
Sometimes people don't know what to say or do to help us, so we assume they don't care, but that is untrue, they care, they just don't know how to share it, so we teach like our son's, taught, with compassion, faith and love. I believe that is part of our mission We share what we have learned from our own journey. So I want to share with you what I have learned:
First and foremost that my Heaven Father loves me, he loves me so much that he trusted me with one of his most precious sons. He trusted me that I would do my best to raise a young man of honor.
Second I have learned that my Savior Jesus Christ didn't just suffer for my sins but he suffered every heartache and hurt that I would have to endure, he did this because he loves me, he know the trials I would have to endure and he knew I would need his help, so he suffered so he would know what to do to help me, what a great love that is.
Third I have learned how important my own Testimony is.
Is it strong enough to hold me up when I can no longer stand? Now I can say yes, I want you to know how grateful I am for my testimony, my faith in our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ is what has gotten me through some of my hardest days. I know that Joseph Smith restored this Gospel to the earth I know that we have a prophet today that leads and guides this church, I know that he receives revelation for us today, and I KNOW that my son is in a glorious place, serving, teaching and happy. What joy this brings to my heart. And I know that one day I will see him again and that day will be above all others, that will be my greatest day. To see my son serving our God and our Savior, what joy this brings my soul.
Forth, I have learned that through trials we become refined. We are humbled, and turn to our Heavenly Father for help, that is how we learn. In the most difficult times in my life is when I have grown the most. My heart is softened to receive these teachings.
I pray that in time you will find where your place of comfort is, I pray that it will be in our Saviors arms, and in his fold, reach out to others and let them help you, they may not know how to or what to say, teach them, serve them and your sorrow will be softened, I know this to be true. I will pray for your family and please know that your Heavenly Father is very aware of your sorrow and pain, he has felt it too. Please trust in him, he is the only way to peace.
After I finished reading this I told her I did not need to add anything to it. She shared everything so perfectly. I can only hope that she will get to read this (tranlated of course) and that it may be of help to them.
So I titled this post "Same Question Different Answer". Even after 9 months, there are still tears and emptiness and heartache of losing Tanner. But things are GOOD. We have been strenghted by our trials and this experience. I am looking forward to the future. I have been able to work on some possibilities for fundraising for Curesearch thought the store I just need to work on the final details (which are numerous) to finalize the project.
FOREVER STRONG
Robert
This is the same store that Tanner had been working at prior to his last diagnosis. It has been interesting to hear the comments from some of those who saw him on a regular basis. Last week I was told of how when a lady in the bakery would restock the donuts every morning, she would feel Tanners presence and turn around but he would not be there.
I wish I could explain how wonderful it is to have made this change and be part of such an incredible company and team.
Last week we received an e-mail from Elder Tyler who in serving in South America. This is an excerpt of the letter.
" Here in my new new sector i met this lady. She is a member and she is going through a really hard time right now. Actually their whole family is. About two months ago their 18 yr old son died of Cancer. Leukemia. And they are having a really hard time right now cause the ward isn't exactly very uplifting. I told them that i had my best friend die from the same thing almost a year ago and i have said everything that i can say but they still wont come back to church. When i first heard what happened i immediately thought of the strongest family in the world. I wanted to ask you guys what you have done and what you are still doing to overcome Tanners death. If you could give me some ideas that i could use to help them it would be awesome."
Kristi asked me how should we respond but prefaced the question with "remember he is in a 3rd world country type area and it is not like we have it here.
I thought about it and had no idea how to respond. I told her I would think about it and put something together in a couple of days. She told me to read what she had already written. With her permission I would like to share this with you.
Dear Elder Tyler,
So many emotions are going through my mind and heart right now. I can since your concern for this family. I wish I had the magic words to make the pain go away but this is the best I can do. Please share this with them if you feel it is appropriate;
Dear Family,
From the other side of the world, my heart aches with yours. I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. Even as I write I long to find the words that will help ease your pain, so I pray that what I have to say may help you find peace.
I too lost my son to this horrible disease know as cancer, leukemia, the same as your son, I know the heartache of watching your child suffer, the heartache of saying goodbye, and the heartache of longing to see them again. The heartache of being a mother and watching them take their first breath and their last. As a mother my heart aches with yours. It has been 10 months since my son passed away, I still cry, I still long to see him again, but I want you to know, there is peace. There is a place of comfort. In time there comes a feeling of gratitude, gratitude for the gift of being the mothers of such special spirits, they were chosen and accepted the call to teach love, compassion, faith, honor, service and charity. They passed. We were chosen to help them become all of these wonderful things.
And now we are left to pick up the pieces, we press forward with faith, we honor their names by continuing to follow the example they have set. We find ways to honor our sons, kind deeds, serving others, and sharing our testimony of our Saviors love.
Sometimes people don't know what to say or do to help us, so we assume they don't care, but that is untrue, they care, they just don't know how to share it, so we teach like our son's, taught, with compassion, faith and love. I believe that is part of our mission We share what we have learned from our own journey. So I want to share with you what I have learned:
First and foremost that my Heaven Father loves me, he loves me so much that he trusted me with one of his most precious sons. He trusted me that I would do my best to raise a young man of honor.
Second I have learned that my Savior Jesus Christ didn't just suffer for my sins but he suffered every heartache and hurt that I would have to endure, he did this because he loves me, he know the trials I would have to endure and he knew I would need his help, so he suffered so he would know what to do to help me, what a great love that is.
Third I have learned how important my own Testimony is.
Is it strong enough to hold me up when I can no longer stand? Now I can say yes, I want you to know how grateful I am for my testimony, my faith in our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ is what has gotten me through some of my hardest days. I know that Joseph Smith restored this Gospel to the earth I know that we have a prophet today that leads and guides this church, I know that he receives revelation for us today, and I KNOW that my son is in a glorious place, serving, teaching and happy. What joy this brings to my heart. And I know that one day I will see him again and that day will be above all others, that will be my greatest day. To see my son serving our God and our Savior, what joy this brings my soul.
Forth, I have learned that through trials we become refined. We are humbled, and turn to our Heavenly Father for help, that is how we learn. In the most difficult times in my life is when I have grown the most. My heart is softened to receive these teachings.
I pray that in time you will find where your place of comfort is, I pray that it will be in our Saviors arms, and in his fold, reach out to others and let them help you, they may not know how to or what to say, teach them, serve them and your sorrow will be softened, I know this to be true. I will pray for your family and please know that your Heavenly Father is very aware of your sorrow and pain, he has felt it too. Please trust in him, he is the only way to peace.
After I finished reading this I told her I did not need to add anything to it. She shared everything so perfectly. I can only hope that she will get to read this (tranlated of course) and that it may be of help to them.
So I titled this post "Same Question Different Answer". Even after 9 months, there are still tears and emptiness and heartache of losing Tanner. But things are GOOD. We have been strenghted by our trials and this experience. I am looking forward to the future. I have been able to work on some possibilities for fundraising for Curesearch thought the store I just need to work on the final details (which are numerous) to finalize the project.
FOREVER STRONG
Robert
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
I know it's been a while since I have written. I can't believe it has been 8 months since Tanner passed away, other times it still feels like yesterday. Whenever I start to talk about him tears come. We miss him so much, but at the same time it's changing, there is a greater feeling of peace almost a sweet feeling, a feeling of reverance and sacred in nature. It's hard to explain but I feel very blessed to be his mother, he has greatness beyond our knowledge and I look forward to the time I will know the whole story. But for now we find comfort where we can. One of our cancer mom's posted this story and I thought I would share it with you. I believe Tanner is a "brave Soul".
Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?" God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone." The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!" God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you". God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.
In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed." Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.
Forever Strong
Kristi
Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?" God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone." The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!" God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you". God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.
In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed." Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.
Forever Strong
Kristi
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas
Here is is Christmas day. We have spent the day here at home with family and attending a wonderful Sacrament meeting. I wanted to share an experience we had last night. Over the last few days we have been the recipients of the twelve days of Christmas. Each Night we have received a different piece for a nativity set. It has been interesting the thoughts we have had. Ranging from I wonder who it is. to Lets find out who it is, to pure enjoyment of being remembered this time of year. At first we were determined to catch them, then it occurred to us that it was intended to be anonymous so I planned to write a thank you note for them, then it occurred to me, this is being done as an act of kindness (yes another act of kindness) given to our family. So as I sat in my chair reading the paper, or catching up on our cancer friends online as I do daily, I have a clear view of the front door out our window and they would simply keep their back to me and a hood pulled up over their head and place the package and then run. I am reminded of something that a friend (and also father who lost a son to cancer) told me---there can be no service rendered if there is no one to receive it!!!!!! A year ago it was so difficult to be on the receiving end of all the countless act of service we received, but now I have a much better understanding of the Lords plan. We received the final piece of the nativity set last night as we were home watching "The Polar Express". Included in the package was this quote from President Hinckley----CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN TREES AND TWINKLING LIGHTS, MORE THAN TOYS AND GIFTS AND BAUBLES OF A HUNDRED VARIETIES. IT IS LOVE. IT IS THE LOVE OF THE SON OF GOD FOR ALL MANKIND. IT IS THE PEACE WHICH COMFORTS, WHICH SUSTAINS, WHICH BLESSES ALL WHO ACCEPT IT. IT IS FAITH IT IS FAITH IN GOD AND HIS ETERNAL SON. IT IS FAITH IN HIS WONDROUS WAYS AND MESSAGE. IT IS FAITH IN HIM AS OUR REDEEMER AND OUR LORD. WE TESTIFY OF HIS LIVING REALITY. WE TESTIFY OF THE DIVINITY OF HIS NATURE. IN OUR TIME OF GRATEFUL MEDITATION, WE ACKNOWLEDGE HIS PRICELESS GIFT TO US AND PLEDGE OUR LOVE AND FAITH. THIS IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS REALLY ABOUT.
As I read this out loud last night and again today, It really hit me and made me ponder about the love and blessings given to us.
We have had a good, very good Christmas. We have spent is at home as a family. As we exchaged gifts this morning, I could't help but notice a picture of Tanner, on our memorial cabinet, He is looking directly at us and it was as if here were here watching us. It has definatly been different this year as we have been looking for ways to serve others and make sure they were taken care of this holiday season.
To those who have been involed in serving us or others, THANK YOU, words cannot describe the gratiude we have felt over the last days and over the last year.
Forever Strong
Robert
As I read this out loud last night and again today, It really hit me and made me ponder about the love and blessings given to us.
We have had a good, very good Christmas. We have spent is at home as a family. As we exchaged gifts this morning, I could't help but notice a picture of Tanner, on our memorial cabinet, He is looking directly at us and it was as if here were here watching us. It has definatly been different this year as we have been looking for ways to serve others and make sure they were taken care of this holiday season.
To those who have been involed in serving us or others, THANK YOU, words cannot describe the gratiude we have felt over the last days and over the last year.
Forever Strong
Robert
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