Shaking the hand of an apostle

On one of our quick trips to Utah this summer we attended church with grandma and papa-pia field. We almost didn't go because of a colossal tantrum that was being thrown over wearing church clothes. We made it though and as we walked in the doors just after the opening prayer we can see Elder Bednar sitting on the stand. 

It was incredible to be in the same sacrament meeting as an apostle of the lord. He spoke most of sacrament meeting, even with a fire alarm going off that must have been pulled by a kid.  After sacrament meeting papa and I took Preston and Porter up to shake elder bednar's hand. He shook their hands, asked them where they were from, and rubbed porters hair. Dave and I also, shook his hand and that was my first time ever being this close to an apostle.  What I remember most about seeing him was one- he looked older in person and two- he had a brightness about him that just made you smile and I found myself on the edge of my chair trying to listen and record into memory every word he spoke.

What he spoke on that Sunday was about the importance of repetition. He stated that we hear many of the same messages in sacrament meetings, Sunday school and in general conference. Some of us may question this or even start to disregard it because we have heard it so many times. However, he gave the example of the Joseph smith story and how he has given that story so many times as an apostle and his wife records it in journals every time he does, then going back through the journals he discovered that every time he gave it their were different "nuggets" for the specific group/person that he was sharing it with. He then had us read in Joseph smith history the account of the angel appearing to Joseph smith 3 times and repeating the same thing, but after each visit he would also add a new "nugget" of information.  It reminded me about the line upon line precept upon precepts scripture.

My scrambled notes from the meeting.

Prosperity

Ease

Providence 

The sabbath day is the only safeguard you have.  Do not deprive yourself of the basics. Always study and you will be given more knowledge. 

Listen for new nuggets in all meetings and at home. These nuggets appear mostly at home on the sabbath. 

George cannon- the millennium in the house 

He also spoke about lessons in the home. What we teach in our homes is what will save our families. Repeat what you hear and are taught in church, repeat it at home.

Grandparents

I have had to say good-bye to 2 of my grandparents in the past 3 weeks. So many memories have raced through my mind these past few weeks that I find myself almost always thinking about the legacy both of those dear people left and how they influenced me.

3 weeks ago I received a call from my dad informing me that my Grandma Farnsworth had passed away.  Not completely shocked, she had been suffering from Alzheimer Disease for several years now, and the week prior she had become unresponsive. I was prepared to say my good-byes to my grandma from this life.  A week ago, I received another call from my dad telling me that my Grandpa Child had passed away that evening in his home.  This one was unexpected, but in a way sort of expected.  He didn't have anything destroying his mental health and was completely capable of moving about and talking.  He was getting older and was having to be on oxygen, but because I didn't have warning of his health declining I was a little shocked.

 This suit that he wore to his wedding he saved his money for to be able to wear to church.  when his friend went on his mission (Grandpa couldn't serve a mission because of money issues) he gave his friend his new suit.  When his friend returned home from his mission he gave my Grandpa back the used suit.  My grandpa wore it to his wedding.

One of the many cars that Grandpa fixed up.  He took me and my sisters on a drive through salt lake in this.  I remember driving up to capital hill and he gave us a tour of the town.  I thought I was in the coolest car ever!

That door just behind my grandpa is where he raised his pigeons.

My great great grandpa, my great grandpa, and my grandpa.

Always displayed proudly throughout his house.  Toy cars (but not toys)

I have so many good memories  of both my grandparents.  Seeing my grandma

suffer through such a horrendous disease was more painful than hearing about her passing, but I still see her in my head as that hard working, fishing grandma that loved to be in the passenger seat of the truck next to my grandpa in their matching, shiny blue, ford jackets. Every time she came to our house I remember waking up to the smell of coffee, I remember her getting out her yarn and showing us how to stitch, or eating grandmas awesome spaghetti or salmon loaf. I remember riding in my Grandpa's truck and thinking I was queen of the road in that big, loud diesel truck.  I can't remember a time where she was not at our house making pie dough and would always use the scraps to make us a treat by sprinkling cinnamon and sugar on them.  She was a talented, strong woman.  

Sitting through my grandpa's funeral I heard wonderful stories of his life.  I was able to get a glimpse of his hard childhood, but his fulfilling life as a father and husband.  Being able to to hear all the wonderful things my grandpa did for his family and his community makes me so proud to be part of his posterity.  He helped his community without question.  You could see that by the support that showed up to celebrate his life.  The Mortuary owners knew him well, they went out of their way to put "URB" on the back with his beloved Chevy sign.  Their were stories told of him fixing up cars with no cost because he knew what it was like to suffer hardship.  I loved hearing my grandpas love for the gospel and his love for his family.  I hope to live in such a way that would make my grandpa proud.

My Grandma Farnsworth's Funeral Services

We also received a beautiful gift in the mail from Matt's grandma and Aunt.  Last year Grandpa Field passed away.  He was an incredible man.  I loved his life stories, his love that he showed for him wife and his constant smile.   these are some trinkets from his life.