BLESSINGS

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

3 John 1:4

 I have been so busy that I haven't been able to write all that I would like. Last week our baby Eden turned 6 months old. She sat up on her own on her 1/2 year Birthday. She is had brought alot of joy and happiness in our home. We are so grateful. I am always saddened when other families have to go through so much pain and suffering with either not being able to have children or losing children. I don't know why Kat and I have been so blessed.

One of my friends who lives up in Midway UT was recently put in the Bishopric. He share the following story with me that happen a few weeks ago in his Sacrament Meeting.

"The couple who spoke today shared an amazing story. I'll try to sum it up in a few short sentences. They had three boys who were all teenagers and died of carbon monoxide poisoning in their home on a cold winter day. This happened about 20 years ago while the parents were on a trip.  They had left their 17 year old son in charge of the younger sons, (15 and 13). All three boys died in their sleep in one swift shot.

This couple subsequently had another child, a boy, and they proceeded to tell their version of the prodigal son. They recounted how he left the home when he was 17 to live with some friends. He spent the next several years on drugs, in and out of every horrible situation imaginable. He also had a child about three years ago and then finally ended up in jail. The parents visited him in jail two times a week, every week for six months. Finally, he was released and moved back home. In the last year he has changed his life and just a few weeks ago he walked in and showed his Mom his new temple recommend. During the meeting, the Bishop leaned over and whispered in my ear that this particular Son was sitting on the third row. I looked over and he looked sharp, clean, and he was struggling to control his emotions.
I envisioned the Savior wrapping his arms around this man who began the journey home. When he talks about leaving the ninety and nine to rescue the one, I could only imagine his rejoicing over this one who chose to repent and start the process, especially after everything he's been through.

It was a wonderful Sacrament meeting. There was a spirit of love and you could sense the Savior's love as they shared their story of the loss of their boys and then the spiritual loss and return of their prodigal son. In a sense, we all have to go through the same process."

I can't imagine the range of emotions that these parents have been through with losing physically their children and then almost spiritually. However, what joy must have been felt to have the return of the prodigal son.