I just spent the most wonderful weekend with my family.  They came down for the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The addresses from our church leaders were amazing and I am sure there will be posts about them in the future as I listen to and study them in the future.  However, the biggest lesson I learned (and I have been taught this over and over again) was how much I loved my family.


I have been so blessed to have been born into one of the most amazing families on this earth.  There is so much love and joy in my life because of them.  Most of them were with me this weekend and as each of them started driving away, I couldn't help but ponder what life will be like in the eternities...when we will be together as a family forever. 

Families are not just a social thing in this world...they are an integral part of the plan of salvation!  The Lord set up families not only to bring more of His spirit children to the earth, but to provide the perfect way for us to experiences things we need to become who we are meant to become.  Everything we need to know (spiritually, temporally, physically, etc) can be learned within the bounds of our eternal families.

Oh, what a blessed day it will be. I realized today that I am not only looking forward to the day when I have my little Joshua again, but I am looking forward to the day when I will have my entire family with me again.  The reason I feel an ache in my heart is because there is someone missing right now.  Honestly, if I were to die tomorrow, I think I would still feel an ache...because my other little boy, my husband, my siblings, and my parents would be back on earth.  The true joy will come when we are ALL together. I am so grateful for my family! 

Learn more about the value of families by clicking here.

This weekend, Tim and I were able to attend two wedding- in other words, two new eternal families began. It was wonderful.

On Friday, we attended the reception of one of our youth that we used to teach in Sunday school. As we walked into the reception and saw her glowing face, I couldn't help but think about my own wedding. Boy, we had no idea what journey we were about to embark on or how important it really was that we were married in the temple. I looked at this beautiful bride and hoped they would keep the gospel close to their hearts as life began. As the trials of life started, I hope they will come to realize just how blessed they really are to have an eternal family because they got married in the temple.

Our wedding almost 5 years ago.

Also, we were able to attend the sealing of one of Tim's really good friend yesterday. Oh, what a perfect thing for a grieving mother's heart!!! I loved witnessing the start of an eternal marriage! It was such a good reminder of the eternal perspective.

The beautiful couple as they start their own eternal family.

Oh, sweet is the peace the gospel brings!! I still ache to have my little boy here, but going to the temple yesterday, I am reminded that I have reason to rejoice!! "Oh, death, where is they sting?" It is definitely muted because of our Savior and His gospel. Jesus Christ has made it possible for me to hold my precious boy again and for us all to live together as an eternal family. When I ponder these eternal truths, the ache in my heart turns to a burning of peace and joy. Only the power of truth being testified could do that to a grieving mother's heart.

The Mount Timpanogas Temple

Oh, what a wonderful way to spend a weekend!! Oh, what a beautiful reminder of how wonderful our Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation really is! Oh, how blessed will be the day when I will, I WILL, see Joshua again. Oh, how wonderful that I have an eternal family.