Be Still My Soul!

Today began with a call from my Mom letting me know that my older sister's water broke early this morning and that she was headed in for a c-section.  It was suppose to be the beginning of many wonderful moments for my family.   They were to have the joyous opportunity to welcome three new spirits into the family.   Yes,  my two sisters and I were due a week apart from each other.     My oldest sister was suppose to be the final one to have hers but her little one decided to come early.   No one seemed concerned.  
Then the second call came from my Grandma telling me that the new little girl wasn't doing well and that they didn't think that she was going to make it.    She asked me to say a little prayer.   I began praying with all my heart.    It was as if a huge flash had hit before the dark storm was to come.
Then a third call, it was my mom. The tone in  her voice was warm and hopeful.  She said they had been able to revive her and she had good color.  They were going to fly her to Primary Children's Hospital or the U of U hospital.  She supposedly had physical and possibly mental complications but they had hope.
A short time later I received a call from my mom and she told me that Emily wasn't going to make it and that they were going to take her off of the ventilator so she could be with the family when she passed away.  
Then the final call came.  She had left her earthly home and gone back to her heavenly home.
I wept a lot today.   I wished I could be there with my sister, holding her hand, telling her it would be ok, praying with her, stroking her hair until she was able to close her eyes and go to sleep. But would she sleep?   It is almost as if today was a dream that we will wake up from tomorrow.   
I turned many times to the only thing that would help bring me comfort and that was prayer and faith.   I am so grateful this day for the knowledge I have of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that this life is not the end.  That we will see little Emily again and it will be glorious. 
At one of the low points of today a song came on which I feel was an answer to my prayers.  It was "Be Still My Soul."
I hope that the rest of my family may find comfort in the words of this great hymn.

1. Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;

With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Text: Katharina von Schlegel, b. 1697;
trans. by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
To Angie, Erich and Owen we send our love, thoughts and prayers.  We can only begin to imagine what this feels like for you.  We hope that you will turn to the Savior and his atonement to help make you whole again.   We know that through him all things are possible and that one day you will be reunited with your sweet little Emily.  

Pregnancy Pictures

With only five weeks to go our dear friend Jenny was kind enough to take some pictures of Trevor and I.  We had so much fun and the pictures turned out fabulous.  She is so talented and wonderful.

Here is one of the pics.   More to come soon.  Hope you enjoy.

Ryan turns 7!

On the 27th of October Ryan turned seven.  It was a great day.  We went to the Carmichael pumpkin patch in Bixby, OK.  There we were able to pick out pumpkins, feed the animals, have a hayride and thanks to Grandma, the kids went on a camel ride.

Then we went to Pizza Hut for dinner.   Grandma and the kids enjoyed playing the car racing game and getting bouncy balls from the quarter machines.    After that we came home and had Star Wars cake and ice cream.  He loved opening all of his gifts from family.    I can't believe how fast he has grown up and what a sweet little boy he is.  He loves being a big brother, soccer, drawing, Lego's, singing and making up stories.

We love you Ryan.  Happy Birthday!!

Surprise from Grandma

The day before Ryan's birthday the kids were invited to the airport to pick up a surprise package: GRANDMA.  They couldn't believe it.   We had so much fun with my mom here for nine days we were sad to see her leave.  The kids really enjoyed hanging out with Grandma, having her tell them bed time stories, playing Lego's and just being together.   It was wonderful to see the kids with my Mom.    They didn't want her to leave. Ryan cried and  Caden threw down his cowboy hat and sat on the floor and cried.  While she was here he would ask her; "Can you stay forever?"   We will miss you Mom.  We love you!!