~~We LOVE The Gospel Of Jesus Christ~~

______________________________________________

Friday, February 3, 2012

Healing Twinkle Within

Dear Caleb,

Oh Caleb, where do I start? I posted on the 24th, but I had to delete it. I received a beautiful piece of wisdom in December, and felt that I was suppose to tell you about it. But a curve came in our road, and I felt that I couldn't live up to it. I did not want to have people think that I was a hypocrite for me not following the further light and knowledge that I was given. Perhaps I will post on it another time.
Since the beginning of this new year, I have emotionally been going down hill, fighting Satan with this depression tsunami... I have failed so many times to get out of his reach and he got a hold of my heart many times. Filling it with fear, anger, and failure sunk in, making myself feel miserable.

"I feel like yelling;
I feel like screaming;
I just want to sleep and keep on dreaming.
For each step I take forward;
Is about 100 steps backward.
Some days I just can't take this;
It's a blur, a blah, an abyss.
Memories of the past haunt my mind;
I buckle under pressure and only come to find.
That even though I may feel like I am losing;
It is only but a small chapter closing.
Allowing me to see the bigger side;
Pulling, pushing me forward so that we may all be alive.
To stop, to give up, is to but die;
To move forward, onward is not goodbye.
I've got to keep my focus;
On my Savior and not hocus pocus.
It is only through my older brother;
That I am able to stand no matter the weather.
This is so hard, but I will hold on tight;
I will just look up to God in the heavens of light."

Three weeks ago really pushed my limits to an unknown level. Your father was called to be Scoutmaster in our church ward. Emotions and Words were swirling in my head and out loud. I know that your father will do well, I just worry about me being able to support him. I feel we are walking into that unknown bitter darkness again... and oh I am just praying that light will be coming soon. Your father told me that he needed to get all the necessary things to help him with this calling, so you know what that meant. Yup, he headed for the Scout store. I was a mess. I was angry. I was scared. I was so full of ache. As he started to drive away, I bursted into tears. I txted him pleading for him not to go, but to come back. Being the loving father that we both know him to be, he did just that. As he came through the front door I threw my arms around him and sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.
Later that very day, we actually drove as a family to the Scout store. I drove us. It was so hard, and yet I could feel God's love at the same time. It was so amazing to my mind, to my heart, to my whole being. While we were waiting for your father to get all the things he needed, the spirit spoke to me. I heard, "Caleb does not need cub scouts, but you do." And I was inspired to purchase a few things... well okay a lot of things. Let's just say it was a very expensive grief transaction. Caleb your siblings and I will be finishing what you began. We will be going through the Wolf Book, the Bear Book, and the Weblos Book before you turn 12. As we left I felt so lifted, and for the first time felt that it was okay to say the words Cub Scouts. And I actually felt excited to open those books.

On a grief level of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, before this outing I was at a 10. Now I can proudly say that I am at a 6. Slow progress is in the works. My spirit is so willing to just do and learn all that God our Father in Heaven has for me, for us. But my body, oh my weak, weak, weak mortal body is kicking and screaming. I know that I probably would not have made it over this huge hurdle, if it were not for these loving pushes from above. And I would not have felt of the momentous healing twinkle within myself, if I was not pushed towards my fears, towards my anger, towards where my heart aches the most and shivers when anything scouts is mentioned.

I honestly don't know how we are going to make this work. The only thing that I do know, is that we will, because we have the best support group from above. We so love you our sweet Ka-bub. Please don't stop pleading and petitioning for prayers to help us on this short journey while we are away from you.

Love Your Mommy

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Is here again

Dear Caleb,

I am greatly missing you this Christmas Season, I hate to say that I dislike Christmas because I don't, it's just so hard to be happy. I am trying really hard to not be a downer when I am around others and seem like I'm a baa humbug. But with all the memories: getting out your Christmas train, putting up your special ornaments.... it's just so piercing to my heart. It hurts and I just want to cry all the time; it just doesn't seem possible to be happy during this time without you here. The ache is oh so terribly bitter during these Christmas times. Times that you just loved so much and looked forward too with your count down paper chains.

I've been listening to Christmas music with your siblings as we would drive around, trying to perk me into the mood but even the Christmas music sounds different to me again this year. And there are three songs specifically that keep bringing tears to my eyes and I get lost in the words. The first song is called, 'Christmas All Over Again' It says, "It is Christmas time again, decorations are hung by the fire, everyone is singing and all the bells are ringing out, and it's Christmas all over again." I am once again just going through the emotions of Christmas, everyone I see seem happy, and yet I keep thinking to myself, 'It's Christmas time again, here we go again' followed by a sour stomach every time. The second song is called, 'Somewhere in my memory.' It says, "Somewhere in my memory finds the joy of Christmas, living in my memory, all of the music, all of the magic, all of the family at home with me." I am trying so hard not to compare all present Christmas's to the ones that we shared with you. But it is just so hard to find all that joy and laughter and magic without you here with us. And the third song is called, 'Where are you Christmas.' It says, "Where are you Christmas why can't I find you, why have you gone away? Where is the laughter you used to bring me, why can't I hear music play? My world is changing I'm rearranging, does that mean that Christmas changes too?"

Caleb I know that the real reason of Christmas has not changed. I know that the only way to find pure joy has never changed either. It is the same and has been and ever will be forever. And it is through Christ our Lord, who was born in a lowly manger in Bethlehem. It is only because of him that I can hold my head high as tears stream down my cheeks; it is through him that saves, it is through him that will allow us to be together again.

This Christmas, I am brought back to my thoughts on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. How brave; how strong; how faithful and valiant she must have been- to carry the weight of knowing that her precious son would only stay for a short while, and then return home above. I have written a poem about her; It's called, 'Mary's Tribute.'

"I look to Mary with amazing awe,
As she was faithful in what she heard and saw.

How could one be so firm and true,
Knowing that her son's life would soon be due.

To carry such a constant ache in her heart,
I'm amazed that it never tore her apart.

She stood so valiant and oh so strong,
And never complained or thought God was wrong.

How I want to be more like her,
That obeyed God's will to become an accomplisher."

Caleb, sweet Caleb, I want to give you a present of my heart which is better then any physical gift of toys and things. I want to promise to you that I will try to be more like Mary: one who is strong, one who is focused always on God's will, one who finds progress through Christ. I cannot bear to disappoint you again, nor our family. I will kept pushing our family moving forward towards you. Thankfully we are not alone in this bitter work, we have the best loving supporting family on our side- God our Eternal Father and in his living, resurrected son Jesus Christ. Because of them we can do this, we will do this, there is no other way then God's way, so we will hold on tight as we follow his lighted path for us- with our aching hearts and tear stained faces. Because we know that we are promised everlasting joy if we but endure to the end, so we move with faith and trust- knowing that all WILL be made right!

We so dearly love you our Kabub. Merry Christmas Buddy Boy.
Love Your Mommy

Thursday, November 24, 2011

A Thankful Heart of Contentment

Dear Caleb,

I want to thank you for the beautiful gift you gave me the 2 days before Thanksgiving, as I was going into Montey's room for another night-tare moment during the night. As I walked past your room and started to walk into Montey's room, in the corner of my eye I saw you playing on your floor with your toys that were left out from your sisters the day before. You were wearing your long t-shirt pajamas and had them pulled over your legs, as you were playing, and I thought to myself, "Oh look Caleb is up playing so quietly with his toys... boy he's such a sweet and considerate child." I took only 2 steps into Montey's room when I realized what I had just saw and what I had just said. I stopped moving forward and quickly ran back towards your room.... but this time you were not there, just your toys that you were playing with. The day before Thanksgiving as we were picking up our home, I told your sisters how you were here, and how important it is for us to leave out some of your toys, because you like to come home to play with them. They all agree that they will do this for you.

Well Caleb, I have finally been able to see glimmers of sun beams shining through these never ending stormy, gloomy clouds. But before this, I was feeling myself fall deeper, and deeper into a depression. I have been unhappy with myself, causing things to be unhappy at home. I was getting so tired of being the problem and causing all the problems. So many people have told me, that you would want me to be happy- but with all honesty I had NO idea how to do that or even know where to start. The idea of living a happy life got knocked out of me like one feels when being punch in the stomach... it just makes it hard to breath and move. I have been going through the emotions as one would live their life; wake up, get out of bed, feed the kids, do school with the kids, make lunch, finish school, do chores, make dinner, go to bed. But I have not truly being 'living.' My mind was set to a certain channel, that I have been living to die. I have given up on almost everything: going, doing, and being what I use to do and be. I have just been letting life hit me as it comes, instead of trying to enjoy the moments of what time I may still have left with our family here on earth.

There was a family, the Jaques family, that came across the plains with the Martin Handcart Pioneers- my feelings are almost identical . On October 17, 1864 John Jaques wrote about the passing of his daughter Rose. "At about 8 o'clock in the morning our poor little darling died. This was a heavy blow to us, as she was a lovely and sensible child and we had fondly hoped that she would live to be a help and comfort and companion to her mother. We both felt that were it not for our boys, we could cheerfully have gone down to the grave with our dear little daughter. When will the resurrection come, that we may have our darling back again?" After Rose was buried two days later, her father felt that all life's beauties had gone with her. "How desolate the house seemed," he wrote, "and the garden and the trees and vines. All their charms seemed to have gone into the grave with our poor darling."

It amazes me that even about 150 years later, the feelings of loss are the same. Everything has been gray, gloomy in my life, everything has been half empty, nothing has brought even a remoteness spark of life back into my limpless life since you returned home. I haven't even allowed myself to try, for all guilt sets in when I think that I might be able to change my thinking to half full. Until just recently......

Right before the Martin Handcart company finally made it to Salt Lake Valley on Sunday November 30, many were still at church. President Brigham Young, the second Latter-day Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, dismissed all to go home and to prepare their homes to help the people that were coming. Brigham Young said, "You know I would give more for a dish of pudding and milk, or a baked potato and salt, were I in their situation of those peoples who have just come in, than I would for all your prayers, though you were to stay here all afternoon and pray. Prayer is good, but when baked potatoes and pudding and milk are needed, prayer will not supply their place on this occasion; give every duty its proper time and place..."

From those words, it got my squeaky, rusty wheels turning again. Helping me to notice that I have only been doing what John Jaques' mentioned, just praying and asking to know when the resurrection will come, so that we may be with you again. Though praying is good as Brigham Young said, yet, everything must be given it's proper time and place; especially with taking better care of the gift of life- for that is what it is, a Gift. We are only here for but a moment. I can not expect to receive a golden ticket home like you, I am expected to work and to be found worthy to receive that even higher gift called eternal life.

It has been very awkward and even uncomfortable at times as I have begun my first steps into the rays of sunbeams, through my ever so dark and gloomy clouds of emotions. There have been several that have mentioned how glad they are to see me happy. I have even found myself singing in the shower and humming while I eat. But it is not happiness they see. For me to be happy again, even to the measure of what I was with you here, can only be obtained later when we are a family forever. But I have found that one can be content with what God has given us. I am content Caleb. I am happier because I have fully allowed God to take control of our families life and path. I can no longer expect to be in control, for I am not; nor was I ever. How weird of me for thinking any differently, but how thankful I am to know in whom I trust. How thankful we are at this Thanksgiving time of year, to be given the gift of contentment.

How we ache for your presence again, the longing is sometimes unbearable, but through Christ, because of Christ, ALL will be made right.... we will see.... all will be made right.

=)Love Your Mommy

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Fall Brings Falling Emotions

Dear Caleb,

Fall still brings much uneasiness to my heart, and so much aching; as we enter into a new school year. Inside I am a mess; there is a continue flowing of tears that just never stop. I do not want to start another school year without you. It is so difficult to keep myself together these days. Fall used to be my favorite season, then it changed- becoming one of my most dreaded times of the year. Thankfully this year I was reminded by the Lord that there is one thing, one ray of hope that is given to me each Fall Season.... it is the blessed words of The leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and the 12 Apostles. I always look forward to hear from them each General Conference. Their words bring so much peace to my aching and broken heart. I received much guidance and strength from them. I feel that I have a better firm map of life that will help keep me moving until 6 months from now, when we will hear from them again.
Fall time means birthday time for me. Before the accident I used to think how terrible it was to be getting older, that it was an embarrassing thing to tell people how 'Old' I really was. But my birthdays have become such a thing of JOY! I am SO glad to be getting older, that that means I have one more year done in this, my mortal life- making the gap closer to being with you again. I proudly told people how old I was, and how grateful I was to be getting older. I am so excited to be 80 years old, for my body will finally match my brain. I often get jealous of old people and think how lucky the are to be on their last leg, and how I wished we could switch shoes.
I think of these 80 year old people and think about the wonderful lives they have lived and all the things that they saw in their prime, and how things must seem so foreign to them today. All the technology, the pace of life, the way things work and run in this world.... how different it was for them in their day. And all their dear friends and family slowly leaving them into the next and better life, perhaps feeling like they are getting left behind to stay in a weird world that they can not keep up with nor understand. So when it is time for them to make the joyous move to be reunited, it comes as a welcomed visitor. For there is nothing better then being with family and friends..... truly Heaven is such a joyous place that should not be feared, but to be welcome with full open arms.
When I am having a difficult time and things are taking longer than desired, or feel like I can handle... I remind myself of the scripture in The Book of Mormon found in Alma 40:8, "All is as one day with God, and time is only measured unto men." And I tell myself over and over again, 'Time is measured only unto men, time is measured only unto men, time is measured only unto men...' This helps me to stay firm and focused on God's will and timing for us as a family.
I woke up early on my birthday morning and drove to my favorite place on earth to go. It is the only place where I can feel of the loving, ever most comforting arms of the Lord around me. A place where you can not help but feel lifted when you leave. However, unfortunately this was not the case for me this time. I never thought that one could have an unpleasant experience in this amazing place. I left with a much heavier heart then what I came with. This month has just been difficult, just full of confusion of knowing God's will for us.... I get so puzzled at times, and think 'Why does God think we can handle this? This is so much bigger than anything I have ever been through.' The affect is not just temporary, it is permanent. The damage has been done, but I can not allow myself to think that it will always be like this... because it will not. Our joy Caleb, is coming in the morning. When Christ comes, he will bring healing in his wings. How truly, truly blessed we are to know the because of Christ ALL will truly be made right.
This is our hope. This is our Focus. For this is God's promise to us, and he ALWAYS keeps his promises. How we love him for that.
Since God's timing is different then ours, I will say to you our sweet boy... We will see you in the morning.

Love, Your Mommy.