Rachael

I was going to let this day come and go but the day is almost done and I just cannot let it pass without recording a few thoughts. I don't have a lot to say but I wanted to mark the occasion anyway; today's date means it has been 11 years since Rachael died. I love her still and miss her still. The perspective her death (and my subsequent reflection on her life) gave me is what I will focus on today.

It is easy to love those who love you, are kind to you, or like you. It is a true show of character if you are able to be kind to those who criticize, use, or ignore you. I will be a work in progress on this for the rest of my life.

I usually use this space to recap our lives. I rarely get serious, controversial, or religious. But most of my life is made up of church things so I will use this time to record my testimony. I do have a testimony. I rarely share it outside of our little Family Home Evenings as my words feel inadequate to express my feelings.

I know Jesus Christ lived on earth. He died for us, and He lives again. He taught by example and showed us how we should live. If we follow Him, we will be led back to our Heavenly Father. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet who translated the Gold Plates into the Book of Mormon so we can learn from its pages and become better people. I know I have been blessed by attending the temple. I am grateful for the ordinances performed there that remind me of my covenants. I know that I can be with my family forever if I keep those covenants. Christ is waiting for us. We cannot only look to Him, we must go to Him. My knowledge is imperfect but this is not blind obedience. The Holy Ghost helps me to be bravely obedient as I follow the promptings I receive. I know that no matter what choices we make in life, "[H]is anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still." We are never beyond His reach, His love, His knowledge, and His peace.