It is Well with My Soul,

Two days before Madie's birthday when she would have turned 25, I was asked if I would be willing to direct the Stake Conference Choir in December.  I was given a CD with the music that was going to be presented for approval, to listen to, to make sure I was willing to direct the songs.  

The following day was our bi-annual Stake Conference, and I was singing in the choir with about 60 other individuals.  It was a spirit-filled meeting and we closed with the choir singing a beautiful arrangement of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." This hymn has personal applications for me with Madie so it was a very sweet way to end the Stake Conference, and my eyes leaked more than a little.

That afternoon I sat outside contemplating Madie's birthday that was hours away and listened over and over to the CD with the 6 hymns that were selected. I found it very easy to sing along with the chorus of "It is Well With My Soul", as tears now really flowed freely.  

I reflected on the healing that had taken place since her birthday a year earlier. I felt immensely humbled and grateful.

The words to the chorus kept floating through my brain the rest of the evening and I was grateful for each of the songs I had listened to repeatedly that afternoon, a balm for my soul.  

Monday on Madie's Birthday, a friend reached out and asked me to go to lunch with her.  She wanted to stop at Home Goods on the way home, and I thought, "I would love to find myself something as a remembrance of today" which is something I have done several times on her birthday over the past seven birthdays without her.   

I came across a plaque in the clearance section that was kind of beat up.  They didn't have another one that wasn't marred, but I decided I could maybe freshen it up with a bit of paint and if not, it could represent the beatings our souls often take.  It seemed perfect for this year.  

 I then did some digging and found out the story behind this Hymn. It is actually as inspiring as the song itself. 

Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were prominent people in 1860’s Chicago. As well as being a lawyer and businessman, the Spaffords were also supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher.

In 1870 things started to go wrong. The Spaffords’ only son died of scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, the Chicago Fire destroyed all their real estate holdings on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England to get away from their troubles and to help D.L. Moody on his evangelistic tour of Britain. The Spaffords traveled to New York in November of 1873 to catch a French steamer to cross the Atlantic. At the last minute, a business development forced Horatio to stay behind. He saw his family onto the ship and made plans to catch up with them later.

On November 2nd, 1873, the ‘Ville de Havre’, the ship carrying the Spaffords, had collided with ‘The Lochearn’, an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people among them were his daughters, Annie, Maggie, Bessie, and Tanetta. Only his wife, Anna, was spared. She sent a telegram to her husband which read, in part, “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. The captain of the ship had called Horatio to the bridge and said, “A careful reckoning has been made and I believe we are now passing the place where the ‘de Havre’ was wrecked. The water is three miles deep.” Horatio then returned to his cabin, buffed by the seas and his grief, and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.

Sometimes our day looks pretty tough but through God, we can say, “It is well with my soul.” Psalm 46 tells us that God is our refuge and strength and that he is present in our sorrows. Romans 8:28 says, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Even Anna Spafford said in the midst of her despair she heard a voice say, “You were spared for a purpose.” We don’t always see the big picture. But God is there for us in it all.

As I walk this healing journey from losing Madeline, there are good days and there are bad days, mostly good now. I'm learning to allow whatever the experience is of any given day to just be without the judgment and bullying that occurred in the past. I need to focus on the joy and good things. When I fall, and I do, I know I can rise strong again.  Looking for the good that God allows to happen even in trying circumstances.

“It Is Well With My Soul” is not only an anchor for my spiritual walk but it even helps me with the buffers I have used since Madeline passed away. Songs are powerful reminders and anchors for my journey. They evoke emotion and move me to action. Do you have a song that helps you when you are weak?  I have a full arsenal of music that helps me rise again and again.

Listen below to the arrangement of "It is Well With My Soul"

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cc4pGqiixU

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
by Horatio Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Mother's Day Miracle

Larry and I have been going to the temple early Saturday mornings lately. I had prayed that we would have a wonderful experience, realizing tomorrow is Mother's Day and Madeline's birthday is just a short time after Mother's Day. 

In light of that, and because I wanted to wear a long necklace I grabbed a special necklace a friend made for me after Madeline passed away. It has an inscription Madeline had included on a Mother's Day card she made me the last year she was alive. 

As I was changing into my temple clothes I was about to take off the necklace and realized tomorrow it would be seven years since that Mother's Day. Seven equals perfection; rest. 

I teared up a bit and opted to leave the necklace on under my temple dress close to my heart. 


I recently decided to not resist whatever feelings come up but to instead just experience them. Vulnerable I went into the chapel and sat next to Larry.  

During the Endowment I again teared up and wanted to believe Madeline was possibly there with me. I thought about all the Mother's Day's I had experienced since becoming a mother almost 37 years ago.

I resolved to look at Mother's Day through a different lens this year. As I contemplated, some thoughts I considered were; "It's okay, Mother's Day can be a beautiful experience. You can choose to think about all the amazing women in your life. All those who have been a powerful influence on you and your family."

I pondered on the gift of each of my children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.  How grateful I am for them and the joy they bring to our family. 

I then reflected on the 4 babies I lost, and the lessons I learned going through those experiences. The most important being I can do all things through Christ.  When heartbreaks are devastating, he is the strengthening source to help us as we stumble. This knowledge prepared me when Madeline's unexpected death crushed my soul. 

I thought about my own mother, my mother-in-law, and grandmothers.  I reflected on their qualities and guidance. Their impact seems incomprehensible.

I thought about female role models, old and young who have mentored me and family members.

As I was contemplating and praying in the Celestial Room, I felt immersed in love and was incredibly grateful for our experience in the temple that morning. It was tender and endearing.  I seriously had no idea what was just around the corner.


A bit later as I was leaving the bathroom in the dressing room, I noticed two girls names on lockers that I assumed were getting married today. The name right in front of me was Madeline. 

I stopped cold in my tracks, and my heart was filled with this extra witness that heaven was aware of me and my thoughts personally. 

Oh, how I wished I could see what this Madeline looks like, but realized it was early and she might not be in the temple yet.


I walked over to a table to add names to a prayer roll. As I was writing I noticed a card on the counter with a girls name on it that said Live Endowment. This meant it was her first time and she was receiving the blessings herself. Her name was Elizabeth Rose Leone. I stared in disbelief. There was Madeline's middle name Rose and my mother's middle name Leone, which is also my grandmother's first name.

 All of these were people I had hoped to feel a connection with during our endowment session that morning. Oh, how I wished I could see who these women were. 

Just then a girl walked up and picked up the card. I asked, "Are you Elizabeth Rose Leone?"  She said "yes". I smiled and told her I loved her name. I was delighted to see she was young, about Madeline's age when she passed away. 

I knew Larry was probably waiting for me and I was tempted to peek in the bridal room but resisted. 


Right after exiting the dressing room a girl and her mother passed and as soon as they walked by I thought "That's Madeline!" I looked back and said "Madeline?"  She turned around surprised.  I said, "You're Madeline." She responded "yes". I said, "you're getting married." Again she said "yes".

 I then decided to look at her mother, and to my surprise there stood a woman I had known since I moved to Houston 38 years ago when she was a young girl. 

I was shocked, and said, "Your daughter's name is Madeline?"  She smiled and said. "Yes".  I responded, "You know I lost my daughter Madeline, and I was hoping to somehow have an experience here today, just to know she was around and that I was missing her". I told them about the middle name of the other girl, and then I apologized for stopping them. The mom said, "No, thank you!"


I walked out to the waiting area where Larry was, wondering if the girl with Rose for her middle name was around. I saw her across the room and as I was turning back towards Larry a lady waved at me. I wasn't sure who she was but it looked like she was the escort of Elizabeth Rose. I felt kind of unsure and said "You waved at me right?  Have we met before?"
She said "yes, and reintroduced herself to me". 
I immediately remembered her but hadn't seen her in years. I inquired, "Is Elizabeth Rose your daughter?"  "Yes". Then Elizabeth walked over and joined us. I discovered she is going on a mission and just finished her first year at North Texas as a vocal performance major. A singer no less. Some of my fondest memories with Madeline involved accompanying her and mentoring her as she prepared for singing auditions and performances.  
                                
                                This was amazing!


I couldn't believe I got to see both girls. They were both beautiful inside and out and doing something extremely important today. 

My mind swirled as I contemplated on Madeline's, my mom's, and grandmother's hellos being orchestrated perfectly. It was beautiful to think just like my children were allowed to call home from their mission's on Mother's Day, Madeline also is able to check in from time to time, and I am so thankful to know what I believed before she died. Which is that we still exist and are aware of loved ones when we pass away.  It's real.  Death isn't the end.  It's a rebirth to another world of experiences, one that I will forever be grateful to have seen glimpses of as a gift from a loving Heavenly Father. 

It's hard to express the gratitude my heart is experiencing on a weekend that has in the past held such tender feelings, having neither my mother or my daughter alive, and yet my life continues with purpose knowing they aren't far away. 

For me, that makes living filled with hope and commitment to somehow honor them, magnifying the lessons I've learned from both of their untimely deaths.

I believe truly living means living with courage in spite of vulnerability.  It's getting up when we fall and becoming something we couldn't have achieved without the crushing blows that living brings. It's empowering to know that with our Savior we become the authors of our lives.  We write our own stories, crafted from heartbreak and failure.  We decide.  The power is ours.

Hello from the other side

Today marks the four year anniversary of Madeline Rose passing away. This is my favorite "Madie Hello" from this year.

Some history:

In August of 2015 I was deeply struggling after dropping MarShae off at BYU.  I knew a period of my life had come to an end and I didn't want to go home and face the life in front of me. So many aspects were difficult. 

Madie and MarShae were raised together like twins. They had a twin telepathy that I was able to witness first hand repeatedly. I knew I wouldn't have the daily reminders the quirks that were unique to the two girls. MarShae was also living in the same dorm as Madie had lived in at BYU.  

I clearly remember being home alone that first week because Marielle had stayed in Utah with friends.  August 20th I cried on and off all day. It marked 45 months since Madie had died.  I was deeply depressed and I didn't know what I would do with my life. Marielle had recently pointed out that she was an artist and that artists work alone, so I also knew that another aspect of my life was shifting.  Eighteen years of involvement with Klein High Theater and supporting my children who were involved there was changing, possibly ending.

 I was at a crossroads, and I didn't know where to go.  

I woke up August 21, 2015 and the tears started flowing again. Today because it was MarShae's 19th birthday and I was sitting home alone in my bed immobilized with grief. 

A few hours into that morning I had a pep talk with myself and basically said, 
"You can sit here in this bed again and cry all day, increasing the sinus headache you already have, or you can get up, get dressed, go to the temple and cry there.  At least there you will be doing something for someone else, and you will be around people." 
I got myself dressed,took a leap of faith and went.  I experienced a beautiful spirit that warmed my heart, tears freely flowed but I felt comfort from above that everything would be okay, eventually. I determined this was something I  should do to help me get through this adjustment in my life. 
I started going a couple of times a week. I felt renewed every time I went. I experienced things that were sacred, healing began and I often felt in the hands of my Savior. 

In October with a habit in place I found myself at the first trigger of reminders of the anniversary around the corner, Marielle's birthday October 19th. The temple was closed because it was a Monday so I went the following day with a friend and had a beautiful experience.  This prompted me to return three more days that week, going with Larry Saturday evening October 24, 2015. That night while praying in the Celestial Room about the upcoming anniversary that I felt looming around the corner, the idea clearly came "If you go to the temple as often as possible between now and the anniversary, it will be easier this year for you."  With the struggles I knew were in front of me I committed to my Heavenly Father to go every day that I could until the anniversary November 20,2016. This set in motion a year of miracles that I had no way of knowing were in front of me. I  had experiences every day through the anniversary that I couldn't explain.  It became like a treasure hunt, never knowing what unexpected thing might happen, but also realizing these were given to me as gifts. A witness of love from my Savior. 

Early in November I determined and committed to going everyday the Temple was open till the end of the year, because since the accident I struggled with the entire holiday season and wanted continued strength and help. 

Tender mercies continued to happen everyday, and I wish I had recorded every one of them. I did share most of them with Larry and Marielle each night, but many are forgotten. 

On New Year's Day  as I looked at the year in front of me I committed to attend everyday in 2016 that the Temple was open unless I had a family conflict. I wanted as much help as heaven would give. I realized MarShae going on a mission would be another goodbye for a year and a half with only weekly emails to communicate.
  
On this fourth anniversary I will share my favorite experience. Everything I have shared so far helps set the stage of this personal miracle.

 It is now February 25, 2016. At this point I don't have unexplainable experiences daily, so when they happen they are a pleasant surprise. It has become second nature to me, to attend daily and do ordinances for my ancestors who died without them. 
(For those who haven't been in our temples or learned about them I will briefly explain because it's a part of the miracle)
These ordinances include Baptism, Confirmation, Initiatory (symbolic washing and annointings), then an Endowment which is a process of covenants made between us and Heavenly Father.  Last is Sealing of families. 

Today I am doing an Endowment and seated in front of me are three women also doing Endowments for their ancestors.  The miracle begins to unfold as I notice this card on the floor by my feet. 

I pick it up, realizing it must belong to one of the girls in front of me.  These "cards" represent an ancestor and are used to mark and date when each ordinance is completed in the Temple. I immediately notice the name of the person who submitted the card Katie "Rose" Hart. Madie's middle name Rose gets my attention.

Madie singing
 "Set Fire to the Rain  May 2011

   I also notice the first name of the ancestor is Adele who was Madie's favorite singer, and her last name is Grave.   I think "that is kind of cool", and  I tap the girl in front of me and ask her if this happens to be her card.  She responds "yes" and I return her card to her.
   

Later we stand up and somehow her card floats through the air and lands in front of me again.  We make eye contact and grin and because we have things to do I motion that I will place the card on the empty seat next to me, and she agrees.  When we sit down again I decide maybe I need to inspect this card more closely.  I look at the dates and bells start going off in my head.  I have a quirky thing for dates, and often feel it is a way Madie communicates with me.

This card is loaded.  Baptism and Confirmation, August 21, 2015.  MarShae's last birthday.  Initiatory, Oct 24, 2015 when I committed to go everyday to the temple leading up to the 3rd anniversary.  Then I noticed in small print at the bottom left this card was reprinted on Nov 20, 2015, the 3rd anniversary.

At this point I can't even believe what I am looking at.  

I become aware of how many things took place for this to occur.  My mind is reeling. Happy tears fill my eyes!  I know Madie is so thrilled I finally got it! 

I feel her excitement! 

Then I look at the ancestor who is having her work done, and remember that Adele, released her song "Hello" November 20, 2015 on the third anniversary of Madie's death.  I soon hand this card back to Katie and whisper, "Can I talk to you in the Celestial Room?" She agrees as tears of joy spill onto my lap.  I know this was an incredible gift given in a way that would speak to me personally.  

In the Celestial Room I explain everything to Katie and she shares her side of the story. She is the only member in her family.  In August after her mission,while visiting her grandparents she asked her grandfather if he would drive her to the temple in Kansas City. He doesn't understand the need for temples but agrees to take her and she does the baptisms there, on MarShae's birthday.  Katie later does the initiatory in the Jordan River Temple (which was the last Temple I went to with MarShae and Marielle when we dropped MarShae off at BYU). 
Katie later returns to live in Houston after fall semester. Because she is the only member of her family she tries to come to the temple every Tuesday to do an ordinance for an ancestor of hers.  Tuesday didn't work that week, and that morning she canceled plans with a friend because she felt she was supposed to come and we just happened to be in the same session when her card miraculously ends up in front of me twice. 
She also explained that over the past few weeks she had looked at Adele's card and considered doing it, but felt she should do one of Adele's sisters so hadn't.  That morning as she was driving to the temple "Hello" came on the radio and the thought came to her, "you should do Adele today".  We looked into each other's eyes, realizing we were part of a miracle to witness to both of us, how real this work is, and how involved the other side is in our lives.  It's wonderful to  know what I believed before, and will always witness of miracles that are available to us. As we open our eyes, pray in faith, Help is always there; eventually.

To Madeline and Heavenly Father,
Thank you for knowing me well enough to give me experiences that would be so personal to me.  
Madie, I miss you with all my heart, I've learned so much from your life and death. I love you dearly, and can't wait for that glorious day when we will be reunited.
Until then, keep sending me Hello's from the other side"



"Hello" by Adele
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfG6VKnjrVw

Life brings other challenges

I am grateful for six hours of sleep!

I have been dealing with shingles for the past 2+ weeks, and this past week struggled to sleep without medications to ease some of the pain.

I was starting to become worried about the addiction to the meds that I could see was happening, and so I decided to not take the hydrocodone or anything that might help me sleep. I have had 3 nights this week where sleep didn't come till after 5:30 am and then only for about 3 hours. That was enough crazy for one week, because I am also in varrying degrees of phsical pain.

The parodox was understanding that sleep was where healing could come and a break from the pain, and yet deep concerns about the long term effects of the drugs. In the past I have struggled with insomnia and addiction to pain meds from years of migraines, so the inability to sleep without something helping, even if it was benedryl was causing me additional stress and concern. (Benydryl often results in waking with a headache, so not the best option for me).

Stress is a large factor in a shingles outbreak, that and a compromised immune system. So more stress over the worry of not sleeping, and the drug addiction I could see was forming was what led me to starting gratitude posts publicly again.

Some additional things I am grateful to be learning.

Even though I woke up at 3 am I was incredibly grateful to have slept drug free, and med free. I am grateful for comfort that has come through my Savior when I felt broken. I am thankful for people who have reached out and been kind and loving. I am grateful for being able to wean myself off of pain meds during an 8 hour day in the temple Saturday. Even though sleep didn't come that night, and I felt I like I was losing it mentally all day Sunday, I had some breakthrough inspirations that came during church. One was that my physical pain had been lifted almost completely. I had thought maybe I was finished with shingles pain, until I woke up with renewed spirits but searing burning pain again this morning. It was then very clear that I had been spared physical pain all day Sunday. I could see that I was being helped to continue my quest to remain drug free. It has encouraged me to ride this pain cycle out again, because I also feel that I am healing physically, and grateful for direction and answers that have come during this experience. I am grateful to have a different level of compassion then I had before experiencing something that doesn't have an end date. (I have heard and read many horror stories, and honestly feel like I can't imagine this being a chronic condition).

I have been grateful that having shingles has given me the motivation that nothing else has been able to do since Madie died to return to a healthy lifestyle. It was something that Madie and I did together, and I struggled from the beginning being able to continue.

It has been easier then I thought it ever could be, but I have learned from this that intense pain makes other things like hunger or food, not seem so appealing. I realized that every time I have attempted to return to eating healthier, I haven't had the ability to last more then a few days. This is an added gift and blessing from this experience, and helps me have hope for the future.

I am grateful that Marielle decided to take charge of a very difficult situation yesterday, because I was beyond discouraged. She made dinner, got a puzzle out for me to work on to distract me, and quoted a scripture to me as I drove her to a youth activity.

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).

I marveled at who she is becoming and felt immense gratitude that she is here during this period of my life.

The Rose Ring

  Last month I went on an Annual Business trip with Larry to San Antonio.  I have gone many times in the past 22 years, and it rotates to different cities in Texas. We left early Wednesday morning and checked into our Hotel before 10 am.  I then dropped Larry off at a golfing event and drove to the San Antonio Temple to attend the last session for that day at noon.  

   The Houston Temple had been  closed for three weeks, and I was excited to visit the San Antonio Temple. I have heard since it was finished in 2005 that it was incredibly beautiful. I had no expectations of anything unusual happening, but was soon surprised by one of the most extraordinary   "Madie Hello's"  I have experienced since Madeline passed away.

I saw a young girl in the dressing room waiting with her mother that I knew from  the Houston Temple.  We hugged and I had hoped to sit by her but when I went into the Ordinance Room there was one open seat on the front row and then some seats on the third row. She was seated on the second row. Since there wasn't an empty chair by her I almost sat on the front row so I would have more time in the Celestial Room before the Temple closed, but then thought, "No just go sit on the third row." Soon another woman came in and sat next to me. I had no way of knowing at the time how important that was.

 As the session began I felt so much peace, and somewhat sleepy from getting up so early.  Eventually we changed rooms and when I entered the new room I was overcome with the intricate beauty.   It felt wonderful to be in a temple again.

 The sister next to me touched my hand and said "I haven't seen a ring like this since the one my husband gave me for my wedding ring." 

   I explained that my husband bought one for each of the girls in our family for Christmas a few years ago just after my daughter passed away in a car accident because her middle name was Rose.  Unfortunately I lost the diamond out of my wedding ring just before the accident so now I wear this for my wedding ring, and love the constant reminder of my sweet girl. 

  She was overcome with emotion to see it again but I noticed she wasn't wearing her rose ring.  She proceeded to tell me that while we were in the other room she was drowsy and felt a hand pat her leg just like her husband used to do.  It aroused her and she looked at her watch and realized what day and time it was.
 Her husband  had died suddenly 36 years ago at that very time, just two weeks after she had giving birth to their 4th child. 
She knew the anniversary was close but tried to block out focusing on it so that she doesn't experience the trauma and emotions all over again. I understood perfectly the difficulty of anniversaries.
  
She then explained that she didn't have her ring any more because she gave it to her oldest daughter who's name was Madeline.  At that point I about fell out of my chair.  I realized how many things had lined up for us to be there sitting next to each other. We had both left our house early that morning living 7 hours apart and were sitting next to each other by noon, in a room full of people.

Soon we entered the Celestial room, which had roses in a bouquet on a table right in front of the tree of life stained glass window.  I felt like I was in another world as tears filled my eyes.  

We sat down and she related to me that it was a very last minute decision to come to the temple. 
Her friend named "Rosa" had called her the night before and asked her if she could possibly drive to the temple with her in the morning.  She cleared her day and they also left early that morning from McAllen,Texas to make the last session at noon. 

I was overcome with how much the Lord loves each of his children, and how merciful he is. I know that his love is real.  I felt an outpouring of it in his Holy Temple and I knew that angels had been close by watching over details in my life. 

Kindness lives on as miracles came from Madie today

Miracles happened in the temple this morning as random schedules lined up and I was in the right place at the right time to hear this sweet girls name, Avery Ivonosky.

 I knew Madie and her sister Emma were pretty pleased with their efforts for our paths to cross and for me to not only hear her name but know that she lost her sister Emma just four months ago in a freak accident.

Later in the day I realized that Avery's father had started a 13 days of random acts of kindness in honor of Emma that began today to help get through their first Christmas without Emma.



 If I hadn't been in the act of helping Avery (she was in the temple for her first time), as I thought she looked a bit unsure of what to do when she came into the dressing room so I proceeded to explain where things were and how to do certain things.

 

  

My purpose in being at the temple at this particular time was to be a part of Celeste Heck's first experience going to the temple since she was baptized in November.

My intentions were to finish quickly because Marielle was in a drama tournament that I was going to be attending the rest of the day.

A little while later as I was helping Celeste I was asked by a temple worker if I could stay and help the next girl because they were short workers for a few minutes.. 

It was as I was helping Avery that I heard her grandfather say her name and the tears started flowing.  I looked at her grandmother who was about 15 feet in front of me watching Avery and was sure she was Tiffany's mother because the resemblance was so striking. I hadn't met any of the Ivonosky family but have followed their story because mutual friends shared it with me when Emma died. 

I've felt empathy and understanding of their journey that feels so familiar. Both of our daughter's legacy of being kind. Both family's honoring our girls through spreading kindness..
Memories started flooding my mind.
I remembered Marielle going to this same temple when she was 12 just a few months after Madie died with Sawyer. I remembered him picking her up early that morning and still being in my pajamas. I recalled as soon as they left realizing I was going to miss something special, throwing on a dress and quickly driving to the temple. 
All these memories came flooding back to my mind as I watched sweet Avery's first experience of being baptized for her ancestors, and the tears streamed down my face.
 I realized how much all of us are loved by our Heavenly Father for this to just randomly occur this morning. I understood just how close our loved one's are. I knew Madie and Emma were pretty excited that this had happened, and their kindness came through the veil 
together today.


  As for the rest of my day, it was fun to see Marielle do so well, and place in several events.

My heart is full of gratitude as I reflect on the  many witnesses over the past month, while in the temple of Madie's involvement in my life.today's was extra special.

. ‪#‎forouremma ‬‪#‎madelinerose‬

Anniversaries with peace at 27 months...

I have always had a thing for numbers.  I love doing Sudoku and math always came easy for me. I also remember dates like the day we closed on our house April 23rd, only to purchase our first new car a few years later on the same date.  I also discovered twice on April 27th, that two babies I was carrying had died during my second trimester.
Because of this I have thought that the 20's in a calender month hold special significance to me.  Larry and I were married 34 years ago today on March 21st.

 I had my first child on May 24, only to have each of my other children born on a day in the 20's except for Marielle. After a full day of labor at 11:30 p.m. on Oct.19th my doctor said, "you have been pushing for 2 hours,which seems like a long time for your 7th child."  I told him I thought she was waiting to be born on the 20th. He determined I had pushed long enough and out came forceps, a first for me. He carefully pulled her out during my next contraction just before midnight. I have often thought she was supposed to be born on the 20th, maybe so that I would know that there was some kind of order in the heavens.
 Now some could say that is just how my cycle runs but I have had children born two weeks late, two weeks early, and right on time.  Madie was born on May 20th, sharing Sterling's half birthday November 20th. The accident happened on November 20th, which seemed wrong but significant at the same time.
 Maybe all of my fascination with numbers was a way for me to later recognize that God was in charge. 
In the beginning it seemed so weird and awful to me that it happened on such an important date, but over time I saw the wisdom in the "coincidence" of it.  With an accident that kills a child and almost another child, with the circumstances around the accident, it could be easy to think, "how is this possible?"  
Did God have his back turned or did the angels just forget their assignments? 
Was the Holy Ghost's promptings completely unavailable or maybe it was precisely what was supposed to happen. Possibly Heavenly Father knew that I would see the dates line up in such a way as to give another witness to the order that is in Heaven. As I have searched for answers I felt like pieces of the puzzle have continued to fall into place.

 I am also grateful that even though November 20th is a complicated day, celebrating Sterling's birthday provides distractions to help shift the focus of the day, and the memories of losing Madie.

Yesterday was another anniversary 27 months. For the first time the anniversary felt completely peaceful. I was busy engaged in other things. I saw his hand in answering specific prayers in my morning scripture study. I was asked by the sister missionaries to come to a missionary discussion, which meant rescheduling my evening plans. I almost turned down the invitation but then I felt I should rearrange things and so told the sister missionaries I would come.
 I wasn't expecting to have a mini reunion with Sister Nelson who was on splits, which means she is assigned to another area but was working with Sister Peterson who is serving in our ward, while both of their companions were also working together. 

A picture we took last summer at on of the baptisms.

 Sister Nelson taught three of Madie's friends that were baptized last summer. We were both ecstatic to see each other again.  She shared with me that over and over she has felt Madie's presence in her experiences as a missionary. Just the day before she had thought about me and wished she could see me again.  She even decided she would write me a letter the following Monday on her preparation day. Imagine both of our surprise when I arrived, and she realized that we were going to have another missionary discussion together. With all of the excitement I forgot that it was the 20th.  We visited afterwards and shared some sacred experiences and feelings.

 
This morning I realized that over and over I have been able to witness rewarding experiences of Sister Nelson's mission. I'm sure her mother would love to experience these important events with her daughter but can't because of mission rules.  I saw the similarities because I can't experience Madie's mission and the work she is doing.  At times I get clues and insights into some of what she might be involved with, it's just not as clear as a weekly email would be. 

Perspective often helps when things in life don't seem fair according to what we thought would happen. Often understanding comes in retrospect, or through insights like these.
I am grateful to have a wonderful beginning of the 20's for March. Our anniversary has been nice going to lunch at Peli Peli and also assisting Larry while he installed a new kitchen faucet.

 If you were to ask Larry about our anniversary, he'd say lunch was great, but any plumbing repair he ever does brings many frustrating moments.  Funny how one simple job often brings light to other needed repairs and additional trips to the hardware store.
 Isn't that the way life is?  Fun and exciting events mixed with everyday struggles and frustrations, interspersed with joyous and tragic events.  The trick is to learn how to experience the journey while allowing the changes that will mold us into who we need to become.