Sweet Home Alabama: Be Still My Soul

Everyday I am amazed at how grand Heavenly Father is. I really do have the best family in the world. My sweet father is in a better place now and I am so grateful for the example that he set and the life that he righteously and humbly led. I have felt an unusual amount of peace and comfort these past few days. I have been blessed with a great mission president who came by the night of (November 7) and gave me a priesthood blessing. I love the Priesthood. As he and the Clanton Elders put their hands on my head, a rush of peace went through me and I just KNEW that God loved me and cared about me and that my dad was happy. Seriously, what would we do without this gospel? The Clanton Elders came by and gave me homemade cookies. They were SO GOOD. The sister training leaders came by that night as well and slept over. We were able to read some comforting conference talks as well. We woke up and got breakfast the next day with other sisters in our zone at waffle house. On Friday night, my Zone leaders came by and dropped off some pizza and root beer! They started to sing, "Lead Kindly Light". I then just lost it and started to form a river of tears on my face. It is one of my favorite songs. The spirit was so strong! Ah. I am just so grateful. I KNOW that I am in the right place right now. It's amazing the type of spirit that is with you being on a mission. It has really brought me so much assurance. I have become so much stronger and I have really learned how to lean on the Lord for support. It's amazing to see how Heavenly Father is able to lead us out of despair and sadness. We just have to be humble enough to ask him to help us out. We need to cast our burdens on his shoulders and let him carry the weight. He went through the atonement so that he could do that for us!!!

Alma 7: 11-13 "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the spirit knoweth all things,; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me." Christ suffered in the flesh so that he would know how to comfort His children in time of need. We are given the Holy Ghost to comfort us as well. It's amazing how He is able to do that. It's just the grandest thing ever!!!

I KNOW that I will see my sweet dad again. It's not a "what if" type of thing. It's a for sure knowledge that I will see him again. How beautiful is this gospel? It's just perfect!! It honestly still hasn't really hit me that he's gone. It's just a really weird feeling to think that he isn't here, but wait. He is still here for us. He's watching over us every day. I know that he is so happy and is now a missionary just like me :) I know that he will be able to help me out while I'm here in Alabama. I have already felt his love. He is our guardian angel who will continue to look out for his family and protect us!

My dad was the type of guy who just sincerely LOVED people. He was that guy in the restaurant who would randomly start to dance when a song began to play. He was that guy who would have the biggest smile on his face when he watched his kids play a sport. He was the type of dad who would stay up late at night with his crying child, offering comfort and advice. He always told me "goodnight Gracie" even if I was just going in my room to do homework. He was that guy in the movie theater who was snoring because he was watching a Disney movie with his grandkids. He was that guy in the nail salon who got his feet massaged as his daughters got pedicures. He was that guy who would rarely set foot in a grocery store, but when he did, he would bring a variety of sugary cereals home. He was that guy who would sing at the top of his lungs during sacrament meeting. He was that guy who would make up random games to make the time go by faster when waiting in traffic or in a line. He was that guy who could make anything into a life lesson. He was that guy who would be the first in line to any European art exhibit. He was that guy at the beach who would be in the water with his kids rather than on land. He was that guy who went around Scotland in a kilt and had Asians ask for pictures with him. He was that guy who preferred to lie on the floor rather than the couch. He was that guy who didn't believe in quitting. He was that guy who ALWAYS provided for his wife and children. He was that guy who would watch chick flicks and cry through every single one of them. Oh, how I LOVE MY DAD.

There are so many things about my dad that bring back so many good memories. I will never forget the late night talks with him in Venice about my future. He offered so much wisdom and hope. He always believed in me and my abilities. I'm so grateful for him. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I had to enjoy so many trips with him to Europe. He taught me how to truly love people. He taught me how to share the gospel. He showed me that there is truly good in everyone. He taught me to never give up. He taught me to shoot a basketball. He taught me how to be a good missionary. I remember the last thing that he said to me before I set foot on the MTC was, "This is a happy day for me. I'm proud of you." I will never forget those words. I know that this is where I'm supposed to be right now. I have grown so much closer to my dad through being on this mission. I have loved all of the emails he has sent me. They were always full of so much love and encouragement.

I love my savior so much. How could anyone go through the loss of a loved one without the savior? I sure couldn't! He has helped me every step of the way. It's crazy how Heavenly Father works. He works so strategically. Every little thing that we go through is part of the big plan that He has for us. I bet dad is up there just thinking, "ohhhh. That's why I went through this. It was so worth it!" I have no doubt in my mind that dad is super happy right now. He is with his parents and Dev and all those Scottish ancestors that he always talked about :) He is probably even wearing a Scottish kilt right now and playing on the bagpipes with his fellow ancestors.

Richard G. Scott has said:

"Trust in the Lord. Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding and compassion, which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching , and that generally entails discomfort and pain."

God has it all figured out. He knew that we each needed to grow more spiritually. I hope that y'all are feeling at peace right now. How great is our Father in Heaven?

I am so proud to have had such an amazing earthly father who loved and nurtured our family and provided for us as well. He will never be forgotten. I am amazed every day as I think of the life that he led. He was steadfast in Christ. He was a perfect missionary. He was one who you could trust (except when we played poker with him in turkey. hehe annie...)

My heart is so full of love for my family and friends right now. Goodness. I really really really do have the greatest family ever. Mom-you are the strongest lady I know! You are so full of compassion and so full of service. I love how happy you are and how you are able to just laugh through the hard times that come. You have a ton of blessings coming your way!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW :))) I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Thank you so much for everything. I can't really explain to y'all how grand our family is. I just want to brag about y'all to everyone I meet!! Wowee and oh my I have the CUTEST NIECES AND NEPHEWS EVER. Goodness gracious. It was so good to talk to y'all yesterday on the phone. It brought much needed comfort and happiness. I am going to continue on in this mission and be better than ever before. I want to make my dad proud and I want to develop more Christ like attributes. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the ONLY true church on the earth. It really is. It's the FULLNESS of Christ's gospel here on this earth. It heals the broken wounds. It lifts the burdens. It can do so much for everyone and it is for everyone!!!! Now, let's use this experience and help lift others up! Everyone needs help. Everyone is struggling. Everyone needs a smile or hug. May we all strive to do as Jesus would do if he were on this earth.

MYKY

D&C 121:7-8