Abide With Me

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

The choir sang this song today at church and it was beautiful. I felt the Spirit so strong! As I sat through church I thought about a conversation I had with my mom and a close friend of ours who is also our home teacher, Corey Ellsworth last Sunday. Corey and his family are remarkable. He recently had a son pass away from muscular dystrophy; Corey was telling us about the moment Ethan was diagnosed at the age of 7 and his search to find peace and understand Gods plan for each of us and especially his young son. His answer came through a scripture in D&C 42:48 "And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed". He found peace in knowing that this illness was Ethan's appointment on this earth from our Heavenly Father. We talked about how the power of the Priesthood and Faith can heal those who are injured or ill but the outcome isn't always what we pray and hope for. Garrett would always say that he felt like when he turned 20 things would be different..he couldn't ever tell us what exactly would be different just that he would "start over"; work out more and eat better. Garrett broke his neck 12 days after his 20th birthday and has literally had to start over. Did Ethan and Garrett know what they were going to be faced with in this life? Was this the plan they accepted before coming to this earth? I believe they did; maybe not the full extent of it--they never complained or wondered "why me" they've accepted it and made the most of it. Before Ethan passed away he served a part time mission in the Genealogy Center, attended the community college here and gave incredible talks in church. He always had a smile on his face. This earth life is for us all to be tested and how we face the challenges put in our path. For Garrett, this may not be permanent; there may be medical advances that enable him to walk again in the future but this time is for him to learn all the lessons he can and strengthen his character; strengthen his testimony. I believe our patriartical blessing gives us a glimpse into what our appointment on this earth is. I find a lot of comfort in reading mine and the promises that are made if I do my part. I know that the Lord knows us individually and never gives us more than we can handle. I find peace in knowing that life is eternal and this earth life is but a small moment.

**Little lighter note***
Amber gave a fantastic lesson in Relief Society today...Good Job AA! After church the girls and I were going to take a picture and this guy came up and asked our names...I told him my name was Jessika and he asked me "2 S's?" and I said "and a K"--the picture shows just what happened next...(he told me he kisses faces too!! LOL)