Families Can Be Together Forever

This week has been emotionally draining for my family and myself. Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things to go through but also to watch those you love and care about go through. Wednesday morning after my first class, my husband called me and told me about the passing of his sweet Grandma Rena. She was 77 years young and lived an incredible life and was loved dearly by all who were privileged to know her. Her life was full of ups and downs but she never complained and relied on her Savior Jesus Christ to build her up and help others. She lived a life of service and compassion and will be so missed. The last year and a half have been especially trying on her health. She developed Lou Gehrig's Disease which greatly impaired her quality of life. It was so difficult for us to watch her suffer and so when she passed it was a very bittersweet moment. We are so sad to lose her but relieved to know she is in her perfect state and reunited with her Heavenly Father and loved one's on the other side. We love and will miss you Grandma!
Another tragedy struck this weekend with the passing of Officer Shane Figueroa. The Figueroa's have been friends of mine and my family for the last four or five years. My dad is their bishop in Maricopa. Shane was hit by a drunk driver in his car while responding to a call on duty. To say this was a shock would be an understatement. He was 25 years old. He has a beautiful young wife and a 3 month old little girl. I cannot express the remorse I feel for his family and loved ones. His loss was so tragic and unexpected. I love his family so much and our thoughts and prayers go out to them. It has been a very difficult for me to come to grips with this news and I cannot even imagine the devastation his family is feeling. Life is so fragile.
I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have of Eternal Families. Families can be together forever. How wonderful is that? I know this blessing brings comfort and peace to my husbands family and the Figueroa's. We can be with our loved one's for eternity. We have been taught this principle from a young age but things like this remind us of its truth and promise. This life may seem long to live without them but the eternities are even longer to be with them. Kiss your loved one's. We never know when our time with them may be interrupted.

Now What?

So I took out this 3D puzzle to keep my mind occupied while looking for work and it did keep me busy. But I finished it a lot sooner than I thought and now it is back to finding something to do. Here is the masterpiece. It was pretty fun, especially when Lindz would help.

"Called to Serve"

My brother Tyler opened his mission call last night. He was so excited! My mom checked the mail at around 12:00 and saw that his call came. Unfortunatly, Ty was at work and wouldn't get off till 5:00 and so he had "the longest day I've ever had at work" as he put it. Poor guy had to wait another hour after that so that our family and friends could share the moment with him. When it finally came time to open it, we had several of our family members on a conference call, family and frinends gathered around in the kitchen and we all held our breath as he opened the big white envelope. To all of our shock Elder Loomis was called to serve in the Alaska, Anchorage Mission. I'm not sure how this desert dweller will handle the cold weather but I don't think he cares at this point. He's so happy and excited to serve the Lord in Alaska. We're so proud of him!

Picking him up from work. He's ready!!
Once he got home he wouldn't let that call out of his hands!
Let's get this show on the road already!

Hooray Alaska!!!
We are all so proud of him but I don't know if anyone is as proud as our Dad. He was the only child in his family to serve a mission and so to see his first born son follow in his footsteps and set an example for the rest of his brothers is pretty awesome!
Mom's just thrilled that #1 he's staying in the U.S. and #2 that he gets to be home for the holidays :) He reports Jan. 14th She's so proud of her little boy!
Ty and "big" sis (odviously he towers over me!) I'm SO SO SO ecxited for you Ty. You are such an AWESOME brother and you are going to be an even better missionary! We will miss you so much while you're gone for two years but we know this is the best and most important thing you can be doing with your life. So proud of you!!!

Fun Weekend!!

This is Trent again. So this last Friday I went mountain biking with a friend from my ward. Normally I am pretty good and if I ever come off my bike it isn't that bad like I loose my balance or something. Well this last trip I came off good and hard. We were on a downhill section and it was a single track trail and it was on the side of a steep hill. I started sliding off the side of the trail and fearing the fall down the mountain I locked up my brakes. Well I locked the front brakes a little too hard and I flew over the handlebars down the mountain. I landed about 10-15ft downhill from my bike and was dinged up pretty good. The impact wasn't that bad. I have been a little sore this weekend but what made it especially fun (note the sarcasm) is that as I rolled downhill I rolled through 2 cholla cacti. So this last weekend we have been digging out thorns, which isn't that bad when you do it yourself but the majority of the thorns were on my backside so Lindsay had to go to town. It hurts worse when you don't know when the pain is coming. And I don't ever want to repeat this accident but I have to admit that it was very nice with Lindsay concerned about me and taking good care of me while I was injured. She's the best!