tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47306071865913466832012-01-16T16:07:24.046-08:00Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-3473379765981555992011-12-26T14:35:00.000-08:002011-12-26T14:35:03.632-08:00

I volunteered to give a Relief Society lesson at the nursing home branch.  I chose my own theme, focusing on the Plan of Salvation, with emphasis on the spirit world.  I had a few stories to share, including one from my ancestors.  I kept feeling like I was supposed to share with the residents about how Josh gave me a hymn to arrange, "Rejoice, the Lord is King" and then play it for them in the

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-85028069708997899882011-12-26T14:05:00.000-08:002011-12-26T14:08:12.438-08:00

The Sunday after Josh passed away, we had a sacrament meeting in our home with extended family. As the day wore on and people started leaving, I decided to change into more comfortable clothes. While in process, I heard in my mind, "I want to show you something...it's outside." Although I couldn't see the western sky, I sensed somehow that it was a sunset I would see. As I took an extra second

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-35785189372114484322011-12-26T14:00:00.000-08:002011-12-26T14:13:15.206-08:00

This is a hymn that comforted me and helped me to celebrate my knowledge of our Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness.  Interestingly, our Relief Society Chorister, who didn't know I had started arranging this hymn a few days previous, chose it as our practice hymn and read to us the story behind it's birth. When I arranged it for piano solo, I left off the last two lines of each verse, so

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-92205166325893672312011-12-26T13:45:00.000-08:002011-12-26T14:17:01.812-08:00

On the day that marked a week from Josh's passing, we drove down to do temple sealings in Provo with Enos' extended family. In the Celestial room, Enos took my hand to escort me to a couch where we could sit down together. As we passed a small table, I felt prompted to pick up the Book of Mormon. After sitting, I looked up at the life size picture of Christ framed and mounted high on the wall

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-15484863521799556262011-12-26T13:40:00.000-08:002011-12-26T13:41:35.364-08:00

I'm so glad to have Cody home for Christmas break.  He is a great go-to for any computer questions I have.  He showed me how I can share the stories behind the hymns that I have arranged. Each of the hymns tie in with special experiences that we have had that has helped us cope with having Josh in the Spirit World instead of in our home.  We miss him a lot.  Listening to the CD has been the

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-90762892117726563972011-12-24T20:40:00.000-08:002011-12-26T14:19:56.024-08:00

An entry from my Tender Mercy Journal dated Feb. 8, 2008 ~ Sunday Last Sunday night after family home evening, I sat at the piano and played through the three hymns I have arranged.  I found myself wishing there was one more.  I even said out loud, "I want to arrange another hymn."  I started thumbing through the hymnbook but the thought of me just picking a hymn on my own was suddenly not good

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-47754778739652144252011-08-06T12:20:00.000-07:002011-08-07T21:20:22.206-07:00

From my Tender Mercies Journal dated May 13, 2008: "I sat outside on the steps late Saturday night trying to prepare myself emotionally for my first Mother's Day without Josh.  I looked up and when I saw the stars, I instinctively started with "Star Light, Star Bright..." but I didn't continue with the only wish I could think of because it wasn't conducive to God's will.  I just wanted Josh back

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-51391381190412634852011-08-06T09:40:00.000-07:002011-08-06T09:40:28.124-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1070934309823&saved (2008) My most cherished Christmas gift from this year was given to us back in April. Our family invited someone from Enos' work over for Christmas Eve last year because we knew he would otherwise be spending it alone. Terrance brought his new camera and he followed us around the house recording even mundane things. Although it wasn't

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-81551962202024185822011-06-26T09:37:00.000-07:002011-06-26T10:56:04.440-07:00

My grandma passed away on Thursday. When I shared the news with Enos, he said, "She did it; good for her." He made it sound like death was an accomplishment, like giving birth. He gave me a long hug and when he pulled away his eyes were swimming with tears. How can we not be happy for grandma? Her husband and all four children, plus her parents and several siblings were waiting to greet her

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-9597420232346157892010-04-04T07:39:00.000-07:002011-07-09T12:24:17.312-07:00

Easter is the holiday that keeps you guessing. You're not even sure which month it will be in. In 2008, Easter came on March 23rd. I was serving as Relief Society President and normally it was my responsibility to only give the lessons on the first Sunday of each month, but since we didn't have a teacher lined up, I pulled together an Easter Presentation. I remember getting onto LDS.org and

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-52639984046622597222010-03-25T18:35:00.000-07:002010-03-25T19:57:10.931-07:00

Today was our home study with the Office of Licensing. Ellen said to expect it to take 3 hours; it took 3 1/2. The home inspection was a breeze and lasted maybe 15 minutes. The rest of the time was a study on us as individuals, a couple, and a family. Instead of a true/false or multiple answers test, it was an oral essay, so to speak.Ellen asked us how our community support was. Immediately I

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-37555462841665653532010-03-23T07:39:00.000-07:002010-03-24T04:50:23.248-07:00

An entry from my Tender Mercies Journal dated Aug. 22, 2008We had family home evening last Sunday. It was the first time since Josh passed away that we had an official family home evening - with someone in the 'conductor's chair', with an opening hymn, prayer, lesson, refreshments and an activity. There are some things that are emotionally difficult to go back to. After Nate finished the lesson,

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-71292052635721740632010-03-06T22:22:00.000-08:002010-03-06T22:49:48.524-08:00

It was autumn, 2007. Josh wanted to earn money and we wanted the bulbs planted in our new flowerbed. He got paid ten cents a bulb. Josh passed away six months later on March 24, 2008. Within weeks, green stems magically pushed up from the ground and we were introduced to the fruits of his labor. Anticipating the vibrant colors of tulips and daffodils is like counting down to Christmas. Every

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-83932026850908814292010-02-26T21:09:00.000-08:002010-02-26T21:41:53.949-08:00

From my Tender Mercies Journal dated May 14, 2009Derek Jasper died in a tragic car accident on April 22nd. Experiencing the past three weeks with our dear friends has been emotional for us. The day after the funeral I pretty much fell apart, crying hard, and frequently. That night I told Heavenly Father that I wasn't doing very well, that even though He had given me so many tender mercies, I

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-29063290112465216752010-01-11T18:27:00.000-08:002010-03-12T07:21:38.204-08:00

This is an entry from my Tender Mercies Journal written about two months after Josh passed away.About a week ago I found some folded paper in the back of the van while I was hauling in groceries. I discovered it was Nathan's talk he gave in Primary on Easter Sunday. I had forgotten he had given a talk, even though I'm the one who condensed it and printed it out. Because I was doing a Relief

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-11061446892850256002009-10-15T07:32:00.000-07:002009-10-15T08:02:58.548-07:00

An entry from my Tender Mercies JournalDated April 27, 2008 ~ Sunday (about a month after Josh passed away)It's Josh's birthday. I'm glad I have another tender mercy to share. It's the one that Lorri Cummings shared with us in the Celestial Room of the Provo temple one week after Josh passed away. She had talked with me briefly about it earlier too and it has sustained me in knowing (not just

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-86018913605106222052009-08-29T06:56:00.000-07:002011-06-26T09:10:52.665-07:00

We were slow in making decisions regarding a marker to place at Josh's grave. We wanted to get it just right as it really was 'set in stone'. We had chosen a picture to have etched; it was one that was taken while he was doing a service project with the other scouts. We had decided to keep the format simple, his name, the dates, and then a tribute..."Forever loved by family and friends." We

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-88871877294990449312009-08-27T13:39:00.000-07:002009-09-07T13:23:17.021-07:00

Last Friday evening I heard the revving of a four wheeler from the open window of the upstairs bedroom at the cabin we were staying at in Island Park. It took me back. Several years ago, I reluctantly hopped off the back of a four wheeler to let Josh take off on his own; his first solo ride. After he had rounded the bend and disappeared out of sight, I started feeling more and more anxious. Was

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-74347579819816865542009-06-27T06:14:00.000-07:002009-06-29T11:35:23.712-07:00

From my Tender Mercies Journal: April 8, 2008 (2 weeks after Josh passed away)Last night in my prayer I told Heavenly Father that although people are still blessing our lives, it had been a few days since I had had a personal and powerful experience ~ a tender mercy. (This came after I had cried tears as I, again, went through the "I wish that's". Specifically, I remember thinking, "I wish that I

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-12545280989704477142009-06-22T08:18:00.000-07:002009-09-07T13:24:04.677-07:00

I usually only read one comic strip in the newspaper and that’s Pickles. But, the other day, I peeked at Marvin. There’s this talkin’ blue toilet that says to the stubborn looking little boy, “Look, kid, there are three things in life that are unavoidable…death…taxes…and potty training.” Most of us have surpassed the potty training ordeal, and many of us have dealt with the unpleasantness of

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-73393996180971482672009-06-13T09:27:00.000-07:002011-12-26T14:53:24.847-08:00

Several months after Josh passed away, I came across a CD I hadn't seen for a very long time. On it's label it said, "Happy Birthday Daddy, from Josh, Dec. 2004". I remembered how Josh had chosen Primary songs from an easy piano book, recorded the songs on our electric piano, and after I had recorded a duet track with each one, we made the CD and surprised Enos with it. What I didn't

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-32364069027424349892009-06-10T19:09:00.000-07:002011-12-26T13:52:56.385-08:00

I couldn't stop playing and singing this hymn when I found it last summer. The week that I began composing an arrangement, our Relief Society chorister highlighted it as a practice hymn and read the story behind it's beginnings. I thought that was an interesting 'coincidence'. (The words are by Joseph L. Townsend and the music by Wm. Clayson.)

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-56281016422484227972009-06-10T06:46:00.000-07:002009-06-10T07:28:37.873-07:00

As a family, we have been given many gifts from our relatives and friends. These gifts have been tokens of their love and support to us as well as their testimonies of our Heavenly Father’s plan. They have been gratefully received.Let me share one story with you about a miraculous gift. It was just a few days after Josh had passed away and a dear friend, Wendee Butters, was at our home

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-60398752693759779092009-06-09T06:56:00.000-07:002009-08-29T05:51:41.191-07:00

From my Tender Mercies Journal ~ May 21, 2009 ~ ThursdayYesterday I cried, on and off, and ended my day with a tearful prayer. I expressed to Heavenly Father my need to connect with Josh as well as the continued hurt I feel from regrets of not being a better mom. As I often do, I asked Heavenly Father to let Josh know how much I love and miss him, and I also requested that Josh know how sorry I

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730607186591346683.post-51020371822424375242009-06-08T13:55:00.001-07:002009-06-10T07:57:50.781-07:00

Julie Hill is a Tender Mercy. Over five years ago, we hadn't gone out house hunting, but a friend of mine drew me a map to our current home. A few days previous, a friend of Enos' from work, also encouraged him to see this house. I believed then that the Lord was working to have us move here, to this very spot, but I didn't know the whole picture. It's becoming more focused to me. Besides

Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00090309124644133010noreply@blogger.com1