The Long Road Home

I do not often navigate the blog world, but since Lisa was gone to a shower for Emily, I decided to work on my church calling. For some random reason, I decided to check out our blog to see what Lisa might be communicating with her world.

I love her with all my heart. I know her pain. This is a difficult time for her. She is an amazing woman. As you all know, she gives her heart and soul to everything she does. She loves people and has an incredible love for the Young Women and Leaders of the Parkway 1st Ward. This release has been very difficult. In a lot of ways it is like a funeral.

There is no way to describe the loss of a loved one. You can not fill the void...nor do you want to. I have come to understand that the void that is created by the loss, represents the love that was created by and for that person. The sadness and heart break that Lisa is feeling represents the incredible love that she has for these young women and young women leaders. This part of her life seems like it has gone...but it really has not. Just as death does not stop the life of a person, nor does change. It is the gift of change that allows us to find the deeper meanings in life. Our struggles with change bring us closer to God.

I am anxious to have Lisa join me in the Young Adult ward. She will not fill the voids created from no longer being associated with her Young Women family. I am excited for the Young Adult ward to experience her love, her laughter, and her engaging personality. There are over 300 young adults that are going to be blessed by the incredible woman that she is. Like you, I am blessed every day to feel her love.

Jeff

Released :(

I was released from my calling as YW President this past Sunday. I must say that I am SO SAD about it. I love these girls and will miss them!! I will also miss all the talented, giving women that I worked with and loved. We worked hard and well together. Each had her own talents and used them to benefit the whole. I sat down and wrote this poem for them as a token of my love and gratitude for each and every one.

LABOR of LOVE

“Give your heart in service”

A simple little phrase.

But the rigors of the doing

Are an entirely different case.

Time in prayer, on bended knee,

Up late at night concerned.

Will they recognize who they are.

How long before they'll learn.

They're daughters of God sent at this time,

Saved for “such a time as this”,

To prepare the world for His return

All evil to resist.

Good shepherds guide them along

Acting for the Savior in this way.

“Keep them safe”, He calls to them,

“So in my arms they'll stay”.

You gave your heart, your soul, your love,

This precious work to do.

You've touched their hearts and made them strong

They're better because of you.

Your selfless service given with love

Is recognized by Him

“Well done thou faithful servant,

Come now and enter in.”

Amazing Woman!

Yesterday I was privileged to attend the funeral of Lera Benson Whittle. She is the grandmother of my sister-in-law Klyss and was 102 years young when she died. I was so inspired by this woman's life and the love she shared with so many. The entire chapel was full with her family and half the cultural hall was filled with people who came to pay their respects to this wonderful woman.
Each speaker had pure love and admiration for her and had learned so many life lessons by following her example. Her calling in her ward was to mentor the youth. Quarterly they would sit at her feet and she would teach then about life. What a gift for them! I'm sure they will remember her words of wisdom for all of their lives.
Her Bishop said that even at 101 years old, she told him in a note after reading a book about women by President Gordon B. Hinckley, she would try to become better. Wow! What an inspiration.
My favorite saying that her grandson spoke of us was, "Worry less and love more!" As I ponder that, it is very profound brings new ideas to me on how I can improve in so many ways. What influence for good can one person make? The possibilities are endless.