A Wonderful Reunion

The past two weeks have been wonderful. Even though we had Grandpa Miller's funeral, that is what brought our entire family together during this season of the year, the time when we think of our Savior, his birth, his life, his atonement, his death and resurrection. Even though we have been very busy, I have thought a lot about the beauty of the plan of salvation and the fact that we can be together eternally with each other and with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ if we keep the commandments. For that, I am very grateful. I have thought about the great reunion Grandpa Miller has been having on the other side as we have had a great reunion here on earth. What a blessing FAMILY is.

Despite the snowy weather, everyone made it safe and sound and all were able to attend the funeral.

We then had a 90th birthday party open house for Grandpa Dalebout at his ward. Many of his relatives and friends came to wish him happy birthday. I think he was very pleased with the party and seeing how many people love him and remember him. Happy Birthday, Grandpa D. We love you.

One of my favorites of the week was our Christmas Eve party. We had a yummy dinner and then Santa visited us. Each of the grandchildren sat on his lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas. Each family entertained us and the evening was topped off with our annual nativity production, headed by Abish Lai.

Grandpa Miller's passing

Today, December 14, 2008, Grandpa Miller passed on. I am so happy for him and for the joy that he is feeling. He is meeting his father, (whom he has never known in this life), his mother, his wife, sisters, my parents, and many more who have gone on. As our choir sang today, Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo, I thought about how Grandpa is feeling and that he is probably pretty happy to have left this world and is even singing Gloria, Gloria.

For the past four days, he has been very agitated and saying that he wanted to die. He said he couldn't figure out why the Savior didn't want him. That made me sad, because I know the fine person he is and know that the Savior did want him. Perhaps, Grandpa had to go through some difficult times for some unknown reason. And, perhaps we had to go through those times with him and see how miserable he was so that we could let him go home. My prayer was that the desire of his heart would be met, and that if it was okay for him to pass on, then let it be. At about 1:00 a.m. this morning, Glen called and said that our prayers had been answered. So, I know others were also praying for the same.

It still doesn't make it easy for us, because we all loved him so. He was truly my hero. He made me feel like I was his very own daughter up to the end. I will cherish the special relationship we had together, the good times we shared and the sad times we shared. He was always a constant in my life, and I knew that when he said something, I should listen and do as he said. I often said that he had a direct lifeline to heaven and that I always tried to listen to the things he told me to do or advised me to do. I truly think Heavenly Father and Jesus loved this special man.

May his memory live in our lives forever, and when I meet him someday, I hope he will be happy with the things that I have done in my life. I love that man.

A Day of Gratitude

I will attempt another entry into my blog. I wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful time in San Diego--the weather was very nice and the company was too.

Saturday was a busy day, but we decorated our Christmas tree and put up the garland outside. I love Christmas and all the decorations that help make it seem festive.

This morning, I listened to the Tabernacle Choir broadcast from last week. Every song they sang, as well as the spoken word, was about gratitude and our blessings. Some of the hymns they sang were: "We Gather Together to Ask the Lord's Blessing," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," and "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Each song carried a message for me. The song "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" comes from the old musical "White Christmas." The words go like this:

When you're worried and you can't sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings. When your bankroll is getting small, think of when you had none at all, and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings. I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads, and one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds. So, if you're worried and you can't sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.

Sometimes I lay in bed and think of all the things that I have to do, and I can't sleep. I have tried counting sheep, but maybe it would be a good idea to count my blessings for I have so many.

Lloyd Newell talked about how much happier we are when we count our blessings and give gratitude for them. I really believe that. I have enjoyed reading the blessings that you are thankful for during this Thanksgiving season.

I went out to see Grandpa Miller this morning, and he is doing amazingly well. We had a nice chat and I took him to lunch at the cafeteria in the care center. I think he'll be around for a while. What a neat man!

We then went to church, and our fifth week joint meeting was on the subject of how to live within our means because times are going to get tough. We had a panel of five "older" people who talked about their experiences during the depression. They gave us advice about how to be happy through troubling times. Some suggestions were: live within your means, get out of debt, pay your tithing faithfully, learn to sew and make clothes for your family, learn to cook nutritious food from your food storage, have a good food storage.

Then, this evening, Dad and I went to a Temple worker's fireside and listened to Truman Madsen and his wife talk about the importance of the temple and of going there and learning new insights, as well as gaining inspiration from the spirit in knowing what to do with difficult situations that we all face. I really learned more about the temple and will try to pay more attention to the symbolic representation of the total temple ceremony.

So, today I am thankful for Christmas and its true meaning, for beautiful music that helps inspire us, for family and friends who love us and teach us, and for the temple and its importance in our lives.

My very first post - Thanksgiving, part 1

Welcome to our blog. Yes, indeed, I (Yobahazn) have finally decided to join the world of blogging. I have felt for a long time that this would be a great way to write a journal. So, here I am letting you know that we are now in business.

We are in California visiting Amy and Scott and family. We have been enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather and visiting the beach and different sites we've never seen before. Best of all is being with our San Diego family.

On this Thanksgiving day, I would like to express my thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy every day--family, friends, our church, our opportunities to travel and visit our loved ones. We wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Here is a picture of all of us at the tide pools by Cabrillo National Monument. The weather was beautiful.

Here is another picture at the lighthouse--Amy, Billy, Ashlynn and Sam.

Dad and I at the lighthouse.

Dad and I with Sam, Elle and Ashlynn at Torrey Pines State Beach.

That Bagigee is so romantic!