In Family Home church, we talked about God and miracles,
specifically those our family experienced from the accident.
Yesterday marked TWELVE years since the crash or
our family's 12th Rebirthday.
specifically those our family experienced from the accident.
Yesterday marked TWELVE years since the crash or
our family's 12th Rebirthday.
We also talked about our first family back-to-school theme in 2008
and how it came to be.
Claire was headed to 1st grade, and Jane to half-day kindergarten
, and I distinctly remember sitting at my kitchen table during "quiet time"
on a hot day in Mesa, Arizona. I was paying bills and budgeting
and how it came to be.
Claire was headed to 1st grade, and Jane to half-day kindergarten
, and I distinctly remember sitting at my kitchen table during "quiet time"
on a hot day in Mesa, Arizona. I was paying bills and budgeting
new school clothes for the girls when I felt the spirit speak to me.
I felt inspired to create a family dinner to honor my children as they head back to school.
I felt inspired to create a family dinner to honor my children as they head back to school.
There would be a theme, crowns to wear, a nice meal, a chocolate cake,
and spiritual thought. I would call it the "BACK TO SCHOOL FEAST."
and spiritual thought. I would call it the "BACK TO SCHOOL FEAST."
I stopped what I was doing and wrote down my impressions
along with the words: "be prepared."
I knew it was supposed to be the new Nielson family theme for 2008-2009.
I had no idea that the theme "Be Prepared" would be a
I knew it was supposed to be the new Nielson family theme for 2008-2009.
I had no idea that the theme "Be Prepared" would be a
huge comfort, especially to my children, as the very next week, our lives would
change terribly by our airplane accident.
change terribly by our airplane accident.
After August 16th, 2008, I never set foot in that Mesa house again.
The words "be prepared" were for my four very small children.
Be prepared for hardship, trials, moves, separation, tears,
and so much change-- but be prepared to see and witness miracles!
Each year since, Christian and I have asked the Lord for inspiration and
guidance to plan and prepare for a new family theme and the Back to School Feast.
Our themes are words from prophets, hymns, Church leaders,
or scripture. Each year is perfectly tailored to our family situation.
It's incredible.
This Friday, we will unveil the new theme to help the Nies
and so much change-- but be prepared to see and witness miracles!
Each year since, Christian and I have asked the Lord for inspiration and
guidance to plan and prepare for a new family theme and the Back to School Feast.
Our themes are words from prophets, hymns, Church leaders,
or scripture. Each year is perfectly tailored to our family situation.
It's incredible.
This Friday, we will unveil the new theme to help the Nies
for a new year of learning and growing.
As we talked about the past 12 years,
As we talked about the past 12 years,
so many emotions came back to my heart.
I am full of gratitude and love for our family members,
friends, doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals,
and strangers who have aided and helped our family thrive again.
We have felt angels among us in the past 12 years!
It's overwhelming and beautiful.
Today I read this quote by Elder Holland:
My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels,
friends, doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals,
and strangers who have aided and helped our family thrive again.
We have felt angels among us in the past 12 years!
It's overwhelming and beautiful.
Today I read this quote by Elder Holland:
My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels,
both the heavenly and the mortal kind.
In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone,
never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face.
"Nor will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man
or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved." On occasions, global or personal,
we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven,
lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making,
but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting.
And always there are those angels who come and go all around us,
seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal."
In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone,
never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face.
"Nor will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man
or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved." On occasions, global or personal,
we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven,
lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making,
but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting.
And always there are those angels who come and go all around us,
seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal."
