Death; it's hard, but it's not the end, it's only a graduation to the next life.

Death there is a lot one can say about death. I have a really hard time with it. It's not that I'm scared to die, it's that I don't want to suffer when I die. It feels like where ever I turn I hear that someone close has died, or isn't doing well. The beginning of this month a close friend of Matt's his mother died of a freak stroke. It was heartbreaking, she was a healthy woman too. His Dad is an older man, he slipped on the ice and fell on his back. He broke a Vertabrae. Matt went to the funeral, and said he didn't look to good. Well last Thursday I got a message from my Mother in Law that she had just talked to Shane, and his Dad had passed away that afternoon from a bloodclot. It hadn't even been a month since his Mom died. I can't imagine loosing both parents, it's hard enough loosing one. I feel so bad for him, he is only 22 not married, and the closest sibling in age is his brother who is close to his 40's. He is going to go and live with them for awhile. I ended up going to the funeral bymyself because Matt wasn't able to get off from work. It was really hard to go. I haven't been to a funeral since my Dad died, and I tell you what all I could do was think about my Dad the whole time. I was in tears, I couldn't go look at bob in his casket for very long, it was just too hard. It was a good funeral, and It made me wish that I had gotten to know shane and his parents better. They are some neat people. It's so sad that he lost both parents so close to each other, and that he had to watch them suffer. At least Bob and Sheryl are together again. Shane will see them again.

As we were driving home from Idaho we found out that President Hinkley had passed away. You know I was sad for only a moment, but then I was happy because he was so old, and he was with Marjorie his wife again. I got an email from a friend that had tons of pictures of President Hinckley, and his wife.

They are such good people and so cute with one another. They are great examples, and did so much for this time and dispensation. I will miss President Hinckley's talks, his cane, his sweet smile, and funny personality. Just by looking at the pictures how could you not love them, they are good examples of good Christian people. I'm so glad that President Hinckley didn't suffer, and that his family got to say goodbye. Most of all I'm glad that he is together with his wife again. I love this quote by Elder Boyd K. Packer.

"You were generals in the War in Heaven and one day when you are in the spirit world, you will be enthralled by those you are associated with. You will ask someone in which time period they lived and you might hear, "I was with Moses when he parted the Red Sea," or "I helped build the pyramids," or "I fought with Captain Moroni." And as you are standing there in amazement, someone will turn to you and ask you which of the prophets' time did you live in? And when you say "Gordon B. Hinckley" a hush will fall over every hall and corridor in Heaven, and all in attendance will bow at your presence. You were held back six thousand years because you were the most talented, most obedient, most courageous, and most righteous."

I've heard this so many times before, but today as I read it I got the chills. I always think that I don't think I could handle living back in the time with Joseph Smith and the pioneers. I also thought to that the pioneers probably thought they couldn't handle living in our time either. Both time periods are hard, but I think ours definately has it. It is scary out there, and you have to be so careful with everything you do. It is a fast paced and very worldy world. We are strong and we can make it through to the end, we just need to do what is right, and rely on the Lord and Heavenly Father.