Over the past six months, Don lost both his mom and dad within 7 weeks of each other and now I have lost my mom.

As I write this I wonder why I used the word “lost”, for I know they are not lost at all. I am well aware of where they are and a pretty good idea of what they may be doing.

We are just separated by a temporary veil. Sacred experiences have proven that death is not the end.

What I have learned over the past few weeks and months is that regardless of position in His church or your calling as servants of His, whatever calling that may be at this moment, He can not shelter us from pain or sorrow, trial and tear. Would we really want that? How better can we learn than by experience?

God has a plan and is in the business of perfecting.

Helping us to become more today than we were yesterday.

I love the idea of becoming.

Becoming His

Becoming more

Becoming more Christlike

Becoming more teachable

Becoming more obedient

Becoming who He needs me to be

I know and have seen the Lords hand in a whole new way over this past year.

I have seen how he loves everyone and prepares hearts to Hear Him and his servants. We have seen and become witnesses that this work, this gathering of Israel, is indeed His work, as He is opening doors and creating experiences for both the giver and the receiver.

What a sacred privilege this is for us.

President Nelson, our beloved Prophet said this,

“Amid the losses we have experienced, there are also some things we have found. Some have found deeper faith in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Many have found a fresh perspective on life—even an eternal perspective. You may have found stronger relationships with your loved ones and with the Lord. I hope you have found an increased ability to hear Him and receive personal revelation. Difficult trials often provide opportunities to grow that would not have come in any other way.”

President Russell M. Nelson also has said:

“Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. …

“Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.”

How very grateful I am for knowledge and pure testimony that because of Jesus Christ, we can experience eternity as families and reunite with love ones!