Welcome Peyton - October 6, 2016

      

       We got to welcome a gorgeous baby girl into our family on October sixth!
We have a gorgeous new granddaughter! She has lots of dark brown hair, weighed seven pounds ten ounces, and was twenty inches long. Did I mention that she is gorgeous?
       Since we had our first child, I have always thought that watching a child be born is a truly special and spiritual experience. When we were having babies, they always asked me if I wanted a mirror to be placed at the end of the bed so that I could see what was happening. They don't seem to do that anymore. I don't know why. As I saw Peyton's perfect little body, I burst into tears. I thought of all of the prayers that we have said for her and her mother. They certainly had been answered.
       Then, I found myself wondering how anyone could ever see a baby be born and wonder if there is a God. I absolutely marveled that a body could be formed so perfectly.
       Then, I started thinking about where Peyton had come from! Our religion teaches that we have Heavenly Parents who created our spirits. We lived with Them and our brothers and sisters until we came down to this earth into the body that our earthly parents made for us.
       I started wondering if the spirits who knew and loved Peyton in heaven were sad to see her leave them. Here we are thrilled as we can be to have her with us. Are there others who are already missing her?
       Then, I found myself wondering what the next life will be like. We believe that when we die, our body does die, but our spirits go to heaven and continue to do important things. We believe that if we live righteously, our family relationships will still be intact. In my case, I look forward to seeing my mother and two brothers and two sisters who have already died.
        My ALS continues to progress. I have to wear my bi-pap most of the time. My breathing is getting really shallow. To compensate for my lungs not working as well as they should, my heart is beating faster. I am starting to wonder how much longer I have left on this earth. Have I accomplished everything that I am supposed to have done?
       I am not afraid to be dead, but I do worry about how much it could hurt to die. People keep telling me that most people who die from ALS die peacefully in their sleep. That sounds good.
       My biggest problem is that I don't want to leave the people whom I love here.
That, however, is not my choice to make. If I got to choose what happened when, I am afraid that I would still be in Reno attending high school. I have always had a difficult time with change.
       I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who wants to help us through our difficult times. I have asked Him to carry me so many times. I have been amazed at the peace He can send to a troubled heart, and the trust that we can have when we believe that He is in charge and is doing the things that are the best for us. I appreciate the help He has given my family and me.