"...those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in Him" (Alma 46:41)

An amazing and wonderful friend, Joyce, passed away last night. I am shocked at how much emotion I have. I have been prepared for months for this to come, but still, I am crying. But you know what? Even though there are tears, there is also great peace. I am filled with great joy in knowing that she is happy.

Joyce and in in 2010- BTW she hated having her picture taken

You may ask how I conclude that she is happy. Let me tell you. Last night, shortly after receiving the phone call that she had passed away, we did our family scripture reading. We started where we were and the last verse, which I happened to read, said: "But there were many who died with old age; and those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in Him" (Alma 46:41). Joyce wasn't very old (in my book)- and today is also her birthday! What a great way to celebrate by returning "home". I know she is happy being with Him.

I met Joyce serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Arizona Phoenix mission. She was my mothers age. I still laugh at our first words together as we drove to our apartment. I said, "We will get along great if you don't try and act like my mother". Joyce replied, "We will get along great if you don't act like my daughter". We both ended up laughing. The real blessing was, we ended up being life long friends and definitely at times, she was a second mother to me. Whenever I think of her I always think of the words of the son's of Helaman: "We do not doubt, our mothers knew it" that "God would deliver them" (Alma 56:47-48). She would always tell me, "things work out. It will be okay." Things do always work out and things are okay, even when it's hard.

Boy did we laugh a lot over the years! Her laugh was infections, light, and melodic. I loved her laugh. Even when I last saw her in October, we laughed. Through the years, when I would call her and tell her of my woes, she would often find the humor in the situation and we would laugh and cry together. She taught me there is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Eccl. 3:4). And boy could she dance! (like Tina Turner for sure!)

You know, even though it is hard that my beautiful friend, Joyce, has left this life, I am filled with peace from the knowledge the gospel brings to me. I know I will see my friend again. I also know when I see her she will be "perfect" (see Alma 11:44). I have been so blessed by her friendship. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3). Have a happy birthday my friend! Until we meet again.

Joyce, or Nana to my children, with all 4 of my children in 2010.

Joyce and I in December of 2014. We were making a "goofy-face" for the camera. 

"I did liken all scriptures unto [me], that it might be for [my] profit and learning" (1 Nephi 19:23)

During my scripture study I had an insight that was simple and personal. I have read and known to put my own name in the scriptures to make them more personal from when I took seminary years ago. I remember reading for the first time, "I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning" (1 Nephi 19:23). I was really excited about doing it. Since then, I often put my own name in place of other names when studying the scriptures. Well, to put "I" or "me" in the right place makes a big difference and not just my own name. I know making this little change will affect the way I focus on the sacrament each week. Here is what I read and applied:

"O God, the Eternal Father, [I] ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to [my soul] who [partakes] of it, that [I] may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that [I] am willing to take upon [me] the name of thy Son, and always remember Him and Keep His commandments which He has given [me]; that [I] may always have His Spirit to be with [me]. Amen." (D&C 20:77)

"O God, the Eternal Father, [I] ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to [my soul] who [drinks] of it, that [I] may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for [me]; that [I] may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that [I] do always remember Him, that [I] may have His Spirit to be with [me]. Amen" (D&C 20:79)

 I know that as we make the scriptures more personal when we apply them to ourselves individually we are given more personal guidance, personal revelation, and personal help in our daily lives. This I testify.

It applies to us individually
(image found here)

"Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3)

My awesome husband had asked me for several weeks to remember to turn the cold water off in our shower so it wouldn't drip. I kept forgetting. I finally asked him to leave me a note. This is what he left me:

My husband loves me and leaves me little notes...

It is a simple way to help me remember to turn off the cold water "a little more" after showering. I have learned that even though the note is right in front of my face on the mirror, unless I take the time to read it, I don't remember to do it.

I need "notes" to help me remember to do small things that make life better, to accomplish tasks, or to help my children (just to name a few items of which I need help remembering). I am always telling my family, "Leave me a note or I won't remember".

As I was looking at the various notes I have stuck everywhere from my children and my husband to help me remember things I need to do, I realized that God leaves me little notes, too. The trick is, I must read them. These little notes from God are throughout the scriptures. I love getting notes from God. Here are just a few of the notes that have come to mean a lot to me:

" For the natural man is an enemy to God...unless he yields to the enticings of the holy Spirit..." (Mosiah 3:19)

"If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

"For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37)

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27)

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36) 

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." (Alma 37:6)

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30) 

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33)

We all need help remembering, but to be reminded with a note only helps if we read the note. I think Nephi said it pretty well: "Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3). God is talking to us, we just need to read His words and then "go and do" (1 Nephi 3:7). This I testify.