"...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 thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3)

I know this is more sentimental than normal, and this is written more specifically to my friend, ThuVan. I couldn't have made it through some of the most difficult times of my life without you. You are missed greatly!!!

I want to share a little about a dear friend who moved away about a year ago and it has been different not having her around. She is a devout Catholic and she lives what she believes. She taught me about many things through her example. She would volunteer at the local soup kitchen, take food to others in need without being asked. I know she is an incredible mother who encourages her children to make good choices and then live with the consequences, good or bad. She supported me, loved me even when my faults were hanging out all over the place. She was a true friend, for "a friend loveth at all times" (Proverbs 17:17). She celebrated my successes and helped me learn to forgive and love others. I now understand more fully this scripture: "A [woman] that hath friends must shew [herself] friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). She truly stuck by me through many difficult and challenging experiences.

My friend introduced me to all sorts of new foods. We ate Pho noodles (pronounced fu- the u pronounced as in up) which is a Vietnamese dish. In it I tried flank, tendon, meatballs and often many unknown items. The meatballs are very different from ours; but everything else was pretty decent. I also ate lobster and oysters for the first time with her. We ate a lot of spicy foods together. One time we decided to try a hot wing challenge at a restaurant because we had eaten so many spicy, hot dishes before that we didn't think it would be a big deal to try these. If we ate all the wings we would pass the "test" and get a t-shirt. One bite of the wings made her really sick and me, I was sick later that day. We didn't pass that "test" but we did get a good laugh out of it...later. With all our eating, we would talk and talk. I was truly strengthened and lifted when we would eat and talk. This scripture comes to mind when I think about all our conversations: "Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversations, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings" (D&C 108:7).

We walked miles and miles together. We talked, shared, cried, and laughed together. I could open my soul to her and know I was safe. On one of our walks we got lost and ended up walking for about 4 hours rather than our usual hour and a half. Through our walking and talking I learned about true greatness and accomplishment from her example of quiet service, compassion, caring, diligence in achieving difficult things, and acceptance of others. Pres. Howard W. Hunter said it perfectly: "...true greatness is a long-term process; it may involve occasional setbacks. The end result may not always be clearly visible, but it seems that it always requires regular, consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary and mundane steps over a long period of time" (True Greatness). She also lived this by continuing her education and receiving her masters degree in occupational therapy. While doing so, her husband got a new job and needed to move before she had completed her studies. She stayed here in Utah while her husband moved. It wasn't easy for her and her children being apart from him. But it was through consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary steps that they made it work. I am grateful for her example of enduring well through difficult experiences. And for being a true friend at all times.

As I write these experiences I realize: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3). Wow I really miss you!

Me and ThuVan celebrating my 40th birthday. 

My lobster lunch...first time I ever had lobster. YUM! (Thanks ThuVan!!!)

We would often walk to this park from our neighborhood 

We ate at Silver Fork Lodge...this picture was taken after ThuVan moved. I rode my trike up the canyon and took it.

A year after she moved...she stopped by for a visit and a walk. Had to get a picture before we parted ways again.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). May the Lord bless you with good friends. Many hugs to all! And know you are loved!!!