I Know

One of the most faith-promoting things my extended family does together is share a fast. I remember times when I was younger and my mom would tell us that we were fasting that particular month for a family member's special need. I remember fasting when my Grandpa Hill was having surgery, and he passed away right after, even though it was completed successfully. I remember cousins struggling, who needed extra faith and prayers, so we fasted as an extended family for them, or went to the temple praying for them. It seems like it has been a little while since we've had a family fast, but this past weekend we had two huge issues, on both sides of my extended families, that needed faith and prayers offered on behalf of family members. My aunt sent an email out on Saturday afternoon about one, and then my mom called later that night about another one. Issues I didn't know much about and didn't expect.

As we went about our evening Saturday, and continued our fast on Sunday (with only Eric abstaining from food since I'm still nursing Jolie), I had a prayer in my heart for these particular family members and their kids. I wondered how many prayers were being offered up during those 24 hours for my family members in need and wondered what a loving Father's response to those pleas would be. And I thought about how close our family becomes, despite our distance, when we are united in the cause of one among us. Growing up in such a big family, I grew to love cousins as my best friends, and looked forward to every Family Home Evening, Sunday night fireside, baby blessing, baptism, or wedding that brought us together. When Eric and I were first married it seemed we were attending a family function several times a week! Getting a little exhausted after a few months, I wondered if we really needed to keep up appearances. But, then I reflected on the purpose of family.

When my cousin Ashley got married, she took the wedding to her father, who is serving as a mission president in Tulsa, Oklahoma, since he couldn't come to her. The wedding took place at the closest temple to where he'd be: San Antonio, Texas, where a mission presidents seminar was taking place. Elder Holland came for the seminar, and was the sealer at their wedding. One of the first things he said as we sat in the sealing room was how the temple is to bind families together, as families are the only unit of organization in the life hereafter. No other unit is as important as the family, not a ward or a stake. So, the more time we put into our families in this life, the deeper and stronger our relations will be in the next.

As I thought about my family this weekend, being so far away from almost all of them, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for them, and for the pattern my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles have set for their posterity. I know we have families to give us love, support, and validation. We have families so we can be cheered on, be pushed to achieve, step up with courage, and have someone to dry our tears. With all the challenges my extended families have faced, I am grateful to know that there are so many people pulling for each family member's eternal happiness. I know Heavenly Father's plan is a plan of happiness. I know that families are central to His plan. And I know that these family relations can last forever.

And since I couldn't get up to the pulpit on Sunday (because I was out in the foyer giving Mierae a snack and then out with Jolie who bumped her mouth and starting screaming, and then was fussy the rest of the meeting), I just wanted you to know, that I know.