thomas family

a little over 6 years ago, chris and i packed our house and moved a little bit further down south. our destination was south carolina. it's always a tiny bit scary to leave a home and find another. but, we did it and we survived and that first sunday we found our second "home."
our chapel is set off of a main highway sort of nestled behind a few trees. it's somewhat hidden. about a year ago an eagle scout built a sign closer to the road, displaying more visibly, the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints - visitors welcome.

that first sunday was the first sunday of the month, and we sat there with our little ones and heard the voices. two particular voices we heard belonged to brothers (one was the eagle scout mentioned above). i sat there and listened to the young boys bear testimony of heavenly father and their love for their family.

and that's when it hit me. that's when i knew what it felt like to be my mother. growing up there was a particular boy or two in my ward that she wanted me to marry. she would always lean over and whisper in my ear what she wanted from me. and of course, i didn't agree. but that sunday, i sat there, and i knew my daughter needed to marry one of these boys. it had to happen. not only were they handsome, they loved their mother, and their father and they love god and they loved the gospel and they spoke this knowledge with a conviction and spirit that touched everyone.

since that sunday, when we talk of these boys or this family, it's always with praise. the mother and father are an example of motherhood and fatherhood. their boys are good. they do good things. they bless the lives of others. the mother teaches my children primary songs. the boys include my son and make him feel loved and liked and important. the one son my daughter's age has yet to see her hidden assets and outer beauty, but he is on her email list and that makes my heart happy.

i was always impressed by the father of these boys, who later became our bishop. he was tall, and handsome, and strong and his love of the lord was visible. this man was black and white. what you saw was what you got.

last night, after a long battle with a brain tumor, the father of this family passed away.

for over a year we have tried to serve. we have prayed for miracles. my children have prayed for miracles. and in doing these things we have all become a little bit more christlike. more like this great man.

he will be missed. greatly missed. but his love of the lord and his example of service, will always be seen in his boys.