Jim and Marie's Notes from Norge : February 2015

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Families Can Be Together Forever

Before we left on our mission, Jim and I decided that we would not go home for funerals. My parents and Jim's dad are all elderly and we knew it was possible that they might pass away while we were gone.

My beautiful mother was transferred to the Spirit World on Feb. 10th, at the age of 90, joining her parents; her two sisters; Debra, my younger sister; our Jennifer and many more loved ones and friends. What a grand reunion it must have been!

Mom and her sisters together - never

to be separated again.

Just two weeks before her death, mom and dad celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary and they were both doing so great! At the family gathering, all kinds of memories were shared and mom was joyfully singing a song she had written during the war, "You Can't Block Out the Moon". The pictures were so sweet, with Dad sitting next to her, his eyes closed and a smile on his face. I am so grateful they have been blessed to be able to stay together for so long during their earth life!

Mom began to fail soon after. My sisters stayed with mom and dad, taking care of mom's every need. Hospice was called and they
were a great help for her last two days here.

Diane sent this picture -
she said it is how she felt as she
cared for mom.

We were grateful to be able to Skype

with mom the day before she died.

Thanks, Marty and Cindy!

Who knew it would be so difficult to be away from family during this time? I sure didn't!! But I do know Heavenly Father was with me, blessed and comforted me so that I didn't feel so apart and disconnected. I am also thankful that my sisters kept in touch, sharing updates, pictures and tears. I was at peace.

"Father in Heaven, we gather today

And hope that thou wouldst hear us pray.

For we've lost one we love

Now she's with Thee above,

We know she's alright

And won't put up a fight,

But we ask Thee to welcome her into Thy presence

And help us below feel peace and acceptance."

(written by our sweet grand daughter, Macie)

Our niece, Tamra, made the program.
It is beautiful!

Mandy comforting her grandpa.

We were so grateful that our cousins,

Howard and Sharon came for the funeral!

They stayed with Dad and Howard was such

a strength and comfort. He also spoke at

the funeral. Howard is kind of like the big brother
we never had.

Jim and I were able to hear, through Viber, the family prayer and the complete program. We are so grateful for modern technology!

Quincy put together a beautiful display

for the funeral.

Howard, Sharon and Dad.

In Howard's remarks, he shared: JAYNE -

J - JEWELS: her family and her testimony of the Gospel.

A - AUTHORITY: she loved and supported the Priesthood

and her husband who blessed her with it.

Y - YOU: Mom always thought of others, you & you & you.

N - NOW: she lived in the "now" making the best of each

day, trusting in the Lord. (Prov. 3:5)
E - ETERNITY: Mom made and kept her covenants to

qualify for the blessings of eternity.

This was Mom's life.

The Grandsons were the pall bearers

Almost all of the great grandchildren

with their great grandpa.

Each of the grandchildren

could pick out flowers

to take home.

This is Macie's arrangement.

Almost all of the grandchildren.

(Dad and Mom were always together -

it just doesn't look complete without

her in these pictures.)

******************************

Tonya's post on FB

I'll love you forever, mom.

God Be With You Til' We Meet Again

***************************

Family Reunions - Happy Times
on both sides of the veil!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

A Few of My Favorites

Hearts! Hearts of all shapes and sizes!

Sheds/playhouses/troll houses - especially the ones with

hearts on the doors!!

Sheds/playhouses/troll houses built on rocks

The thousands of boats prepared for winter

Hiking with my companion

through the woods.

Finding woodland treasures

Finding "living quarters" in the woods

Flour, sugar, powdered and brown sugar and vanilla that

come in very small containers.

Guess how many of these we go through each month??

Senteret!! The Center!! We are so very

thankful for the blessing of serving here with

the great group of YA's - along with

all the baking and cooking!!

It is a fun place!

Visitors!

Last Friday, all the YA's left and these

6 happy "visitors" stayed until the

last buses were leaving.

This bearded man and his T-shirt collection.

Henok!

Last night for FHE, Henok told us his story and it is

an amazing one!! He comes from Eritrea but left there about 8

years ago to find refuge - somewhere. As a refugee, he traveled

and lived in camps in Ethiopia, South Sudan, North Sudan, Libya and Nigeria, enduring many hardships and spending many months in a horrible prison before finally getting to Italy and from there to Norway where he is seeking asylum.

Henok has always been a Christian and many times during

his travels he had the opportunity to deny his beliefs which

would have made it easier for him, but he never would. Soon

after coming here, he met the Elders and as they taught him,

he told us, "I felt something." When they would read the Book of

Mormon, he said, "I felt something". A few months later, Henok was baptized and is such a great example to all of us! He said, he will never deny what he knows and wants to always do the Lord's will.

We all feel that Henok was guided to Norway to accept the Gospel. The Lord must have a great plan for this good man!

I am so grateful to know that our Heavenly Father has a

plan for each of His children!!

Winter Beauty

We recently went to Evje and the surrounding area to do some Home Teaching and visiting. What a beautiful ride we had!!

(zoom in to get the full beauty of these pictures)

Giant ice cycles

A frozen babbling brook

Winter wonderland!

Winter woodland

Winter sky over partially frozen lake

***********************

Patricia is a sweet member from England who's husband died several years ago. She has no family here and doesn't get to church very often because she lives so far away. We had a great visit!