April is Special...

I haven’t posted a blog for the past week and was quite busy as the kids struggled with allergies and colds. Weather here in NC isn’t sure if it will be warm or cold, yet we’re grateful that we are not dealing with snow like some parts of the US. Spring has always been the month that we look forward to because of Easter. As a child, everything revolved around Easter when April came around, and mainly we were raised with the knowledge that Jesus died for us, so we can repent and try again. We were also out of school for a week, so it was a time for worship and family. We did not have what our kids grew up with regarding the Easter egg hunts. It was more baking and cooking and sharing with families and neighbors, Grandma reminding us to practice songs for Easter programs, and Grandpa making sure that all the oldies at the time were cared for with food for the Easter weekend and so forth. I miss those days and the grannies. However, I’m grateful for their teachings and guidance, which we are now working on passing on to our kids.

For my children, two years ago this month, they bid farewell to one of their closest and favorite people in their lives, their paternal grandma. She was tender and loving with the girls.

They sure loved every time she visited. She told them stories of when she was their age, which made my oldest just chuckle and giggle. I remember telling off McK to put things back when she was done playing, and as McK walked away, my Mother in law reminded me that a messy house by the kids should be celebrated because I was blessed with little children of God whom some are still praying to have. Summer knew that whatever she wanted, grandma would ensure she got her way. I am grateful for her influence on my girls and me and her great love for us.

For me my Aunty, who my Summer Leilani girl is named after, passed away this month six years ago due to cancer. She sure loved and spoiled my girls. I felt that my kids’ mission was to keep aunty company before she moved on to the next life. Her days were not all sunshine and roses, but the girls always put a smile on her face or made her laugh through the pain. I am thankful for her love and examples of steadfast faith in the Lord and for always helping build the kingdom of the Lord throughout her life.

My grandmother passed away in 1998 this month, and I accompanied her with my siblings and some of her children to Tonga to be buried. She was the kindest human being I have come across. She loved hard and nothing stopped her from standing tall and bearing testimony that the Lord lives and He is our Savior. My maternal grandfather and his family were blessed with the gospel (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) because Grandma chose to be an example in many ways. She was humble, persevering, patient, loving and had a great love for the Lord. I was blessed with her wisdom, love, and testimony of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for her teachings and her loving memories.

Lastly, I am grateful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has taught me so much. Our dear loved ones that we've lost, we will see them again because families are forever. It also has taught me that even though I’m not perfect, I can continue to try daily to be better than I was yesterday. It was General Conference for the Church last weekend, and how blessed were we to hear all the talks by the apostles of the Lord and our beloved prophet, Russell M. Nelson. Hurrah for Israel!

If you are interested, you may find the sessions here. I invite you to check it out. If you want to know if they are true, you can pray so that the Holy Ghost may help you understand and confirm the truth to what is being shared. I KNOW that you will be enlightened spiritually, and it will help remind you that we’re all children of God and why we’re here.

Till Next Time...