FAMILIES ARE FOREVER ~

This past week has been wonderful and difficult at the same time. A lot has happened that has made me think about how very precious life is and how much I love my family and appreciate the time I am able to spend with them ALL! Immediate and extended!  On Tuesday the 17th, my brother Dave and his wife Janet passed through at 11 AM on their way to Montana for the reunion. They called me and I was able to meet them for a short lunch at my house. I love those two kids! I always have such a good time with them laughing and enjoying one another!  We visited for about an hour and then they took off for Montana and I headed back to work!   Then on Friday, Tony and I caravaned  to Montana  with Deedra and the 3 grand kids. Scott and Jill and the 2 little ones were on their way as well but we never really saw them till we reached the Haven. I was so happy that I was able to have a couple of my kids there! Hopefully one of these reunions in the NEAR FUTURE, I can have all my kids there.  The 2 days were spent visiting, having fun and reminiscing about those who have gone on before us. It was in fact a very spiritual feast for me. It had to be one of my most favorite reunions and that is saying a lot because I enjoy them all. It just felt a little different this year as we celebrated the life of Don Berezay, my cousin who died last October and Clay and Levi, 2 young family members who passed away this last year as well. I appreciate the time Tony and I spent with my  parents and the great lives they have lived and the example they have set for me. What GREAT people they are. I am amazed at their stamina and wit and the Energizer Bunny attitude they both have. Here they are, 90 and 92 and they are going going going .... slower than before but they still keep showing us all how it's done!  I love them so much!  It was awesome to visit with Donna and Jack and their kids and Dave and Janet and all their kids! GREAT FAMILIES!  AND of course ALL the aunts and Uncles and cousins and friends that came! 289 of us! There were 50 tents and 15 RV trailers spread all over the Haven and it was totally awesome! It's hard to spend much time with anyone in particular but we made the rounds and just enjoyed what time we had! The BEREZAY'S are GOOD PEOPLE!! We left after a wonderful Sacrament meeting Sunday morning. Scott and Jill headed towards Spokane area to check out SandPoint and to have some fun at Silverwood Amusement Park. Tony and Deedra and the kids and I headed back to Missoula to gas up and grab a quick bite and hit the road for the long drive back to Nampa. It was a wonderful weekend and I was so happy to have been able to go. I appreciated Deedra and her Pioneer Spirit. Taking 3 little kids somewhere she had never gone before and to be around family she had never met. She assured me WE didn't scare her off!  When we were nearly home, we heard from Tony's family about an accident in our neighborhood. The daughter of our friend on Horton Street, accidentally ran over her 18 month old son. They were having a garage sale and she was moving a car and the little guy got in the way. It was devastating for the entire neighborhood and we all wanted to rally around and do what we could. The Jarrett's brought in food on Sunday and Joyce and Skip Howard and I brought it in on Monday.  It was heart wrenching to visit with Jeff the grandfather. His wife Tori was at the funeral home with her daughter.  They are not members of the church so it has to be more devastating. So glad I know what I know. There is a BIGGER PICTURE!  Monday morning I was back at work and I get a call from my dad. Just the tone in his voice let me know something was wrong and I immediately thought MOM! But then dad said I'm gonna let you talk to your mother. However Donna got on the phone and told me about a phone call they had just received from my little brother Rick. His wife Wendy had to go in for emergency surgery and they found a tumor. She had some of her intestine and colon removed. We are waiting for the test results and praying for the best. Wendy will be in the hospital for a week and then home for 5 weeks recovery time. We are praying she won't have to endure Chemo. I face-booked Patsy my cousin in Billings and asked her to put Wendy's name on the Prayer Roll at the Billing Temple. I asked Heather to put it on in SLC and I put it on in Twin Falls. In speaking with Rick yesterday, family has placed her name in the temples in Nevada, LA and  Hawaii as well.  I talked with little sister Lori after work yesterday and she placed it on a couple of temples in the Draper area.  We are so thankful for the concern and prayers of family and friends. This life can sure throw us some curves. I am just so grateful for my testimony. It's like Don said, we always have to be aiming for the BIGGER BUCKLE! Just so thankful to know that God is in control and FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!