A life well lived...

"In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."
Gordon B. Hinckley


My sister called last night to tell us that President Hinckley had passed away. My immediate thought was, "What heaven must be like right now!" It was evident every time he spoke how much President Hinckley missed his wife. What a sweet reunion with her... and with all those whose torch he has carried so valiantly. While we will miss his eternal optimism and his love for life, could anyone have lived better?!

As I look around my house this morning, I am being constantly reminded of the influence President Hinckley's good life has had upon my own and that of my family. Here are just a few reasons we love him so much:

The wedding picture in our front room shows Jeremy and I standing in front of the Mount Timpanogos Temple where we were sealed, which was dedicated by President Hinckley in 1996--the first temple dedication I ever attended.

I remember exactly where I was sitting in the Marriott Center at BYU when I saw President Hinckley in person for the first time. For 5 years, I looked forward to each devotional he gave; one of my favorites can be found here.

I found sidenotes in the margins of my Book of Mormon during scripture study this morning which were written in 2005 when President Hinckley challenged us to read it in 4 months.
This is what he said:

"I offer a challenge to members of the Church throughout the world and to our friends everywhere to read or reread the Book of Mormon... Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." How right he was!!!

This sweet picture of my missionary (before he was mine :o) has been sitting on the counter, waiting to be re-filed for a while now. I'm so glad it was out this morning! Amazingly enough, President Hinckley sent Jer, all of my brothers and all my brothers-in-law on their missions! My baby brother is actually serving in New Caledonia as we speak. What a missionary legacy...

I helped my boys get dressed for school and looked up on their wall to see President Hinckley's 6 Be's, and I thought how my boys have only known one prophet in their lifetime. We were in Salt Lake for the 24th of July parade a couple years ago, and Bennett could have cared less about the floats and candy--he just wanted to see President Hinckley!

He waved and yelled to him, and President Hinckley looked right at my sweet boy and waved back. Neither one of us will ever forget that precious moment...

Hanging in my kitchen is "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," read by President Hinckley to the women of the Church in 1995 (only 6 months after becoming the prophet!). As I read it this morning, I realized what an incredible influence this good man has had, not only upon me and my own little family, but on the whole world! Check out this clip remembering President Hinckley on NPR's Morning Edition today.

A dear friend took this spontaneous picture of our family last night--little did she know that she was documenting a moment in time. Our faces reflect the love we feel for each other, the comfort that comes in knowing that we are forever, and the blessings that flow from living the gospel plan. How grateful we are for the counsel of a living prophet!!!

We will miss you dearly, President Hinckley...

PS: My sweet friend Jennie sent me this link to a great slideshow on President Hinckley's life and influence at Brigham Young University, my alma mater. Enjoy!