#GiveThanks

This is everyday, but today I #GiveThanks for MY FAMILY.  Every family member past and present, and surely even future.  I love that we have eternity to continue to love our family.  For me, Thanksgiving is better because of family ... life is better with family ... 

Family  

where life 

begins and 

love 

never ends 

image found here

Easter Blessings

This Easter season gave me many opportunities to testify of my faith in Christ and in The Resurrection.

I was first asked to share in Primary Sharing Time, then the next week I was asked to share in Young Women, and of course Seminary gives me several opportunities, and then Easter was here to remind me.

I have a hard time bringing my thoughts and words together to make sense and struggled to want to share my deepest feelings.  I knew I should so after prayer and pondering I came up with a presentation using the photographs and plaques around my house.

It has remained on my mind for weeks. It is important to me so I decided to write it down.  It is a "feel good" memory. It's a "feel good" trust and faith in our Redeemer, and I share it now:

I call this a love story.

Between these two people -

Terry and Elaine Hebdon

We met 39 years ago.

We were married 38 years ago ...,

Because we were married in an LDS temple by a man with the proper Priesthood / Sealing authority, the two of us and all the children we would have could be together forever.  

A couple years later our family began to grow, and in time, the Lord had sent us a total of nine children.

The last time all 11 of us were together was after Gregory came home from his mission and before Brandon left on his mission (the last week of July 2003).  

(The opportunity to be together at this time was a tender mercy in itself.  Brandon was to leave almost a month before Gregory returned, but I sent him for one last dental cleaning before he left for two years without one.  The dentist was not supposed to take x-rays but fortunately he did, which allowed him to find a hole in Brandon's jaw bone.  An elbow in the face could have broken his bone, so it needed repaired before he left, meaning Brandon's mission would begin a couple months later than he was first assigned, allowing some time between their missions. )

The next time we had an opportunity for us all to be together was in December 2014.

You will probably first notice that there are many more family members in this photo.

Then, as you look closer, you will notice one of the original 11 (or the original 2) is not pictured.  

In December 2014 there were 27 family members and one of them (Terry Wayne Hebdon) had passed away.  

More family members have been added - in April 2018 there are 35 members of our family, and this summer we will add 4 more grandchildren, making a total of 39.

At this point, Terry has not met two daughters-in-law and his son-in-law, and a third of his grandchildren, and they have not met him nor will they see each other in this life.  More than half of his grandchildren won't remember him, even though he has loved them and held them in his arms.

After the birth of our grandchildren this summer only half of his grandchildren will have met him, and of course this number will continue to grow, and some day we will also add another daughter-in-law to those numbers.  

However, because of another love story this separation will not last forever.

Our Heavenly Father sent His Only Begotten Son to earth to make eternity possible, and Jesus Christ accepted this Plan of Redemption - a Plan of Happiness.

Because of Jesus Christ's acceptance of this plan, His birth, His life, His teachings, His Atonement, His death, His Resurrection, and His love we will all see each other and live together forever.

I am grateful!

Because of Him our family is eternal!

I did not add this next picture (that has been hanging on our wall for many years) to my presentation, but I do add it to my testimony today.   And it's all because of Christ.

  (I loved the saying and created a visual using a picture from our wedding collection.)

The Promise

-

Across the years I will walk with you ~

Love in our hearts; adventures new:

And when our time on earth is through,

You'll have my hand in heaven too.

Baby Blessing and a History Lesson

We had a wonderful Sunday.

This was another sweet occasion for our family.  Ritter and Naomi were blessed.

We didn't get close up photos of the babies so I borrowed from Tawnee's facebook page.  (Thank you Tawnee!)

Naomi and Ritter

Those two are so sweet, and the family they were born into loves them dearly.  As their grandmother, I feel double blessed.  I am not there 24/7 to attend to their every need, so it's easy for me to say how wonderful it is, but I know that even with all the extra work and exhaustion on their part (especially Tawnee's part), Tawnee and Michael agree with the double blessings.  I've seen the love and affection they both have for these babies and for the awesome big sister these baby's have, and for each other.

One of my greatest joys is to see my children loved, honored, and respected by their spouse and for my children to love, honor, and respect their spouse.   It is equally joyful to see that they are raising their children in the gospel, striving to live the teachings of Jesus, so that we, as a whole, can be an eternal family, worthy of all the blessings promised those who follow and obey the Lord.

I find that their greatest accomplishments, in my mind, are those that qualify them for eternal life - actions that deal with individual worthiness and with sacrifice and service to one another ... the daily living and following Jesus Christ and His teachings - always striving to be in harmony with the will of God.


Okay, back to the blessing day ...

We were busy eating and visiting and didn't get any great photos, but we did get a couple quick snap shots that we can share.

Now a bit of back ground:

Ritter's name is a family name belonging to Terry's great-grandfather, James Ritter Hebdon. Each of our sons have a middle name from one of their ancestors, and Michael's middle name is James, after this man, James Ritter Hebdon.  Ritter now shares his fathers middle name and he shares the heritage that goes with it.

James Ritter Hebdon has a life story full of faith amidst hardship.  He found trials and tragedy, but he also found love and faith and commitment throughout his life.  His conversion story starts with a dream he had, where he saw two men who told him they had something for him.  He told his wife about it the next morning and left for work.  A few days later two men came to his home.  They talked to Ann (his wife) and left some literature for them to read and invited them to a meeting. James walked 14 miles to attend this meeting.  When he entered the church he recognized two men as the two he had seen in his dream.  After the meeting James introduced himself and invited them to his home.  James was baptized by Joseph F. Smith on 20 December 1865.   When his parents found out about it they were bitter and told him to either forsake the gospel or leave his home.  He would not give up his new found faith, so his parents disowned him.

James and Ann left England to go to the US.  The story continues, and the short of it is that his wife and her new born child died on the boat.  Two sons had scarlet fever and James hired Mary Ann Kate White to help him care for the boys (age 4 and 2), but they never recovered. He was alone again.

It wasn't as simple as I make it sound here, but it would take much time to explain it all in detail (even the small amount of detail that is recorded). 

James married Mary Ann Kate and they began their trek across the plains together.   There is a beautiful love story for this couple along the their trek, but that will have to be saved for another time.

However, back to this man, James Ritter Hebdon, he continued, strong and faithful, determined in his efforts to serve and remain on the Lords side.  

I share this information because of the tenderness I feel in my heart for this new born babe, for his parents, his grandfather, and every generation before.   When I see Ritter I do not see Terry, but when I hear his name I hear the connection to Terry and I love it.  

I feel like I am leaving Naomi out, but I am not.  Her name is not given because of a beloved ancestor, but because of the beloved child she is.  Naomi's name fits her sweet feminine features. One source says her name is Hebrew, meaning pleasant, agreeable.   We already see those characteristics in her.  And, even though she does not share the name Ritter, she, as does each of our children and grandchildren, shares the heritage that goes along with it.    I love them all!  If you need proof - you can see that I'm holding her here, close to my heart.




Maybe I should reconsider what I said before about not seeing Terry in Ritter, when I see any of my grandchildren I see a connection to Terry, because they are ours. Everything is about eternity to me. That is totally what I am living for, more than ever before.  I was raised in the gospel and I have always believed and known that it is true and I have been grateful for my membership in the church. But, at least once, somewhere along the way, I chose to follow that path. I didn't walk blindly down it just because my parents showed me the way, but I chose to take each step along the way.

One of those steps was choosing Terry as my earthly and eternal companion.  No one else chose him for me - I chose him.  And I will continue to choose him every day of my life, and every day of eternity.   It was my parents desire that I marry for eternity, but it was not their choice.  It was mine and it was Terry's choice.   And we will continue choosing eternity together.   This family is eternal ..., by choice!


It will be so fun to watch these children grow and develop their own personalities.  These are our first babies born since Terry passed away.  I know that he loves them.  He loves all of his children and grandchildren.  We hope that each chooses for themselves, to live worthy of the eternal blessings promised all who believe and follow the Savior.   Each child is precious and we love their individuality.  I pray that they each will continue in life, making their own individual choices that lead to eternal families.

Well, this post turned into more than a baby blessing or two.  ;)

I leave it as is, as a token of love and appreciation for all that God has given me.  It has been too easy for me to focus on what He took from me, and forget all that He has given me.


So grateful that Terry is mine!
So grateful for our children (including those married into the family)!
So grateful for each of our 13 (and counting) grandchildren!

moments full of you

I was doing some studying and found Can a husband and wife be together forever? on Mormon.org and decided to keep it where I could see it again.  This is my life!

Family relationships can last forever—not just for this life.

Just as some of life’s sweetest joys can come through family associations, the loss of a beloved family member can be a source of our deepest sorrows.

Jesus Christ gave power to His disciples to seal families together forever when He said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).

Death does not need to be the end of our relationships with cherished loved ones. The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that the “same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there [in eternity], only it will be coupled with eternal glory” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:2).

Family members who accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ and follow His example can be together forever through sacred ordinances performed in God’s holy temples. These ordinances seal a husband and wife together for all eternity and children to their parents as an eternal family. (See: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”)



I found this on pinterest and decided to keep it too, since I find myself living it.  I constantly search for memories of Terry and wish he was here at my side, to hug and to hold.

Sometimes I feel lost without Terry, but I do know the direction I must go and will do my best to get there, however hard it may be.  "Endure to the end" is an enormous and necessary task at hand.   However hard, I know that the Lord is my strength and that He will send me peace as I do endure.  I know it ..., I feel it from time to time ..., often enough to carry me through ..., and I am grateful.

Chase and Rebekah are Married!

SIX of our NINE children are married now - THREE more to go.  I am counting, but I'm not in a hurry.

Chase and Rebekah coming out of the San Diego Temple on that special wedding morning

It was lovely!

A few of our family and friends attended as the temple president sealed them. Beautiful words were spoken, wonderful advice given, love abounded, and the Spirit was strong.  And, they are married!

Getting boutonnieres on

This was another first for me - first wedding of our children after Terry's passing.  It was an emotional time for me but I felt love from above and knew that Terry was present. (I hope to someday be able to control these emotions a bit more, and I apologize to any who might feel uncomfortable because of my weakness.)  I missed Terry's physical body next to me, but I took his recommend with me and carried it throughout the temple so that I could have something tangible to see and feel and remind me that he is here with us at those special occasions in our lives.

the bride and her bridesmaids

Anthony and Chase  ;)  it was a warm day, but we had some fun in the sun

We had a wonderful luncheon at the Boaz home and then helped set up for the reception.
The mighty wind began blowing the decor around, but the atmosphere was so pleasant and inviting. It was a wonderful event that brought cheer and delight to our hearts.

Gelene and Ron Rodeback on the dance floor

Chase and Rebekah

leaving the reception

It really was a wonderful day!

It was hard for me to leave home and begin this trip Thursday morning (Aug 6th).  The best way for me to explain my feelings is that Terry is here in our home and I didn't want to leave him - there is a love that I feel here and a comfort and peace from above.  I know he is not here physically, but I recognized more than ever before that his presence is here, and it's visible in his personal items that he left behind.  I didn't want to leave it, but I did want to go to the wedding, so I had no other choice. I was grateful to find that peaceful spirit with us while we were away. I am learning in so many new ways that  We are Family, and We are Together Forever!

Shawna drove down with BJo, Anthony and I for the wedding day. We enjoyed having her with us.

FYI -
We have been to five different temples for our six married children. Each temple is beautiful and meaningful. The most glorious part of each is the Spirit that is felt within it's walls and the ordinances that are performed by those with the proper authority, especially that of eternal marriage, making it possible for families to be together forever.

Chase and Rebekah were each a part of an eternal family and are now part of a new eternal family - each being linked together in love.  I am so happy that Rebekah has joined our eternal family - I love her!

in love forever and ever ...

I add these inspired words on Eternal Marriage, by Marion D. Hanks, to remind each of us of the importance of marriage.  (Click on the link to read the complete text, not included in it's fullness here - it's a great read.)

Wonderful promises are sealed upon a man and woman in temple marriage, and the realization of the promised blessings is related directly to their understanding and keeping the solemn commitments they make to each other and the Lord.

Those commitments in a temple are total and permanent—involving the whole person, as is, for the whole journey. Neither will remain as he or she is, of course; they will both grow and develop in a multitude of ways. But this marriage ceremony is without condition or reservation, save only the faithfulness of those who make it. On this solid foundation the newly formed family joyfully undertakes to learn how to live happily forever, to build a strong and loving union that will grow more wholesome and more glorious everlastingly.

Many new and enduring relationships spring into being with marriage—relationships all of which are vital to the happiness of the family.

For her, the words—sacred words—are wife, mother, homemaker, heart of a home; for him, husband, father, protector, provider, leader in his home in the warm spirit of the priesthood.

Together they enter a partnership, sharing and learning and growing.

They join their lives as companions in the special sense that married people do. Whether in the same room or a world apart, they are married twenty-four hours a day. They care about the whole person, the whole future of each other. With good humor and good disposition and genuine consideration of the needs of the other, they set out to make it a happy life. They laugh a lot and cry a little. They are warm and considerate and thoughtful: the note, the telephone call, the kind word, the sensitive response, the excitement of heading home to her, of having him come home.

Married people are sweethearts, in a special creative union, blessed with that powerful chemistry that draws two together, sometimes from next door, sometimes from a world away. This divinely designed power must be sustained by other qualities—by respect and loyalty and integrity—to be what it is meant to be. To be able to give oneself fully with confidence and trust, and to fully receive the other joyfully and gratefully—this is a blessing that grows in meaning year by year and forever.

And married people should be best friends; no relationship on earth needs friendship as much as marriage.

Friendship in a marriage is so important. It blows away the chaff and takes the kernel, rejoices in the uniqueness of the other, listens patiently, gives generously, forgives freely. Friendship will motivate one to cross the room one day and say, “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean that.” It will not pretend perfection nor demand it. It will not insist that both respond exactly the same in every thought and feeling, but it will bring to the union honesty, integrity. There will be repentance and forgiveness in every marriage—every good marriage—and respect and trust.

And all these and other elements we are not able to mention eloquently declare that such a union doesn’t just happen.

So the need becomes clear for careful, thoughtful preparation, selection, and courtship. No one should be unwise enough to count on an across-the-crowded-room romanticized live-happily- ever-after marriage made without proper thoughtfulness, preparation, and prayer. Marriage is an everyday and every-way relationship in which honesty and character and shared convictions and objectives and views about finances and family and life-style are more important than moonlight and music and an attractive profile.

... heaven will be heaven for us because we know we will be there with the one we love the best ...


(I am looking forward to heaven!  I am grateful to have a bit of heaven in our home!)

Family Happiness

This last week we got to meet Rebekah!  We love her!  We all enjoyed having her with us ..., but I imagine that Chase was most thrilled about it.

Chase and Rebekah will be married next weekend and their open house will be August 29th.  Hope to see you then!



We also had a Rodeback Family Reunion this last weekend.  We feel that it was a success, thanks to the wonderful friends who shared their personal recreational facilities and family members who attend, assist and support in so many ways.

My parents and their children, minus one unable to attend and one who passed away as a child.

It was a united effort and we enjoyed our time together.

The days were a bit windy and cool, but we still had some great water fun.









Everyone echo'd Ethan's thought as they went down the slide - "That was intense!", "Awesome!", and "Totally Insane!!!!!"

We had a hay ride and toured part of the farm.

We had a talent show that was a fun addition to this years activities.

Evening activities included playing "night games" and a movie.

And, of course, there was food.

It was wonderful to be together with family.  Indeed we missed those not with us, but WE ARE FAMILY, and we love the great moments together ..., whenever we can get them.  We have made some great memories as we have gathered together and they are among our greatest treasures.  As usual, we eventually had to say good-bye, but our joy filled moments will linger on in our hearts and minds, as we live our way to eternity.

Our family is eternal!

Therefore, our happiness is eternal!

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!



Happy Mother's Day
To my mother!
To my daughters in law!
To everyone who has a mother! ;)

We Can Live with God Again

Our lives will not end when we die. Our future lives are determined by the way we live our lives now.

You will be alright!

I was reading through the book my mom and dad gave me (about Terry's health journey) and wanted to write down a quote I had posted 4/22/2014 

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow,

it empties today of its strength.”

― Corrie Ten Boom, Clippings from My Notebook

and an experience I posted 5/21/2014.

"As I was sitting in the infusion room yesterday I tried to recall my prayers and if I had felt any real answers to them.  I couldn't recall specific times that I had heard or felt a specific answer, but my mind immediately received an answer telling me that He [our Savior] promises to be with me.  That is what I need.  I need my Saviors love and I need Him every hour!

And, I'm grateful for a Father in Heaven who loves us and hears and answers our prayers, even on His own time and in His own way.  He can make me strong."  

I was grateful to re-read that and to remember that I have been given many spiritual reminders that let me know that my Savior loves me.  

I also re-read that Terry knew the same thing -  I wrote this on 5/6/2014 while he was in the hospital last spring.

"As we were talking this morning he [Terry] remembered a special moment years ago after being diagnosed with this disease when the Lord told him - "I know you, I love you, and you will be alright!"

I know he is alright and that makes me happy.  I am just so grateful that we have had these witnesses in the past (and present) to let me know that I am going to be alright too.

I opened my planner to write down the quotes and thoughts I had just read and I found a couple notes that I had written in my planner earlier this week.  I had forgotten them until now and decided to get up and post about it.  

I went to Wenatchee for an appointment with the Social Security. I went early enough to take care of a couple other things and while at the counter of one business, giving personal information, the lady asked me "are you married?"  I hadn't been asked that since Terry passed away and it kinda caught me off guard.  How do I answer that?  

I knew she could see Terry's name on her screen and that he was my husband, and in my mind I am still married, and in the Lord's plan I am still married, but to them, I am not, so my answer came in a way of explanation as I informed her that Terry is my husband but he passed away in December.  She then put me on a new account, because Terry's account was no longer valid.   

I understood and wasn't too emotional about it.  It really is a fact of life right now that I am trying hard to deal with, and I had already emotionally lost it once this week (or last week) over a silly little thing someone said during testimony meeting in my mom and dad's ward last Sunday. (Yes, I felt rather foolish - all he said was that he was 91 years old today ... lucky guy huh! However, I know he lost his wife a few years ago ... not so lucky guy!)

Okay, next appointment was at the SS office and as I was answering questions they asked if our marriage ended at death.  What?  Again, I know the answer is NO!  Our marriage has not ended and I am so looking forward to eternity with my husband.  I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's plan, for our Savior's sacrifice, and for the priesthood and temple blessings that make this a fact. I am striving to be worthy of those blessings and promises.  

Well, I answered yes because I realize that they needed to differentiate that it was death and not divorce, and I know that our bodies did part at death, but they are wrong - our marriage did not end with that parting.  

I am pleased to say that I was emotionally stable through that too. I don't know why I was so emotional about that 91 year old, except that the man who spoke before this 91 year old man shared such a powerful testimony about his belief and faith in Christ - it was exactly what I was feeling which made me emotional already, so this one little phrase just set me off. I can't imagine what everyone around me was thinking, especially those on the stand who could see me so clearly.  It was a bit embarrassing. 

I'm okay!  

I'm okay!  ;/

I really am!  :)

It's a good feeling!

Thank you for your prayers!

   

FYI - Funeral Additions

We had been hoping to get a family photo with all of us together and we just couldn't make it happen in time for Terry to be with us, but here we are on the day of his funeral, and I was happy to have all of our children and grandchildren together there.  Surely one can look at any of our sons and find their dad in them somewhere.  In many ways Terry lives on, but we still miss him.

I am so grateful for eternal life and the plan of happiness.  

I want it!  I need it!  I'm looking forward to it!

I am so grateful for the Savior and our Heavenly Father and for the many blessings They send my way.  They sustain me throughout the days and nights.  They make things alright.

  

I love our eternal family! 

Michael's poem was added to the blog here

The life sketch Thomas gave was added here

A Sunday Lesson

I was studying in The Gospel Principles book today and found that, once again, the things I have been taught my whole life affect me in a different way now.  I don't know if they take on new meaning, but there is something new about it.  My heart and mind seem to focus toward things pertaining to Terry and our eternal relationship more than ever before, even though it was something I thought about before, I believed before, and was grateful for before. There is something different with it all now.  

This post could have been put in my To Remind Me blog, but because it is about Terry I wanted it here.  (I've wondered about putting those two blogs together - I just did add a few posts from that blog and each is post dated to the time I had originally posted in that other blog, each under the label To Remind Me.) 

I have chosen to share the quote from the book (in bold) and then the thoughts that came to me about that quote.

"Our Father in Heaven knows who we are and ... He has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities."

I know that it is our Father's plan that Terry's life on earth was at the time it was and for only the time it was.  I don't understand why it was as short a time as it was, but I do know it was the Lord's will.  I am grateful that we met and married and lived and loved each other for almost 35 years in happiness and joy with a family that is eternal. Terry has done much good - he has helped and taught me and has been a great blessing in my life. I will remember his words of encouragement, counsel, and truth, and it will guide me for the rest of my life. We often talked about how grateful we were that we had found each other and how it always felt so right.  That is still true.

"[Our Heavenly Father] wanted us to develop the godlike qualities that He has."

As I read this I immediately thought of the talk Gregory gave at Terry's funeral (see the post Christlike Characteristics).  I have some work to do on that part of my life.  I am so grateful for the qualities that Terry had developed and how they blessed my life.

"If we passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that our Heavenly Father has received."

Thoughts that came to me as I read this were about an experience I had while Terry was in the hospital. 

I was frustrated, scared, disappointed, and desirous of a miracle. We had just studied about Job in our primary class so that scripture story was fresh on my mind.  I was comparing all of Jobs trials to Terry's trials - the new pains and infections that were tormenting his body seemed to be coming faster and harder ..., and he was being strong and faithful through them all so why were there so many.   I was having a "conversation with the Lord" about this fact and how Terry had not "charged God foolishly" nor had he or would he "curse God and die". With everything that has been thrown at him Terry "held fast his integrity".   

I continued with more complaints (I guess that is the best word to fit what I was doing) and I guess I was trying to convince the Lord that He could heal Terry and allow him to live with us on earth in good health for a long long time still and that Terry would serve Him well in whatever capacity He would require of him during that future life.  

As I was comparing Terry to Job and sharing all of this with the Lord I told the Lord that Job didn't loose his life, so why should Terry have to?  It was then that these words came to me clear and strong, yet ever so soft and reverent - "Terry has passed his test, now it is my turn" - Oh my goodness ..., I was Job.  I am the one that will loose my beloved family member and therefore possibly tempted to curse God and die - will I stand firm and faithful?  

I promised that very moment that I would.  I told the Lord that He could trust me to do so, and He knows that, so could He please remove this trial from me and allow a miracle to take place.  Well, we know that was one prayer that was not answered in the affirmative. I really wish I didn't have to prove myself in this way.  

Even with all of this sorrow I really do promise to "hold fast my integrity" and stand firm and faithful, enduring to the end, trusting the Lord.  That is the only way that our eternal marriage will remain in effect, and I want those blessings more than anything else.

  

"The purpose of our progression: to have a fulness of joy."  

Before we came to earth we learned that all of us would have trials in our lives: sickness, disappointment, pain, sorrow, and death.  (For me these seemed to come all at once.)  But we understood that these would be given to us for our experience and our good.  If we allowed them to, these trials would purify us rather than defeat us.  They would teach us to have endurance, patience, and charity.

I have a lot to learn!  Some day I want to have that fulness of joy.