Dear Family,
Because of the corn drowning in Illinois and other states, the turkey business in Manti and Ephraim area are closing down temproarily. They will have to lay off 600 people.
Get your food storage and do what you can. We are watching the things that are predicted in the scriptures arn't we.
And who said it would be fun to come down in the last days? I guess we can't take council from our fears but we can go on with open eyes. Love Mom

Six Degrees of Lucy

Chris here - Just a small note of something that happened to me the other day. I had a civil traffic hearing last week. After the hearing, the Judge asked me if my family was alright, since I had to continue a couple of various hearings during the week of Lucy's funeral. I told him about Lucy and why I was gone. He looked absolutely surprised and said, "I heard about that! My wife told me about a little girl in Utah who choked on an apple and died." I asked him where his wife heard about it and he, unfortunately, could not recall. He expressed his condolences and wished our family well. I had a moment to bear a brief testimony to the judge about the Lord's hand in our lives and the knowledge that we would see Lucy again.

I am astounded at the far-reaching effects that Vic and Molly's little angel has had. Now, this might be a little irreverent, (forgive me) but the following is just how my brain works: You've heard of the "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" (based on a variation of the concept of the small world phenomenon and states that any actor can be linked through his or her film roles to actor Kevin Bacon). Well, I'm starting to seriously consider the phenomenon "Six Degrees of Lucy Jackson." I believe that everyone has either been affected, or know someone who has been affected, by little Lucy. If not, I at least had the opportunity to bear a testimony to a Gilbert judge, who just might remember this in the future when presented again with the truth of eternal families.

I don't want to take away from the posts below, so make sure you read the latest one from Joy, and Marlene's too if you haven't seen that one yet either, but I found these pictures recently and I wanted to post them before I forgot. Despite the awful reason we all had to come together, it was great to have everyone in the same place at the same time. And doesn't Park City look great in the summertime?!

What I have learned

Thanks Mom and Jenny for your thoughts. Here are a few things that I have learned or re-learned:

-prayers, although the "easiest" thing to do, mean everything- even for the aunt
-charity has a ripple affect
-tragedies are FAR reaching
-the drive to UT from Albuquerque can be very very very long
-grief comes in waves
-sometimes when family members look relatively composed at funerals, it's because they have been previously crying for days
-crying a lot gives you headaches
-seeing the face of your loved ones brings so much comfort to one's soul
-just acknowledging someone's pain is sometimes all that is needed
-don't act like everything is normal because you think the person doesn't want to remember or talk about the pain
-even though life goes back to normal (for some), you never do
-family REALLY is all that matters in life
-friends are family we CHOOSE
-THERE IS A PLAN FOR EACH OF US BECAUSE WE ARE THAT IMPORTANT AND SPECIAL TO GOD!

What I have learned.

I heard a talk once by someone Stake Conference. He stated that we should ask ourselves what we are supposed to learn and what is our mission on earth and why do these same lessons keep happening. Well, good advise.
So, what have you learned?

I learned, Crying in not something to be afraid of.
Christ has a plan and he is in charge.
He does comfort us through other people.
Greiving is heavy
People have different levels or amounts of feelings
Christ prepares you in some way for what is coming
Eventually you let Christ lead the way
I can read the numbers on a "vitals" machine.
This in not a vacaion, this is work with a purpose.

Wendy, this is going to be me at your next swim party. Ya better watch out. (Just kidding.)

New Baby for Shara and Trevor

Shara had her baby boy today, Sat. ! He is Jackson Scott Harper. He weighed 9lbs. and 14 os. He was born c-section after about 24 hours of labor. I am sure Shara is much happier today than yesterday. Always a good thing to get over. The baby has red hair. Shara we wish you quick healing and congratulations. Linda and Andrew were on their way to the hospital when they call so hopfully we will get pictures soon. Linda's blog is The Best Waffles in the Universe.

Thank You!

I don't want to detract from Kristyn's blog so please read that first. These are addresses for anyone interested in thank you notes.
I didn't have Bishop Barnes address and wanted to thank so many people in the Kimball Ward, that I sent a thank you to the ward:
The Kimball Ward C/O John C. Flint
7393 Tall Oaks Cir
Park City, UT 84098-4625

The first house we stayed at:
The Hales
2366 Sunny Side Ave
Salt Lake City, UT 84108

The house by Vic & Molly we stayed at I lost the address to. Vic or Molly, if you can post it, we'd like to send them one as well and hope it gets forwarded to them.
And thank you family for being my forever family, Ilove you! Jenny

I was just reading Joy's recent blog post, and I have to second her statement about not wanting to blog. I have thought about posting a zillion times, but writer's block always followed. When writing about something serious there is always the risk of understating the event. Also, most things of this nature bring out the person's best prose and eloquence. However, I make no claims to being a great writer. I like it short and simple. So in coinciding with my style, I will share, in a short and simple manner, the random thoughts that have pervaded my mind the past few weeks.

*First, I keep thinking about the 7 stages of grief:

Shock/disbelief
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Guilt
Depression
Acceptance and Hope

I'm not sure why, but this process keeps popping back in my head. Quite possibly all these stages will not be reached with everyone, but sometimes knowing where you're at emotionally/what you have to look forward to is what some long for. I know where I fall on that scale. And it so wonderful to know that the atonement can help us individually to reach the acceptance stage.

*Second, there was a talk by John Bytheway on the subject of why bad things happen to good people. In the talk he shares a thought specifically in regards to why catastrophes like plane crashes, earthquakes, and the like happen; why would Heavenly Father allow that? But I think his response applies to more than just those types of events. He answers it with a question of his own - how do we know how many things Heavenly Father prevents from happening? He goes on to say that so many times we pray to "get home in safety", and how many times have we done just that? This little accident that befell on Lucy was the kind of accident that many people could wonder, how could He let that happen? But when thinking about Bytheway's question, I wonder how many instances he prevented from happening before that day? It's very possible that Heavenly Father wanted Vic and Molly, and the extended family, to enjoy her just a little longer. Truly, it is a blessing that if she was destined to go so early in her life, that we were able to know her for so long.

*Lastly, I vividly remember my aunt telling me the story of when she was on her mission to Paris, and her father passed away. The mission president called her into his office and said that she could go home if she'd like, or she can stay. She decided to stay. However, the part that keeps repeating in my head is how she explained that the next 3 days were powerful for her. She said she felt as if a blanket was wrapped around her. She was not sad that her father passed away. She missed him, but she did not feel sadness. She said the spirit helped her tremendously to be able to focus on missionary work, and helped to comfort her during such an awful time. After the 3 days she didn't feel that 'blanket' anymore, but she was still able to work, and focus, and heal. After we heard that Lucy was in PICU, I prayed continuously that Vic & Molly would feel that same love from Heavenly Father. I really hope they felt that.

This was Lucy on Mother's day at Grandma and Grandpa Bice's . I happen to have a new camera and was taking pictures to see how it worked. She is eating a roll and didn't want to stop for a picture.

When Jason came to pick up his family after a week of being gone, Allie said " I forgot what you looked like". I am so happy I don't have to forget. I love you Lucy and I love your Mom and Dad. They miss you alot but they are teaching us some important lessons on courage right now.

I have felt the love shared from one to another in this family and find that if fills alot of empty spaces. Thanks to all the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,neices, nephew's. I have loved being loved. Grandma Jackson

The song that was sung at Lucy's funeral was one of my favorits and it was outstanding. The last verse was written my her Grandpa Bice. It was so very touching and brought us all to tears becaue we could see Lucy so clear. So in the meadows, I hope there are a few panzies.

Thacker

Sam

Sam

Paul