Testimony

Here I sit, wide awake at 1:43 in the morning.  This is not a normal thing for me.  There are many many thoughts racing through my head tonight and I cannot seem to calm them. 

Sunday, April 22, was our ward conference.  We were privileged to listen to our Bishop and our Stake President, Mitch Shaw.  Our Bishop, Bishop Richter, spoke about standing in holy places and being prepared for the things to come. 

President Shaw stood up, and with tears in his eyes, spoke directly to a brother in our ward whose wife had passed on just the week before.  He told this brother that he loved him, that the Lord has a plan for each of us.  He proceeded to bare his testimony of our Savior, of the importance of being prepared for whatever the Lord has planned for us.  He spoke with conviction that he knew that our Savior lives.  He spoke of the life that comes after death and death being a natural part of progression. He spoke of not fearing death and embracing it when it comes, on accepting that the Lord is ready for us. 

Today, April 25, 2012, I learned that Mitch Shaw was killed in a construction accident on Monday April 23.  Did he know that he was about to be called home?  Did he know that he delivered his vibrant and enduring testimony that it would be the last time he administered in his calling as a Stake President here in this earthly life? Did he know that this would be the last testimony that he would bare in this earthly life?  Did he know that he would be going home to his Heavenly Father the very next day?  NO!  But he lived his life accordingly, and I know that angels attended him home.  I never met this man in person but I was blessed by him nonetheless.  He touched my life and my heart. 

I have pondered on why so many great men have been called home to heaven in the last 10 months, three that I know of.  Jared Despain - the husband of my dear friend Laura.  He was a flight instructor with a wonderful sense of humor, a selfless heart, and an abiding love for our Savior.  He leaves behind his beautiful wife and two young boys.  Nathan Blaylock - I never met this man - but I feel I know him through his wife Holly.  She paints an amazing man who was devoted to his family, to his country and to his God. He leaves behind a broken hearted wife, three adoring boys and a beautiful baby girl.  And now President Shaw - a man that surely could have done so much more here on this earth. He has two sweet daughters and a son that will miss him. Why has our Father called them home?  What work does He have for them?

The only answer is that it is something greater.  That there is a need for valiant servants on the other side of the veil.  I know that these men are hard at work. Their callings are not over.  They await their loved ones. 

The words to Come Come Ye Saints passed through my head, especially the fourth verse.

And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell-
All is well! All is well!

These men have obtained their rest and All is Well. To their families I give my prayers and my testimony that I know the Savior lives.  I know that He suffered in Gethsemane and that He hung upon the cross.  I know that He literally gave up His life for me, for you, for everyone.  I know that three days later He rose again, that we too may take up our bodies again after this life is over.  He ascended to His Father and what a happy day--- ALL IS WELL!!!