This last month the Bell family was blessed with the opportunity to rent a home at one of our favorite places for ten days. The house is large enough to accommodate our entire family. So even though the distance to drive is great we invited all of our children to come and join us.
Juleen and I decided we would stay for the entire time. Due to scheduling conflicts and the normal events of life; some family members would be arriving and departing at different times during the ten-day period. We all arrived more or less the same day, and we spent a fantastic week enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful surroundings.
All too soon it was time for some of our family to depart and head back to their homes. As each
family member departed for the long trek back, our hearts ached and tears flowed. Yes, as parents always are, we were worried about their safety as they traveled, but we were also shocked and amazed at the sensation we felt as our (temporary) home became quieter and felt emptier. Even though there were still other family members present we all felt the absence of those who had departed. As the departures became more frequent our disquiet became more and more pronounced, and more tears were shed. Juleen being much more sensitive than I pondered this over and over. One day as she pondered her discomfort she thought how bitter sweet it must have been for our Heavenly Father each time a child departed for their earthly sojourn. While contemplating these things, a
voice came to her and said “Don’t you think I cried when each of you left, and am anxiously awaiting the day we can all be together again?”
Brothers and Sisters, we are all children of our Heavenly parents, they love us and miss our presence in their home - they miss our noise and our laughter and tears and all those countless things that comes with being a parent. They want us to return, they want us to be together again. Our Heavenly father gave us, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ the opportunity to return to our heavenly home. It is my prayer that we never forget this and work each day to be a little bit better so we can go home with family!
Love you all,
meEric Bell
📣Listen to sacrament meeting audio here.
Juleen and I decided we would stay for the entire time. Due to scheduling conflicts and the normal events of life; some family members would be arriving and departing at different times during the ten-day period. We all arrived more or less the same day, and we spent a fantastic week enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful surroundings.
All too soon it was time for some of our family to depart and head back to their homes. As each
voice came to her and said “Don’t you think I cried when each of you left, and am anxiously awaiting the day we can all be together again?”
Brothers and Sisters, we are all children of our Heavenly parents, they love us and miss our presence in their home - they miss our noise and our laughter and tears and all those countless things that comes with being a parent. They want us to return, they want us to be together again. Our Heavenly father gave us, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ the opportunity to return to our heavenly home. It is my prayer that we never forget this and work each day to be a little bit better so we can go home with family!
Love you all,
meEric Bell
📒See the full PDF of Grapevine here.
📣Listen to sacrament meeting audio here.
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