A Letter To My Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren~

I have been thinking a lot about my precious grandchildren and great grandchildren. I have 13 granddaughters and 2 great granddaughters along with 18 grandsons and 1 great grandson. It is often difficult to have one and one moments with each of them because many of them live far away. I do have a blog entitled: Grandpa and Grandma's Twitterings. This blog is in the development stage and I hope it will be a fun way to connect with them all.
When we visit our grandchildren, I can tell which one of these spirited children will give their parents a run for their money. Through the years while raising my own children I have gained wisdom through the process of struggles and trials that go along with parenthood. However, to me my grandchildren are wonderful and each one is unique and very special spirit. I know that all of them have been reserved to come to come to earth; each with an assigned purpose in the winding up scenes before the 2nd Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today, I thought I would write a letter to them all. There are only a few of them that are at an age to read and understand the feelings of my heart.

Dearest and beloved Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren:

Here are some thoughts from my heart to yours.
Babies are such a miracle. How could anyone not know that they have come to this earth from a pre-mortal realm where they left their Heavenly Parents and their Elder brother Jesus Christ. The veil was drawn at birth and you cannot remember that wonderful pre-mortal life. I know that in that state I knew you all and that you were assigned to come into our earthly family. 

When I have held each of you adorable and precious grandchildren and great grandchildren in my arms; I can see in your sweet little faces that you had just freshly left the courts on high. I like to think that perhaps you received a blessing from our loving Heavenly Father as you left for this great adventure.  Here you came to earth to fulfill your divine and chosen earthly mission. How I loved to kiss your little cheeks, necks and tiny little feet and hold you close to my heart. You were and are so precious and innocent to me. I know that you are truly Sons and Daughters of our Heavenly Parents. As I looked into your angelic little faces I know that you have strong spirits that were prepared  to tackle your earth life experiences. At that moment I prayed that your earthy parents and we as your grandparents could provide the support  and teachings you will need as you sojourn through life. 
So dear grandchildren and great grandchildren this is my hope and prayer for you. Here are some thoughts that come from my heart and hopefully to yours.
In the beginning as you are taught to pray; I pray that you will always know that you have a kind wise Heavenly Father and your Elder Brother Jesus Christ who are there to listen to your prayers. I myself like to picture that I am at the knees of my Father in Heaven as I praise Him, give gratitude for His countless blessings and pray for my everyday needs. There will come emergencies into your life when only prayer can give you that comfort, peace and direction that you seek. I know beyond doubt that our Heavenly Father and our Savior knows your name; you are his child and He knows your needs.

Our Father in Heaven wants us to return to Him clean and pure and He will help us accomplish this if we but reach up through prayer for Him. God is our 911; Prayer is our emergency line. Use prayer to reach Him wherever you are and in whatever situation you find yourself in.
I pray that you will love the scriptures. I hope that you will find within the scriptures answers to your prayers and a closer relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that as you read the stories, prophecies and counsel within those pages that you will feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost whisper into your ears that these are eternal truths. Perhaps you will feel like you have heard some of these thoughts somewhere before. Feast upon the words of Christ especially found in "The Book of Mormon".

Another thing that I pray for is that you will be given opportunities and teaching experiences  when you will feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. I pray that you will understand, feel and obey that special gift that you have been given at your baptisms. This is a priceless gift; learn to let it guide you.

The question is asked; what else can you do to bring more happiness and joy into your lives? I found that the answer is to serve one another. Finding opportunities to serve your family, friends and neighbors will bring into your soul great happiness. I pray that you will think outside of yourself and what you think you need and look for opportunities to serve others. When your heart is troubled, when you are alone and afraid; go out and serve someone. Those troubles will just slip away. It is one of the greatest sources of help for depression and those down days we all have.
Many years ago I was quite ill and at the time was working as a Hospice nurse. I had to drag myself to work. However, once I visited my first patient I would lose that feeling of hopelessness in my physical distress. I would think to myself; this dear person I am working with will die soon and I still have time to live. When you don't feel like serving another is the exact time to do just that. Look for opportunities to serve and your life will be greatly blessed.
Learn to work; work is a principle of power. By working and accomplishing tasks you will find more satisfaction in your life. Perhaps your work in the beginning will be helping at home, then working a job to prepare for going to college or on a mission. Have a goal to work towards and you will find that your happiness will multiply.
You will one day want to find an eternal companion. I pray that you will choose well. I pray that you will go to your Heavenly Father in prayer to verify that this young man or woman whom you love is the one you should marry. This one decision will be the biggest decision you will every make in this life.
I pray that I might live to see you all married in the Temple of our Lord. The temple is the crowning joy of this life. To be an eternal family is so important to me. I pray with all my heart and soul that all of our families will be in the Celestial Kingdom together. I desire with all my heart that there will be "No Empty Chairs" in our family.

The temple is a oasis. It is the fountain of Living Water. Here you will learn of eternal truths. Here you will provide saving ordinances for ancestors who are waiting to receive their blessings though you.  Here if you come prepared  you can receive answers to prayers and revelation for all of the important decisions that you will make in life.

 Last of all here are a few moments in my life  that have filled my heart with joy. The kind of joy that I would term exceedingly great joy; an exquisite joy. The first was when I knelt across the alter to be married and sealed to your grandfather many years ago. What a very good man I chose to be my eternal companion. I hope you will look to him as a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  He is there to support you in any way he can. Another moment was the day that our last child was married and sealed in the temple to her chosen companion. In that beautiful temple sealing room sat all of my children and their beloved spouses. We were together as one family with "No empty Chairs". Finally, but not least the moments when I held each of you sweet ones in my arms and welcomed you into the world; just as I had held my own sons and daughters.

This kind of joy is indescribable and you have to experience it to know.
I pray you will.

With great love to you all; I send these thoughts to you all today.

My three precious Great Grandchildren: Lilly, Jadyn and Sagan ~