Because He Lives

This Easter season has been a tender one for me. The love and gratitude I feel for my Savior I can't adequately describe. He is a part of my life in so many ways. Some I recognize and some I probably don't quite yet. 

My Savior changes everything for me. Without Him I would have no hope, no peace and lack countless other blessings. This Easter when I think of my Savior He is more real than He has been in times past. He feels closer to me because I have had to draw closer to Him. He is my Friend, my Teacher, my Brother and my King.

For those of you who haven't yet seen this short Easter video I hope it helps you feel closer to Christ because He Lives and is a part of your life.

So ask yourself where do you see the Savior?

For me He is with my family. Here on earth and in heaven. And because He Lives we all will live again.

-Danielle 

Stephen Thomas Holbrook

As most of you know my sweet little boy Thomas was born on September 10^th and passed away on September 18^th. For a long time now I have felt I need to share some of my thoughts from this experience.

I will never be able to adequately share everything, but I would like to share a portion of a letter I wrote to my family shortly after Thomas’ funeral.

My hope in sharing this isn’t to make anyone sad, but that you will see that God is good. That He is loving and kind and that if we look closely His hand can be seen in each of our lives.

September 24, 2014

"Stephen and I have truly felt your love and prayers throughout this experience. Our hearts are full of gratitude for your generosity and love.

I just want to share some of the thoughts and feelings I have had throughout this experience. Of course this has been a time of great sorrow, maybe at moments despair, but overall I have found the birth and death of our sweet Thomas to be faith building and I don’t think I have ever felt closer to the spirit and my Savior.

The night Thomas was born I got to hold him close as did Stephen.He was perfect, he still is.

Later that night after the nurses rushed him off to the NICU I got to see him with Stephen before they planned on air flighting him to the children’s hospital. I held his tiny hand and kissed him all the while thinking that this could be the last time I saw him. In my own way I even prayed to my Heavenly Father letting him know that I would be ok with whatever His Will was.

I am so grateful for the week that I had with Thomas. His hospital room became a sacred place where we could feel his spirit and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Maybe this just happens for all parents, but being near him and feeling of his valiant spirit made me want to be better. To become more like my Savior.

I wonder what things Thomas learned his short week on earth. He definitely experienced pain and suffering and I cannot help but think that he was willing to endure those things to fulfill his mission on earth.

I will not know all the good Thomas was able to achieve here on earth but have already seen how his life has impacted many. I know because of my sweet Thomas I am forever changed and hope I can lead a life as a true disciple of Christ.

It brings me great joy to consider the positive impact that our Thomas may have had on friends and family and I feel honored to be his mother as I feel he has taught me more than I will ever be able to teach him.

I also am grateful for the power of prayer and the ability for each of us to receive revelation. Heavenly Father truly has let Stephen and I know that Thomas was needed on the other side and that he has a great work to do.

I am grateful for the Restored Gospel and that we live at a time when the priesthood is on the earth. I am grateful for the sealing power that binds our family, for the great Plan of Happiness that will allow each of us to be with Thomas again one day. I know that Jesus Christ lives and I am so grateful for His sacrifice, because of Him we can have hope.

Thank you again for your love, prayers and support. What a sweet thought to consider that our Thomas is “In His Constant Care” and I think standing beside our Savior inviting others to accept the sweetness that the gospel brings.”
 

In His Constant Care By: Simon Dewey

We all have difficult experiences and at times you may feel utterly alone, but he is there. Your Savior Jesus Christ is always there, willing and waiting to comfort you as you turn to him. He has felt all your pain, suffering and sorrow and because of this knows perfectly how to heal your heart. 

 -Danielle