The Hope of the Resurrection

A post of a paper I wrote for a school - October 24, 2012

This may seem like a topic better suited for Easter, But the hope of the resurrection is a topic that permeates my life every day, not just something that I think about on Easter. It is a truth that I hold dear to my heart.... especially on this day - The year anniversary of my oldest sister, Rochelle, who passed away from Breast Cancer.  but honestly I'm not only thinking of Rochelle, this topic also makes me think of my Grandpa and Grandma S (my dad's parents), two dear friends who each lost a mother (one from breast Cancer, and the other from out of nowhere), a sweet girl in my ward who lost her husband, and my husband's uncle Mike. And anyone who has lost a loved one.

(Something I wrote for my class about family crisis and how they can become opportunities.) 

My oldest sister Rochelle was diagnosed with Breast cancer in October of 2007. She went through so many chemo rounds, two brain tumors, a hysterectomy, loss of hair many times, radiation and everything that goes. She passed away just over a year ago, October 24, 2011. My entire family (all six girls and my parents) were able to be there in my sisters room her last two weeks of life. Was it painful to watch such a vibrant feisty mother of three and beautiful wife waste away while she couldn’t hardly move and could hardly communicate? Absolutely. Was it one of the most spiritual and uniting experiences for my entire family? Absolutely. Why? Because of our faith in Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Because of the Word of God written in scripture that brings awareness of where she was going and what she would be feeling.

“Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. (Alma 40:11)”

 Our beliefs were no linger beliefs but knowing. We knew she would be whole and reunited with other family (namely my sweet grandfather). We had each other, all of us there to help support and lean on each other. There were tears and laughter, often together. When she finally left this world on the 24^th we did not stop ourselves from grieving but we also haven’t stopped knowing. Although it was such a huge loss for everyone, particularly my mother, Rochelle’s husband Ryan and her three young children, we will not deny how it brought us together as a family. 

The Hope of Resurrection. 

To truly understand the Resurrection we must search the scriptures and understand the Atonement as well. I have read these passages before and they are so wonderful, the absolute love that God has for his children! I have said before that I don't feel like much of a writer but I love videos and the impact they can have.

A Hopeless Dawn by Frank Bramley

 President Thomas S Monson admired this painting and his heart went out to the hopeless feelings the two women had in realizing that the mother’s son and the woman’s husband was lost at sea. When we lose a loved one it can be a hopeless and wrenching feeling. Feelings of mourning are natural and good and God does not tell us not to weep (think of the Savior weeping at the loss of Lazarus a dear friend). There have been many tears. Usually, they have been tears of missing my sister.

The Hope of the Resurrection is that we may see our loved ones again! All will be resurrected because Christ broke the bands of death. In the resurrection death has lost its sting. 

I so grateful for this truth. This is the happiest announcement in the history of life

“Why seek ye the living among the dead?

“He is not here, but is risen.” (Luke 24:5–6).

President Thomas S. Monson said

“The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again.”

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made live.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)

Revelation chapter 21, verse 4: ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’

Popper's Popping!

Papa and Nana Visit

This post should have come before our surprise visit to home.
We miss having Emilee and Mark living so near us for oh too many reasons to say!!!! tipo will randomly call out his cousins' names when we leave the house. Maybe thinking we'll finally go visit them? And Rylee needs a baby in arms...the girls would finally outnumber the boys! And having a sister (in-law) around was very nice, especially one so creative as Emilee. There is another reason not having family here is sad.... People don't come to visit nearly as often. Which, I can understand, it's hard to fit a clan of people in a two bedroom apartment - as opposed to a house with a basement.
But we were very lucky to have visitors recently. My parents (papa and nana) come visit us the weekend before we went home.We spent all day Friday with them.
We ate watermelon in front of our apartment while Papa showed Joseph his cool new smart phone by having him watch the opening scene to Lion King and the ever sensational gummy bears music video! My parents pulled out the tubs and bags of hand-me-downs for the kids. They enjoyed digging through them and begging to change clothes. Rylee enjoyed the animal winter hats and Joseph made sure everyone knew they were hers (his head was a little too big for them). Parents coming into to town is always nice, especially when they take you out to eat.... a rare occasion. They took us to Applebees (One of my favorite restaurants, the Oriental Chicken Salad is A-MAZ-ING, and the dressing? Although maybe not healthy it is what makes the salad!) I was a little nervous though because Cody and I have gone maybe twice in our marriage and he wasn't all that impressed. But I'm happy to say he enjoyed him some ribs!
Afterwards we did a bit of shopping (us girls anyways, the boy guys!). My mom likes to spend money! (But she is also VERY good at getting good deals) so maybe some of us just happened to get some much needed clothing! Thanks!
Then we took my parents on a tour of Campus. They have never been to this campus so that was fun to show them around. We went through the Bookstore and my dad bought chocolate covered cinnamon bears. Have you ever had one? They are so yummy! It was my first time and I am hooked. Now you know  why I have such a sweet tooth! We also got to see a bit of the Olympic Opening Ceremony on the TV's in the store (without sound).
All summer long they have a sort of Youth Conference on Campus, with new groups of kids every week. And this particular week on this particular night they were having a dance in the courtyard of one of the buildings so we sat outside and listened to the music and talked. My dad is a leader over the young men in his area for our church and recently they had their own smaller youth conference. At their dance, my dad was telling us, they did this cool choreographed dance to this crazy fun song. Well, that song came on and suddenly all the kids started dancing this dance to this song! My dad got really excited and rushed over to watch it. It was great. That calling is good for him. He was called to it after just recently retiring as a teacher for 6th and 7th grade Math and Science. He's good with kids.
My parents got to be there as we got the kids ready for bed, I really enjoyed that. And I really enjoyed just watching my kids interact with their papa and nana.
Sometimes when we go home or when multi people come to visit it's hard to just enjoy time with your parents. This was one of those nice alone times. I loved it.
Come visit more often Mom and Dad!

Nap time! Actually my dad took a power nap and Joseph just wanted to copy him!

New Jammies

Surprise Trip Home!

We decided to go home to visit our families. We went a different way, by the Salt Flats. It was only supposed to be and hour out of the way, but it ended up being FOUR hours out of the way (lots of construction in Nevada)! But we'd never seen the flats so that was fun...and very pretty! It was a nice visit, although I felt so pooped the WHOLE time. That could be because it was was over 100 degrees most days! SO awful! We couldn't even open our windows at night. My sister Bailey also came into town for a school reunion so I was able to see her too. So me and two of my sisters went through the temple together it was very nice! Unfortunately my camera died half way through the trip, I took some pictures with my moms camera, so she has them. We gave Joseph a Hair cut while we were there. But I messed up so Cody cut it into a Mohawk. Jojo's hair only lasted like that for two days and then we buzzed it.

The Salt Flats

"The sun is in my eyes!"

That fixed that problem! What a Problem Solver!

Trying to keep entertained.

Dancing to music... he looks so enthusiastic...

Peek-a-boo

Four kids in a tub

Riding around on a plastic sheet is fun. 'Nuff said.

Papa and Ry looking at videos on Papa's new phone.

Notice Jojo's mohawk? 

Ry... with a tin can on her head....

Birthday lunch and Cole

Two stories that are connected to Rochelle that I wanted to share.

Halloween is my dad's birthday and every year Rochelle would go to my dad's school and bring balloons and pizza and have lunch with him. Since she can't really do it anymore and just about everyone was in town still we all went down and had lunch with him. Funny thing though. He told us his lunch hour but when we got there my dad told us he still had one more class to teach before lunch. I guess Monday schedule is different from the rest of the week, so we got to sit in on one of his classes which was lots of fun!

The day after Rochelle passed Cole decided he would still go to school (awesome kid!) and after school was also his football teams last game. Cole goes of my dad's school in Burbank and had my dad as a teacher last year and this year, and my dad coaches Cole's Football team, so it was my dad's last game too. Cole made a touchdown and their team won...their only game they won. I think that is so great. And it was the only game I got out to go see.

My Oldest Sisters Funeral

My grandma and grandpa are very near where Rochelle was buried. I put carnations from Rochelle's casket on their headstone.

All the girls.

All 10 grandsons. Wearing pink.

We did a Balloon release

To Rest

My sister passed away last night after the kids went to bed. It was also her daughter Kamden's birthday. But we aren't too sad by this, it's sort of a special day for them both and Ryan said in years to come they can celebrate her birthday and then go take flowers to Rochelle's grave. We are all surprisingly doing well and at peace. I find comfort in thinking of all the people she is seeing again. Our grandpa and grandma and so many others. Her life and death is a great example to the rest of us to learn what she lived so well, to serve others. In serving others we come to be more fulfilled the way she is now in the spirit world.

I am making a slideshow for my sisters funeral and in going through all her pictures i found this! Me and Rochelle on a camping trip. I've NEVER seen this before. And now, obviously, it is one of my favorites.

http://rolumpybreast.blogspot.com/

I got to see my sister Rochelle today. It was nice because I haven't seen her since before her surgery . ( for those that don't know, she had a new type of surgery to remove two tumors from her brain, two weeks ago). They have moved her from the hospital to her home for hospice. She is more comfortable there, although I know she liked the hospital because they could control her pain better, but I think they have her pretty comfortable at home. They put a hospital bed in but she just lays on her bed because the hospital bed is so uncomfortable. I know, I layed on it.

My sister Chauntel is down here to help out at Rochelle's house (lucky her! She's in a position that she can do that right now, and it is so helpful). My sister's friend Danielle and her sister came over to take last family pictures of the family. Kendall put Rochelle's makeup on. We were busy putting together outfits for everyone. The theme was black white and grey with a bit of pink. They turned out really good, even though Rochelle was coming in and out of it a little bit, they are such a beautiful family. I was getting emotional when they were doing pictures of just Rochelle and Ryan. He was kissing her cheek and then they would kiss. It was very tender. I love my brother-in-law. Rochelle and Ryan got married when I was Ten! I consider him a brother, and I know he treats Rochelle SO good and I really liked observing that tender moment. When I first found out there was nothing more the doctors could do for Rochelle, well honestly I wasn't that shocked, but obviously upset, but I think I might have been a little in denial I kept thinking, oh she could still get better. And I didn't know what to tell people, especially since my sister and brother-in-law were also not ready to 'give up'. But they aren't giving up, that's what's so great about the gospel! I'm so glad I know about the Plan of Happiness (what a great name) because I know she will go to paradise and not feel anymore pain and she is sealed to Ryan and to her children, and I will get to see her again. So now I am ready to say- My oldest sister may not make it to Halloween, and I am sad and scared for her family, but I am also happy for her. She is a wonderful sister, wife, mother, daughter, and friend. And so strong! I think there is no denying she is the strongest in our family. Cody and I were laying in bed a couple of nights ago and he said "Rochelle's a very Christ-like person, isn't she." He told me about how when we first saw their family one of the first things Rochelle asked him was how his back was (which had been hurting him really bad for awhile), and here she is with Cancer and having her own pains and a million other things to deal with.

Time with my family

Some fun family activities with my family! The wedding was the primary focus of Cody's family. And at the S family my sister Chauntel was in town so here's what we did with them!!! A walk through Zintel Canyon! we swung on a rope and took lots of family type pictures!!!! On Sunday Uncle Paul and Daniel visited while on their fishing trip. Then after we decided to stay an extra day we went to Hermiston and swam at the public pool!