A Special and Sacred Day

Sunday, January 9, 2010 was a very eventful day for our family. Mike was put in as second counselor in the Bishopric and Karrie received her Patriarchal Blessing.  Karrie had been asking for her Patriarchal Blessing for awhile but Mike and I wanted to be sure she was ready. We finally felt like she was! She reads her scriptures faithfully and has turned into a very spiritual young woman! We went to Patriarch Saunders home for her blessing.  My Dad, Grandpa and Grandma Jones and Ashley as well as Mike and I were present for her blessing. The spirit was overwhelmingly strong! I knew that all of our family that have passed on were there! I especially felt my Granddaddy Wilkerson, Grandmother Wilkerson and my Mother there! I KNOW that they would not have missed this special day! Karrie was so touched by the spirit and could not stop crying after her blessing.  I won't share all the sacred details, but I will tell you that I felt so strongly how much Heavenly Father loves Karrie.  He really let her know how much He loves her and how special she is to Him through this blessing! Actually, I could feel love for Karrie from everyone in that room, even from my Mother and Grandparents! I am so proud of Karrie! She is so sweet and loving! I am so thankful that she was sent to Mike and I! I love you so much Karrie!
We have church at 9am, so since my Dad, Grandpa and Grandma Jones were coming up for Karrie's blessing (which was at 1pm), they all came to church with us to see Mike sustained as a High Priest and 2nd counselor in the Bishopric.  They came to all our meetings with us, and after church Mike's Father ordained Mike a High Priest and then Mike was set apart as 2nd counselor in the Bishopric. Mike has served as Executive Secretary to Bishop Kennedy for 3 years. Bishop Kennedy loves Mike and has been so good to our family! He came to my Mother's funeral and has been a very supportive and caring Bishop! He is a wonderful man and we both love him very much! Mike is excited to serve with him! After Mike got called, I reminded him of what my Grandmother Wilkerson kept telling him when she was alive, she kept saying over and over that she knew without a doubt that Mike would be in the Bishopric someday. Maybe that explains why I felt her very strongly in the room when Mike was being set apart. I know my Grandmother was making herself known! I know like at Karrie's Patriarchal Blessing, that many of our family members from beyond the veil were there to support our family! I know without a doubt that my Mother would not have missed any of our special day! I want Mike to know how much I love him, how proud I am of him, and how thankful I am for him! It was truly a special and sacred day for our family, and one we will always remember!

Grandpa Shaw, Karrie, Grandma Jones, Grandpa Jones.

Mike and his parents.

Christmas Day 2010

On Christmas morning, Ashley woke up around 6am. She went into Karrie's room to wake her up first. Then they came into our room and Mike and I told them to let us sleep until 7am.  We spent the morning opening our presents from Santa and each other. Some of the presents Karrie received: Nintendo DSI, Animal Crossing game for the DSI, Halo Reach game for the x-box, Barnes and Noble gift card, Itunes gift card, various books, a Nutcracker, etc. Some of the the presents Ashley received: Nintendo DSI, Dairy Queen Blizzard Maker, Barbie and Ken from Toy Story 3, Barnes and Noble gift card, Alice in Wonderland game for the DSI, a Nutcracker, etc. Bonnie and Mike received a new washer and dryer and a water softener.
We headed up to Grandpa and Grandma Jones for breakfast with the family around 9:30 am. It was a fun day hanging out with our family. We came back home around 2:30 pm and Bonnie and Mike were able to take naps! It was a fun Christmas!

Ashley before opening her presents.

Karrie before opening her presents.

Cindy, Kelli, Josh and Karrie. Playing the traditional "Candy Bar" game.

Having fun playing the "Candy Bar" game.

Megan, Nicole and Cindy.

Grandpa and Grandma Jones and all the grandchildren (except Landon who is on a mission) and one great granddaughter.

Christmas Eve 2010

This year we spent Christmas Eve at Amy's house with her family and my Dad and Faye. In the past, our family tradition was to spend Christmas Eve at my Mother and Father's home. Since things have changed, Amy and I decided to take turns having it at our homes. Amy and I fixed dinner that included ham, potatoes, rolls, creamed corn, eggnog pie, cookies and punch.  Amy had made a cake and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. The kids opened presents and then we played the "Candy Bar" game and did puzzles. When Mike, the girls and I arrived home, the girls were tired and went to bed. It was definitely a different Christmas Eve then in the past when we spent it with my Mother and my Grandparents, but Amy and I will try to have Christmas Eve together for as long as we can! It was good to be with family and remember the true meaning of Christmas!

Mike is hiding his face in this picture!

A Christmas Tree for Grandmommy

My sister Amy bought a Christmas tree for my Mother's grave and thought it would be fun for some of the Grandkids to decorate it. We met Amy on Sunday, December 19th at my Mother's grave. The girls were really excited to decorate a tree for Grandmommy Shaw! Elizabeth was asleep in the car so Katelynn, Ashley and Karrie decorated the little tree. I know that my Mother is not there, only her mortal body. However, I know she knows that her Granddaughters and Daughters were doing this to show her how much they love her! It meant so much to the girls to do this for their Grandmommy whom they all miss so much! Katelynn said " Mamma will love this when she comes alive!" Amy and I explained that she is alive and she knows and loves that we are doing this for her! Merry Christmas Mother! We love you and miss you very much!!!

Karrie decorating the tree.

Ashley and Katelynn decorating the tree.

A ornament with a cardinal.  My Mother loved cardinals because they reminded her of South Carolina!