I feel very blessed when I am able to sense of God’s reality and love. I realize that obedience to God’s laws helps us draw closer to Him. But I have also learned that the desires of my heart are very important in allowing me to feel close to God. I don’t envision God making a tally on His clipboard of my good deeds and letter-of-the-law obedience. Rather, I envision God looking at my heart and myopically overseeing my imperfect efforts to obey. May He help me in trying to keep the desires of my heart in the right place. 

Wednesday, many of our office staff attended the viewing for Nellie who passed away recently at the young age of 24. She battled long and hard with her weakened body until her time arrived. Her spirit lives on and she now rests from her mortal trials and tribulations. This peaceful image was taken at the mortuary, the night of Nellie’s viewing. 

Jilly has been my right hand at work for many years but she was on vacation this week. Brady helped me on Wednesday. When I showed up for work, Brady was donning a “Jilly-esk” hair do and a homemade name tag reading “Jilly” to help me feel at home. A silly gesture for sure, but I love that Brady could bring some fun to her work duties. 

It was great to spend the day with Michael on his 25th birthday. We let him take his pick at lunch and dinner with almost all options on the table. Where did he want to go for lunch? Panda Express, of course! Wouldn’t you pick Panda?

I want to give out a shout of thanks to the Iversons who “took us in” on our recent visit to Boise. Jared and Richard were in the mission field together in Brazil and have remained close friends over the past 13 years. Sunday morning we attended church with the Iversons and then had a wonderful meal at their home before our flight out. After dinner, Truly wrapped Dad around her little finger long enough to get this fun memory.