ENJOY IT: April 2010

Well, I guess this isn't the most exciting thing to post about, but it is definitely a memory I don't want to ever forget. This weekend was the funeral services for my beloved Grandpa, William Grant Bangerter. I am sure most of you have heard, as he was a WONDERFUL man, who dedicated his life to the service of the Lord. You can see an article about him in the Deseret Newshere. This article just scratches the surface of everything he accomplished and everything he was.

We had the wonderful opportunity to all be together as a family. With 65 Grandchildren and 67 Great Grandchildren (so far...) this was a huge reunion! Every cousin was there, excluding those who are serving missions. We rallied together to show our great love and respect for this wonderful man. On friday night, there was a viewing, and it was divided up into several sections. There was the family viewing, and then there was a General Authority viewing (because grandpa was an ameritus General Authority) and there was a missionary viewing, and finally the public viewing. Well Grandpa was so well loved in his lifetime, that for several hours, the entire cultural hall was completely filled, with a line about 5 people deep wrapping around the whole hall and out the door. It was so wonderful to see so many people who loved my grandfather so much, and wanted to show their love for our family.

It was an incredible experience, because we got to meet a few apostles, and most importantly Pres. Uchtdorf and Pres. Monson. I had the pleasure of meeting Elder Hales, Elder Oaks, Elder Scott. Elder Perry came after I had left (to pick up my brother in law from the airport, I might add!). Of course, everyone wanted to meet them, and so it was just for a brief moment that I got to shake their hands and look into their eyes, and feel of their spirit. When Pres. Monson came, you can imagine the reaction. Of course, all of the cousins gathered around, and it was so neat to see his love for Grandma. He put his arm around her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Pres. Monson loves and reveres both Grandpa and Grandma so dearly, and it was sweet to see his care of her. (As a quick side note, While grandpa was in the ICU, Pres. Monson took the time out of his busy life to come and spend about an hour with Grandpa and Grandma, and gave Grandpa a blessing, of which we all now have a copy. What a sweet and tender time that was for Grandma, as he showed his love for both of them. That is another long story though... :D).

Well I was holding my niece, Ella, and my sister Megan had told her that the Prophet was coming tonight, and that she might be able to meet the prophet! Of course Ella, who is 5, was so excited to hear that! We lined up to talk to the Prophet, all the while Ella was whispering in my ear that she wanted to tell Pres. Monson that she loved him. He kept getting closer and closer, and interacting so sweetly with all of my cousins. Finally as he was passing Ella and I, he stopped and said, "Well, look at this pretty little blonde girl!" and smiled at her. I smiled at him and said, "Pres. Monson, Ella has something she would like to tell you". She was pretty shy, but finally she said, "I love you Pres. Monson!" He laughed and said, "I love you too! Can I give you a kiss?" and he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. Then he said, "I am going to go home and tell my wife that I kissed a pretty girl today!". It was such a sweet experience that I will never forget!

I know this is getting wordy, but I have so much to share. If you are getting bored, you can skip down to the pictures at the end :D.

We all went again to the viewing on Saturday morning, which was in the basement of the Alpine Tabernacle, and enjoyed our last sweet moments with Grandpa. After the family prayer, we all went up, and the Grandchildren sat up in the choir seats. It was a remarkable service! The talks were all sweet and tender, and I can't wait to get a recording of the service. Aunt Julie shared some sweet moments that she had recently with Grandpa, and I can't wait to reread those precious words. All of the grandchildren sang a hymn arrangement of "O, Home beloved where ere I wander" and "Hark all ye Nations". It was so wonderful! My sisters and I had the wonderful opportunity of also singing "Still with thee", one of Grandpa's favorite songs. He said that this song was sung by the Tabernacle choir the morning that his Father died, and it had always been one of his favorites. I was honored to share that last message with him. Elder Scott spoke last, and read a letter from the first Presidency to Grandma, and also shared some comforting thoughts with us!

After a nice big lunch, we headed up to the Cemetery in Murray where Grandpa was buried next to Mildred, his first wife, and his daughter who died at birth, Mildred Elizabeth. Grandma and Grandpa Hamblin (Grandma's parents) are also buried right next to them. It was sweet to be apart of those services, and to feel of the spirit. I am so grateful to be apart of this wonderful family, and I can't wait to learn more about my Grandpa's life, and live up to his name. I am grateful for eternal families, and that I know I can see Grandpa again soon. I know he is in such a wonderful place now, and is working hard to build the kingdom on the other side. What a wonderful man!

Now for the pictures:

Sisters... we've been crying a bit!