Reflections on Life and Death from a Funeral Today

Today I attended and participated in a funeral of one of best friend's little brother. I had known his family through my youth and we have brothers similar ages. My friend's brother was 21 years old, engaged and a good kid, in my memory. He had gotten in some rough places later in his youth, but was a kind and accepting young man. I am not certain of all the details but I believe that he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. He had been receiving treatment and was doing okay. Then one week ago the doctors realized that what they thought was not a concern was a hideous form of the disease which destroyed his body in a matter of days. He passed away last Friday.

I had not seen my friend in two years, I did keep in touch with him via email, but it was in-frequent. My friend is an outstanding man who was a great example and friend in my youth. In the last several years I have had several influential friends of my youth, slip away from activity in the Lord's work. This has always been painful in some ways, and I used to have great struggles as a young man understanding how such great youth, who served missions could fall away.

The longer I live I see that it is not that hard. Satan works so hard on us and things go slowly and piece by piece they/we turn from truth. I say 'we' because I do not consider myself one who this might not happen to. The elect faltering even for a time is a very real and common thing.

I guess I bring this up because of the feelings I have had today at the funeral. I see dear friends some remain in the fight enduring in Christ's name, others struggle. Yet, as I pray and contemplate life and it's purpose, seeing so much pain and suffering and yet, such gratitude, strength and love, it all just seems clear.

I have not lost a close friend or relative for that matter, but this was a sobering time to see my friends little brother's body, lifeless in a coffin. To see the tears shed and pain of loved ones. And yet in the same moments, seeing expressions of love, faith and hope as I have not felt before. In my soul I knew that Christ has broken the bands of death, that my friends and love ones will be together again in physical bodies that I will be able to hug and hold.

This made me reflect on my state in relation to God and my covenants, and those of my family and friends. When I pass on and meet them in the next life what type of a reunion will it be? I wonder if I would not have some of the same feelings I had today. A care and concern and love for them. Gratefulness for their friendships and examples. Will I rejoice in their enduring well the faith of Christ? Will they still be my brothers in Christ? Will this make me love them less if they have struggled, I hope not. For such would put me in a much worse state then they.

When I saw my old friends today I felt a mix of emotions, but for each I felt a continued love and hope for them and myself to be faithful. Did I do call I could to love and support them is a question I often ask. I received an email from another old friend who thanked me for my friendship and example. It was very touching and uplifting. I have written in my personal history thoughts about my funeral and epitaph and what I want to be remembered for. I recall stating that I hope to be remembered as one who loved and served others, espically his family. One who was faithful in Christ and would lead others home to our Father In Heaven.

Today at this funeral, I saw a young man's body which was lifeless, but I felt his spirit and rejoiced in his goodness. Though I had not seen him since he was a boy I knew that he lives on and it was an honor to remember the good and wonderful about this young man. One of my dearest friends little brothers, who I will see and embrace, just as I did his mother, family members and my old friends today!

Resolutions and Testimony

First, I have been thinking a great deal about my life, where I am at and where I am going. The New Year is a good time for that. The word resolution has come to mind, and this is a definition: 1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination, 2. A resolving to do something, 3. A course of action determined or decided on, 4. A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the U.S. Congress.

So as I have thought about possible New Year's resolutions I recalled how at church on Sunday, there were powerful testimonies shared about gratitude for the last decade. This made me think that perhaps pondering and reflecting upon my blessings can help me in making new resolution. So in that spirit I wish to add my own testimony to those who bore theirs:

I am grateful for the great mercy and kindness shown by my Father in Heaven throughout my life and in he last decade. Because of the love of Christ I have been able to repent, change and become a better man. I have had peace in times of darkness and found hope in despair.

I am thankful that I have been blessed with a beautiful family especially Brooke. She has shown the greatest love and support of me in my struggles and been patient with me. She is an amazing mother and she makes me want to be better. I am thankful also for my own parents, family and relatives. For their love support and goodness.

I am grateful the Lord has blessed me to obtain an education, find a career and have dear friends and mentors through those school years. I am grateful we have always had enough to spare to provide for our needs and help others around us.

I know that Christ lives today, that he is aware and concerned about each of us and that if I seek him I will find him.

I guess that is my hope this year. That I might draw closer to Christ. For I know if I do this I will draw closer to all those around me also.

Happy New Year!

Well we're back and using this blog site for the foreseeable future. We had a wonderful Christmas, which included: acting out the nativity on an outdoor stage in Calgary (that's not us in the picture), having Brooke's mom Cindy and her husband Tom staying with us from Idaho and having Christmas in our own home for the first time in our 9 year marriage!

We also shared new years with the gilchrist family and pulled a 24 hour sleepover party and games day! It was awesome... we ate, played and slept a little. We have been in Calgary for 5 months now... it is amazing to think about all that has happened in the last year, not to mention what has happened in the last decade!

Looking forward to a new year with family and friends and pray the Lord's blessings to be with us all.

Marc

In with the old, out with the new. Website switch II

After much thought we have decided to stick with the website our good buddy kevin has done. It has some cool features, not all the ones I want but I am also learning how to do some design while here in bed. So, please join us at our permanante site

http://marcandbrooke.logisity.com/Default.aspx

Marc G.

Dancin Aden

BLAM BLOG II

Well after years of good service from my old friend Kevin W. and his website I thought I would give Blogger a try.  It's kinda weird to just try and start anew but perhaps I can do this best with a picture or two of us taken recently and a quick readers digest summary of the BLAM life.

We are living in Orem Utah while I am getting my Master of Social Work degree.  Brooke is a beautiful mother to our two boys and works one days a week as a Dental Hygienist.  Aden is 4 and Lincoln will be a year old this month.  I will be in Atlanta GA this summer doing an internship with LDS Deseret Industries, Brooke and the boys will come out for the last month and a 1/2.  I will graduate April 09 (1 Year) and then hopefully back to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.