Thinking of the Manuela's...

This is my favorite picture of Jolyn, I will forever think of her this way with the sun glowing on her, she was so happy that trip, I think she looks absolutely gorgeous.

The last day or two have been difficult, my heart goes out to the Manuela family. Jolyn after many months (really, years) of struggling has passed away. I have such mixed feelings, I have to be honest I'm really so happy for Jolyn. I'm so happy she doesn't have to be in pain anymore, she doesn't have to wear her oxygen mask, she doesn't have to be stuck at home, and be exhausted all the time. In that same breath, I'm so sorry for her family and that we won't get to see her beautiful smiling face--atleast for a little while. I know she is doing great things on the other side this very moment! Although death is just the other part of life, that doesn't make it easy, I am just SO grateful for the knowledge of eternal families and the plan of salvation, I don't know how people get through things like this who don't know! Since everything happened yesterday, we decided we couldn't go on with our regular Mutual activities, so we would do some things to help the youth to cope or deal with this hopefully better. We had a big poster that we put some stickers and cute little words and things on, and made a big card to give to the family. And then we got some helium balloons and let people write on a tag a note or thought or whatever they wanted to Jolyn, and then we released them at the end of the night. The Bishop stood up and talked to the kids and shared some special experiences and what had happened, what he said was wonderful. Kerrilyn has a good friend thats a counselor, so she came and shared some idea's and thoughts with the kids of what they could do to feel better. After that, we just let the kids talk and cry and hug eachother, write in the card and leave their thoughts. Really it was nice to get to be together and love eachother. I hope it helped some of the youth deal with their feelings, and to be okay. Here's some of the pictures from last night. I really just wish there was something to do to help the family, I would in a second!

This is right before we let the balloons go, it was a neat thing to do, I'm glad Kerrilyn thought to do it.

This is Annie, I just love her so much. Annie is a "tom-boy"--very athletic, hard-working, "tough" but really deep down she is so tender hearted.

They're getting a lot higher now, they went surprisingly quickly.

At first we were just planning on the Young Women being together, but the Young Men stayed and participated with us, I'm so glad they did, it was very touching.

I'm so thankful for the things Bishop said and the sentiments he expressed to us, he watched the balloons for a long time.