Monday, January 24, 2011

Family is everything....

I have an amazing family. They are all so wonderful and I am so blessed to have them in my life. So while I sit here and procrastinate doing homework, wishing I was at home watching a movie with them, I thought I'd share a poem my extremely talented brother wrote.
Keep in mind he is a prodigy...he wrote this in 10 minutes at the hospital....brilliant.




The Wind Still Blows
By: Jake Ostler




The wind still blows,

The trees still sway,

The moon still comes up when the sun goes away,

Birds still sing,

Bells still ring,

Even though we think we’ll never be the same.



The stars still shine,

The flowers still grow,

Even though it doesn’t seem like the world can still go.



You can’t change the inevitable, but it sure can change you.



Things will always happen, both good and bad,

But you need to remember not to be sad. Because you know the plan.

You know in the end everything works out.



The snow still falls,

The pen will still write.

Though you miss him,

Everything’s alright.

He’s in a better place now.

Smiling down at you

Cheering you on in everything you do.



Though the times are rough

Life still goes on,

Music still plays,

Lights still turn on.



People will suffer, some will thrive,

But we need to move on if we want to survive.



So when it gets rough,

Like we know it will

We must remember

No matter how we feel

Life still goes on;



The wind still blows…

The trees still sway…

We will all live with him together someday

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

To the man that taught me how to be like Christ....


Dear Grandpa Jake,
Thank you for being a light in my world. Thank you for showing me how to love unconditionally, how to treat others with kindness, and never judge. Thank you for being a perfect example of what it means to be humble and Christlike. Thank you for loving me regardless of all my shortcomings. Thank you for raising my dad in the church and teaching him to be an amazing father just like you are. Thank you for always being there and for always staying happy. You were an example to me of everything I want to be. I love you more than words could ever express. Thank you for being the BEST grandfather a girl could ever have.
Miss you everyday!
Love with all my heart,
Em

I didn't think I could write this post, and even now sitting here typing it up I can't stop the tears from coming. I lost a man that is very dear to my heart this week and I have never experienced these emotions before. Of course just as Harry Potter said, "the ones we love never really leave us." I know that he will always be with me, it is hard to stop the selfish thoughts.
I am so HAPPY that he is with his friends and family right now, and most importantly the love of his life. I couldn't ask for more peace than that which comes with that knowledge. I am also very thankful for my wonderful amazing family that love and care about me. It has been an incredible opportunity to spend time with them and I hope we will do more of that.
I love my grandpa and am so glad I got to spend as much time with him as I did. He has been the greatest blessing in my life.


Here is his obituary.....
“Jake the Snake”


Our beloved Dad and Grandpa passed away peacefully on January 17, 2011, after suffering another major stroke. We know he is enjoying a beautiful reunion with our Mom and Grandma and is now free from the frustrating numbness on his right side.



Jake was born October 26, 1922 in Moroni, Utah to Earl Howarth and Serena Valdine Knapp Ostler. He was raised and attended school in Moroni where he played basketball and was the Senior Class President. He married his life-long sweetheart Alligee Elizabeth “Beth” Anderson on December 11, 1942 in the Manti Temple. Mom and Dad shared over 51 years of marriage before she passed away from cancer in 1994. Always an example of a worthy husband and father, Dad cared tenderly for mom during her illness and final years of life.

 
Jake served his country in World War II and later retired from the Army National Guard after over 30 years of combined service. He worked for 22 years in Granite School District schools before retiring in 1984.

 
Jake was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in many callings. After retiring, he and Beth served a mission to the Atlanta Georgia Temple where he was privileged to serve as a Sealer. Once home, he continued his temple service as an ordinance worker at the Jordan River temple for over 20 years. He possessed many Christ-like attributes and was kind to all he met.


Jake remained positive and happy even after suffering his first major stroke in 1998. He worked very hard to regain lost skills and was always trying to exercise the numbness out of his right side. His personality and charm made him a favorite wherever he went.


He is survived by his children: Virginia (Wally) Hendrickson – Taylorsville, Andy (Debby) – Midvale, Marvalyn Fronce – South Jordan, Gordon (Jill) - Salt Lake, Ron (Kaye) – Sandy, and a sister: Valdine Guptill – Oregon City, Oregon. 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.



Funeral services will be held at the River 3rd Ward, located at 10400 S. 1540 W. in South Jordan on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 11:00 AM. Friends may call on Friday, January 21, 2011 at the Memorial Mortuary on 5850 S. 900 E. from 6 – 8 PM, or at the chapel one hour prior to the services. Interment at the Moroni City Cemetery.



The family expresses sincere appreciation to the staff of IMC and Intermountain Hospice who provided great care to Jake and his family.





Saturday, January 8, 2011

Unto Every Nation...

It is no secret that I love to read! It is one thing that I don't get to do nearly often enough (atleast for my own enjoyment...textbooks do not count!!). I have made it a goal to do more non-school-related reading considering my list of books to read is about a mile long, no big deal :) However, every once in a while you come across a school book that you actually enjoy reading and don't mind when the chapter you are assigned is really long...
I am taking a class this semester called LDS History: International Church. The "textbook" we are reading is a book called Unto Every Nation by, Donald Q. Cannon and Richard O. Cowan.

I HIGHLY recommend reading this book! It is a brilliant way to look at the development of the church over the years!
Within the first few chapters are some real incredible stories of missionary work and miracles. It has already started to strengthen my testimony and I am not even that far into it. Trust me, this is one of those books that will be helpful in all aspects of life!
Don't be surprised if there are more posts about this, my new favorite, book.

P.S. If you hate to spend money, or don't have the money to spend on books (me!) I would be more than happy to let you borrow mine! After the semester ends, of course :)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Holiday Recap....

Christmas break was a much needed 2 week break! It was so nice to spend time with my family and awesome friends. As always I ate way too much food and got way too little sleep, but we had some good times. Here are some of the highlights....

Annual Temple Square Trip:








David Archuleta and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir:
oh and that really cool British actor guy ;)



David Archuleta and Michael York



Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day:
No pictures of Christams Eve....but it still continues to be one of my most favorite holiday traditions (even if I didn't win Christmas Bingo!)

Cousins....at Grandpa Stallings




We all got a book of parables that my grandpa has written. This was one of the best Christmas presents I received this year.

Speaking of presents....I was very spoiled this year just like always. Thanks to my parents and brothers for always giving me way more than I deserve!!

 Christmas day was finished off by watching Inception, which is a brilliant movie if I do say so myself. :) 





Annual Girl's Lunch:
Every year me and  my best friends all try to get together the day before Christmas Eve and have a little "lunch-catch-up-present-exchange" event. This year because our schedules were all so different we did it after Christmas. It was a fun time and it is always nice to hang with those girlies! We missed Carli very much!




New Years....Welcome 2011
Once again lacking in pictures.....none of New Years Eve. The night was filled with good food, games, and the cutest little kids ever!
New Years Day was the regular breakfast at Ihop, followed by bowling, then wii games, Inception, and more games.



This year has gone by so fast. I can't believe that I am already in the middle of my second year of college and time just seems to fly. I am grateful for all the experiences I've had and am looking forward to 2011 and all it has to bring...And now the wonderful carefree 2 weeks are over and it is back to school. I'm so glad I was able to have those couple of weeks to refresh and make great memories. Until we meet again Christmas :)