Together Forever

I've been watching a lot of old home movies. I've been spending the last couple of days converting the VHS tapes to DVD. This morning I came across footage I had never seen before. It was December 9, 1990. We were all at the airport early in the morning wearing heavy coats and solemn expressions. Dad was getting ready to deploy to Saudi Arabia for six months.

It was a somber occassion. We walked with Dad through the airport; April with her arm around Dad and I had my arm around Mom. We sat in the terminal together not saying much but just together. Then it came time for Dad to board the plane. He hugged my grandma whose husband had passed away earlier that year, then little Paul, who was about to turn eight, stood on a chair to give him a big bear hug. Next he lifted me to give me a hug and kiss. He embraced each of his children in turn, giving us kisses, offering last minute words of counsel and farewell and very occassionaly wiping a loose tear that would escape despite his best efforts to stay strong. Then it was Mom's turn. They embraced for several long minutes, kissing and hugging and not wanting to part. All of us children (except Earl who was on his mission) were there watching and not saying a word as Mom and Dad prolonged the departure as long as possible.

And then he got on the plane and we all watched out the window silently as the plane took off.

As I watched this video with tears streaming down my face, I couldn't help but see the correlation between then and now. We all unwillingly prepare to say farewell, giving him as many embraces and kisses as we can, telling him how much he is loved, all the while prolonging that moment of departure as aggressively as possible.

I think about how hard it was for us to say goodbye for those long months he spent overseas. Dad missed Christmas and Paul's baptism, a few birthdays and taking Earl to the airport bound for Guatemala.

I was only a young girl but I can remember when Dad came home. I can still remember all the yellow ribbons and American flags that Mom hung in the yard. I can remember the Christmas tree decorated in red, white and blue and how we celebrated Christmas in July that year.

I'm sure there's a video I've yet to find of us greeting Dad at the airport when he returned. I can imagine the jubilation and celebrating that would be heard as he walked out of the gate to the screams of delight of his family. I'm certain we would see many tears of joy and endless hugs and kisses, and hear lots of laughter and story telling. The joy of his return far outweighing the ache of his departure.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not ready to say goodbye to my daddy. I do not want to have to give him that final embrace and I will gladly put it off for as long as possible, BUT I do know that there will come a day--it might feel like eternities until then as his misses Christmases and birthdays--but the day will come when we will be reunited. When the joyous celebration of our reunion will far outweigh the heartache and pain of his departure.

I belong to an eternal family. Tied together forever by the sealing power of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. It is thanks to Him that we are given the gift of Eternal Life. It is by coming to know and have faith in Him that we can receive confirmation for ourselves that this is possible. I have received that confirmation and I know it to be true. And I know my Dad knows it. Families are forever and we will be together again.

By the way, after sleeping for about two days straight, he woke up this morning and told me he loved me. He lifted his arm to give me a hug and was strong enough to keep me pinned to his chest when I tried to pull away :) I asked him how he is doing and he whispered, "I'm not complaining." He is not yet ready to say goodbye either.

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

Dad slept all day today. All day. He woke up momentarily for some medications and a few bites of food and he briefly opened one eye to look at me this afternoon but other than that, he slept and slept.

We talk to him while he's sleeping. We lay next to him, we give him hugs and kisses. Mom is always there by his side watching over him, making sure his oxygen is in correctly or wiping sweat off his brow.

But about an hour ago he woke up. It's these tender moments with him that we love so much. He jokes, he smiles, he laughs. He holds our hands, kisses and cuddles. It's moments like these that we will wait for all day.

Tonight his sweet Hailey (their first grandchild) was here by his side. He snuggled with her, kissed her and even tried to run his fingers through her hair. His fingers got stuck and we all laughed. So he offered to let Hailey run her fingers through his. Which she did. And we all laughed again.

We read scriptures together and then when it was time for family prayer we asked Dad who he would like to say it and he said he would.

Mom, Hailey, April and I were able to partake in the sweet spirit that was here as Dad said a humble prayer to our Heavenly Father tonight. Asking special blessings to be with those who are sick and those who need His comfort and offering sincere gratitude for the opportunity we have to be together with our family and those we love.

1 Nephi 1:20 - But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith...

God May Not Always Come When You Call...

But He will ALWAYS be on time.


I went to the hospital with Mom and Dad yesterday. Dad's platelets were low. Low is 115. Dad's were at 14. I witnessed what this looks like first hand.

He was admitted to his room around noon. By 2:00, his nose was bleeding; by 6:00, his shirt and sheets were covered in blood. The nurse started his transfusion at 9:00 PM.

Around 10:30, his nose was bleeding, his mouth was full of blood, the blood had dripped down and pooled in his neck and all over his sheets and I tried to clean him up. I used paper towel after paper towel but finally called the nurse for some help.

The nurse, her aid, my mom and I all worked to get the blood out of Dad's mustache and beard, out of his nose and his mouth.

Shortly thereafter, Dad was in a lot of pain because he was trying to go to the bathroom. His stomach was poking out on one side and it felt hard. My heart was breaking. I asked the nurse when they would be doing his soap suds enema and she said they wanted to wait until he had his platelets.

I gave my dad a big hug and kiss and left the hospital around 11:30. I never like leaving his side, especially when he is so weak and and hurting.

At around 1:45 AM my phone started ringing, I looked to see that it was my mom and panic settled over me. BUT it was Mom calling to tell me that our prayers had been answered. She was overjoyed because he had finally pooped! (She was especially grateful that this happened at the hospital so she didn't have to be the one cleaning up! Double blessings!)

She called me again around 2:00 AM just because she was so happy. She cried and said, "we tried everything, everything they could come up with and it wasn't until we asked everyone to 'pray for poop' that it finally happened. It's such a miracle! Please thank everyone for me!"

I just got off the phone with her again. They will be leaving the hospital in about half an hour. She said Dad looks much better and feels better but that he is very tired. She said that took a lot out of him (literally!). He is pooped out! (Sorry Dad)

Thank you all again for your prayers. They were answered! This is nothing short of a miracle and we all recognize that.

Alma 33:11 - And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou has been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy.

A Sunday Miracle

April and Rhett spoke in sacrament meeting today. Dad really wanted to be there especially since this was Rhett's first talk since being baptized a member of our church just five months ago. I was extremely concerned about him trying to leave especially after Friday's exhausting trip down the hallway. He had only gone about 30 feet by wheelchair and was so exhausted that he collapsed in Uncle Tim's arms and was gasping for breath for several minutes.

I thought a trip up the stairs into the car and all the way to church would be enough to overexert him completely.

I couldn't eat all morning and just kept praying for angels to be with him as he attempted to make it to church.

I truly believe my prayers were answered.

Mom got Dad dressed up nicely in his Filipino Barong and slacks and he asked to wear the war veteran ring that Rosie had recently given to him. He looked so handsome.

Earl came over and lifted Dad from his bed to his wheelchair then he and Paul with the help of Dad's brothers, Uncle Jay and Uncle Tim carried his wheelchair up the stairs. Earl lifted him again into the car.

As Mom was wheeling Dad into the church building, Dad leaned back to "steal a kiss" from his sweetheart. I couldn't help the tears of joy that filled my eyes as he entered the chapel. After Earl got him situated in the back row Dad called for him. Earl hurried back over to see what Dad needed and he simply said, "thank you."

I whispered to Dad that every person in that room loved him and had been praying for him.

It was a beautiful meeting. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house as April bore witness to the importance of temples and the sealing ordinances performed therein. Especially when she addressed Dad at the end of her talk saying: Dad, I am so grateful that you are here; not just here in church today but alive and with us. We will only be separated a short time and then be reunited once again because our family is forever!

Rhett gave an incredible talk about missionary work and his conversion to the gospel. He too addressed Mom and Dad saying, "and to my mother and father in law, the world's most amazing missionaries, who never preached to me out loud, who never made me feel like an outcast because of my unwillingness to conform, I strive to be more like you, you are the closest examples to Jesus in human form that I've known in this lifetime, and as I accept this new role as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I will always do my best to represent our faith just as you always have and still do."

We whisked Dad out of there during the closing hymn and got him safely back into his bed. He has been utterly wiped out all day. He finally just woke up about five minutes ago and remembers going to church today and hearing both their talks.

We are all so grateful for the prayers each of you have offered on our family's behalf. Thank you. I am especially grateful this Sabbath Day for my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have felt His loving arms encirling me and my family especially this week and undeniably today as I witnessed this miracle during church. I know that our family can be together forever and that when we endure our trials with faith, greater blessings await us in this life and the life to come.

I'll Build You a Rainbow

I always think of my dad when I see a beautiful sunset. I don't know if all of you know this about him, but he LOVES beautiful sunsets.

Tonight I saw this amazing rainbow stretching out over the sky. I took this picture with my phone so it doesn't do it justice. But I thought of Dad when I saw it.

I thought of the song and story "I'll Build You A Rainbow". It's a beautiful message reminding us of the eternal truth that families can be together forever.

I'm so grateful to be part of this amazing eternal family. It's harder than you can imagine for me to be so far from home, especially from Dad right now.

But it's comforting to know these things:

1. My dad is a fighter, a warrior and a survivor; he is strong and courageous and determined.

2. My mom is an angel; she is by his side providing support, comfort and love.

3. Families are forever.

I love you Rose Family! Stay strong Dad... I love and miss you so much.

Families Are Forever

Last night six of the seven of us Rose kids were at the hospital with Mom and Dad. The nurse allowed us all in his room and we circled around his bed and laughed, cried and prayed together. We reminisced fondly of the love that was always abundant in our home as we grew up and we expressed repeatedly the love we each felt for our wonderful parents and each other.

We are so grateful to know that our family is eternal. We have been witnessing miracles together and have felt the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ encircling us and comforting us through these trying times. We know that through His eternal plan, we will be together forever.

I am so grateful to be a witness of my Savior's love, mercy and tenderness. I have felt His love so strongly this week: through the embraces of loved ones, the assistance of complete strangers, the support of friends and the miracle of my Dad's strength through his surgery and trials.

I know that my Heavenly Father will continue to hear our prayers and the prayers of the abundance of people who care for my sweet dad and his family.