Karly's Blessing

Today Karly was blessed in church. It was a last minute decision that we made at the end of church last week. We chose to do it sooner rather than later because Karly is a big girl and she just continues to grow. I wanted her to wear the dress that I was blessed in as well as Kate. I was afraid if we waited much longer the dress wasn't going to fit. Not a really good reason to choose your child's blessing date but oh well. I was also a little disappointed that we wouldn't have any family there with us. Anyway as we were waiting through the announcements to be over so we could bless her the Bishop went right to the Sacrament. Cory and I looked at each other a little confused wondering what was going on. Cory decided to go up during the Sacrament hymn and ask the Bishop if they had forgotten. Turns out the guy Cory spoke with last week about setting the blessing up for today forgot to let the bishopric know. Oops! It was no big deal after the Sacrament was finished they called Cory up to give the blessing. In the circle Cory had asked Jason Smart (a school friend), David Burstedt (a school friend), our previous bishop, Bishop Prescott who was just released last week, and a friend Scott Swendson to participate. Right before Cory and Karly were to go up the to stand Karly got the hiccups and was getting fussy and I started to worry that she wasn't going to cooperate. She did, and Cory gave a beautiful blessing. Later I was standing in the hall waiting to go into Young Women's and David walked past. I gave him a quick thank you

for standing in to bless Karly. He said "sure I was happy to do it." "She was so peaceful during the blessing, I was watching her and she was staring straight up as if she was looking at something, probably angels." My eyes filled with tears and my mind immediately went to my little niece, Teagan who's sweet little spirit was only on earth a very short time. Teagan and Karly were only going to be a few months apart and I have no doubt in my mind that they were best little buds before they came to earth along with their little cousin Kyle. I also thought of my grandparents who have passed away and Cory's grandmother as well. Here I was worried that we weren't going to have family with us when in reality we had family all around us. It comforts me to know that heaven isn't so far away and if we live righteously the veil can become thin and we can feel the presence of our loved ones. I am so grateful to know that we can live with our families forever. Today has been an emotional, spiritually fulfilling day. It is days like today that I am thankful for the Gospel in my life to remind me what the purpose of this life is all about.