Leavi's Patriarchal Blessing and Family fun!

First of all, Don't ya love the look on Leavi's face? My camera was running out of battery so I couldn't re-take the shot but she was just being funny:) Secondly, this was not a totally planned occasion but it turned out so wonderful! Andrea and Bryan were going to bless Enoch at 10am and then Robert and I and our children were to head back to our ward for church and then off to Leavi's blessing at 5pm.( Andrea and her family were sick so the baby blessing was cancelled:( Quincy suggested that her family and dad come to our ward(totally awesome!) and have dinner then the plan was for dad to come with Robert and I to Leavi's Patriarchal blessing. Wallen and Quincy , graciously, made dinner( thank you and might I add it was delicious!) while we went to the blessing. At the Patriarch's home we sat and chatted for a while about his calling and he told us how he is the Lord's mouthpiece in order to give a one time blessing that is considered personal scripture for the recipient. Anyone who is a member of the church that feels ready to receive their blessing can have one. Usually you only get one blessing( in some rare cases 2 are given) and it is the only blessing that is recorded and sent to Salt Lake City to be kept as a permanent record. The patriarch then proceeded to give the blessing. Leavi and I had gone fasting so we both felt the spirit very strongly! I have never felt such a powerful witness of the truth in my 15 years( I have had many witnesses but not such OVERWHELMINGLY strong ones)! It was so overwhelming I just kept crying the whole blessing. I felt so in tune with what was being said and every word engraved itself in my mind. The patriarch , himself , was weeping at times. The blessing was so AMAZING and humbling for me to witness! Afterward, the Patriarch visited with us for a few minutes where he told us , teary eyed, that Leavi, was indeed, a very, very special young woman. He did not recall all that was said but that the feelings he had were powerful. I have such gratitude for this gift! I am grateful that Leavi and I were so prepared to witness such a manifestation of the spirit! I feel so grateful that the Patriarch , as well, was so humble and prepared to be the Lord's mouthpiece to administer Leavi's Patriarchal blessing.

It is times like these that I am grateful to be the mother of such wonderful and incredible children. I am humbled that Heavenly father trusted me enough to send them to my care! I am so excited to watch them grow and fulfill their callings here on Earth! It really puts this life into perspective for me when I get to be a part of such sacred and intensely spiritual experiences. I love the Lord and feel so much peace knowing that He has given us these gifts to guide us through this life. We are not here alone just living a meaningless life with no purpose. We each have a divine purpose and special gifts for our Father in Heaven and He loves us and misses us so dearly!

It is wonderful to have family around to meet together and share time with each other! I am grateful that Robert's dad came to our home and shared in Leavi's blessing. I wish we could have been more prepared to have all the family that lives here over for the time but it worked out so nicely to have this small gathering, though Tim, Danika, Jon, Julie, Bryan, Andrea and their families were all missed:)