day three...

Sunday.
The farewell and open house.
Rachel's topic was Ether 12:12 For if there be no faith among the children of men god can do no miracle among them; wherefore he showed not himself until after their faith.
Her talk was beautiful. She shared various examples of those who exhibited faith, and therefore witnessed miracles. In closing she shared this:

When considering faith in Jesus Christ, it’s very important to know that faith is not wishing our own desires to take place. It’s not faith in what WE want to happen, it’s faith in Christ and what he, in his wisdom, wants or knows what NEEDS to happen. For example, many of you know that I lost my mother to cancer when I was 11. Near the end of her life my dad pulled me aside and told me that doctors had said that my mom would pass away either that day or the next. I couldn’t believe him. I wouldn’t believe him. I almost felt like my dad had given up and lost faith. I knew that the Lord could perform any miracle! And I truly believed at that point, that if my faith was strong enough, the Lord would bless my mom; and that she could still be healed and continue to live her life faithfully here on this earth. But that was not the case. My mom passed away the following day. I didn’t understand how the Lord could take such a significant being from this earth. She was a mother of 7 children, very strong in the church, and was constantly rendering selfless service to others. I felt as if my life was over. How could life go on without a mother? At that time I didn’t take into consideration the lord’s plan. I didn’t want to lose MY mom and so my faith consisted more of what I wanted to happen than the will of the Lord. After the death of my mother, my family bonded so tightly and grew closer than we had ever been. Through the help and comfort of the Lord, and the unconditional love in our home, we pulled together and made it through that time of despair. Upon reversing my own selfish wants and desires, to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I was brought out of that misery and made happy again. And now through my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I KNOW I will be with my mom again. As Christ suffered all of our pains and afflictions in the Garden of Gethsemane he said unto the Father, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.” Moments after that while pleading in agony and praying even more earnestly, Christ shed blood from every pore. God knew that Christ needed to endure every moment in that garden to take our sins upon him and to save all mankind.

Do you see what I mean? Rachel has prepared herself well to go out and serve the Lord.

Afterward, we went home for her open house...and let me just tell you, that open house was a full house! I'm guessing probably around 100 people attended! Rachel had invited several friends from Utah State, fellow Oakcrest counselors, as well as several of her Oakcrest girls. Not to mention her family and ward friends...and maybe even a couple of my friends, too!

No, we did not plan this...it's just what best friends do!


Ruby taking it upon herself to clean up after the party...