An Angel Kiss

There are Angels Among Us

Recently my dear mother passed away. Even though I know that it is temporary, it has been one of the greatest losses I have ever felt. There are so many intricacies linked to who I am and to how I became me that all revolve around her. She probably is nearer to me now, and can help me more, than she could in her last few years; but the absence of her physical presence leaves my heart wounded.

She’s an angel now, as ever she has been. And I have to acknowledge that even though I cannot see her, she still lives on in and through Jesus Christ just as we all do. My sadness should be washed away in the face of all the goodness I still see and feel all around me. In time, in the Lord’s time, all tears will be washed away (see Revelation 21:4). So I have to believe that even my sadness can serve a heavenly purpose if I turn to Him.

It was a blessing for me to be able to spend the last three weeks of my mother’s life with her and near her. I saw more of her unblemished soul in such a purified state. Her body was old and done, but her angel spirit was true and pure. Oh, how I long to be more like her.

The family time during these weeks and the couple weeks after her death are priceless. I’m glad that I could visit with siblings. I’m glad that the funeral went according to my mother’s plans. I’m glad for the memories and love shared. I’m glad for the tender, loving example of my father who willingly gave his wife back to the Lord.

And then I had to drive back home. That was hard. It was hard to leave my childhood home and my family of origin, knowing that next time I return, my mother will not be there to welcome me.

My husband had left all the mail on the table before he took a flight to come for the funeral time. So when I got home, there was a small pile of mail waiting for me to open.

And there was a package. In opening this gift from one of my dearest friends, I was reminded, that there are indeed angels among us, both seen and unseen, both mortal and immortal; and Christ’s love is watching over us and protecting and healing us all.

I opened this small present to find a charm bracelet. It’s made by Hallmark, and it has a Hershey kiss on it. When I first looked at it, I did not see a kiss; I saw an angel. I thought that the link was a head, the kiss was the robed body, and the Hershey tag was the wings. I still see it that way as well as the kiss. To me this bracelet represents both an angel and a kiss of friendship; or even more than that, it’s an angel’s kiss. I cherish my friendship with the angel who sent me this bracelet; and I will be reminded of her healing thoughtfulness each time I look at it and wear it.

The gifts we give each other do more good than we ever realize. My friend’s gift to me is a reminder of that. If we will be sensitive in following the Holy Spirit, our gifts will be timely and healing and far-reaching; and we will be as angels to one another, as we aid each other on our mortal journey.

So thank you, Dear Friend, for the angel kiss. Besides being a representation of your friendship to me; it will be a representation of all the angels in my life, in earthly or heavenly form that I cannot see daily. And as I see the bracelet and feel it on my wrist I will know that angels are near and that the Lord’s love and mercy are always with me, and he will always send his angels to be beside me.

Hebrews 13:2:

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

For Christmas, my friend sent me a heart bead for the bracelet with the word love on it. Because that was God’s first Christmas present to us; He loved us so He sent His Son.

John 3:16-17:

16 ¶For God so loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Turn to the Light

A Lesson for Relief Society based on the talk,

"The Lord is My Light," by Elder Quinton L. Cook

Songs for the lesson:

The Lord is My Light

Lead Kindly Light

In our pre-earth life, we all made the choice to follow the Son of God. In doing so we were given the opportunity to experience earth life with all of the challenges it presents. The best way to be successful again here is to make the choice, along with covenants, to follow the Son of God. He is our Savior, Lord, and Redeemer. He is our Light.

How many of you have seen sunflowers? Describe them. What do they do?

Sunflowers grow in extreme conditions. Sunflowers turn their faces towards the sun. Do we limit what we can do because we don't believe that our circumstances are optimal? Or do we take root and bloom even when we aren't necessarily where we want to be? Do we turn towards the Lord?

This life will present some real challenges for us. How will we respond? When the challenges presented come from friends, family members, or church members offending us or turning away from what we believe is right, how do we respond?

Do we experience anger and desire estrangement? Do we feel genuine love and sorrow, and hope to build others' faith as well as our own? Does pride get in the way of our own progression and desire to repent? Does it get in the way of us forgiving and accepting others? Do we allow pride to impede our progress?

“The Light of Christ plants the eternal nature of the family in the hearts of all God's children” (Elder Cook).

“So much in life is extraneous, [but]...the family is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; the thing to watch over and care for and be loyal to” (Carla Carlisle).

Why is family the important thing, and how do we make family ties stronger?

It is important that we all build our testimonies. There are proper ways to do this.

“Patiently and humbly studying, pondering, praying, living gospel principles, and counseling with appropriate leaders are the best ways to resolve questions and concerns” (Elder Coook).

This can be true when we are seeking our own growth, or when we are trying to gain understanding concerning someone else, so that we can appropriately respond to his or her needs.

“If we faithfully have family prayer, scripture study, family home evening, priesthood blessings, and Sabbath day observance in our homes, our children will be counting on that pattern of faith even when they are away from home. These positive habits, accompanied with sincere concern and love for each others' well-bing, will provide our families with security and a safe harbor. Each member will gain the needed fortification to stand in today's world, making good choices” (Elder Cook).

We will be able to feel secure in the eternal safety of our children no matter what life's challenges may bring, knowing that Jesus will save them in this life and in the resurrection.

How can families work together towards their goal of eternal life? How have family prayer, scripture study, family home evening, priesthood blessings, and keeping the Sabbath day holy blessed you in your families and throughout your life?

How does our ward family act in harmony with each family's goal for eternal life? How does involvement in quorums and auxillaries help build us as individuals and strengthen our families? In what ways do home and visiting teaching offer us stability in an ever changing and challenging world?

“Our ward family is important to our progress, happiness, and personal effort to be more Christlike” (Elder Cook).

We need to avoid the temptation to become disjointed. The Lord's emphasis has always been on unity. When the Nephite and Lamanite people were all converted to the Lord, there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.” As a result to this we read in 4 Nephi vs 16, “And surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.”

Because the love of God dwelt in the hearts of the people, there were no contentions. What must we do in our wards and in our homes in order to dispel contentions and build unity?

Our outlook is not bleak. If we look towards the Light, our destiny is to grow in His Light and become like Him. It will take a change of heart. We will need to determine now to love the Lord more and to love each other more. He will help us.

“Our protections in this life and for eternity will be in individual and family righteousness, Church ordinances, and following the Savior. This is our refuge from the storm. For those who feel they are alone, you can stand resolutely in righteousness knowing that the Atonement will protect and bless you beyond your ability to fully understand” (Elder Cook).

“We should remember the Savior, keep our covenants, and follow the Son of God as the young sunflower follows the sunshine. Following His light and example will bring us joy, happiness, and peace. As Psalm 27 and a favorite hymn both proclaim, “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”