Cherishing our Husbands....from Ashley Gates

Husbands do wonderful things for their families. They often work hard at their job during the week and then come home to wrestle and play with the kids. Some week nights he spends watching the kids so that I can serve in my calling or go to a girl’s night. Mine spends Saturdays doing service for families in the ward, yard work, projects around the house, or fun family activities. 

Today, December 10, 2012 marks the one year anniversary of the death of our sweet cousin David Kenney. Now I did not personally spend any quality time with David, but from hearing stories from his family and friends, I know he was a wonderful man, husband, and father. Today also marks the 6 year anniversary of the death of Sam Hawkins, a dear friend of ours from our time in Maryland. He was also a wonderful husband and father. While we lived close to their family, Sam was in law school and this was before Chuck’s law school. I can remember Chuck talking to Sam about what law school was like and his desire to go.  Sam was sworn in as a lawyer just weeks before his death while undergoing treatment for his cancer that was diagnosed just a few months after law school graduation.

I wanted to spend today honoring these husbands by serving my husband, doing work that would be meaningful to him. I decided to focus on our yard because Chuck enjoys making our yard and garden beautiful. Since it is winter, work needed to be done pruning and cleaning up dying plants. In our front yard I trimmed and cleaned around the lamp post and mailbox.  I then worked on our garden area. I cleaned out the dead plants, cleaned up the support posts, and washed out pots. I only got half of the garden area finished and will need to finish another day. I moved on to our flower garden area.  I pulled out the dead branches and pruned the rose bushes. I also wound up a few hoses that had been left out in piles in the yard.

As I did this work for a few hours today, I tried to focus on my husband and how much I love all the hard work he does for me and our family at work and at our home. I thought of Cris and Kira and the love that they each have for their husbands that are no longer with them on this earth.  I’m going to hug my husband a little tighter today. I’m going to focus on all the wonderful things he does for me and try to serve him more often.

 

 

for EVERYONE!

for Cris

For Joshua and Jasmine

How Can You Be Gone? . . . love, your mother

How Can You Be Gone?

How can you be gone today

When the sun is shining so bright?

There's holiday decorations and

Music and fantasy in lights.

How can you be gone this past

Month of serious celebration?

Halloween, Birthdays and Thanksgiving

All of which you considered worthy of your dedication.

How can you be gone now

For a year, I've been very worried

About how the anniversary and the holidays

Would happen with everything else so hurried.

How can you be gone

As at your picture I often gaze

And when I reach out to touch you

Your smile always stays.

How can you be gone now

When the prize I've found I've won

Is to still be able to look in your eyes

Which are really those of your son.

And oh the memory of laughter

Of giggles and lots of fun

Those I still hear regularly

As Jasmine keeps us on the run.

The time is now, and now is here

And as a family we face

A new year to encounter

And yet recall the saving grace-

Not only the meaning of the atonement

And redemption for those still living

But of your love and willingness

To serve others, in the ways you were always so giving.

So very many of us still living

Accepted a challenge for this year.

One to remember you and make you proud

A stretch goal we may all fear.

Something, since you are not on earth

To others do unto them-

Something that we could do instead

But from your influence it may stem.

For me it took a little time

And quiet contemplation

Of what would I most make you proud

And worthy of this occasion.

Of course the very first thing

Was to draw nearer to our Father and his son.

Nothing new was required,

But continued persistence in the course that we have run.

Your Dad and I planned how we could be better

At personal prayer, scripture study and temple attendance.

Then there was the service part – for us to

Continue in our callings that required our acceptance.

Next, I thought about what would be meaningful

To my son, his wife and his children.

What could I continue in his stead

What of his hobbies could be done?

Ah, ha! The train – that was the thing

That brought the children running.

Oh, for a ride in that really cool train

Was something that could be quite stunning.

So I began to book the summer

The word was out and I watched

As bookings started coming in

A chance to share what you loved.

For the church, both ward and stake

For Birthday parties, schools and work.

Even a memorial run for another-

Another child that He took.

It wasn't always easy to keep the commitments I'd made

But on and on the summer progressed,

Between my brother Dan, Spencer, Bruce and our friend Wes

Many childrens lives were blessed.

One more area I wanted to focus on

That of truly serving others-

The opportunity came thru IHC

To participate in a project of serving our brothers.

We made bologna and cheese sandwiches

Five hundred of them that day.

That's a lot of bologna!

Was about all that we could say.

And then when they were wrapped and boxed

We delivered them to the soup kitchen.

There we donned hair nets, aprons and gloves

And were ready to enrichen....

The lives of the many homeless

Not just men, but women and their children.

What a lesson in humility for us

One that will not quickly be forgotten.

We tried not to let the tears show through

At the hopelessness of others-

Why are we so very blessed

Is it only in the gospel that we are brothers?

And so again I ask

How can you be gone?

So very, very far away

And oh, for so very long.

A year has past and my prayer is that

I will remember every hour of every day

Of every month and every year

How often you would come and say-

“I love you Mom and I love you Dad

Thank you for everything.”

And then you'd be the example

Of Christ in the actions of your being.

How good you were to everyone

That you encountered in your short life

The children, the aged, the blind and the poor.

Those with misfortune at birth or in strife.

All were your friends, welcome in your home-

Each soul that you would encounter.

Where you continued to live the example of him

In serving the least of these, your brothers.

As a child of God, with his plan in mind

I want to continue to try

To live his commandments that we may abide

In Heaven, together, after I die.

You served your Lord while on this earth

And now my challenge I see

Is to follow the example that you set

That we may live eternally.

To David . . . from Tiffany

David, not a day has passed this past year that I haven't thought about you. I think we all have thought about you everyday since your passing. There are a few things that I think about everyday. The first thing that pops through my head is what an amazing life you lead. You were such a great Christlike example of how we should all live on this earth. Then I would think of your sweet 2 wondeful children and your sweet wife and I think about how their life is going to be like without you in it. I hope and pray each day that Jazzy and Joshy will always remember you and hear stories about what a wonderful son of God you were. Then I always think about how I can't believe that you are gone. I can't believe you are not here on this earth with us. I think that is why it took me so long to write this write up for Julia and your sisters. I felt like if I actually did it, it really meant you were gone. But I know that we will see you again someday. I know that you were called up to heaven for a specific reason, and that our Heavenly Father needed you for a higher calling up there. You are an amazing addition to our Father's army in heaven. Thank you for always, past and future, being the perfect Christ like example. Thank you for teaching me the true meaning of what "Eternal Families" mean. I gained a deep testimony for it the week of your passing, and it means so much more to me now than it ever has. I love you so much David. Till we meet again.

Love, Tiff 

My service to David this year is similar to many others. I started running again, but this time, a lot, and for a goal and a cause. I started training for a 10k back in september. I ran a 5 k on October 20th, and then a 10k on November 3rd. I crossed the finish line for the 10k at a time of 1:07. I couldn't belive it! I was training, and was doing 12.5 minute miles. This was 7.5 miles per hour under! I crossed that finish line and tears swelled up in my eyes. I felt so spiritual, so happy, so overwhelmed with happiness. The spirit was so strong in me. I know David was there telling me good job. I enjoyed every second of training and of that race. It was harder than I have ever ran before, but I did it, and I loved it. My next goal is to do a half marathon in the year 2013. I love you David. Thank you for inspiring us all!

Good Morning David . . . from Grandpa Bodell

I have been laying in my bed thinking about life and how wonderful it has been to me.  Yes counting my blessings and of course, as always you are one of them.   I wish to thank you again for coming to my house to live.  I have the privilege of having you in my linage for eternity.  I love you.

Also,  thanks for coming to say goodbye to me and give me the opportunity to feel how it will be when we will be together in the eternities.  Yes, you have made it lots easier to let you go for now.

You have made it possible for me to get to know the Holy Ghost even better.  I've always felt his spirit to be with me.  But he has heard our special prayer and  truly blessed our family this year.  I think there are lots of us who can testify of this special blessing.  My problem is its hard for me to even speak of you and my sweetheart without tears coming to my eyes.  I've turned into a bawl baby.

Thanks for the memories to carry us through.  I think of our opportunity we had over the years.  You always made me proud of you when you would show me what you had built with the lego blocks.  It was some of the greatest times and memories of my almost 90 years.

To think of our special time at the ranch.  We always had a project to do.  I still feel bad when I think of what a fool I was when I would get out of sorts because you guys would think up some reason for me to send you into town, to see the Johnson girls.  There are lots of things we would do if we could do it over.  One of the things I would do - is try to remember how much fun it was to be a teenager and do all those silly things that teenagers do.  You made the summers so great for all of us.  I sometime have to laugh, even to this day, when something that you guys did - without me knowing about it - brings a laugh to my old heart.

It brings tears to my eyes just talking about you.  I just love you so much in so many ways that I wish I could really tell you how which and where.  I remember when we first got the ranch Dave, how excited you were when you got down there and saw the beautiful shop.  You were just as excited as Grandpa was.  We could build all those things that we would like to.  When I think of the different projects.  You were so anxious to do them.

 You were always a person that people liked to be around.  I do remember that for a couple of years there you were kind of scared of everybody.  You wanted to do things and probably felt like you did not want to butt into their lives.   I am so grateful that you butted into my life.  I remember when you were all making swords.  I think you probably made, I don't know how many?  I remember your Dad kept them around for years and years.  I don't know if he still has them or not.

That first year at the ranch you had your FBI bubby (Scott Peterson and Matt) with you.  That was a good experience.  We all really enjoyed life together.  You were still kind of bashful.  I can remember you telling me, "Grandpa, someone has told me what I have got to do is start walking down the halls - and instead of having my eyes to the floor, that I should have my eyes up and so I can look them in the eyes and smile and say hi!"  That first summer was a good summer.  I think that finding the people of Orderville was good for you.  They were so genuine and so real.  That was you - you are so real.  You were not put on.  It reminds me of my favorite scripture "I glory in plainness.  I glory in truth.  I glory in my savior, who has redeemed my sole from hell."  Well, I think you are alot the same way.  I love plainness.  You were never a show off and wanted to have the best things in the world.  You were always satisfied.  Of course your Mom and Dad did a good job of providing.  I never heard you wishing you had this or you had that.  You seemed to be satisfied with life.  This has made you an individual and that was a special blessing our Heavenly Father sent down here with you, so that you could teach us how to be satisfied with the great things the Lord has blessed us with.

I recall how proud I was when you asked me to help you with your Eagle Project.  I think it was little rocking chairs for the kids in the hospital.  We spent the better part of the summer working.  You had some of your buddies come over and help sand some of the stuff.  You were a good organizer.  You found out to get people to work for you is to let them learn to like you first.  Then you could always pull them in to work as a friend.  You influenced your neighborhood kids to come over and help you on the project.  It was your ideas of doing and urging people on to look forward to something that was pretty good.

I know down at the ranch you always had us a project going.  You would come along and say "Grandpa, let do this or do that."  I smile when I think about the wind cart we made.  I believe it is still down there, or it was, I am not sure where it is now.  I remember how we put that together.  Whenever we couldn't do something - you would say "I don't know Grandpa?"  Then I had the opportunity to say "Hey, there are always two ways to do things.  When the first one doesn't work come up with plan B."  Sometimes plan B is a little help from the Holy Ghost that maybe the second time around is better than the way we were going to do it.  It was always fun.

 The work that we did, we joked around and had a lot of fun.  The best part is when I had you and the Bodell Boys come up every year too.  I would put you to work and you kind of enjoyed it.  I remember we pretty much burned up Southern Utah (well not really), but we easily could have done burning up that thistle.  We had a great big pile of it and we lit it on fire.  I can't remember if it was Joe or Jake ran into grab the gas can that we  had left in the middle.  They ran in and saved the day.  I remember sitting on the wind cart the first day, sitting by the shop and you were riding.  We pushed off and went through the gate and almost all the way down to the highway.  We thought that was the greatest fun.  There were little things like that we did that made us all a little closer to each other.

Remember those tires that we put across that lower pond.  We strung the line across and then every so often we hung the tires that would swing.  The ideas was to swing from one tire to the other tire.  We only used it that one summer.  It was a pretty good project that year.  We built the zip line from the upper barn to the downstairs.  After your mission or just before you went on your mission.  It was getting to the end of the year and you said "Grandpa,we haven't done our project yet.  We took some old scaffolding that the boys had sent down that OSHA had suggested we get rid of.  We made the walkway out to the pond and we built a yard arm over the pond to swing out over the pond and drop in.  I know that quite a few of them that frowned upon it and thought it was kind of dangerous.  We used that for quite a few years.  After your mission we started building the little train.  You were always excited about anything we could put on wheels and have fun with and you were always right with me.

You made a dent in several of those kids in Orderville.  You did the things our Heavenly Father would like you to do.  There were several of the families that would say "We sure like that old Dave."  You made a big impression on the wonderful people that they are down there.  That is one of the reasons they took us in and loved us as much as they did.

I have so many, many good things like every body else that has written on the blog.  I am so thankful you were in my life and taught me patients and love of other people.  The year you came down at the beginning Bishop Esplin - one of the greatest guys in the world, had a lot to do with you dropping out of your scaredness.  I think he taught you that you are a real son of God, that God loves you and that you had a mission to do, which you have accomplished, because your back there.

 Your old Grand Dad here - I've been waiting for you to make arrangement for me to get me there with you so you can teach me.  I can learn along with you.  I bet you are having a great time learning how the world was made and the things that we have got to do to make life so the Savior can return to us.  I don't want to stay that long.  I want to come home and get a head start along with you.  I hope that you are taking care of that little sweety of mine.  That old Grandma I bet is sure glad your there - you and James.  She has two grandkids that are taking good care of her.  If you don't I am going to come kick your pants when I get up there, for not taking care of her.  No (laughing), I am sure you have the love for her and the special woman she was.  I am sure she is just as anxious to get hold of my ear as you are maybe.

I am so thankful for you David and the opportunity of being your Grand Dad. I always hope and pray I will be worthy, and as you see me that you will be able to come over and put your arm around me and say "Hey, this is my Grand Dad".  I want you to be proud of me, like I am proud of you.  We love you an awful lot Dave.

Love, your grandpa

My brother and Friend David . . .from Noe

My brother and Friend David,

It’s been a long time since last time I saw David. It is still hard to face the fact that he is gone and it still hurts but we’re getting through.

I have some memories about Dave. One of those is when he started visiting my sister. I remember I just wanted him out of my house because I had such a strong protection feeling towards my sister. With time I started to accept him as Cristina’s boyfriend and it was one of the best things I've ever made. He did everything he could to have his wife and family happy.

I remember once that he was here in Mexico, we were staying at a friend’s house and we used to sleep in the same room. Then Alex arrived and we were three in the same room. We had a fan with no cover in it. One night I was looking for something on the floor and accidentally my butts crashed with the fan; it really hurt, anyway. I never accepted that it was me. I used to say that it was David or Alex. Now, I confess, it was me. He made a drawing about that day but unfortunately I don’t have it.

I miss his ideas that he used to call in Spanish “Aventuras”. He always had something to do, no matter what, it was always fun; going from playing Age of Empires or playing the guitar but we never got bored. When he got married and by the time my sister was here and he wasn’t everything seemed different (trying not to mean boring) and there was no fun.He helped me a lot and he never let me down. No matter what people had made to him he always had such a beautiful feeling of love for others. He taught me a lot of things such as helping others without expecting something from them.

Last time he was here in Mexico he asked me to go to a place and sing in front of people, which I didn’t accept. I didn’t accept because people would look at us as crazy or weird. Then I realized the there are some things that we don’t do just because we feel ashamed, but Dave never did it.

Josh and Jasmine, your dad was an extraordinary person and you should be proud of him. Thanks to him I finished school and now I have a good job, which was one of the things he did for me. I hope I have the opportunity to tell you this face to face. I know that your dad will always watch over you and as he did here, he won’t let you down, so, be proud of him and remember him the way he was, an extraordinary friend, husband, son, uncle, brother and father.

Love Noé

Top of Zion . . . by Ellen

This month I wanted to do a service project specifically in David's honor which was to create a web page dedicated to him on my Top of Zion Relay - Run for the Cause section. Right now the relay is small but as it grows it will hopefully bring attention to David's great character and inspire people to be and do better.

click here to go to Top of Zion Relay website

In Memory of David James Kenney

When the Top of Zion Relay was first created, David was literally first on the list to contact and invite to participate.  He was the type of person who not only loved to run, but loved bringing people together for an adventure!  We just knew he would embrace the idea of the relay with enthusiasm because it was a perfect way to enjoy people in an active adventurous way, not to mention that the finish line takes place at Clear Creek Ranch, the stomping grounds of David’s youth!

Unfortunately, we never got to tell him about the relay, let alone invite him to participate.  Instead, he invited us, with his passing, to reflect on what really mattered and try a little harder to be a little better.  His example of a short 32 years was full of kindness, creativity, enthusiasm for life, and a love for everyone he met.  He never said an unkind word about anyone and lived his life to serve and uplift others.  He reminded us that people are what really matter and making memories strengthen those relationships.

That is why we at the Top of Zion Relay want to remember his life in hopes that he can inspire others like he has us!  He is one of the reasons we want to build the Top of Zion Relay – because it is a great way to focus on relationships, make memories and have an adventure of a life time.  We hope as you “Run for a Cause” that he will inspire you to take the time to strengthen the relationships around you and to serve.

A new runner in the family. . . from Maisie

At the beginning of this year, I wanted to do a sport, something HARD, something CHALLENGING. So I did something CRAZY and did cross country. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life! I would go and run for an hour and half after school every day down on our junky track for three months. I learned how to pace myself, control my muscles and how to breathe patiently. My dad told me that David did cross country. So I dedicated the season in honor of him because it was something he did and I wanted to be like him. 

On the first day of try outs, I was really nervous and scared I wouldn't make it. I had to run 2 miles in 17minutes and 30 seconds. I had 2 chances, once on the first day of school and again the next week. On the first try, I ran all out and only made it 3 laps, I told my coach that I couldn't do it and that I would try again next week. He let me go, but I felt like a failure. I didn't know what was wrong with me! I just gave up. I went and sat in a corner while the rest of the people tryed out. As I watched each one of them cross the finish line I just remained silent. I was thinking, “I WILL make it next week. I WILL make it next week!” I went home sad and depressed. But I was confident I would make it next week.

The rest of the week the coach let me come and practice with the team. I tried and tried to catch up witheveryone else, but I was too slow and too out of shape. I kept putting myself down saying "I'm only a freshman" or " I can't do this" or "I'm soooooooo slow" or "I NEED WATER!!!" And I just kept on getting slower and slower as I would run, but I kept pushing harder and harder.

The next tryout came, and I was ready. I had run every day after the last tryouts and felt confident that Iwould make it. I tried and tried. The cut off time was 17:30, I ran 8 laps(2 miles) in 17:45. I was 15 seconds late, and devastated. I tried to control my tears, but they came flowing down anyway. I went home again sad and depressed.

The coach is also my first period Spanish teacher, so I was kinda scared to go to class and talk to him aboutmaybe letting me on the team because I was only 15 seconds off the cut off time. But to my surprise, he wanted to talk to me after class anyway. I was ecstatic! He called me over to his desk and asked me if I wanted to be on the team because they needed 7 girls and only 6 of the girls made the time of 17:30, and because I was only 15 seconds off. I said yes and thanked him and went about my day with a smile on my face :) it was truly a miracle. I knew David was pulling some strings up there, helping my coach decide to let me on the team.

In about the 5th week of the season, I had my first race. I was so nervous and scared that I thought I wasgoing to throw up and die, but I didn't, I had a small amount of confidence growing in me from the thought of doing this for David. The race was 3 miles long, and I ran it in 29 minutes. Not my best time, but it was my first race and I wasn't last. So in my mind I did good.

I kept training and then came my next race at the hardest course on the island. It's the hardest because ithas this monster hill that we have to run up 2 separate times. I ran that race in 29 minutes also even though it was a harder track. During the whole season I thought of David and his accomplishments. I thought of him during my races and during my practices. I also thought of him whenever I thought of falling onto the ground. The thought of him made me carry on and keep running especially during my sprints. I also thought of things that made me happy while I ran, like my family and friends. One thing that really kept me running was the thought of ice cold water at the finish line. Ahhhhhhhh. That made me so hopeful :) I remember during one practice, I thought "if I were to die right now, and have a final wish, I would wish for ice water and I would die happy”. I was so desperate that I sprinted my last mile and gulped down a little less than a gallon of water. It was so refreshing and I was so happy.

I'm so grateful for my uncle David and his example he set for me to do cross country. He is such anincredible inspiration and I love him. At my last race, I finished 24 minutes which was my fastest time. From 29 to 24 in 3 months, I am so proud of myself.

THANKS UNCLE DAVID!! I LOVE YOU!!
Maisie Kenney

EFY fun . . . from Amy

Dear David and Family,

When I first received the notification about our “Gift of Service,” I was very excited!  I love serving others, it totally ROCKS!

At the time the when I received the email, I was swamped at work, but it was always not far from my mind.  I got an email from a fellow employee that she was having a raffle for “Make A Wish” foundation (www.wish.org).  It is a
wonderful program that I have volunteered with before.  They grant wishes to children with “life threatening” medical conditions.  Our cousin Carol Joy Knapp received a wish many years ago through this program.  I thought, I don’t have much extra time, but I really want to do something, I will just buy a ticket or two and if I win, I will give it to Aunt Jimae and Uncle Bruce. 

Well…I WON!

I won a free cruise for two on Holland America!  I called Jimae and told her my story and I think she was in a bit of shock.  She talked to Bruce (I think at first he thought it was a Hoax).  They had just bought tickets to go to Hawaii to visit Ben for the holidays.  They felt that as they had just purchased tickets to go to Hawaii, they didn’t have the time to take off between now and the end of the year (when the cruise must be used).

It is a tough assignment but I will take the cruise :>  But I still want to do something so I talked to Jimae about an idea that I had.  Last year Darcy, my daughter, participated in EFY Stay At Home program.  It offers an opportunity for the youth to stay at home at night but during the day, go to EFY.  It is significantly cheaper then the regular EFY program.  Darcy went to the Sandy, UT program last year.  She loved it!  I thought it would be fun if all the cousins went to it together and stayed at Aunt Jimae and Uncle Bruce’s’ home at night.  Jimae agreed and I told her I would set it up.  I would also give Ben’s daughter or daughter’s (if they wanted to) a guest pass guest pass to come and attend too (FYI Alaska Airlines will start flying to SLC the Thursday before April general conference).

So, calling all cousins, 14-18 years of age: let’s do EFY together!  They don’t have the schedule yet but if you will send me the dates of your Girls Camps/Scout Camps etc, when they announce the dates, we will do it!

Love and Miss you!

Egg Productions 2 . . . from Ben

This short kids story has been a family work in process over the past year.  I wrote it after reading some books to my own kids and thinking "I could do better than that!".  Katherine said..."Let's see you do it!".  So I sat right down and penned this out.  I forgot about it for over a year.  My girls picked it up and decided to surprise me with their illustrations for Father's Day last year.  

To me, this project is 100% pure David.  From the story itself, to the family project element and finally our little video, we hope you enjoy it and can feel David near. We've included the individual pages for your viewing pleasure since the video quality is a little over-exposed, but still encourage you to watch the video too since it has some fun quarks. 

Love, Ben and family

My service to David . . . from Andrew

My service to David was fasting for others. Last month I fasted for homeless children.  Sometimes it is really hard to fast, but I feel the spirit when I do.

From Andrew

an Early Missionary... from Amber

Josh and Jasmine-

 Your dad is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege to know. He taught me so much and was so important to me and my life. He will forever have a special place in my heart. Your dad taught me about the gospel of Jesus Christ – he helped me in a time when all I could see was darkness. He showed the light of hope that comes from knowing the Savior. He changed my life, he helped me find my testimony. I was the first person he baptized, and I will be forever grateful to him for not being afraid to share his amazing testimony with me.

Your dad has the biggest heart. He loved everyone, and showed it in a million ways. By always being there to talk to, by lending a helping hand even if it wasn’t easy, by befriending those whom everyone else didn’t see In high school it is easy to get wrapped up in all of your own personal problems and drama, but Dave was never thinking about himself. He always thought of others. He knew that sometimes everyone feels like they are just a lost face in a sea of many, but he made it his goal to know as many names of the people in the school as he could so that when he walked down the hall he could smile and say hi to everyone. Just the simple act of someone saying hi and knowing your name can brighten your entire day.

He always went out of his way to find those who didn’t quite fit in, and were always left out, and he made them know that he cared and would be their friend. He taught me so much in this aspect. He taught me to not be afraid to approach people I don’t know, and to treat everyone as a friend. He taught me how to see the needs of others and how to meet them. It always amazed me how willing he was to serve others, especially when it was hard or inconvenient. He served others, and he did it in such an amazing way that made each person feel so special and loved. He didn’t serve out of obligation but pure love of others. Can’t you imagine Jesus being the same way?

He loved his family so much. There isn’t anything he would not do for any member of his family. There is a bond and love there that is so strong. – it is so rare to find another like it. You are so lucky to be in this family. It is eternal. It is powerful. It is made up entirely of love. You are also so lucky to have a mom who has such strong faith and an amazing testimony. She will be your rock on earth. Your dad will be your anchor in heaven. You have the most amazing aunts and uncles – who allowed me to join their family when I needed it most. They are so loving and caring, and they will always take care of you.

Your dad had the zaniest sense of humor. He loved to make everyone laugh with his goofy antics and great laugh. I think this was one of his many gifts in helping others feel comfortable. Your dad was so smart and always worked so hard to learn more. He had such ambition and always set goals, large and small, which he always strived to meet. He would never be satisfied with his work unless he knew that he had done his very best. He didn’t know how to be lazy. He loved to learn.

Heavenly Father is so proud of your dad, and had some very important work for him to do in heaven. You must know that it has to be so ultra important, because He took him so early in his life and took him from you. But even though your dad isn’t here on earth, he will be with you everyday of your life – loving you and guiding you. He wants you to be happy and to love this life and all the people in it, as he did. Remember to lean on your Heavenly Father, trust in the Holy Ghost, love like your Savior and know that all of your prayers are heard. Your dad is listening too.

He loves you. Your mom loves you. Jesus loves you. Your dad was deeply loved by so many, and all of those who loved him love you too. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

 Love, a friend of your dad’s,
Amber Judkins Williams

This picture taken on the day of Amber's baptism 

Temple Trip . . . from Alex

For any who are reading this blog who aren't familiar with what happens within LDS temples, let me summarize with this quote from mormon.org

In the temple, members:

• Learn eternal truths.
• Receive sacred ordinances, including those that bind husband and wife together for eternity, as well as join children and parents (Malachi 4:5-6).
• Provide ordinances such as baptism for those who have died without the opportunity to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:29); 1 Peter 4:6)

The service I did in Davids name was to gather as many of our family as possible, and go serve in the temple with our Grandpa. A little over a year before Davids accident we did something similar together. My cousin Caleb, David, Grandpa, and myself all went to the temple together. I will always remember how proud Grandpa was to be there with 3 of his grandchildren. Several times he would pull a temple worker aside and say to them "You see those 3 men over there? They are here  with ME." 

It was a really great experience for all of us, and I've always wanted to repeat the experience with even MORE of Grandpa's progeny. We tried to arrange another trip about a month before David's accident but it fell through. During the week of David's death and funeral, family began flying in from all over the country, and I knew I had an opportunity to repeat the experience with those who didn't live in Utah. We had a large turnout of cousins who joined with Grandpa, but the mood of the week had us all in a somber spirit.

When tasked with coming up with a service to do in David's name, I wanted it to be something that specifically reminded me of him, and this was just the thing. So it was, that on Saturday November 17th, my Grandpa was surrounded with family as we entered the Jordan River temple to serve together. 

What I expected was to feel like David and Grandma were right there with us, and feel a distinct connection while serving in the temple. What I got was different. I felt the spirit of the work we were doing, and a closeness to those I was serving there with. While I did feel the presence of David and those from the other side, I also knew that they were engaged in work of their own. 

It was still a wonderful experience. I saw how happy Grandpa was to have 12 of his descendants there in the Celestial room with him and I know it will be something he will treasure for the rest of his life. As for me, I was glad I could strengthen the bonds we have with family here on earth, while also doing service for those who have passed on. 

David's little sister ... from Cindy

I joined this family in 2007.  I only have 4 years of personal memories with David.  Far less years than all siblings and most of our nieces and nephews.  I knew long before I met David while I was dating Alex, that Alex was really close to him.  My husband is the youngest of 6 children.  David was #5, and they are 5 years apart.  Alex has by far more growing up memories with David.  David was the first of Alex's siblings I met.  I flew in to SLC from Kentucky, where I was living that summer.  We went over to David and Cristina's house and played Settlers and talked.  It was a great night.  Alex was excited for David and I to meet.  I could tell from that night how close these two brothers are.  

David, Cristina, and Josh came up to Rexburg, ID to visit us one weekend.  I made everyone breakfast both mornings they were there.  David kept complimenting the food I made.  It felt so appreciated.  We showed them around Rexburg, when David and Alex decided to 'trick' Josh.  David was holding Josh up on his shoulders as we were walking through the BYU-I campus, but then Alex and David switched it up -- Alex being the one to hold Josh on his shoulders.  When Josh realized he saw his dad behind him rather than under him, he panicked with confusion.  It was pretty funny.  We bought this new game none of us had played or heard before.  Killer Bunnies.  We spent the rest of the afternoon figuring the game out and playing it.  

One night, Alex and David (and families) were hanging out at Mom and Dad's.  And the idea came out of going on a big trip together.  We were deciding between Hawaii or Florida, to visit our niece Lexi working at Disney World.  We decided to go with Florida.  It was fun planning this somewhat last second big trip, and so glad we have these memories together with Mom, Lexi, David's family, and the Vierra's.  

There are many memories of Alex and I sleeping over at David's, (both houses) playing games, and hanging out with each other.  I encouraged Alex to go to David's about once a month to play games together after moving back to Utah, and I am so grateful he has those last memories with his brother.  One time, we went over to David's for dinner, and at the table David said, "I'll say the prayer" and then all of a sudden Alex started saying the prayer!  David and I looked at each other at the beginning of the prayer smiling as we realized Alex thought David said, "Al say the prayer."  

These last 2 years life has been particularly challenging for Alex and I.  Moments of discouragement has often been felt between us.  Many of the times hanging out with David, when talking about what we're all up to, I remember David pointing out the positive and telling Alex, "That's great Al!"  It was nice to hear some encouragement from David -- and often this past year, I reflect on David watching us and whispering to Alex, "That's great Al!" as he said so many times to him.  

I am pregnant with our 2nd child.  This will be the first child born in the Kenney prosperity since David's passing.  I have felt David near me in my thoughts during this pregnancy.  A Kenney child will soon be leaving our Heavenly Father's arms, and I know David is aware of this accompanying me by my side -- he is our child's uncle!   I don't know if David is with this child as this child prepares to leave for Earth soon, but he has certainly been near me.  David loves this child as he loves all of us.  We are starting our family out the exact way David did: A boy first and then a girl!  

I want to participate in a Sub for Santa or some similar kind of gift giving program to families in need each year.  I want this to pay-it-forward by honoring David's friends from Institute that gave David's family a Christmas during a difficult time when they were in need and give to other families in need.