Hello Family,
Many of you know that we have been struggling lately in Hawaii. Not the least of which is financial. Basically my jobs have either all finished or just been cancelled. Suffice to say we are having a hard time. With this as a background... I would like to share this experience with everybody.
Katherine and I went to the temple on Friday night. It was a small session and I just happened to be the first person into the celestial room. I had the room all to myself. I had taken about 5 steps into the room and I had a sudden thought about David and Gpa Bodell. I hadn't been thinking of them all day so it kind of caught me by surprise. It was really just a passing thought. I didn't see or hear them or anything like that. I sat on a couch and my mind quickly went to my problems. I prayed to Heavenly Father that I was in the Temple and we are promised it is the best place to seek for answers and help, and so now I was really asking. I poured out my soul, with financial problems and Aubrey's health being at the top of my list. I'm the best dad and husband I know how to be, but it just seems like it's not enough. And I pleaded that I need help.
As soon as I prayed for help, my mind recalled the impression I had just had about David and Gpa. I got excited thinking that maybe I would have an experience with them as some of our family members have had. But alas it seemed there was no contact to be had. I was disappointed and I started thinking about my troubles again. After a minute my thoughts went back to David and Gpa. And so I thought... well if they REALLY were in this room... what were they doing and why were they here. I pictured the two of them talking about some project they might be working on together. The two of them were always working on something. I tried to focus on their faces and voices as I remembered them. Then I thought... well if they were in the room... what would be their purpose? I suddenly thought that I could really use a priesthood blessing. So I imagined in my mind that David was giving me a blessing. Again I focused on his face and his voice and I began thinking of a blessing for myself. I know that sounds strange, but just keep with me. At some point in this process of thinking through a blessing, it began to go on its own. I was no longer forcing my imagination. David continued to tell me that everybody on the other side of the veil is proud of me and they are very much aware of my problems. He also said that there is a plan for me. Then I saw Grandma Bodell in my mind. She wasn't the crazy grandma we all remember. She gave me a big hug and said she loved me and that she was also very proud of me. I said that I hadn't done anything noteworthy to be proud of. She replied that "you love your wife, and you love my grand-babies and that is all that matters to me." I then saw Grandpa Kenney's face and the whole group gave me a very clear message: They said "you have been in Hawaii a very long time and that it has all been for a purpose. Your little family has been through a lot and you have worked hard together. Your family has become unbreakable. You have served the people of Hawaii for nine years, and now it is time to go home. There is family back home that is suffering and they need your help. It is time to return to the people you love so much and serve them now."
And so there it is.... We have decided to come home!!! We don't have many details yet, and I have no job waiting for me. But this experience confirmed for us that the time is right to move. There have been many things leading up to this decision, I don't think I can list them all. But this experience was exactly what I needed to know in my heart that now is the time. We look forward to moving home and seeing all of you again more often.
Ben & Katherine
