Grandma Betty's Funeral

My grandmother, Betty Jane McInnes Lund, passed away November 17, 2017. It wasn't a surprise. She was 94, but death is never a happy thing. We are happy to think that she is with our grandpa, Irl J Lund and other family members embracing and catching up. I like to think my dad was there to greet her and say hello.

Three days after getting news that my grandma had passed, we got the terrible news that my cousin, Christopher Hill, had passed away unexpectedly. Chris was a year younger than me. When we went to visit, he was my playmate. He leaves behind a wife and three kids.

Their funerals were over Thanksgiving weekend. I flew home to Las Vegas and spent Thanksgiving with my family. then, we loaded in cars and made the 8 hour drive to Eagar, AZ for the funerals. I wasn't able to stay for Chris's because I had already booked flights for my grandmother's, then found out about Chris. 

My grandmother's service was lovely. It was nice to see family I had not seen since my grandfather passed away in 2001- this side of the family is large and doesn't get together very often. I did see some at my grandmother's 90th birthday party, though. We took photos and ate, normal things you might do a a funeral.

I don't have a ton of memories of my grandmother, we always lived so far away. But, I know I enjoyed going to her house to have cookies and visit cousins! Family is so important. We need to do better at making memories!

A Complete Forever Family

Shandi and Jaren were sealed today in the LDS Bountiful Temple. After they were sealed, Shandi was then sealed to parents and siblings. Our hearts are full as the G Russell and Lori Merritt family is a complete forever family. I know they have all worked hard in their own lives to be where they are at this moment. And, it is glorious!

Anniversary

This year we spent our anniversary with our kids. I didn't take many photos, but a couple of the kids and me playing, Speak Out. It was a very laid back night. We just enjoyed being together.

Britten Snapshots

I always end up with random photos that I don't know what to do with. Britten had many so I'm just recording them here, so they're not forgotten.

 Becca is so good to entertain her little brother.

 Showing me he put his tie on all by himself!

Preschool pictures

 Visiting Grandma

Crazy hair for his role in Becca's play

 Friends from daycare (Iker, Britten, Jacob M, and Kastian)

K is for king.

My Birthday

This year for my birthday I received two things unexpectedly. The first was a video from Ryan. He made a video of me through the years. At the end, he told me that my next birthday present would be him! He is scheduled to arrive home on my birthday, November 7, 2018!

The second was note from my sister Robyn. I've written about Robyn. She is my sister who has Cerebral Palsy. She loves to color and write letters. She colored me a picture and sent me a birthday card in my favorite color, GREEN!

Neither are very much in monetary value, but it means the world to me that two people took time out of their day to think of me!!

Missing The Mark

Since I was a little girl, I can remember looking through the pages of an encyclopedia we had in our home. I would gaze at the pictures of the embryo that was a blob of cells. I was amazed at the transformation that took place as it developed into a baby. The pictures were in full color. They had my full attention every time. 

As I got older, I realized science was something I loved. Human biology was a favorite, along with anatomy. The body to me was a miracle. I knew that I wanted it to be a part of my life forever. I decided it would be awesome to be an obstetrician. Everyday I would have the pleasure of witnessing the development of fetuses, but also their birth. 

I left for Utah knowing I would have to wait a year to establish residency so I could afford college. I had a plan. I would work while attending college. I would start with community college and get my associates degree at a cheaper cost, then move to a university that would help me become an OBGYN. Now, in the greatest Larae fashion, that's all there was to plan. I would figure out the where to attend once I got settled. 

Seven  months into the plan, I met a young man named Dustin Merritt. Six months after that, I was engaged. I was married three months later, and pregnant four months after that. In a total of twenty months I went from single and having "plans", to married and having "new plans." Now, don't get me wrong. I was happy to be married, I was happy to be expecting. It all may have come sooner than I planned, but I was happy. I just had to adjust my plan, and move goals back a little later in life. After having 3 unexpected pregnancies in a twenty month time frame, I knew school would have to wait until kids were older. 

I had 5 children by the time I was 28. I knew that I could start school once the youngest was in school all day. That day arrived and I went and registered for school. My plans had changed a little. It would take way too much time to be an OBGYN. I thought of becoming a labor and delivery nurse, but settled on going to school to be an ultrasound technician. It would be a slow process, but eventually I'd have my four year degree. My plans were set and moving forward.

I found out I was pregnant with baby #6 a month after I registered for school. I was shocked! However, I was still determined to start school. I knew it would all work out. Then, I started getting sick. I was sick and tired, and old! In all reality, I knew it would be too much for me to be a full time mom, work, and be huge and pregnant going to school.  So, I decided I would tuck my goals away, again.

This time, the desire to go to school actually left. The thought of even attempting anything made me extremely tired, and I was okay saying it just wasn't going to happen. My children are my world and I love them!! I recognized I was lucky to have 6 little souls that are part of me, and part of Dustin. Watching them grow and coming into their own has been rewarding and fulfilling. And will be forever.

But, that Satan! Oh, he's sneaky. Once you have something at peace, he sure likes to stir it up again.  The past little while I have been comparing myself to others. Thinking about how I never got to have
the experiences I dreamed of. I noticed that other moms have gone on and done school, the whole works. What was wrong with me? Why did I just quit? Why didn't I get what I wanted? Why did they get to plan every one of their children? It was a bad place to go.

As I was driving home this week, listening to my Michael Mclean (you all know how much I love him), for the 20th + time. He was singing about the Pharisees and how they didn't recognize Christ for who He was because He didn't live the way they thought He should live. And that He couldn't be the Savior because He wasn't delivering them from the Gentiles. He wasn't being the Hero they were anticipating.

I got caught up in the story. Then I felt a warm hug. Not a real hug, but a gentle warmth all over my body. The thought came to me, "Larae, just like they missed the mark with Jesus, you are missing the mark of your own life. It may not be what you planned, but if you let me, I can make it all you need and more. You have purpose."

I had let my disappointment consume me. Because of that, I lost my purpose. I couldn't see my purpose! I believe in the power of grace. I know that the Lord can take what I can give and make it more. I may not be where I had planned in the beginning, but that doesn't equal failure. It means I have the opportunity to see what I can be. This time, I won't be doing it alone. Because of that, it might be even  better!