Gratitude for blessings

Easter always makes me think of the wonderful blessings that are ours through the Atonement, crucifixion, and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What beautiful promises for life eternal in exchange for our obedience and dedication to His commandments. A simple request. It also makes me realize that no matter what I do, or how hard I try, I can never really repay Him for the pains that I have personally caused Him to suffer for my sins. It is difficult for my mortal mind to comprehend the unconditional love that Heavenly Father and Jesus has for each of us. I am so greatful for the blessings I receive each day.

It also causes me to ponder the great blessing of prayer and how answers to complicated problems and situations come pouring down from Heaven when we are in times of need. The Lord truly hears and answers prayers, especially the prayers of little children and of mothers. I don't mean to take anything away from men by this comment, I just feel such a connection as a mother to Heavenly Father through prayer.

With Colby's recent surgery I find that there is always a prayer in my heart for his healing, for his comfort, for his family's comfort and for understanding and acceptance. I know that prayers are being answered for Colby. It is so cute to hear Tessa and Allie spontaneously want to pray for Colby- such innocense and faith in young children. I know that their little "pleas" for his well being are being heard and answered.

Erin reports that Colby is improving daily from the infection that has invaded his little body and that the doctors are getting his blood pressure under control during this hospital stay. I am so greatful for the miracles that happen in our lives that testify of divine interventions. What a blessing to have the Gospel knowledge that has been restored to us in this day to rely upon.

Wishes and prayers

I can not express how difficult it is to know that one of your children is struggling and not be able to do anything to help them. Even more difficult than this is to know that a grandchild is carrying a difficult burden and that you can't help them, or make the burden any lighter. My heart aches and tears fall as I struggle to find my own faith and trust in Heavenly Father's plan for Colby and his family. I wish somehow that I could take his place... yet I know that this is not possible and even if it were it would serve no purpose in God's plan. So I do what any mother/grandmother does- I pray constantly for strength for myself and for my grandson, his mom, dad and sisters, and other family members. I am so greatful to know that there is a plan for each of us and that even though we can not fully understand in this lifetime that everything that happens has a purpose and is part of a grand design.
I pray that Colby might be able to regain his ability to speak and communicate the things of his heart. I know that he is a special and valiant spirit and that he has important work to do. His eyes are full of love and wisdom. I know that if he could tell us what he knows we could better understand why this has happened. I have my own thoughts about it which make sense to me and give me some small comfort.
I am so amazed at Erin's ability to face each new day, each new challenge, with such calm and seemingly unwaivering strength. I know it is difficult to find the positive things in days filled with one challenge after another. I also believe that Erin is a special spirit and that she will be blessed for her willingness to accept the trials before her. Erin, if you are reading this, please know how much I love you! Also, never forget how much your Heavenly Father loves you- You are never alone. John, you too are a special spirit chosen to give strength and comfort to your family. I know that you too face challenges and trials because of what has happened to Colby. Hold on to your faith, trust in the Lord, build your eternal family and bless them through covenants only you can make. I love you too!
Sending love and prayers daily-

Spending time in Logan, Utah

June 27, 08
I was able to take a few days off of work and so I flew to Utah to spend some time with Erin and her family. What a great blessing it is for me to be able to come and help out occasionally. I wish that I could do more for the kids- but circumstances are what they are. Erin and John took Colby to Provo to a seminar/training to learn more about a special kind of healing therapy. I don't fully understand it, but if it helps him I am glad that they could go.
So I am staying with Jahnna and Riley for he weekend while they are away. We are having the best time playing and snuggling. Jahnna and I made a little book that Aunt Megan sent with me. It is a "create a book" package with all of the scrap book type things to put it together. Her book is about a butterfly. Themed from her butterfly pavillion which now has 6 newly hatched butterflies in it! Three more chrysalis' to go! They are painted lady butterflies and just gorgeous.
I can't believe how the children have grown since my last visit. Riley is walking all over and getting into innocent mischief. She has a very cute little personality and a twinkle in her eyes. She loves to snuggle and be tickled. What a good baby she is. Jahnna is five and going on 10! She is a beautiful little girl who is currently missing two front teeth! She also has pierced ears and "pinkish" dyed hair! Dad didn't get the memo and said it was okay to dye her hair. It is okay though because it is washable.
Colby has gained weight and looks great! He is smiley and trying so hard to communicate with everyone. His progress is noteworthy and I am ever so thankful for the blessings that come his way. Recently, Erin's stake held a parking lot sale at Lee's market to benefit his treatment and the outpouring of love and generosity was amazing. They collected nearly $10,000 for his needed hyperbaric treatments. Also, through the generosity of a dear lady in my home ward a check was received for $18,000 for Colby's treatment and trust fund. Words can not express my humility and gratitude for answered prayers-
Lowell is at the fair with Travis this week. This is the first time in years that I have missed the whole "set up" event. It is okay that I am gone because no one in the sheep group was showing this year and so...I don't have a "Sunol sheep barn" area to be responsible for at the fair. It really seems pretty weird to me not to be there. But Ido miss the activity and chaos for some strange reason. Travis has two pigs and two steers this year. All made weight and are in place ready to go. He is showing Berkshire pigs for the first time so we are anxious to see how they do. Always some new angle to try! It would be great if just once he did win something fantastic! Well, anyway it is a great learning experience for all.

Happy New Year! 2008

Happy New Year everyone! 2008 is going to be a great year. First I would like to express my gratitude to my family for all of their love and support in years past. We have traveled some very rocky roads, stumbled, fallen and now are beginning to pick ourselves up again. There have been so many changes in our lives over the last decade, it is amazing. I won't take you through every little thing but I would like to share some of the most memorable experiences we have had.

• 2000- Our three girls graduated. Erin graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Agriculture and became an Ag teacher in Bakersfield California. Megan graduated from Foothill High School and Amanda graduated from 8th grade at Sunol Glen School. It is funny how that worked out.


• 2001-2003- Jason served a mission for The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in Tampa Florida. It was a Spanish speaking mission which was ironic because he really did poorly in high school Spanish classes! (He is fluent today and uses his Spanish at work regularly.)


• 2002- August proved to be a beautiful time of year for a wedding! Erin married John Amundsen in the Sunol community park. It was a perfect day filled with love, family and friends. Of course Erin looked absolutely stunning and John was pretty handsome too! Joan and Cliff Thomas out did themselves with the announcements, invitations and the floral arrangements and bouquets. Amazing artistry-


• May 24, 2003 Our first grand child was born. Jahnna Renee Amundsen was born. She is perfect! What a blessing to our family she has become. Erin is a terrific mom and John is the proud father. It is amazing how a little baby can take over your world!


• 2004-September was another time to celebrate as Jason married Nicole Kenning in the Oakland Temple. What a special moment to be able to enter the Holy Temple and be a part of your children's endowment and sealing sessions. Nicole looked beautiful, Jason looked to handsome. Their love for each other could be felt as they knelt across the alter and gazed into the eyes of eternity and promise. Once again Joan and Cliff surpassed all expectations with the floral arrangements-


• 2004-November was the chosen month for Megan and Allan Erickson to marry in the Oakland Temple. Two weddings in 2 months! Yikes!! Megan and Allan were so bashful and innocent looking as they knelt across the alter and made sacred covenants for time and all eternity. Megan was beautiful all in white and Allan was very tall and handsome! Another blessing we were privileged to witness.


• 2005- May 5, 05; Erin and John became the proud parents of Colby Archer Amundsen. Once again the month of May brings us blessings and birthday presents for grandma!


• 2005, July- Lowell started working for Sunol Glen School as the Facilities Manager/groundskeeper/transportation manager/Mr. fix it. He loves his new job and the school looks terrific since his take over. I think he is happy and much more relaxed since closing down the demolition company. A real change for him, but a good one for us all.


• 2006- November 15, Galen left for his Mission serving in the Idaho Boise Mission. He will be a terrific missionary as was his brother Jason. He is so prepared and in tune with the spirit, I know that he will have a wonderful experience that will cause his testimony to grow. We will support his efforts from home.


• 2006 November 21 brings a new little bundle of love into our family as Jason and Nicki become proud parents to Tessa Marae Hoxie. She is beautiful and definately brings the spirit of joy and love into their home. Heaven sent blessings.


• 2007, January 15 Allie Nicole Erickson blesses our lives. After a difficult hospital experience, Megan is blessed with a perfect daughter and Allan is a transformed man wrapped around a tiny daughter's finger at first sight.


• 2007, May 4 another little spirit joins our family. Riley McClain Amundsen is born to Erin and John. She is so tiny yet mightly. A very good baby, easy and peaceful. May seems to be Erin's month for babies! It works out great for me, what better gift could I recieve for my birthday! (grandma Hoxie loves babies!)

• 2007, August Colby suffered a major stroke damaging his basal ganglia and causing serious medical complications. As a result of contact with E-Coli contamination, an erroneous removal of his appendix, antibiotics given that could have been avoided he suffered a life threatening stroke leaving him in a coma with renal shut down. How frightening and numbing for us all. Seeing his little body attached to so many life sustaining machines and barely recognizable from edema was nearly more than I could stand. It left me wishing that I could somehow take his place and grant him the normal life that we all expected him to have. In an instant....so many lives have been changed and our faith has been tested. We are relying on Heavenly Father for his recovery- and accepting His will.