SAM

I've been delaying this post. My hands sweat, my heart aches and I just cry. Thankfully there are not too many moments in life when we feel pain deep down in our soul. Pure sadness! Last week I felt pure sadness, I couldn't shake it. I would be ok and then my husband would hug me and I would cry. I had a headache for 3 days straight from crying. My cousin, Sam, died at scout camp a week ago Tuesday. He was running in the triathlon. He fell and my Uncle thought that he tripped and hit his head. He started to get back up and then fell again. Thankfully my Uncle, his dad, was right there and ran to him. He rolled him over, immediately gave him a blessing, and Sam's breathing stopped and then his pulse. My Uncle said that looking in his eyes he knew that Sam was gone. Sam was resuscitated and airlifted to the hospital. He was gone. The doctors said there was no head trauma that they believe that he had an issue with his heart. He was healthy, he was strong, he was a cowboy. He was 16 years old. He had just had his 16th birthday on June 19th. Shocking! Hard to grasp! I have a deep love for the Lawrence family. They are my family. They hold and will forever hold a special place in my heart. I feel pure sadness for their family, for my Uncle Randy and Aunt Ruthie. They will forever feel an emptiness in their hearts. I am grateful for their testimony's in the gospel and for mine. We all know God has a plan for each of us, sometimes we wish we knew what that was but we are not in charge. I LOVE you Lawrence family SO MUCH...you are in my daily prayers!
Sam was such a good boy, genuinely good boy, an angel on this earth! He was obedient. He was a hard worker. He had a desire to learn. He was a beekeeper with his dad. He played the bagpipes, the violin (my violin):) and the piano. He loved scouting and he loved scout camp. His parents said it was ironic that he died doing what he loved most. He loves his Savior! (the picture in the center is a picture of Sam holding a piece of paper that says, "I want to be like Jesus.")
The memorial service was beautiful. When we made our way to the chapel there were boy scouts lining the halls and aisle way to our seats in the front. They were saluting and some were crying. So powerful, so beautiful, so touching. Sam made such an impact on all he knew and all he did not! Uncle Randy told us that a Navy and Military ship by Africa were having a moment of silence at 11:00 am the day of the service. I loved all the stories and thoughts shared by his siblings and dad. Aunt Ruthie wears a missionary charm around her neck when her boys are serving a mission. She has had that charm on since I saw her last week, she says Sam is serving his mission. Loved the slideshow, pictures and music that played, the music on the slideshow was songs that Sam had learned to play on the piano and they were beautiful. His bagpipe teacher played and it was beautiful. His best friend and violin teacher played a violin duet. Nick played Sam's favorite hymn on the piano, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief". Monte gave a perfect Eulogy. We sang together as a congregation "Called to Serve" and "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go". Beautiful and Perfect!

Sierra and cousin Timmy, they are good friends

Dedication of the Grave was beautiful!

Sam, I love you! I am grateful for the example you set. I am grateful for the talents you shared. I'm grateful that you make me want to be a better person. I will miss you! Hugs!
"Run that ye may obtain the prize." 1 Cor 9:24