All is bright.

 Monday, Dec 6

Bill was flying out to CO, so after dropping him off at the airport, I went to Bountiful to visit my parents. This is J's birthday, so I wanted to visit her grave and be with them, knowing they were also thinking of her and feeling the loss and sorrow of not having her here. 

Honestly, there is not a more beautiful location to be laid to rest. I have always loved seeing the temple from this spot, and I especially loved seeing it brightly lit up that evening.

I had never been to this cemetery during the Christmas season. They place large lighted orbs throughout the cemetery, and have this amazing tree covered in lights. It was lovely and bright.

We drove around the temple and read through the Christmas story presented on large lighted displays on many of the lawns of the homes surrounding the temple. It was tender to reflect on the birth of our Savior - to know that, because of Him, we can have a "perfect brightness of hope"  by pressing forward, loving God and others, and enduring to the end. And if we do this, "behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen." (2 Nephi 31:20-21)

Afterwards we drove around looking for light displays. I was trying to find some that went to music, but we were unsuccessful in our quest. We managed to find this beautiful display, though:

We may have played games - or just visited - the rest of the evening. As I made the long drive home that night I felt grateful: for good parents, for a little sister, for the plan of salvation, and for my Savior, Jesus Christ - the Light of the World.

All is bright.