Tender Mercies...

I felt impressed to share this experience and how it relates to this song:

I'm missing my dad something fierce today, tomorrow marks 5 months since his passing. I opened up Pandora, looking for solace through music, I typed in "The Mormon Tabernacle Choir" for a 'station' and hit enter. First song out of the gate was a song from the Messiah, one of my dad's favorites - I of course started crying like a baby. Each song played was one that meant SO much to me about my dad. I KNOW he was letting me know he was there (as I felt him standing by me), each song a testament of his love for me and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Best part and why?: The second song played was this one. As my dad suffered the last day of his life, hymns and songs of worship were one of the things that help sooth his suffering. Towards the end, as his body fought to stay with his spirit, he would get restless even on pain medication. The Hymns and other LDS music, helped to calm him. When his favorites were played, he'd deeply sigh as the Spirit (invited by these songs and the sacredness of one leaving this life) helped to soothe his soul, a peace and calmness falling over him. 

The Lord's Prayer is one of my mom's favorite songs, she would sing it, and my dad loved to hear her sing! We'd never heard this version, with Andrea Bocelli singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. That day, I found this song - the way I found it, some may call an accident - it was anything but accidental. As I listed to this song, with my mom laying next to my dad holding his hand, we wept and were overcome by so many things: by the presence of the Spirit, of those on the other side waiting for my dad's return, the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the sealing power of the Priesthood, the joy the plan of salvation brings, the knowledge that this was not the end, the peace brought by knowing this was the Lord's will and plan for my dad, and the tender mercies of the Lord that were given to us in the last months of my dad's life (and truly my entire life, IF I look for the hand of the Lord, I can see it daily). 

I'm in awe of the Gospel, my Savior, His suffering and sacrifice, His willingness and worthiness to offer Himself for my sake, of the plan of happiness and salvation, the intricate part if plays in my life, the plan the Lord has for each of us, how tailored our own lives are for each of us as individuals, how it teaches us, humbles us, helps us to become better instead of bitter (if we choose), and to "polish us" for the day we too are called home. I am eternally grateful for all I've been blessed with through birthright, trials, loss, defeat, and triumph through the Lord's hand - because all I have is acquired in debt to my Savior and Heavenly Father; the gift of repentance and redemption - the gift given to us all to turn weakness into strength. The more I learn, the more I'm humbled. It strengthens me and encourages me, so I too can say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

I miss you Dad, thank you for your example, continued guidance, and always being there - even today!! I love you!!

I hope this song touches you the way it has touched me and enjoy the beautiful words...
"...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." - Matthew 6:9-13

In Loving Memory

William Gerritt Vander Linden

For those that don't know, my dad passed away in April after battling Leukemia. He was my hero and was all things wonderful. He was everything a Father should be and I miss him so much. I will be posting some things I've written down over this experience, so they aren't lost or forgotten. Until then, I thought I would share his obituary:

William Gerritt Vander Linden 1952-2013, age 60

William Gerritt Vander Linden, loving and devoted brother, husband, father, and Opa, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2013, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with Leukemia. An inspirational role model to his family and countless others, Bill lived a life exemplified by love, duty to God and his country, integrity, and service. He was admired for his spiritual and physical strength, work ethic, and grounded values.

Born August 23, 1952, to Arthur and Ruth Naomi Van Seters Vander Linden in Salt Lake City, Utah, he learned the value of hard work by helping his father in the construction industry. After graduation from Olympus High School in 1970, he joined the Utah Army National Guard and completed his basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland prior to serving his LDS mission in his beloved ancestral homeland of The Netherlands from January 1972 to January 1974. Upon returning from his mission, he enrolled in college at the University of Utah and soon after met his sweetheart, Kathleen Groesbeck. After a short courtship, they were sealed in the Ogden, Utah LDS Temple on July 18, 1974. He later graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with an emphasis in Urban Planning.

For 10 years Bill worked with his father and brothers in a family construction business as general contractors and later served as a zoning enforcement inspector, planner, building inspector, plans examiner, assistant building official, and building official for Salt Lake City Corp., Coalville City, and Summit County. While working for the various jurisdictions, Bill was an active member of the Utah Chapter of the ICC serving in many capacities including president. He continued his service in the Utah Army National Guard for twenty-six years, retiring in 1997 at the rank of Captain in the 142^nd Military Intelligence Battalion as a Dutch linguist. He loved his country and served it valiantly.

Bill enjoyed playing and watching athletic sports during his lifetime and spent many hours teaching his children, coaching them, playing sports with them, and traveling to many games returning in the wee hours of the morning. He was a devout fan of the University of Utah sports teams, the Green Bay Packers football team, and the San Francisco Giants baseball team.

His devotion to the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was his life’s mission. He was true to the faith and was an example in word and deed. His loyalty to God and his family were paramount in all that he did. He was a constant support to his wife and children in all of their endeavors. He honored the priesthood and cherished his relationships with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He wants no empty chairs! “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Bill will be greatly missed and remembered by those surviving him, including his wife, Kathleen G. Vander Linden and their four children and spouses: William Gerritt (BJ) and Jennifer Vander Linden Jr. of South Jordan, Utah; April and Todd H. Schmidt and Catharina and Chad J. Lance of West Jordan, Utah, and Eric Spencer and Vanessa Vander Linden of Layton, Utah. Bill will greatly miss his thirteen precious grandchildren: Katija, Ethan, Gerritt, Jakob, Leah, Aunna, Joshua, Natalie, Neeltje, Eliza, Bradley, Caden and Megan.

Bill is also survived by his brother Scott B. (Ranae) Vander Linden; his sisters Tracy Otteson, Melanie (Wren) Fox, Joan (Brad) Herridge, Steffanie (Christopher) Staples, and sister-in-law Nola Vander Linden Carlson and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Christine, brother Arthur Vander Linden Jr., and brother-in-law Gregg D. Otteson.

Being 5 Is So Rough!

Caden had a rough morning. Well, he made it rough for all of us. The girls kept asking,"Why is Caden crying?" Because, really Caden isn't the crying type of child. Chad was on-call from yesterday at 8 AM to 8 AM this morning and was called out twice, the second time was around 3 AM. So, Chad got home around 7 AM this morning after being called out and woke Caden up. Free advice: Don't wake children up, let them wake themselves (at this age anyway).

First it was Caden's shirt, he was laying on the floor all floppy doll saying it was too hard (and he hadn't even tried one button), he was just flopping on the floor sighing and crying. Then I was helping with his belt and he was crying, standing there - he was acting like I'd asked him to do Algebra. I asked why he was crying and he started crying harder and said,"I don't KNOW!" Lol! I started laughing and that made him cry even more, so I told him he was going to take a nap! He was wailing in his room, for almost an hour.

I knew he was tired. Caden isn't like this unless he is so past tired, that there is no reasoning with him. So I did the one thing that always seems to work for Caden...I read. When I need Caden to nap...I read out loud from a book I'm reading. I told him to lay on my bed and I started reading out loud...BAM, one minute in and he was out. Being 5 is SO rough ;)