The Atonement Covers All Pain

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught: “Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a ‘healing’ cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are ‘healed’ by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.”¹⁷ All that will come may be “clasped in the arms of Jesus.”¹⁸ All souls can be healed by His power. All pain can be soothed. In Him, we can “find rest unto [our] souls.”¹⁹ Our mortal circumstances may not immediately change, but our pain, worry, suffering, and fear can be swallowed up in His peace and healing balm.

5 mo. Going back to Ronald McDonald

Joie Brooklyn Kartchner

1/19/13-2/2/13- She would be 5 months old today. We miss and love her dearly.

When Joie was in the DNCC in January, A friend sent me this talk. It brought me comfort to know we weren’t alone in our trials. She is gone now and I still have the comfort I needed then and need every day. I wanted to give you all something as a parent who has been there- and these were the words that came to mind. You are not alone. May God bless you and your families with an abundance of peace, love and healing. Love, Cody and Natalie Kartchner

“I have noted that children are often more naturally accepting of pain and suffering. They quietly endure with humility and meekness. I have felt a beautiful, sweet spirit surrounding these little ones.

Thirteen-year-old Sherrie underwent a 14-hour operation for a tumor on her spinal cord. As she regained consciousness in the intensive care unit, she said: “Daddy, Aunt Cheryl is here, … and … Grandpa Norman … and Grandma Brown … are here. And Daddy, who is that standing beside you? … He looks like you, only taller. … He says he’s your brother, Jimmy.” Her uncle Jimmy had died at age 13 of cystic fibrosis.

“For nearly an hour, Sherrie … described her visitors, all deceased family members. Exhausted, she then fell asleep.”

Later she told her father, “Daddy, all of the children here in the intensive care unit have angels helping them.”²⁰

To all of us the Savior said:

“Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.     

“Fear not, little children, for you are mine. …

“Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd.”²¹

Our great personal challenge in mortality is to become “a saint through the atonement of Christ.”²² The pain you and I experience may be where this process is most measured. In extremity, we can become as children in our hearts, humble ourselves, and “pray and work and wait”²³ patiently for the healing of our bodies and our souls. As Job, after being refined through our trials, we “shall come forth as gold.”²⁴

20. See Michael R. Morris, “Sherrie’s Shield of Faith,” Ensign, June 1995, 46.

21.  Doctrine and Covenants 50:40–41, 44

22.  Mosiah 3:19.

23. Henry B. Eyring, Liahona and Ensign, May 2009, 24.

24.  Job 23:10.

From the talk “The Atonement Covers All Pain” by Kent Richards Surgeon and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Full text can be found at lds.org

I remember reading this in our small isolation room and crying. I was given a hug of comfort. I felt the presence of angels. Family members. Aunt Pam, Grandpa Hinckley and Grandpa Muir, Chris, Grandpa Kartchner, Uncle John. So thankful for that comfort that day and the presence I feel almost daily now.  

Story of My Faith

I have never been this bad a blogging. EVER. It hasn't been a priority and life has been a whirlwind. I feel strongly that I need to share some of the feelings I am having. I am tempted to do this privately but I feel as though I need to do it publicly. I will attempt to share some of my innermost thoughts and feelings on the condition that you all set aside all judgement. I am in a situation where I am just existing, doing my best and trying to stay above the clouds. Thanks. 

The reason I called this the story of my faith is becuase it seems that is the struggle I will have this year. I have always thought that I been very faithful in my life but faith isn't true faith until it is tested. I love this quote my good friend sent me awhile back. It is a quote from the April 2011 ensign, "When someone has an ailment or an illness and they are healed as the result of a blessing, their faith is being strengthened. But for those who aren't healed but continue faithful, their faith is being perfected. The first is a faith-promoting experience. The second is faith-perfecting." 

I was reading my scriptures this week in Alma. I have read about the 2,000 stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon. God miraculously protected them from their enemies, becuase of their faith, becuase of their Mother's faith. I couldn't help but think- Was my faith not strong enough? Why didn't God heal and protect Joie? Why did he take her but protect them? It is heart breaking but real. I don't ask it out of self pity or doubt, but sincere desire to understand. I know he could have. But why didn't he? Well of course the answer came to me. God protected the Nephites when they were faithful because that was His plan. He needed them to bring us the scriptures, and teach us lessons. He needed them to be there when Jesus was resurrected so he could visit them and prophesies would be fulfilled. 

Heavenly Father took Joie becuase that was his plan. His inifinite, amazing plan, that is more beautiful than our human minds can comprehend. Even through my selfish desire as a Mother to hold that sweet baby girl I can feel the peace and comfort of the gospel. I know that "All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”^{6 Preach my gospel.}I am very blessed to have the greatest Sunday School Teacher who ever lived, and to call her my friend. She has truly blessed my life. On Sunday she talked about how we all need a reservoir of Faith. Not just a little. A big reservoir. A faith supply. We need every ounce of faith we can get in a storage for later use. The time will come when we will need that faith to sustain us. The prophets have taught us what we need to do to return to live with God and with our families. It requires a lot of work. It isn't easy to do all the small things and keep the commandments. I have come to realize that during the hard times in life we rely on what we have built during the other times. The more faith we have the more likely we are to survive the hard times. I know now that my faith is built on a rock. It is strong. Strong enough to endure this year and to endure to the end. That sweet day when I am reunited with the baby I long to hold.

Meet Baby Joie- Videos of our Angel Baby

Today marks one month since my sweet Joie left my arms. I remember it like yesterday and probably (hopefully) forever will. We have cherished these videos the last month and hope you will to. 

So to all who didn't get the privilege to meet her in this life, here she is.  

Joie Brooklyn Kartchner

We will pick up where we left off in the next life. We anxiously await that beautiful day.

Last family date as a party of 3/Maternity pics and other random funOn

38 weeks

Londyn and I on our tour of the Salem hospital

Riding Horses

Gilbert house fun. She loves the panda bear. I think her outfit is hilarious- who lets their kid out in a skirt and snow boots. Apparently this lazy pregnant Mom!

Dancing! Londyn's favorite thing.

 We had to find a gymnastics class for Londyn to take while I am on maternity leave. She is very coordinated and has a natural talent for dancing- Cody and I are baffled and really don't know where she gets her moves. It must have been the few dance classes she had at her daycare in September.

Londyn and Reaghan on the trampolines

Family Bowling Nite

Have you seen my bowling ball? 

For real, we lost my bowling ball and our shoes from last year when we were on a bowling league in Lehi. We are so sad about our loss! If found, please return. They are all in a black bag with pink flames. That's right. Pink flames. You know you are going to go out and get one.

Londyn spent a lot of time as an infant in the bowling alley. She has a great love for the game. 

I love the pics of Cody and Londyn, he was trying so hard to get her a strike! Mama was on fire and beat on Daddy pretty good. He may have been letting me win so he didn't have to suffer the wrath of a 9 mo pregnant lady.

Londyn was pretty stoked about bowling. We had dinner at the new Panera in Keizer. Londyn enjoyed her last official date night as an only child. Don't worry Londyn, it only gets more fun from here!

I love Instagram. Folllow me @nkartchner

Jump Jump! Londyn loves Just Dance

Happy New Year!

I worked on New Years eve. Then I got sick. So it wasn't much of a party for us. We did use our tree decor to celebrate at 8 o'clock. That was the extent of it. Better luck next year!

2012 Year in Review

Cody's Birthday

We are so blessed to have the greatest friends here in Salem. We have amazing couples in our ward! A few of them got together to celebrate Cody's birthday with us at Changs Mongolian Grill. It was a fantastic night and so fun to eat and visit! 

Birthday dinner- his choice--- okay maybe mine. We also saw Les Mis that night, my choice too. He hated it. Next time he gets to choose!

When we got home our sweet babysitter and Londyn had made these cupcakes! She is adorable! 

We went on a walk on Cody's b-day and Mt. Hood came out to say Hello! It isn't too often you get a view like this from our house!!

I found an idea to decorate your tree for new years after Christmas. I adapted it to include Cody's birthday and put presents under it. 

Only Londyn saw them and started to rip them open!!! 

My loves!

No b-day is complete without a cake- and for Cody only an AMAZING cake will do! Turtle pie!!!!

And we blew out the candles a few times..

We got to skype with Cody's fam- And we let them all sing...a few times! 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Kartchner Family Christmas

This was our first Christmas home! We started our own traditions and Christmas eve we swam and had dinner with Allison & Cody Cirac and fam. It was so fun. We were able to do a secret Santa and feel greatly blessed to have each other and all that we do have. 

Although we missed our family we were blessed to be able to see and talk to them on FaceTime. I woke up early as always and make the traditional Monkey Bread, complete with white hot chocolate and a new find, a Cheese Egg Dish that was amazing and will be a part of our Christmas breakfast from now on!! I was the only one up so I called my parents and they were headed over to Steph's house. I got to watch the kids open their Christmas presents, and although I look awful it was fun to take some pics and enjoy the kids. I love watching Matthew rip his presents open. He gets SO excited!! It is my favorite. 

Londyn and Cody finally got up and the kids were on the phone to tell her Santa came! She was very excited herself, but didn't feel great so it took her a minute to process all the presents. She saw her truck from the top of the stairs, and a bike! We started with her stocking and then made our way over to the...

PINK TRUCK!! This was the highlight of my Christmas. I couldn't wait to see her cruising around in it.

Or to cruise with her...

Minnie Mouse. Londyn asked Santa for a Minnie Mouse. Not really sure where she got the idea from but he stuffed one in her stocking!!

Kitchen. Londyn saw it and said "A kitchen" in a voice of unbelief- Cody had spent a few hrs putting it together and hearing her excitement choked back tears. It was so fun to see the magic of Christmas in our own child's eyes.

After some encouragement she opened some presents. Everything she opened she wanted to play with-

A train for her train track..

A Merida princess dress... and the movie Brave (which we had to stop opening presents to watch :o)

A "used" bike

A fun unicorn getup from Cody's parents- hilarious to watch her run around in this. 

My parents wanted to watch L open a few gifts- it took all day but they got to see a little action. I don't think they knew I could take a pic :o) Londyn just opened a book called "Farts in the Wild" They also got her the adorable hello kitty outfit (with a skirt she LOVES)!

Can't get enough of the princesses!
We are grateful for all the gifts and toys. It was a blessing in disguise to stay home this year, Cody was able to go work and we were able to get some toys to make my maternity leave more bearable. Having had Londyn in daycare we only had a few toys and that was all we needed. Looking forward to hours of driving her truck and playing in the kitchen!

She made out good! We finally have some toys!! Although they are all over it is fun to play games and see Londyn use her imagination. 

And practice driving her truck.

Another video from the Primary's Nativity Play...