Thank You President Hinckley!

"We thank thee oh God for a Prophet"

I heard the news last night of the passing of our dear sweet prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley. I am so full of so many different emotions. Just look at this picture, how can you not love this man!! Just the feeling of pure love and appreciation and thankfullness comes over me, even brings tears to my eyes. He emulates joy, charity, love, kindness, righteous, the perfect example, all the Christlike attributes; there is just so much that I love and admire and will miss about our great leader. Kyle and I were talking this morning and remembering things about Pres. Hinckley. It is almost the feeling of loosing a grandpa. His cute whit, sense of humor, raspy cute voice, but yet the power he spoke with, oh I am so sad but at the same time so happy for him. I am sure the reunion with his cute little wife in the presence of our Father was so sweet and precious!

I am so grateful I live at this time to have the example and direction from Pres. Hinckley. I have never personally met him face-to-face but I have felt his spirit and testimony when I read or heard his words. I did have the chance to attend the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional in 2006. That was one of the first times that I have been in the same room as our prophet. I can remember waiting in our seats for the presidency to walk out. It was noisy and people were talking but yet The Moment that Pres. Hinckley walked out, the whole atmosphere and feeling in the room changed immediately. I sat and watched this cute old man walk to his chair, smiling and chatting with his counselors. The thought of how amazing it is that our Heavenly Father has a prophet on the earth today, that talks with God all the time, and that I am looking at him that very moment. What an amazing man he is and how righteous he is, I absolutely have the most respect and love for him! Which is also wonderful about him, everyone that Pres. Hinckley has come in contact with, been interviewed by, had a conversation with, everyone (LDS or not) has only the best things to say about this man. There is not one bad thing that can be said about him. His conviction of the truth, love of the gospel, council to each one of us, all of it just amazing!! He will be missed so much!

I am excited to see the change in the Presidency and I can rest assured that the gospel will and always be the same and will continue to go forth. It will be strange because since I can remember it has been "Our Prophet, President Hinckley". He has been "my" prophet, but I know I will love our new prophet just as much! I am just grateful to have the fullness of the gospel on this earth today and to be apart of it.

"The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our
eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the
grand millennial mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"This is a time to be strong.

"It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth and the importance of our mission.

"It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow.
"It is a time to be found keeping the commandments.
"It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain.
"It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike."

(Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley; 165th Annual General Conference on April 2, 1995)