To the Very End.

Sister Elaine Jackson- December 1, 2009- RS Christmas Social

That evening was such a special evening for all of us.  Elaine had made the effort to join us at our RS meeting and participated in all our planned events.  She lived with her brother-in-law Ken & sister-in-law Joan.  It happened to be Joan's birthday that evening and we laughed that she chose RS over other ways to celebrate her day.

Elaine was the senior member of our RS and had a lot of health struggles so we really appreciated that she came to RS that evening as that took a lot of effort and energy.  All of us enjoyed visiting with her that night.  This is she and Heather catching up on things!  

She was known for her love of RS, her diligence in hounding all of us about our VT, her exactness on record keeping and strong testimony.  She had been a Temple worker, RS President and lifelong faithful active Ward member.

Joan and she stayed until things wound down and headed home. Joan shared..."The last thing I said to her after she explained she was tired and going to bed... 'Oh, you party animal. I can't take you out this late anymore'." Elaine laughed and agreed, told Ken & Joan goodnight and headed to her private suite.  She died while getting ready for bed and was found the next morning. To think she died just a couple of hours after this picture was taken.

We were all shocked.  What made it even more startling?...the fact that just a couple of weeks earlier, November 16th, Judd Allsop, our senior HP,  had partaken of the Sacrament, collapsed, was taken to hospital and he passed away a few hours later.

Right up to the very end of their lives they were where they should be, doing what they should be and doing the best they could to be faithful.

I appreciate and admire the effort that those in the aging category put forth.  They are a shining example to all of us.  They have the mindset of enduring and at least do all you can to come to Sacrament meeting.  Stay as long as you can endure the pain.  Attend all events possible.  Do what you can.

Over the last couple of years I've thought about this and observed how as faithful testimony laden members age & health and infirmities start to encroach on their lives, the effort they go to in attending meetings and doing all they can to endure to the end, is a sight to behold.  They never give up.  They never give in.  They may give out at times and be forced to lay low but usually they just protest and keep on fighting to stay in the race.

I want to be like that as I stroll down this path in the exit lane of life.  I want to endure because I know the Gospel is true and I love it.

This is an excellent talk for all of us to learn from.  Here is a little sample....

 "Great priesthood trainers have shown me how to build that strength: it is to form a habit of pushing on through the fatigue and fear that might make you think of quitting. The Lord’s great mentors have shown me that spiritual staying power comes from working past the point when others would have taken a rest."


Preparation in the Priesthood: “I Need Your Help”  by President Henry B. Eyring

ENDURE TO THE END!!