Sept 6 2015 -Ali

Justice,
I just woke up from a clear dream and so naturally you get to hear about it :) Don't get too excited it's not THAT kind of dream ;)

Alyssa and I were going on a trip with a group of Magrath people(maybe a tour of Guatemala) and we had all met at Grandma Olsons/the Airport to wait for our flight. I placed Biscuit in a small room so she could walk around while we waited(because of course were would take a cat on a sight seeing trip in Guatemala) We were playing games and visiting and just biding our time for the plane to arrive when all the sudden the screen flashed "Plane Boarding".

In that moment we realized that although we had everything we needed we hadn't gotten it prepared. We frantically started running to the van to pull out our bags and backpacks. They were open and there was random things mixed in with essential things and I wasn't sure what to grab and what to leave behind. Alyssa wasn't much help to me as she was grabbing her things and preparing herself so I was frustrated as I realized time was getting short and we may miss our opportunity to go on the trip. We had our tickets in hand I had remembered to get one but wasn't sure exactly where it was(turned up in my pocket). I was searching the car for my blue folder with our passports and important documents in it before finally abandoning hope for it and thought surely they will still let us on with just our ticket and my drivers license, and hopefully I will still be able to get home without these documents.

I finally got all the bags out of the car and grabbed biscuits cage to go and fetch her. I went inside but couldn't find where she was. I was looking all around for her before thinking "Why are we even taking her on this trip? That seems like a bad idea." but I couldn't just leave her stuck there so I asked a friend who was still there and going back past moms house to take her back to moms for me. I still couldn't find her but decided to just leave the things open and she should find her own way home the few blocks back to moms house.

I woke up in this moment not knowing if I ever made it or not, but assuming that I most likely didn't.

It immediately reminded me of the Parable of the 10 Virgins. Just last night I was thinking (I know it is self centered and wrong) that I have things going pretty well right now and probably don't need to fast for anything even though it is fast Sunday. We are here safely at my parents house surrounded by support and help. You are in Kuwait settling in, safe, and doing your dentist thing. Upon closer consideration I realized how wrong I was.

We have so many things that I have absolutely no control over and need the guidance of a loving Heavenly Father to help me in many troubled times that could possibly happen. We are relying on hope that our house is safe in Louisiana, that our car runs smoothly and that we don't have any accidents or troubles with it, Kuwait is safe for now but I have no idea if the actions of others will change that instantly and leave you stranded so far away from me. We really have no health insurance here and should something happen it would be difficult to find care. These were just a few of the things that could go wrong, and yes we have addressed these concerns and done our best to prevent and prepare for them but we are still trusting that things will workout.

I feel a connection with the Parable of the 10 virgins because I know it is about me. I have been invited to the Wedding(trip, -celestial kingdom) and I have taken steps to prepare myself for when the bridegroom comes(buying the ticket, waiting at the airport, luggage in the car --marrying in the temple, attending church, fulfilling callings, FHE, etc...) I am waiting for what comes next (to board the plane -to die or see the Savior come). When the call comes will I be ready? I wasn't in my dream.

I had the luggage but it wasn't where it needed to be, to be helpful(I have scriptures and church classes, temple sessions, study guides/manuals, but are they being used as diligently as they should so that I might be prepared in that long awaited moment) being in the car wasn't close enough especially when I hadn't packed it as well as I should have. I had suitcases but they were filled with random things most of which I really didn't need. Especially Biscuit. There was no need to bring her on such a trip where she could get lost or sick. I feel like it was a foolish things to focus on bringing and when it came down to it, it was a wasted effort as I couldn't find her anywhere even though I thought I had put her in a safe place. (I feel like this was how the Nephites/Lamenites felt as they tried to hide up their treasures in the earth but couldn't find them again) If you plan on bringing the wrong things with you when you die they will be lost. Things like material goods, treasures of the earth, have no place in the celestial kingdom and will slip through our grasping fingers no matter how hard we try, we will not be able to take them to where we really want to go.

I am determined to try harder to prepare for the second coming and our life to come by holding fast to the instructions and guidance we have been given. We have been invited to the Wedding feast and now must prepare for the wait for the bridegroom. I don't want to be frantically searching for things that I thought I had more time to prepare as I sat visiting and paying games instead. I don't want the moment to come and realize that the things I had packed were of little or no use or value to me. I know I need to do better but I will start today.

SO.... apparently there was your Sunday talk for the day. I love you and appreciate you so much I want to be with you forever and we have been promised that we can if we fulfill our part. I know I needed the reminder last night that I still have a lot of work to do to prepare myself to be your eternal companion. I love you and want you FOREVER!

Your adoring wife, Ali