John Was Truly a Helpmate in Everything We Did

John was truly a helpmate in everything we did. By Sherilyn Mills Hirschi Closing remarks given by Sherilyn Hirschi after a Primary Sacrament Meeting Program 2013: This is the time during the program when the Primary President always stands and says something like this “after yesterday’s practice, I wasn’t sure how this was going to turn out” and she learns to "Fully Rely on God." Brothers and Sisters I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve the children of this ward. I have learned much more from them than they will ever learn from me. I am thankful for this year’s theme of: Families are Forever. I know that families are central to God’s plan, and that through sacred temple ordinances, families can be together forever. I was a little hesitant about this year’s theme at the beginning of the year because I didn’t belong to a forever family until later in life and I remember going to Primary and singing “Families Can Be Together Forever” and feeling a little out of place and just a notch below those friends I had, whose parents had temple bags. I didn’t want any of our children to go home feeling the same way for any reason, so I was thankful we were able to share with them the things they could do to personally prepare to have that sweet feeling of walking through those temple doors themselves someday and how important it is to be a good example to each family member. After listening to the talks prepared today, I know we’re on the right track of making and preparing to keep those covenants we know will lead us back to our Heavenly Father. Today, I’m thankful for a Forever Family – I’m thankful for the love and support of my husband and third counselor. During our Saturday practice yesterday, John practiced singing his part in our program, he played the organ as we ran through the closing hymn that we’ll soon be singing, he ran to pick-up the pizza we had ordered for lunch, then jumped in the car and searched the neighborhood for two children we thought were missing, came back, took the trash to the dumpster, made sure the lights were turned off and the building was locked before heading home. He is truly my helpmate and example in every way – thank you. I also know that one day, I will have the loving arms of my parents, who I miss terribly, around me again . . . . and they’ll be holding their temple bags.