Friends are Friends Forever

Wow there are so many emotions going on right now it's hard to decipher them all. For all of you who don't what what happened I'll explain briefly.

My Father in Law is the Director of American Fork High School Marching Band. We are alumni of the band and still love to support them, therefore we were all up in Idaho at the ISU Marching Band Comp. The band did awesome- swept the competition and took first place.

Around 7:30 on the way home just out side Pocatello the bus driver of the second of four buses complained about not feeling well and blacked out. Heather Christensen was the staff member on that bus. She is a true hero. She jumped up and grabbed the wheel of the bus and took partial control. The bus rolled with about 60 students on board. Heather was thrown into the stairwell and died on the scene. Without her the bus would have probably hit a huge ravine just feet away.

We got the word shortly after and quickly rushed to the sight. The students were obviously shaken up and in mass confusion. There were so many angels there especially Brent and Carson (my friends that passed away when I was in HS). The show this year is "The Greatest Generation" - dedicated to those who gave their lives for our county and we know that some of them were there as well. Anyway those are definitely all details that I'm not sure I want to go into anymore.

Heather died doing what she loved, serving the kids. She is genuinely a kind, considerate, funny person. Who was always involved and always making others. She recently bought a new car that has seat warmers and in a recent facebook posting she said that she is sure that heaven will have seat warmers and lettuce wraps! I'll say it a million times over that she saved all of those kids' lives.

Life is so fragile and precious. I am so grateful for our knowledge of our Heavenly Fathers plan for us. I know that Heather is in a better place and looking down on her family now- comforting them and making them laugh I'm sure. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much. The spirit is so strong here its hard to not be crying all the time. I am so thankful for the power of the priesthood and the men who worthily hold it. Dusty and John were giving blessings on site and throughout the night and into this morning. I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many amazing people that are willing to help at the drop of a hat. Our ward and neighbors are so loving. Friends have called expressing love and prayers. Thank you to everyone who has prayed and fasted for my family and the band members as well as Heathers family.

I just want to say that no matter what happens in life there are times that will always tie us together. This is one. Brent and Carson are another. I will always love those friends and always call them best friends.

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show

We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

To live as friends

Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

No a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends