Charles' Dream and Destiny

Charles was a diligent journal writer. I have stacks of his thoughts and feelings that I can read through at anytime. It was really hard to read through them at first, but now they are wonderful, and such a blessing. As I read back through his journals, I find so much wisdom and insight that is priceless to me, and it will be priceless to our children. He continues to teach me, and guide me, with his wisdom that he left behind.

Let me just say it is so important to write down your life, your thoughts, your feelings… unless you want to be forgotten when you are gone?

I want my kids to know what I believe long after I am gone, and even while I am still here… so I take the time to write. (And it does take deliberate time, and effort!) But it is worth it! My kids read my blog all the time. And one day, when they are ready, I will hand over their daddy's journals, too.

Just carve out a little moment of your day and write! I am so grateful that my Charles -- an Attorney who ran his own business, a devote church member, and father of 4 -- still took the time to write in his journal! It means everything to me now!

So, using discretion, I will be sharing bits and pieces from his journal that I feel are of value to share, and that he would not mind me sharing. Sometimes I read his journals and it is just day-to-day stuff, and other times things jump out of the page and take my breath away.

Charles had some really interesting dreams that he documented, that I will be sharing over time.

This is one of those heart-stopping entries…

The Dream and Destiny 
Notice he had this dream 14 years ago… 

5/14/00

I had a strange dream last night. I had a dream that I was a teacher, and that all the kids -- all the bad kids that I hung out with when I was in High school -- they were my students. I awoke from my dream and it seemed like my life was being flashed before my eyes. I was overcome with the distinct impression that I knew that I was going to die. And I knew that I was going to die from lung cancer. This scared me very much. I thought of Mari and having to leave her. I began to wonder whether I was ready to die or not. I began to wonder whether or not I was ready to meet God. I began to think about what I would do to prepare myself. I would try and use my death to encourage people to repent and prepare themselves. Nothing sharpens your testimony like an approaching death. I am grateful that I was not filled with any selfish "why me" kind of feelings. I'm not sure why I had these impressions. Maybe it was only a call to repentance? Or maybe it was a warning that I need to put my house in order and begin to prepare myself for the life to come. 

-Charles 

To think he had these kind of impressions that long ago is astounding to me. I find it most interesting that he thought he would die of lung cancer, and he died of a blood clot in his lungs. I also find it interesting that he had the impression he was a teacher of the rebellious kids. Perhaps that is what he is doing now? He is teaching the rascals how to be good.

I know that is what he is doing.

I was not ready for Charles to die, but he was ready to meet his Heavenly Father, and Savior. His journals are filled with his testimony of the gospel, and his closeness with the Savior. My name appears in his journal here and there, but it is mostly filled with his love of God, and his testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I will be sharing his testimony over time, here on my blog. It is just too beautiful not to share!

Dreams are powerful. Sometimes they mean nothing, and sometimes they mean everything. 

I think there is a lot to learn from Charles' impressions.

Would you be ready to meet God if you died today?

Just some food for thought...