Dallas & Judy Thompson

2 Nephi 25:26

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”

Let me introduce you to two amazing people—who always strived their best to live for Christ.

Dallas Clark & Judy Charlotte Dean Thompson

Kids: Deanna, Terri, Christi, Todd, Randy, Kevin, Cindy, Shauna, Stephen, David

Story:

In my young childhood we lived in Canada, close to my Thompson grandparents. My Grandpa Thompson battled Leukemia more than once, and I remember him being bald from all his hair falling out after chemotherapy. Never once did I see him complain or even pained, although I’m sure his body was exhausted.

One of my favorite memories was playing the game “Fruit Basket” with grandma and grandpa. Usually no one else would join us, but us three would change positions back and forth; for hours it seemed.

Another memory I have is climbing a big pine tree by great-grandma’s house in Idaho Falls with my cousins Emily and Chantelle, and looking down I could see Grandpa down below watching us. At first I thought we’d be in trouble and he’d tell us to come down, but he was just watching us with a smile—making sure we were safe. His eyes promised to not give us in, but he didn’t leave until we had safely ended our adventures in the heights of the tree.

I’m grateful for how faithful these grandparents were to their testimonies and enduring to the end. They continue to be a symbol of service and strength in my life.

LaVall & Nita Hirschi

WHAT ARE GRANDMAS FOR?

Grandmas are for stories
 about things of long ago. 

Grandmas are for caring 
about all the things you know…

Grandmas are for rocking you 
and singing you to sleep, 

Grandmas are for giving you 
nice memories to keep...

Grandmas are for knowing 
all the things you're dreaming of...

But, most importantly of all, 
grandmas are for love.
                                                                    -Author Unknown 

LaVall Edward & Nita Jean Cheney Hirschi

Kids: Kerry, Becky, Rick, Heather, Wade, Heath, Kyle

I have awesome grandparents. Not only do I have awesome grandparents, but I was also able to grow up close to these grandparents—in the same church ward, just a couple miles down the road. I have memories of Sunday dinners, visiting the ranch in Geneva, and always learning something new from Grandma—reading books, sewing a pillow, or dipping caramels in chocolate. I'm convinced my grandparents probably know and are good at everything that really matters in life.

Story:

Grandma & Grandpa Hirschi served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ontario, Canada. While there they met a woman at the local food bank where they served each week. Later, leaving the area and not thinking much of their acquaintanceship, my grandparents totally forgot about this lady; they forgot that they had given her a picture with their name and contact information on the back.

Fast-forward 10 years. The phone rings, the name isn’t recognized until the story starts to unfold. It was the lady from Ontario. She had just suffered a death in her family, and various other trials. She didn’t know what to do, but she saw the picture of her missionary friends whom she had always looked up to and knew that they were the ones that could help her. When she finally called, my grandma happily shared the Plan of Salvation with her—Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness for his children. Later they were able to send her information to the church and missionaries went to teach her. Hope entered her world once more.

I’m proud that my grandparents are Christlike examples to those they interact with and I hope to follow that example of generosity and charity. They are a living testimony that God loves and is aware of all of his children.

Randy & Heather Thompson

The Family is of God

Before this earth we lived with our Father in Heaven. Under his direction the earth was created as a means to help us progress and eventually become like him.

The kids at church sing one of my new favorite songs, the first verse reads:
Our Father has a family. It’s me!
It’s you, all others too: we are His children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,
To live and learn here in families.
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the family is of God.

Everyday of my life I can recognize the guiding hand of a loving Heavenly Father. I testify that he wants to help us; he knows what is best for us. One of his greatest blessings in my life is mi familia, who I am happy to share with you today.

Randy Jay & Heather Lee Hirschi Thompson

Kids: Mykell, Jacob, Hannah, Abby, Joseph, Ty

Married: Dec. 21, 1991

Story:

My parents are both hard-workers. They don’t just care about getting the job done, but also about doing it right; and taking the time to teach us to do it right.

Growing up, my dad was particularly meticulous in teaching us to keep a clean room. He would threaten to get the Gunny Man (a potato gunny sack), at which point we would cry “No Dad, not the Gunny Man!” and hide under our beds wailing. He would then calmly walk through our rooms and pick up any shoes or toys that were lying around and place them in the sack. We would have to pay him or do chores to earn our stuff back; otherwise he literally threw it away after about a week.

Looking back I think this story is hilarious. And after serving a mission, and helping with many a garage sale and many a house cleaning, I testify that every family needs a Gunny Man. It not only helped us learn to keep our rooms clean, but also to appreciate the belongings we had; and in the end to respect ourselves and others.

So here's to my parents. Who love God and others, are outstanding citizens, and lead a happy home. I hope to be like them one day.