Skateboard beginnings

Snowboarding

Jan 7 2011 Celebrating Bryce

Can you tell what they are doing?   They all look pretty funny and they are trying hard to spell BRYCE!

McKay is making an angel in the snow...just what Bryce is --and would be in the snow if he could!

5 Guys restaurant...eating hamburgers ( close to a steak which is what Bryce would be eating)

Playing Bryce's Sunday standard...Boggle  --some like it more than others

Cute Willy  and very pretty Shelby

Jess always brings me flowers.   She left flowers on our doorstep the week Bryce died.  I love them! ..and Jess.  ...and Brad.  and all Bryce's friends. They are so good to me!

Mziwamadoda and Bryce

Elder Christensen  and Madoda's baptism

 I was missing Bryce and for some reason thought of Madoda.  I knew he had served a mission after being baptized and so I checked Bryce's facebook and there he was so I sent him a message.  It was so nice to know how he was and this is what he said:
I am doing great, thank you. Bryce and I were very close. In fact, I can't talk about the blessings of the gospel without talking about Bryce and Devin. The Lord blessed me through them. The best part about life is that we can always look unto Christ for comfort, strength, and hope. I look forward to seeing Bryce again and meeting The Christensen family. Thank you for everything Sister Christensen. . . Have a blessed week. 

Bryce, Andrew and Forever Young

Last night while I was walking to church for "Chocolate Night" I saw three of Bryce's friends. They were pulling skateboards out of their car trunk. That really made me smile because I knew Bryce would have been right there with them if he could. They had gone to the skate park down the street from us. When Bryce was younger, I would drive past and look for him and his friends. I was seldom disappointed because there was always someone that was boarding that was Bryce's friend. That park is a sweet reminder now as I drive past it most days. In August, Bryce's friend from England posted this video in remembrance of Bryce. It is about as perfect as I can think to remember Bryce by. I really can see him in heaven boarding. You may wonder why I keep posting. It is very therapeutic...my way of keeping Bryce close. This video does a great job. Thanks Andrew for sharing it.

President Bateman and What Do You Say?

Friday is my day to serve in the Provo Temple.  It was the Open House for President Bateman and his wife as they finish their service and President Daines takes over.   During my lunch break, I waited in line to shake their hands and thank the out going Presidency.  I have had some special experiences with the Batemans.  President Bateman was in the temple this past Jan. 7th when we went to do sealings.  He wondered what we were doing at that early hour on a Thursday morning so we told him it was the anniversary of Bryce's death.  After the session, I wrote him a letter to tell him how it went and he has shared our experience of sealing parents to sons from South Africa at many Stake Conferences throughout Utah Valley.  How do I know? I have had people tell me when they hear President Bateman speak.  This past week, Kim had someone at work tell him that President Bateman was at their Stake Conference the past weekend and spoke about a returned missionary from South Africa that was killed in a car accident.   So I told President Bateman about that and his wife asked me if it was alright to continue to tell the story.  I assured her that anything that was about Bryce always made me happy and I loved to know he was telling our story.
That night, McKay had lots of friends over to celebrate his 29th birthday.  We have all the missionary plaques up on our kitchen wall of our children and I look at them often.  Several times his friends would ask about our children and I would tell where they were, who was married, etc.  They would see Bryce's picture and I would talk about his mission, etc.  It was clear to me that none of them knew that Bryce was gone.  It made me reflect on the people that are usually in our home and know our history and we talk about Bryce as much as we do about our other children.  It makes me really happy when there is someone that asks about him or wants to know more.  It makes him real.  It was hard for me to not say anything about the accident and to just pass over where Bryce is or what he is doing.   I am learning though that it is okay and those that need to know will ask.
I am grateful for those that let me talk all I want about him.  They are very patient and kind.  I had no idea that healing would continue to be a part of my life almost two years later and I am grateful for all the mothers that understand and keep pulling me along with them.  I am grateful for my children letting me talk about Bryce and not saying...move on Mom.  I am grateful that Kim listens and understands and feels just like me.  I am grateful for those experiences that come at unexpected times that lets me know God isn't tired of listening to me either.
One last note.   Bryce trained an Elder from Madagascar.  His name was Nambinina RANDRINIRINANIARIVO  .   I still can't say his last name.  He started writing to me every Monday --the same time as I would always get an email from Bryce when he was in South Africa.   He has continued to write now that he is home.   That is pretty tender. 

Two Years From Today

Thinking of you today Bryce.  Hope there is lots of snow where you are! 
Don't forget to write in your journal...I will want to hear all about your adventures when I see you again!