Sweet Daffodils

Last night after FHE, Kim and I went for a walk.  Kim seemed to have a plan and when we came near the cemetery, he indicated he wanted to go see Bryce's grave.  I was anxious to get in a good walk but followed. 
Last Fast Meeting I had talked about the daffodils in our yard.  They were a sweet reminder to me of the resurrection.  My friend Tammy brought me bulbs the fall following Bryce's death.  I was excited to see them in the Spring and have enjoyed them the past two seasons. 
We were surprised to come to Bryce's headstone and see daffodils.  Kim lifted up the vase and there was a note on the plate under the vase.  I just stared.  I slowly walked away after that wondering who would put the flowers there.  My daffodils have long since faded in the yard.  I have found that it really means a lot to me when others talk about Bryce, tell me things that they remember, and are patient when I go on and on about something Bryce said or did.  I thought that time would heal this heart but I am beginning to think the hole is permanent.  That's okay because the Lord has filled that hole with sweet moments just like last night.

May 13, 2007 Mother's Day Phone Call Home

I was reading my journal and found a summary of a phone call home from Bryce:

• In Port Elizabeth ward there are 85 % white, 15 % black and no coulored.

• Zone Conference is on Tues. and they have taught a Pastor.  He has read 1/2 of the Book of Mormon and they have set up an appointment with Pres. Egan so he can ask him questions.  

• Tyler asked Bryce when the last time was he had pizza and he said yesterday.  They have weird ingredients like bananas, Russian sausage, etc.  He still doesn't like to eat smiley ( goat's tongue, goats head).  He can eat yams now, beet root and anything but tells people he is allergic to soda pop.  
• He talked about townships and that they don't go there at night because everyone burns their garbage   ( no garbage collection) and they would smell like bonfire.  He gets to hear Bob Marley being played and says I probably enjoy it more than I should.   His apartment is small.  There is just the two of them.  There are 100 in the building.  They are on the 2nd story.  All the houses are cinder block with barbed wire and glass around perimeter.  There are police men with armored cars and machine guns everywhere.  The crime is mostly with the blacks and racism is common.  
•   They do service in the mornings then have lunch, do tracting, visit members and get referrals.  He says tracting is a lot like video games.  They keep finding ways to be creative to talk to people and to keep from getting bored.  
• He just finished reading "Our Heritage" and said it was really good. 
• He doesn't mean to be ungrateful but everyone sends him Swedish fish...variety is nice. 

His questions:  Is my room still painted?  How's Provo Canyon construction going?  Mom...do you miss Elder Christensen? Mom: I am so grateful that you are on a mission!  Do you get homesick?  I figure I am down here for only 2 years and it will be gone before I know it so I had better make it count because I will be home before I know. 
Question from Mom:  How do you know how to make meat pies?  I 'm a missionary.  I just figure it out. 

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.