Hiking Revelations and Temple Work

As anyone who has recently been reading this blog knows- I have been really thinking about Aaron. Maybe thinking is not the best word- mourning would probably describe my feelings better. The one year anniversary (which sounds like a celebratory word but I have found that it isn’t always) was on Tuesday June 28. I woke up that morning dreading life and decided to take a hike in the beautiful Rocky Mountains to clear my head and cry a little. I went by myself up Maple in Boulder and just kept going; past the normal hiking spot, over a mountain, up a mountain and I finally landed at an off the road hike all alone. I slung my backpack- containing a journal, the Conference Ensign and some yummy snacks. I started hiking, crying and fervently praying for some sort of feeling from the Lord. Half way up I saw a sign “Mountain Lion Country” but I just grabbed some rocks (for protection) and kept going. Only about a minute past this I got a distinct feeling that I should turn around and go back to the car- I listened. I went back to a table near the car took out my stuff and started reading.


I have harbored such angry feelings at the Lord for allowing this trial to come upon my family and for taking Aaron. I have been worried about where Aaron is? What is he doing? How does he feel? Would he receive the gospel (and temple work we were going to do) or would he turn from it? I was worried that I would not feel anything while doing the temple work and therefore my faith would be shaken again. While up on that mountain top I felt so close to the spirit and to my Heavenly Father. I felt assured that I am a child of God and that he loves me. I felt an overwhelming feeling that Aaron loved me and that he was happy and going to be okay. I am so grateful for that experience and how it prepared me to go to the temple with my family.

On Saturday July 2, 2011 the entire Stones Family went to the Denver Colorado Temple to do the temple work for Aaron Lawrence Stones. I was tearful getting the little blue card. I was a little tearful seeing all my siblings and their spouses in the temple. But I was SO full of joy. All my fears or trepidations had vanished. While standing in the Celestial room Michael David (who has such a way of saying things) looked around and said, “Look Mom and Dad, ALL your children are here!”

I love my family. I love Aaron. And I love the temple. I am so grateful that we were able to go and give him this last wonderful gift!