Each morning for the past seven months I have gotten up thinking about my grandson, David. I pray for him, and go to the computer to find one of my articles to email to him. Seven months ago he was whisked off to a boarding school in St. George, Utah. I've been worrying about and praying about him ever since. I pray to know which article would be just right and most helpful for him that day. This morning I'm still thinking about and praying for him; but this morning, and this article, will be the end of this daily routine.

Yesterday evening I was ambushed. I received one of the biggest, best, and most shocking surprises of my life. Matt called yesterday afternoon to invite Marjorie and I to dinner. I knocked on their door, opened it, walked in, and there was David!! He was smiling, shining, and handsome. I have never been so happy to see someone in my life. He had made his dad promise to not tell me that he was home. I was ambushed. I was so happy. He looks so good. He has grown. He's six feet tall. It was a man's body that I embraced. He was talkative and happy--two things that he had not been the last time that I saw him.

After dinner I was ambushed a second time. I was asked to give priesthood blessings not only to David, but to Jonathan, Kelly, and Matt, too. Ultimately I also gave a blessing to Marjorie as well. We went downstairs where we found a straight-backed chair already set up in the circle made by the couches. It was another ambush. I excused myself so that I could go to a side room to pray and to prepare myself.

Giving priesthood blessings is a heavy and a scary thing. I've never gotten comfortable with, or confident about, giving blessings; but I've learned that it's not me, but the Holy Ghost that does it. The Spirit was very strong as I gave the blessings. I didn't have to search for words, and each blessing was individually tailored for that person. The Lord has told me that He will honor any blessing that I leave upon a person, and I know that will be the case now.

Jonathan was blessed that his bowel problem will disappear and not be an impediment.

David was blessed with guidance from on high as he makes life's decisions. He was told that he has angels round about him to help and to guide. He was promised success in his endeavors as he is faithful in prayer, study, and preparation. He was told to consider preparing for a mission, and that if he served one, his mind would be opened in miraculous ways.

Kelly was blessed with the assurance that her boys would be happy and successful. She was told that she is a magnificent person, with whom the Lord is pleased, and that she is successfully fulfilling her purposes on earth.

Matt was blessed with the ability to know the needs of his family and of the people that he serves so that he could fend off or alleviate the challenges that they face. He was blessed with the strength and the health and the spiritual power to successfully care for his family, his responsibilities as a bishop, and his business. He was told to remember that his first and most important priority is his wife.

Marjorie was blessed with the assurance that she had successfully fulfilled the purposes for which she was sent to earth, that her sacrifices are accepted, and that she had endured to the end.

David has several very good options from which to choose as he plans his summer and his life. His former employer wants him to return to work today. He still has the key to the business, and was told to keep it.

Matt has spent the past seven months praying that David would make some close friends who would be lifelong supports. David rattled off the names of five or six young men that are just that. He could return to St. George, get a job, and room with one or more of them.

The option that I am perhaps most excited about is that Karson and Emmy Lloyd have invited him to live and work with them in Bancroft, Idaho. David is fascinated with motorcycles, and Karson would be a university course of instruction. David has some courses that he is to complete this summer. He could complete them in Bancroft while working at what he loves, and would be an active and progressing member of the Church while he does those things.

This morning I am still glowing from last evening's ambush.