What Greater Goodness Can We Know?

   Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

 When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

.For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

Each Life That Touches Ours for Good

31243, Hymns, Each Life That Touches Ours for Good, no. 293

This words are on my mind. I feel so blessed to have the friendships I have. Yesterday I found out that one of my sweet friends passed from this mortal life. It was her birthday. I am in shock and saddened, but happy for her too. It's just really hard to believe. 

Brittany Trevino is in fact the most beautiful person I have ever met. Brittany is beauty. Inside and out. She was so good with makeup and wearing adorable clothes. She was going to help me out and give me makeup lessons, but now we'll have to do that on the other side. But, more importantly, who she was on the inside made her so beautiful.

We met in 2013 in our singles congregation in Arizona. She was investigating the LDS Church and joined. I felt an instant love for her and connection to her. Not hard to do, as she's so amazing. But, I have felt that we knew each other before this life too.

I'd go over to her house after work and we'd eat Chick-fil-a together and talk about life, laugh and cry together. We had deep talks about the Gospel and trials. I remember sitting there listening to her talk about her struggles and pain and I felt the Spirit so strongly so many times. She had a remarkable outlook and such faith. I always left her house feeling inspired and so blessed to know her. 

When I moved back to Utah, we'd text each other a couple of times a week. We'd often exchange Gospel quotes and scriptures. The last time we texted was just on Wednesday (I texted her today and didn't get a reply. Now I know why :(  ). I sent her a quote and she replied, "“Oh I love it! It’s quite comforting. I love our God so much!! His hand is in our lives…” I have NO doubt that she is now back with our loving Heavenly Father and in His hands. What a beautiful reunion. 

Brittany blessed so many lives here and now she has a great work to do on the other side.  I look forward to seeing her again on the other side. When I see her again she'll have a perfect body and be free from the pain and the physical challenges she faced here on earth. I am so grateful for our loving Savior which makes it possible. 

I have felt strongly that I met Brittany for a reason. I learned a lot from her. She helped me through some difficult times. Her friendship means the world to me. I look forward to continuing our friendship on the other side. She has blessed my life incredibly. I'm going to miss her so much. 

In the couple of hours I've known that she's gone, I've been thinking about the plan. It's so easy to forget that what we're doing now is just a small part of our existence. I do know that God places us in certain places to meet certain people. We have a great purpose here on earth. God is in control. One thing I was reminded of by Brittany is that trials are a part of this life. We have to trust Him. She sent me this quote one day: "will our advertises bear us down, or will we go forward relying on the promise of God, who does not shield us from every adversity buy who gives us the guidance and strength that make it possible for us to endure?" -Dallin H. Oaks. 

Thank you, Brittany Trevino for blessing my life. For being a light. For your testimony. For your faith and strength. For your endurance. You fought a good fight. You endured well. The sun has set on your mortal life, but one day, I'll see you again and we'll laugh and cry together once more. Love you so much. God be with you till we meet again!

Brittany took this and sent it to me (this past August). She told me she sent it to me because she knew how much I love AZ sunsets.