Our church President and Prophet died this week -and although there will be a new prophet shortly who will also receive the same directions and guidance from the Lord, we'll miss him all the same.
Gordon B Hinckley became prophet the year Peet was born - so for most of our kids he is THE prophet. He was also funny, ridiculously sprite for a man of 97, and someone to look up to.
As testament to the wonders of modern technology the teenagers of the world seem to have spread the news. I got a call from Donna Parry on Monday afternoon to ask if it was true that the prophet had died. One of her teenagers had received a text message. Roger hadn't received an email so Donna and I were web surfing around trying to get some confirmation. We checked the lds.org newsroom and there was nothing but a few minutes later the announcement was there. Which means that teenage texting was quicker than the official announcement - and that had to get all the way to Australia.
Simone was playing at our house so we said she could ring her parents to tell them. She was too adorable for words - she tried to talk but couldn't stop laughing - turned red - couldn't catch her breath - doubled over - and laughed and laughed. We were all watching her so we started laughing which made her worse. It all sounded like she was joking but she finally got her message across.
The funeral was held Sunday morning our time and we watched it on the internet - Jesse and Alec went to the stake broadcast to see it on a bigger screen. Gorgeous funeral - cheerful but respectful. So many people saying how glad he must be to be with his wife again. Lots of funny stories.
