The Haskins are my second family. I met them on a trip to visit my best friend in San Jose, California when I was 15. I instantly fell in love with them. All 12 of them! They pretty much raised me in many ways...and they are my best friends in all the world. They are just as much my siblings...as my own flesh and blood. They brought me out of my horrible shyness and taught me how to laugh at myself..(something I was not good at.) They also taught me to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and to love it in a way I never thought I could. I learned to pray, to speak up, to serve, to laugh, and to love. Brother Haskin was the priesthood leader in my life and was the Lords instrument and mouth piece through out my teenage and young adult years. Like a butterfly in it's cocoon, everything beautiful was in there, it just needed to be brought out.
My favorite memories with them, are when we go camping. For many years I would go with them to Yosemite. Oh, how I love that place. I can picture them sitting around the campfire and singing in harmony with their beautiful voices. (I'm not a singer)...one of my favorite songs that they sing, is "God gave the wiseman"
"GOD GAVE THE WISEMAN HIS WISDOM..
AND TO THE POET HIS DREAMS...
TO FATHER AND MOTHER...THEIR LOVE FOR EACHOTHER...
BUT HE LEFT ME OUT SO IT SEEMS....
I WENT AROUND BROKEN HEARTED...
THINKING LIFE WAS A EMPTY AFFAIR...
BUT WHEN GOD GAVE ME YOU...
IT WAS THEN THAT I KNEW...
HE HAD GIVEN ME MORE THAN MY SHARE."
This week I went up to American Fork canyon to visit them on their yearly campout. It was filled with all the same wonderful things. Good food, good conversation, and much laughter. I was not able to stay for the night on account of my health. I said my goodbyes, when out of the blue Sister Haskin reminded me that we had not yet sung any songs. (Something they know I enjoy listening to) I told them it was okay and I better head home. As I started to walk away...they began to sing, "God gave the wisesman" for me. Big tears rolled down my face..and I quietly wept. How grateful I am for this precious family. How loving the Lord has been in granting me their friendship. How grateful I am for their love and support over the years. I am who I am...because of them.
My favorite memories with them, are when we go camping. For many years I would go with them to Yosemite. Oh, how I love that place. I can picture them sitting around the campfire and singing in harmony with their beautiful voices. (I'm not a singer)...one of my favorite songs that they sing, is "God gave the wiseman"
"GOD GAVE THE WISEMAN HIS WISDOM..
AND TO THE POET HIS DREAMS...
TO FATHER AND MOTHER...THEIR LOVE FOR EACHOTHER...
BUT HE LEFT ME OUT SO IT SEEMS....
I WENT AROUND BROKEN HEARTED...
THINKING LIFE WAS A EMPTY AFFAIR...
BUT WHEN GOD GAVE ME YOU...
IT WAS THEN THAT I KNEW...
HE HAD GIVEN ME MORE THAN MY SHARE."
This week I went up to American Fork canyon to visit them on their yearly campout. It was filled with all the same wonderful things. Good food, good conversation, and much laughter. I was not able to stay for the night on account of my health. I said my goodbyes, when out of the blue Sister Haskin reminded me that we had not yet sung any songs. (Something they know I enjoy listening to) I told them it was okay and I better head home. As I started to walk away...they began to sing, "God gave the wisesman" for me. Big tears rolled down my face..and I quietly wept. How grateful I am for this precious family. How loving the Lord has been in granting me their friendship. How grateful I am for their love and support over the years. I am who I am...because of them.
