He does notice us!

Kels,  This morning I was picking up and put a few things away in your room. I haven’t been in there in about a week or so.  Not because I don’t want to, but because I just haven’t.  Maybe it’s because I’m used to knocking and saying hey what ya doing, are you okay?  Anyways I took a few minutes to put a few things away and then laid down just to think.  It was so calm and peaceful in there.  I need to do it more often.  I came across one of the books that I loaned you, “Lengthen Your Smile”.  I started flipping through it and you had underlined some of the short stories or quotes in there.  They must have meant something to you to take the time to underline them.  I spent sometime reading through some of them and came across one that really touched my heart today.

“GOD DOES NOTICE US, and he watches over us.  But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.”  Spencer W. Kimball

There was also a short story that was shared of 3 young boys who got their kite stuck in a tree.  “They tried a number of different ways of getting it down, but none were successful.  Finally they decided to pray.  As they opened their eyes at the end of their prayer, a car came toward them.  The woman driving noticed their woeful faces and stopped to ask if they needed any help.  After they explained their plight, she pulled her car right under the limb where the kite was stuck, climbed up on top her car’s roof, and then, with a long stick, reached the kite and pulled it down.  When one of the boys got home, he told his mother what had happened, “Who helped you get the kite down?” asked his mom.  ” Heavenly Father, ” said the boy.”

This story really hit home for me!  I know that even though you were here for such a short time He placed you in others lives to help them.  I’ve had so many comments and letters that have been shared with me.  So many people have expressed this to me.  I’m so grateful that you were a good friend to those around you.  You are such a wonderful example to me.  With the trials and things you were going through you were still able to reach out to others and touch lives even in a small, but profound way.   This is something I need to be better at and I’m grateful I have you as a good example and reminder.

I love you sweetie so much and we miss and think about you daily!  In my heart I know you are where you need to be, but my heart still aches for you!  Thanks so much for the example you have been!  Love, Mom

She always carried a dream.

embrace, love, dream

These 3 simple words had so much meaning to Kels and now we hold them close to our heart.  At the sweet age of 16 Kelsey Alexis Preston was called home to live with our Heavenly Father.  She returned home on March 8, 2011.  We did not expect her journey here on earth to be so short, but even in her short amount of time she taught us so many valuable lessons.

Kelsey’s life touched so many others.  We have been so blessed with the out poor of love that has been shown and shared for her.  I have especially been touched by the love and concern from her friends and so many students that she attended school with.  After Kels past we  had several requests to leave her FB account open.  We decided to leave it up for now, but also wanted a place where I could compile her life story and random thoughts that she has left us with.

For those of you that knew Kels you know how random she was with her thoughts.  They ranged from comical to thoughtful and everything in between.  I knew when I had to put a name to the blog that the word random needed to be a part of it.  Of course Kels was such a wonderful example as well.  The more I hear and talk to others I learn about times that she was an example to others and touched their life in a positive way.  So “random example” was made.  I know that if anyone would appreciate the title it would be her, especially if you are just reading the title and don’t know the meaning behind it, it would make her smile.

I invite you to follow and comment as you want.  If you have any thoughts or stories you would like to share about Kels please feel free to email me.  I hope that this blog will allow others to get to know her better or on a different level.  I hope it can be a place you come to for peace, laughter, comfort, and answers.

Our family would also like to thank everyone that has reached out to us during this difficult time in our lives.  It has truly been felt.  We hope you join us on our journey with random example!