I Will Walk with Jesus - Our Closing Hymn
Elder Bednar recently suggested at our Mission Leader Seminar that we sing I Will Walk with Jesus and Gethsemane as closing hymns at our zone conferences. Over the past week, as I have sung I Will Walk with Jesus with our missionaries, I have grown to love it. It leaves such a sweet, peaceful spirit in your heart.
President Quinn, Chase Quinn, Katherine Anderson, Sister Quinn, Hannah Francis, Melissa Black and Natalie Boswell at my mother Daryl Hoole’s bedside.
Last weekend, President Quinn and I were in Utah for his mother’s funeral, which allowed me to also visit my own mother whose health had been failing. On Saturday evening, President Quinn and I, along with our five children who were also in town for the funeral, gathered around her bed. Thinking of the closing hymns I had been singing with our missionaries all week, I asked my family to sing to my mother. It was a tender experience to sing the words, “As I walk with Jesus to my home above, He will bless me with His Spirit and fill me with His love” to my mother as she was getting closer to passing on to the next life.
On Sunday, my mother’s bishop, Bishop Hayes, who is also a doctor, came to visit. He told us he felt her time was near. My sisters and sisters-in-laws have done a wonderful job caring for my mother for many months, along with two caregivers. I wished I could have taken care of her too, yet serving my mission prevented me from that. That night, I was grateful I could simply sit by her side. My sweet daughters even packed up my suitcase from where we had been staying because they didn’t want me to leave my mother’s side for even a minute.
Sitting by my mother
Later that evening,, when the caregiver arrived, I told her I wanted to sit and watch over my mom. It felt like a sacred opportunity to sit and hold her hand, watching each breath she took. Throughout the night and into the morning, I helped the caregiver care for my mother. We gave her medication, turned her from side to side, and cleaned and dressed her in the morning. It was such a sweet and holy experience. I knelt by my mother’s bed and prayed that she could pass peacefully. I prayed that I would be here when she died, as I had to fly back to California soon. I prayed that she would be surrounded by loved ones when she passed, as she had wished. I felt a sweet assurance that just as our family was watching over for her here and waiting for her to pass on, there were loved ones in the spirit world waiting to welcome her. I felt they did not know the exact moment either, but they knew it was close—and that they had gathered to greet her. During a wakeful moment my mom pointed to the ceiling and talked about people waiting for her.
Holding my mother’s hand - Thank you Melissa for the photo
The sun rose on Monday morning. I was tired, yet deeply grateful I had been able to watch over her through the night. The caregiver also thought her time was very soon. The family gathered again, and my mother was surrounded by loved ones, some in the room and some on Zoom, as she passed peacefully into the next life that morning.
Even though this was our prayer, I cried hard. I knew how much I would miss her. My heart was also full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father. It was a beautiful, tender mercy from Him that I was able to be there. It is one of the many miracles I have witnessed while serving on this mission.
A sunset for Grandma - from Hannah
Daryl V. Hoole
I returned to California and was back finishing up zone conferences singing I will walk with Jesus with our sweet missionaries. What a joy it was to sing that hymn with a deeper meaning in my heart. I once again was able to bear testimony of the great plan of salvation, telling the missionaries of the hope, sweetness, and confidence I felt as my mother took her last breath.
Having two beautiful and strong matriarchs pass within two weeks of each other has been a lot for President Quinn and I to think about. We love and adore our mothers and are deeply grateful for the blessing of being their children.
Daryl Hoole and Joan Quinn - Two amazing women died within weeks of each other
Thank you for reading such a personal update. - Elaine
We had a great day at the Napa Stake Conference. Our AP’s came by this evening for R&R’s.
I am happy to post our 31st Journal Prompt. One more drop of oil for Coming to Know Our Savior for our wonderful missionaries. This prompt was inspired by the hymn I Will Walk with Jesus. ❤️
More photos from the week!
Lunch during Zone Conference
A friendly little competition during lunch
Hermanas Riches, Stevens, Brinkerhoff and Proffitt at zone conference
President and Sister Quinn with Sister Cole, and Elders Washington and Davis at zone conference
Elders Hall, Wayment and Hubbard with President Quinn at Napa Stake Conference
Elders Waldo-Speth, Latham, Carson, and Wardell at the Napa Stake Conference
Sister Quinn with Sisters Meyer, Jones, Foster, Frye, Austin, Dalton, Wood, and Knotts at the Napa Stake Conference.
Sitting by my nephew Spencer Christensen as we both flew back to California after Grandma' Quinn’s funeral. So fun to end up sitting together!
A sweet heart attack on the door from Sisters Moon and Johnson greeted me as I returned home.
President Quinn had tulips awaiting me, my mother’s favorite flower
Former missionaries, Lexi Pippo and Kyler Judd, called to tell us the good news of their engagement! We so happy! #CASRM couple
Former missionaries Abby Dyreng, Caitlynn Curtis, Mavani Grose, and Shelby Lindford called to say “Hi” So fun to visit with them!
