Heaven Inspired Hunt

Looking at another's perspective I can understand this story might just seem like a neat coincidence, but to me and my family these experiences we witness from "beyond the veil" are testimonies of how real our Heavenly home is, and how a loving Father in Heaven allows us these tender mercies from our loved ones who have passed on. Pre and prior to my dad's passing events have fallen perfectly into place around every corner we turn, our Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each of us, and is mindful of us always!

Let me rewind to before my father's passing, and give you a little history lesson. My father was an avid hunter! The mountains were his second home, his "heaven on earth." If he wasn't here in the valley he was out scouting the mountains, or fishing and roaming around on his four wheeler. He lived for the hunting season, and talked months in advance about where to camp and his plan of action to scout out the best buck. Us women were sick of the deer hunt before it had even come and gone:) This year he received a deer tag, and could not be more excited to get on the mountain and kill a big one! This would have be my husbands first hunt with my dad and my dad encouraged Jerry to get his hunter's safety, and I wouldn't be surprised if he would have let Jerry shoot it himself! That is beside the point, so onto the details. Fast forward to after my dad passed, my mom had to unfortunately turn in my dad's tag. We had hoped that my brother Trent could just take over his tag, but things in the deer hunting world don't work that way. A few weeks later, my mom kept receiving calls from the DWR that my brother was on an alternate list for a Fishlake deer tag and there was now one available for him. What?! Deer tags don't just randomly come about, and what are the odds that Trent would be the one to draw out for the same hunt as my dad? Let me tell you what I believe, Trent received my dad's tag, it was no coincidence and these events were inspired. As my brother kept forgetting to call into the DWR to claim his tag, my mom claimed they called every other day, if not once a day letting him know he had to let them know before a certain day. My brother, who gets a little preoccupied, called in a day late to claim the tag. What did they do? They gave him the tag! Why on earth would they not just give it to somebody else who would call back in a heartbeat to get their tag? Crazy I tell ya! 

Now on to the even more amazing story: 

(Chels I hope you don't mind I copied/pasted some of your blog!)

These past months leading up to this deer hunt, Trent mentioned he felt in his heart something really neat would happen....And, as you can see here, he could hardly wait to get up on the mountain!  He had been prepping for days...growing out the beard and all!

Not to totally change the subject, but notice the truck?  I'll have to share that story soon....This truck was the one my dad bought one week before he passed away.  There is a neat little story behind it too..

Well, fast forward to YESTERDAY!  Yesterday was opening day of the deer hunt.  As the men went out that tonight, Trent split off from the group and felt inspired to go to a certain spot on the mountain that my dad had take him several times before. 

As Trent was sitting on this ridge watching for any sign of a buck, he said without a doubt, he felt my dad's presence.  A calm, peaceful feeling overcame him and he had some time to enjoy the moment. After a while, he got the feeling that he needed to get up, start walking, and maybe try another ridge as he wasn't seeing any sign of a deer anywhere.  As he stood and started to walk he instantly heard something.  As he turned around to see what it was, there was a deer off in the distance, broadside, only about 100 yards away.  Trent couldn't tell whether or not it was a buck, there was a tree blocking the view.

At this point, he heard my dads voice whisper, "Shoot it!"  Trent had to make a tough decision. Should he follow the prompting and risk that it may not be a buck?  Or should he wait, be patient, make sure it is, but risk that it may run off and he would miss his chance?

He followed his heart, shot, and actually missed! (not to rub it in or anything bro..lol!)   He said the deer didn't even move, it stayed put.  Still not knowing whether or not it was a buck, he shot again, and this time it dropped.  Through his cross hairs he could see, no doubt, this was a nice four point buck!  He said, the tears instantly began to flow.

You see, in this very spot, exactly two years ago, my dad had shot at a four point and missed.   Trent was overcome with emotion...

As a side note, see that shirt Trent is wearing, it belonged to my dad who would wear it faithfully! (even when he wasn't hunting!)

The more I think about what took place with this deer hunt...it get's me to thinking....can you even imagine, shooting at a deer, not knowing if it was a buck or not?  What faith and courage my brother exhibited!  What a sweet outcome occurred!  

Trent received an experience that he can treasure for a lifetime. My dad was with him all along, guiding him and letting him know that he is still here with us! The veil between earth and heaven is so thin. Just in our little family we have experienced enough tender mercies to last us a lifetime. The absence of my father still reams deep in my heart. Not a day goes by that memories with him don't flood my mind. Jerry most often times finds me in on our bed sobbing and looking at pictures of him at night. Then I think of my Heavenly Father, how hard it must have been for him to sacrifice his son, to watch him suffer and be mocked and laid up on a cross. How small my trial then seems of losing my father peacefully. I am grateful everyday for Jesus Christ. For his sacrifice that we might overcome death and be united eternally, sealed with our families forever. Because of Him and the atonement this trial in my life has become bearable, he is with me through the good and bad. He allows these Heaven inspired event's to occur for our peace that our father is well and watching over us. How grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ, I don't know where I would be in this moment without the knowledge I have. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for being a member of his church, and giving me the peace I need to cope with this great loss. 

My mom has a quote hanging in one of her bathrooms that has recently become some-what of a motto in my life after everything that has happened. It reads:

Let us all strive to seek our blessings amongst the turmoil. I can attest that it has brought about more peace and comfort in my life. Just like Trent believed that something "wonderful" was going to happen to him on the deer hunt, he followed his heart and non coincidentally something wonderful did happen!!