Thursday, December 29, 2011

To remember Frank

My brother Frank was a glazier. Glazier: glass cutter, someone who cuts flat glass to size. I recall so many time as we drove around Anchorage, Alaska he would be like I worked on that building. He loved his job and loved talking about it. I remember his smile as he talked about the projects he worked on. I enjoyed listening to it and seeing the happiness that come from his accomplishments.   
The reason I explained this is because my wonderful mom gave me a necklace with a glass heart that was made in Alaska, and wrote the words "to remember Frank". Its not that I need something to help me remember him, but the glass heart represents him, his profession, a glass cutter. Its a small reminder that Frank is here with me and even though right now is hard and I miss him a lot, that I will see him again!




Thursday, December 22, 2011

Frank's Obituary

Here is my brother's obituary. I know that my brother lived a full life and happy life. Death doesn't have to be a sad depressing thing, but it can be a happy thing because of the power of the resurrection he'll live again! I will see him again!!

Moroni 7:41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

Frank James "Jimmy" Jasper IV, beloved son, caring brother and loving uncle, died September 9, 2011 in Anchorage, Alaska at the age of 31. Frank left the confines of this mortal life early Friday morning just as he entered this life, with both his parents at his side.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lake Hood Chapel located at 3340 West 40th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 17th, 2011, with Bishop Kelly Smith officiating. Burial will be later that day in Willow.

Frank was born on September 3, 1980 in Sherwood, Oregon. "Jimmy" was the third child born to Cary Jasper and Karen Jasper while they were attending naturopathic medical school in Oregon. The oldest son, Jimmy was named after his paternal grandfather, Frank James Jasper III. As a child, Jimmy was always imaginative and adventurous. Driven by ambition, Jimmy had an entrepreneurial spirit. As the oldest boy, he was also a natural leader and peacemaker. Jimmy quickly grew into a generous and kind boy.
As a youth, Jimmy was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended early morning seminary throughout high school. Jimmy enjoyed the outdoors and loved to camp and have adventures with friends and family. Jimmy was also active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout and held the prestigious National Historic Trails award for service performed on a float trip from Dawson City, Canada to Eagle, Alaska. Jimmy had a thirst for knowledge and excelled academically. Jimmy had a passionate spirit and enjoyed discussing business, politics, and religion with anyone who could keep up with his intellect. Jimmy was also a very charming young man who shined in high school. He was on the West Anchorage High School debate team and had a passion for flying and snow machining. Like many kids, Jimmy loved music and was a gifted musician, composing music for the piano and entertaining family and friends.

During high school, Jimmy began to insist on being called Frank in homage to his grandfather. Frank graduated from West Anchorage High School in 1999. Little Jimmy's inquisitive and adventurous spirit lived on as Frank loved to travel and experience foreign cultures. As Frank grew to be a man, his courageous heart knew no fear.

After high school, Frank pursued his dream of living abroad in Mexico where he learned to speak Spanish as a native and where he developed a deeper appreciation for his family. Frank always cherished his family and kept his siblings and cousins close wherever his adventures took him. Although fiercely independent, Frank was also sensitive and compassionate. He was an easy friend and marked his passage through life with selfless love, loyalty and persistent optimism through adversity. His charming smile could lighten the darkest room, and his gregarious laughter and sparkling blue eyes could persuade and disarm any opponent.

After returning to the United States, Frank owned several investment properties in Melbourne, Florida. Frank returned to Anchorage in 2007 to work as a glazier in the Petersen family business. Following in the footsteps of his Grandpa Jack and his uncles and cousins, Frank took up the construction business and very recently completed his apprenticeship and became a Journeyman Glazier. Although young, he lived a rich life, full of travel and adventure; Frank's limitless potential was restrained only by his priceless agency.

Frank will be greatly missed. His boundless energy, sharp mind, impassioned tenacity, integrity and loyal friendship will be treasured by all those whose lives he touched. Frank is survived by his parents, Cary Ronald Warehime Jasper and Karen Lorrie (Petersen) Jasper of Anchorage, Alaska; 4 grandparents, Frank James Jasper III, Patricia (Bailey) Jasper, Jack Merlin Petersen and Irene Nadia (De Lanskoy) Petersen of Anchorage, Alaska; 9 siblings, Amy-Clarice Jasper Beck of Florida, Lacy-Marie Jasper Hanson of Idaho, Anna Marie Jasper Walther of Massachusetts, Nicholas Rodriquez of Washington, MacCary Quentin Jasper of Alaska, Natasha Nadia Jasper Rasaka of Idaho, Oscar Hyrum Warehime Jasper of Idaho, and Karen Lorrie Jasper currently serving a mission in Tennessee; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and in-laws.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Sunday will come!

This morning as I was getting ready my thoughts were about my brother and how much I miss him. My eyes got watery and I wondered if this sad feeling would ever go away. As I opened up the scriptures my book turned to this scripture. 

"And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise." Moroni 7:41

And then a friend referenced a talk that as I read reminded me that because "of the life and eternal sacrifice of the Savior of the world, we will be reunited with those we have cherished."

Here are a few points from the talk that give me hope to know that I will see my brother again!

"I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross.

On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms lashed at the earth.

Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come." -Joseph B. Wirthlin

I want to testify that I know that Sunday will come. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he conquered death for each one of us. I know through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed and return back to our Heavenly Father. I know we can all live again with God, Jesus Christ and our family for eternity! I know that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father and that He loves each one of us!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Eternity

Missionaries: They leave their families for 18 months to 24 months to help other families spend eternity together.

My parents were married in the temple and sealed for time and all eternity, because of that I want everyone else to know how they can be sealed to their family for all time and eternity.

On the hardest days when I miss my brother I remind myself that my family is sealed together for eternity and I know I will see my brother again and spend eternity with my family.

Friday, December 9, 2011

3 months

3 months have passed since my brother has passed away. Lets just say it hasn't been an easy 3 months. Then again it has been easier than I ever expected losing a sibling at such a young age would be. Its not because I don't miss him but its because I know God's plan for us. I know that he is where he is needed right now. I know that through the power of the resurrection my brother will live again! I know that I will see him again! Its also because of my faith in Jesus Christ! I know because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ I can be healed and be made whole again. I know that Jesus Christ knows exactly how I am feeling. I know as I keep turning to Him and trusting Him he will comfort me and help me know that everything is going to be ok. That I will see my brother again!

Here is a few scriptures that help me remember what Jesus Christ did for me!


9 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

Alma 7:11-12   
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Moroni 7:40-42
40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?
41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.



Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Memories of Frank at Christmas time

My first Christmas that my Brother Frank will not be around to celebrate!
I just wanted to talk about how much I love my brother Frank and how grateful I am for the memories I have of him when we were kids celebrating Christmas. When we were all younger my mom had us make gifts instead of buying them since none of us really had our own money. So there were many different things made and given for Christmas. Some of the things I remember so vividly is the things my brother did for me. I remember one year he made tied-dyed shirts for all of us. I remember us putting them on and all matching and just loving it so much.
Me being the youngest of the 8 kids, I always thought my older siblings were so cool, especially my older brother Frank. During this time his bedroom was upstairs and I always wanted to hang out with him but because I was his annoy little sister he never really ever let me. But this year at Christmas he made coupons for me. These coupons entitled me to come into his bedroom and hang out with him for like 15 minutes at a time. It may seem so simple and silly but to me it meant so much to me. He gave me the gift of time and now I cherish those moments spent with him, just hanging out in his bedroom basically doing whatever he was doing. I am so grateful for my brother and he thoughtful gifts.