Wherein I attempt to look for the good things in life and recognize and remember God’s kindness to me. During April 2024 I will be posting about Temples. I invite you to follow along starting on Monday, April 1, 2024.
The Old Testament prophet, Enoch, the son of Jared and the father of Methuselah, was a righteous leader who led his people in righteousness. The Lord blessed the people and their city, Zion, the City of Holiness, flourished. In time, because of the righteousness of this people, they were taken up to heaven to abide forever.
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Today, it is the goal of those who truly follow the Lord, Jesus Christ, to live a life that is worthy to be part of a ZION society, a place where love and charity abound. We strive to make our homes and our neighborhoods and our communities places where we love and serve and help one another, where the gospel of Jesus Christ is taught and lived to the best of our ability. No, none of us are perfect, but we hope to do our part to make our corner of the world, wherever it might be, a better place to live.
Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion -- THE PURE IN HEART; therefore, let Zion rejoice . . .
I'm grateful for my youth, my own time as a youngster, teenager, young adult, what have you. We weren't wealthy, but I never lacked for what I really needed. They weren't always fun and happy times. I had my own struggles and angst, dealing with school, grades, friends, self esteem, and finding myself and choosing my goals and dreams and direction for life. I do have many wonderful memories in spite of the challenges and difficulties, and for the most part I feel that that time of my life was blessed and protected. I know now that I have experienced a life and youth of privilege, and recognize that fact more and more with each passing year.
I have also been blessed with being able to know and teach and work with many youthful people from generations younger than mine. For the most part they have been and still are amazing examples to me of their friendliness, enthusiasm for life, and courage to search out and experience new things, different things, challenging things and hard things, to stretch and reach for their goals. I love watching them as they become adults and leaders and parents, and I love seeing the amazing things they continue to accomplish and the wonderful people they have become.
My own children and their spouses and friends, and my grandchildren are among my favorite people and blessings in the world. I love and appreciate their help and encouragement, their friendship, and the love and support and help they continue to show to me and to each other and my dear husband. I admire them and look up to them in so many ways. I am grateful to the youth and the younger generations in this world and have great hopes for the great things I believe that they will be able to accomplish.
And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.
And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
X is one of the hardest letters to use for the A to Z challenge, but what has been on my mind this week is Xfinity, the trade name of Comcast Cable Communications, LLC, used to market Internet, Cable TV, and Telephone services. I'm not a raving fan of Xfinity, per say, but I am a fan of the Internet, which is where I spend the majority of my waking hours these days, especially since working from home this past year. Without the Internet, I would not be able to function working from home. I'm very happy to say that we have only had one or two tiny glitches without service during all of my working hours the past year.
My communications with anyone outside of my Dear Husband and Dear Daughter, who lives here with us, would definitely be very sparse, with only the occasional phone calls or text messages with other family members or friends. Yes, it has been a very solitary year for most people, but the Internet has kept us connected. When we were under quarantine, we ordered our groceries online and had them delivered to our doorstep. We can check our email and our Facebook and blogs on a daily basis. We can even watch our favorite movies and TV shows via the internet in the evenings after work.
Are we addicted to the Internet? Hopefully not. I think we would tend to adapt somehow without it, but life would certainly be much different than it is today. Probably a lot more like it was when we were children! Do we rely on the Internet? Very much so. Yes, the Internet is very much a blessing that like most blessings we have can be used with wisdom and gratitude, or it can be misused and a source of trouble, and sadness of many kinds.
Water. Good old H2O. What would we do without it? So precious and important, for drinking, cleaning, cooling, recreating, and sustaining life. Who doesn't enjoy a day at the lake or the beach or a hike along the river?
Please don't take our water for granted, or waste it. We have rain here in our neck of the woods this week, and we are grateful. It has been a winter with less snow and rain than we normally receive, and we are anxious for more. I could do better myself with using water wisely; planting a more water friendly yard, with less grass to water, taking care to not let the water run too long, taking shorter showers, making sure the plumbing and faucets are all in working order.
Please make sure you have an emergency supply of water stored in your home. It is suggested that we store at least one gallon of water per person per day, and if possible to have a two week supply on hand in case of emergencies. I also like to always have a case of bottled water in the trunk of my car in case of emergencies, and try to rotate it out every six months to a year. I will never forget the painful images of seeing people who had gone without potable water for days during such disasters as the deadly flooding in New Orleans back in 2005.
There are so many people world wide who also lack clean, safe sources of water, and one of my favorite ways to give is to donate to organizations that help to provide clean wells and other water supplies to areas of the world where people don't have the access. I'm sure that there are many more, but here are a few:
Do you remember getting vaccinated as a child? What a blessing it has been to grow up in a world where vaccines were and are a common thing, and available to most everyone, at least in my part of the world. When we were infants, my dear mother would take us to the monthly well baby clinics sponsored by our county health department where it was made sure that we were always up to date on our immunizations and that we were vaccinated against polio and measles and mumps, and typhoid and tetanus and diphtheria. There was never a question about it. Vaccinations were a blessing and we took advantage of those blessings. Every year during elementary school, and even during high school, I believe, there were the yearly "shot days" at school, where if we brought in the signed parent permission form and the minimal fee payment, we were given our recommended booster shots.
It wasn't until this past year that I realized there was a fairly major influenza pandemic in 1968 that resulted in roughly 100,000 deaths in the US and 1,000,000 deaths world wide. I remember being ill fairly often during the winter months when I was growing up. Was I sick with that original strain of the H3N3 influenza virus? I'm not certain, but I do know that my mother took us into the doctor every year for our yearly flu shot. As I grew older, and especially after my tonsils were removed during Christmas break when I was 11 years old, I stopped getting sick quite as often. Was it built up immunity, the flu shots, or having my tonsils removed? I'll never know for sure, but probably it was a combination of the three.
When I moved out on my own as a young adult, I was rarely ill with much more than a cold, and never missed a day of class during college due to illness. I also didn't bother with regular doctor's visits or flu shots either, until my pregnancies came along, but I did make sure that my own children kept up to date on their childhood vaccinations. Now that my workplace has a medical clinic and offers the convenience of the yearly flu shot, have have been taking advantage of that preventive medicine once again. I understand that there are times when certain people do have serious reactions to vaccinations, and I am extremely grateful that this has never been the case for those in my family. I'm also very grateful to have received my second dose of the moderna vaccine for the prevention of the Covid-19., and hope that safe doeses of the vaccine will soon become available for the children of this world, including my dear grandchildren. If annual Covid-19 vaccines do become available, you can be sure that my DH and I, and hopefully all of our family will make these vaccines a part of our annual traditions.
I hope you and all of your loved ones are well, able to stay safe, and are protected from serious illness through the miracle of vaccinations.
Understanding The ability to learn, judge, make decisions. Intelligence. Knowledge or familiarity with a particular thing or situation. Cooperation. A mutual agreement. Sympathetic, tolerant, and empathetic towards another person and their situation. Wisdom from experience.
I'm grateful for a lifetime of learning opportunities and experiences with different people, places, cultures, subject matter, talents, skills and abilities. We each have a lifetime to learn and experience new things, and to learn to have love and charity for other people. I'm grateful that there are always new things to learn, experience, and understand.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
PS I'm also grateful for umbrellas, even though I don't actually use them very often. It doesn't rain as much here in our almost desert climate, and when it does, my umbrella is usually somewhere that I am not . . . . at home, in the car, at the office . . . it just turns out that way. Or, the umbrella isn't working very well. I guess I should always have several on hand in different places!
TemplesMembers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints consider temples to be the "house of the Lord" and the most sacred places of worship on the earth. Everyone is welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at our local churches or meetinghouses, but Temples serve a different purpose. The primary purpose of temples is for faithful members of the church to participate in sacred ceremonies such as marriages that unite families forever, and proxy baptisms on behalf of family members who have died without having the chance to be baptized during their lifetime. These ordinances and ceremonies prepare us to return as eternal family units to our Heavenly Father once we pass on to the next life.
I first attended the temple for my own ordinances just before my 21st birthday and my year and one half missionary service. My sister and I went together for the first time, and she was married to her husband for eternity in the temple the very next day. The photo below is of the beautiful celestial room in the Salt Lake City Temple where we first attended. That was a very special time for our entire family.
Salt Lake Temple
I have been blessed to return to this temple many times since, and have attended many other temples around the country even more often over the years. Before March of 2020, I tried to attend a temple session at least once a month, sometimes with family or friends, and other times on my own. It has always been a place where I can feel very close to my Heavenly Father, and also to others in my family who have passed on from this life to the next. It has been a place to feel peace and comfort when times are hard, and to learn and ponder on sacred and eternal gospel principles, as well as current worldly problems and challenges.
In March of 2020, temples all over the world were temporarily closed due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Many have re-opened their doors on a limited basis, by appointment only in order to limit the numbers in attendance so social distancing and other safety measures can be put into place. I haven't had the opportunity to attend since February 2020, but am hopeful that I can soon return to the temple often, one my very most favorite places on earth to be.
On May 4, of this year, our prophet President Russell M Nelson announced plans to build 20 additional temples in different areas around the world. The Church of Jesus Christ now has 251 temples announced, under construction, or currently open and operating in various countries and cities. It is so exciting to see and know that the work of the Lord is expanding throughout the world.
Have you ever visited a Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? Where are some of your favorite sacred places?
The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven . . .
Psalm 11:4
PS The tulips are in bloom! I planted quite a number of red tulips the year after we bought our home over 20 years ago, and love seeing them bloom every spring!
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Right now Sunday is my very favorite day of the week!
There have been times in my life when Sundays were very busy and hectic. During missionary times, Sundays were always filled to the brim with visiting people we were teaching and bringing them to our weekly worship services. Often times we as the missionaries also were involved giving talks, playing and/or leading the music, or teaching classes. After the meetings were over, there would be more visits with members and non-members, teaching and sharing family home evenings. The Sabbath was always wonderful and filled with good (mostly) experiences, but they were very busy, and we were grateful for somewhat low-key Mondays which were our preparation days and a bit more restful.
Moving right along to the years when DH and I had our house full of our six children, Sundays were also very hectic. Getting six children dressed up, cleaned up and to church on time was always a challenge, especially if DH had early morning meetings. For a few years when we lived in New Jersey, our drive to church was an hour's drive each way. Then, after church and dinner, when I was more than ready for a nap, the kids would always need some motherly one on one or one on six attention! Once again, Mondays and back to school were always welcome days for this mother.
Thankfully, or unfortunately, whichever way you look at it, those missionary days and the days of mothering a houseful of children have come to an end. These days our Sabbath days truly are mostly a day of rest. We are blessed to live only two blocks away from our church, and we can walk if we like. We are blessed to be able to partake of the Sacrament and renew our covenants and promises to always remember the sacrifices and the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ, and to keep His commandments. For the most part the rest of the day is set aside for restful activities here at home such as reading good books, listening to sacred music, researching our family history and genealogy, writing in journals and working on photo albums and scrapbooks, and visiting with family members. It has been especially restful this past year to hold our own worship services here at home, with my DH, who holds the Priesthood, having the authority to bless and administer the ordinance of the Sacrament here at home. We've enjoyed regular virtual visits with our children and grandchildren, and sometimes with other family members. Sometimes we even have time to take a nap!
When I graduated from High School, I automatically became a member of the women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or the Relief Society Some of my earliest memories are of going to the church every Tuesday morning with my mother and my grandmother where while they attended the weekly Relief Society meeting, any of my siblings who were not old enough for school would attend the nursery class with our friends. Once a month or so there would be a luncheon served, and we would have tuna or deviled ham sandwiches along with our stories and games.
Relief Society has become much more to me in my adult years. The weekly Tuesday morning meetings no longer take place, having evolved into evening meetings as more women entered the working world and meetings were consolidated to Sundays in order to save on time and travel expenses for areas of the world where members needed to travel long distances to their closest congregation, and an additional monthly evening meeting was introduced for activities that aren't really appropriate for the Sabbath day. The monthly meetings can be as diverse and inclusive as the local members desire . . . service projects, crafting projects, quilting, canning, reading groups, book clubs, exercise groups, invited speakers, dinners, musical programs, scrapbooking, card making, tole painting, . . . you name it and a Relief Society group has probably tried it. We have created hygiene kits, school supply kits and backpacks, quilts, warm hats, 72-hour bug out emergency kits, and many other projects to give away to charities locally and across the world.
Relief Society was especially a wonderful blessing to me when my DH and I moved across the country just after our first baby was born. There I was, a brand new mother living in a basement apartment far away from all of my friends and family. This was before the days of cell phones and texting, and before the days of internet and email. I had no car during the day, and my only neighbors were my landlord and his wife and adult son who lived upstairs. The real blessing of Relief Society to me in those days was the Visiting Teaching program, now called Ministering. Once a month two lovely ladies from our Relief Society group would come and visit me and my child (soon to be multiple children), offering friendship, advice, and even the services of their teenage children as babysitters. I had instant friends and an instant support group. In turn, I was assigned to be a Visiting Teacher with another woman, about 10 years older than I, and we visited others who also became my friends and support group. On Sundays and at the monthly evening Relief Society Meetings I had my social outlet, and these ladies truly became my mentors and my sisters, since my own mother and sisters all lived far away. When it came time for us to move (several times) my Relief Society Sisters were there to help me pack and clean, and then new Relief Society Sisters were there to help us unpack. We truly have been blessed by sisters across this country of ours!
Recently the weekly Sunday meetings became twice monthly Sunday meetings where gospel topics and testimonies are discussed, as well as ideas for how to meet and serve the varied needs of our local members. Meals are often prepared and delivered to new mothers or to families who are dealing with illness or death of family members. Babysitting can be arranged, or just visits to those who might be lonely or new to the area. Many prayers and cards and kind thoughts have been offered and shared over the years. For the past year and a bit since Covid arrived on the scene, our local Relief Society has been holding twice monthly Sunday meetings via Zoom. It has helped us to feel connected and less isolated as we practice social distancing. There have been several "drive by" evening activities with treats and the chance to see a few friendly faces, and the ministering visits, though not in person, have continued via phone call or text message or cards and letters.
Do you belong to a Relief Society? Who have been your support group and mentors over the years?
PS: Enjoy this video celebrating the annual Relief Society Women's Conference Service Projects held at Brigham Young University (and many more other smaller, but just as important acts of service):
Quilts and Quilting are probably my very favorite "Q" word. I haven't checked for sure, but probably half of the times that I have participated in the A to Z blogging challenge, I have blogged about quilts and/or quilting for the letter Q. Is this cheating? I hope not, because quilts and quilting are one of the joys of my life! Now that definitely doesn't mean that I am an expert quilter, because that is definitely not true. I have made or helped to make a few quilts during my life time, but quilting doesn't take up a large portion of my time either. (Even though I sometimes wish that it did!) There have been times in my life when I have had the time to spend sewing and creating quilts. As a teenager and a young adult, even with the pressures of school and work, I was able to find time to help my mother and my Aunts create quilts for my siblings and cousins as they began their married lives. I was also able to make a simple quilt to take with me when I left home for the first time and went to college, and another, larger, pieced patchwork quilt made with scraps from many of my home sewn clothes. Though I designed and cut and pieced this quilt myself, I did have a lot of help with the hand quilting from my mother and aunties. I have helped create many quilts with other women in the Relief Society, the women's organization of our church, that have been donated to various charities. I have also helped my youngest daughter create a quilt to take with her when she first left home for college, have attended several quilting classes, and have begun several other quilting projects that currently reside in the sewing corner of our family room.
The above photo is a stack of the finished quilts that I am very happy to have in my possession. The bottom quilt a patchwork of blue/violet and red/maroon that was given to me by my mother, and probably sewn by my grandmother or one of her sisters. The next up is a quilt that my husband used as a young man, and was created by his mother or another of his relatives. The next up patchwork is the quilt that I created myself, mostly from fabrics left over from sewing my own clothes. (My mother always bought just a little bit more fabric than was needed for the article of clothing, probably to make sure we had enough left for quilts!). The next one up, with the floral and paisley fabrics was a similar quilt made by for my by my mother for my marriage, as was the light blue Barbizon quilt and the purple and white gingham quilt. The teal colored tricot quilt was made by my aunties and many of my cousins, and even my DH and myself at my bridal shower. The brown and cream colored quilt was lovingly pieced and quilted by my dear mother in law, probably with some assistance from her daughters and her aunt. The green and red picnic quilt with the strawberry fabric was made by and gifted to me by a very dear co-worker. The pink baby quilt was one that was used by me and my sister when we were babies, and also covered many of my nieces and nephews and my own children when visiting with my parents. And last, but not least, the top blue and white embroidered was the quilt used by my DH when he was a baby! My hope is to do more quilting at some point, but for now I am mostly an observer and follow several quilting groups on social media. I love seeing everyone else's creations!
Are you a quilter? Do you have a quilt or quilts that have special meaning to you?
Patriarchal Blessings are given to worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and contain personal counsel from God. They are meant to be a guide or road map for life, and are transcribed so the individual has copy to refer to and study whenever they feel a need. I received my own Patriarchal Blessing shortly after my sixteenth birthday, and had been looking forward to the day or rather evening, somewhat anxiously, hoping that it would give me some comfort with some of my hopes and dreams for the future. My blessing is actually quite short compared to the blessings of some of my family members, but it is perfect for me, and has promised me several important blessings, based on my faithfulness in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. The blessing also mentions several things that I need to continually be working on, such as searching for my ancestors and doing their work in the temple, looking for the good things in life and recognizing my blessings, and searching for others who I might be able to help in some way. It has been a source of comfort and a reminder of my greatest goals and aspirations for many years.
Patriarchal Blessings are pronounced through the power of the Priesthood, which is the authority from Jesus Christ to preach, act in the name of God, and to direct the affairs of his church on this earth. Patriarchs and anyone else who holds the Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can trace their authority or priesthood directly to the visitations of the resurrected beings, John the Baptist, and the apostles Peter, James and John, to Joseph Smith, where this divine priesthood authority was restored to the earth after the death of the apostles and the apostacy that was foretold by the prophets and apostles in Christ's day. This priesthood authority also allows these worthy men to baptize, administer the ordinance of the sacrament representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ, seal families together for eternity in Holy Temples, and other sacred ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Prayer is the act of communicating with God, our Heavenly Father. Today most major religions involve prayer in one way or another. I learned to pray as a young child, as we knelt together as a family each morning at the breakfast table for family prayer, and then again in the evenings before bed. My parents also taught us to pray individually each morning and evening, and my daily prayers, kneeling alone in my room are a very vital part of my life. We also pray together daily as a family, ask a blessing on the food at mealtimes, and pray as a congregation during our weekly church meetings (which my family currently attends via zoom each Sunday.) I also pray often throughout the day, less formal prayers in my heart and mind as I hear of friends or loved ones or even strangers in need, as I run into problems with work or other tasks at home or wherever I might be. In my first A to Z post this year about my accident as a young child, I talked about how prayer was such as blessing to me while I was in the hospital and away from my family. I can't imagine trying to navigate through life without prayer!
Yesterday I left the house fairly early in the morning to run an errand. I've been debating all month which of the many tender mercies and blessings I should write about for the letter O, and I realized that one of the things I am so very grateful for is the wonderful great outdoors! I've been working long hours at the computer most days for the past several years, and don't make it outside as often as I would like, but being outdoors among God's creations is one of the greatest pleasures of life for me.
No, I don't enjoy being wet, or cold, or even the extreme desert heat, but most days it is pleasant to be outside. Right now we are starting the most pleasant time of the year for me. The recent rain this week has turned the lawns green. The fruit trees are in bloom. It's time to clean out the garden beds, to begin planting. I love the spring and working in God's green earth.
There are many wonderful activities to keep us active and provide joy in the outdoors. Gardening of course is one of my joys. When I was much younger I did enjoy running. I've never been a big one for most sports, but I do love walking and hiking and have done plenty of hikes over the years near all of the places I've lived. When the children were young we often headed over to the nearby river parkway trail that runs nearly the entire length of the Jordan River between Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake. I don't do much hiking these days, due in part of course to the long hours of work and also the fact that I'm not comfortable hiking alone, nor driving by myself up many of the canyons to reach the trailheads of many of the local hiking trails. But a daily walk should be manageable, right?? Let's get that back into the daily schedule!
So, don't do as I have been doing of late . . .missing out on the wonders and the beauties of the great outdoors. Make time, schedule time, take the time to get outside and enjoy the sunrise, the sunset, the fresh air, the flowers, the mountains, the oceans, the lakes and rivers and streams, the fields and plains and the gardens, wildlife, the sun, the wind, the rain and even the snow, and all that is a part of the outdoors. The earth was created for the benefit of man. Enjoy, be grateful, and give thanks.
For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and I have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend.
My younger sister and I in the kitchen where we were nourished throughout our childhood and teenage years
. . . in more ways than one.
Never in my life have I lacked physical nourishment when I desired it. I grew up on a family farm in a home where there was always plenty to eat. Dinner may not have always included my favorite dishes, but I never had to go hungry. There was cereal every morning, vegetables with every dinner, and there was always plenty of fresh homemade bread, peanut butter, milk, fruit, and even treats like cookies and ice cream. There have been times in our married life when the budget was lean, but we have always had food in the house and milk in the refrigerator.
Yes, there are times of fasting. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we fast, or abstain from food and drink for two consecutive meals or 24 hours every month, and at other times when we may be in need of extra spiritual help for ourselves or our loved ones. Similar to our Muslim friends during this month of Ramadan, it helps us to be mindful of our blessings, and of those who are less fortunate than we are. Our fast days are a time to pray and reflect on our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and a time for us to donate a financial fast offering to be used to provide food and other necessities for the poor.
I have also been nourished in many other ways throughout my life, by loving parents, siblings, my DH and children, through wonderful friendships and kind neighbors, and by caring and thoughtful teachers, both in secular and religious settings. It really is vital to our peace and happiness in this life to be nourished by the good word of God. It is truly my hope that all of my friends, and especially you who are reading this post will always be blessed with all of the nourishment that you need.
♥♥ Marcy
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou has attained.
And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
Practicing reading with a contact in Colombia circa 1983
Though there is quite a heritage of missionary service in my family, being somewhat shy and hesitant by nature, I grew up never really planning to commit to serving as a missionary for my church. That changed one spring afternoon in 1981 at the end of a fairly trying day at college. It was the start of the spring semester, new classes, new roommates, and just a general feeling of not knowing what my future was going to hold. I was reading my scriptures and two particular verse stood out to me.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I still wasn't 100% certain what my future would hold, but I felt that was the Lord's message to me to have faith and move forward, to prepare to serve as one of his missionaries. That spring and summer were tender and trying times for me. Several days or weeks later I met a cute guy who had recently returned from his own missionary service to Argentina, and moved into the apartment complex next door to my apartment building. We started dating. We got along very well, and spent a lot of time together that summer, and eventually I shared my plans with him for serving as a missionary. Even though he wasn't particularly happy with the idea of me leaving the state or possibly the country for a year and a half, he was very supportive of my decision, and helped me with my Spanish class homework, and after I learned I would be serving in a Spanish speaking country, he lent me several of his own Spanish language reference books, his dictionary, and his Spanish Bible. Even though we weren't allowed phone calls, he also wrote me encouraging letters during the time that I was away. And yes, that amazing friend is now my dear husband of quite a few years!
Several months before my 21st birthday, I was called to serve an eighteen month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the Colombia Bogota Mission. I entered the church's Missionary Training Center (MTC for short) on my 21st birthday, where my companions and I spent the next 10 weeks studying Spanish, gospel principles, welfare service principles, Colombian culture and other topics that would be helpful to us during in our work in Colombia. Most missionaries only spend about 8 weeks at the MTC, but my companion and I needed to wait a bit longer for our visa's to be processed, so we had a few extra weeks of practice and learning.
The next year and a half was filled with all kinds of interesting experiences and meeting new people. It was a struggle to learn to understand the fast speaking people, and to learn to speak clearly so they could understand me. It was difficult to be away from my family and friends for so long. I was homesick many times. For the most part the food was delicious, but I did miss drinking fresh milk and my mother's delicious home made bread, and sometimes I did tire of the typical fare of rice and beans and arepas and platanos.
We were always assigned a companion who we lived with and worked with for several months at a time, usually renting a room from a family where we were also provided most of our meals, leaving us plenty of time for study and visiting with church members and their families and friends, teaching them about Jesus Christ and the Prophet Joseph Smith, faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, forgiveness, the atonement, resurrection, eternal life, and other basic principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My companions and I also were able to teach several people basic reading skills and piano lessons.
A typical day would begin at 6:30 am with personal and companionship prayer and study, breakfast, and then by 10:00 am we would be out in the city meeting and visiting with people. After a short breaks for lunch and dinner, we would be back to work until 9:00 pm when we would return to our room, prepare for bed, and start over again the next day.
Every Monday was our preparation day, when we would do our laundry, write letters to family and friends, pick up our mail from the post office, do any necessary shopping or errands, and often do some sort of activity or sight seeing with other missionary companionships in the area. We didn't have watch TV, attend movies, but focused the majority of our time on teaching and serving wherever and whenever we could. Back at that time were were not allowed phone calls or visits home during our time of missionary service. Over the years those rules have changed slightly. When my boys were serving their missions circa 2004, we were allowed to talk to them on the phone twice a year, once on Christmas Day and once on Mother's Day, and emailed us every week on their preparation day. Now our missionaries are usually allowed to call home once a week, and are using computers, virtual meetings, and social media on a daily basis to reach out to those who are interested in the gospel messages.
During the fifteen months that I was in Colombia, I was assigned with 7 female different companions in 5 different cities: Bogota, Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, Ibague, and Florencia. There were always other missionaries in the cities where we served, but for most of the week we were on our own, walking and riding buses to meet new friends and visit with them in their homes and with their families. We may have been a bit naïve about what could possibly happen, but we felt that as we tried to stay in tune with the God and listen to the Holy Ghost, we would be protected. And with the exception of a purse snatching incident, we were. Luckily my companion's purse and wallet with her papers (but minus her money) was found discarded nearby.
Every month or so we would have a Zone Conference where we would meet with our Mission leaders and other missionaries who were assigned to nearby cities, and several times during our stay we enjoyed gathering with missionaries from our entire mission for a special Mission Conference.
I kept several journals during the time of my mission, and though I am currently in touch with only a few of my fellow missionaries, I have very found memories of the many young people -- teenagers and young adults, young couples, a few amazing families that I met, lived with, or taught during that time. I loved sharing the truths about Jesus Christ and his prophets and his gospel, and helping to prepare my new friends and their families for baptism and the blessings of eternal families that are found through temple ordinances. We saw small congregations gradually grow and new meeting houses be built. I love to hear today of the growth and progress of the Church of Jesus Christ in the country of Colombia, and am very excited about the recent announcement of a new temple to be built in the city of Cali . . . the third temple to be built in this beautiful land.
Was it a hard decision for me to commit to leave my home country, and my studies and family and friends for a year and a half? Yes it was. Was it worth the sacrifice? Absolutely!
Today I was thinking about all of the missionaries who were instrumental in teaching and baptizing all of my ancestors into the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I've spent a few hours this evening reading through some of the life histories of my ancestors, and have realized that compiling this list is going to be a fairly big project, but here is a start:
William Gibby, (great-great-grandfather) was baptized by Elder John Griffith on 16 September 1853 in or near Slebech, Haverford West, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
John Wagstaff and his wife Sarah (also great-great grandparents) were baptized in or near Northhill, Upper Caldecot Bedfordshire England, in February 1854. John's brother Samuel was taught by John H Flanagrin and baptized by Elder Thomas Layse in 1849.
James Stuart Stevenson and his wife Marian Douglas Stevenson of Scotland were baptized in England, likely in Sheffield, Yorkshire England. Marian was baptized in October of 1847 and James sometime in the next four years. Missionaries unknown.
Have you ever lost a child? If so, I sincerely hope that said lost child was quickly found safe and sound, because that is what happened to me a number of years ago. We were visiting grandparents and making the rounds with other extended family members, visiting different homes and family members and participating in fun summer vacation activities. Since we had flown on this particular trip, we didn't have our own car, so our growing family was split up between the cars of others in the family. Somehow in the shuffle of dividing up the children, one of the dear young daughters was missed, and it wasn't until we all had returned to Grandma's house where we were staying that we realized the 2, nearly 3 year old was missing! What dread and horror filled all of our hearts as we realized what had happened! Phone calls were quickly made, and a dear brother-in-law was able to quickly make a search of the apartment complex grounds where we had been visiting, and found our dear toddler daughter patiently waiting on the sidewalk for us to come back and find her. I am so very grateful that she was safe and protected until we were able to return to pick her up! I'm sure that a loving Heavenly Father was watching over her and that she was comforted and not afraid. My heart breaks whenever I hear of children who are lost or abducted, or even drowned after being left alone for a very short period of time. I'm so very grateful for the tender mercies that have protected my loved ones, especially my little ones over the years. I still pray for each of them every single day.
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
To those who know me well, you're right. I don't really do much knitting or crocheting or anything very crafty right now, but it is a blessing to me to have the knowledge to at least attempt some of these things. My mother did a lot of sewing when we were younger, but didn't do many of the other types of handiwork. She did teach me to embroider and would supply us with printed pillow cases and floss and other craft kits for Christmas and birthdays and other times. I mainly learned to sew in 4-H and Home Ec classes, but my Mother was my main back-up teacher and support when the seams just wouldn't go together right. She helped with a lot of the cutting and un-picking of seams and pressing and hemming jobs as I learned to make a lot of my own clothes. I spent many hours during my childhood and teenage years, knitting, crocheting, and mostly sewing. It felt good to be doing something productive and creating something lovely with my own hands.
My knitting and crocheting teachers were my Primary class teachers at church. I didn't ever finish very many projects, but I did learn the basics of knitting and crocheting, and have spent some time hanging out with cousins while we crocheted, tried to teach my own children the basic skills, and as an adult have enjoyed attending knit and crochet groups here in our church and neighborhood. One of my supervisors was always crocheting whenever she wasn't at her desk. She would take her projects with her to meetings or work on them during her lunch hours and gifted many of her projects. She even volunteered at the local prison teachingprisoners how to crochet and mentoring them in many ways. One year she gifted everyone on our team with a hand crocheted afghan made from leftover yarn from other projects. We kept them at our desks for those days when the heat didn't quite keep the winter drafts (or the summer air conditioning) from freezing our knees or shoulders as we typed away. I still treasure this afghan.
Have I really ever finished anything? I think I've crocheted a beanie hat or two and crocheted around a burp cloth or a bib that's tucked away in my craft cupboard, and started a baby afghan, but no, I haven't really been very productive. My dear daughter in laws both do much better than I do at such projects and have produced many finished products for themselves and to give as gifts. But for me, the enjoyment has been in the learning, and in the social times when I have taken the time to attend the knit and crochet groups. Maybe sometime when I retire, I might actually take the time to be a bit more creative and practice the art of knit and crochet.
Jesus Christ Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is the literal So of God, our Heavenly Father. He is our Savior and the Redeemer of the world. He suffered for the sins of everyone in the world, was crucified, and through the power of God, he rose from the dead, overcoming sin and death, he has paved the way for all mankind to be able to repent, and for all mankind to live again after this mortal life is through. Jesus Christ is the one constant in my life. His teachings and example during his mortal ministry show us the way to live and the way back to our heavenly home. Because of his experiences in suffering for all people, he knows and understands EVERYTHING that we will ever face; every pain, challenge, heartache, trial and obstacle, and he can guide and comfort us through anything. Last April during the A to Z challenge I blogged about Jesus Christ as explained in the document "The Living Christ." I know he lives. He is my brother and yours. I know that he loves each of us and will help and guide use each and every day as we seek him. As I pray each day both on my knees and also in my mind and my heart throughout each day, I testify that I receive help and comfort and guidance and strength and knowledge through Jesus Christ.
Joseph Smith In 1820 in upstate New York, a young 14 year old boy wanted to know which of the varied churches in his area was the true church of Jesus Christ. After months of pondering the question and searching the bible, he read that if any man lacks wisdom, he should ask God in faith, that wisdom for guidance, and that it will be given to him. On an early spring morning, in a secluded grove of trees near his family home, he knelt and prayed to know which church he should join. After much effort, he was rewarded by the personal visit of God the Father and Jesus Christ, and was told that the true church of Jesus Christ was at the time not presently on the earth, but that in time it would be restored to the earth. As Joseph continued to learn and prove his worthiness, he was instrumental in restoring the gospel and the priesthood of God. Because of his faithfulness, Joseph Smith has done more for the salvation of men than any man who has ever lived, except for Jesus Christ himself. See D&C 135:3
It was while watching a video similar to this one below that the spirit of the Holy Ghost first bore witness to me that Joseph Smith truly is the prophet of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth in modern times:
My DH, his parents and his sisters circa 1968. This was long before I knew this wonderful family!
Part of my wonderful family is this group of people that I am blessed to claim as my own. From the first time my DH brought me home to meet his family, they have been warm and welcoming and generous to me. These three little girls were a lot more grown up back then, but fixed us a nice dinner and have been coming up with fun ideas for celebrations and family gatherings ever since.
Then there were the three or four months when we moved back home from the east coast where our family of seven (at the time DD4 had not been born) were lovingly welcomed into the family home while we searched for a place of our own. My dear Mother In Law is one of the most welcoming, generous and gracious women I know. She has always kept a wonderfully comfortable home where guests and gatherings for all ages. Family dinners, movie nights, football games, and major holidays were almost always at Mom and Dad's house. Grandchildren were always welcomed and greeted with a hug and a smile. My Mother In Law has always been there to help with the new babies, cooking and cleaning, and often with the packing and cleaning before many of our moves. She has also been more than willing to come and help out with other cleaning and organizing and crafting projects.
Father In Law was always working. When he wasn't running his business, he was working for his children and their families -- gratis. Many are the home improvement projects that have been completed under his guidance, inspiration, and physical labor. Bathrooms, Kitchens, Storage rooms and bookshelves galore are the products of his handiwork. And the yearly July Pioneer Day celebration with games and treats and prizes (especially all of the quarters and nickels and dimes and dollar bills that made their way to children's pockets on those days) will never be forgotten by his posterity. And of course, once we moved back to the west, we were able to buy a home just a few blocks away from, so it was easy for the children to walk over to visit, get a haircut, watch the current ball game on the big screen TV, or just to visit with their grandparents.
Even after my Father in Law passed away several years ago, my Mother In Law continued to invite the singles groups, the book clubs, and the knit and crochet groups to meet in her lovely home, even if she wasn't feeling well. Mother in Law has now moved to an assisted living center, but of course family is always loved and welcomed by her, even when she is not feeling well. It has been a hard year with the pandemic not allowing her to have visitors for months at a time, but she has now been vaccinated and family is again allowed to visit with this sweet lady. We have missed visiting with her!
I am the daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me, and I love Him. This knowledge is one of the greatest blessings that I have in my life. I know that when I pray, he will hear me. When I pray, I need to listen with my heart, and hear Him. With his help and guidance throughout the day, every day, I can make it through life's challenges, one day at a time.
Husband, helpmeet, and friend. He's my hand to hold, my shoulder to lean on, the one I run to when the earth quakes, provider of flowers, chocolate, books, computers, and much more; my source of encouraging words and smiles to brighten my day. We don't agree on everything and . The 38 years of our marriage have brought changes and challenges, but one thing always stays the same -- I love and appreciate my DH!!
Home -- the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household. I just counted it up again tonight, and there have been 21 different structures that I have called home throughout my life. My first home, my parent's home, was home to me for nearly 18 years, and home for my parents for many more years than that. During my single adult years there were many different apartments and places where I lived, and several more during the first 14 or so years of our married life. I'm very grateful for my home, where we have lived now for almost 25 years. Our home isn't the grandest, largest, cleanest, or most beautifully decorated place around, but it is comfortable for me, and a sanctuary and refuge from the world, a place of Security.
Places of Security, has been so well explained by Shawni on her blog, 71 Toes.
