April 18, 2015
Blog #11 Families are forever
On April 2nd Jaci gave birth to her fifth child
(four are living) in five years. What a
joy and blessing it was to have little Beckett join our family. Each time we receive a new member into our
family we all rejoice. “Because families
are ordained of God, they are the most important social unit in time and
eternity” (Preach My Gospel), and daily we see evidence of how family members
affect not only us, but all those with whom we serve in this mission field.
I realize that I mention at least something about one or
more family members on a regular basis, but I had the privilege to go home for
a week to help with the babies, and my heart is overflowing with love for our
children and grandchildren. It thrills
me that the kids look out for each other and serve and help when a need is
seen. Families are busy and each has its
own challenges, but they still take time for each other. Daddy came to Jaci’s home and we were able to
get a 4-generation photo since I won’t be able to be there for the baby
blessing. One of the most difficult realities for me is to be away when changes
are taking place in the family. I want
to be there, to help. Lori had knee
surgery this week and I couldn’t be there, but the children stepped up to help
her. Susie is having a knee replacement,
and her girls and another niece will travel to St. George to help her during
her recovery (her hubby and kids are in Salt Lake.)
Today Mike and I visited one of our local office
missionaries who is suffering from cancer, diabetes, and a host of other
challenges. He has been a miracle man
these past couple years as he continues to battle tumors in his lungs,
high-shooting blood pressure, and low dipping sugar levels. As our technology missionary, he has been
committed to serving daily as he completes his mission. The past two weeks he has started chemo again
and has taken a serious turn for the worse; his blood pressure rises every time
he tries to stand up, then he passes out.
His wife has collapsed many times with him as she grabs him to break his
fall. He is every thing to her and she
is willing to sacrifice everything for him.
A dear friend in our ward who has been a member for just a
year is having critical heart problems.
He struggled for years with drug and alcohol abuse. His wife of ten years said his problem was that
he needed religion and she separated herself from him a few years ago. He found Christ, gave up his destructive
habits, and joined our church--but she didn’t like this religion so she is
still unwilling to reach out and love him.
He fell last Sunday and ended up in the hospital. As Mike and I visited him we could feel the
pain and loss he has because he has no family. He has a great deal of faith and
he loves the ward family, and he doesn’t complain, but his life is not easy.
Thursday our young missionary from Napal came in to get his
first letter from his sister. He arrived
in the mission field and was so busy the first month that life was
wonderful. The second month, when
missionary work became a little more difficult, he began to miss home. His mother doesn’t know how to use the
internet, so the communication has been sparse.
Family means so much to him—and his mother and sister are so far away.
Frequently I ask the missionaries “What is the best part of
your mission?” Almost as frequent, the
answer is, “My sister has become active in the church.” Or, “My dad is
investigating the gospel.” And it is so much fun to see the
emotional reunion when a family comes to Bakersfield to pick up their
missionary at the end of his/her mission.
We have a binder in our office where we invite the
missionaries, who come in, to share a tender mercy from the Lord that they have
experienced since they arrived. In many
instances, even though they frequently experience small miracles as they work, the
tender mercy they write about has to do with what is going on with their
families at home.
Yes, we know that families
lie at the center of Heavenly Father’s plan, and, as The Family
Proclamation exclaims: The family is ordained of God.
Happiness in family life is most likely
to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ; and successful
families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer,
repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome
recreational activities.
For Mike and I, it is such a blessing that we can see a few
of our family members on some weekends.
We were able to make a quick trip to see Ed and Susan for Ed’s 70th. We attended Reese’s baptism and play, Jared’s
temple trip, and while I was away, Mike watched general conference at Aaron’s
lake house. Ryan, Jaci, and Lori visited
us on different weekends, and I was able to see all my children and
grandchildren at Beckett’s birth. What
could be better?
We love serving the Lord in Bakersfield. We have the responsibility to take photos for
the Ward Family Tree. We are getting to
know and love people whose friendship we will always cherish. And, we are working hard.
We appreciate your love and support and grateful you are such
a big part of our hearts.
