Sheltons in the Sun: September 2015

Monday, September 28, 2015

Blog #18 The Colors in My Mind

y. We had the opportunity to go with the missionaries as they taught them. It is so touching to watc

I was watching the young women singing in Women’s Conference yesterday and I thought about how much I love color as I noticed the red, pink, purple, orange and yellow blouses they wore. Last weekend we went over night to Catalina Island. I loved the many colors of green we saw in the cactus garden, and I was fascinated by the many colors of blue and green in the ocean. Tonight we have been watching in awe as we witnessed the colors changing during the eclipse of the moon. I do love colors (wish I could have been an artist); but most of all, I love the many colors of skin I see in Bakersfield. I remember when I was still working in the schools, I mentioned to my wonderful boss that I really didn’t notice students of color as I counseled with them. She assured me I needed to notice so I could validate their heritage. But, over the years, I’ve decided that the best way for me to reach them is to let my love for them show because I love their souls. I love the people here and we are particularly having fun with the missionaries. I still regret that I didn’t take the time to learn Spanish when I was younger, and now my brain seems to refuse to comprehend it. Two weeks ago at a Spanish baptism (Mike and I didn’t understand most of the words—though we did understand the feelings), the missionaries in front of us were giggling as we sang the hymns in Spanish. I love the diversity here.

Every weekend we try to attend one or two baptism. We feel such delight as we see the faces and hear the testimonies of those who embrace the gospel. The Savior can do so much to lift a soul! This weekend we actually visited six baptisms. A mother and her eleven-year-old daughter in our ward were baptized Saturday morning. They both glowed with jo

h a testimony grow within the investigator.

We also had a young couple, Brian and Kymmie, move into our ward who were not married. He joined the church a year ago, and they met at church. She had been inactive for years, but had decided to attend church, and they found each other. They desire the blessings of an eternal marriage. They asked the Bishop to marry them so they can prepare to go to the Temple. They have experiences some rough times, so we, as a Relief Society, decided to give them a party for their wedding-- which included wedding clothing, a cake, photography, decorations, music, and a night at a hotel. They were so excited. The missionaries who had baptized him in Florida had completed their missions, and were able to come to the wedding. What a special night it was for this couple.

My daughter, Lori, has always quoted Elder Holland’s admonition for missionaries to keep in touch throughout the years with their converts. We saw first hand the joy and blessing that came from the two returned missionaries because they have kept in touch with Brian. And, Brian recommitted to keep his baptismal covenants because of their care and counsel.

We have mentioned the closing of apartments as the church opened eleven new missions, and the reduction from the departing eighteen-years-old infusion has settled down. But now, we are having more missionaries come than leave, so we are in the process of opening new apartments. I believe they call it “job security.” Anyway, Mike and I have been busy acquiring new leases and getting the contents to set up new homes for our missionaries. Some of our beloved inspectors have completed their missions, and we are in the process having new ones called. It is a time of change. My problem is that I get attached to people and it is hard to let them go. But the one new couple who has just been called will be wonderful.

We’ve been here almost a year now, and I’ve been reminded how long it takes to develop real and loving relationships. We certainly love and enjoy the people with whom we work daily. Gratefully, we are also feeling more a part of the ward. We, and our other ward missionaries, went to the anniversary dinner of our dear friends, Petra and Javier, and we were so thrilled to meet their extended family. We are getting to know and understand the hearts of many in our ward. We see families and individual working to become like Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ is such a blessing in our lives. We know many who have serious heartaches and struggles, but when we know the Savior and have the gift of the Holy Ghost we who believe Him and trust Him are given the peace and strength to endure life’s challenges

We are grateful for this opportunity, and we appreciate the love and support of you, our family and friends. We’ll be home a couple days for Ryan and Hali’s wedding. And then we’ll be back to work. May the Lord bless you!

Celebrating our birthdays

Transfer Day

Sandra and Hannah's baptism

Fun Elders in Bishop

We love the missionaries to meet us in the office!

Elders riding to the Departing temple trip with us.

Transfer Day

Brian and Kymmie's wedding

Javier and Petra's anniversary

Catalina Island Birthday Celebration

We are both a year older -- (and wiser???)

Monday, September 7, 2015

Blog #17 Surprises

Blog # 17 Surprises

Toward the end of my counseling career I was convinced that I had witnessed so much pain, sorrow, hurt, and poverty with my students and their families that not much could surprise me. Yes, there was often growth through pain, but I never stopped wanting to shield them from their traumas. Here on this mission I also see challenges, heartache and poverty . . . and I still desire to hand them healing balm by helping them recognize the Savior’s love. But I also know, in both cases, that my role is only to guide, while also praying that the sufferer will open his heart to allow light and truth into the soul so he can receive both hope and faith. Consequently, I find my emotions are frequently on the surface in this calling as I get to know these wonderful people.

However, I love, love, love happy surprises . . . and in this family we have many. Two weeks ago was my birthday. Jaci had called and said she had sent a package from the family and I could expect it Friday or Monday. Mike and I had had a crazy-busy week, so when he suggested we just relax on Friday, I agreed. Well, Friday night at 6:00 there was a knock at the door. It sounded like UPS, and when I looked through the peep hole, no one was there. As I opened the door, there on the ground was a beautiful baby boy in an infant seat, all by himself, with a sign, “Happy Birthday Grandma!” Now, I am rarely speechless, but I was in such shock I couldn’t get any sound to come out of my mouth. I hadn’t seen Beckett since his birth, and even when Jaci and Lori came around the corner, the moment still seemed surreal. How could I have had no clue that they were coming? How could Mike keep this secret from me?

What a wonderful birthday weekend it was. Lori wanted to see the Sequoia forest (which we did), we had pedicures (except Mike), ate out, laughed, and even played dominos. I was so thrilled to hold little Beckett. What a blessing family is! That visit gave me a boost of energy. We enjoy our mission, and we love the missionaries; but I know that when the Lord offered us the opportunity to have eternal families, that there could be nothing more precious. I am so grateful.

Much is happening with our families. Along with the two weddings of Ryan/ Hali, and Ryan/ Liz, my foster daughter, Davin will be getting married soon to Veasna in Phnom Penh. They have not set the date yet, but I’m hoping it will be a time that I can go. Davin has been an important part of our family, and we hope she will have joy and happiness with her sweetheart. The language barrier makes it a bit difficult for her to understand what this mission is, but we are hoping to be able to attend her wedding. Davin has done amazing work as she graduated from high school while in the orphanage, and now has graduated from nursing school and is working as a nurse for a factory.

I find I’m still surprised by the variety of conversion stories we hear. I love it when members tell us their experiences. Yesterday, in Relief Society, a sister shared her conversion story. She fell in love with Donny & Marie Osmond when she was seven (1974) years old. She saw Marie (a young teen herself) on TV and immediately wished she was her sister. Then she got a crush on Donny. As a child she lived in a little town with few people. Her company was the Donny and Marie show on the radio. She followed their careers religiously, and when she learned they were Mormons, she even asked her mom if she could go to the Mormon Church. The answer was a definite “No!” Since then she has gone through challenges, raised a daughter, and (like the rest of us) worked to figure out her life. She never lost her love and admiration for the Osmonds and their music. Although she had some Mormon friends and coworkers over the years, she had never really checked out our religion. Then, almost 40 years later, she was still listening to their music and following their careers. One day Donny “tweeted” that he was watching General Conference, and invited others to tune in. She turned on conference and heard a message by Elder Nelson that was tailored just for her. She prayed for the missionaries to come to her so she could learn more. She finally tracked them down. After being taught the gospel, she joined the church two years ago. She attended a “meet and greet” with the Osmonds in Vegas and, though she is shy, she whispered a thank you to him for tweeting about conference, and told him she had just joined the church the week before. When he realized she wasn’t kidding, he had tears in his eyes. She even found that there is a Donny Osmond facebook group. The members got together and several of the LDS converts, who were introduced to the gospel due to the influence example Osmonds, wrote their conversion stories. I suppose many of us would be surprised if we knew how our examples affected others.

I hope we each can enjoy the wonder and surprise that comes from loving and enjoying our families, neighbors, and friends. I pray we can learn more about our Savior and His great love for us. I hope none of us will be surprised to find out that He is real, He is infinite, He is eternal, and he knows us individually.

We hope all is well with you. Please know that we love you and appreciate your love and prayers. And we are not surprised as we hear of your goodness. We love and appreciate you and your example to us.