Sheltons in the Sun: Blog #25 Carpe diem (Seize the Day

Blog #25 Carpe diem (Seize the Day)

February 23, 2016

I’ve often said that profound influence and life changes can come in moments. Wise counsel, tender sharing, kind deeds, and heartfelt empathy can quickly alter lives in a positive manner. I have experienced a myriad of emotions as we have been serving here in “the Lord’s University.” And, both Mike and I continue to be amazed at the growth of our young men and women as they do all they can to serve the Lord. The weekly baptisms are inspiring. Accompanying the missionaries as they teach an investigator is invigorating. Watching so many servants give so much of themselves is humbling. What a blessing it is to be a part of this great work!

It was transfer day last week and we opened two apartments and closed one. We traveled to Lancaster to move some missionaries in North Edwards out of one apartment and into another. Then we visited another companionship in Lancaster who had been transferred into an apartment that had been left in less than desirable condition. The day was long and, after several stops, we were finally on our way home when we made a rest stop at McDonalds. I was waiting for our Sausage and Egg McMuffins (dinner) when a man came up to me and asked if I was a Mormon Missionary. He was so excited to see us. He said he’d been praying for help all day and he knew we were the answer. He was a convert of three years. His wife and daughter were home, living in a trailer that had electrical problems.. He was a truck driver from Arizona and had been driving all day. He was visibly agitated and asked if I could do him a favor. He’d been looking, without success, for another place to live. He had been fearful that their home would catch on fire . . . and driving all day gave him much time to think and worry. He was wondering if we could pray for him and his family that their home would not catch on fire. I’ve talked about our badges in another blog, but I’d never felt so much weight from it until that night. Yes, we prayed for Brother Smith and his little family. We will never know the outcome of his life, but I will always remember the great faith he expressed when he saw two missionaries who are striving to represent the Lord.

Lori brought three of our granddaughters here for a weekend. What a joy! These girls are so darling (including Lori) and we had a wonderful time. I’m so grateful we have the gift of family. I realized how quickly time is passing, and the children and grandchildren are changing in the blink of an eye. I love to seize the moments I have with them. I love the cycle of life . . . it is breathtaking.

We see lives change before our eyes. It is glorious as we watch someone come to Christ and submit to His will. As we witness joy and rejoicing here, we also see much poverty and heartache. We find ourselves wishing we could do more to help families and individuals. But, we also know to whom these folks can turn for peace, if they will.

This week has been difficult for me. As some of you know, our former next-door neighbor, Melody Taylor, is in critical condition. She had a dormant staph infection that attacked her knees; the infection went to her heart. She’s had mini strokes because the infection had gone to her brain. She had surgery for a valve replacement and they were able to remove the infection, but she still is unresponsive and very fragile. My uncle Danny died last week, and that has been difficult for his family and for my 94 year-old dad. Donna Holt, a close friend for years, also died over the weekend. And, my dear friend Cindy, who is healing from her heart challenges (last blog), was back in the hospital this week. So, not only does influence come in moments, but, challenges (both life and death) can alter much in moments. What a blessing it is that we understand the eternal plan. Though we know that the adversity and challenges we see are really only a moment, when we love much, we hurt much when we see pain and sorrow. Our challenge is to seize the moments and express gratitude for the many blessing we enjoy.

We had a most incredible Western States Stake Broadcast this month. Elder Dale Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talked about how we explain our religion. I can hardly wait until his talk comes out in print. When he and his wife are asked by someone why we believe a principle or doctrine, his wife always say, “The short answer is that in 1820 a young man was trying to find which church is true (she would then tell that Joseph saw God the Father and His Son, and the answer he was given) . . . .” Then, she would say, “My husband will tell you why we … .(Then he would answer the question in the context of modern revelation). As we try to explain the commandments, it must come in context of revelation. I do want study his talk. We have learned so much here, but we mostly have learned how much we still have to learn.

I hope you know how grateful we are for the moments we have shared with you. Our lives have been touched by each of you, and we are so grateful for the love, support, and influence you have on us. We are especially grateful for this time we are serving in “the Lord’s University” where we are learning to seize each day.