Blog #18 The Colors in My Mind

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???)

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.

                                                                My Birthday Surprise

                                                                    time to cuddle

                                                             Big Sequoia tree!!!

                                                                     Majesty

                                                                  Stretch  and grow . . .

                                                               Part of our family tree

                                                         Lunch with part of office staff

                                                                   Veasna & Davin

                                                   Elder Ross brought farewell mellon

                                                         Departing missionary temple trip

Blog #16 The Power

                                                                The Windmills

                                              Time Machine -- Witness of Raising Lazareth

                                               Elder Carper's birthday

                                                                      Ryan & Liz
                                                                                                                    Ryan & Hali

                                                  

Fall Back SundayFa

Blog #16      The Power

8.14.15

We are driving through the mountains from Tehachapi to Bishop (we are setting up a house for the MLS couple who is coming tomorrow) and we see the numerous windmills that frequent so many of the mountains and hills in our mission area.  There are thousands of them.  Not all of them are always moving, but, of course, that has to do with the airflow and maintenance of the turbine. Wind power plants are turbines that use the energy in the motion of the wind to make mechanical energy, which is then converted to electrical energy. 1) Wind blows toward the turbine's rotor blades; 2) The rotors spin around slowly, capturing some of the kinetic energy from the wind, and turn the central drive shaft that supports them; 3) The rotor blades can swivel on the hub at the front so they meet the wind at the best angle for harvesting energy. 4) Inside, the gearbox converts the low-speed rotation of the drive shaft into high-speed rotation fast enough to drive the generator efficiently. The generator, immediately behind the gearbox, takes kinetic energy from the spinning drive shaft and turns it into electrical energy. That is power!

Many of the homes, carports, and businesses have solar panels on their roofs.  They use the power from the sun to run their homes.  We can change sunlight directly to electricity using solar cells. Every day, light hits the roof's solar panels with photons (particles of sunlight). The solar panel converts those photons into electrons of direct current ("DC") electricity. The electrons flow out of the solar panel and into an inverter and other electrical safety devices. The inverter converts that "DC" power (commonly used in batteries) into alternating current or "AC" power. AC power is the kind of electricity that your television, computer, and toasters use when plugged into the wall outlet. The use of solar panels cuts their power bills to almost nothing. That is power!

It is amazing how we, as a people have, been tutored to access and use the power sources that exist on this earth for our daily living.

Last Sunday Mike and I were asked to visit the primary and act as eyewitnesses to the story of the Savior raising Lazarus from the dead.  We wore biblical costumes, and set the stage with a few of our photos from our Israel trip.  The primary leader informed the children that we had come through a time machine, and we shared what we saw, as recorded in John 11.  Our point was to help the children understand that Jesus has power over death.  Now, that is power!

We had fun studying and practicing our story, but were also reminded how Jesus Christ has the power over all things.  He lets us access our wonderful inventions and many great comforts of this world, but He also is mindful of all we do and are.   He wants us to succeed in our endeavors, live a life of service and worship, and give the credit to Him, the Father of us all.  I’ve been thinking so much about His power and what a miracle this life is! 

The children were fun and very attentive.  But when question time came, the older ones were more concerned that we could have a computer, watch and two rings when we came from the past through a time machine.  They were really cute.

We had the privilege to read Sister Katie Jones’ letter this week, and she mentioned a few of the tender mercies that she is seeing on her mission. My heart fills with joy when I see the missionaries recognize, though their job is challenging, the many moments of tenderness from the Lord.  When we arrived in Bakersfield, we started a book in the mission office where missionaries could jot down a recent tender mercy on an index card.  We compile the cards in the book, and leave them on the table for other missionaries to read.  The intent is three fold: the missionaries notice and are mindful of their individual tender mercies; they have the opportunity to read other missionaries’ experiences; and we share one or two each month in the newsletter.  It has helped us all pay more attention to the many miracles that enrich us daily.  Some of the tender mercies mentioned are individual gifts that help the missionary or his/her family, and others affect the zone or ward. The other day a missionary wrote:  While we were on an exchange, my companion and I had been tracting for about five hours. It was hot outside. We had no water, and strangers treated us rudely -- the odds looked like they were against us.  My companion said, “What I would do for some cold water . . .” I remember looking at him and saying, “The Lord will bless us.”  About an later we walked toward our bikes and inside our helmets were two very cold bottles of water.  We looked at each other with watery eyes, smiled, then bowed our heads and prayed in gratitude.

We keep thinking our daily work is going to slow down, but each month brings new surprises.  This transfer period we had zone conferences.  We traveled, attended and presented nine sessions in five days.  It was a great time to get to see all of the missionaries.  President and Sister Wilson are inspired leaders and we love seeing them work with the missionaries.  We, along with the other senior missionaries spent twenty minutes each addressing our particular areas.  Naturally, we presented our Golden Plunger Zone Awards, and that is always a lot of fun.  The zone leaders also taught their zones for a half hour.  It is interesting to see the skills each set of zone leaders use as they address the assigned topic. 

We’ve had a variety of activities to attend to, and one special opportunity was the privilege to help clean the LA Temple.  When possible, we take the missionaries who help us with moves to lunch.  It such a joy to get to know them better and to hear their stories.  But one of the greatest joys is when they invite us to go on a teaching appointment with them.  We are amazed at the skills they develop to share their message.  We can feel them teaching by the spirit.  The future leadership of the church will be in good hands. 

It is amazing to see how well our children do without us.  They are doing well and moving forward.  We are excited as we anticipate two weddings in the next few months.  My Ryan is marrying Hali Nielsen on October 9^th.  We are thrilled to have Hali officially join the family.  And Mike’s Ryan is marrying Liz Hunt on January 16^th and we are also delighted to have Liz join our family.  What a wonderful time this is for our sons.  We received a picture of the kids having Lori’s traditional cookie dough Sunday evening treat at our house.  They called it “Throwback Sunday.”

We continue to miss our family and friends, but we are also grateful for this wonderful opportunity to serve.  We witness the presence of our Lord and Savior as we see and feel the power of the God.  We love you and hope all is well with you.

Blog #15 Grateful Reflections

Blog #15  An Attitude of Gratitude

For this blog I thought I’d write a jingle

            of some things I’m grateful for :

Bottled water, photographs, internet,

            hot chocolate,  and so much more

I’ve loved foot lotion every night,

            dinner club, almonds, ,and pictures

Mexican food, zone conference, texting,

            and, I can’t forget my scriptures

I find my awareness is in a space right now

            where I’m experiencing tender emotion

As I daily read and study the Lord’s words

            and strive to increase my devotion

Consequently, each day I am touched

            with profound feelings of gratitude

Witnessing such tender mercies and  blessings

            are profoundly affecting my attitude

I’m most grateful for an eternal companion         

            who is so wise, also kind, and much fun

Who helps me enjoy this city of Bakersfield

            although we are “baked” by the hot sun

We work with so many great people

             who are creatively giving their all

Who invite souls to Christ as they diligently strive

            to consecrate each sacred call

I stand in awe of the young missionaries--

            it is fun to watch them grow

As they invite, teach and learn,

            I’m amazed at how much they know

As hard as their days may sometimes get,

            they never do complain

They just express gratitude and joy

            for each investigator they gain

I’m so glad, as senior missionaries,

            by different rules we get to abide

But I wish I’d also served when young,

            this feeling I cannot hide

I’m also grateful our housing assignment

            has us traveling through this mission

We experience the beauties of California,

            and we have permission

The GPS has become a value friend,

            one we couldn’t do without

The iPhone keeps us connected with home

            (and keeps me sane, no doubt)

I get to write the mission newsletter

            which helps creative juices flow

For that, missionaries share experiences

            and they keep me in the know

The fruit here is extraordinarily delicious,

            I really must confess

Here, Bakersfield’s coke, my drink of choice,

            seems to certainly taste the best

I love the orchards, blossoms on trees

            and so many unique flowers

If only we had more energy and time,

            we could stroll for countless hours

So many members here are converts

            with their own miraculous stories

My heart is touched as they have shared

            their sacrifices, struggles and glories

We’ve seen poverty raise its dreadful face

            and .with it, create so much pain

Then anguished souls have turned to God

             and found there’s much to gain

I can’t say that I’ve always taken for granted

            the personal blessings of my life

But, true joy for me is watching first hand

            a change of heart heal a soul full of strife

I’m grateful for the love and promises

            my dear Savior continues to give me

Because of His Atonement and redeeming power

            I can realize my dreams of eternity

This has been a very busy month.  We've made moves, attended 24 hrs. of a family reunion (opps! I dropped Mike's hearing aid in the lake--I thought he was putting a crawdad in my hand), taking missionaries to the temple on the mission temple day, presented to 9 zone conferences (we sing "Called to Serve" to the ladies who serve us lunch between conferences), and are planning our closures for next week's transfer.  The days are still long, but the weeks are getting shorter.

For some reason this is an emotional time—and I am grateful.  We appreciate your  love and support and hope all is well with you.  We love you!

                                         Moving the Sisters

                                                  Mission Temple Trip

                                        Dinner at the Sheltons

                                                   Aaron & Ketura's Lake House

                                       A Fisherman's Dream

                                         Family

                                         Senior Dinner Diners

                                        Office Staff

                                        Coveted "Golden Plunger" winners

                                        "Called to Serve" at Zone Conference

                                               Happy 4th of July!

Blog #14 "Washing the Feet"

Blog #14  “Washing the Feet”

Last week we closed the apartment of our one MLS (member leadership support) missionary couple.  John and Barbara Rawlins completed their mission in Bishop, CA.  We met them our first week in the mission and were impressed with the help they gave the young missionaries.  MLS missionaries are called to strengthen an area.   My sister Linda and her husband, Lyle, are serving as MLS missionaries in Florida.  MLS is different than our mission because we are assigned specific tasks, whereas MLS missionaries define much of their own agendas (such as: reactivate members, run the addiction recovery groups, help with family history, and whatever else the local priesthood leader asks).  We’ve been hoping another couple would be assigned here to replace the Rawlins, but that is not happening. 

I think when many adults contemplate serving a senior mission, they imagine themselves teaching the gospel and bringing souls to Christ. They remember the rigorous schedule of our young missionaries teaching and preaching, and imagine the joy of that kind of exhaustion.  Seniors have some say in the type, length. and location of missions they serve, but their callings are rarely to proselyte (though that might happen on occasion.)

Instead, we support the young missionaries, the Mission President, Branch President, and/or Bishops to whom we are assigned.  When I served as a Guest Service Missionary at Temple Square, I remember a missionary who was working in the family history center who said she was disappointed when she received that call.  Weeks after she started, the brother who worked next to her reminded her how the Savior served others by washing their feet.  This man felt their calling was “washing the feet.”  The sister missionary gained a new perspective on the value of her mission.

The couple we replaced, came to stay with us for six days.  We would have loved to work with them longer; but, even though we have the same assignment they had, our mission has been very different.  They spent their whole mission finding and opening apartment, and they also handled the finances.  They were the only missionaries in the ward (there were 12 of us when we first arrived.) 

The past two weeks Mike and I have closed eight apartments in 104˚ heat, made several trips to Good Will, loaded and unloaded the trailer, taken beds to transferred missionaries (as well as bug spray, and other necessary items), and received dozens of calls to help with apartment issues.  Mike has become quite skilled at driving the truck and trailer from Mammoth lakes to Palmdale, and all other areas of the mission.  The majority of our days don’t resemble the memory of our former lives, our career skills, nor our church callings.  And sometimes we miss the things we used to do.  We find ourselves wishing we still had the strength and energy of our 30-year-old bodies.  (It is pretty funny when Mike has me on the other end to lift a dresser or bookcase up a flight of stairs.) 

The other day when I was thinking how much fun it would be to do something like another flash mob on Temple Square or to plan a ward progressive dinner, I read in Elder Holland’s new book, To My Friends, the chapter “Remember Lot’s Wife.”  If you recall, the Lord told Lot’s wife not to look back.  In other words, do not dwell on days now gone, nor yearn for yesterdays.  Elder Holland talks of how faith is always pointed toward the future.  If we yearn for the past, we might miss the here and now.

Of course, the chapter had much more to it, but I was thinking how great (and challenging) it is that we are here serving in a calling that requires us to rely on our faith in a different way.  Our days aren’t stressful, but we continually pray that we are “washing the feet” in a way that shows the Lord how much we love Him.  We must have the faith that these aging bodies will have the physical strength to accomplish our tasks.  We must have the faith to be receptive to promptings of the Spirit as we meet and greet people.  And we must have the faith to lose ourselves in this great work.

We find much joy in the opportunities we have to serve our missionaries.  We love the people with whom we work, and we love the missionaries.  When one missionary asked how we could love them so much when we barely know them, I told her that our love for them is almost like when a mother loves her newborn child before it is born.  We love these missionaries the minute we meet them.  In fact, the best part of our job is when we enlist the missionaries to help us with our moves, when we share lunches and learn about their lives, when we take them to the temple, and when we talk about this eternal journey we are all on.

We also love the people in our ward.  The last two weeks we had the privilege to go to the temple with two different members to receive their endowments.  We went to Pioneer Days and saw how the California members celebrate.  Tonight we had dinner with Kaylie, our newest convert, and was so touched by her challenging life story that prepared her to embrace the gospel. 

But, as I’ve mentioned before, the days blend together.  Sometimes we don’t even know what day it is. For some reason I thought last week, the14th, was Father’s Day.  We had a ;

million things to do all week and I was anxious to get home on Saturday night so we could pick up Mike’s Father’s Day gift.  We planned his favorite dinner for Sunday.  I was so surprised when no one even mentioned fathers in church -– no children singing, no talks, no treats for the dads.  Then, in relief society the President said that “Next week, on father’s day we . . . .”  I thought today was Father’s Day, and everyone laughed.  And, Mike didn’t know either, but he did like celebrating two weeks in a row.

Mike has felt especially blessed this month.  Wes came for a short visit two weeks ago, and Ryan, Liz (his fiancé), and Reese came this Saturday. We had a wonderful visit with each of them.  The gospel offers so many wonderful blessings, but the privilege to live as eternal families is one of the greatest of them all.

We feel the Lord’s hand in the work here.  We daily see miracles both large and small.  A young woman who stole her grandmother’s car, t-boned a car with two of our missionaries, plus hit three other cars yesterday.  Although the driver of one of the other cars mentioned in her 911 call that she thought the missionaries were dead, they walked out of the wreck a bit in shock, with only sore muscles.  I believe the Lord is in our lives much more than we can imagine.  He doesn’t take away the challenges, nor the heartaches, but He certainly sustains us and gives us strength if we will let Him.  I’m so grateful for this gospel and the opportunity we have to learn and understand the Lord’s plan for us.

We love you, miss you, and pray that all is well for you.

                                                    John's Temple day, with Jensens

                                                           One day of moving

                                                         Mammoth Elders

                                                           Mammoth - Twin Lakes

                                                         Crystal Palace with Reese

                                                                 Wes and Family

                                                                 Petra's Temple Day

                                                                     Wes at Kern's Museum