Thanksgiving - Christmas

We've been visiting an inactive sister in Plano 3rd ward since we arrived here.  She's such a sweet girl and we've enjoyed getting to know her.  Plano 3rd Ward Relief Society had their Christmas Party in November and we invited Diane to come with us.  She told us she might be coming with her visiting teachers, and that she knows she needs to start coming out.  We were so happy when we saw her at the party, and with some cute girls that have become friends with her.  It's such a thrill to see a light begin to shine in someone who's been away for awhile!

      

       

Our sweet little friend Coco passed away last week.  We were so sad to lose her.  It gives me joy to know that, we and the Elders, got to spend some time with her before she went home.   I'm so glad we had the opportunity to know her!  Sometimes there are unknown reasons why we're led to certain people in this world.  Our time with Coco was very short, but filled with love and care.  We will miss her, but feel like we made friends with a very special lady.  The message we brought to her of the gospel will have an influence on her when she hears it again there.

We've just added another ward to our efforts.  This picture is of Ron & Jody Malouf.  He's serving on the High Council and asked the Stake President to have us begin serving in Plano 9th ward.  They are a very sweet couple and amazing leaders in the stake.  We've already visited with several sisters.  We make ourselves available to them whenever they need extra love and encouragement.  I just love being here for them.  My heart will ache when I leave them someday!

On Weds. we took Laneeda to lunch and took this picture.  It was 75 degrees and sunny.  Thursday evening we had an ice storm.  Temperatures dropped to 26 degrees!  I think we could all get sick with such a dramatic change! We lost power early Friday morning.  Not because of this tree, but others. 

We had so many wonderful people call with concerns about us and Marjean.   Bishop Lucero & Laneeda showed up in the afternoon and took us for a ride in his 4-wheel drive car to see all the damage; and to take us for hot chocolate that never tasted sooo good!  He chipped the ice off our walkway and invited us to stay in their home.  There were many offers to have us come and spend the night in warm homes.  We huddled in front of the fire place, and thought we'd just "tuff" it out, but    when it got dark outside, we decided maybe we should go elsewhere.  Another brother in the ward came and took us to stay with the Ruth Ann & Lee Zaugg.  Bed & Breakfast for all three of us!  What a blessing!!!

All three ward party's were scheduled for this stormy weekend and then rescheduled for next week.  The Zaugg's returned from a mission in New Zealand about the same time we got here.  I loved the cute clothes they wore for the Plano 3rd Ward Party.  I found out Pres. & Linda Condie from Kirkland were serving while they were there.   I also found out that Lee's brother and his wife lived in Kirkland Ward with us many years ago.  They called them while we were in their home so I could talk to them, Doug & Brenda Zaugg.  It was fun to find friend connections!

We came back home the next day.  Bro. Dennis Palmer called and said he was coming over to de-ice our cars in spite of our protests that it was too cold outside!  He spent two hours getting the ice off!!    The Michaelis family in the ward came to chip the ice off Marjean's driveway. Church was cancelled on Sunday, but it warmed up a little during the day and then re-froze on Monday.  Personally, I think I prefer Seattle weather!!

We had the Ward Christmas party the following week.  Of course, a Christmas Party isn't complete without Mr. & Mrs. Santa!  We also had fun driving through a neighborhood to see the Christmas lights.  Thought you'd enjoy seeing this "Texas Santa."

My sweet daughter Jenny is expecting a baby anytime now!  She called me a month or so after I arrived for my mission with the news.  She had been so anxious for me to come home for Christmas when I left Seattle.  I told her I couldn't come home unless there was some special family thing happening.    She said, "Momma, please come home for Christmas!"  I started to go through the same story with her, and then she said, "Well, what if you were coming home for the birth of a new baby!"

That was a BIG surprise to them and me!  I'm overjoyed to have another little one to love.  Pres. Durrant has given me permission to go so I'll be leaving tomorrow.  I'm excited to be with my cute kids for the holiday's, and welcome "Little Valerie"!  I may not make it to see all of you, but it will be fun to think of you being close!

I must add that I received a sweet surprise in the mail last week.  Some wonderful person or persons sent me a 12-Days of Christmas Package!  I've never had that done for me before, and everyone in the Mission Home was cheering for me when I got the box.  It's been so much fun opening the packages each day, and the rest are packed in my suitcase to carry home with me so I can continue the surprises.  Thank you to someone who made my Christmas extra special! Also received a cute Christmas poster from many of you wonderful friends in the ward.  I love it and it's hanging on my bedroom wall. I can't begin to tell you how great it is to know of your love & prayers.  Thank you for being such sweet friends!

I was on the church web page last week and watched "The Nativity" video.  It touched me to see how   the church blesses us in bringing the Savior where he needs to be in our lives.  I marvel at Joseph & Mary going to Bethlehem when she was so close to the birth.  There must have been such great love between them as they followed the messages of the angels about their great mission.  I'm sure they were carried by Heavenly Father through that journey and all the tests they faced.   It's caused me to think on the great blessings that come to us when we listen and obey the promptings of the Spirit.  My prayer is that each one of us will live with a desire to do so.  Christmas and each day of our lives can be filled with "overflowing" blessings if we emotionally & spiritually prepare for His coming.

          "I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas filled with His spirit in everything you do!"   



                          











Halfway Mark

Yes, today is the halfway mark for being on my mission!  It seems impossible that I've been here for nine months.  When I look back on my arrival I can only think of how nervous I was, and what an adjustment it was to enter the unknown.   Being without my family and familiar friends was a little scary.  The blessing I held on to was knowing the security of the gospel, and that I'd soon feel safe in my ward family.  Membership in the church becomes who we are, and our way of life.  It's not only a religious organization, but also friends, family, and a way of living and being.  I've come to realize that no matter where I am in this world there are those who love and care for me.  There are so many opportunities to serve and lift others, and we also receive those blessings in return.  It's the perfect plan for life because it's God's plan.  Being baptized into the church bonds us together as Heavenly Father's children.  That bond helps us become less self-centered, and more aware of the needs of His children.

The words of Alma, are so true and not only a statement of his time, but surely applies to us today:  "And now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort,... "What have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness...that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?  'Mosiah 18:  8-10


In a talk by Kathleen Lubeck Peterson she wrote:  "Members of a ward are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to serve.   There's sort of an "all for one and one for all" feeling.  People know that the ward members are there for them.  Countless good deeds seem to sprout spontaneously to bless member's lives.  Service within wards and branches blossom not only during catastrophic disasters but also in response to the problems of everyday living.  It is seen in organized service projects and in individual acts of kindness.  Helping others becomes a natural response for church members because of the covenants we make.  As we take the name of Jesus Christ upon ourselves and become his disciples, we learn to love others and to seek to bless their lives as he did."  (end quote)


When I look back on all the years and opportunities I've had to serve, I realize it's all been a training ground to help me find joy in helping others.  It affected not only my church life, but also interaction with my family, my awareness of the needs in other people, and my desire to be a disciple of God.  Sometimes people shy away from becoming actively involved in the church because they are afraid of the commitment.  Yet, that personal sacrifice is exactly what the Savior had in mind.  That sacrifice leads us back to Him because we are less self focused, and more anxious to do good.


I'm so greatly blessed by being here!  I've grown to love these people in Plano, not only in the ward, but in the community.  The ward members have loved and pulled me into their fold.  They are serving me and reaching out to help Sis. Hulse & I have a positive missionary experience.  I love the gospel and wish it's blessings for my family, and all of God's children.  What a difference the world would be if everyone had the opportunity to grow with the Savior's teachings!

Every Friday morning we go to Minnie's to help.  It is a community food bank.  Erica, in the yellow, started it in memory of her mother who passed away a few years ago.  Their motto is:  "If you can't feed a hundred, you can feed just one."  It  is actually a fairly good sized facility, but they are moving to a bigger building at the end of this month.  There are quite a few community volunteers and we enjoy interacting with them.  They are funded by lots of businesses in Plano and other contributors. 

Pictured are:  Elder's Thompson & Davis, Erica, Sis. Hulse & Me, and Elder's Taylor & Forbush

Diana York is a convert to the church of about 12 years.  She was in an car accident before she joined and was left with a wooden leg.  She has a pretty hard life, is divorced and living with her youngest daughter.  She had to give up her car recently because she couldn't afford to keep it.  We took her to lunch last week.  She told us a little more about her life and how difficult it is to be dependent on others for care.  Her daughter and husband are not members, and he doesn't treat her very well.  She's such a sweet person.  I'm so glad we're here to give her some comfort and love. 

We spend an hour playing Trivia every Thursday morning at this Assisted Living Center.  It is so much fun to be with these cute people!  We don't play to win, but just to get conversation going.  I can't believe how smart they all are!  Bill is the oldest at 97....and also the smartest.  Sometimes he just says, "You guys know the answer" and then lets them try.  They all certainly know more than we do!  Pictured is:  Gertrude, Bill, Bobby, Me, Alois, Cecile, and Julia.

 



Sweet Sisters & Time Out For Women

Marky Forrest is a sweet sister I've become very close to.  She teaches aerobic swim lessions for people who have challenges with arthritis and limited movement.  We became instant friends.  She's an avid seamstress and makes beautiful princess dresses for her granddaughter "all without a pattern."  She took me to find fabric for the baby quilt I'm working on for my new granddaughter.  The shirt she has on is her commitment to start biking again.  She couldn't face doing it after her brother died as they had enjoyed so much time together on their bikes.

Helena Lawson is in a private care nursing home, and has scoliosis of the spine.  It is shaped like a huge "S".  She is very crippled and weak, but has a cute spark to her personality that draws you in.  I can't begin to tell you what a connection she and I have.  I felt it the first time I saw her and felt I had known her before.  Saturday when we were ready to leave I held back because I didn't want to go, and I could tell she didn't want me to either.  I touched her sweet face and told her I loved her.  She lamented that I had to leave, and I told her we'd never be far apart because our hearts are connected.  She said, "I know, we were very close before we came here, and have found each other again. We are friends forever."

Coco is a friend of Helena's that has enjoyed hearing the stories and testimonies we come to share about the Savior.  She is a Jehovah Witness.  She said she wants to learn about the gospel so the Elders are now coming to teach her.  Her memory is not good, but she enjoys the visits.  We are getting her a large print of the King James Bible and Book of Mormon.  She wants to read them.  She cannot walk and will probably never be baptized, but she will recognize the gospel when she leaves this world.  She is a cute and sweet lady. 

Sisters Shell, Hulse, Clark, Tingey are new sisters in our area.  They'll be serving in Mesquite.  When we first came out on our mission there were 6 sets of missionaries serving on the new pilot program.  There are now 46 serving in this calling.  We report to Salt Lake quarterly to let them know how and what is working for us on the new program.  We decided to meet at the temple so we could "get to know" each other.  Sis. Campbell is taking the picture.

Last weekend we went to "Time Out For Women".  It was in Arlington and took us about 45 minutes to get there.  It is a wonderful time for all us women in the church.  I love the fact that so much effort is taken to help meet our needs and concerns.  This year, along with the programs for women they had a "Time Out For Girls" as well.  It was very well attended.

Bishop John Bytheway stepped in at the last minute for a speaker that couldn't make it.  His talk was on "Blessings in Disguise".  He spent some time with us, but also talked with the young girls in their session.  A quote he used, which I really liked was:  "Suffering is mandatory, Misery is optional."  It made me think of a story I heard once about a blind, elderly woman who's children could no longer take care of her.  They packed her up and moved her to a nursing home.  As she entered her new home (room), she exclaimed with joy, "Oh, I just love this, it is perfect!"  My perspective is not always as positive as this sweet woman but her feelings echo the quote so well.  We can truly be, and accept things in life anyway we want to, but the blessings come when we choose joy.

I was also touched by Bro. Chris Williams talk and sought him out during the break.  He lost his wife and two of his four children in an automobile accident.  He, his wife and three children were in a car and sideswiped by a drunk driver.  His oldest son was not with them at the time.  He shared his story about being in the hospital and finally being able to go see his young son who had not been killed, but was in the intensive care unit.  He said his shock was so intense that he could not even begin to see his way through all the obstacles at hand, and talked about the months that he felt abandoned and alone even though he somehow knew he was being carried by angels.  One day, as he knelt in prayer, he felt the spirit whisper, "Let it go"; and then he said he heard his wife say something that she had often said to him when he was feeling down..."Buck up Charlie!"

He talked about his path to forgiveness of the young man who had hit them.  He finally went to the prison to visit him and relief came as he was able to forgive....and let go.  The young man is not a member of the church, but has now changed his life and found happiness in marriage.  He talks often of the wonder that Bro. Williams was able to forgive.

The light of Christ helps us overcome tragedy.  Sometimes the Savior let's us grow slowly, but when we continue in faith we can be healed.  He knows our sorrow, he's felt our pain.



  

Love, No Matter What

I feel like I've been wrapped in a warm blanket by the beautiful blessings of conference this past weekend.  I go along doing the things I do every day, and then suddenly I'll feel the spirit close to me....testifying of the things I learned. I just love the gospel so much!  I relish the amazing blessings of having a Prophet of God, and Apostles on the earth.  The greatest blessing of all is that I know!  My heart aches for those who don't.......

Pres. Eyring gave a talk that made me think of so many sisters I visit, and people I've seen struggle through challenges they face in their homes and lives.  We each have gifts given to us so we can bare the tests.  The gifts of hope and faith always enter in, but there are also other things that we learn, or were given before we came here that prepare us for those trials.  I will share a section of his talk.

Pres. Henry W. Eyring  "To My Grandchildren" "Life in families will test us. That is one of God's purposes in giving us the gift of mortality - to strengthen us by passing through tests.  That will be especially true in family life, where we will find great joy, and great sorrow, and challenges which may at times seem beyond our power to endure.  You will need that assurance, as I have needed it.  I have tried to seek and feel the power of the Atonement.  I have prayed with faith that human angels would come to their aid, and they came.  God has devised means to save each of His children.  For many,  that involves being placed with a brother or a sister or a grandparent who loves them no matter what they do.

Years ago a friend of mine spoke of his grandmother.  She had lived a full life, always faithful to the Lord and to His Church.  Yet one of her grandsons chose a life of crime.  He was finally sentenced to prison.  My friend recalled that his grandmother, as she drove along a highway to visit her grandson in prison, had tears in her eyes as she prayed with anguish, "I've tried to live a good life.  Why do I have this tragedy of a grandson who seems to have destroyed his?" The answer came to her mind in these words:  "I gave him to you because I knew you could and would love him no matter what he did."  (end quote)

This brought me back to an experience I had with my mother when I was 14 years old.  I had a lead in the junior high school musical.  We had been working on it for several months during which time my mother started having back problems.  Soon she had to go to the hospital for surgery.  At that time people were in the hospital for a long time when they had surgery.  When my mother came home she had to have a hospital bed for a few weeks because she wasn't supposed to move, or sit for very long at a time.  I would come home from school to help take care of her, and remember giving her sponge baths and other things to help her.  My grandmother came and helped me learn how to cook some simple things.  I felt a special sense of love in being able to do these things for her.  By letting me help her she was teaching me the joy of service, and about unconditional love.

As time approached for the performance, I knew my mother would not be able to attend.  She couldn't sit for all that time without pain.  The production was about 1 1/2 hours.  I gave her a kiss goodbye, and promised I would do my best. I was back stage just before the show began and a friend called me to come to the door.  I looked out and there was my dad pushing mother in, in a wheelchair.  Tears came to my eyes as I thought of the great sacrifice she was making.... for me.  She taught me about love.  She taught me about loving her children no matter what, and about making the sacrifices necessary to show that love.  Some of those sacrifices were big, some were small; but they left me and my brother with a sure knowledge of her devotion to us.

Pres. Eyring's talk answered a question I've had at times, when there have been challenges in my own family.  I've asked myself a few times why I was placed in the position I'm in.  Why did I have to bare trials, sorrow, and carry the particular burdens that were there for me.  I've wondered if I was weak in the pre-existence and needed more trials than most people to perfect myself.   Then I thought of my mother and of her trials.  I thought of so many sweet sisters here on my mission who suffer with illnesses and events in their homes that are great burdens for them.  I  realized that I indeed had learned to love.  Perhaps Heavenly Father was saying to me and all who suffer or grieve; "I gave you these trials before you came here because I knew you could... and would, love no matter what.

Plano Balloon Festival

This past weekend we were able to attend the Plano Balloon Festival. I had seen one on television years ago, and was pleasantly surprised to find that there was one here.  Sister Hulse,

Sister Shell and I went together.  Sister Campbell was away in Salt Lake.  We were anxious to take advantage of everything we could.

It opened at 5:00 Friday evening, but it started raining hard so we knew nothing was going to happen.  Saturday morning we got up at 5:00.  It was a beautiful sunrise and we were positioned on our spot of (probably the only hill) in Plano. We waited until 7:00 only to find that the wind was blowing in the wrong direction so they still couldn't take flight. They did, however, inflate the balloons so we could see them and take photos. There was a festival of a few vendors, but it was very small compared to our North Bend, and Salmon Days.

We left for the rest of the day but returned at 5;00 Saturday evening.  We watched the paraglider's come down.  It made me think fondly of Cade and how much he loved the sport.  However, there was another wind going the wrong direction so we still didn't get to see the balloons take flight.  We stayed to see the "balloon glow" but the only balloons that flew were the one's the kids lost. The crowds of people were amazing.  The picture only shows one direction, but we were surrounded by the same amount of people everywhere.  At one point we counted 32 balloons, but we knew there were more in the back that we couldn't see.

                                 

Well, Sunday morning came.  I resisted the urge to go sit in some parking lot close to the park and see if they lifted off this time.  Church starts in Plano 4th Ward at 9:00.  Marjean had a presidency meeting at the house at 8:00.  When her guests arrived they said, "Go look out the back window!"  They had seen eight or nine balloons earlier.  "I think we only got the tail end.....  Oh well, maybe another year!"



More Blessings - Lots of Love

Someone told me a few weeks ago that serving Heavenly Father's children is like walking in the Savior's footsteps.  I know that's true, but it touched me deeply when I heard it again, and at this time.    It's evident as I pray with my companion, see the dedication of Marjean (the sister we live with), and sit next to so many sisters I've grown to love.  I do feel like He's always next to me while serving on this mission.

I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to study the scriptures and serve in the church all day, everyday.  It's amazing how much closer to the spirit I've become through that process!  I am more aware than ever that there are no coincidences in life, just miracles that the Lord orchestrates as we walk here on earth. There are a few times, when I look back and feel sad because I had to sale my little home, or that I had to leave my sweet family and friends; but then I realize Heavenly Father has a purpose for me in life, and some of it is being fulfilled here in Plano.  On many occasions, the sisters we serve tell us with tears in their eyes, that we are an answer to their prayers, and angels that were sent to them.  They too, are my angels; and I know that I was sent here because the Savior knew their needs and mine!  Oh, what joy I have to be so loved by my Savior and them!

We have a new bishopric in Plano 3rd ward; Bishop Jim Lucero, Michael Ellett, and Don Bishop.  They are all valiant priesthood holders and will serve well.  Bishop Lucero was one of the first people we met in the ward when we came.  We were all surprised when he was called to serve as he carries a heavy burden with Laneeda.  When Pres. Wilding made the change, he told us that he knew there have been many relief society angels in the ward helping Sis. Lucero; and asked the ward to continue loving and serving her.  He said Bishop Lucero's calling wasn't from him, but testified that it's what the Savior wanted for our ward.  He shared that Bishop Lucero would be holding some of his interviews in his home because of that situation.

 

This is a view of the sunrise in Plano.  We were returning from taking Marjean to the airport and it was so pretty I stopped to capture it. Seems strange to see a sunrise with no mountains.  Also, it is getting dark here in the evenings already at 7:30.  Seems really early to me this soon!  Still very hot!  I was told that October and November are the nicest summer months here, so hopefully it will be my usual Seattle summer temperatures by then. 

                                     

On Sept. 1st we took Sis. Hulse out for dinner and to see the JFK Museum downtown for her birthday.  It's one of the things we had decided we wanted to visit while here in Dallas.  Sis. Campbell and Sis. Shell met us there.  The museum was very interesting and sad.  It's a sad memory of when the John F. Kennedy tragedy happened years ago. The top picture is of the museum.  Shots were fired from the 6th floor on the right corner.  The next picture is looking down at the motorcade where Pre. Kennedy was killed.  The next picture is the JFK Museum, and the last one is the "Old Red Dallas Court House".  It's been restored and is used for other things now.

The high schools here have a different way of celebrating school proms and dances.  These are called "Mums".  The kids pay from $75 to $250 for these.  They wear them at school on the Friday before the dance.  Marjean says the one in the bottom picture is the biggest one she's ever seen.  I think they must be hard to carry around all day!  The guys and girls buy them for each other.  The girls take the guys out to dinner on Friday evening, then the guys buy them a hand corsage and take them to dinner before the dance Saturday.  Wow, these dances must be really expensive!!

                                                                                                                                                                     The picture is of Roseleaf Reed.  She is an Indian sister who lives in Plano 4th ward.  We've been visiting her every week.  Her little great-grandson has been staying with her a lot.  His parents are divorced and he is cared for by Sis. Reed and her daughter.  She moved in with a different daughter a few years ago, and she passed away suddenly several months ago.  Sis. Reed is still in the house.  It is a large home, but her daughter had never left a will or executor for her estate.  Of course, the state is now holding everything because of that.  Sis. Reed is quite poor and has not been able to make the payments on the home.  It will be repossessed in a couple of months.  She has lots of worries and concerns, and is desperately looking for an apartment that she can afford. 

She teaches piano lessons, and on Sunday she plays the organ for a couple of other churches.  She is paid to do that, but it makes it so she can't come to church.  We are trying to spread the word to the two wards that she needs additional piano students so she can give up the Sunday work.  She's very intelligent and has a strong testimony of the gospel.  She spends time teaching her grandson about the Book of Mormon and makes sure he gets to church on Sunday.  We have grown to love this sweet sister!

When I was sitting in church during the sacrament on Sunday, I had a sweet spiritual experience.  The congregation was very quiet that day, and I had the feeling come to me that this was like the temple, a very sacred and holy time.  It caused me to reflect on how many times I've taken the sacrament without thinking about how sacred it really is.  I pictured the Savior blessing and passing the sacrament to his disciples.  It made me realize how truly blessed I am each week to partake, and renew my covenants with the Him.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland   "This Do in Remembrance of Me"

"Every ordinance of the gospel focuses in one way or another on the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and surely that is why this particular ordinance with all its symbolism and imagery comes to us more readily and more repeatedly than any other in our life.  It comes in what has been called "the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church." 

"Perhaps we do not always attach that kind of meaning to our weekly sacramental service.  How "sacred" and how "holy" is it.  With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is.  It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment.  It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions.  As such it should not be rushed.  It is not something to "get over" so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued.  This is the real purpose of the meeting; and everything that is said or sung or prayed in those services should be consistent with the grandeur of this sacred ordinance."  (end quote)

  





"The Master's Hand"

Last Friday afternoon we had an appointment with Victoria.  It's the first time I've been able to talk with her since Savannah left the hospital.  She says she has been so busy with Savannah's care and the adjustments involved that she hadn't returned our phone calls.  We drove out to Anna where she lives.  It's about 40 minutes north of Plano.  When we got there Victoria wasn't at home.  There was a nurse with Savannah.  Victoria had left and had forgotten our appt.  I explained the situation to the nurse, and told her I am Savannah's grandmother so she let us in to see her.

What a thrill to see this little miracle again.  I've missed her so much! I only got one picture of her before my battery died.  To compare her photos, here she is at 4 months and 10 months.  We took her a Teddy Bear!  She is such a cute little doll, and I'm amazed that I had the blessing of being her substitute grandma for awhile.  She'll always hold a special place in my heart. I talked with Victoria on the phone before I left.  She felt bad about the missed appointment, but was happy we saw her  precious child!

One of the young sisters we used to pick up for district meetings was transferred to Anna a couple of weeks.  She called me a few days later to tell me we have a mutual friend.  They had followed a lead in the names the previous Elders had, and stopped by Victoria's home!  This week they called to tell me Victoria & Jay are having their first discussion tomorrow evening!  I look back on the many things this little one has been through, and can definitely see "The Master's Hand" working with her and her family. Someday they will all have an even greater understanding of the miracle's that came to them because of this baby!  Please remember them in your prayers.......   

We went back to see Helena the next morning after the scare we had about her.  She's doing better. We talked with her for awhile, and then when we were ready to leave I reached down to give her a hug.  I said "I love you" to her.  She looked into my eyes and said, "You can't even imagine how much I love you!"  A sudden feeling came to me that I had known her before.  It was a beautiful moment.......

Marcia Hicken is a sweet sister we're visiting now.  We were a little nervous when we called to see if we could stop by.  They used to be very active in the church, but fell away a few years ago.  Her husband is now quite antagonistic.  He answered the phone when we called and wasn't particularly warm.  We told him we are service missionaries so he let us come.  She has lots of health problems, is thin, and walks very slowly.  She is warm with us and we enjoy her a lot.

Also, I had mentioned visiting Sis. Upshaw whose husband is a non-member.  When I saw her on Sunday at church, I told her I was pleased and surprised that her husband had come in to visit with us, and had even asked us to leave a word of prayer in their home.  She said, "I was too, he has never come in to visit with anyone from the church that visits me, or asked them to pray!"  I keep seeing these miracles on my mission.  Heavenly Father really does use us to touch the lives of those around us.

Every other week, me and, my companion take turns preparing a spiritual message to leave with some of the sisters we visit.  This past week I prepared the following.  It is the subject of this blog and a story I loved.

The Concert

"When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.  Suddenly the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on the stage.  In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".  At that moment the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't stop, keep playing".  Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part.  Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.  Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.  The audience was so mesmerized that they could hardly recall what else the great master played.  Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Perhaps that's the way it is with God.  What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy.  We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music.  However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.  The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully.  You may hear the voice of the Master whispering in your ear, "Don't quit, keep playing!"

I was reading in Joseph Smith's History 25 this week, and I thought about all the persecutions he and the pioneers went through.  I thought about how awful it must have been for him, to not only suffer physical persecutions, but also the emotional trauma as he watched the church followers lose all their earthly possessions to the mobs.  Then I read his testimony:  "I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me; reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart:  Why persecute me for telling the truth?  I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen?  For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."

It caused me to think about the restoration of the gospel to the earth, and how Heavenly Father knew the world is filled with people who would fight against His plan.  He knew he would need the strongest of his children to face that challenge.  He chose well, but even with that, the prophet and the pioneers could not have done what they were assigned to do, without being in "The Master's Hands".  

So it is with us.......



Temple Blessings

Last week we took Sister Hunter to the temple and out to lunch.  She was baptized five months ago along with her two teenage boys.  She has no car, no job, and consequently doesn't get around much.  She had not see the Dallas Temple so we took her for a visit.  We walked around the gardens, and then went into the foyer and sat down on a sofa there.  The foyer in the Dallas Temple is just beautiful!  The minute we walked in the door there was that quiet peaceful feeling of the spirit.  We spent about an hour just listening to the quiet, and occasionally talking softly about the blessings that come from being in the House of the Lord.  We had given her a brochure about the temple a few weeks before we went, and Sis. Hulse also bought her a Temple Ensign.  

I was impressed by the way I felt just sitting there in the quiet.  Sometimes, when we go to the temple, we are just hurrying to make a session and don't slow down for awhile.  It seems to take us a minute to release the ways of the world and commune with the spirit.   I really enjoyed the time to sit, and center my feelings on the Savior.  After awhile I asked her if she was ready to leave yet.  She said, "No, I'd like to stay a little longer."

That beautiful experience has left me thinking about her statement.  Yes, when we truly feel the spirit touch us, we yearn to "stay a little longer".  Being within the walls of the Lord's house is being in the most sacred place on the earth.  How amazing it is that we are so blessed!

Yesterday we did our planning for the coming week.  We have several sisters we visit on a weekly basis, and others we see less often.  Today we were busy visiting six sisters.  

Our first stop was to see Sis. Helena Lawson. We found her on a new move-in list in Plano 4th Ward and visit her twice a week.  When we first saw her we discovered she had been in the ward for six months, but had not been seen by any ward members.  Since then the young missionary's have started going in, someone is taking her the sacrament, and the Relief Society is visiting.  I just love how the church members work together to lift and carry each other.  She is very frail and weak.  Often she is very sleepy and doesn't say much, but we've had a few visits when she was able to talk.  She was so excited when we visited her the first time.  I told her we were from the church and she perked up and said, "That's my church!"  She has children, but none of them have visited her for about three months.

Today when we arrived, they told us she had been put on oxygen yesterday and wasn't feeling well.  We went into her room and reached down to take her hand.  I told her who we were, and she opened her eyes and tried to respond a little, but was very weak.  We stayed with her for a few minutes.  She mentioned the name, Ron a couple of times, but other than that she remained still.  It was so hard to leave as we felt she may be getting ready to return to her heavenly home.  How great our love has grown for this dear sister in such a short time. 

We also visited two other sisters in a nursing home.  Sis. Teresa Alarcon was more alert today and responded to the children's book we read.  She enjoys the pictures, and seems to like our visits.  Sis. Adams is always flat in bed.  She can't even sit for more than a few minutes and sleeps a lot.  We have to wake her when we come.  However, this sweet lady has such a strong testimony of the gospel, and has such a positive attitude about her life.  I am always amazed at how well she handles going through this difficult time.

We took Diana York to lunch today.  She is a sweet sister in the ward that is living with her daughter and husband.  She has a wooden leg, and it's a little hard for her to get around, but she helps in the house all she can, and enjoys her twin granddaughters.  Her wooden leg is very old, and she needs a new one badly, but doesn't have the money to get one.  My heart aches for her.

Another assisted living place we visited today was to see Sis. Berniece Rabe Tryand.  She is an author of children's books so the name Rabe may be one some some people know.  She and her husband just moved from their home.  She suffers from dementia and struggles with feelings of anger and bitterness.  Apparently that is often the case with dementia. She likes us to read children's books to her, but today I gave her a spiritual thought.  It was about being encircled by  "The Master's Hands."  She was touched and said she had needed that message today.

Our next stop was to see Sis. Vivian Page.  She is an older sister who comes faithfully to church when she is well enough to do so.  Her husband is inactive, as well as her children.  She is tearful and sad about the circumstances of her life, but holds tightly to the hope that her family will come back to the church someday. 

Our last visit was a good uplift for the two of us.  Sis. Kathy Upshaw is an active member of the ward that we became friends with when we first got here.  Her husband has been active in scouting in the ward for many years, but refuses to be baptized.  They have just remodeled their home so we called to see if we could come by to see it.  It was so much fun visiting with her.  She is outspoken but in a cute way.  Her husband became ill a few weeks ago, and she bluntly told him, "You absolutely cannot die, you have to take me to the temple first!" 

Today he came in to visit with us.  I had not had the opportunity to talk to him before.  He is delightful and outspoken like she is.  We had such a fun visit with them.  He surprised us when we were ready to leave by asking us to leave a word of prayer in their home.  I truly hope she'll get her wish someday be sealed to in the temple.

Well, this is a fairly good example of our day in the mission field.  We also did an hour of volunteer work at  Sis. Tryand's assisted living center.  We go in once or twice a week to assist the activities person.  We were going to help at the bishop's storehouse at the end of the day, but they told us they had all the help they needed.   Now a few moments to rest....