Memorial Day

RaNae, Connie, Jean, and I had a free day on Saturday, so we went to the Dallas - Ft. Worth National Cemetery.  It was established in 2000 and already has 35,000 people buried there.  There are soldiers who have been killed since 2000, soldiers that have been moved to this cemetery, and soldiers who served earlier in their lives and chose this place when they passed.  Spouses can also be buried there. Thirteen burials were scheduled on Saturday.  They said the average is 10-12 a day.  It is a very beautiful place with rolling hills and a feeling of quiet sadness.  Such sacrifices from so many....


The bench garden was an eagle scout project. James I. Stone earned a "Metal of Honor" for his service. Very sad feeling to see the most recent burials as our sad story continues. The large headstone is in honor of a helicopter crew that went down.   This poem has been in my thoughts since then.

                                                             Flanders Field

                                                In Flanders fields the poppies blow
                                                Between the crosses, row by row,
                                                That mark our place; and in the sky
                                                The larks, still bravely singing, fly
                                                Scarce heard amid the guns below.


                                                We are the dead, short days ago
                                                We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
                                                Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
                                                In Flanders fields.


                                                Take up our quarrel with the foe;
                                                To you from failing hands we throw
                                                The torch; be yours to hold it high.
                                                If ye break faith with us who die
                                                We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
                                                In Flanders fields.

                                                                                   John McCrae

                     

                                   

On Memorial Day we spent time touring the George W. Bush Library and Museum.  There was a lot of excitement when it opened awhile back as there were five U.S. Pres. in attendance.  We called the two sisters in Irving, and one sister that works for the mission employment office to go with us.  We enjoyed a beautiful patriotic weekend!  The museum was wonderful!  My heart ached for what leadership our country could have had with Mitt Romney, and the cost of where we are now! Such a tragedy and heartache!  When I look at the good moral men the George Bush's were; along with Ronald Regan, Abraham Lincoln and others;  my heart aches with sorrow that our government has changed so much.  My hope is that the American people will be able to come back to the family values that can make our country whole.  God Bless our Country and it's People! 

Sister Hulse, Me, Sis. Shell, Sis. Campbell and Sister Bennion at the library and museum.  "The wind always blows in Texas."  

 

  

Mother's Day, Challenges & Blessings

Things have been way too slow for me this past 10 days, but today we found out that all is clear for us to start work in another ward.  We'll be working with Plano 4th Ward, and will be meeting with the bishop and RS Pres. this week.  Pres. Wilding, our stake president,  feels that there are a lot of needs there also, so hopefully we'll fill our time up again.  We've drawn close to in Plano 3rd Ward.  They've been so helpful to us as we've tried to discover our mission calling.  Pres. Durrant had just turned us loose, so we have tried to apply the teachings we've received over the years to help others.  It has been so rewarding!  There have been many needs and are still many who need love and support.  We'll continue to work with them also.

Friday evening we had a 3rd ward party and we took our chairs to sit at the park.  We were among the first to arrive as we were helping with set up.  We put our chairs up and sat down.  Before long we were in a circle with many ward members who had joined us.  It was typical of the way they've received us into their fold.

There's some situations that have been hard.  We have two sisters in a nursing home Sister Alarcon and Sis. Adams.   It is a state funded home so it has lots of people there.  It is "heart rendering" to walk down the halls.  These are people that will only leave when they return home to Heavenly Father.  We read to the two members we visit, and have picked up another girl that was in a wheelchair in the hallway.  She has MS and is severely crippled.  She is probably only 35-40 years old!  She loves chocolate, so we take her a Hershey bar when we go.  We could spend all of our mission just giving service to this one nursing home, and the sweet people there!

Tuesday of this week, after we had gone there, we felt a need for some cheering up, so we decided to see if we could find a lake in Plano.  Seems unlikely to find one in a place that is so flat, but we have been told there are several.  After looking at a map we discovered there was one only 10 miles away so we drove out into the country.  It was so beautiful and green on the drive.  We stopped at one point to ask someone where the lake was.  It just happened that the woman we talked to had only been here one year, and was from Washington.  She proceeded to tell us that the water in the lakes here are gray.  Nothing like the beautiful lakes of Washington!  We got our directions and proceeded to Lake Lavon.  It is a huge lake and we were at the south end which was in Wylie, TX.

After seeing the lake we went into the town of Wylie.  It's an old town and had a cute main street that reminded me of my home in Preston, ID.  However, we found that there is a larger, newer section that is evidence of how dramatic the growth is out there.  There were cute little farms in places, and large expensive developments in others.  Since I have a fondness of farms and old houses, those are the pictures I took.

We walked around this beautiful Victorian Mansion in the town.  It was built and owned by Thomas & Mattie Brown, and has been restored.  We didn't get to see the inside, though I really wanted too.  We talked to a man who said it is rented out as offices for the school district.  It even has a wishing well!  This is my dream home! 

This farm was so beautiful, and there was a "B" on the entry gate so I think it should be mine.  There is even a swan and her goslings by the water.  My brother Tracy will enjoy seeing this.  Sorry Tracy, I didn't get a picture of the cattle, but they were there.....

On Mother's Day we drove to Irving, TX after church to have dinner with Sis. Hulse & Sis. Shell.  These are the two sisters we were in the MTC with.  It was Sis. Shell's birthday so we had a double celebration.  These sisters have had so many challenges since they got here.  Sis. Shell has had severe back problems, and been in and out of doctors offices.  This past week she fell and broke her arm, and had to have stitches in her head.  Her comment, "No, I'm not going home...no matter what!"  Sister Hulse has some nerve problems in her hand so she is also having a struggle.  They are such sweet sisters, and have worked hard on computer and phone calls for their ward.  Unfortunately, they haven't been able to get out much with all the health problems.  Our prayers are with them that they will soon be able to go out and do more.

I love Mother's Day!  It's a time when I think of my wonderful mother and grandma.  I learned so much from their example in teaching me to be a nurturing and caring mom.  My kids are all  wonderful, and I miss them so much!  They sent me sweet blessings for Mother's Day.  Being their mother is my greatest joy!

 

Today was ward conference here in Plano 3rd.  Pres. Wilding, the stake president, talked about the Plan of Salvation and shared a wonderful testimony with us.  Bishop Hoki gave a talk that was also outstanding!  He is an amazing bishop who really thinks out what he wants to share with the congregation.  He shared with us that he had once been in a business deal with other ward members, that didn't work out.  He was the bishop in that ward also, and there was room for very hard feelings with them.  He said it took him years to pay off the money he had lost.  As the bishop in the ward, he prayerfully prayed for guidance in working through this without being bitter and angry.  He choose to move forward and continue to love and serve them.  He talked about how much different his life would have been had he let angry feelings get in the way of who he really was.  His choice to forgive took away the possible bitter feelings that would have eaten away at him all these years.  The choices we make in this life are not something we should put off making.  We will still have to make many of those choices in the eternities, and it will not be easier. 

Each one of us have times in our lives where we just want to "bury our heads in the sand", hoping that the need to move forward will just go away!  I've seen that with a few people here in the ward.  They've gone to church for years, and have families that yearn for the blessings of the temple, but they won't take the step of baptism.  One sweet woman has been working with the missionary's for 19 years!  She loves the church, has experienced miracles with priesthood blessings, but just can't move forward to baptism.  She loves having us over, and loves the social interaction.....my heart aches for her resistance to make a choice that will bring eternal blessings.

It is critical for us to continue seeking the blessings of eternity, and help others to do the same.  I'm  grateful for the opportunities the gospel provides so we can continue to grow and change.  I'm so thankful to have the gospel in my life.  I hope my friends and family will be lifted by something I've written or shared, for that is the purpose of my life and my mission.

The Blessings of Service

"Wow, time goes by so quickly that I just don't get to this blog enough.  This is my journal, as well, so I need to be more diligent at keeping up with it!

There have been so many sweet blessing come to us over the past few weeks.  First of all I want to report on Savannah Smith.  She is still in the hospital at 6 months old.  She weighs 11.6 pounds now, which is probably pretty small for someone her age, but she has been a little fighter to live and make it through.  I love going to see her, and we do it every day now, as she needs more attention.  She focuses on me more now, and give me such big, happy, and lasting smiles.  It truly warms my heart and makes me realize how precious life is!  Her lungs are still not well enough for her to be without oxygen and she still has the feeding tube.  They are waiting for her parents to accept that she needs to go home with a trac. for breathing.  They are so reluctant because of the fact that the surgery didn't go well for her.

Victoria, brought her two other children to church a couple of Sunday's ago.  We were so thrilled to meet her cute kids.  She has a son that is 12 and another daughter who is 4.  I sat by her cute daughter during Sacrament meeting.  She drew me several pictures, and at the end I drew her one of me and her with a note that said "I love you", I read it to her, and then she reached up and gave me a hug and kiss!  So fun to be with kids that you know have been raised with love and affection.  We're hopeful this family will accept the teachings of the gospel when they're all settled at home again.

I mentioned the two missionary's in our ward in one post.  I just found out that Elder Degn is a nephew of my cousin Rhonda Barfuss!  The world of the church always seems to guide us to people we know, or discover we have mutual friends and family!


Speaking of which, I found Elder Richardson again at the missionary meeting with Elder D. Todd Christofferson. I was glad I got to see him again as I wanted to get a picture.  He's going home in another week, and will be warmly greeted by Pres. Stephen & Marianna Richardson.  This family holds a special place in my heart!

The Saturday meeting we had with Elder Christofferson was wonderful!  He was there with Pres. Donald Halstrom - Pres. of the 70, Elder Randy Funk, Elder Terrance Vinsin, and Elder Todd B. Hanson.  Elder Hanson told me he used to live in Redmond and then in Woodinville.  Had we talked longer I'm sure we would have known the same people.

They asked us to be at the meeting at 9:30 even though it didn't start until 10:00.  At 9:15 Pres. Durrant asked us all to have a seat and be very quiet for the arrival of these priesthood leaders.  The reverence was so amazing and created a spiritual feeling that was powerful.  When they filed in, Pres. Durrant said they wanted each of us 259 missionary's to line up and shake hands with these good brothers.  What a sweet blessing to all of us!

They each bore their testimonies and shared special experiences they have had in their lives.  Elder Vinsin is the newest Seventy and was just called at this last conference.  He has been assigned to serve in Africa.  He and his family are from Australia, and I loved his accent.  His message was that of Alma and the Sons of Mosiah, who had fallen away from the church but repented and became great missionary's.  They became "Instruments in the Lord's" hands in spreading the words of the Savior.  He shared this poem:

                                                 COME TO THE EDGE
                                                 Come to the edge.
                                                 We might fall.
                                                 Come to the edge.
                                                  It's too high!
                                                 Come to the edge!              
                                                 And they came,
                                                 And we pushed,
                                                 And they flew.
                                                                           Christopher Logue

Elder Funk counseled us to cherish the moments of our work, and study the atonement again, and again, and again!  He said our lives will be forever changed by serving missions, and that we will always look back at our mission; and gain strength to face our trials because of our experiences here.

Elder Halstrom turned to Pres. Durrant and asked how many missionaries were here today, he said "There are 249."  He then said:, "The price of taking 249 missionaries out of service to come to this meeting was very great.  Whether the message we receive will be worth the cost, is up to each one of us.  The Holy Spirit is the great teacher.  What we receive depends on how we've prepared our
hearts."

Elder Hanson shared that when he was on his mission they met with a new investigator.  They had wondered about their presentation to him, and what the best approach would be.  As he invited them in and sat down with them, he reached down and took off his leg.  The Elders knew at that point where to begin.  Alma 11:  43-44, The body shall take it's perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored.  Not even one hair shall be lost, but everything restored to it's perfect frame.  He counseled us to "Be aware of our surroundings, and then we will be guided by the spirit."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson was at our Stake Conf. on Sunday and told us:  "The Holy Ghost makes it possible for each of us to serve His children.  It prepares us for ALL we need to do to serve, teach and love others.  Most all of us have an inner yearning to touch others and influence for good.  The church opens up the way for us to satisfy those feelings.  The Lord's spirit is a very personal one, but he wants us to use our personal experiences to touch his children."  (end quote)

He left us with an apostolic blessing:  "There are very hard times ahead".  He blessed us that we may have food enough to eat, and some to share.  He told us to be patient and receptive to the "burning witness" in our hearts so we can endure to the end.

Had a fun experience with Sis. Nelms husband Morris this past week.  I feel a connection with him because of my dad.  I asked him...straight out, "Why aren't you a member of the church?"  He said, "I have a few private issues".   However, he began to open up to me, and we had a nice conversation.  The issues were hurt feelings. We talked about how everyone of us have been hurt at times....but we should never give other people the right, to stop our own eternal progression.

I told him my dad had married in the temple and had raised us in the church, but had not been active.  However, he did everything he could to get us to church, and would have been very unhappy if we had not been married in the temple.  He knew the gospel was true, but he was too stubborn to live it!  I told him that's why he reminds me of my dad! "Bro. Nelms, you're stubborn just like him"!  I told him, "When you die, your are going to be baptized anyway, and you'll have to make the choice there just like you need to here; and think about how much happiness it would bring to your wife and children if you did it here!"  Well, with all that...he didn't get mad, in fact, he came out the door to catch me as I left and said, "Sis. Baxter, thank you for coming.  We both enjoy your visits!"  Maybe just one more little seed was planted in his stubborn heart".

Pres. Durrant has told us we are now going to expand out to another ward.  We will not leave this ward or any of the wonderful people we're working with, but will go out to help others.

I want to close with the following quote from a book by Marvin J. Ballard:
"Reach out to one another with love, for "Charity Never Faileth" (Moroni 7:46).  Many of you sisters may be hurting for one reason or another.  Reach out to those who suffer, listen to their concerns, be worthy of their trust, and always keep their confidences.  Share their burdens.  Teach them, both by precept and by example, about Heavenly Father's plan for His children.  Help them understand our Father's unalterable commitment to the principle of moral agency.  Teach them about the essential part adversity plays in our eternal lives. Take them by the hand and help them to repent, forgive, have faith, endure, or do whatever is needed.  Never forget that the Lord may work a miracle in their lives through you.

I know that if we do this at home, at school, at work, and at church,  the Spirit will guide us, and we will be prompted by that Spirit, and be magnificently motivated to help pollinate the world with the pure love of Christ and His gospel.  And remember, like the honeybee's 1/12 teaspoon of honey provided to the hive in it's lifetime; if we multiply our efforts by tens of thousands, even millions of prayerful efforts to share God's love for His children through Christian service; there will be a compounding effect of good that will bring the Light of Christ to this darkening world.  Bound together, we will bring love and compassion to our own family, and to the lonely, the poor, the broken, and to those of our Heavenly Father's children who are searching for truth and peace." (End of Quote)

This is the perfect description of what I see my missionary calling to be, and also a way to live a beautiful life!  May my small acts of love make a difference!