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.
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