This morning when I woke up I hurried to the window because I knew it had snowed all night and I wondered if it was still snowing. The snow had stopped but I was greeted with a lovely view of the west toward the great Salt Lake. The sky was clear and the sun was shining on the valley in the distance having just peeked over the mountains behind us and everything was frosty and white. I ran to get a couple of pictures before the moment passed as the sun warmed everything up. It didn't last long, but I am happy I got a couple of pictures for my memories.
We encountered the snow last night. We left our apartment in the rain and drove to Draper to have dinner with friends (the Ellsworth's who used to live in The Woodlands, Texas)at their home up on the mountain. By the time we were ready to leave, there was at least 2 inches of snow on the car. We were more prepared this time with gloves and coats and were ready with the snow scraper that our daughter Ashley loaned us. We drove down the mountain and the snow was steady. All the way back home we had the snow. We were happy to experience slower drivers on the freeway because the roads were dangerous. Although we didn't have any problem with ice, the slushy, heavy, wet snow did present some surprises for us as we drove along. I am grateful we had the all weather tires put on! I am also grateful that we at least have a carport. I took the picture of the cars in the lot next door to remind me to be grateful. We will not have to clean our car off each morning all winter long. I remember what that is like from when I lived and worked in SLC a long time ago as a young single woman. Most of the places I lived did not have covered parking and I had to clean off my car every morning to get to work. I remember I got tired of doing that as we waited for spring to arrive.
This week was another great one. Last Monday Ed and I were in charge of the activity for our "Social Group" of missionaries (those who came in August). I asked my sister, Lois and her husband, Craig to speak about their experiences in Europe with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Craig sang with the choir for 17 years and Lois was able to go with him on many of those trips, particularly this one. They shared with us wonderful, touching, and miraculous stories of how the Choir was received. Lois had a great perspective being in the audience at each performance and interacting with sweet people. Even though she had a brief encounter with those people, many of those lives touched her and I'm sure she touched theirs. Our missionary group loved hearing from them. It was a great way to begin another week.
On Tuesday we had quite a funny experience. I made an appointment with the hairdresser my mom has used for years to get my hair trimmed. (I have used the same hairdresser for 19 years....I was skeptical but it is all good.) My mom said that she would pick me up from work and drive me there because it was a little difficult to find the place. My appointment was at 4:30pm so Ed told me to take my mom to dinner after the haircut and he would go workout and be back at the apartment either before I got finished or at least shortly thereafter. Well, my mom didn't want to go out to dinner so she brought me back to the apartment. We were just about here when I realized that I did not have any keys. She offered to have me return with her to her place but I was so sure that Ed would be home soon that I said no and had her drop me at the front. I wasn't quite sure how I would do standing out in the cold, but someone I knew came and let me into the building. That was half the battle, but I had no way of getting into our apartment. So I sat by the back door (where Ed would have to enter) and waited for him. Little did I know that he was taking his time because he thought I had keys. I waited for almost 2 hours by the back door. Other people came and went and returned and just chuckled as they left me there waiting for my cute husband. We had a good laugh, but I promise I will be better about remembering to take keys with me next time we are going different places.
On Wednesday we had another of the wonderful temple devotionals that are given for the missionaries. About every other month we gather in the chapel of the Salt Lake Temple for a devotional given by a General Authority or a member of the Temple Presidency or some other person of authority connected with the Mission. This week it was Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Seventy. He is the Executive Director of the Family History Department and is very involved in the development of the programs and projects and growth around the world. He reported that as of October 31, 2010 the 23 Mission Zones with 1300 missionaries have provided 1.36 million volunteer work hours to the Family History Department. The estimate is that about 100 Billion people have lived on the earth. About 20 Billion have been documented. For those 20 Billion there are probably 20 quadrillion records to capture.....we have a lot of work to do. The key objective of the Family History Department is to help members have access to genealogical records from home. He told us that our ancestors "hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands." He quoted Joseph Smith: "When properly understood, it is impossible to overestimate the important of family history work." Elder Maynes closed by saying: "What could be more fulfilling than supporting he Lord in His work." We agree.
To add to a great week, the missionaries were invited to attended a special evening with the local 18th Ward of the Salt Lake Stake. Barbara Parker is a member of that ward and is the daughter of President Benson. She and her husband apparently put on a musical and inspirational meeting each year just before Thanksgiving. The music was lovely, but the fact that she had invited Elder Ballard to speak was a big draw for the missionaries who packed the chapel of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. (I went early to save seats ^_^) As the meeting time was approaching, in walked Elder Oaks also. Both are members of this ward. Elder Ballard was with his wife, but Elder Oaks was alone. (His wife was probably at the "Time Out for Women" that also started Friday evening.) Elder Ballard spoke about thankfulness. He quoted from several of the founding fathers who spoke of the gratitude we should be giving to God for our country and the freedoms we enjoy. He referred to the story about Abraham Lincoln who was asked during the Civil War whose side the Lord was on. Lincoln replied that it didn't matter which side the Lord was on. What did matter to him, Lincoln said, was that he was on the Lord's side. At the conclusion of Ballard's comments he spoke about recently attending a meeting in Cache Valley area and listening to the Primary program. He was very touched by the words of the songs the children sang. He talked about how so many people don't know who God is anymore and how we in our country are getting away from religion. He recited the words from several of the songs which were included in the primary program and spoke of the simple truths that our children are taught in the church, to know who they are. He counseled us to remember this week to give thanks to be part of this nation. He said, "we are still safe because God smiles on this great land". We should thank God for what we know. He hoped that the songs of Primary might stir in the hearts of Americans again to tell them what they need to know. There is nothing more beautiful, he said, than beautiful music.
So we have had an uplifting and exciting week.
In the Historical Families Zone we have added two Young Elders who will start working with us for half a day in a few weeks. They will report to other zones, but they will be giving us half of their day so we are hopeful that in the two years they are with us they will be able to complete a project that has been shelved because of lack of people with computer knowledge to do it. This is a good thing.
The other update is that I am going to be going over to the Training Zone for a few weeks to help train new missionaries. I am very nervous about this because I just don't work on the programs like other missionaries do and so I am not sure I will know enough to train, but they seem to feel that I will be fine and they need the help. We are very excited that we are getting so many new full time missionaries in December. (I think we are getting 29 new Full Timers.)
We are looking forward to being with extended family on Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. Each day of our lives is a blessing. Health is a blessing. Feet and legs that work are a blessing. Friends and family are a blessing. Freedom is a blessing, a gift that has at times had such a high cost. Repentance is a blessing. Christ atoning for our sins is a blessing. I feel such gratitude for the peace I feel each day knowing that I am here on earth for a purpose and that I can be together forever with my family and with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. May your Thanksgiving holiday be a special one as well.
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