A Sweet Ride

A difficult week ended on a sweet note.

Last Monday was the last devotional of the month and our entire Mission Presidency and their wives, along with many others with whom we have become close, stood during the closing song which is always "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" on the final Monday in a month. It was an emotional day. President and Sister Simmons who have been on so many missions that they were prepared for the feelings we very solid during the song, but President Savoldi and his wife and President Boye and his wife were very emotional. It is so difficult to say goodbye because we know that this will never come again. Even if we do happen to see each other outside of the mission someday, it will not be the same as we feel right now. I remember having similar emotions when I was leaving my mission in Thailand. It was so difficult to leave not because I didn't want to return home, but because I didn't want to leave behind what I had gained...what I had come to love. Tomorrow morning's devotional will be our first introduction to our new Mission President.

I wonder, did we feel this way when we left the pre-existence? Were we sad to leave our Heavenly Father and Mother? Sad to leave our closest brothers and sisters? Or were we so excited to come to the earth and receive our body and learn the new things we knew we could only learn here that we didn't feel that sadness of separation?

On Tuesday afternoon I was able to take some time and go down to Provo and help Autumn and Derrick with Edison. They needed some help because Derrick has to argue his thesis this week and Autumn was trying to make the blessing outfit for Edison while preparing the house for Derrick's family who were coming for the blessing. Edison is having some minor digestive issues but is uncomfortable enough to need to be held a lot so I got to take care of him for about 5 hours. It was "grand". ^_^

As I held him and talked to him, I wondered what was going on in his brain. How did that separation go for him when he left and came here? Was he very anxious to come to this family? To be the oldest brother? I felt so happy that I had 5 hours to tell him how much he was loved and how anxious we are for him to come to know us, to grow, to learn. I told him lots of things.
I sang a song or two. We had a great time. But then I had to leave.

So I have thought a lot about separation and change and choice. I have been praying for some answers and I received them this week. I love how the Spirit can enlighten our minds at unexpected moments. Change is a good thing. It helps us to stay focused on the things that matter most.

Today was the sweet note to the week. Edison received his priesthood blessing from his father. Edison's cute white romper was finished and the little jacket made from the train of Autumn's wedding dress was precious. She was busy to the last minute before the Sacrament Meeting began because it was her last week to teach as the Beehive Adviser for the Young Women plus food for the luncheon after church (homemade rolls....yum!). She did really well. My mother wanted to go with us so we drove her and we sat there all together; mother, daughter, granddaughter and great grandson. Very cool. For my mom, Edison is the 38th great grandchild.
Yes, our family reunions are huge and a little chaotic but always wonderful.

Life is treasure. The earth is a fabulous gift from God. Today one of the speakers referred to a talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott in which he asked the question, "How are you using the privilege of mortality?"

I am trying to use my mortality....whatever I have left of it....well.

There is a fun adage floating around the mission I want to share:

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride."


Edison (above) in the new outfit but mom did not want to take a chance of any drool soiling the clothes before heading to church.
Edison was asleep most of the meeting and did not cry. It was a little miracle!

After the meeting Edison woke up and was ready for a refill. Derrick was happy to comply because Edison had been so good during the meeting. He did remove the little jacket (on the arm of the chair) before feeding to save it from the possible need of cleaning.

Everything Is Comin' up Roses

Wow! Roses are everywhere. It seems like overnight the rose bushes just burst. There are huge bushes and small bushes; some that have come out quickly and others are taking their time. I'm okay with that because that means we will see the roses for a long time. I grew up in "The City of Roses" but I don't remember it being like this. Everywhere we drive we see huge rose bushes loaded with flowers. I am particularly loving the rose bed I have been watching on Temple Square. The color of these roses is luscious but I must admit I cannot choose a favorite because no sooner do I think I have found the perfect color but I see another in an obscure place that I just love... from bright florescent red to antique white with just a hint of pink.

For now, I am simply enjoying the beauty of the earth. The unusual spring rains have made the mountains a vibrant green. It is so beautiful to watch the sun set and cast the shadows and light on the mountains. I am amazed at the beauty. The locals are amazed at the snow still visible. I heard that with the storm we had last night and most of the day today there was snow falling in the mountains again. Snowbird is still open I think....there will be skiers on the slopes in the morning. There are a lot of people walking around with funny looking suntans on their faces. I remember when I used to be one of them! Aww....good days gone by. I would probably kill myself if I tried to go skiing today. hahaha

It has been a fun couple of weeks on the Square. The JSMB is celebrating 100 years so there were lots of festivities and displays and a big dinner held for local church and civic leaders. The most fun thing to me is that all the hosts are dressed in period costumes. We thought they were only doing it for a few days of celebration but they were told that if they wanted to they could wear them until September. I have a few pictures below.
This woman is wearing a dress purchased by her uncle for her aunt in 1918. She was so happy she could wear it and she looks great!


My picture didn't turn out good enough to really see his hat and cane. He looked so fun!

This picture reminds me of "Pick a little, talk a little" from The Music Man! They were having so much fun. Everywhere they go, even to lunch, the vacationers (and the occasional missionary) are taking their picture!
This woman made her outfit. She told me that the hosting office gave them each pictures of what the period outfits were like and asked them to come up with something so she made this herself from the pictures. She bought a couple of skirts from Deseret Industries and went to town. She said she really had fun although she isn't a seamstress. She just put it together and it worked. I love the hat. You can't see all the flowers and feathers on it from this picture, but it is fabulous.

President Monson spoke at a brief ribbon cutting ceremony and at the gala dinner (pictures of the tables below). I had an appointment so I was not able to stay and hear him, but the wonderful part of the ribbon cutting event was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir spread out on the Mezzanine and singing "Praise to the Man". Those who were there told me it was like nothing they have heard before. I'm sure it was amazing and I am sad that I missed it.

There are more and more sad goodbyes as missionaries return home after their service. Many with whom we have worked the entire time we have been here are now returning home. It is a bittersweet thing for most of them. All express how blessed they feel to have served here. Most express gratitude for how their families have been blessed. Often we hear expressions of how their lives have been changed for the better because of their experiences with the Spirit as they have served. The computer is usually mentioned. Many come here without having any computer skills and in fact being afraid of it, but they all leave knowing they have conquered the skills they needed to serve well. How the Lord does magnify us!

Our mission presidency is being changed with all of them leaving to return home.
As they speak to us for the last time they share some good thoughts. I would like to share a few that I recorded:

1. Nephi said 'I will go and do', he didn't say 'I'll sit and stew!'"
2. Pres. Monson saying, "This is our one and only chance at a mortal life" so do not waste our time on earth but "find joy in the journey".
3. This mission accepts mature seniors . . . and some immature ones.
4. Genealogy is the 2nd most popular hobby behind gardening.
5. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
6. CS Lewis said: It's hard to fly when you are an egg, but you have to learn to fly or go bad!

Today in Sunday School class we discussed what Jesus was trying to teach when He gave the parables in Matthew 25, the 10 virgins, the talents and the sheep and the goats. We learned that He was teaching us the importance of using our talents, whatever they may be, to fill our lamps with the oil we need to stand on the right hand of the Savior when He calls us. We were challenged to do something this week that is out of the ordinary for us and will help us fill our lamps...just one drop at a time. President Spencer W. Kimball:“In the parable, oil can be purchased at the market. In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 256).

I also liked the list of talents that was read as part of the lesson from Elder Marvin J. Ashton: “Let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important. Among these may be your gifts—gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable.

“Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 23; or Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).

Today I thought of my father as we talked about the parable of the sheep and the goats. He loved that parable and talked about it often. I certainly hope that I will be numbered among the sheep. I hope that I will recognize the Master's voice when He calls and that I will have my lamp filled with enough oil to follow and rejoice with Him.

Goodnight!

It's a Matter of Age

This week we were reminded about the learning curve for older people serving missions. First of all some background.

Single sisters serving as missionaries in the Family and Church History Mission are not assigned "Companions", nor are they given roommates. Single sisters missionaries live alone but if, after they have been in the mission for awhile, they connect well with another sister missionary they are welcome to move in together and the mission helps them move to a two bedroom apartment, etc. Many of the sisters enjoy having their own space so they stay in the apartments by themselves but get together with their friends for meals, shopping, going to the temple, concerts on The Square, movies, etc.

Among the many papers that missionaries have to complete is emergency contact information with a person and phone number. The mission is very good about taking care of the missionaries and making sure we are all safe, healthy and where we are supposed to be at any given time.

One sister had been out with the flu for two days and her zone leader had checked on her as is his responsibility. She was fine and told him on a Thursday that she would be back at work the following morning. However, that evening her son, who lives in the area, called her to ask for her help. His pregnant wife was not doing so well. They had two other little boys and grandma (our single sister) decided that she was needed there to help so she went to spend the night. During the night her daughter-in-law had a miscarriage and went to the hospital so it was a good thing grandma was there to help.

At 7:00AM she phoned the zone leader at the office and left a message because she didn't get a live person. She explained her situation in a phone message and went back to caring for her grandsons. About 1:00PM the phone rang at her son's house and she answered it. A voice said, "This is (zone leader's name which will remain anonymous) and we are looking for Sister......" She said, "Elder.....this is Sister....!!!" "He was very happy to find her and explained that they had been looking for her all morning. In fact, this is what had happened on the mission end.

They had rallied a number of her friends, had gone to her apartment with a key and one of the sisters offered to go in first in case they would find this sister had died during the night. Finding that she was not there they looked for her car, which was not in its parking place so they wondered if she had been in an accident. They spent hours calling police, and local hospitals, etc. until finally they decided to call the emergency contact. After hearing all of this the cute sister asked, "Didn't you get my message?!" At that the Zone Leader admitted that he had not listened to his messages, that he never listens to his messages and in fact his children had been telling him for a long time that he should listen to his messages but he just hadn't done it!! ha!

Sometimes it takes a big event to teach old dogs new tricks! Some of us have gotten along just fine without some of the technology of today, but we really need to figure out when it is important for us to bite the bullet and learn something new.

So often we hear senior missionaries coming into the mission exclaiming that they don't like computers and will never figure this out!! But never have I heard someone ready to leave the mission saying, "I never did get it." Instead, we hear over and over, "The Lord blessed me and I was able to do everything that was assigned to me." I suspect this cute Elder will make checking his messages a regular part of his day from now on! ^_^ What a funny experience! The single sister delighted in telling us this story....I imagine she has enjoyed telling it many times.

The week was fulfilling, making further strides toward organizing and uploading, converting wav files to mp3 format getting ready to put them up online. We feel like we are staying on course to have all the clean up work done before we leave so that the orals will be a well-oiled process for our replacements. We want to feel good about leaving this project in new hands when our time is up.

We enjoyed spending Memorial Day visiting the graves of my ancestors who I am just now getting to know. Some are in the Salt Lake Cemetery with many of the pioneer general authorities and famous people. Titus Mousley is my great, great grandfather and came across the plains because his wife and children all joined the "Mormons". He was quite well off and outfitted his wife and family well. He was one of the leaders of a wagon train in 1857 and established himself in the Salt Lake Valley. Two of his daughters, Sarah Louise and Ann Amanda married Angus M. Cannon, brother of George Q. Cannon and the families were closely tied together in the community. George Q. and Titus are buried not far from each other in Salt Lake.




We also visited some graves in the Provo City Cemetery. My great grandmother, Mary Jane Baum Wright is buried there. I have come to really appreciate her. She was a feisty little thing. William Wright hired her to help his ailing wife with their 8 children. After his first wife died he married Mary Jane and they had 15 children together including my grandmother, Leora Wright. I have enjoyed reading stories about her life.

We also got to spend some time with Autumn, Derrick and Edison. Ed was much more at ease and ready to hold his grandson. He actually wanted to hold him and was happy to feed him a little too! It was our first hours babysitting alone with him and we had a great time. Actuallyk, I held him most of the time but when the kids returned I did some sewing while Ed held little Edison. It was a fun afternoon.

Last Friday night the Concerts in the Park began. The Pioneer Memorial Park is just a block up the hill from us so we joined some friends and went to hear the Wasatch and District Bagpipers. It was very fun. With summer here the sun sets very late so an 8pm start time is perfect. Concerts are scheduled for Tuesday and Friday through August so we are very excited.


Yesterday we went to see the new movie out called "17 Miracles". It won't get a wide audience, but I was interested to see it because it was about the struggles of the handcart pioneer companies of 1856 and the miracles that happened to help them. It was very well done and I recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to see it.

I am very excited to be here in the middle of Salt Lake to experience the Pioneer celebrations in July. Already there are preparations set up in the lobby of the JSMB to celebrate the 100th birthday of the building. I think there will be some celebrations this week so I can share that next Sunday.

Today I didn't walk to Church so I didn't get any photos but I will share some of the final tulips photos I took. They are all gone now so we are waiting for the new plants to fill in. I met a couple from Florida last week on The Square and he was disappointed because he had been here a month ago and brought his wife back to see the tulips. There were only a few places left. Of course the last place was between the temple gate and the reflection pond because that is the most photographed place for brides.


Goodnight my friends!