Friday, September 28th
Ray has been working on repairs around the apartment. He took the back door off earlier this week and repaired the bottom and added a new rubber seal. It looks quite nice.
I worked on a lot of family history today and printed some 50 or so ordinances
We got a late start to our bike ride today. We rode out the hill Cumorah the long way down Stafford Road to avoid the highway and traffic.
On the way we noticed a parade was starting and found this rather curious until we learned that it was homecoming. New Yorkers like their parades and look for lots of reasons to hold them. We didn’t linger to watch it. We did feel a little strange on the part of Stafford road where the parade would go, passing those waiting for something a bit more spectacular than two old people on their bikes.
We hurried to get home before dark startled by a cannon burst that marked the beginning of the game.
As we rode onto Main Street we saw a large plumb of smoke toward the east and heard multiple emergency response vehicles heading in that direction. There were a few minutes of daylight left so we ventured down to find the cause. Just a few blocks away from us we discovered a warehouse on fire. Many emergency responders were there but not one fire truck, yet. The fire departments are all volunteer in this area making response time delayed. I’m guessing many were coming from the game.
Soon there was a huge flame that rose up between the buildings. This was not good. Luckily, the water hoses were ready and they were able to distinguish it rather quickly. We hung around just to watch. In the end over 7 trucks came from neighboring towns and I would guess some 20+ vehicles. In the end the ladder truck sent a firefighter over the roof to examine the damage and any lingering problems.
Saturday, September 29th
We had a lovely day in the temple. Many patrons came. It is always rewarding to fill up the sessions. We again headed out on our bikes to the Hill Cumorah. We spent some time in the Visitor’s Center with the interactive displays and watched most of a film but had to leave to bike back before dark.
Sunday, September 30th
On the way to church today we read and studied about Queen Esther. And then watched the video presentation the church has produced. One from seminary years ago and a recent one about courage that parallels current courageous woman. They are inspiring. Video links: Courage For Such a Time as This
Our lesson in SS was on the Sabbath Day then I helped in Primary. As I came in Sister Eurich asked if I was ready to teach the YM/YW and primary children the Christmas Songs. Sure !?! Luckily I had about 20 minutes to pull something together. One of the songs was Away in a Manager. So we learned the one from the Children’s Songbook. It went very well. Sometimes no prep time is better. I was impressed with Andrew. He is a senior, tall, big football player. I watched as he kindly interacted with the primary children and won over one of the young girls. Earlier as we were learning and singing, this little girl would just stare at me and not sing a word. Almost defiant, though I really could not tell for sure. However, when Andrew sat by her and helped her read the words to O Little Town of Bethlehem, I caught her out of the corner of my eye singing along. What great power is the example of youth. I wanted to through my arms around Andrew and tell him what a great influence he has and will have on those around him.
Sister Carberry sent me home with a pint of her homemade canned peaches. Yummy! She is so sweet!
I got a nice nap this afternoon. I must have needed it as I slept several hours. The rest of the day I spent working on activities, writing in the blog and journal, cooking stew for dinner, and things like that. Brian called and talked to Ray which was heart warming and a welcome joy.
Ray and I talked about future plans for missions wondering what we would like to do next. We shall see where the spirit takes us. There is an article in the Church New about senior missionary opportunities putting it in our minds to think about.We don’t know if there can be a mission so wonderful as serving in the temple. In fact, we struggle a bit when we are not there to remain peaceful and kind.
One of our early challenges extended in our training was to see the temple in the scriptures as we read them daily. This has been a rewarding experience for me. In the break room at the Palmyra temple hangs this picture by Minerveh Tiechert.
I have pondered on this and suddenly one day I realized that this scripture was not just for the living but through the temple ordinances we can lift and rescue those who have gone before whose life experiences were harsh and strained without the good news of the gospel to help them through. But the Lord has not forgotten them and we can carry them back to their Savior having administered saving ordinances that will heal all of life's wounds.
Isaiah 49:23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers:...But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: 52:9-10 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
No comments:
Post a Comment