Our Mission Comes to a Close, Release Date May 25, 2019

Our Work is Done

I have contemplated this final posting.  Should I rehearse the final days, the travel home, the joy of reunion with family and friends.  It would be simple to list the stops along the way, the projects done, the hugs and kisses of grandchildren, children, and friends.   I will post a few pictures to capture these moments but feel impressed to share the more valuable details of the things I have gained these past 12 months.  These are not things that can be captured by pixels but are, rather things captured in the heart and soul.

We were released on Saturday, May 25th by President Hancock.  He asked us to share what we had done.  Our response included many things you will have read about in previous blogs.  Details easy to share: service in the temple, in the Hornell Branch, in our community of senior missionaries, our many outings and adventures.  But these do not encompass the totality of our experience.

Saying Goodbye to Palmyra

Ray and I grew in our relationship and love.  There began to arise a deeper understanding of our purpose as husband and wife.  Our purpose and focus had been clear for many years as we raised our children, served in the community and church, supported our children & grandchildren, and earned a living.  But now, we had dedicated ourselves to God in a more complete way.  We were about His work on a daily bases.  And we discovered a depth and richness that came only as we included Him in our relationship.  We found that petty disagreements dissolved in His presence.  We found great joy in extending His gifts and blessings to our brothers and sisters.  We faced challenges together and rejoiced in the love that filled our hearts.  I testify that when we invite God into our marriages and relationships that we can focus on the things that are most important.

The more we served and trained in the temple, the more I began to see the power of God's teachings and instruction.  The scriptures came alive.  I could see others as He sees them.  

Between assignments, I sometimes found a few minutes to read the scriptures in the temple where I discovered hidden gems of truth and understanding.  I have shared these along the way.  I have felt an urgency to help the Lord do His work.  To extend to all His children on both sides of the veil, His promised blessings.  As I watch the youth in the baptistery, my thoughts turn to the joy of ancient prophets when they saw our day and the work of salvation that would be extended back through the generations.  

The redemptive power of the atonement is discovered in the ordinances of the temple.  I have felt and seen that power raise up the sons and daughters of God as they receive their gifts and endowments.  Truly, all that we do as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints should point us to the temple and the promised blessings of the Lord found there in.  

“The temple is the house of the Lord. 

The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

Russell M. Nelson

As temple workers, our main objective was to receive God's honored guests and provide an environment for them to learn from Him.  Our understanding of Him and His eternal truths are best learned in His holy house. 

“The Lord loves to do His own teaching in His holy house. 

Imagine how pleased He would be if you asked Him to teach you about priesthood keys, authority, and power as you experience the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the holy temple.”

Russell M. Nelson

I would leave with you my testimony that the ordinances of the temple are exalting.  They give us power to rise above this fallen world, strength to face challenges, and hope for a better world.

Traveling Home

Community Concert Band Concert with Jennifer and Jessica

Welcome Home!!

A Week of Farewells, May 6th - May 13

Tell we meet again to our dear friends, Lorraine & Dave Barlow

 Monday, May 6th

Farewell lunch at Noonans  It was sweet to be with everyone but so sad to consider our days are numbered.  This became the week of constant goodbyes.

We had scheduled outside couple and group photos with Brent Walton for this evening but have been worried about the rainy weather.  The Lord was good to us.  It was the most perfect day.  Sunny and cool with a slight cloud cover.  Since I'm writing this in retrospect, I will tell you that Tuesday morning it started raining again.  A small miracle for a few of God's faithful servants.

It was such a beautiful evening that we made a trip to Chill and Grill with Tanners for our last NY ice cream cone.  What a delight to visit with them and feel strengthened by their faith and goodness.  Brother Tanner reminds me so much of my nephew, Thane Davidson that it natural and easy to feel close.  We tried to see if we were related but discovered that he related to Ray -- funny.

Magnolia Resale, our front door neighbor

Tuesday, May 7th

We filled our day with packing, distributing farewell notes, and saying goodbye to our sweet neighbors.
The Bond's invited us for lunch and we had a pleasant visit reminiscing about lessons learned in life and on our mission.   President and Sister Miller had to miss our lunch yesterday so invited us for dinner tonight at their home.  Another wonderful meal, pleasant conversation, and the sense that we have developed many eternal friends.

Wednesday, May 8th

2 shifts at the temple kept us busy followed by dinner with Ashbys.  Elder Ashby is a second cousin to Ray.  We learned that his family love Lake Powell so maybe we will join them there when we get back

Thursday, May 9th

Between shifts at the temple I cleaned the apartment.  As time gets close, I feel grateful that I had started some deep cleaning a few weeks ago

Cute Gift from Sister Cusolito

Dinner with the Osbornes (think red sports car convertible)

Friday, May 10th

We had breakfast with Cusolitos at Muddy Waters.  Another goodbye.  Agh.  This is hard.  We packed more moxes before heading to our shift at the temple at 12:30pm.

Then dinner in Canadiagua with the Osborns. They are local workers at the temple and kindly invited us to have dinner with them.  It was delicious and we enjoyed our time together.  I do wish these dinners were at the beginning of our mission so we could get to know the marvelous people we work with sooner.  Brother Osborne is 75 or so, his wife in her 60s I think.  A second marriage for both of them.  He bought her a red sports convertible that we tease them about a lot.  They look pretty cute as they drive around, especially when the sun is out.

Last Picture of the temple

Saturday, May 11th

The day was dry so we worked at packing the care.  Still a few things to go but feeling confident it will all fit nicely.  We worked at the temple in the afternoon for our last shift.  It was a bit strange to leave knowing that we had finished. 

Leaving the temple after our last shift

 Another farewell meal with the temple Presidency.

Mother's Day Flowers

Sunday, May 12th

Somehow we found a few minutes during the week to prepare for Sunday.  We spoke in church today and I lead the music in Primary.  I gave some framed temple pictures to the primary children who were there.  
Harveys were not there and forgot to let Helen know so she missed church.  I knew she would just be devastated.  We stopped by on our way home.  We were pleasantly surprised that Len came outside and down the stairs to say goodbye.  We will surely miss Helen and Len.  We have grown to love them so much and hope for their growth and perhaps the chance to go to the temple. 
After church, President and Sister Petraitis served ice cream and cupcakes.  This was especially sweet because their family has been sick for a few weeks and I know it took an extra effort, not to mention that it was Mother’s Day

The Hornell Branch Primary Gang

With the Sheesley's

We were home just a short time before heading for dinner at Miners with 12 month missionaries.  It was a potluck for Mother’s Day and so delicious  The Gilletts prepared a brisket that was so good and all the sides were just perfect.  Yet another “final” meal with eternal friends.  One more day to go.

With President Petraitis and Julia; Sister Petraitis and Scotty

Miracle: Len came out of the house to say goodbye

Monday, May 13th

Packing in the rain had its challenges but we managed to get everything in. 

We conducted our last FHE.  Bob Parrot spoke on the regeneration and preservation of the Sacred Grove.  It was a fantastic presentation, full of the spirit and eternal principles.  Amazing.  

Final cleaning and wipe down then to be. We are ready to leave in the morning. 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“While we strive to be diligent in building up Zion, 

Including our part in the gathering of the Lord’s elect and the redemption of the dead.  

We should pause to remember that it is the Lord’s work and He is doing it.”

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

“In modeling our ministering after Jesus Christ, it is important to remember

 that His efforts to love, lift, serve, and bless 

had a higher goal than meeting the immediate need."

Tomlinson Inn and Mendon, April 29 - May 5

Spring is trying to make its entrance - Tomlinson Inn barn

Monday, April 29th  Tomlinson Inn  Mendon, NY

Tomlinson Inn

After the gym, we went with the group to visit the Tomlinson Inn and Mendon area where Brigham Young’s family, Heber C. Kimball, and others lived when they were converted to the gospel.  It has special meaning for Dave and Lorraine as their ancestors were part of the story.  Tanner’s rode with us.

Last night we had dinner with the Tanner’s and the Gillets.  It was a great meal with fun conversation.  Following that, we met with the new activities folks, Elder and Sister Tanner & Elder and Sister Howe to go over details and paperwork regarding organizing and planning things to do; both activities and FHE.

Here is an interesting article about the area published in the 2007 Ensign

Living in a Chapter of History By Marjorie H. Rice

While my husband and I were serving in the presidency of the Palmyra New York Temple, we lived in the historic Tomlinson Inn, where we learned much about the conversion of Brigham Young.  When we told our friends that we would be living in the Tomlinson Inn, most of them hadn’t heard of it. Yet there were plenty of visitors to Mendon, New York, who knew the history of our 185-year-old home. Sometimes as we ate our Sunday meal we’d look out through the dining room window to see people taking pictures of the building.  Cars would often pull into the driveway, and people would wander over the grounds. The bolder ones knocked on the door and asked if this was the place they thought it was.Why all the interest? Because of a meeting that took place in April 1830 in this old home. Following is the story of the inn’s Latter-day Saint history.

Tomlinson Inn

A Meeting at the Tomlinson Inn
One of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s first actions after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized was to call his trusted younger brother Samuel to go forth and preach the restored gospel. Samuel’s attempts to sell copies of the newly published Book of Mormon, with its seemingly incredible story of angels and visions, had met with little success until he arrived at the Tomlinson Inn in April 1830.  Samuel Smith gathered his courage, strode boldly into the inn, and walked across the room directly to Phineas Young. Holding out a Book of Mormon to him, Samuel said simply, “There is a book, sir, I wish you to read.”  Surprised by the young man’s direct approach, Phineas hesitated a moment, then asked, “Pray, sir, what book have you?”  “The Book of Mormon,” said Samuel, “or, as it is called by some, the Golden Bible.” Samuel then testified that the book was a revelation from God and added, “If you will read this book with a prayerful heart, and ask God to give you a witness, you will know the truth of this work.” He requested that Phineas look at the testimony of the witnesses in the front of the book. After doing so and asking the young man his name, Phineas remarked that Samuel was one of those witnesses who testified of seeing and handling the gold plates from which the book was translated.  “Yes,” said Samuel, “I know the book to be a revelation from God, translated by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, and that my brother Joseph Smith, jun., is a Prophet, Seer and Revelator.”  Phineas was intrigued. He bought the book and took it home.  Neither Phineas nor Samuel realized that their short meeting at the Tomlinson Inn would later bring about the conversion of a man who would become a mighty prophet of the Lord.

A Vision in the Night Sky 

Solomon Kimball Home

About two and a half years earlier, on September 22, 1827, two young men living miles apart—who would later become neighbors and best friends—each saw an astonishing vision in the night sky. Their names were Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. Heber was living in Mendon, New York, near the Tomlinson Inn, and Brigham was 45 miles to the east in Port Byron.  It began, Heber said, in the eastern horizon—a white smoke rising toward the heavens with the sound of a mighty wind. The smoke moved across the sky, in the shape of a rainbow toward the western horizon. It grew wide, then bluish in color, and became completely transparent. As Heber watched with his family and several neighbors, a large, commanding army appeared, marching in platoons across the sky from east to west. “We could distinctly see the muskets, bayonets and knapsacks of the men,” Heber recorded, “and also saw their officers with their swords and equipage, and [heard] the clashing and jingling of their implements of war, and could discover the forms and features of the men. The most profound order existed throughout the entire army; when the foremost man stepped, every man stepped at the same time; I could hear the steps. When the front rank reached the western horizon a battle ensued, as we could distinctly hear the report of arms and the rush.  “No man could judge of my feelings when I beheld that army of men, as plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though every hair of my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until it began to disappear.”  Brigham Young, who at that time was not acquainted with Heber, described what he had seen the same evening: “There was a great light in the East and it went to the West and it was very bright although [there was] no moon at that time.” As he gazed at it with his wife, Miriam, they saw “great armies” marching across the night sky. The vision was “perfectly clear,” and it remained for several hours.  Heber and Brigham and their family members who witnessed the amazing scene felt it must have been a sign from God, but they did not know its meaning. Neither Heber nor Brigham knew the Prophet Joseph Smith or that he had received the gold plates containing the Book of Mormon that same day at the Hill Cumorah, just 20 miles to the east.  The following year, Brigham Young and Miriam moved to Mendon, New York, where Brigham’s father, stepmother, and several of his siblings were already living. Brigham built a home and mill shop on his father’s farm, less than a half mile northeast of where Heber Kimball and his wife, Vilate, lived. Brigham and Heber, just 13 days apart in age, and their wives, just 6 days apart, soon became close friends.

Seeking the True Church of Jesus Christ
Brigham Young was given to deep religious longings and had spent several years investigating each of the major religious denominations in western New York. He wanted a church that did more than just preach of general Christian morals; he wanted a church with the authority of Jesus Christ, “a system of ordinances, of laws and regulations to be obeyed.” Brigham’s brothers, Joseph, Phineas, and Lorenzo, and his good friend, Heber C. Kimball, had also longed for such a church. But after years of fruitless searching, Brigham finally concluded, “I knew that Jesus Christ had no true Church upon the earth.” Phineas said that both he and Brigham were so disheartened by the fall of 1829 they couldn’t even pray with any enthusiasm.  Yet Phineas, a lay preacher, encouraged Brigham, “Hang on, for I know the Lord is agoing to do something for us.” These were prophetic words from Phineas, for it was he who would soon encounter the missionary Samuel Smith in a meeting that would change the lives of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball and their families.

Phineas Young Reads the Book of Mormon
After purchasing the Book of Mormon from Samuel Smith at the Tomlinson Inn, Phineas began to feel that Samuel had been deceived. He told his wife, “I have got a book here, called the Book of Mormon, and it is said to be a revelation, and I wish to read it and make myself acquainted with its errors, so that I can expose them to the world.” He set aside all other business and read the book within a week; then he read it again the following week. He didn’t find the anticipated errors but instead felt a conviction the book was true doctrine. The following Sunday, before his congregation, he found himself quoting scripture from the Book of Mormon and, under inspiration of the Spirit, he bore a powerful testimony of its truth.  Phineas, believing this book to be an answer to his family’s searching and prayers, passed the book on to his father. John Young read it and declared that it was “the greatest work and the clearest of error of anything he had ever seen, the Bible not excepted.” Phineas then passed the book on to his sister, Fanny, who also declared it a revelation. Fanny passed it on to Brigham, and the book was later given to Heber Kimball.  But Brigham had become so disillusioned with organized religion that he was very cautious. He studied and pondered the book for many months. By May 1831 the branches of the Church in New York had gathered to Kirtland, Ohio, without the Young family ever meeting another member of the Church.

From Seekers to Believers
In the autumn of 1831, five missionaries from the branch in Columbia, Pennsylvania, knocked at the door of Phineas Young’s home and asked if they could hold a meeting there to preach the restored gospel. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball attended the gathering, and they were touched by the Spirit. They “received the word gladly,” and testified of its divinity.  Shortly afterward, Brigham, with his father, John, his brother Joseph, and Heber Kimball, witnessed a second vision, this time in a grove of trees while gathering wood for Phineas. “We were pondering upon those things which had been told us by the Elders,” Heber recorded, “and upon the saints gathering to Zion, when the glory of God shone upon us, and we saw the gathering of the saints to Zion, and the glory that would rest upon them; and many more things connected with that great event. … These things caused such great joy to spring up in our bosoms that we were hardly able to contain ourselves, and we did shout aloud ‘Hosannah to God and the Lamb.’”  Longing to mingle with the Saints, Heber C. Kimball hitched his horses to his sleigh in the bitter cold of January 1832, and he, Brigham and Miriam Young, and Phineas and Clarissa Young took a freezing, 125-mile sleigh ride to visit the branch in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Apparently, Vilate Kimball stayed at home and cared for all the children so the other wives could go.  Brigham later recalled, “We arrived at the place where there was a small Branch of the Church; we conversed with them, attended their meetings and heard them preach, and after staying about one week we returned home, being still more convinced of the truth of the work.”  Brigham and Heber now understood the vision of the mighty army they had witnessed in the night sky four and a half years earlier. They realized it had appeared to them the very day the Prophet Joseph had received the gold plates from the angel named Moroni—September 22, 1827. Heber felt that it was a “foreshadowing … of the warfare to be waged between the powers of good and evil, from the time Truth sprang from earth and Righteousness looked down from heaven upon the boy Joseph, predestined to bring to light the buried records of the past.”13

Baptismal Site of Brigham Young

Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball Are Baptized
On April 15, 1832,¹a cold and snowy day, Eleazar Miller, one of those five elders from Pennsylvania, baptized Brigham Young in his own mill stream and ordained him an elder, according to Brigham, “before my clothes were dry on my back.”His friend Heber C. Kimball was baptized the following day, and their wives, Miriam and Vilate, were baptized within a few weeks.  Before Brigham joined the Church, he described himself as rather slow of speech. But with his acceptance of the restored gospel the Lord made “weak things become strong unto [him]” (see Ether 12:27). Just one week after his baptism, Brigham preached his first sermon and spoke for more than an hour. He later said, “I wanted to thunder, and roar out the gospel to the nations. It burned in my bones like fire pent up. … Nothing would satisfy me but to cry abroad in the world what the Lord is doing in the latter days.”  The Mendon Branch of the Church was organized in the spring of 1832 and soon numbered 30 members; 11 of them were Youngs.¹⁷ Nathan Tomlinson and his wife also joined the Church, and the Tomlinson Inn became the meetinghouse for the Mendon Branch.  By September 1833 the Tomlinson Inn’s role in Church history had ended. Most of the members of the branch left Mendon to gather with the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio. Brigham’s beloved wife, Miriam, who had died of tuberculosis a year earlier, was left resting in the little Tomlinson Corners graveyard just up the road from the inn.

Solomon Kimball Headstone

A Mighty Prophet of God
Brigham Young never looked back, following the Prophet Joseph Smith until the day Joseph was martyred. And then Brigham, the humble carpenter and glazier who had yearned for true religion, became the Lord’s chosen prophet to lead the Saints. He led them first to the Nauvoo Temple to receive ordinances and blessings restored through the Prophet Joseph. He led them across more than a thousand miles of hardship to a new home in the Salt Lake Valley. And there, with his long-time friend and counselor Heber C. Kimball at his side, President Brigham Young led a tried and proven people in building up the kingdom of God.

Living in the Tomlinson Inn
The Tomlinson Inn, where we lived from 1999 to 2003, felt good to us. The rippled glass windows reflect the rich patina of old floors that creak gently from the press of a thousand footsteps. With each click of a latch, the hand-carved panel doors with their antique knobs speak softly of that long-ago time. An old, makeshift staircase in the back of the inn leads to the upper room where the Mendon Branch worshipped. The room still looks as it did in 1832. The exposed roof trusses are made of small tree trunks, and almost as much daylight comes up between the old floor boards as from the one small window. In this humble setting, Brigham shared with his fellow converts his testimony and gratitude for the long-awaited restored gospel—and that copy of the Book of Mormon that introduced him to it. History seems to settle over the Tomlinson Inn gently, like a warm cloak in a cold world. But the best part of living there was sharing its story with visitors who left misty eyed at the thought of a young missionary; a young, soon-to-be prophet; and a young Church that would roll forth to fill the whole earth.

Tuesday, April 30th
The AC in the car is not working so Ray got up early to take it in.  We hope they were able to fix it but he will go back later this week to look for leaks.

Interesting Foundation under this barn

Example of Lake Rock siding

I slept in, the first day in a long time that I haven’t had to be up.  I spent most of the day cleaning cupboards, sorting through things, catching up on paperwork, and preparing to head home.  Just two weeks from today.  It seems so odd.

Thursday, May 2nd

I was asked to help train a new ordinance worker on the evening shift.  She recently received her own endowments and is excited to come to the temple as a worker.  Several tender mercies awaited her.  She felt God’s love for her over and over and I could see the joy in her face as she became more acquainted with the saving ordinances of the temple.

Friday, May 3rd

We experienced the joy of the healing power of the temple today.  Ray and I had a disagreement that simply melted away as we served in the temple.  We are discovering that you can not harbor harsh feelings when serving in the Lord's holy house.

.

Saturday, May 4th

I had a few minutes this morning and wandered over to the Magnolia shop.  The owner was there.  I was looking for a white top and instantly she found one.  She is the sweetest thing.  We chatted a bit and our conversation turned to the power of the temple to ease our pained hearts.  She teared up and shared how she had been struggling with that very thing and knew she needed to get to the temple.  We share some tender life experiences and parted with hearts full of gratitude for the Lord’s tender mercies and for orchestrating such a moment where daughters of God could feel strengthened by each others faith.  I wore the white top in our couple picture.  

Sacred Grove in the Spring

Niagara on the Lake, April 22 - April 28

Tour of Niagara with Brother and Sister Straussberg

Monday, April 22nd

Last week we began to meet the arriving 6 month missionaries as they came to serve as patrons.
A total of 50 missionaries plus the presidency.  I was surprised how nicely we fit in the space downstairs at the President’s home. We met the Ashby’s from Vernal who we discovered are 2nd cousins to Ray.  Elder Ashby’s grandmother is a Pickup.We met other magnificent couples.

President Evans referred to in his message the account from 3 Nephi where the people were invited to come and touch the wounds of the Savior.  It hit me that perhaps we symbolically do this at the temple at the veil.  One by one we come to the Lord.  Our Father in Heaven and by the power of the atonement of Christ, we are allowed into His presence.  It was sweet for me to reflect on this.

Tuesday, April 23rd.

Kevin’s and Alex’s birthdays today.  I thought of them often through out the day.  Our work in the temple continues to be sweet.  I was assigned as a Veil Coordinator and reflected on the feelings I had yesterday regarding bring each person one by one to the veil.  Tender feelings and reverence filled my heart and a joyful realization as I watched each patron take a turn in proxy for someone coming to the Lord.

Wednesday, April 24th

Lunch in Niagara By the Lake

Today we left at 8am to travel with Barlow’s to Niagara at the Lake.  Brother and Sister Straussberg met us there and took us on a tour of the area that they know so well.  It was a pleasant albeit cold day.  After oohing and awing over the beautiful homes and landscape and vistas, we took some time to walk along the shops in town  One store was filled with jellies, preserves, and sauces.  We could taste many of them and I found my taste buds smiling in joy at the rich and lovely flavors.  We didn’t purchase anything.  Perhaps if we had come earlier in our mission but we are in the mind frame to reduce the food in the pantry not add to it.

Another store was filled with interesting things from around the world.  We bought a fun handcarved wooden puzzle with hidden compartments.
As we strolled by a leather shop a beautiful leather jacket caught my eye.  I said something about how cute it was and the next thing I know, Ray is buying it for me.  This was a little out of character and I wasn’t sure just how to respond.  Sister Straussberg just smiled and said to him, “Well, done”.

one last look

Friday, April 26th

We sold our bikes to the Nuttals today.  They were excited to get them. Elder Nuttal rode his to the White house where they will store them and make them available for other missionaries to ride.  I felt a little sad to see them go, realizing that my rides along the canal are over.
Sister Henningson mentioned that they had gone for a ride but didn’t think the canal was very pretty.  I told her to wait for summer, she may change her mind.

Sunday, April 28th

Church went well today.  Music in primary, Ray taught the Elder’s Quorum, and I taught the Temple Preparation class.  On the way to the car, Ray stopped and gave me a big hug.  He told me how much he loved me and was proud of me.  I needed that so badly.
Helen and Len are doing better.  We hope the new couple will embrace them and continue to urge them to the temple.

Blessings and Easter, April 9 - 21

Tuesday, April 9—Saturday, April 13th

We are starting to sort through things and get ready for our trip home.
The focus this week has included finishing and sending our Tax Return, helping Len and Helen with their finances, and keeping up with the missionary activities.
Friday was another SVU special session plus.  I also made 4 crusts for fruit pizza for FHE Monday and burned up my mixer while trying to mix the cream cheese topping.
The temple still provides strength and opportunities for growth and learning.  There are times when your talents are utilized well.

Sunday, April 14th

We received a call early that Helen would not be coming to church with us today.  We were concerned and soon learned that Len was struggling with his asthma but had not been able to purchase his inhalers. His coughing fits kept both he and Helen up at night.   He was waiting for the next pay check due on the 17th.  We called back and made arrangements to purchase it for him which we did after church.  We made arrangements to come back the next day when Brother Harvey could help Ray provide a priesthood blessing.  Hoping that the needed medicine would allow for some rest.

Monday, April 15th

After gym class, we got ready and headed down to Wayland.  We found Len and Helen in better spirits.  We explored options that might help them get their finances in order.  Including a call to the CU to see if they would reverse some of the over draft fees.  We suggested that perhaps they could get food orders from the Bishop’s storehouse to help for a couple of months while they paid off some debts.  Then Brother Harvey came and gave Len and Helen some beautiful blessings.  We learned that Len had not had his insulin for several days so we went to purchase that for them.  We left them with hope and lifted spirits.

Thursday, April 18th

I received a call late last night from Lorraine asking if I would come in and help as a guide for an own endowment this morning.  Ray came with me hoping to attend both sessions, unless needed somewhere else.
I had an amazing experience with this sweet sister.  I met her when she arrived and she seemed so nervous.   As I administered the blessings in washings, I felt the spirit and was overcome with emotion.  As I finished, this sweet sister simply said “Wow!”.  As the continued blessings flowed, I heard her exclaim this again.  As we left the initiatory area, I noticed a change in her countenance.  She walked with confidence, joy, and purpose.  It seemed to me that the world had been lifted off her shoulders.  It was a sweet and tender thing to witness.
Oh the power of the atonement and the marvelous way it is manifest in the ordinances.
I saw her next in the Celestial room and marveled at her beauty and strength.  This sweet sister will never be the same.

I love these quotes:

“While we strive to be diligent in building up Zion, 

including our part in the gathering of the Lord’s elect and the redemption of the dead, 

We should pause to remember that it is the Lord’s work and he is doing it. “ 

D. Todd Christofferson April 2019

“One way to ‘always remember His’ would be to join the Great Physician 

in His never-ending task of lifting the load from those who are burdened 

and relieving the pain of those who are distraught.”  

Jeffery R. Holland, April 2019

I always chuckle at this house
we see on our way to church
each week.  Not sure how this passed code.

“C.S. Lewis once said that if we could recognize who we were, 

we would realize that we were walking with possible gods and goddesses, 

whom if we could see them in all their eternal dignity and glory, 

we would be tempted to fall and worship.  

Because it is true, we need to think more highly of ourselves, 

and we need to think more highly of each other.”  

Jeffery R. Holland

Friday, April 19th

We helped with an extra sealing this morning.  A young couple getting married.
It is always a joyful time when two people join their lives together.  Brother Straussburg performed the ceremony and does such a marvelous job of making it personal and uplifting.
It took quite a while to complete everything.  The groom forgot his belt and after looking around for one, learned there were no extras in the temple so suspenders where used.  The bride waited patiently.  While getting ready to exit the temple, the bouquet fell apart.  I was able to jerry-rig it with some unfolded paper clips.  The gown train did not have a way to hook it up, so I was able to fashion a loop from white ribbon and safety pins.  Finally, things were all put together and the bride and groom began their exit.

Sunday, April 21st  - Easter

I felt strengthened by Sister Petraitis’s talk in Sacrament meeting.  She is strong and faithful and close to the spirit.  In Primary we talked about the events around Christ’s Atonement and sang Gethsemane

For dinner we gathered at the Titsworth’s apartment.  All the 12 month missionaries were there along with the Millers and Kimblers.  We read from the scriptures and enjoyed our associations.