His Hand is Stretched out Still, Maple Tree Inn, March 4 - 10

Maple Tree Inn Story

Leavitts

Ray tapping maple tree 

Beautiful, cold day

Wednesday, March 6th

Today was the outing to Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn.  It was a 1 1/2 hour drive up in the woods in the middle of no where.  We left early, 7:30am to arrive when they opened at 9am and to get those home who had to work the evening shift at the temple. 

Ray and I drove alone so we could stop and help Len & Helen with their finances.

I thought to text Bayles while driving down.  They described where they were and realized they had missed the exit to I-390 and had to turn around.  I worried about them so kept reaching out for reports.  In the end, everyone else arrived in time to be seated together and they came about 10 minutes behind is all.  I teased Elder Bayles about racing to catch up. 

This was an amazing place.  We were shocked to see the parking lot full.  But luckily there was no wait for seating. That changed before we left. 

The food was so good.  All-you-can-eat pancakes and maple syrup, ham, sausage, eggs.  Every bit was yummy.  That is saying something for someone who doesn’t really like breakfast.

Afterward we went downstairs to see the production area.  It was too cold for the sap to be running so we just saw the equipment.  There was a rather large group of kindergartners on a tour. There joy of learning, thoughtful questions, and polite natures brought a sweet joy to my heart.  I pondered on how to capture some of that and restore it to my own heart and soul.  I can remember the joy of learning when I was younger. 

I thought a lot about that the rest of the day.  How do you become more childlike where you are amazed at the world around you and wonder at new discoveries.  Being around children helps. 

Our time with Helen and Len was productive.  We started with prayer which Len offered.  It was tender and sweet.  He invited the Lord to help him see how to be in His good graces.  My soul leapt for joy for surely He will help him see. 

On our way home from Cartwrights

While at Butler’s, we received a text that Simon was to be on the NASA feed and had been selected to be one of several hundred students to be able to ask a question of an Astronaut on the space station.  We were able to watch him ask and her answer and shared it with Len and Helen who got a big kick out of it. 

He asked a very smart question, something like: Does the space station need to be propelled to stay in orbit or is it in free fall?  Smart kid. 

We were home long enough to rest a bit and then headed back to the temple.  We were not assigned to a shift tonight but Cindy Hoffman, a new convert from Hornell, came to do baptisms.  We went to help out and be a support.  Andrew Sutherby was there with his sister, Abby, plus Cindy, Brother and Sister Doyle and their son. 

Andrew preformed all the baptisms.  He is so strong that Brother Doyle exclaimed as he came out of the font…”boy, he tosses me around like a rag doll..”  The Baptism Coordinator helped Andrew be a little more gentle.  

Afterward I had an amazing visit with Cindy.  We talked about the generous nature of God and His plan to offer eternal blessing to all of His children.  Cindy has been doing the work for her parents and grandparents, and other ancestors.  She mentioned her worry about her children.  I felt prompted to tell her that God would not forget them and that someday they would have the clear opportunity to accept the Savior and his gospel.  She seemed comforted by this.

I was reminded of the scriptures where the Lord describes our many failings then teaches that His Arms are Stretched out still.  He will receive us no matter our circumstances if we will just choose Him and Follow Him.

Friday, March 8th

Salt Residue on the pavement

We started our day at the Bishop’s storehouse.  Sister Beaver’s had called us a few days ago to see if we could help.  Other site missionaries were there as well so we were finished preparing the produce and shopping in less than an hour.  We were only a few minutes late getting to our gym class.

It was a rewarding day at the temple.  We arrived to a lobby and waiting room full of people.  There was a wedding at 5:30pm, plus Andrew Sutherby arriving to take out his own endowment.  I was assigned out front with the responsibility to keep everything sorted out and rolling along.  The wedding group was quite large and eventually we closed the doors to the temple to keep their joyful visiting from disturbing the peace of the temple.  Ray served as Andrew’s guide and quickly we were able to invite them to get ready.  Others came for sealings, initiatory, and a full session that we kept bring past the multitude waiting for the wedding.  Luckily, no one was forgotten or misplaced.

From that assignment Ray and I had the privilege of officiating the session.  What a blessing to share in this special time. 

Saturday March 9th

Another busy, busy day in the temple.  I think I had one 5 minute break all day.  The first three sessions were above capacity; two own endowments; a full baptistry, initiatory, and sealings sessions.  It is sad when we have to turn patrons away and do all we can to accommodate them. 

I started the day again in the lobby, helping patrons solve all kinds of issues, then to the baptistery to solve and serve, and then to the office; more solving and serving.  

One joyful moment was when I discovered that Andrew had been snagged after the session to help in the confirmation room.  He was just ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood last Sunday and is already using it.  He was just glowing. 

Oh, the salt effect on vehicles

A question and answer I discovered while reading in the temple


Moses 7:48 And it came to pass that Enoch looked upon the earth; and he heard a voice from the bowels thereof, saying: Wo, wo is me, the mother of men; I am pained, I am weary, because of the wickedness of my children. When shall I rest, and be cleansed from the filthiness which is gone forth out of me? When will my Creator sanctify me, that I may rest, and righteousness for a season abide upon my face?

Moses 7:60-62 And the Lord said unto Enoch: As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfill the oath which I have made unto you... And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day 

1. the heavens shall be darkened, 
2. a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; 
3. the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; 
4. great tribulations shall be among the children of men
5. my people will I preserve;
6. righteousness will I send down out of heaven; 
7. truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; 
8. righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, 
9. a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem
10. my people may gird up their loins, looking forth for the time of my coming

63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;

What a glorious day to look forward to.  It does not seem that far off to me.