Quick Visit (Oct. 4 and 5--Days Two and Three)

We enjoyed sharing General Conference with Valerie and Austin (and the rest of the world as well).  It was awesome. It was an interesting moment in time between the death of President Nelson and his funeral, and the Church and the world were definitely mourning this great man, but the Church has systems in place and things proceeded the way they needed to and the prepared talks were perfect for now and the next 6 months.  Of course, we missed President Nelson--but at 101, he had lived a life that few can match or even imagine. He can "rest" if that is what happens--actually I believe he stepped right into the work there without too much sightseeing along the way. That is his style.

We were blessed to have a visit with Landi and Lance on Saturday night (no photo) and then Justin and his three kids came to visit between sessions...photo below.  No pictures of Valerie and Austin but they were there as well as Lynette who came over for Saturday.  Fun to see sisters any time.

Justin with Carson, Kendall and Jayden

On the Road Again--To Mesa and Oro Valley (Oct. 3-Day One)

Here are the FOUR of us heading to our long awaited trip to Arizona--first stop Mesa to spend time with Valerie and Austin and watch a BYU football game (Friday night) and General Conference on Saturday and Sunday. Then on to Oro Valley for a few days with Scott, Chantel, Scarlett, and James.  It was hot, but it was fun and a great break from "recovering".  We were so glad Ben joined us and so proud that even though it was hard for him to be out of routine and other things, he came and he had fun.

On Highway 20 and then 89 on the way to Kanab, Utah.  Fall colors everywhere....

And then south of Page....

A dust storm ...

Coming into Flagstaff, AZ.

And on into Mesa area...

(sorry, poor picture because of the sun and the dirty car windows, but the Saquoia are always amazing.)

Outside Views

One of the pleasures of rainy days in watching and listening to our rain chain.  Everyone needs one.  They are magical.  There was lots of rain while we were out of town (more on that in the next post) and it led to wet carpet in the room formerly known as Scott's room.

Gary has been working on cleaning out our gutters and putting guards in place to help them stay clean from leaves and stuff which caused the overflowing in the game room window well which led to a wet game room.  When we got home, Gary checked those gutters by the room that got flooded and they were clear.  So we are not sure why that room flooded but now need to get new carpet so we can move things back into that room which is now our guest room (will be that is.)

Gary got this orange stabilizer for the ladder.
It works well and makes us both feel better
about Gary working on the gutters and using the ladder.

While I have been in recovery mode, Gary continues to work on fixing and repairing and getting things ready for the winter.  He has been amazing.

Temple Work

On September 25, I did the initiatory work for Susanna Gale.  Look when her baptism and confirmation were done--in 1918!!!! I have never seen that early of dates without the rest of the work being done at some point afterwards.  I came home and told Gary that I had to do her endowment as soon as possible which I was able to do on the 30th.  Then last week, we sealed her to her parents.  She definitely was celebrating in the spirit world.

Temple work is a very interesting type of service.  It isn't really face to face service since we are doing work for those who have died.  However, there are moments when you feel glimpses of their awareness and joy.  Not every time, but it is there so much in the sweet peaceful places in the temple.
 

I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Along with the family fun we shared that weekend, some somber news also occurred as our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson passed away at the age of 101. He was an incredible leader, human being, and Apostle of Jesus Christ.  We as a Church and me as an individual have been so blessed by his inspired leadership and teachings.

This was followed the next day (Sunday morning) with a terrible attack on a Church in Grand Blanc, Michigan where a man drove his car into the Church building during Sacrament meeting and then got out and began shooting people and also set the Chapel on fire. People were killed and injured along with the shooter who took his own life.  Horrific event---although there have been stories of heroes and miracles during and after the event.  The people have, publicly anyway, been such great examples of forgiveness and mercy toward the shooter and towards what has happened.  That is truly Saints in action including a gofund me account set up by a ward member to raise money for the family of the shooter who are now without their sole provider.  The reasons are not clear for the attack, but reasons don't really matter--it is how we stand up and show up when terrible things happen what makes the difference. They have been amazing.

Needless to say, the Church has been in the news a lot over the past few weeks with this stuff happening, the tributes to President Nelson, then General Conference, and then the naming of the new prophet and First Presidency on October 14--

President Oaks--center  prophet
Left-President Eyring (1st counselor)
Right-President Christofferson (2nd counselor)

When we were at the Draper Temple, President Collins stated that we probably never expected to be sitting in a sealing room with him as our sealer, but it was a dream come true for him--if he had thought to dream it.  I could also say the same about President Oaks---I didn't expect my University president to become my prophet--but I can't imagine anyone more prepared and ready to lead than President Oaks.  It is his time and place and he has been prepared for "such a time as this."  This is my testimony of our prophet.  We certainly thank God for our prophet.

Sharing the Rainbow

One day also at the end of September, I took this first picture of a bit of a rainbow in the sky.

Within a few minutes, Jessica posted a photo of a double rainbow from her location...

and shortly afterwards I turned around and saw it too--from Jensen Park.

Elessia reminded us of the physics of rainbows and each angle really sees a different "rainbow" through the prisms created by the mix of water and light.  But it was fun to share that with Jessica on her way to work and on my walk.  The world is amazing!!!


 

Happy Birthday, Alex and Carter!!

Although their actual birthday was on Tuesday, I along with Ben and Jena picked the two girls up on Monday evening for their birthday dinner.  They chose Denny's and we headed there for dinner (or in my case and Alex and Carter--breakfast.)  I had yummy pumpkin pecan pancakes. Yummy!

Doing the games on the back of the kid's menu

They love stuffies and this claw machine
was stuffed with them--but I don't like those machines
so couldn't agree to let them do it.
No worries, Elessia is a master and they went
together on their birthday and won some stuffies.

Carter with her birthday cake pancakes

Alex with her chocolate chip pancakes

My dinner companions--I am very blessed person!

Have I mentioned that having grandchildren is the best!!!

Fall Colors

Near the end of September, I finally "graduated" from walking in the neighborhood to walk again at Jensen Pond.  I love the colors of even the weeds along the pathways I walk.  Back then I was able to walk about 1 mile slowly, but now (October 19) I have been walking about 45 minutes and just over 2 miles.  Recovering is going well, and the beauty of the world is a great cheerleader.

from the Draper Temple

 

Draper Utah Temple

 On Saturday, while Gary was serving in the Syracuse Temple, Jena and I had the opportunity to attend a sealing session in the Draper Utah Temple where our mission leader now serves as a sealer.  Our group included Elder and Sister Griffin, Sister Ashe, Sister Beagley, and Elder and Sister (Fleming) Harrison who just got married in August.  It was a tender and holy time to be together.

This was our first time to the Draper Temple so we got some fun photos before and after our service.

The Draper Utah Temple as fall is starting

It has a pretty location tucked into the hills and the fall colors were just starting.  Breathtaking!

The House of the Lord---and aren't the clouds amazing!

After the session, we walked around the whole temple (interrupting both a wedding shoot and a family photo shoot along the way)--the following photos are on the side facing the Salt Lake Valley--and the clouds!!!!

The temples are truly the House of the Lord.  And while they are so beautiful, the real beauty is the work and covenants found inside. Order your life to be able to spend time inside in service to God and your fellow human beings.

Gathering With the Amazing ABM Missionaries

That means the Arkansas Bentonville Mission and missionaries in case you have forgotten.  How we love them and cherished our time to reconnect with them, have small conversations to share love and encouragement to each of them as they move forward in their young adult lives. And to be with the Collins and the other senior missionaries is always a gift.  One of the blessings of a senior mission--you are friends with amazing people!

Watching the young missionaries greet each other
is such a pleasure.  One of my favorite parts of us gathering.
How much greater it will be when we meet each other
and all of our family and friends in the life hereafter.
Priceless!

Back:  Elder and Sister Griffin--home one week, Sister and Elder Stephenson (from Kansas came to join us), President and Sister Collins, us, Sister Lawry, and Jena in front.

I missed smiling on all of these shots with Elder Handley
and Sister Holding

Jena got herself in lots of pictures with missionaries.
Here is another one I took with Sister Beagley and Sister Savage (who got engaged that afternoon
to another missionary from the ABM although they had not served near each other in the mission.)

And, yes, I know that they have first names and I probably should use them, but in my heart, they are Elder or Sister forever.   Love them!!!

The Desires of My Heart

Since Wednesday, I have been reflecting on writing this post and since it is already 9:48 pm, (And here it is--October 19th and I am just back finishing it up to post it.) I might not get it all written tonight in quite the way that I would like. Let see how it goes.  It is so difficult to write the feelings of the Spirit into regular typed words, and it never feels quite right to read. However, to not record it would be wrong (okay, I know I have basically a lifetime without writing a journal and recording other amazing tender mercies and incredible gifts of revelation.  It is so sad for sure.  I am trying to recall and record my remembered, treasured experiences to be share in some format in the future.  The blog somewhat covers the time since 2010, but only in the past several years have I been a bit freer in sharing the most personal things of the spirit. But as I have pondered these experiences, I have been so grateful to God which I have expressed in prayer many times since Wednesday BUT I know that I need to write them down so here is goes.)

The back story:  (There is always a back story which allows you to be prepared for the "current" story as it unfolds.) In the last part of our mission , I had done a bit of studying and thinking and pondering on the concept of Desire.  It was the BOLD word on my whiteboard in Arkansas. We are promised in many places that if we are faithful or some other adjective, God will grant the desires of our hearts.

My board in Arkansas with my desire web

Since we have been home, I have somewhat left that study behind although the word desire always catches my attention in the scriptures and in talks and especially in Conference addresses.  My main question revolves around:  Where do my desires come from?--I have many that I felt I came with--even as simple as desire or a knowing that I would see a water buffalo in a field in person or a Buddhist monk in his orange robe; having five children, getting married in the Provo Temple, the list goes on and on.  These were desires of mine that came to pass in miraculous ways.  Truly God has blessed me to receive these desires of my heart. How do I make sure that the desires of my heart match what God has planned for me?  And how do I recognize and rid myself of desires which are NOT what the Lord wants for me? I definitely try to not desire bad things, of course, but I think there are good things which I need to leave behind as well. There are pieces of this pondering which are still bouncing around in my mind which aren't related to the story that I will finally tell after one more back story moment--

As part of the class I am taking on Monday mornings, we were challenged to be in the temple more and to take our questions to God and seek revelation and miracles will happen.  My first reaction was that I really don't have any questions which I need answered right now.  Miracles which I would like to happen for any of my children are mostly related to their choices and agency and I respect their ability to choose even if I don't like their choices.  The only other thing I want is for Ben to be healed and I don't expect that to happen in our mortal life.  Now we have had some amazing experiences regarding Ben and who he is and the main comfort I have is an understanding that he is in God's hands and his schizophrenia is not an accident, but it is the way that he is able to fill the "measure of his creation."  God has a plan for Ben just like he has for me and you--and schizophrenia is not a side trip at the moment, but is the exact path God intended him to be on at this time in his life.  Ben is fulfilling the measure of his creation by moving forward each day despite of the terrible effects of this illness. So why would I pray about that?

AND NOW THE STORY  (finally):

Wednesday at the symposium there was a wide sampling of professionals there--judges, legislators, county and city council members, social workers, lawyers, non-profit owners, parole and jail workers, etc.  Since it was based in Salt Lake and was focused most on their county, I didn't think I would know very many people there.

At one break, Eric Tadehara approached me.  He was Ben's first therapist at Davis Behavioral Health.  He wasn't sure I would even recognize him but I did.  Eric was a brand-new therapist just finished with school when he started working with Ben--maybe back in 2010 and really just for a short time maybe 6 months or so.  Eric now works on the state level in the Mental Health offices. He first checked in on how Ben was doing. He then tells me, "I wanted to let you know that Ben is one of the clients who has provided so much direction to my career.  Probably because he was near my age and was just figuring out so much about his illness that it really helped me to understand schizophrenia in a better way. He is one of the reasons I knew that I wanted to work in improving the lives and systems which impact those with SMI.  When I am in meetings even now, I often think about how this change or this policy might help people like Ben do better or have better support or whatever.  I want you to know that he made a difference in my life and I am grateful to him."

The next break, Debbie (can't remember her last name) approached me.  Her face I had recognized earlier but wasn't sure where I knew her from.  As she spoke to me, I remember her--she had worked in Step Forward with Ben as a case manager--maybe 2012 again for just a few months.  She shared many of the same thoughts and feelings as Eric did.  That because of the way Ben presented in his illness, because of his kind and peaceful nature, he had impacted her career as well.  She too thinks of him often as she continues to work with this population now down in Salt Lake County.

That is what happened--the factual part of the experience.  But the spiritual part was much more powerful--seriously at the end of the conference when I sat in the car, I cried.  Just a few days before, I had thought in my heart that I didn't need a miracle for Ben because I had already had those answers in the past.  But in His great goodness, God through Eric and Debbie reminded me that the truths I knew and know are real.  Ben is touching people along the way, making a difference in other's lives for the good.

My "desire" for Ben to be healed will come at the right time and the right way--on this earth or in the resurrection.  It mattered not. As long as he and by extension we desire to do the best we can and to fulfill "the measure of his (and our) creation."  I didn't need that reminder--but it was a gift from God that I will never forget.  God watches us and His desires are to bless us--and sometimes that comes from unexpected conversations during a symposium in Salt Lake City.