Well...the time has come. Tomorrow is our last day at the Boston Temple. We have had so many "lasts" lately, but tomorrow they are having cake to 'celebrate' our leaving. Everyone has been so kind to us. We have been truly blessed to be here & have so many friends. We're trying to hold our emotions in check but I can't guarantee that we won't fall apart as we leave tomorrow.
We were given a framed picture of the Temple with a poem & I would like to share it with you.
"If" by Carma Salvesen.
If I could go to Galilee
And walk where Jesus walked,
And sit in tender grasses
On the hillside where he taught.
If I could sit and ponder
On a rock that knew His hand,
Or walk along the seashore
Where His feet had touched the sand.
My spirit yearns within me,
But it doesn't seem my fate,
I'll never walk where Jesus walked.
I'll never see........but wait.
I worship in His temple
Where I know He's walked before.
Have His feet been down this hallway?
Have His fingers touched this door?
Has He stood here in this very room
And looked at what I see?
In the beauty of His temple
I can feel His love for me.
I close my eyes & picture Him,
My worries melt away.
I don't need to go to Galilee
Or travel far away.
For my tender heart is filled
With what He wants me to be taught
And my testimony burns within--
I've walked where Jesus walked!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Good-Byes
We can't believe that our mission is coming to an end!
We have been so busy getting the car ready, cleaning, packing & having dinner appointments for the past 2 weeks. Wow! It feels like we're on a merry-go-round that keeps going faster & faster.
A couple of months ago I was so homesick I didn't think I could stand it. But we kept trying to work hard & keep focused on what we were supposed to do. Then it was, "This is the last Tuesday night we work so we won't see these ordinance workers anymore."...etc. There have been a lot of "lasts" & it has been so hard.
Someone said that we were so lucky because we get to go home. Yes, we are lucky & excited but it shocked me because our focus hasn't been about going home. Our focus has been about the good-byes & those we are leaving behind.
When we came on our mission we left our family & came to the unknown. Now, we are leaving one family to return to another. It's hard & very emotional!
I found a magnet that says exactly how we feel.
A good friend is hard to find, harder to leave & impossible to forget!
We have loved our mission!
We have been so busy getting the car ready, cleaning, packing & having dinner appointments for the past 2 weeks. Wow! It feels like we're on a merry-go-round that keeps going faster & faster.
A couple of months ago I was so homesick I didn't think I could stand it. But we kept trying to work hard & keep focused on what we were supposed to do. Then it was, "This is the last Tuesday night we work so we won't see these ordinance workers anymore."...etc. There have been a lot of "lasts" & it has been so hard.
Someone said that we were so lucky because we get to go home. Yes, we are lucky & excited but it shocked me because our focus hasn't been about going home. Our focus has been about the good-byes & those we are leaving behind.
When we came on our mission we left our family & came to the unknown. Now, we are leaving one family to return to another. It's hard & very emotional!
I found a magnet that says exactly how we feel.
A good friend is hard to find, harder to leave & impossible to forget!
We have loved our mission!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
"The Dash"
We've been speaking in a few wards lately. We've gone to Warwick Ward & the Singles Ward in Rhode Island; Derry, New Hampshire, & Georgetown, Massachusetts. I tell the story of "The Dash", that we were given from the organ donation people after Nathan passed away. Every time, I am asked if I have a copy & would share it. I decided that I would share it on our blog because it fits our mission.
"I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth & spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth & now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars...the house...the cash... What matters is how we live & love...& how we spend our dash.
So think about this long & hard; Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true & real...& always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger & show appreciation more & love the people in our lives...like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect & more often wear a smile...remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read...with your life's actions to rehash...would you be proud of the things they say...about how you spent your dash?"
We hope & pray that our "dash" here in the Boston Temple has made a little difference.
"I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth & spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth & now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars...the house...the cash... What matters is how we live & love...& how we spend our dash.
So think about this long & hard; Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true & real...& always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger & show appreciation more & love the people in our lives...like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect & more often wear a smile...remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read...with your life's actions to rehash...would you be proud of the things they say...about how you spent your dash?"
We hope & pray that our "dash" here in the Boston Temple has made a little difference.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Loving New England
It's September already!!! I can't believe it. We have been so busy this summer trying to fit in all of the sightseeing that we didn't do last year because it was so miserably hot & humid. We are in such a great historical place. I'm not sure we could see everything even if we tried. Every time we turn around we hear of someplace else that we should go visit.
I'll start by sharing what we did during shut down. Of course we went to Virginia & surprised Dad at church on Father's Day. I'm not sure we have ever spent Father's Day with him so it was wonderful. We enjoyed being with Laurie, Shawn & Tanya's families & especially loved seeing Mom again.
We decided that we would go to New York City because we were scared & would never make the trip just to go there. Our good friends from the Temple met us there & if it hadn't been for them I'm not sure we would have braved the subway. That in itself was an experience & then coming up from underground & looking up & seeing the Angel Moroni was awe inspiring. A friend told us not to walk around with our cameras & looking up because then people would know we were tourists. Oh well, we blew that advice. You just had to look up! Everything was so tall. Another friend told us we had to have a hot dog from one of the carts on the street because that was a New York experience. I fully intended on doing that but the smell of BO from the subway combined with the smell of hot dogs was not appetizing at all, so I passed.
We went to the Broadway show, "Phantom of the Opera" (which was amazing), on another day & did so much walking. The blocks are a normal length one way but if you go the other way they are very long. Add that to not knowing where you're at & how to find where you want to go & it is very hot & I could just feel myself melting. Another thing that was amazing was the cars & the masses of people crossing the intersections. I saw so many near misses. I'm surprised we didn't see anyone hit or at least an accident of some kind.
We spent one day going to Ellis Island & the Statue of Liberty. What an awe inspiring & spiritual experience. We felt even more grateful for our ancestors.
We found a Branch in New Jersey & they asked us to speak. It was fun to visit. The church is true wherever we go & we can always find friends. That's an amazing thing about the gospel.
Our friends that met us in New York invited us to their time share in the Poconos mountains in Pennsylvania so we stayed there for a couple of days & had a great time. It was especially nice after being in NYC. Nothing against the big city but my country brain feels more at home with peace & quiet.
Actually, when we came back to Boston our subway wasn't nearly so frightening as it had been a year ago. We have been to a couple of Red Sox games which was so fun to be in Fenway Park & see the green "monstah".
I had been feeling so homesick about a month ago. Then Angie came to spend 5 days with us & it was so wonderful to have her here. We had a lobster roll when she got off the plane & took her to see the Temple all lit up. On Saturday we went to Woodstock, Quechee Gorge & Rutland, Vermont, where we spoke. On our way home we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial in Sharon, Vermont. We love it there. There is such a spiritual feeling & a feeling of reverence for the Prophet. They also had an exhibit of the Hubble Space Telescope images. It was one of the most awe inspiring things I have ever seen. We've heard of "world's without number", but this exhibit really made it real for me.
Monday we went to the Old North Church in Boston where Paul Revere watched for the lantern signal from the steeple; went to Mike's Pastry (famous) where we had to have a couple of cannoli's; went to Quincy Market & rode on the duck boats. Tuesday we took her to Lexington Green where the Revolutionary War started; the old North Bridge in Concord; we went to Rockport to do some fun shopping & see where the movie, "The Proposal" was filmed & then went to Gloucester for a lobster dinner. Wednesday we went to Plymouth & saw the Mayflower II; Plymouth rock; John Alden's home & the gravesites of John Alden, Priscilla Mullins & Myles Standish. Then we did a little more shopping & took her to the airport. It almost wasn't hard to say good-bye to her because we did so much & had such a good time.
We've gone to Longfellows home which is now an inn; Louisa May Alcott's home; the schoolhouse of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (yes, she was real); lighthouses, beaches & I'm sure I'm forgetting places we've been.
It sounds like we're on a sightseeing mission doesn't it! Well, we are loving it here & are trying to make the most of it on our time off. We went to the Temple Tuesday & there was a check from the Missionary Dept. to pay for our expenses home. What a shock! We knew our time was growing short but we were trying not to think too much about it. Whenever I think about going home I get so excited! But - we want to stay focused & do the best job that we can at the Temple. We are still having some amazing spiritual experiences & are loving our mission.
We send our love.
I'll start by sharing what we did during shut down. Of course we went to Virginia & surprised Dad at church on Father's Day. I'm not sure we have ever spent Father's Day with him so it was wonderful. We enjoyed being with Laurie, Shawn & Tanya's families & especially loved seeing Mom again.
We decided that we would go to New York City because we were scared & would never make the trip just to go there. Our good friends from the Temple met us there & if it hadn't been for them I'm not sure we would have braved the subway. That in itself was an experience & then coming up from underground & looking up & seeing the Angel Moroni was awe inspiring. A friend told us not to walk around with our cameras & looking up because then people would know we were tourists. Oh well, we blew that advice. You just had to look up! Everything was so tall. Another friend told us we had to have a hot dog from one of the carts on the street because that was a New York experience. I fully intended on doing that but the smell of BO from the subway combined with the smell of hot dogs was not appetizing at all, so I passed.
We went to the Broadway show, "Phantom of the Opera" (which was amazing), on another day & did so much walking. The blocks are a normal length one way but if you go the other way they are very long. Add that to not knowing where you're at & how to find where you want to go & it is very hot & I could just feel myself melting. Another thing that was amazing was the cars & the masses of people crossing the intersections. I saw so many near misses. I'm surprised we didn't see anyone hit or at least an accident of some kind.
We spent one day going to Ellis Island & the Statue of Liberty. What an awe inspiring & spiritual experience. We felt even more grateful for our ancestors.
We found a Branch in New Jersey & they asked us to speak. It was fun to visit. The church is true wherever we go & we can always find friends. That's an amazing thing about the gospel.
Our friends that met us in New York invited us to their time share in the Poconos mountains in Pennsylvania so we stayed there for a couple of days & had a great time. It was especially nice after being in NYC. Nothing against the big city but my country brain feels more at home with peace & quiet.
Actually, when we came back to Boston our subway wasn't nearly so frightening as it had been a year ago. We have been to a couple of Red Sox games which was so fun to be in Fenway Park & see the green "monstah".
I had been feeling so homesick about a month ago. Then Angie came to spend 5 days with us & it was so wonderful to have her here. We had a lobster roll when she got off the plane & took her to see the Temple all lit up. On Saturday we went to Woodstock, Quechee Gorge & Rutland, Vermont, where we spoke. On our way home we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial in Sharon, Vermont. We love it there. There is such a spiritual feeling & a feeling of reverence for the Prophet. They also had an exhibit of the Hubble Space Telescope images. It was one of the most awe inspiring things I have ever seen. We've heard of "world's without number", but this exhibit really made it real for me.
Monday we went to the Old North Church in Boston where Paul Revere watched for the lantern signal from the steeple; went to Mike's Pastry (famous) where we had to have a couple of cannoli's; went to Quincy Market & rode on the duck boats. Tuesday we took her to Lexington Green where the Revolutionary War started; the old North Bridge in Concord; we went to Rockport to do some fun shopping & see where the movie, "The Proposal" was filmed & then went to Gloucester for a lobster dinner. Wednesday we went to Plymouth & saw the Mayflower II; Plymouth rock; John Alden's home & the gravesites of John Alden, Priscilla Mullins & Myles Standish. Then we did a little more shopping & took her to the airport. It almost wasn't hard to say good-bye to her because we did so much & had such a good time.
We've gone to Longfellows home which is now an inn; Louisa May Alcott's home; the schoolhouse of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (yes, she was real); lighthouses, beaches & I'm sure I'm forgetting places we've been.
It sounds like we're on a sightseeing mission doesn't it! Well, we are loving it here & are trying to make the most of it on our time off. We went to the Temple Tuesday & there was a check from the Missionary Dept. to pay for our expenses home. What a shock! We knew our time was growing short but we were trying not to think too much about it. Whenever I think about going home I get so excited! But - we want to stay focused & do the best job that we can at the Temple. We are still having some amazing spiritual experiences & are loving our mission.
We send our love.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Nathan
I have been so remiss about writing in our blog. We have done so much & there is so much to write about but this week there is really only one thing in my thoughts.
Four years ago today on July 13, 2007, our dear son, Nathan, passed away. Every year at this time I relive the events beginning with the 8th, which was our last good day with him. What a blessing that was for us. I told Rod that I really felt like we should stay home from church & spend the day with Nathan. He said he had been feeling the same thing. We fixed his favorite breakfast, Rods famous hash browns & eggs, his favorite halibut dinner & enjoyed the day watching football & visiting with him. Later in the day he asked if he could leave & after having a serious conversation with him we made arrangements for me to pick him up at a certain time so that we could leave his car for Justin & Jamie.
When I went to pick him up he was late & then had a friend with him so I had to wait for him to take the friend home. I was so mad at him & I thought, "I just won't talk to him all the way home. (It was about a 20 min. ride.) He has got to learn to pay attention & do what's right." Well, he got in the car & was so happy & was the old Nathan that I loved to be around. I couldn't stay mad at him. We had the best visit. That was the last time I talked to him. I will be forever grateful that I didn't let my instincts take over & I just enjoyed my son.
I remember going to the hospital for the first time & leaning down to say, "Mom's here Nathan. I love you!" & a tear rolling down his face. I spent hours at the hospital for the next several days holding his hand, reading to him, talking to him & the last night before we went to the airport to pick up Angie & Amy, I sang all the songs I used to sing to him when he was a little boy. What cherished memories! I prayed that Heavenly Father would take him into His arms & take care of him. It was especially hard watching each of our children say their good-byes to Nathan. That broke my heart.
The next morning as the nurses were doing tests, we had the c.d. "Love Is Spoken Here", by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, playing softly in the background. When the Dr. came in & gave us the time of death, the song, "I Feel My Savior's Love", was on. That song always brought tears to my eyes but it wasn't until a few month's later when I mentioned it to Angie & she told me when it had been playing.
The next several days I felt like I was on auto-pilot, just doing what needed to be done. If it hadn't been for our friends, family, & especially our dear children & my sweet husband, I'm not sure I could have handled things.
The night before the funeral Rod, Jason, Ryan, Shane & Justin dressed Nathan. Angie had said that she wanted her, Amy & I to wash his feet. So after he was dressed they came & got us. We realized that we couldn't wash his feet, so we clipped his nails & put on his shoes & socks. Then without anything planned we all stood around him, holding our hands on Nathan & sang, "I Have A Family Here On Earth". It was the most spiritual experience I have ever had. The veil was so thin.
As we go around the Temple District speaking to different wards, I talk about Nathan. It is a testimony to me that we all have struggles in our lives. I definitely don't feel that we have been through worse than others. It is just that this has been our trial. We could have lost our testimonies but I am so grateful that we feel closer to our Savior. It has strengthened us as a family & individually.
This may sound strange, but I am grateful that Nathan is where he is even though I miss him so much. Joseph Smith once said, (& I'm paraphrasing badly), that sometimes the Lord takes those unto himself to protect them when He knows that they have done all they could do & to protect them from doing something that would impede their eternal progression. When I read that I knew that was what happened to Nathan. He was so good & sweet & loving.
I am so grateful for the spiritual experiences we have had. Last year after the shut down of the Temple, I was feeling emotional because we had just passed the anniversary of Nathans death. The first thing I did when I went to the Temple was go to the Celestial Room. As I picked up the scriptures I thought, "I wonder if I will ever have the experience of just opening up the scriptures & there will be something just for me?" The first thing I read was in Doctrine & Covenants 88:97, "And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened." I just sobbed. The imagery was so vivid & I knew my Heavenly Father was aware of my needs. If nothing else good ever happened because of our serving a mission, that was what I needed.
Please forgive me for sharing my memories but I felt like I needed to write my thoughts for me. One last thought I would like to share is the scripture we had on Nathans funeral program.
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
We look forward to being with Nathan again & being a forever family.
Four years ago today on July 13, 2007, our dear son, Nathan, passed away. Every year at this time I relive the events beginning with the 8th, which was our last good day with him. What a blessing that was for us. I told Rod that I really felt like we should stay home from church & spend the day with Nathan. He said he had been feeling the same thing. We fixed his favorite breakfast, Rods famous hash browns & eggs, his favorite halibut dinner & enjoyed the day watching football & visiting with him. Later in the day he asked if he could leave & after having a serious conversation with him we made arrangements for me to pick him up at a certain time so that we could leave his car for Justin & Jamie.
When I went to pick him up he was late & then had a friend with him so I had to wait for him to take the friend home. I was so mad at him & I thought, "I just won't talk to him all the way home. (It was about a 20 min. ride.) He has got to learn to pay attention & do what's right." Well, he got in the car & was so happy & was the old Nathan that I loved to be around. I couldn't stay mad at him. We had the best visit. That was the last time I talked to him. I will be forever grateful that I didn't let my instincts take over & I just enjoyed my son.
I remember going to the hospital for the first time & leaning down to say, "Mom's here Nathan. I love you!" & a tear rolling down his face. I spent hours at the hospital for the next several days holding his hand, reading to him, talking to him & the last night before we went to the airport to pick up Angie & Amy, I sang all the songs I used to sing to him when he was a little boy. What cherished memories! I prayed that Heavenly Father would take him into His arms & take care of him. It was especially hard watching each of our children say their good-byes to Nathan. That broke my heart.
The next morning as the nurses were doing tests, we had the c.d. "Love Is Spoken Here", by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, playing softly in the background. When the Dr. came in & gave us the time of death, the song, "I Feel My Savior's Love", was on. That song always brought tears to my eyes but it wasn't until a few month's later when I mentioned it to Angie & she told me when it had been playing.
The next several days I felt like I was on auto-pilot, just doing what needed to be done. If it hadn't been for our friends, family, & especially our dear children & my sweet husband, I'm not sure I could have handled things.
The night before the funeral Rod, Jason, Ryan, Shane & Justin dressed Nathan. Angie had said that she wanted her, Amy & I to wash his feet. So after he was dressed they came & got us. We realized that we couldn't wash his feet, so we clipped his nails & put on his shoes & socks. Then without anything planned we all stood around him, holding our hands on Nathan & sang, "I Have A Family Here On Earth". It was the most spiritual experience I have ever had. The veil was so thin.
As we go around the Temple District speaking to different wards, I talk about Nathan. It is a testimony to me that we all have struggles in our lives. I definitely don't feel that we have been through worse than others. It is just that this has been our trial. We could have lost our testimonies but I am so grateful that we feel closer to our Savior. It has strengthened us as a family & individually.
This may sound strange, but I am grateful that Nathan is where he is even though I miss him so much. Joseph Smith once said, (& I'm paraphrasing badly), that sometimes the Lord takes those unto himself to protect them when He knows that they have done all they could do & to protect them from doing something that would impede their eternal progression. When I read that I knew that was what happened to Nathan. He was so good & sweet & loving.
I am so grateful for the spiritual experiences we have had. Last year after the shut down of the Temple, I was feeling emotional because we had just passed the anniversary of Nathans death. The first thing I did when I went to the Temple was go to the Celestial Room. As I picked up the scriptures I thought, "I wonder if I will ever have the experience of just opening up the scriptures & there will be something just for me?" The first thing I read was in Doctrine & Covenants 88:97, "And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened." I just sobbed. The imagery was so vivid & I knew my Heavenly Father was aware of my needs. If nothing else good ever happened because of our serving a mission, that was what I needed.
Please forgive me for sharing my memories but I felt like I needed to write my thoughts for me. One last thought I would like to share is the scripture we had on Nathans funeral program.
John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
We look forward to being with Nathan again & being a forever family.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day
Yesterday was Mother's Day. When we went to church people would ask if I had been able to talk to my kids. I would tell them that they weren't even up yet but I was looking forward to talking to them.
I was feeling bad for Rod but decided not to mention it to him. After awhile he said that he sure wished he could call his Mom & talk to her. We talked about what she would have said to him & he told me some of the special memories he had of her when he was growing up.
I was able to talk to my mom & we had such a good visit. I will never be able to thank her enough for all she has done for me in my life. Then I got to thinking about how she & Dad can't talk to their mother's either.
As each of my kids started calling it was so good to hear from each one of them & to feel of their love for me & express my love for them. Then I remembered that there was one son, Nathan, that I couldn't talk to even though I know he loves me.
This life is such a journey. As a child I thought life was all about me & my Mom was only supposed to make me happy. I didn't appreciate her like I should have done. I didn't realize the hard times she went through & all she did for me until I became a mother.
As a young mother, I was so overwhelmed with the daily responsibilities of life that I didn't appreciate my children like I should have done. I was so busy trying to accomplish the tasks that I didn't enjoy the process of being with my sweet little children.
With 7 amazing children, 6 wonderful in-laws that I am proud to call my own & 24 beautiful grandchildren, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much love. I am so grateful to have a mother, to be a mother & to have daughters who are wonderful mothers.
Someday I will be gone & I hope my family will know that I will be forever watching over them as I know our loved ones who have gone before are watching over us. I can't imagine loving them any more but I'm sure it will be a more perfect love.
With all the feelings I had on Mother's Day, I feel even more grateful for the Plan of Happiness. Life goes on, we will get older & pass on to be with our loved ones on the other side of the veil & continue to be watchful of our loved ones here until we are all reunited again. How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father & His Son, Jesus Christ, who made that possible for us.
I was feeling bad for Rod but decided not to mention it to him. After awhile he said that he sure wished he could call his Mom & talk to her. We talked about what she would have said to him & he told me some of the special memories he had of her when he was growing up.
I was able to talk to my mom & we had such a good visit. I will never be able to thank her enough for all she has done for me in my life. Then I got to thinking about how she & Dad can't talk to their mother's either.
As each of my kids started calling it was so good to hear from each one of them & to feel of their love for me & express my love for them. Then I remembered that there was one son, Nathan, that I couldn't talk to even though I know he loves me.
This life is such a journey. As a child I thought life was all about me & my Mom was only supposed to make me happy. I didn't appreciate her like I should have done. I didn't realize the hard times she went through & all she did for me until I became a mother.
As a young mother, I was so overwhelmed with the daily responsibilities of life that I didn't appreciate my children like I should have done. I was so busy trying to accomplish the tasks that I didn't enjoy the process of being with my sweet little children.
With 7 amazing children, 6 wonderful in-laws that I am proud to call my own & 24 beautiful grandchildren, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much love. I am so grateful to have a mother, to be a mother & to have daughters who are wonderful mothers.
Someday I will be gone & I hope my family will know that I will be forever watching over them as I know our loved ones who have gone before are watching over us. I can't imagine loving them any more but I'm sure it will be a more perfect love.
With all the feelings I had on Mother's Day, I feel even more grateful for the Plan of Happiness. Life goes on, we will get older & pass on to be with our loved ones on the other side of the veil & continue to be watchful of our loved ones here until we are all reunited again. How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father & His Son, Jesus Christ, who made that possible for us.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Press Forward
Well, it's been a long time since we've written on our blog. Without going into a lot of detail I'll just say that we hit a point in our mission where we really struggled during the past month. If we had not had each other to lean on & to support one another it would have been much more difficult. When we see those we have become close to struggling, it is very difficult. We try to help when possible but sometimes things are beyond our control & we have to leave things up to our Heavenly Father. I've heard of missionaries struggling at one point or another during their missions & I guess it happens to all of us to one degree or another. We are growing so much from our experiences & we feel so blessed to be here & be in the Temple each day.
We have just finished listening to General Conference & our hearts are full from the messages we've heard. I felt like we were truly feasting on the words which were spoken. We couldn't wait for each session & they went by so fast. We really felt sad when it was over but we also felt very uplifted & renewed & ready to recommit to being better than we are. We each have our favorite speakers but it is always amazing to me how we can listen to the same speakers & hear different messages. It is a testimony to me that if we listen with the Spirit, the Spirit will give us what we need individually. What a blessing that is!
Tomorrow night we are having Family Night with the other 3 missionary couples at Pres. & Sis. Woods home. We will have a potluck dinner & talk about our favorite messages from Conference. It will be hard to pick just one.
We've been thinking all weekend about Conference a year ago. It was the day after, on April 5th, that we entered the M.T.C. I can't even believe that it's been a whole year.
A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to go up to Sharon, Vermont, & speak in their Sacrament Mtg. For those who might have forgotten, that is the birthplace of Joseph Smith. There is a Visitors Center there & we just love it. We have been there twice & every time I have said that I would love to go into the church. Well, we finally got to go. We loved it there. It was a very special experience for us.
We hope you have all been touched by the Spirit this weekend. We send our love to each of you.
We have just finished listening to General Conference & our hearts are full from the messages we've heard. I felt like we were truly feasting on the words which were spoken. We couldn't wait for each session & they went by so fast. We really felt sad when it was over but we also felt very uplifted & renewed & ready to recommit to being better than we are. We each have our favorite speakers but it is always amazing to me how we can listen to the same speakers & hear different messages. It is a testimony to me that if we listen with the Spirit, the Spirit will give us what we need individually. What a blessing that is!
Tomorrow night we are having Family Night with the other 3 missionary couples at Pres. & Sis. Woods home. We will have a potluck dinner & talk about our favorite messages from Conference. It will be hard to pick just one.
We've been thinking all weekend about Conference a year ago. It was the day after, on April 5th, that we entered the M.T.C. I can't even believe that it's been a whole year.
A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to go up to Sharon, Vermont, & speak in their Sacrament Mtg. For those who might have forgotten, that is the birthplace of Joseph Smith. There is a Visitors Center there & we just love it. We have been there twice & every time I have said that I would love to go into the church. Well, we finally got to go. We loved it there. It was a very special experience for us.
We hope you have all been touched by the Spirit this weekend. We send our love to each of you.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Eternal Marriage
On Valentines Day Terry and I went out to dinner and I reflected on how much our love has increased throughout the many years together. At one time I felt we had a perfect marriage and it can't get any better, but working in the Temple helped me to realize it can get better.
Then I reflect on my childhood, growing up in a home where my Mom and Dad have been sealed in the Temple, and having that blessing and feeling those eternal blessings in the home. As a child I didn't recognize it, but as an adult I remember those feelings so many years ago. On January 25, Mom & Dad celebrated their 65th anniversary. I'm sure when they got married they didn't realize how many people that act of being married in the House of the Lord for eternity would influence. Not only does it influence the 10 children, but grandchildren and great grandchildren. I figured that in 6 generations from now that Mom and Dad will have about 2,799,360 posterity. Its up to us as part of that posterity to carry on the legacy that our parents have blessed us with. I honor Mom and Dad. Thanks.
In the Temple I have the blessing of witnessing many marriages and then signing as a witness. As I do this I wonder how this union will be 30 or 40 years from now, and how many people will be influenced by being married in the Holy Temple. I heard a statement by a general authority, that the more we know our Heavenly Father the more we know ourselves, and the more we know ourselves the more we love others. May I add that others also means our spouses. I guess what I'm saying is that through working in the Temple I feel I'm really increasing my love for my sweet wife. That's a blessing from just being in the Temple every day. As I go through this experience I feel better about myself and the direction that I'm taking in trying to be a better person. I guess that's all the Savior is asking us to do.
Then I reflect on my childhood, growing up in a home where my Mom and Dad have been sealed in the Temple, and having that blessing and feeling those eternal blessings in the home. As a child I didn't recognize it, but as an adult I remember those feelings so many years ago. On January 25, Mom & Dad celebrated their 65th anniversary. I'm sure when they got married they didn't realize how many people that act of being married in the House of the Lord for eternity would influence. Not only does it influence the 10 children, but grandchildren and great grandchildren. I figured that in 6 generations from now that Mom and Dad will have about 2,799,360 posterity. Its up to us as part of that posterity to carry on the legacy that our parents have blessed us with. I honor Mom and Dad. Thanks.
In the Temple I have the blessing of witnessing many marriages and then signing as a witness. As I do this I wonder how this union will be 30 or 40 years from now, and how many people will be influenced by being married in the Holy Temple. I heard a statement by a general authority, that the more we know our Heavenly Father the more we know ourselves, and the more we know ourselves the more we love others. May I add that others also means our spouses. I guess what I'm saying is that through working in the Temple I feel I'm really increasing my love for my sweet wife. That's a blessing from just being in the Temple every day. As I go through this experience I feel better about myself and the direction that I'm taking in trying to be a better person. I guess that's all the Savior is asking us to do.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Snow Days!
In the last two weeks we have been sent home early from the temple twice & the temple was closed one day two weeks ago & today because of snow storms. We are feeling more at home with the weather. It is so refreshing & not so stifling. It is a different kind of snow. When it comes it dumps & I saw the biggest snow flakes I have ever seen. They were as big as cotton balls. It was really pretty & very cozy to be inside looking out. I don't think the people who live here love it as much as we do but we don't have to be in the traffic, etc. as much as they do. There are some snowfall records being set & a lot more winter left but we are loving it.
We have been traveling a lot the last couple of months. We figured out that in the last 7 weeks we have been in 7 different wards in 7 different states. How fun!!! We went to New Hampshire; Rhode Island; Rochester, New York, with Amy & Brad for Christmas; Charlottesville, Virginia, with Dad; Connecticut; Ellsworth, Maine, & Massachusetts.
We spoke in Maine & Pres. Wood said he would like us to speak in small Branches around the Temple District since the Presidency can't go to all of the Wards & Branches. We are excited for this opportunity to meet new members throughout the area. It makes it more special when we see them at the Temple. Of course they have to remind us of their names & where they are from but they are patient with us.
We are going to have a new missionary couple next week so we are excited to meet them.
We love our mission because we love what we are doing & we send our love to everyone.
We have been traveling a lot the last couple of months. We figured out that in the last 7 weeks we have been in 7 different wards in 7 different states. How fun!!! We went to New Hampshire; Rhode Island; Rochester, New York, with Amy & Brad for Christmas; Charlottesville, Virginia, with Dad; Connecticut; Ellsworth, Maine, & Massachusetts.
We spoke in Maine & Pres. Wood said he would like us to speak in small Branches around the Temple District since the Presidency can't go to all of the Wards & Branches. We are excited for this opportunity to meet new members throughout the area. It makes it more special when we see them at the Temple. Of course they have to remind us of their names & where they are from but they are patient with us.
We are going to have a new missionary couple next week so we are excited to meet them.
We love our mission because we love what we are doing & we send our love to everyone.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Memories
In these two pictures, same house, but the second one is more modern, this brings back memories. I lived in this house in the basement the last five months of my mission. Its interesting how you have a different perspective of the area and the home, from a 20 year old and a 58 year old. The Church still owns this as the Mission home, what a surprise. Things are so much smaller today. I remember serving in Schenectady, New York, and we tracked out an 83 year old sister, and baptized her. I always wondered if she stayed active or not. We visited the ward, and a good sister told me that she remained active through the rest of her life. That is a special blessing for me to receive that news. I served in the Cumorah Mission from Jan. 1972 to Jan. 1974.
. This past two weeks the temple has been closed. We went to Charlottesville, Virginia, to see my mom and dad, and brother and sisters families. As my mom is in the nursing home, I think I grew closer to her this time than ever before. I felt that she loved me and I was able to let her know how much I loved her. Even though she can't recognize me by sight, I felt her heart, and I know she felt mine. What a blessing that the Gospel brings knowledge to our minds through our hearts. It was special to be with dad and have that relationship that only a father and son can have. This week we have been working in the Temple. I recaulked all the pillars in the Celestial Room and all the needed areas. We changed the scriptures in the Chapel and in the Baptismal font area. We also had to take care of some administration. This next week I'm going to be trained as assistant recorder, and learn a little bit more of the workings of the temple.
This Sunday we are going to Ellsworth, Maine, to visit a Branch and speak and share our testimonies of the Temple and the Gospel. We look forward to meeting new people. It's been a real blessing to be in the mission field. I thought that we would serve these good people in the Boston Temple District, but they have been serving and blessing our lives. Need I say more? I love this work!!!!
. This past two weeks the temple has been closed. We went to Charlottesville, Virginia, to see my mom and dad, and brother and sisters families. As my mom is in the nursing home, I think I grew closer to her this time than ever before. I felt that she loved me and I was able to let her know how much I loved her. Even though she can't recognize me by sight, I felt her heart, and I know she felt mine. What a blessing that the Gospel brings knowledge to our minds through our hearts. It was special to be with dad and have that relationship that only a father and son can have. This week we have been working in the Temple. I recaulked all the pillars in the Celestial Room and all the needed areas. We changed the scriptures in the Chapel and in the Baptismal font area. We also had to take care of some administration. This next week I'm going to be trained as assistant recorder, and learn a little bit more of the workings of the temple.
This Sunday we are going to Ellsworth, Maine, to visit a Branch and speak and share our testimonies of the Temple and the Gospel. We look forward to meeting new people. It's been a real blessing to be in the mission field. I thought that we would serve these good people in the Boston Temple District, but they have been serving and blessing our lives. Need I say more? I love this work!!!!
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