August 5, 2003
Julie has gone to the hospital to have our newest grandbaby. Randy and I are praying for her and Amber. Our prayer is that she and the baby will be kept safe and that Amber's pre-birth medical problems will not turn out to be problems at all. If ever a baby was wanted, this one is. Both her parents and brothers have been waiting a very long time for this little girl to be sent from Heavenly Father. I hope she grows up happy and secure in the knowledge that she is loved.
Another prayer that we have been offering concerns Randy and my desire to adopt a child. Though I have five from my first marriage, Randy has none and I believe has wanted to be a father all his adult life, but until Leena, our Granddaugther came to stay for two months this summer, he did not have any idea the joy that a child can bring into your life. I pray that God will grant us our desire and lead us to a child who needs us as much as we need and desire him/her.
Sept 8, 2003
What a busy, hectic month August was. Between worry about both new grandbabies, the Ward's Genealogy Booth at the neighborhood fair, (not to mention the job of creating 500 CD's that were given out at the fair) and Randy's family reunion, we've had almost no time to ponder our progress or lack of it.
I know the Lord has blessed us so much, just being able to do all that was needed to be done without my getting sick (I waited till the reunion was OVER before I did that) was certainly a gift from my Heavenly Father. The Fair was a success as was the reunion. Randy's deep fried turkey was a big hit as was my Chocolate Cake with peanut butter frosting. Still the financial struggle continues but there again, we always have what we need....not what we would like or want, but suffencent for our needs.
We came back from PA with a bushell of grean beans, some elderberries and zuchinni from which I was able to freeze and can a good supply to add to the food storage, though another trip to Costco for flour, sugar plus the Storehouse for rolled oats would be nice before winter starts, which looks like it will approach all to quickly. The Elders Quoum will be here to help Randy install the two exterior doors we have had stored in the garage since last fall some time in the next couple of weeks. Since the Gas Company has informed us that natural gas prices are TWICE what they were last winter, the doors will indeed be another blessing in helping us keep costs down.
While watching KBYU-TV a couple of weeks ago and hearing a talk by a former Bishop tell about a sister who had been disfellowshiped for seven years, I broke down crying, the fear always there that I'll not be back before I die. I am not sure that is something I can really dwell on though. Repentance is a very long process, but I do believe that The Lord knows my heart better than I do and Randy is certain I'll be back by this time next year....I hope he is inspired in his thinking.
September 12, 2003
Its a difficult day, having to attend a funeral of someone your own age. Not that I've not lost friends before this, but at my age (58) I realize that this is going to begin to happen more and more often as time goes on. Sister Armstrong died 12 days after her Dr. found uteren cancer. I know that her family felt blessed to have just had a long family reunion back in June. Her husband was quietly stong, but you knew the loss he was feeling. For some reason I could see Randy in his place....being older by 11 years than my husband, I believe that I'll die before he does, and leaving him behind will be hard on us both. I can only pray that my children feel about me in the same vein as Sister Armstrong's do, having shared with those of us in attendance some of their tresured memories of a Mother, friend and sister. I'll miss her... we were due a rematch of Scrabble... we stood tied at her death, and I feel sure she is awaiting my arrival for that contest. She will always be the winner in my heart, though.... rest well, you've earned your place at the feet of the Savior.
Sept 16, 2003
My husband and I, our Sister Missionaries and Brother Louie, their current investigator had the most joyful opportunity to pay a visit to the Johnson Farm in Hirum, Ohio, The Kirtland Temple as well as Historic Kirtland after which we had a wonderful time at a concert by Brother Michael McLean, his lovely and talented wife Lynne and their oldest Son. What a wonderful and faith promoting night. I wish there was a way to convey the joy of that two+ hours. This was a free concert which he offered as a gift to those of us who live near this most spiritual place and though there are not a great meny members of the Church here in Ohio, we try to keep the Church out in the public eye as much as possible. (You would be amazed at how many people think that all the members of the Church left Ohio in 1839 and don't live anywhere else but Utah).
It is my understanding, after a meeting that our Bishop and other local leaders had with Brother McLean, that he will be bringing his "Forgotten Carols" concert here for five preformances this Christmas season. This is one of the works he has done with I have loves since I first heard it. It used to be a family tradition when my children were still home to read one chapter and play the music for that chapter each night beginning the week before Christmas. What a beautiful Spirit prevaled in our home during that time. If you have not read or heard the Forgotten Carols, I encourage each person to seek it out and add it to their own Christmas traditions.
I might also offer that if you are anywhere near Cleveland Ohio, that you travel the 30 or so miles East to pay a visit to the Johnson Farm and Historic Kirtland. When you realize that 60 sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were received between these two places, that there were so many appearences by Christ, Peter, James and John, Moses, Elijah to mention only a few, you get a sense of who Spiritual these places are and that Spirit can be felt by you as you visit. Perhaps we will run into each other there.....as we are the "unofficial" investigator tour guides helping the Missionaries in our Ward share the Gospel with those seeking to know the Truth.
July 17, 2005
WOW!!! a new entry? Yes, you are not imagining things.
I am not going to try and catch you up on what has happened in my life in the past two years, lets just say I've been busy.
Truthfully, I have spent more time bing ill than I care to calculate, but then, I've also been happier than I can ever remember bing as well, so with the trials, come the Blessings, and my husband and I have been very blessed.
He and I are Ward Missionaries, while I am currently the Relief Society Secretary, while he is the 11 year old Scout Leader. Callings we both love very much. I am so blessed to have wonderful friends and think that Randy and I have a great life, trials and all.
Lest you all think that we are perfect, lets just say that we are working hard to get out of debt and with the Lord's help, we should be debt free in three years. This is very important to us as every Prophet in this dispensation has cautioned us about being wise stewards over all that he has given us, and we have found that being in debt keeps us from helping more to grow the Kingdom.
The few times we have been able to quietly help other's has been joyous and we have gained the knowledge that the more we are blessed with the more we can ans should do. We were able to pay a small amount each month to help one of our Ward's Missionaries serve for without the assistance of all the Ward Family they would not have been able to go on a full time Mission.
Try it, you might discover the deep joy in being axiously engaged in the Lord's Work.
July 24th, 2005
The Oriental Lillies are in full bloom in our yard and they are a beautiful sight and the scent in so exotic. I just love them and so does my husband. We have promissed ourselves to add more next spring. They are real eye catchers from the street as well. You can actually smell them as you pass by the house from 20 or 30 feet away.
Our lessons in Relief Society and Priesthood were on a Confrence talk from this last Spring's session, "A Still Small Voice and a Burning Fire". It was a wonderful lession and even though I have read the artical several times, the way Sister Meece presented it brought new meaning to the words. She asked each of us to think of one or two things that cause us to hear that still small voice and feel that burning heart and share them with the class.
The two things that I shared were the feelings I get when I go to the Johnson farm in Hiram, OH. I don't even have to go into the structure, but always walk around to the front steps and I am overcome with the strength of the Spirit that is there. This is where the Prophet Joseph Smith JR was pulled out of bed in the cold early Spring night and tarred and feathered by the mobbers and after being up all night as his frinds scrapped the tar and feathers from his skin, still gave a Sunday address to the gathered Saints.
I sob with the knowledge of what he must have suffered, but my soul is filled with the knowledge of the truthfulness of his mission and the restoration of the Gospel in all it's fullness.
If you are ever near Cleveland, Ohio go about 30 miles Southeast and visit the Farm for yourself. Its open to the public and the tours of free. See if you don't feel that sweet Spirit for yourself.
The second thing that aways has the Still small voice whisper to me is a song on a tape called "Primarily for Grown-ups". Primary songs done to more adult music forms. There is one song sung by a group of Missionaries that fills my whole being with that same Spirit and fire. Its "Army of Heleman". There is a power that just flows from that song that I can't explain. You'll just have to experience for yourself.
I know that this Church is True.
Sept 6th, 2005
I was released from both my calling as a Ward Missionary and Relief Society Secretary two Sunday's ago...it was hard to move on because I loved both callings so much, but after many tears I am "OK" with the transition to my new Calling as Compassionate Service Leader, a calling without boundries as both my Bishop has told me and the Relief Society President have said. Right now I am feeling my way into this new challange. In a way I felt at first that I had been "put out to pasture" but as my husband said last night, it is up to me and the Lord to make it mine. So, for now I am working on getting some toothbrushes together to ship to Brother and Sister Smith in Baton Rouge, LA for people who have been displaced by the Hurricane. Brother Smith said last night that you can't beg, borrow or steal a toothbrush there now. There are other things they need and we as a Ward will gather up what we can and send it on its way. It is a true time of service, of Christ-like love towards those who have now less than nothing. I was speaking to a salesperson who came into my office today about the Welfare program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and she was stunned that anyone would reach out to people they did not know who are not of their faith and give so much, in a true act of faith. I wonder if we could in all honesty do anything less for Heavenly Father's children in need.
