Talk Time

On Saturday the phone rang and next thing I heard was....Would you please give a talk tomorrow?...

tomorrow?!

(The Counselor explained- the sister that was going to give the talk had ended up out of town. I knew this to be true, as that particular sister had called me late Friday night asking for Hal/Joyce, who do the bulletins, to take her name off of program.  I said- you probably need to call the Bishop, and not them, if you aren't going to be here to speak.)

I said - Yes....

I then asked- what is the subject? 

He was nice and said - Well, it's on the Articles of Faith.  Choose whatever one you want and we never got to hear your testimony, when you were released, so talk about that also.  Just do whatever you feel like. 

********************

He was between a rock and a hard place for sure.  I wanted to help him out as I knew it wasn't his fault that things fell apart. 

A marvelous part of our lay ministry is the opportunity we have to prepare short talks, 10-15 minutes, every 2-3 years.  When we get that assignment we need time to think it through and get some inspiration.  It's a great time to feel the Spirit, to share our convictions of the Gospel, and to teach each other.

That being said, I confess and will immediately repent, that I have absolutely no patience for anyone conducting/responsible for assigning talks, that doesn't give advance notice.  It's not fair to the speaker nor the congregation.  I rebel against that sort of hi-jinx!!  I see no reason for it.  All 3 men know when it's their month to conduct so they know way far in advance.  Oh, me.  Oh, my!!  am I faultfinding?  If I would say it to someones face does that make it less wicked?  

Just know I have no patience for it.  Maybe I'm the only one that gets grumpy!!

There are probably 40 talk slots available in a year.  No talks on Fast Sunday, 2 Ward Conferences, or yearly Primary program.  So out of 40, say 20 men, 20 women?  There are 103 RS women.  Perhaps more than 50% active.  Let's say 53 active.  So, at 20 thereabouts per year speaking, it's a rare opportunity.  That is one reason why we need ample prep time.  Okay, enough said!!

Because we are not pro-evangelists trained at some ministerial school, we just speak from our heart and life experience and what has touched us about the Gospel.  Sometimes our deliveries are rough but if we listen with our heart and keep focused, even the monotoned voice reveals great experiences.

There was a Hi-Councilman in Anchorage with a very difficult to listen to voice.  I once heard him share that after his first wife had died and over the period of time he was so lonely for her.  He went to a Stateside Temple and she appeared to him in the Temple and told him who/whom? to marry.  When I met him he was married to that 2nd wife.  

This was years ago and at that point I was fascinated with 2 Nephi 18:19  This was the 2nd time I'd heard someone talk about the spirit world being very close.  He shared this amazing experience and a lot of people missed it because they couldn't get past his delivery.  He helped me to realize that it pays to really listen for the gems of truth that saints, many times, share in talks.

Not Forgotten

I told a new acquaintance, a sister from another ward, that I would blog something for her to read.  Something that would remind her of her specialness.  Something that would give her a measure of hope.  Something comforting.  I started to share a scripture and then a story came to mind but really...how can you possibly top this!!??.......

Elder Uchtdorf's 2011 General Relief Society Conference talk

  http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/forget-me-not?lang=eng


You can imagine the joy that Alaskans felt when he talked about their flower.  I always felt it was amazing with the ruggedness and the oversize, of practically everything Alaskan, that the delicate little forget-me-not became our State flower!  the Fireweed gets so big in it's wild glory and many felt that should be the pick of the blossoms but it lost the vote!  Forget-me-nots  are gorgeous!  I think we have the smallest of all State flowers!  The biggest State with a teeny weeny flower but it is beautiful!

I remember my Mother planting an over-sized rock terraced area bordering our driveway/parking lot with wild flowers. She would search and find wildflowers, dig them up, box them up, drive them home and painstakingly plant and care for them. No easy feat to do such a thing. Very difficult to transplant wild flowers.  She had a special spot for the forget-me-nots and she did nurture them and they did survive.  She had a small porcelain heart shaped ring box that had a nosegay of the flowers on it.  I have an old soap-dish that is bordered with them.  None of that is important to a soul but it just brings back good memories.  Check out how lovely the flowers are and then look to left and see other State flowers.  Washington's State Flower is ____________?

Alaska state flower - Alpine forget-me-not

Sure-footedness!

Sometimes it feels like the warranties are expiring with my friends mortal bodies.  Is there some sort of coded expiration date on all of us!!  Maybe that is where the word expired comes from.  A few of my peers are facing really serious disease beyond aches and pains of aging.  This is when the refiners fire is sorely felt.

Today I was visiting with a friend that got dreadfully tough news from a biopsy.  This is about endurance and faith and staying the course as we make our way through mortality. when we get hit with the harshness of happenings in our bodies, that we can't simply wash or wish away, we can't quit.  These are tests of faith for those going through tough times and also for those of us watching them tread along.

My belief is in the validity of the Scriptures and knowing that God does not lie. Therefore if I can find something written in the Standard Works or spoken at a General Conference by those authorized then I hold onto those words as Gospel truth.  I take them at face value and I embrace them. They sustain me. 

Today as I thought of my friend and what she is facing, I mulled over 
1 Nephi 19:23,24-....I did liken all scripture unto us that it might be for our profit and learning....liken them unto yourselves.
I wonder what scriptures she holds onto when the going gets rough?  I realize that I don't know.  

In the past I wondered how Peter, who experienced so much firsthand with the Savior, was unable to stay on top of things literally.  Why did he sink?  Why did he lose faith?  Later I came to understand, at least for me, his faith didn't waver as much as he lost focus.  His vision shifted, he wasn't paying attention to the task at hand and he lost his miraculous footing.  He started walking toward the Savior But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid: and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. and immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.... (Matt. 14:22-33) 

He lost his concentration.  When he saw/focused/looked at the storm around him then he sunk.  When I find myself sinking with the buffetings of my own life storms and feel myself overwhelmed and sinking- then I think of Peter, take a deep breath, refocus my mind to clarity, look away from the rough weather, and say a prayer ...Lord, save me... I am helped as Peter was.  Not that things are removed but it's as if I'm sheltered and I'm not being tossed in the storms of my personal life at that time.  I hope to share that with my friend.  Maybe she already has that as one of her lifelines but I'll still share and bear my testimony to her of it's truthfulness.  Maybe she will find strength and solace when she starts to sink.

Practice Makes Perfect!

 When I was around 13 years old, I met a girl that temporarily lived by us.  She had just graduated from high school and I was fascinated by her.  She kept her shoes polished, with OxBlood colored shoe polish, that I thought was beautiful and she could bake the best chocolate cake I'd ever tasted.  Joann gave me the recipe and I took it home and told my Mother that it was the best cake I'd ever tasted.  My Mother was not happy with that remark!  I have baked that cake every since.  5 children+my husband have eaten and requested that cake over a span of many, many years. 


Today we celebrated Terry's birthday with one of our son's.  At Terry's request I made the cake.  He and our son were so happy to see that cake!  Truth be told...it tasted fine but it looked awful.  Why?  It was like I was stumbling and bumbling and it probably looked more like one that I made at 13 than my current age!!  It's not a fancy cake.  Probably a recipe off of a Crisco label in the '50s.  Just a plain chocolate cake.  


When I pulled the file card, with the recipe hand-written years ago,  it was so old that I could barely read it so I recopied it.  In looking at recipes, I saw my old delicious pie crust recipe that read... 1cs 1-1/2 f 1/2t s  1-1/2 f  2-3TCW.  As if it was coded but back then it was in my mind and I could give it to you anytime you might ask!  

and then I saw my bread recipe that read- water, oil, honey, salt, yeast  knead 10/ rest 15  jog rest 15 jog rest 15.  I made that bread once a week and never even used the recipe.  It was in my head.  I knew all the ingredients and how much was needed and how to handle the dough and oven temperature and baking time.  It was in my memory.  I would always remember it.  So I thought.

Eventually I stopped making bread when the children were all gone. Then in an effort to become self-sufficient, use wheat commodities stored and increase healthy eating, I decided to try it again.  We were both wanting some of my homemade bread. As RSP, at that time, I really wanted all of the women to know how to make a loaf of bread and a pot of beans.  I felt like they could survive if needs be.  This seemed the perfect time to do bread making again.


So Terry and I gifted ourselves a Santa gift that year and got a new mill and a new Bosch.  I was stunned to realize that I couldn't just make bread from memory anymore!  I could not remember measurements or any details.  What was once second nature to me was gone. It wasn't quick and easy as it once had been.  I actually needed a recipe!  I was thankful for my shorthand recipes!! My bread wasn't always looking like I wanted it to but I persevered and regained adequate skills.  I can now make a decent loaf of delicious wheat bread.


Today my cake fell!  I had baked it in a 9x13 pan so I cut it in half and frosted and turned the top layer and held it in place with toothpicks on corners and tried to even it out.  My friend Carol can bake a cake blindfolded, I bet!  She does them all the time.  She bakes and sells them.  She brings them to every Ward event and we all love her cakes!  She keeps those skills, that talent, that ability honed.  She never loses that ability because of her consistent effort. 


Just like the Gospel isn't it?  If I don't keep endeavoring to do the basics I slide backwards.  If I don't strive to practice living the standard acts, of expected obedience, then the Holy Ghost just leaves and I feel dreadful.  BUT no matter how messy or botched up I make of my daily life, there is always hope from the simple act of just trying things over and over, practicing and living until being religious in my faith becomes as natural, at least in basic aspects, as breathing. 

Guiding Lights

Terry and I made the decision to do road trips only at a certain time.  We don't like to travel the mountain passes after October and don't take to the roads again until April.  So we stay close to home for those months.  Our daughter knew that scheduling her surgery, the very last of September, would put me on the road home in October.  But we all felt confident that things would be fine as we were still a couple of weeks out from Halloween.

Mid-October we were watching the road reports and I was getting antsy.  The weather shifted, the temperatures dropped, the wind picked up and it felt wintry in the air.  I was waiting for the Surgeon to give her a clearance, as far as all is well, and I would head home.  I packed the day of her last appointment and headed out the next morning. 

A little rain steadily grew to a downpour.  Visibility on the pass felt non-existent.  Tail-lights vanished, road lines seemed washed away, standing rode water looked lake like and the spray from tires just felt like I was driving in a car wash.  The windshield wiper was going as fast as it could and was still inadequate.  I felt cotton mouthed.  I was tense and scared.  I couldn't get any perspective on where cars were.  


My prayer was one for guidance.  literally.  The idea came to me to lift my line of vision.  To not focus on the tail-lights that would suddenly faintly show up and make you realize you could have smashed them.  There was one big tractor trailer a ways ahead of me and by raising my sights I could see his line of red lights across the top of his rig.  I pulled a little closer to the truck.  I really couldn't see his taillights to well but I could see those upper lights rather clearly, even through the downpour, by shifting my gaze upwards.   

I felt to follow those upper lights.  To trust the driver that he could see things,from his vantage point, that I couldn't.  If he opted to change lanes, then I trusted there would be a reason, unknown to me but I would follow blindly and maybe see the purpose of his passing.  Maybe not but I'd still do what he did. He wove his way clear to the summit and then down in the same pattern.  I followed in complete faith never seeing the path ahead.  He'd go left and then back to the right and then reverse the pattern.  I never lost my focus.  I'd see cars when we passed them.  some were stopped and pulled over.  others were inching along.  I was so thankful- for the guidance and safety and how watched over and protected I felt, as I followed the leader.  I knew the Lord had provided me with the help I asked for.  I was tearfully thankful.  

The 1st verse of Lead, Kindly Light was in my thoughts and mind and on my lips.  Especially the last sentence.

Lead, kindly Light, 

amid th'encircling gloom;

Lead thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead thou me on!

Lead thou my feet;

I do not ask to see

The distant scene--one step enough for me.

When we got to the bottom of the pass and the sky had cleared to just a very light shower, I pulled beside the truck in passing and gave him a thumbs up and a wave.  He gave me a little honk.  I was teary with gratitude for his help.

My daily life is like that sometimes, when storms surround me, I have to shift my gaze to heaven and focus, with faith and trust on higher things, look to and follow that Kindly Light and not get caught up in the lows of mortality.

Hornet's Nest?

A bit of soap-boxing!  Me on a rant?  or just expressing my viewpoint?  Take it for what it's worth...a grain of salt?  2 cents?  a plug nickel?  hot air?  You decide.

When I joined the Church I had the mistaken idea that all members were perfect and I was truly amongst saints.  Then I saw a man smoking that I'd seen in Church on Sunday.  I cried for ages in confusion and sadness.  It was the beginning of me being introduced to this fact  ...the Church is a hospital for sinners and not a sanctuary for saints.  Also remember that quote on kindness by Elder Wirthlin a week or so back?

Our Ward was formed several years ago.  Actually it was August 1992.  so that makes it 19 years ago!!  right?  Longer than I thought!  Anyhow, it was fun being in on the beginning of that formation.  We've tried to be a friendly welcoming ward and have pretty much felt we have done okay- most of the time.

there are always some disgruntled folks, dissatisfied folks, faultfinders etc. etc.  there are always some that don't like the leadership or how things are going or feeling there are protocol violations.  These are vocal folks and I don't mean choir members!  Lovable irritants. The Gospel Net catches all kinds of fish (a blog for another day!)  That sort of unpleasant behavior is in every Ward.  Hopefully it's minimal!  It sort of ebbs and flows.  Comes and goes.  One calms down and another rises up. back and forth. zig and zag.


When we go to Church every Sunday and then once or twice during the week to take care of callings we have, we see each other a lot.  The commonality that we all have is a belief in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We may live different lives, differing occupations, different economic levels.  We may be at entirely different stages of life.  We may irritate or bother each other just by our personalities.   Our differences sometimes divide us and things get a bit heated occasionally.

The really biggie though is when families/friends are struggling with what I call tundra fires.  In Alaska, a tundra fire can flame, be put out and it's over.  Well, it seems over but actually what it does is just seethe below the surface and maybe a little wind or just spontaneous combustion sets it off!  sometimes there is warning smoke and sometimes it just springs forth with fire.  sometimes there are multiple fires going all at once.  Tundra can't really be trusted to ever have fully died down.

When families are working their way through personal problems, that we try to overlook, not pay attention to, and ignore the happenings...sometimes those things just become so evident that visible stress abounds even if we don't know details.  

Why am I talking about this???!!!  because tonight I got asked about my feelings on how things like this should be handled or what I would say or something like that and I really was vocal!  Stating that it's none of my business.  I don't want to hear about it because if 2 factions are trying to figure things out and I listen to one and sympathize etc. then I've, in essence, chosen sides.  If I choose sides then I'm contributing to causing a division in my Ward.  Also I'm placing myself in a seat of judgement, which the Bishop owns right now!!  I have no idea what is really going on.  My creed is- even the thinnest of pancakes has two sides. 

I don't know what the bottom line is in the entire scenario.  I know people end up wounded on both sides.  Both sides are filled with wonderful people.  Both sides have active Ward members that I love and sustain.  All have testimonies. All go to the Temple. I consider them all friends.  Solution?  Advice?  I have none!  my opinion?  I best just tend my own nest that at times has little messies in it! 

Hooray, for all concerned of these folks in the middle of confusion, strife, estrangement...they are still coming to Church!!  still carrying out their responsibilities!  trying to work things through!  visiting the Temple!  Yes, it's unfortunate that some things are visible but if I turn a blind eye and keep my yap firmly closed then I can give them some space. What goes around comes around.  I want to be treated like that when my time of challenges is exposed and somewhat out for all to see. 

Usually we have problems solved confidentially.  minimal people involved. I love that because the person can work through things, solve it or whatever, and just move ahead.  Confidentiality allows all of us to not have our personal things in others memory banks.  I want to give these folks the dignity of working through their personal turmoil in privacy even though some of it is public.  If I give it no heed then I don't re-ignite a tundra fire by blowing hot air on it.

In situations like this, with two varied conflicting viewpoints, let's choose neither and instead go with the choice of being a follower of Jesus Christ.  Love all and pray for all concerned!


 
 

From the Ground Up!

Several years ago, probably 12,  outside of Boise was Eagle, a small farm type town.  Builders and contractors with vision saw the possibilities of creating a town from the ground up.  The Eagle City Council formed a strict set of rules.  Criteria that must be met for any builder that wanted to build a subdivision.  These were large homes.  some huge homes.  Several mansions.  The first requirement was the roadside landscaping had to be done uniformly.  There were cement walking paths adjacent to the road bordered by grass.  A large berm built up with fences on property line.  The trees and shrubs were all mapped out and there was to be no deviation.  Every detail of how things were to be must be adhered to. It grew like a movie set.  starting with pasture land and resulting in high-end homes.  It's really breathtaking in it's manicured uniformity.

Well, almost uniform in beauty!  Recently I was visiting my sister in Eagle and as we drove down Floating Feather towards her gorgeous subdivision, I noticed near the canal bank that meanders partially hidden, that there was a large lot for sale in the berm area.  It had a huge For Sale sign facing the roadway.  Being as how it's fall, the overgrown grass was brown and messy.  I commented that it was strange, for that one piece of property to have not sold, when all the others did.  

She explained.  When the builders/contractors flocked in to be in on that ground floor of building this gorgeous town they brought their money bags, negotiated with land owners, paid a fair price that was pretty consistent with all of the buyers.  The majority of people sold when approached, perhaps thinking of increased taxes or just the chance to better their life or who knows what they were feeling or thinking?  The man that owns the raggedy forlorn large size lot refused to sell at the offered price.  He valued his land more than others.  He wanted a substantially larger price.  The offerers said what they put on the table was fair and what they'd done for others.  He refused to budge.  They wouldn't bend either.  He said the day would come they would beg him for the land and pay his price.


Uh-oh.  not so!  The sidewalk, as planned and required,  was built on the city land with the grass on the roadside so nothing was interrupted in that way.  True there is that ugly blight, compared to the rest of the land, on that long expanse but he's now begging for people to buy it, the economy tanked, no one is buying anyhow and he's stuck!  He pretty much let his greed eat him up!  and now he's eating crow!  No one wants to have any dealing with him on that property! 


Greed.  if you can't be thankful for what you have, then you might find out, holding out for more- just might turn out to be a whole lot less.

"They Called Who??!!" or is it "Whom"?

I was showing a neighbor our beautiful Ward Church and we were standing outside the Stake Presidents office.  I explained about Wards and Stakes and she asked if there was an apartment behind the door.  Did he live there?  I explained about our Lay Ministry which in my mind is so phenomenal. When I was a girl I remember a couple of men coming and preaching to our small Baptist congregation.  Rather than being guest Preachers as I thought they were, it was more of an audition.  One of them was hired.

Our "preachers", our "overseers", our "pastors", our "bishops", our "etc." do not receive a plug nickel!  They don't audition, campaign, send resumes, solicit votes, take classes at seminary schools, lobby or anything akin to it.  They are all regular men, with regular jobs, regular families, with struggles and challenges that come with experiencing mortality.  They are not superheroes, polished public speakers. They are not self-help guru's, magicians or sorcerers.  They all have one thing in common....they are LDS men.  they have the Priesthood.  they have a Temple Recommend.  they have a testimony.  they have a willingness to serve.  To me each has something that the Lord wants them to do in the brief time of their calling.

Things don't always go as we think it will in line of those callings.  Sometimes things seem in place, for obvious events to happen, that certain men will for sure be called.  I can think of 3 instances off the top of my head.


1-Shortly before our present Bishop was called and sustained, a man was called to fill in for one of the Counselors.  Just a few weeks later a new Bishop was to be called and we all just knew it would be that new counselor.  We just knew he'd been placed there for that brief time and prepared and yesiree, he'd be the one.  Absolutely!! For sure!  NO.

2- Years ago in our Alaskan Branch, a Branch President was called and served 1 year, and then he became our District President for 3 years.  He felt we were missing out on so many blessings because we were not a Ward in a Stake.  He wanted for us to experience Section 115:5-6.  He found out what we'd have to do to qualify to become a Stake so we could have Bishops, Patriarchs, and the full protection of a Stake.  He sort of became our Pied Piper of goodness and growth.  We rallied and increased and enlarged upon all he asked.  3 years of work the man did and finally!...an authority was coming and we were going to become a Stake and we knew, as they say--without a shadow of doubt, that he would be our very first Stake President!  He deserved it.  He earned it.  We all wanted that for him.  The big day.  Was his name read for all of us to inwardly applaud? No!  The "called" man was the CES supervisor.  Not even a "real" Alaskan!!  (he was outstanding, of course, and went on to become the first Temple President in the Anchorage Temple)

3)  When we moved here from Alaska it was interesting to see little small towns abutted.  Each with their own local governments, school boards, Churches etc.  We were use to miles between town.  Miles and miles.  Here we met in a Church in a connecting town.  Then the Ward grew and they divided it and created 2 Wards.  

Our first Bishop, in our new Ward, was a personal friend from our small Alaskan town.  Not even a "real" Washingtonian! (actually he had been born and raised in Washington!)  He felt strongly that we needed our own building, in our own town, and started planting that seed in our minds.  There were others that had long felt that way.  

Eventually the 1st Bishop I served with was called.  He worked for years with tedious details, endless meetings, blueprints, permits, approvals, inspections, looking and showing land.  He was a builder and understood all the stacks of necessary paperwork.  Finally it was all approved!!!  a blueprint!  we got to choose interior colors and wood and exterior colors and carpet colors and art work.  We did it all.  We had a date!!!  Excited!! We were so appreciative of all our Bishop had done and he'd get a building on his watch! And then?....others needed a building more and ours was not on the list anymore.  No building! Gloom.  Shock.  Sadness.  And then he was released on a November day and a new Bishop was called.

Within a month or so a big unexpected announcement came...yes, we were going to get a building!  Our current Bishop felt sort of bad, that all of the essential preliminary work was done by his predecessor, and yet he'd be the Bishop to dedicate and care for the new building. Our Bishop had things that were his to do, just like our other Bishop had his things to do.  Both were needed to accomplish a monumental task.

We never serve long enough to claim ownership of the Church calling extended to us.  It's the Lord's Church and through inspiration of rank leaders, those to accomplish certain tasks, will be called with time to do their duty.  I believe we each have specific things to do.  The specificity may not be apparent to us at the beginning but as we pray and ask we will be told what we need to do to build the Kingdom.  It's a great plan!!  It keeps the Church alive and growing and we each get to be a part of it!!


I'm having vent week here!!  more tomorrow!!!

Callings...inspiration or desperation?

According to the Handbook, two sentences from

Section 19. Callings in the Church...

Leaders seek the guidance of the Spirit in determining whom to call.

Leaders keep information about proposed callings and releases confidential. 

This is tricky business with several people involved on these callings and releases.  I do feel it's important that both of these 2 sentences be observed.

The Church provides a basic Ward structure outlined in the Handbook.  Peopled with Ward members this allows the local membership full access to the programs of the Church.  There are no unimportant callings.  All are needed to provide us the widest fullest deepest religious experience we can have.  Our cumulative Ward service blesses all of our lives to feel the Spirit, to grow in the Gospel, to feel the fellowship & connection of the local members.  So it's important that people be called, that people accept callings and most important of all that people DO their Church callings (that is a blog for another time.  those that are no-shows!).

It's very important to me to have that confirmation of Spirit that I'm suppose to serve in the particular calling extended.  I never got that for being involved as a Cub master years ago.  There are no sparklies for my hoped for crown on that one!  On other callings I knew at once.  On some I'd had preparation by the Spirit that it was coming.  On some it came after accepting the call to serve.  Like the RSP calling that I was just released from.  After all the 2-day squalling, bawling, whining, lamenting and finally saying...yes...then came the blessing of personal revelation.

Personal revelation for a particular calling is just the best feeling in the world.  One reason is because of the great Spiritual experience.  The really biggie to me is this.... When I receive personal revelation as to a path to follow, things to be accomplished, how to do things (and maybe some whys) then no matter what happens, no matter what people say, no matter if they don't care for me (another blog this week!), no matter if they don't like the direction things are going...it doesn't matter!  

I remember 2 moments of high drama with Chelle and Cheryl, overwhelmingly difficult, wondering how we could possibly handle an impossible situation, me boohooing and dumping raw emotions all over the table. It was tough but that conviction that we were doing what we were to do, in the way we were doing it and we would be blessed for doing our mapped out errand list, that we'd jointly agreed to accomplish, just gave me/us courage to move forth. 

Once those pesty brush fires are put out and you dust yourself off, then I think there is nothing greater in life, than to have a Church calling.  Your own little corner in the Kingdom's garden to tend and care for and help it grow.  I love that!  I loved the involvement with so many wonderful women.  Their acceptance of me as I am and encouraging me to be myself!  Talking and laughing and sharing pain and joy and struggles and overcomings.  Wonderful!  And those friendships will ever be a part of my heart.

In my new Stake calling, I know I'm to do this.  I have no idea at this point what I'm to do.  A couple of nebulous ideas but nothing concrete.  Excuse me....perhaps if someone could set me apart!?...yes.  that would help!!  I need to call and set that in motion because my phone is not dingalinging!  I slipped through a crack? 

Are all callings inspiration?  truly I think not.  don't boo me.  just my feeling.  I do believe that the poor soul thus called will be in shell shock but somehow or other the Lord will bless them and the Ward won't suffer.  The person may!  But the Ward will just keep moving on.  Why do I feel that way?  Because I know that there are times that desperate measures bring out desperate decisions.  It doesn't happen very often, rarely, and the person is usually short-lived in the calling. Those issuing the calls are doing the best they can.  Maybe they are worn out?  who knows?  doesn't have any impact on my faith or testimony or confidence in the local powers that be.


I've been extremely blessed in my Church callings.  I've had a varied lot and enjoyed the challenge but the most rewarding thing about serving is always personal revelation. It keeps popping up when needed and especially when asked for.  That communication from the Holy Ghost is amazing, isn't it?


My being released as RSP was known by a lot of people and that's not pleasant to think about, in light of that 2nd sentence, quoted at the top of page.  keeping callings and releases private until sustained or released adds a bit of excitement to the change.  Then we can all guess!  It's little nothings like that, sharing things out of turn, that actually end up offending some people.  (offended people.  another blog for sure!)  My creed has a line....refuse to be offended.  You have to shake all these little minor infractions off.  I like the protocol as outlined in the Handbook. Hush-Hush!!


The Church is just so remarkably structured for Ward/Stake success.  For each of us to have the chance to serve is wonderful.  I enjoyed my time to serve as a Ward worker and I will enjoy this new adventure as a Stake worker!   It feels right and good and timely to let go of one and move on to another.  I'm happy!

Callings and Releases

Two words that are a part of the lifeblood of our Church with it's lay ministry are Callings and Releases.  New words to learn when you join the Church.  Sunday I got released as our Ward Relief Society President.  When I was called 5+ years ago I knew that I would serve for an undetermined amount of time and I needed to make hay while sun was shining as it wasn't going to last forever (and that's good to know!).  Those Priesthood men in Ward leadership, pray and receive inspiration as to who to call.  Releases are to come by that same inspiration.  A release does not mean you haven't done a good job and maybe you are still doing a good job, but eventually for all Ward members, the clock does strike 12 and you are left with one glass slipper filled with fantastic memories. 

My original call was not from the current Bishop.  I absolutely did not want to be the RSP.  I tried to persuade him, suggest other names of more qualified people, told him why it wouldn't work out, told him to rethink, repray, reevaluate and get back to me.  It was pathetic with me crying and ranting and whining.  Yes, I have a strong testimony and yes, I understand callings but I simply did not want to be the leader of the pack.  I wanted to follow the leader not be the leader.  I had never once been in a RS Presidency.  I'd payed no attention to what was going on except for bemoaning inwardly lengthy announcements when all I wanted was to hear a Gospel message.  I had no past experience to draw on.  2 days later I accepted the call.  I'm so thankful I did. 

When I joined the Church (umpteen million years ago) I remember the Bishop wanting to extend a call for me to teach in Primary.  I said to him- Oh, I don't have a teacher's certificate....  He explained how it worked in the Church and I fell in love with teaching the Gospel, feeling the Spirit, receiving inspiration, growing in knowledge, feeling the joy and excitement of serving.  Teaching a Gospel class is my absolute most favorite thing to to in the Church!  I learned through experience that the Lord does bless us with these callings.  No matter what they are.  Even RSP.

After accepting that calling, going to Temple, praying and doing every thing on earth to feel the Spirit and longing for divine direction, it did come.  I knew precisely through personal revelation what was to be done during my time of service.  I wrote it all down.  My marvelous counselors- Chelle and Cheryl- patiently listened to my excited lengthy chatter as I went systematically down the list of what we were to accomplish.  Then we rolled up our sleeves and went to work.

We had ups and downs, successes and challenges, love from others and sometimes not so much on the warm fuzzy meter!  A new Bishop was sustained.  We stayed intact. Through it all we laughed, loved, enjoyed each other and did our original plan.  Then Cheryl went to Primary.  Chelle went to Library.  and Christina and Melissa entered.  and Jackie.  We forged ahead.  I was still in the same spot.

Sometimes I'd feel that I'd overstayed my welcome.  Sometimes I'd feel like I wish I could have been released right at the very top of the excitement.  Sometimes I felt maybe people were tired of me.  Sometimes I'd doubt myself.  I'd tell the Bishop....I did my list!  I have no new ideas!  I'd tell him I'd not be hurt to be released.  He would pray and I would stay.  Loving and enjoying what I was doing and hoping that people weren't ready to do some sort of a removal from office petition, the journey continued.  

This calling has been so exciting and fun and it's thrilling to see things transpire that drew us all together.  It was wonderful.  Bishop was feeling that I'd been in to long.  I was of the opinion that we all serve somewhere so why not here if an answer wasn't forthcoming?  He kept praying.

I was in ID taking care of our daughter after surgery and I talked to Bishop about some other things and he asked when I was coming home.  My husband had told me earlier...I think Bishop is ready to release you... so I knew it was coming.  A few days later I headed home, and as I'd told the Bishop I'd call him when I was on my way, I called him outside of Sunnyside and told him I'd be home that evening but I was to tired to meet with him.  So the next evening Terry and I went over to meet with him.  I was released.

A release time is to come through inspiration just like the calling time.  Bishop simply said....wellllll- I'm releasing you as our Relief Society President and want to thank you for your service.  The Stake is going to extend a call to you but I'm not going to tell you what that is.....  then we chatted for a bit about our marvelous years of serving together.

It had been a very special time.  We'd shared lots of behind the scenes happenings that are privately handled with confidentiality, lots of humor, heartache over those suffering, who was mad at one of us (usually him!) and concern over the Ward as a whole.  It's a hard thing to be a Bishop.  (that's another blog log! I think I'll call it Playing nice in the Sandbox.  I'll do that entry this week!) 

  True I was not going to be RSP but that didn't mean I wasn't still a Ward sister, or they couldn't contact me or vice versa.  I'd drawn close to a lot of women over the years and that would continue.

My husband had  told me at various times to keep up the pace and not end up being released and feeling regret or guilt.  To not stop what I knew needed to be done.  That was good counsel!  I have over 5 years of fantastic memories to stack up along side some of my other Church callings that live only in my mind.  I can hit replay and relive all of those terrific times.  I have so many with this particular one.  I wouldn't wish being RSP on any woman but I would wish for every woman to experience being RSP as it's a privilege and a blessing and not many get to do it.  I was fortunate enough to experience that once in my life!

The new RSP?  small world.  Cheryl.  yes.  the sister that served with me when this whole adventure began!!  Today she sent out her first RS email Announcement and I got teary over seeing something so familiar come to my inbox.  It felt right and I was so happy and amazed that things are continuing as when we began.  Changes will come but for now that felt comforting. 

Being Fully Worthy

"One area of confusion not rare among us is the notion that worthiness is synonymous with perfection.  One can be fully worthy in a gospel sense and yet still be growing while dealing with personal imperfections...Perfectionism is corrosive and destructive and is the antithesis of the healthy quest of eventual perfection that the Savior prescribes....The uneasiness of which I speak is largely rooted in misunderstanding some have about timing and also about definition....With definitions...some mistakenly consider worthiness to be the same as perfection.  This is not true....Please remember that worthiness is vital but is not the same as perfection...not everything, especially perfection, can be achieved quickly or at once."  
                                --by President Cecil O. Samuelson

The Virtue of Kindness

The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.

Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another.

Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you.

We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

One way you can measure your value in the kingdom of God is to ask, “How well am I doing in helping others reach their potential? Do I support others in the Church, or do I criticize them?”

                              --by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (2005)

Pain in Education

Pain in Education

 “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”

                                                                                   --by Elder Orson F. Whitney

Spiritual Pain

Spiritual Pain

“Pain brings you to a humility that allows you to ponder. It is an experience I am grateful to have endured. …

“I learned that the physical pain and the healing of the body after major surgery are remarkably similar to the spiritual pain and the healing of the soul in the process of repentance.”

                                                                           --by Elder Robert D. Hales

Suffering...not necessarily our fault....

Suffering...not necessarily our fault....

Much of our suffering is not necessarily our fault. Unexpected events, contradicting or disappointing circumstances, interrupting illness, and even death surround us and penetrate our mortal experience. Additionally, we may suffer afflictions because of the actions of others. Lehi noted that Jacob had “suffered … much sorrow, because of the rudeness of [his] brethren.”  Opposition is part of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. We all encounter enough to bring us to an awareness of our Father’s love and of our need for the Savior’s help.

--by Elder Kent F. Richards

(from his April 2011 Conference talk)

Blessings Will Come

“It is not without a recognition of life’s tempests but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God’s love and the Savior’s power to calm the storm,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declares. “They sustain us in our hour of need—and always will, even if we cannot recognize that intervention. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.”

President Monson says, “I bear to you my witness that [Heavenly Father] is there. He does hear and answer every prayer. His Son, the Christ, burst the bands of our earthly prisons. Heaven’s blessings await you.”

To Refine Us, Not Destroy Us

To Refine Us, Not Destroy Us

“In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us,” Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says. “There is nothing that we are enduring that Jesus does not understand, and He waits for us to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer. I testify that if we will be obedient and if we are diligent, our prayers will be answered, our problems will diminish, our fears will dissipate, light will come upon us, the darkness of despair will be dispersed, and we will be close to the Lord and feel of His love and of the comfort of the Holy Ghost.”