Restoration

Sunday.  Fast Sunday.  His first Sunday home after rehab stay.  We both really wanted to go to Church and share our gratitude for so many blessings.  He was to weak to go and neither of us are impressed with ourselves, if we try and pull stunts of attendance to impress others, with our seemingly faithfulness of never missing Church.  So we opted to stay home and go when his strength allows.  He is stronger every single day!  Can't even believe it and I see it happening right before my eyes!!  Amazing!

We might have tended to monopolize the meeting as our blessings have been so great!

Blessings.  Oh, the beauty of blessings!  I know that I've blogged before about Priesthood blessings and how I am a firm believer in them.  I didn't label these posts good enough to find the one I did earlier but suffice it to say,  as a former Baptist believing that the heavens are closed and ministers are God's representatives and Priesthood is not a word that was in my vocabulary and I had no idea about James or how that worked that I now rejoice in what I know to be true.

Terry and I have grown in our faith and understanding of receiving these blessings and he, has grown in faith and understanding in giving these blessings.  He has given many blessings over the years to his family.  I have been the blessed recipient of many, many blessings.

He had learned about blessing the sick and then, I know I've shared this before.... I went to a wedding in the Oakland Temple, the officiator asked if the men in the room had given their wives blessings and they all raised their hands.  Then he said, he didn't mean when they were sick, but just for everyday living, for comfort and encouragement, when they are having a tough time with daily life.  Not one man could raise his hand.  He then challenged them to use their Priesthood for blessing the lives of their wives.  Often.  And that is what Terry has done.

I've learned the sweetness of comfort and direction and answers and peace that has come to me through that inspiration.

If you lined up all the men in the world that hold the Priesthood and asked who would I want to give me a blessing...it would be my Terry.  My next choice would be my son, Greg.  And 3rd would be my grandson, Lance.  Why?  because they use their portion of the Priesthood and they know how to let the words flow.  They know, as Terry has taught them...Be bold.  Don't hold the Spirit back.

I've been told, and I believe, when a blessing is given that it's as if Heavenly hands are on the Priesthood holder's head and that power travels through those clean hands into the recipient and the words come forth from that pure heart.  It's  not a prayer.  It's not asking.  It's a declaration.  It's stating what the Lord want us to know...to do....to have...to expect.  We are comforted, buoyed and inspired by those words.

When push comes to shove and I feel in dire straights, I want someone that understands that Priesthood power and his ability to deliver a message via that blessing-- be it courage,comfort or healing.  If we have a HT that loves and cares for us and I have confidence in, then I'm fine with them helping to assist Terry if I need a blessing of administration.  True they have the power and the Lord will use them all the time but in really serious situations, my faith is made stronger with a man that feels as we do, about the use of that power.

Unable to reach our HT, and at Terry's request, I called our friend Bob at 6:30am, asking him to come to the hospital.  We are on the same page as far as Priesthood blessings go.  He did what we knew he'd do...try to call the HP leader or find someone else to assist him, don his white shirt and tie, grab his oil and arrive in short order.

Two honorable men arrived.  Both named Bob.  Terry and I both listened very closely to what was said blessing wise and one word jumped out at both of us.  Restoration.  I thought at the time that I'd never heard that word in a blessing of healing before and was fascinated at the prospect of restoration. Terry is on an emergency room bed, right in front of me, unable to move his left arm at all and his left leg feels weak as happens in the aftermath of a stroke.  Restoration?  Really?  How can that happen?  How can that be?

In the midst of all the rush, hubbub, tests and increasing pain, I said...Did you hear what Bob said?  Terry said... Restoration.  That was the word we held onto for the next 11 days.  That was the word on our minds when he moved his thumb a teeny bit. 

On the day he was released, before he came home, he insisted we go to Bob's so he could thank his friend for the blessing and to tell him we held onto that word Restoration.  We both witnessed that Restoration happening, rather the results of it, and even right now he feels changes that occur, during the nighttime, each morning when he gets up stronger than when he went to bed. We continue daily to think about that word and it's meaning.  If his progress stopped right now, and he had partial restoration, we'd still be astonished at the miracle we have witnessed.

We have therapy work to do and a ways to go but we will do our part to claim that blessing.  I found it interesting that Bob did not remember what he'd said.  I've seen that with Terry and Greg also...them not remembering what they've said.

My prayer is that all of us will enjoy this miraculous Priesthood power in our homes for our daily lives.  If there is not a man in your home or no Priesthood power there, no one is left out, use your HT or Bishop if you don't have your Dad or your brother nearby.  The same man that told the men to use the power in their homes also told the women to ask for blessings.  I know there have been some conference talks about blessings of comfort.


I love the Gospel.  I love the  Priesthood power...It has blessed my life in so many ways at so many times.  Makes me teary to think of it.

Awesome

Is any sick among you?  let him
call for the elders of the church; and
let them pray over him, anointing
him with oil in the name of the Lord:

And the prayer of faith shall
save the sick, and the Lord shall
raise him up; and if he have committed
sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Confess your faults one to another,
and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed.  The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous
man availeth much.  (James 5:14-16)

(Remember to take time to pray and repent!)
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Section 20 of Handbook
20.1  General Instructions on Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings.
...............Those who give priesthood blessings speak words of blessing (I {or we} bless you that...")
rather than saying a prayer ("Heavenly Father, please bless this person that...") 

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Also....let's say you are sick and you need to be administered to with oil.  Things move along and then you are not feeling so chipper and wish you could have another blessing.  If what you are feeling is related to what you originally had the blessing for then you don't need to be administered to again but you can just be blessed and that will be an extension of that original administration.  Does that make sense?  Terry was administered to by Bob and Bob.  He had an evening when he felt really crummy and our HT dropped by and Terry asked him if he would give him a blessing.  So he did.  I think it's sort of like a warranty with no end date!

See Administering to the Sick   20.6
then check 20.6.1   4th paragraph....

If a person requests more than one blessing for the same illness, the priesthood holder need not anoint with oil after the first blessing.  Instead, he gives a blessing by the laying on of hands and the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

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

Also in 20.6.2 and 20.6.3  I really appreciate the counsel to "places his hands lightly on the person's head...."   and  "place their hands lightly on the head of the person" 

What a blessing!

Hi everyone!  I missed you!  I'm thinking that the summer fun has ended and moved into my memory bank of great times and my life will now settle down somewhat and be in more of a routine.  One thing different about this summer was doing lots of things in short time spans.  Just cramming it full of things, even if it was just sitting and talking, and enjoying being in the company of each other.

The brief time with Greg and Lance was so wonderful.  They had a great Father/Son time on a very looonnnnnggg road trip when you count round trip being 50 hours!!  That was so great that Lance wanted to come spend time with us.

Before their trip he'd taken out his endowments in the new Kansas Temple, had also gone to Winter Quarters Temple and wanted to go to SL (it was closed for cleaning).  When he gets home they will go to Nauvoo Temple also.  How special that he wanted to go to CR Temple.  They were so kind to him in Temple and even invited us in to assist in Sealings.  I was glad he got to be involved in that ordinance.

My heart was so tender on the day we went as it seemed  unbelievable that we would have 3 generations in the Temple and I would witness that event!!  It was my good fortune to sit in a spot that I could see all 3 of them clearly with no one else around them.  I was lost in thought of how wonderful this was and how long we'd prayed for this day and the joy and gratitude I felt surfaced in tears coursing down my cheeks.

Priesthood power is so real.  It's been a part of our lives and our home.  Whenever we get together with Greg we have a tradition that he gives each of us a blessing and then his Dad gives him one.  One evening we were sitting and talking and the subject of blessings suddenly surfaced when Terry told Greg that he wanted to assist him in giving Lance a blessing.  Then we all ended up with blessings.

This is what impressed me beforehand.  Terry and Greg were both casually dressed.  Greg said....We better get dressed for giving a blessing.  Each changed into white shirt, tie, slacks.  Greg even put on his Church shoes.  I was happy they took the time to change into something more appropriate than the sweats and shorts they had on.  They showed such respect for that Heavenly power by doing so.  I felt that power right in our living room. 

Personal blessings are so amazing.  One thing of interest in Terry's.--  He has struggled with being unable to do some of the things he used to do and feels bad, sort of guilty for not helping when help is needed.  In the blessing he was told to not hold back, to attend and support things because moral support was also service.  I really thought that was great counsel and very inspired.

This picture is one that was taken on the evening of the blessings.  I like it because neither combed their hair.  it just seems so real to me.  2 men that love the Lord and respect and acknowledge the Priesthood they are bearers of and they use that power to help family members, right in our home.

My life is blessed many times by Priesthood blessings.  I'm sure yours is also.

Giving Comfort

Do they still do Lamaze classes?  Is that still a viable alternative to an epidural?  There was a time period in Homer that I was a Lamaze coach for 3 times or wait, was it 4?  I think it was four.  I went to the classes with the Mother-to-be and learned all the assorted breathing styles. The hee-hee and whoo-whoo, in addition to the dog-like pant-pant,   We selected music she'd like to listen to.  Selected a picture to bring along with us, for her focal point.  Packed all the stuff, practiced all the breathing- with the single purpose in mind- to ease her pain as she brought this brand spanking new little baby into the world.  

My main purpose was to offer hope, calmness, guidance and most of all to give her as much comfort as possible.  To ease the way for her in any way I could.  Friends and family would drop by or call to see how things were progressing.  Eventually, with a lot of effort on her part and pain in spite of my best attempts, she would release that baby and we'd all celebrate!  A joyous time of celebration!


Leaving this life is just as much a struggle as the entry.  Many of the same events as that birthing process transpires.  Trained people knowing what they are doing and what needs to be done.  All trying to ease the pain and provide comfort and sustenance to the best of their ability.  Friends and family dropping by to see how things are going.  The focus in this scene is the Savior, the teachings of the Gospel that offer hope, and our testimonies.  Love is in abundance.


There is such a desire to help in the midst of helplessness.  Sunday, his only son-in-law gave a blessing to Lee.  Monday, his oldest son gave him a blessing along with the Stake Patriarch, who is a long time friend.  

Tuesday, was so tender to me.  3 friends, at separate times came to see him, and individually, each gave him the greatest gift they could.  Using the Priesthood they have- each gave their friend, their brother in the Gospel, a blessing of comfort. 


I thought of the people in the Book of Mormon, at the waters of Mormon, when Alma said-

...as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, 

and to be called his people, 

and are willing to bear one another's burdens, 

that they may be light;

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; 

yea and comfort those that stand in need of comfort...  

                                                                          Mosiah 18:8-11

Our Hiccup!

Not a fun few days.  For sure!!  Unexpected.  Unwelcome.  Unwanted. Unprepared.  Had a wonderful simple Father's Day dinner with one of our sons that lives nearby.  Baked Chicken.  Salad.  Small slice of dessert.  Great conversation.  Evening ended.  Sent him home with some cashews.  Terry and I ate some cashews.  Around 9:30 Terry got a stomach ache with real sharp pains.  Then my stomach started aching.  Called and alerted our son.  (he ended up fine with nothing happening to him. Ate no cashews)  From there it was mostly misery.  Painful.  Nasty.  Yucky. Seemingly endless.

My mind was mushy and I couldn't think.  We'd told our son that we would sleep it off and to not call.  (bad mistake)  We had several things going for Mon-Wed so Terry called, the first 3...Nikki, Myra Faye and Jerry.  The other 3 didn't get called.  He told Myra Faye we'd be fine we just needed to sleep.

Monday night, at some point, not sure of time, but it was dark and we'd had a really rough day.  We finally realized--Hey!  We are really sick and need a blessing.  Terry turned on a lamp and saw the phone by the chair where he was.  We couldn't remember our Home Teachers phone number.  So I called Myra Faye.  Bob said he'd get someone and come right over to bless us.  I don't know if it was 10 or 11 or what.

Bob and Hal came in and we were each seated in our chairs, side by side, looking gross.  We both looked scary. Terry wrapped in a blanket, hair askew and me in a robe, pale faced and my newly cut hair was sticking straight up!   A  4" crew cut! I'd run my fingers through it tossing and turning. Not one strand of hair was on my face! I startled myself when I glanced in the mirror. Truly I could have cared less at the moment. No pity for these kind men coming to give us blessings.

They started asking Terry's full name and I interrupted and said....Could I go first?  I feel like I'm going to faint.  Quickly they moved to my chair.   Blessing was over and I excused myself and got up.  They offered assistance.  I declined.  Made a beeline to the bedroom and had a bout of retching that was so loud, that even in the midst of the action, I thought....oh, good grief they are hearing me heave my guts up!!

As I heard them leave, Bob said....Call if you need us again.  Any time.  It made me tear up knowing he really meant that.  So did Hal. 

When they came into our chaos they arrived as men of peace and dignity.  We had not one shred of that between the two of us.  They were dressed old school, in white shirts/ties,  as men respecting the Priesthood that they hold.  (Do young men dress like that also when called to give blessings extremely late at night?  It's so beautiful to see.  so powerful.  so pure) They understood they had the power to heal us.  If we had the faith.  If it was God's will we be healed, it would happen.  They knew they had the Priesthood authority of God to heal us, ease our pain, to make us well.  If not we would be blessed with endurance beyond ourselves to withstand what must be endured.

Later all alone in our darkened room, away from Terry on the living room couch, I thought about the love I have of the Gospel and how complete it is.  How all of our needs can be met even our ills.  I thought of how Christ taught His Disciples that they needed to learn to bless and heal people and He set the example for them.  They ...anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.  With the restoration of the Gospel, this marvelous healing power is again amongst us and as counseled in James..Is any sick among you?  let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick....

Over the years, I have seen miracles through this Priesthood power and it is such a gift for all of us to enjoy.  As our pains and angst and miseries just  slowly faded away into the air, I said a prayer of thanksgiving.  There are many of our friends, and even family members, that put up with lasting things, so much more than our few days ordeal.  This was a hiccup compared to their ongoing permanent battles.  Isn't it marvelous that the Lord cares about everything and each of us?

Tonight as I sat, dressed and clean and just enjoying the evening air, while visiting on the porch, my heart was so full of gratitude that I just had to tell you that.  Now you know my heart!


James 5:14-16
Mark 6:13