Joy Journeys-November 14, 2015

It's been such a crazy week, where shall I begin.  We spent a lot of time looking for apartments of singles.  Our problem today was we had apartment addresses but no apartment numbers.  We'll just keep trying.

We followed up on some active members.  Bro. Pratt is deployed and she is here with three daughters.  They are older and they seem to be doing pretty well.  Bro. Fox is now home for the Middle East.  We have not met him yet but we have contacted Bethany and all is well.  The Millers are an active family living on base.  They have 3 year old twins, turning 4 in December.  Alexis and Austin are so cute.  Alexis is very friendly and talks all the time.  Austin is quiet and doesn't say much.  The reason I mention them is because they had their Christmas tree and inside decorations all out up.  Around the tree are two trains which chug along a track.  The interesting thing is that everything about the train, track, people, buildings, etc. are all out of Lego's.  I want to go back next week and take a picture.  It is really fascinating to watch.  I know Crew would love seeing what they have done.

On Friday we met the Vacaville Zone Leaders to visit the Hansen's.  We have met with them several times and the elders have been meeting with them for a long time.  The goal was to prepare them for temple marriage.  They are a delightful couple about in their late 70's and have been married 36 years.  They have had a lot of challenges but we thought they were doing well.  When we arrived at their home we found out that Bro. Hansen's son was in the hospital where he had two stints put in.  Sis. Hansen's father is 93 years old and in the hospital in Brazil.  When we found out that so much was going on, we offered to come back another time.  Bro. Hansen began visiting with us. Sis. Hansen joined us to say hello but then excused herself to try to reach her family in Brazil.  We were fine with that and then the meeting took a totally different turn.  Sis. Hansen came back, sat down and proceeded to tell us that Bro. Hansen doesn't believe in Joseph Smith and doesn't have a testimony.  He has a hard time reading and so he has not read the Book of Mormon.  The elders engaged them in some gospel questions but the conversation continued to take different turns.  Next Sis. Hansen told us how Bro. Hansen has hit her before.  Of course, Bro. Hansen had his side of the story.  He has been in jail twice for domestic violence.  They began telling us about events going back to when they first met,  how they treat each other's children (second marriage), the language he uses when he gets mad, etc.  Elder Nordfelt and I looked at each other and knew we needed to end this visit.  These missionaries were in way over their heads.  Elder Nordfelt asked Sis. Hansen if she loved Bro. Hansen and she said yes.  He then asked Bro. Hansen if he loved Sis. Hansen and it was a little bit more labored yes.  The next question was 'do you want help to put this back together?' Sis. Hansen said yes and Bro. Hansen said he didn't think he had a problem.  There was so much blame and hurt going on.  Elder Achal told them that a way he puts his temper in check is to think about blessings in his life.  When he starts thinking about his blessings, his temper calms down.  I really don't thing Elder Achal has aa temper problems but I think he made a very good point.  The elders will follow up by calling the bishop and giving it to him.  He is the person that needs to take over and see where this will be going.  As we left , Sister Hansen kept saying, 'pray for me.'  They are certainly in our prayers as we left to go to our next visit.

We then visited Sis. Henderson and her son Edward.  Bro. Henderson is in the Middle East and won't be back till the end of December. Sis. Henderson and Edward will be leaving on Monday to go to Utah and get some things ready for her daughter's wedding.  She has four sisters that she will be with and I really do think it will be a blessing for her.  She has some very strong feelings about U-Tube, Amazon and different websites and how they are so bad.  She worries about her husband and pornography.  She does everything she can to protect her son.  I don't blame her, it is a very challenging world around us.  We offered to help with the wedding reception.  I hope she lets us help and be there for her.  Her depression and her tears seem to be a little more under control.

Journey Joy-November 5, 2015

The middle of October we visited with the Henderson Family.  They have a 12 year old son, Edward, and a daughter living in Utah, getting married in January.  They were a sweet family but she was very emotional because he was going to deploy on October 26. We kept in contact and offered to help in any way possible.  On Tuesday, October 27 we got a phone call from Cecily and she wanted to have a blessing.  When we got to their home, she was an emotional wreck.  She began telling us their story. It seems that he has had some problems with pornography.  They had met with the bishop and she feels like he is trying but unable to get it under control.  She has also had multiple health issues, he has been passed up for promotion, they had a failed business adventure which caused a bankruptcy, plus dealing with the healing of a spouse feeling not good enough because of pornography.  She told us that she has even thought about suicide but would never do that because she knew her children needed her.

Craig and I felt a little overwhelmed with the information.  Craig gave her a wonderful blessing and we left for the night.  On Friday night we saw her at the Halloween party.  She said she was doing much better and felt like she was going to be OK.  Then on Saturday she text and said she wanted us to come by and give Edward a blessing.  On Sunday, November 1, we went over to visit.  Craig gave a message kind of like a home teaching message.  Edward then had a blessing.  We had a nice visit  and were invited to come back anytime.  I told her I didn't want to bug her too much by texting or calling but she said, "bug me all you want."

The next text came on Wednesday she texted and said she wasn't doing very good.  She expressed her concern again about him gone and that she feels she has no self esteem.  On Wednesday evening I called Erika (my daughter-in-law) to get some advise from a 'real' counselor.  I am truly grateful for her help and advice.  So today is Thursday, November 5, and we are meeting with her again tonight.   I have been looking for a talk or a thought to take to her.

She is such a sweet sister.  I feel like we are good friends even though we have only known her her a little over a month.  This will be an ongoing situation until he comes back in December.  It won't really be cured when he gets back but the situation will change.  I'm not sure what our role will be then.  The wedding is in January and so that will be another stressor on their family situation.

Craig and I have spent some special time with her and Edward.  We know that the Lord is aware of her and blessing her.  We have had to go in prayer to determine what we should do or say.  I listened to the Osmond Brothers sing "I Believe".  I have felt an overwhelming feeling that our Heavenly Father is truly aware of Cecily.  However, its time for her to trust in him and let some of the pain go and let Him carry it.  I'm just not sure how to explain this to her and what to say.  I guess I'll have to depend on the Lord also.

Journey Joys-October 30, 2016

On October 26 we had an active duty Military Family FHE.  We have been planning this for about six weeks.  We made arrangements to use the chapel on base.  We were assisted by Col. (Brother) Wonnacott and his wife Holly.  Holly did the refreshments because I really don't have the resources nor the extra money to fund such an event.  We gathered the information as to names and email addresses of active duty military.  Wards were our source and we really appreciated their help.  We then organized the information and Col. Wonnacott sent out an email to the active duty inviting them to FHE.  We approached the Chaplain about sending out an email to all those that indicate the LDS preference.   He said he would and he did.  We put it in the base paper.  We contacted all the wards and put it in their bulletins for three weeks.  Craig and I personally delivered an invitation to every military home that we had an address for.  Members were told that if any of them wanted to bring a snack to help with the evening, that would be great.  Holly make 125 cinnamon rolls, did the table coverings, plates and cups and gave the place an autumn feel.  Her family made a large pumpkin bean bag toss along with coloring and search pages for the children.  We were hoping to have 100 or so but really had no idea.  Our RSVP's were about 85 so we knew we were going to have some and we were thrilled with the RSVP numbers. However in the end our head count was 227.  WOW!  We were absolutely thrilled.

The evening began with members putting on name tags as they came in.  People didn't really start coming till 6:30 so we were late when we started.  Col. Wonnacott spoke for about 15 minutes.  We had invited Father Cannon to come but we were unsure of his plans because he never said yes or no.  However, as the event got underway, Father Cannon came back and took over greeting at the front door and then he stayed for most of the program.  When he left, he said that he couldn't believe how many came.  He said he could feel the energy and joy in our gathering.  We believe that he was feeling the spirit of all the wonderful members but just doesn't recognize it.  As Father Cannon left he offered to let us use the chapel whenever we would like to use it.

Tuesday morning, Col. Wonnacott received an email from Father Cannon offering to reserve the chapel for us on a quarterly basis.  He had the dates and times and said, would these work for you.  Of course our answer was yes and so we have 2016 dates reserved and ready to plan.

This was a great experience for us.  It was really the boost in the arm that we needed.  We have been slow in some of the work and I have to remind myself that our work is different than a young missionary.  I'm so grateful that we had the support of the members and that they want to do it again.

Journey Joys on the Weekend

We visited with Nicholas Darragh (young airman) and took him to dinner.  We found out he is from Texas and his girlfriend is on a mission.  He goes to the singles ward when he can.  He is a young single guy and we hope to be able to stay in touch with him.  He was at church today and we were thrilled.  He says that he wants to receive the priesthood so we offered our assistance to the bishop, telling him that if there is anything we can do to help, we would be happy to do so. Our visit to the Rockville Singles Ward was interesting.  The ward has some really sharp kids and there are some who are not so sharp.  One of the Relief Society advisors told me that they are struggling in numbers to get the youth to attend Institute.  Some of these kids will never leave home and some have college degrees.  They are truly a high risk group.

After dinner we tried to find some more names on our list.  One of them, Bro. Sanderson, was not at home but his wife was.  He is the member, she is not.  She was very nice and we learned some things about Bro. Sanderson.  She told us that she has a step son who just got home from a mission in Brazil and is attending BYU.  Then there is his sister who attends BYUI.  With this wife, he now has a couple little kids running around.  When we mentioned them to Bsp. Lyons and to Sis. Thuesobn (R.S. president), they know nothing about them.  I have asked myself over and over,  if he has two kids at Church schools, there must have been something in his heart at some time.  It makes me want to go back over and over and help them come back to Church.

The Fairfield 2nd Ward had their Primary Program today.  It was a very sweet program and made me really miss my grandkids.  I know I would have been attending their programs.  There was a little blonde girl, about three years old, who was all over the place.  She was cute as could be but she reminded me of my grandkids and how they would have been leaning on everything and waving to mom and dad.  I'm grateful for the sweet memories I have to reflect on.

Dad's Birthday

October 21was my dad’s birthday.  He would  have been 97 years old.  The day started when Scotty posted a memory of grandpa, the camper, and fishing.  That was the beginning of my thinking about him all day.  I remembered stories or things he use to do.  I remember well when he worked at City Floral and would we would go to the Skyline Drug Store.  He would treat us to a candy bar and drink then say, “don’t tell grandma.”  I don’t think it was like that all the time, just sometimes. 

I think about sitting on the front deck and visiting in the cool Idaho evenings.  He loved to see people walking or driving by.  Many of them would stop and visit with he and mom.

When I was about in 7^th or 8^th grade, my friends and I liked to tease him by saying that we would help him on with his coat.  When he put his arm through the sleeve hole, we would block it and not let his arm come through.  He would laugh and we would do it every time to him.  He was a very good sport.  

A couple of weeks before I was suppose to get married, dad came and picked me up and said, ‘come and deliver with me.’  I was always happy to be invited.  That’s when he sprung the question on me.  “Your mother talked to you about the sex thing, right?”  I said no and he just moved on and asked, “Do you have any questions.”  I didn’t realize till later that I didn’t know enough to ask questions.  I tried to do a better job with my kids but who knows.  Every generation get the sex discussion better and better.

I miss my dad every day and hope to be with him one day.  There are so many things I think he could still teach me.  I especially want to ask him about what it was like to meet his mom.  Since she died when he was two days old, I am sure it was quite a reunion.  I want he and my mom to be there and greet me and get me on my way. 

Meanwhile, there is a lot of work to do here at this time.  I am thrilled to be serving a mission with Craig. He is so patient with me.

Journey Joys

District and zone meetings have taken on a new meaning for me.  I know Mindi and Brady use to talk about when they attended them as missionaries, but I don't think I fully understood them.  Now as I attend, I understand them better and ask many more questions.  I have realized what my children did on their missions and truly appreciate it.  I have been able to imagine what it might have been like to see them teach investigators or conduct a zone meeting.  My heart is full of gratitude as I have grown in my knowledge.  The other thing is that I'm grateful they had the opportunity to serve.  I now realize the growth that comes from serving a mission.  I loved seeing it in my children but I also realize that there was much more growth than I realized.  I have asked Brady questions about his service.  I'm sure he thinks I am crazy or weird but it has been an eye opener for me.

Last Sunday we saw Blue ordained an elder.  The sister missionaries and I left Relief Society early and went down to priesthood.  I was grateful and humbled to see the ordination.  Blue has come such a long way and I pray for his continued progress.  He is preparing and is anxious to go to the temple.  I hope we are able to go with him.  

We are preparing for our FHE for Military Families.  It will be next Monday.  We have met several times and planned the event.  We have 65 RSVP's and are hoping for even more.  Colonel Wonnacott is going to send out a reminder before the weekend.  I think back on our time in the military and I think I would have loved a FHE to see who the other military members were.  I'm not sure,however, that we didn't have that knowledge.  For the most part, I always felt connected to the ward through the military and to the military through the ward.  We have also realized how many accommodations are at our fingertips by being close to a military base.  It has especially been nice for Craig to follow up with his colon surgery.  

I love the pictures of our grandchildren that are posted on Instagram and Facebook.  Serving a senior mission is so much easier when I can see how they are changing. I'm now waiting to see Lennon walk.  (Can't believe I'm going to miss it.) While I was talking tonight with Brady he said, "we want to Skype with you this weekend."  What a joy to have them want to Skype and what a blessing to be able to.  Mindi posted new pictures of her family.  They are absolutely wonderful.  The coloring and lighting (sunshine) is beautiful.  It makes me wish that I could get something like it for a combined family picture.  I am so appreciative that my kids try to get together, we just haven't had good luck with a photographer.  

Journey Joys

The last several days we have delivered FHE invitations to all active duty military.  Craig has done a great job navigating the roads.  We are grateful for GPS system but still, Craig has to maneuver traffic.  I am really hoping that we have a good turnout and that people enjoy getting together.

Jen and Steve celebrated their 25th anniversary.  I can't believe it's been 25 years.  Jen should be 25 years old instead of married for 25 years.  There are no words to say how grateful I am for both of them.  Jen was a beautiful, sweet baby.  Throughout her life she helped me learn to be a mother.  I loved taking her places with me and doing things together.  Steve has been a great provider, husband, and father.  I'm grateful for the example they have been for me.

I officially took a golf lesson.  I didn't do very good but I tried.  My goal is to be able to learn enough so that I can go with Craig every now and then.  The things they taught me made me feel like my hands and arms just don't work the way they say they should.  We'll see how things go.

I have had my days when I really miss my grandkids.  I know their life moves along without me but I miss them all they time.  Riley and Mycol seem to be so grown up, and they are.  I'm waiting to see a video when Lennon begins to walk.  I am truly blessed.