Miracles Have Not Ceased

             Our Relief Society lesson last week was taken from Shayne Bowen’s talk on miracles, angels and priesthood (here).  The same talk was used for one of the talks given during sacrament meeting. An inactive member made the comment that she was meant to be there that day as the message was given twice.  It was a good lesson and I reflected on miracles past and present.  Miracles happen every day. Some are obviously more powerful than others.

            When Jaime was still a baby Richard and I had been called as ward missionaries.  Primary baptisms were done at a stake level, but if for some reason only one ward had youth being baptized when the head position was out of town, the ward missionaries were asked to fill the font.  The font took roughly two hours to fill.

            One Saturday I had forgotten my assignment of filling the font – which normally I did as Richard always seemed to be working.  I don’t even know who called to ask if I had the keys to the stake center.  When I arrived there were about forty or so people waiting outside and I was crying.  The font filled quicker than it had ever done – I’m sure due to the prayers of those who had stood around waiting.  That was a miracle.

            About six months before my mom passed I had taken the car into a transmission place.  I paid for a diagnosis test and learned that fix the damage would be roughly 6,000 dollars.  We did not have that much income or credit.  Fixing the car wasn’t going to happen – and yet I needed something to drive. I prayed over that car more times than I care to admit – before driving Jaime to school, before driving out to see my mom . . . you get the gist. It was the car I drove as Richard used the Saturn.

            Four days after my mom’s funeral I took the Saturn as it was behind.  I knew that Richard had an appointment to take my oldest son to inquire about another car.  I was visiting with my sister-in-law when I received a phone call about the other car – the one I had prayed over each time I left the house or wherever I was at.  The car was dead.  No big surprise to my ears.  I left my brother’s house and returned home.

            The following day my eldest son pushed the car to the transmission place around the corner.  Now, in Utah (in my experience with most dealers in Salt Lake) once you have paid the fee the history of the car is wiped out from the files of the dealer (mechanic, whatever) but in this case the guy not only remembered me but was able to look the diagnostic up.  He asked me how long it had been since I had replaced the fuel pump.  I didn’t even know what he was talking about.  I told him that I hadn’t replaced anything or did any kind of work since the diagnosis six months earlier.

His jaw seemed to drop to the counter as he unbelievably asked, “How have you been driving around all this time?”

“Prayer”

Recently Richard and I went and saw “Unsung Hero”.  It is a remarkable story full of miracles. The filming also consisted of just as many miracles as explained here. So awe inspiring.  All of it.               

         Miracles take place each time I drive or walk out the door and don’t fall as I cross my yard.  Plant life is a miracle.  Cooled down weather is a miracle.  Thoughts shared on facebook that I may read at just the right time.  A loaf of baked bread. 

I am grateful for all the miracles large and small. 

I Hope the Lifeguards get/got a Raise

         The workout and pool activity here in Myrtle Creek has always been more than reasonable. When they raised their prices this year it did not seem like such a big deal.  In fact, the attendance has increased within the class.  We have never had as much as 8 people show up the first week (or sometimes even the entire first month) let alone 11.  Of course most of us are getting the pass deal – which really is a deal. 

          A few years before the pandemic there was a fundraiser created to help build added features to the South Umpqua Memorial Pool.  The fundraiser (here) took place in both 2018 and 2019.  I don’t know what happened to the money that was raised or what improvements were made.  I don’t see that anything tangible was added. 

          Initially we were told that the money would be going towards a splash pad – but that never happened.  An electric pool cover would be more beneficial I think.  I didn’t think about it so much until this morning when I saw all the hard work that goes into taking off the giant tarp and probably more work putting it up as we have had the challenge of the wind the last few days.

          The pool is normally uncovered by the time I get there, but I watched in both admiration and unbelief as I watched two female life guards moving and handling the sandbags and then pulling off the tarp.  I watched as the instructor joined them in removing the cover that has been keeping the pool warm this year.

          In years’ past once the pool gets uncovered it remained uncovered until the end of the season – but this year I was told they decided to save on energy and heating expenses.  I wish they would have thought about that the last two years as the pool had always felt cold.  But it really has kept it warm – at least for the morning.  But the wind does seem to cool it down rather quickly.

          It has also been more clean though not totally free of bugs and debris – there’s definitely not as much.  I remember lifeguards scooping out unwanted guests with a giant net.  They haven’t had to do that this year.  And I know the year has just started.

          I would like to see the lifeguards spend less time setting up and taking down equipment and focus on what their purpose is for being there.  Thus far I have not seen any that have had cause to jump in and save someone.  Aside from the class they seem to be babysitters as far as reminding patrons of pool rules.  Walk, don’t run.  Don’t perform unwanted acts. Common sense stuff.  They also teach swim lessons.

          In years past the pool seemed to have a good amount of lifeguards.  I’ve been told that this year they only have six.  That’s not good.  I don’t know how many are used at one time.  Two are needed for the morning class.  I don’t know how many for open swimming.  I would think all of them.  Probably have to limit the amount of people that are let in. I usually only do morning class.  And Jaime prefers the uncrowded river  as opposed to the crowded pool. 

          I had heard that is why the pool was built in the first place – to keep the youth out of the river.  I was only a year old when it was built and living in Utah.  I had no incline of its existence until we moved here in 2015.  I am grateful it is here.  I am grateful to the community who support it.

Home at Last

 Jaime's last week in Ashland

Final Thursday and we will

pick her up on Friday.

I am certain that I am more

excited than she is.

She would like to stay in

Ashland

Opposite of a Bear

 Bears hibernate during the winter 

                            when it's cold

I hibernate during the summer

                            though it actually isn't summer yet

I am preparing ahead of time

Group Texts

 

          The opportunity of blowing up my phone

and wearing down my battery

I get it. 

I get the group text thing. 

Why it’s done. 

It’s convenient for the sender –

instead of sending out 10 plus texts

that say the same thing:

                                        Emma’s Blessing

                                        Service Activity

                                        Pool Information

and so forth.

 

For the most part I don’t even

recognize the other 12 numbers

that are coming up. 

Sometimes I don’t even know

the other people that the numbers belong to.

It’s just annoying to have ALL replies

                              come to me when I know

they are not meant for me

but the

initial sender. 

Meanwhile my battery dies down. 

Use my email

or messenger 

 

PLEASE.

Reminiscing Baptisms and the Spirit

             We had another convert baptism in our ward today.  Two of his cousins were baptized over a year ago.  Their mom is a member but does not attend as English is not her native language and so she does not always understand what is being said.  All of her children are bilingual.

          The member who gave the first talk felt prompted to bear his testimony in Spanish.  The Spirit was louder than his words (for me) and tugged at my heart strings (which evidently are wired directly to my tear ducts) and I was touched.  I think the family was as well.

          I thought about many primary baptisms I’ve attended in the last ward I was in – all of which I have mentioned in various posts.  The bishop’s son made a paper airplane out of the program which reminded me of the most irreverent baptism I’ve ever attended.  I was also reminded of two baptisms I had attended when the Spanish ward was in charge of the program – Jaime’s being one of them.

          Translators were provided for the speakers who presented their messages in one language or the other.  With the first baptism it was the same brother that had translated from English to Spanish with the first talk and then from Spanish to English for the second. 

          I had noticed that the English speaker would say only one or two sentences and would allow the brother to translate those one or two sentences to the end of the talk.  The Spanish speaker seemed to start out her talk the same way but then continued speaking without stopping – which I did not understand until the translator stood at the microphone and said something to the affect that one of the gifts of the Holy Ghost is to bring things to your remembrance. I don’t remember if she was through with her talk at that point.  I think that she was and the translator had told us that the speaker had concluded her talk providing him with the opportunity of showing us how gift that worked. I thought it was very powerful.

          When Jaime was baptized each of the speakers brought their own translator.  The sister who translated for the Spanish speaker didn’t seem to have a large English vocabulary as far as translating all of it accurately.  Those that were in the crowd that had a knowledge of a second language (for example my brother who served in Belgium who knows French) could make out more words than those who spoke only English – but the Spirit was felt as the initial speaker poured her heart into it. 

         I don’t think I felt the Spirit quite as much then as I did today.  I remember watching Jaime who understood it all.  I was so proud of her for knowing what was being said.  I still am proud of her today.  She truly is my sunshine.

The Circus Comes to Myrtle Creek

                Richard and I had a date on Saturday.  We went to the circus.  I did not get any pictures of the lions – female liger?  The back door was open which gave an appearance of silhouettes within a cage – at best.  My photos really weren’t turning out and so we took pictures with Richard’s phone.  

          I don’t think I’ve been to a circus since I was in junior high.  It wasn’t bad.  Richard sat behind me so that I could lean on him.  My pictures, of course, don't our outing justice.  

Elks sponsored C&M circus Saturday May 18

I Didn’t Want to Leave Zarahemla

               Throughout my blog I have created various posts about my personality, growth, and my gratitude toward the “Come Follow Me” program.  Last week Bro. Wilcox shared a lesson on “Not Leaving Zarahemla”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRiZgJBzP-8&t=2852s

          Metaphorically that is where I raised.  I had heard about the outside world but had no desire to be out there among the wolves.  I feel blessed that so much of what others view as temptations were not tempting.  I never wanted to do drugs, smoke, attend parties, or what have you.  I was safe in Zarahemla.  That is where I wanted to be.

          I understand the need for some to leave Zarahemla in order to grow.  Unfortunately, due to poor choices, there are hardships that need to be endured.  It involves a lot of pain – not just for the individual who makes those choices but those who love said individual and don’t wish to see him or her be in bondage to dragons and such.

          We can choose our actions but not the consequence of those actions.  My siblings and I have always had great strength and wisdom to learn through the examples of others.  We watch and we learn.  I think my sibs are better at watching and learning than I am.  I still tend to judge others rather than look upon them with the same eyes as God does.  Still have not humbled myself but am working on it.

          I’m not happy to have shown what lies outside of Zarahemla.  And yet those are still my brothers and sisters who are living in bondage.  They may not be asking me to assist them directly – but there is a silent cry.  I know I need to respond.  But I would rather they come to Zarahemla than my going outside to look for them.  And somehow that feels wrong.  I need to go out among them without allowing myself to be swallowed up.  But to remain yoked with Christ for their return.

Groups in Bondage, Rulings and Escapes

          In my last post titled “That’s Messed Up” I gave a brief account of those who had traveled during the reign of Mosiah found at the end of Book of Omni and all throughout Book of Mosiah.  Zeniff was among the first party who had come from Zarahemla.  He ended up as a ruler in the land of Nephi-Lehi.  His group of people were in bondage to the Lamanites for at least three generations.

Zeniff had been righteous and had kept records.  Before he died he conferred the kingdom to his son Noah who was not righteous and who probably committed every sin there ever was.  It was during his reign when Abinidi was sent to call King Noah and his people to repentance.  Alma, then one of King Noah’s priests, believed in the words of Abinidi.  When he tried to defend Abinidi it was not well received and Alma fled and recorded the words of Abinidi and went about teaching anyone who would believe him.

          Alma was not the only priest to separate from King Noah.  Eventually all the other priests (we don’t know how many were in his court) also got fed up with Noah to the point of killing him (about 148 BC).  The kingdom was eventually given to his son Limhi to rule over.  All this time still in bondage to the Lamanites.

          There comes a time when the priests (still referred to as the priests of Noah though Noah is deceased) see some of the Lamanite daughters dancing and decided to kidnap them and keep them.  The Lamanites blame the people of Limhi and attack them (about 121 BC)

Meanwhile . . .

Alma and his people have wandered the wilderness before they establish their own city upon a beautiful land (between 145 and 121 BC) before the Lamanite King decides to invade their land and assigns Amulon (a former priest of Noah who had probably served in the same courts as Alma) in charge of bondage to Alma and his people.

Meanwhile . . .

          Limhi and his people escape bondage and return to Zarahemla (about 121 BC)

Meanwhile . . .

          Alma and his people also make their escape from Amulon

          All (both?) groups end up in Zarahemla and Mosiah (son of King Benjamin) reads the records of Zeniff and other records that were collected – including the plates that had been found by another traveling group (about 200 BC) which I forgot to mention.  Those plates date back to the Tower of Babel.

          There is more.  Lots more.  The book that follows Mosiah is Alma.  You should really pick up a copy of The Book of Mormon and read it for yourself.

That’s Messed Up

           That’s probably not the best title for this post – but I am not the only mind that has felt a sense of that thought at some point during one’s life time. The Book of Mormon starts out as an account written in first person.  Nephi has two sets of plates which he so cleverly refers to as the large plates of Nephi and the small plates of Nephi.  Say what?

          The large plates share the history of the people while the small plates refer to the word of God.  Nephi writes according to what he is told and what he learns and would like for us to learn.  Nephi is the author of the first two books.

          From my understanding the small plates were handed down from one generation to the next while the large plates were passed from king to king (or ruler to ruler).  So before Nephi dies he passes the plates to his brother Jacob who passes them onto his son Enos who passes them onto his son Omni.

          Omni contains only 30 verses written by 5 different authors – Omni writes 4 verses.  His son Amoron adds five more.  His brother Chemish writes only one followed by his son Abinadom writes two and the remaining 19 are written by Amaleki.  The book of Omni takes place between 279 and 130 BC. In conclusion Amaleki mentions three journeys of various groups leaving Zarahemla – first to search for the land of Nephi or land of their inheritance. Third to search for those that did not return. 

         Amaleki mentions a brother who who had gone with the search party who were still missing when the small plates end. The small plates are given to King Benjamin who also has the large plates of Nephi. The Book of Mosiah starts out with the reign of a righteous king named King Benjamin.  But before Mosiah starts and where Omni ends are The Words of Mormon. This is known as a bridge that ties the small plates and the large plates together.  And the world was in such chaos at the time Mormon writes (or translates) the plates that Mormon seems to have a lot of time on his hand to do so.

(There is an illustration of this on the church website here.  The words come out blurred in the portrait appearance but there is also a PDF (here) in landscape that is readable) 

          Now comes the confusion (for many of us at some point within our life time) as Mormon also writes in first person.  His words are recorded about 385 AD.  But not to worry he does take us back to the continued story (or stories rather) of the journeys and the results of leaving Zarahemla and being in bondage – flashbacks with history and more important the acceptance of Christ and groups who’d forgotten and groups who accepted and groups moving through the wilderness and more bondage and more trials.  Eight different journeys and finally getting back to Zarahemela. 

          The Book of Mosiah starts about 124 BC.  In chapter 7 we meet the third group that has journeyed to find those who had left Zarahemla initially.  We meet Ammon who is part of those who took the third journey from Zarahemla.  In verse 7 they are thrown into prison.  Fortunately the king (Limhi) is willing to listen to their explanation of why they had come.  We learn all kind of things about bondage and trials and discoveries and so forth.  It is quite fascinating. 

          Limhi tells about his grandfather Zeniff from the first journey made about 200 BC.  Chapters 9 and 10 gives an account of Ziniff and his people as told by Zeniff.  But chapter 11 goes back to a third person account written by Mormon as he continues the story under the ruling of one of Zeniff’s sons named king Noah. Not every verse is in third person.  Sometimes there is a first person.  One of the first persons quoted is Abinidi who often quotes the Lord also in first person.  I have heard that the first person account changes more than 1,700 times throughout the Book of Mormon.  No doubt.

 

          To be continued . . .

Inspiration and Blessings

         The counselors from the Elder’s Quorum and Relief Society are asked to attend the huddles of either family history or meet with the missionaries.  As both RS counselors have been involved with another class (which happens during the time of the huddle meetings) the president and I have filled in for the last three weeks or so. And then Richard was called to assist in the missionary program (which he has pretty much been doing anyway).

In our last huddle the missionaries presented a list of some inactive members they had contacted and told us that each had expressed interest in returning to the fold.  Each of us were assigned a few names from the list.  Richard felt impressed to bring goodies – cupcakes or cookies.  We settled on chocolate chip cookies and Richard and I visited two households yesterday. 

The first house we drove to was in the country.  50 Acres.  Nice couple.  They used to raise llamas but have only two left.  The next house was much closer to civilization and with the most awesome view.  That was a totally unexpected chain of events.

When we first arrived the member seemed put off and indicated that she was in a meeting and “didn’t have time for us” which was okay – we had just showed up without an appointment but did wish to leave the cookies.  At that she asked, “Are you from the church?”

She then asked if we could sit for ten minutes while she finished her meeting.  We told her we could come back but were invited in and talked with her husband briefly until she returned.  She gave us a tour of her house.  We were awed.  I took a couple of pictures of the view – which Jaime and I had both seen but from the opposite angle.  I couldn’t believe that I was actually in the house that I had seen several times from the outside. 

I didn’t look at the clock before we arrived but would guess our visit was at least an hour.  We have two more visits to make but needed to come home to eat.  Our son called Richard with a job assignment – which is generally completed in less than 24 hours.  We are blessed that we will be getting some extra income.  

That address doesn’t even exist . . .

             Lately Richard has been receiving several calls from home warranty and mortgage places wanting us to refinance or invest or purchase or whatever.  He’s had enough calls – some from companies we have already dealt with – that he now gets rid of the caller by stating, “Oh, we have decided just to sell” 

            We did look up the address that was given - or tried to.  There is no street bearing that name in Myrtle Creek.  It isn't even a house number where we have lived or looked at.  It would be nice if we could sell just to have money in our pockets – but it is a bogus address.  

            We’re stumped at where the address materialized and how Richard’s phone or name got attached to this bogus address.  Seems like all these companies were scammed.  Just to make things clear:  WE DID NOT INICIATE THIS!