Here we go Again

      On December 6, 2022, we received an unexpected surprise……….we were called to serve another full time mission for our church. Let me explain…………., here we were just livin our life, feeling old, dealing with a lot of health issues lately and we get a message from our Stake Presidents Executive Secretary, asking us to meet with our Stake President. So we go, and Pres. Curtis ask us about our health, and tells us that our names have been recommended to serve a special mission for our Area, the Riverton Utah North Area, that it would be a two year call, we would serve from home and what were our feelings on it. He ask us to go home and be prayerful and get back to him. So we did, and after praying and talking about it, we let him know that we would be ok with it. 

        Now this wasn’t an automatic guarantee that we would be called, several names had been suggested to the Area Seventy for consideration.  Well, Monday ( December 5) came and we received a phone call asking if we could meet with the Area Seventy, Elder Mehr, on Tuesday ( December 6), we said yes and Elder Mehr came to our home and ask us if we would accept a call to serve as Riverton Utah North Area Service Mission Leaders. We were shocked, we said yes and he set us apart right then. 

        Our responsibilities are to be leaders for all of the young Service Missionaries in our Area. We have interviews with them, weekly contact, district meeting, zone meetings, etc.  it’s a lot to take in…….

         In just one week, we have been to 1 Zoom mtg, 1 Area Conference, 2 phone meetings, and met with a young man, who will be joining our little force of Angels.  We are excited to serve with our missionaries and nervous at the same time. There is so much to learn. 

         I will be starting another blog called Livin’ The Missionary Life - Riverton Utah North Area Service Mission Leaders, as soon as I figure out, actually have Kammie help me, as soon as Kammie can help me set it up. 

         Please join us and watch our Angel Missionaries and us as the Lord Blesses us all with Miracles in this  great work. 

Moses, and trusting that the Lord has a better plan

      So I have been studying the Old Testament, in the Bible. I currently have been studying Deuteronomy, and had an epiphany today, of how this particular Book of Scripture applies to me and my life. 

        So the Children of Israel and their leader, and Gods prophet, Moses have been wondering in the wilderness for about 40 years. Most of the original generation that was delivered, by the Lord, from Egypt have died off. During these 40 years, the Israelites have gone through cycles of Great Faith in the Lord and cycles of doubt. Sometimes they have been extremely Obedient to the Lord and Moses, and sometimes they have been extremely naughty and disobedient to the Lord and His prophet, Moses. During obedient cycles they witnessed Great Miracles, during cycle of disobedience they received plagues etc.  It took one day for the Lord to deliver them out of Egypt, but it would take 40 years, to get Egypt out of them. 

     Through all of this Moses has loved and cared for them and done his best to turn there hearts to God. Moses has been humble and faithful before the Lord. Now after all these years, all Moses’s hard work and sacrifice and obedience to the Lord will be rewarded,  the Lord finally says “ it’s time to go into the Promised Land” BUT………….and it’s a big BUT……………, the Lord tells Moses that he( Moses), does not get to go with them. Moses is told to get Joshua and get him ready in all things to take over as the Prophet and the leader of the Children of Israel. It will be Joshua, not Moses, who will lead the people into their Promised Land.

         Now at this point I take pause. Hold on a minute, after ALL Moses has done, and suffered for his people, now he doesn’t get to see the reward of ALL his hard work? After all his Faithfulness to the Lord, Moses has to stay behind? How fair is that? I have to wonder if Moses, maybe, got a little angry at the Lord. But as we study on, we see that Moses humbly and faithfully accepted the Lords Will. He had also learned, after 40 years of wondering, to “Trust in the Lord……and lean not unto his own understanding”.

          In a very human moment, he does ask if he can just see the Promised Land, so the Lord has him climb to the top of the mountain and look in every direction. Moses sees the Promised Land, but only from afar.  Moses then prepares Joshua, in all things, and Joshua takes over as the Israelites new leader and Gods Prophet. Faithful, Humble Moses, doesn’t doubt, doesn’t get mad and throw a tantrum, Moses faithfully obeys Gods word. 

           Studying this reminded me of a time, not so long ago, when I had been in an assignment , in my church, I loved my assignment, I gave it all my heart, I was so careful to make sure that I led in the Lords way, not mine. I spent countless hours, on my knees, praying to know Gods will concerning the precious youth I had been called to lead. And then, suddenly, after such a short time in the calling, new leadership in our church was called and they released me. I felt hurt, betrayed, blindsided, angry……..just about every emotion. Instead of trusting that the Lord had a better plan for me, I raged.  It took me months before I could talk to the new Bishop again, I was so hurt. I felt lost, and didn’t know where I belonged. As time went by, and I wasn’t ask to do anything else in our Ward, I felt like no one wanted me or needed me. I had never not had a calling or assignment.  Over a year went by, a year of feeling not wanted or needed in my Ward( church community). I lost my confidence, I went into a depression, I was lost, forgotten and no one cared. 

          After a while, instead of wallowing in self pity( which is so not me), I turned to the Lord. As I did I felt impressed that there were many others in our Church family, who also felt like they had been forgotten. I felt impressed to seek them out , not to feed into there feelings, but to comfort and visit and help them know that the Lord had not forgotten them. He loved them so much, and if they would turn to Him, He could heal there wounded hearts. As I have tried to seek out those, that the Lord guides me to, who are struggling just as I have, my wounded heart is healing. God is healing me, as I try to help others know that He has not forgotten them. 

         Even though I hope this kind of thing never happens again, I am grateful for what I have and continue to learn. It’s been over 1 1/2 years now since that fateful day, when I was released and went into a tailspin, but looking back, I can now see that the Lord had a better plan for me. A harder plan, but better. It has also helped me notice those around me who’s “ hands hang down”, and as I try to lift them and help them know that their Lord has not forgotten them, I know He has not forgotten me, and even when I couldn’t see Him, because of my pain, He was ALWAYS right there beside me, waiting for me to see, hear and turn to Him. 

        Jesus Christ is truly my Lord, my Savior, my ONLY safe harbor, as I go through storms in my life, I must humble myself, as Moses, and swallow my pride, as Moses, and trust that Gods way is not just a better ways but the ONLY way for joy in this life. He lives, He loves us, He never abandons us or forgets us, we are “ Graven on the palms of His hands and our walls are continually before Him”. I love Him, I know that my Redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives. 

Miracles and Promises kept

      So I’m to the part in the Old Testament, where the Lord has performed so many miracles for the children of Israel, and yet they doubt so easily that the Lord will keep His promises to them. He freed them from the slavery of Egypt, parts the Red Sea, AND makes the ground dry, so they cross on dry ground, not mud.  When they are hungry and with no food or water, in the desert, He sends food, in the form of Manna each day, except Sunday, and provides water from a rock.  The Lord promised them He would deliver them and lead them to a promised land, and does exactly that, time after time after time. 

        Now they are at the foot of Mount Sinai, and the Lord has given them commandments to follow, and they promise to obey and keep Gods commandments, they don’t just promise, they covenant, through a sacrifice, by Moses, that they will be true to the Lord.  

        They see the glory of God on the Mountain for 40 days and nights, while Moses is up on the mountain getting further instructions from God, a higher law. 

        Even as they can see the fire on the mountain, representing Gods Glory, they doubt. After 40 days and nights, they decide they don’t know what happened to there leader, Moses, Gods prophet, and melt down some of the gold they brought from Egypt, which by the way, was supposed to be for a Temple to God, and they make themselves a Golden Calf to worship.  

        When things got tough, they either forgot to look at the mountain and remember that Moses and God were talking up there, Face to Face, or they had got so use to the sight, it didn’t mean anything to them anymore and they chose to doubt  God. They went back to there old ways, they decided it was better to worship a cold hard object, that could do NOTHING for them, instead of hold on to there Faith in God( I mean seriously, He had not failed them yet, they had absolutely no reason to doubt), and wait for there Prophet to return with further blessings and instructions. Because Gods timeline, did not fit there timeline, they chose to forget that God who had saved and taken care of them time after time after time. 

      As I pondered this, I thought of my own life, especially the last 18 months. Did I do the same thing, in a sense? Did I doubt God, when things got hard? I did, for a little while. I thought God had forgotten me, I wasn’t as diligent about keeping on doing all those little things, that have always kept me strong. I wasn’t has diligent in my prayers, in reading my scriptures each day, actually studying them, when I went to church, I didn’t even try to feel the Spirit, while I was there. And when it went on for more then a year, with no relief or apologies from those that had hurt me, and no church callings came, I truly thought I had been forgotten, by the leadership in our ward, by some friends and by God, and it hurt. 

        Because Gods timeline wasn’t my timeline, I missed out for so long on blessings He wanted to send me, but couldn’t because I had turned away from Him. When I finally turned back, He taught me so much, He helped me forgive, He helped me realize MY responsibility in doing all that I need to to stay close to Him, so His Spirit can always be with me. His ways are ALWAYS better, higher then my ways, and as I wait, patiently now, for His timing, He teaches me and blesses me each day. I love Him, I’m so grateful that He NEVER deserted me, but was ALWAYS just waiting for me to turn back, so He could help and deliver me. 

        Those little things, praying sincerely, with real intent, studying my scriptures and the words of His prophets each day, serving others, going to the Temple. Those things matter so much, they keep us on the covenant path back to Him, and help us wait patiently on Him, when there are storms along the way. 

Easter Egg hunt

        We had our annual Easter Egg Hunt, on Saturday April 9, 2022.  All, but Carrie and her family’s and Janelle and Baylee were here. Pizza first, while Dads hid the eggs, then off to the hunt. We sent Carrie’s eggs to them and they had there own hunt in Oregon. They have a bigger yard this year, so it was a little tougher for them, but they had fun. 

 

The adults had to find hidden bags of candy for them, and it got a little competitive 🤣🤣

Some did not like there pictures taken

Moses, plagues, and Passover

         So I’m going to try to be better about writing in my blog, but I want to focus on Spiritual things I learn as I study my scriptures, and modern revelation.  

         Right now I’m studying the Old Testament, there is so much I am learning, so to catch you up, before sharing what I learned about Moses, plagues and Passover, here are the favorites, in my opinion. Adam and Eve, they wanted to progress, so they chose to take the hard path, they had to give up the comforts of the Garden of Eden, give up walking and talking with God every day, face to face. All because they wanted to learn and progress. When they found out that there loving Heavenly Father was going to send His Son, as the Savior for them, so that if they would choose to repent, when they messed up, and follow Gods commandments, they would be able to return to His presence, they must have rejoiced. I’m so grateful they chose to progress, because even though they suffered and had hardships the rest of there lives, it opened the door for each of us to come to earth, hopefully progress, and return to God one day.  I’m grateful for Adam and Eve,

     Next Abraham, I love the story of Abraham, I love that he had the courage to obey the Lord, I love that the Lord sent a ram, to replace Isaac, as the sacrifice, something our Heavenly Father did not get. There was no replacement, when He sent His beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, no one or thing so that Christ wouldn’t have to suffer and be killed for us. How Fathers heart must have grieved, as He watched Him suffer. I love Father for sending Jesus, I love Jesus for willingly coming and completing His Atonement for me. I love that He was resurrected, and overcame physical death, so each of us can also. I love that He showed us the way back, and that it is our choice if we follow Him. I think Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, not because God needed to see if Abraham would obey, God knew Abraham, He knew Abraham would not withhold his son, but Abraham had to learn something about Abraham, he needed to learn that he was totally in, totally committed and converted to the Lord.  I think each of us at sometime in our lives, will have to have our Abraham moment, it will be the price we pay to know God. I hope I can pass the test, when I have my Abraham moment.

        Next Joseph, ( you know the guy with the Amazing Technic Colored Dream Coat, and the brothers that sold him into slavery , out of jealousy) what a story of Love, Forgiveness, and recognizing the Lords hand, especially in the trials and hard times in our lives. Can  we forgive and save those that betray us, that hurt us. Can we love those who cause us to suffer. Joseph teaches me to look to God, in all things, and find out what He is trying to teach me in every moment. 

       Now Moses, plagues and Passover…….., so we all know how Moses was saved, from being killed as a child, how he grew up in Pharaohs courts, gets kicked out, wanders in the desert, marries, and finds God, actually talks to Him and is called to be His prophet, to free the Israelites, who have been in bondage for 100+ years. So now, he is going before Pharaoh, to tell him to let Gods people go. So let’s look at the plagues/miracles he did, with Gods power. 1. Rod turns to serpent, 2. Nile River and all water turned to blood, 3. Frogs, 4. Lice, 5. Swarms of flies. The first ones, were more of an inconvenience that the Egyptians as well as the Israelites suffered. What and who is the Lord trying to teach here? Next, 6. Cattle, animals die, 7. Boils, 8. Hail that turns to fire and kills anyone and thing it hits, 9. Locusts, 10. Total darkness for 3 days. These plagues would only affect the Egyptians, the only safe place was to go to Goshen, where the Israelites were. The Egyptians had a choice to make. These plagues took food, and sent fear throughout Egypt, yet Pharaoh still hardened his heart. 

         The final plagues, if pharaoh refuses to let Gods people go. The first born child of every house, Egyptians and Israelites would die, the Lord was sending the destroying Angel and all first born, of each household would die.  But…..the Lord sent a way to save the firstborn, they were to take the blood of a lamb, without blemish, sacrifice it and put the blood above their doors.  When the Destroying Angel saw the blood over the doors, he would pass by those houses. 

          So the Israelites were to bring the lamb in, in the morning, spend the day with it, and when evening came, they were to sacrifice the lamb, put the blood over the doors, stay inside and eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs, fully clothed and ready to leave, and then wait through the night, so the destroyer would pass by there homes.  What great Faith that would have taken  

          The Destroying Angel comes, all firstborn of Egypt, including Pharaoh’s own son, die, the Israelites are only saved, if they have been obedient to the commandment to sacrifice the lamb and put the blood over the doorway…..Pharaoh finally tells them to leave  

          So what did I learn? God was not just trying to teach the Israelites who He was, and save them. He was trying to teach Pharaoh and the Egyptians also.  He loved them as well as the Israelites. He even gives them an opportunity to make a choice, there was safety in Goshen.  But with the last Plagues, the Destroying Angel, the only protection, even in Goshen, was to obey God, and do exactly what His Prophet warned them to do. 

            I like to think of Goshen as a symbol for the church, Gods Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. For a while, even the Egyptians could have gone to Goshen and found safety and protection from the Plagues, but in the end, each individual household, each individual person had to make a choice of belief and obedience.  

          In the last days, OUR DAY, it will not be enough to just be a member of the right church, Gods Church on earth, we each will have to make a choice, if we will have the Faith, in Jesus Christ, to follow, with exactness Gods Commandments, Follow Gods Prophet.  Being in the church won’t be enough, we each, individually will need to be converted to the Lord. 

           I’m so grateful for the Scriptures and the Holy Ghost, that can guide and teach me, if I will choose to listen, learn and do, heed His warnings. 

Mickelle

          I have a sweet, dear friend, Mickelle Baker.  She has been fight cancer for 5+ years, and lost that battle a week and a half ago. She and her husband, Ben, helped me so much during 2021, they were some of the few that knew what had happened, and Mickelle and I would get together and chat regularly.  Ben would send me conference talks to read and music to listen to. It helped a lot to heal my soul. 

        The Friday before, Mickelle died, I received a text from her husband Ben, letting me know that Mickelle had taken a turn for the worst, and she wanted me and a very few others to come up to the hospital.  Of course we left immediately. She couldn’t talk, because of being on a respirator, but she would write things on a clip board, for us to read and answer her questions. She told me how much she valued our friendship and how much it had meant to her, that I had stayed close, while she went through Cancer. She asked me to watch over her family and help Ben.  It was a sweet sacred few hours, in that ICU room with her. The Lord was there.  I love Mickelle, I will miss her dearly, but I am so grateful she is not suffering anymore and she is whole again. I got some pictures of her, trying to smile under her respirator, as I took pictures of her with Ben, and her with her 3 girls.  Her 2 boys were gone, so I wasn’t able to get pictures of her with them. Saturday, about 2:30, she went through the veil, peacefully, surrounded by her family. God Be With You, Til We Meet Again, my dear friend 

The rest of 2020/2021

 Life has flown by, I can’t believe it’s already 2022. I haven’t been very good at keeping up my blog. Let’s see if I can do better now.

     2020, went by in a blur, with the Covid -19 virus, killing so many people and leaving scores of others with long lasting health issues. We stayed home, as much as possible, wore 😷, wherever we went. All the regular family traditions were spent alone, in our individual homes, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the family did not get together, but as we each had our meals and opened presents, we joined in ZOOM, so even though we were all in separate houses, we were together via technology. I’m so grateful for technology that provided a way for us to kind of be together. 

      The sunday after Thanksgiving, I was released from serving in the YW, in my church. It was an extremely hard time for me, there were some very hurtful things that happened, some betrayal etc.  I was very grateful to not be able to go to church in person, because of Covid-19.  I struggled a lot all of 2021, went down a dark “rabbit hole”.  It took me a long time to be able to talk to our Bishop, and to trust several people, I still have trust issues with them. 

        Looking back now, I have been able to see the Lords hand in those dark days.  He never left my side, and although I kind of forgot Him for a short period of that time, He never forgot me   I have realized He is who got me through that hard year. He usually did it through other people, who knew what had happened and how I’d been treated and loved me and helped me come out of those dark days. I’m so grateful the Lord put them in my path. I love Him, and I know He loves me.  It was also a learning time, learning to forgive and let go of hurts. Learning to see my own sins, and repent and humble myself.  Dad died also in January of 2021.  I am grateful for the lessons I learned, for the hand of the Lord, for the people that were His hands.

     Now on to 2022………………