Arrow

Over my long life I've had some significant relationships with fine canine friends. My childhood pet Pal was a terrier mix with one ear flopped and one up. He was smart as a whip and learned many fine tricks that won him ribbons and awe from visitors to our home. One rainy day when no one was being nice to me I went and joined Pal in his little dog house, among the fleas and black widows, planning to stay there until my family was panicked at my absence. He was a sympathetic ear, but the leaky roof eventually drove me in before anyone noticed I was away. Throughout my teen years he continued to be the one I could always talk to without being lectured or scolded.

As newlyweds in Nebraska, Sheldon and I adopted a tiny little black curly pup. Angela named her Daisy after a stuffed dog she had. Daisy had the world's best disposition for a family dog. She was sat upon, pulled by every appendage, and generally abused by our growing family, but never once bit or so much as bared her teeth at anyone. For many years I never found it necessary to buy dog food, because after every meal Daisy would be called in to clean up what my children threw/dropped on the floor. Remarkably that was enough nourishment to sustain our little friend until the kids were old enough to keep their food on their plates. I guess it didn't hurt her, because she lived to the ripe old age of 16.

When my husband Sheldon died I had a sweet old dog named Whitney. She was 14 at the time and didn't move as fast as she once did, but still managed to follow me where ever I went in the house. She would quietly lie down near me and doze until I moved from the room and then would just as quietly follow me to my new location. Her quiet presence was a constant in my life that kept me going. I got the idea that since Sheldon had never allowed dogs on our bed, that this was a perfect time to invite her up. She would have none of that. She knew too well that she wasn't allowed on the bed.

Not long after that, Christian got married and found his dog Arrow to be an unsuitable dog for young children. So my first "grandpuppy" came back to live in my house. Having been mostly an outside dog, Arrow had no preconceived notions about beds and was all too happy to sleep with me. He was huge, but would curl up beside me, his big head across my body, and sleep all night. What a comfort that big, hairy dog was to me when I needed a companion. Arrow had a constant smile on his face. He could bound across our yard in three strides, and often did just that to greet me. If I ever felt alone or unloved, Arrow was the cure.

Arrow died this week. When I got word of his passing, I went out and hugged my horse. I felt every muscle in his body tense as if he was wondering what had gotten into me. Horses are not dogs. You'll never get a horse to lick your face or sleep on your bed.

I don't know what the afterlife holds for dogs, but I surely hope it is worthy of the joy they bring to us here.

Odd

I worked with an unusual patron in the library last week. His name was Joseph, he was in his 60's and was traveling cross country on a Greyhound to a Veteran's mental hospital in Portland, Oregon. As he told me many times during our 2 hours together, "I'm messed up." Joseph came from a seriously disfunctional home. His mother and father married against the wishes of their parents when they were just kids. Dad was a seriously abusive drunk. Even sober he had very little to do with his family. The kids were afraid of their father and ignored by their mother. Joseph hadn't heard from or seen anyone in his family for 30 years. BUT HE STILL WANTED TO FIND OUT ABOUT THEM!

So we set out to learn what we could. Turns out Dad was dead. We found him in a veteran's cemetery in New Jersey. We found Dad's parents and later found him living with his grandparents. We were able to uncover enough pieces of the puzzle to satisfy something inside Joseph. I gave him the address and phone numbers of some family history centers near his home and in Portland and gave him copies of all the documents we had found. He told me as he was leaving that he thought maybe his dad was dealing with some mental issues of his own, and it looked like he had had a bit of a rough life himself. All the while I worked with Joseph I felt a very sweet spirit. I knew that the Lord was mindful of him and was helping him through the rough spots in his life.

I got to thinking about the people who come into our library. They come from all walks of life. Many are poor and humble of circumstance. Some are wealthy, here on ski vacations, or business conventions. A good number of them might be considered odd (like Joseph) anywhere else. We have a regular patron who has growths all over his body. We have another regular who likes to tell us he is Jesus' cousin and a close relation of Moses. We have one patron who weighs 400 pounds and comes in everyday. All have a hunger for family, which I'm beginning to think of as universal. At some time in each of our lives we find ourselves looking to the past, to connect and learn about the family that came before us.

On Mother's day a great gathering of my mother's posterity filled her living room. They gave gifts, ate cake, and then started asking her questions about her life, her mother's life, etc. Little children sat spellbound as she told them stories of their ancestors.

Odd or ordinary, we are children of God. He loves us. He has a plan for us, and a big part of that plan can only be carried out in the Houses of God, by His children, for His children. What a blessing to take part in this great Plan.

(PS Weather is still miserable, but the hope for Spring continues. Just a few photos of the flowers around temple square)

It is Springtime in my Soul Today

On April 29, 2010 I awoke to a world covered in snow. Again. You've got to be kidding me! Really, it was almost May and still we're getting snow. I went to work but was having trouble getting started, feeling almost depressed through most of the morning. The snow came down thick and hard through most of the day, which did nothing to lift my spirits. I think what happened is that I had let myself believe that winter was over and that warm weather, blossoms and sunshine were what I had to look forward to. It was my expectation that led to the depression, not the weather.

Thankfully, although the weather has remained miserable, the rest of the week has been wonderful. Thursday night was a spectacular event at the conference center, "A Celebration of Family History." David and I went and my mother was able to attend with us. The program was music by the MOTAB, special films of family history stories, a message from President Eyring, and an address by David McCullough, author and historian (1776, John Adams). It was an amazing evening full of inspiring music and words that had us alternately in tears and in stitches. It was also the first time I have ever been in the assembly hall of the conference center. What an impressive, massive room!

Saturday we were fortunate to attend the sealing of my sister Laurel's latest 3 daughters to their parents. This is the stuff of Eternity, and it never fails to inspire. The sight of that enormous family in that sacred place, being sealed forever, reminds me that we are part of an even bigger family, bound by covenants and promises that are more powerful than any force on the Earth, and through our Savior Jesus Christ we can all return to our Heavenly Home. Awesome!

Today after our services, my nephew Oati was ordained a priest. He asked his cousin David to stand in the circle of his ordination. I couldn't hold back the tears as I witness this special, righteous young man exercise his Priesthood.

I'm told that it may yet snow again before this endless winter expires. OK. It seems that there is much to keep us warm.

I graduated this week! Yes, I'm no longer one of the new missionaries in my zone. I was assigned the job of mentoring a really new missionary. Sister Stanley is a sweet lady from Colorado. Except for those two facts, she reminds me a lot of me when I first started here. Her husband died near the time that mine did. She has used computers a lot, but doesn't really understand them. She has children and grandchildren she misses. She came on this mission with a leap of faith that she could learn what she needed to learn in order to be of service. Trying to help this dear sister has been humbling so far. I am not an expert at the things we are expected to know. I have learned to do a lot, but teaching someone else to do it requires vocabulary and precision that I just haven't got. (I know you need to double click there, but I don't know what "there" is called, or what would happen if you only single clicked) So if anything, the gift I am giving Sister Stanley is the permission to not know everything. My example tells her that you can still do something without knowing it all.

The Toy Story Birthday Party

David recently turned 24 and you may have caught the allusion, in a previous blog, to the party his cousin Jerusha threw for him. David has always been a real toy story fan, but with the announcement of Toy Story 3 to be released later this year, he has been a little obsessed. All he wanted for his birthday was a Woody costume. He even created some very detailed drawings so I would get it right. (Just so you know, I once made a perfectly wonderful "Prince Eric at the wedding" costume at his request and had to start over because the number of buttons was wrong)

Anyway, I got to looking online at Woody costumes, and found nothing even close to fitting my wannabe Woody. Instead I made a trip to a couple of local thrift stores to find the raw materials and then got creative with markers, scissors, needle and thread. I had California relations bring bits and pieces from home and eventually we had a passable ensemble.

Well, Jerusha got wind of David's current obsession and volunteered to give him a party with the beloved Toy Story theme. Jerusha is a champion party giver. Her parties are amazing from start to finish, decor, entertainment, food, all amazing. This party was held in my mother's incredibly beautiful back yard, made available by the warmer weather and melted snow of the past 2 weeks.

Visitors were welcomed to the party through a western "arch" proclaiming "David's Roundup." Tables were set up with checked table cloths and decorated with toys (slinky dog, Mr and Mrs potato head, Buzz Light Year, etc.) There were signs everywhere, directing guests to the toy story activity of their choice. The shooting range was pretty popular with sheriff's badges and western bandanas for successful shooters. Sam brought "Bullseye" aka Norman for guests to ride. There was a pin the face on Mr. Potato head game, a pinata that looked like one of those funny 3 eyed green squeak toys, a giant bounce house, a cotton candy machine and popcorn machine, tons of good food and a cake decorated with little toy story characters. Each young guest got a toy story bucket full of fun stuff to take home with them. In addition to this, Buzz Light Year himself made an appearance. David was so happy. He had invited people from work and a bunch of local relatives so it was a fun, big group.

Early the next morning, after the gifts were opened and the cake consumed and the mess cleared away, David woke me up with a sad expression on his face. "What's wrong," I asked, fearing he was ill again. "It's over," he replied, "My birthday is over." The down side of so much fun is that it ends, but oh, the memories

What a blast!

You've heard me say before that serving this mission is lots of fun. Everyday brings new experiences and new friends. One day this week I had 2 different patrons ask if they could give me a hug as we parted. Such is the nature of my work that I often feel like I have become a part of the family that these people are seeking so earnestly. Needless to say, it is intensely satisfying to be a part of the search and discovery of each of our library patron's long lost family history.

But I have loving family and friends that I had to leave behind in order to serve this mission, and I would be less than honest if I didn't admit to missing them terribly. My homesickness has been greatly diminished by recent visit by 3 of my sons and their families and some good friends from home.

Two weeks ago Andy and Jenny and their adorable son Cohen came for a weekend visit. It was a warm and wonderful time. We went for a wild ride on the horses, played and visited and caught up on the comings and goings of their family during the past few months. Cohen has grown so much and looks more like a kid than a baby now.

A week later Christian and Susie and their 4 wonderful kids came. They had been on a little camping trip and made the extra effort to include Salt Lake City in their loop. We were able to visit Temple Square, watch conference together, build snowmen, and celebrate an early Easter before they had to return to their busy lives.

This weekend Daniel and Kathryn and their precious little ones came calling. Included in this group was tiny newborn Derby who we met for the first time. In addition to much needed hair care, we were able to enjoy a temple session together and participate in the party of the century, a toy story themed birthday party celebrating David's 24th.

Tonight we went to dine with our dear friends the Washington family (Eric's famous ribs were the main course) and old friends the Miller family. Dominic is entering BYU in the fall and they came to look over the campus and meet with counselors.

Each visit, each embrace, each conversation with friends and family gave me much needed fuel for the year ahead as we continue in our mission service. I wouldn't trade our missionary experience for anything, but I'm so grateful for the tender mercies that enable us to stay connected to the people we love even while we are away.

The Lord Giveth. . .

The past couple of weeks have brought the official end of winter and some delightful days that made me believe Spring had arrived. Walking across Temple square I was startled to hear the sound of sprinklers. Yes, someone was watering the flower beds. Must be spring. Little buds and tiny leaves were popping out all over the trees. Flowers bloomed from the ground and from flower boxes hanging from the Temple walls. Just when I decided it was safe to leave my coat at home I was surprised to awake to a snow covered world. By afternoon the snow was mostly melted and I again took a deep breath and believed it to be a minor setback. The next two mornings brought more of the same, Spring covered by a miserable blanket of white.

My family from California has been visiting and I was busy hating the snow, for their sakes, when I noticed that they didn't seem to mind at all. In no time they had gathered enough of it to make a giant snowman. In my anxiety about slipping and breaking my neck I had forgotten that snow is fun!

Thursday was my wedding anniversary. I was able to attend the temple that day and remember gratefully the day my sweetheart and I were sealed for Eternity in a House of God not far from here. What joy to know that our separation is just temporary.

I ran across a poem by my father Charles Osborn that says it so well:

Spring

The emergence of new life from the black earth

Is the annual prompting from God

That cold and dark and death

Are only a brief test of faith.

The celebration of the Easter season, the new life struggling with the tentative Spring, the glorious messages of hope brought to us this conference are also reminders that God is in His Heaven and is mindful of us here.