Groundhog

I was told that our famous groundhog weatherman failed to see his shadow last February 2nd, thus predicting an early spring.  People at home are no doubt enjoying spring already, as it usually arrives in February in Orange County, California.  Here in Utah it is a different story.  I remember all too well last May 28 driving to work through a blowing, freezing snow storm.  I don't dare expect winter to be over, but the past few days have made me hopeful.  We had a high of 57 today.  Pretty warm for February.
Saturday I was out on the trail wearing uninsulated clothing and nothing but a light hoodie for warmth.  It was beautiful.  The picture is deceiving because of all the snow, but what you can't see it that the snow was  mostly slush, wet melting stuff.  You also can't see or hear the birds, every kind including robins, that were chirping and hopping from tree to tree.  You can't see the beautiful big red fox that crossed our path, also feeling warm enough to be out of his den.  You can see the big sun hat I was wearing to protect my lily white skin from the bright sunlight.  My big hairy horse was actually sweating by time we got back to the barn.

More snow is predicted for this week, but with expected highs well above freezing, it won't stay long.  Maybe I'm being foolishly optimistic, maybe not.  But I'll enjoy the hope of spring while it lasts.
(Look at those mountains.  They are really spectacular every season of the year.)

Wonderful Weekend

We had a most amazing weekend.  It was our stake conference, and since our stake president has been called to be a mission president somewhere far away, we had 2 general authorities visiting.
Friday was a stake temple day with a special chapel session.  Mom and I were able to go.  She has completely recovered from her flu, and I am so grateful as I had missed her presence in my temple attendance.

Saturday was a busy day of housework, shopping, horsing, etc., but best of all an adult session of conference where the Spirit was present and we were taught at the feet of an apostle of Christ, Elder Richard G. Scott.  Normally Mom sleeps through church, but when we got there the only seats were on the front row, where we were eye to eye with the apostle--no sleeping.  Really amazing messages and spirit!  David, who always seems to make friends with everyone and is a special friend of the outgoing stake president, was personally escorted by him to meet Elder Scott and Elder Crittendon.

Sunday we were treated to more of the same.  We were able to sustain our new stake presidency, which coincidentally included our bishop.  I guess more surprises are coming next Sunday.

A dear missionary sister friend of mine came to me the other day to announce the birth of a new granddaughter.  She showed me pictures of the precious baby, told me how loved she is by her proud parents and grandma and then told me she has Down Syndrome.  She admitted that knowing David and feeling his loving spirit prepared her to receive with joy the news of her granddaughter's condition.
I am sometimes asked by concerned friends or relatives who know parents facing this new challenge.   "What can I tell them?" they ask.  I always reply, "Tell them to rejoice."

Sister Stevens and David

There was a time when I would have made David "normal" if I'd had the power.  I would have taken away the syndrome that makes it so hard for him to do so many of the things we take for granted.  I would have left him without the protection and insulation that a wise and loving Father in Heaven gave him for his journey through this life.  I am now so glad David is who he is.  I'm so glad that I know his special spirit and enjoy his unique gifts.  He is indeed a special child of God.  He has a mission here as surely as anyone else, one only he can do.  I feel honored to know him and to be counted worthy to be his mother.  I don't pretend to know all the whys of David's mission and others like him.  I only know that he is a pretty wonderful person and will likely be light years ahead of me in our next life.  Looking forward to knowing him then too.

Why I am a Missionary

A fellow missionary asked me to write up my experiences leading to our call and service in the Family History Mission.
My dearly loved husband died in September of 2006.  His death was sudden and completely unexpected.  Even though we had each had our share of health challenges we both expected to live long productive lives, including senior missionary service, together.  It never occured to me that I would serve a mission without him.
I went through a year of feeling quite numb, going through the motions, trying to be a good person, taking care of my family.  (They undoubtably remember that year as taking care of me, which they did)
As I emerged from the "widow fog" I started to feel very restless.  Unsure of why, I wondered if it was time to sell my home and move closer to some of my grandkids.  I worked hard, and hired people who worked even harder, getting my house fixed up so that it would really appeal to prospective buyers, and put it on the market.  It just sat there.  Homes around us were selling, but no one even acted interested in mine.
I told David that it was time to find out what the Lord wanted us to do and get his input on my restless feelings.  We set aside a day to fast and pray.  (If you know David you know that he hates to fast, so this was a big sacrifice for him.)  As we were preparing to break our fast I offered a prayer asking for direction.  The unmistakable impression came to me that WE should go on a mission.  I almost shouted "You're kidding?! Really?  That was what this was all about?"  Why had that no even occured to me as a possibility?  Just dense I guess.
Anyway, I told my son, my boss, that we were going to go on a mission.  As usual he was sweet and supportive.  I told our bishop and he said he thought we'd be coming in to talk to him about that.  How come I was the only one who was surprised.
Then the stake president and bishop informed us that Salt Lake wasn't so excited about the idea.  It seems they welcome couples with special needs adult children, but weren't so sure about a single sister and her handicapped son.  I told the Stake President that I wasn't worried, because this surely was not my idea, so the Lord would make it happen if He wanted us to go.
I guess my dear Stake President really went to bat for us, because a few weeks later we got a call to serve in the Salt Lake Family History Mission.  We were told that there was nothing for David to do here, then almost immediately told David would be a part of the mission too.  No one was sure how that would happen, but we all knew it would.
The rest is history.  David has a wonderful assignment working with other special service missionaries in the Church Office Building Cafeteria, and I work with beginning family history patrons in the Family History Library. 
I have a feeling that we were not called here because of what we had to offer, but rather that the Lord had things to teach us we couldn't learn any other way.  Whatever the reason, I am grateful.

I'll be Wearing Ribbons in my Hair

Mrs. Clause (not drab)

You may have read a recent news release from the church noting the changes in dress and grooming requirements for sister missionaries.  I did, with some interest, since I am one.  It seems that the frumpy, drab clothing our sister missionaries have been required to wear are turning some prospective investigators away.  The new standards, although still modest, are far more fashionable than the old.  Sisters are encouraged to wear lively colors and patterns.  Skirts can be knee length (instead of mid calf to ankle length).  And here is the best part:  Nylons (stockings, etc.) are optional!  Our mission president got word of this rule change a while ago, but thinking of the hairy, varicose veined, flabby legs of the older sisters, opted not to tell us about it.  Nevertheless, it applies to us so I shocked everyone by announcing the new policy in prayer meeting, and throwing away my pantyhose (although not in prayer meeting).  The ladies all cheered of course, the gents just wondered why we cared.  Additionally, we are encouraged to accessorize.  To all my friends who mocked my flowered and ribboned head bands, dangly earrings, now I'm right in step with the prophet's counsel.  I didn't really bring many fashionable outfits with me, but the drabbest of them are going to DI tomorrow.  In addition to improving the face of missionary work to the world, this new policy has got to improve mission morale.

Merry Christmas

My life has been touched by a series of  Miracles that have truly made this a Christmas I will never forget.  I could have been wretched!  I am far from home, and miss my home and family tremendously, but I have been more than compensated by a measure of Christmas Spirit that I didn't earn or deserve, but nonetheless am very grateful for.  A number of special events have contributed to this wonderful season.

The first was several weeks ago when I was invited to an annual Christmas program put on by a Special Mutual group that David has been attending.  I didn't want to go.  It was cold and snowy and I was tired from a long day at work.  All I wanted to do was snuggle up in bed and sleep.  But the excitement in David's face changed my mind.  He loves attending this group, and this program is the culmination of a lot of preparation by this group of special people.  The curtain opened on 30 people of all ages and many kinds of disabilities.  They sang Christmas songs, very badly, acted out the first Christmas, also without any skill or finesse, reciting their lines haltingly and sometimes unintelligibly.  But the Spirit there was as strong as if they were the tabernacle choir!  We, the audience, sat there with tears streaming down our faces as these seriously handicapped men and women bore testimony of the Son of God.  David was chosen to play the part of Joseph which he did proudly and well.  I couldn't have been touched more if he was performing at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.

Another thing that has brought a great spirit to us is singing Christmas songs to and from work everyday.  We found a radio station that plays  nothing but carols and sang along with them during our commute.  David has a real affinity for Christmas songs, some of them moving him to tears.  His favorite is the little drummer boy.  I don't know why, but he loves it.  Our mission has an annual devotional and luncheon celebrating the season.  I thought David would be blown away by the food (a fabulous buffet of all you can eat delights), but the first song sung by the performing group was the little drummer boy.  David was weeping with joy the whole event, hardly noticing all the delicious food.  We also have had the joy of hearing performers who come to the library to sing during the season.  Many were groups from local high schools, some professionals, but all sweet and talented and sincere in their love of the Savior.

We attended the Festival of Trees, which is a fund raiser for the Primary Children's Hospital.  This year I was able to help my sister and her husband create a beautiful inlaid wood nativity which we donated to the cause.  It sold for more than a thousand dollars.  What is remarkable about this event, and I think what makes the spirit so strong there, is the combined efforts of so many people, none of them getting paid a cent, working together selflessly to make something wonderful happen  for sick little children who need medical care.  There were hundreds of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and Christmas decor, all of them bought for outrageous prices by people who just want to help.  Very cool event!  A blessing to all who participate in any way.

We attended a special exhibit at the art museum at BYU of artist Carl Blok's paintings and drawings and etchings.  What an incredible show.  I was familiar with many of these paintings, because they are popular illustrations of Christ and Biblical events.  But to see them up close and in person was something I will never forget.  It was clear to me that the artist knew Jesus Christ, and testified of Him and His divinity through his art.
Christmas Eve I went for a long and refreshing trail ride through the snow with my nephew Sam.  I'm sure he had better things to do, but we rode and talked about Christmas, and family and the Savior.  It was a special time that added to the sacredness of the season.

Later we spent Christmas eve with a lot of extended family.  My sister Diana and her children and grandchildren put on a lovely Christmas program and dinner for us.  David proudly did the pum pum pum pa pums as everyone sang the little drummer boy for him.  Very sweet.  My sister Lulu and her large family also included us in their very sweet traditions.  My mother, who recently lost her husband was having a hard time with Christmas, but because of so many sweet and spiritual events was able to rejoice in the love of our Savior Jesus Christ and the wonderful plan that puts the pain and hardships of mortal life into beautiful Eternal perspective. 


I share my testimony that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that He was born of Mary, lived a perfect life and died so that we can all live again.  He lives!  I rejoice in this.  Merry Christmas to all.

Snow

This morning our world was covered with close to a foot of fresh snow.  It made me a little blue, thinking of the long winter ahead.  I found myself almost in tears several times, with homesickness for my warm home in Brea, California (where it NEVER snows).  That homesickness matured into missing my house, my bed, my kitchen.  I slumped further as I missed my children and grandchildren and friends.  Before I reached the point of driving off an icy cliff in despair, I decided I'd better find a way to appreciate winter snows.  I tried looking at it a different way.  Instead of cold, slippery, slushy miserable stuff that makes it hard to walk and drive, and dangerous to spend time out of doors, I will try to find out why some people love the stuff so much.
1.  Snow really is beautiful.  When the snow falls on the bare trees, it turns them from ugly dead looking things into beautiful works of art: Like delicate hand tatted lace.
2.  Snow is bright.  Unlike a cloudy raining day, a snowy day is bright.  The snow magnifies and reflects whatever light there is and gives the appearance of brightness even when the sun doesn't shine.
3.  Snow is fun.  After church today there was a happy group of young people sledding down my mother's hill, laughing and playing in the cold, really enjoying the snow.

OK.  So that is only three reasons, but it is a start.  I will have many more opportunities during the next 4 months to find more.