Notes From The Field

 

Dare I talk bad about my missionary son, but he doesn't write very good letters or emails.  Maybe it's hereditary because his brothers and father were not very informative while on their missions either. I have to send out a form letter including a stamped-addressed envelope to try and drag out the information I want to hear. Don't get me wrong, Elder Blair writes every week, but the skimpy one liner of, "It was a great week," never cuts it.  I need to hear more.  Happily we hit the jackpot with a letter yesterday, so here I blog.

First, he apologized for being the worst letter writer on the face of the planet and promised to do better.  Then, he followed with a story; the kind of story I wish he'd take the time to write and share more often:

We had a really cool experience the other day.  It was hailing, which is really weird in Texas because the hail is huge.  We had a few hours before our next appointment, so not wanting to be in the hail, we went knocking.  There were only a few people home on the street, but we felt good about it, so we kept pushing through.  Then we got to this house on the corner, we went up to the door and rang the bell and this guy came to the door.  I told him we were missionaries from the Mormon Church.  He kind of looked kind of surprised to see us on such an ugly day, but being the nice guy that he was he asked us if we would like to come in out of the cold.

We sat down and he asked if we wanted anything to drink.  We said we were fine, and again he kind of gave us a blank stare.  We quickly, showed him that we were "normal" by asking him questions about his family, what his hobbies were, that kind of stuff.  He then asked us a pretty profound question, "Why does my church say if a baby isn't baptized, they'll go to hell?"  We answered his question and went into a powerful lesson about the plan of salvation.  We extended a baptismal date and he accepted for March 6th.

I know people are being prepared and searching for answers to their questions.  I'm so excited that Gabriel accepted our message.  I love being a missionary, and all the things that have come through obedience and hard work.  I know the Church is true, that God lives, and loves every single one of His children.  Even when we stray and make huge mistakes, we can still feel his love and be forgiven.

Even though the mission is hard, it brings such great blessings.  I love you and miss y'all every day.

Oh, that Elder Blair inspires me!  I miss him too, but what a great work he is doing.  He has six months to go and I'm guessing they will be his best six months yet.  What an exciting experience to share the gospel and find someone accepting of the truth.

"And if it so be that you should labor

all your days in crying repentance
unto this people, and bring,
save it be one soul unto me,

how great shall be your joy with him
in the kingdom of my Father!"

Doctrine & Covenants 18:15

This Is What It's All About

Hugh and I arrived home from our trip today. Happily everyone was safe and sound. We had such a nice time visiting with Bill, Chelsea, and Ryan in Arizona; and the weather was absolutely beautiful.  One night we went to Freestone Park and fed the ducks. We took great delight in watching Ryan and her little ways. 

Family is what it's all about - loving, learning, and growing.

"I have no greater joy

than to hear that my children

walk in truth."

3 John 4 

34 Years

Yes, it's 34 years of marriage (Feb. 12th) and we're off today on a long weekend trip leaving the kiddies behind.  When was the last time we did that?  It's been a while, but being grandparents we're off to see more kiddies.  Our trip takes us to Arizona to visit Billy, Chelsea, and Baby Ryan.  We're looking forward to spending some time with them.  We plan to go to the Mesa Temple, sit in on one of Bill's Seminary classes, a hike, play with Ryan, everything else is a debate.  We'll have fun!

"Marriage itself must be regarded as a sacred covenant before God. When parents themselves have complied with the ordinances of salvation, when they have set the example of a temple marriage, not only is their own marriage more likely to succeed, but their children are far more likely to follow their example."

Ezra Taft Benson,

"Salvation - A Family Affair", Ensign, July 1992

Oh, That I Were An Angel

I have been so busy with everything that I haven't worked much the last three months.  Being out of the habit, the thought made me a little sick thinking of going back.  Let's face it, substitute teaching is not stress free, but I'm getting in the groove again and happy to be working.  Plus, I volunteer a bit in my grandson's classroom.  If I'm at his school, I run over to his class and help out during my lunch break.  It's interesting to me how it's so much more stress free when I'm the grandma helping out compared to being the official teacher replacement.

Anyway, I've been feeling especially grateful for my good life.  I am so enriched because of the gospel.  I'm reminded of one of the reasons I felt impressed to pursue substitute teaching - to be an influence. I, sadly enough, am surrounded by children who are aching for a better life.  A day doesn't go by that I want to scoop up a child and say, "Could you just come home and live with me!"

My plea reminds me of Alma saying, "Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart." (Alma 29:1)  I just want to make things better for everyone and yet realistically that's not possible.  That's not the way life works.  Alma couldn't declare unto every soul, with a voice of thunder, to repent and come unto Christ.  Instead he was allotted to be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance.

So while I'm amongst these many children, hopefully some child will remember feeling loved.  Hopefully some child will remember feeling peace. Hopefully some child will remember encouragement and hope.  And someday, maybe, that child will find it.  I pray so, daily.

“I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

but still I can do something;

and because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

~ Helen Keller

"Words of a Prophet"

One of my goals for the new year was based on this talk by

President Monson.  The Church recently posted this presentation of his words.

I am still briefly recording my daily good deed in a journal.  Most of it I find is just my usual doings.  Few of my experiences stand out like my earlier post, In the Thick of Thick Things.  But I like pondering and evaluating my day, wondering if maybe I inadvertently shoved someone aside because of my busyness or should have done something differently.  I hope that is not the case, I am very conscious of my actions.  It's all been a very enlightening experience and I'm only a month into the new year.

"Words of a prophet;

Keep the commandments.

In this there is safety and peace."

Keep the Commandments, CS 146

Words and music by Barbara A. McConochie

Preparing - One Day at a Time

If you're wanting to learn more about food storage, here's a great resource, Preparing - One Day at a Time. I'm a follower, reading the insights of Crystal J. Young.  She's a mother of ten children living in Omaha, Nebraska.  She's not shopping at the store for three months.  It's been days since she started, I'm already learning.

"The revelation to store food

may be as essential

to our temporal salvation today

as boarding the ark was

to the people in the days of Noah."

Ezra Taft Benson

“Prepare Ye,” Ensign, Jan 1974, 68

I TRIED!

In my attempt to cope with allergies I have evolved into not wearing make-up or using perfume. My sinuses thank me for it, but unfortunately I’ve grown to be very dowdy in my appearance in more ways than one.

The other day I was feeling particularly well. I had a meeting to go to so when I dressed up I decided I’d put on a little make-up. I started with mascara. It had been a while since I made such an attempt on my eyes. I was surprised that I hardly had any lashes to apply mascara to. Still I did the best I could with the few lashes I had.

I then added some brownish eye shadow on my upper lid hoping to compensate for the lack of definition I achieved with my mascara. It was a new purchase and I could instantly see that it was way too light. I wondered why I had even bothered putting it on. It was the same color as my skin.

I went for my lips next with a very conservative color. It was a subdued mauve kind of shade, what my lip color should be, but has unfortunately faded with time. Last, a little blush, because in my old age I have definitely quit blushing. I added just a tiny bit of color on my cheekbones and like my lips it is where color once was.

"Good blending," I thought as wrapped it all up.  I was out the door, but I had to pick up Sam before I went to my meeting. He was at Cassie’s. I rolled up in front of the house and honked the horn. He quickly ran to the car. It was dark out with maybe a bit of moonlight filtering in through the car windows or maybe it was the street light. Whatever it was, there was very little light in the car.

Sam hopped in and looked at me. Without a wince or a flinch he quickly fastened his safety belt securely and settled into his seat. He then turned and looked at me again and said, with all candor, “So . .  what’s up with all the make-up?”

“I’m going to a meeting and I thought I’d try and look a little nicer,” was my reply.

He seemed content with my answer. He didn’t say anything more. He just turned and looked straight ahead as we drove off.

I was obviously out of character. I was hoping not to look like my usual frumpy self, but with Sam’s frank question I wondered if  I was looking like a painted woman.  I just laughed and went to my meeting.

"If you can't make it better,

you can laugh at it."

Erma Bombeck

Choices

My Janna girl is a senior.
She has important choices to make.

What will she do?
(Janna and JoJo)

Where will she go?
(Janna in Okinawa)

The list goes on.
Graduation is set for May 2010.
Whatever decisions she makes,
it will be life-changing.
It will be an adventure.

“It is our choices that show what we truly are,
far more than our abilities.”
J. K. Rowling

Youth of the noble birthright, 

here's the counsel of an apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer.

In The Thick of Thick Things

One of my New Year resolutions was to do a good deed everyday. Before 2010 even started I was getting into gear and thinking about this goal. I had pondered the words of President Thomas S. Monson when he said:

"I am confident it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.” How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you’ve left it for others to help, feeling that “oh, surely someone will take care of that need.”

We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes."

My life has been very busy and I was hurrying to Costco while I had an opportunity. There were so many people at my house for the Christmas/New Year holiday. Shopping for food was a definite priority.

As I walked briskly through the parking lot heading toward the store entrance, I saw a very elderly couple. They were carefully walking toward their car that was parked in the first handicap space of the row I was hurrying down. The man, though tall and large in stature, no doubt very virile in his day, was walking with a walker. His shorter wife, obviously just as unable bodied, pushed their shopping cart, maneuvering it to the rear of their car. The trunk popped open and the thought crossed my mind, "There is someone that could use some help."

I observed the man letting go of his walker and turning to lift a rather large box from their shopping cart. I ignored my previous thought and told myself, "Surely they will be okay."

I quickly trotted passed and then abruptly stopped myself thinking, "Here I claimed I wanted to be of service to people in a greater way. I have obviously seen a need and have been prompted to help and I'm ignoring it!"

I was in disbelief at my behavior. I immediately did a 180 and quickly returned to the couple. The elderly gentleman was carefully placing the box of groceries in his trunk, but with a bit of a drop and an audible “Kerplunk!" I commented, "You know, I saw you here with your walker and thought, 'maybe you could use some help?'"

His wife smiled and he replied, "Well, I think I've got it already," as he straightened up, trying to look more sturdy than he was.

He had definitely loaded the heaviest part of his purchase, there was no doubt about it.  I quickly said, "I believe you can do this." I then grabbed some other items in their cart and then continued with my plea, "But please, let me finish loading the rest of your items."

With smiles they watched as I strategically loaded the rest of their purchase. The woman was obviously delighted with my kindness. They were both happy, pleased, and thanked me.

I smiled and nodded my acknowledgement of their gratitude, but little did they know, I was the grateful one. The Spirit was still filling me like rushing water as I turned and headed toward the store. I was so happy and pleased with my little gesture, especially because of the understanding that came; that's what Heavenly Father really wanted me to know.  It was so obvious that my doings were literally a reenactment of President Monson's words. I intended to be of service, but I was letting it go in the name of being busy with my own family responsibilities. My family is certainly important, but my helpfulness took less than a minute if thirty seconds.

How grateful I was for my "about face" recognition of it all and my quick march that brought me into participating in a service that used very little time and yet resulted in the biggest of dividends. The Spirit filled me. The Spirit taught me. How shallow I was, and yet, I got the kick start I needed to proceed into the new year of  listening to the Spirit more, of serving more, of loving more, of being in the "thick of [thick] things".

Season Wrap-Up

Snuggies for Christmas!

Family Pallbearers, La Verne Cemetery
La Verne, California

Interment
Dorothy McMullin Reynders
December 4, 2009

Sammy and other family members went on three hikes
during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

Beautiful Weather!

Billy graduated with his Masters in Education from ASU.
December 17, 2009

Billy, Baby Ryan, and Chelsea
Here for Christmas from Arizona.

Cassie and her boys moved back to Lancaster.
They're living with their Poppy Reynders.

Cassie's Baby Dexter
Home and Well

Jeremiah's Birthday Celebration

“Cheers to a new year
and another chance
for us to get it right.”
Oprah Winfrey

School starts next week.  Our holiday is coming to a close.
From our family, we wish you the BEST in 2010!

The Singing Missionary

Called to Serve

Janet Reynders

Illinois Nauvoo Mission

I'm so excited and pleased to find out today that my niece, Janet, is going on a mission.  Her mission is unique in that it will only be for approximately four months and she'll be what they call, a performing missionary.  She will be part of the entertaining productions that people see when they visit Nauvoo.  She'll be acting, singing, and dancing telling the story of the Saints that once lived there.  No doubt her testimony will shine brightly.  She'll be gone May thru August.  We'd all love to go and see her in action.  Here's hoping!

"Youth of the Church, the world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. The harvest truly is great. Let there be no mistake about it; the missionary opportunity of a lifetime is yours. The blessings of eternity await you. Yours is the privilege to be, not spectators, but participants on the stage of service to others."

President Thomas S. Monson
"That All May Hear," New Era, May 1996, 4

Two Questions Every Day

I'm into 2010, optimistic and looking ahead with new goals.  Most of my journal keeping since August 2008 has been in the form of letters - a collection of letters to my son, Tommy/Elder Blair.  I had a friend give me a compact journal recently, I'm going to use it for some daily recording.  I have two questions I want to ponder. I hope to prod my family each day with the same.  I hope I can write something daily.  I'm hoping for a great year! These questions are prompted by talks given by President Henry B. Eyring and President Thomas S. Monson.

1.   How did the hand of God touch my life today?

2.   What have I done for someone today?

My dad once told me, that when I was very little and my parents would ask me not to do something, I would immediately turn to do it and say, "Here . . .  I . . . .  go!"  I guess I've grown up a bit.  Now the presiding brethren have asked me to do something.  I'm glad to say, "Here I go!"
 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy Birthday Boys!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEREMIAH!

Today is my oldest grandson's birthday.
Jeremiah is 6 years old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEXTER!

Today is my youngest grandson's birthday.
Big brother and little brother now share their B-days.

WHAT A SURPRISE!!!

Dexter Lorrell Dedman
12-31-09
7:33 AM
8.5 lbs.
20 1/2 inches

Happy happy birthday, children dear;
Happy days will come to you all year.
If I had one wish, then it would be
A happy happy birthday to you from me!

Words and music:
Children's Songbook - 284a
Mildred E. Millett, b. 1925. © 1963 IRI

My Temple! My Temple! It's My Temple!

Last night for family home evening we read our "Family From Yosemite" stories.  Rick even got on the phone from Okinawa to join us.  Our Tom, Elder Blair, will be part of it all when we send him a special New Year's package with all the stories. If you don't know what "The Family From Yosemite" is all about, read my post about our previous Christmas, January 6, 2009.  The following is my contribution this year.

“MY TEMPLE, MY TEMPLE, IT’S MY TEMPLE!!!”

By Martha Reynders Blair

December 25, 2009

We were on our way to see the Christmas lighting of the Los Angeles Temple. It wasn’t something we had done before as a family, but with our four children getting older we thought it was something we could definitely enjoy together.

We were rendezvousing with the McEwan family. Many of the McEwan children were the same age as our own. Brother McEwan’s father was the temple president. President McEwan and his wife maintained a residence nearby which would be helpful if anyone needed a potty stop, a rest, ect. All of which were concerns in transporting children to such an event.

Along with the McEwan’s we met with, President and Sister McEwan, in their home. It was so nice and we felt very privileged being there. We toured their cozy home and yes, someone had to go to the bathroom. There was also a little, round jogging trampoline (exercising apparatus of the day) in their living room. Yes, the kids all took a turn jumping on it.

We enjoyed a musical program that evening on the temple grounds listening to the Southern California Mormon Choir and an exceptional speech by the Mayor of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley, who officially flipped the switch to turn on the lights for the holiday season.

Our intent too, was to have a bit of a tailgate party. Keeping children happy with yummy hot chocolate and treats. We did and it kept everyone going for the evening. The cocoa was nice and warm which tasted good and felt so good on what was a very cold night. We enjoyed ourselves as we meandered through the temple grounds looking at the array of lights and listening to the recorded Christmas music that came and went as we traveled around looking at the displays.

It was really a very enjoyable evening, but none of it surpasses the moment as we drove along side the temple and got our first view of the edifice that night.  Let me digress just a moment to a family home evening not too long before this event. It was a family home evening prompted by the direction of President Spencer W. Kimball. He had asked families to hang a picture of a temple in their home. We decided to let each child select a favorite temple and we would display it in their room. Ricky, the oldest, picked the traditional Salt Lake Temple. Billy selected the St. George Temple. It was my favorite as a child too. Its very white walls made me think of purity. For this reason, I always thought it looked particularly holy. Cassie the youngest was quick to say she liked the Los Angeles Temple which was where Hugh and I were married. Becky then selected the only other temple that was in California at the time, the Oakland Temple. Each picture was framed and placed in a strategic place in their rooms. The idea was that seeing the temple everyday would remind them of the importance of the temple and how they should prepare to enter the House of the Lord.

We were laughing and talking as we turned off the freeway and headed down Santa Monica Blvd. It was already evening with lights beaming brightly against the very dark sky, but soon the temple came into view. It’s a view Hugh and I see all the time in our monthly sojourn to participate in temple worship, but it was new to our children and our fun togetherness was interrupted by Cassie’s excited screams. She pointed and pressed her face to the window next to her, “MY TEMPLE, MY TEMPLE, IT’S MY TEMPLE!!!” We all turned and looked out the window.  There we saw the Los Angeles Temple in all its luminous glory glowing before us.

It truly is a light upon a hill, majestic, and magnificent, bearing witness to all the world and calling, “Come, Come Unto Christ".  I was moved that night as I viewed the temple and heard Cassie cry, “MY TEMPLE, MY TEMPLE, IT’S MY TEMPLE!!!” Now she’s a young mother with a temple recommend, endowed with power from on high. She hopes her little boys will prepare seeing the joy and hope of the temple, not only from the picture that graces the walls of their home, but by the example she sets in temple attendance. It truly is her temple, THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, where He blesses her life and her family eternally.