The Life and Times of Jody Seamons Schuman

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

2011-10-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

Never having had the opportunity to be in attendance at General Conference since the Conference Center was built in 2000, enjoying the Tabernacle (built in 1868 by the pioneers) with my family in my youth and with my children, and now living on the western side of the Continental Divide, we thought it was time to experience Salt Lake City during General Conference weekend -- and what an experience we enjoyed!

With many thanks to my wonderful son John and his beautiful wife Dana for giving us their tickets to the Saturday morning session, and after driving all evening and finally getting to sleep in our Salt Lake City hotel around 4:00am, we gladly awoke at 7:00am to get dressed, hop onto the rail and walk into the Conference Center in plenty of time to be able to find our seats and feel the experience unfold! John is invited each year during October Conference to attend with all the other LDS Chaplains, where they are taught and fed, both physically and spiritually, to fill and prepare them to return to their various assignments and continue the great work in which they are passionately and lovingly serving.
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As we sat on the floor level in the second section back from the podium and watched as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir warmed up, and people began streaming in and drinking up the spirit that was definitely present, we marveled at the opportunity to actually be there, not just watching it on TV. We thought we had prepared ourselves for this experience, but we had only prepared ourselves to begin to understand the feelings that were flooding into our hearts.

We kept watching for the Prophet to arrive...and we waited, and we waited, but when Conference began he had not yet arrived! Nothing was said, not a beat was missed, but HE was missed! We had come so far to be in his presence -- a true and living Prophet of God! President Eyring and President Uchtdorf were there along with most of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, but President Thomas S. Monson was not in attendance! The talks began, the music was beautiful, and by the time we stood to sing the congregational hymn (or "half time song") -- in he came -- as if there was no reason to be alarmed. He was announced as the next speaker, and when he arrived at the podium the sound of his "hello" was like music to my ears, and my final arrival with my whole heart!

Every talk was directed to our hearts and minds, and we felt such an honor to be in the presence of the Lord's servants who had received the inspiration to share those things that we needed to hear -- in person.

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We were particularly touched as President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, arrived in a wheelchair. We watched as his brothers, the other members of the Twelve Apostles, cared for his every need and comfort as he sat in his place of honor. How grateful we were to be in attendance at this session -- to watch those who love and serve with him, and then to hear his message filled with such love, counsel and inspiration -- particularly for me and my soon to be 19 grandchildren:
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"Sometimes you might be tempted to think as I did from time to time in my youth: “The way things are going, the world’s going to be over with. The end of the world is going to come before I get to where I should be.” Not so! You can look forward to doing it right—getting married, having a family, seeing your children and grandchildren, maybe even great-grandchildren. If you will follow these principles, you will be watched over and protected and you yourself will know by the promptings of the Holy Ghost which way to go, for “by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” I promise you that it will be so and invoke a blessing upon you, our precious youth."
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We were so filled and moved that we didn't want to leave this holy place!

We lingered, continued to drink in and Spirit, and filled our eyes, ears and hearts with everything we could see, hear and feel. We came, we heard, and our hearts were filled to overflowing. What a way to begin the weekend!

The skies were just a little cloudy, keeping the warm autumn sun from smoldering each person who ventured out on such a beautiful day to be a part of this experience. But the contrasts were real, and impossible to explain without having been there ourselves. As we arrived on Temple Square, we were immediately accosted by those who did not believe as we did, and the negativity and darkness that surrounded them and the words they spoke were like knives piercing our hearts that were so filled with anticipation. But as soon as we crossed the street and entered the doors of the Conference Center, that darkness dissipated and peace replaced the confusion. But as we left the Conference Center and crossed the street again, we notice that walking past those same people with different opinions and beliefs was not the same, because this time we were walking toward those young college age students who were singing hymns right next to them -- the spirit of these clean young men and women far surpassed the darkness of the adversary, and we again felt the hand of the Lord guiding us towards the light of faith.

Surrounding every inch of Temple Square were people who had brought their families to basque in the Spirit of Conference -- some had been able to go inside the Conference Center, some inside the Tabernacle, and some just enjoyed the beautiful grounds. Never having seen Temple Square before quite like this, Stephan could hardly believe his eyes!

All we had to do was look up to see Moroni proclaiming that on these sacred grounds we would feel the presence of the Lord -- and we did!

Stephan met his friend Joseph Smith -- again -- and had a chat with him. They had become good friends since first meeting at the Nauvoo Pageant, then learning more about Joseph as we watched "The Work and the Glory" DVD series that Stephan received for his birthday.

He also got to see Joseph and Emma together, and the gentle looks of kindness and love in their expressions towards each other. What majestic and artistic beauty we found at every turn. We can hardly wait for the movie "The Plates of Gold" which is coming soon to Boise. He loves to learn about those who were so instrumental in bring about the restoration of the Gospel he is learning to love.

And of course, no first trip to Conference would be complete without having lunch at the Lion House, the restored residence of Brigham Young and his family, and the home of some of the most delicious homestyle food in the area! Although waiting in line to get inside took a little more time than we thought, realizing that we would not need to rush back for the afternoon session made the wait worthwhile, and we enjoyed every mouth watering bite!

The gardens were absolutely immaculate, both along the front of the Beehive House next door and the Lion House.

Then Stephan asked what this strange bird represented at the Seagull Monument. I had not realized he had never heard the story of the Seagulls and the Crickets! What fun it was to recite that story that I had known since childhood. We call it the "Miracle of the Seagulls" and the complete story can be found by typing in that story at http://lds.org. He would never look at a seagull the same way again!

From there we walked just a few short blocks to Terry and Gloria's condo, where we enjoyed watching the rest of the Saturday afternoon session of Conference, before the boys were soon to leave for the Priesthood Session, where Terry had tickets for he and Stephan to again sit inside the Conference Center and to be in the presence of the Lord's anointed.

While they were gone, it was the girls' turn to have a little fun, so we found the nearest DSW Warehouse and did a little shoe shopping (thanks Gloria!), returning in time to meet the pizza delivery man before the men returned home. Sitting together as a family while my oldest brother, husband, and the others (including my niece's sons who are preparing for their missions) shared what they had learned during Priesthood Session, was very humbling and I looked around at those faced I love so very much and felt such gratitude for having family that shared such love for our Father in Heaven and his beloved Son Jesus Christ, and listened and learned from His inspired servants.

But the long day had caught up with us and we were so glad to be in our beautiful room at Little America, that I don't think either of us remember our heads hitting that pillow! So, enjoying Sunday morning Conference in bed (Church in our jammies) at that beautiful place was indeed a treat! I think we've found a tradition -- just like Uncle Vern and Aunt Bonnie, I love Little America at Conference time! It is far enough from the masses, yet close enough to hop the transit and be dropped off close to everything!

But we had tickets again for the afternoon session, thanks to John, and we were not going to miss a moment of it! However, our feet were tired from the previous day, so after checking out of our hotel and packing the car, we found a lovely Egyptian taxi driver who could get us to the Conference Center in record time -- if only he knew were it was...NOT the Salt Palace where he first pulled up, the Conference Center!! Flipping back across the street he hit the traffic on their way into the parking area and had a few words to say about some of the unkind things these supposedly kind people were doing with their cars on the way to a meeting that teaches kindness and tolerance! After a few responses bringing better understanding between us, we made it in plenty of time, walked to our door, and just having expressed our desire to see someone from "home" we run into Will Smith from St. Louis! See, every little prayer is heard and answered! In fact, following that afternoon session of Conference we ran into Lonnie and Debbie McCleve from Gilbert -- a true miracle that I needed...to renew my connection with those whom I love so much, and who had been and continue to be some of my dearest friends.

Once again, our hearts and Spirits drank every word of that concluding session of Conference that we could hardly find the exit doors -- the sweet ushers of the Conference Center had to find the exit doors for us! We were so moved by the beauty of the art work in the Conference Center, particularly this piece entitled, "Jesus Christ Visits the Americas" painted by John Scott, depicting His visit to the Nephites following his resurrection (as recorded in 3 Nephi of the Book of Mormon) -- what a powerful feeling that was to imagine being among those who were there at His feet.

One last walk around Temple Square, viewing the beautiful bronze sculptures and remembering our great love for Nauvoo, we felt the connection between what now had become our two favorite places to visit.

"When you're here, we're here" continued to be true as we were drawn to these familiar friends and recognizing them as being a part of the reason why we were able to be where we were, and feel what we had just felt, and would continue to learn as they were so instrumental in bringing about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How very grateful I am for a the opportunity to experience these childhood memories once again, and see them fresh and new through the eyes of my dear husband. His new and pure love of what I have loved all my life brings a renewed strength to my testimony of the truthfulness of this work. We are not alone here in this life to meander aimlessly without direction or leadership. We have a living Prophet -- President Thomas S. Monson, who arrived as a direct result of my personal prayer (I'm sure!), that we might be taught at his feet and listen to what the Lord would have us hear and feel.

I know that Conference has never been so sweet, and having someone to share this feast of the Spirit was such a joy to my heart and another confirmation the the Lord truly hears and answers our every prayer. As we continue to prepare for one day becoming sealed as a forever family, we are grateful for these tender mercies that continue to confirm the rightness and surety of the direction our lives have taken -- I know He lives, and that He loves us. Why do I know that? Because I sat at the feet of His Prophet who told me that He loved me -- and I felt it through every fiber of my being -- and I love Him too!

Family Traditions Continue at Fish Lake

2011-08-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

This year marked the 20th year anniversary that our family has been visiting Fish Lake, one of the most beautiful places on earth! For the 30 years before that since my early childhood, we had been making our annual family pilgrimage to the high sierras at Hilton Lakes. But when my mother's health kept her from riding a horse, she and dad found this beautiful place where we could drive directly to the cabins walk right down to the fishing marina, rent boats large enough to fit a crew, and occasionally find a fish or two! These road signs became the mark of the turnoff to this very special new place for our family!

We began in this 2-story cabin, the Mackinaw, which sleeps over 20 people -- 20 years ago my entire family with siblings and their children stayed in this one cabin. Now with numbers exceeding 100 among all the descendants of Robert and Jessie Seamons, my family alone exceeds the limit of people allowed to sleep in this one cabin! So, that has resulted in our renting almost every cabin at Fish Lakes in order to accommodate all my siblings and their children and grandchildren that choose to join us for a week of food, fishing, family and fun -- and in no particular order! John and Dana could only join us for a couple of days this year, and as usual, John gathers the little ones together for a rousing game of "Go Fish!"

Well, then again, maybe food is one of the first big events, since we arrive on a Sunday and wait until Monday to begin fishing. So what do you do on a Sunday night? Well, it's ice cream time! Dave and Ann bring their "sundae trough" which is reserved for this very treat, and boy is it a treat for the eyes as well as every little child's dream!

And as they dig in, the adults either try to find a place without any backwash, or get a dish of their own and scoop up their own concoction!

Everyone love the first night -- the ice cream trough, the hugs, the family seen sometimes for the first time...like Jacob and his first year at Fish Lake!

The first day begins on a very serious note, as all my brothers gather with their gas griddles, aprons, and chef's tools, and cook up a feast for everyone for breakfast! First day is pancakes, second is McGree Creek eggs, and third is Jolly French Toast, each with special stories and meaning to our family -- but each a delicious and well executed meal!

Fishing takes a lot of energy, so breakfast is really the most important meal of the day -- besides, it's the first time we're all together in the Pavilion -- all 100 or so of us! Young cousins have grown another 2 years older, and have been looking forward to seeing each other again! Older cousins catch up on the challenges of parenthood and life changes, but all find connections that they will enjoy for those few short days.

And here are my oldest granddaughters -- Maddie (Brian's), Ashleigh (Jana's) and Brooklynn (Steve's) who have been waiting and waiting to be together again! These gorgeous granddaughters come with Primary graduation certificates, new braces, new houses and moving experiences, but they have a common bond of family that is strengthened every time they get together!

One of the fun traditions we started a couple of years ago was making and decorating cupcakes. But the number of grandchildren has increased to the point that we begin with the younger crew in order to allow everyone access to all the goodies...

Then come the older grandchildren, and they amaze us with their creativity, art, and sheer joy of the fun in creating their magnificent masterpieces.

We had everything from Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy to gummy fish on Fish Lake, and everything in between -- but all were yummy and so fun to share at our dessert buffet bar that night with the rest of the families.

Well, now that Stephan sees how much fun all my brothers have in cooking breakfast together, he jumps into the "fire" and grabs a spatula to join in the fun! McGree Creek eggs have never tasted better!

Then, it's off for fishing -- two families take a boat, while others find fun things to do on shore, and it's time for all the siblings and their spouses to take the third boat out for an afternoon of catching up, getting to know Stephan, and an occasional fish nibbling on our inattentive fishing poles!

Terry started as the captain, with Scott and Sue in front with Jeff and Sherri -- the latter who had come without their spouses -- while Dave and Ann, Gloria and I were seated out of the sun and under the canopy -- smart!

Except of course Stephan would find the sun somehow -- so he stretched out on the back of the boat and enjoyed the gorgeous lake that would become his new favorite place to be!

"It's been a while since I've been fishing," he states, but holds that fishing pole like he's dangerous! At least he looks good! We returned fishless, but with a greater appreciation of family and the blessings each of our individual families had enjoyed.

Since Stephan never goes anywhere without his guitar, he celebrates the beauty of this gorgeous view (and a little more sun) by serenading us with his tunes. Then Jeff pulled out his guitar, and we thought we were in Nashville! Next time we're going to put you two on the stage of the Amphitheater and DEMAND a show!

With such creative daughters whose children need something to do when they aren't on a boat fishing, Cortney had prepared this darling scavenger hunt, including binoculars and a list of things to look for to fill their bags.

When they returned, each had found the most beautiful smooth rock, or the most amazing flower, or pine cone, or other fun and beautiful work of our Father in Heaven that surrounded us in this heavenly place.

Almost like at Easter time, they spread out their "loot" and share their excitement with each other.

Cousins come to visit from their cabins (or escape to our fun-filled cabin) and out come the cards. If these tables could talk, they would give quite a history of this family's game antics and the conversations that surround them!

How quickly the week had gone by, and this being our last outing on the boat we decided to take some pictures to remember (or at least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!). My favorite memories include my children passing on these traditions to their children -- whether it's a new fishing hole, how to hold their poles, or just enjoying a gorgeous evening and knowing it will be another 2 years before we return to this place filled with such memories.

Now the captain, Stephan proudly navigates our family around the lake while the boys play with their boys, and we cherish each and every one of those moments together.

Joe and Kingston take to the poles and these dads show their boys how it's done.

But the last day before everyone leaves, we have to have one last family picture of each family so we can remember that year -- what each grandchild looked like at that age, and to hold onto those cherished memories. Here Brian and Angie, with their children Maddie, Hannah, Chloe and Abby pose in front of the beautiful stream that ran along side our cabin. This stream was the place where every kid in camp wanted to play all day -- whether in their rubber boots, flip flops, bare feet, or whatever they could -- water and kids go together!

Steve and Cortney pose on the steps of the Mackinaw with Brooklynn, Braden and Brinley after a fun week of being together. These steps have been the official "picture taking steps" since Steve was Braden's age -- and what fun memories we have of those years!

Then Jana and Scott pose in that same spot with Ashleigh, Emily, Natalie and Charlee -- with baby girl #4 on the way and ready for her first trip to Fish Lake in 2 years. Good thing she has older sisters who can show her the ropes, all the cool spots to visit, and all the fun cousins that are so much a part of Fish Lake.

Another first year for Joe and Stephanie with all three boys together -- Van, Kingston and Jax, since the last time Stephanie was here she was still carrying Kingston. This time without being pregnant, she could enjoy the beauty of this place, and we all had such fun with the boys...they never stopped!

The older generation gets their last pose in -- Stephan's first time now a successful memory -- at least the boys brought him back from the "all boys" fishing trip alive! He made it through meeting most of my family for the first time, and even having a little fun!

The last to leave the Mackinaw, Stephan poses for a parting shot -- now a wonderful memory.

And now wearing his new Fish Lake jacket, he bids farewell to this place where he now understands why is so very important to me. Missing the last Fish Lake while I was serving my Mission in St. Louis was very difficult, and while I was teaching people like Stephan at the time, I would never trade that opportunity to serve and teach the Gospel that I love so much. I just never anticipated that I would return to Fish Lake with one of those I had been teaching!

But here we came, and here we'll come again -- now a place where we can share these memories of family, beauty, and lots of fun. Why are family traditions so important? Well, those are the relationships we can take with us through the eternities -- and for me and my family, I can hardly wait! I am so grateful to have a family that I love so much and really WANT to be with forever, so until next time -- we grab those quick visits when we can, and keep the love alive!

Forever Families Now Complete

2011-02-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more sweet than to be in the Temple of the Lord with your family, other than possibly to witness the sealing of this sweet family, now together forever!

As a mother, my heart swells within me as I have watched Joe, this amazing son of mine grow in his gifts and abilities, select his beautiful bride Stephanie, and together give birth to and raise these three precious sons. But to be the gramma in the car with them as we turn into the parking lot of the Temple and hear 3-year old Kingston exclaim with such excitement, "It's the Temple, Mom" and his mother reply, "and today we get to go inside as a family," the tears began to flow with a sense of completeness and wonder. Just the Sunday before, Kingston had learned again that Jesus was Heavenly Father's Son, and he was so excited to go into Jesus' house, the House of the Lord, with his family on this beautiful day.

It's not so much a matter of when a family chooses to become a forever family, but THAT the family choose when their lives have been prepared for such a special event. Joe and Stephanie have grown in their love for each other and for their Father in Heaven, since their romantic wedding on the first day of our family cruise. Then these sweet boys started coming so fast and they knew that there could be no greater love than what they felt for these precious sons, and making an eternal commitment to each other and their children was the greatest gift they could imagine.

As a few of us were able to share this special day with them, it will be forever etched in our hearts the feelings we had as we witnessed the blessings given to this family, and the way the boys' eyes were wide with wonder that they hardly could leave that special place.

But we did (and Jax kept trying to build the Temple with his blocks), and we spent the next couple of days playing with cousins, friends, and feeling the bonds of family -- whether present in mind and spirit or in person. Each of these beautiful 18 grandchildren is now a part of our forever family, and as their grandmother I feel such an honor to watch them grow in love for their families and their Father in Heaven...to teach them about their special heritage, their sacred roles within that heritage, and to be a part of their lives as often as I can.

With modern technology racing their quickened minds, they teach each other the games and activities that keep their minds sharp and capable of soaking up all the knowledge and wisdom that they will need to fulfill their respective missions here on earth.

Their faces shine and their eyes dance with clarity and joy, and these feelings just continue to be amplified as they spend this precious time together.

But all too soon Steve, Cortney, Brooklynn, Braden and Brinley must return to their home in Utah, having enjoyed these few days with us to share in this special event.

So, we'll say a "goodbye for now" until the next time when any or all of our forever family can get together and share the eternal bonds of love that continue to grow.

P.S. "Yes, Mom, I know I have precious cargo and will drive carefully!"

Snow Days in St. Louis!

2011-01-20T12:28:00.001-08:00

In all my years of working in law firms, I've never been called at 6:30am to tell me that the office will be closed for the day due to the snow storm! If I were on salary, I would be elated and realize that I had one extra paid vacation -- but when temping, there is no pay for a Snow Day!

Before the snow started last night (around 8:00pm), we had been to the funeral home to dress Sister Mildred who had passed away a few days earlier in preparation for her funeral tomorrow. We were concerned that we would get stuck in the storm, as the entire City had been preparing for the storm all day and it was scheduled to start between 7 and 8pm. But we made it there and back, even with a stop at IHOP, where the large flakes started falling and we could see them in the street lights of the parking lot...it was beautiful!

By the time we woke up this morning, we had over 6" and the storm went on to over 8" before it wound down. This Winter Wonderland is simply amazing when you're able to view it from the large front windows of your warm living room!

The beauty of the snow was a welcome change from the events of the previous day, when after over a year of searching, temping and interviews I was finally extended an offer with a national law firm with a growing office here in St. Louis. Three hours later, the offer was taken "off the table." My agent was speechless, never having experienced such a travesty in the decade in which she had been with her agency!

So, today as I look out the window at the view which has become so beautiful to me, I realize that sooner rather than later we need to seriously consider the possibility of relocation in order that we both can find more acceptable employment in these times approaching our "golden years." As a friend of mine once said, "these golden years seem a little brassy to me!" But we're still focusing on the golden part!!

The bunnies, squirrel and robins are safe and warm in their winter homes, as are we. Sooner rather than later the snow will melt, the flowers and blossoms begin to peek out, and Anfred Walk becomes a secret garden filled with life.

These trees and bushes now barren of their lush foliage hold the promise of life and beauty in the cotton-like clouds of freshly fallen snow.

Our back patio, usually covered with the shade of the leafy trees, now allows the few and far between rays of sunshine to come through our kitchen window. Heck, our miniature tomatoes are still growing in a pot in our window sill, and we'll possibly have tomatoes all winter long!

While it's trash day tomorrow, the trash cans will have to be cleared off to put the remaining trash inside and carried out to the curb. The BBQ and air conditioner, however, probably won't see much attention for another few months. Everything looks so fresh and clean when covered with the whiteness of the snow.

While the sidewalk was cleared early this morning, the snow wasn't finished yet and created another layer that maintains that fresh, clean, white look in this beautiful little haven we call home. It may be our last winter here, but the memories of this special little place during these first few months of our marriage have created a strong foundation that was added to the layers of our lives. Now we two are one, our goal is to keep these new layers of our lives fresh, clean and white while we prepare to enter the Temple to be sealed for time and all eternity -- the greatest adventure of all!

Reflections at Christmas 2010

2010-12-20T20:44:00.001-08:00

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Reflections at Christmas

2010-12-19T15:57:00.000-08:00

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Thanksgiving in Pagedale

2010-11-20T19:21:00.000-08:00

I never thought I would be caught wearing a garbage bag -- let alone a yellow one, but these are really aprons, no -- really! They just LOOK like garbage bags! What a wonderful experience that I hadn't anticipated being so fun and fulfilling as we served a Thanksgiving dinner to the families of Pagedale.

And of course, we weren't alone, as our fabulous missionaries are first on the serving table with their bright smiles and fun personalities. Elders Jenson, Stewart, O'Neal and Hanson served up every side dish you could imagine!

The drinks and desserts were manned by the women! Karalee, Julie Marita and a volunteer from Rockwood were all smiles as they set up and distributed these yummies!

Not to be outdone, the children put on their gloves and got to work -- such darling faces!

We brought up the tail end of the serving line, as Stephan served some delicious chicken, and I had tongs in both hands -- "would you like white or dark meat turkey?"

Eyeing the macaroni and cheese, a St. Louis Thanksgiving tradition, they hoped there would be plenty left for them!

Even the Senior Sister missionaries and new converts came to help -- Sister Hall and Tonya, with a few volunteers from President Sleet's Ward in Rockwood wanting to find out why we love doing this project every year!

The room began to fill with families from all parts of Pagedale -- young, old, and everything in between came to feel of each other's spirits, becoming new friends and sharing their talents and welcoming kindness.

The Monday before Thanksgiving we had the blessing of going to the Bishop's Storehouse and providing Thanksgiving dinner to a few families in our Branch, who squealed with delight as they came to help unload the car with all the trimmings to their unexpected holiday dinner. However, we were unable to complete the deliveries before a tornado style rain storm opened the heavy clouds and completely soaked Stephan. As hard as I prayed that he wouldn't get sick, that night I felt that it was me who would be getting my annual winter respiratory creeping crud! Then Stephan joined me (probably out of sympathy) with some of his own bugs, and by Thanksgiving Eve we were both sick as dogs!

But we awoke to a beautiful morning and were anxious to make the trip to Warrenton to visit (for me to meet for the first time) Uncle Jack and Aunt Marilyn -- Stephan's relatives and their families. It was a delightful drive to the first snowflakes of the season, and we loved the feeling of family at the holidays. Their acceptance and immediate love made it seem as if we'd been coming for this special occasion all our lives!

But we could only stay a couple of hours before our "drugs" ran out, and then needed to return home to our sick beds for the remainder of the weekend. Although we went to the first hour of Church, we returned home right after and enjoyed our own Thanksgiving dinner the next Sunday, taking turns between the kitchen and our sick beds! But we HAD to have our own leftovers!

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection on the blessings given throughout the year, and we found ourselves filled with gratitude for the multiple blessings that continue on a daily basis. Creating our own new family traditions as a newly married couple has brought both of us such joy and renewal of hope in the miracle of our new life together.

Friends to Forever Families

2010-10-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

Charles, his mom Barbara and his father Zetti, including his soon-to-be newborn brother expected in just one month, are the most recent "forever families" among those I had the opportunity to teach while serving my mission. Having originally come from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zetti and Barbara met in Chicago, fell in love, and were married.

However, in their culture, when the woman marries the man she also joins his tribe as well as his religion. Although they were originally from the same tribe and Zetti had joined the Church years before then served a mission prior to his coming to the States, Barbara soon converted from her family's religion and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But it all happened quickly, and she still had many questions as to how to resolve some of her childhood concerns about religion.

So, my companion and I were asked to come and teach her the missionary lessons, and we had a wonderful time in learning of her culture as the Lord blessed all of us to find ways that we could help her find the answers she had sought for such a very long time.

Surrounded by many of the sisters in the Ward who loved and supported Barbara and this wonderful family, we were thrilled to celebrate this special day where eternal dreams begin.

There is nothing more beautiful than the Temple, especially after having enjoyed the blessing of serving within its walls.

The leaves have changed and many fallen from the trees that usually cover this view, but the colors of those leaves have been absolutely brilliant!

The colors that surround the Temple grounds are almost ablaze, and create a pathway towards the Temple that feels like a red carpet inviting us towards its open doors.

It seems that every season brings a different invitation to come to the Temple. The Spring invites new beginnings; the Summer brings a celebration of the beauty of the earth; in the Fall it seems there is an urgency to partake of the blessings and to store them in anticipation of a long Winter; however, there is a respite from the elements within its walls during the infrequent but occasional days of snow and ice. While we never need a reason to return, there is such joy and peace when we find ourselves once again enjoy the Spirit that is only found within.

This Autumn season has been so enjoyable as we have found a variety of ways to seek and find new beauties. Taking a Sunday afternoon drive across the river and along the Great River Road, the little surrounding towns are alive with the activity and anticipation of the upcoming holidays.

We had such fun watching the changing seasons before our very eyes. I remember this season while growing up in Southern California as a child, and the Santa Ana winds that always accompanied us in our Fall Festivities. Raising my children in the trick-or-treating joys of Utah and Arizona, it was always fun to see if we were going to have to open the doors in order to light the fireplace! But here in St. Louis, I feel the crispness of the Fall air increasingly changing as the storms bring cooler air while the leaves create the beautiful carpeting that covers the grounds and roads.

There is nothing more constant than change, both in our surroundings as well as in our lives. To realize that families are growing and changing, it is comforting to remember the eternal promises that await forever families, and gives new urgency to make and keep those sacred Temple covenants.

Happy Birthday Charlee Jayne

2010-08-21T22:00:00.001-07:00

Arriving the afternoon of Saturday, August 21, 2010, weighing in at a whopping 10lb 7oz and 22" long, is beautiful Charlee Jayne, daughter #4 to Jana and Scott and grandbaby #18!! And with Jana needing a couple of weeks "out of commission" and Scott only able to take the first week off work, I was only TOO THRILLED to be able to come and be Gramma for a week!

Named after her father's middle name (Charles) and his grandmother (Jayne), and hoping to pass along the family names, although a little altered, Charlee was long anticipated and there were many sacrifices in order for her to come to this anxious family.

But here she is, and how beautiful!!

One of Jana's friends came the day after I got there to take these adorable pictures.

She said that she's trying to take some newborn babies within their first 7-10 days, and Charlee was just perfect!

She really captured the many faces and adorable moments of this darling baby.

Smiles and all!

But mostly loving the comforts of soft blankies and lots of holding -- and I just couldn't imagine anything I'd rather do!

And with all these darling big sisters, Charlee is going to have lots of "help" to learn all the tricks, I mean things, that she will need to know.

Being so far away, this really helped me to get to know this darling sweet new baby and to feel her spirit, so fresh from our Father in Heaven. She came to a family filled with love for each other and that same Father in Heaven, and she is welcomed with great anticipation!

I don't know who is more excited, Ashleigh because she has three younger sisters and can get some more help, or Natalie because she is finally a big sister, or Emily because she just loves everyone! These girls are so fun to be around, know every trick their mother knew, and a few more!

Thank you for letting me be a part of these first few days. I don't know when I've done more laundry, folded more clothes, or enjoyed that any more than I did while I was there, and can hardly wait until we are together again.

Welcome to our family, Charlee Jayne!

Marguerite Goes to the Temple!

2010-08-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite places to be -- on the grounds of the beautiful St. Louis Temple! And this is one of my favorite places to show at the Temple -- the back of the Temple where the Star of David is so beautiful within the top circle window. But today was an especially wonderful day -- it was the day that Marguerite would be entering to make her own special covenants with her Father in Heaven.

Marguerite is a member of our Branch where I am so thrilled to serve as the Relief Society President. She was taught and baptized by the missionaries just a little over two years ago, and her story is incredible. A true modern day woman of faith, I have learned so much from Marguerite and have loved her from the first time I met her when she and her husband spoke in the Saturday Night session of our Stake Conference while I was serving as a missionary. I was so drawn to her that I went up to her afterward, and we embraced as though we were long lost sisters! But today, she had asked me to accompany her as her escort on this, her most special day, to enter into the House of the Lord and make such sacred promises in His house.

On a Saturday when there are brides and weddings, Marguerite felt like a bride, and certainly was treated like one, as she was given an especially beautiful dress to wear, and were so sweet to allow us to take a few pictures in that beautiful dress after the session.

In front of the fountain of water -- much like the fountain of living water referred to by the Savior to the woman of Samaria. Today, Marguerite partook of those living waters, and will thirst no more.

She felt like a Queen for a Day, as she posed with such a gleam in her eye and a smile so wide it almost didn't fit into the frame!

The flowers were all in bloom and so fragrant...

...and she was like Mother Earth as she enjoyed each one. Her senses were so alert and awakened, and her thrill of life could hardly be described!

She said frequently, "this is where I belong" "this is where I want to stay" as she felt the sweet, peaceful feeling within the walls of the Temple.

It was a thrill to share this time together, and bonded us in a way few sisters have the opportunity to feel.

It was so fun to be joined by other sisters in our Branch, including Claudia, Terrie, Felicia, Karen, and Aleta. Afterward, we went to a Chinese Buffet to continue the celebration, but none of us wanted to leave the Temple too soon.

Thank you, Marguerite, for inviting us to be a part of this incredible day. It reminds us of the eternal sisterhood that we share, and how we are each daughters of a loving Father in Heaven. You are our newest shining example, and we are so happy for you!

Long Lost Cousins Reunion!

2010-08-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

This is my cousin Colleen and her family -- gorgeous family, isn't it! Well, I wish I could say that I've known this family while the children have grown up, because Colleen and I grew up together in Southern California and our families were ALWAYS getting together. But time, marriages, and life seem to separate us, and I haven't seen Colleen for over 30 years -- until now!

You see, their oldest son David just returned from his mission in Japan, and now that we live so close to each other (they are in the Kansas City area and we are in St. Louis), we decided to come to hear David give his talk in Sacrament Meeting -- a great excuse to see my sweet cousin!

I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree -- both of our mothers names were Jessie -- her mother was my father's sister, and my mother, well, what can I say -- our mothers were simply amazing! They both served as Relief Society Presidents numerous times, made every crafty item known to man (that part I don't take after), and were always in the service of their Heavenly Father. Both Colleen and I now have the privilege to serve as Relief Society Presidents in our respective Wards, and remembered with great fondness how much we are like our own mothers!

But this trip also gave us an excuse to see a little more Church History sites. We stopped by the Independence Visitors' Center and went through the beautiful displays and presentations there, including an amazing Arnold Freiberg collection of art -- my all time favorite!

This beautiful Visitors' Center is right across the street from the Temple site which has already been dedicated in Independence, and will be a very special place for the entire world in the not too distant future!

Lots of Church History occurred in Clay County, some of which we learned while visiting Nauvoo and Carthage, and much of which we didn't have time to visit.

But what we did visit was especially meaningful to me -- the Liberty Jail!

When I was a young teenager, my oldest brother Terry was serving as a missionary in Independence, Missouri. We were able to come as a family to visit with him while he was serving as a missionary, and I remember him taking us to see the Liberty Jail -- long before it became a beautiful Visitors' Center with a replica of the jail -- we were actually inside the REAL jail!

But the replica was very powerful, and we could see how short the ceiling was and how cramped these men were. The presentation was extremely moving, knowing the beautiful revelations that were given to the Prophet Joseph Smith during that time.

Taken from Section 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord told Joseph:

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the
pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater then he?" (D&C 122:7-8)

Church History is very clear about what happened in that Liberty Jail, and it was very humbling to sit through that presentation without tears falling at the humility of a Prophet of God, and how the Lord teaches and strengthens His servants.

While taking our picture certainly wasn't part of the tour, it helped us remember that we too are sometimes within our own Liberty Jail, and that all these are for our experience and good -- we can use them for our good.

After we left the Liberty Jail, we were even met by a beautiful butterfly (a symbol of my mother's presence) to confirm that she was not far. A peaceful feeling that "all is well" continued to resonate throughout my being as I considered the many things we have been and will continue to be called upon to endure. I am so very grateful for the examples that have come before me to give me strength and hope in the faith that we hold so very dear to our hearts!

Thanks for the great excuse, Colleen -- let's NOT make it another 30 years before we see each other though, okay? Love you!!

Chloe's Baptism

2010-07-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

Another milestone in the life of my beautiful granddaughter -- Chloe was baptized this weekend in Arizona, and it gave us such a wonderful excuse to gather in a few more hugs to last us across the miles for a while longer.

It seems like only yesterday that I was in Idaho for a week, waiting for Chloe to make her first appearance. But the week came and went, and I needed to return to Arizona and to work the following week. Once I left Idaho, then Chloe finally decided to come -- she has always had her own timetable! But what a delightful addition she has been to our family!

As has become our tradition, Chloe and I did a little morning shopping at Deseret Book to find her favorite picture of Jesus. She lined up all the pictures she liked across the baseboard of the wall, and one by one she looked carefully to see if that was the one that made her feel extra special. Of course, the one she chose (lower left corner) only was in stock in that small size, so she decided to get the framed picture (her next favorite) and put a few together. It gave us a chance to talk about what the picture said:

"He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs."

I asked Chloe, "what's the difference between the lambs and the sheep?" As this wise granddaughter contemplated the answer, she quickly responded, "lambs are baby sheep!" When I asked her how Heavenly Father wants us to feed His lambs, she again knew that it was with the help of her parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends that she was going to learn what she needed to know about Jesus, before she could continue the rest of the way on her own.

And how lucky she is to have such a wonderful father and mother. One of my favorite things about the baptisms of my grandchildren is that their fathers are worthy to perform the baptisms through their righteous use of the Priesthood of God. What a blessing it is to have such humble sons carry on the blessings of the Priesthood in their homes!

And in Arizona, there are plenty of cousins to help as well! The greater majority of the granddaughters live between the two families of Jana and Brian, each now with four girls in their family! These girls love to get together and are learning how to be best friends as well as good cousins, as some of them are also in each other's school classes! It's so fun to be able to share these special days together.

Chloe was so happy with how her picture turned out!

Of course, while staying with Jana for the weekend, I needed to update pictures of these quickly growing young women (almost, anyway!). Ashleigh will soon celebrate her 11th birthday -- I can hardly believe it!

Emily is almost 9.

Natalie is now 5, and baby Charlee Jayne is expected within the next month!

But the eldest grandchild, Madeline Ann ("Maddie") leads by example as she is now graduating from Primary and enters the Young Women program. In fact, they even let her attend Girls Camp this past month, and she had an absolute blast as well as a spiritual feast -- just in time! There are no mistakes as to the wonderful programs of the Church helping us raise a righteous generation!

As a grandmother of these adorable girls who lives miles away, spending a short weekend helps to bridge those miles with sweet memories and plans for our next visits. They grow so fast, and I am so very proud of each one! I love you girls!!

Nauvoo - History and Our Future

2010-07-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Nauvoo, a place I've heard of all my life but never had the opportunity to visit -- until now! Having recently spent a wonderful weekend as chaperones for our Branch at the Stake Youth Conference in Nauvoo, we knew we needed to return soon, and so we did, specifically to see the Nauvoo Pageant.

Overlooking the Mississippi River, this incredible Pageant is set within the quite grove of trees right beneath the Temple, surrounded by the history and homes of those who built and settled this former swampland so many years ago. As Parley P. Pratt welcomes all to the Pageant, his words ring so true in my ears -- "When You're Here, We're Here!" That must be why we feel such a spiritual high whenever we are in Nauvoo -- we feel those early Saints so close, welcoming us to their beloved home. We even got to shake the hand of the "real" Joseph Smith!

John Taylor has always been one of my favorite Church Presidents, not only because he was with the Prophet Joseph Smith on that fateful day, but because my grandfather bears that same name -- it is in our family. I love to hear of his faith and courage, the beautiful song he sang just to calm the spirits of all whose lives would change forever, and yet brought to their minds the very example which we all seek to follow, even that of our elder brother, Jesus Christ.

That theme continues as we went down Parley Street in Nauvoo, along the "Trail of Hope," named as such in remembrance of those courageous men, women and children who had to leave their beautiful city with all they could gather quickly, and travel to an unknown land so they could worship as the Savior had taught.

We walked along that trail to read some of the quotes of those early Saints, and found strength in their hope. I especially loved Bathsheba Smith's quotes (there were a few), wife of the future Prophet George Albert Smith, which were taken right from her journal:

"My last act in that precious spot was to tidy the rooms, sweep up the floor and set the broom in its accustomed place behind the door. Then with emotions in my heart I gently closed the door and faced an unknown future, faced it with faith in God and with no less assurance of the ultimate establishment of the Gospel in the West and of its true enduring principles, than I had felt in those trying scenes in Missouri."

How often I have thought of those sweet brothers and sisters, finding such refuge in building and creating that beautiful place, then being forced yet once again to leave the peace they had found for an unknown place. There was faith, courage, and hope that I too have felt many times in my own life when the future has seemed filled with so many unknowns.

Then, I learned something I had not known before that day -- I had my very own family to thank because of their sacrifice, for they too had literally been a part of that Trail of Hope.

On the wall of the Pioneer Memorial at the end of the Trail of Hope is listed the thousands of names of those who were unable to make it all the way to the Sale Lake Valley -- and there was my Great Great Grandmother, Elizabeth K. (King) Seamons.

Since I was a little girl and took a genealogy class at the age of 12, I have had the life history of my Great Grandfather, Elijah Seamons. But I had never really read it, nor did I realize the importance of that history until I was in St. Louis as a missionary. While on Facebook one night in connecting with my family, I was contacted by another "Seamons relative" and we were trying to determine where our family lines met. So I took out the genealogy I had brought with me (another inspired prompting) and began to read my Great Grandfather's history sent to me by my Aunt Thora (my father's sister) when I was 12 years old.

It talked about how he had come from England with his father William, his mother Elizabeth, and his brothers Robert and George, after they had been baptized by the missionaries in England, so they could join the Saints in America. I later found out that they traveled on the Ellen Maria from Liverpool, England in January of 1853 with 332 Saints and arrived in New Orleans 48 days later, through the rough and stormy seas of January. It was during this difficult voyage that Elizabeth became very ill. Once they arrived in New Orleans, they were met by the Church Immigration Agent Elder John Brown and traveled up the Mississippi River, stopping in St. Louis. It was in St. Louis that Elizabeth passed away. Some say she was buried in the Mississippi River as was the custom at that time by travelers; some say she may have been buried on the banks but later washed into the River during one of the frequent floods, but since realizing that I was where she was, suddenly her life became very real to me.

In reading further into my family's history and the records I was able to glean from the Church website, after a short time following Elizabeth's death the remainder of Elijah's family traveled to Keokuk, Iowa, just across the river from Nauvoo, where they joined the Cyrus H. Wheelock Company and traveled with about 400 individuals and 52 wagons leaving June 1, 1853 and arriving in Sale Lake on October 6, 1853. However, Elijah's father William and his brother Robert were asked to join the militia at Echo Canyon where they died during the Indian War on October 7, neither to ever reach the Sale Lake Valley.

When Elijah and George arrived in Salt Lake, now orphaned, they were taken in by cousins who moved north to settle Hyde Park, Utah. At 24 years of age, Elijah was called by Brigham Young to serve a mission in 1860, and a second mission in 1862 to return to Winters Quarters to help bring the Saints across the plains to Utah. He too was a Veteran of the Indian War. It was on the last trip where he met his wife, Sarah, and had 9 children -- one of whom was my Grandfather John Robert Seamons, after whom my father Robert Christian Seamons was named. But Elijah died 4 months before my father was born.

While my father and I never got to meet our grandfathers, we know the heritage of this family is rich in service, sacrifice, and obedience to the Lord. I owe much to these early pioneers, will be eternally grateful for their example and sacrifice, and I feel their presence in my life more each day. And Grandma Elizabeth, while I'm here, I know you're here!

My dear husband Stephan was also moved by this lesson in history, as the Spirit was so strong in this beautiful place that he too felt the richness and the truth of its history.

It suddenly became very real to both of us as we saw the wagons on the ferries that would take them across the Mississippi River at the end of that Trail of Hope.

This was the end of that Trail of Hope, where all they possessed was loaded on those wagons, some to cross on ferries, some on the frozen and dangerous waters, to begin their long journey ahead.

I think of my Great Grandfather Elijah as he met these early Saints on the other side of the River and traveled with them over those traitorous miles, singing over camp fires at night and walking by day. This was MY family, MY heritage, and how very grateful I am that they were taught and accepted the truth in those early years of the Church from those first missionaries who went to England, preaching and proclaiming that the Gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and would never be taken again from the face of the earth.

As we visited the graves of Joseph, his brother Hyrum and his beloved wife Emma, we were again lifted and touched to be in their home that they loved so much. We could feel their love all around us, and knew they were not far.

Even the graves of Joseph's father and mother were nearby. What a joy it must have been for this family to have found such a beautiful place to finally call home.

It moved us so much that Stephan took his guitar from the back seat, found a bench across the street from the Smith homes, and felt the Spirit through his music in that sweet grove. It was an experience neither of us will ever forget!

We have learned much of these two brothers, Joseph and Hyrum, as we have visited many places where they have been, felt the Spirit they left behind, and the legacy they began through their faith and courage. These statues that face the newly restored Nauvoo Temple depict their last ride from that beautiful place to Carthage, where neither of them returned.

But they were true brothers in every sense of the word, and their faith and example give strength to us as we face the challenges that may come in our own lives.

This Nauvoo Temple has indeed become a very special place to us. The symbols that surround it are so meaningful to us individually, and we feel drawn to enter its doors for the first time together when we are able to be sealed to each other, together forever.

Like Joseph and Hyrum, we feel a part of the very earth upon which we stand while in Nauvoo -- both literally and figuratively -- as we realize the rich heritage that came before us, and the legacy we have the opportunity to leave behind us. It is our hope and our prayer that our faith can continue to grow as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and continue to follow the promptings of the Spirit that will bring us closer to our Savior, to each other, and to our families.
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The truth has indeed been restored, and as we live those truths we find a greater happiness than we have ever felt. As we strive to make our home a bit of heaven on earth, we bring a little of Nauvoo home with us and feel as Joseph and Emma must have felt in their beautiful home there on the Mississippi River. Maybe that's why we are so drawn to take frequent drives up the River, because that's where Joseph and Emma found such peace and solace.

Happy Birthday Jacob Robert!

2010-07-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

Jacob Robert Critchfield was born today to my youngest son John and his beautiful wife Dana at 2:20pm weighing in at 8 lbs and 3 oz.

Jacob was comfy and warm inside his mommy this morning...

...and a beautiful mommy she is! But today, daddy was not able to be with them during his arrival, because daddy was at work...

...in South Carolina at his summer officer's training. If only Jacob could have waited another week or so, daddy would have been able to be with them for this special day.

However, knowing that one day when he becomes the Army Chaplain he would have to help another soldier through the difficulty of not being there for his son's birth, understanding the commitment he had made to those in his unit and the Army, remembering the promises he made to his Father in Heaven, and having the faith that He always keeps His promises, John and Dana decided together that it would be all right for John to remain and complete his training, as Dana was well looked after by her family and friends in Idaho.

This is truly an amazing couple, who have sought always to obtain and then follow the promptings of the Spirit. As I spoke with John today when he called from South Carolina to tell me of Jacob's arrival in Idaho, I could sense the longing in his voice to be there with his wife and new son. Yet when I heard him describe the decision process and how he and Dana had discussed together the importance for both of them to endure this experience apart, my heart filled with joy that only a mother can feel when she witnesses the miracle of spiritual growth in her children.

Now Shaelyn has a baby brother to love, carry around, poke in the nose, and wiggle his toes. She's been the center of attention now for almost 2 years, and she has been the apple of her mommy and daddy's eyes.

It was so wonderful living close to this sweet family during the first few months of Shaelyn's life, being her first "babysitter" and watching her grow. It's been very difficult being so far away from them as Shaelyn continues to grow, changing almost daily, but pictures are a wonderful gift, as are occasional trips for hugs and kisses.

Although I wasn't able to go to Disneyland with all my children and grandchildren this past month, I see the happiness in their faces as they make their own memories together as families, much like the memories I have with them as my own younger children.

Now my grandchildren are walking in their mommy's shoes...

...and dancing on their daddy's toes...

...and love to see the Temple together as a forever family.

Welcome to our family, Jacob Robert -- a name rich in heritage after your daddy's best friend and my own father, who I know had some wonderful words of wisdom just for you this morning before your arrival here on earth. You will carry his name with honor and will bless our family with the things you brought with you and will continue to learn as you are loved by such a wonderful mommy, daddy and big sister. Gramma can't wait to hug you and kiss your cheeks; and while I won't be your first babysitter, I'll love rocking you to sleep on Gramma's pillows and singing to you, just like your sister. Oh, how you are loved!

St. Louis Stake Youth Conference 2010

2010-06-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

We got to hitch a ride along as chaperones for the Pagedale Branch during the St. Louis Stake Youth Conference, and what an experience! We had never been to any Church historical sites before, and to see it through these young eyes, to feel their testimonies grow, and to experience our own growth, was indeed a life altering event!

The youth boarded beautiful buses that transported them in air conditioned comfort (with a Church history video playing and bathroom facilities available) while we drove along in a separate van owned by Felicia, the President of the Pagedale Branch Young Women.

Yes, it was early in the morning on Friday when we left, and these girls hadn't quite opened their eyes all the way, but they were excited for what was ahead. I was the lucky one as we shared a room together that night and I got to know the real hearts behind these darling faces!

Our first stop was at the Carthage Jail, just 2 days short of the 166th anniversary of that horrible day on June 27, 1844 when the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were shot and killed by an angry mob of men who were part of many who had and would continue to persecute the Saints during the early years of the Church. We went up that narrow staircase, stood there in the small prison cell, then across the hall in the bedroom of the jailer where he had invited Joseph, Hyrum, John Taylor and Dr. Willard Richards to relax in a little more comfort than the jail. As the music played to "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief," I could almost hear John Taylor singing those words, and tears filled my eyes as I considered the sacrifice and love of those men who were willing to do whatever the Lord asked of them in order to bring the fullness of the Gospel to His children. The holes still left in the door and walls were reminders of the hate and anger from ignorance and fear. No wonder the LDS and the Jewish people have so much in common -- it was truly an experience I will not soon forget!
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Arriving in Nauvoo later in the afternoon, we were assigned to take our place at the end of the "Trail of Hope" where the Saints traveled down Parley Street to cross the Mississippi River into Iowa as they were being driven out of their homes from the beautiful City and Temple they had built, to begin their trek westward. The activity was called "The Amazing Race" where the youth would form teams of 25 or so, hold onto a long rope, and go from destination to destination in the historic parts of Nauvoo to answer the questions, obtain a clue, and determine their next stop.

The Trail of Hope was the most moving as we considered that bitter cold day in February when the first company of Saints left Nauvoo in 1846. Along the sides were 30 markers bearing quotes from actual journals of some of the Saints, like Bathsheba Smith who said, "My last act in that precious spot was to tidy the rooms, sweep up the floor, and set the broom in its accustomed place behind the door. Then with emotions in my heart...I gently closed the door and faced an unknown future; faced it with faith in God..."
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At the end of the street, just before the landing where the Saints would cross the River, now stands the Pioneer Memorial which contains the names of many of those who died along the Mormon Trail and surrounds the Exodus to Greatness Monument, a stone mounted bronze frieze of the Mormon Trail. What I wasn't prepared for, however, was to see the names of two of my family members on that Memorial -- Henry Seamons and Elizabeth K. Seamons, both of whom I had just learned about within this past year. Suddenly, it became very real to me and I could almost feel them there beside me. If they had the hope to move forward with faith amidst all the turmoil and hardships in their lives, their example suddenly gave me strength to do the same. I am so blessed to have such a rich heritage!

The highlight of the Youth Conference was Saturday morning's reenactment of the Pioneer Trek. The 3-mile journey with each group pulling a handcart through mud (it had rained all the night before), up and down steep hills, and through cow manure, included stops along the way where they would be given a spiritual and uplifting talk on one of the values from "The Standard of Youth" by the Stake leaders. At the beginning while everyone was fresh and still clean, two of the Stake Presidency took their guitars and gave their musical presentation to set the tone.

Our Young Women were teamed up with the Young Men from Frontenac Ward, and our Young Men were with the Frontenac Young Women. The leaders who went with the youth walked the same trail, some doing better than others, but each made it to the end with memories and stories they would never forget.

Marshall, President Sleet's son, immediately took the helm of the handcart and never let go until he was "symbolically pronounced dead" to represent those who died along the way. As President Sleet was traveling with the other group of young men, he became concerned for one of the youth who was traveling with his son, who had previously been afraid of water, as they approached a semi-deep stream. But when he went back to check on him to assist, he found this young man taking the handcart to cross the stream as if there was no water. There was such determination in his eyes, he knew there was a lesson being learned, and faith was beginning to grow.

The trail began relatively uneventful,

...but by the time they were finished there was mud everywhere!

Even the girls with their good jeans and bags finally stopped their complaining and got them dirty, filled with mud, but returned with their hearts filled with a renewed strength to trod through their own personal crossings in life.

But President Sleet, the dear man that he is, found the sun, strain and overwhelming physical drain overtake him. When he realized that it was more than he could physically handle, it was his son Marshall who literally picked him up and carried him to the end of the trail. What a humbling experience it was for this good man, who had been carrying his sons all their lives, to know that his sons were now strong enough to carry him. As he said, there was no way he could have made it without them.

Our experiences at Youth Conference were not just for the youth, and we were moved at the beauty of Nauvoo, the peace, and the closeness of the Spirit. As the statue of Joseph and Hyrum reflect the closeness of those brothers, the experiences of these youth on this conference were life altering, and we were honored to be among them.

There were many lessons learned that weekend, and we can hardly wait to return to spend more time in and around Nauvoo, where we feel drawn to learn how we can prepare to return and partake of the blessings of the Temple -- together -- forever!

New Calling -- Relief Society President!

2010-06-09T08:48:00.001-07:00

Our first "Additional Relief Society Meeting" fka Enrichment Meeting, fka Homemaking Meeting -- so confusing, but such fun! Julie (RS Meeting Coordinator), Jonice and Ruth (Primary workers there for the fun and wives of Elder's Quorum Presidency), me, Marita (2nd Counselor), and Sandy (Compassionate Service Leader)...and...

Kara -- the photographer (and 1st Counselor)!

Well, I guess there was more than one reason why I was supposed to stay here in St. Louis -- how many more could I squeek out of my original purpose of coming here to serve a mission.

Let me count the ways:

Serve as a full time missionary (when my original plan was to serve in 3-6 years, but the Bishop's plan was in 3-6 months -- and he won!)

Witness the baptism of 8 new members I personally taught, then witness the baptism of many of the Pagedale Branch new members

Love, teach and encourage many women to prepare for the blessings of the Temple
Have health insurance that would cover unexpected surgery

Meet, teach the Gospel, fall in love, and marry the man of my dreams

Witness first hand my husband's conversion and baptism

Live in this breathtakingly beautiful area

Love our tiny little bungalow and our life together
Work in an office with an incredible floor to ceiling window view of the Arch, the Mississippi River and Busch Stadium

Grow in the Gospel together as we prepare for our Temple sealing

Come to know and love the members of the Pagedale Branch

Receive a calling to serve as the Pagedale Branch Relief Society President, sustained and set apart last Sunday, June 6, 2010

Now that last one I didn't see coming, not that I saw any of the others (except maybe the first 3) before leaving my "other life" in Phoenix, Arizona, a life that included 6 beautiful children and soon to be 18 grandchildren, all of whom gathered in Oceanside, California for a reunion last week -- and I was unable to go! I miss them terribly, see them when I can, but not nearly enough to completely fill the void in my heart.

But as I sat around the table with my new Presidency last night while we had our first meeting together (after having made Father's Day cards for all our Branch men), I could see how each of the events in my life had prepared me for the next, then the next, and now once again I have the opportunity to serve as I never thought I could. But this time it is so very different -- this time I have a loving and supportive husband and a very happy marriage!

As I attended the Temple soon after President Sleet called me to this position, I had the opportunity to ponder on the names of my counselors and other members of the Board, and found the Lord had a very specific purpose for each one as they were clearly identified to me -- most of whom I didn't know very well. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the bonds of sisterhood are created when the purpose is based on faith, family and relief -- and lots of love!

I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn from these sweet Pagedale sisters who have and are continuing to live some of the most trying experiences that life has to offer. Yet they continue to come each week with smiles on their faces and a desire to bless someone else. There is a special spirit here in the Pagedale Branch that is unlike any other, and I am humbled at the trust the Lord has placed in me to help us strengthen each other.

So, all of us "girls" will be putting on our big girl panties and diving in with all our heart, might, mind and strength! I'm gonna really love this calling, and especially these amazing women with whom I am so very blessed to serve!

"The God-centered life works. And it rescues us from a life that doesn't." - Max Lucado

Sealings and Forever Families

2010-05-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

One Springtime Friday afternoon in Bountiful, Utah, a beautiful family had another addition sealed to them within the holy walls of the Temple of the Lord. My oldest son Bill and his wife Jeana had adopted Trent a couple of years ago, and after his adoption was finalized they took him to the Boise Temple where they were sealed together as a family forever. Then in the midst of relocating to Utah, another beautiful child became available for them to adopt -- Kohl came into their lives with his contageous smile and his dancing eyes, and melted the hearts of all who met him. For my Mother's Day gift, Bill and Jeana flew me from St. Louis to Utah to be a part of this memorable day.

I know every Temple is precious in the sight of the Lord, as they are each a House of the Lord and He has walked every hallway. As I entered the grounds of this breathtaking Temple in Bountiful, Utah on that Spring day, the new blossoms on the trees and tulips surrounding the gardens only enhanced the grandeur and majesty of the place where this family would be joined together forever, as if each of these darling sons had been born under that sacred covenant entered into by their parents when they first went to the Temple to be sealed as husband and wife forever.

To stand before this incredible place, feel the sacredness of the grounds, and then to walk inside and feel the power of the Spirit that resides within, there is no greater peace on this earth. My heart was filled from having a similar experience the night before, as my sweet husband entered into the St. Louis Temple to perform baptisms for those who had returned to the Father's presence, and I witnessed that sweet Spirit enter his heart in a way that literally illuminated his entire countenance. After he had been baptized and confirmed for approximately 10 people, he came out of the dressing room with his hair combed back, and it was like looking into the face of Moses as he descended from Mt. Sinai after having talked to the Lord face to face -- he was glowing!

These beautiful grandchildren that have come into my life have given me such joy as I watch them come, whether by natural birth or by being "grafting" into our family through adoption. Each is a precious child of our Father in Heaven who blesses our family in their own unique way. Braden was the first biological grandson to come into our family, and continues to be that lighthouse to his cousins and sisters, having a heart that has so much love that it's catching -- you just can't help smiling!

With a majority of granddaughters (by the end of this year there will be 7 grandsons and 11 granddaughters), each brings the strength of their own unique spirits -- and what strong spirits they have!! While Brooklynn and Ashleigh appreciate the beauty of the tulips that surrounded the Temple gardens, I couldn't help but appreciate the beauty they add to our family as their purity and sweetness blesses each one of us and fills my heart as their grandmother with such joy! I love those first hugs after first arriving, having missed each other so much while we are so far apart. Both these girls have been known to throw their arms around me as we shed a tear at the amount of love that passes between us, and the distance seems to dissapate for just a moment.

Spring brings with it not only the beauty of the earth, but the promise of new beginnings. Each one of us have things that we feel prompted to do in fulfilling our mission while here in this brief mortal existence. After having spent most of my adult life in raising my children and enjoying my grandchildren, the Lord made it clear that there were other children that were not of this fold (my family) who needed my love and to help them find their way back to Him.

As I prepared myself to serve Him as a full time missionary, leaving my family behind, I found that while the emptiness in my heart without the closeness of my family never really goes away, it is softened and my heart is enlarged to include so many others whose paths have crossed mine. Now a new bride whose husband is embracing the eternal truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we look toward the day when we too can enter these sacred walls to become a forever family.
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We find that together we can serve and bless the lives of so many who have come into our lives, including those we have come to love so dearly in our own Pagedale Branch. The sisters I have been privileged to befriend are just learning of the blessings of the Temple, and if I can help them prepare themselves to enter into those sacred walls then I know I have fulfilled another portion of my purpose here in this life.

There is nothing more important, no goal more lofty, no single act with more eternal consequences and blessings, than to prepare ourselves to be worthy in every way to enter into the House of the Lord, to be sealed together as a family forever, and then to serve the Lord's children here on earth in helping them find their way back to Him.

That day will soon come for this sweet family, as Joe and Stephanie take that last leap of faith in their preparations to take their sons with them to the Temple, to be sealed for time and all eternity as a family forever. While it's not so much the "when" as "that" we partake of this eternal blessing, the sooner we do gives us more time here on earth within which to find that fullness of joy that the Lord has promised His children who enter His house. No mother or grandmother could want more for her family, and I know that as each has taken these steps toward the Temple, their families have been bleessed.
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Having the opportunity to spend time, although somewhat limited, with five of my six children that weekend, it was the best Mother's Day gift I could have imagined. Then to return to my sweet husband on Mother's Day and be greeted with such love, an incredible home cooked meal, and treated as the eternal companion I have always hoped to find, no woman could wish for more in this life!

The day would not have been complete without our giving thanks for our own Mothers -- Jessie and Earlene -- who taught us by example how to love and serve those around us and the joy that we experience when we give of ourselves. We know these dear mothers have become dear friends, now on the other side of the veil. They are not far and we feel their presence often in our little home every time we make one of their special dishes, or find a little trinket that reminds us of them. What a blessing our Mothers have been, and continue to be in our lives.

I am filled to overflowing with gratitude to a loving Father in Heaven who intimately knows the desires of our hearts, and who has prepared each of us from the beginning, before we came, to perform a special work while here on earth. I am so very grateful to know He loves me and continues to help me find my purpose, and to fulfill it with all the strength and love He bestows upon me, as I continue to seek His guidance.

Da Cards!

2010-04-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

What's more American than Baseball? It's gotta include going to the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis and watching the Cardinals finish up their opening week of the season at home!

Because I work in the building with this same view (just 12 stories higher), this gorgeous view of the Arch, the old Capital Building, and the fountain park (the fountain changes colors every other week), we could park and just walk the two blocks to the game! Nice perks!!

The old Busch Stadium was right behind this fence, the new stadium finished just before the 2009 season, and it's an incredibly beautiful complex.

Our seats weren't in the sun, and on a hot sunny day that would be a good thing! But being at the beginning of the season, sitting in the shady nosebleed section (thanks for the free tickets, Coca Cola!) was just a little chillier than we thought!

But it was a gorgeous day, and we found lots of places to walk around and take in different views of this beautiful place.

Glenn Close tossed the opening pitch at the game, in town for a benefit to raise funds for her pet project (bipolar disease which her sister suffers), and the place was filled with very passionate fans!

Quite a sea of red!

What fun little nooks and crannies in this complex! It's so state of the art and we had a real blast!!

Although I can see the Stadium from my office window, nothing beats being one of the many screaming fans that love this sport, love this town, and love their Cards! Wearing read myself, and screaming with the best of them, I guess I can find room to love another team (but I still cheer for my D-backs -- and my old childhood favorites, the LA Dodgers!) There's room in my heart for LOTS of love!! GO CARDS!

The Miracle of Stephan's Baptism Day

2010-04-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Surrounded by a few of these amazing young men, Stephan stands with his "boys" who have taught him, loved, him, held his hand through the months of learning and understanding the new feelings filling his heart, and surrounded our table many times to share meals and laughter, but most of all leaving their sweet spirit in our home. Today is a day I hoped would come, but only the Lord knew for sure -- I always knew that my job was just to love this man no matter what!

We were honored to have our sweet Mission President Briggs, who became immediate brothers with Stephan as they shared laughter and tears, join us on this special day.

But it was Elder Berman who touched where others could not understand quite the same way, because Elder Berman's own father had converted from the Jewish faith as a young man, and Elder Berman has witnessed the challenges in his own family as they have learned to love each other despite the religious differences that may exist. This understanding and compassion was such a blessing in Stephan's life as it confirmed the direction of his journey as being the answer to so many prayers offered over so many years.

Elders Hatch, "Cadillac," Christiansen, Berman, and Vanderkyle were just a few of the special young men who weekly visited our home and have become forever friends.

Some of the most fun pictures I've been in as a missionary, now a part of the most amazing conversion story ever -- my own husband! And only my husband could get away with asking me to sing at his baptism after driving to the Church in his convertible with the top down!

This was his Baptism Day outfit -- he's such a cool dresser in his Spring digs! It was a gorgeous day, and an afternoon drive with the top down was a must! But, who knew the allergies would kick in so quickly!

" President Sleet wants me to get a WHAT before tomorrow? They never told me I had to get a white shirt before being ordained!!! I vowed to myself I would NEVER wear a white shirt, let alone a tie, for the rest of my life!!! Do I need to rethink this?"

"I rethought it, and I like the way I feel when I look like my boys!" You could hear the visible gasps in the congregation when we walked into Sacrament Meeting the day he was confirmed, then during Priesthood Meeting when he received the sacred keys of the Priesthood. The change in Stephan's countenance from that first time he walked into that same Chapel in the Pagedale Branch, dressed in levis and tennis shoes, is incredibly visible although he was always accepted with such great love.

This journey we are now taking together has become an amazingly fulfilling and peaceful existence, one filled with opportunities to serve and bless, and where our home has become a sanctuary and safe haven from the outside world. We love our life together, and can hardly wait to go to the Temple soon, to do the work for our families, and plan for our own Temple Sealing. Who knew I would find my Prince Charming/Knight in Shining Armor at this time in my life, under circumstances I couldn't have planned if I tried, and yet is everything I never knew I always wanted! I love you honey!!

Spring on Anfred Walk

2010-03-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

When the sun has a chance to shine for a couple of warm days, it's amazing how quickly the earth responds! The "Tulip Tree" was the first to welcome Spring on Anfred Walk, our little community of bungalows that has become our home.

While Anfred Walk may show up on Mapquest, it doesn't have any vehicle traffic because it is just that -- a WALK! That must be why all the little critters feel safe to run wild -- and run they do! The bunnies, squirrels, robins, and all their friends seem to feel safe too here in our quiet little community.

Even the street sign is a little different, but that's our street!

And this is our little bungalow -- an adorable 2 bedroom 1 bath doll house that Stephan has decorated with all his treasures that have been in his storage locker for years -- and they all come together so beautifully with some of my own additions to become OUR home!

Looking out our front door across the Walk is Evelyn ("Evie"), a sweet little widow who has become our dear friend.

And off to the left we see the daffodils beginning to blossom.

Our neighbor's back yard is much more fun than ours, but we have plans to do much the same thing to create a fun patio for barbequing.

We're just beginning to make this little house our home, but every time I return home Stephan has surprised me by hanging up another one of his treasures in just the perfect spot, or rearranged something that seems to say, "this is where I belong."

And I know I too can say -- "This is where I belong," as our life begins with such love in this little bungalow, the beginning of a new phase in our lives on so many levels, and a place of peace, safety and security. I have finally found the love I've been looking for my entire life and know that this miracle is no accident. I remember this song by Lorraine S. Wilkinson being sung in our Church by Brother Robinson and his daughter Sister Day when I was just a young girl, and it has always been my dream:

"A house becomes a home, when there's love inside.

When you let your heart, be as a guide.

When there's joy, and sweet understanding.

When your handing out a compliment or two.

A house becomes a home, when you do your part,

And when every heart is wrapped in those around.

Life can be just like a symphony,

When you see a house become a home.

A house becomes a home when it's peaceful there,

When for everyone there is a care,

When each one is kind and forgiving

When you're living for some happiness to share.

A house becomes a home when it's full of life,

When there is no strife among its very own,

Life can be so sweet and heavenly

When you see a house become a home."

The Promise of Happily Ever After

2010-03-13T18:21:00.000-08:00

President Uchtdorf recently said, "sandwiched between [our] 'Once upon a time,' and 'Happily ever after,' [we] experience hard times." But he also promised that "happily ever after is not something found in fairy tales. You can have it. It is available for you. But you must follow your Heavenly Father's map." Although speaking at the Young Women's Conference just this past March, it seemed to mean so much more to me as two weeks before I had finally found the beginning of my "happily ever after" when Stephan and I decided to move forward with our lives -- together. We knew we were following our Father's map, because everything that had occurred in our lives over the last year was no mistake, and we knew we had been prepared for such a day as this!

With so many friends wanting to share our day, we decided to make it a very small group with those who had made an impact on our lives together, and hoped that others would forgive us for not including everyone we would have liked. The first on our lists were our families, and my oldest brother Terry and his sweet wife Gloria were only too happy to come from New Orleans so he could give me away.

But to know Terry is to know he is always in the middle of the fun stuff. With Stephan in the kitchen directing the "hired help" with the chopping and slicing, he was in his element in putting together a beautiful luncheon table for our friends and family, while Terry and Gloria dove right in and helped roll the turkey and roast beef slices.

So many wonderful friends helped to make this such a special day. The Ereksons, in whose cottage I had found such healing, offered their home for us to have this special memory. My sweet friend Becky offered to do the flowers, and we couldn't have been more thrilled with the beauty of an already beautiful home. It became Springtime indoors! We decided to give our mothers a place of honor as part of the background to witness this special time in our lives.

As my matron of honor in more ways than one, Joy was my first friend here in St. Louis and has been my family while I have been so far away from my own. She has known me as a Missionary, a sister, and as a woman with life changes happening faster than I ever thought possible!

With a heritage that we honor, we invited Stephan's friend and Rabbi Jim Goodman to come and bless our marriage, which he did as he sang in Yiddish and then interpreted in English such a beautiful blessing. God bless you, Rabbi!

President Sleet, Branch President of the Pagedale Branch where we have been attending, officiated with such tender counsel and advice. We each had written our own vows to each other, then he did the rest and made it legal.

I don't know who was more teary -- me, Stephan, or President Sleet! It was a beautiful ceremony that came from the very bottom of hearts that had been battered, healed, and had found hope in each other.

I had always dreamed that one day the man of my dreams would look at me with eyes like Stephan had for me that day while I shared my vows with him.

Finally, the kissing part...there wasn't a woman in the room who didn't have a tear in her eye at the tenderness of my sweet husband!

And yes, it got me too when we were announced as "Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Schuman!"

There is a place in Dogtown St. Louis called Sugaree Bakery where we found the most delicious and beautiful wedding cakes ever! We created our own with the top layer as french vanilla cake with lemon and raspberry fillings, then the bottom as chocolate fudge with hazelnut and raspberry fillings, all frosted with chocolate fudge pinoche frosting -- to DIE for!!!

Decorated with hydrangea petals, a butterfly on top to remind us of my mother Jessie, and a hummingbird on the side to remind us of Stephan's mother Earlene, we all participated in cutting this beautiful cake.

Now if my son John were to look at this picture, I know what he would be mimicking, which is exactly what I was doing...oooooohhhhh! That was darn good cake! But I loved the look of love once again in the eyes of my darling husband!

See, I told you Stephan knew how to put a table together! With Great Harvest rolls, rolled turkey and roast beef (thanks Terry and Gloria) and side salads from our dear friends, we had an incredibly delicious lunch and afternoon of visiting and fun celebration!

No wedding of a good Schuman boy would be complete without the breaking of the glass, and it was the perfect way to bring the celebration to its peak!

Then another kiss!

To cap off the afternoon, we were able to participate in the Erekson's weekly "winding of the clock" ceremony, and loved to dive into everyday life with friends and family.

Having only flown in the night before, we were anxious to spend the next few hours with Terry and Gloria before taking them to the airport that night so Terry could be in New Orleans for Church the next morning. Thanks so much for coming -- you made it extra special for us!

We will be forever grateful to you, our dear friends the Ereksons, for opening your home and your hearts, not only on this day, but through all of the pivotal times in our lives over the last year. We love you!

Such a beautiful ring, and not a bad manicure!

While our hands may have a few more wrinkles, our hearts feel just as young as any other newlyweds -- love the rings!

I even wore our mothers' jewelry -- the black pearls were Stephan's mother's and the white pearls were my mother's -- then I wore my mother's blue ring and borrowed Joy's handkerchief -- something old (pearls), something new (dress), something borrowed (hanky), something blue (ring).

Even our car was decorated up royally by the teenagers -- thanks guys!

While we still have hard times, our "happily ever after" truly began that day as we now look back on our "once upon a time" as when we began our lives together as best friends, sweethearts, and companions with whom to share the good times as well as the hard times.

As we were met with our rice throwing friends and headed for the decorated car, I couldn't help turning around to say, "Thanks for making this day so magical!" No Disney princess could have felt more special than I did on this, my LAST and most precious wedding day! As we prepare for the promises of tomorrow, we find great joy in today and give thanks for all that we have experienced and the lessons of life we have endured that brought us to this day where we can truly begin our happily ever after!

Brooklynn's Birthday and Baptism Weekend

2010-03-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

After way too long away from my sweet grandchildren, I had the wonderful opportunity to reunite with the "northern half" of the crew when I was able to fly to Salt Lake City to attend the Baptism of Steve and Cortney's oldest daughter, Brooklynn. As has become the custom with my grandchildren, we went to Deseret Book to pick out her favorite picture of Jesus, and the one she chose was the same one I had found as my favorite which hung up on my wall all during my mission -- and still brings a tear to my eyes as I recall the many times I looked at that picture with a heart filled with such love and hope!

Birthday parties with little 8-year old girls is such fun, especially when there is a movie involved! All the girls met us at the theater where we saw "The Princess and the Frog" -- the perfect birthday party movie for little girls! Then we went home for presents, games, and ice cream sandwiches.

After Brooklynn's baptism, her home was filled with so many wonderful family members on both sides of the family! Birthdays are special, but there's something about that 8th birthday that brings a special reason for a party!

One of my favorite pictures at a baptism is of the entire family -- because it takes a family to support each other, to teach and learn together the things that bring the most happiness. So, here is my son Steve, wearing the some of the same baptism clothing he wore while serving as a missionary, and this time baptising his very own child. He has been blessed with such a beautiful family, and he and Cortney are such wonderful parents!

But of all the people I taught and the baptisms I witnessed, none was as sweet, nor was a picture more precious than with my very own granddaughter. It brings the purpose of our lives to full circle -- to teach our Father's children to walk in the light, so they can teach their children, and their children, until generations continue to be brought to the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, and the only way we can return to live with our Father in Heaven as families together forever.

I am so very grateful to have children who are teaching my grandchildren those same simple truths; who are worthy to conduct these sacred ordinances, and to continue the rich legacy that is our family's heritage and blessing to enjoy. Remember that first baptism before your mission, Steve? As sweet as that was, nothing can compare with sharing these sacred moments with your own children!

In fact, as the sentimental soft hearted son of mine told me on our way to the baptism, not only was he wearing the same clothing he had baptized others while serving his mission, he was wearing the same tie he wore when he blessed Brooklynn as a baby. Now that's what I call keeping the traditions alive!

These sweet grandchildren are the miracles that continue to bless and enrich my life with gratitude for all the years we continued trying to be like Jesus, choosing the right, and knowing where to turn to find peace. As the faces of these beautiful children shine with that light divine, my joy is full and my heart overflowing with thankfulness for having been born of goodly parents, and having children who have risen above and beyond the struggles of their youth to raise a righteous generation.

He is Jesus Christ

2010-02-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

While driving into work each morning I find that while listening to the radio is enjoyable, nothing fills me like listening to music that heals my soul. This morning was no exception, as through a sequence of unexpected events there are those who have taken this blog and misconstrued my intent, changed and twisted my words, and have tried to use those things written in this blog to hurt me and those I love. In an attempt to find forgiveness and healing, I turned to the one who came to heal us all -- my elder brother and Savior, even the Messiah -- Jesus Christ.

I love this picture of Jesus with the Samaritan woman -- not only because it is a beautiful reminder of His love for me as I put myself in her place, but as I come to understand the conflict between the Jews and the Samaritans in those days, it confirms to me that Jesus (as a Jew himself) came to teach and bless ALL people, including his own people. Now, as it was when He was on the earth, we all have the opportunity to accept or reject His teachings. I sometimes wonder if it would have been easier for more to accept Him while He was on earth, but then the scriptures are filled with those who were a "stiffnecked people," just as the world is filled today.

As I began listening this morning to my friend Rob Gardner's incredible work, "He Is Jesus Christ," I felt a healing and forgiveness overcome me. It was the last track of this piece where I found my soul embrace that much needed emotion, as the Prophet Mormon's words to his son Moroni were quoted:

"My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." (Moroni 9:25)

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." (Moroni 10:32)

He is Jesus Christ

He is my Savior, my Redeemer

He is the Son of God

Come to heal men of their blindness,

To ransom all mankind,

He is the Son of God.

( Rob Gardner, Spire Music http://www.spiremusic.net/servlet/Categories?category=He+is+Jesus+Christ)

I can hardly wait for the completion of Rob's new project: "Lamb of God." See his preview and hear some of the most beautiful music, then begin to feel that much needed hope and healing through his inspired music. http://www.spiremusic.org/2010/ Thanks Rob!

This I too must testify, for I know that my Redeemer lives, that He loves me and has shown me a better way to live -- a way that does not include being cruel to others, a way that finds forgiveness when someone is intentionally and knowingly cruel to me, and a way where I can find true peace and a deeper love for my fellow man than I ever thought possible. While I am not perfect, I "can in nowise deny the power of God," who has blessed me more than I ever thought possible. Miracles continue to occur in my life, and I am grateful for the lessons learned through the good as well as the difficult experiences in this life which I chose to come to earth to live!

Paul taught us: "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (1 Corinthians 13:13) "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." (Moroni 7:47) To me, that means that the most important thing we can do in this life is to love each other, and to have the faith and hope that one day we can love as Christ loves us.

Yet, as we also learn in 2 Nephi 2:11, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things." So what is the opposite of faith, hope and charity? I would suggest the opposites would be fear, doubt, and jealousy -- and may I also include ignorance. But we get to choose which path to take, for agency is a gift given to each of us by our Father in Heaven. If we choose faith, hope and charity we can find peace, tolerance and joy. If we choose the opposite we can expect to find anger, hurt, pain, misunderstanding, and great sadness.

I seek the counsel of the Old Testament Prophet Joshua when he said: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

Since serving my mission here in St. Louis, I have come to have a greater love and appreciation for my brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith. Some have asked to know more of what I believe, some have just become good friends and we agree to disagree, and others find what I represent as a threat rather than as a blessing. I pray that those in the latter group will come to know me better, through time, and will understand that my personal beliefs are available to all, but I do not force them upon anyone who has no desire to listen. Yet, I honor the heritage and all it represents, find it increases the foundation for my own beliefs, and am grateful for that new strength which fills my soul with peace and allows me to understand that there is so much more.

Super Bowl Traditions and Miraculous SAINTS

2010-02-08T15:58:00.000-08:00

Nothing says "Super Bowl" at our house like the traditional ribbon sandwiches made with bread colored to represent the teams playing in the Bowl, with two separate sets of filling flavors: 1) egg salad, cream cheese with pineapple, and ham salad; 2) chicken salad, sliced cucumbers with cream cheese, and tuna salad.

To determine the winner of the Super Bowl, the team's sandwiches that get eaten most is the team that is supposed to win -- now doesn't that make sense to you? We had black and gold for the Saints with fillings #1, and blue and white for the Colts with fillings #2. I must admit, having done this a year or two and finding fillings #1 a little more popular, I gave them to the "underdog" of the game, but I really made a special chicken salad with grapes and pecans to try to even the score a little. They were scrumptious!

So, the participants in this year's sandwich eating contest were none other than the missionaries serving in the Pagedale Branch, all of whom have had such an impact in our lives while teaching Stephan about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, he calls them "my boys." Now it's not really within the scope of mission rules to be watching the Super Bowl while serving as a missionary, but to have Sunday dinner with an investigator while the Super Bowl just happens to be on a very small TV in the other room, that just might fly with the Mission President! These Elders were so excited to come over and spend some time with us while still in the lovely home where I have been staying, since I will probably be moving out before the end of the month.

All day Saturday we worked on preparing the "spread." Although Stephan works in a bakery, he'd never heard of coloring bread to make ribbon sandwiches, let alone what a ribbon sandwich was, or how to put one together, or how it would look when it was done! So once I showed him how to assemble one, he insisted on making the rest -- and put his own special touch on the process!

By the time we were finished (8 loaves of sandwiches later), we had a full table which included the ribbon sandwiches, cream cheese w/olives and green chili roll-ups, potato salad, chili cheese dip with Fritos and Great Harvest Bread's special onion/dill rolls, little smokies, cucumber/dill dip with Tostitos (with a touch of lime) chips, crackers, and of course a platter filled with brownies. Of course, we sent the Elders each home with a half loaf of each team, some potato salad, and a bag of brownies!

But what was even more exciting than the food, it was the Saints who were able to pull out the win in what turned out to be a great game (what parts of it we were actually able to watch!). What a wonderful fairy tale ending with that darling baby boy in his father's arms as he stood there with tears in his eyes to share that magical moment with his sweet son.

On a more personal note, I must express my great pride and honor to be related to the Bishop of the New Orleans 1st Ward, which was just newly created from the New Orleans Branch following the catastrophe of Katrina that wiped out two of the three LDS Church meeting houses in the New Orleans area. "Katrina destroyed two LDS meetinghouses, and not a single Church meeting was held in New Orleans during the final four months of 2005. When Church services resumed in January 2006, three units — New Orleans 1st Ward, Chalmette Ward and Uptown Branch — were combined to form the New Orleans 1st Branch." My oldest brother Terry Seamons was the Branch President there, and was quoted in the Church News this past week as he talked about the miracle in rebuilding the Church in New Orleans, and the tenacity of the Saints who live and are returning to that area. When I read about their stories, then read about the Saints in Haiti, I realize that we here in our comfortable homes and beautiful Church buildings have much for which to be grateful.

The article tells this story best: "[Bishop Seamons can’t help but forecast continued progress and growth for his new ward. After all, each ward member is part of the resilient citizenry of New Orleans.“You have the normal sadness over the loss of what they had and of people moving away, but there’s a real sense of survivor-ship,” he said. “The people banded together. People will remember Katrina, but they won’t ruminate over it: ‘It happened and we suffered, but we’re in good shape.’ There’s not a ‘poor me’ feeling; there is a never-say-die belief in what goes on here.”]"

What you may not read in that article is Terry's own personal story of his great desire to serve a mission with his wife Gloria after his retirement, then just moments from that retirement having one of his clients offer him a wonderful career opportunity in the New Orleans area. Little did he know that he would be called to serve as the Branch President -- BEFORE Katrina! What an opportunity he has had to touch lives and help with the rebuilding of those lives as these amazing people greet each day as a gift. The Lord truly has a very special mission for each of us to perform -- in loving and serving each other in ways we may not have planned, but which become very apparent when those opportunities present themselves.

I love this Gospel! Congratulations Saints -- ALL OF YOU!

Callie's Baptism -- a Journey of Faith

2010-01-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

The long awaited day has finally arrived! Callie is the beautiful little Jewish mother of two adorable girls that I had the privilege to begin teaching just prior to my release from my mission. We shared so much laughter and tears as we taught each other about families, heritage, tradition, and of Jesus Christ -- who makes it all come together and make sense. This is a story that warms my heart every time I tell it!

It all started with Callie and her elementary school best friend April Schenk, with whom she loved to play Barbies together at April's house. April and her mom Julie were always so nice to her, and the feeling she got when she went to their home was different than any other feeling she'd ever felt! But as Callie grew older, she and April grew apart as their lives took them away to college, then marriage and children.

Callie remained here in St. Louis, met and married a wonderful man Michael, and they began their lives absorbed in the traditional Jewish culture in the University City area, in close walking distance to their Temple for frequent worship. They had two beautiful little girls, Esther (which means "morning star") and Abigail (which means "woman of integrity and character") -- both named after very strong and courageous women of the Old Testament.

Mike and Callie were very diligent in keeping every Jewish law, tradition, ordinance and custom as they tried to live the higher law they thought was expected of them. But after 10 years, Callie and Mike felt all they did was still not enough-- there was something missing, something more, and they decided to take a break from their traditional Jewish lifestyle.

As Callie thought back through her life, she remembered the many people who had made such an impact in her life, and realized the majority of them were LDS. She'd never thought of it that way, but there it was! In fact, one of them had given her a Book of Mormon and she knew it was downstairs somewhere in one of the many boxes in her basement. She decided to look for it one day, expecting to be all morning in the basement, but miraculously it appeared in the very first box she looked, right on top, as if it was just waiting to be found!

She also began thinking about this special scrapbook she'd made, where she had collected pictures she'd had taken of her in front of every LDS Temple that she had found in their travels through the years -- and she had compiled quite a collection! She began to put these things together in her heart, and knew what to do next, and where to start.

Soon afterward she contacted April on Facebook, asking if she remembered her and thanking her for being such a good friend. April responded with "of course I remember you -- how are you...?" and that email exchange began a new journey for Callie. April, currently living in Arizona, forwarded one of Callie's emails to her mother Julie, who lives in St. Louis, and Julie began an email exchange with Callie, phone calls, getting together, enrichment activities, etc. Then Julie asked her if she would like to meet the Sister Missionaries in her Ward (me and my companion), and Callie said she would!

In the meantime, Myra (a Jewish convert to the LDS faith) met with Callie and was able to discuss freely the comparisons of the two faiths, and how Myra had made that "leap." Two days later, she emailed Julie and asked why the Sister Missionaries hadn't contacted her, not knowing that an email from me was in her email "junk box" -- she'd never seen it from the previous week when I contacted her through the only information I had -- an email forwarded to me from Julie. Julie immediately called me from Colorado (where she was visiting one of her daughters) and I immediately called Callie, setting up an appointment for two days later.

I'll never forget the first time I walked into Callie's home! The day before our appointment, my companion Sister Anderson and I had been called into the Mission President's Office, who had been receiving telephone calls inquiring about the Sisters who had called to make an appointment with Callie, asking how they had found her, who gave them her address and telephone number, and that he'd better send the best missionaries he had to Callie's house -- at least the AP's! After listening to my Mission President express his concerns, I found myself bearing my testimony of the love I personally have for the wonderful people of the Jewish faith, that I had been intently studying this subject since being on my mission, and that I would be honored to be able to take the testimony and promise given in the Book of Mormon to this beautiful Jewish woman. We all sat in his office filled with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost as we knew it would be in attendance, and would "speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts" and that the words to say would "be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say." (D&C 100:5-6)

That day was the beginning of a very sweet friendship with Callie, one that has lasted long after my release as a missionary, and I believe was started long before we came here. I have always felt a sisterhood with Callie, and was honored to be among those who shared this special day with her. After all, she was one of many reasons why I knew the Lord wanted me to stay here in St. Louis, and to be able to continue working with the Sister Missionaries as they taught her, then to be the first she told when she decided to be baptized, are sweet memories I will cherish forever.

What may have been the last picture of me on my mission became a promise of what could be, as Callie and I stood arm in arm as sisters below the Star of David at the St. Louis Temple -- the next picture of her in front of an LDS Temple to go into her scrapbook. As she has taken this leap of faith, her knowledge that the Lord will bless her with the confirmation she seeks of the truths she feels in her heart must be right. She has taught me more about faith, hope and charity than I could have learned from any book or any other way. I love you Callie, and can hardly wait to go inside this beautiful Temple with you one day -- just like I promised that day when we went just inside to the front desk. The promises are real, and I know you will come to know they are true as you continue in your journey of faith.

Romantic Weekends and Dreams

2010-01-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

I've been to the castles in Europe, and now have been to an American version of a "home" that is just as elegant as those castles! The Biltmore Estate, located in Asheville, North Carolina, was not only the home of George Washington Vanderbilt II (of THE Vanderbilt family who created railroad and shipping empires, and who had amassed a huge fortune himself through steamboats, railroads, and various business enterprises), but the home of a real American royal family. As my favorite artist Thomas Kincade depicted in his artistic rendering, it is certainly a place filled with light and life, owned by a man who dreamed of scientific progress long before its time.

George began to make regular visits with his mother, Maria Louisa Kissam Vanderbilt to the Asheville, NC area. He loved the scenery and climate so much that he decided to create his own summer estate in the area, which he called his "little mountain escape," just as his older brothers and sisters had built opulent summer houses in places such as Newport, Rhode Island, and Hyde Park, New York. His idea was to replicate the working estates of Europe. He commissioned Richard Morris Hunt (who designed the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty) to design the house and Frederick Law Olmsted (who designed Central Park in New York) to design the grounds. Intending that the estate could be self-supporting, Vanderbilt set up scientific forestry programs, poultry farms, cattle farms, hog farms and a dairy. The estate included its own village (today Biltmore Village) and a church. The Vanderbilts invited family and friends from across the country to experience the opulent estate.

Vanderbilt paid little attention to the family business or his own investments, and it is believed that the construction and upkeep of Biltmore depleted much of his inheritance. After Vanderbilt died of complications from an emergency appendectomy in 1914, his widow, Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, finalized the sale of 85,000 of the original 125,000 acres to the federal government (in respect to her husband's wish that the land remain unaltered), which became the nucleus of Pisgah National Forest. The estate today covers approximately 8,000 acres.

Staying at the Inn on Biltmore Estates, we were treated like the royalty who had visited these grounds since that first Christmas Eve in 1895. In celebration of our engagement, we were treated to the "Bed and Breakfast Getaway" that included an incredible breakfast each morning in the dining room, a magnificant audio tour of the Biltmore Estate (including a souvenier book), high tea in the Library in the afternoon, and evenings roaming through the downtown area of Asheville and falling in love with the feel and the people of North Carolina.

On the shuttle between the hotel and the Biltmore, we were joined by other couples who had come for a romantic weekend, each taking pictures of the other to commemorate such a memory!

As we left the grounds of the Biltmore we had a dream to one day return, whether it be as a groundskeeper, host/hostess at the dining room or as the consierge at the Inn, or any other number of jobs that were filled with people who eagerly enjoyed their working environment. Our waitress Bobby was a fourth generation employee at the Biltmore, and it was apparent that she not only loved her job, but loved those who came to visit. We truly felt like royalty!

Then came the sign -- the McDonald's was right across the street from the main entrance to the Biltmore! As Stephan had helped his father design over 300 McDonald's throughout the Country, it seemed only fitting that one of the most delightful McDonald's greeted us as we left this beautiful place.

It would be wonderful to start fresh somewhere, start our history together in a new place, and build a life where we can love and serve the wonderful people in North Carolina. When we returned home we called the Branch President, who sounds as young as one of my sons (and was just newly called to the position a month ago) and he assured us there was penty of work to be done in the very active Asheville Branch. While we have been working with the Employment Specialist of that Branch, we know the Lord is in charge and will lead us where He needs us most, and where we are surrounded by those who seem to always appear when we need them -- the angels we all take turns being in each other's lives.

Beautiful Snow -- and Squirrels!

2010-01-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

This is the beautiful home of Jackie Koch, the delightful little widow in our Ward who has graciously allowed me to stay in her home while she visits her family in Florida for the winter (smart woman!). I have felt warm, safe, and have felt the love in this home that emanates from every wall, every picture, every little memento that is lovingly placed everywhere you look.

But as St. Louis does so well, when that white stuff comes it comes in multiple inches! Everything is covered in white and it's the most beautiful sight! But with all these trees in the back, side and front yards, there are multiple families of squirrels that live and play in those yards, so when the snow comes they begin looking for a dryer, warmer place! It began one morning as I was laying in bed and listening to this sound against the roof by the room in which I stay (front far right). I didnt' know what that sound meant, but I knew it was a "critter' of some sort! I could hear the squirrels running back and forth across the roof.

Then when we returned from being out of town one weekend, there was a hole in the ceiling of the master bedroom! I wondered if they were running loose in the house, but when I couldn't find any in the house I began hearing them running through the rafters of the attic!!! Calling a friend, her husband and son-in-law came to examine the evidence and determined the squirrels had chewed a hole in the side of the roofing (the noise I heard in the mornings), then decided to make their winter's nest just inside in the attic, and while digging went through the ceiling of the house!!! So, on a bright sunny afternoon when hopefully all the squirrels were outside playing, they fixed the ceiling and put a metal place against the hole, and no more noises or scampering!

But a part of me feels very guilty as the storm continue to come and I hear them knocking against the metal plate and wondering why they can't get into their nest! I just hope they didn't leave any behind, but I guess the cold that isn't over yet will either freeze them until spring, or at least until Jackie gets back so she can decide if she wants to "save the squirrels" or fix her roof!

There is something so beautiful about mountain homes, and I wonder how they get in and out of their snow-covered roads when it really hits!

I've never seen anything like this before, but the rocks are filled with little spurts of water that freeze and seem to grow! Capturing this small little frozen fountain is just one example of the many rocks that are filled with them!

There are three kinds of icicles. One type forms from the top down, like stalactites in a cave, and the other type forms from the bottom up, like stalagmites. Sometimes the two converge, forming an ice pillar. If it remains cold enough, the entire width of the water flow will freeze from the outside in, leaving the flow of water constricted within the ice pillar wherever there is dripping water and freezing temperatures. Most icicles grow in the mountains, where there are numerous manmade and natural conditions for their formation, such as roadcuts, exposed rock cliffs, and waterfalls.

All in all, this California beach bum girl-turned desert rat in Arizona is finding this snow in St. Louis more beautiful with every snowfall. It's a long winter, but not too bad this year -- no ice storms yet like last year, and as long as I can drive to work, I'm okay!

A Christmas to Remember

2009-12-26T22:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve this year was a little different than most years, as I was far, far away from "home," in St. Louis, and yet I was surrounded by those whom I have come to love so very much, and who have loved and brought such joy into my life. Tonight, while celebrating the birth of the Son of God, Stephan and I announced our engagement, planning to marry sometime during the Thanksgiving season in 2010, hoping to take the time to get better situated in our employment, find a home, and get to know each other a little better. Although we have known each other almost a year, it has been a different kind of relationship since I was released from my mission!

Stephan and I met in February of 2009, while I was serving as a full time missionary, when I walked into the Great Harvest Bread Store where he works in Olivette, Missouri, looking for some bread and other goodies that I could take to some of the people I visited. As is his specialty, he treats everyone who walks into that door as if they are the only person in the world, giving such personal attention and loving service. After seeing and visiting with him almost weekly for about two months, he finally began asking me about the black name tag I wore, and why I was always buying things to give away. My companion, Sister Waite, and I were happy to tell him about what we do, and we decided to meet outside of his work so we could tell him a little more.

After meeting with us, the wheels began to turn and he knew he wanted to know more about how he could be of service. Going to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert with Sister Snider and I (along with some other friends) was the beginning of his desire to know more about the gospel. As we began to teach him, he met many in our Ward and others in the Church who helped him get a better idea of what it meant to be a Latter-day Saint. But there was just one little problem -- he was raised in the Jewish faith, and while living at his father's home he received more than a contentious response from his family. So, he put his learning of the Gospel on hold for a while, and I continued serving my mission, until I became sick and the resulting surgery and release from my mission. Reconnecting after I was released, things began to change between us, and his heart once again wanted to know more about the Church that I had been representing.

He began attending the Pagedale Branch with me, resumed his discussions with the Elders of that Branch, and together we started to visit some of the wonderful people I had served while a missionary. We realized how much there was between us, and how much we could do together as our desires to serve and bless others is one of the strongest desires of our hearts.

Not expecting this to occur in my life -- at this stage or ever again -- our service together turned to courtship, which turned to love and talk of marriage. A very wise Bishop once told me to spend each holiday with the one you intend to marry; share traditions, and see how the other fits into those traditions. Well, how do you share Christmas traditions with a man who was raised in the Jewish faith? Well, his mother was a Christian and was able to instill a few of those memories before her passing, but my family had taken Christmas traditions to an entirely different level! Christmas Eve was no exception, as we enjoyed what has become the traditional Herb Crusted Prime Rib Dinner, complete with twice baked potatoes, apricot glazed sugar peas and carrots, cranberry nut bread from Great Harvest, and a wonderful cream cheese spread with cranberries and other goodies. For dessert, Stephan had found a recipe for Rainbow Sherbet Cake that sounded scrumptious, so that must also be added to the traditional Christmas Eve dinner from now on!

It was indeed a Christmas to start new traditions, so we decided to start by getting a fresh tree; we found one in Overland but it was too big to put anywhere but in the back seat of Stephan's convertible -- driving back to Des Peres with the top down on one of the few sunny days between the coldest days in December! We laughed so hard as we cranked up the heater in the car to keep our toes warm as the cold air froze our faces (but kept the tree fresh!). Stephan's father and stepmother offered to purchase the decorations for our tree as our Christmas gift, and we had such fun picking them out together.

Decorating this beautiful house for the Christmas holidays was such a delight -- finding little decorations hidden away in closets, under beds, in the garage, anywhere we could find them, and it became our own little Christmas cottage.

And Santa found us! When we awoke Christmas morning our stockings were filled, a basket of essentials left behind, and a tree laden with surprises beneath!

I didn't know what Christmas would be like this year, leaving my family so far away. I missed them terribly, but found that my heart can grow to include so many others. Our circle of influence begins with our families with whom we feel safe and loved, then it expands as we meet, serve, teach, and love each other -- I just hadn't expected one to love me back! Stephan is such a wonderful man, so kind and gentle, so strong yet meek and teachable. I have learned so much from him as I have watched him overcome some tremendous challenges, stand up for what he knows to be good and true, and become the companion I never knew I needed! Merry Christmas Darling, and to all a good night!

2009-12-25T08:06:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Thanksgiving in Arizona 2009

2009-11-30T22:00:00.000-08:00

What fun to reconnect with my children and grandchildren after having been gone almost a year without a hug, and seeing these sweet grandchildren growing up so fast! Over the week's visit, I stayed a couple of nights with each family: Brian's, Jana's and John's, and in the midst of giggling girls and Thanksgiving festivities, we created a few memories.

Of course, the preparation for the Thanksgiving feast is by far the funnest part, and this year Shaelyn wanted to be the official taste tester -- and on her special perch atop the counter helping her mom, there she sat in all her glory as she sampled the fruit salad to make sure it was "just right!"

Oh, did I say giggling girls? Yes, these darling cousins, now almost neighbors, and some in the same class at school, are best friends. You can always count on some laughter and usually some kind of shenanigans around these girls -- now 8 total in the Phoenix area ( half the total grandchildren!). The other half of the grandchildren are in Idaho and Utah (6 boys and 2 girls) and when they all get together, watch out! These girls would have loved to play Twister with their boy cousins too!!

Then there's the card games -- the floor is such a perfect place to play, no matter what! Good thing the game closet is so close to the living room floor!!!

So, everyone has an assignment for Thanksgiving Dinner -- mine was the Sweet Potato Souffle, which is more of a dessert than a side dish by the time all the butter, pecans and brown sugar are doubled and placed on top. Here's Jana making some devilish eggs to add to her relish tray that we find so snackingly delicious (as Maddie is shown off to the side indulging in a handful) while we're all busy in the kitchen! Notice the BIG GULP soda close by -- that's my girl!

Then there's the beautiful Angie as she's whipping up the exquisitely fluffy mashed potatoes. That hot pad brings a little Grandma Seamons memories with it!

John assigned himself the lemon chiffon pie, and went about his task with the expertise and exactness that only John (and a few of his other siblings, now that I recall) has mastered. Yes, this lovely home at Brian and Angie's has the large screen TV visible from the kitchen, so we all know how to multitask very well!

No Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without the green bean casserole, and this had to be one of the finest I'd ever tasted -- way to go Dana!

But the dish we all wait for is none other than the turkey, roasted to perfection, and carved by the greatest turkey in the house -- Brian!! It seems to be the traditional "host carver" that these boys (and sometimes girls) take very seriously when they host these family gatherings -- it's something like a right of passage I think!

So, to try and get at least a partial picture of the "spread," Jana offers to pose in her cheerful "Happy Thanksgiving" mode as she plays her Vanna White best in displaying the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, delicious stuffing (in the burgundy casserole dish), sweet potato souffle, deviled eggs, and Great Harvest rolls (brought from St. Louis). What wasn't shown (not enough room in the shot, let alone in our stomachs, but we somehow managed) was the delicious cranberry sauce/salad, fruit salads, relish trays, and any other number of delights.

No family gathering would be complete (at least in this family) without a shot of the kid's table. When some of the older grandchildren are invited to the adult table, they think it's pretty cool. But they really know how to have a good time at the kid table, especially when there is a turkey roll centerpiece that's edible (also from the Great Harvest Bread Store in St. Louis)!

I love the colors that combine to create a beautiful Thanksgiving Dinner plate! Along with the mandatory Martinelli's (which can also be red, peach, etc.), you've got your reds (cranberries), greens (beans), oranges (sweet potatoes), and everything in between to tempt and titillate the palate as you sit with your family and loved ones to share the things that bring thoughts of gratitude to your heart and mind.

This year John and Dana had a very special Thanksgiving announcement, another little addition to their family due to join us in July 2010! [As an afternote, John just sent me a text to announce that it's a boy!] What fun to see these families grow in love for each other, and for their Father in Heaven.

As I visited in each home, they all had their special before and after Thanksgiving traditions. On this day, John and Dana had a little extra help getting their Christmas decorations up this year, as Shaelyn appreciates so much more the sparkle and glimmer of each little ornament, light and treasure that comes out of those magic storage boxes, and is placed in its predetermined spot for the holidays to enjoy.

One of our family's favorite traditions is to go to see the lights at the Temple grounds in Mesa. There is something magical about those lights, displays, people, and the music as you walk around those hallowed grounds and realize the purpose for which these celebrations exist, and then feel Him near.

It's also a great time to get family pictures!

Even when mom (Jana) had to work and couldn't join us that night. Scott was such a good sport to bring the girls and hang out with us as we enjoyed the evening.

These memories are priceless as the girls took pictures themselves of their favorite displays, each other, and loved having pictures taken of themselves! Maddie and I had our own picture taking adventure, and found we could capture the moon and stars along with the Star of Bethlehem in one shot!

I am so very grateful for a loving family who welcomed me home (John stood at the airport with a "Welcome Home Mom" poster -- yes, that started the tears!) and who loved me all week. It was fun to be able to fix breakfasts, pick up and take a car full of giggling girls to school and wonder where the "grandparent drop-off" is when all they had was a "parent drop-off!" Their legs are getting longer, they hair longer and stronger, and their spirits and testimonies are growing just as strong. I love you all so very much, and thank YOU for such a fun Thanksgiving week!!!

The Cottage - a Place of Healing and New Beginnings

2009-11-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, this has been my new home for the past couple of weeks -- a little cottage off to the side of the home of my dear friends, Joy and Rock Erekson. It's a darling place with one large room and a separate bathroom, with all the comforts of a queen size bed, kitchen area with microwave and toaster, couch, and decorated as if it were in Cape Cod -- sea shells and lighthouses everywhere!

This is where I came to recuperate just shortly after my surgery, and the healing that has occurred has been more than just physical. My heart has truly found new hope as the plan of a loving Father in Heaven continues to unfold before my very eyes. Those whose lives have touched mine as a missionary are now becoming my dearest friends, and our relationships continue as we share hearts -- more than just a black name tag.

But it's the spirit that dwells in this little cottage, and the beauty that surrounds it, that is part of the healing process. The autumn here in St. Louis is breathtaking, and looking out the front door of the cottage this morning drew me to take a walk on what may be the last day of this gorgeous fall season!

The tree spirit Albus (the "epitome of goodness" from the Harry Potter series) in the front yard welcomes all who enter, carved by Rock's cousin one hot summer day from a live tree.

This is my friend Joy -- on a beautiful autumn day last week when we escaped to St. Charles, just over the Missouri River, had lunch at Miss Aimee B's Tea Room where the lemonade is made with milk and the character of this beautiful early pioneer woman is part of every dish lovingly served within her home, and went to a quilt show before shopping down the quaint streets of St. Charles.

Joy is accurately named because that is what she brings into everyone's life -- the true "epitome of goodness" whether she is in or out of costume! Shown below with a plate of her new Halloween favorite, Black Cat Cookies, she dresses to take her grandchildren out for their evening of Halloween festivities -- what a fun grandma!

But the colors in St. Louis during the Autumn season, and the changes in the foliage are astronomical and all new to me. I've never seen trees that can do this...

...or that have the sheer number of colors as this...

...which by the way are the same trees I took pictures of in the Spring when they were filled with blossoms!

I love the place across the street from the cottage -- it's technically a convent, but the pathways and the beauty of its grounds are so inviting!

So, this morning I had to enjoy the very last day of autumn in all its glory, and thought I'd share a some of those beautiful scenes that I have been thrilled to witness these past few weeks.

It's just a little house to the side of a big house, but the Cottage marks the beginning of a new life for me. There's a rock to the side of the Labyrinth across the street engraved with this saying:

"Life isn't a destination...

It's a journey.

We all come upon unexpected

Curves and turning points,

Mountaintops and valleys.

Everything that happens to us

Shapes who we are

Becoming."

As I begin this next phase of my life, I realize so clearly that all those curves and turning points, mountaintops and valleys of my life have truly shaped who I am and who I am continuing to become. I'm not the same person I was nine months ago, nor will I be the same nine months from now if I continue to listen and learn what the Lord has in store for me to understand.

Tonight as I was sitting in this very swing watching the colors of the sunset, my reading glasses that were on my head seemed to find their way into the pile of leaves. As of this writing I haven't found them yet, after bagging two huge bags of these leaves, but will wait until morning when the sun will help us find them and the Lord will help them come to the surface where they can be found!

It seems to be the story of my life -- trust in the Lord and He will always lead me to where I need to be. He knows the beginning from the end, so of course it makes sense to ask and then listen for His direction. He has made it clear that this is where I need to be for now, and so I will trust that the windows continue to open where the doors have been closed, and that those gifts and blessings He has showered upon me can be shared with those whom I have grown to love here in this part of His vineyard.

Thank you Joy and Rock, for sharing the Cottage and its sweet, healing spirit.

What a Great Way to End My Mission!

2009-10-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those bitter/sweet days that I always knew existed but never quite understood -- until now. Because of my pending surgery I will be receiving a medical release from my mission tonight, and tomorrow will begin my search for employment here in St. Louis as well as a place to live as I begin yet another chapter of my life.

But today, I was a missionary and taught with such testimony and the Spirit of my Father in Heaven, that I know He is pleased with me and the service I have been privileged to provide to His children. Because today, we were able to bring Callie to the Temple!

Having been raised in the Jewish faith, Callie found herself continuing to search for fulfillment in her life. As the mother of two darling little girls, she and her husband realized that their search for that deeper meaning may require them to look into other faiths. Because of her childhood memories with her LDS friend April, she connected with her on Facebook which led to Callie and April's mother reconnecting and Callie's questions beginning to find some answers, which led to our invitation to begin teaching her.

With each visit I feel as though it has been me who's been taught as I have found a new appreciation for our sisterhood within the House of Israel (as depicted by the Star of David in the large circle window over our heads on the east side of the Temple), and the incredible similarities and parallels we share in our respective faiths. As we discussed some of the symbolisms we share through the Old Testament which are depicted within and surrounding our Temple here in St. Louis, our eyes filled with tears as we realized we are truly Sisters in Zion. While leaving, I invited Callie to prepare herself to receive her recommend so we could go beyond that front desk -- together. I pray that day will be in the not too distant future!

Partaking of the living waters means that we need thirst no more -- the living waters of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Rev 7:17) This has been our purpose here in St. Louis -- to find those who are searching and to lead them to the living fountains of waters found literally and figuratively at the Temple. It was for this exact reason that we "kidnapped" Becky (a less active member in our Ward) one afternoon a couple of weeks ago, and took her to the Temple to feel the Spirit of peace and healing that exists even in the foyer.

Her reaction was not only a profound sense of that peace and healing, but a change of heart as the next Sunday she not only came to Church with her two older daughters, but she brought along her non-member friend Michelle and her son! After Church, she went directly to the Bishop's office to ask what she needed to do to get her Temple Recommend (which we lovingly refer to as our "ticket"), and has been taking the Temple Preparation Classes ever since. Her deep feelings received while in the Temple spilled over to her enjoyment over lunch of the new cuisine we found at Zoya's!

We spent the morning with Becky this past Wednesday to take her to breakfast for her birthday, and couldn't resist capturing her "essence" on her license plate -- a true representation of the irreverent yet hysterically humorous personality we've come to know and love!

I'm so grateful to be able to remain in St. Louis to continue working with my dear friends like Callie and Becky, along with Carol, Joyce, Jackie, Jessica, Jennifer, and the list goes on and on. I may not be a missionary after today, but I will ALWAYS be their friend and sister. As we work together to draw closer to each other and to our Father in Heaven, we are able to feel the strength of His love and are able to face the challenges of life with a little more hope. But I will miss being a missionary more than I can possibly express.

I'll miss those first hugs from these beautiful young sisters who have accepted me as their equal while we have served shoulder to shoulder in teaching and loving these wonderful people. I will miss the young Elders who have not only received my efforts as their own, but have become like my own sons. I will miss the feeling of wearing that black name tag with humility and gratitude, knowing that I represented my Savior with honor.

And I will miss my dear companion Sister Anderson, whose grandparents were in town today and took us out to lunch before returning home to New Mexico. As I listened to my companion tell about our day with Callie, I realized that I had accomplished my goal in helping her to find the courage, strength, and confidence to be the kind of missionary she has yearned to become. Although I heard her use many of my same expressions as she spoke of these sweet people, I felt her enthusiasm for the work and her genuine love which she has been seeking to achieve. She has been a wonderful friend as well as a companion, and we have shared many tears and much laughter as we have worked diligently and tirelessly to serve our Father's children.

So as these next few days unfold, my surgery hopefully successful and the healing completed, I will begin the next chapter of my life in a place where I have only been for nine months, yet feel the friendships and relationships I have formed here began long ago. The Lord has sent me here for many purposes, and my work is not completed yet. As I have received the direct and unexpected answers to my prayers, I have received the hope and faith that He will open the windows where the doors may have closed, and I will find purpose and joy in this new life as a St. Louisian -- at least for now.

Another Testament of Christ

2009-09-30T18:37:00.000-07:00

I testify that Jesus is the Christ, that He appeared to his "other sheep" here in the Americas, that they felt the nail prints in His hands and feet and knew He was the promised Messiah. As we learn of Him and follow His teachings from the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, we can find peace, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose in why we are here, where we came from, and where we have a hope to be going after we complete our earthly existence. I know He lives, that He loves us, and that He did what He said He would do -- prepare a way for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven as forever families -- if we only believe in and of Him.

"P" Day Adventures

2009-09-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

I always love it when Brother Graves "cooks" as the AP's and we sisters were invited to join them at the Macaroni Grill tonight. As the dinner calendars are passed around each Sunday, the members are gracious in signing up to invite us into their homes for dinner, which is extremely helpful, inasmuch as we all have the same limited amount of funds each month! But the Graves (Brother Graves serves in our Bishopric and Sister Graves is our Ward Activities Chairperson) are always some of our favorite evenings, and tonight was no exception. Some people in the restaurant wonder what all the laughter is about when there is no wine bottle on the table, but they just don't know how much fun we really have with this wonderful couple!

Last Monday we got to travel up to the northern part of the State of Missouri to open a new apartment in Macon -- about a 3 hour drive! We took a Mission car (which saves miles and gas on my car) and on the way found this wonderful huge field of sunflowers, right in the middle of this quaint country road. Sadly, we didn't stop to take a better picture, but it was as far as the eye could see -- and I couldn't help think of my sweet Jana and Dana who have always loved sunflowers, and the beauties of this State continue to amaze me!

Every day we get to travel this freeway from our apartment into the rest of our area, always passing the Temple. On the way home this night Sister Anderson grabbed her camera and caught a great pictures of the Temple at sunset -- heck, what else is there to do while riding all day in the car? Catch some great shots!

Our Labor Day this year was spent on another "P" Day and turned out to be a surprise birthday party for Katheryn (white shirt), the neice of our Ward Mission Leader, who is living with the Ereksons during her senior year. She has made such fast friends that I can't begin to count the number of people who showed up for her Birthday party/BBQ at the Thomas house! Here she is with two of her special friends, Summyr (an investigator we are teaching) and two of the Larson gang -- all such fun kids who have spent many wonderful memories together this summer as they have enjoyed youth conference, camp, traveling to Palmyra, river trips, and every other fun activity imaginable! They are not only strengthening their testimonies, but their relationships with each other, and those relationships are what help keep them focused in a world of confusion and pressure -- what buds!

My companion, Sister Anderson from Kanab, Utah, is on her third transfer (6 week period) here with me in the Frontenac Ward. We have not only grown closer together, but have become better missionaries in serving these wonderful people who have invited us into their homes and into their lives.

On this "P" Day we were invited to the Bishop's house (he's the one on the far left in the blue shirt) where we were joined by two other families (the Olsons and the Sonnes) for dinner, and we are usually asked to present the Family Home Evening lesson for the evening before game time. That night, we split into boy/girl teams and the girls humbled the boys in the name game!

This is one of the most beautiful restored buildings in the downtown St. Louis area which now serves as the headquarters for the Mental Health Association. On our Ward's Service Day we were invited to this location to clean, wash windows, paint, weed, and any number of other projects to get this building ready for the new season. One of our Ward members serves on the Board of Directors and we had such a great time with all ages of family members joining us to clean this beautiful building from top to bottom (literally), leaving a large selection of home baked goodies to greet those coming in Monday morning for their weekly allowances. It was one of the highlights of their day -- and ours!

Most Mondays are spent in running errands, like getting the car gased and washed, grocery shopping, laundry, letters, etc. On this Monday as the sun was setting while we were filling up the gas, once again my companion grabbed her camera to capture this beautiful sunset through the dream catcher hanging from my rear view mirror. This picture says many things to me about the beauties of my experiences here on my mission, as well as the beauties of this incredible area! I love it here!!!

So as we close another "P" Day, with the worldly cares pushed aside in preparation for this next week, we can focus on the people we have come to love and serve. Tonight we are baking 8 of the 17 pans of brownies that I'll need for Wednesday morning when I greet and train 17 new missionaries fresh from the MTC, who will shortly thereafter meet their new companions and start on their own adventures in their missions. I have been so blessed to have the best of both worlds -- working as a missionary in the field, and coming to know and love these missionaries throughout the mission as the Housing Coordinator and frequently interacting with them while setting up or closing their apartments. There are many things we learn while serving each other, and I will always be grateful for the acceptance, love, and sweetness of the bonds we have formed as we have stood shoulder to shoulder as Elders and Sisters here in the Missouri St. Louis Mission!

Labor Day in the Mission Field

2009-09-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Labor Day usually marks the end of summer, the beginning of school, and generally getting back to a normal schedule of "life." While my life is much different than it was last Labor Day, I thought I'd focus on the lives of my children and grandchildren over the past few months, and enjoy a few bragging rights!

Of course, we have to start with a few pictures of the infamous Seamons Family Reunion at Fish Lake, where every single one of my children and grandchildren were gathered (with the exception of Stephanie who was ready to give birth to Jax -- more below) along with my siblings and their families. But nothing says more than these pictures where the faces were filled with the joy of being together and creating memories!

Joe was Mr. Mom with both Van and Kingston, but made sure he kept watch over who was driving the boat! It's hard to tell where more fun was enjoyed -- on the boat or on land! It really didn't seem to matter, because just being together created a ton of fun!

But I love those moments when you can just focus on each other -- no phones, computers, or interruptions -- just sitting and enjoying the warm sun and each other while taking turns fishing. There's just nothin' like a beautiful afternoon on the lake, right Van? You got dad all to yourself and you're just lovin' life!

Then there's the girls who decide that for their entry into the "Seamons Family's Got Talent" Night, they decided to go Cyndi Lauper style and lip sync "Girls Just Gotta Have Fun" with the hair, makeup and attitude that only my darling granddaughters can muster -- with a little help from the boys in the band!

There was always something to keep them busy when the fishing boats were otherwise occupied, and crafts were the highlight! Thanks to creative mothers, these darling grandchildren created more than just the crafts, they created some lifelong memories!

So, on to the individual families and what's been happening since we last saw each other...

Bill and Jeana, Trent and Kole have had just one adventure after another this summer, as they have enjoyed not only a move to a new home, but enjoying the beauties of the new State in which they now call home. Hiking, camping and fishing are always highlights for a dad and his sons!

Trent's big news is that he was just baptized this past weekend! He's been looking forward to this day for months, as he would tell his dad, "I want the Holy Ghost more than I want an X-Box!" Now there's a young man with his priorities straight! It was one of the hardest things to have to miss, but I know Trent was ready for this big step in his life because his parents are so great!

Part of that preparation was spending time together as a family, with no interruptions, and being able to talk about those important things and why we want families to be forever! The best time to do that is while fishing, right? Since recently receiving his MBA and now serving as the new Elders Quorum President in their new Ward, Bill's time with his family this summer has formed that wonderful bond to strengthen his sweet family while he serves others.

Like most, these boys love to find anything to do that is around water!

I'm so very glad that Trent and Kole are part of our family. We've waited a long time for them to join us, and I'm so proud of my beautiful grandsons, and their wonderful parents.

Brian accomplished a huge milestone this summer as he received his MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. He and Angie also made a huge move from Boise back to Arizona, and although I'm thrilled they will be closer, I know how hard this was for them to leave family and friends they've enjoyed for many years. Luckily, the girls go to the same school with their cousins (Jana's girls) and get to be in some of the same classes, and I know they will be a huge blessing in their new neighborhoods and Wards.

Here's the three oldest beauties on their first day of their new school year in Arizona. Who wouldn't want to be their very best friends??? Maddie being the oldest is in her own class, Hannah and Ashleigh get to be in a class together, and Chloe and Emily get to be in their class together -- sitting right next to each other and trying hard not to talk too much so they can stay sitting together! Now that's hard for those girls!

Their new pet turtle keeps them occupied and happy -- since a dog would just never quite make it in this house -- or is it the girls who would make it with a dog around. Turtles are just right!

Then there's Abby...

Sorry this picture is so small, but this face is priceless! She just finished off her mom's can of Coke that she confiscated off the counter while mom was out of the room, and is just sitting there in her sweetest little way -- "please, mom, can I have some more?" This little girl is growing up so fast!! What a beautiful family!

Then there's the summer at Steve's house! This was taken on Father's Day, just a month after their family reunion at Lake Powell with Cortney's family -- and Steve's astonishing cliff jumping incident -- that resulted in 3 broken bones and several dislocated bone, torn ligaments and tendons along with the severe bruising and fracture blisters all over his foot and up his leg. The surgery that followed involved 3 internal screws and 2 external pins, no driving for 8 weeks, and no walking for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks he could drive and walk as long as he was wearing a specific boot for driving and walking!

He was lovingly referred to as "Frankenfoot" but it was a summer of adjustments and a family that bonded in ways they never knew possible. It was amazing how the Lord prepared this family, almost like He knew ahead of time?!? I'm so grateful that Steve is now back to full health and can be the father, provider and husband this beautiful family need so desperately!

So, here we are on the first day of school for Brooklynn, who loves her class, teacher and friends!

As does Braden, who can't understand why mom doesn't' know the songs he's learning at school, so that when he comes home and forgets, she can help remind him! Luckily, he's got a smart mom who asked the teacher for a copy of those songs!

Then there's Miss Brinley, who is going to preschool a few days each week so she can get ready for the "real" school -- her parents think it might help her with her "sassy" attitude -- what do you think? Too bad she knows how cute she is! She will also be celebrating her 4th birthday this next Saturday -- Happy Birthday Brin!

Jana and Scott and family had a great summer too, including a trip to the beach (my personal favorite). So many wonderful memories included a move for them as well into a new house, new schools, and new Ward, where Jana serves in the Ward Primary Presidency. Jana has also taken this opportunity to continue her education to obtain her dental hygiene degree, and is competing for those grades in the college scene -- you go Jana! And Scott (having also recently received his MBA) continues to be one of the driving forces behind the success of the University of Phoenix, and they are darn lucky to have him!

These darling girls, Emily and Ashleigh, on their first day of their new school! Emily and cousin Chloe are in the same 2nd Grade class, and Ashleigh and her cousin Hannah are in the same 4th Grade class! Pretty cool, girls -- immediate best friends! Emily is also getting ready for her baptism this next month, and I'm so very proud of her!

They also got to start tennis lessons this summer, a great Yeager tradition -- watch out dad, your girls might just be good enough to give you some competition one day!

A darling picture on their California adventure!

I love these girls -- my girl and her girls -- we are all such succors for a little sun and surf!

Joe and Stephanie added our newest darling grandbaby, Jax Bentley Critchfield, on August 6. As they posed for their first picture with this darling baby, I can't help feeling such gratitude to a loving Father in Heaven for this beautiful new spirit in our family -- and the joy he is bringing to his parents and older brothers.

What a beautiful mother and her new baby boy! He looks so much like his daddy did, and it feels like that was just yesterday!

But this picture says it all -- sweet big brother Van now with two younger brothers -- Kingston and Jax. I know how important big brothers are, and Van's tender heart combined with his strong spirit is just what these beautiful boys will need, while loved and nurtured by their wonderful parents.

Here's Kingston with his new little cousing Lulu. He's already getting prepared to be a big brother to little Jax!

These boys (Kingston and Van) have grown so much while I've been gone, and little Jax will be almost a year old when I get to meet him! Where does the time go?!?!? I'd wish for time to stand still for these sweet grandchildren, but there is just too much to do and the Lord needs these children to be prepared for that day in the not too distant future!

Last, but certainly not least, is John with his sweet family -- beautiful Dana and darling little Shaelyn. This has been quite a year in their little family as well, as John continues his MBA program in counseling (preparatory to his becoming an LDS Chaplain in the Armed Services), and Dana continues her education in nursing, both while working and taking turns caring for this darling little girl!

Some of the important things must not be overlooked, however, including showing Shaelyn the "Sweetheart Tree" at Fish Lake where mom and dad carved their names on their first trip there 2 years ago. Many names of her aunts and uncles are on those trees too!

Or taking the time to sit by dad while contemplating the flow of the stream and strengthening those bonds of family ties, which is what summer is all about.

Shaelyn's first birthday was celebrated in style by a very creative mom and dad, and taking pictures for a very lonely gramma who has missed so many of these milestones in her family's lives this year.

But it's those milestones that mean growth, both in physical as well as spiritual ways, as we reflect on the many blessings we have each received this year. This time apart has meant a real growth of individual families and a deeper appreciation of each other and our purpose here: "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." (Alma 34:32)

So, today on this Labor Day, although it's my "P" day to write letters, blogs, do laundry, shop, etc., it's also a day to realize the importance of my purpose here in the mission field as I perform my labors. First thing this morning at 9:03 a.m. I received a text message with a new referral, Susan, who is "looking for meaning to life." I can hardly wait to meet her and to bring her the copy of the Book of Mormon she has requested, and to tell her about forever families and what meaning my family has brought to my life!

Then there's Crusty Carol (as we've lovingly named another media referral, a 75 year old woman who is becoming less "crusty") who called at 11:30am this morning and can hardly wait for us to take her to the Temple on Wednesday, and to start coming to Church this next Sunday. We taught her the first three lessons, then she was admitted to the hospital and rehabilitation for 3 weeks as a result of health problems, but is stronger than ever and ready to move forward with her learning and new friends.

And Joyce, Carol's aid who has been taking the lessons along with Carol, who also wants to start coming to Church this next Sunday, and who introduced us yesterday to her fiance Jack, who also wants to start taking the lessons with Joyce!

Our member families are also working hard with many of their friends and neighbors as they are becoming more diligent in opening their mouths and expressing their love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a number of families who are being prepared by their wonderful friends to hear about the restored Gospel, and it is making such a difference in the lives of these sweet members!

So while I am missing these milestones in my family's earthly life, I know the Lord has need of me here in this part of His vineyard. I am grateful to have this time to serve and to be "an instrument of thy peace" (from the song I have been asked to sing this next Sunday in our Sacrament Meeting) to bless the lives of these people whom I have come to know and love as my brothers and sisters. What a wonderful Labor Day!

Flaming the Fire of Faith

2009-08-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

Being out of the loop news wise, today I learned that there was another fire in the mountains above the home where I grew up in La Canada, California. My cousin Lynn and his family live not far from our old neighborhood, and while checking my family's latest news in today's Facebook posts, I found where one cousin (thanks, Colleen) had asked Lynn if they were all right. Lynn's response was "The hills had not burned since Uncle Bob and family lived up here. The fire got within a mile of our place..."

It brought back so many memories of that fire almost 50 years ago. My friends and I were walking home from Brownies that day when we saw the smoke coming up way back in the mountain range. One of our fellow Brownie Girl Scouts, Sandra Hobson (wow, it's amazing that I can remember her name!) had a cool dad who was a forest ranger, and we knew he was working hard that day in putting out that fire. But by the time we had finished dinner, we noticed that the fire had topped the crest of the mountain and was coming down quickly.

I remember my dad opening the front door and can still feel the heat of the fire when we looked out at that mountain filled with flames that were threatening everything we knew and loved. I asked dad if we should get packed and get ready to leave, since many of our neighbors were doing the same. Uncle Cy and Aunt Delpha Watson (neighbors down the street) had just stopped by to tell us they had packed their precious things and were leaving. I started to become afraid.

But instead of being afraid, my dad suggested we go into the living room as a family and offer a prayer to our Heavenly Father. So we did, and I can still hear the sound of his voice as he pleaded with our loving Father to help the fire dissipate and that not one home or person would be lost. I'll remember the look on his face after that prayer for as long as I live. There was such peace in his eyes, and I could see no fear there -- so I knew everything would be all right. We took one more look out the door, then went to bed.

When we woke up the next morning, we learned that in the middle of the night the fire had separated into two, divided right down the middle, and started burning to the sides instead of coming down the mountain -- just within the next block from our home -- until it burned completely out. Not one home had been lost, not one person had been injured, and hopefully the peacocks would be all right too!

I learned that night that because of the faith of my father, and the prayers offered to our Heavenly Father because of that faith, that even the largest, hottest, meanest and most ferocious forest fire could be stopped. I have never forgotten that night, and it has been that faith from which I have grown my own faith in that same loving Father in Heaven.

He may not have had to put out any forest fires in my life lately, but He has definitely given me opportunities to learn and trust that He is always there, listening to my every prayer. Earlier in the week I was having some health issues that were causing me great pain, both physically and emotionally. I hadn't felt that kind of pain in a very long time and couldn't understand why. Laying on the floor of our apartment wreathing in agony, I pleaded with the Lord to help me learn what I could do to remove that pain. After a long night and very little rest, I awoke to know exactly what I needed to do. It was a simple task, but one that required a lot of faith. But as soon as I had completed that task there was an immediate resolution of the health issues, and the pain was removed -- completely.

I am so very grateful to know that the faith I learned as a child from my loving earthly father is the same faith I use now as a much older child of a loving Father in Heaven -- but it is a lot stronger and more deeply centered in the very core of my being. As a missionary, I have had the opportunity to stretch and grow that faith beyond anything I could have ever imagined, and I am amazed that the Lord continues to allow that growth and learning in my life.

The fire of faith continues to burn within me as it is continually being fed by the Holy Ghost, as each day is filled with spiritual promptings of people who need our love and attention. We may be the ministering angels to someone else in their time of need, and as we listen and heed those promptings sometimes we get to be the answer to someone else's prayers.

What is an AP?

2009-08-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

[Elder Spendlove, Sister Seamons, and Elder Holland]

The life of an AP (Assistant to the President) is much different than most young men imagine when they accept their mission calls. Working closely with the office staff, I have had the privilege to serve with the Assistants, both in the office and in the field as we serve together in the Frontenac Ward as missionaries, attend all the meetings together as representatives of our Savior, and pray with them as we love and serve the people of this area. They are my leaders, my co-workers, my friends, and they become like my sons.

There is a strong bond that exists between these two young men as they come to know the heavy burden placed on the shoulders of our Mission President, and seek to lift that burden and carry out the assignments given to them, many of which may seem somewhat menial.

But yes, they are still young men and they have to have a little fun mixed in with the responsibilities of their callings.

I've watched the AP's come and go since my arrival. There is a special bond that exists between us after working together and loving these people, caring for their happiness and strengthening the missionaries with whom we serve. These next two weeks they will go with the Mission President and his wife to each of the Zones for their respective Zone Conferences and present their training on which they have worked so prayerfully, tirelessly and diligently. These are magnificent young men who have become leaders while being servants and will return home with honor, prepared to be wonderful husbands, fathers, Bishops, Stake Presidents and more.

Elder Payne (who was my first AP when I arrived and we have been serving together in the Pagedale District since his release as AP) left to go home this past week and I came to understand why he is who he is when I met his parents, sister, brother and grandmother who came to pick him up and attended his last District Meeting with us. As his parents each offered a prayer during the meeting, his sister bearing her testimony, and his grandmother sharing her life of service with us over lunch, I better understood the humble man who returned home with them. Elder Payne and I had the opportunity to teach once more together later that afternoon, and I thought back to the first time we taught together (the Lopez family) and how I had grown as a missionary because of his example in teaching with such love and compassion. I have watched him give blessings to those we have been teaching and I too have received a blessing at his hand that day, and appreciate more what has been said about him: he is wise beyond his years.

My life has been enriched while serving with these amazing young men, and I will always have a place in my heart for each one and the ways they have touched and lifted me as we have served together here in this the Lord's vineyard. The veil has been parted on many occasions as we have viewed our purposes together at this time in our lives, and I am so very grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who has allowed us to experience these tender mercies during this earthly journey.

I love you guys!

Sacrifices of Service

2009-08-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, this week is the biennial Seamons Family Reunion at Fish Lake! All my children, grandchildren, siblings, and all their families gathered yesterday for a week long reunion in one of the most beautiful of all places in the world -- tucked high in the mountains of the National Forest south of Richfield, Utah. Ever since my mother could no longer ride a horse while packing into the High Sierras above Bishop, California, we have come to Fish Lake for a week of fishing, family, food and fun (and not necessarily in that order!).

All day yesterday I was imagining the anticipation of my children and their families, remembering what it was like when they were the children as we would shop, prepare, pack the car, and drive to that beautiful place...each milestone a memory. I can't deny there weren't tears yesterday as those memories so vividly flashed into my mind, and my heart was a little tender -- especially when I received a text from my son Steve as they were driving south from their home with the northern crew (Bill and Joe), knowing the southern crew (Brian, Jana and John) would be driving from Arizona northward. But when I got the last text from Steve that said they had just turned up the mountain, only 7 more miles to go, I lost it! My companion finally took the phone away from me and sent a text back to Steve, "YOUR NOT HELPING!"

But when I reflect on my day yesterday, I begin to understand the true blessings of sacrificing my time, talents and everything with which the Lord has blessed me to the building up of the Kingdom of God on earth and the establishment of Zion -- right here in St. Louis. You see, yesterday was the first day Roberta had returned to church in over a decade! What's more, Roberta brought her friend Pat, who for the first time "heard" the message of the Restoration of the Gospel through the interpreters for the deaf who live in our Ward. The talks in Sacrament meeting couldn't have been more perfect for Pat's first introduction to the Gospel. In fact, the first talk was supposed to have been given weeks ago, but when the time ran short on that meeting they tried to reschedule it...time after time...until it was finally given yesterday -- the perfect time!

Yesterday was a huge milestone here in St. Louis that we have been working so hard to achieve, as the people of Frontenac have opened their arms and hearts to so many friends of other faiths, backgrounds, talents and gifts. We are truly ready to grow a Ward here, and I'm so humbled to play a small part in that growth!

Then we went to visit Hazel, who is in her 90's and lives in a senior facility and is unable to attend Church. It was almost like a warm and loving visit with my own mother, and I left with those tender feelings of closeness with my family -- again another reminder as she told me how I had blessed her life with our association and sisterhood.

As we gathered with the Elders at the home of the Carrs for dinner, another reminder became apparent as we discussed the many miracles that had occurred in their home over the summer, between their own personal recommitments to living the Gospel more fully, and the blessings of a deeper love in their home for each other and their Father in Heaven. My heart was full as we taught the message of Mormon when he said, "...but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been." (Mormon 9:31) I looked into the eyes of their intelligent, beautiful young daughters, and knew what Mormon was referring to -- these youth ARE preparing the way for the return of the Savior of the World, and will HAVE to be wiser than even those prophets of the Book of Mormon! What a humbling thought!

Lastly, the evening was a reminder of all the other wonderful friends who have become so very important to us as we have been honored to teach and learn along with them the beauties of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and how we can apply them better in our own lives, friends who have taught us so much with their strength in overcoming so many of their own battles.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan for happiness not only in this life, but also on a more eternal view as we realize that our families really can be together forever. What a powerful message it brings to me personally as I have taken this time in my own life to dedicate to serving my brothers and sisters here in St. Louis, and in so doing have brought blessings and honor upon my children and grandchildren through that sacrifice.

Have a great time at Fish Lake, my dear family, and send me the DVD! I'll never be able to do what I'm doing right now, but I'll join you next time (in 2 years) on those last 7 miles and a week of non-stop family memories!

Through Deaf Eyes

2009-08-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

One of the most thrilling things I've experienced in the mission field has been the opportunity to help organize a program for the deaf community to begin learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It all began, after many months of attempts, to finally be invited into the home of Roberta, a less active member of our Ward. As we began to get to know each other, she shared her love and passion for her deaf friends whom she had come to know and love while working with them over the years. She was frustrated at the inability of the Church to reach out to these people, and I shared with her how our Stake in Phoenix included a deaf branch -- that a typical Stake Conference included the speaker, an interpreter for all the members of the deaf branch in one section, an interpreter for all the Spanish speaking members (with headphones), and the rest of those of us hearing members who speak English -- all sitting together and enjoying the feeling of brotherhood while learning at the feet of our Stake Leaders. "That's what we need here in St. Louis!" was Roberta's reply!

Realizing that we just had a new family move into our Ward, both the husband and wife who sign beautifully, I decided to take a proactive role on behalf of my new friend Roberta, and arranged a meeting with the Mission President, Roberta, Brother and Sister Swing (the interpreters), and the four missionaries serving in our Ward. We discussed how we could begin by offering sign language classes to the members of the Ward, start having interpreters available in Sacrament Meeting, and get the word out to the deaf community that this was available.

That very next week we were invited to dinner at the home of the Graves, who serve in our Bishopric. They had invited their next door neighbors to join us -- both of whom are deaf. Now they didn't know about our previously held meeting, but we learned so much from their neighbors as to the need for this very program we had discussed. Only 3% of the deaf community even goes to Church because there are no interpreters!

Well, starting this next Sunday, August 9, the Frontenac Ward will be interpreting Sacrament Meeting for not only Brother Swing's family member in town for this next week, but Roberta will be bringing her friend Pat! What's more, Roberta (after over a decade of inactivity) will have just had surgery to her shoulder two days prior, but does not want to wait another week to bring her dear friend Pat with her to Church.

My heart is filled with such love for these new brothers and sisters! As we begin to learn how to welcome them (with a few initial signs) and the Ward begins to learn of the culture and heart of these beautiful new friends, the Lord will bless this Ward with the mighty change of heart that is required to not only build a new deaf branch of the Church here in St. Louis, but to grow a new Ward -- something that hasn't happened here in this area for over 30 years!

I am so very honored to be a small part of this opportunity for growth, to learn sign language, understand the beauty and heart of this community, and help my dear friends in this Frontenac Ward to open their hearts and arms to welcome them into the Gospel. Our youth have already started picking up some of the sign language -- they learn so quickly! My companion has already memorized Moroni 10:4, as well as a number of other phrases. She practices while I drive the many hours we spend in the car each day. Roberta has purchased 12 sets of the Book of Mormon DVD in ASL and donated them for our new friends to "learn of me and listen to my words." For the first time, they will "hear" the message of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We have all been saved for this very time -- the Lord has stretched out his hand in love to ALL his children, and as we help them learn of Him, our lives will be blessed beyond measure.

I know He lives -- I know He is mindful of His children, and I know that as we continue to prepare our hearts to welcome His children into the fold of the Frontenac Ward, that our Ward will be blessed with many others who seek the peace and joy found in the midst of these wonderful Saints.

Artwork by Darin Ashby - "Greater Love" (ASL sign for "I Love You") and "From My Hands to Yours" -- from the Hands of Christ Series

My Elder Brother(s)

2009-07-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

I often wonder, as I teach about my Elder Brother Jesus Christ, what it is about me that makes it so very easy to comprehend that I could be loved so much by an Elder Brother, that He would have done all that He really did for me...

Then I remember my earthly elder brother...

Terry flew into St. Louis last week for a short business trip and we were able to have an even shorter visit -- however it wasn't the quantity as much as it was the quality! We picked him up at the Sidney Street Grill, one of St. Louis' finest, not long after he flew in with his three other business associates in the corporate jet, then took him to his hotel at the St. Louis Union Station Marriott Hotel in the beautiful part of the downtown area -- what a great setting for a visit with my dear brother! We sat at a table inside that beautiful setting that reminded me of the LA Union Station I remembered from so long ago, only more ornate and exquisite! But all I saw was my brother, and those precious few hours were like manna to me. The love I felt from him seemed to energize my very being, and I felt renewed and recommitted to being the best missionary I could be!

That same afternoon I'd had a quick visit from my former Stake President Darwin Davis, as he and his wife Susan flew into St. Louis on their way to Nauvoo for a week long vacation -- without any of their eight (8) children!

What fun it was to have them stop by the building in which we were having our Zone Conference, see his smiling face across a crowded cultural hall of missionaries after lunch, and beeline towards him for a quick hug, picture, introduction to my Mission President and others before the afternoon session of our Conference resumed. However, they were able to stay long enough to hear Elder Bratt's beautiful piano rendition of "I Need Thee Every Hour" and for us to feel the spirit of why I'm here at this time, and in this particular spot in the Lord's vineyard. You see, President Davis was one of my "knights in shining armour" during a very difficult time in my life, and I will always be grateful to him for his guidance, love and support. He too will always be considered as one of my elder brothers.

Between my visit with the Davis' and my brother, we stopped by Rick and Judy's home to find their new grandbaby had just arrived home from the hospital. I was able to play "grandma" until Carter's real grandmother (Judy) returned home from work and could hold her beautiful grandson in her arms, to nourish him in body and in spirit as she cooed over him and held him with such tenderness.

Both Judy and Rick are blind, raised three beautiful daughters, joined the Church just before I arrived in St. Louis last January, and are now helping to raise Nicole's three children as she gets her life back on track. So many wonderful baby items were donated with such love from the women in our Ward as they have surrounded this family with an outpouring of love and support. We also spent the majority of the day last Saturday in their home to help get it cleaned prepared for this "new start." As Rick and Judy have come to understand the love of their Elder Brother, the spirit in their home has changed substantially, and there is new hope and light in a world where all they see is darkness. They are such wonderful examples of the love of our Savior as they teach their grandchildren and bring them to Primary each week, and hopefully their mother too will one day join in the family's joy of living a Christ centered life.

Posing here with the remainder of the missionaries serving in the St. Louis Zone of the Missouri St. Louis Mission, along with our Area General Authority Elder Schoff (President Turley seemed to be MIA - stuck in interviews?), my heart is filled with gratitude as each of these young men and women have become such an integral part of my life as we teach and serve those within our respective areas, and together learn how we can be better instruments in the hands of our Father in Heaven, who is preparing His children to hear the message we bring.

I have felt His hand in so many of the things that we do, places we go, people we meet, and things that we say, that I can not doubt that this is His work and His message -- that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, Redeemer and Savior of all mankind. To me He is all those, but most of all He is still my beloved Eldest Brother, whose example has been carried honorably by my earthly brothers as they love and support me through this journey of life, until I am back home in His arms.

From Joseph to Judah with Love

2009-07-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

For the last few months I have been studying the similarities between our religion and those of our friends in the Jewish faith, as we have become great friends with Stephan and Jackie. While learning of these similarities, I found so many others who have also understood those similarities -- particularly Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, who was quoted as having told his good friend, Ezra Taft Benson (who later became the President and Prophet of our Church), "You know, there are no people in this world who understand the Jews like the Mormons."

As I considered that statement and studied further, the similarities became so clear, as both have:

Endured great persecution
Had to exodus their homes from threat of annihilation
Common heritage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Mutual belief in Jehovah, a God of revelation
Common belief in the Messiah who will come
Reciprocal belief in prophets
Belief in the scattering and gathering of Israel and the restoration of the Abrahamic covenants

From the very early years of the Church, in 1841 Orson Hyde (a Jewish apostle to Joseph Smith) was dispatched to dedicate the land of Palestine for the return of the Jews. This concern for a homeless people and the sending of this apostle was done at a time when the Mormons themselves were virtually homeless, having been dispossessed of their lands and possessions in Missouri -- right where I am presently serving my Mission!

Our interest as Latter-day Saints in those of the Jewish faith is truly based on kinship. We are all of the House of Israel (Jacob), the Jews from the tribe of Judah, and most of the LDS population from the tribe of Joseph. The blessings given to the Joseph (Genesis 49:22-26) have been fulfilled, as it's "fruitful bough...whose branches run over the wall" were fulfilled when Lehi crossed the ocean towards the promised land; "the archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him" was fulfilled with the persecution of the early saints; "the blessings of thy fathers have prevailed...unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills" continues to be fulfilled as we prosper here in this American continent -- land of the free; home of the brave!

The Book of Mormon, a saga of a colony of Israelites (descendants from Joseph) who left Jerusalem before the Babylonian siege of King Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C., fulfills Joseph's prophecy. As Lehi brought his family "over the wall" by crossing the ocean, led by the Lord to the land of promise ("everlasting hills"), they became a numerous and a mighty nation. However, the destruction of this mighty civilization because of their departure from the commandments of God was also written for us in these the latter-days from which we can learn. Translated from ancient reformed Egyptian writing into English, published to the world in 1830, this record of Joseph now held in one hand and the record of Judah (the Bible) in the other, the two are finally joined together into one stick as prophesied in Ezekiel 37:15-20.

The Book of Mormon is also another testament of Christ -- written to the Jews to testify who "Shiloh" is, "for there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets." (2 Nephi 25:18) Many Jews believed Christ to be the Messiah (he had 12 apostles and thousands of others converted by their ministry). After Christ's ministry, the resurrected Messiah personally visited the house of Joseph in this land of America -- taught them, blessed them, and renewed the everlasting covenant with them. His ministry to America is recorded in the Book of Mormon.

One of the most touching scenes recorded in the Jewish Torah is when Joseph made himself known to his brethren: "I am Joseph your brother." We of the LDS faith say to you of the Jewish faith: "We are Joseph, your brothers!" We claim kinship with you as descendants from our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We belong to the same family -- we too are the house of Israel. Just as the brethren of Joseph in times past came to him during a famine for physical substance, today there is another famine in the land -- "not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." (Amos 8:11) We offer freely bread to eat and water to drink -- we come with a message and say, "we have living water from its true source and well, which if a man will drink it, shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life." (see D&C 63:23)

We come as messengers bearing the legitimate authority to arouse Judah to her promises. We do not ask Judah to forsake her heritage; but to build upon that heritage. We honor your commitment to your unique heritage and your individuality. We represent the restored covenant to the entire house of Israel.

I know the Lord's blessings on Judah are real, that God presides over the destinies of all His children; has set His hand a second time to recover His people from the 4 corners of the earth to the lands of their inheritance; has restored His new covenant with Israel; that the Book of Mormon is a truthful account of God's dealings with the house of Joseph and is the word of the Lord to the Gentiles, Jews, and all the house of Israel; that Joseph Smith was what he represented himself to be, a prophet of the living God and a messenger of the new covenant to Israel, and urge you to give heed to the message given by God through him.

"Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lord God promised unto me [Nephi] that these things which I write shall be kept and preserved, and handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, that the promise may be fulfilled unto Joseph, that his seed should never perish as long as the earth should stand." (2 Nephi 25:21)

This week we had the opportunity to take Stephan, a man in his 50's who was raised in the Jewish faith) on a tour of the Missouri St. Louis Temple, going inside to the front desk, sitting in the waiting area and sharing thoughts, and touring around the grounds to discuss the multiple symbols that unite our faiths. Later in the week we also met him at our Church building for a tour of the Chapel and various other rooms, including a discussion of Old Testament prophets (the last being Malachi), the difference of light with prophets and darkness without, Christ's ministry of light, love and learning, the Great Apostacy, the restoration of God's Church here on earth, the need of continuing revelation and Prophets, and an introduction of the current Prophet and Apostles who guide us in these latter days. As Stephan opens his heart and begins to understand the Plan of Salvation, and learns of Jesus Christ's role in that plan, he too can know of its truthfulness through the power of the Holy Ghost.

As I share these truths which I have come to know with more surety than I ever thought possible, I feel the Lord's hand on behalf of His children as they have been prepared to receive and accept these same truths. I witness the peace that comes into their heart after years of searching and yearning for that peace; the tears that fall when those truths ring pure and clear in their hearts; and pray that each of these precious children of our loving Father in Heaven may have the opportunity to accept these teachings and find the blessings grow in their own lives. I hope to return to the Temple one day with Stephan as he is able to go beyond that front desk and receive the sacred promises and eternal covenants offered within the House of the Lord.

C-Town Home Boy Makes Good (Missionary!)

2009-06-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

Having been there that first night Elder Martinson (far left above) entered the mission field (from Chandler with his parents currently in Gilbert, Arizona), and feeling the strength of his Spirit and the preparation for service as a Missionary, it has been an incredible honor for me to serve in the same district with him and his companion, Elder Payne (far right above).

Elder Payne was serving as the Assistant to the President that night when Elder Martinson first arrived. He had picked up all the new arrivals from the airport that day and spent the afternoon with them before bringing them to the Mission Home for the evening prior to their assignments the next day. But Elder Payne would also be transferred out of his service as an Assistant and back into the field -- and he saw the possibilities of serving with Elder Martinson and what a powerful opportunity that would be! Interestingly enough, so did President Turley, and the assignment was made.

As I've served with these two incredible missionaries, meeting each Tuesday in our District Meeting and listening to their area reports each week, I've watched them not only grow closer to each other as a companionship, but to the gospel and especially to those with whom they serve and teach.

William was one of those "eternal investigators" who had been through many companionships in the Pagedale area. You never know who when that "click" will happen. But about three weeks ago as they were giving their report, the question was asked, "what can we do to help William receive the confirmation that the Church is true?" We as a district shared thoughts and ideas, but I could see the pain in Elder Martinson's eyes as he wanted so much to find just the right words to say to William so he would know without any hesitation that this was indeed the true Church of Jesus Christ restored here in the latter days.

Then last week the announcement was made at our meeting that William had received that answer, and would be baptized the following Saturday. What joy was reflected in the faces of "his" missionaries, Elder Martinson and Elder Payne. They were glowing as they spoke of the experience with William and I sat there crying as I witnessed "How great shall be their joy."

But William was not the only miracle last Saturday, as Mykel had also been a long time to this day, having set three previous baptism dates. Elder Cissna (middle) and Elder Poll (right, who was transferred at the last transfer) had been working with Mykel and previously baptized her younger brother. But Saturday was the day that both Mykel and William entered into the waters of baptism while the room was packed with their families and friends in the Pagedale Ward. I watched as William made his way around the room, and I could see how William will be a powerful instrument for the Lord in that Branch that will hopefully one day be a Ward!

These great missionaries don't just "happen!" They are trained by some of the Lord's most elect missionaries. Interestingly enough, a former missionary Elder Stephen Covey and his lovely new wife were visiting his "mission stomping grounds" this week and were able to attend the baptism. You see, Elder Covey was Elder Payne's trainer, and Elder Payne was Elder Martinson's trainer. Because of the righteous and thorough preparation of Elder Covey, many have been blessed as a result of Elder Payne's humble and diligent service, who then passes on those teachings and example in his training of Elder Martinson.

Sadly, however, Elder Martinson will be leaving us this week as he is transferred to his next area. As I see him dressed all in white to baptize his first convert, my heart is filled with the love of a fellow missionary -- as well as the love of a proud mother. I will enjoy following him over the next year and seeing the multiple successes and lives he will touch as we continue to serve together in the mission field. The feelings for these valiant young men are not unlike those I have for my own sons, and the joy I feel in their successes, as well as the pains in their sorrows are also shared. These are my fellow missionaries, my friends, my sons, and I am so incredibly proud and honored to be in their midst and to feel of their humble yet fervent testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know they have been well taught by their own mothers, and will be forever grateful to have been among them.

One day Elder Martinson and I will return to our "mission stomping grounds" together, bringing our families and sharing with them the beauties of the area and the people whose hearts will be forever entwined with our own. One day I also hope to be among those who welcome Elder Martinson back home into the arms of our loving Father in Heaven, and hear those promised words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matt 25:21)

MOTAB Changes Heart of Investigator!

2009-06-22T08:22:00.001-07:00

For the first time in 50 years, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir came to St. Louis, Missouri as their second stop on their Summer 2009 tour throughout the United States.

Performing in the Scottrade Center, home of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Team, the Choir welcomed an excited crowd of dignitaries, members, missionaries, and numerous friends of other faiths last Saturday night, June 20.

It was the first time Mack Wilberg, Director of the Choir, was joined by the new Assistant Director, Ryan Murphy, a position which Mack held for many years under the Choir's direction of Craig Jessop and others.

Although the Choir's first concert was as guests of the Cincinnati Pops, they were joined by the Orchestra at Temple Square for the first time in St.Louis, which made it their first concert with their own orchestra, host Lloyd Newell, and their full tour repertoire.

But the show stealer was none other than the Choir's own tenor, Alex Boye, singing renditions of "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me" and "Rock-a-My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham" accompanied by the Choir that brought the house down with its appreciative racially mixed audience! He was simply amazing, and the Choir's other arrangements of music around the globe was done with a such flair and excitement!

Even Missouri's own former Governor John Ashcroft was the guest conductor of the finale "This Land is Your Land," and was beaming from ear to ear at this opportunity.

As thrilling as the concert was to all in attendance, we as missionaries who brought our investigators were praying that the Spirit would touch their hearts and open them up to wanting to learn more of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Such was the case with two of our investigators, Jackie and Stephan.

We had given Jackie her tickets (donated by an anonymous member for the purpose of allowing the missionaries to invite their investigators) and she attended with her gentleman friend Roger. We have loved getting to know Jackie, a 70ish year old widow of the Jewish faith, as we have visited with her and shared the similarities of the Mormon and Jewish faiths. In fact, it was Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, who was quoted as having told President Ezra Taft Benson one evening, "You know, there are no people in this world who understand the Jews like the Mormons." As Jackie listened to the message of the Choir, all she could hear were those similarities confirmed, and her heart was touched. As she is leaving today to go out of town for a few weeks, we will follow up with her on her return, but she could not stop telling me of how grateful she was to have been invited to attend this wonderful evening.

Then there's Stephan, a man in his 50's who was also raised in the Jewish faith. We've come to know Stephan as we frequent the Great Harvest Bread Store here in town where he greets all who enter with warmth and delight. Having spent a number of hours meeting with Stephan in person as well as over the phone in sharing his journey through life and his search for peace and truth, when we offered him a ticket to the Choir concert he immediately and eagerly accepted.

We met Stephan in the parking lot of our Mission Office Building on that beautiful warm evening, and having offered to drive his us to the Concert in his convertible, we loved the ride into the downtown area as he pointed out the various sites, having spent most of his life in St. Louis. We had great seats, the tickets for which were given to us by my dear friend Jane, and we all sat together with her family and guests along with Becky (a newly arrived less active sister) and her two daughters.

I wasn't prepared for the goose bumps that came with the Choir's first number, and couldn't get the smile off my face throughout the entire first half of songs of praise, music of the masters, the world, and American folk hymns. After intermission the Choir's music was from "the American Songbook" with songs of the land, faith and hope, inspiration from the American theater, and ended with the Spoken Word, Come, Come, Ye Saints, and the famed Battle Hymn. As I looked over at Stephan throughout the entire second half, his face was beaming and I could tell his heart was touched.

After multiple standing ovations by over 15,000 enthusiastic fans, both old and new fans, Stephan shared with me the things he had felt, the very personal spiritual experience he had, and the peace that had suddenly come into his heart. On the way home as we talked of the various messages of the Choir and how we have the privilege of sharing those messages, he told us he was anxious to hear that message. It was all I could do to keep from screaming, "YES!"

I had witnessed first hand the power of the Spirit as it was welcomed into that building with the music presented by this amazing Choir and Orchestra, and how a man searching for peace and truth had experienced that same Spirit touch his heart -- softening and changing it in preparation to hear the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

To be a missionary at this time in the Lord's preparation of His people for the return of the Messiah and the gathering of Israel, my heart is filled with gratitude for the changes that have come into my own heart as I teach these people from various cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds with varying challenges, addictions and disabilities, and yet the Lord allows me to see them as He sees them -- as His children, my very own brothers and sisters.

For such a time as this, we are here to learn to love, serve and bless each other as we each find ourselves on our own journeys through this life. There are no mistakes as we come into each other's lives, open ourselves up to love one another, so Lord can have his instruments that can be used as ministering angels to His children. I love this work!

Yesterdays, Todays and Tomorrows

2009-06-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday I had the opportunity to visit the Cahokia Mounds, just over the Mississippi River into Illinois, along with my new companion Sister Snider (on the far left), and my dear friend Dr. Susan Ellis. As mentioned in an earlier post, Susan is an archaeologist on staff with Wayne College in Nebraska who is here in St. Louis at the Covenant Theological Seminary a few times a year working on cataloging and organizing the artifacts from her various digs in Abila (an archaeological site in Jordan) with W. Harold Mare, the deceased director of the Institute for Biblical and Archaeological Studies at Covenant.
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So, why bring an archaeologist to the site of an ancient Native American Indian city? Well, let me count the ways! 1) it's only 1/2 mile or so drive from St. Louis; 2) it's always more fun to bring your own "smarty pants" who will fill in the gaps that the tour guides may miss; 3) we're preparing to teach a man raised in the Jewish faith who is presently enamoured with the Native American culture; and 4) all of the above are a tremendous prequel to teaching about the Book of Mormon.

As we arrived, we found rolling mounds amidst the greenery of the fields, fresh from months of rain and sun. Saturday was a wonderfully sunny day, as well as the high humidity due to all the recent rain. But it made for a beautiful day to drive with friends (the Ereksons) and to enjoy the incredible "Interpretive Center" filled with displays depicting these people.

This beautiful artist's depiction of what the city must have looked like in its prime greets all who enter the center. Cahokia was settled around 650 A.D., where the inhabitants left no written records beyond symbols on pottery, shell, copper, wood and stone. It contained 120 earthen mounds over an area of six square miles, although only 80 survive today. To achieve that, workers moved more than an estimated 55 million cubic feet of earth in woven baskets to create this network of mounds and community plazas.

Over 4,000 people lived, laughed, worked and played among these green hills, thriving as an industrial people with a flourishing trade all along the Mississippi River.

This is Monks Mound today, which covers 14 acres, rises 100 feet, and was initially topped by a massive 5,000 square foot building another 50 feet high. It is the largest man made earthen mount in the Americas, having been called the "world's largest pyramid." Climbing to the top, we could see all the surrounding area and I thought, where did these people go around the 1400's (a century or more before Europeans arrived in North America in the early 1500's)?

It would make sense that these people built the mounds to protect them when the floods of the Mississippi came, that the soil was rich for farming as they raised corn and other crops, grew to a population of over 4,000 inhabitants, and were a thriving people for a thousand years. There is no evidence of a major battle or warfare, although there have been bodies found in ceremonial burial as well as from human sacrifices. Many recent theories propose conquest-induced political collapse as the primary reason for Cahokia's abandonment.

In reading the Book of Mormon we learn of the cycle of righteousness and wickedness, so it would be easy to suppose that these people were righteous and prosperous for a time, then when the wickedness became more abundant the Lord ceased to bless this people. The natural resources dwindled, the earth was unable to produce the quantity of food to feed the large population, and a migration must have occurred -- either together as a people or scattered into different groups.
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I often wonder how the Lord looks at our people today -- so blessed with the rich natural resources available to us here in this fertile land. Yet the wickedness abounds as the time nears for the return of the Savior to this very land. We know that we have been promised to prosper in the land only if we keep the Lord's commandments, but with today's economy we wonder how prosperous our tomorrows may be.

I bear solemn witness that Jesus is the Christ; that He appeared as our resurrected Savior to His "other sheep," the inhabitants upon this continent, the very forefathers of Cahokia; that as we teach our children the "language of our fathers" through the scriptures, we will preserve this righteous generation for His coming, when He will show the nail prints in His feet and the marks in His hands, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.

While the rain may continue to fall here in St. Louis today, the sacrifices of those who came before us yesterday continue to teach and prepare us not only for today, but for the promised tomorrows where we too can live together in peace for 1,000 years as Christ returns to rule and reign in this the promised land. The stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph have come together to testify of these truths. The scattering of the House of Israel is over; the gathering has begun, and we of the Tribe of Joseph reach out our hand to our brothers and sisters of the Tribe of Judah with love and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

A More Meaningful D-Day Anniversary

2009-06-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

D-Day was just another day in history to me, until I met Brother Shumway, shown here with three of his grandsons who live in our Ward, as they attended the Flag Retirement Ceremony on Memorial Day this past month.

You see, Brother Shumway is blind -- as a result of his participation on that fateful day 65 years ago. Because today, June 6, is the 65th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Europe, known as D-day, which was the beginning of the end of World War II. Beginning at 6:30 am on June 6, 1944, over 150,000 American, British and Canadian troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of the beaches of Normandy, France to finish a war they did not start. Brother Shumway was there that day, one of the few who remain to tell the story.

As he stood at that Flag Retirement Ceremony with his hand over his heart, the look on his face shown brightly with the love of his Country. Although he lost his eyesight that day 65 years ago, he returned with honor to marry, be an honorable father to nine children, one of whom has eight children of his own and blesses the lives of hundreds as he serves tirelessly as an OBGYN in bringing children into the world with all the health and possibilities for a wonderfully productive life.

Today, Brother Shumway (with his grandson Jonathan, the Boy Scout pictured above) returns to those beaches -- probably for the last time -- as he was invited to attend with President Barack Obama and the leaders of Britain and France and hundreds of World War II veterans to mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day on the beaches of Normandy. With most now aged 85 or more, organizers are aware this may be the last time large numbers of ex-servicemen can attend -- and they have put them centre stage at the 450 D-Day ceremonies, firework displays and village balls.

British, Canadian and US divisions, plus units from France and other occupied countries, crossed the Channel at dawn on June 6, 1944, to storm beaches codenamed Omaha, Utah, June, Gold and Sword. In what remains the biggest amphibious assault in history, by the end of day one some 156,000 Allied personnel had been landed in France. An estimated 10,000 Allied troops were left dead, wounded or missing, while Germany lost between 4,000 and 9,000, and thousands of French civilians were killed.

I am posting a link to a beautiful way to remember this "Price of Freedom," as my good friend Rob Gardner and many other dear friends (and family - Jordan Bluth) have produced the most moving way to remember, and to share the message of gratitude and remembrance for those who offered "so costly a sacrifice."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84y9qqLe_Ic&feature=related

You'll be glad you took your valuable time in viewing all 11 of these clips from this production!

Additions to the Circle of Forever Friends

2009-06-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well, those of you who know me, know that I love people -- and I love to get to know people! So this missionary thing is a natural "in" as you find yourself in the midst of some pretty wonderful people who you've come to know and love while serving them over the past 4 months or more. These pictures are just some of those taken by our Ward Mission Leader this past Memorial Day at our Ward picnic.

Can you see the difference in Jose? He now has the Priesthood, blesses the Sacrament, says prayers in Sunday School, and he and his family have found warmth and genuine fellowship among the members of our Ward. When I first saw him with his new haircut and white shirt that first Sunday when he blessed the Sacrament, I shed a tear as if it were my own son having his first experience in exercising his Priesthood. From those who were sitting in front of his wife Jamie, she too was beaming -- what a difference the Gospel can make in our lives!

Then there's Randy, whose family has been in this area for many years as active and valiant members of the Ward. Life dealt Randy a tough hand, and he found it easier not to face those faces each week, resulting in years of inactivity. The change in his countenance speaks volumes to anyone and everyone who knows and loves him as he has returned with great gusto, as only Randy could do! His idea for "Meet your Neighbor Day" in his neighborhood was a great success, and it was just as fun to see how excited his family was to see him in action again!

Jessica is one of the most delightful friends as we have come to know and love each other while she settles into the new world of single motherhood (with three children - 15, 12 and 10) and returning to activity. Having missed most of her teenage years while being a very young mother, combining her current unattached status with a new career and how to balance the mom thing has brought back many familiar memories. But Jess is one tough cookie, and I've learned so much from her strength as well as her humility.

Peggy grew up in this area as well, having many old friends and family also still living here. She is one of our Relief Society teachers, is married to the grandson of a former Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and is a vibrant, bubbly and delightful friend!

Then there's Maryan, in whose home we enjoyed Sunday dinner yesterday. As the mother of 7-8 children (lost count!), two of whom are currently serving as missionaries, one of whom is autistic, who serves in the Stake RS Presidency, and whose husband is an OBGYN, she is one of my new heroes! I have never seen Maryan without that huge grin on her face, despite the obvious and seemingly overwhelming "stuff" in her life. She too has received and embraced the blessings of a righteous heritage, and has been returning the favor by searching them out in her family history and having over 1500 names submitted for temple work within the past year!

I love Lori Lee, not just for her spunky zest as our Ward YW President, but I have had the opportunity to teach the discussions with her as we taught the Palmer children in their preparation for baptism, and I know of the depth of her sweet spirit. She and I share a passion for music, love singing together in the soprano section (and those high notes!) of the Ward Choir, and have similar choir tour stories!

Our sweet Bishop is also one of my favorite new friends, as he is so incredibly supportive to the missionary work here in the Ward, and his wonderful family is a tremendous example to all in the Ward. It's no mistake that they bought a house with the intention to move just a little over a year ago -- to La Canada even (my home town), then at the last minute decided to stay here in St. Louis! There is much to do here with him at the "helm!"

I'm afraid no bishopric would be complete without someone like Brother Graves! He is not only our comic relief, but he and his wife Janie are the grease to the wheels of the Ward! As a former BYU Program Bureau headliner, Janie knows how to not only be entertaining, but how to put on a party as our Ward Activities Chairman! They are real salt of the earth people who have been incredibly supportive to we missionaries, and we love them!!

I love this picture of Brother and Sister Arch and their two young boys. Jason is a former serviceman turned FBI man who changed careers in order to be a father and a husband in these perilous times. However, as a veteran the laws have changed so that he can salute the flag while out of uniform during the National Anthem, and this picture says volumes about family, country and religion. He is one of our new Ward Missionaries and I love his support and passion!

This list of wonderful friends would not be complete without Annagreth and Jane -- two of the funnest women with hearts of gold, wisdom of the ages, and an unmatched love of life and family. Annagreth's husband is a world renowned brain surgeon, and as parents of 8+ children (including a son who enters the MTC this Wednesday and a beautiful down syndrome teenager of 15) their home is always hopping with laughter, food and fun! Jane and her husband, our former Stake President, are like newlyweds since his release! They came to our "Meet Your Neighbor Day" with their car filled with changes of clothing, guitars, and any other prop they could think of, and spent the entire morning canvasing their street and sharing their love of life!

Then there's Joy -- what can I say about her, other than she's my soul sister! Since the first Sunday I came to Church and she asked if I was a "Seamons from Hyde Park," we've been connected in more ways than one. The fact that her husband is our Ward Mission Leader with whom I get to work in the missionary effort only makes our occasions to get together more frequent and sweet. Her continuing thoughtfulness towards others, her "mother earth" attitude towards her family, and her love of the scriptures and the gospel as our Gospel Doctrine teacher in Sunday School (which I sadly have to miss because I go to the other class with the new members), are only a small part of the wealth of talent and love which she abundantly shares.

My life is rich as I have surrounded myself with these and many other new friends -- none of whom replaces those friends from my many "other lives," but enlarge that circle and enrich my life with the promise of eternal friendships as we continue to serve together and reach out to love those around us in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As this continues to be the common denominator among those forever friends in my circle, my heart is filled with gratitude for that knowledge that as our families can be forever, so can our friendships!

Memorable Memorial Day

2009-05-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

Try saying that three times fast! It truly was a beautiful day today as our Ward held its annual Flag Retirement Ceremony by the Boy Scout Troop and Memorial Day BBQ, complete with multiple activities for the kids, tons of food, and of course a ride in Willy Wonka's crazy car!

What struck me most, however, was at the beginning of the Flag Retirement Ceremony when we said the Pledge of Allegiance...I couldn't remember when the last time was that I had been able to say those touching words. Every morning of my early school days began with the Pledge -- that's where I learned to love my country, and that love has grown through the years as I have watched this crazy world go from one war to another, each time our nation prevailing, and each time we become more prideful and seem to stray farther from the teachings of the Savior.

As I teach our new investigators about the cycle of wickedness and righteousness of the people in the Book of Mormon, I will often ask, "so, where do you think we are in that cycle today?" With very few exceptions, most will answer "in the pride before the fall."

But today, as I watched these young scouts take these proudly worn flags, unfolded them gently, and placed them in the fire pit that was built by one Eagle Scout while that same Scout played "Taps" on his trumpet, and with a beautiful new flag flying proudly on a flag pole just recently installed by another Eagle Scout, sitting comfortably on the benches recently built by yet another Eagle Scout, my heart soared with joy as I looked into the eyes of each of these young boys. My friend's grandson was sitting on his mother's lap next to me and I could hear her ask him if he was going to be a scout one day like his uncle, and saw his little head nodding in anticipation.

A very dear friend of mine who passed away a couple of years ago has a son who wrote:

"As a young child, my mother always taught me to stand up when the flag marched by at parades. At Gilbert Elementary, we said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang a patriotic song, and prayed every day when school started. I believe these values and practices are what ingrained in me the desire to serve this great Nation. Shortly after 9/11, I answered the call that had been in my heart many years and enlisted in the US Marines. I had a great career going with SWA and didn’t want to give that up so I joined the reserves. The one weekend a month, two weeks a year requirement became a thing of the past with the onset of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I have served two tours in Iraq—one in 2003 and one in 2006.

During the invasion of Iraq in 2003, I served in an infantry company that saw some of the fiercest fighting of the war. While our platoon was very blessed and lost no one, our company sustained several losses. I will never forget as long as I live what it felt like to carry that zipped up black vinyl bag. I remember thinking how strange it was that the bag was so heavy. That heavy weight tugs at my memories some nights when I can’t sleep. I will never forget the prayers that were offered on behalf of the fallen men, and more importantly, their families. My heart aches for them.

In 2004 in Tucson, I was on a burial detail for a Marine who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq. There was a HUGE outpouring of love from the community and the number of people that attended that solemn ceremony was in the thousands. I remember vividly his pregnant wife accepting the folded flag and the 21-gun salute that startled everyone. That sound echoes in my memory every time I see a flag-draped casket.

There are many who join, fewer that fight, and fewer yet who are taken from us in the line of duty. It is in their honor that we don’t work on Memorial Day. It is in their honor that we fly the flag at half mast until noon. It is in their honor that we observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 1500 local time wherever we are.

It is not a day to thank Veterans; we have that one in November. It is not a day to thank families or living servicemen. It is a day to honor those who fought and died in the service of our Country.

As General George S. Patton, Jr. stated, 'It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.'”

Thanks to such examples in today's service as well as in the service of the Lord in fighting the battles of old, good men and women continue to fight for what we hold dear. Two of my own sons, my oldest and my youngest, both have chosen careers that may possibly take them in harms way at one time or another. However, knowing their testimonies are strong, their desires to serve and bless another is their passion, and the gifts and talents given them by our Father in Heaven, I know that they as well as our Country are in good hands with these Elders of Israel.

May we each feel the love for our Country on this day when we honor those who have given their lives "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." (Alma 46:12)

“Will the Constitution be destroyed? No: it will be held inviolate by this people." (Brigham Young, second president of the Church)
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"The time will come when the destiny of this nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction. It will be so.” (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, 7:15)

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"When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States, the elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth, and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations.” (John Taylor, third president of the Church, The Gospel Kingdom, Deseret Book Co., 1943, p. 219)

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“The day will come when the Constitution and free government under it will be sustained and preserved by this people.” (George Q. Cannon, former member of the First Presidency, JD, 23:104)

The Labyrinths in Our Lives

2009-05-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Ever since I've been in St. Louis I've heard of this place where you can go walking to ponder, pray and find answers to questions on your heart -- the labyrinth walkway at The Mercy Center, right across the street from my dear friend Joy. So, Joy, Jane, my companion and I met this morning at 8:30am on our "P" day to walk the labyrinth.

At the beautiful honeysuckle covered entrance is a sign that tells all who enter to do so in silence, follow the pathways exactly, take time once you arrive in the center to ponder and pray, and then leave the same way you entered.

So, we began our journey -- a simple one along the white stone lined trails, with an occasional thought on stones, beautiful flowers in bloom, and today there was the most clear sky as the sun shone brightly on each stone.
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As we walked single file in silence, I was left with my own thoughts and felt an immediate sense of gratitude for symbolism that became so clear to me from the beginning. While this pathway led to what reminded me of the tree of life in Lehi's Dream, just as I thought I was getting close to entering the middle to where the tree was, the path would lead me far away again, onto the other side, or in a completely different direction than where I thought I was going. I was following the path with exactness -- so why was I not getting to where I could see I was supposed to go?
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Once I arrived in the middle to where the stumps beneath the shade of the tree beckoned me to find rest, the tears came overflowing as I realized the similarities in the journey within my own life. I always have known where I wanted to go...I could see it so clearly, and I thought I was following the path I was supposed to follow with exactness. But there have been times where that path has led me to unexpected places in my life, sometimes seemingly far away from where I thought I was headed. But having stayed on the path, without skipping over the stones and following with exactness, I have learned so very much -- so much more so than if I had tried to find the shortcuts in the pathways, or just not taking the journey at all!
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Then I found this stone...

We each chose to come here to earth, knowing we wanted to become like our Father in Heaven. But in that journey we have had to come upon those "unexpected curves and turning points, mountaintops and valleys," which have changed us, softened the rough edges, and refined us into what we are becoming.
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But it is our free agency that determines how we travel in this journey, and the choices we make determine if we are becoming more like our Father in Heaven, or less.
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My heart was filled with the teaching of the labyrinth, and as my cup runneth over (with tears and my nose running everywhere), I understood the purpose of those curves, turning points, mountaintops and valleys, and knew that this journey had been specifically created just for me so that I could learn what was needed for my growth.
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Joy filled my heart, and I walked out of that labyrinth with such peace and assurance that I had indeed been listening and following the promptings on my journey, had been learning and growing closer to my Father in Heaven, and had met some tremendous traveling companions along the way.

What an incredible morning! What began as a walking exercise resulted in a lifting of my load and a reassurance of my Father's love for me.

Since the day was so incredibly beautiful, we decided to ride downtown to see the famous St. Louis Gateway Arch,

an incredible sight and landmark for the city of St. Louis. But since we'd already had our walk for the day, we decided to come back another day to walk the park and take the elevator to the top of the Arch. In the meantime, the pictures were amazing,

and the waterfront looked like it was overflowing from all the rain we'd received in the last few weeks, which is why everything is so breathtakingly beautiful! It was still wonderful to be at the river's edge and smell the freshness of the water, hear the jazz music coming from the paddle boat excursions, and the beauty of the downtown in the Spring.

St. Louis is a colorful place, with all the inner city challenges of any large metropolitan area, but there is even beauty in the expression of those challenges!

I'm so very grateful for the softening of my heart that has allowed me to see the specific labyrinth of my life, and to feel the peace that comes from knowing that I am not alone, nor do I need to be afraid of how or where that journey may lead -- as long as I keep following the pathway in my journey with exactness by following the Lord's commandments and my Priesthood leaders, continue to fill my life with wonderful friends, and be the example my family needs me to be so they can follow after me with faith and hope that the journey will truly take us where we want to be -- a forever family!