This week was bittersweet as we put the flower gardens to bed for the cold weather and plant the bulbs for Spring in time for them to get cozy under the earth and settled for winter.
I have to say, I was a little concerned that with all the pots gone and the beds emptied, Carthage would look STARK.
When we went to the dump it was with great saddness. These plants were not sick, nor dying...it was just time to go. I literally stood over the pile and said, "I am SO grateful for your beautiful service. Thank you for your lives. I am so sorry you are not needed anymore."
Amazingly, people still stop to tell me, "This place is so beautiful!" and "You're doing such a good job here. It's beautiful" I just have to say, it's probably NOT us, NOT the flowers, and NOT the grass and trees. I believe it is the cleanliness, but it's more...it's the Spirit of God. It causes people to feel loved and accepted and at peace and they look around and say, "Beautiful"
To our great delight, Autumn stopped by on her way through to Kansas City. We spent a whole day together and the next morning she drove on.
Taran woke up early and helped with our yard chores.
We went to a Native American Mound shaped like a turtle. The oral history of the decendants of this tribe remembers that they came across the great waters on 8 turtles. We stood on the head of this turtle mound and read about the Jaradites coming to the Americas in 8 barges that were light and floated on the top of the water and were tight like a dish.
The dates of the artifacts found in the mounds date back to the time the Jaradites arrived in America.
Then we went to Nauvoo and took a few tours then flew kites.
The JOY I felt watching the boys fly a kite for the first time was unexpected. Their joy and delight as they ran down the hill and saw their kite soar was contagious. It was their first time trying to fly a kite.
Then we went home and had homemade naan, curried lamb, and potatoes and watched a movie.
The next morning they left.
It was precious time.
Then we got out the tractor and got to LEARN how to use the new front scoop. This was SO fun. We scooped up wood chips and deposited them around the trees on the property. It was like playing in a sand box.
Seriously it was hard to take turns...lol
We then went to the temple to perform ordinances for our beloved dead. This brings me to another topic. This morning as I was taking a break from spreading woodchips, the driver of one of the tour buses approached me telling me I was cute in my skirt as I worked. LOL...then went on to start quoting scriptures at me in a contentious manner to prove that I was in a lost and fallen state.
He did not allow me to express a complete thought. Very quickly I saw this was an unproductive conversation. No sharing was happening, just prideful and contentious condemnation.
As I tried to get a word in, I asked WHAT about people who have never heard of Jesus Christ? Are they damned? He said "YES". I asked, "Why would God do that to his beloved children?"
He replied that some people are NOT God's Children! It was so sad. I had to go to the dump with Elder Cullen so excused myself saying that Jesus was a God of LOVE and that if he (the bus driver) kept a prayerful mind he would come to know that. Later, Elder Cullen and I discused the situation. What could have been done in that conversation to de-escalate the hate? NEXT time I am entrapped with a scripture quoting, contentious person,
I am going to ONLY focus on Jesus Christ. I am going to tell them I am not interested in contention as that is a tool of the adversary and gives him power. I only want to hear how that person is feeling Christ's influence in their life.
I love to hear people of all religions share with me how they have found joy following the light they have received. Trying to "prove" people are wrong is prideful and contentious. We need to support each other in following the light we have already received. Heavenly Father will lead us along if we are sincere. We can invite each other to keep seeking.
Finally I want to bare my testimony that GOD DOES LOVE YOU and you ARE His child literally (in spirit). No one is lost to God. He provides temples so that even after you die, you have a chance to accept Jesus Christ. Have a GREAT WEEK!
