There and Back Again: Week 64 Extreme COLD.

On Wednesday I took Elder Cullen to the airport. he was going to visit his two brothers and a nephew on the East Coast. The spirit had prompted him to go and do it. President Mehr let him go.

I stayed behind to hold down the fort in Carthage. It was not a heroic act. There was very little to do when it's two degrees outside and no snow falling.

The sites got closed Friday due to the extreme cold and yet we still had a couple of visitors and so I got to open up and do a tour. ALSO a sweet friend called me up and asked if she could come over and hang out. She didn't know I was alone, it was a tender mercy. We played Wingspan and had tea and snacks!

On Friday we saw there was a huge snow storm coming in for the East Coast. We were worried Elder Cullen's plane would be delayed so he hurried to the airport Friday night and changed his Saturday flight home to Friday night and flew to Chicago...where he "slept" in the airport until his morning connecting flight to Burlington where I picked him up. It was so great to have him home. That night it snowed and snowed. Sites continue to be closed, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday due to extreme cold! WOW. We've had time to deep clean, read, sew and crochet too.

I had the pleasure of doing some work for the Carthage historical society. I go in on Fridays and scan catalog cards and digitize them. I am really enjoying working with that group. They are all volunteers, working hard to preserve the small details and regular normal citizens of their town.

It reminds me of my beloved Windsor historical society. I am so glad there are people out there who care about preserving the past. A long time ago, I wrote a musical about my town to celebrate its twentieth year of incorporation. It took Windsor from 1854 when Pomo Families were the majority to present through song and dance

We had only been living in Windsor for five years. We crash landed there after 18 months of homeless nomadism with our four kids, the youngest still nursing.

Some of that time we were living out of our car and camping as we traveled from Healdsburg to Long Island, New York and back looking for work after Elder Cullen lost his job at the state when it went bankrupt. We were so grateful for our new job and home in Windsor, we sank our roots deep.

It took me a year to research everything for the musical. I really felt like I KNEW the families who worked hard to make it a good place to raise a family: The parks, the schools, the Green, etc.. We performed it and many people, especially the old timers were so grateful to be remembered. I think it's important to remember the people who went on before us; who framed our communities, families, and such with their time and effort and caring. I think our ANCESTORS want to be remembered. They are still around us, caring about us. they had hopes and dreams for their posterity too.

I would invite all of you to find your local historical society and see what you can do to help. Or get on familysearch.org and start researching your own family history. It's a game changer and way more fun than watching the news. I promise you will feel your life changing for the better as your reach out and serve around you. Have a GREAT week!

There and Back Again: Week 63: A Tale of Two Strokes

Pictures are random events from this week. Not necessarily connected to the text.

About two and a half weeks ago one my my sweet friends on this mission had a stroke.

She was an FM missionary in the painting group. She was a hard worker, fun and kind.

A few days later our dear site missionary Elder L. had a stroke. I was there when it started. He was slurring badly and couldn't come up with simple words.

Luckily the hospital is five minutes from the Jail. I told his wife to take take him. He protested saying he'd be fine in a minute! That night we were called to come to the hospital and for Elder Cullen to give him a blessing of healing. Elder L was in the hospital for five days.

Last Tuesday, Elder Cullen and I were in a reader's theater version of Pizzaro. It was written in 1799!. I was so impressed with the story and amazed to see how people have always been people.

The struggle between good and evil, politics and perception have not changed.

The next morning we found out that Sister N, the painter, had passed away. I wept off on throughout the day. Elder L. was released from the hospital and recovering at home that same night! A day of tears and cheers.

At these times I ponder on God's ways. We all prayed equally earnestly for both missionaries. Why does one pass and another stay?

I came to the conclusion that it's like asking why some graduate from school early, on time, or later. Everyone is on their own schedule and when it's their actual time to go, then they go.

Its not a bad thing to "graduate" from Earth School (through death) but it is a great loss to those still slugging it out behind. See you on the other side Sister N.

Hey Elder L great to have you back, can I borrow a pencil? LOL

We just spent a few hours at the Native American Eagle Days Festival today and Elder and Sister L were there too looking beautiful and healthy!



We love you all.

Remember we can do all things in Christ who sustains us.

There and Back Again: Week 62: When you got pain...Someone's Gonna Help You

When My Oldest Grandson was three years old he made up a song that he would sing to himself and others. It's sort of become a family song. The words are simple, "When you got paaaaiiiinnnn, someone's gonna help you. When you got paaaaiiiinnnn, someone's gonna help you. When you got paaaaiiiinnnn, someone's gonna help you..When you got paaaaiiiinnnn, someone's gonna help you" The tune is simple and sweet and I felt it really showed the greatness of his little soul.

When I am in physical or emotional/mental pain I think of this song and sing it. LOL It helps. We have 17 weeks left of our mission and I've been reflecting on what we've learned and accomplished. Elder Cullen and I have been talking about giving it our full best to the very end.

We DON'T want to get "trunky"/"retirement syndrome".

I was pondering on all the times when I was tired or in pain and Heavenly Father and Jesus sent me friends who just appeared and said, "Can I help?".

Or when I was feeling my efforts didn't matter, someone would call or text out of the blue and cheer and comfort me.

Or I'd be wondering WHAT am I supposed to be doing next?...or what will become of me in this world of increasing darkness?...

and then I would see a butterfly, a gorgeous flower or tree, glorious sunrise/sunset,

or a bald eagle (no joke) flying by with such power and it just made me feel so happy that it brought me peace. God is truly at the helm. He can make all this cool stuff and if I listen he can direct my path.

So this week, ponder your pain and look for how Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are influencing people in your life. When someone calls out of the blue give them your time maybe that WASN'T a coincidence. When you have an opportunity to donate time or resources do it. (go to JustServe.org for local needs!) When someone says, "Can I help" LET THEM. It will bless you both.

There and back again: Week 61: Happy New Year

Happy New YEAR!!! What a great way to start the new year than to be at Ben and Courtnie's house AGAIN! This time Ephraim and Autumn and her family were there as well. The High Lights were...

WE WORKED HARD

WE PLAYED HARD

WE ATE DELICIOUS FOOD AND We Shared our talents, laughed, and prayed together. My New Years Goal is to try to loose weight AGAIN...every time I do this I gain another 10lbs...ugh I'm scared. Please pray my body will become fat burning. I already eat clean (except on holidays...moderation in all things), raw food, lots of plants, little bit of clean meat, LOW sugar, healthy fats, exercise...blah blah blah. My medical dietician (a first for me) is amazed at how I eat and am still so chubby LOL. She has suggested a couple things I'm going to integrate. By small and simple acts great things are brought about...so hard to trust this right now.

I've really taken this to the Lord and felt inspired to start meeting with the dietician. So let's put this scripture to the TEST. Proverbs Chapter 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.