I was asked to give a talk at our Windsor Stake Relief Society Spring Event a few weeks ago. The assigned subject was Visiting Teaching as it relates to rescuing. I was asked to reference Elder Mervyn B. Arnold's talk in April 2016 General Conference AND since the Event theme was Alice in Wonderland's famous statement, "Which way should I choose?" I was also supposed to work Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee into the whole mix. WHEW!
I was very pleased to receive the assignment. After having been in the Arvada Stake for 35 years and having had a fairly good reputation for being a remarkable teacher and speaker there, it has taken a long time here in the Johnstown area for my circle of influence to widen. This invitation made me feel like I was finally a part of the stake. And, I think it also helped that our newly created Windsor Stake was cut off from the part of the Greeley Stake that had all the established "go-to" people who were the speakers and leaders over and over and over since I moved here 13 years ago.
Anyway, it was a fun task. It wasn't overwhelming or daunting. Elder Arnold's remarks were divided into four sections as to how we could help in the Lord's efforts to rescue any and all who need rescuing, though some may not even know they need that helping hand. After rereading his talk, I immediately thought of personal experiences I have had as a Visiting Teacher or a Visiting Teachee--especially in regard to my calling to write to the no-contact sisters which I have done for the past 16 years now. I used some of those experiences to illustrate each of those four directives. And I managed to work in the Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee slant, too. (The other speakers had to reference the Mad Hatter and some other parts of Alice in Wonderland's famous characters and situations.)
It wasn't even scary to deliver the talk! These experiences were so much a part of me that I just stood up and began sharing the stories that were so remarkable in my more than 50 years as a visiting teacher and a visiting teachee.
Most gratifying was that my comments resonated with so many sisters. Not only at the luncheon afterward, but also since, as I have seen sisters in the stake at church and social functions several have expressed to me that my words and experiences helped them see Visiting Teaching in a different light. One woman even asked me at a local store in Johnstown if I were Georgia Nichols. When I replied in the affirmative, she told me it was the BEST talk of the program and it made visiting teaching sound like a wonderful thing to be involved in rather than just a monthly item to do. I even got notes in the mail. (Something I loved!)
Spirit speaks to spirit. And it did that rainy day "down the rabbit hole" where we all shared Alice's adventures in Wonderland. It was clear we learned which way we should choose to go: to the temple, to our family history, and TO THE RESCUE!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM...
NOTE: I ACTUALLY WROTE THIS BLOG ENTRY MONTHS AGO BUT DIDN'T PUBLISH IT BECAUSE I WANTED TO ADD SOME PICTURES I HAD TAKEN OF THE DISPLAYS. WELL, WINDOWS 10 PRESENTS BIG PROBLEMS TO ME BECAUSE THE WHOLE PROCESS IS SO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I WAS USED TO WHEN I WROTE THE NEWSLETTER. PICTURES TO A FILE AND THEN DRAG THEM WHERE I WANTED WAS NO PROBLEM. NOW I AM AT A LOSS.
I AM ON A LONG LAYOVER IN TULSA TODAY AND THOUGHT TO MYSELF "WHY NOT JUST PUBLISH WHAT I HAD WRITTEN. IF I EVER RETIRE--HAHAHA!--I CAN ALWAYS ADD THE PICTURES LATER." THE PICTURES ARE WORTH SEEING AS A TESTAMENT TO THE WONDERFUL EFFECT THE WHOLE CHRISTMAS EVENT WAS AS A VISUAL. SO, I HOPE YOU ENJOY READING ABOUT THIS UNIQUE CHRISITMAS EXPERIENCE FOR ME.
I wasn't sure I was going to display all the Nativities I have collected over the years for Christmas 2015. Because it is a tremendous amount of work, but with a tremendous reward for doing so, I couldn't make up my mind whether or not I was going to be up to it.
However, when I thought of the great Christmas spirit it brings to me now that my kids are grown and gone and there is no more excitement connected to planning for this wonderful holiday and preparing small gifts for them in fun and thoughtful ways, I remembered how much the Young Women of the ward have enjoyed their YW hour here while I gave a little lesson about the particulars of Mary and Joseph and then I shared my personal conversion to a Christ-centered Christmas. And...I still had a few vacation days left plus three days of funeral leave after Louis' brother Barry died. I figured those few days would be enough to pull the whole thing off.
Boy, did I totally UNDERestimate what was involved! But by working literally 15 hours a day for about six days in a row, I was finally ready at midnight on December 12th. The YW were scheduled to arrive at 11am the next day for their Sunday meeting hour. I made it! And STILL added a couple of things at the last minute before they came.
Some of those days I hadn't even walked out of the house I was so driven to set up the Nativity sets and stage them so they were displayed in a pleasing way. I think I succeeded. The displays were better than last time, though some could still use more tweaking with additional time to do that. But with some changes I made from the original set up years ago, along with using the additional space above the kitchen cabinets, the whole scene was literally breath-taking.
Scented pine cones in a low oven made the whole house smell like cinnamon. And the Sugarplum spray from Pier One Imports added just the right spice to make it smell like Christmas. Low background music of the Tabernacle Choir's best Christmas carols set the mood for a very spiritual event. Outside lights, inside lights--they all enhanced almost 300 manger scenes, including those on the two decorated trees.
This Nativity Festival in Johnstown at Sweetbriar the last few years was my attempt at missionary work in my own neighborhood. I have a lot of opportunities to share my testimony about Christ and other gospel priniciples at work as a flight attendant, but I haven't been so good about reaching out to my neighbors with an invitation to find Christ. This seemed like a perfect way for me to do that. Some years at my Nativity open house I have handed out the DVD about Christ's birth that the Church produced a few years ago. Always there is a basket of Nativity related puzzles or DIY manger scenes or pencils or simple Nativity ornaments which the kids can pick from to take home.
This last Christmas was my best effort so far. Just about 150 people came for the three Sundays in December I held the open house and also times by appointment for other families in response to the invitaiton to call me for a different time if those Sunday afternoons didn't work. I said six pm for a close to each week's open house, but every Sunday there were people there long after that visiting and just enjoying the wonderful Spirit of Christmas which enveloped the whole house. One family had come on Christmas Eve day two years ago as part of their FHE, and made a visit to our Nativity Festival part of their Christmas celebration again--this year seeking the sheep--for their Family Home Evening. The last guests came on January 10th because the dad is now the bishop in the Severence Ward--tithing settlement, etc--and they had taken their family on a vacation right after Christmas. It was okay. I had no plans to take the whole thing down immediately. I was too tired still from putting it all on display!
Some of our non-member neighbors actually came. But the one group which made my heart the most glad was a non-member neighbor a couple of streets over who had come two years before with her two teen age sons and had brought a recently widowed friend with her 12 year old step-daughter. Sandy told me later her friend had told her she had felt such a spirit of peace when she had been there.
So, this year a few days before the first open house, Sandy called me to see if she could come on Saturday, not Sunday, because her recently widowed aunt was there visiting and she wanted her to see the beautiful display. Unfortunately, it was our ward Christmas party that Saturday with it's attendant assignments. So, I had to decline. But Sandy and her two teen age sons--now much taller--were the first to ring the doorbell on Sunday. And there was Sandy's aunt with them. Sandy had encouraged her to stay a day longer and come with them. I was so happy for the spiritual impact that had made such an impression ppreviously.
Though it was the end of January before all lthe Christmas stuff got to the basement, and another month before I was able to pack everything away and reorganize the basement (the Christmas corner has now spilled over into the next section of basement!) the whole event was soooo worth the trouble and effort it took.
I think the Lord was pleased with my offering to keep "Christ in Christsmas"!
Why don't you plan to bring your family and come and celebrate with me in 2017? Surely I will be be retired by then, and we can enjoy this Christmas event together.
I AM ON A LONG LAYOVER IN TULSA TODAY AND THOUGHT TO MYSELF "WHY NOT JUST PUBLISH WHAT I HAD WRITTEN. IF I EVER RETIRE--HAHAHA!--I CAN ALWAYS ADD THE PICTURES LATER." THE PICTURES ARE WORTH SEEING AS A TESTAMENT TO THE WONDERFUL EFFECT THE WHOLE CHRISTMAS EVENT WAS AS A VISUAL. SO, I HOPE YOU ENJOY READING ABOUT THIS UNIQUE CHRISITMAS EXPERIENCE FOR ME.
I wasn't sure I was going to display all the Nativities I have collected over the years for Christmas 2015. Because it is a tremendous amount of work, but with a tremendous reward for doing so, I couldn't make up my mind whether or not I was going to be up to it.
However, when I thought of the great Christmas spirit it brings to me now that my kids are grown and gone and there is no more excitement connected to planning for this wonderful holiday and preparing small gifts for them in fun and thoughtful ways, I remembered how much the Young Women of the ward have enjoyed their YW hour here while I gave a little lesson about the particulars of Mary and Joseph and then I shared my personal conversion to a Christ-centered Christmas. And...I still had a few vacation days left plus three days of funeral leave after Louis' brother Barry died. I figured those few days would be enough to pull the whole thing off.
Boy, did I totally UNDERestimate what was involved! But by working literally 15 hours a day for about six days in a row, I was finally ready at midnight on December 12th. The YW were scheduled to arrive at 11am the next day for their Sunday meeting hour. I made it! And STILL added a couple of things at the last minute before they came.
Some of those days I hadn't even walked out of the house I was so driven to set up the Nativity sets and stage them so they were displayed in a pleasing way. I think I succeeded. The displays were better than last time, though some could still use more tweaking with additional time to do that. But with some changes I made from the original set up years ago, along with using the additional space above the kitchen cabinets, the whole scene was literally breath-taking.
Scented pine cones in a low oven made the whole house smell like cinnamon. And the Sugarplum spray from Pier One Imports added just the right spice to make it smell like Christmas. Low background music of the Tabernacle Choir's best Christmas carols set the mood for a very spiritual event. Outside lights, inside lights--they all enhanced almost 300 manger scenes, including those on the two decorated trees.
This Nativity Festival in Johnstown at Sweetbriar the last few years was my attempt at missionary work in my own neighborhood. I have a lot of opportunities to share my testimony about Christ and other gospel priniciples at work as a flight attendant, but I haven't been so good about reaching out to my neighbors with an invitation to find Christ. This seemed like a perfect way for me to do that. Some years at my Nativity open house I have handed out the DVD about Christ's birth that the Church produced a few years ago. Always there is a basket of Nativity related puzzles or DIY manger scenes or pencils or simple Nativity ornaments which the kids can pick from to take home.
This last Christmas was my best effort so far. Just about 150 people came for the three Sundays in December I held the open house and also times by appointment for other families in response to the invitaiton to call me for a different time if those Sunday afternoons didn't work. I said six pm for a close to each week's open house, but every Sunday there were people there long after that visiting and just enjoying the wonderful Spirit of Christmas which enveloped the whole house. One family had come on Christmas Eve day two years ago as part of their FHE, and made a visit to our Nativity Festival part of their Christmas celebration again--this year seeking the sheep--for their Family Home Evening. The last guests came on January 10th because the dad is now the bishop in the Severence Ward--tithing settlement, etc--and they had taken their family on a vacation right after Christmas. It was okay. I had no plans to take the whole thing down immediately. I was too tired still from putting it all on display!
Some of our non-member neighbors actually came. But the one group which made my heart the most glad was a non-member neighbor a couple of streets over who had come two years before with her two teen age sons and had brought a recently widowed friend with her 12 year old step-daughter. Sandy told me later her friend had told her she had felt such a spirit of peace when she had been there.
So, this year a few days before the first open house, Sandy called me to see if she could come on Saturday, not Sunday, because her recently widowed aunt was there visiting and she wanted her to see the beautiful display. Unfortunately, it was our ward Christmas party that Saturday with it's attendant assignments. So, I had to decline. But Sandy and her two teen age sons--now much taller--were the first to ring the doorbell on Sunday. And there was Sandy's aunt with them. Sandy had encouraged her to stay a day longer and come with them. I was so happy for the spiritual impact that had made such an impression ppreviously.
Though it was the end of January before all lthe Christmas stuff got to the basement, and another month before I was able to pack everything away and reorganize the basement (the Christmas corner has now spilled over into the next section of basement!) the whole event was soooo worth the trouble and effort it took.
I think the Lord was pleased with my offering to keep "Christ in Christsmas"!
Why don't you plan to bring your family and come and celebrate with me in 2017? Surely I will be be retired by then, and we can enjoy this Christmas event together.
CRYSTAL CLEAR...
Louis and I celebrated our 15th anniversary last week. The Crystal Anniversary (who makes these designations?) Anyway, I read that the 15th anniversary is a huge landmark for a marriage so it should be properly celebrated.
Well, I think any anniversary should be properly celebrated, so I suggested to Louis that we extend it out for a few days. I was on a three-day trip laying over in Orlando or Hartford or somewhere on the actual day--May 12th. But as soon as I got home the following day, Friday the 13th, we began our little commemoration.
We went to the temple. It was our Windsor Stake day with a chapel meeting at 4 pm which we were able to attend before the 4:30 session. After that was over we just mosied on home picking up some fast food along the way since we had eaten before we went into the temple.
On Saturday Louis spent the day at the temple as per his usual assignment. I took Burgandy shopping for some new duds to complement her new position at Lennar Homes. Her first assignment was to go to Califoronia for training for two days. Couldn't let her go in raggedy old Levis and a stretched out T-shirt. Pulled out all the stops and bought some really nice "business casual" attire to send her off in style.
When Louis got home from the temple Saturday evening, we went to see The Jungle Book. I had never seen the cartoon version from start to finish and didn't really know the story line, but I had always liked the songs. The movie was great! I bawled. I was in awe. And I thought Mowgli looked JUST EXACTLY like the cartoon boy. He was outstanding! I don't know how he did all that running through a jungle. One of the girls recently graduated from Primary was there with her older sister. Dani opted for them to sit by us. (She has always come up to me with a big hug ever since I was sustainded as Primary president. It makes me feel good that someone in there recogonizes me.)
After Church on Sunday we went to downtown Denver to the Marriott City Center Hotel for the night. It was fun to drive around the city and look at how things had changed. And it was really lots more fun because the traffic was light and there weren't a lot of people and cars behind us pushing us along when we wanted to take a minute to look a second glance at something. We also drove over to Aurora after we ate. Louis wanted to see Fitzsimmons Hospital--now the Anshutz University of Colorado campus--because they have torn a lot of the buildings down in anticipation of the new VA hospital facility which is still being built. It is no longer an Army facility, but the "guard shack" at the entrance was still there. However, the building which was his barracks while he was recouperating was gone.
All these days it had been raining. When we got up on Monday morning, the weather was no different. But we didn't let that stop us. We had planned to take the new light rail from Union Station out to DIA. It was fun! We got a day pass which included round trip fare and jump on and off wherever along the way until 3am the next morning. We had orginally planned to eat at Elway's Steak House at DIA. But we'd had such a filling hamburger supper at BJ's the night before, we opted for KFC on the A concourse.
Took pictures of each other in front of the "Wish you were here signs" at DIA and then rode the train back to Union Station. The rest of the afternoon Louis took me from thrift store to antique store to thrift store then to the Zoo where I found my anniversary present--another elephant to add to my ever growing collection! Surprise, surprise! And for Louis? He got M&M's. Just what he likes, too.
Might seem like dumb presents or not in keeping with a "crystal" attainment, but we each got something we really like. Spend the money on the fun. Didn't need the fancy dinner party with crystal appointments that was indicated as "must have" for a proper celebration. Then it was home to spend a cozy evening out of the rain.
Rated five stars by me! ***** I think Louis gave it the same rating.
Took pictures of each other in front of the "Wish you were here signs" at DIA and then rode the train back to Union Station. The rest of the afternoon Louis took me from thrift store to antique store to thrift store then to the Zoo where I found my anniversary present--another elephant to add to my ever growing collection! Surprise, surprise! And for Louis? He got M&M's. Just what he likes, too.
Might seem like dumb presents or not in keeping with a "crystal" attainment, but we each got something we really like. Spend the money on the fun. Didn't need the fancy dinner party with crystal appointments that was indicated as "must have" for a proper celebration. Then it was home to spend a cozy evening out of the rain.
Rated five stars by me! ***** I think Louis gave it the same rating.
So, there you have the story of our drawn-out celebration for a note-worthy milestone. It has been an interesting 15 years as we have tried to meld two completely different lives--and lifestyles--into a fairly compatible unit. Lots more challenging than starting out young without the trappings of a previous marriage to get in the way now and then. But think of what we've learned....patience, acceptance, comopromise but mostly not to kill each other. HAHAHHA!
Maybe we'll do things up a little fancier for our "Sweet Sixteen" next May 12th. Who knows, we may have a real need for silver hollowware by then.
Anyone out there have a coffee pot for our next anniversary celebration?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)