Called to Serve

After delays for medical testing to find out why Jordan had unexplained high blood pressure, the doctors finally gave their okay for him to serve a mission. They still don't know why, because every test came back normal. They decided he either has a very slow to develop kidney disease (he has to take more tests in a year), or else that he just got unlucky with the genes, and probably the latter. Anyway, he got the all clear to go as long as he served in the USA.

When he opened his mission call, we were surprised to hear that it was to the Salt Lake City South Mission. I have a brother and a sister living there. Still, it's nice to know that if I need to get something to Jordan in a hurry, all I have to do is pick up the phone and ask one of my siblings to drop whatever he needs at the Mission Office.

Here are a couple of photos taken at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) when he reported there in March. He only stayed there for three weeks. Today he went to his actual mission.

Jeanne and I went with him to the MTC. Since I've escorted Jordan's two older brothers to the MTC previously, I thought it would be easier this time. It wasn't. I still cried.

I really miss him, but I'm so happy that he finally got to go on his mission.

Pirates of Penzance

My daughter has been singing the role of Mabel in "Pirates of Penzance" this month. Needless to say, this proud mom saw the show multiple times and took literally hundreds of photos. She sounded beautiful, and gave her character a lot of personality! One of her favorite photos (and one of my favorites, too) was this one of her poking the Pirate King with her umbrella.

Savior of the World part 2

This is a little overdue. It's been a few months since my last post.

All through the fall our family spent time making costumes and attending rehearsals (for the musical production "Savior of the World" being performed by our Stake), on into the beginning of December. Coming back from Thanksgiving vacation, I could tell I was getting ill. Our first performance was December 5th. At the dress rehearsal I had almost no voice at all. I had many people praying for me, and I was given Priesthood blessings. I had some voice for the actual performances that first weekend, but I was disappointed that my singing was far from my best. I had hoped for a miracle that would make my voice whole, just for the time I had to sing. I learned that I actually got a miracle, but it was a bit different than the one I expected.

Between the Saturday matinee and evening performances on the 6th, I was handed a comment card that an audience member had filled out. The individual said that my voice her favorite and was truly amazing. I knew what had come out of me. It hadn't been anything to brag about. Somehow, though, the Lord had touched the ears of those who heard me so that what they heard was far better than what I could actually give. The comment card wasn't the only evidence that this had happened. Others that heard me thought I'd been healed, until they heard me try to speak afterwards. One friend who came to the performance and sat on the front row said she had no idea that I was sick when I performed.

The Lord always hears our prayers. And He always fulfills His promises. Sometimes the blessings just come in different ways than we expect.

(The above photo of my husband and I, singing/playing the parts of Elisabeth and Zacharias, was taken by a friend of Brother Toma, the director)

True disciples of Christ

Yesterday about 30 gay protesters were gathered outside the temple gates of the Washington DC temple (owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). It was a pouring rain, and evidently at least some of the protesters weren't prepared for the weather. Sister missionaries brought umbrellas to individuals who were accusing their church of bigotry and hate.

By that act of kindness, the lady missionaries showed what it means to be true disciples of Christ.

Cox Farms

There is a family owned business in Northern Virginia called Cox Farms, which has had a Fall Festival for the past umpteen years or more. We've been going to it for a long time. Each year the farm gets some new fun thing to do. They have rope swings, slides, hayrides, and a corn maze that isn't just a corn maze. They let you eat all the apples you want, and guzzle as much fresh apple cider as your heart desires while you're there. We had some special folks visiting from out-of-town, so of course we had to take them there.

I have a new baby, and it's pink!

Yesterday I received a Gazelle, a new electronic cutting machine. I haven't had much time to play with it, but it cuts beautifully! I've been using a Wishblade for the last few years, and I've loved it, but it is limited to 8 inches wide and is having trouble cutting thick cardstock. It won't cut chipboard. The Gazelle will cut 12 inches wide and will also cut chipboard. I'll try to post pictures of the machine and projects in a few days.

Flat tire was a blessing

I was frantically trying to finish a few things on our kitchen, including getting new curtains, before company arrived. I had gone several places the evening before, but didn't see any curtains that suited either my budget or my taste. I decided I'd have to make the curtains, although I wasn't sure when I'd have the time. I dropped off my daughter at her work and had gotten about two lights away. While stopped at the red light, I heard a tapping on my window. A man was standing there. I opened the window a crack, and he asked me, "Did you know your rear tire is almost completely flat?" No, I'd had no idea.

So I said a silent prayer that I'd make it to the Goodyear place before it got so flat the rim would be damaged. I kept thinking of how much I had to do before company arrived in a few days, and thinking of the expense of a new tire, and possibly a damaged rim. I was rather upset, but turned my problems over to the Lord.

I did make it to Goodyear before the tire went completely flat, for which I was very thankful. I didn't want to just sit in the Goodyear lobby, so I decided to walk to Lowe's Home Improvement Center to see if they had something I needed. I wasn't there long. They didn't have what I wanted. So at that point I decided to walk to K-Mart. I haven't shopped at K-Mart for a long time. Both selection and service had lessened over the years, and I rarely went there anymore. However, I had nothing better to do, so I walked to K-Mart.

I found "my" curtains there. They were a perfect match for the colors of my kitchen, and they were a pattern I liked, too. And they definitely were less costly than making them would have been, and far less expensive than most of the ones I'd seen the evening before. Goodyear called me and told me my tire was ready, so I paid for the curtains and walked back to get my car. Now here is the kicker: the tire repair didn't cost me a dime. (I had road hazard insurance on my tires.)

I never would have thought to check K-Mart for curtains, so the flat tire turned out to be a blessing, especially since the tire didn't cost me anything.

Some people probably would figure this was just a cool coincidence or a lucky break, and not that curtains are important in the Lord's plan. I cannot help but feel that while curtains may not be a big thing to the Lord, He is willing to help His children, even in little things. It's what a latter-day apostle referred to as "the tender mercies of the Lord." Sometimes those tender mercies come in small quiet ways that let us know He knows us and loves us, and will help us with any problem if we are willing to turn to Him.