juxtaposition...........

I just wanted to show you...........

August 31

September 2

What looks like a dirty wall is the shadow of the shelves above.............

..............and then to tell you about the wonderful time we had reading the Book of Mormon with the members in Ensley tonight. We picked up one of the investigators to go with us. I love the sweet witness of the Spirit that happens most unexpectedly........... We were reading Alma 36 tonight. We go around the circle, each reading two verses. Sometimes we stop and talk about what we are reading. Some of the members really struggle to read....nearly all struggle with scripture language. I have never been appreciative enough of learning scripture language as a child.......words like inexpressible, exquisite, harrowed, concourses.....even yea! I was blessed to read verses 17 and 18. As I did so, the Spirit bore sweet witness to me of the goodness of God and His love for us. I do not have words to say how thankful I am for all............

Alma 36:17-19

"And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

"Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

"And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I wa harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more."

MLC - 3

Another MLC today............and wonderful training from Pres. Hanks. I really should take better notes. Any notes would be good. He told us yesterday that he needed us to be very brief in our presentations. I didn't say anything at all. I think Dad and Sis. Jones, the nurse, were the only two who did. Pres. Hanks is so fun to listen to!! And I can see that he is teaching not just for their missions, but for the rest of their lives. One thing that I really loved...........D&C 46:9-14. Through verse 13 He has listed many of the gifts of the Spirit. Then 14: "to others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." He told us we have four missionaries who have been brave enough to tell him that they do not have testimonies. But here they are!!! "Bless their hearts"!! And he meant it! So he tells them to lean on him........to believe on his testimony because it is rock solid. It was such a great meeting. While I was in the kitchen he showed them the training video we saw last Saturday. I've looked on line for it........not an exhaustive search, but I would love to have you all see that training............I'll keep looking.

We had Hawaiian haystacks for lunch today. They turned our really good. I was very pleased. And the missionaries sang, "For she's a jolly good fellow" to ME!!!!!! I had a significant amount of help and I'm very thankful for it. The other senior missionaries in the office are a great "kitchen staff". This just keeps getting better and better.........the love grows........and the learning takes place (hopefully). I told Roger this morning I'm so grateful Pres. Hanks asked us all the read "Preach My Gospel" before the end of August. I probably never would have got clear through the whole thing, and some of the things I really needed to read were in the last 2-3 chapters. I'm so thankful to be here!

I was going to take a picture before they started dishing up..........but it all happened so suddenly I had to take it after most of them were through.

The one on the right is one of the assistants. One of the best!!! We love him!! He's from Honduras, Marilyn............in the city Taylor is in, but there are two missions in the city, so it's 50/50. He was really excited when I told him Taylor was there.

 

One of the more interesting "critters" here............I thought that pattern on the wings was really pretty. And I seems it's in Utah as well.........it was on the door going into the office building.

Not much.........but that's the day.........and we are tired. Roger put in five Tiwis this afternoon...........I still haven't told you about them, have I? I'll work on that.............. It's cooling off some. It hasn't been nearly as warm this week and that's nice. But we are heading into "tornado season", and I'm not too thrilled about that!

rambling thoughts..........

I've thought a few times in the past couple of days of things I wanted to share with you, but now, for the life of me, I can't think of them. Yesterday we went to Stake training meetings in Bessemer. It was wonderful!! One of the things I enjoyed the most was singing the hymns!! They sang!!!!! A member of the stake presidency went through the training with us..........about keeping the Sabbath day holy. I shared with you the statement from Elder Ballard. This was just fleshed out a little more, but boy! it's given me cause to think about what I do on Sunday and what I am "saying" to my Father in Heaven. I also taught the Relief Society lesson today on Elder Nelson's talk from general conference...... "Making the Sabbath a Delight".

I don't want to bore you with "more of the same"...........the joy of associating with the younger missionaries, and assisting them. We went to pick up an investigator for church this morning. She is so thrilled to have "found the peace". We are anticipating a baptism in a couple of weeks! She said one of things that really got her interested was how happy the Elders always were. She knew what people say about Mormons, that they would hear the same things, have doors slammed in their faces, etc. And yet they were always smiling and happy. I love it!!!!! And while I was sitting in the foyer between Primary and Relief Society, a man in a red shirt walked in. I said hello. He asked where the chapel was. I pointed to it and told him they were just finishing up Sunday school. He sat down. It wasn't long before one of the Elders appeared and greeted him. (Thank goodness! I probably should have said more............)

Elder: Have you been here long?
Man in the red shirt: I just walked in.
Elder: Can I help you with something?
Man: I want to find a church.
Elder: I can help you with that! Come with me......

When I left after our Relief Society presidency meeting, the man in the red shirt was sitting with two Elders in the chapel listening intently. Can I just say again that I absolutely love being here and even a little bit involved!!!

I finished reading "Preach My Gospel" today........RAH!!! And it's before the end of the month! Even better. There were several things that kind of jumped off the page at me. I'm going to ask for some coaching on Tuesday at MLC. I want to be more effective. Why can't I open my mouth and "find"??? I'm determined to do better.

I often find myself "singing to myself" when we are walking around town, in the grocery store, mostly. These are the words I "sing":

"I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
I know who I am.
I know God's plan.
I'll follow him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I'll honor his name.
I'll do what is right;
I'll follow his light.
His truth I will proclaim."

It just makes me happy!!!! Sometimes I almost wish I could just get up on the checkout counter, do a happy dance, and tell the world why I am so happy! It certainly seems that there are a lot of unhappy people all around us. I'm beginning to understand Alma a little better............. to speak with "the trump of God"...........or even to speak "with the tongue of angels". I'm going to work on that............

What a Wonderful World.............

Ahhhhhh.............tonight is a night to love Alabama........... We had to do some shopping after we left the office, which was about 6:00 because we have been getting some more cars ready for sale--taking them for a "mechanical" check, having the "dent guy" come and fix the dents (that's fun to watch!) getting them detailed and then giving them a final check to make sure all the fluids are topped off, all the lights work, no missing hub caps, windows all go completely down and up again.......stuff like that. Soooooo.........about 7:00 we were coming home over Vestavia Hills, the sun was setting--a ball of fire in a sea of pinks and lavenders......an "island" of cloud with a hot white lining........... absolutely breathtaking (I tried to get a picture but I wasn't quick enough and I don't know that it would have looked right anyway). The air was soft and pleasant--we rolled down the windows--so lovely and then the moon in the east...............gotta love it!

just a little something..........

Look what came yesterday! RAH!!!! Now I will certainly have enough for MLC next Tuesday. I texted the zone leaders yesterday and asked if they could get me their orders. I have three filled and waiting right to the left of the stacks in this picture. That's one third..............I hope I get some more tomorrow. We have our District meeting tomorrow and we are going to take lunch with us for all the Elders--six of them. We don't have any Sisters serving in Ensley.......... And since we live outside the area and the missionaries are not to leave their area, this is our way of "having them over for dinner". Sister Newman is bringing a green salad and I'm making Hawaiian haystacks and carrot cake............a trial run for next week. Only next week we are having veggie trays instead of green salad. We had a great meeting this morning--office staff--with Pres. and Sister Hanks. It is such a blessing to be able to learn from them. I'm so thankful to be here now!

The small stack, front-right and turned "the other way" are boxes of the Book of Mormon in Spanish..........I can't tell you how excited I am to really have enough for this month. YAY!!!!!!

back in the saddle.............

What a wonderful day!!!!! I have decided I'm going to love Sundays.....not that I haven't liked them in the past, but we received some teaching today, and the lesson I was supposed to give in Relief Society today was on Pres. Nelson's talk from conference about making the Sabbath a delight. Read his talk again.............it's great! And this is what Pres. Johnson, stake president, gave us today......from Elder M. Russell Ballard - this is from just after the first of the year, before April conference - "The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have spent many hours during the past several months reviewing the research that is available regarding church doctrine and principles that increase faith in our Heavenly Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atonement.

"As you are aware, we continue to be concerned about lasting conversion, covenant keeping multigenerational families, and in spiritually strengthening members of the church.

"Of all the organizational or policy changes or doctrinal training that could hasten the work of salvation at this time, we've determined that elevating the spirit and power of the Sabbath day would be the most influential in drawing members and families closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. " (emphasis added)

I just thought that was so profound! Of all the things they could teach or do, it comes to hallowing the Sabbath day. Sign me up! Can I say, "Sign us up"?? I want all of us there......to be strong and immovable.

AND!!!!!! Last week I was called to serve as 2nd counselor in the Relief Society. They sustained me today. When I went back in for Relief Society and Pres. Johnson wanted all of us together, he first said he had some business to take care of........ He asked us to sustain Roger as High Priest Group Leader!!!!!! Roger told me about 20 seconds before Pres. Johnson did!!! Then they immediately set him apart! He gave Roger a beautiful blessing.........I should have taken notes.....(if that's not "wrong"). I wish I could remember it better. I do remember the feeling of love and gratitude from Father in Heaven. I will ask to be set apart next week. Today was kind of busy after church, because Roger had ward council meeting and Pres. Johnson was there. They have them after church.

Sis. Davis, Relief Society president, asked me to pray about visiting teaching this week and we will go over it next Sunday after meetings.............a.g.a.i.n.............. I have a really hard time wrapping my head around visiting teaching assignments! It's just too big!!! And I hit a pre-programmed button on the organ again today. AGH!!!!! But oh well............ It is difficult to not have a way to practice for Sunday. I keep trusting the Lord will help me, and He does......it only took me one time through "Have I Done Any Good?" to get it right the second time, but oooowwwwww!!!! The first time was pretty rugged. (Too bad there were only two verses!...........or maybe that was a good thing!) I should have chosen an easier song. But I wanted to sing that one. And since I had the choice, I thought I better take advantage of it! Right?

Lovely day.............I hope your Sabbath has been as "delightful" as mine has been.............

........Roots.......

We have had a fun day today! The Bessemer Stake--"our" stake--sponsored a "Rootstech, Family Discovery Day" 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Somehow I got things mixed up and was thinking 2:30!!! AGH!!! When Roger came in and said we needed to go soon, I panicked!! I needed to wash my hair.........and think........my hair is in dire need of a trim and a perm.......very dire........indeed!! So, I swallowed my pride, jumped in the shower--and out, spritzed my hair in back where it is the worst, quickly dried it and curled all of it, threw on my clothes and we were out the door in about 20 minutes! Sadly, we were still late..........but they started out with a welcome meeting in which Stake Pres. Johnson spoke as well as the mayor of Bessemer........... you know there are several members of the community there when there is clapping following a testimony!! We were hoping to get into a class here or there, but they were pretty full. We did squeeze into one about Ancestry.com (we sat in the furtherest back corner of the room where Roger had a good nap). The teacher was entertaining, but I didn't learn a whole lot about using Ancestry other than I can sign in from FamilySearch and use it for free. When that came up in the class I squirmed a little because the "community members" don't have that luxury, though they were profusely invited to the family history center at the church. Still.......... Then we went to one with the title "But my Work is All Done". And we learned the peculiar difficulties the people of the South face. That was interesting! But not very helpful for us........ Things like the North burning so many public buildings during the war; the total lack of records for African Americans; points of immigration during the 1800s; floods; tornadoes, etc. I didn't dare bring up the idea that ancestors had "done it all". I know it's not "done".........but I really don't know how to do it or where to start. (A little point of interest! One time she said, "The War of the Confederacy"......I've never heard that before!) There were some really interesting displays in the cultural hall. I wanted to take some pictures, but didn't want to call that much attention to myself..........fun stuff. Do any of you know if we have an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War?  I was really impressed with the whole thing and it was well attended with several people traveling quite a distance. Way to go Bessemer!!!

After that was over we took a different road "home". It is fun to see different parts of the area. We stopped to eat at a little "hole in the wall" SAWs Barbeque. We had a baked potato stuffed with barbequed pork, butter, sour cream, green onions, cheddar cheese........it was good and one was enough for both of us. I want to talk to them and see if there is a possible MLC lunch there....... Maybe if they would bake the potatoes............ we'll see. We have MLC coming up September 1, so I have to get to work on it.

I need to stop "chatting"........I have a Relief Society lesson to finish up for morning. I saw the President at the church this afternoon and she was so thankful that I'm doing the lesson this week. She is a sweet lady. Every time I see her I get a hug and an "I love you". There are wonderful, loving people in Ensley.............