Bearing Testimony

Yesterday was "Fast & Testimony Meeting" at Church. This happens on the first Sunday of each month. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of April, but since it is General Conference next week, it was held yesterday (4th Sunday of March) instead.

When I was a child, I was too shy to stand before the congregation. I remember saying to myself "I will bear my testimony when I'm older. It will be easier then." Well, it never got easy for me, but I know that bearing one's testimony is important for your own growth as well as for the growth of those who may hear you. Sometimes, instead of getting up to bear my testimony, I am content to bear it to myself while sitting comfortably in my pew.

Last Wednesday in our Prayer Meeting at the Temple, which I was conducting, after Sister Larsen (the Matron) announced that Sister Northington was the new coordinator for our shift, she invited me to bear my testimony. Fortunately, I was able to do so without fear this time. I found it a pleasure to be able to bear my testimony in the temple! During the day, I kept thinking about how special it was to have that privilege. Not everyone gets that experience, but I did! This was a new thing for me. I also considered it a privilege to be able bear my testimony to the sisters on our shift whom I have grown to love so much.

Although I found it very special to bear my testimony in the temple, it doesn't make it more valuable just because it was done in the temple. It doesn't really matter where you are when you bear it. It only matters that you bear it. It could be at church, in your home, at a campground, at a restaurant, or any number of places. As long as you are bearing your testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will be blessed no matter the location.

My Patriarchal Blessing tells me that I should bear my testimony often and that my testimony will grow if I do so. I have tried to follow that directive even though it is hard sometimes to make that walk to the pulpit.

I want all of my posterity to know that I have a very deep testimony of Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of His gospel as taught in the LDS Church. I know that He lived on the earth and that he was resurrected so that he could atone for the sins of all mankind if they will repent and follow Him. 

I also have a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is only through his actions that Christ's church - the same one he organized when he was on the earth, was restored once again to the earth after a very long absence. I'm grateful that Joseph secreted himself in the Sacred Grove and prayed to his Heavenly Father for inspiration on which Church he should join. I know that he saw God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ, on that spring day in 1820. I am eternally grateful that Joseph's prayer was answered to join none of the churches. Instead, Joseph discovered that God was going to use him to restore His gospel to the earth. Thankfully, I was born and raised in the LDS Church because of Joseph's actions on that day.

I also testify that the Book of Mormon that Joseph Smith translated from gold plates is true. I have read it many, many times and know that ancient prophets kept and preserved their records to help us in these, the last days, for eventually, we will have to endure many of the same things that the posterity of Lehi had to endure. I know that if I follow what is written there and follow the living prophets today, I will be blessed and, hopefully, my life can even be preserved long enough for me to witness the coming of Christ once again to the earth. I long for that day!

This is my testimony and I encourage all who read it to find out for themselves that it is true. 

Passing The Torch

An era came to an end for me yesterday as I passed the torch of shift coordinator at the temple to another sister. I have been serving as the coordinator on the Friday morning shift in the Los Angeles LDS Temple for almost 2 years. I began that journey on April 20, 2016. 

Two years (23 months, actually) is a long time to serve as a coordinator. I know many others who have served even longer, however. I don't know how they did it! I'm glad that I was able to serve in that capacity, but I have to admit that although it was very rewarding, it was a difficult job. 

Sister Ramona Northington, who has served as one of my assistant coordinators for the past few months accepted the position to serve as coordinator. I know that she will do a fantastic job. 

Every temple worker knows that being the coordinator is hard work and very time-consuming, but they don't really know how true that is until they are the one sitting in the drivers seat. I can honestly say that it occupied my mind most of the time every single day (unless it was during the times the temple was closed for maintenance). I was constantly working on schedules, receiving and answering e-mails, keeping records, and trying to juggle the rest of my life to fit into that realm.

Now, that burden has been lifted, but with it, I feel a sense of loss. I kind of feel lost in a way. Now what will I do with all of my spare time? I'm sure I will find some way to fill the day, but things will definitely be different from now on.

Along with not being a coordinator, my time serving as an ordinance worker is soon coming to an end as well. I'm going to be taking a leave of absence or possibly be released altogether. I have found that because of my back problems, it is increasingly more difficult to perform the tasks expected from all ordinance workers. I now need to focus on getting my back healthy. That may mean back surgery, but I want that to be my last resort. I'm going to be obtaining second or third opinions on possible treatments from doctors not practicing here in the Antelope Valley. Friends have given me names of surgeons they trust that I want to consult with. Hopefully, I can find some kind of relief and can return to living a normal, pain-free life.

I'm trying hard to stay positive. It is rather difficult to keep negative thoughts away when you are physically limited because of back pain. I know that God gives us trials so that he can mold us into better individuals than we can become on our own. I'm having this trial for a reason. I'm not sure yet what that reason is, but I am willing to go through anything the Lord desires of me in order to grow in ways that will help me become a stronger, better individual. He is on my side, and knowing that makes me want to do all I can to work with him through this trial.

Just as Christ is lifting and helping this individual, He will lift me as well.

The Value of Friendship

About three weeks ago at Church, I struck up a conversation with a Sister who is fairly new to our ward. Her name is Diana Hinton. She asked me where I grew up and I told her Spanish Fork, Utah. She said "my mother grew up in Spanish Fork". I asked her what her mother's name was and she said her name was Christine Jones back then. My eyes grew large and I looked at Diana and told her that her mother was a good friend of mine while growing up. I remember riding bikes (or walking) with Jane to her house about 5 miles from our house. I remember having sleep-overs at her house and going there to have my hair cut by her aunt Bernice who had a salon at the back of the house. I grew up in the same ward with Christine and did so many things with her. I have many fond memories of our friendship.

Well, today at Church, I saw Diana sitting on the stand because she and her son were both giving talks. I started looking around the audience to see if maybe Christine might be there visiting and sure enough, there she was sitting on the left side of the chapel. I couldn't wait for the meeting to be over so I could speak with her. We had lost contact after H.S. graduation, but I have wondered about her many times since then. 

After Church, I asked her if we could take a picture of us together so I could send it to Jane. Here we are!

Christine still looks the same after all these years...well, of course she obviously looks a little bit older, but she was still very recognizable. Life has treated her well. She has 6 children and 22 grandchildren (I believe), so life is good!

It was so much fun to renew my friendship with Christine. I came home from church on a high because of that. 

One thing I am so grateful for is that God has placed good people like Christine in my path to be my friends throughout my life. Friendships are so very precious! 

Richard G. Scott said this about friendship:



It shouldn't, but it does amaze me that even after not seeing each other for 47 years, Christine and I were able to enjoy being with each other again. We were excited to see each other and to catch up on where our lives had taken us. There was nothing awkward about it at all. We didn't lack for things to talk about. It's like we were still young and still had that close relationship we had as kids. That's what I love about true friendship. Friendships, I'm convinced, are eternal. That knowledge brings me joy!

My Surprise Birthday Gift

While I was busy "retreating" with my sisters in Utah and Idaho, Alan was home preparing a surprise for me. 

After Alan painted our hallway display shelves, we decided that we wanted all of the oak in our bathrooms painted as well. 

I forgot to get a picture of our master bathroom before the work began, but it looked similar to this other bathroom of ours, with the same honey oak finish.

This is what our master bathroom looked like when I left for my trip:

All of the oak doors and drawer facings had been removed in preparation for the painting.

I, of course, knew what Alan was planning, but the final result was surprising.

This is what I came home to:

It looks so much better! We are going to get new rugs, towels, and other decorative items, but this will do for now.

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y   T O   M E !

Rexburg Sister's Retreat

My sisters and I try to get together for a retreat at least once a year. Although Jane & Ken and Janice & Leonard were recently in California to spend some time with Alan & I, we still made plans to get away just as sisters. Janice had her eye on a "Preparing A People" Conference held in Rexburg, ID and invited us to attend it with her.

Jane found this cute Airbnb that we were able to get at a reasonable price that had 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and it was very conveniently located for everything we wanted to do.

Daytime pic of the Rexburg Temple

Nighttime pics of the Rexburg Temple

I only took a few quick pics because it was FREEZING cold that night and the wind was blowing pretty hard. That was a definite reminder of my college days attending Ricks College there in Rexburg! So cold!!!! That's one reason I didn't go back after my first year...that and the fact that I didn't have any money to continue my education at that time.

The "Preparing A People" Conference that we attended was held at the old Rexburg Tabernacle. It was really old, too. Here is a picture of the inside - a balcony shot.

This is a unique pipe organ inside the tabernacle.

The Conference was about preparing for the Last Days and the 2nd Coming of Christ. The speakers (most of them) were good. I really enjoyed what they had to say and I took lots of notes just like I do at Education Week. 

The worst part about the venue was the hard wooden benches that we had to sit on. With my back problems, I was often in a great amount of pain and would have to get up and stretch and walk around. Fortunately, on Saturday I brought a throw pillow Jane had loaned me to sit on and it helped. In the afternoon, we went up into the balcony where they had padded folding chairs, which helped my sore hiney, but certainly didn't help my back since they don't have back support. I had to choose where to sit according to which area I wanted to be in less pain.

One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Rexburg (besides hanging with my sisters) is so that I could once again step foot on the formerly Ricks College Campus (now BYU-Idaho). It has been 46 years since Jane and I had stood together on that campus, so this was a shining moment for us.

Unfortunately, the whole town and campus had changed and we, basically, didn't recognize a thing. It was still fun to be there together, though.

Janice got the flu really bad and was sick for over a week before the retreat and continued to feel poorly the whole time there. I felt really bad for her. She just didn't have any energy, she was coughing, and her chest hurt to breathe. 

Gayle and I, too, got a little sick while there. I got worse after I flew home on Monday. I'm still coughing and blowing my nose a lot, but am definitely on the mend.

Well, I wonder what adventures we will have as sisters next year. Time will tell, I guess! Until then, I will be content to reminisce on our lovely retreats from years past. 

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

As an anniversary gift last December, Alan and I gave each other "housekeeping services." This service will benefit both of us in more ways than one. First of all, we can both enjoy a clean house. Second, Alan will be spared from having to do the heavy work that I can't comfortably do with my bad back like mopping, vacuuming, and cleaning toilets and tubs.

Alan was a little reluctant to hire housekeepers until I reminded him that he has gardeners to maintain the yard for him, so why can't I have housekeepers to maintain the house for me. He saw the wisdom in it and went along with the idea, thank goodness. He is happy with the service so far, although it doesn't come cheap.

I chose a team of four workers recommended to me by Terri Wick. The team is led by Virginia Gutierrez and they come every other week. They have come to our house twice so far and I am beyond blown away at the great job they do. They literally clean everything in the house every time they come (except inside drawers, cupboards, and closets). Every door, every inside window, every baseboard, every fan blade, every shutter, etc. is cleaned every time they come. They even clean inside my fridge. My house has never been so clean. Even with four workers, it takes about 4 hours for them to clean everything. That's a lot of man hours! I feel a little guilty that I'm not pulling my share of the load around the house, but I'm certainly enjoying my clean house.

This is definitely the best anniversary gift we have ever given to each other. It may not last forever, but I'm going to enjoy it as long as I possibly can.