Finding the Lost

As a parent, there is not much worse than having a child get lost. I can remember being at the children's museum a few years ago with my three kids. I don't recall exactly how it happened, but somehow Ella wandered off and I couldn't find her. I looked around the area we were playing in, but she wasn't there. Then I searched in some nearby areas, but I couldn't see her. I was beginning to panic. I was so worried for her safety. After looking for a couple of minutes, I was about to speak to an employee when I saw an employee coming down the stairs with Ella. I have never been so relieved in my life. She had somehow made it to an upper floor. She hadn't meant to get lost. I had done my best to find her, but I needed help to find her. We were both so relieved and grateful to be reunited.

A couple of years ago, a teenage girl in our neighborhood ran away from home. The parents searched and searched for her. Many neighbors and ward members prayed for her and shared her picture and did what they could to help her be found. Eventually she was found, and she was okay.

Just over a week ago, a friend called me. I was driving home from a meeting at my kids' school, and it was about 7 at night. Her son had not come home from school, hours before. She asked me to pray that they could find him. I know that others prayed for him to be found safely and some others helped search the neighborhood. The child's grandparent was prompted to call a specific neighbor and was able to find the child.

Last Sunday, as I listened to another lesson on missionary work, I began pondering these experiences. It struck me that this is exactly what missionary work is...finding the lost, the wandering. Sometimes those lost are lost through no fault of their own. They have not yet been taught the gospel, and they are "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it." (D&C 123:5) Sometimes they have willfully chosen to leave out of anger, pride, misunderstanding, sin, etc. But it doesn't matter. A loving parent searches for the wandering child regardless of the reason they are lost. They reach out for help to find their missing child. Our Heavenly Father is a perfect parent and wants each of us to find safety and peace. But just as I couldn't find Ella alone and these friends of mine needed others to help them find their missing child, we are each needed to help in the search for our lost brothers and sisters. A member of our Bishopric has often shared that he and his wife pray daily that someone will be able to touch the hearts of their children who have strayed...that for whatever reason, they are unable to rescue them, to bring them back to the safety of the gospel. Often it takes the love and concern and example of someone who cares but is not an immediate family member to come to the rescue to save a wandering spouse, child or sibling... or in reality, it takes the joint effort of both family and neighbors to find the one who is lost and bring them back home. We do this as we faithfully love and serve those we home and visit teach. We do this as we joyfully live the gospel and share our testimonies with others. We do this as we invite others to meet with the missionaries. We do this as we reach out in friendship and service to our neighbors, friends and family. And most importantly, we do this as we listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. We do not know which of our Father's children is lost but ready to return home. But our Father knows which hearts are yearning for the safety and peace of home. He can help us find those who are lost and bring them back to safety.


Another thought I keep having about this is that when a child is missing, there is a feeling of urgency. You drop whatever you are doing and search for that lost child. There should also be a feeling of urgency when it comes to missionary work...there are so many that need to find the truth, and while the peril may not seem as great as when a child is missing, the danger is just as real and prevalent.

I keep pondering the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-7 where the Shepherd leaves the ninety and nine to seek out the one that is lost. There is a great talk about this parable given by President Howard W. Hunter in 1986 entitled "Make Us Thy True Undershepherds." President Hunter said, "The Lord, our Good Shepherd, expects us to be his undershepherds and recover those who are struggling or are lost."...
He then quotes Hymn 221 which is beautiful:

"Hark! he is earnestly calling,
Tenderly pleading today:
"Will you not seek for my lost ones,
Off from my shelter astray?"
"Make us thy true undershepherds;
Give us a love that is deep.
Send us out into the desert,
Seeking thy wandering sheep."

I hope I can be more diligent in seeking the lost and bringing them safely home.

New Year Resolutions

I had a hard time deciding on resolutions this year. Not because I had nothing to work on...on the contrary, I have so much to work on. But I wanted something that would be attainable. Something that would stretch and bless my family but that we could be successful at. So many things I thought of seemed too much or too easy and nothing felt quite right.

Then, on January 6th, I opened my favorite site, Emily Freeman and Brother Butler's Daily Closer to Christ and saw this.... They are working this year on embracing the gift, specifically the gift of the Holy Ghost. Each week they have a printable, a scripture to memorize or ponder, a lesson and story that focuses on way to invite the Spirit to be present in our daily lives and to embrace this precious gift we have been given.

When I read it, I felt my heart rejoice within and felt a calming breath...I had found my resolution. I am going to study the Holy Ghost with my family this year and help my children to better recognize the Holy Ghost, to respond to its promptings, to share their testimonies, and to use our knowledge to hasten the work. We began a week ago. We talked about the role of the Holy Ghost.

Then we talked a out the first lesson...make yourself uncomfortable. Stretch yourself to do something that isn't easy for you. We talked about what that might be...perhaps bearing your testimony in church or inviting a friend to church (they just asked why that would make you uncomfortable...that is EASY, they said). I talked about how it is sometimes uncomfortable to go visit someone I don't know for Relief Society but how I nearly always feel the spirit when I do...and as the scripture that was used for that week says, "the spirit of The Lord did not fail him"... Alma 4:15. It does not fail me when I do the Lord's work. I could think of lots of things that make me uncomfortable that I could do, but it seemed a little harder for them. They are more fearless and pure.

I also shared a scripture that had really touched me in my scripture study that week. In 1 Nephi 4:6-7, Nephi has been commanded to get the plates. They have made two unsuccessful attempts. Now he is going to try again, alone. These verses say, "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth..." A couple of verses later, he finds Laban and is commanded to slay him. These verses really touched me. I like to have a plan...to know what is coming. It is hard for me to not know beforehand the things which I should do....but I need to be like Nephi and go forth. Be uncomfortable. Take a step into the darkness and trust that The Lord has a plan and will be there to guide me.

We practiced reciting Alma 4:15 several times so that they will hopefully remember it. I want to print these out to make into a book or hang up or something but my printer isn't functioning. Soon, I will get that done.

During the week we talked about the Holy Ghost a few times. I have noticed that my scripture study is becoming more intent asI focus and search for ways the Holy Ghost helps those in the scriptures. On Thursday, we were able to pray as a family for a friend. Within an hour, our prayer was answered and I was able to share with my children how the prayer was answered by someone listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Today was our ward conference and the spirit was so strong. Already, I feel like it is helping. I am so excited for this goal and the ways that I hope it will bless our family. I feel like the Holy Ghost also taught me a very individualized way to strengthen my family right now. What a precious gift it is to have the Holy Ghost in my life.

(I am using their lessons' scripture, etc. for FHE...at least most weeks...so I will be a week behind. But that is nice, in a way, because it gives me all week to ponder on their lesson and apply it and then share it with my children.

**For myself, I added a physical goal. I have decided to give up soda this year. I am not a big soda drinker, and I actually hate the flavor of colas. I do like root beer and really enjoy orange soda. But soda isn't good for you, and I tend to not feel great after drinking soda. So I am going without. Here at home it is pretty easy to do, but at parties it has been/will be harder. But when I stop and think about how I feel after I drink soda, it makes it easier.

Driving Home

The drive home from AZ to UT lasted forever. ...Or at least it seemed that way. It really did take longer than the drive down to AZ. We had to make more stops, and a couple of stops were long ones. Alfredo has a cousin that lives in Vegas. When they heard we were in AZ, they asked us to please stop in Vegas to visit. So we did. They made us a wonderful lunch, and the girls played for awhile and I visited with Sandra and Noel. It was great to see them. But I missed an exit I needed in Kingman, AZ (and realized pretty quickly but still had to drive a ways to find a place where I could exit and get back on the freeway headed back to Kingman to get the right freeway). And a two hour stop in Vegas. And a stop for dinner. And I knew my uncle was dying. A couple of times during the drive, I just began to cry thinking about my uncle. And a dead cell phone battery in Cedar City and knowing that we were later than Alfredo would expect but not having a phone to call caused us to be later and later, and had me feeling worried. I finally decided to stop in Beaver and find a pay phone (which don't exist anymore!) or something. I asked at a gas station and the girl at the counter said I could plug my phone in there until it charged. Fortunately, a man standing in line offerred to let me borrow his to call Alfredo instead. So I did, and felt much better. So the 11-12 hour drive lasted 15 1/2 hours. It was a long day. But thankfully we made it home safely. We were all so glad to be home.

And loved seeing Sandra, Noel, Becky and Katie. The girls had fun playing Bop It with them for awhile while we visited.


And I guess I can't complain about a 15 hour drive when I have so many ancestors that crossed the plains on foot with wagons or handcarts.

And my children were wonderfully behaved despite it being such a long, long day! (Gabby did start to cry at one point. She asked some tender questions about heaven and death and what would happen if she wasn't as obedient as she wanted to be or should be. It led to a beautiful discussion about repentance and the plan of salvation and our Savior. I wish I didn't have to lose my uncle, but it has helped me again bear testimony to my children of the plan of salvation, the plan of happiness.)

I am richly blessed.

Old Friends

While I was in AZ, I was able to meet high school friends for lunch. It was so fun. I only get to see Kara, Kerie, and Charity every 2-3 years, but I love being with them. And Kaylee is in AZ right now, so she came along. And this time, we had a couple of extra friends (Jenny and Kitty) join us that I haven't seen since shortly after high school ended, nearly 20 years ago. (Ack! How can high school have been nearly 20 years ago?! I feel about 25-30...not rapidly approaching 40.)

We met for lunch at a place downtown called Taco Guild. It used to be a church and they have kept the old stained glass windows, the decorations and even the sign that announced that week's hymn (it now announces the day's special). The food was great, but the company was even better. We talked and laughed and told stories about our jobs, our families, and our lives. It was great to catch up. I felt grateful for Facebook that has helped us keep in contact over these past few years, and grateful that I made the long drive to see these dear friends.

I was also so impressed when near the end of the visit, Kaylee, (who is also a member), invited them all to go to the temple open house for the Gilbert Temple with her. I don't know if they will but she explained the purpose of the open house and briefly why temples are important and said that she would get tickets for anyone who wanted to go. Such a great missionary opportunity, and I was touched that she took that opportunity. I know I can do better at being a missionary.

Trip to AZ

My posts are a bit out of order chronologically...but oh well.

My children and I were able to spend a week in AZ during Christmas break. We drove down (well, I did the driving! by myself! I hate to drive so this was an accomplishment for me!) on December 27th and returned on January 2nd. My sister Rebecca and her family were also in AZ visiting my mom and stepdad. It was a wonderful chance to visit and spend time together. It was worth the long drive.

The weather was GORGEOUS. During the day it was in the 60's and 70's. I really think I live in the wrong state! :) My kids spent much of the time playing outside with cousins.

We went to the park. In fact, we went to three different parks on 4 different days. Along with swinging, slides, monkey bars and other regular park activities, we played Kick the Can, and we played Superhero Tag. Superhero Tag is quite fun. You pick a superhero ability (for instance, you may freeze people or turn them into a duck where they have to flap their arms and quack. You may have the power to get them trapped in oatmeal. You may have the power to make them begin spinning in a circle like a tornado. You may have the power to use their power against them (reflective power). After each person picks a power and announces it to the other players and demonstrates what it does, one person is "IT". The person who is it then chases others, trying to tag them. However, any person can use their superpower anytime another person gets within a few feet of them. If they use their power on you, you must suddenly do whatever the power requires (such as drop to all fours and bark like a dog OR shake like you've been hit by lightning bolts) for 3-4 seconds. Then you can continue running. If the person who is it tags you, you are now it. It is hilarious, and much of the fun comes from thinking up new and creative superhero powers.


We had a huge silly string war in grandma and grandpa's back yard.


We painted.


We snuggled with grandpa. Hugged and danced with grandma. (A tradition started by MY grandpa back when my sisters, cousins and I were all little.)



And the real kicker. Something that I am POSITIVE none of my neighbors can say about how they spent their New Year's Day. My kids ran through the sprinkler...and then picked sweet peas from grandma's garden and ate them. Sprinklers on New Year's Day...that is the life!!

Are you jealous? I would be. :)

Graveside Service

There was a very nice graveside service for Phil. He really wanted his nephew to play the bagpipes, and his nephew was able to do that. (It was quite cold, which didn't agree with the bagpipes so much, but he did a wonderful job.)



Because Phil served in the Coast Guard, he was able to have a military burial. Taps was played, and two soldiers folded the flag and presented it to my aunt. Then each of the pallbearers placed their boutinniere on the casket. Then my stepdad dedicated the grave.



I was touched by how many people came to the viewing, funeral and graveside service. I was touched by how one life touches so many others. I was also so very thankful for the outpouring of love that I personally felt. Alfredo's aunt and cousin, who have met my uncle a few times but don't know him well, came to the viewing to show their love for me. That meant so much. So many kind words were spoken to me by family, friends, and neighbors. My dear, dear Relief Society presidency brought me dinner on Monday night. They also brought a card and a Willow Tree figurine. I can't express in words very well how blessed I have been. As I serve, my heart is touched and my life is blessed so much more than I deserve and so much more than I possibly give. I am so thankful for a presidency that loves and sustains me and does so much to serve the sisters in my ward. I am so thankful for a Savior that makes it possible for families to be together forever, for loved ones to be reunited. I am thankful for the Holy Ghost's role as a comforter. I am thankful to be surrounded by so many that love me and bless my life and bless my family.

Here are photos of some of the people that were at the graveside. Many of them are family. Most of them are people that have had an influence on my life. All of them are important in my aunt and uncle's life.

After the graveside service, we returned to the church where the Relief Society served a very nice luncheon for the family. I am so thankful for their service. So thankful for all who helped the day to go smoothly and made it a little easier for my aunt.