At Home in Utah

May 16th

Seminary Graduation - May 18th

 

 

                                                Kaycee's Graduation Day - May 20, 2014

 

So very proud of this beautiful young woman and her accomplishments! She is an amazing example to her siblings and to the rest of our family. 

Chase your dreams Kaycee-Naycee!! 

 

 Kelly's 6th Grade Graduation - May 21st

 

 

May 22nd -  Grandparent's Day with Sophie-bug!

DJ's Piano Recital - A great performance!

 

 

Memorial Day Week-end. Wellsville on Saturday

 Kaysville on Sunday. 

 Traditional Memorial Day BBQ with the whole family -

  there is no greater gift in life than FAMILY!

 

The Draper's Visit Fresno

Last week brought family to visit. Rod and Rose arrived on the 26th and left on the 29th. We had a great time seeing the sights of Fresno! Highlights were a session at the Fresno Temple and a trip to Yosemite. They fell in love with Yosemite. This is the first time I have been there when there was water running over the falls. It is absolutely beautiful. Each season brings new sights and sounds. We could not have asked for more perfect weather.

Yosemite Falls - look closely and you will see the lower falls also (right above Rod's head to the left).  The picture below it is Bridal Veil Falls.

 

Last night we attended a luau hosted by the ward we were visiting today (Riverside Ward). The meal was delicious and the entertainment (though not quite luau style) was fun. It was a group doing 60's music! The pavilion where it was held was right next to the temple so we had this lovely backdrop to the entertainment.

  

HOW DOES HEAVENLY FATHER GET US TO WHERE HE CAN BLESS US?

ONE OF THE MIRACLES of earth life is how Heavenly Father is constantly beckoning us - "Come this way"... "Do this." (or don't)... Yes, he could just tell us, give us the co-ordinates etc., but it is a little hard for our mortal ears to hear something so exact . For example, Heavenly Father wanted the Joseph Smith family to be in Palmyra, New York. If the Spirit had said: " Go to New York", they may have responded, "WHY should we go there?"   WHY? hmmm- Ancient records, gold plates, angels, blessings and hardships... Really?... None of that would have made sense... So, it took a couple of droughts to finally get  them to THINK they should go there for good farm land. It was for that reason and for a purpose far more amazing as well.

This happens to us all the time as missionaries. The Lord is in every aspect of our lives, trying to direct but not force.
Laura R. came to the ERC on Wednesday - a bubbly blonde in her late 40s. She sat with Sister Olson and I and almost immediately her story spilled out. She was crying enough that Steve motioned that we could go to his office if we wanted to, but the moving would have been more disruptive, so we stayed, and softly spoke and listened. The tears were not so much for sadness as for the amazement at how the Lord had been leading her for years, and NOW she was where He could work with her.

 

Her single mother and family were introduced and baptized into the Church when she was about 13 years old, in Pennsylvania. There wasn't a Church near by, so it wasn't long until they were completely inactive. She lived her life and a finally married a successful Doctor, and they had a son. This, however wasn't a perfect fit as he wanted her to be a socialite equal to his position, and that wasn't comfortable. She preferred her motorcycle, a variety of activities, etc.  About 7-8 years ago her husband was killed in a car accident. With her life turned upside down, she sold her home and bought a small RV, and travelled across the US (her sons now on their own).  After many stops and adventures she ended up in LA at a trailer park.   Here she met a lovely lady who said she was working in LA but her family was in Fresno with her husband, and the children were 'running amuck'.  Laura was invited to go up there and be a nanny for them.

Not too many days after her arrival,  there was a knock on the door and she heard someone tell two young men at the door that their father wasn't available right then. They started to leave, but Laura was propelled to ask if they were missionaries...YES... and she opened the door and raced down the walk to invite them back. She knew she was a LATTER DAY SAINT. These were her people!  They talked, made appointments, and invited her to Church,  and yes, this family was taking the discussions. WHO WOULD THINK?   That Sunday, she talked with the Bishop; he immediately asked one of the sisters to shepherd her. She agreed and was on it with precision. The Sister suggested she go to the LDS Employment Center, as she was  now out of money.

 

She came. We talked about her skills and experience. She had worked with autistic children so we had her call- right then- an LDS lady who has a 23 year old autistic daughter and wanted a companion for a few hours a week.  The lady was thrilled and will meet with her next week. Laura was pleased.... then we looked up a hand full of possible jobs, filled out some forms etc.  We loved our time with her and she came back the following day for more leads. She loved being with us, and said she didn't want to leave, as the spirit was so warm and comfortable. She said over and over how she could see how the Lord has been softly directing her to this point in her life.

Her story continues - as does ours.

I am continually amazed and grateful at how much the Lord is involved in the details of our lives.