We haven't had snow this winter until this week. Tues. morning, Feb. 5th we woke up to snow. The Vance and Caudle children were excited about a snow day. But we were concerned as our stake conference was coming up and the weather reports didn't look good. There was a huge winter storm approaching in the NW area. Friday night it snowed 5 inches. We woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland, but what was this going to do to our stake conference? The reports showed a pause in the snow for Saturday, so fingers crossed, it was decided to go forward and not cancel our meetings.
Elder Bruce Ghent's flight from CA was delayed two hours. The roads were treacherous, and being on our steep hill added to the problem. Gratefully, Brian Schumacher had studded tires and he was going to shuttle Crismon and Elder Ghent around this weekend. Crismon had put chains on our tires the day before, so he thought he'd test it out Saturday morning. Unfortunately, one of the chains came off, and he couldn't get back up the hill. With so much on his mind, he totally forgot he could no longer park at the bottom of our hill in front of the median strip. It now has a "tow away" sign. If he would have parked across the street in the neighborhood below, he would have been OK.
Because it didn't look good about coming back up our hill to have lunch before the meetings, I packed up the lunch for Crismon to take with him when they picked up Elder Ghent from the airport. I was grateful that I had planned for chicken salad on croissants, which made it easy to send with him. They also had to cancel some of the visits with members that were planned. Amazingly, our street was plowed right after Crismon left, and then again that afternoon. That rarely happens. A sweet tender mercy. I wish I could have heard Crismon speak in the afternoon leadership meeting.
Crismon bought a snow shovel the day before, which made it easy for me to clear a pathway from our house to be picked up by our neighbors, Gary & Merrily Hatton. They were so good to take me to the adult evening meeting. The roads were really icy in our neighborhood and in the Gresham area. They probably wouldn't have ventured out if they didn't have to take me. I missed the dinner with Elder Ghent, the presidency, and all the RS Pres.(as they were honoring them) and their husbands, which was fine. I was just glad to arrive safely at our meetings.
Surprisingly, we had more in attendance than expected. The chapel was nearly full with the overflow area being filled in, too. The talks and the music were all well done. Elder Ghent speaks with comparisons, which make them so interesting and easy to remember. He had a construction company and he showed what the anchors looked like for a home built about a hundred years ago, how they anchor the wall to the foundation before the cement hardens. He then showed another anchor for a home built about 50 years ago. It was larger and looked more secure, then he showed what an anchor looks like today. Again it was longer, thicker and would definitely be more more secure. He compared this to Pres. Lewis, his counselors, and the Bishops who are our anchors. They are what help keep us secure, and he counseled us to listen to them.
Driving home from our meeting, I saw the police by our car, and was so worried we were getting a ticket. Soon Crismon and Elder Ghent were heading home and Crismon got a call from the police saying that they were about to tow away our car. Crismon told them he was just about there. They said the tow truck had already been called and they had waited for over an hour for the tow truck to come. They said, "We're sorry, it's going to have to be towed away." After being home only a few minutes the police called again and said they needed Crismon to come take the emergency brake off the car and said they would be come pick him up. Imagine this scene, Pres. Lewis is riding in a police car on the evening of stake conference. We were blessed as the police decided to take the hazard ticket away, and the towing company said they would just tow our car up our hill and they back it into our garage. Elder Ghent said to me he thinks that because Crismon treated them with such respect and kindness that their hearts were softened. Either way, it was a tender mercy for which we were so grateful. Although, we still had to pay the $175 towing fee, at least we didn't have to get our car out of storage, and the hazard violation fee. Whew! A editorial update. We received a call from the towing company that they were crediting us back $50 as we were overcharged. Another blessing!
Sunday morning I had breakfast ready by 7 am. Brian Schumacher joined us. Thankfully, he was able to get up our hill. We didn't get the snow during the night as predicted. Again, the Hatton's picked me up and the roads through Gresham were icy, but the beautiful sunshine made it not so scary. It was one of the most beautiful mornings with the brilliant sunshine and the pure white snow.
Crismon gave such a good talk in our meeting. He talked about Christ and referred to, "I Am the Way." He had asked the choir to sing, "He Sent His Son," and for us to pay close attention to the words. Just before the choir started singing, sweet Sister Winnie Leymaster from our ward who is a very spry 89 year old, leaned over to me and whispered, "I love to hear my stake president speak." That warmed my heart and as the choir began to sing, the spirit was so strong. It was very touching. He shared how last spring he had gone on this journey to study the four gospels to learn how the Savior ministered. There were 495 examples of how Jesus ministered. He referred to John 7 where we are taught to know if the doctrine is true, that we live it, and the testimony will come. We came to this earth to learn how to change. He referred to the quote by Elder Packer, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." Crismon emphasized that the important word is
understood. We must understand the doctrine so we will live it. The reference was used in Mosiah 26:3 where the rising generation could not understand the words of king Benjamin. "And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God and their hearts were hardened." We must understand the doctrine in our
hearts. We come to church to make and renew covenants. We go home to live those covenants. The home is the true laboratory of living the Gospel.
From the youth speaker, Lexi Cheney: Social media fast taught me that I am more fully present when I step away from my phone and social media. I want to be more present with others in my life.
LeAnn Miller: She felt the power of the Book of Mormon as she did the challenge by Pres. Nelson.
Julie Bullen (Mission Pres.'s wife): Bring others to Christ
1. Prayer - Pray to know who to help or contact
2. Share your experience of the Book of Mormon with a friend, how it has blessed your life, or helped you. Use the "Tab" Book of Mormons. 15 Questions listed at the beginning of the BofM. The tabs lead you to an answer in the BofM. Give an "open" BofM. Hand someone a BofM that is opened and show him a scripture that is meaningful to you.
3. Share why you go to Church.
Pres. Bullen:
1. Prime Time: 5-7 pm is the best finding hours. Look for those who are
"lost." Luke - lost sheep, coins
2. 8-9 pm Missionaries be in members homes.
3. Hearts Burn Within Us - D&C 46:13
Bible Dictionary has excellent description of Christ. "Awkward is Beautiful."
Elder Ghent:
Ocean rip currents - dangerous area to swim
Life Guards put up red flags to show the safe areas to swim. They warn parents of the safe areas for their children to swim
Pres. Lewis, his counselors, and Bishops are those life guards to protect you.
"If there is no God, nothing matters."
"If there is a God, nothing else matters."
Parable of the Jigsaw Puzzle
What are the first pieces you look for? The fours corners.
Next: Find the side pieces
Next: Start filling in the middle with the other pieces.
If a piece doesn't fit, do we take our scissors to make it fit?
The best part of the puzzle is the conversation that goes on as you're doing it.
Look for the 4 corners of the Gospel Puzzle
1. Godhead
2. Restoration - fruits, the Book of Mormon and the Priesthood
3. Knowing there are living Prophets on the earth
4. Personal Revelation - the influence of the Holy Ghost. Remember past spiritual experiences.
Outside edge Puzzle Pieces
Temple Covenants
Service
Love of God
Other Covenants
Interior pieces
Traditions
Way we were raised
Policy changes
Just because we don't know where they fit, we don't change them, or get rid of them. Do not assume that something is unexplainable. Those who struggle among you, sit down with them and help them do the puzzle.
Christ's invitation:
Isaiah 1:18 "Come now let us reason together...sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow... We can see the purity of the white snow with this recent snow storm.
2nd invitation: John 1:38 "What seek ye?" "Where dwellest thou?"
verse 39: "Come and see."
Regularly invite others to
Come and See where Jesus dwells, in our temples, our homes, where the spirit dwells.
3rd invitation: Matt 11:28-30 "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
He shared experience of hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with a heavy pack. He wondered how he would ever be able to carry his pack back out. Someone came along with mules and offered to carry something back for them. This is what Jesus does for us. He carries our heavy pack as we join with him, as we yoke ourselves with him.
As we left the building, the radiant sunshine shining on the perfectly pure white snow was spectacular! I felt like rejoicing. It was almost like Heavenly Father giving us a gift of His radiant light after making the sacrifice not to cancel our stake conference, but to go forward with faith.
Ondalynn's message on Groupme after I posted about stake conference: Way to go Mom & Dad!! I'm convinced that the prayers of your stake single handedly thwarted another snowfall that was suppose to hit last night! Blessings!
I don't know if the prayers of our stake changed the course of the storm or not, but we had numerous tender mercies that blessed us to know that God was aware of us and our needs. He is so good.
Dad came home exhausted later that day after getting Elder Ghent to the airport. What a relief to have it over without any serious mishap to anyone. We're so grateful that the power didn't go out, that the furnace in the Sandy building came on before Sunday for members to watch in that building. We're grateful for the rich outpouring of the spirit in our meetings.
