Did I mention that it would be a tough assignment to speak in the worship service on our last day at the prison? Well, it was tougher than I had imagined.
There is a wonderful spirit in the Promontory Branch. We have a great Bishopric. They are completely devoted to the needs of our friends in the branch. The men we meet with are at different points on the path to freedom - both physically and spiritually. It is a very stark place where we meet. By the time we get to the cinder block room where services are held, we have gone through five doors and have scanned our ID badges three times. As a door opens and you proceed through, that door closes and locks behind you and you are in a vestibule of sorts. When the door behind you locks, the door in front of you opens and allows you into the next space. The inmates joke that it is harder for us to get into prison, than for them to get out!
Humor plays a large part in prison life. I suppose it is either "laugh or cry". We have done both with these men who have become our friends. When our daughter in law, Loreen and her friend Bobby came to perform, Loreen asked if there were any requests. "Please release me" was among the requests.
But I digress. The room in which we meet is made of painted cinder blocks. There is a black line around the room. On the walls are the words "No spitting". "Keep your feet off the walls". "This door is to remain locked at all times". You can tell it is Sunday because the piano is at the front of the room, there is a podium, and we have a picture of the Savior hanging at the front of the room. The chairs are molded plastic patio chairs that stack on top of each other at the close of services. Promontory Branch has a fabulous choir. Susan, the accompanist and choir director comes a couple of times each week to help prepare the choir for Sunday performances. Music always invites the spirit, but to hear these wonderful men's voices is to experience the spirit directly into your heart.
We could have attended another activity during the month of May, but chose to leave on a spiritual note, bearing testimony.
Jerry gave a great talk on the subject of Hope - "Hope in Christ". My talk was on the atonement. We felt a lot of emotion as we bade our friends goodbye. This assignment has helped me to "get over myself" and get real. It has made me a better person. Two sayings come to mind: "There but for the Grace of God, go I". "Never say never"!!
So, now for the final few weeks! Eighteen days from today, we enter the MTC for a week of training. Most of the practical, day-to-day tasks here at home have been taken care of. When I study, I am reminded that I am of a "certain age". My brain doesn't retain information as easily as it used to! Gratefully, the Lord makes up the difference and I will just do my very best.
More later.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
April 26, 2012.
Two more steps toward missionary-hood.
Step one: Next Monday, Jerry is retiring from corporate life. A stellar career crossing 44 years of our marriage. Words can't express my gratitude for all the hard work he has done for our family. We were talking about it the other day, and he said he has worked since he was 12 when he had his first paper route in Anaheim, California. When he took over the route, he had about 17 customers and built it up to 80. His career in sales started early. He had other jobs throughout jr. high and high school. He cleaned pools - a job he loves to this day and worked in a deli. At one point in high school, he lived with his Uncle Don and Aunt Lorna and went to work with Uncle Don every day at Sinclair Paint in Los Angeles. Uncle Don was the CFO of the company, and Jerry worked in the warehouse, lifting five gallon paint buckets all day long. This was how he saved most of his money for his mission. One day, as they pulled into the parking lot, there was a line of identical cars in front of the building. Uncle Don explained that these cars were provided for the sales people and the company paid for the gas. Thus was planted the seed of a career that began shortly after his mission. Thanks, Jerry! I love you.
Step two: We both went to the doctor and passed our final physicals. Dr. Merrill checked out the blood tests, etc. I think he really just wanted to talk about missions. Dr. Merrill is a member of a branch presidency at the MTC and is excited about the work. One more Hepatitis A&B shot and we are good to go!
This Sunday will mark our last day of service at the prison. We have been serving as Family Home Evening volunteers for the past 17 months, a calling which has blessed our lives profoundly. Our area of service has been in the Promontory Branch, which focuses on addiction and recovery. The inmates there have become our dear friends and we will greatly miss them. Perhaps when we return from our mission, we can resume our work there. We have come to know how much the Savior loves each one of us and knows us by name. Some of the members of our little family there do not receive any visitors and they have turned to us to be there consistently for them. I have become more acutely aware of the blessings of the Atonement. We will give our farewell talks on Sunday - tough assignment!
More later.
Two more steps toward missionary-hood.
Step one: Next Monday, Jerry is retiring from corporate life. A stellar career crossing 44 years of our marriage. Words can't express my gratitude for all the hard work he has done for our family. We were talking about it the other day, and he said he has worked since he was 12 when he had his first paper route in Anaheim, California. When he took over the route, he had about 17 customers and built it up to 80. His career in sales started early. He had other jobs throughout jr. high and high school. He cleaned pools - a job he loves to this day and worked in a deli. At one point in high school, he lived with his Uncle Don and Aunt Lorna and went to work with Uncle Don every day at Sinclair Paint in Los Angeles. Uncle Don was the CFO of the company, and Jerry worked in the warehouse, lifting five gallon paint buckets all day long. This was how he saved most of his money for his mission. One day, as they pulled into the parking lot, there was a line of identical cars in front of the building. Uncle Don explained that these cars were provided for the sales people and the company paid for the gas. Thus was planted the seed of a career that began shortly after his mission. Thanks, Jerry! I love you.
Step two: We both went to the doctor and passed our final physicals. Dr. Merrill checked out the blood tests, etc. I think he really just wanted to talk about missions. Dr. Merrill is a member of a branch presidency at the MTC and is excited about the work. One more Hepatitis A&B shot and we are good to go!
This Sunday will mark our last day of service at the prison. We have been serving as Family Home Evening volunteers for the past 17 months, a calling which has blessed our lives profoundly. Our area of service has been in the Promontory Branch, which focuses on addiction and recovery. The inmates there have become our dear friends and we will greatly miss them. Perhaps when we return from our mission, we can resume our work there. We have come to know how much the Savior loves each one of us and knows us by name. Some of the members of our little family there do not receive any visitors and they have turned to us to be there consistently for them. I have become more acutely aware of the blessings of the Atonement. We will give our farewell talks on Sunday - tough assignment!
More later.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
In the beginning:
Jerry and I have dreamed of serving together as missionaries as long as we've been married. He served in the Great Lakes Mission in 1964 - 1966. Todd served in Korea, Shawn served in Chile and Vanessa served in Brazil. We love the missionary spirit.
Now our children are raised and on their own and our grandchildren are in great hands. We will finish our service at the prison this Sunday and it's time to get out there and serve a mission.
THIS IS HARD! How did I not know all the emotions that go into preparing to leave and serve? Good thing I have such a wonderful companion. I don't know how I could do this alone! At first, my mind began reviewing all the "to-do's" : what do I wear? should we leave the house vacant or have someone live here? what about the cars? , etc. Then I began to realize that these are just "things" and the spirit took over to help me give up my "self" and to prepare spiritually. It's so interesting when that happens. Almost as if I am watching myself in a movie, going through all the daily motions, while inside I am growing and changing and allowing myself to not be in charge or control, but rather to do the right thing and everything will work out. I do know that preparation is the key. Now that we are physically prepared, the house is in order, etc. it is wonderful. I am disconnected from the house, while still engaged in the process of preparing it for others to come and enjoy it while I am away. A year ago, I was adamant that I could not have anyone else in my home. Now I understand! I don't need this home while I am serving, and this home can serve someone else. Check that off the list!
When our calls came, we thought about waiting a couple of days until we were all together as a family, but that thought quickly fled. We were too excited! We picked up the phones and started to call everyone and share our excitement. Our kids were so excited with us and told all the grandchildren. We used Facetime to tell the three grandchildren in Austin, TX. I posted on Facebook and received such lovely replies. Three other couples posted their mission calls also and we feel like part of a worldwide team. "Member and Leadership Development" is the name of our call. Our Mission President (a dear friend) wants us to be finding and teaching. There has been good success with the couple before us. They will be released early in May and we look forward to meeting with them before we go.
That's all for now.
Now our children are raised and on their own and our grandchildren are in great hands. We will finish our service at the prison this Sunday and it's time to get out there and serve a mission.
THIS IS HARD! How did I not know all the emotions that go into preparing to leave and serve? Good thing I have such a wonderful companion. I don't know how I could do this alone! At first, my mind began reviewing all the "to-do's" : what do I wear? should we leave the house vacant or have someone live here? what about the cars? , etc. Then I began to realize that these are just "things" and the spirit took over to help me give up my "self" and to prepare spiritually. It's so interesting when that happens. Almost as if I am watching myself in a movie, going through all the daily motions, while inside I am growing and changing and allowing myself to not be in charge or control, but rather to do the right thing and everything will work out. I do know that preparation is the key. Now that we are physically prepared, the house is in order, etc. it is wonderful. I am disconnected from the house, while still engaged in the process of preparing it for others to come and enjoy it while I am away. A year ago, I was adamant that I could not have anyone else in my home. Now I understand! I don't need this home while I am serving, and this home can serve someone else. Check that off the list!
When our calls came, we thought about waiting a couple of days until we were all together as a family, but that thought quickly fled. We were too excited! We picked up the phones and started to call everyone and share our excitement. Our kids were so excited with us and told all the grandchildren. We used Facetime to tell the three grandchildren in Austin, TX. I posted on Facebook and received such lovely replies. Three other couples posted their mission calls also and we feel like part of a worldwide team. "Member and Leadership Development" is the name of our call. Our Mission President (a dear friend) wants us to be finding and teaching. There has been good success with the couple before us. They will be released early in May and we look forward to meeting with them before we go.
That's all for now.
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