We attended a wonderful Sacrament Meeting yesterday (23 people attended) and enjoyed an Easter Dinner at our Relief Society President's home, Cindy Pugh, along with her husband, Garry. We appreciated the invitation since we had decided not to do an Easter dinner here for ourselves. We briefly texted family back home just wanting them to know we love them and are thinking of them... missing them too.
We have had the opportunity to spend more time with our friends, Sheree and Arthur. Sheree has been to Church five weeks in a row. She attended David's baptism last week. I asked her how she felt and she told me she felt home and that this was where she belonged. I believe I mentioned in an earlier email that she asked us to visit her 50 year old brother in a care facility. She told us that he was placed on Hospice so we went by this week. He was unable to communicate by words, but before we left we asked if we could sing him a song (yes, us) and we sang "I Am A Child of God." He turned his head to Sheree with a big smile and then turned back to us with a huge smile and watched us finish the song. It was a sweet, tender moment. He has been special needs all his life and we could feel his goodness. A couple of days later, he learned he passed away. Sheree wasn't going to have a funeral for him, but wanted a short graveside service in a little town she grew up in called Spruce about 2 hours away. We asked if we could come, but she said no it was too far away. The day before Jack's burial, she called and asked if we would come and "pray over Jack's grave" for her. We went and Elder Gibbons dedicated the grave. There was about twelve other people there and probably 8 of them were special needs friends of Jack's from the place he lived most of his adult life. We know, and testify, that because Jesus was resurrected Jack (and we) will be too. We know he was a choice son of God and will be given the opportunity to be whole and complete and that he is enjoying this blessing now.
On our two hour drive we saw our first Amish carriage. As you might know, they do not use motorized vehicles and they don't take pictures of themselves considering it vain. We took a picture from behind so you can't see the horse. They appear to be a sweet and simple people.
We went to visit a sister in our Branch and her husband and she had a granddaughter visiting. Meet our new friend, Vivian. She gave me a necklace she had just made (it has little Easter baskets) and then a picture of Jesus on the Cross that she drew. Grandma had just taken her to Goodwill and bought her some tap shoes and she was practicing some new moves. I was tempted to show her some. Afterall, I took tap lessons for a few weeks when I was her age. Didn't enjoy ballet, so tap was the next best thing. LOL.
On Saturday we went to Sister Richard's house (David's--who was baptized--grandparents house. Elder Gibbons and I were going to help Grandpa fix Sweet Pea's (the turkey) coop. Sister Pugh and her husband asked to come as well. So the three men attempted to fix it, but didn't end up having all the needed materials. They made a good attempt for now.
Elder Gibbons can make anything fun... if he can stay warm doing it. It was 35 degrees and he was out there for about 2 1/2 hours. This is what his hair looked like after taking off his beanie that he wore underneath the hood of his jacket. I am surprised he let me take his picture. I don't know if you know this about Elder Gibbons, but he is very particular about his hair.
I have posted a picture of Sweet Pea before, but this is her in full stature out of her pen. She actually scared me a bit because she was strutting right for me showing off her plumage. Do turkeys even have plumage?
One evening after returning home, we were sitting in our office. It had rained a bit and we looked out to see a beautiful sight in our backyard. First, I will show you what it actually looks like right now...
But with the sun going down and the rain just stopping here is what it looked like. So gorgeous!
Let me end today by sharing a link to an Easter message posted from a Prophet of God. I found it because our daughter, Nicole, shared it on her Facebook. Such loving words of counsel about forgiveness.
No comments:
Post a Comment