Feeling Faint?

Last week at the beginning of Relief Society a sister in the back row fainted. Already a bit under the weather, she was also fasting. Without any signs that she wasn't doing well, she began to fall, and two sisters caught her. She was gently rested on the floor at their feet, where immediately there were kind hands straightening her clothing and making her comfortable. Someone was immediately on the phone with 911, though that may have been a bit premature, it was quick and decisive thinking. A nurse in the room began taking note of her pulse and heart rate, and a two doctors in the ward were with her within two minutes. The rest of us just cleared back to give her some air, and in hushed tones spoke of her sweet nature and gentle spirit. There was not one negative thought for her, only love and concern. She was out for a few minutes, while someone ran to get orange juice for her. She began to come around and the doctors said her husband could take her home to care for her. Others followed her progress until she was well.
I was thinking about her, and wondering how she was feeling, when it occurred to me that her faintness was visible for everyone to see. Since we could see her in trouble we knew how to react and rescue. I wondered how many of us have spirits that are a bit under the weather, and feeling faint? We push on, and on, and try to keep a smile on our faces while operating under trying conditions, as if fasting on an already weakened spiritual body. If we could see it, would we be faster to rush to the aid of someone who has spiritually fainted? I bet we would be as eager to straighten them, give them tender care, if only we knew they needed it.
I guess that's why friends are such an important part of our lives. They see almost imperceptible signs that we are wobbly, and need shoring up. Loved ones can spot the smallest difference in our posture, or the look on our faces, or sound of our voice, that tells them we are feeling a little faint.
I am thankful for those who sensitively minister to the faint in heart. Whether our collapses are visible or not, we all need hands and hearts to help us when we faint; physically or spiritually. May we be less afraid to ask for help ourselves, and more able to see when others need our help, lest they faint.

More Memories

Each temple built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a beautiful building. They reflect the regional flavor of the area, the grounds are always impeccable, and to me, the decor inside might be deemed "understated elegance."


There are sweet, all dressed-in-white volunteers to greet you, waiting to help you along every step of the way. You can feel the peace and good will as soon as you enter the front doors. I think the cleanliness of your surroundings, and being greeted with genuine smiles, helps contribute to the feeling that you have arrived 'home', and that while you are within those walls you are safe from the cares of the everyday world.
For the last two Saturdays we have had the blessing and joy of being at the temple with Amanda and Bryant. Last Saturday we were privileged to witness their beautiful little family be sealed to one another for time and all eternity. What radiant faces, and beautiful children! My heart was so full as I watched a miracle come to pass. I don't think Bryant will mind me calling him a miracle, as he has expressed the same; The atonement of Jesus Christ took place for people who make mistakes; guess that encompasses all of us, huh?
How amazingly hard to take in, "that he should care for me, enough to die for me. Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me."

Sun and Sand...

If you want to keep most kids happy, take them to water. If you can throw in some sand and shells, so much the better. If you can bring food, and provide a bucket and a shovel, you are almost guaranteed a successful outing. And real sunshine? Ah, now you have "a little bit of heaven right there."

"Salty"

One gorgeous day a couple of weeks ago we had Jacey, Lucas and Taylor for part of a day. We went to the water to splash around and have a picnic, and this little fellow got curious and decided to investigate us. We were amazed as the little round head got close enough to distinguish between a sea otter and a seal, then more so as he swam closer still. He nuzzled the kayak that Taylor was sitting in, even as she leaned over to try to pet it. It would swim away, and we'd think that was it, and then suddenly he'd be closer than ever. The last picture I took he was literally just looking up at me, as I bent over to take that picture he seemed to pose for me. I wish I had snapped my toes into the picture, to show that he was honestly right at my feet.
Jacey named him Salty, and he played with us for about 45 minutes before he finally wandered away down the beach. I do hope his mama called for him, and they were reunited.
My dad used to say if you see a seal you might as well pack up your fishing gear and go somewhere else, because you aren't ever going to beat a seal to a fish. But since we never catch a fish anyway, it was awesome to have this sea animal in the palm of our hands.

Baby DNA?

Is it instinctual? Baby DNA? No one in their right mind would teach them, so they must know these things the same as they know to cry when they're hungry. They don't always know to sleep if they're tired, sometimes they just scream instead of sleep. They don't always know that you're trying to help them, or they would let you put a sweater on their little arms, or wrap them in a blanket instead of kick it off. So how do they know it? How do they know to put their head down, and push against you with their hands and feet when they want down? How do they know to raise their arms up and go slack to fall out of your arms? How do they know to bend their knees and throw themselves backward? How do they know which decibel, and which pitch, and for how long, will split your ear drums? No one has ever slapped them, so how do they know to slap you? How do they know how to spit food? No one ever modeled that for them! What are they thinking when sometimes they smile at your faces and sometimes they just stare at you? Just wondering...

Me, too.

Today in Sunday School we were talking about hypocrites in the scriptures; the scribes and pharisees who wanted to trick and trap Jesus, but not listen to him. Then we talked about those who truly worshiped him, and wanted to show their love and devotion to him. When He entered Jerusalem they put down palm leaves and shouted hosannas when they saw him. We read about the woman who washed his feet, and dried them with her hair, a very personal expression of her devotion. The question was then posed to the class, "How can we worship the Savior better?" and there were some good answers given. We can think on the sacrament more deeply, we can be more reverent in the chapel. We can be on time and sit a moment quietly contemplating. We can attend the temple, and we can serve one another. Then Brother Taylor, in complete candor and honesty, said that he wished he could worship better, that sometimes he felt he lacked a way to show the love and gratitude that he feels in his heart. More people offered that serving is the way we show our love, that giving of our time and means is the way we give honor to him. Some said we could be more diligent in our prayers. Others said that there are opportunities to serve everywhere.
I felt for him, as he sat quietly listening to people talk. There seemed to be a sadness in his eyes. I think I know what he was trying to say. I consciously limit my comments to one per class, and this was where I chose to use it. When it was my turn I said that when Dallin Oakes was here last year, we all made a point to be where he was. We got to the building very early, we couldn't wait to see him, to shake his hand if possible. Think of the sacrifices we were willing to make to share time with him. He is an apostle of the Lord, who walks and talks to prophets. Just that connection makes us want to be near him. I said sometimes I wish I could get a glance of the Savior too, and be the one to wash his feet with my tears,and dry them with my hair.
What we'd give to touch his robe, to give him a drink of water, to feed him bread! Yes, I understand that the closest we'll get to it in this life is to 'do it unto the least of these, our brethren'. I understand 'he has no hands but ours'. I get that service is our expression of faithful devotion. But sometimes there is an ache, a sadness, perhaps a kind of loneliness that washes over us. I think perhaps it is our homesick spirit wishing for the associations we once had with loved ones, our Father, and our Savior. We have left a home we knew long, and loved well. I felt Brother Taylor's sweet spirit just yearning for a way to express to Jesus Christ his great appreciation for his sacrifices. Maybe he and I just need to bolster our faith that He knows when we serve our brothers and sisters that we are thanking him, but I think he knows we'd all love to say thanks in person, too. Guess we'll just have to do our best here, and wait with rejoicing for another day and time for that.

Ya Probably Had to be There...

Well, this family dinner started out like most of the others; a few dozen people, lots of good food, smiles, Legos get thrown at each other, birthdays and baby-dolls. Somewhere along the way, I think it started with Jacey, things took a turn for the weird.
It was Allison's 2nd birthday, and I gave her a summer outfit and a little baby doll. She wanted the outfit on the babydoll, which wish was accomodated. Those were pretty normal photo op's. There was lots of yummy food, and I think we were all full of sweet and sour chicken and rice, feeling pretty mellow, when Jacey raced downstairs as Batgirl. Lucas was Batman, and Sarah was Anne of Green Gables, though she didn't actually know that's who she looked like. The yellow thing Taylor found? Um, you'll have to use your imagination on that one. Obviously the dress up trunk was open...
Next Jacey wanted to have a play. She was making up a story and she wanted the adults to dress up and be a part of it. Nobody was especially interested in being a part of her story. She was quite disappointed. (I couldn't help thinking that if Alice and Adaline had been here they would have helped her do it right.) Jennis took it a kangaroo/Joey kind of direction, but that was not what Jacey had in mind. She looked at Joel with her big sad eyes, and he said okay, he would put on the costume change she had ready. Now, that hot pink thing has white fur trim, and is really quite the get-up. We all laughed pretty hard when he put it on. I remarked that only real men were confident enough to wear pink. Jacey turned to her own dad, and said, "You put it on, Dad." At first he said no, but it was pretty hard to turn her down now that Uncle Joel had done it. All eyes went to Bryant, who said no way, no how. Then he said, "You better enjoy it this once, cause it ain't happening again." Chris Murray said, no, he'd rip it, but all the men said it was remarkably stretchy. Okay, you gotta admit, even if you weren't there, that that is one of the funniest things you have ever seen a big guy do. (Joel was singing, "Fat man in a little coat," if you remember Chris Farley in that movie). It reminded me of those dumb pages on yahoo that say, "Two Stars Show Up in Same Dress; Who Wore it Better?"
Oh, our sides hurt. What a bunch of goof-balls. I think we have been indoors waaaay too many months. Maybe next month we can actually walk to the beach for our entertainment, like normal people do. But then again, maybe not.