Author: Angela

I write so my family will always have letters from home.

Missionary Monday

“These last few weeks have really just driven home my gratitude for the all-encompassing perfection of God’s plan.” -Elder Ross

I came across this song by divine accident after visiting with Daniel today. The tender voice of Collin Raye and the lyrics spoke to my thoughts and mood as nothing else could.

Here I Am, Lord

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry,
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save. I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright,
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people´s pain,
I have wept for love of them, they turn away. I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone,
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I will hold Your people in my heart.

I Read It Aloud

“Read the Gospel of Mark aloud,” I have been told several times in my life. “That’s the way it was meant to be experienced, aloud and during one sitting. It will take you a couple of hours.”

Well, today I did it, using Julie Smith’s rendition. It took less than two hours to finish. The King James Version is still awesome, but a modern language translation helped me see things I did not see before.

Her rendition is free on the Kindle. (LINK) If you have two hours alone, I recommend you read it aloud (or any way you like) and enjoy the good news.

Hello, Elder Ross!

We had a nice text exchange with our missionary for the first time today.

With a home centered focus at church, it makes sense that home and missionary work should mingle more often. Home and family are central to God’s plan. They can add strength. If they don’t, we can trust the missionaries and mission presidents and families to figure things out.

A few weeks ago, Daniel wrote to me, expressing that he wished he had talked to me more. What a blessing it is that we can now. Who else is excited in our house about this? His two brothers. This will bless their lives. Amen.

Organization

I have a sous chef in the house who likes to get creative with the spices. Lately, I have not been able to find anything in the cupboard because someone else has been using it. It was time to get organized.

I can find everything easily now, and Mark’s go-to spices have their own container. Why does this thrill me so much?

I did it to the medicine cabinet, too.

These are from Target. They are clear so you can see everything in them, they are as deep as my cabinets, and pull out easily. I bought every one from two Targets. I also bought some other sizes and they were a highlight from my week until I learned that missionaries can call home every week now.

Music this Week

I smile when I think of my violin students. I am just so lucky. They are doing really hard things in their violin study and I am proud of them.
We had another recital and Timothy played a dissonant piece with a rhythm not unlike chopsticks. Paige played the same piece years ago, so we really know it at our house. Only a good pianist can play it, so good job, Tim. A lot of the song is played with one hand on top of the other.
Mark played a couple of sonatinas really well.

Throwback Thursday time: “The Mamas” and me from Fiddler on the Roof. I am accompanying on the violin one of these women as she sings this weekend. Unfortunately, it isn’t a song from Fiddler, but it is a good one. I cannot believe this photo was taken six years ago. Many of these women have become good friends to me.

This morning I needed something good and this is what happened

You know how it goes. You think you’re set for the next little while, life is predictable or at least monotonous, and one little thing shifts and zap, everything that was fine is no longer manageable. Maybe you don’t know. But that was me this morning. I figured I would face the day only if I could be late to my class so I wouldn’t have to talk to anybody. Fragile: Handle with Care, my label would read. I listened to uplifting music and took great care to keep myself still. Around 8:30 I noticed my friend’s newly published book was sitting in the entry in its packaging. I cried as I read her acknowledgements and introduction. Her book is amazing and absolutely beautiful. Someone then knocked on my door, returned a dish, and was extra kind in her words to me. She didn’t mention the smudged mascara under my eyes. But I think she saw a happy person at the door, because I was by then. I needed a boost, and Heavenly Father was quick to deliver today. He has been extra close all day. I felt Him in the words of scripture, in the kindness of my friend at the door so early in the morning, in a message of gratitude, in an accomplishment of a friend, in the wave from my neighbor as she got her paper, and in being able to figure out a solution to a problem. He made it possible to manage today. He always does.

Magic

The evening light began in a shade of eerie steel blue and then turned gray with snow. We switched on the four wheel drive and made our way in the blizzard to the airport. We had the wrong time for the flight, so we sat in the park and wait lot for an hour and a half, watching snow rush past in horizontal sheets. We conserved our resources and kept the truck off until it got too cold and I asked Richard to turn on the heat for a few minutes. No keys. Anywhere. We hadn’t left the truck, but they were simply not there. We got out of our seats, opened a door and searched every crevice with flashlights. Finally, after several minutes going through pockets outside, and just as I began my prayer, Richard was back. The keys had fallen down one leg of his snow pants. Salvation in wool socks up against the heating vents. We read our books in silence, every now and then one of us calling our traveler but not getting through.

Our precious traveler retrieved, we made it back to our house, but now 7 inches of snow covered our driveway. Richard cleared the driveway until past 11 pm. Courage in snow pants and an old parka. As I drifted off to sleep, the smoke alarm sounded. Dead battery. Dead tired parents. I got a few hours of sleep before waking at 4 to write to Daniel. It’s a small part of valor, but I claim it.

Today the demon storm shows its effects in the sunlight. Glittery diamonds in a shocking field of blue-white cast their reflection, brightening dim corners in the house and in my mind. Winter has worked its magic and we are friends again.

LINK to our family’s study guide of John 2-4.

Good things

Tonight we ate cake to celebrate Daniel’s first six months on his mission.

My sister Sarah sent me a book for a surprise, along with a kind note. I got it on the snowy day when we were stranded at home because the plows couldn’t get to our street until early evening.

Paige is in New York this weekend for an illustration conference. Her boyfriend came to dinner on Sunday. We like him.

5 new feet of snow fell at Alta ski resort.

My week has been punctuated by time with friends, and wow, it has been so fun.