Angela – Page 14 – Letters from Home

No. 17

I took a long break, but came back to doll making recently. My dolls are mostly intended for people grieving the loss of a loved one. As I create them, I often try to reflect the clothing style, facial features, and hair of the one I wish to honor.

With Joann out of business, I have lost my usual supplier of yarn and fabrics. And just this week, I discovered that my sources for handmade doll clothes and crocheted shoes are also gone. I have sewn a few outfits over the years, but it was one of those crazy miracles that I could usually find the perfect clothing from vendor booths at a local shop. Anything from cowboy gear to a Hawaiian muumuu, a fairy costume to beautiful white dresses, those little booths were a great help.

I dressed this newest doll in clothing and shoes I set aside years ago, just in case. It felt good to be prepared.

Personal ministry

I have been thinking about personal ministry lately. I’m talking about taking care of people, not by formal assignment, but because I want to. I got a little rusty at this during the last year, focusing on sending Mark on a mission, then reclaiming our home and my identity. As I begin to pick up the service I used to do in my neighborhood, I am realizing that there are skills and strategies to relearn to be a good minister to others.

There are physical strategies, such as having food in the house and freezer to put together a meal, or some simple, wrapped gifts ready for birthday deliveries. Also, having an eye to see who is missing or on the margins and making time to reach out to them.

There is definitely a spiritual component. Often, personal ministry is uncomfortable and makes me feel vulnerable. I don’t think I’m ever confident that I’m saying or doing the right thing. It takes spiritual courage to show up with stumbling words or a gift they might not like.

Understanding my personal limitations is important. Sometimes I want to do something generous, but the week is full or I am depleted, so I do something small or postpone the grand gesture. Whether or not I can do something tangible, I can always pray. I have learned that prayer is a valid and important way to minister.

Fun evening

I took about 200 pictures of Tim and Queenie on Saturday night at Albion Basin with a backdrop of wildflowers, mountain peaks, and a beautiful sunset. Wildflower season brings crowds, and Richard circled in the truck, waiting for a parking spot while we began taking photos. Somehow, among all the brides and grooms and families, we were able to take photos without people in the background. I told them to pretend they were the only ones there and not worry about onlookers. Other times, we had the path to ourselves. I felt pretty lucky to have this time with them.

The Friday before Sunday School

I’m teaching Sunday School in a couple of days, and this is the state of my mind and my kitchen table. I have learned the best preparation is to read the scripture assignment as many times as I can and look for treasures. The Come Follow Me manual is the best study guide.

A small amount of time goes into other research (that stack of books). I don’t listen to podcasts because my class members are already doing that.

I keep notes and ideas on post-it notes to add or toss from the lesson plan, and most weeks the discussion travels beyond this map. In the end, I can’t claim credit for the things people learn from the discussion, but this is my process.

Ældste Ross’s Monkeys in Aalborg

The original monkeys that inspired it all, purchased from a vending machine in 2008.

Mark sent me a voice message he received this week from Emily in Denmark. In the message, she tells Mark that she keeps one of his tiny monkeys in her kitchen as a reminder of his kindness. Six months ago, Mark hid monkeys for her children throughout their home.

I’ve written before that Mark likes to hide monkeys and yes, they are pretty silly. But this small and completely authentic habit endeared Mark to Emily’s family.

The Lord translates into love whatever earnest offerings His young authorized servants have to give. To be clear, Mark did more than hide monkeys, and Emily and her family were super kind to the missionaries. This voice message reminded me that the Lord is really good at multiplying love and helping people feel seen. He can use any small thing, even tiny plastic monkeys, to accomplish his purpose to lift us.

10 years ago…

Ten years ago this month, we began serving in a Relief Society presidency together. I didn’t know Charlene and Cindy well, but I knew they should be my counselors. They were the right women for the challenges that came and they taught me so much. We are forever friends.

A lot has happened during the last ten years of our lives: the passing of a husband, health troubles, marriages, missions… But when I walk into church and find them in their usual places, they lift me every single time. Our secretary Kristy has moved away, but she’s remembered and loved, too.

An important quote guiding my current study of D&C 76

While one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and parental regard…He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the narrow, contracted notions of men…

-Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 218.

Backyard buddy

Paige’s little boy loves to be outdoors. During their visit, we spent evenings in the backyard catching bugs, studying the I-spy quilt, and holding his hand as he walked around. When the crew arrived to take down our old fence, he and Richard spent some time watching the process. Later, when telling us all about it, he imitated the sounds of the fence crashing down. Who needs a lot of words when you can imitate the sounds of tools and workers so well?

Those tiny moments together this week amount to more than most events of my life.