Pray – All About Becoming

Scars

I was pretty excited tonight when my husband told me that Joe Empey would be speaking to the youth tonight at the church. Joe was one of the missionary’s in the Brussels Terrorist bombing that happened last year. I haven’t heard his story from him yet, so was excited to go. He only had maybe 10 min, but there was something that happened that made a huge impact on me.

Joe was telling about what happened just after the bomb went off: being unconscious, waking up, realizing what was going and somehow being aware of exactly what it was, finding his companion, looking for others, then the pain setting in. As he approached his companion and asked if he was okay, he asked where the sister was and if she was ok. His companion said, “she’s burned like you.” Joe said he then looked down at his hands and realized he was burned. “I still have the burns and scars here on my hand,” he said, holding it up.

As “the oil lady,” my first thought was, “I need to get him some oils to help that scaring.” And then I heard it. “He’s going to want this scar. I still have mine.” My heart began to swell. Joe will treasure this scar. Not because he’s a boy who thinks scars are cool and a sign of manhood like my boys do. But this one is different. This one tells a story. This one has deep meaning. This one is about a miracle of a life being saved– physically and spiritually. This one tells about how many others were “saved,” too.

Joe went on to say that in the hospital after the accident, he questioned why missionaries who were spreading love and teaching of Christ would have this happen to them. And his answer came through a scripture he read while in the hospital. John 16:32-33

32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

For a young man thousands of miles from home. No family there. In the middle of a terrorist attack, it’s no wonder that he saw the tribulation of the world, but was given powerful comfort from the Savior. So many people have been touched by this story. Probably more missionary work from this one event than he ever anticipated.

But my mind came back to the scars. As women we are often trying to hide the scars, the wrinkles, the battlewounds from life. I thought of all the healing I’ve been trying to do to be whole again. I thought of how many times I’ve asked to touch the robe or to jump in a pool of Bethesda. I KNOW Christ and my Heavenly Father can heal EVERYTHING and make it all perfect. So why am I not healed?

And yet Christ, who could raise from the dead, still has scars. He could get rid of them. He IS whole and perfect. But He still has scars. And to those whom He has appeared, they’ve seen them with their eyes, touched them with their hands, and bathed them with their tears. I picture this over and over in my head all the time. That glorious day when I meet Him. I’ll see the scars!

And I’ll know the story they tell. The price they paid. The pain. The struggle. The battle. Wanting the cup removed. The miracle. People saved. God’s love felt.

Joe, those hands gave me a glimpse of God’s love tonight. Those beautiful scarred hands– yours and His– that tell a wonderful, powerful story. It made me long for that day. And, He also let me know that the struggles we are going through that give us scars remind us of a great battle won, a victory gained, experience given, wisdom learned, and pure love felt. Those scars change us. And even though we’d like to look perfect or be whole, that little bit serves as a reminder of God’s perfect love for us and how it changed us.

“…In ME ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

And His hands remind me that indeed He has overcome the world. Those scars let me know He has.

Thank you, Joe. for allowing me to take a picture of your hands to always remind me that scars are a beautiful reminder that we are not alone!

Which Part Are You Aiming For?

Several years ago I had a powerful experience that changed my thought directive and gave me hope for the tough times ahead. (read that full story HERE). I’ll give you the shortened version here to set the stage. It was 2008, the economy had crashed, things were not looking great and several of our friends in the construction world were losing their business. Things were tough and scary. I happened to attend a Women’s Conference this one particular evening and while singing the song, “Now Let Us Rejoice,” these words popped out to my wandering mind. “… to guide through these last days of trouble and gloom.” It was like a brick was dropped on my head as I realized that was TODAY! But I needed the answer of what would guide me. As my thoughts began to process, I found the answer in “..In faith we’ll rely on the arm of Jehovah….” I had been having deep concerns of how I was ever going to make it through the “last days.” There was so much negativity and fear. But a voice seemed to ask me a question…. “what are you focusing on?”

I stopped and thought about that. What was I spending my time thinking about and focusing on? It was mostly fear and scarcity and those signs of the times that talk about destruction, hearts failing, calamaties, and nothing that sounded good, fun or peaceful. Into my head popped a law I had been studying called, “the law of polarity or opposition.” It states that everything has an EQUAL and an EXACT opposite. If something is really really bad, then by law, there is something really really good. Both are present, but what you focus on creates the outcome you are feeling and living. I had been living in fear and scarcity and new I needed to change my focus. But to what?? If things were so bad in the world, what was good? I thought that the “the signs of the times” often came with fear, but what was the good part in that? And then it hit me like a bolt of lightening…..

CHRIST IS COMING!

And then the voice said again, “what are you focusing on?” I realized in that moment that if I focused on the negative and fearful stuff, I would miss out on the good part. Faith cannot be present with fear. But when I thought of Christ and His coming and me kneeling at His feet or being embraced in His loving arms, all the fears just melted away and pure peace and joy replaced it.

“BE PART OF THE GOOD PART!” I was told. I kept repeating it, “Be part of the good part.” We know in the end that good triumphs, but what you focus on is what you get, so keep your sights set on being part of the good part. Focus on Christ. Think of Him. Pray to Him. Read about Him. Act like Him. Allow Him in. Remember Him.

Since that day I have always tried to focus on not just being IN the good part, but to BE the good part. Be kind. Be Christlike. Be patient. Be longsuffering. Be tolerant. Be grateful. Be by His side.

I’ve worked really hard to do this, especially on social media. I have friends of all colors, nationalities and religions. They are left, right, liberal, conservative, gay, straight, Christian, Muslim, Jewish and agnostic. They live all over the world. And I love and cherish each friendship and individual. While I don’t always agree with some things they post or believe, I always try to find common ground. I always try to find the GOOD PART.

Now it’s over eight years later and as I sat reading post after post about the “Women’s March” and the comments going back and forth, my heart has been heavy. There was months of negativity all through the election. And now there has been more days of bashing and negativity with President Trump’s innauguration. It’s hard to find truth. You don’t know who to trust because honesty is scarce in the media and in the world. You try to understand other perspectives, but sometimes are just dumbfounded over what little common sense some arguments make. Yet I sit on facebook trying to be kind. Trying to be understanding. Trying to be patient. Trying to be tolerant. These are my friends and people I care about. But I see a sifting taking place. Lines are being drawn. There is division. I don’t like it. I’m a butterflies and rainbows girl that wants everyone to be happy. But in my mind I hear, “wheat and tares.”

This. is. hard. This Last Days stuff isn’t a bed of roses. My heart is heavy. And as I sit and wonder, “how am I going to make it in these last days?” I hear a voice, “What are you focusing on?” I’m taken back. Literally. In time to eight years ago when I asked the same question. My husband by some off chance tells me to read an article called, “What are you Aiming for?” by Dieter F Uchtdorf (read it HERE).

In the article, President Uchtdorf talks about the goal of an archer is to hit the center. We don’t shoot an arrow, then run and make a bullseye around that. We look at the target, focus on the goal, and aim for the center. We choose the good part. BAM! Literally, I was “shot through the heart.” (you’re singing that 80’s song now aren’t you?) And here I sit, with the answers flowing back. Focus on Christ. He is at the Center. He is the one to focus on and aim for. HE is the source of peace and joy. HE is the one coming. HE will guide us and direct us through the misty darkness of untruth and deception. He IS the good part.

What part are you aiming for?

Now Let Us Rejoice??? In the Last Days?

One day I was pondering on life and living in the last days. I was discouraged and feeling fearful and stressed. There were so many negative things going on in the world—calamity, loss of income with the economy, bad things coming at my kids like pornography and negativity. I was just feeling a lot of despair and wondering how in the world I was ever going to raise my kids and help them remain strong spiritually. I didn’t know if I had the stamina to be a “Saturday’s Warrior” and survive these last days before Christ’s coming.

The thought came to me, “There is an equal amount of good and bad in this situation.” It caught me off guard. If the law is that everything is equal, then for all the bad going on in the world and for all those dismal “signs of the times,” by law, there has to be an equal amount of good. I needed to find and focus on that good part. I wanted to be part of the good part. A peace washed over me. There are temples being built, people accepting the gospel, good people I live around, good books to read, good music to listen to, the many religious people living their religion the best they know how. Yes, there is plenty of good in the world! Evil is prevalent, but as we seek, we will find the good, and sometimes it really isn’t that far. As I travel around the world, I have always found good people. Most people want the same things I do—love, family, a home, peace, joy. There is much out there that is good.

Shortly after this understanding, I had this powerful experience at general Relief Society meeting in September 2008.

We were standing and singing the rest hymn, “Now Let Us Rejoice” (Hymns, no. 3), when the words jumped out at me and said, “Here is the answer to living through these last days.” We sang:

Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation.
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam.
Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation,
And shortly the hour of redemption will come,
When all that was promised the Saints will be given,
And none will molest them from morn until ev’n,
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Jesus will say to all Israel, “Come home.”
We’ll love one another and never dissemble
But cease to do evil and ever be one.
And when the ungodly are fearing and tremble,
We’ll watch for the day when the Savior will come,
When all that was promised the Saints will be given,
And none will molest them from morn until ev’n,
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Jesus will say to all Israel, “Come home.”
In faith we’ll rely on the arm of Jehovah
To guide thru these last days of trouble and gloom,
And after the scourges and harvest are over,
We’ll rise with the just when the Savior doth come.
Then all that was promised the Saints will be given,
And they will be crown’d with the angels of heav’n,
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Christ and his people will ever be one.

The words, “To guide through these last days of trouble and gloom” hit me like a brick dropped on my head. I thought, “That’s today!” Considering our economy and the world at that time, I realized that these are the last days—the days of trouble and gloom. You can feel gloom everywhere.

I searched my mind for, “What? What will guide through these last days of trouble and gloom?” I had to go back through the words in my head…“In faith, we’ll rely on the arm of Jehovah!” That was it! All of a sudden, the thoughts I had had about the law of polarity and finding the good came into my mind. Relying on the arm of Jehovah was an equal amount of good contrasted with the gloom of the last days. What was I focusing on?

I continued on with the last verse of the song:

And after the scourges and harvest are over,
We’ll rise with the just when the Savior doth come.
Then all that was promised the Saints will be given,
And they will be crown’d with the angels of heav’n,
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Christ and his people will ever be one.

Are not the hurricanes, the wars, then pornography, the trafficking, the disease, and troubles of the world the scourges being spoke of? Here is where the epiphany came—when this is all over, we’ll rise with the just (the good people) when the Savior comes and all the blessings and promises we have read about—the joy of His coming and the cleansing—will be given to us. Not only that—we will be crowned with the angels. To be crowned by definition is a distinction that comes from a great achievement. It is to be given regal dignity and power, to honor or reward, to be at the top or highest part, to complete worthily and bring to a successful or triumphant conclusion. Crowned with the angels! Is that a great dream or what?

The earth will appear as the Garden of Eden—the beauty in that thought. And Christ and His people being one—one in joy, thought, purpose, and action. Now there is a goal worth shooting for. Suddenly I realized that that is the dream. In the stickman concept, you can only change your misery with a dream. Is there any greater dream than being with the Savior? I could hear a voice that said, “Keep your thoughts on this dream and goal and you will make it through the tough times!” It was the answer to not just survival, but coming off conqueror in the last days.

At this point, my mind was pinging around like a ball in a pinball machine trying to find the answer. Then all of a sudden, I had it! “Christ is coming!” If the last days equal doom and gloom, the equal opposite, the good part, is that Christ is coming! That is who and what you are to focus on!” It seemed like a shaft of light was coming straight from Heaven through the church to me. I was in tears. It was so powerful! It changed my whole perspective on the last days. While I need to be aware of the signs of the times so I can watch and prepare, the thing I am to focus on is the coming of Christ and to rejoice because it is the day of salvation! How joyful is that? I could picture Christ coming and me kneeling at His feet. Peace and joy washed over me in great abundance.

We women were singing this song so robustly. Our singing was cheerful, upbeat, and joyful. Then it occurred to me—“Now, let us rejoice!” Yes! That’s it! Rejoice in these last days. Rejoice in what is coming for it will bring the Savior in our midst. Rejoice at the thoughts of seeing Him! And not only that—sing it! Sing and rejoice! And do it now…not later when you think everything will be perfect.

The next day was Sunday and I was curious to see what had hit me so hard. I wondered if there was a tidbit more to this message, so I pulled out a songbook to see what I had missed before I got to the “last days of trouble and gloom” part that had tipped me off the evening before. Upon reading, a whole new message appeared

Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation.

We should rejoice in this day? Today when things seem dark and dreary? Today when we are on the cusp of welcoming the Savior? Yes! Feel joy! Feel the dream!

No longer as strangers on earth need we roam.

Isn’t it interesting how when you travel and meet other people at mentor trainings, seminars, TEDx events, or even on Facebook, how small your world becomes? Making friends with people from other religions or nationalities helps us no longer feel like strangers to the beautiful people who live throughout the world.

I wrote a letter to my family about this experience. My nephew replied with his great insights. He wrote, “When I think of the part ‘No longer as strangers on earth need we roam,’ I think of how we are strangers to this telestial existence; what we are not strangers to is the company of the Father and Son. We will not abide Their presence until the earth and we are ‘changed;’ remember that Father and Christ could visit the earth in its paradisiacal glory, but was limited to the Son after the Fall (their feet did not touch the ground). When the earth ‘appears as the Garden of Eden’ we will no longer be ‘strangers,’ we will be home!’”

Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation,

The gospel is spreading all over the world. Not only the gospel but even the message of the power of good thoughts and other universal laws.

And shortly the hour of redemption will come,

The hour is short and He is coming is soon.

Chorus

When all that was promised the Saints will be given,

Isn’t this a great thought?! The promises and blessings that have been foretold of by prophets will come to fruition.

And none will molest them from morn until ev’n,

Can you imagine a time without “Mormon bashing?” There will be no more abuse of any kind. No more trouble in the world.
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,

What a beautiful thought and visual.

And Jesus will say to all Israel, “Come home.”

To think of the Savior beckoning us home to Him sounds like a tender mother telling her children, “Come home. There is love and safety here.”

We’ll love one another and never dissemble

We’ll stay together and be cohesive in thought and deed.

But cease to do evil and ever be one.

Wow! No evil? We are one?! One in love. One in thought. One in purpose.

And when the ungodly are fearing and tremble,

If I am not fearing and preparing for His coming right now, then I willbe among those who will not fear and tremble when He does come.

We’ll watch for the day when the Savior will come,

I am already watching for Him! This is the dream.

In faith we’ll rely on the arm of Jehovah

Here is the answer I had first found the night before. We’ll rely on Him with all our faith to guide us through these last days. We can look forward to His coming—see the dream, believe it will happen, then feel the joy as it comes.

The song then goes back to the part above where I “heard” this verse. What gratitude I feel for the powerful witness of what I was told. The answer to mastering the last days: rely on Him and feel the joy of being with Him. This was a powerful personal experience for me in deep understanding of the power of this law.

Now, let us rejoice!

Mary Did You Know

My missionary son just melts my heart. Since the first time I heard him sing this song, it has become one of my very favorites. He sings it with feeling and love for the Savior. You can feel it.

This last weekend, he was part of the Palm Desert Stake Christmas Program that was performed on Saturday and Sunday. You can read his letter HERE telling about the experience.

I hope you all enjoy this wonderful taste of Christmas that had this Mama in tears. =) Soon I’ll have the professional copy, but this was all I needed to have my heart full! (The lady apologized for her niece that wanted to hold her phone.)

Jadon Hold On Song

Jadon found a sister who he wanted to sing with. This is a rehearsal recording of the song I wrote for Girls Camp in 2002 called Hold On. This poor gal had only been given the music a couple of days before. Little rough, but grateful.

Jadon–Hold On

New Announcement of Missionaries and Stripling Warriors

As I listened to General Conference this morning and President Monson started speaking, I realized that something big was coming. I was making chips and stopped to watch and listen and told my 12 and 14 year old that they’d better listen up—something big was coming. For some reason, I just started crying at news of the announcement. I immediately started texting my family that was not with me to share the news.

The first thing that popped into my head was that just a few days ago, my 17 year old son said, “I wish I could just go on a mission right now.” He’s been taking missionary prep every week at the church, been reading his scriptures daily, and been reading Jesus The Christ with the Young Men on Sunday mornings. Most mornings as I cook him breakfast, he has his scriptures and the mini Preach My Gospel book out that I recently bought him. He’s really trying to prepare himself, knowing that he’d have a full year to wait after graduation.

My second thought was, “Oh MAN! This means my one son will come home in April, then my next one could leave in June or July. All RIGHT!! Almost 4 full years of uninterrupted blessings!” (It’s kind of a selfish thought.)

Then part of the reality set in….”Oh dear, we only have 8 months to get prepared. I need to schedule wisdom teeth and doctor’s appointments, all the while doing school, scholarships, and Grad Night. Whoa, this is going to be crazy.”

As you can tell, I didn’t hear much of the next few talks because my mind was still reeling. I need to go back and listen to Saturday all over.

As the day went on, I pondered more deeply on what this means and why. I listened to most of the press conference and thought about what they were saying about this important decision.

They mentioned several times the Lord needing more help and such a great work to do. It felt urgent. I pondered the imminent coming of the Savior and how He needs His army to step things up because the adversary is working so hard. I thought of how so many people are needing hope and help and the joyful message of the gospel and how urgently it’s needed.

I thought about how many people would think that 18 year olds are too young and not prepared. Which in some cases may be true, but in so many I see, it would be better for them to be able to leave quickly following graduation—especially for those in foreign countries who are assigned to serve in the military.

I thought of how this is going to change the thinking of young high school boys. Their minds will be more conscious of serving because they know they don’t have time to mess around in high school, then try to get themselves ready to go after they graduate. They will need to be towing the line all during high school. They’re going to have to grow up a little more, work a little harder, clean their rooms, read their scriptures and not put off preparation for a later date. They’ll probably be a little more self-conscious in their dating knowing that they will be leaving and need to keep themselves clean and pure and will probably be more focused on serving than having a girlfriend. =) They may treat people more kindly, step up their reading and preparation. All bonuses in my book.

I have seen some amazing young men in my life. There are many of them that surround me every day. They are strong. They are obedient. They have been prepared. And I wondered about how these young boys will do. Then it hit me. These are the modern day Stripling Warriors. If scripture were being written about our day, it would say that the Lord call these young Stripling Warriors as part of His army to carry out a great work. One that could not be accomplished any other way.

How will they do it? The same way they did in Book of Mormon times—with strength, with faith, with belief. If their mothers have taught them well, they will believe and have faith that surpasses what we currently know. They will be strong and brave and courageous. They will go and do.

My thoughts quickly turned to the mothers. Are they willing to give up their “boy?” I’m wondering if the mothers will have a harder time than the boys. =)

As I did my own self-evaluation, many thoughts raced through my mind, “Can he do his own laundry? Can he clean a bathroom? Can he cook his own meals? Can we have TWO Family Home Evenings a week from here to the end of the school year out of Teach My Gospel so I can feel like I have prepared him spiritually as well as physically?” My mind was racing and I was thinking that a lot of missionary prep should have been going on years before they should leave. Just a week or so ago my 14 year old said, “I’m the only kid my age that has to do his own laundry.” Poor kid. All I could think of was, “one day, you’ll thank me.” He’s also the one that washed his own backpack. You can read that great story here. I think it’s better to learn it at home so they don’t have to worry about that in the field. They can’t call home when they turn a white shirt pink or wash their backpack with all their pens and markers still in it. =) #nothatwe’vedonethat #seeabovestory

On top of all that, playing the piano has been a requirement in our home. I’ve told them that they have to take lessons until they can play the hymns and some primary songs so that when they are on their mission, they can be of service. They’ve whined about that for years, too. But an interesting thing happened right after the announcement. Out of the blue, my 14 year old went to the piano and started playing hymns. Maybe he’s sensing the urgency and need to be prepared, too. And that’s a good thing. Takes a load off of mom. =)

What I like most about this announcement is this: The kids that are ready to go can go. Some won’t be ready and that is okay, too. I think they should go when THEY are ready. I think we’ll lose a lot less boys between 18 and 19, too. Missions are hard. They aren’t a piece of cake. It’s long days, discouraging days, days filled with work, bike riding, people who don’t like you, having to cook and clean for yourself and just some hard stuff. But mixed in there is something powerful. Something life-changing. You learn to love people in a whole new way. You learn you can do hard things. You learn how to take care of yourself while serving others. You learn things you would never learn if you stayed home. When my recent missionary was having a hard time, I told him, “If missions were easy, everyone would go.” It really takes someone special to serve a mission. It takes courage. It takes bravery. It takes hard work. It takes discipline. It takes a sense of humor. It takes commitment. It takes a Stripling Warrior. And I believe that is what the Lord has called.

I look forward to seeing the great things that will come of this. I look forward to throngs of sisters flocking to the work. I think we may see the bigger increase in them.

I’ve pondered the schools and the lack of incoming freshman. I’ve pondered the sports teams and scholarships since I have a boy who’d like to play college ball. How will this affect those who are wanting to play sports? There are a lot of questions and a lot of answers that will come. But this I know. The Lord is coming soon and He needs help. That should be our first priority—serving Him and preparing for Him.

My thoughts keep turning to the Book of Mormon and reading those chapters proceeding Christ’s coming in 3^rd Nephi. I look at the state of our country right now. You can see it in the Book of Mormon in those chapters before Christ’s coming. We are living in those very same times. Corruption in government, persecution of church members, having to choose between good and evil to lead us, many being deceived by an “evil king,” secret combinations, and much more. These are the days we live in and it should be an honor for us as mother’s to prepare our sons and daughters to serve our God, to be part of an Army that is watched over by Him, to boldly and nobly raise the standard and gather the lost sheep in.

As a mother of 5 incredible sons and 2 beautiful and amazing daughters , it is an HONOR and a PRIVELEGE to be trusted to be given and raise these valiant young men and women who will usher in the coming of the Savior.

My patriarchal blessing says that I will see events transpire in the church that will be a wonder and a miracle to the people of the earth. I have seen many. And yet here is another.

I have witnessed history. I have witnessed a miracle. I know there are many more to come.

Raise the banner! Here they come!

PS. As I finished this note, and headed to the kitchen to cook breakfast and pondered more, there was a swelling in my heart and an awareness yet again that we are involved in something bigger. For some reason sports, scholarships, work, busy-ness seemed so unimportant. I am raising sons and daughters of God first and foremost. Raising a star ball player or world known singer or doctor or coach seemed so insignificant because I need to raise them to usher in the Savior.

Then I listened to Elder Holland’s talk and it was confirmed to me that I was exactly right. I am a part of something bigger and greater than I or my children can comprehend.

Santa Clara Flood 2012– Nick & Liisa Frei Dutchman’s/Cravings

This has been an absolute miracle to watch unfold as I drive by everyday. First I have to say that Liisa is one of the most pure, kind, compassionate, creative, genuine woman I have ever met. To say I love and adore her would be an understatement. Nick and Liisa are among those who have had to move out of their home and into a rental. The economy has been a bear cat for them. Not many a day has passed where I have looked at some of these families and wondered how much more they could take. I have been literally watching the story of Job in some circumstances.

But amazing Liisa has just taken things to a whole new level. Everytime I have visited with her, she has been positive and had an upbeat attitude. She has looked forward to bigger and better things for their store. They do not have insurance. They do not have income with this place closed and her working day and night with the cleanup effort slows down her Realtor work. With no clue where the money will come from to rebuild, they just keep cleaning up and carrying on.

She told me that she really has to stay away from negative people who think they cannot do this or that because it weighs her down and brings her to tears. As long as she keeps focused on the good, she is fine. She said, “I have to continually stay in a place of gratitude all day everyday. Gratitude for all these things and the blessings we are receiving is helping so much. And there is much to be grateful for.”

She is right. There has not been a day that I have passed by that I have not seen people working there– inside and out. Lightfoot’s across the street brought dumpsters in for them the first few days and had them rotated so often that the place stayed clean as it could be under the circumstances. One day I stopped, several subcontractors had stopped in and were measuring and donating many things to help them rebuild. I cannot even imagine how many thousands of dollars will be donated to help them (as well as the other families).

Something struck me in listening to Liisa. Since I teach and understand the “Universal Laws” like the law of Attraction (it’s all over my blog here), I could see clearly how they were all working in Liisa’s behalf. The gratitude and positive thinking were literally drawing people to her, bringing the very things she needed at the moment. I know they have a long way to go, but I can guarantee that the very things they need will keep showing up at “just the right time.” It is not by coincidence. The Lord orchestrates perfectly when we live His laws perfectly. He wants us to be abundant and joyful. Gratitude is the key to bringing it all to you while still remaining humble. And Liisa does this to perfection.

I cannot wait to see the “new and improved” Dutchman’s/Cravings. I know a vast amount of good is headed their way. I know they are people I will always want to be around because they lift me to a higher plain.

In every place I visited wishing to give help or hope or comfort, I came away with far more. They have been lifting me, giving me hope, showing me what endurance, courage, and true Christ-like love is all about. From the homeowners to the volunteers, my life has been flooded with love!

From the distant cousin of Liisa’s that just “shows up” at exactly the right time with the abilities needed at that moment, to the Latino Club that held a fundraiser right at their place to raise money to rebuild Dutchman’s, to the hundreds of volunteers, family, and friends that have labored, this has been one big miracle to watch evolve.

As if Liisa’s not amazing enough, she took the time to put together this unbeliveable video that speaks much more than I can put into words. The music itself bespeaks the emotion of it all– the joy, the sorrow, the laughter, the blessings.

Click HERE to watch this work of art and love.

Santa Clara Flood 2012– Lee & Karen Frei

Lee & Karen Frei live across the street from Dutchman’s on the main road. Their’s was the first house to take on water and mud. I was worried as I was video taping that the water would wash the dirt away their house was standing on. It looked like it may have been taking chunks off the side. Fortunately, it did not lose it’s foundation. It did, however, fill up their basement, too.

I ran into their daughter, Lauri, at Lin’s several days after the flood. Lauri lives in Northern Nevada and had traveled down to help out. It turns out Karen’s health is not so good right now and the flood wasn’t helping.

One of the most tender stories I heard about Lee & Karen’s house was that among losing some of their pictures and scrapbooks, the hardest part, Jerry said, was cleaning out Patti’s room. Patti was murdered in the Playhouse Bar murders in Cedar City on Feb 14, 1984. I remember the day clearly. I grew up hanging out with Jayne and Patti. I worked with them at the old Drive-In. They taught me to love football, teaching me all about the Cowboys and Steelers back in the days of Fran Tarkenton. I hated who they hated and loved who they loved— that’s what happens when someone teaches you about football. ;o) I spent a lot of time in their home and with them. Patti’s death was hard for me. It was coupled with the fact that my brother-in-law was killed the next day (Feb 15) in a construction accident. It was my husband’s birthday. He and I were married 3 days later on Feb 18. I went to Patti’s funeral on Thursday, set up for my reception on Friday, got married on Saturday, went to a viewing for Paul’s brother on Sunday and had the funeral on Monday. THEN we went on a honeymoon. It is a week I’ll never forget. Emotional rollercoaster is an exaggeration.

So I remember Patti. What I didn’t know is that her room had been left in tact since the day she died. Jerry said that was the hardest part. Going through things and bringing back all those memories. And knowing that now some of it is all gone.

To say this flood hasn’t been hard emotionally is just a royal misconception.

Lee & Karen’s Home from the backside:

I’m guessing that field on the right gained 2-3 feet of extra ~~mud~~ dirt.

Santa Clara Flood 2012– Arrowhead Trail and Arrowhead Circle

It was Day 3 before I made it to Arrowhead Trail and Circle. I didn’t know many of the people in this area, so Robbin helped me out as we were delivering. These homes were in the first line of fire when the masses of water came through. What I know about the homes in this area are that at least 3 of them were homes of single moms.

Here’s one of the first homes heading down Arrowhead from Lava Flow Drive.

Tori Wangsgaard’s house. Notice the bent garage door.

These two photos show Bostwick’s house that was condemned. It is on the north side of Arrowhead Trail right behind the business complex.

Here’s a look into Arrowhead Circle. The Biven’s house is on the left. The Biven’s are and older couple. He sleeps downstairs with a C-PAP machine so he doesn’t keep his wife awake at night. Their entire basement was flooded. I know this because it was my privilege to take dinner into them on Saturday night. My daughter and I dropped dinner off to them on our way to a ball game. They were so excited to show us their basement, too. It was down to studs and had fans going. Fortunately, their upstairs was still in tact for the most part. They seemed comfortable, but said their dogs were very stressed with all of this. I found out at my Flood Relief meeting that when the “block captains” went in to their home, they found out there was still some mud and water in the basement. Being a little quieter, they were not out asking people for help, so it went undetected for a big long. The good news is that they are cleaned up, dried out and have sheet rock now, I believe.

In the bottom of the circle are two other single moms that are sisters. Here is one of their homes:

The Westbrook’s also live in the circle. She has a preschool in her basement. Friends and families of her students have been helping her get things cleaned up so she could start preschool in her garage until they can get their basement repaired. Here’s some photos of their house:

Here’s some shots of the water levels of their home. Thanks to Martsi Strong for these two pictures! Sandbagging didn’t help so much.

Here’s a photo on the big Saturday clean up. So many people helping clean her papers and preschool stuff.

Driving down the remainder of Arrowhead shows the damage to the homes in the direct water line that came off Dutchman’s and through the field by Lee & Karen Frei’s.

These houses were a total mess.

There was some extensive damage to these homes and some of them still have stuff out in the front.

The Phillip’s have been amazing. I have no idea how they pulled it all off, but they cleaned up and redid things so quickly. They have had some awesome helpers along the way!

Santa Clara Flood 2012– Tim & Tammy Apple and Jones’

Tim and Tammy were living next door to the Taylor’s in her father’s rental. Like the Taylor’s, they had recently lost their home. As I pulled up in front of their house on day 2 to let Tim know that my husband would be by to pull their counter’s off so they could try and save them, I saw Tammy walk into a place of shade on the only empty spot on a sidewalk next to her house and lay down on her back. I could see exhaustion and emotion in her face.

I needed to find Tim and was told that he was in his father-in-law’s house next door. So I headed there first. Here is Tammy’s parents house when I came up:

Kids from the high school had been there to start unloading their basement. Just before I got there, a few women who had stopped to help had realized that the smell was really bad and that the sewer had either backed up or broke in the basement, so they had the kids leave to keep them from getting any bugs of any kind. It was a mess in the front yard, which was still wet and full of mud.

This kind man was power washing some of the stuff coming up from the basement. Eventually this yard would be filled to the brim with more muddy items from the basement.

(This photo was the next day– Day 3 and there was still a ton of stuff in the yard and it smelled so bad just driving by. I wondered if they’d EVER get rid of that smell.)

I walked into their house to see if I could see Tim. What I found was just as sad as the outside. Trying to find places to put things or even to try and keep your food and dishes was a stretch, but the muddy carpet and floor left me just sad to see all the inside damage. I hadn’t really been in any houses besides the Dunkley’s at that point.

As I walked out that doorway, I saw Tammy laying on her back on the sidewalk. I sat next to her. She sat up and I just hugged her and held her as she cried. All I could tell her was that I knew things would get better and good was coming her way. She was exhausted and overwhelmed. Her house was cleaned out except for the cabinets and counters that my hubby was coming to remove. Fortunately, their house was one of the ones that was helped first, so they were cleaned out pretty quickly compared to the others.

She cried as she told me she was sad to lose her grandmothers suitcase and some treasures that belonged to her. Those were the cherished things. She said she shouldn’t be sad because it was stuff, but it was sentimental stuff. After talking for a bit and her telling me of some of the things she lost, her daughter came walking up and asked what she was supposed to wear to school tomorrow. That shot an arrow straight to my heart. I hadn’t even thought about that. Most of the kids that lived in these homes did not have a stitch of clothing to wear to school. They only that the clothes and shoes they had on the day before. Tammy was lucky because so many friends from their old ward came down and helped them. They had taken all their clothing to wash and it was scattered among so many houses. She didn’t even know where it all was or when it would come back. (I did hear that some of those ward members went out and bought new garments and some clothes for them all.)

A few minutes later my husband came walking up. Tammy took me on a tour of the house to see the damage. My hubby and his employee, Randy, started pulling their new counters out that they had just installed a few weeks before. When they unscrewed the cabinets and moved them, I was stunned to see a inch of wet, watery mud underneath them. (I did not get a picture because my battery was dead. Still makes me mad.) I was just surprised at how the mud had seeped into every crevice of these homes– literally between the studs in the wall. The concern Tim and Tammy had was if they were going to have to pull out the brick wall and floor where the wood stove stood. They were worried about mud being backed up in the walls behind it.

My heart was heavy that day. So much mess. So much smell. So much to do. I was overwhelmed and it wasn’t mine. I wondered if they’d find some clothes. They were all staying in different places. The kids with their friends and Tim and Tammy with some other family that lived in town.

When I was making salsa rounds with Robbin the next week, Tim and Tammy happened to be in the garage at their house. We had heard some news about them just before we got there and were able to confirm the miracle. Evidently a family in Country Lane had a home for their son to live in. He was going through an ugly divorce and was having to live back East because of it. The house was sitting empty and they were hoping to find someone to keep the yards up. They offered this house to Tim and Tammy rent free for a few months. I looked at Tammy and said, “SEE!! I TOLD you there was something good coming your way!!” She said, “you know this actually happened the next day after you talked to me.”

I still tear up thinking about this whole exchange and the miracle.

There have been many miracles among the mud. I am so thankful that as I sat on the sidewalk that day that I KNEW something good was coming. I had no idea what. But sometimes hope is all one needs to believe.