We have Sister Green back from her visit to Utah, Sister Stevens and I went to Buffalo and picked her up, she looked so frail at the airport but on the way back she told us about the funeral and it was very spiritual for her and the whole family.
I learned a new phrase in our Relief Society meeting about two weeks ago from one of the young sisters that is a returned missionary; 'tender mercies'. I have thought about these two words ever since I heard them and I am beginning to see these tender mercies everywhere.
I heard them from Sister Green, I write a tender mercy at the end of my journal at night because it helps me to remember that I am loved and not alone.
When Jon was ordained a High Priest we were so thrilled for him but so sad that for the first time in the lives of our sons we were not there for a special occasion, but then all of our sons were there and our oldest was able to do it in place of their Dad. Tender Mercies.
Today a woman called and wanted to have our elders bring food and all sorts of things to her, she talked on and on for over an hour, I tried to reason with her to let her know that this is not what our elders do, I realized that she was a lost soul like so many of the people that used to call the business that were on Medicaid, I finally put her in touch with the East Mission because that is where she lives. The people in the office were amazed that I didn't fall apart with her with all the ranting and carrying on that she did, but I had plenty of training from our business, I realized that she was mentally ill.
Not more than an hour later another woman called and asked to be taken off the records of the church, I told her who to call and gave her the number. I felt bad for the first lady, but she didn't know any better, but the second one literally gave up her opportunity of living with the Lord for ever. How fragile life is.
I talked with the missionaries coming and going today because we received our new ones from the MTC and Friday we will have more leave. I see these young men and women serving the Lord in a very difficult mission and I am so touched by their faith and courage to go forth each day with a positive attitude that the Lord is pleased with them. Tender Mercies.
Last Thursday Dad went to a Blue Jays game with the president and the other senior Elders. We wives gave them the tickets for Father's Day. While they were at the game we senior sisters went to a castle in Toronto built by a man many years ago when the city was just beginning. He had many ideas and turned them into money, one of them was to harness the power from Niagara Falls to bring power for Toronto; he made a lot of money from this but was very foolish, instead of saving it, he was extravagant with his money building this huge castle for his wife and spoiled son. Soon a man came along and talked the city of Toronto into taking over his business for the power company and he lost everything. He continued speculating and adding more things onto his castle and not saving his money until the castle was taken away. His wife was so sad that she died of a heart attack and he died penniless with a son that very rarely came to visit.
As we sat on the patio of this beautiful building, we talked about the riches of the world and the most priceless gift we have and that is the membership in the church. All the money in the world cannot give us our testimonies or take us to the Celestial Kingdom. I hope someone has done his work for him in the temple and that he can be with his wife, I'm not sure about the son!?! Again, tender mercies, we have the greatest gift of all, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I miss my grandchildren so much, especially on the weekends, that is when I have to remember why we are here and have faith that they will think of us often and know that we love them dearly. Tender Mercies.
Love,
Mom