I was taking a moment's notice today at a particular friendship I have. She's a gal I've known for about as long as we've lived in Rolesville, and come to find out, we have quite a bit in common. Apart from how we look (She: Native American, pitch black hair, paired with beautiful blue eyes; I: quintessential Scandinavian), we've found over the years, time and time again, that we are SO alike!
For example...
Easy one first, we act a lot alike. Hope she wouldn't mind me saying this but, we both sometimes act like we're a few fries short of a happy meal! haha! We forget things, we need reminders, we have rather peculiar memorization methods, the whole shebang. Just plain foolish, I suppose...
She and I noticed about 3 years ago that we wear the same exact watch; and agree that the battery is incapable of staying charged as long as it ought to...
We both wear (of ALL the perfumes sold in department stores and discount stores in this day and age) Jessica McClintock. I know that I started wearing it around spring '95ish, and I'm pretty sure she too has been wearing it for many years...
There have to be a dozen more ways, but finally, just last week, we discovered our LOVE for an unusual menu item. By menu, I mean, a fine cuisine prepared only in home kitchens, no restaurant would dare serve this, at least I think that's the case... IRISH POTATO SANDWICHES!!!!! For those of you reading this who don't know what they are, they are simply potato slices, cut about 1/4" thick, fried in a frying pan, rested on a few layers of paper towels to absorb at least a little of that extra oil, then drenched with salt (YUMM!!!!). Finally, they're served on loaf bread with your choice of condiment. She likes it with ketchup, and I like it with mustard, but who cares!?! We agree that it was a favorite growing up, and that we should prepare it more now that we could sway another rising generation of it's fried-up-sodium-packed goodness...
I am thankful for friends... I have so many good ones who really "take care" of me...
~Friends who, at the drop of a hat, would help me or my family with *anything*...
~Friends who teach me about life, parenting, cooking, domestic goddess~ness, good health (or the lack thereof), and catching whatever curve ball life throws at you...
~Friends who I can complain to about anything, and they'll tell me they understand...
~Friends who I love to gossip with (but very, very sparingly! haha!)...
~Friends who make me laugh...
~Friends who listen to my occasional cries... (Somehow, they're very few and far between because I've grown more bratty and cynical than I'd like to admit. I should talk to one or many of these friends about how to get those cries out more often! They can feel so good!)
~Friends who make me a better me.
Thank you, friends. You're awesome. And, you know who you are. Love ya, mean it.
This morning, while getting ready for the day, I had a certain primary song on my mind, "Faith." The very last line of the song is "Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow whenever I obey." It made me think of a book by Spencer W. Kimball, "Faith Precedes the Miracle."
So, it dawned on me, a certain order of things, in a "if/then" sort of way:
In other words, Obedience ---> (yields) Miracles! Awesome! I like miracles. I even LOVE miracles. Heck, I'd pay for a miracle. Miracles. Rock.
Then, after going a step or two further with my thoughts, I realized that I had put together enough supporting "evidence" for a family home evening lesson, a talk in church, or even just a testimony. Finally, and with a little more delay than I'm comfortable admitting, I thought - "This could be shared with my Young Women! YES! If only I had a lesson to teach on Obedience, wouldn't that be GREAT!?!?!"
I had no sooner thought that thought when it dawned on me that it was probably my turn to teach this coming Sunday. Looked online, found my teaching schedule. Yep, it's my turn. Lesson #25, it says. Found the online manual for my lessons. Here's the link. Young Women's Lesson Manual
Last night, while driving home from Young Women's, I was listening to one of my favorite cds Take Time to be Holy, which is a collection of instrumental hymns by Lyle Hadlock. I was reminded of how much love the song, "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today." Not only that, but I was also reminded of a story I heard years ago about this particular song. Now is when I copy/paste.
This story concerns a young girl, the fourth child in a family of six children. Her name is Heather. Three of the children, including Heather, suffered from a rare disease called glutaric acidemia. In each case, the onset of the disease occurred during the first year of life when an enzyme attacked the brain, causing paralysis. The disease results in acid forming in the muscles similar to that which occurs following a period of intense physical activity. The problem faced by the children was that the acid never leaves and causes great pain. Cindy, the first child with the disease, died at the age of 23. She was one of the oldest living persons known with the disease. At death she weighed about 40 pounds.
Soon after Heather’s birth, the parents realized that she would be physically handicapped and that her spirit would be housed in a body with great restrictions. As she grew, she was confined to a wheelchair, was unable to speak, and could send messages only with her eyes. A direct gaze and a smile meant yes. A blink meant no. Despite the handicaps, one could feel her vibrant spirit.
As Heather progressed, it became obvious to her parents that she was extraordinarily bright. She would play guessing games with the family using her limited means to communicate. When she was old enough, the parents enrolled Heather in a special school to see if she could learn to speak. The teacher was a gifted therapist. One morning as Heather and the teacher visited about the prior weekend, the teacher learned that Heather had attended Primary. The teacher then sang for Heather “When He Comes Again.”
The expression on Heather’s face revealed the delight within her. When the teacher asked Heather if she had a favorite song, the young girl’s wide eyes and engaging smile left little doubt. But what was the song? Through a series of questions, the teacher learned that Heather’s song was one she had heard in Primary. She wasn’t sure which songbook it was in, but it was about Jesus. The teacher sang all the songs she could think of, but to no avail. However, Heather was not about to quit; she wanted to share her favorite song. At the end of the day, the two were still searching. The teacher agreed to bring her songbooks to school the next day.
On the following morning, Heather and her teacher continued the quest. From the first hymn to the last, the little girl blinked her eyes, indicating no. They were still unsuccessful. Finally, the teacher told Heather that her mother would have to help her find the song and then they would sing it.
The next day Heather arrived with the green Church hymnal tucked in her chair, but there was no marker. So they began with the first hymn. The teacher would sing the first part of each song, and Heather would give her answer. After the first 100 hymns, there were 100 no’s. After 200 hymns there had been 200 no’s. Finally, the teacher began to sing, “There is sunshine in my soul today.” Heather’s body jumped, and a big smile crossed her face. Her eyes gazed directly into the teacher’s, indicating success after three days of searching. Both teacher and student rejoiced.
As the teacher sang the first verse and began the chorus, Heather mustered all her strength and joined in with a few sounds. After finishing the first verse and chorus, the teacher asked if she wanted to hear the rest of the verses, and Heather’s eyes opened wide with a firm yes. The teacher began to sing:
There is music in my soul today, A carol to my King, And Jesus listening can hear The songs I cannot sing.
Heather’s reaction to these lines was so strong that the teacher stopped. As the reality and significance of the words pressed on the teacher’s mind, she asked: “Heather, is that what you like about the song? Is that what you want me to know? Does Jesus listen? Does He hear the songs you cannot sing?”
The direct, penetrating gaze indicated yes.
Feeling guided by the Spirit, the teacher asked, “Heather, does Jesus talk to you in your mind and in your heart?”
Again, the child’s look was penetrating.
The teacher then asked, “Heather, what does He say?”
The teacher’s heart pounded as she saw the clear look in Heather’s eyes as the little girl awaited the questions that would allow her to share her insights.
“Does Jesus say, ‘Heather, I love you’?”
Heather’s radiant eyes widened, and she smiled.
After a pause, the teacher asked next, “Does He say, ‘Heather, you’re special’?”
The answer again was yes.
Finally the teacher asked, “Does He say, ‘Heather, be patient; I have great things in store for you’?”
Heather summoned all her strength, and her head became erect and her eyes penetrated the teacher’s soul. She knew she was loved, she was special, and she needed only to be patient.
Two years later, Heather died because of the ravages of the disease. Her younger brother Mark also suffers from the disease but not to the extent of his older sisters. He can talk, although it is not easy. As the parents discussed Heather’s passing and the funeral that would take place, Mark exclaimed, “No go Heather’s funeral!” Heather was his best friend. As the parents tried to explain death to him, he would not be consoled. He was crushed and did not want to attend the service. For two days he could not be persuaded.
On the morning of the funeral, the father went to Mark’s room to get him up. As he entered the room, Mark was sitting up in bed with a big smile on his face. His first words were, “Dad, go Heather’s funeral!”
The father responded, “Mark, what has changed your mind?”
“Dad, had dream.”
“What did you dream about, Mark?”
“Dad, dreamed about Heather.”
“Mark, what was Heather doing?”
“Oh, Dad, Heather running and jumping and singing, ‘There is sunshine in my soul today.’ Dad, go Heather’s funeral.”
May we rejoice in the power of sacred hymns to lift our souls and to bear testimony. Truly “the song of the righteous is a prayer unto [God], and it shall be answered with a blessing upon [our] heads” (D&C 25:12).
I'm reminded of a few days ago when Rodney and I were expressing our dissatisfaction with one another about Jackson's recent rotten attitude with his brothers. Carter interjected, "Jackson's a TURD!"
Truer words have no almost-4-year-old ever said.
Carter is only TWO SLEEPS away from his much anticipated birthday. We have this vinyl calendar and drawing page on our kitchen wall. Only last month, we saw the number for Brady's countdown grow smaller and smaller ever day. It was such a thrill, it was no question that we should do the same thing for Carter's birthday! Here he is fixing the countdown today!
Our conversations about this these last few days have been so... so... adorable! With the thrill in his eyes of Christmas morning, he says, "Today it says THREEEEEEE, then tomorrow it's gonna say TWOOOOOOO, then after that, it's gonna say OOOONE, then after that, it's gonna say ZERO, and that's gonna be the BEST DAY EVER!!!!"
My school aged kids have written letters to pen pals in Pellworm, Germany, thanks to my 4th grade teacher, Ms. Susanne Guthrie. She's over there right now, and has invited those she knows to send messages to her email, and she'll taking the letters to the kids at school tomorrow! How fun is that!?!
Dear Pen Pal,
My name is Jackson Steelman. I am 7 years old. I will be 8 on September 25th. I am in the second grade at Sanford Creek Elementary School in Rolesville, North Carolina, USA. I am the oldest kid in my family, and have two younger brothers, named Brady and Carter. My mom's name is Leah, and my dad's name is Rodney. Mom stays home with us during the day, and cooks and cleans. She was born and raised at Harkers Island, which is probably a lot like your hometown. My dad goes to work 5 days a week in an office where he is an analyst. I'm not really sure what that means! haha!
I have light brown hair and brown eyes. Right now, I am wearing braces on my teeth, and hope they will be removed by this summer! I like to fix my hair in a mohawk for fun. My favorite food is anything Asian, like shrimp and lo mein noodles. I like to play with legos. I love to play basketball with my dad. In our back yard, we have a trampoline, swings, and a playset in the woods. We play out there a lot, especially in the spring, summer and fall. We had a lot of snow this past winter! It has just gotten warm enough here to go to the pool. Our family will probably go this weekend!
Please tell me a little about yourself, and your hometown. Do you have a big family? Do you like any sports? Do you play legos? What is your favorite food?
Your friend,
Jackson
(I'm in the middle in the picture)
Dear Pen Pal,
My name is Brady Steelman. I am 5 years old. I will be 6 in 6 days - May 23rd. I am in Kindergarten at Sanford Creek Elementary School in Rolesville, North Carolina, USA. I am the second of three boys in my family. My older brother is named Jackson and my younger brother is named Carter. My mom's name is Leah, and my dad's name is Rodney. Mom stays home with us during the day, and cooks and cleans. She was born and raised at Harkers Island, which is probably a lot like your hometown. My dad goes to work 5 days a week in an office where he is an analyst. I'm not really sure what that means! haha!
I have brown hair and brown eyes. My favorite food is pancakes with syrup, bananas, strawberries, and whipped cream. I really like dinosaurs and all outdoor creatures, like turtles, frogs, grasshoppers and butterflies. I want to be a paleontologist when I grow up. In our back yard, we have a trampoline, swings, and a playset in the woods. We play out there a lot, especially in the spring, summer and fall. We had a lot of snow this past winter! It has just gotten warm enough here to go to the pool. Our family will probably go this weekend!
Please tell me a little about yourself, and your hometown. Do you have a big family? Do you like outdoor creatures too? What is your favorite food?
Your friend,
Brady
(I'm wearing the red and blue striped tie in the picture)
April 16th is a day most central and eastern North Carolina residents won't soon forget, as it was the day a terrible tornado outbreak passed through a great portion of our state. Fortunately, our home and our family was spared, but in Wake County alone, there were thousands of homes and families affected, and several even lost their lives.
On Rolesville Road, about a mile or two from our home
Also on Rolesville Road. The size of the downed trees is amazing!
Anyone who knows anything about the Mormons knows that we are a serving people. When there is a need, especially a natural disaster, we are notorious for being early on the scene, ready to take part, and even lead, in the relief efforts. Not only that, I feel inclined to tell that it is never on the premise of it being only Mormons that we serve. Quite the contrary. Serving someone in need is serving someone in need. Period. (Read a little about it here, if you'd like.)
On Sunday, April 17th, less than 24 hours after the tornado outbreak in Wake County, the boys and men of our church, county wide, were given instruction of where to be and what to do. They would meet up at the "such-and-such" church on "such-and-such" road, immediately following church. The were to come dressed for the occasion, bringing any and all tools that would be helpful in the cleanup and disaster relief effort. My guess (totally not worth citing as fact!) is that there were easily 200 boys and men who reported then and there, that day alone; two of which were Elder Tolman and Elder Garrard, Mormon missionaries who serve in my local congregation.
Last night, these two fine fellas joined my family over dinner and the subject of that day came up. I asked them, "Tell me about the tornado relief you were able to take part it - How was it?" Much to my surprise they told me that the were turned away by the managing organization at "such and such" church. Mormons weren't allowed.
Now isn't that just something!? Samaritan's Purse, "a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world" (quoted from their website which I linked to) turns away those who are willing and able to help, on the premise of religious differences.
Quoting from their description on Wikipedia, "The organization’s president is Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham. The name of the organization is based on the New Testament Parable of the Good Samaritan, in which Jesus uses a parable to teach people the Great Commandment - how to "love thy neighbor as thyself".
Isn't it ironic that in the story of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:29-37, Jesus teaches about the Samaritan who was helping someone who wasn't of the same faith as he, as the wounded man was a Jew?
Curious for a reason why, the missionaries were told that they had to sign the following faith contract in order to be affiliated with their outreach. The contract is found here. In case it doesn't jump out to you like it does me, bullet point one is the offense of those who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, because we not only revere the Holy Bible to be scripture, but also the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, all found in our scripture tote bag or quad.
Said "statement of faith" reads: We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. II Timothy 3:15-17.
So, I've been pondering on this conversation since last night, and basically am writing this down for my posterity. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of ridicule Mormons face in our day to day lives. It was so when my great-grandmother Bertha was the first one of her family to unite with the faith, with a backdrop of the Mormon church on Harkers Island being burned by angry mobs. It was so when my mother was chastised by her family choosing to marry my father, a Mormon. It was so when I was young and was misunderstood for not being able to join friends at the beach on Sunday, as we observe it as a day more for worship, and not recreation. And it is so today. It will be for a long time, for generations to come, I'm sure.
I was about to close with the sentence "Being misunderstood sucks," but I won't do that. That would be immature... And tacky. ;)
