Stake Conference, Easter Week and a Life Lesson on"Regret"

It's fun to be new enough on our mission to continue to have "Firsts". Last week was our first General Conference. This week it was Stake Conference and in two days our first Easter. Holidays and vacation time are going to be the most difficult being away from family. I treasure our traditions that bind! At one of our Family Home Evenings the YSA went around and asked what family traditions they had growing up and I was AMAZED at how few had any. It's such a high value for me to have "Events" that we can count on, cling to and depend on that make our family who we are. It makes me happy to watch our children using some of the traditions they grew up with and creating their own traditions within their new families. It really is powerful and I miss sharing them with you!

It's been a nice week. We've had no Institute because of Spring Break so that means no lesson on Tuesday and no dinner on Thursday; two huge responsibilities off our shoulders. I've needed the break but realize that the "LOAD" (as Elder Bednar calls it) is part of this experience and I need to more fully embrace it and be glad for it. Still this has been a very nice break.

Our Stake Conference Saturday night session was amazing. President Phillips wasn't there. He's been gone for 3 weeks so they proceeded without him. The highlight of the Saturday night meeting was our Helen. She's Chinese and the one whose mother was converted over Skype. Her mom was actually here to hear Helen speak. Helen has only been a member for 5 months but she got up and spoke as if she'd done that sort of thing her whole life. Her English is very good and she was articulate and so spiritual. After the meeting I went and hugged her and expressed my gratitude for what she's said. Her reply, "I just want to be worthy to be His mouthpiece." Then she burst into tears. I cried right along with her and told her she HAD been his voice that night. It was so sweet. I adore this young, beautiful woman.

You all know how I've been so concerned about the YSA choir for the Sunday Meeting. I'd had about 55 kids the week before but knew that several of them that attended were not going to be there the following week for Conference. (Spring Break; all the kids road trip). I had no idea what I was going to end up with that morning. Our rehearsal was for 9:00 a.m. To my utter amazement I had just as many kids there that morning than the week before. Our rehearsal went amazing and was SO MUCH FUN because we were actually making beautiful music. I know the kids loved it, as well.

Our Stake was stunned by the YSA's performance. It really was very beautiful, especially with only 1 1/2 rehearsals. They brought and felt the spirit. It was a true miracle. This experience should never have happened. I feel like it was such a personal gift to me. A tender reminder that after I've done all I can then I need to exercise my faith that He will provide. It was so sweet and I truly acknowledge His hand in it. (Every day in my prayers I'm pleading with the Lord that He will increase the faith I have to GREAT Faith! That, along with having the Holy Ghost always, is my daily plea.)

Monday nights are always fun here. It's our FHE and all we have to do for it is show up and bring energy and enthusiasm for whatever they have planned. For the first couple months they would have a short lesson and then play volleyball. I requested about a month ago that we need to change it up so that everyone has something to participate in. The last few weeks we've been doing silly all-inclusive games that have bonded our group. THEN we play volleyball. There's a real benefit in having just plain fun together. It's worked!

Tuesday was a gorgeous day and I asked Jim how about us taking our P-Day and taking the train up to Hatfield, about a hour away, and going to see the Hatfield House. It's the house that Queen Elizabeth 1 grew up in from the time she was a baby, basically under house arrest. She was the daughter to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Her mom was beheaded and Elizabeth was kept there until her late 20's when she eventually was informed she was the new Queen of England. (There was no male heir to the throne.) We heard it had beautiful grounds and that the house was used in lots and lots of movies and that it was a must see.

We took the train, which is always an adventure, and got there around noon. When we walked through the gate to pay we were informed that the grounds were opened and they were having a sculpture exhibit through the gardens, but the house was closed. We were SO disappointed! We almost didn't pay to go in, but decided we'd come all this way we might as well. I'm SO GLAD we did. We had an hour woodland walk, another couple hours through amazing gardens, so amazing they made me cry with homesickness for my garden and the exhibit was extraordinary. We then had lunch there at an outdoor restaurant. It was a lovely lovely day, even without getting into the house itself.

Another first was on Wednesday; our first Zone Conference! One of the surprises for us about our mission is how little we have to do with our actual London Mission. We work with the missionaries, see them every day. We've become good friends with Pres. and Sister Jordan and the other senior missionaries, but our lives are really consumed by the YSA. So it was wonderful to feel like a real missionary and go to Zone Conference. We got to meet all the missionaries from our Zone and be TAUGHT and I mean TAUGHT by the Jordans. They are both fabulous teachers and leaders. I was blown away with the quality and depth of their teaching. I have a better understanding of why the Jordans have been called to preside over the London Mission, not a small assignment. It's a very high profile calling within the church. Now I know they were called because they are magnificent, even more than I had supposed. Now I understand why this is the mission in Europe that every pilot program, marketing idea etc. is past through first. They really truly are amazing and I'm so grateful to get to learn from them. It's an honor to be here in this mission at this time.

Last night was a rare first for me. We have, as one of our Visitor Center's senior missionaries, Elder Ohman. He was on the BYU Music faculty as an Organist and instructor. One of his unique skills is his ability to play the organ for silent movies. Last night the Visitor Center had an open night to the public showing Cecil B. DeMille's movie "King of Kings, a two hour black and white silent movie on the ministry and death of Christ. I LOVE Elder Ohman. We've become very good friends, but I actually wasn't too excited about sitting 2 hours through a silent film. OMG it was amazing! The movie itself was campy and old fashioned, but it truly testified of Christ. And Elder Ohman was unbelievable. You need to understand there is NO WRITTEN MUSIC. He just improvises as the movie unfolds, adjusting the music to what's happening on screen. It is a lost art form. It was magic to watch (they had a screen on his hands so we could watch him play, along with a huge screen with the movie on it). I also didn't know how many would come but we probably had 250 people there. It was a huge success and so appropriate for this upcoming Easter Sunday. Along with King of Kings we are going tomorrow to a production of Rob Gardner's Lamb of God. It's absolutely gorgeous music that I hope will be done well. It's being put on by Wadsworth stake with YSA participating from all over the UK. To top all this off I have been reading this week Bill O'Riley's "Killing Jesus", the historical and political history of the time of Christ and how all things collided to make the conditions perfect that would allow Christ to be crucified. Christ has been such a center of everything I've been involved with this week that I've actually been dreaming about the Savior for the last few nights. What a marvelous way to prepare for Easter. It's been powerful.

REGRETS

So this week I've been thinking about regrets and what we have said to each of our children as they went to serve their missions, "No regrets!" This saying has become our mantra, as well. My children know of an experience I had when I was at BYU that was a pivotal experience for me. It literally changed the way I have lived my life. As so many of my deepest learning experiences have been, I learned the horrible weight of regret from a tragic experience.

My sophomore year at BYU I lived at Sparks Apartments. Right next door we had a mom, her daughter and daughter's friend move in. The mom's name was Ladorna. She and her family had lived in Laguna Beach until a recent divorce sent Ladorna back to college to get her degree in Art. Her daughter was just starting BYU and was playing tennis on a scholarship. It was odd because it was Ladorna, not her daughter, who became my good friend. I found out that Ladorna's husband had been a Bishop who had had an affair with one of Ladorna's good friends in the ward. Ladorna had 3 daughters, the older two left the church over his affair and her youngest who she was living with was the only one who had stayed active in church. It was a such a sad situation.

We remained good friends that whole year. My junior year Ladorna moved into nicer apartments and I didn't see her again until our Senior year when we were placed in the same Teaching Certification module for the whole semester. I would see her everyday. It was there that she told me about another tragedy that had come into her life. Her tennis star daughter had just been diagnosed with cancer and was very sick. I was heart-broken for Ladorna. I remember thinking how much can one woman take? Through the semester LaDorna kept me appraised of her daughter's status.

It was a cold late afternoon in the dead of winter when Ladorna took me home from our class in her car (I walked everywhere. No car for me!) We were sitting talking when she turned to me and said she had a favor to ask. She told me what a difficult time she was having keeping her daughter's spirit up, especially with the cold, dreary winter weather. She told me that I was such a bright force of energy that she just knew I could make a big difference to her daughter if I would just come visit her and bring some light. I told LaDorna that I could do that for her and I really intended to.

Here was the problem. I was carrying 21 credits that semester. I was Activities Chairman for our ward AND bottom line I really didn't know the daughter and had no idea what I should say. It was an uncomfortable situation to walk into. It was very easy to just put it off. Our semester ended and so did my daily interaction with Ladorna. Eventually I forgot all about it.

That is until my last semester at BYU, a summer session that would allow me to graduate in August. I was sitting in a General Ed Class; Humanities 101 that I needed to finish up. I was bored so I opened the Daily Universe, BYU's newspaper, and there on page 4 was an announcement that Ladorna's daughter, BYU Tennis Star, had succumbed to cancer at the age of 20. I sat there stunned and then the tears came. I got up and walked out of class, got on my bike and begin peddling to Ladorna's apartment, crying as I rode. My heart was broken for her and I was filled with shame.

For the first time in my life I recognized what true regret felt like. I would go and beg Ladorna for forgiveness for not doing a simple act of kindness. I would offer her my sympathy and tears. But no matter what I did or said it was too late, eternally too late to do the one thing that would have made any difference for Ladorna. Her daughter was gone and anything that mattered that I could have offered was gone with her.

I realized that what I was feeling is what hell would be; the recognition of what we might have been. I made a vow that day that I would never shy away from a difficult situation simply because I was uncomfortable or didn't know what words to say. I vowed that I would try to live my life that at its close I could look back and not regret the choices I had made or actions I had taken. I NEVER wanted to feel the way I was feeling that afternoon ever again.

Forty years later I can say that my regrets are limited. My main regrets are not for the things I've done, but more for the things I was not diligent about. I have truly tried to keep my promise to myself to not shy away from hard situations. I've come to realize that there are no right words, only love, that matters. I've learned that no matter how careful I am to do what's right I make mistakes. But those mistakes can be swallowed up in the gift of the atonement. It's only deepened my gratitude for the mercy and grace of my Savior. For all these lessons learned I am grateful. And it all started with Ladorna.

I hope and pray that someday I can thank Ladorna, face to face, that though I failed her in her greatest time of need the lesson I learned was not in vain. It changed my life forever!

First General Conference on our Mission!

It's early Saturday morning and I'm just now getting started on this blog. It's been an intense week of counseling, teaching and feeding our kids, but it's been good! I just couldn't make myself sit down yesterday and do this. Writing this blog takes more energy and focus than you would suppose. I'm grateful I promised to write because I think otherwise sometimes I would let it go. I remember feeling the same way with missionary letters. But the love overrides the fatigue. And I KNOW how much I would regret it. Also your sweet encouraging comments help motivate and keep me writing! Thank you for taking the time to let me know you are reading and enjoying our experience with us.

How about last weekend's General Conference? It was amazing. And you are right Tanner! There is something so precious about hearing the words of the prophets when you are serving full time.

Our schedule for conference here is crazy. Our first session was live of the Saturday morning, only our first session started at 5:00 p.m. Sunday morning we had Priesthood session from 10-12:00. Saturday Evening session was from 1-3:00 p.m. on Sunday and Sunday morning session was live here from 5-7:00 p.m. Sunday evening. They don't broadcast the last session because it would be from 9-11:00 so we have to pick it up on-line. (It was so fun. I had 18 lbs of chicken to shred for our Thursday night dinner so I took my pot of cooked chicken breasts and sat in front of the computer and listened to the last session of conference. Just as the session ended I was finished shredding all the chicken. Now THAT'S the way to make a job go quickly.)

You all know that I'm suppose to conduct a choir for Stake Conference tomorrow morning. It had been a total disaster. Last Saturday we ended up going to Costco with the Jordans. I expressed gratitude for letting us use a few of the sister missionaries to sing and then jokingly asked if they had any Elders that could sing. Sister Jordan was so cute. She offered to call a few Elders that she knew could sing that were serving in our stake and since they were all going to be at conference anyway she would ask them to come. I had personally emailed anyone I thought could possibly sing in our ward and told them that I would be offering our traditional conference breakfast of Swedish pancakes, strawberries and cream or homemade syrup if they would come rehearse between the conferences; 3-5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday morning I got up at 6:30 and made about 75 pancakes. I'd made the syrup and cut up the strawberries the night before. I went in to church at 11:00 to set up and was there when the men came out of Priesthood session at noon. Dad felt it was the BEST priesthood session he'd ever been to. (I have since watched it online and feel the same way. Elder Oaks' talk on priesthood, keys and woman will be a landmark talk. I loved every single talk in that session!) We then attended the session from 1-3. After it was time for choir. I truly had no idea what to expect. Well, between my emails and Sister Jordan's phone calls was I surprised! We probably had 50 kids there Sunday. It was a miracle. I went from a handful of kids to a full choir. I had 1 hour to teach two songs. Luckily they were both pretty simple and they picked them up pretty fast.

We had our brunch and cleaned up. Then we were back to our last session (your Sunday morning) that was fabulous. When conference was over we had a baptism (we have a baptism EVERY Sunday). By this time (around 8:00 p.m.) I was drooping and ready to go home. It had been a long, intense day that had begun 14 hours before. As we were leaving one of our girls that we knew, but not well, grabbed my hand and asked if she could just walk home with us, that she badly needed to talk to parents. As we walked and I heard her story my heart was filled with compassion. I hurt for some of our kids. Their stories would break your heart. I can't go into detail, but this beautiful 28 year old has been keeping her family together through horrendous trials for years. She was tired, lonely and just wanting to get married and let someone else carry the heavy load. She ended up staying for a couple hours. It was magic watching Jim be a daddy and give wise and prudent counsel to her. I literally watched as her shoulders came up and light filled her face. She had some hope as she walked out the door. How badly these kids need hope. The world presses hard here. Lots of our kids have little or no family support, especially financially. They have to work SO HARD to simply get by. It's such an added stress. So many broken homes. Because many are converts they are having to figure out how to apply and live the gospel on their own. I realize how badly they need our example of what marriage looks like and to just have access to a mom and dad. That's being called on all the time. That's why we both live in fear of not having the Spirit. We never know when we will be called on for help or to give a blessing or just listen and advise. It's a huge responsibility that we don't take lightly.

As the first girl left, there stood another at the door. Our crazy Sunday ended after midnight. What a day; our first General Conference as full time missionaries!!!

Tuesday night was Institute here and it was a great class. Our numbers were down to 19 because Spring Break has begun here. In fact for the next two weeks there will be no Institute and NO DINNERS!!! What a wonderful break for me. I think our Tuesday class is so much more than a gospel class. It is such a sweet opportunity for kids to gather in a home, once again to feel like family. We have to kick them out or they would stay all night.

Thursday was a new experience. I have a young Chinese man, Dixon, who has helped me in the kitchen since I came. His background is crazy. He was born in Hong Kong where he lived until 10. His parents, who were already members, moved here to London where he has lived ever since. His accent is a mix of Chinese and British and I have to really listen to understand him. I LOVE DIXON! He single handedly shepherds our Chinese members and he watches out for me. All he knows how to do is serve. Because it was his spring break this past week he offered to make dinner Thursday. His whole family's hobby is cooking. Dixon is a master chef and cooks amazing Asian dishes. So I bought the ingredients and met him and a couple of his Chinese friends Thursday afternoon and it began. We ended up with 5 people chopping and chopping and chopping. We made enough Vietnamese chicken salad to feed 70. That is no small feat. And it was GOOD!! (Dad didn't touch it. The base was cabbage). I was so pleased that almost all the kids LOVED it! They were so cute with him. After he told me it was a lot of work but if they enjoyed it then it was worth it. It was a fun experience working in the kitchen with a few Chinese YSA, an American YSA girl that I've adopted and then two Senior missionaries came in to help. It was crazy and fun.

As you know Jim teaches on Thursday nights the Mission Prep class. He's had in his class two twins. These are BIG black young men that are like giant teddy bears. They are 24 years old and both decided together it was time to go serve. I told you about their girlfriends and Jim's plea to the girls to help get them safely on their missions. He promised they would all be blessed in this life and eternally by Kenny and Tai's choice to go serve. They received their calls; one to Manchester England the other to Scotland. Easter Sunday is Kenny's farewell in Stratford, a ward on the outskirts of our stake. It's great timing. We want to attend to hear Kenny's farewell, but also to have the boys introduce us to the YSA in their ward. Since we have the next two weeks off from other time-consuming activities we want to focus on the inactive YSA from the wards outside of Britannia. What a better way than to meet the Bishop, talk to prospective missionaries and be introduced to some of the kids by these boys we adore and have invested in. We will sorely miss Kenny and Tai's enthusiasm for the gospel and their love they share with us.

Let me tell you about yesterday. It was a day of miracles. We've told you about Ziyed, the 34 year old Lebanese man that Jim has been teaching. He has continued to progress. There has been a hitch though. Last week we found out that Ziyed, like every other Mid-easterner, smokes. What's added to the difficulty is he lives with a chain smoker that never quits smoking all day long. It's made it almost impossible for Ziyed to stop.

Yesterday we had a teaching appointment with him at the church where he shared this story. He told us the day before, unbeknownst to him, his flatmate went to his doctor requesting nicotine patches. The roommate came home and informed Ziyed that he was going to stop smoking! Joyfully Ziyed said he wanted to quit also so they are going to share the patches and work on this together. Now you must understand the flatmate has no idea of Ziyed's gospel quest. He's doing it simply for health reasons, but what a tender mercy that was totally recognized by Ziyed as a gift from God. He also bore a witness to another whispering of the spirit. A little context first. Ziyed is a student of the bible. This man KNOWS the scriptures and has studied them his whole life. His questions for the sisters and for Jim are DEEP and penetrating, not superficial EVER! Two days previous as he was reading the Book of Mormon he said very clearly the spirit whispered, "Stop making this difficult!" He said he heard it twice. He looked at us and said, "So I am believing!" My answer to him was that the Lord WANTS us to ask questions, that questions are good. But it's the way we ask that makes all the difference. One who questions without wanting to find answers will never find the truth. But one who asks questions with the desire to find and understand makes it possible for the spirit to testify to the truth when they hear it. I told Ziyed that his questions have always been ones seeking to know. We love this man. He will be a great leader and we feel God's love for him. It was such a sweet meeting.

Last night we had another miracle. I can't go into detail, but we have two young people in our ward that used to date. They broke up a year ago and it has caused the young woman to go into a tail-spin, to the point that she's had difficulty coming to church. This young woman has been one of the pillars of our ward. It's a huge loss to not have her feel she can come to church. They really haven't spoken since the break up. We realized that in order for understanding and healing to occur we needed to get them together and do a GROW session.

We knew it would truly take a miracle to undo a year of deep hurt and misunderstanding. We gathered together last night at 7:00. It took four and a half hours, but at the end there was resolution and forgiveness. You have no idea how powerful it was to watch two truly wonderful, but hurt YSA that we love able to tell their truths and be reconciled. Your father did a masterful job that was totally driven by the spirit. I felt the spirit striving with us the whole night. It was this power that allowed the healing.

Today I awoke to this email:
Thank you sincerely for making a miracle happen. With most sincere gratitude and respect and love from my heart!

It really, truly was a miracle that again confirms to us the great love the Lord has for these young people and how we must be willing to give our best to serve them any way we can.

Tanner, once again we hope you had a wonderful 30th birthday. Dad said he saw you all on Google at dinner together. That's when I'm so sad we can't be with you to celebrate and rejoice together. THIRTY YEARS OLD!!! How in the world is my baby 30 years old? It just tells me how OLD I AM!!! Tanner you are now truly and officially a GROWN-UP!

We ask for your prayers. Pray that my kids in choir from last week will show up tomorrow morning! Pray we will have the energy, both physically and emotionally, to continue in this work. Pray that Ziyed will be able to stop smoking. Pray for Kenny and Tai as they go out to serve. Pray that each one of you individually will hold tightly to the rod of iron, that you will continue to love and serve the Lord. And pray that all our grandchildren will be protected from the world and grow in their testimonies. Our deepest desire is that we can all sit down together in the Lord's presence when our life is done. Heaven won't be heaven without each of you there with us. We love and pray for you daily. I hope you can feel our missionary prayers in your behalf. I've always known how blessed we are as a family but never more than now! We owe the Lord EVERYTHING!!!

Forty Years!!!!

I haven't much time today to devote to our blog. We are taking a Costco run (1 hour 15 minutes there; 1 hour 15 minutes back) with Pres. and Sister Jordan. If we keep these up the Jordans they will be our best friends! (Actually we truly love ALL the Senior couples here. They are diverse in talents, personalities and gifts, but every one of them love the Lord and are committed to serving Him with their best stuff! How can you NOT love people like that?)

Last week was devoted to writing down our family miracles. It was such a sweet experience "remembering". The day I wrote that blog just happened to be our 40th Anniversary. Forty years!!! Now THAT is a significant number. Ashlee I truly loved your anniversary post. It made me cry. Those same words have come out of my mouth! I, too, don't know where Starla ends and Jim begins. Who we are is so entwined that I truly believe my heart would cease to beat without him. He is the love and light of my life and now, more than ever, I rejoice and thank the Lord that my life is linked ETERNALLY with his.

To celebrate our anniversary we decided to see "Wicked". I've seen it with all the girls, but it's been years ago. Jim had NEVER seen it so I was very excited to take him. Another plus is the lead, "Glenda" is played by Savannah Stevenson who just happens to be a YSA member of the Britannia ward. (I'd never met her. The show's schedule keeps her from attending right now). She's been a huge endorsement for the church here in London and is a beautiful girl.

The Whites (the couple that came to see us at Christmas) told us a clever plan. They said that if we were willing to go at 8:00 am and stand in line the box office would open at 10:00 am and usually had left over front row VIP tickets that they would sell for discount of only 29.00 pounds. Since I was writing the blog that morning Jim volunteered to go and stand in line.

Now you all know your dad. Within a couple minutes he'd made friends with the people waiting. On one side was a girl that had literally seen the show over 100 times. Her name was Amanda and she was actually there to buy tickets for a friend. They became fast friends. She was the one who told Jim the exact BEST SEATS in the show. On the other side was Sasha and Mandy. Sasha was from Croatia and Mandi was a Brit. They had met at a hotel in Canada because Mandi is a flight attendant and Sasha worked at the hotel she would stay at. They had such a darling friendship and were outrageously funny and flamboyant. They, also, had seen the show dozens of times. Jim said it ended up being a party as they waited in line.

Jim got there early enough to get his pick of tickets. We were dead center, front row. When the show started we were probably 12 feet from the actors. I felt like we were onstage with the cast. IT WAS AMAZING! More about that in a minute.

Jim came home with the tickets, I finished the blog and we got ready and went to The British Museum. It is an amazing building full of artifacts from Egypt, Greece, Rome etc. We went through the ones that followed up on what we'd seen on our cruise. We decided that for it to be meaningful you really need a guide. Poor Jim has a very hard time just looking! Then we went to Covent Garden. It's an area of London full of shops, restaurants and street shows. It's electric with energy and showcased different performers on every corner. We ate dinner there and then made our way to the theater.

The show was fantastic. We sat next to Mandi and Sasha who loved watching Jim as much as the show and had continuous commentary that was almost as entertaining as the show itself. Savannah was amazing; a perfect Glenda. Elsaba was the understudy but I thought she was fabulous. Being so close you could see every nuance, facial expressions, details of the amazing costumes and feel the energy coming off the actors. It really was fabulous. Best of all, your father LOVED the show.

Afterwards, Sasha and Mandi took us up to the stage door where the actors come out from so we could meet Savannah. While we were standing there a very handsome couple walked up and in American accents asked where we were from. When we said Orem, they told us they were from Pleasant Grove. Our tags gave us away (it happens ALL the time. Mormons are always stopping us and asking where we're from and what we're doing here). When we told the Pleasant Grove people whose name was the Singers that Savannah was LDS they stayed with all of us to meet her. We were not disappointed. Apparently Amanda (from that morning) had emailed Savannah that two Senior Missionaries were going to be there to see her. Savannah came right over and said she's seen us on the front row and had actually winked and waved at us during curtain calls. She was so gracious and allowed us to take pictures and talked with us for several minutes. We were able to meet all the leads of the show. Every one of them were so down to earth and unpretentious. By time we were done we had two new Utah friends and Mandi and Sasha will be friends forever. It really was a memorable evening; our 40th wedding anniversary spent on our mission in London topping that off with seeing Wicked! Can't get better than that!

I want to share just two experiences from this week that has been full and fruitful. We are truly establishing meaningful relationships, giving prudent counsel and gaining the trust of the kids and the leaders.

Also your father has begun to be found out. He has done all his teaching with the two elders assigned to our Britannia ward. Well, I think the word is getting out. He's teaching more everyday as the missionaries realize what a treasure he is and how he can teach ANYONE! That brings me to our latest story.

Three days ago a set of sister missionaries had called to ask if Jim would come teach with them. When he walked in the building the sisters told him their investigator was late. As he walked by the other set of sisters he heard them teaching a young Christian man from Lebanon; Ziyed. This 34 year-old man really KNEW his bible and the sisters were having a hard time staying up with him. Jim introduced himself to Ziyed and they began to talk. Jim found out that for two weeks he had a strong spiritual impression to enter the church but had resisted until that moment. He had only been there for 10 minutes before Jim entered the building. That introduction ended up being a full hour long discussion and it ended with Ziyed begging Jim to stay and keep talking. He was hungering for what he was hearing. He had spent his life searching for the truth. Right on the spot he made an appointment for the next day.

When they met yesterday Jim said it was an amazing experience. One of Ziyed's first questions was how were those who never had a chance to receive the gospel going to be saved. Jim went to a scripture from the bible that he hadn't used in years but that came to his mind; 1 Peter 3:18-19 and 1 Peter 4:6. When Ziyed read it he proclaim, "This is in the bible!!! How have I never seen this in the bible?!!!! The hair on my arms are standing up!!!" Jim was able to testify of a loving Father who will give EVERY ONE OF HIS CHILDREN a chance to hear and understand. Jim taught baptisms for the dead and again showed him the scriptures in the Bible that testified of this principle; 1 Corinthians 15:29. Ziyed was overwhelmed. The whole lesson was one of questions answered and Ziyed's joy in finding answers he'd searched for his whole life.

After the discussion Jim brought him to our Institute dinner, introduced him to many of our kids, took him up to our precious Job Search missionaries; the Garners (Ziyed just lost his job. He'd managed 4 restaurants that had just been sold and he was laid off. It was all a part of God's plan. Ziyed would never have had time to search out the church working 100 hours a week. God loves and knows each of His children and opens the way for those that truly are seeking to find the truth!) And today they meet again. Jim loves this righteous man. It's been such a sweet experience.

This past Tuesday was a very difficult day for me. I woke up feeling very blue and homesick. I was tired. I felt stuck in the routine of cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping! I was feeling like I wasn't making a big enough difference. Just feeling sad. But it was more than that. I also knew I had Institute that night and that I couldn't begin to teach that class without the spirit. Yet I struggled all day. I finished preparing the lesson, finished making our dessert and cleaning the house. Then I just begged to have the spirit. The lesson was on redeeming our dead (temples), one of my favorite topics, but it was very deep subject. Right before the class was to start I had 2 different sets of missionaries call to tell us that they were bringing investigators to class (this had never happened before). I panicked. This was not a lesson for investigators but I had NO TIME to change. People were already arriving. I just prayed to be sensitive to who was there and asked Jim to add explanation as he felt inspired.

I was concerned as I taught, but the spirit came! I was very aware that it was in that room. I knew it. And the darkness I had felt all day was GONE (and has not returned!). After class the kids stayed, fellowshipping one another. There was such a sweet spirit of unity and love for each other and for us. I realized that the darkness I had felt all day was directly from the adversary bringing despair and overwhelm to dissuade and discourage. When I fully recognized what was going on I was so angry. But I'm also glad. Now I know that through the priesthood I can have the darkness cast out and keep moving forward. It was something I really needed to understand and a great learning for me.

One last thing; last night Jim and I gathered with our stake presidency counselor, Pres Stephenson, and a roomful of Chinese YSA to begin planning a Chinese YSA Conference to be held in November at Hyde Park chapel that will include Chinese members all over England. It will be a 3-day affair. It's a very big deal with very big implications. What wonderful, amazing chinese we have on this committee. They continue to amaze us with their valiancy and testimonies. It's powerful to behold. A great work is abroad on the land!

Well, Pres. Jordan just called and canceled our Costco trip. Darn! I'm needing to go again, badly! I've had to bribe kids to come practice choir for Stake conference next Sunday after General Conference. We are meeting between sessions; 1-3 and 5-7p.m. I told them I'd do our traditional conference breakfast; Swedish pancakes, homemade syrup, or strawberries and whipped cream. Need stuff from Costco. Hopefully we'll go tomorrow.

This choir business here has been hard. It's such a different set of circumstances than what we deal with in the states. Most our YSA lives at least 45 minutes away by tube, many live 1 1/2 hours away by tube. Not only is time involved but it's VERY expensive for them to travel, costing up to 5-6 pounds one way. It's no small thing to be active in the church for these youth! This makes it impossible to call rehearsals that are not attached to another meeting that they need to be at. But by doing it that way you run into the problem of conflicting meetings, home and visiting teaching that they do at church etc. And doing the choir this time for Stake Conference has been especially difficult because of the number of valid conflicts; last week was Mother's Day, which many of the local members go home for, university spring break which allows the kids time to go travel, general conference and then the very next Sunday is Stake Conference. Not a good combination for trying to rehearse. IT'S BEEN SO FRUSTRATING!!! That's why the bribe for brunch between sessions. Luckily I have two very easy hymn arrangements that we can hopefully pull together in basically one rehearsal hour. It is what it is! Just praying we get enough kids there to pull it off. I've been sending out emails the last two days to every person that might sing. (I finally got a ward list that allowed me to do it.) I'll let you know how it goes. I definitely have a new appreciation for the difficulties that the church faces here. NOTHING is simple or easy! I witness TRUE sacrifice EVERY DAY here just to be an active member of the church! It humbles me!

That's all for now. I've been smiling every time I think of our new granddaughter; London! Love the name! Now Bri let's make sure it's a girl, O.K. We got to finally see Skyler with open eyes and a darling smile. Made us very happy! We just love you all so much and continually pray that you will take advantage of this weekend's general conference and listen and apply the words of the prophets to your individual lives. How blessed are we to hear God's direction for us NOW! Don't take it for granted. (You should see our crazy schedule of when the sessions are broadcast! They are all over the place. Just grateful we can go and feel the spirit of the sessions, no matter what time it is.)

The work continues. We are being blessed and recognize the privilege we have in being called to this place at this time! We are so blessed. Love to all!

Miracles Part 2

"Miracles From the Other Side"

I will write a whole blog about the miracles and thin-veil experiences we have witnessed and been a part of in the Holy House of the Lord doing Family History. But I want to just share two experiences that happened in connection with that most sacred work.

When we were literally called by those on the other side of the veil and inundated with the Spirit of Elijah, we begin doing family history for Jim's family in the late 1990's. I took comfort in words from Jim's patriarchal blessing promising that the very means and information would be handed to me. So I started to question around his family asking if they knew of any genealogy that had been done by the family. Jim's cousin Liz thought she remembered that there was a book done by the Ventura Historical Society on the Del Valle family. It was Ysabel's maternal line that had been given a Spanish Land Grant in the early 1800's named Camulos Ranch. (It was made a National Landmark and the only remaining working Spanish land grant ranch in existence.)

I called the Ventura Society and was told they would check and get back to me. Only a few hours later a very surprised worker from the Society called. He told me in a excited voice that their group had been going through cleaning out old boxes left in their storage and had come across a box of books containing the genealogy of the Del Valles going back to the early 1700's. He told me how fortunate I was because they were ready to throw them away the NEXT DAY!! I bought two of the books on the spot that have allowed us to do the work for hundreds of Del Valles and Crams, all the information handed to me in that book! A blessed miracle for me and for them!

During this period we had another experience that confirmed how important the work was that we were doing. We had decided to get away for a weekend and go down to St. George. It was in early spring and the roads were treacherous. We were just outside Nephi (the worst part of the trip) when we hit a patch of slush going 75 MPH that caused our Landcruiser to hydroplane and begin to spin. Next to us was a very large semi-cab not pulling a trailer. As we begin to spin we slammed into the side of the Semi. The Semi spun around tapping the rear of our car back into a straight line and then spun into the medium facing the opposite direction. We were able to hold on to the wheel, go down a steep embankment and then come to rest back at the top of the freeway, facing the way we had been going. There was NO WAY we should not have flipped many times over going that speed, but there we sat with only a bumped head and a totalled car. There was something else in that car with us. We literally felt the arms of protection around us from those whose work we were doing; an absolute knowledge that we had work yet to do and they needed us safe to do it. We were not finished. This is the power of Family History. This blog is a continuation of the work not yet complete that needs to be done before we are done. Miracles abound when you are involved in the great work of Family History. We can attest to that!!

"The Power of a Sister's Prayer"

Both Bri and Megan had such powerful experiences around their mission call and missions. The Lord's hand was in both their lives. It is for them to record their amazing experiences. There is one, though, that our whole family was a witness to that I want to record. It makes me cry every time I remember it and the sweetness of the feelings that attended it.

After Megan's divorce she had to work for over 2 years to FINALLY be allowed to serve her mission. She was such an example of submission and surrender. It truly humbled me to watch as she faithfully did EVERYTHING the Stake President required of her. And though I murmured occasionally, she never did murmur. There were times she got discouraged. It was then the Lord kept a promise He had made to her in her patriarchal blessing that he would answer her prayers in the scriptures. She went many times and just opened her scriptures where she would be totally assured that she would serve a mission. "Wherefore go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, if mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss. Therefore, declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and know to be true. Behold, this is the will of him who hath called you, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen. (D&C 80) She was blessed to be called to Micronesia Guam mission. Like Bri's call it was perfect for her.

At the time of her call Bri had been struggling to become pregnant. She and Dan had a deep desire to begin their family and had been married at that time for almost 6 years. As a family we continually prayed for that blessing for them.

The day arrived for Megan to enter the MTC. It was wonderful that we had our whole family there to see her off. We had spent a sweet morning sharing and then it was time to leave for the MTC. Jim called all of us together to have a final family prayer and asked Megan if she would offer it.

Now I think all of us supposed that Megan would pray for safety and success on her mission, that she would be able to be the kind of missionary the Lord expected. I believe every one of us was surprised when she never mentioned any of that. Instead, Megan reminded the Lord of the price she had paid to become a missionary. Then, claiming the power of the mantle of her calling as a missionary she begged heaven to come down and be upon her sister Bri and fill her womb. We were all stunned and then the I felt my tears begin as we listened to this sister beg for the blessing of motherhood for her older sister Bri. By time the prayer was over everyone was in tears. It was so tender, yet so powerful. Such a demonstration of love between two sisters.

It was only two weeks after Megs left on her mission that Bri's womb WAS FILLED! Megan has always claimed partial ownership in Caleb; the prize of a faithful missionary prayer!

(There is certainly power in missionary prayers. We were only out on our mission for 2 weeks when we received word that Bri was miraculously pregnant a third time; no outside help, no multiple miscarriages, just blessed once again by missionary service. God is so GOOD!)

"Selling Digital Gateway"

Digital Gateway, Jim's final company, ended up being one of the biggest trials in our life and providing our greatest financial blessing. For 12 years Jim sweated it out, carrying a load that would have killed any other man. Yet he endured. In the end the sale of DGI was what allowed us to take care of our children and grandchildren and pay for our missions.

Jim had other companies coming to him for years offering to buy DGI but the time was never right. Then there came a time in 2011 when spiritually we just knew it was time to wrap up our life and go serve. Where's the miracle you ask? When Jim sold DGI part of the deal was that he would stay and run the company for another 18 months, which he did. It continued to perform brilliantly. But at the close of that year Ron, the buyer, came to Jim and told him that if we had waited for only one more year to sell DGI its value would have decreased by fifty percent because Wall Street had downgraded the whole copier industry. He told Jim that we would never have gotten close to the amount that had been paid for the company. This news only added to our motivation to serve a mission. We recognize that it literally has been paid for because of God's direction in our life. How grateful we were that we had ears to hear. We owe Him EVERYTHING!

"A Home for the Watts"

Two years ago we determined that the Watts living in Linden was too far away and they needed a new start in a new neighborhood. For the next several months I spent every day on-line searching for houses around our neighborhood. There was absolutely nothing for months. Then we happened upon a house only 4 blocks away. It was very understated on the outside but amazing on the inside and it was in a fabulous neighborhood. We fell in love with the owners, a young family who happened to be the daughter of a man that worked in Jim's office and who Jim totally admired and respected. They were needing to get out of the payment which was burying them. From the very beginning we felt very strongly that we needed to buy this house.

Earlier on the very day we were to show Greg the house Jim had met with Tyler Hortin, his accountant, and had written two huge checks to cover taxes after the sell of DGI. They had a tax question for Daron and had gone over to his office to ask him. While there, Daron mentioned that one of Jim's salesman had called that morning telling Daron about a tax benefit for founders of companies. The salesman had checked to see if he qualified and realized the only one that might qualify would be Jim. When Tyler heard this he said he would check into it immediately.

When we took Greg later that afternoon to see the house he instantly fell in love with it. We realized that if we were to buy the home it would bless the owners and give Greg and the kids a wonderful neighborhood to live in along with a wonderful new ward. Still it was a huge chunk of money that would need to come out of our retirement.

As we drove home from the house with Greg and the kids in the car we got a phone call from Tyler. As Jim talked he got more and more animated. He hung up and informed all of us that indeed he did qualify for the tax break and we would receive a tax refund for the EXACT PRICE of the home; the exact amount! This miracle blessed willing grandparents, a righteous young family trying to get out of debt, and our grandchildren and son-in-law who needed to know they were loved and part of a family that cared. It was a miracle indeed!


These are just a few of the miracles we've experienced in our lives. They have been a sweet testimony to a Father who loves us and is aware of our needs. We are eternally grateful for His hand manifested to our family. But the greatest miracle is watching our children strive to live the gospel, do good, raise up our precious grandchildren to the Lord and be loyal to their covenants. This is our greatest miracle for which we will eternally rejoice!

A Heritage of Miracles!

So as you all know from previous blogs your dad is teaching Shane the discussions and he is SO CLOSE to baptism. Last week Shane had read, on my request, Alma 17-22. These are the chapters about Ammon, Aaron,Lamoni and his father's conversion. When next we met with Shane he asked why we don't continue to have such great miracles today. Your father was able to bear a powerful witness to him that miracles continue today, that we've had a lifetime of miracles just within our own family. Jim then found a marvelous talk by Elder Dallin Oaks on Miracles in the Ensign June 2001 that I would recommend you all read. It's powerful!

This got me thinking about some of the true miracles that have happened in our family, starting with my two grandmothers and continuing down through our children. These miracles are the outcome of faith, not the reason for our faith. Nevertheless they need to be recorded to glorify God and to show his tender mercies and his hand in our lives. We acknowledge Him and will praise His name forever.

"Grandma Signe"

Grandma Signe was born in a small village in Northern Sweden to a mother that was a member of the church and father who was not. Since her mom lived far from any branches of the church the missionaries would come see her about once a year to administer the sacrament to her. My Grandma Signe was born with an eye disease that caused her constant pain and blindness. Her mother said she was in so much pain that she had never slept through the night.

When Signe was about two years old the missionaries came to see her mom. Before they left her mom asked if they would give her little blind daughter a priesthood blessing, which they did.

That night Signe slept through the the night for the first time and in the morning when her mother came running in, concerned because she had been quiet all night, Signe reached out her little arms for her mommy and cried out her name; her sight restored.

That's not the end of the story. My Grandma immigrated to Salt Lake City in her mid-twenties. About 10 years later she was riding a city bus when an older gentleman came and sat by her. They started a conversation and the older man knew instantly that she was from Sweden. He asked her where she was from and when she told him he got a very surprised look on his face. "I know that village", he said, "I served my mission in Sweden and used to go visit Sister Jonsson there. She had a little blind girl that I gave a blessing to right before I left Sweden to come home. Would you happen to know her and what ever happened to her?" With JOY my Grandma Signe answered him, "That little girl was me!"

Thirty years later a missionary had the gift of knowing the outcome of a priesthood blessing given over 30 years before and my grandma was able to thank him for being the instrument of restoring her sight. Both the sight restored and the later meeting; truly a miracle!

"Grandma Nellie"

I've written about my deep love for Grandma Nellie. I was SO BLESSED to grow up with her living right next door. She moved in next door when I was around 12 years old and became an active a part of my life from that time until she passed. She was a fabulous example of faithfulness and enduring to the end. She served as a Sunday school teacher of 14-year-olds until her eighties. She had a huge impact on the way I came to feel about myself and viewed being a strong woman. Along with my parents, she was my greatest fan!

My Grandma's family joined the church in Australia. My grandmother was born shortly thereafter. They immigrated to America when Nellie was still a baby. Her father became a architect and contractor who designed and built the San Bernardino Stake Center still in use today.

When Grandma was still a baby her older sisters took her for a walk in the carriage. Thinking it would be fun to watch the carriage roll down a hill, they let go. The carriage quickly got out of control and ended up hitting a tree. Grandma was hurt, but they never suspected that the force of the impact had dislocated her hip. It was only after Grandma became a woman with her one leg two inches shorter than the other that she started to have severe pain in her hip. Remarkably as a baby her little body had created a hip socket out of cartilage that had allowed her to grow up with full function and no pain.

By time I was old enough to recognize it, my grandma was dealing with pain everyday. As each year passed it became worse until, in her early 60's, she could stand it no longer. We've got to remember in those days there was no such thing as hip replacements. Grandma had only two options; fuse her hip straight so she would have to stand or lie flat or fuse her hip bent so she would have to stay in a wheel chair. Both were horrible options but the pain was so great she finally chose and set the day to leave to get her surgery down in Los Angeles.

Grandma had had many blessings over the years, but the night before she left she received her final blessing.

The next morning I heard laughing and yelling in our back pathway coming from Grandma's house. Surprised, I went outside and there was Grandma Nellie skipping, yes, skipping over to our house laughing without restraint. "It's gone! There's NO PAIN! It's gone!" And it WAS gone! For the rest of her life my Grandma never had pain in her hip again. She glorified God that day and everyday until she passed away at age 86, still free of hip pain. A miracle!

"Jim's Abraham/Isaac Miracles"

We all know what sacrifice was made when Jim joined the church; disowned by his family, kicked out of his house, siblings and friends turned their back on him. (It has all been forgiven and forgotten but at the time it was heart wrenching!)But because of Jim's total act of submissive faith and consecration, no matter the cost, the Lord opened His heavens and poured miracle after miracle upon Jim's life.

Because of being forced out of his home at 19 1/2 Jim had to get a job, go to school, and play football at the Junior college; Cuesta. It was a hard, lonely, poverty-filled year. Since Cuesta was only a 2 year school Jim worried about how he would pay to finish his schooling at another school. His head coach knew about Jim joining the mormon church and his family difficulties, saw his talent and wanted to help. Unbeknownst to Jim he sent film and a letter to BYU's football program praising Jim's talent not only as a player, but as an extraordinary leader and new member of the mormon church. Jim and I received scholarship offers to attend BYU a day a part. Mine was a partial scholarship, but Jim's paid for the rest of his education; a gift and an unsought miracle.

After Jim's graduation from BYU he had great plans to travel the world with his best friend Bill Marre'. That is until he went to Southern California and heard Truman Madsen speak. He came home from Los Angeles and went immediately into our Bishop Andrus' office in San Luis Obispo, having an inkling what was going to happen. Bishop Andrus tentatively asked if Jim would be willing to fast with him about the decision to go serve a mission even though Jim had graduated from College and was 23 years old. He told Jim to go home, fast and pray about it and that Bishop would attend the temple fasting to receive what the Lord would have Jim do. When Jim came back two days later the Bishop shared the powerful answer he'd received in the temple that confirmed the same answer Jim had received that he was to go serve!

Now you need to understand in those days there was no church fund to assist missionaries and every mission had its own costs. Jim was called to England Central, a very expensive mission, and there was no one to help him pay for it. Once again Jim put it all on the alter. He sold everything he possessed except for one big item. The day before he was to leave and come up to enter the MTC he still hadn't sold his car, the biggest contributor to pay for his mission. Jim had bought a brand new green El Camino the year before. He'd saved for years to buy that car. He called it the Green Ram (name given by Steve Facer, another football player and dear friend) and that car was Jim's love. It also was what was going to pay for his mission.

The morning before he was to leave a cowgirl from Cal Poly came to look at the car. Jim prayed mightily that she would buy the car but when she saw the color she said she didn't like green and left. Jim was devastated. Once again he prayed, telling the Lord he needed a miracle to be able to go. It was only a few hours later that the girl returned stating, "I still don't like the color, but I like the car. I'll buy it." Jim left the next day for Utah, money in hand.

Because of the sacrifice required by Jim to go serve a mission his mission was filled with miracles. One in particular I want to share. Jim had a unique experience while he served as a Zone leader toward the end of his mission. He had been returned to the field after serving as A.P. for over a year. One day his mission president called him and asked if he would do him a favor. President Reeves' friend, Mark Swindeman, a wealthy businessman from Salt Lake City, had come to England for business and had brought his son, a 16-year-old boy who was struggling with his testimony. Brother Swindeman asked President if there was a missionary that could be trusted to take his son and let him experience the spirit of a mission. President called Elder Phillips who gladly took the boy. They spent 2 weeks together and had deep spiritual experiences that changed the boy's heart and life.

A couple days after the boy left Jim woke up and knelt before the Lord and announced that he was out of money. Because of leadership positions on his mission, Jim drove a car most his mission. Petrol was VERY expensive and it had used up more of his money than Jim had counted on. With several months left, Jim had run out of money. But Jim was not afraid. He truly KNEW the Lord would somehow provide. He got up off his knees and went to leave his flat when there was a knock on the door. There stood Brother Swindeman who announced that he had been on his way to the airport to fly back to the States when the Spirit told him to turn around, Elder Phillips needed him. He then asked Jim what he needed. When Jim told him his situation Brother Swindeman laughed and said he could remedy that. From that day until Jim came home he had more money than his whole mission. He never had to worry again. Jim has always testified that the Lord KNOWS his servants and answers their prayers. A Miracle!

"Jami's Protection Through the Night"

We were living in our very first home in Atascadero, California. Jami was not quite 2 years old and Ashlee was only around 3 weeks old. It was a Sunday afternoon when Jami started to run a fever and became very lethargic (very unlike her). Jim felt a strong impression to give her a priesthood blessing before putting her to bed, blessing her with safety through the night. The next morning she was worse and it sounded like she might have croup; her breathing was getting raspy. We called our pediatrician who practiced in San Luis Obispo, 20 minutes away and he told us whooping cough was going around and get her in right away. By that time it was quickly progressing, getting worse every minute so Jim jumped in his car and I followed with Ashlee in mine. Jim flew down the grade and by time I got to the doctor's office Dr. Tedone was in the middle of a examination. He declared,"This is a bad case of croup. She needs to be hospitalized. But before you take her let me just check one more thing. He looked down her throat and I saw his face turn pale. He looked at Jim and said, "Take her NOW. Don't wait for red lights. Just get her to the hospital NOW. I will have someone waiting at the door. GO!"

Jim grabbed Jami and raced to French hospital. There was a doctor waiting there who grabbed Jami, who had just stopped breathing, went around the corner and cut a hole in her throat to allow her to breath. Later we found out that Jami had epiglottitis. It's a very rare illness where a virus settles on the epiglottis in the back of the throat and causes it to swell, suffocating little children if not caught in time. Dr. Tedone asked us when her symptoms had started. When we told him she had gotten sick the night before he was very surprised. He told us that it usually is only a couple hours from onset to emergency and that Jami should have died in the night. We KNEW a daddy's blessing had protected her until we could get the help she needed. A Miracle!

"Ashlee's Deliverance"

Jim's first business, Beachcomber Bills, took him to Hawaii frequently. When Jami was a little over 3 and Ashlee was about 1 1/2 we took them to Hawaii, along with my mom who had never been. It was a fun trip. We not only saw Oahu but were able to spend a couple days on Kawai, the most beautiful island of them all.

This day we decided to go to the most beautiful beach in all of the Hawaiian Islands, the beach where they had filmed South Pacific. To our delight we found a small tide pool only a couple inches deep. As the waves would come in water would fill the pool and then slowly drain out until the next wave came in. It was a perfect place for the little girls to play in, enough water to keep them entertained but not enough to be dangerous. We went and sat about 20 feet up the beach from the tide pool where we could see the ocean and still watch the girls. My mom, Jim and I were in a deep conversation when all of the sudden Jim leaped up and literally flew down the beach to where Ashlee was floating face down in the water. A rogue big wave had come in, sending a large amount of water over the sand spit, knocking her over and was pulling her out to sea. He grabbed her just as she passed over the sand spit and brought her to me. By this time we were all in tears. Frantically I held her, listening for any choking or trouble breathing. Somehow Ashlee had known to hold her breath. She was only very frightened. Later Jim told us that as we were talking the Holy Ghost literally turned his head in the direction of the girls and he witnessed her fall face down in the water. Two more seconds and she would have been gone. In tears we thanked the Lord for the Holy Ghost and His gift of protection. We were truly humbled. Terrifying but once again a miracle!

"Ki's Burning on the Head"

While we were living in Mission Viejo Jim got a call from his family telling him that his dad has just been diagnosed with a spleen full of cancer that was the size of a football. Jim jumped in his car praying the whole way as he drove the 4 hours home. When he arrived he found that his dad was getting ready to go into surgery to remove the spleen. Jim asked if Ki and Ysabel would allow him to use his priesthood to give Ki a blessing, something he had prayed for the whole trip down. To his surprise they agreed. Jim quickly called our good friend Steve Facer to meet him at the hospital. Steve anointed and then Jim gave his father a blessing, prompted to promise that Ki would live to see his grandchildren grown.

When the doctors came out of surgery they were amazed. The cancer was totally contained in his spleen and miraculously they were able to cut out the spleen intact with all the cancer inside. It was so rare that doctors from Southern California drove up to witness it.

His dad made a full recovery of health and DID live to see his grandchildren all grown. Whenever Ki talked about his surgery he would look at Jim and ask, "Do you remember the burning on my head?" Then he'd smile. He knew that Jim knew that he knew it was a miracle! And it WAS!!!

"Elder Ballard and Our Son Tanner's Priesthood Healings"

When we lived in Centerville it was one of the most stressful times of Jim's business life. It was the last time Jim ever worked for and put his life and his choices in another person's hands. He was at the mercy of decisions made by others. It was the only time in our married life where we had big time financial restraints. I remember the first check he brought home after moving me to Centerville from my beloved Mission Viejo and I broke into tears. I said to him, "You moved me here for THAT??" For the 4 years we lived there we were constantly worried about money.

The financial worries and lack of any control played havoc on Jim's health. Jim had gotten a ulcer before we moved to Centerville but the scenario there in Utah was a perfect storm! His ulcer continued to get worse and worse until Jim was deathly ill. His weight plummeted down to Junior High weight. Every time he ate he would vomit it back up. He couldn't sleep because of the pain. It was truly a horrible situation.

It got bad enough that we finally made an appointment to go see a specialist, even though we couldn't afford it. The doctor did a scope and informed us that it looked like stomach cancer to him, but he would do a biopsy to confirm his suspicions. There was only one problem. We had to wait 7 days for the report because we had our appointment right before the 24th of July, a state holiday, so it took several days longer than normal.

I was a wreck, wondering how I was going to raise 5 VERY ACTIVE children alone and how I could survive a life without Jim in it. It was a very very long week.

When we went back to the Doctor he gave us the good news that it was NOT cancer, but a very large, very dangerous ulcer. His recommendation; to cut out half of Jim's stomach and then a 6 month recovery period. Jim looked at the doctor and simply said that was impossible. We couldn't survive without an income for 6 months! We left the doctor's office and the first thing Jim did was make a call to Elder Russell M. Ballard. He was the father-in-law to Jim's partner at the time; Brad Brower and a dear friend. Within a day Elder Ballard had us up to his home.

Elder Ballard gave Jim a powerful blessing and then gave him wise and prudent counsel. "Go home and do what you love." We left his house with a sense of peace and comfort. Then for the next 6 weeks Jim put himself on a milk and rice diet, eating nothing else. His ulcer healed. He followed Elder Ballard's counsel. We went back to California, eventually to San Luis Obispo and Jim has always done what he loves; build and run his own companies.

Jim has been able to manage his ulcer since that day, but has had to remain on stomach medicine. That is until he received a precious, beautiful and inspiring blessing for our mission from our son Tanner. One of the things that Tanner blessed his father with was health and the power and energy to do all that would be required of us. We've been here for two months and it's literally the first time in 35 years that Jim has NOT had to take any meds for his stomach. We know it's a direct miracle from our son's priesthood blessing combined with being blessed for our willingness to go serve once again in the English Isles.

(To be continued in Part 2)

Two Posts from Elder Phillips

Marius' Bike Trip to the Temple

I love all of you and think about each of you daily. I ended my Sabbath Day speaking with Marius, one of my pre-missionaries. As a follow-up to your Mother's story about his temple experience I spoke to him tonight after Church. He shared that his temple experience was so profound that he just had to go back. You have to understand that by going back I mean he went without the tube, bus or vehicle. He had to ride his bike 5.5 hours each way to do 12 baptisms. Yes 11 hours total in pouring rain and freezing winds. When he'd completed the 10 people he was baptized for they asked him if he'd mind doing 2 more. You do the math. He road his bike almost one hour for each person he was baptized for to make sure their work was done. That is vision and passion at its best. I sat there with tears running down my cheeks as I listened to this converted boy share his excitement for the work on both sides of the veil. His greatest desire now is to go serve a full time mission. We love this boy! Pap


"G's" Baptism

I spoke on Baptism tonight for a young man that doesn't know me very well. He just felt that Elder Phillips was supposed to give the talk on Baptism. As you know I'm teaching a young Chinese man that will be baptized in two weeks. I knew he would be there so I wanted to take that opportunity to share the importance of baptism while making it very personal for "G" also. I spent two hours pondering and praying for exactly the right words for my 5 minute talk. I wrote it all up and put did it in word on my Surface.
Well, I tried to open my talk with my quote and scriptures that I'd prepared and there was no way to find it. I said a prayer and asked for Father's help and got the peace to not try to find it and He'd put the words in my mouth. I breathed deep and took the leap of faith and let Father direct my words.

The true test of my success was stated by the young man being baptized when he bore his testimony after his baptism. He indicated he didn't know why he felt that Elder Phillips was supposed to give the talk until he heard it. We both were Catholics and had mothers that were our best friends. He also shattered her when he chose to join the Church. I had begun my talk by stating that I was a 19.5 year old that loved the Catholic Church and I also was an alter boy that was considering being a priest. When I told him that my mother had my clothes waiting for me outside my house after my baptism he was stunned at all the similarities of our lives. I bore witness to him that tonight he would be baptized by one having the true power to act for God just like Jesus. Also that by following his example he would also receive the greatest guide for life; the Holy Ghost.

I bore witness that this was the greatest decision I ever made. That decision impacted more lives than I could ever begin to count. Each of you and our grandbabies are some of those lives that were impacted. All the young people's lives that we've ministered to over the years. All the baptisms we've been part of. I can't imagine what my life would have been like without the Gospel of Jesus Christ in it. I wouldn't be married to your mother. I would have none of my best friends in the world, my children. I would have none of the joy's of my life, my grandchildren. I would simply have none of the people and purposes that make my life meaningful. I thank God for his restored gospel and that each of you have chosen to live it. My children, there is no real joy or happiness without this sacred knowledge we have. I love you beyond anything that I can express.

Pap/Elder James K. Phillips / Married to the best friend I could ever have; 40 years on the 28 of March. I think I'll take her to Wicked in London. Wow! 
1

Fifth Week Complete!

WHAT A WEEK THIS HAS BEEN!!! It's been SO BUSY! I'm still catching my breath. We've been here only 5 weeks but it feels like it has to be 6 months. It's crazy.

I'm just going to hit some of the highlights of this week or I'd been on here all day.

Last Saturday we drove up to Waford (where our closest Costco is) with Pres. and Sister Jordan for our first get-together with the YSA Senior couples from throughout the whole mission. I've got to say what a marvelous group of "old people". The room was bursting with extraordinary people and energy of those who have had a life full of accomplishment and success, who have earned the "right" to retire and take it easy. Instead here they are killing themselves serving the Lord's youth. It was instant friendship because of our shared goals. I think the women all felt bad for me. They just rallied around me helping with ideas for food and activities since I have, by double, the most kids to feed and work with and am the rookie of the group. All of them that are working YSA have been out for over a year. One of the women is a life-long friend of Kay Heber. Kay had asked me to look Sister Whitaker up before I even left. It was so great to become friends and share our love of Kay together. The husbands were as great as the wives; all very successful men; everything from CEO's to professors of religion at BYU. It was just an amazing group who will be our friends and allies throughout our whole mission. It's a blow away what this church produces and what sacrifice its members are willing to give. It's so indicative of the "mighty change" that occurs as you live your life striving to "become". It's also the fruit of the truthfulness of the gospel, that so many are willing to lay it all on the alter, no matter the cost. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such goodness!

Sunday was a special day. For the first time Megan's song "My Gethsemane" was sung by someone besides Megan. We have in our ward a girl getting her master's in theater who has the most amazing trained contralto voice. I talked about her last time. She sang Meg's song and you would have been so proud Megan. It was AMAZING. I could hardly see the page to play I was so filled with the spirit. The congregation didn't move and when the High Counsilman stood to speak he asked how he was supposed to follow something like that. I LOVE TALENT and I LOVE MUSIC! It felt so good to be doing music again. It filled my soul (and made me miss Megan, Tanner and Shelbs!)

Also on Sunday we had our second choir rehearsal. The first one had been a bit discouraging but last week we doubled our numbers and had a great rehearsal. Yep! I was wild!! Tried not to be, but there is just something about creating beautiful music that makes me rejoice and be a little wild. Luckily the kids now know us well enough that they weren't too surprised and they all had a blast. I don't think they've ever really been rehearsed before. They were surprised at first but then really got into it. Last night I was just asked to provide the choir for Stake Conference in the middle of April. We've got lots of recruiting and rehearsing to be ready. Very fun!

Tuesday night we had Institute again at the flat. To our surprise we had 34 people attend. It sounds great but it's almost a problem. Not enough chairs and they were all squished together. I hope it was a fluke and we can keep it around 20 or I don't know how we can do it here. I'd be sad. I think that's a part of why they love coming; it's in a home where the spirit abides. What was so exciting is for the first time we had about 10 Chinese members come, which made me SO HAPPY. (Part of that big number was because our Elder Wu, the Chinese Elder assigned to Britannia ward, was being transferred the next day.) Last week the young man who shepherds the Chinese group was concerned at separation in our classes (they have their own classes taught in Chinese). After I heard that I have made it a point to reach out to our Chinese kids. It's not hard. I love them so much. They bring such a purity and sweetness with them. We could and should learn so much from them. They are truly a blessing.

Our lesson was on Grace/Atonement. After class one of the girls who I adore and who is Chinese and an English translator came up and talked to me. She shared an experience that had happened only a couple weeks before. She had been deeply hurt because, although she is totally qualified, she continues to get past over for opportunities because of her lack of connections and status. She said it had happened once again and she was SO ANGRY! Now you need to understand. I can't even imagine this girl EVER being angry. She is so sweet. She even went to her Professor and argued and complained! For the whole day she felt anger and betrayal and kept asking the Lord why. Finally she said she stopped and looked at how she was acting. She's a fairly new convert. She recognized that this was not how the Lord would have her act or feel so she prayed for Christ's grace to enable her to let her anger and disappointment go. And the peace came. When she told me this she started to cry. It was so tender and so simple but such a great testimony of His Grace that endows us with the power to do things we could never do on our own. I was deeply touched by her testimony.

Another amazing story was shared by a Chinese member of 4 months who serves as counselor in our Relief Society Presidency. She is from mainland China, a beautiful, educated young woman beginning her Doctorate. She is so converted. She shared how her mother had visited London while she was investigating the church. They were in Sacrament meeting taking the sacrament when she glanced at her mom who doesn't speak a word of English and tears were streaming down her face. When she asked her what was wrong her mom responded "I don't know what this is that I am feeling, but I am overwhelmed!" When the mom returned home this sweet sister and Elder Wu skyped her and have taught her the missionary discussions on Skype. She's coming in April to London to be baptized!

Along with all this we just got our new elder who replaced Elder Wu (Elder Wu is a convert missionary from Taiwan). The new Elder is one of the first ever missionaries who lived, was converted and sent from mainland China to be a missionary. IT"S AMAZING what is happening there. Elder H said if they could officially organize they would have enough "branches" to make a stake in the city he lives in. The work is exploding there and it's word of mouth only. That just tells you how prepared they are for the gospel! (Ashlee we knew that 15 years ago when we were there, didn't we.)

One last thing; a story shared by the investigator that Jim has been working with from the beginning. He's a brilliant Math and Economics major at Imperial College. I was surprised when he showed up at our Institute class on Tuesday because I knew he was in the middle of finals. Last night as I was talking to Pres. Phillips, our stake president, he walked in to visit with me. I told him that Elder Anderson had told me earlier that day that he had committed to baptism for next Sunday. He told me that even though he hadn't had a complete answer he felt he needed to move forward in faith and show his sincerity by being baptized. Then he shared how last Tuesday night he was suppose to be doing revisions on two last questions for his final but came to Institute class instead. When he went home he didn't have the time he needed to finish the revisions. In his sweet faith he asked the Lord to let those be two questions NOT asked on the final. I looked at him and asked "SO????" He answered, "They weren't on the test." Then he just smiled. I love this young man. What a leader he will be as he returns to China.

One Wednesday morning we got up nice and early to catch a coach full of YSA kids who had taken off work or were cutting class so that we could go do baptisms at the London temple. (I don't know why it's called London. It takes 1 1/2 hours to get there and it's definitely NOT in London.) On the bus were two young men from Iran who I hadn't seen at church, that Jim had contacted two weeks ago by request of the Bishop and then that contact was followed up with an invitation by Bishop to come to the temple. Jim had offered to do some business coaching with them. They had an animated conversation going up and back. They are both brilliant and working on Doctorates but wanting to get into small business, which your Dad is an expert on. (Whatever it takes to get them re-engaged). Iran!!! Can you believe that! (I'm adding a letter your dad received from one of them this morning. It's so cute!

Hello Dear Elder Phillips,
It was a wonderful temple trip and was a great pleasure to meet you and lovely Mrs. Phillips.
You are the best companion who I could wish for.
Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to go for yesterday Institute meeting. I had an unplanned very surprising New Year visit by my beloved family friends came from Manchester.
Definitely, will see you very soon, I need your priceless advice and help in both my spiritual way and my career.
Thanks a lot.
Regards,
A______

On the bus I sat next to my dear friend Marius. He's a 22 year old from Romania who had never been inside the temple before. This boy has had one of the most difficult lives I've ever heard and has had to overcome so many obstacles to even be where he is. He has worked SO HARD to be here!! His greatest desire is to serve a mission. (He's part of Jim's Mission Prep class). He's on fire!

What a tender experience watching our young adult Elders administer priesthood ordinances. I got teary as I watched them baptize. They were so tender and careful with one another, patting and reassuring the kids actually being baptized. Some of the YSA have not had experience with water and it was kind of a scary thing. But they were made calm by how solicitous and loving the Elders were with them. It touched me.

When it was Marius' turn to be baptized I sat and watched him. I wasn't sure what was happening, if it was nervousness or what but I knew something was affecting him deeply. When he was finished I was there to wrap a towel around him and it was like he was ready to explode! He keep saying "I know these people. I feel who they are. I know them. I had no idea it could be like this! Please let me do more!"

I was a witness of heavenly JOY. He had paid such a price to be there that the outpouring of the spirit was equal to the sacrifice he had paid. The whole way home he kept witnessing that he will never be the same, that now he understands what "thin veil" experiences look like because he felt he'd been allowed to glimpse into heaven. The next night at Institute he was still floating. It was such an amazing experience to witness. It's also a testimony to me of what can happen in the Lord's house if we are prepared to receive it!

Thursday was another crazy day (told you this week was insane). We had our dinner that night but from 12:00 to 2:00 we had a meeting with Pres. Phillips; Stake Pres., Pres Jordan; Mission Pres., Mark White; CES, the Symes and the Whites; Family History to visioneer the next 2-3 years. The numbers and potential are staggering. We have over 2 1/2 million youth in the city of London. The prophets have told us that the future of the church lie in the hands of the YSA here in Europe. We need to find a way to root them more firmly and gather in more effectively. I came out of there tired just thinking about the scope of our responsibility. Pray for us as we brainstorm on ways to accomplish this enormous task!

Between our class on Tuesday and Institute on Thursday we broke a record of over 100 YSA attending class this week. In the last 6 weeks we've steadily increased our numbers until we have doubled attendance, a record Thursday. Pretty exciting! I can feel the enthusiasm growing. There's so much more interaction going on at dinner. In fact we have to physically get them out of the gym and into class. Mark White is doing a great job and I feel the kids reaching out in a wonderful way. I told you about Jim's mission prep class and what happened with the girls as he pleaded with them to help keep their guys be worthy to go. Well, it's been so wonderful. All of them have committed to evening and morning scripture and prayers on their knees and have asked that Elder Phillips hold them accountable every week. They are doing so well. It's a love fest.

I tried to finish this yesterday (Friday the 21st) but since it's so long I'm finishing it this morning. We had another first last night. We went to dinner with all our Senior Couples and then attended "The Classical Spectacular" at the Royal Albert Hall, probably the most famous music hall in the world. It really was spectacular. We got the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tenor and Baritone Soloists that were amazing, along with cannons and fireworks and light shows that were astounding. I kept pinching myself...Albert Hall...Me? that young middle-class girl from San Luis Obispo, sitting in the Royal Albert Hall in London, England!!! What a treat and the company was GREAT!

There's one more story that's amazing that is going to have to wait for next week. We are out of time. Just know that we are beginning to feel direction and trust being built with the youth. This work is a work of miracles. We see the Lord's hand at work in each of our youth's lives. He loves His children and He loves each of YOU!!! We have felt it over and over again. Hold tight to the rod, serve, pray and be obedient. He will guide us all safely home if we will but submit and surrender. We know this is true!!! We love you all!