Learning By and From My Own Faith in God

I was reading the scriptures this morning. I look for nuggets as I read of knowledge that have helped me along the way in my life. I recalled an incident that happened almost forty years ago. The scripture that was emboldened in my reading was in I Nephi 18:21

"And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm."

I was traveling by car from California to Utah. I had just been back from a visit to my mother and father when my brother, Robert had just returned from an extended time away. I think I had three little ones with me driving alone, by myself. We were driving back and it was evening because it was dark outside.

All of a sudden the winds had increased along with sand, and the car rocked from the force of nature. I believe we had suddenly come upon a sand storm in the desert between the two states. I had never been in a sand storm before to know any better than to just stop along the road and wait it out. However, that thought did not occur to me. I think I was driving our 1970 White Volkswagen in early 1971 and I had faith I/we would be protected, regardless.

My child like faith and the Holy Ghost told me to "pray away" the strong winds and sand. So I did. I offered the prayer in my mind as I drove. I asked for the winds to be lifted so we could get home safely. Then, the most incredible thing then happened. The winds stops long enough for me to get through the storm as kept on going. The wind seemed to stop and the sand as well. I never thought otherwise and gave a prayer of thanks for the answer came as the winds ceased and we were was able to proceed forward.

I think back on that now and am amazed at how that happened with such ease. I know my unwavering faith allowed me to ask and seek and knock for Heavenly father heard my prayers asking for his help. I know he is aware of all of us at any given time. I know that he lives and cares about us. I just have to ask for his help whether it is to stop the wind and sand or to be healed according to His will.

I know that no problem is to small nor too big for Him to hear and address in our behalf. The song "A Child's Prayer, speaks to me and strengthens my faith each day. You can hear the words here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIuphB7nyVg

I know I am a child of God.

Special Day of Celebration for Two Grandchildren

Today, two of my grandchildren were baptized, Kaleb and Madison. Kaleb is my twentieth grandchild, born September 20th. Madison, aka Madie was born October 21st. She was my 21st grandchild besides. I thought that was unique and mentioned it before I gave the opening prayer. I knew I would not have the opportunity to say it any other time in the service. The Spirit was so sweet and I could feel our family on the other side who had come to witness the two baptisms.

I know the veil was thin for those there and some mentioned it as well in the comments throughout the service. It was an honor to be asked to give the opening prayer and included in the program. Kaleb and Madison looker so angelic and as pure as two children could be who just turned eight.

Madie looked so cute in her whites and so did Kaleb. Each was baptized by their fathers. It is such a joy to me, a grandmother to see these rites of passages come to fruition in their lives at the appropriate times.

There was a well planned luncheon and it was such a joy to have all the family present who participated and attended. I appreciate the support of all the extended family in organizing this event. I felt the love and unity of the guests and family who came to support the two children being baptized. It was a special time to share it with the two. It as so kind for Kaleb to wait to be baptized with his other cousin, Madison.

He is such a fine young man and so sensitive to spiritual things. He has a tender side to him that is very Christlike and endearing. Madison is energetic and shows to be a hard worker, like her mommy and willing to do whatever is asked of her. She is a beautiful little lady already. She is growing up so fast and looked so sweet with her smile and braces on her teeth.

Congratulations to both of them.

New Assignment, New Time

One of my assignments to serve here be able to stand in this heavenly room for a half hour today. Such a pleasure and joy!


This week I started back to work in the temple. The last ten weeks I had taken a leave of absence and was so eager to get back and serve there. The shift change was so that I could go and be rested and not worried over the amount of sleep I had the night before.

The early morning shift was more difficult to settle down to sleep with the anticipation of getting up at 4:00 a.m. Now that I need to be at the temple by 9:45 a.m. it is easier to get myself settled and wake at a normal time for the day.

My experience on the new shift was wonderful. The sisters were so welcoming and many expressed their gratitude and gave a me a warm reception to join them each week. My trainer, Sister Rowe was so complimentary. She had me pass off the ordinances and praised me and it made me feel good in that I still knew them well enough and was able to get right in to be assigned for the positions in all the posts.

The temple president, President Brown visited our prayer meeting and shared a message that I felt was like drinking from a well of living water. He taught us the five heresies of the gospel. I was so touched by the information he shared and how he presented it that fed our spirits before we went to our assignments.

It was a great day. I look forward to going each week. However the next two weeks the temple will be closed for their semi-annual maintenance closing.

Commemorating A Traditional Custom~

Article from Provo Daily Herald--

Much like Memorial Day in the United States, Mexicans and Mexican-Americans have a three-day celebration called Dia de los Muertos remembering family and friends who have died.

The celebration begins on Oct. 31 and goes to Nov. 2 each year. Family members build and decorate altars with pictures, flowers and favorite foods of the deceased. Family and friends often spend the days praying and singing.

"It's very much like a family reunion," said Arly Diaz, owner of Delipan Bakery in Provo.



One of the common foods of the holiday is Pan de Muerto, or Bread of the Dead, which is a sweetened soft bread shaped like a bun and decorated with a cross symbolizing bones. Even though the bread is eaten at other times of the year, they enjoy it dipped in chocolate for the holiday.

The holiday is often mistaken as similar to the United States celebration of Halloween because it occurs near the same time, but they are quite different. Dia de los Muertos is very much a celebration and a time for parties. The first day of the celebration is usually to honor the death of babies or children and is called "Day of the Little Angels." The second day is to honor adults, and is the "Day of the Dead."

Mourning "Fluffy"

A few weeks ago, the kids' little precious bunny, Fluffy suddenly got sick and died.

He was their furry friend for a year. The tenants who moved from the Lindon house left the bunny with them. Aislyn and Ella dearly loved their new found friend. He was their first animal to have as a pet, with the exception of Maximo, their fish.

Fluffy had his own cage and on occasion was allowed to hop around the back yard on the grass. He was so fun with them and he looked forward to the times he could run free in the yard. One day he got out of the yard last year and came back a little chewed up, by who knows what. Maybe a cat? He survived the war wounds.

Aislyn cried when she found his almost lifeless body in his cage just before school. Her tender heart broke as she cried and pleaded for her Daddy to please give "Fluffy" a priesthood blessing. What could he say, other than respond to her request.

The bunny survived until the girls returned from school. Prayers were said and they knew Heavenly Father was in charge and that his will would be done, if that is what he wanted for Fluffy.


Aislyn had come to understand that if it was Fluffy's time to go back to heaven and be with heavenly father, then she knew her bunny would be okay and she could accept whatever happened.

The girls were very open to understanding how much Heavenly Father loves all of his children and the little animals too. Aislyn cried and was sad for a little while, but she knew it was not up to her to decide what was best for her bunny.

Sometimes these kinds of teaching moments are learned through their experiences rather than reading about it or hearing stories. Even though she was sad, she understood how we have times to be thankful for the time she was with them, and look ahead to brighter times.

The bunny looked just like the Velveteen Rabbit in the story, with the same coloring. Her bunny was truly loved and was real.

Primary Sacrament Meeting Programs

Today I was invited to not one but TWO Primary sacrament meeting presentations. Our ward, thankfully had theirs a month ago. It went very well and I was so touched by the message that I asked for the script. Our ward has a small Primary, of less than thirty children. They all participated of course. I wrote thank you notes to the counselor who wrote it, and also to a few of the teachers. I know that without their support none of the Primary would function as it does.

This Sunday I had the privilege of going to son, Hank's ward, Sunset First Ward, Primary program. There must have been about 100 children in their Primary. Hank conducted and always has some uplifting thoughts to share as we prepare to take the sacrament and for the Primary children's program.

I noticed that he stayed up on the stand when the children all came up to the front. The stake presidency visitor offered Bp Hank his seat so his two older Primary age children K6, K7, could sit by their Dad. They loved it. I also noticed that Hank knew all of the songs and sang with the children. I thought that was commendable for their bishop to be as involved and participate. The Spirit was so sweet and strong, I felt it and notice Hank's eyes tear up that he had to take off his glasses several times too wipe away the tears. It was a richly blessed meeting with the songs and messages of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives!"

Later for the second invitation to attend Bountiful First Ward Primary sacrament presentation. I went with Kay C, my friend, to his daughter, Kara's ward, with his granddaughter participating. The theme is essentially the same, but the program is streamlined for the individual wards. It was also a spiritual feast. Children bring that sweet spirit to their songs and recitations. I observed the children sing a song about the Holy Ghost and all of them stood up to sing it and "signed" the entire song as they also sang the words. I loved it. It told me that their chorister must be someone who knows ASL and taught them how to sign and sing at the same time. I also felt what an impact the words and signing would have on them and make a deep imprint in their minds and hearts feeling the Spirit as they sang. I know I felt it.

There was also Kay's grandson's ordination to the office of priest. His dad, Richard gave him a very nice Father's blessing to David before the meeting since all the sets of grandparents were invited to attend the program presentation. They did the ordination before the meeting, and that made it so David could administer the sacrament for his first time. I complimented him on it after the meeting. He said he had practiced it a lot to be able to do a good job. He did indeed.

After the meeting we left and headed down to Utah County and had dinner with Hank and Lori and the family. Grandma Linda(and Lynn) prepared a wonderful meal of ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, broccoli and green salad, Rhodes rolls and homemade blackberry jam. Everyone enjoyed that and the new baby, Korbin was so good and slept on the couch most of the time while we ate. I was able to hold him during the morning sacrament meeting and shared time holding him with his other grandma, Linda.

New Grandson Welcomed

This is my new grandson, Korbin William McIntire! Born, October 7, 2010, he weighed in @ 6 lbs. 14 oz. He was about two weeks early, but he is healthy and handsome. His coloring is light and has a lot of hair, almost like peach fuzz! He is so perfect, and a sweet little bundle of joy.


Grandma with friend, Kay and Korbin.

Congratulations to his parents, Hank and Lori, who welcomed their number twelve!