A MISSION MIRACLE

JUNE 25-26, 2016

The beautiful baptism of Eli and Christine Lucat...

Eli first met the elders in Grand Island. He and Christine were taught by Elder Smith and Elder Mapu and were fellowshipped by many missionaries. (Eli can name every single one, many of whom have returned home. Hopefully, you are all seeing the fruits of your labor!) They loved the ward and members in Grand Island and the missionaries and their message but weren't yet ready to commit. When Eli and Christine moved to Omaha, they all lost track of each other. One day in Wal Mart, Eli and Christine noticed a companionship of sister missionaries, Sister Orton and Sister Borla. They approached them and told them they had been taught by Elders Smith and Mapu and that they loved them. The sisters quickly offered to continue teaching them and they happily accepted! After a few lessons, their teaching was continued by Sister Slater and Sister Abbott who were serving in the Ralston La Vista Ward where Eli and Christine were living. Yesterday this wonderful couple was baptized and today they were confirmed! What a wonderful weekend for all involved and a beautiful new beginning for this sweet family!

MY DAD --- MY MOM

I have thinking about my dad a lot lately.  His birthday, Father's Day, Memorial Day, his funeral -- feeling him close -- it's all apart of my thoughts about him.  He seems close to me right now.  One of his favorite songs was:  "O My Father".  All the grandkids sang it at his funeral.  It was a special moment.  And all of his grandkids were there to sing, except for Braden who missed it all because he was serving his mission.  But I think Braden got a more special deal from grandpa as he has several stories where he felt grandpa's presence and felt his closeness the weekend of his death, funeral and throughout the rest of his mission.

1. 1. O my Father, thou that dwellest
   In the high and glorious place,
   When shall I regain thy presence
   And again behold thy face?
   In thy holy habitation,
   Did my spirit once reside?
   In my first primeval childhood
   Was I nurtured near thy side?
2. 2. For a wise and glorious purpose
   Thou hast placed me here on earth
   And withheld the recollection
   Of my former friends and birth;
   Yet ofttimes a secret something
   Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
   And I felt that I had wandered
   From a more exalted sphere.
3. 3. I had learned to call thee Father,
   Thru thy Spirit from on high,
   But, until the key of knowledge
   Was restored, I knew not why.
   In the heav'ns are parents single?
   No, the thought makes reason stare!
   Truth is reason; truth eternal
   Tells me I've a mother there.
4. 4. When I leave this frail existence,
   When I lay this mortal by,
   Father, Mother, may I meet you
   In your royal courts on high?
   Then, at length, when I've completed
   All you sent me forth to do,
   With your mutual approbation
   Let me come and dwell with you.

My father knew the Savior, he was not a stranger to him at all.  My father had that "change of heart" - the heart of gold that brought to him a peaceful, quiet feeling and love for our Savior.  He knew that truth was eternal, and I know that he was anxious and ready to meet his Savior and to go and dwell with him.  My father loved the scriptures - he studied them, he knew them and could go to them quickly for a story or teaching moment.  He knew where to find what he wanted. He didn't like adversity, he didn't like unkind words, he didn't contention.  He was a man of peace in everything he did and everywhere he went.  I love my dad, he was a father who tried his best to be the best.  He was the best grandpa ever for my kids who did not have a father who cared much about them, or if he did care, he just didn't know how to do it.  So my father stepped up and loved them, taught them, was in their lives and he was there for them.  He and my amazing mom (who was also the best grandma) would travel from Roosevelt to Bountiful and be with my kids whenever they could.  My dad blessed them with priesthood blessings, baptized and ordained them and was their witness in the temple when the boys received their endowments.  Grandpa was proud of my boys and my boys loved their grandpa more than anything.  

My dad's funeral was amazing -- beautiful tributes, songs and words of love.  The evening is his viewing was filled with so much love for my dad.  At the end of the viewing, almost everyone had left -- I saw KC standing by himself at the casket with tears streaming down his face.  I went over to him with Christy and three of us embraced as we looked upon this dear man who had touched our lives in so many ways and had taught us things we loved.  KC said through his tears. "grandpa you left us too early."  There was a ray of sunshine and a warmth that surrounded us.  We knew he was there smiling like he always did and sharing his love once again with us.  We prayed for Braden that he would be comforted as he was so far away and the only one not there --that he would feel his grandpa's love and serve with all his heart for his grandpa.  I knew that night that he would do just that -- that grandpa would be there to help him move forward in his missionary efforts.  

My dad is the reason I went on my mission at 21.  It was he that felt the impressions for me to go.  I will always love him for that because it changed my life forever.  And gave me a path of unbelievable experiences.  


MY MOM, 

My mom is a woman of faith, courage and obedience.  She raised five girls and one boy.  We always said that Donald was the spoiled one because he was the baby of the family.  But I think we all took part in spoiling him.  We love our baby brother. There were leaps of joy and jumping on beds the night that we found out that mom had a baby boy.  Mom and dad lost twin boys -- their first, who died at birth.  It must have been a time of great sorrow and a time to really rely on each other, the priesthood and trust in the Lord.  I don't know the thoughts of my mom during this time in her life.  She never really spoke of it.

The gospel was always such a special part in our home and has helped me become the woman that I am.  My mother is loved by many.  In high school we were called on a lamanite mission to Whiterocks for two years which I believe is a highight of my years of growing up.  Mom was known as "Donn na" and all the lamanites called her that.  They loved teasing her.  Her favorite full-time missionary was and is Elder Terry Felsman who still to this day adores my mom.

Our home was a place where our friends loved to gather,  They loved being around our mom and loved teasing her -- especially Deaner.  Our home was a second home for most of our young single adults - a gathering place after firesides and events.

Mom got us involved in 4-H when we were young -- which helped us to learn to cook, bake, sew and knit or crochet.  We learned how to work and had regular chores.  We shelled hundreds of peas every spring and learned to can the produce from our garden.  We spent hours with dad at the garden weeding and thinning out the plants.  I have fond memories of our growing up days and thank my mom for helping me become who I am today.

Mom took such good care of dad when he got sick and through his last days with us.  It was so evident of their love for each other and she just didn't want him to leave.  But her courage and faith and love for him and trust in the Lord gave her the strength to tell him it was okay for him to go and that she would be fine. We miss him so much but know that all is well and we will see him again.  But like KC said, "he left us too early".

I don't know if this is my mom's favorite hymn - but I know that she loves this one.  "AS NOW I TAKE THE SACRAMENT"

1. 1. As now we take the sacrament,
   Our thoughts are turned to thee,
   Thou Son of God, who lived for us,
   Then died on Calvary.
   We contemplate thy lasting grace,
   Thy boundless charity;
   To us the gift of life was giv'n
   For all eternity.
2. 2. As now our minds review the past,
   We know we must repent;
   The way to thee is righteousness--
   The way thy life was spent.
   Forgiveness is a gift from thee
   We seek with pure intent.
   With hands now pledged to do thy work,
   We take the sacrament.
3. 3. As now we praise thy name with song,
   The blessings of this day
   Will linger in our thankful hearts,
   And silently we pray
   For courage to accept thy will,
   To listen and obey.
   We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full.
   We'll walk thy chosen way

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

3. 
   

   1. 1. I need thee ev'ry hour,
      Most gracious Lord.
      No tender voice like thine
      Can peace afford.
   2. (Chorus)
      I need thee, oh, I need thee;
      Ev'ry hour I need thee!
      Oh, bless me now, my Savior;
      I come to thee!
   3. 2. I need thee ev'ry hour;
      Stay thou nearby.
      Temptations lose their pow'r
      When thou art nigh.
   4. 3. I need thee ev'ry hour,
      In joy or pain.
      Come quickly and abide,
      Or life is vain.
   5. 4. I need thee ev'ry hour,
      Most holy One.
      Oh, make me thine indeed,
      Thou blessed Son!

A FAMILY SEARCH FIND -- A MIRACLE -- THANK YOU SHAUNA

This is a picture of my sweet grandmother Louisa Jane Allen Buchanan, (my fathers mother).  I love her dearly.  I have the fondest memories of her, especially when she lived a block from us in Roosevelt.  She always had fresh baked sugar cookies, always wore her apron, taught me how to knit and crochet.  And taught us gospel principles. She loved telling us stories of her past, which I regret not recording.  

My sister Shauna has become very involved in Family History and has experienced a turning of heart to her fathers.  She can't get enough of it and has prepared hundreds of names for temple work.  I am so proud of her.  One evening she turned on her computer and out sprang these three names:  William Allen, Daniel Allen and Orson Allen.  None of their temple work had been done yet - which was hard to believe because we have other faithful family search members in our family.  Somehow they had been missed.  There is a lesson taught often in family search.  This is it:  that when our ancestors are ready for their work to be done, they will find a way to tell us -- this is the case of these three men.  It brought tears of joy to us and a burning sensation to Shauna's heart.  She is being a valiant servant and missionary in her own way.  

So now these three brothers of my grandma Buchanan, and uncles to my father can have their temple work done  -- it is a glorious moment and a glorious tender mercy and a glorious miracle.

born:  22 Aug 1883 in Escalante, Garfield, UT

died:  16 July 1923 in Oak Creek on Boulder Mountain

buried:  Teasdale, Wayne Co., Utah

      born:  19 March 1885 in Escalante, Garfield, Utah

died:  14 Oct 1942 in Provo, Utah
buried:  Teasdale, Wayne Co., Utah

born:  16 Feb 1882 in Escalante, Garfield, UT

died:  11 Oct 1995 in Salt Lake City,UT

buried:  Salt Lake City, UT

                                       
                               
                                   

Dang Arthritis -- A sore affliction!!!!

(I know that this is a copyright picture, but I am not miss-using it ----- I am only using it.)

This is how I have felt for almost two weeks.  The arthritis in my body and especially my knees has been unbearable.  It has been a time of extra stress as it has caused me:
***pain at camp and limitations while there -- 
***coming home early from the mission office each day
***missing seniors dinner and Mormon night at the ballgame
***missing young women's and leaving early from church
***spending too much time on my bed laying down
***and much, much more!  
I have and am trying some new creams, pills, increased herbal tea, and better food menus, and Sister Gareis keeps bringing me carrot and celery juice (which I love and am so grateful).  I have turned to the Lord more for help and understanding.  I need to get better so that I can get up and get busy.  It has become a sore affliction and I have spent too much time in pain and sorrow.  It's hard to walk and be upbeat when it hurts so bad.  

... when sore trials came upon you - did you think to pray?"
... why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste
    away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?"  2 Nephi 4:26  
... It's a time of repentance - for those with sore afflictions --- (read that somewhere this week)

I continue to pray for understanding, for healing and for patience and courage to get up and get moving.  I had a blessing at camp by one of the priesthood brethren and it was pretty strong and clear to me to beware of my body, to listen to what it is telling me and to not run faster than I am able.  This was a comfort to me and I will get better as I am heeding this counsel.

From Preach my Gospel lesson 6 - Christlike attributes comes this quote:
"Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature  there seems to be a unending supply of challenges for one and all.  Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required."
                                                 -President Thomas S. Monson

I love General Conference -- as most latter-day saints do.  It's a time of inspiration, teaching, revelation, making new goals, a time to be with family and conference visitors.  It's a time of peace and warmth. April 2016 General Conference was my second one while serving on my mission.  I always think of my father during conference.  It was he who instilled the love of conference for our family.  As small children he would encourage us to listen to the sessions on Saturdays if we could, to wear dresses in our home while watching the conference.  He died during the Sunday session of October Conference in 2009.  He completed his mission on earth returning to his Savior on that special conference morning.  So this weekend in April, I really wanted to feel the presence of my angel father.  I wanted to feel him by my side.  I kept praying for that because I knew he was near.  It all came about for me and it was a powerful moment when it happened.  The last talk by Pres. Holland, almost at the end of his talk -- my father came to me, and it was as if he was saying to me the words of Pres Holland.

"Keep loving, keep trying, keep trusting,

keep believing, keep growing.

Heaven is cheering you on

today, tomorrow and forever."

Dear Elders and Sisters:

Sister Gardner and I wish we could adequately express how much we love you.  You are powerful disciples of Jesus Christ.  You have come on a mission with the expectation that as you turn your heart over to God's will, you will transform. Your heart will change.  You will have no more desire to sin but to live obediently forever. 

Each of you have tasted of the fruit of the Tree of Life as you have partaken of the Atonement and have felt Heavenly Father's immense love for you.  You have pondered the suffering that Christ went through on your behalf and you marvel that someone would be willing to suffer the way he did so that we can return with our families back to the presence of Heavenly Father.  All of these thoughts have planted the seed in your heart that Alma speaks about in Alma 32.  You are beginning to witness that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a good seed as it begins to swell in your breasts.

We love to see the change that is taking place in your hearts and we thank our Heavenly Father daily for the way in which your hearts are being changed forever.

The world continues to become increasingly wicked.  We will always be faced with a critical choice.  Will we stand with the prophets of God and represent God's views to the world?  Or will we stand with the world and represent their views to the prophets.  I invite you to Read the October 2014 General Conference Talk by Elder Lynn Robbins, Which Way do you Face? 

I want you to know that I will always stand with the prophets.  I testify that the 15 men that we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators have been called of God by prophesy and the laying on of hands.  They communicate with our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.  They receive revelation on a daily basis.  How grateful I am that we have been blessed to know what we know, to understand what we understand and feel what we feel.

I invite you to stand firm in the way you face not just now but for the rest of your lives.  I pray that you will always find yourselves standing with the Godhead and their prophets.

We love you.

President Gardner

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!!! June 21, 2016

Missionaries serving near the area of Werner Field had the opportunity to sing the national anthem at Mormon Night at the Storm Chasers game. They represented NOM and the church so well! One of the ushers asked me where on earth we found such a clean, wholesome looking group of college students! He was even more impressed when he found what they were truly doing in Nebraska! ----Sis. Gardner

ART DISPLAY AT THE TRAIL CENTER

JULIE ROGERS ART DISPLAY

At the Trail Center is an art display of Julie Roger's paintings. 

Below are just two of her paintings.

"God has promised that He will not leave us

comfortless.   One form of that promised

comfort is the gift of ministering angels."

This is a beautiful picture that reminds

me of Visiting Teacher -- of the love

and service that it brings and gives

to so many women in our Church

HUMBLE WAY - from Saturday's Warriors

We are not the ordinary                                     Bearing swords of truth we plunder

Fearlessly extraordinary                                    slicing wicked men asunder

Workin' righteous Hari Kari                               We are something of a wonder,    
In our Humble Way.                                            In our Humble Way,

Humble Way now.                                               Humble Way Now.

Humble Way, oh Humble Way                           Humble Way, oh Humble Way

Crooked generations, we demand your            We are not the ordinary.

     veneration.                                                      Fearlessly extraordinary,

Will you shake your heel at us as we                Workin' righteous Hari, Kari,

     call you to your knees?                                  In our Humble Way.

Crooked generations, will you scoff at              Humble Way now.

      ordination?                                                     Humble Way, oh Humble Way

We are warriors by a right, so respect

      us if you you please!

                                

I Believe in Christ - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

"Being blessed with HOPE, let us, as disciples reach out to all who for whatever reason have moved away from the hope of the gospel (Col 1:23)  Let us reach to lift hands which hang hopelessly down"

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell

President James E. Faust taught:

"Hope is the anchor to our souls....

"Hope is trust in God's promises, faith that if we act now, the desired blessings will be fulfilled in the future...

"The unfailing source of our hope is that we are sons and daughters of God and that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, saved us from death."

BEESBEESBEESBEESBEES

I am officially a bee keeper now, & my hive is doing well and has progressed to the point where they are making honey now. It's almost unheard of to harvest honey the first year, and I just may if they keep up the good work. The beehive and all its bees working together reminds me a lot of the gospel and how it's growing through out the earth. The greater number of the population are totally unaware of the Lords work that is taking place in preparation of his second coming. You are one of those worker bees in the hive of the gospel preparing the way and are being blessed for your time,talents and energy.

  --- great thoughts from my friend Clark

HUMP DAY IN MISSION -- SEPT 21-----JUNE 21!!!!!

I'm half way through my mission and it's going so fast now.  At first, not so fast!!!  I love it here in Omaha and love how the Lord is teaching me and helping me become a better person and servant.  I have to laugh at this picture of the camel -- because this is exactly how my knees look after camp -- all swollen and knobby!!!!  gotta love the arthritis that flaired up full force at camp.  

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY - 2016

THESE ARE SOME OF THE PICTURES I FOUND OF MY DAD AND MOM IN MY FOLDERS -- I KNOW IT'S FATHER'S DAY -- BUT I HONOR THEM BOTH WITH PICTURES

I will add to this------