A Humble Church

You know those places that you always drive by but never stop.  The ones that every time you pass by you think, "that looks interesting" but never seem to take the time.  Well, I stopped at one of mine.

 

On the way to the cousins, there is an incredibly picturesque little church.  It's one of those churches with an old cemetery in the front that is just begging to be walked through.  So many times Heb and I have said, we need to get out there someday but just hadn't gotten around to it.  Seems like life is like that too much.  

Mom L at the Church

When my folks were in town, we dropped by.  It turns out that it served as a housing for wounded during the Civil War.  Clara Barton worked there and the idea for the Red Cross was developed in that building.  Shortly after it was built in 1856, the war was on and the pews were used for firewood.  General Grant made sure that the pews were replaced. 

In this modest little church, the Red Cross was developed.  In this humble place, a general remembered and personally replaced the pews. 

What a gem in the middle of a city.  I guess it goes to show that you never know what you will discover when you take the time to stop.  In all the crazy, I need to stop because it is those moments that I remember best.   

Where have you been meaning to stop?

Retro Homemaking

Last week, I was in charge of our Relief Society Activity.  The theme was Retro Homemaking.  We asked the sisters to don their aprons and their pearls and to come for an evening celebrating homemaking.  There was so much that went into the activity.  There were team challenges (folding a bed sheet, setting a table), discussion questions and presentations (how to make freezer jam, laundry tips and home schedules). 

I did the presentation on freezer jam and was shocked at how many people didn't know how easy it was.  Freezer jam is pretty much the easiest and best thing in the world.  I can't ever go back to store bought jam.   

I was happy that it all came together.  It was a group effort to make it all happen.  I've stolen a few pictures from Amber Meadows to show you what it was like because the one thing I forgot was my camera. 

 Best part of the evening was the homemade ice cream with the fresh strawberry jam.  So good!

It was a fun activity and there were positive responses from the sisters.  I must say though, I think I need a break now.

Visiting Teaching

"We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness...We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.
- Thomas S. Monson

We had our visiting teaching conference in church today and it was awesome. It just strengthen my testimony of the importance of caring for each other through the visiting teaching program.

Being a member of the LDS church brings so many benefits - not just the spiritual ones, but feeling like you are part of a community that cares about each other.

I've been going to the glass studio quite a bit and they often talk to me about being Mormon. It surprises me the misconceptions that people have about my faith. One of the ladies who does flamework with me said, "We had a Mormon nanny for our children. She came from a big family of five kids and just knew how to take care of kids. She lived with us but we always let the church people come visit her every month." She said it like it was so strange for someone to come from church to visit every month.

It just highlights to me how out of the ordinary the gospel culture really is. It's welcoming, it's inclusive. We moved to a new area, we didn't know hardly anyone and there are people to help move in boxes when the truck pulls up. That there are women that are assigned to make sure you are ok and to visit you every month. This is the beauty of the gospel, no matter where we go in the world, there will be an instant community of people who will welcome you in.

The Curse of the Old Testament

So, I'm the gospel doctrine teacher in my married student ward. Not a bad calling. I don't mind teaching, it takes some time and effort but I enjoy it most of the time.

In January we shifted to the Old Testament. One of my favorite books. I have taken a couple of institute classes and generally found peace in the words. The only problem is that every time I take an Old Testament class things go horrendously wrong in my life, not just little things, major and it happens every time.

I jokingly mentioned this the first Sunday I was teaching in January. Oh, I was joking then but am dead serious now. Darn that Old Testament.