My Snow Storm Parable........

Tonight I am hurrying around trying my best (like most everyone else) to cram in the last of the Holiday rush. Much against my wishes, I had to go to Walmart this evening because I had to pick up pictures. So, not only did I have to step foot in one of my most unfavorite places, I had to also go during a more prime time of the evening (before the picture area closed).
Josh is at the church tonight, and K'Lynn is not home. Kandace has a friend over. Chaz, Me, Kandace, and her friend Savannah all headed off to Walmart with reluctance on my part. Although it was somewhat cold, the weather seemed fair enough to bundle Chaz up in a blanket, but not to have to also include a snow suit, a jacket, or a covered car seat.
Walmart was surprisingly O.K. However, when I came out, I was caught off guard. It was snowing. I felt some initial guilt. I had a light jacket on, and that was O.K. with me. But none of the kids were dressed for snow, including Chaz. Kandace had flip flops on (her own crazy choice), Savannah did not have a jacket, and Chaz was simply in a light blanket, and his clothes. I felt kind of guilty. Not knowing snow was coming, I had not prepared the kids the way they should have been. We quickly walked out to the car, and this was fine. As I put everything away, I realized I had Chaz, it was snowing, and I would need to walk across the slick parking lot to take the basket bake to the return area. I was reluctant and I contemplated just leaving the basket by my parking space. However, when I had gotten there, I had to pass by many parking stalls because of people that had done the same thing. I decided that my lack of preparation wasn't everyone else's problem, and that I should take the basket to the return area. However, I was feeling bad that Chaz would need to stay out in the snow longer. Right as I was struggling with this, I saw a man about my parents' age taking his basket back. I thought to myself  "Heavenly Father, maybe this man can take my basket back, so that Chaz can get in a warm car sooner instead of having to be out in the snow to make the return".
Almost immediately after my silent prayer, this nice man came up to me and stated: "You look like you have your hands full. I can take that back for you". I thanked him with tears in my eyes. A small act of service indeed, but it taught me so many things:
-First off, I would normally not have tracked off to Walmart with no coats and so lightly dressed had I known snow was coming. Sometimes, through no real fault of our own, poor human insight causes us to make decisions that may not be the best for us. These can be humbling experiences because these can be times that Heavenly Father can send someone else to help us.
-Secondly, If Heavenly Father cares enough to answer such a simple prayer, how much does he love me and Chaz? I'm sure in a perfect way and level that I am not even capable of understanding.
-Third, If Heavenly Father cares enough to orchestrate something so simple, surely he will ALWAYS guide us in the big decisions of life as long as we are living right. We can always have faith in this.
-Finally, this helped me to realize that there is no act of service too small to be meaningful to somebody.
Bless this man who performed this simple act of service for me. He did far more than just take my cart back for me. May Heavenly Father bless him for his kindness and willingness to listen to the promptings of the spirit.

Did You Think To Pray?

“Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. …

“Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

“Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

“Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

“Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

“Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

“But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

“Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

I have recently began a new nursing job. I am working at an Instacare. I have been referring to it as "Modge Podge" nursing. We do EVERYTHING: I.V's, Stitches, Wound dressings, breathing treatments, straight catheters, blood draws, splinting, strep tests, and on, and on, AND ON.......

I went through a hug learning curve, and I spent time being certain I was one of the dumbest nurses on the planet. However, now that I am getting the hang of it all, I have realized that this is A LOT to know, and it is just going to take time.

However, Heavenly Father already knows, and I have felt his spirit so much, as I have thought to ask for his help there. One time, I had to start an IV. I went into the bathroom and said a prayer before entering the room. A textbook couldn't have described a more perfect vein, and I successfully started that IV. Another time, I needed to begin another IV. Same thing, humble prayer before, and I was able to effortlessly start the IV once again. Tonight I had to straight cath a baby girl. NOT THE EASIST THING TO DO ON MANY LEVELS. As I went to wash my hands, I bowed my head and said a quick prayer. I have never in all of my life had a prayer answered so quickly. Surely, I knew it would be answered. Why wouldn't Heavenly Father answer such a request. Surely he did. I know Heavenly Father answers prayers, but it is the speed at which these heart felt prayers are answered that is helping me to realize how prevelant Heavenly Father is in our lives. He loves his children so much. With the appropriate faith and purpose, he will ALWAYS answer our prayers.

Judge Not

I recently heard the following saying: "Every Saint has a past, and every Sinner has a future". It caused me to reflect on how critical we are at judging others. In our human nature, we do this often. This caused me to realize something profound that I had never really thought about before. We are free through the gift the atonement to have the privilege to NOT judge one another. Our Savior paid that ultimate sacrifice, and is the great one who took the burden upon himself, coupled with our Father to judge all of us with the laws of justice and mercy made whole with his atonement. It is actually a gift given to us through him to only love and serve each other. We have the privilege (given through him) to be free of the burden and task of judging one another. I am thankful for this new little glimpse of light to my testimony.

Tender Mercies

I have recently had a really neat spiritual experience that I wrote down to share in my lesson that I taught today. I wanted to post it on here:

I have one thing in common with everyone in this room, I AM BUSY!!!! Despite my busyness, I recognized long ago the tremendous peace that I felt in the Temple. I have been greatly blessed as I have made temple attendance a priority in my life. However, I have not had an opportunity to catch the vision of doing much with my own geneology or family history work. I figured others would be grateful for the work I performed in the temple for their ancestors, and at some point, I would have enough time in my life to learn the basics of finding my own ancestors through personal geneology.

I am thankful for the close proximity that I have to so many temples. I generally liked to go to the temple in the middle of the day, as it seemed like a time when the least amount of distractions would present themselves. However, I knew the arrival of our baby boy would change this long time habit, as now I would have a new little friend home with me to occupy my days. As I eagerly looked forward to having a new little baby, I became concerned about how I was going to be able to fit my mid day temple outings in my new life.

Each one of my children have entered our home and this Earth Life bringing two tremendous gifts with them. The first gift was the power for each of them to be loved as individuals and literal spirit children of their Heavenly Father. The second gift was some very important deeply personal lesson for their Mother to learn. K’Lynn taught me how to do what I needed to in order to be the very best person that I could be. Kandace taught me how to experience pure joy on this Earthly journey, and how to think with my heart. The lesson that Chaz brought with him is closely tied to this lesson, which is why I share this today.

One night, as I was getting Chaz ready for bed, I lovingly inspected his adorable little face, as I also stretched out his long fingers, and chuckled at his mowhawk, half formed by a perfect cowlick on the very top center of his head. As I reflected upon my new little gift from Heaven, my mind wandered, as it had so many times before about what he knew that I wish he could tell me. Almost as instantly as this thought came to me, the spirit spoke to me “Families Are Forever”. It was so powerful. I worried over that a bit, as I then became fearful that possibly the reason this lesson was tied to him was due to the fact that maybe he wouldn’t be here with us for as long as a parent would expect or hope for. This concept frightened me. I have since gained peace in the fact that this wasn’t what was meant to be taken out of such an experience.

Just a few weeks ago, I was again lovingly starring at my new little guy (clearly I do this often), and it was as though the spirit allowed me the tinniest little glimpse of what Chaz’s oversized spirit performed before he came to us. Through this, I immediately gained an increased testimony of Missionary Work. The spirit helped me to realize that those who have gone on before us do need our help. It was my feeling as a mother, that Chaz was acquainted with people who knew and loved him as a family member before he came to us, and that he was instrumental in these ancestors accepting temple work that has been performed in their behalf.

Joseph F Smith declared: 'Through our efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their [people] here, and will rejoice with you in your performance of these duties”.

After this teaching moment, it is my belief that there are tremendous efforts taking place on both sides of the veil to ensure that these ordinances are performed and accepted by those so anxiously awaiting this opportunity that qualifies them to live eternally with Heavenly Father.

Although I will be forever humbled at the opportunity I had to receive this little glimpse of the power behind this special person gifted to me as my Son, it is the underlying lesson the spirit taught me that is the tremendous gift. Immediately after this experience, I realized something profound. When I visit the temple, I get to feel the power of Heaven. On the same account, little spirits that join our homes allow us to feel the power of Heaven through their oversized sprits housed in tiny little bodies. Heavenly Father is mindful of the time and effort that goes into caring for a newborn. Certainly, the law of compensation would take such an effort into account.

As I reflected upon this entire experience, I felt closer to some of my deceased family members than I had in quite some time. Suddenly the pieces of the puzzle came together for me. The lesson was this: That through the blessing of the internet, and the self discipline of using my time wisely, that I could literally participate in temple work in my living room multitasking as I cared for an infant. Earlier, I mentioned that I had never really caught the vision of where I fit in with geneology, and how this could fit into my life. But, through this experience, I have come to realize that this is a way that I can serve Heavenly Father on the other end of temple work and family History.

It is still ideal for me to attend the temple as often as my circumstances will allow. Yet, in the times where personal limitations will not allow me to do this as often as I would like, indexing and seeking out ancestors on family search allows me to play just as vital of a role in the mission of the church which consists of: proclaiming the gospel, perfecting the saints, and redeeming the dead.

Wee Granny

I had to teach a lesson on family history and temple work today. The following story is of "Wee Granny" who is my 5th Great Grandmother. The geneology line is as follows:
(8) Angela Dawn Keddington (Me)

(7) James Austin Gilbert (My Dad)


(6) Stanley Duane Gilbert & Sara Arlene Mifflin Gilbert – father & mother to James A. Gilbert

(5) Madie Barnes Mair – Mother to Duane Gilbert

(4) George Alexander Mair & Annie Barnes Mair – father & mother to Madie Barnes Mair

(3) Alexander Mair & Eliza Thompson Mair – father & mother to George Alexander Mair

(2) Mary Murdoch Mair & Allan Mair – mother & father to Alexander Mair

(1) Mary Murray Murdoch (a.k.a. Wee Granny) & John Murdoch –
mother & father to Mary Murdoch Mair.

We have a neat story about her that was posted in the church news back in 2001 when a memorial grave site was dedicated. For the sake of preserving family history details, I thought I should post a copy of it here on my blog:

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — "Tell John I died with my face toward Zion."


These were the last words of a faithful pioneer known as "Wee Granny," 73, a slight Scottish woman whose long walk toward Zion with the ill-fated Martin Handcart Company ended near Chimney Rock, Neb.

Mary Murray Murdoch, known as "Wee Granny" to her posterity, had eight children, six of whom lived to maturity, and 72 grandchildren. A widow whose husband was killed in a mining accident, she joined the Church at age 67 in 1851.

She was called Wee Granny because of her small size — 4-feet-7 inches tall and weighing no more than 90 pounds.

We Granny's son, John Murdoch, and his wife, Anne Steele Murdock, had joined the Church earlier and were the first to cross the plains. They had been introduced to the gospel by Anne's brother, James Steele.

John and Ann Murdoch left Scotland and came to Utah in 1852, enduring a difficult journey in which their two small children died. As soon as they were settled, they saved money and sent it for Wee Granny to come to Utah.

On May 25, 1856, Wee Granny, in company with the James Steele family, sailed on the Horizon from Liverpool, England, to New York. They rode a train to the Midwest, where they joined the Martin Handcart Company at Iowa City on July 28 to begin the arduous cross-country trek. This group of 576 people, with 146 carts, seven wagons and 30 oxen, was poor and most of their passages were paid by the Perpetual Emigration Fund.

The pioneers averaged 13 miles a day between Iowa City and Florence (now Omaha), Neb. Beset with usual hills and gullies, sand patches and stream beds, the pioneers had an added hardship as the handcarts began breaking down. Constructed with uncured wood, the carts did not sustain the load. A shortage of water led to the immigrants drinking water in puddles. Food rationing began early. Wee Granny walked the entire distance.

The company rested at Florence, where, a few days earlier the fated Willie Handcart Company had debated whether they should cross the plains so late in the season. In Florence, the Martin company gathered additional food and repaired handcarts, which were now heavier than before. Because of the lateness in the season, they picked up their pace as they left Florence.

"As Mary Murdoch and her compatriots in the Martin company moved during mid- to late September across central Nebraska and into the increasingly barren, windy, and unforgiving environment of the west, the journey began to take an ever increasing toll on them,"

"The daily tedium of their labor turned into a significant struggle. . . . As she reached the last several days of her life, Wee Granny's exhaustion, weakness, and pain must have been overwhelming,"

Her frail body gave out on Oct. 2, about 10 miles east of Chimney Rock. She was attended at the time of her death by James Steele and his family.

For more information, see Internet site: murdochfamily.net

Leave it like it is

Clearly I have missed a few days! I have been having some neat spiritual experiences each day. I have also been SUPER BUSY, and have not had time to post. I heard this song last Sunday. I did not create the montage that goes with this, but, I found it on YOUTUBE, and wanted to play the song, not just post the words.
The message in this is something I can relate to SO MUCH right now in this stage of my life. So crazy, So busy, but SO MUCH to miss when this stage of life progresses to the next. I do find myself often often pleading with my Heavenly Father to treasure the moments that are here before me right now, and to truly enjoy the present stage of my life, as there is so very much to be thankful for. This song was a perfect reminder to my spirit of the things that SHOULD BE important in my life.

Monday Mormon Message: Judge Not

I have not posted for a couple of days because I have been working all weekend. I thought about going back and dating back for the posts I missed. But as I pondered on the last few days, I realized that my thoughts and spiritual lessons have had one common goal: JUDGE NOT!
As I have stated before, I work as a Mental Health Nurse in a facility where we take care of patients who struggle with suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, substance addictions, as well as a vast array of mental illnesses.
When I am at work, I am far too busy taking care of their physical and emotional needs to judge them. In pondering this, I came to the conclusion that I would be wise to take this same approach outside of my work doors. These people were on the other side of my work doors yesterday or last week. Some of them will be back out in society tomorrow or next month. I reflected on whether or not I may had been one of the individuals judging them as they did their best to fit in with society despite the demon of their illness.
Thankfully for us, we do no have to carry the burden of judging our spiritual brothers and sisters. Our all knowing Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ will take care of that for us. We should be relieved by this fact. Instead, I wonder how often we go about our daily lives casting judgement, blame, and condemnation on those around us, when we just have no idea at all what they must be going through.
Although this Mormon Message focuses on forgiveness, I believe we can also learn a very valuable lesson on judgement. After watching this, I wondered how different this victim's experience may have turned out had he taken it upon himself to be the one that judged this situation.
We simply do not have the power or the right to judge. We can simply go forward, and live our own lives the best way that we know how.....