Week 22

Today already marks the first Sunday in March! That comes as no surprise to anyone, but having already begun the third month of 2012 reminds us just how speedily our days slip away into oblivion and how important they are to use well.  We have enjoyed a peaceful Sunday, made more so uncluttered as it was by the morning rush to fix and eat breakfast. The opportunity to fast, and feed only the spirit is a gift in and of itself.

Our English SS class focused on the Atonement, reminding us of the most important blessing we each have—to look to the Savior and live.

From II Nep 9:50-52 come these wonderful verses:

50. Come, my brethren, every one that ^athirsteth, come ye to the ^bwaters; and he that hath no ^cmoney, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

 51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your ^alabor for that which cannot ^bsatisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and ^cfeast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

 52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give ^athanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts ^brejoice.

Whatever we face in life is made better because we “have been bought with a price” by Him “who is mighty to save.” We do indeed have reason to pray continually, give thanks, and rejoice!

Today in our Fast and Testimony meeting I felt that familiar spiritual nudge to stand up and bear witness of Him. Grateful to recognize that prompting from the Spirit despite my inability to do so in German, I did so in English and felt at peace for responding to its urging.

The very best part of the meeting was a glimpse of goodness in action for which I longed to have a camera with me (with permission to use it) to capture one of our young Aaronic priesthood boys, helping a stocky, blind man, shorter than his slender young guide, lead him, tapping with his white cane, down the aisle, up the stairs, and to the pulpit, so he could bear his fervent testimony, before the boy himself did so. It was a picture of such accommodation and love that the image, though not recorded digitally, was captured in my heart.  We have watched this boy and others many times perform their priesthood duties with dignity and reverence (in their strong Sachsen accents). With youth of such gentle goodness growing up in the church today, I feel great peace regarding its future in East Germany.

Whatever we face in life is made better because we “have been bought with a price” by Him “who is mighty to save.” We do indeed have reason to pray continually, give thanks, and rejoice!

Shopping expeditions

Our weather here is still cold but the snows have gone—at least for now—and there is just the slightest hint that spring is out there somewhere. I have been able to go shopping on my bike again, such a help to my getting around. It serves the double purpose of giving me transportation and limiting the amount I buy to what fits in my big Chinese purse and my bike basket. It works.

We are working through finding a better way to further streamline our family history project. It is so much bigger than we are but such a marvelous thing to be engaged in. We know that we will be led along, though we don’t always know exactly what path to take. It is an unfolding process.

This week was made special with our being able to participate in a sealing session Saturday afternoon to have the last two of their 9 children sealed to Daniel Easton and Elizabeth Laing (the youngest daughter of John’s 3^rd GG parents and sister to the little Euphemia we had just found word of)—John had just finished the last of the endowments.  We love putting families together—it is the crowning touch to our efforts. We don’t do a lot of family temple work but each card is more than just a name for us.

The one other card we did of ours on that sealing session was for Catherine Laing, the eldest daughter of William and Julia Ingles Laing. We didn’t know of her existence, thinking that her younger brother John was the eldest, until we found her as a 3 year old in the 1861 Canadian census. With the help of John’s cousin we discovered in family records that she had died of an accidental head wound. We were thrilled to be able to have her sealed to her parents. 

Reenactment of the Last Indian Raid--1931

Theirs is a sad history: after losing Catherine they left Ontario for Nebraska, one of three Laing brothers who did so, among them John’s 2^nd GG father, Charles Grierson Laing.  Later William and Julia went to homestead in Kansas where, in what is referred to as “The Last Indian Raid” William and his three boys, aged 17, 16, and 14 were massacred and Julia and the girls were brutalized before finally being freed by Chief Dull Knife.

Monument to the victims in the Last Indian Raid, Kansas

We are delighted that Gary Laing, John’s cousin, has joined us by now taking on the project to research this part of our family’s history and then write a brief story about William and Julia, before,
during, and after their migration to Nebraska. We have forwarded to him masses of information John received from his Ontario cousin and look forward to Gary’s part in pulling this story together for the benefit of the whole extended Laing family.

We talk of family history as putting “meat on the bones” of just dates and places. It is what makes history come alive. John likens this process to a miniature of Alex Haley’s research to learn his family’s history. The result for him was Roots where he, and we, came to know his slave ancestor, Kunte Kinte. We have also always loved Joseph Fielding Smith’s statement that even if all the temple work is complete for our ancestors, we have the responsibility (and opportunity) to come to know our forbearers.

Laing headstones

This week we focused on seeking a confirmation to know whether or not to extend our mission. We have seen obstacle after obstacle to our not doing so removed and finally made the decision to extend for 6 months—a compromise between the extra year the president suggested and the 12 months of our original call. This puts us home in early April, 13 months from now. We will miss being with family but feel the opportunity to serve here is a precious one that won’t come our way again.

We had a delightful visit over SKYPE with Steve and Corinne Sorenson, in Moscow, who had just returned from a mission presidents’ seminar in Istanbul, Turkey where amazingly missionary work is just beginning. Not since Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, had the opportunity to hear the gospel preached. Most of the people are Muslim but the country does guarantee freedom of religion (thought the Christian elders are having a time of it, trying to find someone who will rent to them).  Despite the many challenges in the world, as Satan rages in the hearts of men, the Church goes forward. How grateful we are to be part of it, even in a tiny way.

We were happy to hear from Patrick and Tessha that they were enjoying a wonderful weekend—this one without his children—though they did attend Madeline’s Beauty and the Beast junior high school play. Hard to believe she is growing up so!

Patrick and Tessha

Madeline is growing up beautiful

Patrick and Tessha met up for breakfast with Patrick taking a turn cooking yummy steak leftover fritata and cinnamon rolls, before going to a nearby beauty-school spa where she enjoyed a $10 facial and he got a $5 haircut. Saturday night was spent at dance party at the Arthur Murray dance school they attend—Tessha had given him lessons for Valentine’s. They are having fun and planning out their life together. 

May your week be full of happiness too.