CHAPTER FOUR TIME TO MOVE AGAIN

CHAPTER FOUR

TIME TO MOVE AGAIN

The spirit had nudged us to look for property in the country for several years, but we were not ready to uproot our lives again.  We’d moved so much already, I could barely face the thought!  If it was the Lord’s plan then we’d move again.   I felt the spirit nudging me again when Kirk said he would build us a house and Cindy said I should move close to her so she could take care of me.  I didn’t think I was in need of being taken care of, was that a prophesy for my future?   

We began looking at property in South Jordan and Lehi.  South Jordan felt like home, but I wanted to be closer to our family in Lehi.  I knew we would be led to the right place.  When I found the property close to Cindy, I had a strong feeling it was the place.  Horses were grazing peacefully to the west and there was a beautiful view of Mt. Timpanogos to the East.  I called Wilf and told him he would love the property I was standing on!  When he saw it he felt the Lord guiding us to this place.  Kirk said he could build us a beautiful house on that property.     

                                             Wilf at our new property.

Building a new home at this stage of our life, plus selling our home in a poor market didn’t make much sense! We were leaving the perfect place to grow old, just as old age was upon us!   We finally felt at home in our ward and we loved living close to the temple!  What were we thinking? What was the Lord thinking?  Again we faced the darkness of the unknown and kept walking! 

Why did the Lord want us to move so many times?  Why couldn’t we live simply like other people?  Nothing was clear except to wait on the Lord and let him lead us  and learn whatever he wants us to learn.  Our life took off in a whole new direction but I told myself, “I will not doubt, I will not fear, I’ll trust God and move forward with faith and believe the best is yet to come!  If our house doesn’t sell, then it’s God’s will for us to stay in our lovely South Jordan house!”

About the same time my book was released, my voice changed and became very soft. I was feeling worse than ever with headaches, pain in my joints and ringing in my ears.  It felt like the Typhoid Fever I had in Cambodia.  Either I had something seriously wrong with me or it was a healing crisis from the Asea water.  Karyn said  I needed  more rest and  time to heal and prepare for the big move.  She told me I had a mission in Lehi and our new home would be a gathering place.  Becky encouraged me to eat more greens and stay in gratitude.    

The Bishop called us to be Ordinance workers in the Jordan River Temple, even though he knew we were selling our house.   When President Chamberlain set me apart he blessed me with health and strength and enough money to the end of my life;  his blessing covered all of my worries.  We were excited to work in the temple together, a first for us.  We were assigned the early morning shift at 5:00 a.m.  I was amazed at the many devoted temple workers who show up for prayer meeting at 4:30 a.m. Wilf was already trained but it was a whole new experience for me!      I began the process of memorizing all the parts so I could “go on line” like Wilf.   I felt the help of angels and my health improved.  I received a renewal of my body as I magnified my new calling.  I was energized and learned the parts quickly;   I loved the work and felt the mantle of this sacred responsibility.  Sacrifice always brings forth blessings from heaven and we received blessings from this brief temple service!  It was one of the sweetest experiences of my life!  Serving the Lord brings great joy!   

                                 At the Hong Kong Temple during our mission. 

Our new house was going up very fast!  There was no turning back!!  We complicated our lives beyond our wildest imagination.  We were so busy we were running through life - walking wasn’t fast enough!  Now we were building a house,  sorting and packing everything,  speaking and teaching about Cambodia,  working in the temple, helping the boys in their business, running our foundation,  and keeping up with our large family!   We were in very deep water, and could only stay afloat with God’s help. 

We were sad to be released from our calling as Ordinance workers when we moved out of South Jordan, but Church policy requires that you live in the temple district to serve in that temple.  Serving another mission was beginning to look doubtful with our health concerns, but we could still be temple patrons in any temple.  We are very blessed to have eight temples to choose from when some members don’t have one!  We were often asked to be the witness couple in spite of my shaking hand and my weak voice.  I felt the Lord was reminding me of my calling to be a witness.  I need my voice to be a witness, so I was determined to heal the physical and emotional issues affecting my voice.  

I always loved sharing light and truth to bless and uplift others.  I’m happiest when I’m serving and meeting people,  much like my parents who always loved every person they met.   Perhaps this is my life’s purpose and mission.  I‘m sure I said these words before I came to earth,    “Here I am, send me,  I will go and  be a witness for truth.” The scriptures say, “If ye have the desire you are called to the work.”   But sometimes my fears keep me from opening my mouth!  Fear is my worst enemy!  I want to share but the adversary holds me back with fear! 

This is the paradox of my life!  My book put me in the lime light  more than I like, I’d rather be in the background and watch others shine. Moving to a new ward would bring more opportunities to make friends, but I felt old and tired.  Perhaps I could hide behind our daughter, Cindy, and no one would notice me.  I was already looking at my new life through “dark glasses” and the Lord humbled me with a cyst in my eye.  Cysts are caused by old stuck emotions that need to be released.  This was another opportunity to see and change my weaknesses!     The scriptures teach:

“Verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you;  and, if you desire, you shall be the  means of doing much good in this generation.  Behold, thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ…...for behold, it is I that speak;  I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee.”  D&C:  11:  8, 10, 11

The Lord blessed us and loosened our tongues whenever we spoke about Cambodia.  He sharpened our minds and carried us when we gave our farewell talk in our South Jordan ward, but my shaking was so bad I could hardly hold my papers.   I believe in the power of Jesus Christ, I believe that he can heal all my weaknesses and turn them into strengths.  The scriptures teach us to “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.”  Doctrine & Covenants  10: 5    Through prayer and faith in Christ I hoped to conquer my fear of speaking.  

Our home in South Jordan miraculously sold quickly and for more than its appraisal, in spite of the poor housing market. I left my beautiful home in South Jordan to start again, just like I did in Taylorsville, Sandy and Grantsville!   We spent the few short weeks waiting for our house to be finished visiting Shelly in California and staying in Missy’s basement in Saratoga Springs.  It was a sweet opportunity to enjoy our precious grandchildren, and our grandson, Tyler, finally began to make friends with us! 

                                                Our shy grandson,  Tyler.

I gratefully acknowledge the Lord’s blessings in all of these things.   Kirk built us a beautiful home, our fifth brand new home.  It was as close to a perfect home as possible.  Kirk and his workers were always kind and pleasant and easy to work with and they finished our home in just ninety days!  It turned out to be a good experience after all!  

Our new home nearly finished!