Saturday was a busy day…

 

The week has been fairly quiet. This is not unusual for the week before transfers. I don’t know why this happens but it does. Maybe all are busy wondering if they will be transferred or not or they are just plain busy getting apartments cleaned and doing their missionary work too.

Saturday I started the day with an early morning walk, as usual, and then to a service project before 9:00. Several wards in the stake met with a parks person who directed us in cleaning, weeding, trimming and making a park along the river into a more attractive and welcoming area.
 

Receiving instructions about the plants to remove and trim and the plants to be kept

Sisters Zollinger and Davis 

I went to the project with my friend, Diana, and then after the project we went to Costco before she treated me to lunch at Asian Buffet. I ate enough for 3-4 people but it was really good! I didn’t need dinner. 

Diana

After lunch, I went home and got cleaned up to attend a baptism at the stake center. Then I spent a couple of hours finishing up my weekly report to send into the area doctor. I did some cleaning and straightening in my apartment and cut up some beef in preparation to make beef stroganoff for dinner tomorrow. It was a good day but as I said, BUSY!!

I walked every morning and then worked at the office catching up on some work and preparing for the new missionaries who will be coming next week. I got my interview papers ready and a few other things completed.

Monday and Tuesday mornings Sister Barker, Sister and Elder Crump and I walked the river path.

Sister Barker and Sister and Elder Crump

Wednesday morning Sister and Elder Crump and I walked at the prairie.

Then I took Sisters Arnold and Boulter to lunch. Yummy Mexica food and great company.

Thursday and Friday mornings we walked along the river again through the rose garden. I just can’t walk through there without taking pictures. 

This flower is also found in the rose garden. My phone tells me it is called Love-in-a-Mist and belongs to the buttercup family

Thursday after we finished at the office, Sister Barker and I did an apartment inspection and then we took the sisters to dinner at Ta Ra Rin, a Thai restaurant.

 Friday I went to the coast to check on some things and to take the mail to the Coos Bay Zone because we didn’t make it down there last week for interviews because of road construction. On the way down, I took Elders Maughan and Smith to lunch in Reedsport.

On the way home, I dropped of the mail with Elders Shirley and Toone and had an early dinner with them in Coos Bay.

Sunday I invited Elders Fillmore and Lowrey who serve in my ward to come for dinner. I also invited Sister and Elder Barker, Sister and Elder Cammack and Sister and Elder Crump. It was a nice evening.

One of my friends shared this thought on FB. I really liked it so I thought I would share it with you.

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.

Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit." Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.

-Author Unknown

I know that in my like, I have felt my Savior’s arms around me and I’ve heard His voice whisper not to quit. I am grateful for these moments.

I love my Savior

I love you my family and friends.