I am proud to be an American!

Elder McOmber in a 1930 Ford. 

     I am so proud to be an American and that we have served in the military(, Elder McOmber Air Force,  me-Army).   Having traveled overseas for the military and visiting family, I really appreciate America and the freedoms we have.  It is comforting to know that no matter where in the world we are, the church is the same and we are all children of God!
      We had a wonderful 4th of July.  We had a ward breakfast of pancakes, sausage,  and fruit.  then there was a flag raising ceremony.  I did a little bit of sewing in the afternoon and that is always comforting to me.   Elder McOmber and I like to walk around in the evenings at the campground. We are able to visit with many people.  There are many "grandparents" that have their grandchildren with them and it makes me lonely for my grand kids, but we love visiting with the kids and their grandparents.  We had a pot luck supper at our bishops home.  We invited a few non members, but they all turned us down.  In the evening, we could see fireworks from about 30 different places;  Sunset Beach,  Huntington Beach, Westminster, Knottsberry Farm, Disneyland, Los Alamitos, and all the surrounding areas.  It was a panorama of explosions all along the horizon.

Sister Luft and I at the bishop's picnic.

Elder Eto and Elder Ball

Sister Luft and  SisterYoungberg(from Idaho Falls)

"The ladies" talking quilting at the picnic.  We have made so many friends.  This is such a great adventure.

I was cold.  This  was before fireworks.  It has been cooler here than it has been up home in Idaho and definitely cooler than Mesa where Amy lives.  Lonnie laughed at me, but got me the blanket anyhow.

Elder McOmber loves to teach the AP's about leg wrestling.  This is Elder Walker standing and Elder Dixon on the floor.  They are both from Missouri.

2 Nephi5: 27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of ^ahappiness.
And why did the Nephites live after the manner of happiness after leaving their homes?  Because it says earlier in the chapter that they were industrious, built temples, kept the commandments and they kept records.
4 Nephi 1:16 says:  surely there could not be a ^ehappier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
And why were they happy?  The chapter says that they shared everything, they kept the commandments, did fast and pray, and heard the word of the Lord(went to meetings).
 
Happiness is an attitude that we have control over. 

      I was diagnosed with breast cancer this week.  The Lord is in charge.  Like I said in my blog last week, it is amazing how efficient the VA system was with my care.  Even the Dr's that I spoke with this week were amazed, but I know the Lord is looking out for me.  It is in the earliest stage of cancer and it is amazing that it was found.  I had a mammogram just one year ago with nothing seen then, but found a lump that they say is smaller than what I am feeling.  I received a very comforting and reassuring blessing. Things were said in the blessing that I had not verbalized to anyone, I know it was from the Lord. The scriptures have been a strength for me also.  My wonderful companion will take care of me through anything and I have a very supportive family.  (I am not telling our missionaries until it is closer to time for surgery, but my husband likes to talk.)
     I was worried that this might end our mission, but as long as I am not down for very long, we can continue.  That is a blessing!  We would stay here to finish the treatments anyhow, as we are in the system and the VA is only 3 miles from work and 5 miles from our campground. (vs 3-4 hours from home).  We have family within a couple of hours from here as well.
     As Alma tells his son, Helaman:
Alma 36:3 ...for I do know that whosoever shall put their ^atrust in God shall be supported in their ^btrials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be ^clifted up at the last day.
     President Kimball has said:(and he had plenty of trials):  "In the face of apparent tragedy, we must put our trust in God, knowing that despite our limited view, His purposes will not fail.  With all its troubles, life offers us the tremendous privilege to grow in knowledge and wisdom, faith and works, preparing to return and share God's glory:"
    I am happy (and calm), because I know in whom I trust.

Tender Mercies

 

“The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ” (David A. Bednar, April 2005 general conference).

The entire Bailey clan at the 100th Bailey reunion.  Tender Mercies to be able to go to this historic family gathering.  I missed my children and grandchildren!

The Sacred Grove in Palmyra NY.  Lonnie and my brother, Bill went into Palmyra while we were in NY for my Family reunion.  I had a wonderful visit with my sister, we talked and talked the day away.  It was one of those tender mercies to spend time with extended family.

 Nathan E Bailey, my Great Grandfather, born 1831 and had 22 children.  He outlived 3 of his 4 wives.  They lived in Northern Pennsylvania.  Lonnie took pictures of many of the old photos.  I would love to scan them, but if I never get the opportunity, at least I have these pics.

 Bill and Kathy

Uncle Harry and Kathy

Cousins Patty Stone and Cathy Bailey, like the shirts.

Me talking to cousins that I had not seen in about 50 years.

Elder McOmber and my Brother in law, Steve Mitchell

Cindy and her granddaughter, Adelle

Gretchen and me, she is my cousin's daughter and has been friends with my twins
.

Harlan(my dad as a cute little boy), Don, Harry(the youngest), Floyd

I got some good pictures of the Amish as the drove past my sister's home.

We flew home on Tuesday.  It was a very quick trip, but very nice to have been able to go.  A very special blessing.

 Some sisters doing service cleaning.

 

 

Elder McOmber and Elder Ball doing service cleaning.

These elders were excited to be able to drive the president's car.

President Ted and Sister Cathy Bubert went home today after 3 years of faithful service.  They are awesome.  The senior couples had a luncheon on Wednesday.  We gave them this quilt with the names of all the elders and senior couples that served under their leadership.  We are sad to see them go, but happy for them to get back to their home and family.

 

President and Sister Tew our new president and The Buberts as they depart.  We will miss them, but are happy for them to go on with their life.  We are excited to get to know  President and Sister Tew.  So wonderful that we get to know so many great people while on our mission.

This week after getting back from our trip to NY, I needed to make a Dr appointment.  Lonnie and I went to the VA to see if I could use their services since I am a retired USAR member.  We went Thursday as Wednesday was a very busy day, just getting back to our mission.  The first person we met at the VA was very helpful and set up an appointment but suggested that we go to the ER for my present problem.  I wasn't sure as it was not a "real emergency", but Lonnie convinced me to go.  They were very nice and agreed that since I did not have a primary physician that it was appropriate to go to the ER.  I ended up getting several  tests and a procedure all in one day(almost unheard of in the military medical system).  The Dr that does the procedure just happens to be there on Thursday afternoons only.  He is retired, but helps there on Thursdays.  The staff was wonderful and stayed late, past their shift to be able to help me--my personal angels.  The Lord is aware of us all and helps us along.  Tender Mercies.  We find the results of the test this next week.  I received a wonderful blessing and have comfort. 

 But behold,I...  will show unto you that the tender ^cmercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of ^ddeliverance.

1 Nephi 1:20

My granddaughter, Miranda, texted  this scripture to me, how perfect!

100th Reunion

Sunday we had the elders over for dinner.  That is our home away from home in the background.

Sunday, after taking the missionaries home from dinner, we stopped at another set of missionaries apartment.  They had some problems at their apartment that we helped with.

Monday and Tuesday we moved some sisters into a new apartment.

Some of our sister's while moving.

"It's no stretch to say that a person has a serious advantage in life if they come from a loving, supportive home. Many people still succeed though they come from less-than-ideal family situations, but having our basic needs met, knowing that our parents love us and learning life lessons at home make all the challenges of day-to-day living that much easier to face. Likely, as an adult you want a happy home for your family."  Mormon.org

As Senior missionaries, we are able to take a short time off for special occasions.  On Wednesday, Elder McOmber and I were able to fly to Upstate New York to go to my family's 100th Bailey Reunion.  We met up with my brother, Bill in Chicago and got to Cindy's in the evening.  It is an all day ordeal to fly across country.

We were able to drive past sights on the way to Cindy and Steve's home.  This is the high school I graduated from.
 

We were able to visit the NY Bailey homestead and chat with Aunt Carol.

Looking across the valley in from of the homestead in NY.  We have enjoyed watching the deer. I have many memories from growing up here.

David  and Cindy.  David's old home is looking real good.  I love the old architecture in this part of NY state. (Near Palmyra).

David's home

This is the place that the home I grew up in used to be.  The Weeping willow trees in the background are ones that my dad planted by sticking sticks in the ground.  They are huge now.

This is the Free Methodist Church that I attended as a child.  I am a convert.  I joined the LDS church when I was 22.  I got a great education in the the Bible here.  We lived next doors.  Mom would dress us up and send us to church.  She rarely went.  I am thankful for the education I received here.

Cindy, Bill and myself at our Great grandparents grave site(on my mother's side-Curtiss). This is in Port Byron, NY, Pinehill cemetery.   I remember 2 sets of my great grandparents.

My parents grave site.

Hailey.  She wishes I brought the cousins.

Steve is a Wayne County Sheriff.  We are sleeping in Cindy and Steve's motor home.  This is also Cindy's new car.

There are many Amish in the neighborhood.  They have many horse drawn carts that drive past their home.

Saturday we were able to go through a museum of Bradford County, Pennsylvania where the Bailey family lived for a few generations.

Great grandma and grandpa Parmenter's home.  I remember the geese chasing me around this home.  Us kids slept in the bedroom at the top of the stairs from the kitchen(back window).  I can still smell the bacon cooking as we cuddled under the homemade quilts.

Uncle Floyd and Aunt Carol.  We loved listening to their stories.  We visited 3 cemeteries in Pennsylvania.

This is the Bailey homestead. My Great Grandpa Nathan Bailey came home from the Civil War to this home.  He had been a POW, had walked home from Virginia and his wife would not let him into the house as they did not recognize him.

This is the grave site of Alvin and Julia Bailey-who first started the family reunion 100 years ago.  I don't remember this cemetery.  Someplace I would like to come back to later.  We would like to do some rubbings.

Becky and Hailey.  We had to play games in honor of my parents, Harlan and Shirley Bailey.

"Today we have our Reunion.  Yesterday was just a fun day of visiting cemeteries.  This is a fun visit and we are proud to wear our name badges, representing Jesus Christ.  We are the only members of our church in our family.  (except for one distant cousin). 

This is no coincidence. God organizes us into families so that we can grow up in happiness and safety, and so that we can learn to love others selflessly—the key to true joy. Within the family is the best place to learn to love others the way Heavenly Father loves each one of us.
God's Church exists to help families gain eternal blessings. We believe the greatest blessing He gives us is the ability to return to live with Him in heaven with our families. We follow our Heavenly Father's will because that is how we earn this blessing."  Mormon.org