Coincidences? - A New Grandchild

I traveled to Florida a week ago to be with my son and daughter-in-law while they welcome a newborn son into their family.  I tried to keep up with their energetic three-year-old when they were at the hospital and helped prepare a few freezer meals to leave with them when I am gone.

My son described the tears that filled his eyes the first time he held his infant child and felt a tender bond.  Born a month early by C-section, this child was amazingly healthy and perfectly formed.  The time our son has with his family is limited to a few short weeks.  Soon he will be leaving for military deployment overseas.  His wife's tender feelings are tempered with the resilience of a military wife, who has to prepare to say goodbye, again, to her husband and care for their home and children while he is away.  And his heart and mind is filled with concern for their welfare.

A question has been on my mind all week, "Is it merely coincidence that their son was born in the same hospital my sister-in-law was born at 65 years ago?"  My husband's parents both served in the Navy.  They were both from a small town in Idaho.  After graduating from high school, his mother enlisted in the Navy and became a member of the WAVES.  She taught aerial gunnery during WWII.  Her training was in Pensacola, Florida, after which she was assigned to a base in Jacksonville.  There, her high school friend found her and they were married.  And a year later they had a daughter, born at the Jacksonville Naval Station Hospital.

My son received his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago.  After graduation from boot camp he received training in Pensacola and then was assigned to Jacksonville Naval Air Station.  His specialty is different than his grandmother's, yet he is following her footsteps.  It is as though there is a very specific path prepared for him to follow.  It is reassuring to me to know that someone is watching out for him and his family.  Their paths will vary where life's changes take them, but in this moment these "coincidences" are more than meaningful.

Could it also be true for all of us?  Is there a plan for each that has been carefully prepared for our protection and learning?  I feel certain of it.

Ask in Faith - Poem

Ask in Faith

Ask in faith and it shall be given

   Truth and direction descending from Heaven

Taught all things that ye should know

   By the gift of Holy Spirit revealed below

Seek for wisdom and ye shall find

   Understanding for the wandering blind

Precious treasures, riches of eternity

   Revealed mysteries earthly eye can’t see

Knock and it shall be opened to you

   The one true gateway to pass through

Commandments, power and knowledge obtain

   Entrance to Heaven’s kingdom to fully regain

Matt. 7:7

By Janice Harten

Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Home for Missionaries - The Search for Truth

Here is a peek at the room Bill and I prepared for the missionaries who moved into our home this month.  I found some nice bargains on-line and am happy how it turned out.  I knew I needed to take a picture before they moved in because it will probably never be this clean again!

A few months ago our Stake President asked if more families would volunteer to house the missionaries.  With our children either married or attending college we have ample room.  They take care of their own food and transportation and their daily and medical needs.  We share kitchen and laundry space.

I see this as an opportunity not only to clean and prepare physical space for them, but I have tried to also prepare our home spiritually.  I've given thought to what I listen to and watch and what my own activities are.  I pray for the spirit to be present and for our home to be a holy place for revelation from heaven.

An Elder from El Salvador and an Elder from Vermont are our first guests.  They are assigned to the Spanish Ward and teach lessons in Spanish.  I enjoy hearing this beautiful language in my home.  I promised to help them with English if they would help me practice Spanish.

I know there is a powerful spirit that accompanies missionary work and I am looking forward to experiencing the daily blessings of their work.  I've heard the Utah missions are among the highest in baptisms throughout the world.  Many people are searching for the truth.  Good people everywhere want to know how to find God and how to help their families find real happiness, purpose and safety.   There is a special promise in the Book of Mormon for those who want to know for themselves what is true.

Moroni 10:4

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ^aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not ^btrue; and if ye shall ask with a ^csincere heart, with ^dreal intent, having ^efaith in Christ, he will ^fmanifest the^gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may ^aknow the ^btruth of all things.

 6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

 7 And ye may ^aknow that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, ^baccording to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

I believe everyone will embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ if they will read the word of God, especially the Book of Mormon, and pray with a sincere heart to know if it is true.  The Lord will testify to them in their own hearts.  The missionaries living with us are currently teaching a family and other single individuals who have done these things and are preparing for baptism.  I pray for these special witnesses of Jesus Christ and those they are teaching.

A copy of the Book of Mormon and all other scriptures are found on-line at lds.org

Trials - Marking Stones

Some of the most meaningful times of my life are those when I was experiencing times of greatest trial.  My mind returns to those moments again and again to review how I felt and to see how I grew and was blessed to overcome and find my way through.  They are moments when I can see with clarity where I turned for help, or I look in amazement and gratitude on those who came to my rescue.  My personal trials have become marking stones that line my pathway and as someone once said, they are the experiences that have taught me the most about myself and helped me become acquainted with God.

Twenty three years ago, today, I was in the midst of such a trial.  Our youngest child was born three months premature.  He was a tiny 2lb 3oz and spent his first two months in an incubator.  His body was a dark purple when he was born and his undeveloped lungs hushed his first cries.  The first time I touched him through the incubator window, he grew calm, and I knew he knew I was there.  The first time I held him I could see the struggle and determination in his eyes.  I knew he was on earth for a purpose and he would fight to live.  Most of all, I remember the feelings of peace and reassurance that came from God, that he had a plan and he knew each one of us.

Life's lessons occur every day, which cause my heart to be stretched with compassion for others as I see them also going through difficult experiences.  Most recently, I comforted my daughter after she experienced the loss of a much wanted pregnancy.  After wiping away the tears, I reminded myself that the Lord is in the details of our lives and he feels and knows our innermost tender thoughts and feelings.  And he gently nurtures those feelings within us.

Gone - Poem

Gone

Gone is life within my womb

Taking with it joy and understanding,
Sorrow for the innocent

Who leaves empty arms

And pained hearts

Grieving hearts are stretched and softened

Cradled and gently warmed

By Him, who also weeps

With eternal understanding

Of the forevermore

By Janice Harten

Aug 9, 2001

Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Anticipation - Poem

Anticipation -

I move with anticipation

To see what miracle lies

On trial's other side

Janice Harten

Apr 18, 2010


Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.