Twelve Months of Miracles (Ch. 6)

On 5 March 2019, I posted chapter five of "... Miracles", promising another chapter, "to be continued" in Roseville, Michigan.

I noted Wed. 5/23/2018: “Our mission president announced in zone conference yesterday that the Toledo and Cleveland stakes will join our MDM 7/1/18, as that Ohio mission dissolves!”

Preparation day Mon. 7/9 was our 47th wedding anniversary, celebrated in New Baltimore by Anchor Bay.  Sweet!

Friday the 13th of July: Detroit Symphony Orchestra behind the Ford House, with fireworks over the lake afterward.  Kay & I loved the uplifting music, casual setting, and memorable experience.

Kay texted our oldest son on Friday 8/10/1:23pm, soon after the final diagnosis from her doctor:

“Please call.  Important.  Love you.”

After packing up and clearing out, we left our Roseville home the next day and headed back to Utah for pancreatic-cancer treatments.  Kay felt better after we got away on the road west -- a miracle and tender mercy. 

Having completed twelve months of our 23-month assignment, we “returned with honor” to be close to family and friends for the final few weeks of Kay’s mortal life. 

Throughout our full-time, twelve-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we were blessed with daily miracles and tender mercies.  Kay and I will always be grateful.

Now “this old man” is settled in Ogden to stay until “transferred” to reunite and work again with my eternal companion.

“Have a blessed day,” as our dear Michiganders say.  Keep the faith!

First Two Months

A recap of two months, planned for the end of February, was neglected as the month was so short.

Learned: How to cook instant (precooked) rice, remembering my measuring cup is 1/3 cup, not 1 cup.

“Quick access” in my Windows10 file manager is not very quick — seems redundant, useless.

There are “250 milestones in the history of psychology”, according to the library book I read.
Never order BK chicken sandwich with cheese.

Goals met: Attend temple more often.  Edit more.  Make friends.  Sleep well.  (“I can do this,” I say to Kay, as if she were watching with a smile.  “I’m trying to do the best I know how.”)

Observed: A neighbor from China who fearlessly talks to strangers here in the apartments — nice and refreshing!
Guys wearing shorts (pants) and no coat outside in below-freezing weather. 

Cars speeding like crazy on Utah freeways, reminiscent of Detroit.

Windows 10 Photos program created groups for me: “Weekend in Ogden”, “Snowy memories 2018”, “Snowy memories 2019”, and “2017 smiles”; (what about my smiley pics since 2017?)

Beautiful winter clouds and sunsets.
Happy, smiling grandchildren.

Twelve Months of Miracles (Ch. 5)

On 27 January 2019, I posted chapter four of "... Miracles", promising another chapter, "to be continued" in Roseville, Michigan.

Tuesday feels like a good day with Kay ... to share another chapter of our mission. 

For our brief, 2018 second-quarter report, I reviewed Sister Cannon’s journal she diligently kept on a daily basis.  The amount of detail is remarkable; for me, her eternal companion, it is a precious record of people, places, and acts of service usually planned by Kay.  As full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we had unlimited opportunities to serve and help others come closer to the Savior.  We are forever grateful. 

Tuesday, April 3rd, as Self-reliance missionaries, we “facilitated in Personal Finance class chap. 6 for Millers.”  (We participated as learners throughout the entire 12-week course, which is based on gospel principles.)  April 11th “Drove to Southfield again for Zone Conference.”  Friday the 13th “St. Clair Shores ... visits ...”  Next day: “Both of us kind of sick & tired ... my spleen or something been hurting for weeks.”  Sunday: “freezing rains!”  We gave people rides to and from church, more than usual.

A highlight of our mission was having our youngest daughter and her family visit us in May.  They drove from Georgia for their oldest daughter’s baptism and confirmation.  Our Roseville Ward members were so supportive of that special Sunday evening event, and we loved introducing our darling family to them.  We took some time for fun at The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village (with a vintage carousel playing familiar Christian tunes), the Detroit International RiverWalk (kids loved the splash pad for water play), the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House (Josephine’s Playhouse in back of the huge mansion was the big attraction), and a famous chocolate factory.  We also led them on a tour of unique sites in historic Detroit.

Saturday, June 2nd at Belle Isle (river island), we experienced the Detroit Grand Prix “IndyCar Series racing festival” with our ward mission leader (a GM engineer) and his young family.  I went prepared with my Stihl ear protectors, having been warned by the Lunds.  We loved mingling with the diverse population there, as we did throughout our mission.

Something I did several times without my companion: Thursday, June 7th, “South elders asked Ned to take them to Southfield [mission office] for transfers, so ... [he] was gone from 7am - noon.  ... made Pillsbury choc. chip cookies.”  (Sister Cannon, an expert cook, often made and delivered treats and comfort food ... to go with her special kind of love.)

(Kay limited complaints to writing in her private journal and occasional sharing with me.  Despite her undiagnosed illness, she felt driven to serve.)
Tuesday, June 26th, “Sick & tired ... sweats.  6:15 Soup & bread [provided weekly at church by a generous cook, Sister Lund] — Leslie Ann, beautiful investigator came ...”; family history class was productive.  Friday the 29th, “Weak & tired. Temple, to do ... [ordinance work for the mother of a ward member in assisted living.] Inspected Sisters ... apt. in Bloomfield Hills ... Inspected Elders ... apt. in Rochester — exhausted!”  Next day: “9:30 washed glass doors & bathroom mirrors at church — super weak. 10:00 mission coordination mtg.” Sunday: “Tired & weak. Ward council in seminary room. Picked up ... [two people]. Church (Jaimi came to R.S. for 1st time). Gave thank-you’s to ... [four ward members] for helping Sandy move.”  (Sister Cannon & I did a lot of lifting with them.)

Hopefully, we lifted the spirits of people throughout those difficult three months.  I may add to this chapter before the end of Q2, 2019.  Truly, I could write a book ... with love.

(To be continued.)

taking a break for family fun at Greenfield Village, Dearborn