Learned Something About Myself Today

It is not everyday that I discover something "new" about myself. I was not looking for it, but it occurred to me that being thorough is an art and definitely something that would make me feel like I did my job.

Each week as I go to serve, my assignment is to manage the comings and goings of the patrons and worker sisters in the women's dressing room area of temple. Each of the sisters have their posts and it is my assignment help things run smoothly amid all the challenges that arise. I like the idea that I am constantly moving and finding what I can do to improve the experience for the patrons/workers.

There was a sweet patron who came to do some preliminary ordinance work. She was dressed and ready to go to her assignment and discovered her hand bag was missing from her locker. I could tell she was a little concerned not knowing where it was. She was directed to go ahead and we, some of the workers nearby her locker and I would check around to find out if anyone had turned it in. One of my co-workers had her permission to check her locker thoroughly just in case it had been overlooked. It had not, and it was not anywhere to be found.

My first impression was to go to call security to check if it was there in lost and found. I went to the office so the receptionist could call for me. My voice was very hoarse, so figured someone else could relate the incident better. No one had turned it in. I then went to check at the front desk. No one had seen it there either.

Then I started to walk over to the waiting area where patrons wait inside. I stood there ato sk a woman a question, and looked across the room and saw a black hand bag setting on a chair. I went over to check and by the description of the lady's purse, I knew it was hers. I did not even have to open her bag to check for her identification.

I found her inside where she was and she smiled and was so elated to see her purse, so told her it would be in her locker. We had her key during the search earlier. It felt good, when no one else needed to do what I did, since that is something I would do to keep things running smoothly for the dressing room area.

I no sooner got that taken care of and another lady had needed some individual help, her being new to coming to the temple. It was only her second time. She was completing some work for her mother. She had a friend with her; her friend and I waited to help the woman get ready to go upstairs for the session.

The time had elapsed that it was the end of my shift assignment. I saw that the family file name was waiting on the counter, and the lady had not come down yet to retrieve it. I waited around and helped do some work so the sisters didn't have to wait in line before heading up to the chapel. It filled the time. The next set of workers of the second shift emerged and knew little of what I was trying to do to help this other individual sister. They kept wondering why I was lingering and didn't have any idea of the situation. I went about watching and waiting trying to be oblivious. Even though it was past time for me to leave I didn't leave.

Then all of a sudden I saw the two sisters come into the dressing room area. The sister who was giving me all the questions happened to know one to those ladies. They stopped and exchanged pleasantries. I motioned to the other sister where she could find her family file name she had just completed.

I felt I had done what I was supposed to do as far as completing my tasks. The two sisters walked away to their lockers, happy. The other sister who had all the questions was standing alone so I went up to fill her in about my concern that this good sister have a good experience and know what to expect and be shown with kindness and love.

I also knew it would just take too much time to explain to the new shift about that good sister's plight. So, to me, spending the extra time to make sure she was attended to myself was worth the wait. Yes, I left a little later than usual, but time was not a concern for me to be somewhere else.

What I learned:

It felt like that was accomplished. I just felt that when we do the little things, it may make a difference to someone else's burdens. I felt the Savior's love for me and know he would have done it the same way, forgetting himself.

I was on the Lord's errand. I came home feeling good and touched by the hand of God through serving all these sisters. There were other minor situations that were resolved in much the same way. I felt the support of my sisters that I work with and appreciated them all the more.




One of them just received a mission call with her husband to go to Old Nauvoo, a restoration mission and will help with the grounds and be guides at the visitor's center in Nauvoo. It is their third mission and will report a month from today. Amazing how the Lord works in our lives. They are just finishing an eighteen month leadership assignment in the temple and going forward to Nauvoo. They have been planning to go for over six months and now the time has finally come for it to come to fruition.

Chicken Soup--and The Lady With the Alligator Purse

I have always known the value of chicken soup for illness like colds or flu. A Jewish grandmother for example is commonly known for her healing abilities when it comes to making the best kind of chicken soup for those around her to make them well or feel better.

Chicken Soup for the Soul--

One of my friends told me recently that "I am like Chicken soup for the soul, mind and body." She also said that I have a very large purse that has all my tools inside, treats, oils and potions to help others feel better! She compared me to Mary Poppins--with a spoonful of sugar. . . without the umbrella.

I laughed at how she described me but found a lot of truth in her words. Her daughter had just had a baby and was at a local hospital after a C-section. I offered to go over to visit with her to see her daughter and give her one of my massages that are especially good after childbirth.

The daughter was very happy I came and she felt great after her massage. I put some essential oils on her besides and she raved about the French Vanilla fragrance that was so calming to her. I gave her a pina colada scented room spray and she was thrilled beyond words. There was a scented candle in my "bag" that I gave my friend. We all just laughed about the "lady with the alligator purse" and all the goodies inside it for each one of them.

Serving in different ways--

I am a giving person so it comes naturally for me to give service and bless those around me any way I can with what I know or with my professional training background. They are my talents and I find I use them everyday in so many ways--

I talked about the eye patch to a fellow a week before Christmas. He was fascinated with what I told him about it and couldn't stop thinking about it. He went home and bought himself one. I saw him again this week and he reported that he walks around the house everyday now and wears his eye patch. He said he bought one for his wife and daughter too. He also stated how it has helped him get in touch with his "feminine" side, rather be more intuitive actually. Most men are left brained and logical, and women are right brained. We get balance by eye patching and learn about the results as you go.

"Cast your bread upon the waters,

Cast your bread upon the waters and after many days it will come back to you (toasted and buttered.)" President Ezra Taft Benson used to paraphrase this scripture that way. He meant to say how we can help others and receive blessings for it; I know it is true that am able to bless the lives of others immeasurably.

Hot Cinnamon Rolls

I went over to Hank & Lori's today to do an IonCleanse. While I was there visiting for the time my feet soaked, I read a story to K8 and K9. K9 had brought me the book so read it to them. The title was "The Lady with the Alligator Purse." It is a hilarious nonsensical story when the lady is called in who has an alligator purse to solve the problem of the day. It reminded me of ME!! Too funny to explain. We all had a good laugh and I enjoyed the time I was there with all the Ks. K10 is so darling and crawled around and came over to me and greeted me as I was sitting there. Ryder and Jessie even greeted me to make sure I was friendly and not foe.

Lori was busily finishing up baking wheat cinnamon rolls. Lori's rolls are even famous in their neighborhood. She was busily taking plates and plates of her rolls around to certain neighbors. I finally asked her what it was all about. She told me she made several batches to give to her Sunday School Class of 12 yr olds for their invitation to come to the first Sunday School of her new class tomorrow.

What a great way to get them to come and get acquainted to start the New Year. She is off to a great start, as is Hank in his new phase in his career. He will know by Monday about filling a vacancy in the class. We are fasting for him too. I talked to some of the siblings who didn't already know about it and said they'd fast too.

God bless you (Hank) and all the rest of you in your fasting and prayers in your brother's behalf. Mijo, remember we all love and support you and in our prayers,

Hasta manana! Love, Mom