Swamp or Garden of Eden by Kevin W. Lee

Growing up in St. Johns was such a blessing to me.  I grew up in a neighborhood where all of the parents were referred to as aunt and uncle. Up the hill lived aunt LaKay and uncle Joey. Across the street were aunt Karen and uncle Kelly as well as aunt Julie and uncle Ted. Somehow, I knew that these individuals loved me for who I was in spite of me being such a knucklehead. The old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," definitely applied to me. Much of who I am today was because of the surroundings and the people that helped me in my life. I will always be eternally grateful to them.

I have fond memories of places around town. I enjoyed the meadows, chunkies bump, screamers valley, three ponds, snake hill, lovers’ lane (although I never used it, and that's my story and I'm sticking to it) and the most loved of all, the drain. The drain was actually considered a swamp. I never considered it a swamp, though. To me, it was a Garden of Eden. I lived in that drain fishing for minnows, trapping muskrats or riding the waves when it was monsoon season and flooding was at its best. I always made things to do when there was nothing to do.

I, along with my wife Karen, have raised our family here in St. Johns. She actually grew up in San Diego so living here is quite a different environment in every way possible. She misses the ocean and family; however, we both feel the same way about our little town. We have had a village to raise our children and that turns St. Johns into a Garden of Eden for us. We have had people watch out for our children. They have had great leaders, friends, and role models. They have participated in a never-ending list of activities and testimony-building experiences. They often had dirt under their fingernails as they learned how to work hard, and they have had many opportunities to serve. 

Wherever you live, a place is what you make it and what you put into it. You can see just an old swamp, or you can see a Garden of Eden. Is it just a dirty little Eastern Arizona town, or is it paradise?  I personally believe it is paradise, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Thank you, St. Johns, for helping me to understand who I am, for helping me to raise my family, for helping me to learn who God is and His son, Jesus Christ. And thanks for all of the memories, all of the little things that make life so great.

Our Guided Journey by Kimberly Herring

    Years ago I was traveling home from Women's Conference in Provo, UT with my sister.  We had an additional traveling companion that year; Jenny Brown had joined our party.  As we started our journey home, my sister and I were full of chatter, sharing experiences we had had over the past few days, laughing and crying so much over one such experience that I was not paying particular attention to where we were going.  About 30 minutes into the drive Jenny hesitantly said, "I think we are going the wrong way".  Now this was before GPS's and Smartphones with Google Maps.  I had a printed sheet from Map-quest to guide us home.  We were indeed on the wrong road and I had no idea how to get us back on the right path.  Jenny suggested she call her dad to ask for directions.  She did so and he confirmed our situation.  He asked which route we had planned to take and suggested we use an alternative route to get us safely home.  Now this alternative route was not one I had ever taken before and it was completely unknown to me.  Knowing Bishop Brown was a man I fully trusted and that he indeed wanted us to return his daughter home safely we embarked on this unknown course.  I admit that during the drive home I questioned the path we were on, especially when we came upon the "Welcome to Colorado" sign.  I just KNEW we were NOT supposed to be in Colorado but, again, knowing that he had experience beyond our own and that he would not lead us astray, we, although unsure, continued on the journey he had suggested for us.  We did made it home safely and I have often reflected on this experience and compared it to the journey of life.

We are all on this journey called life.  We started this journey when we chose to follow the plan of our Savior.  We were excited for this new adventure and I'm sure filled with excited chatter and anticipation.

We knew this journey would not be easy.  We would be "unsure" of our path at times or even get lost once in awhile.  There would be highs and lows, wrong turns, and obstacles along the way.  Each providing a "pause" in our journey.  A time to reflect on where we have come, where we are going and time to prepare to set out again, sometimes down a completely different or unknown road.  Each opportunity to reflect and evaluate the path we are on is vital to our success on this journey.  Will this path I'm on take me to where I want to go?  

Heavenly Father has given us the gift of agency.  It is our decision to choose where we will go.  What we will accomplish.  What we will believe.  What we cannot choose is the consequence of our choice, whether good or bad.  I recently heard a quote, "We must WANT the consequences of WHAT we WANT".  Those consequences, whether good or bad, may not be immediate but they will come.  Are we prepared for what we "want"?  Will we get what we "want" from the daily decisions we are making?  For it truly is those simple, everyday choices that move us along our journey.  What decisions are we making that will prepare us for the next "leg" of our journey?  Have we done all we can to have a successful trip?

Heavenly Father has also provided us with countless maps, tools, experienced travelers, and guides to help us.  Have we taken advantage of these gifts?  We have road maps in the form of scriptures, patriarchal blessings, words from a living prophet and apostles.  We have seasoned travelers in our parents, grandparents, leaders, teachers, neighbors and friends.  We have the gift of the Holy Ghost, Bishops, and Stake Presidents to help guide us along the way.  Most importantly we have a Savior who has marked the path for us to follow and a loving Heavenly Father who wants to see ALL His children safely home.

There are necessary checkpoints and vital rest stops for us along the way.  Steps of baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and making temple covenants.  We have the opportunity to "rest" and "refuel" each week as we attend our Sabbath Day Meetings and partake of the sacrament.  We can attend the temple and find peace within its sacred walls.  We have homes where the Spirit of the Lord dwells and we can be protected from worldly influence.  We have every opportunity given us to be successful in our travels.

I have found that one of the greatest gifts comes in the form of earthly angels.  They are all around us.  They offer help, comfort and support during times of trial and rejoice with us during times of great joy!  They may even "question" our path, as Jenny did that day on our journey home, and offer help to start us on a better path.  We are those "earthly Angels".  We are truly "the hands of heaven on earth" and we have been sent to aid and assist those in need.  What a wonderful opportunity!   Helping one another along the path of life is absolutely part of our Father's plan for each of us.  How grateful I am to feel the love of others as they have served me and my family and how honored to be trusted by my Father in Heaven to help care for His children here on earth.

My journey thus far has been full of both joy and sorrow but I have been richly blessed as I strive to follow the path set before me.  When my priorities are in order, when I listen to the promptings of the spirit and act upon such promptings, I am happy and at peace.  I am grateful for the "bumps" in the road that teach me, shape me and strengthen me.  I am thankful for the roads I have traveled and look forward to those yet unknown.  I am grateful for Priesthood leaders who have been ordained of God and are set on my path to help and guide my steps.  I know my Savior lives.  I know He will be there for me through it all.  I know there are both seen and unseen angels working tirelessly to help each of us as we travel through this journey of mortality.  The fullness of the gospel is on the earth today.  We have been given all we need to succeed and how grateful I am for this knowledge.  I know we have living prophets to speak to us, to warn us and to guide us.  The choice is ours to make.  Will we listen?  Will we follow?  Will we return?  Will we help others along the way?  It is my prayer that we will.

Mourn with Those that Mourn by SueAn Stradling-Collins

And it came to pass that he said unto them:

Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called)

and now, as ye are desirous to come unto the fold of God,

and to be called his people,

and are willing to bear one another's burdens,

that they may be light;

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn;

yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort...

Mosiah 18: 8-9

I obviously cannot speak for everyone, but because of the recent passing of my husband and sweetheart, Chuck, I have learned a great deal from others about what it means to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.

First, let me say that our community of St. Johns is amazing. The food, the visits, the hugs, the cards, the prayers, the support have been overwhelming. I am still writing thank you cards. Chuck's brother-in-law, before offering the closing prayer at Chuck's funeral paused and said something to this effect, “We've always wondered why Chuck didn't move to a lower elevation, but as I look at all of you, I understand. Thank you.”

Here are some of the lessons I've learned and some of the things I have come to appreciate:

There is no small act of kindness (I just saw that on a card at the drug store). I am so

appreciative of those who remembered Leslie and Thomas and Grandma individually. Asking about them, checking in with them, not just me. People came to the house with meals and then apologized for them. (Why do we do that?) Every meal was appreciated. Every gift was appreciated. Here are some of the thoughtful things neighbors, friends, and family shared: cooked meals; uncooked meals with instructions for preparation; food that could be eaten in small portions; items to put in the freezer for later; an ice chest filled with soda and water so that people could just grab one when they were thirsty; baked goods; gift bags filled with comfort food; paper plates, bowls, cups, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper; flowers; hearts taped to the door of our house when we came home from the funeral; and bread and rolls (more on that later). And let me just say that food really does help heal the soul. With each dish, it felt a little like Christmas as we lifted the foil or lid to see what love was being shared with us.

Some people came to the house bearing just themselves and apologized for being there. (Why do we do that?) Every visit was appreciated and your love, time, and support were the gift you brought. I would like to add here that those who wrote specific remembrances of Chuck or came to the house and told us specific memories were greatly appreciated. It is okay to talk of the deceased, it is welcomed and appreciated. We loved hearing how Chuck touched the life of others, and many times, we didn't know of those occurrences until you shared them with us. How nice it is to have your loved one praised and complimented. And how nice it is to still have people stopping me to offer condolences and ask how we are doing. It is never too late to remember those we love and to check in on a neighbor.

Funerals are extremely expensive (over $7.000), but people are extremely generous. I can't tell you the number of cards that were handed to me or sent in the mail that contained money to help pay for expenses. I'm sure other people have had to pay for funerals and, knowing this, help ease the financial burdens of others. Being my first funeral, I suspected the cost, but didn't truly know. It was daunting, but the generosity of others helped to ease the burden.

So why do we apologize at times like this? I believe it is because we are worried that we will say or do the wrong thing. If having too much food in the house and friends, family, and neighbors knocking on the door and coming out in droves to attend the funeral is taken in the wrong way, then the problem is not with you and your efforts.

And I am most grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord and our Heavenly Father. So many of the things said and done were just exactly what one of us needed at that moment. It really is through others that the Lord blesses us. I'd like to be able to say that I wrote down all the amazing blessings that occurred during this time, but I am still trying to capture them. I did record the feelings of peace and love sent by the Lord.

Others mentioned in both cards and person that they were praying for us. I can testify that those prayers and thoughts were and are extremely buoying. May we always pray for those who have lost a loved one. It does make a huge difference.

Many of you brought rolls and loaves of bread to us. Mom and I were commenting on the

quantity and quality of these amazing gifts. Bread truly is a comfort food, but we also thought of Christ saying, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger...” (John 6:35). And we are grateful to our Saviour each Sunday as we take the sacrament and are reminded of the bread (His body) broken for us so that we, and Chuck, can live again.

Thank you all for your love and support for us and for each other. May we all mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. And don't forget the Bread.

Hallelujah! It is empty! by Suzanne Hancock

Empty Linen

By Emily Harris

The linen which once held Him is empty.

It lies there,

Fresh and white and clean.

The door stands opened.

The stone is rolled away,

And I can almost hear the angels singing His praises.

Linen cannot hold Him.

Stone cannot hold Him.

The words echo through the empty limestone chamber,

“He is not here.”

The linen which once held Him is now empty.

It lies there,

Fresh and white and clean
And oh, hallelujah, it is empty.

===============================================================

I echo this poet's sentiment.

Hallelujah, it is empty, and I will once again embrace loved ones gone from this earth.

Hallelujah, it is empty, and my soul finds rest from weakness and error in His redeeming grace.

Hallelujah, it is empty, and time has no hold on my family's bond.

Hallelujah, it is empty, and the marks in His hands and in His feet exemplify obedience, sacrifice, and love.

Hallelujah, it is empty, and He lives again, still, ever, to bring peace to my raging storms and guide my ship back home. Home to Him.

Hallelujah! It is empty!