Miracles Still Happen

Miracles have not ceased. It does make a difference however when you watch for them and then write them down right away.

Here are a couple.

I (Scottie) was made Cubmaster and assistant Webelos leader upon return to our home ward and April is the Assistant Bear Den leader and committee do-all person. We jumped right in because the Blue and Gold banquet was the next week and the Pinewood derby is tomorrow. We scooted right along, getting parents involved, especially a few who are inactive but love their sons. We helped 3 boys get their pinewood cars started before we left for Texas and the less-active parents of one of those boys came to pick him up after the project in the garage. The parents said they have not been coming to church but recognize that they should. We agreed that their children need it, they need it, and we need them. We said, "If you are waiting to be invited out to church, here it is. Please come." So, the next day they came to church, sat behind us and chatted a bit, then I asked the father to help with judging the pinewood derby race at the end of the track and helping judge the trophy winners right after the race. He said "Sure."

Then a few minutes later April heard him excitedly whisper to his wife, "They asked me to help judge the winners at the Pinewood Derby race!"

Well, isn't it interesting how little it sometimes takes to invite others to join in the fun.

The Church is true, the book is blue, and we love you!

Scott & April

A trip to Texas

Sorry for the long absence.

Here are some pictures and video clips from our trip to Texas to see Tyson and Suzanne and kids.

Brooklyn at iHop

Cristine & Tanner at iHop

at a Playground

Really Big Elephant Seal at SeaWorld

Feeding parrots at SeaWorld Aviary

 Sea Lion showing off

 SHARK!

Video Clip: Here was a hike in a nature preserve.

Video Clip: Kids and Slides are always a hit.

What a great time we had. Thanks Ty & Suzanne for a wonderful vacation!

New Callings, as Trainers!

Someone asked the other day if we were “Winding Down.” To us that seems to mean “are you slowing down?” The answer would be an emphatic NO! Wow, there is a lot to do. On Tuesday the President gave us two Elders to train. We have been preparing for this for many months, making folders and binders of instructions and examples. Now the fur is flying. It is amazing how their minds can absorb all the information. As Helaman said of his 2060 stripling warriors, "Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoke; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually." It is truly amazing to explain to them a concept or the steps of a procedure, and, voila, they get it! We have been training them for 4 days, and will get about 2 more days, and then they will be in charge. If we were training a senior couple it would take 3-4 weeks.

Each night our busy dreams are filled with all the things we forgot to tell them. There will be much of that they will just figure out on their own.

"Things work out, it isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out, don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in him, if we will pray to him, if we will live worthy of his blessings, he will hear our prayers." Gordon B. Hinckley

There are numerous little miracles every day. I find that if I don’t jot them down, I forget them by the next day. Writing to this Blog every week or two has been mostly a failure since I capture so few of those daily and even hourly miracles. So many of these miracles involve individual missionaries and how the little miracles that happen each day impact their lives. Most of these I cannot share. I can just say that as we go through each day, we feel to do certain little things, not because they seem at the time like revelation, but just because it feels like the right thing to say or do. Then we catch a glimpse later of what an impact was made. Probably most of the time we don’t ever find out. This leads me to the real point of this blog. We are feeling sad. These little blessings come because we are “actively engaged” and that will soon end. Other callings and many non-callings will come our way, and blessings will follow, but not with the daily intensity as they happen here and now. Still, “Things will all work out.” 

Love,

Dad & Mom