Loss of a Friend

Loss of My Friend
"death unto life"

Yesterday my friend died.  Connie Nelson - petite, loving, fun, caring, beautitul, generous, kind, faithful, loyal, practical, clever, smart, funny, hospitable, positive, and a true disciple of Christ.  I will not be able to present that rain check for our special get-together after I return home from my mission.  

Dearest Connie, I won't be able to walk with you, come to your dinners and luncheons, or run over to your house to chat about church, family, politics, antiques, everything.  I won't be able to ooh and ahh over your latest cute outfit, purchased on sale, of course.  I won't be able to bring you into my kitchen or to my front porch.  I won't see that mischievous smile and bright face.  I won't enjoy your comments in Relief Society about not judging others, about loving everyone, about loving the Lord,  about gratitude and appreciation for blessings.  I won't be able to go to yard sales and consigning with you.  I won't enjoy your sincere interest in each of my children, whom you know by name (all 10!) and have been a friend and neighbor to.  I won't borrow your book for reading group.  I won't see you drive by in the car with Tim, stopping for a few moments to say "hi" and joke a little.

I won't do anymore funeral luncheons with you.  And sad to me, I will not be able to help with yours.

But I will, God willing, see you again. I love you.

Staying Clean

Staying Clean 
"a house of order"

Just for your info this is the type of scenario I've encountered as the ad hoc
mission housing coordinator: 

Phone rings.

"Sister Peterson, we need a new washer."

"Oh, what's the problem."

"It just stopped working and won't start and it won't empty."

"Well, did you try turning the knob to "spin" and closing the lid?"

"Yes, it just started thumping and stopped dead."

"What's in the washer?"

"Just our blankets, sheets, P-day clothes, socks, towels, bicycle safety vests...."

"Hmmm."  Explanation and troubleshooting follows, and often it is an easy fix.

Or another.  Phone rings.

"Sister Peterson, we need a new fridge."

"Oh, what's the problem?"

"We were gone for 3 days to MLC and came home and everything

stinks really bad. The fridge is warm."

"Hmmm. Is it plugged in?"

"Yes."

"Okay, Get rid of all the food. And I'll check on a fridge."

(I proceed to call another set of elders who have an extra fridge in their apartment.

and call the other elders the next morning.)

"Hi Elder.  Is the fridge still warm?"

"No, but it stinks really bad and I think it is blowing stinky air in from the

back. Something is seriously wrong. I found out there was a power outage

while we were gone."  

"Did you clean it out?"

"Yes, last night."

"Is it cold now?"

"I don't know, I haven't checked."

"Go check."

"Yes it's cold, but it really smells bad."

"Did you clean it out?"

 "Yes, it's empty now."

"Did you use soap or a cleaner?"

"For what?."

"When you wiped it out."

"Wiped it out?  Oh, um.  We didn't have time."

"Okay, get some bleach, some dish soap and

put it in some water and use a clean rag to

scrub it out really well.  Then dry it.

I think that might fix your fridge."