Week 46: Labor Day Tribute

Harwoods & Hadlocks at the Cookie Company in Rainier, WA

 We were able to go on a little excursion Saturday. We went with the Harwoods to check out a couple of new apartments for missionaries. One of the apartments had blackberries growing nearby. They actually grow everywhere here. We love to pick and eat them every chance we get.

Our adventures also took us to the coast where we got to see the ocean and walk on the beach.

We especially enjoy seeing the missionaries.

Crab Shell

Elders Short & Werk labor in McKenna

Sisters Allred &  Rasmussen labor in Lakewood

Our young missionaries are amazing. We acknowledge and admire their hard work. They labor daily for the souls of men and women seeking truth and a better way.

Since it is Labor Day weekend, this blog entry is a tribute to them and their "labors." They labor under divine commission.

Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills and flourish. (D&C 39:13)

Sisters Wilkins & Stevens labor in Deschutes

They labor with obedience, cheerfulness, and dedication. They are so good.

And now my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God. (Moroni 9:6)

Elders DeLaigle & Clark join us for Sunday dinner

Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest,  (Jacob 1:7)

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! (D&C 18:15)

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (1 Tim 4:10) 

The missionaries do suffer reproach at times. In fact, we had two sisters who were street contacting recently and endured a "mocking" and being filmed while being mocked.

Beautiful missionary feet!

And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace! ((Mosiah 15:16)

Wherefore, labor ye, labor ye in my vineyard for the last time—for the last time call upon the inhabitants of the earth. (D&C 43:28)

 The allegory of the tame and wild olive trees found in Jacob 5 tells us  about the Lord's vineyard and many "labors" and extra efforts made to "gather Israel." Jacob provides a wonderful insight into the nature of God. He is anxious to gather us "as a hen would gather her chickens." He is patient, long-suffering, and will do everything He can to help us choose to return to Him.  Truly it is His work (labor) and His glory "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28)

I am grateful for the opportunity to "labor." We will be cheerfully "laboring" tomorrow at the mission office. No resentments. We love our work; it is quite rewarding. We are glad to be busy -- "anxiously engaged in a good cause."

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25:23)

Weeks 43,44,45: Sweet Mother of Mine

 It's been three weeks since I’ve written. And in those three weeks, so much has changed. In fact, I’m still trying to “wrap my head around” it all. Haven’t really had much time to just sit and gather my thoughts. Perhaps a blog entry will help. Writing has always been a source of “therapy”. So, bear with me.

Pillows we used in hospital to try to make Mom comfortable.
She was like the "Princess & the Pea!"

Here’s the short version. My mother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure a couple of months ago. Her condition was much more serious than any of us could imagine or wanted to believe. Despite many prayers and the efforts of doctors, nurses, family members, there just seemed to be one complication, one setback after another. She was so sick, so weak. Her heart was simply worn out. 

My dear mother, LuDean McCormick Wilde Walker, passed away on Sunday, August 10 at 6:30 a.m. I will be forever grateful that I was able to be with her in the days prior to her death -- a tender mercy no doubt. I am grateful to have shared some of that time with my brother and sister, Dale & Susan. Despite the circumstances, it was a special time for us. 

 She wasn’t supposed to die just yet. We had talked about moving to Kamas after our mission I wanted to be there when she needed help. I wanted to be there so some of her goodness could “rub off” on me.

This has all happened so fast, I was not prepared. I'm not ready to "grow up" and be the "matriarch" now. There is still so much I wanted to learn from and about my mother. She was the master "stain remover." She mended clothes that I couldn't. I still need help with some of her recipes. And ... whose going to clean and oil my cupboards, use a toothbrush to clean my oven, and wash the china in the cupboard? ... And who will stay up with me til 2 or 3 a.m. to do a jigsaw puzzle?  Mom I miss you so much already!

Making her award-winning Pecan Crunch 

No, I don't really understand. I have questions. But, I'm not worried. I don't need to understand right now. I also realize that I’m not in charge.  I trust God and have faith in his Son Jesus Christ. I know that no good person is ever taken before their time.  It must have been Mom’s time. She truly gave her all. She literally gave her heart in the service of others. She was like the Energizer bunny. 

I know that because of Jesus Christ, I will see my mother again. She is done with her mortal body, but her spirit lives. She is in the spirit world. She is busy. She will continue to progress. Most certainly she is serving others. One day her spirit and body will be reunited, never to die again. 

Devan, Jason, Meagan, Heather, Sam, Christopher

She lived like I want to live: "I don't want to reach the grave with a well preserved body, making it there safe, and looking good. I want to slide into the grave sideways .... with a body all used up and saying, 'Woo Hoo what a ride!" (Zig Ziglar)

Mother lived a rich, full life to the very end-- full of love and service to family, God, friends, community, and country. She has left a wonderful legacy. She wasn't one to "talk" about the gospel much. She simply lived it. She was a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I hope she can still "rub off" on me. 

Now, we “must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if [we] shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father:: Ye shall have eternal life.” 2 Nephi 21:20.

We are back in Tacoma now, back to our missionary assignments. But, in honor of my mother, I shall find more opportunities to serve those around me, be more kind, and make the world a better place.

Mom, you simply made the world a much better place just by serving in very simple ways. Love you forever. See you later ... Watch for Deer!