Occasional, Beautiful Vistas

There is a sister in our ward, whom I visit teach, that had a rare and complicated childbirth in mid December. It ended up being life threatening and she initially went through 80 units of blood. She has been in and out of the hospital ever since for complications from surgery and is in again this week because of a blood clot in her lung. Including the newborn, two of the eleven children, are still pre-school age and have been passed around between ward members and family for weeks. The 4 year old happens to also be one of my Sunbeams. His personality is usually assertive to the extreme--I've never seen any stranger shyness or separation anxiety, but for the last 3 weeks (all the weeks that I have held this calling) he has come to primary crying (no wise cracks here) and it takes quite an effort to convince him to let go of a sibling or  his father and happily stay in the primary room. This week, he was especially beside himself and though he was on the opposite side of the row from me and sitting next to a teacher already, I looked over at that little carrot top--pudgy fists rubbing those big red rimmed blue eyes and I felt a rush of the love of the Savior for that little boy... and something soft happened inside of me and this morning, on that front row in primary, I was compelled to my knees, literally, with the true desire to comfort up close and personal, to sincerely love him (because loving from afar isn't really love). I know he felt that connection--I saw something pass over his face as he looked into mine--only inches away--and he was content for the next two hours... I am grateful for little moments of divine intuition that crack through the mortar of my soul and let in glimpses of the pure love of a perfect brother.

Today in class we were learning about Heavenly Father and Jesus's love for us. I brought in the short video clip from the church about Christ's visit in 3rd Nephi. I had it downloaded on my computer and had all of the children gather around it to watch. I explained what they would see and things I wanted them to look for. I told them to look at the faces of the people and of Christ to see if they could see expressions of love. I told them to watch for angels. As they watched the video, I watched their faces. For 4 minutes they were breathlessly quiet and the Spirit was so strong in that room, I was struggling to control my emotions (crying in front of Sunbeams is confusing and disconcerting to them). These little children are precious--I feel precious when I am with them.

The YSA branch was reorganized last week. Pres. Walker--"the whirlwind of love"--is going on another mission with his wife and they've barely been back for two years. Bishop Lewis, who was a previous counselor and a man I admire with the young people, was called to be the President and Shelly's (my previous Y.W. pres.) husband and the father of one of my trek son's were called to be counselor's. Such a special group of people who love the youth! But, how Pres. Walker will be missed! What a Christlike man he is. I sure would love it if he was called to serve in Denver, Colorado! =)

I am so looking forward to a memorable week. It's Valentines Day, which I love, and my Jordan and Mikayla are coming down for the long weekend, during which time Mikayla will be going through the temple. What a special experience that will be. I vividly remember the sweet, sweet Spirit we felt standing in the celestial room with Jordan and I can't wait to share that feeling again with Freddy and Georgie and now my Angel Maid. I love Pres. Hinckley's famous quote about life's old rail journey and the example of our family is certainly a testament to the truth of undropped puts, tough meat, dull jobs and all the rest, but it is also a testament to the occasional beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed that help us be grateful for it all. I think this weekend will be one of those.