We were asked to speak in church so I spoke about mothers in
the Book of Mormon and lessons we can learn from them. First was Sariah, that
she really needed to act in faith to leave everything and go into the
wilderness. Next were the mothers of Alma and the sons of Mosiah and the power
of their fasting and prayers in the lives of their sons. I talked about the
mothers of the stripling warriors, who had to overcome the traditions of their
fathers to accept their new religion. I talked about teaching their youth while
they were young to be strong in their faith and trust in God. Finally, I spoke
about the mother of Moroni, and how her life was not ideal with her husband
away at war a good part of their lives. I talked about her teaching Moroni the
need to rely on the Lord and be strong enough to stand alone and be faithful. I
expressed my gratitude for being able to serve among them. I even left Ted a
little time to talk.
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| Sister Leggett with her quilt |
In Relief Society two sisters showed the quilts they’d made.
I was very proud of them. I’m not sure the sisters really appreciate the effort
those quilts represent.
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| Sister Joe with baby quilt for her nephew |
Monday I sorted a little more and finished the last burp
cloth. We went to our grandma’s to deliver the quilt I’d made. She brought out a
beautiful necklace she had made and put it on me. I was overwhelmed. We went to
meet a member who gives us fresh eggs to give him his cartons and get a few
more eggs. We said our goodbyes to him as well—I will miss all the wonderful
and interesting people we have met.
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| Sister Roeth and Sister Tommy with quilt |
One of the senior couples came and took a few bags of
materials to help the people at their senior center with projects. In the
evening we picked up pizzas for home evening. We’d ordered an extra one because
I wanted to try one a new one. Good thing because there were 15 young adults in
addition to Sarah and her family. It was a record turnout. She had told them we
were bringing pizza and it was our last time. I know many came for the pizza,
but some came just for us. It has been a wonderful experience to be with them.
They had all 15 around a table for the game. Sarah insisted everyone get in the
circle, so they were sharing chairs and standing. She made the comment, “And
the Relief Society thinks these tables only seat 8.” It was really fun to
watch.
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| Who said these tables only seat 8? Family Home Evening group. |
After several rounds we cleaned up and began our hugs and
goodbyes. As I reached the end of the line I realized the kids had moved around
to the beginning so the line continued. I went around again and they did it
again—really fun of them to do. I didn’t go around the third time, but I appreciate
the thought. After a prayer I told them how much we had enjoyed being with them.
I will really miss Sarah and her enthusiasm for life and her love of the kids.
This was probably the hardest goodbye of all.
Tuesday I left early to go to the church to sew before the
ladies arrived. Unfortunately, I somehow took a part out of the machine and
couldn’t get it back in. I helped one lady start sewing and another lay her
quilt out on 3 tables so we could tie it. We were able to get one entire round
done so the edges are all secured. It will be beautiful.
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| Irene Begay with quilt tied! |
A third lady needed to sew, but her machine wasn’t working right. She went to my machine and figured out how to get the piece back in but it still didn’t work. We finally got it to work and she got her quilt top done. We’ll meet again Thursday night and hopefully put hers together, finish the other’s top, and finish tying the quilt.
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| Sister Roeth and Brenda, Manager of Iyanbito Senior Center |
Wednesday I laid out all the blankets and burp cloths. We
made 10 blankets and even more burp cloths. They are really cute. The senior
center had asked that we be sure to come for lunch today. When we got there we
discovered they had planned an Appreciation Dinner for us in connection with
their Mothers’ Day celebration. I’d made White Chocolate Popcorn, but I had not
anticipated the large crowd and didn’t have enough. They served late because a
couple of people were bringing special food. The burrito lady cooked a pot of
beans and a man made a container of blue corn pudding. These are both
delicacies, so I was very appreciative. We had mutton ribs, fried chicken, fry
bread, watermelon, and strawberry shortcake.
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| Laurie, Irene Begay (made the beans), and Irene's sister |
A man who had become our friend stood and said some very
kind words about our service and invited others to talk. I thanked them for
making us feel welcome and being friends. He then offered a prayer in Navajo
that went on for about 15 minutes. A lady gave me a necklace of small stones
that is quite lovely. I was very touched. Another friend and her sister had
made us a quilt that is very nice. A lady gave me a vase with an attractive arrangement
of artificial flowers. I felt very loved. Several people thanked us for coming
and being with them and wished us well.
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| Norma Charley and Emma Chavez, seamstresses of the quilt! |
At home I sat in the car and enjoyed the warmth for a long
while. It’s been so cold lately that it’s hard to believe it’s May. This
morning it was 29 degrees. It snowed in Albuquerque yesterday. Crazy. Today has
warmed up significantly, but the weather is very unusual.
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| This picture does not begin to show how bad Windmill Rd is. Crazy! |
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| Mary Ann Smith, first quilt attempt; daughter Amber |
Thursday two of us helped tie the lady’s quilt. We got about
half finished. We left it up and worked on it again in the evening. Before the
others came, she went out to her truck and came in with two pillows with brown
fleece covers from her and her friend. I was touched by that. I know it was
important to them. One of the other ladies picked out some fabric and made a
backing for her quilt and the other was able to sew her quilt top and press it.
Some of the rows are not aligned well, but she says this is her first try and
she just wants to leave it. I told them another lady would come help them in
June. They asked if it was OK for them to come. It had not occurred to me that
there was a question. One is a member but doesn’t attend church. The other is
not a member. I told them it was open to anyone and we just wanted to help
people. I told them the other lady is not a member either. I was very proud of
the work these ladies have done. We also took the blankets and burp cloths to
the hospital. They were very appreciative.
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| Donating blankets and burp cloths to moms at Rehoboth Medical Center |
Friday was a really busy day. We met another couple for
lunch and had a good visit. The man said they wanted to have a personal visit
with us before we go. I was very complimented by that since I enjoy and admire
them as well. After our visit we returned home to more cleaning and packing. We
have so much left to do. In the evening another couple came over. They had wanted to
do an early dinner, but we suggested coming for ice cream. She had made rich
brownies to enhance the ice cream experience. We enjoyed the visit and the
reprieve from all the work we had to do. After they left we worked until we
were too tired to do more.
Saturday we visited the flea market one more time—always interesting.
The branch had a pot luck lunch for us. There were three families and one lady in
the beginning and another family came later. We enjoyed a good visit with each
of the people there. One lady gave us a couple of fleece blankets. She took the
trim off one and put fringe on it so it is a shawl, so there was one for me and
one for Ted. They were very nice.
When we got home we tried putting the loom in the car and it
didn’t fit the way I envisioned. We put padding around it, so it will be fine.
We put a few other things in the trunk before we stopped for the day. I began
to worry about whether we would get everything in. I cleaned more, but I had to
work around the 8 gallons of milk for the seminary graduation. I was exhausted
when I finally got to bed. I began thinking about arranging the remaining
things in the car and things that needed to be done and the schedule for Monday
morning, so it was not a restful sleep. Fortunately, the weather is much warmer
than it has been for a few weeks so it was more comfortable in the house.
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