What do you hear in the temple?

I wonder what it would be like to not be able to hear - anything. At all. I'm deaf sometimes, but I still have my hearing.
Yesterday our branch went to the Houston temple. The youth were there to do baptisms and our RS had a scheduled trip. 32 of our members were present in the temple yesterday and I counted work done for 54 plus family names either in the baptistry or initiatory and perhaps more in endowments and sealings.
I was blessed to help participate in the bapistry as 2 of my unendowed sisters and the youth did baptisms. One of those sisters is in her 70's and deaf. She was disappointed to not get to do many more baptisms. It was her first time to the temple ever. I had to explain the time constraints and limit of how many each person was able to do. She's been a member for much of her adult life, but was inactive for many years. Perhaps because of her disability she misunderstood. She thought she could only do baptisms for the dead one time. Imagine her surprise when I told her that wasn't true. She could go as many times as she wants - as long as the bapistry is open of course. She didn't know this.
Then came the second obstacle - surely something to do with her disability as well. We didn't have her records. She couldn't get her recommend. Last Sunday they came at the end of church. Just hers. Not her husband's, not her son's, not her sister-in-laws. Just hers. How thrilled she was that she would be able to go on our trip after all. She was beaming all the way there.
The spirit was quite amazing as she silently waited to be dunked again, and again. What faith. To not hear what is being pronounced, but knowing that it's important. I tried to interpret for her, but the prayer was going too fast for me. I managed to get her an amen so she knew the dunk was coming, but that's all I could really do. I wonder what she heard. Surely in her world something of significance was going on.
Her story is wonderful. She was first baptized when she was married to her first husband because he was a member. I don't think she really knew the gospel. She went inactive sometime before or after her divorce. She remarried and her sister -in- law taught her the gospel. She began a search for the "true" church. At last she found it. She asked to be baptized. She was a bit disappointed to discover she was already a member and couldn't be baptized again. She needed only to repent. Now she knows it's true. She said, "I will never leave the church. I know it's true. I felt the Holy Ghost in me."
What a privilege it has been to get to know this sister and learn how to communicate with her and her family. They have taught me a lot. As I've been diligent in practicing, my skills have improved and been magnified beyond my own abilities. What a blessing to have them in our branch. I have a vision. I envision our entire branch rallying around to learn ASL to fellowship this family and bring them into our branch family. What a great opportunity. I hope to see a few more faces at our home Tuesday night at 7pm to learn some ASL.

Hay que noche tan preciosa

We celebrated Jhonny's birthday here at home after much deliberations on what to do Sunday after our branch campout. I meant to make a cake and take it to the campout with us so all could sing, but I was a bit overwhelmed helping Jhonny apply for jobs and taking a break from that to pack that I forgot until we got home Saturday evening - exhausted. That's when I remembered - Ahhh! Jhonny's birthday tomorrow! I was going to make a lasagna ahead and a cake and sing at the campout and nothing had happened. I got up from my exhausted state and got started on that lasagna. I asked if Jhonny wanted to go to Houston or stay home. He said he didn't care. I made hasty arrangements to leave after church the next day. But the exhaustion of the weekend set in and packing didn't happen by the time I got home late on Sunday from meetings. In a sigh of defeat, we decided to stay home. I called Jhonny's buddy and invited his family to come over for dinner. Even though it was last minute, they obliged. What trooper friends! We really enjoyed their company even though they couldn't stay long because no sooner had we sat down to eat that they got called in to work. The best was having a true Venezuelan help sing the traditional LONG birthday song - hay que noche tan preciosa. Feliz Cumpleaños honey!

Last week of school

We've enjoyed having Kaitlyn over a few hours three times a week. Yesterday was her last day for the school year. Her parents are teachers, so they are done. I think Katelyn has been Lily's life saver. I don't know what she would have done at home all year without Kaitlyn to keep her company and decorate the playroom daily. She guaranteed that we used our toys, jumped on the trampoline, ate our snacks, played in the sandbox, and ultimately taught Lily how to share her toys and play with friends. Thanks for staying with us, Kaitlyn!

Take a picture of me, Mom!

We have a scrolling screen saver of all the photos saved on the computer. Instead of watching Dora as usual, Lily was paying more attention to the pictures on the screen. Suddenly she says, "Mom, take a picture of me for the computer!" I asked her why and she said, "Because Jessica has more pictures than me." I asked her how she would take a picture for the computer and she struck this pose.

Yesterday on the way to Story time Lily asks, "Mom how do we go this way every day?" She continued to repeat the question though I had no idea what her question meant or how to answer it. Finally I said, "Lily do you just talk because you like the sound of your own voice?" She replied, "Yes, I do." Pause. "LAAaaaaaa!"

For those who don't know my little wonder, she likes to give a running commentary on everything she thinks, sees, does, and feels throughout the day. I.E. "Mom, I see a bird. I see a tree. I had to say goodbye to my tree. I'm hungary. That was delicious. I love going to the campfire. This is the best campfire, EVER in my whole life! I found a story. We're walking to the library. I got in the car. This is where I sit in the car. There's my school! It's so beautiful! That school has beautiful toys. There's Emily's house. I want to play with Emily, Mom. When can we play with Emily. I dreamed about you, Mom."

Family Fun Days

Chocolate Lovers Unite!

Daddy Bus

'Nana Yahoo!

Jess and the Crowe's Nest

A few weeks ago, I joined Jessica and her 1st grade classmates for a tour of Crowe's Nest Farm. We were proudly the first in the group to explore Faerie Wood.

Lily Lady

Lil Lady in shades with her "Meagkan" (blanket)

C'mon I'm three.

I just fed the cat!

Birthday Review - 2 thumbs up!

My handsome boy!

ASL

I've been learning to sign. I mean really. This past month has been a wonderful introduction into the world of the deaf. I have picked up things for a while. Years ago I worked with a deaf ESL student from Columbia who could read Spanish lips. So I would interpret by speaking Spanish to her and her ASL teacher would teach her sign language in English. She would show me a few things in Spanish sign as well. It was a very interesting 6 weeks of collaboration.

Then about a year ago we discovered "Signing Time" on PBS. I started recording it and watching it with my girls. It was a fun interactive show that taught us ASL through repetition and song. I loved it. Then I noticed a couple of deaf people who were coming to church about the same time that I was called as RS President. I caught them in the hall before they could escape and asked for lessons. It took us 5 months to get to the point of actually taking lessons with them, but it has been a beautiful experience.

Last week after my first lesson I felt impressed to try and interpret for them. I know -crazy, huh? But I prayed for the gift of tongues and hoped for the best. I didn't do too poorly. I could feel the spirit there helping us to understand one another. They corrected me as I went along and I learned.

My husband was very impressed with my skills. I take little credit as I know it was more help from above than from me. I may be learning fast, but it isn't without lots of help. I truly feel like an instrument in the Lord's hands. Hopefully I can get out of the way and let him do His work.

Today we came a little more prepared having practiced the songs for the service. After church last week, Jhonny pulled out an ASL DVD of a selection of hymns that he had bought years ago that I didn't know we had. We found out which songs would be sung and tried to practice all week. Jhonny joined me in my lesson last week. I'm hoping he will take over some of the interpreting soon. He's still a little shy, but I say so. . .? I don't know much more than he does.

I'm looking forward to Tuesday and our next lesson at 7pm. Anyone is welcome to come over & learn with us. Here's Jess and a few things she has picked up.

Up in smoke

Jhonny woke me up at almost 5am this morning with the news that our neighbor's house was on fire. I arose pretty quickly after hearing that and after throwing some clothes on I chased after him to see what we could do. It was raining, but I didn't even bother to grab my coat.
When I got to the scene - two doors down, the entire fire department was busy at work trying to put the flames out and secure the place. "Lot a heat," one said on his way out to refresh himself. Another was at the door with a generator of sorts as the brave men rushed in with masks, hoses, axes, etc. It was a full blown fire. I looked around for our neighbors and their four kids. They were no where to be found.
That's when a lady ran over with her cell phone. She was delivering papers and informed us that the family was gone delivering their route in a neighboring town. She had seen all of them earlier, so no one fortunately was home caught in the fire. She got their voice mail and gave them the heartsick news.
I stood on the lawn waiting for them to come home. As I watched the smoke I started thinking about everything left inside and couldn't keep back the tears. Pictures on the walls of their kids growing up - gone. Clothes, toys, furniture, all the work they'd put into the house to fix it up for sale. . .all gone. Just like that.
I got out my cry so I could kick into counselor mode when they got there. A bit later I realized the oldest daughter was there in a car with her grandparents where she'd spent the night. I went over and got in the car to comfort her. She stared in disbelief thinking of everything that was now gone and letting the tears flow.
A little later the rest of the family showed up - the paper route forgotten and replaced by shock.
The most important thing of course is that the family is safe and they have many friends and family members all willing to step in and help them out. The stuff is just stuff.
Today I held my children a little closer. Here's to eternal blessings that can never go up in smoke.