It’s cold out there. But not as cold as is forecast. Tomorrow’s high is forecast to be -4 degrees. I hope I am snuggled deep under the covers when the low hits. I have heard reports that it could get as cold as -40. But I hope I don’t have to find out what that is like. This morning we shoveled a lot of snow off the gravel driveway. It’s hard to say just how much. The wind plays with the snow so much that in some places, there were only a few inches while in others, there was well over a foot. And then there were the drifts next to the house that were a whole bunch more yet. The combination of wind along with the snow and freezing rain, make the temperatures seem to be a lot lower. We are indeed grateful to be in the temple or in our apartment most of the time. But just listening to the wind blow gives us the shivers.
Again, the little things that happen each day in the temple assures us that Got is there. We know that angels are assisting the members of the church as they search out the information concerning their ancestors so they can bring their names to the temple. We know that God is there to help patrons that come with concerns in their hearts. They leave feeling consoled or inspired or instructed as the need might be. We also know that other people are blessed as they are remembered in prayers offered in the temple in their behalf. But we are learning that He is there for the workers as well. There are times when there are just not enough workers to go around. But each time, the needs are met – sometimes in miraculous ways. Patrons arrive wanting to have ordinances done when no workers had been allocated in that section of the temple: perhaps they have come wanting to do baptisms, or initiatory work, or maybe sealings. We schedule our workers to one area or another, assuming that is where they will most likely be needed at that hour and then we close down the other areas, simply because we don’t have the workers to do them all at the same time. When it is obvious that the demand is different than the schedule, workers will be moved to meet the current demand. But there are days, when various patrons will arrive all wanting to do all the different things all at the same time. When that happens, the coordinator, having no idea how he is going to get the needed workers, just bows his head and waits for the inspiration to come. And it does – every time. It is amazing. The patrons leave feeling blessed for their attendance, never having known that the work could only have been accomplished with the help of angels stepping in at every turn. We know that they are there. We feel them helping us – all the time.
At the moment, we are aware of many of our number that are suffering in one way or another. Some of the temple missionaries have lost loved ones at home while they are serving here. Others have been diagnosed with serious illnesses themselves. These winter months are tough on us old folks. But we are humbled as we see our ranks struggle to obtain those blessings from the Lord that we perceive as needed. As we endure in tribulation, the blessings come. Not always the expected blessings. But we rest assured that His will is being accomplished in every instance. By the time spring arrives, we will indeed have earned the title of “winter warriors”. Our battles are on many fronts, but with help from the Almighty, we have been and always will be, victorious in our efforts here. We ask for your prayers in behalf of all the missionaries serving here as well as throughout the world. God hears our prayers and will have compassion on us all, especially as we strive to live as he would have us do. God bless us all.
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