IT'S A WONDERFUL OBJECTIVE, BUT IT'S A BAD IDEA

Once each week Church missionaries, including senior couples, are supposed to write a personal letter to their mission president summarizing their activities for the previous seven days. This is also the means by which they can express any concerns and problems  that they may have been experiencing in their relationships with other missionaries or local Church members. Can you imagine the level of effort and commitment required on the part of a mission president to read, reflect, and in some instances respond to such a huge volume of correspondence? In the Maryland Baltimore Mission where we serve, this communication involves more than 120 young elders and sisters plus a dozen or so senior missionary couples.



Essex elders reporting their efforts at District Meeting

As a result of major heart surgery on August 6th and subsequent stay in the hospital, my ability to do very much physically outside of our apartment is going to be quite limited during the next few weeks. Although I acknowledge that my body requires sufficient time to properly heal, it is still difficult to program my mind to accept the fact that it is all right to take that time to rest. There are plenty of people nearby, especially my wife, who are willing to remind me as often as necessary not to do too much too soon.

So in our weekly letter to Mission President Richards on Sunday night, I suggested that my primary missionary objective for this week was to be strong enough to physically go to the Church building on Tuesday morning and participate in the missionary district meeting. It seemed to be a reasonable enough goal when I included it in my correspondence.

On Monday morning, however, I received a telephone call from President Richards. "How are you feeling?" he wanted to know. I responded that I was doing pretty well and was looking forward to being able to attend district meeting. "Elder Lindsay," he replied, "That's a wonderful objective, but it is a bad idea!"

Disappointed but not defeated, I quickly  made a counter proposal by suggesting that if he didn't wish to have me leave the apartment to go to the meeting, then perhaps he might authorize the district leader to move the meeting from the Church to where we live. "Now that's a good idea," President Richards said. He then told me to contact our district leader to advise him to move the meeting to our apartment.

I felt  blessed that I could be a part of this training session with our beloved fellow missionaries while sitting in the ease and comfort of a reclining chair in our apartment living room. Now I find myself pondering about the mission president's initial reaction to my stated objective for the week. How many of our goals and objectives in life might seem to be wonderful  except for the fact that they could be based upon a bad idea? Is it possible to have the right answer without knowing the right question? Do we allow the treasures and priorities of the world overshadow the spiritual things that lead to eternal life?

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?               (Mark 8:35-37)

DOING MISSIONARY WORK FROM A HOSPITAL BED

The missionary bear on duty in my hospital room

Of the many things I have learned while Sister Lindsay and I have been on our mission, one of the most amazing is just how many different ways that the Lord provides unique opportunities for us to share the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with other people. From August 3rd until August 11th, I had a number of opportunities to teach gospel principles (sometimes with my wife present and sometimes not) while confined to my bed or chair at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore.

Since wearing a missionary name tag on my hospital gown was not very practical due to the great collection of electronic monitoring wires and other paraphernalia that were attached to my body, I quickly discovered that the hugging bear provided by the hospital to all heart patients following surgery could conveniently be the keeper of my identify as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He didn't seem to mind being assigned to wear my name tag and he served quietly and faithfully in that capacity until my hosptial release.

The hospital staff in the heart unit was readily accustomed to seeing hugging bears in patient rooms throughout the floor, but that bear in Room 404 who was wearing a special black and white name tag was a bit different and soon became a conversation piece among the staff members. Nurses and technicians coming into my room soon began asking questions about the Church and what my wife and I were doing as full time missionaries in Baltimore. Because my room was immediately adjacent to the nursing station, I could easily hear the verbal communictions emanating from staff members.

It wasn't long before nurses who personally knew why the hugging bear in Room 404 was wearing a special name tag were sharing that information with others. The uninformed were told that Elder Lindsay is serving with his wife as full time missionaries in Baltimore for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And so, the opportunty was available to the nurses and patient technicians to talk with me about gospel-related concerns. Not only did my new friends at the hospital encourage me to believe that everything would go well with my heart bypass surgery, but many of them also told me that they were praying for me. It was a great blessing and comfort for me to be able to talk about the Lord so freely and openly from a hospital bed.

HAVE MIRACLES CEASED?

When we moved to Greensboro, Norm’s favorite thing to do during a thunderstorm was to sit on our front porch in his rocking chair and watch the storm with his youngest daughter, Rachel. This activity has not changed in 25 years. Whenever there was a thunderstorm, he would call Rachel, wherever she was, and ask why she was not on the porch with him.

This past Monday, the day of his surgery, we were in the ICU recovery room with him as he was waking up. The nurse told us he would not remember her or what happened that day. Arminda, who drove up from NC to be with us, received a text from Rachel to give to their father. She said to tell him that there was a thunderstorm, and why wasn’t he on her porch? The message was delivered.

By the time we arrived at the hospital Tuesday morning, he had already been moved from ICU into a regular room in the cardiovascular unit. We started talking to him and telling him who called, who visited, etc. With a puzzled look, he asked, “Were you here yesterday?”

We assured him we were. He does not remember seeing us. He does not remember holding our hands and squeezing them. He does not remember telling me he loved me and was praying for me. He does not remember his nurses. However, he does remember that there was a thunderstorm and that Rachel wondered why he wasn’t on the porch with her.

And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?

For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.       
(Moroni 7:26-29)

In spite of his memory lapse, he came through the surgery well. The doctor did four bypasses. As of today (Thursday) he is eating well, walking several times a day and doing all he is supposed to be doing. All but one of his tubes and wires are out! We are pleased with his progress and hope he will be coming home on Saturday.

There have been many miracles during the past week and a half. We have seen them.  We know that God lives and loves us. We have felt the love and prayers of all those who have been praying for him. Thank you so much!

WALK TO THE EDGE OF THE LIGHT

The challenging, sometimes difficult situations that we all experience in this life either humble and draw us closer to God or else we attempt to blame him for the troubles and setbacks we are are facing in this troubled world. The choice is clearly ours regarding how we respond to adversity when it comes our way.

. . . The light will appear and move ahead of you

For the past several months, I have been experiencing a health issue that has become progressively worse. The symptoms have, for all intents and purposes, pointed to a problem with my digestive system. Initially, the condition first appeared as acid indigestion when I was walking on a treadmill in the exercise room at our apartment complex. In spite of my conscious efforts to minimize this uncomfortable situation by walking more slowly, less frequently, and by adjusting my food intake prior to the start of my exercise program, nothing seemed to alter the condition for the better.

When I finally went to the doctor on Monday of this week for his professional diagnosis, he smiled and then kindly suggested that I didn't have a digestive problem. Instead, the physician determined that I was suffering with stable angina, a condition that makes it difficult for the heart to circulate blood when under stress such as during times when the body is engaged in vigorous exercise. He recommended that I see a heart specialist as soon as possible.

You can imagine the anxiety that I felt when we left the doctor's office. Not knowing what would happen next, I needed to deal with my own personal crisis with my faith. Then I remembered the words spoken by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, at our last General Church Conference in April: "If our hearts are pure, if we seek not our own glory but the glory of Almight God, if we seek to do His will, if we desire to bless the lives of our family and fellowmen - we will not be left alone."

I can honestly testify that during this past week we have have not been alone but have experienced one miracle after another as we have been guided by an unseen divine source to accomplish everything that needed to be done. We have been able to obtain an appointment with a highly recommended heart specialist, successfully complete a heart catheterization, and engage the services of a skilled heart surgeon who will perform bypass surgery on me next Monday at Union Memorial Hospital, which has the highest success rate for bypass surgery in Maryland

Concerning man's faith in receiving divine guidance when the path ahead is unknown and uncharted, Harold B. Lee, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, instructed believers, "Walk to the edge of the light, and perhaps a few steps into the darkness, and you will find that the light will appear and move ahead of you." I have had a personal opportunity to ponder and reflect these past few days upon what it really means to struggle with exercising your faith while overcoming your doubts.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:23-24)

We must choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism. Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!

IT'S BETTER TO LOOK UP

Where Do We Look For Help?

A friend recently suggested that if I didn't like the current weather in Baltimore then I should just patiently wait a little while for it to change. Having to deal with evolving circumstances is one of mortality's few certainties. Not all changes are welcome guests in our lives, however. Financial setbacks, diminished health, the loss of a cherished relationship are just a few of the things that can bring a sense of discouragement and disappointment to anyone. The process of dealing with change is difficult.

Carl B. Cook of the Seventy speaks of his experience on an elevator when at the end of a particularly tiring day, his briefcase was overloaded and his mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” As he entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building his head was down as he stared blankly at the floor. The door then opened and someone entered, but he didn't look up. Then someone asked, “What are you looking at down there?” It was Thomas S. Monson, the President of the Church.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!”

So where do we look for help when we are burdened with our heavy load of care associated with the trials of everyday living? My wife reminds me often that I worry too much. She has even suggested that if I didn't have anything to worry about, then I would find a way to worry about that! For certain, not everyone handles stressful situations the same way.

Does The Journey Seem Long?

Joseph Fielding Smith (1876-1972)

Does the journey seem long, the path rugged and steep?

Are there briars and thorns on the way?

Do sharp stones cut your feet as you struggle to rise

to the heights thru the heat of the day?

Is your heart fain and sad, your soul weary within,

as you toil 'neath your burden of care?

Does the load heavy seem you are forced now to lift?

Is there no one your burden to share?

Let your heart be not faint now the journey's begun;

There is On who still beckons to you.

So look upward in joy and take hold of his hand;

He will lead you to heights that are new.

A land holy and pure, where all trouble doth end,

and your life shall be free from all sin,

where no tears shall be shed, for no sorrows remain.

Take his hand and with him enter in.

Faith always faces forward, and we are far more likely to obtain comfort, encouragement, and strength by looking heavenward than by looking downcast at the floor! Mary C. Crowley provides some good counsel: "Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway." When we are challenged and disheartened by changes in our situation, we must find the courage to redirect our focus upward to Our Father in Heaven.

Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. (Mosiah 4:9)

MEET THE OWNER OF OUR PATIO

Pavia, the scampering squirrel who owns the patio!

Last fall when Sister Lindsay and I moved into the Canterbury Apartments at the beginning of our Church mission, representatives of the management company in the office told us in glowing terms about all of the standard features and benefits associated with the rental unit we would be occupying at 2 Pavia Court.

Because our apartment is on the ground level, we also have a "full-size patio", which is a non-descript concrete slab that measures 5 feet by 9 feet that is directly underneath the balcony of the unit above us. The terms and conditions of our lease in conjunction with the Baltimore fire code precludes the use of any type of cooking grill on the patio. We would never consider placing a couple of lawn chairs in this area, because they would in short order silently disappear under the cover of darkness.

As far as we can determine, the patio serves only one purpose . . . it becomes an artificial lake about two inches deep for a short period of time every time it rains hard. When this occurs, we can position our dining room chairs just inside the patio door and and gaze intently as we watch the water level rise. Playing some nice music while this is happening adds to the ambiance of the occasion. For the privilege of having waterfront property on an interim basis, we pay an extra $20 each month!

No pets are allowed inside our building; however, what Canterbury Apartments didn't tell us when we signed our leasing agreement was that the rental price also includes a squirrel who actually owns the aforementioned patio. Said squirrel is afraid of no one, and he visits his patio many times every day for long periods of time. He likes to scamper across the dining room window sill frequently and climbs up the window screen just for the fun of it. I've nicknamed the squirrel "Pavia" after the name of the court where we live.

Before we realized this furry rascal's possessive territorial nature, Sister Lindsay requested that I purchase a hanging basket with a lovely blooming fuchsia plant, which I installed with a metal bracket onto one of the two sturdy wooden posts at the front edge of the patio that support the upstairs balcony. That's when the trouble began. The very first day after the hanging basket was in place, Pavia scampered right up that wooden post, pounced into the basket, and starting digging around looking for nuts that he had never buried there.

Now squirrels are not known for their super intelligence (they have a brain about the size of a pea), and they are terribly forgetful. Back home in Carolina, I have watched squirrels dig in the ground (and my flower boxes) looking for nuts in the same place day after day. Even though we have tried to discourage Pavia from getting into that hanging basket on many occasions, it has no effect on the squirrel whatsoever. What's left of the poor fuchsia plant is hanging on for dear life, while the squirrel is hanging on every chance he gets and having a wonderful time while he is doing it!

By the way, the photo used in this post shows Pavia in his favorite pose spread out on the patio watching us in the apartment watching him. We're just the tenants here . . . he owns the place.

GOD'S COMMANDMENT REMAINS IN FORCE

Norm & Linda Lindsay and their adult children (November 2008)

When our eight sons and daughters were growing up in the 1970s and 1980s and our family was in a store or some other public place, people would sometimes stare at us or even occasionally want to know if all of those kids were really ours? It was curious then to us as parents that such a question would even be asked, when just one generation before during the time my wife and I were children ourselves, large families were considered to be fairly typical.

And now in this present day removed in time by just another generation or two, families of any size are under attack as is the sacred institution of marriage itself. Many of the people of the world seem to have all but forgotten that God created them in His image and likeness, male and female created He them for the divine purpose of bringing other of His spirit children to this earth to obtain a body of flesh and bones.

Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that the family is ordained of God. Families are central to our Heavenly Father’s plan here on earth and through the eternities. After Adam and Eve were joined in marriage, the scripture reads,

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28)

"In our day," Elder Anderson continues, "prophets and apostles have declared, 'The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.' We believe in families, and we believe in children."

Sister Lindsay and I miss the little boys and girls who once filled our home with their laughter and their enthusiasm for life, but we love the responsible adults that our children have become. The youngest of our children is about to become a parent herself (as have all of her siblings before her); and with the expected arrive of this new grandchild in a few months, we will have been blessed by Our Father in Heaven with 20 grandchildren.

Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven. (Henry Ward Beecher)