Have you ever thought about times in your life when something strange happens or there is eminent danger that you have just escaped? You think to yourself, “That was a close call!” Or there are times when things work out so beautifully (like traffic lights all working in your favor)? Do you wonder sometimes about a path taken that didn’t work out the way you were hoping?

I could tell so many stories of my life where I wondered these very things. My belief is that our ancestors who have passed on, are our guardian angels. I also call them our ministering angels. Once I tapped into the power that they bring into our lives through the love of God, I started calling upon my ministering angels to help me and others.

My very first time calling on them was about 14 years ago. I always prayed throughout my life for help with various issues, but this particular time, I was extremely sick with a migraine. I experienced all the auras and after vomiting and dealing with everything, I headed home to try to rest. Erik was on a contract job in India and it was the middle of the afternoon. I didn’t have anyone to call and get a blessing of healing. It was the month of June and I went to the back deck where we had a hammock in the shade. I laid down in abject misery and was in no place to even help myself. Suddenly, out of my mouth (I had never said these words before), I asked Heavenly Father to send my ministering angels to me to help. I was looking skyward and I saw a host of angels zooming towards me, with my paternal grandmother leading the charge. Immediately, I fell asleep, to awaken two hours later. I sat up in shock, because the migraine and symptoms were completely gone and I didn’t have a mosquito bite (June in Alberta, that was a miracle all on it’s own). I felt totally rested and as I was pondering on what just happened, I also thanked Heavenly Father for the respite from the migraine. It was such a momentous event that I put it into my heart and mind for thought. Was that a rare, once in a lifetime occurance? Was I worthy of such mercy? How DID that happen?

I carried on with life, raising teenagers and young adults. I have always known that Heavenly Father loves me. The Saviour loves me and as I realized that their mercy does extend to little, imperfect me, I knew that this miracle of my ministering angels was truth and I was a witness to the love from my ancestors as well. Since then I had the occasion to call upon my ministering angels for more help in the years that have passed. I also learned and saw that I can use this opportunity to help others who are in desperate need.

I have used ministering angels for both my mother and my father. The veil is very thin for me and I am able to see the angels doing their work as I pray in faith. Both my parents lives were spared because of faith and prayers and their ministering angels. It’s kind of funny to me because we personally only know about two or three generations beyond ours, here on the earth. When I see angels that I don’t recognize, my thoughts are always, “Who ARE you and where are you in the generational chart?” We have so much love being directed towards us, that it is mind boggling.

I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to see a missionary who had served in our little Branch in Rochester. Elder McDonald was at the temple with his new companion. He had been transfered south east of us, down to the Owego Stake. He told me that he was so busy because he was the only Spanish speaking missionary in the Stake and he travelled the entire Stake boundaries to visit with people. With that time on the road, this past week they encountered a cow and it demolished their car. Just imagine the ministering angels attending to them during this accident. Neither missionary sustained any injuries; not even a scratch was to be found on them. The prayers of both of their families and their home congregations as well as the world, showed us that their time to cross the veil was not to be had that day. Heavenly protection was afforded to them and will have a huge impact on them for their whole lives.

Many of us can tell stories and testimonies of how we have been saved from harm and danger in our lives. Some events are very dramatic, others are subtle. Even on days when we are distracted, we may not realize that we are in the prescence of saving angels. As we reflect, we will come to understand that there was no earthly way that we were saved.

There is a General Conference talk by Elder Taylor G. Godoy from April 2024. It was titled, “Call, Don’t Fall.” The message is so beautifully given about how we can call out to God and we will not fall. As he explains that sometimes we feel like the “call” has not been heard because we don’t receive an immediate response or answer that suits us. Personally, I am reminded of this when I am waiting on the Lord and He tells me, “Your ways are not my ways.”

I hope that you will call on your ministering angels because with the state of our world, we need all the help that we can get. There are definitely times that heavenly intervention is needed. The following list if from Elder Godoy.

I suggest you consider the following:

1. Always think of the Lord as your first option for help.
2. Call, don’t fall. Turn to God in sincere prayer.
3. After praying, do all you can to obtain the blessings you prayed for.
4. Humble yourselves to accept the answer in His time and His way.
5. Don’t stop! Keep moving forward on the covenant path while you wait for an answer.

Our fantabulous news this week is that our granddaughter was born a week early. Little Miss Penny arrived on August 23. We are so excited to meet her next month. I am still bowled over by the fact that our youngest grandson is going to be one year old in a month. The first year of a baby’s life seems to fly past (especially for grandparents). Mom and baby are doing well. I haven’t heard how the big brother is handling his dethroning yet. I was so happy to hear that Jasmin and Lyndon’s Ward is organizing meals for them this coming week. That is a lovely help for them. A very big thank you to my cousin, Janice, who reached out to me to know what Lyndon’s favorite food is.

It’s been a week of no sugar and I have handled it well. No big detox symptoms are happening. One day I caught Erik in the breakroom of the temple eating a square. He’s trying to support me on this journey and I caught him red handed! The next time, he said that he wasn’t eating any contraband in there. The best news is that my blood sugar levels are dropping. My supplements have arrived that go along with the program and now I’m ready to drop kick this autoimmune issue to the curb.

I can’t believe that it’s been eight months of using my rebounder. I have had to replace two bungee cords but I am in it for the win. Pam Lacusta was my example for closing all her rings on the Apple watch. I have been closing all my rings so far this year. One day on the way here, it was too late and I needed to go to bed and I didn’t get my activity ring closed. I was devastated! Other than that, I am striving to stay active and build my core muscles back.

I had the lovely opportunity to see members of my Branch come to the baptistry this past week. I may have been a little irreverant upon seeing them walk through the stained glass doors of the baptistry. Hugs all around and sharing news of our past week was going on while everyone was getting ready. There is such a feeling of joy when you are with your “tribe”.

Have a fantastic week and know that we appreciate your prayers and thoughts for us. Lots of love to you all!