The past week was incredibly emotional on so many fronts. Mid week, I looked at what had happened thus far and it literally felt like I had been on a roller coaster; huge highs of joy and then ocean bottom depths of sorrow. We are constantly being prepared for the days ahead that will definitely sort evil from good. I was reading my patriarchal blessing (this is a specific blessing given to each person and gives advice, counsel and direction for their lives). As I was wondering about the timing of this mission, the Lord reminded me that I would be kept safe because I was in His house. Sure enough, my patriarchal blessing confirms that very thing. It was a great reminder to me to know that God loves me and knows of my devotion to Him.

On Monday, the Clay’s invited the temple missionaries to come to their home for a pizza party and a boat ride around their lake, Owasco Lake. Owasco is the third eastern most lake in the Finger Lakes and the sixth largest. The name is derived from the Iroquois word dwas-co, meaning bridge on the water. It was a beautiful day and we drove out with the Gurr’s. Marc Clay is a sealer at the Palymra temple, so we’ve gotten to know them by working with them. The Clay’s home sits lakeside and has incredible views. Eight of the temple missionaries made it to the party and were in for a wonderful evening. Marc loaded us on their pontoon boat and gave us a tour of the lake and where certain family members resided. We loved the viewing of the homes and some of us picked out homes that we would dream of living in.

After our cruise around the lake, we headed to the kitchen to make pizza. The Clay’s have a pizza oven that cooks a pizza in 90 seconds. I stayed in the sunroom to avoid getting “glutenized” and watched as everyone created their pizzas. We contributed by bringing salads. Kathy had something special for dessert for everyone. Great conversation flowed and plenty of pizza was had. For dessert, Kathy made her famous cream puffs. It was so cute, because she was telling us how she makes them and Marc didn’t want her to share her recipe and techniques. She covered the tops of the cream puffs with ganache and they looked beautiful. Erik was able to bring an extra one home because I couldn’t eat them.

Tuesday morning at the temple, our preparation meeting was quite possibly the most spiritual prep meeting that I had ever been in throughout my years as an ordinance worker. Tears were flowing from a number of us as we discussed how the temple has impacted our lives. We were being completely enveloped in the spirit of the Lord. Afterwards, a few of us were talking about how beautiful the meeting was and we felt like something momentous was going to happen in the world. Tuesday was a day of utter joy and gladness.

Wednesday was spent being busy doing our duties at the temple. We arrived home and I received a text from my son, who was fervently asking me to pray for Charlie Kirk. I didn’t know what was going on because we had been in the house of the Lord for the day. The roller coaster loop was taking a dip and I was in shock. The momentous event has been put in motion. We were about to see the reactions and the fallout. On Tuesday, while assigned to the Celestial room, I asked the Lord if there was anything that He wanted me to see or know. He showed me a magnificant lion roaring and said the Savior is about to roar. So many world events are occuring that show the population changing and wanting changes. I cannot be thrown off course by these because I know where my faith lies and that I am protected. I refuse to allow myself to be afraid and worry about everything. I am not in charge and I will continue with what I know to be true in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I spent five and one half hours on Friday, sewing quilt blocks for Penny’s quilt. I was having a struggle because the pattern had errors and I had to purchase more fabric and then keep cutting patches to sew. My goal was to get the entire quilt top put together for Saturday and take it to be long armed. Well….another fatal error in the pattern had me cutting the sashing the wrong size, ugh! I had to resign myself to the fact that the quilt top wasn’t going to be put together and I hit a funky sadness that my goal wasn’t going to be met because the “math wasn’t mathing” in the pattern. All things for a reason and I realized that I was tired from sewing so many hours the day before.

My latest doctor visit (I sound like an old person), had the doctors perplexed and they have now referred me to an endocrinologist, which I will see early November. I am staying the course with my AIP protocol and waiting on the Lord’s promise for a wonderful and miraculous healing.

On Sunday, I actually volunteered to give the opening prayer in Relief Society (Sociedad de Socorro). I probably shocked the Relief Society president, haha! A little growth here, a little growth there, helps Cheryl become a more rounded person. Next Sunday we will be on the road heading to Hamilton for our flight to Calgary. The following Sunday we will be at the Calgary airport flying back to Hamilton while our Branch has Branch Conference. The next Sunday is General Conference and then it’s Stake Conference!!! We won’t be back with our Branch for a month!

We are being prepared for our Savior to return and we must not delay our preparation. Many people have commented to me, “You are a great example of doing what the Lord tells you!” The caveat in my patriarchal blessing is, “Don’t fail Him!” With that admonishment from the Lord, I try hard to do as He commands. I recognize my petulant attitude which can creep in and quickly repent so that I am on the right side of my Heavenly Father. Constancy is my comfort and as the world is spinning and seemingly out of control, I am always trying to find my footing to stay upright. It’s why I make sure to get my water in each day, do my exercise, read my scriptures, pray, create nutritious meals and love my fellowman.

Stay strong, my friends and family. We love you and pray for your well-being!