I had an eye opening experience this week. I have been thinking about my ancestry from Eastern Europe, namely, Belarus. I wondered how they lived their lives. I want to know all the details: clothing, food, housing, transportation, and families. I decided to go look at a map and see where everything is located. To my surprise, it started with looking up traditional dress and food from Belarus. They were heavily influenced by Latvia and Lithuania which border Belarus to the northwest and north as well as Russia to it’s eastern side.

Then once I saw how Latvia and Belarus are neighbors, it hit me that both Erik’s ancestors and mine came from the same region of the world, sharing a lot of the same lifestyles. Isn’t it amazing how from those ancestors, Erik and I met on the North American continent? We came from completely different family situations but managed to meet and marry. I have had a personal revelation that Erik and I were foreordained to be together for eternity. When you think about the ways in which this has been brought to pass, it feels like a miracle.

There are more and more traits that I recognize in myself that I wondered in the past why I like specific foods and where did that come from. Some are definitely from my mother’s family and Scotland but there are others that I wondered about. I am appreciating how more is being made clear.

Do you look at yourself and wonder why you think a certain way or do things in a certain way? Our genetics are powerful and can help you understand who you are. It can be fun to do some research and feel the connection to the past. A fellow temple worker asked me if I was from Eastern Europe because of something that I was sharing. I looked surprised and responded, “Yes!” She told me that her son served his mission in Latvia and that he came across a lot of people who had gifts like I have.

The weather this past week has been above freezing during the day and while the leaves are definitely falling, lawns are still green. The village of Palmyra has a truck with a giant vacuum hose that goes along the roadside sucking up all the leaf piles that villagers have raked. The leaves then go through a mulcher and then get shot into the back of the truck. It’s a slow process but gets the leaves cleaned up.

I started sewing my Christmas pillowcases and the second one nearly made me give up. Directional fabric that I couldn’t seem to get right but after walking away and doing something different, I went back and all worked out fine. I wanted to finish sewing the rest of them today but cleaning the house and groceries came before the sewing.

We set up the Christmas tree that the previous missionaries purchased. On our trip to Walmart, I procured some ornaments and beaded garland. It’s a skinny tree but 7 feet tall.

While going through the self checkout (which I am inherently opposed to because they don’t pay me enough to check out my own purchases!), Erik was scanning and I was watching. I usually pay the bill while he is bagging. The total came to $931. 74. I thought, “What on earth did we buy!?!” I started scrolling through the screen and found the problem. When Erik scanned out radishes, we heard a double beep but he kept moving along. I thought I saw the word Donuts on the screen and wondered, “What did we buy that would have the name of Donuts?” Here’s where it gets interesting…the receipt doesn’t show it now, but the donuts rang up at $814.53! I pushed the button to get assistance and the lady came and reversed the charge. We still don’t know how or what occurred but note to all to carefully check your bills!

I’ve changed my mind on the vegetable dish we are bringing to Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of the Vegetable Tart, I’m making a vegetable gratin with the veggies all in thin slices and standing up. No need to worry about preparing a crust for a baking dish that we don’t have. Baking dishes are very limited here in this apartment. Erik made another batch of Breakfast Cookies.

Erik did find me frozen sliced okra which I like to put in my smoothies. It helps thicken and give lots of fiber to the smoothie. I have used arugula in the meantime while hunting down okra.

Here’s a photo of the almond flour that Erik has made while making us almond milk.

Our friends who are from New York are at the Missionary Training Center as they prepare to go to Slovenia for their mission. They are called to the Adriatic North Mission. Sister Wilson is originally from Slovenia and she’s a perfect missionary to go there. Ivana and Bob are such a wonderful couple and they will be like angels to the people of Slovenia.

I found family members by doing the DNA tests and I’m glad that I did because I found family and a better understanding of who I am. Have a great week, stay safe through your snowstorms!

Much love to you all!

As the world speeds up, it seems that it is getting harder to stay grounded on current affairs. We are surrounded by AI and it’s multi-use purposes driven by “who-knows?” This week in Relief Society we focused on Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s talk from October General Conference. It was ringing with the same tones that President Nelson gave us in one of his talks. It was titled, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.”

Imagine with me you are a young teenager in Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee, during the ministry of Jesus Christ. Word spreads of a rabbi—a teacher—whose message draws multitudes. Neighbors plan to travel to a mount overlooking the sea to hear Him.

You join others walking the dusty roads of Galilee. Upon your arrival, the large crowd gathered to hear this Jesus surprises you. Some quietly whisper, “Messiah.”

You listen. His words touch your heart. On the long walk home, you choose quiet over conversation.

You ponder wondrous things—things that transcend even the law of Moses. He spoke of turning the other cheek and loving your enemies. He promised, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

In your reality, as you feel the weight of difficult days—uncertainty and fear—peace feels distant.

Your pace quickens; you arrive home breathless. Your family gathers; your father asks, “Tell us what you heard and feel.”

You share that He invited you to let your light shine before others, to seek righteousness even when persecuted. Your voice catches as you repeat, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

You ask, “Can I truly become a peacemaker when the world is in commotion, when my heart is filled with fear, and when peace seems so far away?”

Your father glances at your mother and answers gently, “Yes. We begin in the most basic place—in our hearts. Then in our homes and families. As we practice there, peacemaking can spread to our streets and villages.”

Fast forward 2,000 years. No need to imagine—this is our reality. Although the pressures felt by today’s rising generation differ from those of the young person in Galilee—polarization, secularization, retaliation, road rage, outrage, and social media pile-ons—both generations face cultures of conflict and tension.

In Relief Society we discussed the three ways in which we can become peacemakers; in our hearts, our homes and our communities. I loved that Elder Stevenson offers a one week Peacemaker Plan.

In summary, I offer an invitation. Peacemaking demands action—what might that be, for each of us, starting tomorrow? Would you consider a one-week, three-step peacemaker plan?

1. A contention-free home zone: When contention starts, pause and reboot with kind words and deeds.
2. Digital bridge building: Before posting, replying, or commenting online, ask, Will this build a bridge? If not, stop. Do not send. Instead, share goodness. Publish peace in the place of hate.
3. Repair and reunite: Each family member could seek out a strained relationship in order to apologize, minister, repair, and reunite.

This is such a great reminder and plan on how to have more peace in our lives. We live in contentious times and everything seems to be polarized. I need to ask myself when I am feeling anxious about situations in the world and our country that seem out of control, “Can you do anything about it?” Some things are simply too big for my heart and soul and I need to realise that being anxious, fearful and angry do not come from God. Those are Satan’s tools and I need to press forward with my faith.

This week, I received tender mercies that make me acutely aware that God knows me and what I need. Sister Whitehead and I often complimented each other on our outfits, our hair and our talents. It seems that we both love receiving words of affirmation. I wondered how I was to cope with having her gone home to Utah. On Tuesday morning, one of my fellow temple workers, Patti Clark, came into the locker room and very sincerely, complimented me on my dress and it’s color. I felt tears come to my eyes as I felt the love of the Lord in showing me that others can fill my love bucket too.

Sister Stevens had given me what I call a “Joy Jar” full of quotes that I could open up and read to bring me joy. I was saving it for some special day but then I read her instructions and it was to used any day, not just for a special occaison. Today I finally opened the first one. Maybe I was saving them because it was hard to open it and not cry about my friend being at home.

Another temple worker has a daughter who was expecting her first baby. The baby was also the first grandchild for Jen and Keith Baker. I have a quilt top made for their baby, ready to be quilted. Her daughter experienced extreme sickness throughout her entire pregnancy. A couple of weeks ago, while in the celestial room, I decided to pray for her daughter. One technique that I have learned is about imagining a brillant white light surrounding a person or targeting the body part that has pain or injury. This white light represents the pure love of God. When it is done with a pure heart full of charity, miracles happen. I mentioned to Jen that I was praying for her daughter and hoped that the last week of her pregnancy would be better. Jen reported back to me that the day that I had prayed for her daughter, she was able to actually eat a meal and keep it down, also she was well enough to leave the house and go for a drive in the car. I am so grateful that God hears my prayers and answers them.

We are shifting gears into winter now. Today we received our first snowfall. Erik went for his walk in the snow this morning. I bought some merino wool gloves and they are delightful! I don’t mind cold as long as I am dressed appropriately. With my protocol I am doing, my metabolism is ramping up and I am no longer cold. I have warmth in my hands and feet, which is so strange to me after years of freezing. We were under a winter storm watch. I think that Palmyra is in an area that gets less snow than areas to the west or east. Because of the lake effect snow, some areas can get quite the deluge.

On Thursday, we drove into Rochester for an endocrinologist appointment. Okay, true confessions… I struggle with appointments not being on time. This drove my blood pressure up, and I kept telling myself, “Calm down, everything will work out!” I first saw an endocrinology fellow for an hour before seeing the “real” endocrinologist. Things went as expected; I didn’t have my questions answered, and they just want to push drugs. I told them that I will pray about it and see what God wants me to do. They both said, “Okay.” Neither seemed put off that I said that. My sister Tracy tells me that I have a “ness” of Don’t Mess With Me! I left with a feeling of, “That was a colossal waste of time!”

The next morning, my scripture reading opened with Mormon 8: 26 And no one need say they shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead.

Last year the Lord promised me that my healing would be wonderful and miraculous. I loved the reminder in that scripture. Again, it let me know that His promises are sure and He is aware of me.

Bread baking had to happen last week. I made a gluten free loaf for Erik and a grain free loaf for myself. Because of humidity, the loaves were baked but had a high moisture content. I let the loaves cool and then slice them, bag them and freeze them. It seems that moist bread likes to stick to itself and it was better to just put the loaves in the fridge rather than try and pry apart frozen slices that didn’t want to leave their friends behind.

It’s going to be time to start some little sewing projects for our Spanish Branch for Christmas. I’ve got some ideas, so we’ll see how time marches on. There is a Christmas store in the town of Lyons that I would dearly love to visit. Our Branch President called me today for some ideas to share love to members in our Branch. I gave him a couple and he thought they were good. We will discuss with the other leaders on Sunday.

We have a “Visa Waiter” in our Branch who is waiting on his visa to go to Peru on his mission. He will get a good start on his Spanish with our two Elders who serve in our Branch.

I was able to see Sister Jill Cosman from my home Ward of Lacombe. She came to the temple with a new member to do baptisms. Sister Cosman gives the best hugs! She shared news from home and I know that she will be blessed because of her mission that she is serving.

I saw a lady at the temple with a dress that had a red poppy print. I mentioned how appropriate that dress is for this time of the year. Everyone in the waiting room seemed confused and that’s where I found out that Americans do not wear the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for Remembrance Day (Veteran’s Day in USA). When I explained it’s significance to me, they all wished that they had that in the USA. I forgot to bring our poppies from Canada. From being raised in the military, it is important to me. Here is the link to help you with the wearing of poppies.

https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy/how-to-wear-a-poppy

Have a lovely week; stay safe and know that God is fully aware of you and your needs. Sometimes He uses earthly angels to do His bidding, sometimes it’s angels from the other side of the veil. You are special to Him and His love knows no bounds.