Month: September 2026

An Anchor for Our Souls

| cnaglis63

Some days we can feel like we are being buffeted by the winds that blow and we have very little control of where we land. It can be a time of taking one gust after the other. Which direction should I face? Do I stand on low or high ground? Why me? Where is my succor? Is this ever going to stop?

I have learned to turn to God in the turbulent world and ask Him what he needs me to do. If we allow ourselves, we can be bombarded by a cacophony of noise and ideals that do not succor us nor provide peace that our souls need. As I was thinking about this past week and what is happening, I was reminded over and over about Christ being my anchor.

This scripture kept coming to me and without a doubt, I know that Jesus Christ is the anchor for my soul. My hope is not a wish or a fingers-crossed dream. It is a confident, rock-solid expectation based on God’s unchanging promises.

To provide that stability in the storms, just as a physical anchor drops deep into the water to keep a boat from crashing into rocks during a storm, spiritual hope keeps a believer from drifting away or panicking when life gets painful or confusing.

Also in that verse it says that hope, “enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” This points back to the ancient Jewish temple. A thick curtain separated people from the Holy of Holies, which is the literal presence of God. Only the high priest could go inside once a year.

Our direct access to God is when instead of dropping an anchor down into the ocean floor, a Christian’s anchor is thrown upward and secured directly in heaven in God’s presence. Thus instead of being buffeted by shifting winds and earthly circumstances, you can anchor your inner peace and stability in God’s unchanging promises.

While the storms will come, this is when you pour out your heart and talk to God honestly. Tell him your fears and concerns and let him know that you are overwhelmed. Pray for the Holy Spirit to quiet your mind and remind you that your anchor holds firm.

This could be a mantra that we repeat daily, “I REFUSE TO SINK!!” This scripture from Alma is actually Alma 36:3 where Alma is giving advice and counsel to his son Helaman. I love that he was giving this advice to Helaman while he was yet possibly a teenager. Alma was imploring him to listen to his words as a loving parent.

One of the important things in this verse is that when we trust in God, we will be supported in our trials, troubles and afflictions. I do know that there are some days where we can feel abandoned but all things are for our good. Yesterday, I was having a rough day and probably should have slept the day away. We had the opportunity to attend family home evening with fellow empty nesters in our ward. It was a struggle to get there but I said, “We will be blessed from spending time with fellow saints and sharing a lesson together.” There are some things that we need to realize are more important than packing another box. Sure enough, as the evening progressed, I started feeling much better. I love the book of Isaiah and that’s what we were discussing for our lesson.

This past week, a lot of progress was made on packing, which is good as we are getting down to the end of our time here. I only have one more Sunday in Lacombe Ward until I head to the coast. It reminds me of the feelings that I had before we left on our mission. I don’t think that many people know that we are leaving, except for a few. We have done all the packing on our own and when things needed moving, I prayed for strength to help Erik moving items.

A really big thing that I love about Latinos is their love and appreciation for each other. In our Huatulco Branch, we all greet each other and say, “Buenos Dias!” The ladies give a kiss on the cheek and when we leave to start our week, we say, “Te amo!” ( I love you).

We found face masks that Jasmin gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago and decided to put them to use. Twenty minutes later, no need to pack and tote to the Island!

Go Tiger! Erik’s was an energizing mask.
My mask was to help fine lines.

As we were taking down quilts and artwork for packing, I felt inspired to send some photos to Annette who was a Facilities Management missionary with her husband in Palmyra. Annette bought 40 quilts to give to her grandchildren. There was a Mennonite store that displayed the quilts and she bought them all. I thought that she might like a mini quilt show from my house. My quilt display case is now empty and prepared to move.

The empty display case.
High up on a wall, about to come down.
My great grandmother, Susan quilt. I bought it at a family reunion auction.
Quilts Everywhere!

We are trying to get vehicles ready for the journey; oil changes, tire balancing, etc. I’m making a list of what items that I need to take in the car, and what needs to go in the travel trailer. Oh, I’m super excited because I have a reservation at Weir Beach for three weeks! I have an ocean front spot for the trailer which will be my little home for awhile until our belongings arrive. Taking walks on the beach every day and enjoying the sea air will be good for me. Photos will be coming from that adventure!

I just had to share the photos of playing thread chicken while putting the bindings on those quilts. Oh, those ancestors were looking after me!

Empty spool!
This was what was left!
With 10 inches to go!

Have a fantastic week; focus on your anchor. The things that take you away from your anchor aren’t as important as you may think they are. As you practice, you will gain confidence and strength and be able to withstand the buffeting winds and trials of life.

Faith Precedes the Miracles

| cnaglis63
Nymph Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Like a beautiful butterfly that goes through the stages of it’s life, we too have stages of life that eventually will bring us beauty. We must be born and need the protection and warmth of caregivers. As the butterfly enters the larva stage, they actually have five growing stages. We too, go through infant, toddler, preteen, teen and young adult stages. After the butterfly finishes their growth, they separate and go off individually to find a safe, sturdy spot to transform. As humans, we too, leave the nest and go off for more education leading to a career. We have the opportunity to do more personal growth to prepare us for more of life. The butterfly then enters the pupa stage where they hang upside down in a “J” shape before shedding it’s final skin to form a chrysalis.

As we grow through our stages of life, there can be stages of faith experiences that help us to witness miracles. As I have gotten older, I understand and truly believe that there are no coincidences, simply experiences put before us in the way of people, places and our day to day life. Have you ever had the experience of thinking about a person and within 1-3 days, you will see them or interact with them? I really love that and I often think of all the many people that I have met in my travels. Through social media, it is a little easier to see what is going on in people’s lives (if they choose to share). I feel joy when you do and I also mourn with you when you mourn.

President Spencer W. Kimball shared, “It takes faith – unseeing faith – for young people to proceed immediately with their family responsibilities in the face of financial uncertainties. It takes faith to fill full-time missions. But know this, that all these are of the planting, while faithful, devout families, spiritual security, peace and eternal life are the harvest.”

President Russell M. Nelson taught us to seek and expect miracles. Do the spiritual work, “doubting nothing”. Pray for eyes to see God’s hand active in daily life and throughout the world. Miracles unfold according to God’s will and timetable. They may take time rather than appearing as sudden and massive events. President Nelson also said that only personal unbelief prevents God from blessing individuals with the power to move mountains in their lives.

As a child, I learned about faith really early because of a missionary who came to our house for a meal and left with a message of faith and that God answers prayers. I replied, “He doesn’t answer my prayers!” The missionary immediately said, “He absolutely does and you shouldn’t say that!” I was surprised by his fervor. I had the opportunity to put it to the test when we were out as a family and the car broke down. My dad was trying everything to get the car going and I decided to ask Heavenly Father to “Please start the car so that we can make it home!” The car immediately started after that prayer; and again the next time the car broke down and the next. My initial response was, “Oh, boy, God DOES answer prayers!!”

I have put this to the test throughout my life. My immediate response to either good or bad is to turn to God. Basically, I have learned to trust God and rely on his timing and his love for me and others. The miracles that I have seen, leave me with no doubt as to the power and love of God.

Right now, I am relying on God as we are still packing and preparing to move. It is exhausting to pack because everything that you touch, you have to make a decision about. I pared down my quilting books by at least two thirds. We are still off-loading items onto our children. My daughter, Kaitlin commiserated with me because she said, “You pack the boxes and then don’t have anywhere to put them, right?” Exactly!

Erik has shrink wrapped my cutting mats to the trailer’s dinette table; that’s genius! We need to pack the liquids and take them ourselves. Slowly, we are making our way through everything. This past weekend our son, Lyndon came to the lake with his son, Henry. Now, I thought Henry was the perfect height to go in the crawlspace and move things. Erik said they were too heavy for him but lo and behold, our grandson was hauling all kinds of things upstairs. One thing at a time; a bag of dates, a jar of chili peppers, etc. He loved going down there because he has never seen it and of course, he could walk freely everywhere in that 4-1/2 foot height. He was a very busy boy, considering that he is only 3 years old.

The quilts that I made for my cousins, Hannah and Jenny arrived safely into their hands. I was very happy to hear that and now I can share photos of them.

Hannah’s Quilt
Jenny’s Horse Quilt

We are having our travel trailer hauled to BC by our son-in-law and his father. That gives us a place to put the deer mounts and antlers. Before we know it, it will be time to go.

If you are thinking about fall recipes, you might give this a try if you enjoy pumpkin.

https://thenovicechefblog.com/pumpkin-pie-crisp/?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic

I can’t believe that I never had a single peach this summer! The cost has been high and what I have seen in the grocery stores has been abysmal. Poor quality is not very enticing. Such is life, we have choices put before us each day and thankfully some choices are not earth shattering, hahaha!

Enjoy these warm days and cool nights, happy harvesting and may your hearts be full of faith so that you can see the miracles that surround your lives. You are loved.