Marcie's Flowered Curtains: October 2012

Monday, October 1, 2012

We Cannot Afford to be Wimps!

I cringed as I read Elder Moulton's blog update from Madagascar, titled: " Fleas?! Diarrhea?! It's ok...I love it here!! My heart went out to the Moulton's and at the same time, I couldn't help but wonder what it was going to be like for my own son who was about to leave the Mission Training Center for his mission to Quezon City North Mission in the Philippines.Then, the letter came...

Elder Molnar's description of his first week in the mission field, covered such adventures as a bowl of "assorted meats and organs congee" with weird lookin' tubes mixed in with the meats; "I'm showering with a bucket I use to poor cold water on myself"; "no more toilet paper; and I've already tried balut." (Look that one up, because I can't bring myself to write about it.) Combine this with the immediate need for surgery on an infected toe, and let's just say, why wouldn't a mother feel a bit unsettled about her son serving his mission in the Philippines?

I quickly signed on to Facebook to consult my social network through a status update:

"So, a question for all the RMs or mom's with experience through their own missionaries, can I send my mish toilet paper? This is really disgusting me."

The perfect response came quickly from a dear friend:

"Marcie: Advice from a former Phil. missionary: Your missionary is essentially camping for 2 years. Anything he "needs" he can purchase there. But most of the things you think he needs will only make him look like a wimp :). He'll get used to the way they do things THERE. T.P. clogs their toilets. Umbrellas are used for sun protection. Cloths, like handkerchiefs, are used to cover the head in the rain--it's not about getting wet, it all about covering your head to keep from getting sick because that's what might happen if the rain falls directly onto the head. Wet is ok. :). Let him enjoy his experience because he'll never have another like it!! My advice to you: Don't worry about him and his living conditions. There is no place better to be, than where he is. Force yourself to concentrate on his spiritual growth and everything else will be taken care of." (Underline added)

Late Saturday night, I received a call from the Executive Secretary in our ward to give the Spiritual thought during Ward Council the next morning. I knew that I wanted to share this story, but just wasn't sure how I could tie it all together with a spiritual message. As I pondered, my thoughts were directed toward a recent talk given by our Stake President on the Saturday evening session of Area Conference, when he said "We cannot be shaken!" What CAN we do?"

A week later, I listened to a Devotional presented by President Clark from BYU-Idaho in which he shared the following:

"Whatever has been sufficient for us to overcome the trials we have already faced, will not be sufficient for what is coming."

The two comments by leaders in the Church coupled with the turmoil in the Middle East, definitely got my attention. I pondered not only the words from these Priesthood holders, but the insistence in which they were delivered.

Last week, I found myself a bit caught off guard when a co-worker expressed her thoughts, that "Hell is state of mind".

As I gave some thought as to how I was going to deliver my message the next morning at Ward Conference, the following phrase came to mind: "Stand in holy places". Is it enough to attend our church meetings and especially the House of the Lord, even the Temple? A resounding "No!" came to the forefront of my thoughts. We must also stand in holy places in our minds....as a state of mind. If our minds are in a state of holiness, then we are thereby able to focus on our spiritual growth and strength, especially in the midst of day to day experiences and decisions of such unimportant dilemmas of which cell phone to purchase or what to buy my our children or grandchildren for Christmas, which is quickly approaching.

As the Lord commanded the disciples in the Sermon on the Mount:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:32-32

What is most important here is that we cannot afford to be wimps in the world we live in, but more importantly, in the world as it will become. As counseled by my dear sweet friend, we must "force ourselves to concentrate on our own spiritual growth, and everything else will be taken care of."

About Me

I was born in San Pedro, CA to a Greek immigrant father and a mother who was first generation Greek, American born. They are two of my greatest heroes, and I express gratitude to them for not only giving me life, but for the incredible sacrifices they made for their daughters. I am proud of my heritage, but I "am not a hyphenated anything!" I am an AMERICAN.

I grew up in Long Beach, CA and was a proud "jackrabbit" at Long Beach Poly High. (Skit, skat, how 'bout that!) I graduated with my Associates from Long Beach City College. My transcript was sent to Cal State Long Beach, but I married the summer before entering, and worked to help my husband finish his education after his return from deployment to Germany. We divorced and my biggest regret in life is not returning to finish mine.

I married Paul in 1980, and helped raise his daughters who are now married with children. From the girls, we have five grandsons and one great-grandson.

Together, we have two awesome miracle sons, a precious daughter-in-law, an adorable grandson, and an angel granddaughter.

I have four sisters that are part of my heart and soul, despite our differences: Mary, Irene, Nicoletta, and Angeline. From them, I have twelve wonderful nieces and nephews, and numerous (32 and counting) grand-nieces and nephews!

After leaving Long Beach, we lived in Fallbrook, CA for seventeen years before moving to Orem, UT. I love the mountains, but I dearly miss the ocean.

My church is my life. You will see it reflected in my writings, my testimony of the Gospel, and my deep love for my Heavenly Father, my Savior and the Holy Ghost.

A Tribute to Joni Mitchell and Days Gone By

Teenage years are often the best years of your life but they can often be tumultuous times as well. Loosing Dad at the onset of my junior year was bad enough but then Mom had to venture out and go to work. Angie, my youngest sister and I often comment on how when Dad died, we lost our mom as well. These were lonely and very reflective days. I often found solace in my sanctuary...my bedroom. I painted the walls of my room a bright and sunny yellow, purchased navy blue curtains with bright colorful flowers, and spent hours listening to the sounds of Joni Mitchell and others on my "turn-table". I was so proud that I purchased these items with my own, hard-earned money! Joni Mitchell's songs reached deep into my searching soul and I totally connected with many of her lyrics. When I discovered the song "Marcie" on a newly purchase album "Song to a Seagul", I was quite excited. Marcie was not a common name back then at all and the words, for many personal reasons, felt like they were written just for me. So therein lies my tribute to Joni Mitchell...and days gone by.