December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas! Well, I guess....

I am very ready to talk to you on Sunday....
How are you doing? I wish I could be there for you! I feel so bad that I am here so far away. My goal in life was to be a "be there" person like you mom....

On Tuesday we got a call from Sister C. saying they wanted to set an appt. to see us. We thought it was because we were visiting the same people as them and we needed to devise a plan not to do that. We thought she was really mad because she wanted to meet as soon as possible and we weren't planning on coming in until much later but we set the time.

They walked into the apt and said, "President M. asked us to come and tell you about your grandma...." Luckily Sister C. was there with a big hug. I cried a lot and showed them pictures from my book. They had a dinner appt. and we had to get back to work. It was really hard. I don't think I really stopped crying that night. I had stopped long enough to go to sleep and to study and such this morning but after reading the email I have been crying again. The library people probably think I'm crazy.

After finding out we went back out to work and decided to go to the D.'s. (They ended up feeding us....:D) Before we went in, we had to decide what to share. The first scripture that I opened up to (as we were preparing to go to a member's house) was Alma 31:31 which says:
"O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people."

I lost it at that point, but it was also kind of comforting I guess. My heart is exceedingly sorrowful but I know the comfort that comes in the Plan of Salvation. I will be fine, as we all will be. All our pain can be swallowed up in the joy of Christ. I know that we will be able to see Grandma Lizzie again and I'll be able to sit and listen to her stories again, just like when I was younger.

She was one of my best friends. I told her all sorts of things and she would always listen to me and give me advice. I want to remember the house as it was. Can you take a picture for me before it all gets changed?

Grandma Lizzie was busy on Tuesday. We were in a not super safe area with an older woman and the apartment complex was busy....lots of people. They changed the gate code on us so we had to walk clear to the back building. We go to the complex during the day, but I wouldn't dare go there at night. Anyway, on our way back from the appt (which canceled on us), there were some men (african american....younger) that started walking towards us. I had more cash than I normally carry because I got some out to mail Sister S.'s package and never took it out of my pack. I was saying some mighty prayers in my head. We had to walk slow because we were with Alice. They were only like 20 feet from us when they just stopped. They didn't get off their sidewalk. They kept looking at us and talking but they didn't come to us. We still had another 100 yards or more to get back to our car so we kept an eye on them but they disappeared. Grandma Lizzie and Grandpa Wood were probably there stopping them. There isn't a reason I could see that they didn't pursue it. We were an easy target. This was about 10:30 on Tuesday morning.

Will you please send me a copy of the funeral CD if Joe makes one for you?

I am glad Grandma didn't suffer for a really long time. I am so grateful for your (mom and dad) example of how much you took care of Grandma. You are such a blessing in my life and I'm grateful for you!

Don't worry about me. I'll be ok. It is really hard but I can do it. I can have some alone time today hopefully....

So.... as for the area....we have six people with baptismal dates for January. We need to be teaching them a lot! It is exciting. I have more faith with some than with others, but it will be a good time. :D

Also, a random fact, a TON of oil comes into P.A.. There is a lot of oil in W. too. Well, the first oil spig or whatever those big machines are, was in B. (about 20 miles away) and there is so so much oil here! Sister C. was telling us that P.A. is watched pretty well because the terrorists would want to bomb here because it would be really bad for the US in the oil dept. I don't know much about that, but it is kind of cool.

So this is pretty long....Sorry if I just rambled. I think I needed to get it out. Don't worry about me though. I will do my best to be safe. Plus now Grandma is here with me.

I am glad that I was able to take the opportunity to see her a lot when she was alive because we all know Grandma's thoughts of seeing her alive vs. dead.

I love you!

Jackie

p.s. I'm sending a package. Sorry nothing is wrapped....I can't remember all that is in there. :S The thing that there are four of, one for mom, dad, kelly and amy. I still have to make jeffs, nicks, ewas...it isn't easy!