Hi Family! It's been a while since I've written anything on the blog, but I finally have something interesting to share. When you work from home, life can be kind of dull sometimes.
This afternoon, Andrea (sister-in-law) and her 2 kids, Andi and Daniel came over for lunch. I made Calypso lime chicken with quinoa. For those of you who have never tried it, it is super easy and very delicious (if you are a coconut milk fan). Let me know if you want the recipe.
We visited for a little while and my niece and nephew (mostly nephew) ran around like the crazy 2 and 4 year olds they are. They are absolutely adorable, as are all of my nieces and nephews...but there's nothing like an afternoon with the little ones to make you appreciate the peace and quiet you can experience without them. (Don't worry...I still want children...they'll be coming soon enough.)
Alex was just called as the elders' quorum president, and found out quickly that there are only about 12-15 active priesthood holders in our ward (and only 4 of them are elders!). One of the inactive priesthood was actually the last bishop (I know...sad), and they happen to live on the next block up. He and she are both return missionaries and are both university graduates. They have 3 kids and their one son is autistic. Alex and I have been scheming about how we can possibly get to know them. I told him I'd meet her first, and then bring him up to meet him later. Andrea's been in the ward for years and knows the family. So after lunch today, we decided to pay her a visit.
We show up and I can tell Claudia (ex-bishop's wife) is a little uncomfortable, until we explain that the only reason we're there is because I'm her new neighbor and wanted to meet people in the neighborhood. She was nice, talked for a bit, gave us ice cream, etc. Her parents were there visiting from Hermosillo...also members (asked them if they know grandma & grandpa-- they don't). As soon as her mom found out we were members, her eyes lit up. When her daughter left the room, she said, "please help her!". She told us that the family had gone inactive because of something that was said or done to her autistic son. I don't know details. She told us that her daughter needed encouragement, friends, etc. and begged us to continue visiting Claudia.
When we left, I told Claudia where I lived and told her I'd stop by again sometime soon. She asked me where I lived and I told her. I'd say that overall the visit (besides the screaming 2-year old) was a positive experience, and regardless of what happens with the church, we'll be friends. When Andrea and I were walking down the street back to my house, the thought popped into my head, "You just answered a mother's prayer". It's an amazing and humbling feeling to know that you've helped the Lord show someone that He cares and does hear their prayers. I don't know when this little family will return to church, but I do know that a mother from Hermosillo now feels a little more hope.
HISTORY
A Little History:
Our story begins in Pocatello, Idaho, circa 1972, when the lovely Debby Christensen agreed to a first, though fateful date with admirer, David Croshaw. Long story-short, he bade her follow him, and they went arm-in-arm to the Logan, Utah temple for establishment of an eternal family unit, Generation 1, on May 23 1973.
From their first blissful summer in Salt Lake City, educational pursuits took them to Provo/Orem, Utah, birthplace of Leslie and Rebecca, and to San Francisco/Oakland California, birthplace of Colin and Matt. Then, for establishment of livelihood, expansion of the tribe with Abby and Dana, and for raising/unifying of Generation 2, it was back to the roots in Pocatello for a rewarding sojourn.
In time, driven by a raging, but commonly shared sense of adventure and independence, one-by-one, Generation 2 escaped the homeland to distant regions of the country and the world, each ultimately developing their own tribal expansions by pairing with worthy mates and initiating Generation 3.
Now sensing fulfillment of their purpose in Pocatello, Generation 1 has also left those roots and transplanted to Cascade Idaho, from which base, they anticipate more abundant contact with The Posterity, Generations 2 and 3, in the future. That contact however, awaits fulfillment of a call to LDS missionary service in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, wherein they hope to help the state of the world by sharing the love of Jesus Christ.
So now, including Generation 0 (Grandma and Grandpa Christensen) home base includes Yuma, Arizona, Pocatello, Idaho, Cascade, Idaho, Vancouver, BC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spokane, Washington, Boise, Idaho, Los Angeles, California, back to Boise, Idaho, and on and on (Generation 3+) to infinity.
Our Mission Statement:
This is the blog of our eternal family unit. Initiated years ago, it served well as a journal, but even more so, as an archive of our personal interaction. It was a gathering place, a confabulation instrument, a unifying force for four generations of widely dispersed and progressively prolific posterity, and their valued associates. Though it served these purposes well for many years, it eventually took a back seat to new-kids-on-the-block, Facebook, and Instagram, and was sadly forgotten.
We now move to resurrect this blog with an added functional purpose of archiving the missionary experiences of Generation 1, of their movements and activities as they participate with The Gathering of Israel in the land northward. In so doing, we hope that via their own comments and posts, this blog will again serve to gather and unify the posterity and their friends.
As in the past, that the young and vibrant may know the old and tired, that enduring bonds may be fostered and maintained, that experience and encouragement may be openly shared, that posterity may embrace truth, and that hearts may be knit together, we must resist detachment despite our geographic divergence. We shall do so here.
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2 comments:
That is awesome- sometimes all anyone needs is to see that someone really, truly and genuinely cares about them. I have seen that and heard that over and over again.
I am going through a similar thing with a Laurel who has not been to church in 2 years. I found her, befriended her and care about her. She comes every Wednesday and Sunday... but I did not see her last Sunday. She was dealing with the fun that comes with a non-member, high-sexual pressure of having a non-member boyfriend.
Also, I would wager to say I bet you are answer to many peoples' prayers often.
That's great Leslie. Have I told you lately how much I admire you? Because I do, a LOT! :)
Dana
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