Staying in the Process

From the Flower Fairies

So many blessings in one week! I am OVERWHELMED at the support and strength, courage and hope, the Lord is sending me right now. I want to thank Him for increasing my faith in Him. There just is no doubt He is there watching and working His ways in the smallest of details of our lives. Some blessings are so obvious such as the ones I'm going to write about now, but some come in fleeting instances that we may not notice at all unless we are paying attention.

Recently we were blessed to have dinner with our friends that call themselves "The Flower Fairies" because they keep me supplied with boldly, colorful bouquets. Ilene told us about her daughter's recent spiritual answer to an incredibly difficult life situation she finds herself in. Should she stay or should she go?

The answer was to, "Stay in the Process." What an interesting turn of phrase that came highlighted in my mind.

Stay in the process.

This last transition in my life could be termed a process and I could choose to "stay in the process" and continue living each day with patience and peace. Her church leader said to "squeeze every sanctifying, purifying thing you can out of what you are going through." Her words went straight to my heart. Obviously, I am still here for a reason. I'm supposed to be here! And I would be so wise to follow this incredible advice.

Family Photo

I woke up one day to a HUGE sign in my yard saying "HAPPY WEDNESDAY DEBBIE" in another kind of bouquet of bold, colorful letters. Our dear friends Scott and Kathi Stanford had arranged this uplifting message for us to find. It is so fitting. This is what we do. We take life one day at a time... sometimes one hour at a time. Make it a happy Wednesday, Debbie. Choose to.

Chris and Caylee Riding

This week I received another incredible blessing that caused the tears to flow and flow and flow. For an hour I could not stop crying after watching a video my adorable nephew Chris Riding made for me. He emailed his cousins and asked them to record what they loved about me and send it to him as soon as possible. He combined them all in a tribute that I will treasure forever! Hearing compliments that I don't deserve but would sincerely desire to live up to gave me a reason to aspire to be the daughter of God they describe.

Family Photo

My sweet husband brought me this beautiful bouquet of sunflowers after a hike in the hills behind our home. Did you know that sunflower blossoms keep their faces toward the sun the whole day? Morning until night they hold their focus. We always think of the "S O N" when we see them and I knew exactly what he meant by gathering this beautiful bunch. And I love him for it. I want to keep my face toward the Son of God the WHOLE DAY! I want people to see His light reflected in my countenance. I pray blessings on all the people who make my life so very, very good.
Endless blessings....

Dear Huntsman Cancer Center, I'm not dead!

Dear Huntsman Cancer Center,

I'm not dead! Everyone there predicted I would be gone by July 1st and now it's the 31st and I'm still here on earth!!!!

 Do you remember that I got "discharged" to hospice in January? Well, thanks to the tender care of my husband, family and friends I'm still living a really good life. Although the spring months were difficult, I was very blessed to have constant daily care. For reasons known only to God I have been able to steadily improve my ability to take care of myself. Lately I've been able to visit my children that live a plane ride away! We have been cautiously optimistically planning other things to look forward to.

I have to say that I sleep a lot. I can't drive because of all the meds I'm on and I need a wheelchair to get very far but those are small prices to pay! I don't have to look very far to find someone that has it worse off than I do. I feel like I have multiple blessings!

PRAISE THE LORD! THANK THE LORD!                                                                                    
Love, Debbie Beus
Still surviving melanoma

My friend, Kirsi Jarvis, posted the picture below and I burst into tears when I saw it. I wore my hair in a ponytail in my prime years and immediately saw myself hugging my Savior in this image. I will bow down first, overwhelmed with tears when I see him, but hopefully a hug will follow.

"First Day in Heaven" by Kerolos Safwat

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Reflection

Photo Credit: Debbie's Iphone!

The Bountiful Temple in last week's rain took my breath away! The temple's holiness reflected in the mist expresses the awe I feel as I ponder the fact that I am still here on earth. 

We received the latest scan results a few days before Christmas. What could have been a dark pall over the holidays became a joyous light as we rejoiced in the knowledge I will be here awhile longer. The oncologist told me that there are patients who relapse at a disappointing year or two but they are having a lot of success at extending the life of 4th stage melanoma patients. I am one of those medical miracles! My immune system ALONE continues to hold the tumors at their present size and there is no evidence of progression. I recognize that the Lord is allowing this miracle and want to fulfill His purpose in the time I have left. I am still learning and my testimony is still growing. It is my heart's desire to share His love with those I come in contact with, that they can feel of His love through me.

Mike and I acknowledge the HUGE part faith and prayers have played in my relatively pain-free journey so far and cannot possibly repay all those who have given that most precious gift to us. Thank you and may God's blessings be upon you throughout the coming year and always!   

Much love to all,
Debbie

Missing My Missionary

My missionary has been home for almost 3 years now, and I never thought I'd say it, but I really miss having a missionary daughter and the letters they write home. It's hard for me to believe now, but at the time I really did not want her to go on a mission. She had already spent a summer in Peru and I just didn't want her to be gone again, let alone gone for 18 months! She felt like her life was incomplete though, and with encouragement from some very good friends, she headed out to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with whoever would listen. Little did we know how much that mission would enrich and permanently change her life for the better, and mine too! Her letters and insights are treasures to me now, many of them posted on her blog, "A Sorella On a Mission" -> http://katherinebeus.blogspot.com 

Missionaries see many miracles and receive many blessings from dedicating their lives to building God's kingdom on earth. Lucky for me, my niece is serving as a missionary for another few months so I have her letters to lift and inspire me.  She writes of miracles and testifies of truths learned. You will see what I mean about missions making marvelous women when you realize how wise she is for one so young. The Lord surely knows what he's doing. 

I asked her if she would be willing to let me share a story about a miracle she witnessed last month and she agreed. 

Soeur Lonas writes:

     Miracle number one from this week: We found this woman named M___ who was dumpster diving because she just moved from Columbia and she was only able to bring 50 pounds of stuff with her. We helped her bring her treasures back to her apartment and talked to her about our calling and she hugged us a lot and she said we could come back and share a message. But we weren't able to set a specific appointment because she wasn't sure of her son's schedule ... so we went by once later and she wasn't home. 
     Then on Saturday an appointment fell through so we decided to go to M___'s and she was just on her way out of the apartment to go for a walk. We walked with her and she told us that she told her son when she was leaving that she was just going for a walk, but really she was going to talk with God and when she saw us, she knew He had answered her prayer.  
     We made a return appointment for the following day and brought her a Book of Mormon. When we pulled it out she started crying and said that her birthday had just passed and she had prayed and asked God for a book of scripture to help her strengthen her relationship with Christ. She had only been able to bring a section of the New Testament with her from Columbia and she felt like she needed more.  

Another story with a shining jewel of truth in it: 

  C____________ is amazing, she has gone through so much in the last year and it is amazing to see how perfectly it has prepared her to accept the gospel. We weren't worried when she said that she didn't feel prepared to accept a baptismal date yet because she is praying and reading the Book of Mormon every day. And people who sincerely do those things have the desire to make covenants with Heavenly Father. Which is a desire she now recognizes :) We're really excited for her.

Wisdom worth sharing!: 

Pride is choosing not to have all the blessings of the Atonement -- an Atonement which has already been accomplished, and which is infinite. The power and influence of the Atonement in our lives individually is limited only by our own pride.

The power and influence of the Atonement in our lives individually is limited only by our own pride.

Testimony of True Doctrine:

I am so grateful to know that families can be together forever. I KNOW that is true doctrine. I know that as we share true doctrine, the Spirit testifies to the hearts of others' of its truth.

The Worker's Seal

The Worker's Seal 

We know very little about the Savior's pre-ministry career other than that he was referred to as a carpenter and a carpenter's son. Calloused hands he most assuredly had.
Recently at the airport, while watching my nephew return home from his mission, I was struck by how absolutely worn out and worn through his shoes were as he stepped off the plane.
The world has need of willing men (women and youth) who wear the 'worker's seal' (Hymn #252, Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel). What is the worker's seal? Is it calloused hands, worn out shoes or could it be the tired expression found on a mother's face from caring for a sick child through the night? The seal can be represented in countless ways. 

Opportunities to demonstrate a willingness to work are all about us. The Farmington Utah North Stake of Zion has an abundance of faithful members with helping hands. Time after time, when needs arise, brethren, sisters, and youth step up and serve. They constantly show their dedication to lift where they stand, sacrificing their time, talents and what they have.
We express our gratitude to you who respond to the invitations to serve people in need, whether here, at home, or throughout the world. Welfare service assignments are truly sanctifying for those who are willing and able. President J. Reuben Clark Jr. taught: "The real long term objective of the Welfare Plan is the building of character in the members of the Church, givers and receivers, rescuing all that is finest down deep inside of them, and bringing to flower and fruitage the latent richness of the spirit, which after all is the mission and purpose and reason for being of this church." (Handbook 2 6.1.2)

President David O. Mckay stated that a primary purpose of the Welfare Plan of the Church is to "increase among the members of the Church the true spirit of the brotherhood of Christ, having in mind in all their service the divine saying, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'” (Matt. 25:40)

m.deseretnews.com/photo/865623031

During this month of September, many members will be asked to work at the the Kaysville Deseret Mill and Pasta Plant. It will require a significant sacrifice of time and energy to fulfill these assignments. Character and brotherhood will increase as the worker's seal is exemplified by the wonderful saints in our community. Thank you to all those who are able to serve. As you put your shoulder to the wheel and push along rich blessings will follow. 


Michael L. Beus, Farmington Utah North Stake

What Do You Love More Than God?

The answer might be WHATEVER YOU THINK ABOUT MOST!!!

I asked myself that question a few years ago and had some spiritual guidance that resulted in my making a commitment to put the Lord FIRST in my life in one very easy specific way! Now, there are some "covenants" I have made with the Lord that are impossible for me to break. I know myself well enough that it would be easier for me to call my first step toward a permanent change in my life a "commitment" instead of "covenant."

Let me first acknowledge that I am NOT perfect in this commitment, but before I do ANYTHING on my phone or computer I try to read the scriptures. Sometimes it's a couple verses or sometimes if I really need spiritual grounding, it's chapters. The Book of Mormon is my favorite book of scripture, but no matter which book I'm reading, something stands out in regards to a problem or challenge or situation I'm concerned about. Here are three gems recently. 

Developing Patience and Faith

The Lord will chasten His people. He will try our patience with looooong trials and allow us to develop the virtue faith and trust in Him so that we may be "lifted up" at the last day.
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How COOL that the Atonement not only removes our sins, but we can also let go of the guilt! ------->





Our faith and good works can bring us PEACE from this time forth and forever!
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Our answers and reassurances may come in small ways… unnoticed if we are not looking for them. In the early Kirtland days of the church the Saints had INCREDIBLE experiences. They saw angels, spoke in tongues, and watched flames ascend from the temple spires! The journals record they felt like they could sacrifice ANYTHING to retain the feeling of "being in the presence of The Lord" and yet when the opportunity to become prosperous through land speculation as the country moved West there were MANY Saints who became distracted and left the church. HALF of the Quorum of the 12 fell to greed's evil influence! 






In speaking of this situation years later the prophet Lorenzo Snow said "We have got to love God more than we love the world. If we in our manner, habits and dealings imitate the world, thereby identifying with the world, do we think God will give us the blessings we desire? No, he will not!"

Now in 2014, more than ever, we are constantly, without even trying, bombarded with worldly things. We have the choice to help the Lord do as the prophet Jeremiah says, "put his law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts" by reading our scriptures and next week we can listen to conference and then read the talks given over and over again until they are "written in our hearts.". 

One of the most touching scriptures is in the Book of Mormon where the Lamonite King tells Ammon "I would give up all my sins to know God!"

I hope you will take the time to ask yourself what you need to give up to know God and allow him to "write in your hearts" and then act on those impressions. I promise you that if nothing else, you will receive peace and confidence and that is no small thing! 

(Given at Heber Valley Campground, July 2014)