Mission Farewell!

March 30, 2014

Dear Nancy and Chuck:

This has been a great weekend so far.  You had a great day at Solana Beach yesterday where the sun didn’t let you down.  Chuck, Jeff, and Avalon met me at the motel and then we came to your house for about an hour when we went to O’s in Carmel Mountain Ranch.  We had our fill of pizza, ribs, chicken, breadsticks, and Caesar Salad.  Since I brought brownies, oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies, strawberries, and chocolate dipped strawberries we didn’t order dessertJ. We were all tired because they got in late on Friday night.  Then I arrived with only 4 hours of sleep because of the earthquake centered in La Habra, not fun at all.  Avalon and the girls were having a fashion show in the garage.  Sydney came through twice in her outfit because she really liked all of the applause.  Alex was tired from packing and the trip.  Avalon and the rest were really tired because they participated in a run-a-thon.  

Today we met at the Lake Poway Ward building for your farewell.  You both did a great job.  You ended up making up two talks because you changed your mind about the first one.  It was really well done.  Several people wanted copies.  You worked it into the Primary song “I Will Go! I Will Do!”  When you sat down, many were convinced that you should be a general authority.  You certainly did as well as all of the general authorities we heard the historic first Women’s Conference for ages 8 on up. We went to the Poway Stake Center for the broadcast.  There was a packed house.  They did a very good job.  I was wonderful to sit there with Alex, Avalon and Claire.  They stood up and sang when they were supposed to.  I sat next to Avalon who sings right out on all the songs. Alex and Jared are doing a wonderful job with the kids.  Avalon and Claire looked darling in their dresses and did a good job of paying attention to all of the proceedings.  Claire had had the opportunity to shake hands with Sister Wixom when she came to San Jose.  Avalon high fived her in the hall. They included video clips which were good for all ages present.  Afterwards, they handed out rice krispy treat popsicles to everyone.  The kids thought they were great. Then I went back to the hotel and crashed. Everyone on Margate did the same.

Sacrament Meeting:

Nancy spoke first.  Everyone was bowled over about how good it was and the way she delivered it.  What a star!  I was proud of my little sister.  She did a great job of upholding the Middleton family honor.  Mom and Dad, I’m sure were impressed with the good job she did.

March 30, 2014

Lake Poway Ward Sacrament Meeting

Good morning Brothers and Sisters

It is so good to be back with you dear friends of the Lake Poway Ward even for this brief moment.  As many of you know my husband and I have been serving a church service mission in Julian for the past 20 months following the footsteps of the Eyre’s and the Quiggle’s who also served faithfully there and left their spiritual imprint and love with the saints in Julian.  We appreciated the opportunity to rub shoulders closely with the faithful saints there and were privileged to witness the gospel in action and have our testimonies strengthened seeing and feeling of their deep faith and testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Such a joy to have been part of that sweet branch.

Now we are looking forward to our new assignment in the Lord’s kingdom serving a mission in the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.  The Lord definitely moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.  We are so humbled and honored to have been called to this mission.

These opportunities of service as well as all the times I have been able to serve in any capacity allow me to testify that the Lord’s teaching in Matthew chapter 16 truly brings joys and miracles and allows the Savior to walk ever so close along the path back to him—“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”—the true purpose of service.

The Lord commanded Nephi to go and get the plates

From the wicked Laban inside the city gates.

Laman and Lemuel were both afraid to try.

Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:

"I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands.

I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.

The Lord commanded Nephi to go and build a boat.

Nephi's older brothers believed it would not float.

Laughing and mocking, they said he should not try.

Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:

"I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands.

I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.

The Lord gives us commandments and asks us to obey.

Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way.

When I'm discouraged, and think I cannot try,

I will be courageous, and I will reply:

"I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands.

I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.

I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands.

I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey."

These lyrics from a favorite Primary Song, Nephi’s Courage, as well as the scripture from which the song is based in the Book of Mormon, can inspire, uplift and motivate God’s children to be a go and do person with a go and do attitude in a go and do kingdom which God has established in these Latter-days.  Many of the principles of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ are included within its lines and the melody solidifies those teachings within the heart and soul of those who sing, play or listen to this inspiring children’s song.  

Hymn #270 also shares a similar message.

1. It may not be on the mountain height

Or over the stormy sea,

It may not be at the battle's front

My Lord will have need of me.

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know,

I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:

I'll go where you want me to go.

2. Perhaps today there are loving words

Which Jesus would have me speak;

There may be now in the paths of sin

Some wand'rer whom I should seek.

O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,

Tho dark and rugged the way,

My voice shall echo the message sweet:

I'll say what you want me to say.

3. There's surely somewhere a lowly place

In earth's harvest fields so wide

Where I may labor through life's short day

For Jesus, the Crucified.

So trusting my all to thy tender care,

And knowing thou lovest me,

I'll do thy will with a heart sincere:

I'll be what you want me to be.

I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain or plain or sea;

I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;

I'll be what you want me to be.

Faithful servants in the Lord’s vineyard have been inspired by this hymn for many generations which expresses the kind of faithful commitment that comes from those who have been truly converted to the gospel and the building of the kingdom of God here on earth—those who will just simply go and do anytime, anywhere the Lord calls you.

Nephi is, of course, just one of the many whose examples we have from the scriptures to learn from and to follow.

Think of Abraham and his heavy heart in his faithful journey to Mount Moriah.

What of David’s courage to step out on the battle field before the hosts of Israel to answer the challenge of the giant Goliath.

Esther, wanting to save her people, took the life-threatening path to challenge the king in the inner court with her go and do what is necessary spirit.

And what of our faithful and fearless pioneer ancestors.  Those who were part of the great restoration and rebirth of the gospel and kingdom of God in these latter days with Joseph Smith as their leader.  Even after all the persecutions, trials and heart ache they had faced, they continued to follow the prophet and build from the swamps of the Mississippi the beautiful city of Nauvoo.

“Lest we forget” dear Brothers and Sisters, I would like to share the following heart felt words from President Hinckley as he opened the Saturday morning session of General Conference in October 2002.  As I do so, listen for key points that show the go and do kind of people that the Lord needs on His side.

“Many of you participated in the dedication of the Nauvoo temple last June. It was a great and marvelous occasion, one to be long remembered. We not only dedicated a magnificent building, a house of the Lord, but we also dedicated a beautiful memorial to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

In 1841, two years after he came to Nauvoo, he broke ground for a house of the Lord that should stand as a crowning jewel to the work of God.

It is difficult to believe that in those conditions and under those circumstances a structure of such magnificence was designed to stand on what was then the frontier of America.

It was to be dedicated to the work of the Almighty, to accomplish His eternal purposes.

No effort was spared. No sacrifice was too great. Through the next five years men chiseled stone and laid footings and foundation, walls and ornamentation. Hundreds went to the north, there to live for a time to cut lumber, vast quantities of it, and then bind it together to form rafts which were floated down the river to Nauvoo. Beautiful moldings were cut from that lumber. Pennies were gathered to buy nails. Unimaginable sacrifice was made to procure glass. They were building a temple to God, and it had to be the very best of which they were capable.

In the midst of all of this activity, the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were killed in Carthage on the 27th of June 1844.

None of us living today can comprehend what a disastrous blow that was to the Saints. Their leader was gone—he, the man of visions and revelations. He was not only their leader. He was their prophet. Great was their sorrow, terrible their distress.

But Brigham Young picked up the reins.  Brigham determined to finish the temple, and the work went on. By day and by night they pursued their objective, notwithstanding all of the threats hurled against them by lawless mobs. In 1845 they knew they could not stay in the city they had built from the swamplands of the river. They knew they must leave. It became a time of feverish activity: first, to complete the temple, and secondly, to build wagons and gather supplies to move into the wilderness of the West.

Ordinance work was begun before the temple was entirely completed. It went on feverishly until, in the cold of the winter of 1846, the people began to close the doors of their homes and wagons moved slowly down Parley Street to the water’s edge, then across the river and up the banks on the Iowa side.

Movement continued. The river froze over, it was so bitter cold.

Back to the east they looked for the last time to the city of their dreams and the temple of their God. Then they looked to the west to a destiny they did not know.

Nauvoo became almost a ghost city. It faded until it almost died. The site of the temple was plowed and planted. The years passed, and there slowly followed an awakening.  …descendants of those who once lived there, had stir within them the memories of their forebears, with a desire to honor those who had paid so terrible a price. Gradually the city came alive again, and there was a restoration of parts of Nauvoo.

…we announced in April conference of 1999 that we would rebuild that historic edifice.

Excitement filled the air. Men and women came forth with a desire to be helpful. Large contributions of money and skills were offered. Again, no expense was spared. We were to rebuild the house of the Lord as a memorial to the Prophet Joseph and as an offering to our God.

Today, facing west, on the high bluff overlooking the city of Nauvoo, thence across the Mississippi, and over the plains of Iowa, there stands Joseph’s temple, a magnificent house of God.  …in the Salt Lake Valley, facing east to that beautiful temple in Nauvoo, stands Brigham’s temple, the Salt Lake Temple. They look toward one another as bookends between which there are volumes that speak of the suffering, the sorrow, the sacrifice.

Nauvoo became the 113th working temple.  Temples are now scattered throughout the earth.  They have been constructed to accommodate our people in carrying forward the work of the Almighty, whose design it is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (see Moses 1:39). These temples have been constructed to be used. We honor our Father as we make use of them.

Go there and carry forward the great and marvelous work which the God of heaven has outlined for us. There let us learn of His ways and His plans. There let us make covenants that will lead us in paths of righteousness, unselfishness, and truth. There let us be joined as families under an eternal covenant administered under the authority of the priesthood of God.

And there may we extend these same blessings to those of previous generations, even our own forebears who await the service which we can now give.”  Close quote.

How can I ever complain or whine again?   How I must never forget and remember what the Lord does for those who want to follow Him.

Were these Saints truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and true disciples?  Yes, indeed.  Did they honor their covenants and rely on Him who makes it possible through His atonement to accomplish all that he asks us to do, certainly.  Shall we not do the same and carry on and continue to pick up the reins of our forebear’s as part of the Lord’s army at this time and give our will to God so his purposes can be fulfilled.  No matter our circumstances shall we not continue the fight and never give up and go and do in the kingdom willingly doing our duty, willing being obedient, willing giving much sacrifice, willing choosing the right, willing keeping the commandments, willing following the prophet and apostles with commitment, courage and faith in every footstep.

I testify that these things I have spoken of are true.  God lives, He hears and answer our prayers and miracles are real.  Our Savior is there as we seek, ask and knock.  Joseph Smith truly had his question answered in the grove of trees by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  The Book of Mormon has the answers necessary for any situation.  Temple attendance will bring a joy to your lives that you can receive in no other way.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

We sang “We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet” for the congregational hymn.  I watched you stand and sing.  Chuck couldn’t make it through the song without choking up.  When he stood up to talk, he repeated the title of the song and then said how grateful he was for a prophet.  He asked if we could understand how he and Nancy felt about Thomas S. Monson who called them to serve this mission.  Then he talked about his first mission call.  When he filled out his papers to go on a mission, he put down Southern California as his first choice because he had been to Disneyland and the weather was good.  He put down Florida and other warm places that didn’t include snow.  President Mc Kay sent him to Peru.  Not any of his choices.  He said, “Sometimes we think that if we do what we should, we’ll receive the blessings we want.  It doesn’t work that way.  The Lord knows us better and gives us what we need.  In the MTC there were three groups A, B, and C.  I was in group C for those who had the most struggle learning a language.  I got off on the wrong foot in my mission and it was all my fault.  You have all kinds of companions on your mission, some good and some bad.  Sometimes you pray for a transfer.  I won’t have that problem this time.  Look at my companion . . .  no problem. Of all the companions I ever had, I never wanted any of them forever. This time I have an eternal companion that I want to be with forever.

Enos went into the forest to hunt and the joy of the saints sank deep into his heart.  I feel that today here with all of you.  In my first mission, there was an adjustment period.  When we were called to serve as missionaries to Julian, there was no adjustment period.  The saints took us in and we were blessed by our association with them.  We have worked for nine years in the San Diego temple.  Our primary duty has been to make sure that love is felt and that peace abounds.  My desire has been to have that same feeling abound in my home.  Jeffrey Holland said that some blessings come soon and some come late.  Some don’t come until heaven, but to those who embrace the gospel, they come.  He quoted President Clyde: “Do not define yourself by your transgressions but by your possibilities.  This is Heavenly Father’s world and we are his children.  Don’t let the devil kick you in the head with the lie that we are only the sum total of our mistakes.”  If you think life is easy, you are going downhill.  You need to change direction.  You need friction to progress.

After you spoke, the brother conducting the meeting said, “As I sat there and thought about what it must have been like when you were bishop in this ward.  It must have been like comedy hour.”  He meant it kindly.  Everybody loves Chuck because he makes everyone feel special.

Then we went to a bishop’s office so you could be set apart for your new calling.  I am so glad that the grandchildren could be there to participate.  They may not remember what was said, but I am convinced that Cody on up will remember the feeling in the room and the spirit that was there.

Nancy’s Blessing:

President Clyde, President Koster, President Monroe and Chuck laid their hands on your head to set you apart as a temple worker missionary in the Nauvoo, Illinois Temple Mission.  President Clyde pronounced the blessing.  He gave you many wonderful blessings which I have not listed in order.  He blessed you that when you look into the eyes of those you serve, you will be aware of those whose spirits are tender and who need special assistance.  He blessed you that you will be guided to know how to respond to those needs and what to say that will uplift and comfort.  He said that a major service that can be performed is the comfort and strength we share with others.  He blessed you with the health and strength to carry out the long shifts in the temple.  He told you to be a source of help and joy to both those inside and outside the temple.  He counseled you to share your experiences with your family at least once a week in letters to them.  He counseled you to keep a record of the sacred experiences you will have.  He blessed you with increased love for your husband and for the ties that bind you together.  He blessed you for your willingness to serve the Lord.

Chuck’s Blessing:

President Clyde, President Koster and President Monroe laid their hands on your head to set you apart as a missionary to the Nauvoo Illinois Temple mission.  Among other things, he blessed you with the knowledge that you have a divine spirit and that you will have an increased capacity to recognize that in all of the people you meet.  He blessed you that you would diligently perform the ordinances and that you would have an even clearer insight into the meaning of these ordinances.  He blessed you with an increased capacity to recognize the needs of others both in and out of the temple.  He also blessed you with an increased love for your wife and the bonds that tie you together.  He blessed you with the health and strength you will need to fulfill your calling both inside and outside the temple.  He blessed you with the insight and strength that will come to you as you pray at the altars of the temple.  He blessed you with the power that will come from exercising the Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthoods that you hold and the significance of following the promptings of the Spirit of the Lord.  He said you would be an influence for good on the other missionaries you serve with.

President Clyde said that he was always amazed at what the Lord impressed him to say during the blessings and at how personal they are.  Then he asked both of you to bear your testimonies.  Chuck volunteered to be first.

Chuck’s testimony:

Chuck said that President Clyde, President Koster and President Monroe were all a part of his testimony.  He said the same about Nancy, Jeff, Jared and Alex, and me.  He said a great part of his testimony were all of the following:

·         He believes in second chances.

·         He believes in new beginnings.

·         He believes in hope.  He referred to Bruce R. Mc Conkie’s Millenial Messiah where he mentions several times that the Millenium provides hope for all of the Father’s children.  This is when all who will accept will have the chance to receive the blessings of the gospel.  He believes that the purpose of the millennium is to provide second chances for all who need them.

·         He believes in happy endings.  Elder Bednar tells us about happy endings and how to achieve them in the March Ensign and the work necessary to achieve them. 

·         He believes in miracles. (From the Eagles song) 

·         He believes in being happy and in trusting in the Lord.

·         He believes that with the Lord all things are possible.

Nancy’s testimony:

She said that we have been counseled that testimonies are not thanktimonies.  She said that she knows that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that the gospel is true.  President Clyde told of an experience that he had in the Manti temple before his mission.  He said as soon as he walked in the doors he felt the spirit settle upon him. When he walked through the veil, the feeling was even stronger and he felt that when he left he was cleaner and stronger.  She mentioned that the Manti Temple was special to her family because our grandparents worked there for many years and our mother did baptisms for the dead.  She still marvels that much of the temple book we have is recorded in pencil and that these experiences and this record have always been special to her.  She mentioned that our mother worked in the Los Angeles temple for 22 years.  She recalled the very special experience she had when she went through the veil when Alexandria received her endowment.  She had a deep impression that all of these things were true especially the blessings that would go on to her posterity.  She referred to a talk by President Packer called “These Things I Know.”  “The Lord has a way of pouring pure intelligence into our minds to prompt us, to guide us, to teach us, to warn us.”  She expressed how grateful she is for the opportunity she has to serve in the Nauvoo temple.  She said all this while holding on to Solana’s hands who wanted to be with her and refused to go sit with Alexandria.  She kept her arms moving all around the whole time she spoke.  Another great example of “Grandma Naaaaannnnncy!” in action.

When she finished, Jared asked if he could say something on behalf of the brothers.  John Lucas would be proud of him because he fell apart even before he began speaking.  He cried through the whole thing and so did Chuck and Nancy and everyone else for that matter except his own children who were laughing quietly but hysterically wondering why he was crying.  Someday they will know. He said how great it was to be back in the ward and to remember all of the transformational impact experiences he had there.  He referred also to President Monroe and then thanked Chuck and Nancy for being their parents.  It was great.  He did his brothers and his parents proud. 

The love and spirit in the room were tangible.  It was a joy and a blessing for all of us to be present.  What a great experience for the grandchildren.  Before the blessings he and Keith Monroe were kidding around and when Keith asked him how many grandchildren he had, Chuck answered 15.  Keith said he had 10.  President Clyde said that it wasn’t really a competition.  Keith replied, “Well, it’s like when it doesn’t matter when BYU beats Utah.”  President Clyde said after the women’s conference it went immediately to the BYU volleyball tournament which makes sense because the church owns BYU.”  The priesthood and sports.  You’ve gotta love it.

When you got home, Jared was entertaining the kids with his box of treasures you kept for him.  They were fascinated with the pictures and the accounts he read from a journal he kept.  Some of us contributed stories about him.  You mentioned how he had been stopped by the Harbor Patrol for going too fast in Newport Harbor when he was tooling around in the Zodiac.  Jeff was on that trip and witnessed that the story was true.  Avalon said, “How come you don’t tell us these stories at night instead of the ones you make up?”  Several chimed in with, “Yeah, Jared, how come you don’t do that?!!”  Then the kids said, “Grandma and Grandpa you have to take your missionary picture in front of the house just like everyone else, so we took the missionary pictures so you could be like all of the other kids in the family. 

Chuck barbecued steak, chicken and hot dogs.  You made a great spinach salad and corn.  We had a variety of chocolate covered strawberries, brownies, and ice cream for dessert.  Later on we played Bunco and Bupkis.  The rules for both changed round by round which is only what we would expect when Jared reads the rules and Chuck chimes in.  Then Jeff had to hurry off to the airport because he kept getting reports of time changes because of delays.  Jared went with Chuck to take Jeff to the airport.  We had scripture study in the living room where all the kids except Sydney took turns reading.  It reminded me of all the times Chuck and Nancy did the same with the boys.  A good family tradition continues.  So it’s off to Arizona on Friday and then to Indiana and last stop Nauvoo.  Well…the real last stop will be in six months when you get back to 12934 Margate.

What a weekend.

Good Job Elder and Sister Lucas.  Be sure and send us a picture of your badges.