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A spiritual meeting!

Today at church, Warren Crane bore his testimony.  You remember that he has stage 4 cancer in his bones and blood.   He is pasty white, a big man, who is emotional and cries hard during his testimony.  Today he told this story. 

He said that when he was 20, he owned and ran a milk truck route.  In the winter it got so cold that the diesel in the trucks would gel.  Dairies expect you to be there!  Even when the snow plow couldn't get through, they expected you to come get their milk! 

One cold winter morning, sure enough, his truck wouldn't start.  He called the repair man,it was the wee hours of the morning, to came out and see what he could do.  With a flashlite, they peered into the tank.  They could see the waxy-like particles floating in it...The repair man said:  "You're not going anywhere in this rig today!"    

After he left, Warren just stood there wondering what to do.  "I've got to do my route...what can I do Heavenly Father?"  He knelt down and prayed.  The impression came:  bless your truck.

He questioned the thought..."bless my truck? "  I can't do that!  I know Eliza R Snow blessed her oxen..but to bless an inantimate object? It seemed crazy...almost sac-religious.  (Warren stopped here and said, "I've never told anybody I did this....sniff sniff). 

He put his hands on the truck and blessed it.  Then  got in it and started it up.  The truck made it the whole way (to Jerome and back) and he was able to get to all the people.  It went slow, 30 mph, but he was able to get the job done.  He had prayed all the way!

Warrens words now: "Last week I went to the Doctor.  They pricked my finger and smeared my blood on a glass and then  put it under a microscope.  They projected it on a TV and I could see it.  The doctor pointed to the components in it and explained it.  "These are cancer cells and these are misformed cells."  (all bad news)  I was getting more and more depressed by the minute....Dr. ended by saying, 'Frankly, I'm surprised you're not dead.'"

(Warren:) "Two night in a row, I dreamed about my blood.  In fact I had nightmares.  I couldn't sleep.  I felt so sad and scared.  I finally got up and knelt down  to pray.  I prayed for comfort."  (He was sobbing...the ugly cry).

"As I knelt there, I remembered back when I was 20 years old and had a truck with bad diesel.  I heard Heavenly Father say to me...'if I can help your truck, Warren, I can help you.  You might go slow, but you'll be able to do the job.'"

  Bro. Crane explained that the reason we have these faith building experiences (in our youth and as we grow), is so we can refer them and build on them...for times such as this.  (druing trials)

The reason Heavenly FAther gave us the scriptures is for us to see his dealings with his children and be able to liken them to ourselves.

He reminded us of the Levite Priest who  put his hand on the ark of the covenant and was struck down.  Warren said, "I've always wondered why the Lord was so harsh...but he was trying to show us, not to trifle with sacred things."  The scriptures are full of examples like this.

Bro. Crane ended by bearing a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There was not a dry eye....you could hear a pin drop.  We all just sat there in silence after he sat down.  No one wanted to get up and break the "spell/spirit." 

I know that we Hilters should write down our faith growing experiences so we can reflect back on them and "remember." It will strengthen and help our posterity.

Wouldn't a Hilterbrand book entitled: "Going forward with Faith" be such an heirloom treaure for each of us now and for our posterity.

  I'm willing to type them up and compile them...if any of you would like to join in.    I'll get it to the sister/mother and she can make copies for her kids.

I really want to, do you?   Could you have me one by January 1, 2008? We'll do a chapter a year...

Who's willing?

Prayer, beautiful prayer.

Maybe it's a sign of old age, but it sure seems like the weeks fly by!  It's Sunday again! I love this day!

Today I was thinking, while I was making my bed, how beautiful and precious prayer is.  It's such a gift to us.  To think that we can pray anytime, anywhere! No appointment necessary...no putting us on hold, no buttons to push , no rig a ma roll, just simply think and feel...vocalize a prayer!  Talk to a Heavenly Father who loves us, like my Dad loves me.  How simple is that?

I think sometimes, I talk myself out of prayer because I can't understand how it could work? I mean,I get to speak to a Almighty God who governs the whole Universe about my puny little problem?  How would I dare bother Him?  Afterall, there is so much sadness in this world.....starvation and war and sin and illnesses...how could I dare approach Him with, "Please help me find my car keys?"  I almost feel embarrassed. But I've done it, and He has helped me!  May I never take this for granted or brush this off as a coincidence! He hears and answers every prayer.

I feel that God is in the details of our lives and He wants to hear from us, He wants us to pray!  ("Cry unto him" about, everything! Isn't that what the scriptures say? )  Is this not one of our greatest blessings?  OH! I'm so thankful!

Somedays, actually a lot of days, I have a prayer in my heart...all day long.  I love having Him to walk with me through my daily ups and downs. 

I used to think...I 'll bet Pres. Hinckley has a special way of praying...something extra special that he must do, after all , "He's the Prophet!"  But because I'm married to the Stake President now...and watch Steve in mighty prayer....  I don't  really think so. I think GBH kneels down, just like the rest of us, and pours out his heart to  his Heavenly Father.  I DO think that has built a relationship with  HIM over these many years, and has complete and mature faith in Him!  But I think my prayer, when sincerely and humbly offered, is as "heard" as our Prophet.   

Pres. Hinckley has said, pray with all your might and then get up from your knees and do the best you can. 

He also says:  (from WAY TO BE) "You need His help and you know that you need His help.  You cannot do it alone.  You will come to realize that and recognize it more and more as the years pass.  Live so that in good conscience you can speak with God.  Get on your knees and thank Him for His goodness to you and express to Him the righteous desires of your hearts.  The miracle of it all is that He hears.  He responds.  He answers---not always as we might wish He would answer, but there is not question or doubt in my mind that He answers!" 

I talked to Mom this morning...she just called.  She was teary.  She talked about how thankful she is for her many blessings and how much she prays for each and every member of her family.  She wants all of us to make the choices which will allow us to be a forever family!  She says sometimes she prays "just for Jack"!  Love means you pray for each other...here and beyond. 

Just a note to my kids:  I PRAY FOR YOU!  I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY BY MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES AND LIVING THE COMMANDMENTS!  READ YOUR SCRIPTURES AND SAY YOUR PRAYERS...YOU CAN'T MAKE IT IF YOU DON'T ....AND I WANT YOU WITH ME...FOREVER!

I hope and PRAY you have a good day. 

Testimony for Rachel

December 4, 2006

Dear Rachel....

   

    I'm glad Linzy is collecting this for us because I was about to send you a card anyway. 

I want you to know that your Auntie Barb and Uncle Steve are praying for all of you every  morning and night and a few times in between.  I am asking Heavenly Father to comfort you and bless you and "talk to you!"   I am asking Him to bless Kenadee and help her little body to overcome it's afflictions.  I am asking Heavenly Father to help Dallin be strong and full of faith.  I pray your other little kids will feel the comforting Spirit also.

I pray that our prayers will be answered in the ways that are best and according to His will.  This is what the Bible Dictionary says:  "The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them."  We're asking, alright!    Then we must accept.

Rachel...I know that our Heavenly Father is mindful of you.  One time I was praying so hard because I was worried about something with one of my kids and while I was kneeling there I just had this feeling come over me that said, "It's okay, Barb,  I loved him first."  Heavenly Father knows and loves Kenadee!!!  He did love her first!  He knows her well! Doesn't it make you feel better to know that He is in charge! 

Do you remember Dallin H. Oaks talk last conference. He said, "When the Savior appeared in the New World he called for people to come forward who were lame or blind or had other physical aiments. He extended the same invitiation to those "that are afflicted in any manner."   "Bring them hither," He said "and I will heal them." 

He can heal Kenadee.  No matter what the doctors say or how bad it seems right now, Jesus Christ can heal your baby. And if it's His will, He will do that. If it isn't his will, He will help you through the challenges ahead.   

"The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ--whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure and live with them--is available for every affliction in mortality."

When it's more than you can take, just pray for him to help you carry it.  He will!  Remember the blessings of the Atonement is that He "suffered for us so that He would knows how to (succor) run to us and help us! 

He has experienced what you're going through., Rachel.  He has felt that fear and heartache and love for his child.  That helpless feeling of wanting to take away their pain.  You can turn to him with full heart and know that He truly understands.  His promises are sure, you can rely on HIm with faith.

I know that before we came here, we knew there would be some hard trials but each experience we have shapes us to become more like Him.  He is giving each of us a chance to prove that we can be faithful in all things.  You will learn invaluable lessons and grow through this experience and I promise, (someday) it really will be okay.   

As for now, our whole family is fasting and praying for you and your little one. There is power in prayer!!!   Hilterbrands are intense pray-ers!  We don't give up easy, either!

Love and hugs.  Barb

P.S.  I'll bet you are just bargaining with the Lord and telling him all the things you will do if He will just please please please help and heal Kenadee!  I would be too!  It's okay! 

 

Temple day...

Friday we went with Mooneys to the Logan temple. It was their first experience even seeing a temple, let alone being able to go into one.  It was the thrill of a life time. 

We talked all the way down, they are truly some of our best friends.  We put the men in the front where they could talk about the "burnt mountain side and boring stuff".  Pam and I sat in the back and talked about everything you can imagine.  Such fun.  I'm so comfortable around her.

We went to do baptisms for the dead.  (They will go for their own endowments after John is ordained an Elder in two weeks.)  We both had family names, about 24 all together. 

When we pulled up to the temple, Pam started to take deep breathes and tears filled her eyes.  I could just tell the way she was walking she was so excited.  Her walk said:  "I am at the temple!  I am worthy to be here!  I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ and I love it!" 

We decided to eat in the cafeteria because I just wanted them to walk in the front and feel the Spirit.  We took the back roads down and had a nice meal.  Before we left, Quinn and Patsy Bailey, who have taught them the temple prep class saw them and came up to them and gave them big hugs.  Mooneys loved that. 

They had meat loaf on the menu. I've never seen it there.  It's Johns favorite.

We met the Temple Pres. on the steps.  Steve introduced him to our friends. 

Then we go over to be place of the baptismal font.  The lady checked us in.  We were the first ones there for that day.  We got in our baptismal suits...Pams comment as she was zipping it up..."I had a suit like this once...then I was in jail...only their had pockets."  We both started to laugh.

I felt like I was showing my special friend the greatest thing on earth.  My heart was racing and my hands were cold.  I just felt like I was walking on air, to be able to share this with her...esp because she keep tearing up and grabbing my hand.  (I know John felt the same.  He never stopped smiling!)

Steve baptized us.  First me, so Pam could see how and then Pam, and then John.  Among those I did was Addie and Martin Luther's Hilterbrands children.  It always gives me such a lump when they say that word, "Hilterbrand!'  I'm so proud to be one.

John brought names of both grandmothers and a grandpa and a cousin whose wife murdered him...Randy Mooney.  As Steve was saying the name:  John Calvin Mooney...who JOhn was named after...his voice cracked. I knew what that meant!

After drying off and waiting to be confirmed, I asked Steve...about what he felt.  He looked right at me and said, "Some of these people are here."

John told us that Grandpa Johns wife, when she got too sick to be home, they moved her in a rest home and Grandpa couldn't stand to be alone without her so he moved in there too.

I said, "John, do you think that Grandpa  loves Grandma Ertie?"

"I know he did and does..."

Do you think he cares about all his family and might be anxious to have you all be able to be together forever?"  John nodded.

" Death doesn't change the feelings of love you have for each other.  I'll bet he is looking down on you and thanking you for helping him get out of Spirit Prison. Baptism is a SAVING ordinance!"   

Now he had tears in his eyes.  He said, "Everybody in the town, loved my Grandpa."

We stopped and got a big fat slurpy to sip on the way home.

It was such a wonderful spirital day. All that I hoped for and I'm looking forward to many more, esp when they go to the temple for themselves!   

I wish my kids could arrange to go with us that day.  Mooneys think they are family.

Miracles happen...

Some of you know about my dear friend, Pam and John.  They have made so much progress in the Gospel.  They are taking the temple lessons and are getting closer all the time to that goal.  John was able to come to church today, he often misses because of his work.  He was the first one up to the podium to share his testimony.  He gave the sweetest most sincere thoughts. Among them was his promise to never deny his faith and how proud he was to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints.  He shared that his younger brother (Archie) was in prison for making and dealing drugs and would be please pray for him.  He expressed excitment to be able to go to the temple soon.  I'm just so happy for them.  Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, people truly can be forgiven of their sins and change!  It's so wonderful.  We should always look at our "neighbors" as they might look in white. We are all God's children.   I'm so thankful for this great missionary experience I was able to be part of.  It's been  one of the highlights of my life.