Finnish Vistas Cause Epidemic of Homesickness — Even for Readers Who have Never Been There

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Come with Us to Finland! A Photographic Essay by Scot Facer Proctor

I love Meridian Magazine and have introduced it to many friends, and now, after the dedication of Helsinki Temple, I sent the first articles on it to almost everybody in our mailing list. I’m from Finland, was there for the occasion and also met the Proctors — wonderful people!

Leena Hoge
Germany

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Thank you for your travels to get the articles and photos you take of our beloved Prophet. I love reading about him, and seeing the photos you take.

Johnii Bothell
Dover, Delaware

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Many thanks to Scot Proctor for the beautiful pictures of the people and places in Finland. As an architect, I have long dreamed about the day when I could visit and see the work of my favorite architect, Alvar Aalto. Your pictures have whetted my appetite and increased my desire.

Lamonte John
Burke, Virginia

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Thanks for another great article. I loved this one with the pictures of Finland’s landscape. My Dad served his mission in Finland over 40 years ago, and now I can finally see and feel the beauty of the country and people that he’s always talked about. Keep up the good work.

Angie Bassett
Antelope, California

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I just wanted you to know how much we love reading about the temples and your coverage of them and the dedications. It is the highlight of our office. I work at the ticket office here at BYUI and we are all hoping we will have many wonderful experiences when it comes for the Rexburg Temple open house. Please keep up the great reporting and pictures.

Shirl Dyer
Rexburg, Idaho

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Bravo!

My wife and I love your Temple dedication reports. What beautiful pictures.

Eagerly awaiting more.

Darwin and Susan Davis
Phoenix, Arizona

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I just love all the pictures you have taken so far and cannot wait for more. My grandmother was born in Finland, and although she was not able to tell me about herself or her homeland, I feel such kinship for it!

I hope one day to be able to find out if I have living ancestors Finland. Until then I look forward to your articles.

Stephanie Mullan,
Spring, Texas

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Finland! We love it, you're right!

As I read, Finland moved, picture by picture, to the top of our "We are going to go to..." list.

If I hadn't already tried to introduce Meridian Magazine to everyone I know with a computer and a brain [that work in tandem], now would certainly be a gRRRReat!! time, I agree. Keep up the good work!

Susan Cropper
Nampa, Idaho

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Your beautiful coverage of the Helsinki Temple Open House and Dedication is every good as your coverage of our new Temple in Sacramento. The only thing better than your articles and photos would be to be there ourselves!

Bonnie Teerlink
Citrus Heights, California

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Thanks for doing this week-long series on the country of my mission. The pictures bring tears to my eyes. I can't express with words the love I have for the people of Finland and for the land. The first 14 months of my mission were out in the country.

Your pictures show beautifully why I loved being there. The next 9 months I was in Helsinki. I love Helsinki because of the energy of the young people — so many students eager to make their mark on the world. Rarely did I ask a question and get "I don't know" as a response. They all have opinions and are not afraid to express and debate them openly and honestly.

The older folks are wonderful too. I always had the feeling that common sense ruled the city.

Tallinn, Estonia, is a short boat ride across the bay. I hope you can go there too and tell the story of how the Gospel came to Estonia.

Erik Lehnardt
Salt Lake City, Utah

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After reading these two articles and looking at the pictures, I think I want to move to Finland — as long as I'm not considered a spy.

Great article and great pictures.

Alana Rhodes
Tooele, Utah

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I am a Finn living in Las Vegas. I absolutely loved your article, and it also made me quite homesick.

The family who lives 60 km from Lappeenranta are the Jakkos — my parents! I love taking my children there during summers — quite a change from Las Vegas!

Reina Gamett (Jakko)
Las Vegas, NV

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Dem’s da Berries

The berries are a red currant. The Finns use them to make juices and berry soup, which they serve on a rice porridge. They also use a black currant to make juice as well. You can buy this juice if you look hard in America. Ikea stocks it in an extract version. It has one of the highest contents of vitamin C, and just as the Greeks have the obsession with Windex as a cure-all, my Finnish mother treats all sicknesses with a warm black currant juice. She even gave a diluted version to our babies.

Kathy Alldredge
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

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The red berries (forest berries) you photographed are red currants, which are used mainly to make jams, jellies, juices and wines. The juicy, bright red berries are highly acidic and very tart. They are seldom eaten fresh or unsweetened.

Briant Jenson
Hillcrest High Class of ‘65

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Thank you for the great photo essay on Finland. I think you can understand why I moved here with my family. The only thing better than those views in Autumn are the same views in Spring. There is a short period (1-2 weeks) every when the leaves first appear in the spring where everything is intensely green.

You were asking about the berries. Those are red currants. The Finnish name is viinimarja.

We look forward to you photos of the temple dedication and cultural night. It was a wonderful event.

Ryan Gold
Tampere, Finland

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The berry in the picture is PUOLUKKA / LINGONBERRY. Great to see the news of my home country. It is simply incredible that we are getting our own temple there. Wish I could be with you and all my childhood friends witnessing this great event.

I went to the Swiss temple from Finland in 1961 as a12-year old, and had the opportunity to do baptisms for the dead there and now it is possible to do so right there in Helsinki, my hometown.

I am part of the first generation who grew up in the Church in Finland.

Anna-Leena, Punnu Hartiala Magnusson
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

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Thanks a lot for making me so homesick! :) I'm from Finland. I have lived in Canada for 15 years. I had hoped to go to the temple dedication but couldn't so it's great that you are writing about it. Thanks for the beautiful commentary on my home country. I love Finland as well. It's one of those places that no one knows about but is definitely worth the visit. I hope you get to go to someone's summer cottage and go to a real sauna.

Those red berries are lingonberries. It's fun to hear a foreigner's outlook on Finland. I look forward to reading more.

Sanna-Miina Palmer
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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We read in Meridian Magazine about the berries at Rauma marketplace where you asked some Finns to tell you the names of these berries.

We know them very well, because we pick about 50 litres of them every year and put them in the freezer. The berries’ name in Finnish is "puolukka" and in our dictionary the name in English is "lingonberry" (in Swedish, "lingon").

We just came home from the temple and we had the best time ever and we still are so exited we cannot get to sleep. It was so wonderful to see the prophet and feel his great holiness.

You are doing a wonderful and a very professional work and we admire you and are happy to have met you. We hope you will have a safe journey back home.

Ritva Mäkinen
Finland

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A. S. K. (Ask, Seek, Knock)

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Christ in the Workplace, Ripples of Conversion, Part II by Paul Bishop

Brother Bishop, I hope you receive a lot of positive feedback on your articles. I find they are all thoughtful and spiritually sound and uplifting. They have helped me see things more clearly. At times, the eyes of my understanding have been opened.

Tom Manges
Wichita, Kansas

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Paul Bishop's honesty and willingness to share his experiences with work and the gospel have helped me immensely. While what I deal with is not what he deals with, the gospel guidance of we must pray and listen to the Spirit, has once again given me direction and hope, and I now know what to do. I am so relieved to know that, once again, our Creator guides and directs. If we all would just remember to listen and obey and pray!

Mary Ruther
Walla Walla, Washington

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I love your article and know the principles you share in it are true. Though not as drastic, I have had experiences similar to these where without a doubt, petitions to Heavenly Father have reversed decisions or brought about marvelous changes.

Thank you for sharing your testimony with these examples.

Pamela Moore
Jackson, Mississippi

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Those of us who were baptized as children, and/or were spiritually converted early in the game can also benefit from Paul Bishop's insights. What great opportunities greet us with each new day as we seek the great gift of charity from a loving Heavenly Father! I am deeply grateful for Brother Bishop's examples and insights into truly living the Gospel.

Carolyn Doty
Kansas City, Missouri

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Unusual Valor

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First Chilean Convert was Faithful to the End, by Laurie Wiilliams Sowby

Wonderful article — very uplifting and inspiring. I really enjoy articles that highlight conversion stories.

Thanks for your great magazine. It is always a pleasure to peruse.

Joan Anderson
Salt Lake City, Utah

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Divine Timing

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Turning Darkness into Light, by H. Wallace Goddard

What a "coincidence! Just this morning, I chatted with our daughter (31) over the internet, who was complaining and somewhat upset that she (once again) had a quarrel with her best friend and roommate, who tends to have a "sharp tongue". She has now subscribed Meridian and is able to read your article — which I’m sure will help both of them to see where they can communicate better and grow. And help them to become almost perfect wives before they finally find their "princes" and get married!

Name withheld by request

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Having been a volunteer in, and then marrying a man in prison, I am one who can say with some experience: the Spirit of God continues to strive with man, even in the darkness. Also, there is good to be found in those whom society would throw away. While volunteering for two years I learned that, through sincere prayer, love can be gained for even the (seemingly) most unlovable person.

I appreciate the views of this article. I know repentance and forgiveness are possible for any and all who will humbly come to Christ and ask. Who am I — who is anyone — to withhold what we are all so freely given?

Thank you for including such a loving and kind article in Meridian Magazine.

Joanne
Utah

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Thanks so much for the article "Darkness into Light." I'm often amazed at how many times the Lord teaches us through the work and words of others the things we need to learn most.

Recent events and circumstances in my life have put me in a state of mind that is troubling to me. I have had feelings towards others that I wish I didn't have. "In fact, the best we have ever seen a person — when the muck is washed away — is probably the truest measure of a man." These words are certainly words inspired by the spirit and I'm certain that, thankfully, it is the rule of thumb the Lord uses when he considers each of us. Otherwise how could He continue to pour out His to us every day?

Your essay has given me new perspective and has given me the courage and insight to "cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save."

Lamonte John
Burke, Virginia

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Advocate for Abandoned Wife

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After Divorce: A Life Still Sublime, by Kathryn Jenkins

As I read Kathryn Jenkins’ article I felt as if I were reading a page from my own soul. As in life, I know that each of us has experienced marriage and divorce in a different way. Although my sense of abandonment came very early in my 24-year marriage, and the decision to finally divorce was my own, I feel that my journey from anguish and despair to peace and contentment has closely paralleled that of Sister Jenkins. Thank you for putting into words what so many of us have experienced in a way that no doubt will give light and hope to many a broken heart.

Name withheld by request

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Better Latter

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From a Parent’s Perspective, by C.S. Bezas

Once upon a time a long time ago I was an early morning seminary student. And, unfortunately, I was often tardy. Seminary started at 5:40 every morning. My first year I was often to bed by 9:00 and the schedule was tough, but doable. Over the next couple of years my workload increased and my sleep quotient decreased and it got harder and harder to get up in the morning. I was still there every morning, but was often late by 5 or 10 minutes. I always figured it was better to be there than not.

When I started seminary I had a teacher who just loved us no matter what. She was thrilled if we were there — even if we were late — even if we mostly slept through class. She knew that by coming to seminary we built collective strength to make it through whatever else happened during our days. It seemed to me that she knew our hearts and appreciated that we were doing the best we could.

She listened after seminary when we would talk about our lives while waiting for our rides. She loved us and we loved her. She was a leader we would have jumped through hoops of fire for. Also, in stake and regional seminary bowl and scripture chase competitions her class did spectacularly well. I credit her with being one of the great forces in my life that helped me make it through high school.

Later I got a new teacher. She loved seminary. She was very dedicated to punctuality. She wanted us to learn and knew that if we would be on time and not side-talk we would learn. She came down on us with pleas, and long talks about the importance of punctuality. I got little out of this part of seminary. I went so that I could graduate from seminary. Otherwise I might have stopped coming.

I knew her love for us was conditional. She got along very well with the students who went along with her the way she wanted them to. I know that she was a good person who was doing the best she could. She was willing to make the sacrifice to teach seminary. She really wanted to do a good job and teach us the gospel. But I felt only disapproval from her because of my tardiness. I think it was one of her pet peeves and she had a hard time controlling her reaction.

The contrast for me continues to glare. It reminds me that love is the first principle of the gospel and that judging when you are not well acquainted with the state of a person’s heart will provoke rebellion and hard feelings but never an increase in desire to do the right thing. I always wanted to do the right thing. So did my two seminary teachers. Love and understanding made the difference in how I felt in our interactions.

So please, all seminary teachers, assume the best intentions on the part of your tardy students. Look up and say, "Hi, we're so glad you're here!" and mean it. And then go right on with the lesson. They will learn more than the scriptures. They will also learn about love.

Name withheld by request

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Heart to Heart

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Taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ Personally, by Darla Isackson

Wow! Darla's articles are always from the heart. This one "spoke" to me. I can't wait to share this with my husband. It has been hard for both of us to internalize the Atonement.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Diane L. Irwin
Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Let No One Shirk

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Do Today’s Work Today, by Daryl Hoole

I have loved her writings and suggestions for many years. When I was Relief Society president. In Albuquerque many years ago, I ordered a set of her tapes — A Day with Daryl — and we loaned them out to any of the sisters who had an interest until we nearly wore them out. I’m glad she is still inspiring so many of us!

Edna Peterson
Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Alaskan Compassion

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Consecration Beckons, by H. Wallace Goddard

I have enjoyed your articles immensely. Your article on consecration is excellent and indeed will make a reader think.

My perspective on "Douglas" is that most homeless are mentally ill or chemically dependent, or the victim of such. It is difficult for many of these people to get help because they need someone willing to donate a large amount of time running paper for SSI benefits and other things. And the homeless person has to be well enough to follow through.

I have done my share of work with this as a passer-by or neighbor. Utah is not the easiest place for a homeless person as there are options for the true locals but not for transients. I am speaking of 20 years ago. As of the present, I did not know but I suspect not much has changed.

In case you are not aware, some homeless enjoy or choose the freedom of not living the style of middle America. More than once I have opened my humble abodes to those in need. One older downtrodden woman comes to mind.

As she was walking, hitch-hiking down a country road, we took her home, fed her, and visited the evening out. She was an artist, she explained, and was heading to Florida for the winter to do her painting. Her husband had left her in dire straits after a lengthy marriage. “So,” she said, “I took to the road and I am an artist. She had been on the road for a few years. She slept there but in the morning was ready to go. I was flabbergasted that she would want to leave the warm home and compassion so soon.

To top it off, clouds were building and rain was on its way. She insisted that she had to be about her business (illusionary) if I could just drop her off on the highway. Painfully, I did as I was asked, dropping her off as instructed in a rest stop area. The rain was dropping and I felt heavy in heart as we pulled up to the small park-like pull over. "But the rain..." I stammered.

"No worry,” she said. “I will just take one of those garbage bags, out of the garbage can, turn it inside out and wear it as a raincoat."

My heart was breaking as I dropped her off in the rain, alone, and pulled away. I found a truck stop a couple miles up the road and conversed with an eastbound trucker about the woman who wanted a ride to Florida. I let him know that she did not appear to be dangerous and we had enjoyed her in our home. I will never know the rest of the story.

More than once, similar situations have occurred where the chosen option was to continue on down the road to some unknown Mecca.

I commend you for your compassion and your desire to help your brothers and sisters. It sounds like you have helped and encouraged in the best possible way. I am sure that Douglas gets more social interaction on his bench than sitting alone in a budget apartment. It sounds like he has his own sense of ownership and place where he is. And who knows his impact on those busy righteous or the lowly students, in the eternal perspective?

I think it is wonderful how you have interacted with and documented the "Douglas" story, which is far too common in our affluent society.

Janice L Bay
Trapper Creek, Alaska

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A Head-Start on Christmas
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Finding Outstanding Authors, by Holly E. Newton

As an interesting Meridian side-note, I believe Shannon Hale, the author mentioned in the latest Holly Newton article, is LDS, and a returned missionary. One of my good friends was her mission companion in Paraguay.

My 11-year old daughter LOVES all of Shannon Hales' books, and gives them as gifts to all of her friends. Thanks for letting us know about this new one — it has Christmas gift written all over it!

Barbara Bell
San Clemente, California

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Overworked Kids

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Homework: The Worst Job in the World, by Orson Scott Card

I am a retired English Teacher. As a personal rule, I rarely assigned homework to high school or junior high school students EXCEPT for major term papers, and I allowed plenty of class-time for working on those as well. A few parents complained, believing that I was negligent in my duty to their children.

I firmly believe that students learn to write by writing — not by discussing the process. So, writing classes involved writing assignments that were to be handed in that day. This meant much homework for me, since I made every effort to grade the work and return it the next day. Classroom time, then, included instruction based on the needs that surfaced from daily assignments.

Their writing skills soared, telling me that I was doing something right.

Lyn Larsen
Bow Island, Alberta, Canada

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My mom forwarded me this article and I can't agree with you more! My 7-year-old has an hour and a half of homework each night. It seems they keep adding more and more things that need to be done daily. I have already gone to school and paid my dues. All I am doing is getting frustrated because I have no idea what some of the answers are and because I feel so bad for my child not having a life.

As much as I like President Bush, I'm afraid some of the reason for this is that “No Child Left Behind” act. It's made the schools go CRAZY! I hate it.

The new thing now is to give the kids homework every night to help them learn how to type. Can I tell you how much of an ordeal and stress this is in our family? My 10-year-old has had to do this for 3 years and still hates it, as do I. WHY CAN'T THEY JUST GIVE THEM TIME TO DO IT AT SCHOOL?
While reading your article I was fuming and was close to tears because you put to words so well what I am feeling! Thank you. I will defiantly read the book.

Heidi Peterson
Centerville, Utah

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My oldest son is very active. The doctor called him wiggles in the womb. He liked school, but wanted to do other things after school, so he did not do his homework. I had to be employed outside the home, so the best I could do was ask if he did his homework when I came home.

He would answer yes, hoping that over time it would not matter. He understood what was going on in the classroom and was able to get 90 percent or better on all the tests. Nevertheless, his grades were poorer because the teacher counted homework as part of the grade.

When I was in elementary school we did not have homework more than two or three times a year for some special reasons only. We had homework in junior high school and senior high school, but we also had a study period where we could do our homework if we wished.

Students who participated in sports, chorus, acting, etc., did not have a study period. They did have to do homework at home. However, since they had to maintain a certain grade average to participate in those extra-curricular things, they usually had their homework done.

School was different then. Until junior high school we had one period each week of music and art, where we learned about classical music and how to read music and about portraiture, posters, etc. I guess now that children learn about sexual variations, religious animosity, etc. They do not have time to learn about anything that will help them to live full lives.

What teachers are required to teach comes from the current teachers, unions. I wish there could be another teachers union, the JCTA, or Judeo-Christian Teachers Association that would advocate reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and the Constitution, and forget about the junk of sexual activities.

Oris Morgan
Oceanside, California

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There may be another motivation complicating the homework issue, namely grades.

It is not accidental that as the amount of homework has increased, its weight has also increased in awarding grades. Correlation does not require causation, but this one fits the social issues running amok in “progressive” schools.

“Every child is valuable. Every one can succeed, even be great. Everyone could be the president or a nuclear physicist.” Well, that can be a problem when you actually have to test their knowledge and retention. When tests are 80% of the grade, and quizzes the other 20%, the result can be failing a lot of “valuable” and potentially “great” kids. That is an intolerable situation.

Solution — increase the weight given to repetitive and mundane homework, where the only input required for success is the time to complete it. Even the dullest students can win A’s. But, after all, we are teaching them responsibility, right?

Further, teachers feel better giving better grades. It makes them feel better about their own involvement and contribution to the education system and our children’s future.

What a great plan. I will force all the kids to do their homework and get good grades. I will save them all. In the end, I will take credit for having prepared them to enter the real world and saved them from their parents’ ruinous influence.

(Sorry. This really wasn’t meant to sound that cynical.)

Ric Pugmire
Tempe, Arizona

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Wow, you hit the nail on the head. I am a parent and a teacher. I agree with everything that you wrote. I've had battles with my children about homework, which led to contention. It affected our home environment and the peaceful relationship we once had.

As a teacher, I give my students very little homework. I agree that we need a break from the toils of the day. In addition, I don't want to have to take time out to grade a ton of papers. I'd rather spend happy times with my students rather than scold them for not doing their homework and be angry at them throughout the day. I'd rather have us use our time discussing new concepts to learn and practice what they've learned or may still be confused about. Some students do want homework and I provide it for those who ask. So far, no parent has complained to me.

I like the comparison you used about "What if you had a really lousy job?" It is so true. I am glad I read your article. I'll share it with other teachers at my school.

Laura.Campbell
El Paso, Texas

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Hooray for Orson Scott Card!

His article states many ideas that educators know, but along with many parents, refuse to acknowledge.

I was in Florence, Italy, some years ago with a group of students and their English Literature teacher. At lunch in a trattoria replete with wonderful food and equally delightful views, my teacher friend tried to be nonchalant as he pulled some papers from a bag he carried.

"What are those, I asked?"

"Oh, some essays that I required of my junior students if they wanted to take senior English literature," he replied.

"Ohmigosh," I said, "You're sitting in the middle of the city of the Renaissance, Florence, and you're grading papers in summer?"

Rather sheepishly, he nodded yes.

That carries the homework idea to the absolute extreme. Most student homework is redundant, and useless. As a former art teacher, I knew that the curriculum in our District asked that art be incorporated across the curriculum. While this started as an innocent goal, teachers began to devise homework projects that had to be done at home, all involving "art."

The unintended consequence was, of course, that many kids hated the projects, and developed a lousy attitude towards art. Because many of them had yet to take art courses, their experience in art was limited to coloring with crayons, and collage — hardly a boon to art teachers.

Add to this the start time of high schools in our area, 7.30 AM, and teachers could see first-hand the damage done to adolescents whose inner clocks had changed due to puberty. First period, heads were often on desks or nodding, in spite of brightly lighted classrooms, and the amount of "learning" in that first period was far less accomplished than classes later in the day.

But of course, we teachers couldn't get the start time later. Might make sports, the particular deity of our District, later, might keep teachers from getting to the credit union after school, all excuses to keep from having to change.

The Irish are much more sensible than we are. Their start times for high school in Cork and Dublin are 9 AM for high school students. And, in Ireland, they start a second language, Gaelic, in kindergarten, adding a third language in eighth grade. How many of our schools start a 2nd language in kindergarten? But I digress.

Much homework is repetition of work introduced in class; worse, some homework introduces new concepts, which is wrong. We have structured our kids during school and after school, with soccer, dance, archery, Little League and a myriad of activities until I seriously question if they are developing any critical thinking at all.

Kids need time to think independently. They need to "noodle" things around in their brains, try stuff on their own in the garage or backyard or wherever. We see in some Asian countries the results of rigid schedules all day and all night long including Saturday, with homework included. It isn't pretty, and it isn't what produces the outside-the-box thinking Americans so treasure.

Homework? Humbug!

Paul Diffley
Murrieta, California

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Meridian Delivers Welcome News to Missionary Mom

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Missionaries’ Experience: Earthquake in Paradise, story and photos by Thom Curtis, Ph.D.

I am the mother of Elder Geoffrey Chatham, Linda Sue Chatham here in Corona, California. I was so happy to get the article about my son and his companion because I actually got it before his usual email letter and as can be expected after hearing about the earthquake on the news, quite anxious about his well being.

I was happy to learn of his safety and his reaction to the 6.7 quake and actually saw some pictures of his small dwelling that sustained serious damage. It was interesting to compare what he wrote the following day. He seemed to downplay the quake experience compared to his relationship with his district members, his mission president, and his investigators.

It made me love and appreciate even more what kind of a young man I am privileged to call my son. Thank you for the article about the life of these young missionaries who pledge their lives and devotion to the Lord for two unselfish years of serving their brothers and sisters who are seeking the truth. In a world of selfishness, pride, and materialism, it is so refreshing to know there are great individuals around us who humbly serve and act as examples of the Saviors love. Thank you for that article.

Sister L. Sue Chatham
Corona, California

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Aloha Folks,

Sunday Morning in the LDS stronghold of Laie is nothing but hectic with 8 a.m. sacrament meetings beginning and ward leaders attending meetings. As a member of the bishopric in the Laie 7th Ward, I had just ironed my shirt to attend the ward PEC meeting at 8 a.m. I heard what sounded like a huge rat coming from the attic then moving along the breadth of the home towards the Laie Temple a block away. But, having served my mission in Orange County, California, I knew that was no huge rat, but an earthquake!

A few minutes later the power went off. I quickly drove through the rain to the Laie North Chapel, where the Laie 4th Ward bishop had cancelled his ward sacrament meeting. But our ward met at 10 a.m. So, since my bishop was on a plane over the Pacific en route to Honolulu and only one bishopric counselor was available, we decided to walk the ward in the rain. Our ward had just handed the stake our emergency preparedness plan in January. By that time our block captains had passed the "No Church Today" message to the whole ward.

As the day went along my attention focused on the Church admonishing us to have a 72-hour kit and ward emergency plan. Oh boy! Was I glad I had mine! Since Laie’s shopping center closes on Sunday it's a grim situation if ye are not prepared here! What became of great value were battery-powered radios, of which I had 2. Within 20 minutes a local radio station became our only lifeline to the outside world and info.

As we communicated to the ward, seeking their welfare, we had a lighter moment: I drove to my bishop's house, his worried wife asked me about the planes unable to land since Honolulu airport had shut down earlier. Her husband and our bishop picked a really good time to get on a plane as he was a hundred and fifty miles off Hawaii and stuck in a holding pattern. I called him two hours later and he was just joking about seeing all the dolphins he wanted to see from the Reef Runway. His plane was stuck on the tarmac. He was a canned sardine in that plane, at 6'4" and 270 lbs.

We were relieved to hear the ward had obeyed the counsel of the Church leaders by been prepared. As I walked the ward around 4 p.m. there were barbecues galore with the smell of barbecued ribs, Shoyu chicken and steak filling the street of North Laie, with people lounging on outside their homes observing the Sabbath. However, as we listened to the radio one could hear the pleas from Oahu for ice, food, medicine or baby formula. However in Laie there was a sense of calmness the whole day. I remembered as a missionary a nonmember in Laguna Hills mentioned to me if there was a disaster he and his neighbors planned to raid all the LDS members’ garages since they had food storage. That rainy Sabbath our faith stood strong and our Temple never looked so beautiful to us. I ended the day by home teaching my families, since they had nothing to do and no excuse to say they were busy.

Aloha From Laie !

Brother Beau
Laie ,Hawaii

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No Nobodies Here

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Precious in His Sight by Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Thank you so much for this article. I have read it and re-read it — wonderful. There are two wonderful friends whom I know, that will gain from reading this as well, one in particular who has referred to herself as a “nobody” due to certain tragedies in her life. She has come to realize just what a “somebody” she really is, and this article will once again confirm that.

Carol Poore
Melbourne, Australia