Two Pictures

On March 7, 2009 the Alta View Stake held its annual women’s conference. In the class taught by sister Donna Leonard, she displayed this picture. I could not take my eyes off it. It breaks my heart to see the Savior of the world---our Savior so despondent that an angel must come to offer comfort. My mind immediately remembered one of the last lines of my patriarchal blessing. “Thou shall act as administering angel among the discouraged and forlorn. . ." I certainly can't think of too many instances when I have done this, but I know the next time I do I will be thinking "If ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me!" I hope and pray with all my heart that I will have fulfilled this assignment many times before I die.

After the class, I asked Donna where I might obtain a copy of the print. She did not know and does not know the artist, but immediately she pushed the picture into my hands and said, this is yours, you must take it home and enjoy it. She had noticed my fascination with the picture during class and had already been prompted to give it to me. I was so stunned that my tears just flowed at her generosity! I could hardly take the picture it was hers, but the spirit was so strong. How could I not accept? What a wonderful gift and reminder of my mission. I pray that the Lord will bless all of us in the days to come.



The other picture I actually painted! Yes, it is my first and maybe only oil painting. I painted it almost twenty-six years ago right after my last child Rebecca was born as I was recovering from a pretty deep depression. A friend, Sue Turner, from Wheatridge Colorado, brought me an entire set of oil paints, brushes and canvas, because the Lord had inspired that dear administering angel to do so! While I worked, my spirits lifted and then soared. Painting the picture then inspired me to write this poem and I pasted it on the back of my painting. (Can you tell I LOVE flowers?) I haven't read it for years, but it still brings such a wonderful spirit each time I do. It feels like truth!


The Feminine Touch

I know our Elder Brother created the world
and all things thereon . . .
But, everytime I stroke a rose petal
Soft against my face
Or see an orchid or a daisy,
Even on canvas

I WONDER . . . don't you
If He had a little sister
Following close behind,
Adding a finishing touch
or two . . .

by Bonnie Holt

As Donna so lovingly gave me her picture, I reflected that I had also given my one and only painting to a dear friend and neighbor in Colorado, Bonnie Vernon. She had it for years, until she was downsizing when she moved to Utah, and lovingly returned it to me then! How I love my dear friends who also love the Lord and desire to serve as His angels!

Two pictures, both gifts from God---both delivered by angels!

Sunday Before Kate

This is a picture of Kate (Nikoles' baby) and James (Becky's baby due June 22nd) B.B.

Announcing Kate Holt

Our gorgeous baby Kate Holt was born yesterday at 1:18 pm March 4, 2009. She weighed 7 lb. 14 oz. and is 19.5 inches.

My Great, Great, Great, Grandfather

I guess because I was abandonded by both parents and raised by a grandmother who was less than thrilled to do the job (meaning she left the job to me) I have never felt connected to anyone except my husband and children who I am passionately devoted to! But, I have never felt any real connection with ancestors. They have been just names on a pedigree chart. I've wondered if I suffer from some attachment syndrome or something---honestly! I guess when your own mother doesn't even care enough to talk with you more than once in the last 20 years and maybe a contact once a year in the 25+ years before that, it's a little hard to believe that a long-dead realative with thousands in posterity, could even know who you are, let alone care about you.

Yesterday I felt compelled to share this experience in testimony meeting. I resisted as long as my beating heart would allow, thinking that this was another wonderful witness, but that it was only for me. I was quite astounded with the reponse of a few in our ward afterward. Well, I thought that if I should share this experience in my ward I should surely share it with my family and friends.

When I first heard the film presented before the tour of the new Draper Temple it mentioned two of the men who founded Draper. Ebenezar Brown (who is related to Ron) and William Draper who is my Great, Great, Great, Grandfather. These two amazing men where friends who lived through all of the persecution of the church starting with Kirtland until they settled Draper. They became brothers-in-law when William married Phoebe Brown Ebenezar's sister. (Girls remember when your Dad took you to Draper and gave you the tour in the park which contains their statues) I had always known I was related to William Draper. But, when I heard his name mentioned in the film, for the first time I really felt something. He hasn't been far from my thoughts since. Last Saturday we served for hours at the open-house and I thought of him again. I've thought of him in the Jordan River Temple as I have administered in the ordinances there.

I got quite emotional (something I really try not to do in church) as I bore my testimony that the Temple is REAL. The ordinances are REAL. People on the other side really do know who we are! I've always known that I was William Draper's great, great, great granddaughter, but for the first time in my life I know that he knows it too! He knows me and cares about me, and is grateful I think, that I will be serving in the Draper Temple!