Bev Psalm 47: A Prayer of Thanks

Thankful for the rain that nourishes the grass

   that sinks to the roots of trees full of fruit and

   vines of berries, a jam to make and

   spread upon bread from fields of grain.

The grain and hay that cows eat,

   who produce the milk.

Dairymen that create cream cheese to spread

   over sourdough slices spread with raspberry jam.

Grateful for the truckers who barrel down highways,

   connecting farms, factories, bottling plants, and

   on to my grocery store.

Thanks to those who unload, then shelve into

   coolers and center aisles and the deli’s bakery.

Bless the women behind the counter and glass cases

   helpfully slicing, weighing, bagging and smiling.

Appreciation for the cashiers who are kind, efficient

   and baggers who know exactly how to fit it all in.

So that I might have a delightful breakfast on this sunny day.

Bev Psalm 46: Designing a Stained-Glass Window

Light shines through the windows, I stare.

Asked to design a grand spectacle to celebrate a

   battle from 50 years before.

I live on the island of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands,

   where a decisive battle was fought in 1944.

The committee meets and the Island Memorial Chapel is to

   be the place, it’s southern facing wall will let light stream in.

A gesture expressing where the building’s suds are found and

   a vision springs forth in my mind!

18 feet tall with a 5 foot wide circle a third of the way from top.

I see the flags of two nations on either side.

Tropical flowers abound and a soldier is kneeling at the grave of

   a fallen comrade, whose dog tags he holds.

He is looking up, not down, towards the setting sun of an

   enemy’s influence, in hope, not despair.

War symbols, images of ship and fighter plane are present

   but small; in positions appropriate for 50 years later,

   to commemorate all who died and fought for freedom.

On the very coral beach where I stood, a speck of an atoll in the

  Pacific Ocean, just above the equator, West of the International

   Dateline in tomorrow. How fitting!

I’m still remembering 32 years later that the role I played as an

   artist designer, was planned from my first love of colored glass

   in a Sunday school classroom as a child; then helping John Heiss a stained-glass

   window crafssman in Claremont struggling in a start-up business, where I learned what

   shapes could or couldn't be cut from glass sheets,  to when God placed me

   in the right place at the right time, with the right skills to do His will.

Bev Psalm 45: Kwajalein WWII Window

They came from Japan, the United States and other places

   to gather on an island where they had fought.

With friends and loved ones remembering and honoring

  those who died to win freedom bought.

Men from both sides of the World War II conflict, called the battle

   of Kwajalein-Roi Namur, 50 years later come together,

   shaking hands and slapping backs, now have in common

   that sacrifice made so long ago that shaped a new free world.

Peacemakers, all!

Journalists came, wrote stories to proclaim this event of Peace!

Expressions of stories sacred and profound

   recorded for posterity abound.

The touching story of a Priesthood miracle emerges for

   Latter-day Saints to see that individual faith and courage is

  a story that must be told again and again.

God blesses. He has promised to always be with

   the faithful in trials and tribulation.

Miracles occur!

Two young men, one blessing the other to live,

   despite the medic’s dire prognosis, are found in

   Honolulu’s hospital, both victorious because of their faith.

Today on many islands, congregations meet on these tiny

   scattered specks of land in the Pacific Ocean, where

   battles were fought so bravely in 1944.

Bev Psalm 44: Journey of Light

When I was a little girl age seven,

My friends across the street

Invited me to their church.

In Sunday School the room was filled

With children and a golden light

Shined through the windows.

One window square was bright yellow.

Then I saw a blue one, bluer than the sky.

Another red, glowing there caught my eye.

This was the beginning of my love for

Colored light and stained glass windows.

Simple squares.

Morning sunlight shining through them.

Symbols of Christ’s love beaming down on me.

This plain and simple thing brought about

A grand theme in my life.

Jesus is the light of the world

His light blesses me then and now

When you walk in God’s light

You can see more clearly how

He directs your path through the years

Of art and pain,

Leading to a teacher showing me the way

To create stained glass windows, and then

On an island shore far away, many years later

To honor and remember those who died in

A WWII battle there 50 years before,

It opened the eyes, blinded by war, that

Death is a reality no more.

The Window I designed for WWII memorial
in the Island Chapel. Me with the male
model for the kneeling soldier in center circle.

Bev Psalm 43: Abide With Me

Walking, talking, breaking bread with me

Jesus leads me gently along the covenant path.

It’s the Lord’s way.

In my revelatory recliner, no longer able

To walk or run or kneel in prayer,

He still abides with me.

My heart burns as the scriptures are read;

My testimony, my talks are now on social media.

Technology provides me with a platform to share

The knowledge that we don’t walk alone.

Every Sunday I meet with other disciples via Zoom.

My ministering elder brings the sacrament;

He shares his insights and I share mine.

Together we are building Zion.

Growing in our ability to change and repent,

To become like Christ so that when He comes

Again, we will know Him and He will know us.

Through His comforter, the Holy Ghost,

We know God’s will, what we should do and say,

Think and act,

Treasuring the fact that when we obey,

We will be with Him one day.

In my revelatory recliner: Joy!

Bev Psalm 42: My Friend

Gone, Gone, Gone,

My friend has moved away and

   left memories behind.

A laugh, a smile and all awhile

   just across the way,

Running, jogging, swimming,

Sometimes one foot on a

   colorful, small skateboard

Racing down the sidewalk.

Always a smile so wide,

A true friend at my side

Now, gone, gone, gone.

Am I alone?

Yes, but not lonely.

I have another friend;

My constant, loving friend.

Jesus is my friend:

Arms outstretched,

He hugs me close and

Tells me that I’m cherished.

Friends, silver and gold.

Make new friends, but

Keep the old.

Friendship is eternal.

 

Bev Psalm 41: Hastening and a Miracle

Hastening is a word that really matters.

Moving quickly, accelerating, even urgency is

   the Spirit of Gathering.

Miracles happen daily.

Our gratitude to God’s tender mercies and blessings

   is profound.

We joyfully prepare for the Lord’s Second Coming.

We seek to prepare the world for that glorious day.

Missionaries invite, teach, serve and testify of

   Jesus Christ.

His coming may not be today; it may not be tomorrow.

   But it is going to be some tomorrow.

Knock, knock, knock!

Who is it? I say from my recliner.

Missionaries! Just a minute...

I open the door.

“We are from the Church of Jesus Christ of

   Latter-day Saints.”

Me, too! I say to myself, “How beautiful upon the

   Mountains are the feet of those who are still

   Publishing peace.”

His new convert companion says, pointing to the Elder

   In his white shirt and tie, “He’s a family history champion!”

Me too!!!!

Are you a member of a group? The Elder asks.

Yes, I am. It’s called Peace of Mind.

Wow, he says, my dad’s a member of that group.

   There must be at least 50 members in it.

I respond, there are many, many more than that.

Hey, I’ll look it up on my FamilySearch app.

97 you are right!

In the over 340 million people in the United States,

   and over 400 apartments in my complex, what

   are the chances that you should knock on my door?

A miracle! One in 97 and you found ME!

I was wondering if God saw me and my neediness.

Yes. He sees me and let’s me know that I, who am

   just a little nothing, is indeed His everything.

He loves me!

Bev Psalm 40: A Modern Liahona?

There it sat, in the sand, at his doorstep

   and of curious workmanship.

Tell us which way to go, which path to take

   in the wilderness.

North, South, East or West? Right or wrong

   or stand still? Question asked; answer

   sought. What will God reveal.

In that day two thousand years ago, there

   were no satellites or GPS, no Google

   Earth or Atlas maps, much less telegraph

   or telephone.

The digital age brought much, much more,

   on our wrist, in a pocket or in the palm

   of our hand, texting with thumb and fingers.

Take one more step into the future;

   AI answers questions, yes.

   Artificial Intelligence is at our beck and call.

There it sits, in our hand, of revolutionary

   craftsmanship: iPhone or Android, we can choose.

Tells us which way to go, reaching a destination

   quickly; but safely?

In the wilderness of cyberspace, questions asked;

   answers sought. Do we question what AI reveals?

Trust in a device made by man and designed by

   logic and from facts already known?

Or do we trust in faith to answers from our

   God that’s loved and known?

Ah, yes, our modern Liahona works by

   faith and prayers.

It’s personal revelation given to His child,

   who He knows by name.

Answers sought, then revealed, in

   God we trust, our destiny, His will for

   Us be done in all things.

Guided, step by step in perfect harmony.

   Celestial glory is our goal. We join with

   Him, walk with Him. He knows our name;

   we’re not alone.

We know His Name, Jesus Christ. We worship

   Him, deliberately and always.

Bev Psalm 39: My Remote Controller

Click, click, click

I slap the remote controller against my hand.

Again, slap, slap, slap, click,click,click

Nothing.

Maybe it’s the batteries.

Two AAAs are replaced; last two in old 14 pack.

Click, click, click. Nothing.

Went shopping, bought small pack of AAAs.

Got home. Replaced the batteries, not expecting a change.

Thinking probably need a new remote controller.

Click…what? It works!

Don’t throw away a device because it stopped working.

Change the batteries.

Don’t discard the person when they struggle, help them.

AA: Attention and Affection

AAA: Attention, Affection and Acceptance

C: Compassion

D: Direction

And if they still don’t shine, sit with them.

Just be there, still and quiet.

Shinning for them.

A light of God’s love to encompass them

That they may see your good works

And glorify your Father in which is in heaven.

Bev Psalm 38: Alone

 Alone I awake. Tiny steps I take, walking

   room to room, to my revelatory chair.

Writing lines of psalms, insights to share.

Life is not black or white, right or wrong.

It is all those choices that make us strong.

To rhyme or not to rhyme as I write is not

   the question I ask each time I look into

   the mirror and say, “Who am I?”

I see the note taped there: “You are cherished”

   and I say in response, knowing that is true,

   it helps, but I AM alone.

Alone does not mean lonely. Well, that’s

   also true, sometimes.

Friends visit for reasons I’m grateful for,

   care given, dishes washed, laundry done,

   bed linen changed, sacrament given and more.

Daughter comes to cheer and hug and help

   me solve puzzles galore.

Three hours there, one hour here and

   two hours more.

Maybe weekly, sometimes not. Yet, I am

   not lonely, just alone.

I pray. Angelic visitors come. Earthly videos

   viewed are on the same theme: prayers

   answered. The Holy Ghost comforts and

   it seems love surrounds me.

My heart overflows with joy.

Then I remember, Jesus alone, in that garden

   so long ago. Angels descended to strengthen

   Him but His work was done alone.

“Father, where art Thou?” silence from heaven.

“Not my will, but thine be done.” His work alone.

Alone is sacred. Whether in a wilderness, a

   Garden or in a revelatory recliner.

There is wisdom given as we walk slowly the

   paths of mortal life, if we intentionally make

   moments of silence, stillness and quiet,

   praying to know our Father’s will for us.

Ours only is to act and say, “Thy will be done.”

Bev Psalm 37: A

 Alpha and Omega, Christ is the beginning and

   the ending; Psalm 119 begins it’s 8 verse stanza,

   each line or phrase begins with that letter.

   Hebrew to English, that’s not recognizable, but a

   pattern is established! Let’s see how I do.

Alone, I find myself as David and others must have,

   in the solitude of study, searching scriptures both

   ancient and modern, gleaning gems of wisdom to share.

Although the circle of my influence is very small,

   Noah must have thought that same lonely idea,

   but had faith in the Lord’s promise of a flourishing

   future. I feel hope.

Ark or arc of influence, nevertheless, it’s God’s

   commandment obeyed that brings perspective.

   I explore here my own human experience with

   God, He who loves me, guides me and inspires

   me with His eye single to my eternal life and joy.

Advancing one step at a time, He leads, I follow.

   Little by little I learn of the doctrine of Christ.

   It’s easy! Faith, repentance, baptism by immersion,

   receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost from authorized

   hands, and enduring to the end.

Actions required to progress or endure are easy, too:

   obey His commandments, pray always, give service,

   testify often, again and again.

Actionable faith is what this is called. The five wise

   virgins, had sufficient oil. Today we live in tumultuous

   even terrible times, let us pour oil on troubled waters.

   May we hold up our lights to shine forth, leading

   others as examples of kindness and Christ-like

   lives of charity.

Angelic protection is promised and I’ve called upon

   this blessing often when I’ve walked in uncertain

   steps, pain and sorrow. Quiet moments of assurance

   and healing, able me to feel His peace, the peace

   that surpasses all our understanding.

  

      

Bev Psalm 37: B

 Becoming is the lifelong process of writing

   Upon our souls with the Christ as our stylus.

   To be like He is. Christians say: born again;

   to be like that babe laid in a manger 2000

   years ago. Or must we become a new

   creature, I say, Creation in Christ?

Breathless at the prospect. It is an overwhelming

   idea to be one in heart, mind and purpose,

   with the Creator of the Universe.

Begin with the first step on the covenant path.

   You are a child of God. He loves you and

   sees you in a way you can’t even imagine.

Because He’s known you for more than a

   Billion years, growing up at His side. You

   trusted Him when He said, “Now would be

   the perfect time to be born,” and yes, in

   those circumstances, you’ll learn the skills

   needed to be your very best self.

Bound to heavenly Father with silken cords

   of prayer, He listens, watches your growth

   and tests you along the way. Will you obey?

   Alas, not always. But eager to return to Him

   unblemished, you repent.

Bathed in the light of His love, you learn to

   follow the example of your elder brother,

   Jesus Christ. At first blind, but now you see,

   eye to eye into eternity.

Beautiful is the vision you see. Look: the

   Bread of Life, He beckons “Come follow

   Me.” He’s promised to bridge the gap,

   sacrificed all for thee; both justice and

   mercy served, just for you.

Bee in the desert gathering nectar of blossoms

   while pollen dust collects on your body

   and legs, brushing off on the next flower

   you visit. The hive is your home; the honey

   drops of a thousand blooms is your

   contribution, measuring about a tablespoon.

   Busy bee, pollinating for others to reap rewards.

 

Bev Psalm 37: C

 Calendar years come and go, but this year was a

   culminating convergence of 65 years of high school,

   friends, memories, photos and finding lost or

   deceased classmates for an April reunion.

Cardinal was the name of our yearbook. Seventeen

   Pages of Senior photos; 357 people. Some I knew

   And others I did not. Serving on the committee for

   3 years, my goal was to find them all. A skill as a

   Family history researcher helped.

California was the starting point. Ancestry.com

   provided the 1961 yearbook photos from ClassMates.

   A 1959 city directory for Pomona placed parents

   in the right location, Then the 1950 census put a

   child with parents. There I was with my family! Cool!

Curiosity helped me solve mysteries. It didn’t kill this

   cat! Yes, I love cats. Whether short or long hair,

   Siamese, Norwegian Forest or Maine Coon cats

   I could spend hours watching their antics.

Control is required if I’m to center my life in Christ.

   I didn’t study to become a veterinarian; so, with a

   cheerful heart, the focus turned to caring, and

   serving others with the gifts God gave me.

Confident that God would guide me, I noticed that

   children and youth were consistently connected

   to my church callings: Primary, Young Women, even

   in my profession as a director in the field and at camp.

Creativity became the gift used to serve others: games,

   Arts and craft ideas, etc. When I was an art museum

   Curator, I created exhibits, designed flyers, catalogues

   and compiled press kits, and news articles. This is my

   Christlike connection to the Chosen One, Creator of

   the World.