“I WON’T! I WON’T!’ “I WILL! I WILL!”

An invitation was extended to us to set up a Career Display at the Open House of a beautiful new brick chapel. We visited with neighborhood people and immigrants from Austria to the DR Congo who came to see what the church was like.

All were amazed at the wide range of opportunities available and expressed many favorable responses. There were displays of various classes and auxiliaries, Genealogy/Family History, gardening, food storage/emergency preparedness, Family Home Evening and other visual arrangements of ways that living the gospel blesses families.

Quietly, I walked through the spotless rooms that had the scent of new carpets and wood stain. Both the displays and the visitors were engaging. I paused at the door of the Primary Room to identify the strains of music making their way into my ears and heart. The “tingling” of the spirit rushed through me as my eyes beheld a beautiful but seriously disabled child strapped to a wheelchair in the corner of the room -- alone. As pity and love tugged at my heartstrings, I listened pensively to these touching words by Carol Lynn Pearson.

“If you don’t walk as most people do,
Some people walk away from you,
But I won’t! I won’t!
If you don’t talk as most people do,
Some people talk and laugh at you,
But I won’t! I won’t!
I’ll walk with you. I’ll talk with you.
That’s how I’ll show my love for you.
Jesus walked away from none.
He gave his love to ev’ryone.
So I will! I will!
Jesus blessed all he could see,
Then turned and said, “Come, follow me.”
And I will! I will!
I will! I will!
I’ll walk with you. I’ll talk with you.
I will! I will!"

With a lump in my throat, I pondered the words and the scene before me. I have heard that song so many times before but it never touched me as it did when I looked at that sweet subject of its message. I cheerfully said, “Hello!” There was no response. This handsome little boy just thrashed back and forth uncontrollably and cried out to the images in his private world. He seemed oblivious to the stranger that had entered the room . . . yet, somehow, I felt a connection with him. Love surged through me as I thought how the Savior’s healing love could embrace and bless him. It was a sacred moment and reminded me that we are all Heavenly Father’s beloved children and no matter what our plight in life, our spirits can connect and those who are able can lift and love and serve one another. We can scatter sunshine wherever we go. We can follow the Savior. “I will! I will!”

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . with love

Perhaps the crowning activity that can be engaged in to mend heartaches and disappointments is to visit those who are less fortunate.  Such was our privilege as we drove through poverty-stricken townships and entered the trash-strewn area by the gates leading into the welcoming arms of our little orphan friends.  As hungry for food as they must be, they first reach out their tiny, black arms for loving hugs.  Their sticky hands and dusty heads nuzzle against us and remind us that unconditional love is one of the greatest anecdotes for human suffering on both sides.  Tears cannot be restrained as we hug these rag-tag little ones with their dim, fearful eyes seeking reassurance that they are loved and that help is on the way.  I placed some caps on chilly heads and gave generously from a store of embraces.

                  
 Thank you Heather and Melia and other kind hearts and willing hands who send hats, socks, gloves and other gifts to help these deserving little ones endure the onset of winter days and nights.   I loved kissing their sweet faces even though they are usually stained with tears, sticky with slobbers, yesterday’s food rations and other stuff I don’t think I want to know about.  We were proudly shown their clever little indoor plumbing facilitator – a small bucket to fit a tiny tush. 

A female prisoner’s son was among those little ones clinging to us.  Other troubled faces belonged to two little ones who had been abandoned for nine days.  One baby at the orphanage was rescued after being found in a box.   Another one was found intentionally enclosed in a refrigerator.  Two small siblings holding hands were wandering aimlessly down the center of the street in the middle of the night when they were scooped up by police and brought to “Mama” to love after the pattern of Mother Teresa and the Savior.  Some of the children have AIDS.  All need food, shelter . . . and love.  According to some statistics, a child in Africa loses a parent every 14 seconds.  How sad!  My problems seem so insignificant now.

“The fruit of faith is love, and the fruit of love is service.” ~ Mother Teresa

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for filling me with joy!  My cup runneth over … with love.

Chuck and I imagine that the couple walking along the road is a faithful duo of Senior Missionaries.

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . (1-2/3 cups)

Life is full of adventure!  Thankfully, I just survived being stuck in the elevator alone during a power outage when I was on my way down!  After banging on the door and trying to force it open, ringing the emergency bell, yelling for help and trying to remember what MacGyver would do, I was running out of solutions for escaping from the tiny prison.  Fighting panic and nearly exhausted, I dropped my forehead against the wall of the lift and prayed for a rescue.  When I turned again toward the sealed door that held me captive, it opened without resistance.  I was free!!  Freedom is not to be taken for granted no matter where we are!  Life, like a “lift,” is made up of many ups and downs.  Since my incarceration in the elevator/lift, two words remind me of where my thoughts should ascend to, in or out of the elevator.  They are affirmations that lift my spirit and encourage me to keep. “Going up!”

I’m grateful for the tender mercies of a caring Father in Heaven who loves me unconditionally.  He helps me break the shackles of gloom so that it has no power over Joy.  He can help us change the weather forecast from gloomy to sunny. 

                         
On every life a little rain must fall.  The pathway to peace can be a difficult journey.  Though not easy, it’s worth the price.

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . (1-1/2 cups)

We were welcomed at the door of our office with letters and gifts from “home.”  Hooray!!  Receiving love from our beloved children lifted our spirits amid the trying days and chaos of progress in our office.  There is a big, strong black man that delivers our snail mail.  His presence is so welcome that his ample girth may be a job requirement for withstanding attacks of anticipation from homesick missionaries serving here from the far reaches of the globe in places they call home.  Now that we have left our home forever, I realize that home can also be defined as a familiar, warm connection with a place where some of life’s greatest blessings transpire.  The memories of such a home can be carried about in the sacred chambers of the heart, even when “brick and mortar” no longer provide occupancy.  How grateful we are for those memories and the beloved children, grandchild, family and friends that have residency in our thoughts and hearts and motivate us to carry on in the face of adversity.  There is beauty all around when there’s love in our hearts . . . and homes.

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . (1-1/3 cups)

“It must be raining cats and dogs,” I thought as I heard the rain pounding on the floor.  “The floor!”  Yes, the water pounding on the bathroom floor was spewing from a ruptured old geyser (pronounced “geezer,” meaning “water heater”).  It was Déjà vu - our second geyser eruption since occupying this flat.  Once again we were out of hot water and into hot water with a flooding problem.  The old “geezer” is dead now and will have to be replaced.  Unlike our “on-demand” water system in our former home that never ran out of hot water, we will now be awake and alert with cold showers and teeth clattering tooth brushing.  Chuck would have to heat water to shave.  Since living in Africa we have learned to appreciate every gift and convenience.  When we have no hot water we say, “Well, at least we have cold water!”  When we run out of water we say, “We’re grateful that we usually have water.”  When we have no electricity, we are grateful for candlelight.  When we have a discouraging day, we can appreciate past blessings and maintain hope for a brighter tomorrow. 
                                  

Notice that even though this candle wick is nearly burnt out, bent over and spent, the light is still “going up.”

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . (1-1/4 cups)

There was a knock at our door after dark.  That’s a rare thing for us as we live behind bars in a guarded building above a gated, guarded parking garage.  The visitor who made it past security without our knowledge was a single, unemployed mother seeking help.  Somewhat surprisingly, it was not the kind of help that comes out of the kitchen.  Rather it was the kind that comes out of the heart.  After visiting for a couple of hours, she was encouraged, thanked me with a hug and went out into the night as mysteriously as she had come in.  The view through the window of my world looked quite beautiful after sharing a glimpse through hers.

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . (1 cup)

An email arrived from a beloved high school friend indicating that a 50-year high school reunion is approaching.  That’s not an uplifting bit of news!  50 years!!  Come on . . .how is that possible!!  Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was in the throes of hormonal insanity and wishing that I could grow up quickly and be happy?  I guess you have to be careful what you wish for.  Quickly came far too soon!  I remember when Chuck’s father visited us on a trip from Hawaii to Michigan.  His destination was a 50 year high school reunion.  My first thought was that he might be the only one to show up.  After all, I thought, “Wouldn’t all those old people be dead by now?”  I was stunned when he reported back that he enjoyed visiting with many of his high school friends and that one of his teachers was even there.  Yikes!  I could probably read about him in the “Guiness Book of World Records!”  I must be much younger than my father-in-law was when he attended his 50-year reunion!  Well, not to worry about appearances, I’ll be spending my 50-year reunion in Africa.  Of course, we are “Guiness” material ourselves here where the life span is only 45-50 years old.  A neighboring country’s lifespan is only 32 years old.  An inquisitive little black boy asked, “How old are you anyway.”  When the reply was, “Almost 67,” his big dark eyes widened in disbelief and he blurted out, “Aren’t you supposed to be dead.”  Hmm . . . perhaps it’s time for some self-examination!  I think I’ll look for a mirror to fog!

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . (3/4 cup)

Our office, the launching station of our work here, is under renovation.  Removal of wallpaper revealed bright colored paint in this grand old mansion transitioned years ago into office spaces.  Purple, red, blue, yellow and orange walls emerged under fumes of yesteryears glues and demanded unwelcome attention.  I wondered what stories they would tell if these colorful walls could speak the stories held deep within this magnificent complex.  Exiting the stir of progress for a breath of fresh air, new appreciation emerged for our technical work center that gives us access to information, people and places.  We have filtered water, heat, air conditioning and adjustable chairs.  Those are luxuries in most of the world.  Even our flat doesn’t enjoy all of those things!  The “broom” of reconnecting with blessings helps sweep away sorrows . . . and homesickness.

Sister Basso teaching the Career Workshop before renovation
(BTW in this photo I’m wearing a necklace I made
out of my access card cord I tied a knot in.

Career Workshop Classroom during renovation
(This image was taken from the same place as the one above)

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . (2/3 cup)

In the process of preparing a residence for incoming missionaries, a copy of a fascinating missionary journal was discovered that was penned by a valiant servant of the Lord who served here in the early 1900’s.  Johannesburg was a very different place then. 
 

The missionary’s hardships began from day one as he suffered weeks of uncomfortable travel through rough terrain and across an angry ocean that tossed its sea-going payload to and fro.  He suffered feelings of isolation, loneliness and nausea.  Still, he shared the gospel plan for happiness with all he met.  Once arriving in his field of labor, he endured extreme adversities.  Some of those challenges were, no doubt, typical of his day.  There were no modern conveniences or Internet, of course.  Agonizingly slow “snail mail” inched its way across the 20,000 mile journeys back and forth across the globe.  In spite of the frequent agony of defeat, he pressed forward in the work of the Lord.  He, and others like him who were willing to pay the price of answering the call to serve, pioneered many of the opportunities for blessings that church members here now enjoy.  Sacrifice truly does bring forth the blessings of heaven.  We are now the grateful recipients of their dedicated service.  As I read through the amazing experiences and difficult trials, my own challenging days seem to crack and admit some rays of gratitude and sunshine.  Sometimes our best efforts to feel discouraged are thwarted through the most random and unexpected discoveries of joy.  Gratitude can ruin a perfectly good bad mood.

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER . . . (1/2 cup)

As we reluctantly returned to the office from a lunch break which afforded no opportunity for lunch, we encountered a fantastic performing group from BYU called The Young Ambassadors. They had come to see the Johannesburg Temple and pause for pizza in the cantina next to The Employment Resource Center. They exuded fresh-faced enthusiasm and delivered a marvelous musical medley reminiscent of my youthful performing days with the Grand Land Singers and other performing groups that helped transform my painful shyness into service. I visited with one of the animated performers and began to come back to life as her energy washed over me and her bright smile could not be restrained. I was on the path to recovery. It was a reminder of how a seemingly effortless gush of kindness can change our outlook and turn a frown upside down into a smile. We look forward to “marching to Pretoria” (always wondered where that was!) and seeing their gala performance complete with dignitaries. Here is a promotional piece I designed for their fireside presentation in Tzaneen.