Tom and Debbie's Mission Blog: Returning to "normal" after completing "My Life Journey"

The restrictions of the Pandemic are finally beginning to lift and it feels good! One of our greatest joys has been to return to the temple to do baptisms for the dead with our grandchildren. We were finally able to do this on May 31, 2021. We performed baptisms and confirmations for 40 of our ancestors that we had identified during the Pandemic.

Using precautions, we were able to be the only ones in the temple at that time.

A year ago, I felt prompted to use my time during the Pandemic to finally write my life story. I have felt the need to do this for the last several years, but now the time was available to finally accomplish the project. I felt a pressure to complete this before we returned to our "normal" activities. With the help of the Holy Ghost I was finally able to publish my book. It is called Learning to Trust in the Lord: My Life Journey by Thomas Gene Rueckert. On May 20, 2021, I officially submitted my last edited file of this book, just in time for our world to return to some sense of normalcy.

During April and May, we started to return to some sort of normalcy. We returned to in-person family activities and received training and began some shifts as ordinance workers in the Jordan River Temple. We traveled by plane to Pennsylvania to participate in our grandson's baptism and held our first baptism for the dead activity with our grandchildren. In June we will return to the full schedule of in-person Church meetings and have returned once again to volunteer at the Rescue Mission.

We have been guided by the Lord throughout the Pandemic. He has helped us to serve others in a different, but effective way. We have studied the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants with greater understanding than ever before in our lives. Now I have finally completed this long awaited project of publishing my life story. We are ready for the new "normal" that our Heavenly Father is providing for us. We are excited!

Writing and Publishing Learning to Trust in the Lord: My Life Journey

When the restrictions of Coronavirus began, it appeared to be the right time to focus on writing my life story. I had talked about this for a few years, but had made little progress. Now, that we could not go to the temple and had many other restrictions it was the perfect time to focus on this project. During 2020, I received significant spiritual impressions on how to organize the project and what should be included. At the same time I felt an urgency to complete this project before life got busy again. By the end of 2020, I had finished the book and compiled it in a publishing package software. I gave a pdf copy of this book to each of my children for Christmas, still in a draft form. Next came editing, formatting, book covers and publishing. Debbie went through the manuscript of over 400 pages and did a line by line edit. This was a labor of love and I thank her for all that she did. In this process, I rewrote many pages and eliminated redundancy. I rearranged some of the content and then added some photos. I redid much of the formatting to achieve more consistency. Then I was ready to try and prepare it to be published.

I found that Amazon.com had many tools available at no cost to publish books, both as an eBook and in a paperback version. This process included additional work to convert my files to their format. I started with the eBook which was prepared in a Kindle Format. I was finally able to get my first Kindle version published on April 8. I found significant formatting issues that were still unresolved. After going back and forth through multiple Kindle versions, I finally resolved these issues to my satisfaction. Then I was ready to publish my first paperback book on May 11. After buying the first paperback version, I discovered additional formatting issues and an unsatisfactory cover. Finally on May 20, I was ready for a final formatted file. The book is now formally on amazon.com as a published book, available for purchase, $2 for the Kindle version and $11 for the paperback book.

The wraparound cover that I designed to publish my book on amazon.com

The final copy delivered to our home

All this was happening at the same time we got called back to start officiating again in the temple, still on a limited basis. I am happy to report that I was able to complete all that I was prompted to do by the Holy Ghost. He guided me throughout the process and enlightened my mind. Not only did the Holy Ghost guide what should be included in the book, he often told me what to leave out and how to organize it. He certainly guided me through the publication process, all of which was brand new to me. I am now ready to return to our "normal" activities.

Returning to Normalcy

Temple:

As our temple has moved to Phase 2B in April, as mentioned above, we were able to have our first baptism for the dead activity with our grandchildren. Debbie and I have been trained on new procedures in the reopening process of the temples. We have each served on a shift or two, assisting the limited temple work that is currently available. It has now been announced that the Jordan River Temple will be one of 60 temples opening in Phase 3 during the months of June and July, which will allow for proxy ordinances. What a blessing!

Easter:

As we celebrated Easter on April 4, we still decided to avoid a large family gathering. We enjoyed General Conference the same weekend. We invited Ben to watch the Sunday Morning Conference Session with us and join us for our traditional Easter dinner. All the normal trimmings, but with still a limited group. We had our family Easter party on Zoom the previous week.

Our First Airplane Travel since Coronavirus:

On April 22, 2021 we ventured on our first air travel since the Pandemic began. All went well. We had a window and aisle seat with no one between us. We were happy! We were headed back to Pennsylvania to attend the baptism of our grandson, Charlie. That happened on Saturday, April 24. This timing also coincided with the closing of a new house for Melanie and James and their family on Friday, April 23. We were able to be there for this special time with them.

Charlie, ready to be baptized by his brother James Preston

In front of Melanie and James new home right after closing on the house

On our way back to the airport on Monday, we decided to find the best Philly Cheese Steak sandwich in Philadelphia. Our Google search led us to Steve's Prince of Steak so we went there. The sandwich was delicious and as we would expect, it was in an out of the way location. It was worth the search.

An authentic Philly Cheese Steak was perfect to last us on the trip home

In-Person Family Activities:

We scheduled our first in-person family activity for May 8, 2021. It was a barbecue at the park with plenty of games and activities for the children. It was also the first time for most of the family to see Gina's twins. We didn't get too many photos, but we did enjoy some tennis, frisbee golf, volleyball and playground time for the grandchildren. They enjoyed being together for the first time in over a year. We had 30 of our family together in person.

Some were able to see Gina's twins for the first time

Some playing tennis

Others playing Frisbee Golf

On Memorial Day, we decided to hold a family barbecue at our condominium. We were surprised at the number of family members who came. In total we had 34 in attendance, more than our planned activity earlier in the month. Of the first 25 who came, 22 had not been in attendance earlier in the month. Between the two activities, we were able to have 54 different family members participating in our in-person no mask activities. It is good to be back!

Some were inside the house

In different rooms

Others on the patio

More on the patio later on

Blessing of our Twin Granddaughters:

On May 16, Gina had the blessing of her twins, Rylee Gene Ferguson and Quinn Colleen Ferguson. We were able to do it in her backyard with a bishopric member in attendance. We are happy for this family who has seemed to bring these twins into their daily life without too many challenges. They are beautiful little girls who belong together.

The two of them holding hands before the blessing, Rylee on the left

Blessed twins with their parents

Sam with one of his nieces

Studying the Gospel - Come Follow Me:

This year has been a continuation of the rich blessings of studying the gospel with the Come Follow Me Curriculum. We have still been able to dedicate several hours a day to this priority and it has brought great blessings into our life. We are learning about the history of the Church and the context for these sacred revelations that were given in this dispensation. We have found that the modern day revelations teach us principles that are necessary for us to obtain exaltation.

These include a special focus on the principles of stewardship and consecration. As we learn how these were applied in the early years of the Church, we also understand how they can be applicable to our day. We have learned that the law of consecration was never repealed. In fact, if we think about it, we covenant to keep this law every time that we go to the temple. Our greater understanding started when we took our first finance self-reliance course. It has now expanded to include not only the consecration of our temporal resources, but also of our time, talent, spiritual gifts and even our weaknesses. These are sacred stewardships that have been given to us from our Heavenly Father and are to be used to bless the lives of His children on this earth. For us, this increased understanding has been inspiring and helps us to make better decisions on how to use our time and resources during our retirement years. This increased understanding could not have come without the additional time that we have been able to dedicate to our studies.

One continuing theme of our studies is always the important role of missionary work in the Church, both in the early years and in our time. This has been much more difficult for us to do well. As we studied this year, we pondered our upcoming trip to Pennsylvania. We had been dealing with a realtor, banker and title company to help in the closing of the new home for Melanie and James. We decided to give each of them a gift of gratitude, a Book of Mormon. I shared my personal testimony in each and Debbie wrapped them as a present. The immediate response was extremely positive as we got personal messages of thanks from each of them. One was in a text, another in an email and the third was in a packet of documents that was mailed to us.

The text from the realtor expressed her love for the early Christian Church. I followed up on that text with a little more information about the our restored Church of Jesus Christ. As we traded texts back and forth, I was able to invite her to learn more with a visit from missionaries in her home. She accepted! We know that contact has been made, but we don't know the results. However, we have learned if we search for ways to apply what we learn in our studies, Heavenly Father will bless our efforts!

Screenshot of some of the texting with the realtor

Other Personal and Family Activities

Les Miserables:

On April 12 we were able to attend the theater production of Les Miserables at Hale Center Theater. The performance was magnificent and the story, as always, was powerful and inspiring. I read the book many years ago and have watched this play and movie on various occasions. This time it hit home even more strongly. Perhaps the pivotal moment is when Monsieur Madeleine realizes that someone else is about to be punished as Jean Valjean, his former identity. He goes back and forth debating in his mind whether he should reveal his identity or continue the extraordinary good that he has been doing ever since he decided to be an honest man.

This was a commitment that he made to a bishop who had given him mercy when he had stolen silverware. This part of the book has remained in my mind for these many years as a true test of his integrity. It has inspired and strengthened me many times in my life as I have strived to live a life of integrity. The play ends with Monsieur Madeleine (Jean Valjean) dying and returning to heaven after singing the amazing song that includes this inspiring phrase "To Love Someone is to See the Face of God". As he reunites with the bishop that had such an impact on his life, the bishop guides him to the presence of the Lord, to "see the face of God". This scene was unique from what we had ever seen before and was an amazing culmination to this inspiring story and play.

One of the most incredible productions we have ever witnessed

22 Year Anniversary of our Temple Sealing:

Debbie and I were not able to spend our 22nd anniversary of our temple sealing in the temple. However, we were able to spend a wonderful day together. We were able to go to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point. As part of that visit we were also able to see the Light of the World sculpture exhibit which was amazing. It included beautiful sculptures of the Savior in many settings. The next day we were able to stop and visit Gina and her children before returning home.

Together on our anniversary at Thanksgiving Point gardens

Debbie with the beautiful tulips behind her

Debbie was able to get up close and personal with this sculpture of the Savior and the woman at the well

At the First Vision sculpture. The Father and the Son are in the air, supported by tree trunks behind them

From our visit to Gina:

Gina's older children with new baby chicks

Baby Quinn with a big smile

Rylee was less energetic

Mothers Day:

Mothers day is always special in our home as I have my mother and my wife living with me. These two are the two most important women in my life. I owe everything to them.

My two special women attending Relief Society together on Mothers Day

Debbie's present was a box of new clothes. This is the only time I can get her to get new clothes, on birthdays, Christmas and Mothers day

Other Activities in the past two months:

As the weather improved, we were able to schedule an outside visit with Camila. We were able to enjoy a short visit with Moroni and Tiare, Ben and myself. Moroni had not been able to see her last year and Ben has always been close to her. Her memory doesn't allow her to remember any of us, but she did look cute with a new haircut.

Moroni, Ben and Tiare visiting Camila

Me and my daughter Camila

By May, we were able to start volunteering at the Rescue Mission again. Unfortunately, Debbie wasn't feeling well. I was able to get Ben to go with me. He is the one that got me to go in the first place. I have always been impressed with those who are in the "program" with the Rescue Mission. They work full-time helping others in need and work through any addictions that they may have. It is a joy to work with them in this great organization.

Ben loading up the platters to give to those who we were able to serve

In May, Debbie was able to hold her first meeting of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers in person since last September. It was great for these sisters to see each other face to face.

Back to meeting in the Clubhouse

Of course, May is the month to honor those who have passed on. It is also the month that Debbie's parents passed away, on the same day (May 21) five years apart. We were able to visit their grave before Memorial Day and the grave of Debbie's grandparents. We visited the grave of my father and several sets of grandparents on Memorial Day with my mother. It seemed fitting to visit graves right after we did baptisms for the dead. It is all work for those on the other side of the veil.

Debbie by her parents' graves

The end of May is also time for graduation. This year we had two grandchildren who graduated from high school, Caide and Naliyah. We were able to be at Caide's graduation outdoors near his charter school. He learned to love his school and had a hard time leaving it. Naliyah had her graduation at the football stadium with only two attending for each graduation. We were able to watch her graduation ceremony on-line. It did make for better photos (screen shots).

Caide in a posed photo after the graduation ceremony

Naliyah in a screen shot from her youTube link

We were able to watch a play of Romeo and Juliet put on by Jon Digerness's seventh grade drama group. It was held in the auditorium for visitors to watch. He was the father of Juliet.

Jon was a Capulet feuding with the Montagues. Their warring was rock, paper, scissors which added a new twist to the conflict.

Grandparenting while parents are away:

Jared and Melanie got away overnight and we had the privilege to tend their three daughters. This is not work for amateurs, but it gives us a chance to get to know our grandchildren on a more personal level. The hard work pays of in greater understanding and stronger relationships. While tending these three cute girls, we attended a birthday party for their cousin, Serenity, who also lives in Cache Valley near them. That gave us a good break in the action and a chance to be with six granddaughters at the same time.

Several trips to the park and playgrounds with three wonderful girls

This was the first time that Jared and Melanie had been away together since Emily was born. For our part, we loved being with this little granddaughter who handled the absence of her parents without issues. She is very smart, delightful and independent.

Grandparents with six granddaughters at Serenity's birthday party. This was the first time that we had seen them all together. This includes two of Michael's daughters who were spending parent time with them. This was a delightful surprise to be with them all in Kari's new home.

Later we had some time with three more granddaughters while Pollyanna was at a work meeting. Aria and Paisley were great hostesses and fed us great food from their play kitchen. Haivyn was a happy, smiley baby. More great memories with granddaughters.