Tender Mercies

We blog so much about the Otay Mesa Ward

members because they are the ones we work

with the most.  The picture is the Bishopric

of that ward:  Patrick Woolsteinhulme, Bishop

Jonathan Carter (a very caring bishop) and

Elder Medsker.  All good men.....

Sometimes it isn't until after an experience that you recognize the sweet tender mercies from our Heavenly Father.  We met Britt and Jim Brotemarkle in September, had a delightful visit with them.  A few days later I had an impression to call Britt and invite her to our fall Relief Society Activity, which I did and she accepted.
She had an enjoyable time and reconnected with a couple of sisters she knew years ago when she was active....one of which has been sending her monthly Relief Society bulletins for years, and Britt felt connected to the church for all those years.  Britt and her daughter and grandchildren flew to Minnesota and spent sometime with her son and his family.  A few days after coming back she passed away in her sleep in October.  Bishop Carter and Elder Medsker went over to visit with him, and offered the church for her funeral and the service of the Relief Society to bring dinners in....he declined, but thanked them.

The Bishop got a call a few weeks later and ask if they could take him up on this offer and hold a memorial service for Britt.  He and his daughter, Nancy met with the Bishop and planned the memorial.  Neither felt they could partcipate in the service and really didn't have anyone to do it. They ask if he would give a message and would he ask Elder Medsker to give the eulogy.  A few days later we went over with some soup to visit.  We made an appointment to come back and visit with him and his daughter to find out about Britt for the eulogy.  We had a great time listening to their memories flowing back and took notes.  We came home and put all our notes together for the eulogy.  We had to call Nancy a couple of times for dates, etc. 

Today was the memorial.  The Bishop was so great in welcoming people and making them feel comfortable in the church.  The family was joined by friends, not a lot of people but it was great.  After a song, I gave the opening prayer then Elder Medsker gave the eulogy...it turned out wonderful, they had given us great memories that touched the people there.  Then the Bishop talked about the Plan of Salvation and I hope gave them peace and hope.  Their granddaughter (12) played on a song on the clarinet....beautiful!

It was after the memorial, when Jim thanked us sincerely for letting us have it at the church and doing the program and he said "I don't know what we would have done, if you hadn't helped us", I recognized the sweet tender mercy we had been blessed to be a part of.   We didn't know that the family would need help, but Heavenly Father did and put it all into place...these things are not coincidences.

On a lighter note, Elder Medsker was almost giddy Wednesday morning, he had a day planned with the guys!!  Bishop Carter runs a production plant in Mexico where they make gun parts, they can't make guns there, guns are illegal in Mexico.  So he and another senior missionary Elder Jeppeson, and his son all met Bishop Carter at the border and set out on their adventure.  They had a great day!!

So Sister Jeppson and I went shopping for the day...so nice to take your time and look at everything!!  I got a new pair of shoes and a couple of tops...yea!!  It was a great P-day for both of us!!