Before Our Journey's Through..

If you want to read an inspirational article in the Ensign this month, it's on page 60.  Maybe I'm extra sensitive to elderly people because I have parents that are getting there and I'm not getting any younger myself.  But this article really hit me.  I so admire these wonderful people that are such great examples to us all.  I only pray that I can be just like them when I grow up!!!

This article is written by Richard Romney talking about his dad.  That's Mr. Romney in the picture above.  He says:  I never have to worry about where to find my 92-year-old father, Paul Romney, on a Sunday afternoon.  He's in his ward in Salt Lake City, Utah, tidying up the chapel.  It takes him a little over an hour. 

He leans on his walker as he goes up the aisle.  Then he leans on the benches as he moves from row to row, picking up stray papers, arranging hymnbooks, and gathering cereal or breadcrumbs that have fallen on the carpet.  It is a task he has been doing EVERY SUNDAY, with few exceptions, SINCE HE WAS ORDAINED A DEACON IN 1934.  1934 ladies--how many years???

 81 years!!! 

Talk about an example.  He's 92 years old.  As old as our very own Alice Tuckett!!  

And what is his comment about why he does it...

"I do it to show that I love the Lord.  Having a clean chapel helps us to worship Him."

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!

As a deacon, Mr. Romney learned that his duties included caring for the temporal needs of the ward.  "I figured one way to do that was to tidy up after meetings.  So I just started doing it, and I've been doing it ever since."  

It has never been an official assignment or calling, although occasionally he has come on Saturdays to help others assigned to clean the meetinghouse.  

Richard's comments:  My father's example has shown me that no matter our circumstances, we can always find a way to serve.  It has taught me about reverence and preparing to worship  And it has helped me to see that there is much we all can learn from those who are ahead of us on their journey through this life.

Meet Larry and Elizabeth Morgan.  Neighbors of Richard.  They are 97 and 94 years old.  

When Larry was 72 years old he was called as a counselor in the bishopric.  At that time there were 79 widows in their neighborhood and by assignment from the bishop, Larry and Elizabeth visited every one of them. AMAZING!!!

For more than 40 years, on fast Sundays, all of their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren have gathered in the evening to end their fast.  "We wanted our family to enjoy being together, and everyone likes to eat," he says.  Today...Elizabeth has dementia but knows the family is near.  To each person present, she repeats over and over again, "I love you."  About two years ago, Larry fell and damaged his spine.  As a result, he can not longer walk.  "I don't waste time asking, Why me?" he says.  "I received a priesthood belssing.  I was told I will walk again, even though it will not be in this life.  Because of the Atonement and the Resurrection, I know that it will happen.  I've learned that our Father in Heaven is in charge.  When we accept His will, then we can count on His help."

I love these people.  They give me such hope and determination to finish out this life doing what the Lord would want us to do.

I know that there are many that say in their aging years:  I've done it all.  I have paid my dues.  I don't need to serve anymore.  Let someone else do it.  

Not these great people.  I LOVE THIS ARTICLE!!

Please read it.  It's inspiring!!