Ann's Words

We live across the street from this old orchard, owned by Farmer Ron Rieske, who died several years ago.  Since his death, the orchard has been looked after by our friend, Mike Clayton.  This last year the Provo Bench Canal Company chose to dissolve, meaning irrigation to fields and orchards in most parts of Orem was cut off, including water to these beloved trees.

Last spring we had an unusually hard frost during the weeks of pollination, so most of our Utah County lost all tree fruit.  The blossoms simply died.  We had no fruit–peaches, plums, apples, cherries–this summer.  Losing the crops has made it a little bit easier to say goodbye to the orchard, which is slowing dying from lack of water.  Recent rains have relieved the trees a bit, but there future is grim.

Below is the Italian plum tree Farmer Ron planted especially for me.

I walked through the orchard today, to feel the sadness there.  The trees are in distress.  The leaves are curling and dry.  What a shame to lose these 4 acres of fruit trees, trees we have loved the 33 years we have lived here.

In the middle of the orchard I came to the apricot tree, and what did I see??  “Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!”  Blossoms in October!!  I could hardly believe my eyes.  How is it possible that this tree is blossoming now?  I think this is it’s swan’s song farewell to the world.  I was moved by the beauty of the blossoms.

The black berry patch is also dying.  I’m so glad I took starts from these berry bushes and brought them to our back yard, where we are now harvesting berries all summer long.

It’s the end of another era.  There used to be cows in this pasture.  There used to be fruit on these trees.  There used to be a harvest.  It has all come to an end.  It’s time for us to move on too.

John and I spend a lot of time in the temple–we go several times each week.  John has 2 sealing shifts, I go to do baptisms and other ordinances, and we go together.  The temple is my favorite place on earth.  This morning we went with all of our local kids.  This was a gift John organized for our 35th Anniversary.  It was a perfect morning.  We miss having Claire and Graham nearby.

Then we went to watch Josie, Margot and Vivy play in their last soccer games this year.  What a hoot.  Especially watching Vivian, who is rather afraid to touch the ball.  Josie goes after it, and Margot is somewhere in between.  It was so fun!

Today is the most important day of Josie’s life so far.  She was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  She has prepared well for this important day and we all came to cheer her on and witness the baptism.

We don’t take photos during the ordinance, but these are a few photos from before we started.

Aaron and Abbey came from SLC, but they got stuck in traffic.  We had to stall a bit at the font until they came in.  We sang all 3 verses of “I Am a Child of God.”  Aaron and Hayden Sagers (cousin) were the witnesses.  All of Heidi’s local siblings and families were there, along with her other grandparents, Kipp and Tammy, and Great-grandma Judy.

Bishop Anderson conducted.  John played the piano.  Heidi led the music.  Clark gave a talk about Baptism.  Cousins said the prayers.  It was awesome when all the men surrounded Josie to lay their hands on her head to confer upon her the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  I was quite emotional through the whole meeting.  Josie was radiant and calm.

I got to talk to Josie about the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  This gift allows Heavenly Father to speak right to us.  Nephi tells us the Holy Ghost speaks to us in our own language, according to our own understanding.  That means He speaks to us in a way we will understand Him.  I told her about how I interviewed about 150 missionaries once, and asked them how they heard the voice of the Spirit.  I gave a few examples.  Shivers, a warm feeling in your chest, a quiet whisper in your mind, heart pounding, legs weak, a blush on the face, hands sweaty.  One missionary told me his ears get hot and turn red.

I told Josie the HG usually gives me ideas, so I’ve learned to pray for ideas.  Everyone is different.  You have to learn to hear and feel how the HG speaks to You.

I talked a bit about how God’s voice is different from Satan’s:

God’s Voice                  Satan’s Voice
stills you                           rushes you
leads you                          pushes you
reassures you                  frightens you
enlightens you                confuses you
encourages you               discourages you
comforts you                   worries you
calms you                         obsesses you
forgives you                     condemns you

Then I told them the story of the Black Widow in the garage when I was young and how the Holy Ghost warned me and kept me safe.  Because of that experience, and many others, I KNOW that Heavenly Father knows exactly where I am and He will keep me safe if I listen to the promptings He sends to me through the Holy Ghost.  I told Josie He will do the same for her because He loves her and is thrilled she has received His Gift.

After the baptismal service, all the family came to Adam & Heidi’s for a pancake dinner.

Here is Aaron’s new dream car.  He took us out for a spin around the block to top off our evening.