Ox In The Mire

Sunday we walked into Sacrament meeting and I got a distinct feeling that something was about to be announced. Something felt different.

Sure enough, we got through the opening prayer and the bishop stood up to tell us that we would partake of the Sacrament then set off to find a missing person. An older woman, mother of a member of the Friendswood Ward, never showed up for work. They decided that it would be advantageous to have members spend the next couple of hours splitting up into family groups and taking routes to find clues and any signs of her whereabouts. Our ward was unsuccessful in finding her but it was a good service opportunity.

It reminded me of when the floods came to Kingwood during my single adult days and we got a call before church even started, stating that we were to show up in our work clothes. We worked all day pulling out carpet, sweeping out debris, comforting the victims. It was a very new experience to me as I had always been taught to keep the Sabbath holy and to avoid hard physical work on Sundays. It was an odd feeling to get filthy and dirty on a day I should be dressed in my Sunday best singing hymns. But it was invigorating. It was a feeling of love and unity I'd not felt before. I remember thinking and hoping that this is what heaven would be like. Working and caring for each other no matter the day or situation.

Lillian High has not been found yet and my heart aches for her family. But I appreciate another opportunity to step out of my comfort zone to serve and love as the Savior does.