A Tender Mercy

When I was 20 years old, my brother, Jeff , was tragically taken from us in a car accident, while serving a mission for our church in Pennsylvania. There were 4 Elders in the car and 3 of their lives were taken. It was an experience that I do not wish on anyone, however, the Spirit of peace and comfort was so strong, during that trying time that I cannot deny he is safely with Heavenly Father. I also know that I will see him again someday.

My youngest brother, Jim was only 8. I remember a poster we had made of Jeff's mission, hanging in the hall. It showed pictures of where he was living, pictures of him in his suit, smiling, with his missionary name badge, etc. When the accident happened, there mysteriously appeared on the poster, in little 8 year old handwriting, "I miss Jeff." Those words became more and more meaningful as I watched Jim try to come to terms with this experience. As the years passed along, I realized that, even though I never saw him struggle or cry (that I can remember), he had some deep, sweet feelings. He felt "short changed" because he knew Jeff the least amount of time, compared to Jon ( 14 years old) and I. It must have been so hard for him.

We moved from our home on Cheery Lynn Road to Gilbert a few years later. Jim attended middle school and high school there. He also served a mission to Chicago and married Richelle. He is now the father of 3. Once a little boy. . . now a good man. Continuing to walk uprightly, and being interested in everyone, he has made many friends.

One afternoon in the hallway at church, a new member in his ward overheard his name. Out of the blue, the member called to him, " Brother Buehner? Do you know a Jeff Buehner?" Jim was surprised, but curious - of course he knew Jeff Buehner. The man continued to tell him that he was a missionary in Pennsylvania, also, and although he never had a chance to meet Jeff, he learned quickly about him and of the tragic accident.

It had just happened a day or two before, and when he arrived at the mission home, the feeling inside was heavy. He described that as he walked by the mission Presidents office, an Elder was sitting inside, with his head in his hands. He later learned it was the one Elder, the driver, that had survived, and was obviously dealing with it very hard. The member also learned that before the accident, the hearts of the people in the area were guarded. They were convinced that they didn't need the church. They had their own. Their doors were either shut quickly upon seeing the missionaries, or not opened at all. But little by little, the Elders were making an impression, being out and about in the community. People began recognizing them. Some had visited with them and others had not. Either way, when the accident happened, it hit home to everyone. If they had met them, they knew them. If they had never met them, they had seen them and knew of them. It touched everyone, and grieving was felt by many. Miraculously, though, their hearts began to soften. They put down their barriers. It united them in sadness and as a result, they began to listen and know how true the church really is.

Of anyone who deserved to hear this experience from a new friend that day, it was Jim, The youngest brother of Jeff, who longed to know him better. It gives me strength to know that this meeting was not a happenstance. The member was placed there for Jim. We might not have ever learned of this story, except through Jim. He needed it. And it was sweet to hear it from him.

I am so grateful to know that there really is a Heavenly Father who knows our needs. Whenever I think of a "tender mercy", I always think of Jim's experience.

You're Afraid of What?

I was writing the date on an 8 year old piano students assignment book this week. All of a sudden he said, "TEN MORE DAYS!" I said, "until your birthday?" Sure enough, how did I guess? He then carried on about the party plans. How his Mom was having a Reptile-specialist come, bringing all kinds of creepy crawly things to show the kids. Of course, I had to let him know how much I hated . . .you know whats . . . He told me about his love for everything slimy, slithery, and stuck to the "no pest" strips that his parents had laying all around his house and in the garage. (I think I am glad I don't live in his neighborhood.. . either that or he has a really good imagination!)
I was getting the creeps when all of sudden he took cover like a baseball bat was coming at him right between the eyes. His legs shot up, his head ducked down, his hands covered his face. In a split second he was in a fetal position on the bench, balancing himself on his hind end.
I had seen the same thing he saw. Guess what? . . . A F L Y!
I couldn't believe my eyes. The kid was afraid of FLIES! I slapped my hand down on my leg in laughter. Trying to compose myself, I continued to wipe away uncontrollable tears. . . a FLY?
He spend the rest of the lesson being "dive bombed", only to take cover again and again, which only made my sides hurt. I would have swatted it if we ever saw it land. . .
. . .or maybe not.

Super-Heroes

I was attending a class some time ago. The teacher directed the question to each of us to be answered one by one. I listened as people remembered the Teen-age Mutant Ninja Turtles, Superman, Spiderman, etc. When it got to be my turn, my mind had already taken a "left". I was paying attention, but I didn't go the TV/movie route. Instead, perfect thoughts rushed to my mind and I found myself saying, " I have been so impressed by the good young men that our daughters have chosen to marry. These are my Super Heroes."
As time has gone on, 2 more Super Heroes have been added to our family, in the form of beautiful young girls. I feel so blessed that our children have found partners that can see eternity through them and with them. You just can't get more Super than that!

...Beautiful, too...

blog class

Today I am officially starting to learn about blogging. This is my teacher who has been blogging and writing for years. She was kind and patient enough to teach a little class for newbies like me, who only wanted to learn how to add pictures to their blogs. Her name is Margaret Turley . She is going to get points for encouraging someone like me to learn just a little more.

Life Lesson

In my life, I have spent a lot of fun time piano accompanying. Playing and visiting new venues, with lots of fun people was a blast After playing for the Institute choir in my college days (that's where I met Randy) I began to wonder where I fit in as an accompanist, because clearly. the attention was directed at the singers. Sometimes I would feel lonely, patiently waiting on the piano bench, anticipating my own directions, or secretly wishing my part was worthy of the directors attention.

Years passed by and as a young married girl, I found myself accompanying for another fun womens' group. Again, those same feelings of wanting to be at least noticed, popped up. . . . ("Hello...over here...") But I was always ready to play when needed, and like a dog waiting for a bone, playing was the reward! Then one night, the director paused. She began speaking about how important it was to have a good accompanist, because if they are "rusty" or unprepared, it takes time away from the group. The director ends up attending to the pianists flaws. Kind of like a "squeaky wheel". The whole experience hinges on the quality of the accompanist. She was referring to me, and crediting me for being that good. She also said that you can tell a good accompanist when not a mere word is directed at them for correction. I was pleasantly surprised. After all those times of wondering where I stood, thanks to her, I finally knew. I must say that I had to eat "humble pie", but I will forever be grateful for what I learned that night. It applies so perfectly to LIFE. So, you don't always have to be noticed to be good. Imagine that!

This week, my Mom ended up in the hospital for a couple of days, unexpectedly. Thankfully she is home again, now. But when someone you love so much goes through a scare, you begin to think of things like, "I wonder if I have told her enough how much I love her?". She hasn't required a lot of attention. She is easy to please. She is an angel. She always has a smile. She is there in a pinch. She would do anything for me. She loves me. She is so worthy of the highest degree of praise. And then I think of my piano days . . .

She is not a squeaky wheel. She rolls quietly and smoothly along with goodness. She KNOWS her "part". She is ready to perform. And she does it flawlessly. No complaints or adjustments. She's perfect. She watches on the sidelines for her opportunity to serve.

No, you don't always have to be noticed to be good. Mom is a shining example of that. but in case she is sitting on the bench wondering where she fits in . . . "I Love You dearly, Mom!"

Grand imprints

Have you ever laid on a memory foam mattress? You know how when you get up, there is still an imprint of your body still molded in the foam that doesn't go away for a long time? That's how I feel today.
I know how it feels when little Emmie comes to visit and we soak in every minute we can with her, (since we don't see her but every few months) and then we have to let her go back home. There is an imprint of her little self that lingers in our hearts that doesn't go away for a long time. Kind of like a lump in your throat.
But, this weekend, we got to watch Kate - overnight. . . By ourselves! We soaked in every minute. She was so good. And do you know what? Even though Kate lives just 15 minutes away, and we could see her everyday if we wanted, the imprint that she left in our hearts when she had to go home is just as deep as if we were letting Emmie go to her home 15 hours away.
If you are reading this, and you are our children, just know that we really do know that those sweet little girls belong to you! We also know that the reason they are so good is because of you.
I just learned today, though. that those little imprints are the same - no matter where you live.

What are you doing for Easter?

I almost cried at the start of conference on Saturday. Hearing the music and seeing the temple made me realize how completely thirsty I was for the abundance of knowledge I was about to receive. Isn't that funny? I didn't even know how in love I am with conference. . . To tears!

I had a piano Mom ask me what our plans were for Easter. Was I doing a family dinner? It caught me off-guard. No, our family dinner is held on the Fast Sundays. We join together with my brothers and their families ("the cousins") routinely on those Sundays. I pictured myself on this Easter Sunday, and I knew that what I would be doing, compared to what she would be doing would be totally different. I would be soaking in General conference for 2 days. At our house or at my parents home in Gilbert. An Easter feast? Yes! I think this week when I see her, I won't be caught as far off guard. I might be ready to tell her about my Easter.

He Lives!