Today was General Conference. How appropriate to post this picture today which was taken outside the Salt Lake Temple in April 1990.
I was living in Dallas, TX. at the time and we drove from Dallas to Salt Lake. I thought it would be nice to see the scenery, but little did I realize at this point there was not much scenery. It took FOREVER to get out of TX. We went to see Jerry Bott in Castle Dale (the Missionary who baptized my Dad) and then drove to Salt Lake.
After the conference we were driving through Colorado back home to TX. I am not sure whereabouts we were at the time, but we were in the middle of nowhere. We were very low on gas/petrol.
At about the time we were running on fumes, my Dad offered a prayer. He prayed that we would be helped in our time of need. I don't remember whether it was instantly, or about the time the car was about to literally give up......but we saw a gas station. It was not the typical gas station with plenty of gas pumps and lights and people. It was a small 'family' owned gas pump. There was no store, no lights, no people. There was one gas pump.
My Dad knocked on the door and a guy answered. I could see my Dad pointing at the car and obviously explaining to him the predicament we were in. The guy turned on the pumps for us and gratitude filled our hearts.
Today during conference, Elder Holland spoke about 'angels' who were around us in this life. I didn't think of this one guy in Colorado at the time, but now I am writing this, I realize the guy was surely an 'angel'. He could have not answered the door. He could have told us he couldn't turn on the gas pumps. He could have told us to have been more sensible and not got ourselves in that situation. He was a wonderful, friendly guy who helped us when we needed help most. He was an 'angel'.
President Uchtdorf gave a wonderful talk too. I called Dad right after the first session and told him what a fabulous talk it was. Wanting to throw in some humor, I asked Dad why he wasn't at church for the conference (no conference on TV over there :) and I got a little giggle out of him. He said "Maxine, I so wish I could be there". I believe this is the first time he has ever missed going in all his church life! (40 years).
The picture shared today reminded me yet again that "Families can be together forever."
1 comment:
I have been trying to get my husband to write you a message about your Dad. He served a mission in the Leeds England mission during 1996-1998. Your Dad was one of his most favorite people there. I have heard many stories about him and how much support he gave to my husband as a missionary. David told me of John always asking him about owing him money and asked where it was. He also told me of what a stud your Dad is. Still to this day, I hear of this man in England who was so ripped and in such great shape. David has told me of his Rugby days...a real man's game according to your Dad. David has really enjoyed reading your blog about him. I have added your blog to our blog list for him, so he can keep up on the life of John Sims. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him, but of what I have heard and read I know that he is one of a kind. I will try to get David to write his memories of John, but I wanted to write to let you know how important he was to a young missionaries life...Elder Grogan.
With much love, Shannon Grogan
Our blog link: http://groganclan1998.blogspot.com/
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