Wow, I haven't written in here for some time - almost 6 months!
What a sad day it is when you no longer have time in your life to dream.....
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Nephite Son...
One time, I had a dream that I was the son of a Nephite chief and that some Lamanite warriors were chasing after me and my Chief father. All we had to do was to reach a certain point of the river and we would be safe. It was so difficult to tread through the water, we were fighting against a strong current and the Lamanites were closing in on us. I made it, but my father was captured. There was a group of them surrounding him and drowning him in the depths of the river. I was insignificant to them. They weren't after me, they were after my father. I then proceeded to take deep breaths and administer them to my father whose head was being kept submerged under water. I kept on doing this until I woke up.
Hmm maybe instead of the Old testament, I should look at the Book of Mormon, life after death, but would that be sacreligious?
Hmm maybe instead of the Old testament, I should look at the Book of Mormon, life after death, but would that be sacreligious?
Twilight
So I went and saw Twilight today. I'm so jealous of Stephenie Meyer (pronounced Mire). I saw a quick clip of her where she said that her idea for the books she wrote were a DREAM she had and that she wrote it down the next day so she wouldn't forget.
Ok I would love to write books like that. I just need to get a good idea, I need to start dreaming. I need a unique idea, that is the whole good v evil, that has major twists and turns, that will appeal to the world.
So C.S Lewis took teachings of the gospel according to his understanding and put it in novels.
Hmm, maybe I could take an old testament story and bring it into today's era. Or have an awesome concept (the matrix) and throw in gospel parallels.
All I need is one good dream....
Ok I would love to write books like that. I just need to get a good idea, I need to start dreaming. I need a unique idea, that is the whole good v evil, that has major twists and turns, that will appeal to the world.
So C.S Lewis took teachings of the gospel according to his understanding and put it in novels.
Hmm, maybe I could take an old testament story and bring it into today's era. Or have an awesome concept (the matrix) and throw in gospel parallels.
All I need is one good dream....
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The Message
"This is your door Sister Martin!"
"Oh, come on comp! Can't you do just one more? I think I'm really starting to get that new door approach- you do it so well!"
Sister Martin never was that keen on tracting. In actual fact, she was terrified of it. But I was her follow up trainer and tried to be a good example, to help her enjoy the experience.
"Well, the best way to see if you've got the approach is to just do it - Remember Sister, faith without works is dead!"
I rang the doorbell and pushed Sister Martin in front of me. Her face turned a shade of pale.
A girl around the age of 10 answered the door. She was dressed in a smart, navy, polka dot dress. She looked like she was all ready for church. This was a good sign!
"Hi there...my name is Sister Martin and this is my companion Sister Clawson. We are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints...."
I was mesmorised by this pretty young girl. I had a good feeling about her and her family. I offered a silent prayer for my companion, that she would know just what to say.
"...so we would like to uh, share a special message about eternal families with you and your family."
Sister Martin looked over to me as if to say 'ok your turn!'
"That's a pretty dress you're wearing'" I asked the girl, "do you have somewhere special to go?"
"Yes I do have somewhere to go, but can you come back later?"
"Okay, is your Mum and Dad home? Can we talk to them?"
"Uh, no, they're out right now, but they'll be back soon like in an hour. Can you come back and share your message?"
"Of course we can. Do you think your parents will want to hear the message about eternal families?"
"Oh yes! Please promise that you will come back! I have to go now but don't forget to come back!" The young girl was adamant.
Yes! Golden family, I thought. I smiled at my companion, we said goodbye to the young girl and continued walking down the road. We decided to return to the house after we had finished tracting the rest of the street.
My companion was filled with a positive energy.
"See Sister Martin! You did great! All you needed was a bit of practise and you will LOVE tracting in no time!"
"Wasn't that girl nice? I'm so glad you made me do that door approach comp. I think I'm getting the hang of it. Let me do the next house too!"
Well, not only did Sister Martin tract the next house, but also the next three houses after that! While some were friendly but not interested, the fourth house belonged to a sweet, yet lonely elderly lady, who invited us in and offered us a cup of tea. (No thanks, we don't drink tea and we would love to explain that to you on another visit--") She proceeded to tell us her life history in a space of nothing short of an hour.
"Wasn't she just gorgeous? Wow, she could talk though! Look at the time!"
"Sister Clawson, we have to go back to that other house belonging to the young girl! I wish I had've asked her name. I can't believe I forgot to ask her!"
My companion was pumped. I was glad to finally see her excited about tracting.
A blue station wagon was parked in the driveway. I looked around to find the young girl but the place seemed quiet. After knocking on the door 6 or 7 times, a woman in her early thirties answered the door. Her countenance lacked lustre and she appeared very tired and weary. Her eyes were sunken and she looked like she hadn't eaten properly for a month.
"Hi there, my name is Sister..."
The woman looked at us, yet her mind seemed distant.
"Your daughter sent us here to share a very special message with you about eternal families."
As if she had been abruptly woken from a bad dream, the woman looked at us in disbelief.
"My daughter? You must be mistaken!"
"Oh no not mistaken. A girl about 10 years old answered the door when we arrived earlier. She was adamant that we return when you would be home so that we could share our message - that God has provided a way for families to be together forever, even after death.."
The woman looked in shock and disbelief.
My companion continued, "The girl said that she had to go somewhere but told us when you would be home and everything. She made us promise to come back."
"This...girl..." the woman still in disbelief asked, "...what was she wearing?"
"A pretty navy blue dress with small polka dots. Is the girl we met not actually your daughter?"
With tears in her eyes and a deep longing for answers, the young mother quietly cried.
"A navy blue dress you say? Then it must have been my daughter.
For that was the dress I buried her in a month ago today.
Sisters, you had better come inside and tell me more about this message of yours."
Sister Martin never had a problem with tracting after that.
(This didnt happen to me although I did have a companion called Sister Martin who didn't like tracting. An experience was told to me by my trainer that happened to other Sister missionaries that this story was based on.)
"Oh, come on comp! Can't you do just one more? I think I'm really starting to get that new door approach- you do it so well!"
Sister Martin never was that keen on tracting. In actual fact, she was terrified of it. But I was her follow up trainer and tried to be a good example, to help her enjoy the experience.
"Well, the best way to see if you've got the approach is to just do it - Remember Sister, faith without works is dead!"
I rang the doorbell and pushed Sister Martin in front of me. Her face turned a shade of pale.
A girl around the age of 10 answered the door. She was dressed in a smart, navy, polka dot dress. She looked like she was all ready for church. This was a good sign!
"Hi there...my name is Sister Martin and this is my companion Sister Clawson. We are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints...."
I was mesmorised by this pretty young girl. I had a good feeling about her and her family. I offered a silent prayer for my companion, that she would know just what to say.
"...so we would like to uh, share a special message about eternal families with you and your family."
Sister Martin looked over to me as if to say 'ok your turn!'
"That's a pretty dress you're wearing'" I asked the girl, "do you have somewhere special to go?"
"Yes I do have somewhere to go, but can you come back later?"
"Okay, is your Mum and Dad home? Can we talk to them?"
"Uh, no, they're out right now, but they'll be back soon like in an hour. Can you come back and share your message?"
"Of course we can. Do you think your parents will want to hear the message about eternal families?"
"Oh yes! Please promise that you will come back! I have to go now but don't forget to come back!" The young girl was adamant.
Yes! Golden family, I thought. I smiled at my companion, we said goodbye to the young girl and continued walking down the road. We decided to return to the house after we had finished tracting the rest of the street.
My companion was filled with a positive energy.
"See Sister Martin! You did great! All you needed was a bit of practise and you will LOVE tracting in no time!"
"Wasn't that girl nice? I'm so glad you made me do that door approach comp. I think I'm getting the hang of it. Let me do the next house too!"
Well, not only did Sister Martin tract the next house, but also the next three houses after that! While some were friendly but not interested, the fourth house belonged to a sweet, yet lonely elderly lady, who invited us in and offered us a cup of tea. (No thanks, we don't drink tea and we would love to explain that to you on another visit--") She proceeded to tell us her life history in a space of nothing short of an hour.
"Wasn't she just gorgeous? Wow, she could talk though! Look at the time!"
"Sister Clawson, we have to go back to that other house belonging to the young girl! I wish I had've asked her name. I can't believe I forgot to ask her!"
My companion was pumped. I was glad to finally see her excited about tracting.
A blue station wagon was parked in the driveway. I looked around to find the young girl but the place seemed quiet. After knocking on the door 6 or 7 times, a woman in her early thirties answered the door. Her countenance lacked lustre and she appeared very tired and weary. Her eyes were sunken and she looked like she hadn't eaten properly for a month.
"Hi there, my name is Sister..."
The woman looked at us, yet her mind seemed distant.
"Your daughter sent us here to share a very special message with you about eternal families."
As if she had been abruptly woken from a bad dream, the woman looked at us in disbelief.
"My daughter? You must be mistaken!"
"Oh no not mistaken. A girl about 10 years old answered the door when we arrived earlier. She was adamant that we return when you would be home so that we could share our message - that God has provided a way for families to be together forever, even after death.."
The woman looked in shock and disbelief.
My companion continued, "The girl said that she had to go somewhere but told us when you would be home and everything. She made us promise to come back."
"This...girl..." the woman still in disbelief asked, "...what was she wearing?"
"A pretty navy blue dress with small polka dots. Is the girl we met not actually your daughter?"
With tears in her eyes and a deep longing for answers, the young mother quietly cried.
"A navy blue dress you say? Then it must have been my daughter.
For that was the dress I buried her in a month ago today.
Sisters, you had better come inside and tell me more about this message of yours."
Sister Martin never had a problem with tracting after that.
(This didnt happen to me although I did have a companion called Sister Martin who didn't like tracting. An experience was told to me by my trainer that happened to other Sister missionaries that this story was based on.)
Just a Dream
Beep beep beep.
This was the sound that I loved to hate on my mission. My alarm usually went off at 6.25am, but I was slowly building up to waking up earlier so I could be ready to go by 6.30am. So when it went off on this particular day, I still technically had 5 minutes sleep in....
"Sister Clarkson! It's 6.30am time to get up!"
I dragged myself to my knees and then off to the bathroom for a quick shower.
Later, my companion Sister Kaberry from Australia, was sitting at the table studying. She was one of my best friends, but we had our moments.
"So did you have any weird dreams last night?"
I was renowned for my strange dreams. I just put it down to a vivid imagination most times.
"Well it wasn't too weird I guess. It was about the prophet - President Benson. I was sitting at his side having a grand old conversation. Too bad I can't remember what he said though. I just felt it a privilege being in his presence conversing with him."
"And how's the prophet today?" my companion chortled.
"Well, he seemed old, and he talked slowly. Even though his physical body was frail, he had a brightness in his eyes that illuminated his very soul. And his smile...I'll never forget his smile."
"Next time you see President Benson in your dreams, tell him I said hi!" grinned my companion.
Beep beep beep. 6.00am.
"Morning Sister Clarkson, did you sleep well?"
Sister Kaberry was sitting up in her bed, reading the scriptures.
"Pretty good thanks - I had another dream about the prophet." My companion rolled her eyes.
"He looked weaker and used a frame to walk around on. We were at a huge conference for missionaries. He looked at me and asked 'What are you doing here?' I thought it was an odd thing to say to me seeing I was wearing my missionary badge.
"It was strange being in front of the prophet. I felt like he could see right through to my sin-stained soul. Then he asked me 'Do I know you?' Another odd question. I mean after all, he was the prophet, the Lord's mouthpiece right? Surely he didn't need to ask?"
"But then I pondered on those questions and they were actually very profound. What AM I doing here in the Lord's missionfield? Am I doing all I can to serve Him 100%? Did the Lord know me? Would he know me at the last day?"
"Hmm VERY profound my dear....companion. Well there goes companionship study for today. Did you remember to tell him hi from me?"
"Oops sorry! I forgot!"
Beep beep beep. 5.45am.
I woke up instantly. Sister Kaberry was still asleep.
"Hey comp..are you awake?"
Murmuring came from her direction. All I could understand was
"Hmph does it look like it grumble mumble hmph grunt..."
"I had another dream."
"You and your dreams! What was it about this time?"
"The prophet again. But this time I didn't see his face. Instead I saw solemn faces, some of his closest friends and family members, other apostles and general authorities.
Sister, I dreamed about his funeral!"
"Weird," grunted my companion, 'Oh well at least it was just a dream!"
Later that day, Sister Kaberry and I drove into the Mission office for supplies and was welcomed by an unusual, solemn look from Elder Schvaneveldt, one of the office elders.
"Hi Elder, how's the mission field today?"
"Have you sisters heard?" he choked.
"Heard what?"
"The prophet... President Benson... he died last night.
His funeral will be held tomorrow."
(This was actually based on a true story that happened to me on my mission.)
This was the sound that I loved to hate on my mission. My alarm usually went off at 6.25am, but I was slowly building up to waking up earlier so I could be ready to go by 6.30am. So when it went off on this particular day, I still technically had 5 minutes sleep in....
"Sister Clarkson! It's 6.30am time to get up!"
I dragged myself to my knees and then off to the bathroom for a quick shower.
Later, my companion Sister Kaberry from Australia, was sitting at the table studying. She was one of my best friends, but we had our moments.
"So did you have any weird dreams last night?"
I was renowned for my strange dreams. I just put it down to a vivid imagination most times.
"Well it wasn't too weird I guess. It was about the prophet - President Benson. I was sitting at his side having a grand old conversation. Too bad I can't remember what he said though. I just felt it a privilege being in his presence conversing with him."
"And how's the prophet today?" my companion chortled.
"Well, he seemed old, and he talked slowly. Even though his physical body was frail, he had a brightness in his eyes that illuminated his very soul. And his smile...I'll never forget his smile."
"Next time you see President Benson in your dreams, tell him I said hi!" grinned my companion.
Beep beep beep. 6.00am.
"Morning Sister Clarkson, did you sleep well?"
Sister Kaberry was sitting up in her bed, reading the scriptures.
"Pretty good thanks - I had another dream about the prophet." My companion rolled her eyes.
"He looked weaker and used a frame to walk around on. We were at a huge conference for missionaries. He looked at me and asked 'What are you doing here?' I thought it was an odd thing to say to me seeing I was wearing my missionary badge.
"It was strange being in front of the prophet. I felt like he could see right through to my sin-stained soul. Then he asked me 'Do I know you?' Another odd question. I mean after all, he was the prophet, the Lord's mouthpiece right? Surely he didn't need to ask?"
"But then I pondered on those questions and they were actually very profound. What AM I doing here in the Lord's missionfield? Am I doing all I can to serve Him 100%? Did the Lord know me? Would he know me at the last day?"
"Hmm VERY profound my dear....companion. Well there goes companionship study for today. Did you remember to tell him hi from me?"
"Oops sorry! I forgot!"
Beep beep beep. 5.45am.
I woke up instantly. Sister Kaberry was still asleep.
"Hey comp..are you awake?"
Murmuring came from her direction. All I could understand was
"Hmph does it look like it grumble mumble hmph grunt..."
"I had another dream."
"You and your dreams! What was it about this time?"
"The prophet again. But this time I didn't see his face. Instead I saw solemn faces, some of his closest friends and family members, other apostles and general authorities.
Sister, I dreamed about his funeral!"
"Weird," grunted my companion, 'Oh well at least it was just a dream!"
Later that day, Sister Kaberry and I drove into the Mission office for supplies and was welcomed by an unusual, solemn look from Elder Schvaneveldt, one of the office elders.
"Hi Elder, how's the mission field today?"
"Have you sisters heard?" he choked.
"Heard what?"
"The prophet... President Benson... he died last night.
His funeral will be held tomorrow."
(This was actually based on a true story that happened to me on my mission.)
If Only for one night
This is not a dream that I actually had, but an idea I had for a music video??? haha
"Let me hold you tight...if only for one night......"
Tonight is the night, she thought. Tonight I will tell Kori how I feel about him! She had it all worked out in her mind. He had invited her over to his parent's beach-front house. It was the perfect time - she had waited so long!
Kori and Jade had been friends since high school. They were rather inseperable before Kori left to go on his full-time mission and Jade wrote to him religiously while he was in the mission field. And every so often, Kori would reply.
"Dear Jade
I can't believe that two years have almost gone by already! I'm trying not to think about it, because I love my mission so much and I love the people of the Philipines and teaching them about Jesus Christ and his true church on the earth. They are so teachable and humble.
But hey, I have to be honest and say that I can't wait to see you again. Girl, I've missed you so much, especially your chocolate chip cookies. We've got a lot to talk about when we get home. But! Enough thinking of home and you for two more weeks - I've got some soul saving to do. I think I've changed from the tall, skinny, immature 19 year old best friend I used to be. Hopefully, you'll be happy with the changes. I think the Lord is.
Eternally your best friend,
Elder Kori Richards"
He had changed, Jade thought to herself. Changed to an amazing young man. One whose testimony had been strengthened ten fold, and one she she could see spending all eternity with. HUH?! Jade suddenly realised that she was slowly developing deep, romantic feelings for her friend. Or maybe they had been there all along?
It was at the Sacrament Meeting where Elder Richards gave his homecoming talk, when she knew with her heart that she was in love with him. But he's just come home from his mission, she thought. I need to give him time to 'come home'.
One month went by, then another week and another. Kori and Jade spent a lot of time together as usual, just like before his mission. There was certainly a chemistry between them, or so she thought.
"Hey Jade, here's a silly question for ya, but do you love me?"
"Of course I do." The words flowed so naturally from her lips, yet she knew he would think 'just as a friend' loving way.
"No, I don't mean like that-." He chuckled.
"I was right - silly question! Of course you do."
She smiled at him and squeezed his hand.
"Now whose turn is it to make the popcorn? The movie starts in ten minutes!"
He looked at her differently now. Like he was on the verge of baring his soul to her, yet he seemed to be holding back as if he wasn't sure how she was feeling.
Jade had been out shopping for a gift of love for Kori when she came home and found a note from him.
"Jade,
I've got something really special to tell you tonight, it's a surprise, so don't be late. 7pm sharp!
Love
Kori x"
Yep, tonight's the night. Put the poor boy out of his misery. I'm sure he feels the same way about me! And he is going to put me out of my misery too!
She thought of the time when Kori had only been home from his mission for a couple of weeks. He had taken over his mission photos to Jade's place to organise into scrapbooks together.
"Who is this beautiful girl beside you in like 100 of the photos?"
"Oh, that's Rachael, remember I wrote you about her? She was my first baptism."
His eyes smiled.
"We kept in touch throughout my mission. But, in her last letter to me, she told me that she had deep feelings for me and that she wanted to come over when I got home. "
"Wow, how did you react to that?"
"Well, it was easy really. I was a missionary. I was on the Lord's errand. Plenty of time to think about all that girly stuff when I got home."
"Ooh, so you think anything will develop if she does come and visit?"
"Hmm I'll have to pray about that one!" he teased, "but if it means no more of your yummy chocolate chip cookies - she doesn't stand a chance!"
That's right, no other girl stands a chance tonight, Jade smiled.
She spent time getting her make up and clothing just right and finished wrapping her gift to Kori. It was a tie pin that read: choose the right. She finished with the finer details and looked at her watch. 6.45pm. She prayed to her Father in Heaven for strength and it was time to go. Her tummy all in knots with mixed emotions travelling wildly through her entire being. A wave of calm overwhelmed her. Everything will be just fine.
When Jade arrived at the beach house, several cars were already there. She caught a glimpse of Kori and a beautiful young woman at his side, talking to a group of his friends.
She was close enough to hear the conversation.
"Hey man! Congratulations! Talk about not wasting any time. When's the big day?"
"Well, if everything goes smoothly, hopefully June!"
"That's awesome! You guys are perfect for each other!"
It dawned on her. It was Rachael. She had come to visit. This must be their engagement party. This was the big surprise.
Kori turned to see Jade's pale face. He smiled excitedly at her then immediately recognised her shock and unbearable pain by her countenance. His own face dropped...
Blinded by tears of rage and pain, she sprinted to the water's edge.
I can't breathe. I can't see - I gotta get out of here! My chest is pounding I have to run. Why can't I breathe?? He didn't love me after all. He was just being my best friend. Why couldn't I see that? Why can't I breathe?
She reached the water's edge, her head buzzing with confusion, her eyes stinging with tears of rage and the deepest hurt imagineable. The water felt like jagged icicles stabbing her temple as she plunged head first into the dark abyss of the sea.
Prologue
"My sweet, beloved Jade,
It's been a year since the worst night of my life. And still, I can't get your facial expression out of my mind. It was the last one I ever saw of yours alive. It was an expression of the deepest hurt I have ever seen, an expression of betrayal and I could almost hear your heart stop beating.
It took me all of five seconds to recognise that night, that you loved me, and that you were going to tell me how you felt about me. But then you saw me standing with Rachael.
They said your death was accidental but no-one knows for sure. I keep on replaying through my mind what I could have done to change the events of that horrific night. I dove into the water after you but by then the rip had already claimed you. I finally saw you face downward, and took you to shore, attempted to revive you, but I knew you had gone.
That night was supposed to be the most special night of my life. It ended up becoming my greatest fear and worst nightmare.
On the night that I was supposed to ask my best friend, my love, to be my companion for time and all eternity, was the night I lost her to the depths of the sea.
Eternally your best friend,
Kori Richards.
"Let me keep you near.... to ease away your fear.... I'll be at your side....
If only for one.... night........"
(I know I know, Romeo and Juliet, but hey I was about 21 when I came up with the idea!)
"Let me hold you tight...if only for one night......"
Tonight is the night, she thought. Tonight I will tell Kori how I feel about him! She had it all worked out in her mind. He had invited her over to his parent's beach-front house. It was the perfect time - she had waited so long!
Kori and Jade had been friends since high school. They were rather inseperable before Kori left to go on his full-time mission and Jade wrote to him religiously while he was in the mission field. And every so often, Kori would reply.
"Dear Jade
I can't believe that two years have almost gone by already! I'm trying not to think about it, because I love my mission so much and I love the people of the Philipines and teaching them about Jesus Christ and his true church on the earth. They are so teachable and humble.
But hey, I have to be honest and say that I can't wait to see you again. Girl, I've missed you so much, especially your chocolate chip cookies. We've got a lot to talk about when we get home. But! Enough thinking of home and you for two more weeks - I've got some soul saving to do. I think I've changed from the tall, skinny, immature 19 year old best friend I used to be. Hopefully, you'll be happy with the changes. I think the Lord is.
Eternally your best friend,
Elder Kori Richards"
He had changed, Jade thought to herself. Changed to an amazing young man. One whose testimony had been strengthened ten fold, and one she she could see spending all eternity with. HUH?! Jade suddenly realised that she was slowly developing deep, romantic feelings for her friend. Or maybe they had been there all along?
It was at the Sacrament Meeting where Elder Richards gave his homecoming talk, when she knew with her heart that she was in love with him. But he's just come home from his mission, she thought. I need to give him time to 'come home'.
One month went by, then another week and another. Kori and Jade spent a lot of time together as usual, just like before his mission. There was certainly a chemistry between them, or so she thought.
"Hey Jade, here's a silly question for ya, but do you love me?"
"Of course I do." The words flowed so naturally from her lips, yet she knew he would think 'just as a friend' loving way.
"No, I don't mean like that-." He chuckled.
"I was right - silly question! Of course you do."
She smiled at him and squeezed his hand.
"Now whose turn is it to make the popcorn? The movie starts in ten minutes!"
He looked at her differently now. Like he was on the verge of baring his soul to her, yet he seemed to be holding back as if he wasn't sure how she was feeling.
Jade had been out shopping for a gift of love for Kori when she came home and found a note from him.
"Jade,
I've got something really special to tell you tonight, it's a surprise, so don't be late. 7pm sharp!
Love
Kori x"
Yep, tonight's the night. Put the poor boy out of his misery. I'm sure he feels the same way about me! And he is going to put me out of my misery too!
She thought of the time when Kori had only been home from his mission for a couple of weeks. He had taken over his mission photos to Jade's place to organise into scrapbooks together.
"Who is this beautiful girl beside you in like 100 of the photos?"
"Oh, that's Rachael, remember I wrote you about her? She was my first baptism."
His eyes smiled.
"We kept in touch throughout my mission. But, in her last letter to me, she told me that she had deep feelings for me and that she wanted to come over when I got home. "
"Wow, how did you react to that?"
"Well, it was easy really. I was a missionary. I was on the Lord's errand. Plenty of time to think about all that girly stuff when I got home."
"Ooh, so you think anything will develop if she does come and visit?"
"Hmm I'll have to pray about that one!" he teased, "but if it means no more of your yummy chocolate chip cookies - she doesn't stand a chance!"
That's right, no other girl stands a chance tonight, Jade smiled.
She spent time getting her make up and clothing just right and finished wrapping her gift to Kori. It was a tie pin that read: choose the right. She finished with the finer details and looked at her watch. 6.45pm. She prayed to her Father in Heaven for strength and it was time to go. Her tummy all in knots with mixed emotions travelling wildly through her entire being. A wave of calm overwhelmed her. Everything will be just fine.
When Jade arrived at the beach house, several cars were already there. She caught a glimpse of Kori and a beautiful young woman at his side, talking to a group of his friends.
She was close enough to hear the conversation.
"Hey man! Congratulations! Talk about not wasting any time. When's the big day?"
"Well, if everything goes smoothly, hopefully June!"
"That's awesome! You guys are perfect for each other!"
It dawned on her. It was Rachael. She had come to visit. This must be their engagement party. This was the big surprise.
Kori turned to see Jade's pale face. He smiled excitedly at her then immediately recognised her shock and unbearable pain by her countenance. His own face dropped...
Blinded by tears of rage and pain, she sprinted to the water's edge.
I can't breathe. I can't see - I gotta get out of here! My chest is pounding I have to run. Why can't I breathe?? He didn't love me after all. He was just being my best friend. Why couldn't I see that? Why can't I breathe?
She reached the water's edge, her head buzzing with confusion, her eyes stinging with tears of rage and the deepest hurt imagineable. The water felt like jagged icicles stabbing her temple as she plunged head first into the dark abyss of the sea.
Prologue
"My sweet, beloved Jade,
It's been a year since the worst night of my life. And still, I can't get your facial expression out of my mind. It was the last one I ever saw of yours alive. It was an expression of the deepest hurt I have ever seen, an expression of betrayal and I could almost hear your heart stop beating.
It took me all of five seconds to recognise that night, that you loved me, and that you were going to tell me how you felt about me. But then you saw me standing with Rachael.
They said your death was accidental but no-one knows for sure. I keep on replaying through my mind what I could have done to change the events of that horrific night. I dove into the water after you but by then the rip had already claimed you. I finally saw you face downward, and took you to shore, attempted to revive you, but I knew you had gone.
That night was supposed to be the most special night of my life. It ended up becoming my greatest fear and worst nightmare.
On the night that I was supposed to ask my best friend, my love, to be my companion for time and all eternity, was the night I lost her to the depths of the sea.
Eternally your best friend,
Kori Richards.
"Let me keep you near.... to ease away your fear.... I'll be at your side....
If only for one.... night........"
(I know I know, Romeo and Juliet, but hey I was about 21 when I came up with the idea!)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Temple Marriage and Thunderbirds
I also thought about another dream today when reading my friend's facebook page.
When I cam home from serving an LDS mission, I had a dream about one of the missionaries that was in the same mission. We became quite good friends, which is a no no on a mission, because I was female and he wasn't :) So anyway, when I came home, I had the following dream about him.
I found myself walking down a strange road. I was dressed in the baptism dress that I made when I first joined the church. But it wasn't a baptism dress, it was now a temple marriage dress. The road was lined with tall thin trees and I walked to the main street to find two or three girls who were apparently my bridesmaids. But I didn't know who they were. I didn't even know who my husband to be was. Apparently the marriage had been arranged.
He was a widower, with 2 or 3 children. He was quite young and very rich. I wrote his name down at the time and it was J or Jack Ormsby. We had never met but he needed a mother for his children. He was quite handsome and had the same cultural background as myself.
Anyway I was in town with my bridesmaids, but I got the feeling that they weren't too friendly toward me. And what they were wearing would not have got them too far beyond the temple doors. That was my initial reaction upon seeing them. Nothing judgemental, just wondered if they were non-LDS by what they were wearing.
After shopping for last minute things with my stand-offish, stranger bridesmaids, I walked toward the direction of the temple. I did not recognise it. It was just on the outskirts of the main street of an unfamiliar town and right beside it was a gas station. I headed toward the station and saw my sister there, who at the time, was not LDS. She and I were conversing at the petrol pump and the limosuine that had my husband to be inside, pulled up for petrol. I tried to hide - the superstition about not seeing the bride before the wedding came to my mind. I caught a glimpse of my husband to be, dressed in white. The limo pulled away and headed for the temple.
I thought, here I go, this it. I was confused as to why I was getting married to a stranger. I began walking to the temple grounds. Then, I saw him. My friend from the mission. He was dressed in a black suit. I saw him and wanted to rush over to him. Prior to this I felt so alone and apprehensive. When I saw his familiar face, I felt at ease. He said "What the hell are you doing? Do you even know this guy?" I replied "Can you take me away from here?" And so he did, we jumped into his car and he even had a small dog with him. He said "meet my puppy". And we drove away into the sunset.
This was one of those dreams that were so vivid and lifelike, that it is easy to remember. I have often pondered over it through the years and wonder if it had any meaning.
As a post script, I did meet a J Ormsby in my life. I recently got in contact with that missionary friend of mine and someone had written on his facebook a comment about thunderbirds, and whenever she sees thunderbirds, she thinks of him.
Well, this morning I googled thunderbirds and the car he came and picked me up in my dream was a 1971 thunderbird. Told you it was a vivid dream. I just didnt know it was a 1971 tbird until this morning.
Weird.
When I cam home from serving an LDS mission, I had a dream about one of the missionaries that was in the same mission. We became quite good friends, which is a no no on a mission, because I was female and he wasn't :) So anyway, when I came home, I had the following dream about him.
I found myself walking down a strange road. I was dressed in the baptism dress that I made when I first joined the church. But it wasn't a baptism dress, it was now a temple marriage dress. The road was lined with tall thin trees and I walked to the main street to find two or three girls who were apparently my bridesmaids. But I didn't know who they were. I didn't even know who my husband to be was. Apparently the marriage had been arranged.
He was a widower, with 2 or 3 children. He was quite young and very rich. I wrote his name down at the time and it was J or Jack Ormsby. We had never met but he needed a mother for his children. He was quite handsome and had the same cultural background as myself.
Anyway I was in town with my bridesmaids, but I got the feeling that they weren't too friendly toward me. And what they were wearing would not have got them too far beyond the temple doors. That was my initial reaction upon seeing them. Nothing judgemental, just wondered if they were non-LDS by what they were wearing.
After shopping for last minute things with my stand-offish, stranger bridesmaids, I walked toward the direction of the temple. I did not recognise it. It was just on the outskirts of the main street of an unfamiliar town and right beside it was a gas station. I headed toward the station and saw my sister there, who at the time, was not LDS. She and I were conversing at the petrol pump and the limosuine that had my husband to be inside, pulled up for petrol. I tried to hide - the superstition about not seeing the bride before the wedding came to my mind. I caught a glimpse of my husband to be, dressed in white. The limo pulled away and headed for the temple.
I thought, here I go, this it. I was confused as to why I was getting married to a stranger. I began walking to the temple grounds. Then, I saw him. My friend from the mission. He was dressed in a black suit. I saw him and wanted to rush over to him. Prior to this I felt so alone and apprehensive. When I saw his familiar face, I felt at ease. He said "What the hell are you doing? Do you even know this guy?" I replied "Can you take me away from here?" And so he did, we jumped into his car and he even had a small dog with him. He said "meet my puppy". And we drove away into the sunset.
This was one of those dreams that were so vivid and lifelike, that it is easy to remember. I have often pondered over it through the years and wonder if it had any meaning.
As a post script, I did meet a J Ormsby in my life. I recently got in contact with that missionary friend of mine and someone had written on his facebook a comment about thunderbirds, and whenever she sees thunderbirds, she thinks of him.
Well, this morning I googled thunderbirds and the car he came and picked me up in my dream was a 1971 thunderbird. Told you it was a vivid dream. I just didnt know it was a 1971 tbird until this morning.
Weird.
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