The Miracle of Aunt Jeannette

There is a movie called, “Pay it Forward.”   The premise is that people do kind things and we can not always pay them back, but we can do something kind for someone else, or “pay it forward.”  The impact of this can be amazing.  I witnessed this yesterday as I spoke on the phone with the Relief Society President in Aunt Jeanette Bennett Miller’s ward in Dallas, Texas.

We discovered that my husband, Curtis, had an Aunt Jeanette about six years ago when we began tracing his family history.  He knew almost nothing about the Bennett side of his family because his father left when he was about five-years-old.  However, Curtis  did know that his father had a brother, John, so he found his phone number and called him to ask some family history questions.  John did not know the answers to many of the questions and finally said, “you should really call Jeannette, she knows the most about the family.”  “Who is Jeannette?” Curtis asked.  “Your aunt,” John replied.  Curtis was stunned to discover he had an aunt living in Texas.  We called her and talked for hours, this was the first of many long phone calls and we developed a long distance relationship with Jeannette.  She was very interested in helping us with the family history and sharing stories that she remembered of different family members.  After many months, I sent her a book with all the research, records, photos and stories we found about the Bennett family. She was delighted. 

I specifically remember a phone conversation we had when sweet Jeannette said, “Sheri, promise me I will meet you and Curtis before I die!”  She was in her 70s at the time.  I promised her we would make sure that would happen.  I don’t make promises I cannot keep and every year we would look at our schedules and try to fit in a trip to Texas to visit Jeannette.

A few years passed without going to see her, then in June of 2012, I noticed that Southwest Airlines was having special rates and flights to Harlingen, Texas reasonably priced.  I called Curtis and asked him to help me pick a date so we could go and visit Jeannette.  We decided we could go later in the year on November 10th.  I called Jeannette to ask if that date would work.  She was so excited for us to come and we talked for a few minutes.  Then Jeannette told me that she was worried about her husband, Max Miller, and thought he was in the process of dying.  We spoke on this more serious note and I was able to help comfort her.

The next morning, Jeannette called and told me that Max had passed away during the night.  How providential that I had called the day before so she knew she was not alone and had someone to call and help her.  I saw God’s hand in the timing of all of this and his love for Jeannette so she had family to turn to for comfort.  We kept in close touch, which was good because Jeannette fell and broke her knee and had to move into a 24 hour care facility.  It was again providential that the care facility was right next to the LDS chapel.  We felt helpless being so far away and not able to help Jeannette, so we asked her if we could send the Mormon missionaries to help her since they are required to do service each week.  She was receptive so we called the Mission President in Texas and he sent missionaries to help her.  We thought a few days of service would be the end of the story, however these were great missionaries and they not only came over to check on her and help her, but also began to teach her about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  We had no idea they were teaching Jeannette.

Weeks passed by and one day I was talking with Jeannette on the phone checking on her to make sure she was dong okay.  She mentioned that the missionaries would wheel her in her wheelchair to church each week from the care center.  She explained that the care center was next door to the LDS chapel.   I was so happy!  As Jeannette's knee healed, she was able to return to her assisted living center home.  The missionaries continued to serve and teach her and helped her moved back to her

President Thomas S. Monson-Prophet

apartment.  In September, she mentioned during one of our phone calls that she was just fascinated with much of the doctrine of our church and that she was finding answers to many of her lifelong questions.  She said she was particularly fascinated with the doctrine of a living prophet upon the earth and was looking forward to General Conference so she could hear the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson speak.  Curtis and I were amazed and delighted and completely surprised. 

A few weeks later the missionaries in Texas, called Curtis and told him that Jeannette wanted to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 11th and wanted Curtis to do the baptism.  This was the Sunday we would be visiting Jeannette in Texas, the date we set up in June.  We were amazed at the goodness of a loving Father in Heaven who reached out to Jeannette and gave her the opportunity to learn of his plan and to become a member of his restored church.  We saw His timing and goodness orchestrating this process.

Jeannette and Curtis united at last.

Jeannette and Curtis in their white baptismal clothing.

The missionaries, Curtis and I with Jeannette before her baptism.

We flew into Texas and drove to Jeannette’s apartment arriving at her home at 1:00 a.m. on November 11th.  She was waiting outside for us and we were all so happy to hug and visit and finally meet in person.  We talked for a while and then went to bed so we could wake up a few hours later and be at Jeannette’s baptism at 9:00 a.m.  What a joyful day!  To be present at her baptism and for Curtis to be able to be the one to baptize her was so sweet.  It was so fun to meet the amazing missionaries who had taken such good care of her over the past few months.  Jeannette was so darling and so happy to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Her ward members were so supportive and kind.  We spent several days with Jeannette in Texas getting to know each other better.  She shared stories and pictures and we cherished every moment together.

Jeannette in our home.

Curtis, Jeannette and Sydney at the Bountiful temple.

Bennett family at temple square in Salt Lake City.

She flew home with us for Thanksgiving and met more of the Bennett family. It was such a delight to have her in our home. She was able to attend the Bountiful temple with us and to do baptisms for some of her ancestors, something she truly enjoyed. We told her that she could go through the temple the next year and planned for her to come back to Utah for the next Thanksgiving so we could all go with her when she went through the temple for the first time.

Bountiful temple

Jeannette returned home and enjoyed going to church and the members of her branch were so welcoming to her.  As time passed, her esophageal cancer returned and her health declined.  Soon she decided to move to Dallas to be close to her son, Ty Thomas.  She felt she wanted to spend as much time as possible with Ty if this was the end of her life.  It became apparent that she was not well enough to fly to Utah for Thanksgiving, so Curtis and I and his sister, Laura and her husband, John McCleve decided we would fly to Texas to go to the Dallas temple with her.  We called her Bishop in her new ward and he had someone teach her about preparing to go to the temple and gave her a temple recommend.  We flew to Texas and Ty picked us up and drove us straight to the temple where we met Jeannette.  We were able to be with her as she received her endowments in the temple and was sealed to her parents and her first husband, Clarence Alvin Thomas.  Again a joyful day!  We spent a couple of days with Jeannette and Ty and then returned to Utah.


We continue to keep in touch with Jeannette and she is nearing the end of her life.  She is at peace and has made the needed preparations.  However, we are still far away and cannot be there to sit with her and to help.  Once again, her Bishop and the members of her ward are doing what we cannot.  We called Jeannette last Sunday and her Bishop and others from the ward were there visiting her.  We asked her if she wanted us to fly out there and she replied, “Whatever for?”  We had one detail we felt we had not taken care of; Jeannette did not own temple clothes.  Mormons who have been through the temple are buried in their sacred temple clothing. 

Yesterday I called Jeannette’s Relief Society President to discuss temple clothing for Jeannette and how we could arrange to have them purchased.  The Relief Society is the women’s organization of the church and it will be these sweet sisters who will dress Jeannette’s body for burial.  The Relief Society President’s name is Hollie Gardner and she told me that a member of the Bishopric and his wife bought Jeannette temple clothes that very day.  They wanted to do this for her!  My heart was warmed by their kindness and generosity to our dear aunt.  The Lord had provided the necessary things for Jeannette through the kindness of this couple.  I was humbled, grateful and full of joy in the goodness of a loving Father in Heaven who is so interested in the smallest details of our lives.  This couple acted as His hands on the Earth as they followed a prompting to help Jeannette.  We cannot pay them back, they don’t want us to do that, but we can look for ways to, “pay it forward” and serve His children around us. 

Since that day, the hospital chaplain called us and told us that the members of the Mormon church in Jeannette's ward are visiting her often to bring her flowers til her room is like a garden.  The young women in the ward gave Jeannette a "heart attack" covering a wall in her room with paper hearts.  The support they have given to Jeannette, someone they did not even know til she moved into their ward in November is amazing.  We are so grateful!

Jeannette Bennett Thomas Miller

Jeannette has not yet passed away, however her body is growing increasingly weaker.  Her spirits are high and she is full of joy.  She has done all she needed to do here on earth to return to Heavenly Father and she is looking forward to that reunion.  She has promised to look out for us from the other side.

My faith grew stronger in hearing of the good people in Dallas who were caring for our aunt.  I love the goodness of so many people all around the world who are looking for ways to serve, comfort, care for and help those around them.  I love how no matter where we go, we are home and have family in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

10 penny miracle! Not Going to Sochi

Curtis and I have been looking forward the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia for several months.  Our visas are tucked nicely into our passports, ready for the trip.  At Christmas our excitement grew when Omega Watch Company sent the itinerary of the events we would be attending along with a miniature, traditional, Russian felt boot.  They explained that a custom pair of boots would be made for us in Russia.  We could hardly wait!

The past few weeks several people have asked us if we were worried about going to Sochi.  We were a bit nervous, but mostly blissfully looking forward to the experience.  However, last week another jeweler that we met at the London Olympics sent us an email asking if we were still planning on attending in February since there were so many safety concerns.

She explained; "I was wondering if you and Curtis have any thoughts you could share regarding all of our safety on the upcoming trip to Sochi.
I've read every article that's been printed on the subject in the past week.
I've read the Department of State's warnings. 
I've registered with the Travel Advisory of the Department of State so they know who and where we are, and so that while there,
I can get emails of any warnings coming out of the US Embassy in Moscow. (STEP)
I've read the Bible.
I've talked with close friends in my Bible Study Group. 
I have been going back and forth about it up until 2 weeks ago.  It was then that we decided that we were still going to go.  Since then, more has come up about "real threats" and US politicians have been stating that they would not bring their families there. 

My friend’s faith inspired me to think perhaps I needed to remove my head from the sand and pray about this upcoming trip.  So I knelt down and prayed, telling Heavenly Father we were planning on attending the Olympics and if that was not His will to let us know that we should not go.  Ten minutes later, Curtis called me to tell me that corporate did not want us to go to Russia.  It was interesting, before praying, I would have been so disappointed, but instead I felt peace and knew this was the answer to my prayer.

I sent a quick email to our friend, “It looks like we are not going to Sochi, Corporate is concerned and does not want us to attend.  However, Omega Watch Company, the Official timekeeper at all the Olympics, said they are making every precaution for safety.  I am disappointed most of all to not see you!”

Later that night, Curtis and I were talking about the turn of events and how the Lord was so kind to answer our prayer.  We talked of how we hope nothing will happen and everyone will be safe, but recognized the peace we felt by staying home.  Then I realized I had watered down the experience for my friend.  She was willing to share her journey of faith with me and I kept mine private.  I quickly sent her another email:  “So I have to thank you for sending your email and sharing how you were reading and studying and taking the decision to God about the Olympics.  I had not thought enough about the concerns until then.  I decided to pray about it and ten minutes later Curtis called and told me that corporate did not want us going.  I felt peace even though we will miss seeing you.  I thank you again for your inspiration and faith.  I know that if you feel good about going, it will be the right decision for you.”



The next morning she emailed and told me that, Whenever she attempted to sit and pray about Sochi and whether to go or not, she could not focus.  She was all over the place (near panic attack) and now she realized that was the first sign that they need to not go to Sochi.  Then she listed eight concerns she had about the trip


1.  Terrorists HATE Putin and hate the fact that the Olympics are on their land.
2.  The Olympics were projected to cost 12 billion dollars and instead they are costing 59 billion due to all the bribery... What would stop "them" from bribing someone to plant a bomb?
3.  If something was to happen to us and we are hospitalized, what type of care would we receive?  Would I have to pay a bribe or get neglected in an inferior medical facility?
4.  I registered with STEP at the Department of State.  Do I really want to go on a trip that I have to check my emails for warnings of life altering threats every hour on the hour?
5.  The 3 Black Widows are still out there.
6.  I would be a wreck from the moment we landed in Sochi till the moment we were out of there. 
7.  On the news they showed a map of Sochi and then highlighted in red all the terrorist camps or communities surrounding Sochi - Oh my goodness, 90% of the territory around Sochi is occupied by terrorists!
8.  One politician at Homeland Security spoke on TV and said - "knowing what I know, I would not let my family go to Sochi."

She explained how these things were bouncing around in her head as she attempted to pray ...then she told me: “AND THEN I THOUGHT OF YOU AND CURTIS, YOUR FAITH, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY!”  That made me feel good, when we met in London, she told me she had never met a Mormon before (when we don't drink, people ask why and we explain it is because of our religion) and asked me to tell her all about our beliefs.  We had long conversations about our beliefs, she is Catholic, and truly became dear friends.

She then went on to explain how the Bible study she did while pondering her decision whether or not to go to Sochi was this:
Psalm 23...The Lord Is my Shepherd.  As part of the lesson, She was asked the following:
          DAY 4 Question:  Even in the most distressing circumstance, we are assured in Psalm 23:4 that we don't  need to be afraid.  God never said that we wouldn't face danger.  But He promised that He would always be with us.  This was His message to His people from the beginning of Scripture to the end.  Read the following verses, recording your thoughts below regarding the difference it makes to face what we fear with our Shepherd by our side.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrorized because of  them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. 
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
Matthew 28:20 And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you."

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?

Well after reading those verses, she told herself, “Just go - nothing will happen, God will be at my side....don't let evil win, He will not leave me, etc...and then she heard from me and I said WE WERE NOT GOING.”
She discussed all of these things and decided not to go and take the chance. Then the next morning she put the TV on to hear the weather and immediately an ALERT came through with a picture of the Hotel that was just blown up in Cairo (Islamic terrorists) and She knew they had made the right decision.  She shared this with me:

"God gives us free choice, and He gives us a brain to think with, as well as a heart to feel with, 
 and as disheartened as I am about not going, I know it is best we stay home.
         
So disappointed  - it all would have been an amazing experience...and then I think of these athletes who worked so hard for so many years, and now have to worry about their families going and are encouraging them to stay home.

Interesting how after receiving my email, you were able to sit and pray about Sochi and almost
immediately Curtis called you with Corporate's decision.  I am sure God had me write you
because he saw how nuts I was and how I wasn't able to focus in my prayer. He let you do it for me:)  What a guy!!!!

 Anyway - as you can tell, this has consumed me for the past 5 days and I am very relieved the 
decision has been made and we are not going.

Now we just pray pray pray that nothing happens, everyone in Sochi is safe - and our Athletes WIN!  GO USA!!!!!

After reading her e-mail, I felt so much joy as I saw so clearly the hand of God in both of our lives.  It was sweet to share this journey of faith with my dear Catholic friend.  I was reminded how we need to work together to make the world a better place.  I had to share my joy that God is watching out for us with her so I sent her another email:

God is amazing!!!  I felt that your e-mail prepared me for the news from corporate that they
did not want us to go.  If you had not written and made me think this was something I needed to pray about, I would have been soooooo disappointed.  However, because of your e-mail, I felt it was an answer to prayer and felt such peace.  Heavenly Father sent a tender mercy through your e-mail to prepare me for the news.  Then HE used us to help you decide. 

My son Mason says that God is the great orchestrator.  He sets up situations for us in our lives to guide us and invite us to draw closer to Him.  We are the musicians who decide whether or not to play the music.

Interesting how joyful it is to see the hand of God in our lives.  I believe He is always there to help us each day.  Often we don’t even notice the miracles, but other times they are so clear it is easy to see them.  Either way I am so grateful that we don’t have to walk this journey of life alone.  The pennies I find on the ground remind me to look for the miracles.  By the way, I found a dime the day this happened.  This was a 10 penny miracle!