The Long-Short Good-Bye

The Long-Short Good-Bye

April 18, 2018

     We have been released from our service in the London Temple. It has been such a long-short good-bye since last Saturday when we found out from President Otterson that we were truly being sent home. 

      On Friday, April 13, we went into Spires-Gatwick Hospital to get the report from Mr. Kapoor about My Mikie’s surgery. He was so kind and gracious. But kind and gracious can’t really cover up the fact that My boy has Mantle Cell Lymphoma. This was not the cancer we expected to fight. After gentle words about knowing we have a loving support group in our church family, we may consider returning to the United States to have family support. He referred us to meet with a highly respected oncologist on Monday afternoon and wished us well. He ended by giving us his personal phone number so we could ever call if we feel the need. 

     After returning to the temple and doing a long, busy, wonderful shift we went home to notify the girls and then, research this cancer. Mr. Kapoor had mentioned that some patients’ like to know what they are fighting. Some did not. We chose the first option. 

     We went back to the Temple on Saturday morning knowing that we would have to speak to President Otterson and the mission medical doctor.  We were notified of our release that afternoon. 

      Since then, it has been a series of many tearful good-byes. We knew we had fallen in love with the London Temple, those we serve with, and the faithful patrons who come to perform services of love for those beyond the veil. 

     Other things I know:

     This work is alive and well for those beyond the veil. They are more alive and well than we are! Can I give an example? On April 7, a young sister named Ella came into Initiatory to perform that ordinance for four of her deceased ancestors. I was the Coordinator that day, so typically I sit at the desk, smile, pat people, and direct traffic. I did not have enough workers, as the Temple is always very busy on Saturdays, so I was able to help with this ordinance. I had prayed that morning for a witness that this week was indeed appreciated on the other side of the veil.  I read Emma’s name out loud. Ella nodded and smiled at me and away we went. Suddenly, the little booth got crowded. This young sister’s eyes filled with tears. I could barely speak the sacred words to her.  We both knew Emma accepted this work. Many tears were shed.    

      When Ella was finished with her work for all her ancestors, she asked if could get the work recorded quickly so she could go through an endowment session for one of them. “Of course, I replied, “and which one do you need?” With a smile she said ”Emma”.  Of course she wanted to do more of Emma’s work! I told her she had a cheerleader on the other side now. A few hours later, Ella popped her head into Initiatory to thank me and tell me that “Emma was very happy with the endowment session”. She also told me she was the only member in her family and now she knows she has a fourth generation great grandmother who knows and loves her. She will never feel alone in the church again. Can I deny that this sacred work is real and those beyond the veil are waiting and accepting it? No. Not ever. 

     Heavenly Father knows and loves Mike and Kim Seaman. We have felt his love and calming influence since we first learned Mike was fighting some form of cancer a few weeks 

ago.  We do not know the end from the beginning but we know enough. We are committed to remembering these feelings as we cross the land mines of cancer.  We have already experienced high highs and low-lows these past few days as we’ve tried to work out doctor appointments and insurance issues on the phone.  We believe these experiences helped us feel the “need to go home”. We truly “hate to leave, yet need to go”. 

     The Lord loves his missionaries. We have felt that as Dr. Peterson in England and Elder Yost in Germany have facilitated our return to AZ. We realized that this is the way the Lord wants it. He expects the church leaders to take care of His missionaries. Any and all missionaries who may have any type of issues.  Our Temple presidency, Presidents’ Otterson, Peel, and Freeman, and their wives have been especially kind and caring.
     I have a stronger sense of my eternal ties and love for my Savior and Heavenly Father. Could I have gained that at home? Maybe. But it came at a price of homesickness, a crash course in London Temple procedures, dark sunless days, days of fighting “mundane” work that I did over and over again. I knew from the get-go that I wanted to get in line. I wanted to be a help. I feel the Lord and the Savior have accepted my feeble offerings. 

       I am writing this on the plane. We have another six hours to Dallas, and then, after a 4 hour layover there, two hours to Phoenix. So, Walkers, Flake’s, Fuentes’, Baum’s, Gaylord’s, and Hatch’s - don’t forget to pick us up. We need a ride Home.  By the way, will one of you change sheets on a bed so we have somewhere to sleep until we see where the Lord takes us on our next journey. 

My Love, 

Sister Seaman