Hosanna Handkerchiefs
Handkerchiefs have a great significance to me. Many, many years ago, when I was in 10th grade, my dad and I had a talk. He told me that my cousin was going to be sent to Tonga and start school there. She was my age and we were very close cousins. He asked me if I wanted to go too so she wouldn't be alone. I told him yes. One day, soon thereafter, we had gone on a little family shopping trip. My dad asked me what I needed to take to Tonga. He found a package of 3 handkerchiefs with the letter "A" embroidered on it. I can't remember which of us seemed like it would be a great idea to take but he bought it for me, specifically for Tonga. I ended up not going to Tonga, but I kept those handkerchiefs for years. It was one of the few things my dad bought me personally.
I also have memories of my dad always having a handkerchief at church. He would use it to blow his nose, sometimes to my embarrassment, during sacrament meeting. Sometimes he would use it to wipe away the quiet tears that spilt when he was overcome with emotion or moved by the words of a speaker, or the spirit that was felt during a church meeting. I remember him always having one on hand. Since my dad passed away almost 22 years ago, those two memories are some of the ones I keep and hold dear to my heart. So, to me, it was not an option to simply use my hand for this Hosanna Shout. We needed handkerchiefs. I wanted each of my kids to have their own to hold dear, treasure, and be reminded of something that they took part in worldwide, with many others who shared their same beliefs. And I wanted them to have it and to remember that we participated as a family.
Before David left to work yesterday he asked if I could make a run to the store to get some white handkerchiefs. I love that he is on the same wavelength with me. I obviously agreed. I left and thought on my way what I would do if the store didn't have any or if I couldn't find them? Immediately it came to my mind--buy fabric and sew some. Which is exactly what happened. I brought the fabric home and cut it into squares during the afternoon session of conference. I received an impression to ask my daughters for help. So I entrusted them with the task of ironing the edges into thin creases which would help me hem the edges when I was ready, then trimming the threads.
Lia folded and ironed the edges.
I hemmed all her creases.
Then Tava trimmed the threads.
They did a great job.
Throughout the hour and a half that it took us to do this, I thought about the pioneers. I imagined the women gathered together sewing curtains for the temple, maybe sewing temple robes with the whitest fabric they owned or could find, dedicating their talents, time, anxiously engaged and united for a common cause, a belief.
We ended up having extra fabric and I thought it would be nice to make as many more handkerchiefs as we could get from what was left and give them away as a service project of sorts. When we finished, we decided to donate the extras to my in-laws. I knew they would be participating in the Hosanna Shout as well, and wanted them to have the fullest experience, lacking nothing. It felt good.
Later that night I took one of my sons with me to refill our water. As he drove I looked up more information on the significance of the white handkerchief. I learned much more than I had thought about the ceremonial ritual. I would tell you, but I think you will get more out of it if you read it through yourself. You can click here for more information about the significance of the Hosanna Shout, when we do it, why we do it and why we use white handkerchiefs. We talked about it a bit on the way home. I explained what I had learned and he asked a few questions.
Today when it was time to participate in the Hosanna Shout, I went to my room and carefully took the white, nicely folded handkerchiefs from my drawer. I brought them to the living room and gave each one of the kids their own. We watched and listened intently as President Nelson explained and demonstrated the Hosanna Shout for us. Then we stood and united with millions of others throughout the world in this momentous occasion. The choir followed with the Hosanna Song and then we joined in with them to sing The Spirit of God. It was so powerful. It was as if every word in that song was written for today, for this time period, for this moment in history when we are ushering in the last days as preparation for the Lord's Second Coming. Our home was amazingly filled with the Spirit of God.
When it was done, David and I exchanged a look that said, "Wow, what an awesome experience and we were fortunate enough to take part". Then I looked at each of the kids who were all carefully folding their handkerchief back up, feeling the sacredness of what it symbolized and meant just moments ago, before returning it to my hands. A video came on the TV of the Savior being ushered in to town on a donkey while people waved palm branches and shouted praises unto Him. My son looked at me and asked, "Oh! Is that what you were telling me about last night" "Yes," I replied, "that's it."
I realized, that with all of the DIYs I do, these handkerchiefs, illustrated the purpose for why I do DIYs at all. I do them because I don't want my family to have to go without. I do them so we can experience all the joy life has to offer. I do them because I don't want our happiness to be reliant on what we can get from a certain person or place. I do them because it teaches me something new in the process. I do them because it gives me an opportunity to share with others. I do do them because it provides me an opportunity to use critical thinking and problem solving skills to accomplish a task, achieve a goal or qualify for a blessing. Anytime we use the gifts and talents the Lord has blessed us with, we receive more blessings upon our employing His gifts--tenfold. In conference this weekend Joy D. Jones shared a short video clip of President Nelson with several young primary children. During their session with the prophet, these primary children heard him share an eternal truth, "The Lord loves efforts because effort brings rewards that can't come without it."
What a loving, kind, generous, and wise Father in Heaven we have. I love Him. I trust Him. I know that He called a prophet in these latter-days to lead us on a path that will not only help us prepare to meet the Savior, but prepare the world to usher in His coming. I am so filled with gratitude for the blessings He has poured upon my family, the struggles, hardships and what I thought to be a lack of this or that, which ultimately led to acquiring more skills and knowledge than I ever could have imagined. Thanks be to God for His mercy, grace and one of the many lessons He taught me this weekend through DIY Hosanna Handkerchiefs.
Comments
Post a Comment