It is quite possible that this story has been documented before but I am not sure when, where, or by whom. So I will tell it, even though it is second hand. This is how my Mother related the story to me.
My Great-Great-Grandmother Flora Cole Woody (my mother's mother's mother's mother) was introduced to the Gospel and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1956 when she was 75 years old. She then sent the missionaries to her children and grand children, but little came from that for about 5 years, shortly after she had passed away.
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Melvin Raymond Volkman
My Grandpa |
In 1960, my Grandparents were living in North Seattle (now Shoreline), Washington. The missionaries had visited them, but they were turned away. My Grandpa was out of work and feeling desperate. One night, he went into the bathroom and locked the door (probably the only place he could be assured of privacy). He knelt and prayed for help: he needed a job. That night the missionaries knocked on the door. Naturally they were not what was expected and Grandpa slammed the door. A few weeks later, Grandpa was again feeling desperate. He needed a job to provide for his young family. Again he entered the bathroom and prayed for help. Again the missionaries came to the door. Again they were sent away. A few more weeks passed. He still had not found work and decided to pray again. He locked the bathroom door and pleaded for help. Once more the missionaries knocked on the door. As he was about to slam the door once more, he heard "If you send them away this time, they will not come back."
Instead he invited them in. He, my grandmother, mother, and her brother, listened to the discussions about the Restored Gospel. They were baptized on April 1st, 1961. Grandpa was always faithful. My grandmother and my uncle stopped attending church for a few years, but Grandpa was stalwart. He was the pillar of strength that my mother needed during her teen years as they attended church together. Later, Grandma and Grandpa were sealed together. Grandpa loved serving in the temple and did so weekly until Grandpa became ill. He was her sole care-giver for 5 years until she died 10 years ago. That is when my parents began living with him to help him - he was quite exhausted from his efforts. Not long after that mom became ill. Grandpa outlived her, he outlived his 4 siblings. My father has been taking care of Grandpa for the last few years. I learned this morning that he passed away Thanksgiving night, quite peacefully at the age of 97.
I love Grandpa, he is such a funny guy. The typical old farmer type that simply doesn't know when to stop. He could make anything grow. Just stick a stick in the ground and it would grow for him. Doesn't seem to feel pain. When Grandpa's father was nearing his time to go, he called for Grandpa. "Sonny, help me. You can help me." Grandpa didn't know what to do, but he father kept asking. Grandpa offered to give him a priesthood blessing. "Yes, that is it." Grandpa gave him a blessing and he passed away within a week. Grandpa was able to give several blessings releasing people from life. It became quite a joke. "Don't let Grandpa Volkman give you a blessing, it could kill you." :-) But he has wanted to go for a long time: rather jealous of anyone who beat him to it. But being the man he was, he just kept on keeping on.
But now he is back with his parents, his siblings, his wife, my mother. What a happy time they are having. I think I am rather jealous myself.
So in honor of this fabulous man, I am going to have an evening of Chocolate Indulgence. (He could never have enough chocolate) This is an end to an era.
