Healing & Lessons from the Redwoods

My daughter, Hannah, worrying that I might be running on empty as a mission leader, suggested I get a deep tissue massage. Instead, I found a better remedy! And that was going up to the northern part of our mission on p-day and hiking through the redwoods at Lady Bird Johnson Grove. The mile and a half loop through the towering trees was calming and healing for me. If you have never hiked through a redwood forest, add this to your bucket list. You’ll thank me later.

*Justin, Andrew, Isaac, Matthew, Lydia, and Melissa Black Family around a redwood tree*

We drove up with daughter, Melissa and son-in-law, Justin, and our grandkids, enjoying the hike with them and then saying goodbye as they continued their West Coast Road trip into Oregon and Washington.

Walking through the redwoods felt enchanting to me with streams of sunlight filtering through the trees. I loved looking down at the clover and ferns, then looking skyward, stretching to take in the full view of the giants, feeling a small part of its massive creation and connection with God.

*Sister and President Quinn in Lady Bird Johnson Redwood Grove California*

The mighty redwoods command your attention and are magnificent teachers. The 2,000-year-old trees have persisted with quiet strength as they have endured storms, fires, and centuries of change. I found it interesting to learn that as they grow taller the trees focus their energy upward shedding lower branches, slowly taking 500 to 600 years to reach their full maturity. An important lesson of focusing our energy forward and letting go of the past while not giving up. They grow to be over 300 feet tall and have diameters exceeding 20 feet. These giants stay grounded as they share an intertwined root system throughout the forest. A clear message of unity and outreach. Many things to think about with redwoods. I love that we sing about the mighty redwoods in our mission song.

*Granddaughter Lydia Black having fun between two redwood trees*

On the way back to Santa Rosa, we stopped in Trinidad to meet Karen Hicks, a Church member who runs, “Sea All Around Us” a shop where tourists can make jewelry and Native Americans can buy beads and shells, especially abalone for their traditional regalia. I left with a lovely pair of mother-of-pearl earrings and admiration for Karen.

*Karen Hicks and mother Barbara Snell owners of “Sea All Around Us”*

We also took Sisters Sargent and Mitchell to lunch in McKinleyville at Joe’s Green Barn. It is always a joy to hear the missionaries’ updates and stories.

Back in Santa Rosa we spent the week in the office on Badger Road working on the transfer board and attending meetings. We had time this week to catch up on paperwork and laundry. There’s always laundry and paperwork, right?! Later in the week we were happy to reconnect with visiting former missionaries.

*Former missionaries Sisters (Savannah) Baird, (Cora) Stringham and (Lana) Kolowhich with Sister Quinn*

*A reenactment of the “ death defying underdog” with Sisters Baid and Kolowhich visiting - ha ha*

*The Quinns with Hermana (Sarah) Willard and her three identical triplet sisters and mother*

And what a weekend! On Saturday, we attended a baptism in Clearlake, and on Sunday, another one in Santa Rosa. Altogether, there were 27 baptisms in our mission just this weekend - with a few more Monday!

And now for the really exciting news: this transfer has been record- breaking, with 80 baptisms! That’s 80 incredible people who have chosen to come unto Christ, feel His love and belonging, and begin their journey on the covenant path. It is like spiritual fireworks around here. We're seeing people turn to faith all over, and the Lord is clearly blessing our missionaries as they work with all their hearts plus I’m sure some sore feet.

The adventure contines on Wednesday as we welcome 15 new missionaries. Stay tuned! I hate to mention that 15 missionaries will also be returning home this week as their time has come to an end. A bitter-sweet week coming up. Thanks for reading these weekly mission updates. See below for the “Coming to Know Him” journal prompt #4!

Wishing you a joyful day with love and a grateful heart, Sister Quinn