Dalley Daze

This experience should have been recorded a couple of months ago. We had been very concerned for several weeks prior about the dry weather we were starting to have. The rainy season was so rainy we couldn't plant and it stopped all at once and then the rains seemed to stop altogether. We were really concerned and had a general fast throughout the District.

We received a text message from the wife of the farm manager saying that her husband no longer wanted to work on the farm. We drove out there and talked to him. When asked why he didn't want to work ther anymore he would only say "tubig". Tubig, means water. He had taken his job so serious that he thought that the reason for there not being enough water for the cdrops was his fault. We told him that it was not his fault and that we thought he was doing a wonderful job and to just do his best and whatever happens we will all take responsibility for it. He seemed to feel much better.

I wanted to walk out in the fields and look at the crops. Sister Dalley didn't like the idea of walking through some of the weeds to get there so I wandered out there alone. I looked at each crop and ould see that the lack of water was stressing them. The squash was even starting to bloom before reaching full maturation. I began to talk to the Lord and to tell him of my concerns. I told Him that the test was, were the Philippino people ready for the welfare system of the Church? I said that they have proven themselves already, but how was it going to look to the area people to come out and see a dead farm, when they have been told so much about it. I talked with the Lord for what seemed like an hour, although I am sure it was less. I have never reasoned with the Lord before but this time I did and I continued by asking him how were we going to fulfill all the goals that we had set from the inspiration that he gave to us for helping tolift people as our Mission president called us to do. How were we going to pay for all the farm expenses with no produce. I went on as I stood under a large mango tree in what to me is my personal garden of Eden, my temple away from my temple. I begged him to bless the farm that it would flourish in every respect and that the rains would come to water the soil and plants. I got the distinct feeling that I was to give the plants a blessing. I argued a little on that one because I was begging for My Father to bless them. The feeling was strong so I began. If first blessed the casava which was uneven because of the lack of water in some areas more than others, that it would flourish and grow and meet its life purpose. Then I turned to the peanut field with was sparse and there were sections that were not even up yet. Many of the rows were sparse and uneven. The plants didn't come up at the same time so some were 2"while others were 1/4"and still others not up at all. I blessed it in the name of the Lord and through the authority of the priesthood that it would flourish and grow that we might have a good crop of peanuts to sell to meet the goals and projections that we had been inspired to make. Then I turned to the squash, which was in some sections up good but should have been sending out runners. One section was planted in very dry soil and very few of them had even come up. I gave a very similar blessing adding that the plants would send out runners and flourish and produce a good crop. Then I looked upward and commanded the clouds to gather within the next two days and send us rain. Not a hard rain but a soft rain and that it would last long enough to appropriately water the plants. Then I turned back to the fields and said, Ëven if the Father doesn't send rain you will germinate, grow and flourish."
I can't remember word for word everything that was said but I do know that it was the most sacred and marvelous prayer of my life and that I came away not doubting that it would be as I had blessed it. I walked back to the car still very emotional from the experience, got in and told my sweethear what had happened. We had a joyful drive home.
The next morningm, we were going about our morning routine. I looked out the window and the clouds in the sky were white and fluffy and there was a lot of blue visible. Not more than an hour later Sister Dalley said, Ït sounds like rain, is it raining?" I said, Ï don't think so." as I looked out the door window. I walked out the door onto the deck and there was the most pleasant feeling rain. Light but continuous. No big drops. The clouds had gathered and it rained off and on all day. We had to take a water barrel out to the farm at about 4 p.m. and when we got there the little farm couple were ecstatic. They pointed first at the squash plants which were sending out runners, not just some but almost all of them. I don't know how it was possible just overnight to grow that long. Some of the 6''and 8'long. They said "Come let us show you the peanuts." Every row was up and up good. There were no big gaps and the stand was really even and they looked so healthy. The casava which was very uneven was now even.

When the rains came I was overwhelmed with emotion to think the Father would honor a blessing from someone so insignificant as I. Sister Dalley and I just sat and marveled that it had happened to us and the farm. When I saw that the crops had flourished beyond reasonn for a rainstorm that had just ended three or four hours before our inspection and remembered the blessing we were just overwhelmed with joy.

We have always believed that the Lord was in this project but this leaves little doubt. We are so grateful for our knowledge of the Lord's plan and for the guidance he gives through the spirit. We love the Lord and his plan.

Now two months later, according to the Mission President, the Carigara area is the only area in the mission that is green as we have had continuous and normal rainfall ever since.