Allred Ties and "Coincidence"

"Are you an Allred? You look just like the rest of your family!"

"Are you Tony's sister? We went to school together!"

"Is Dr. Allred your brother? He's my kids' pediatrician!"

"Is Gordon Allred your dad? I took biographical writing from him!"

"Oh are you Sharon's daughter? She's the most wonderful woman."

"Wait? Amy is your sister? Oh my goodness! She was in my last ward!"

Those unexpected connections have been, truly, a near constant occurrence in my life. (A teacher having taught siblings before me ["When I teach the last Allred, I quit!" one high-school history teacher wrote in red pen on one of my more exceptional essays], someone having read one of my dad's books and then made the connection to me, a stake president who grew up roaming the fields around Polk's End [the name bestowed on my childhood home] with my brother Rob, a friend's missionary son who is taken to dinner in TX by a "Brother Allred" that turns out to be my literal brother Aaron.)

And now, despite having no "Allred" moniker to obviously connect her to this side of her family, my Goldie has been experiencing this very same phenomenon! In Arkansas of all places!

Not long ago a visiting general authority came to her mission. Three missionaries were chosen ("at random" Goldie claims) to have an interview with him, and within very little time at all, they discovered that this general authority had been a student body officer with her Uncle John (my brother) back in high school. He knew my family and began reminiscing happily away with Goldie about her amazing grandparents who had opened their home to so many.

Only a few weeks later, Goldie emailed this crazy little experience to me and my mom:

Hey Grandma and Mom!

I've already got a lot to say in my main email this week, but I wanted to tell you about a cool experience I had! 

We walked up the stairs of an apartment building to see a man sitting out on his chair. Before we could say much at all he asked "you from Ogden?" I was delighted to say yes! After talking for a minute we made the connection of Weber State University. I knew it was a long shot but I couldn't help but blurt out "did you know Gordon Allred??" And he did! In fact, he worked side by side with him as an English professor. Many times in the following conversation he brought up what an excellent person he was. Incredibly respected and well loved, his classes always brimming with students. There was a lot to say about this good man. 

We left him a copy of the Book of Mormon, which he seemed very interested in studying. He said we could come back to talk about what he's learned. And he left us with a message to "tell the Allreds that Dr. Young wishes them well" I'm so grateful for Grandpa's ongoing example and the connections I've made because of this faith filled Allred family. And while nothing big came out of this meeting, I can't help but think that Grandpa Gordy sent me there.

Sure love you both and this family!!

Sister Harris

(Oh come on! Of course my dad lead Goldie there! What on earth are the chances that in some apartment building in Centerton, AR one of his old colleagues was living? One who had previously lived in Ogden without already having been a member of our church? And one that Goldie would "chance" upon in a city of 21,000?) 

These little unexpected ties and connections. 

These unlikely coincidences. 

I don't know. 

I think they are more than that. 

I don't know what exactly. If someone wanted some logical, well-expressed answer as to what I meant by "more", I would just sound bumbling.

But these things make me think of Elder Maxwell saying that what we call "coincidence" is actually "divine design" and President Monson saying "One day, when we look back at the seeming coincidences of our lives, we will realize that perhaps they weren't so coincidental after all".

There's something in these moments that makes me feel I'm catching tiny glimpses or flashes--lacking enough context to fully inform me about all that is going on--of God at work: weaving lives together, showing us that there is more significance in our connections than we could possibly guess, extending the influence of our sacrifices and imperfect offerings (like my parents' raising of so many children) much farther than they should possibly be able to extend. 

I don't know what any of it means! ... Only that ... it means something.

Elder Bednar once said that these tiny moments of surprise in timing and connection "do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence". He says, in fact, that it is the Lord's purposeful timing of these small mercies that is what makes it easier for us to "discern and acknowledge them". 

I just love the thought that, rather than feel we must dismiss coincidence, we can actually think that God made use of that tool for the express purpose of helping us notice His hand!

And speaking of those tiny types of coincidences, Goldie just got called to a new area of her mission--Salem, MO. 

She was a little nervous as she would be heading there with a brand-new missionary (rather than first adjusting to the area with a seasoned missionary who already knew the roads and people and various situations there). She'd heard mostly negative things about this place, but when she got there, she just felt so happy. Just immediately. It made me laugh when she first messaged me about it. "It's just the greatest place ever!!! ... Mostly trailer parks and very small run-down homes. And just the greatest people!!" And later, in her letter for the week, she said, "Salem is my happy place. If I think about it too long I start to tear up. ..."

Outwardly there appeared to be nothing to love at all about that tiny town. 

But she loves it. 

When she expressed all of this, it reminded me of this scripture from D&C 111 that I sent her:

And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you.

When her p-day came, and she could reply to me, she told me that she loved that verse I sent her so much and that she went to read the entire section after I sent it. She then said, "[D]id you see where it was given?? It's the coolest thing!!"

I didn't know. But I went and looked. 

It was given in another Salem!

To Goldie it felt such a confirmation that the Lord was telling her that her Salem was just where he wanted and had placed her right now. 

In other coincidental or non-coincidental news, before Goldie left on her mission, one of the things I felt to pray was that she would be a comforting and soothing presence to her companions. That she would say and do things that would help them not feel homesick. That by just being around her they would struggle less and be enabled to share their own gifts better. 

This may not be related, but I think it is interesting that nearly all of Goldie's companions have been brand new missionaries. She had one companion train her at the start, and one other who had been out awhile in another area she went to, but other than those two, every companion has been completely new to the mission!

And that's all for tonight!