RAINBOWS
- Elder Denny Blodgett
- Apr 26
- 4 min read
Landon sent me a beautiful picture of a “double-rainbow”..... from the view of our backyard in California. It got me thinking about rainbows and the symbolism associated with the rainbow. A rainbow often appears after a storm…..after dark clouds and heavy rain. And yet, when the storm begins to pass, light breaks through, and suddenly something bright, colorful, and peaceful stretches across the sky. It feels almost like a quiet assurance that everything is going to be okay. I have seen rainbows many times in my life and even from one of my favorite places…..Oakhurst Country Club. Doug and I are up there golfing a lot, and we have seen some beautiful rainbows.
In the scriptures, the rainbow is first introduced after the “great flood” in the story of Noah (Genesis 9:11-17). The Lord placed a rainbow in the sky as a token of His covenant…..a promise that He would never again flood the entire earth. In that moment, the rainbow became more than just a natural phenomenon; it became a symbol of God’s mercy and His promise to his children. That symbolism still applies in our lives today. Each of us goes through personal storms. Sometimes those storms are visible…..challenges with work, health, family relationships, financial concerns…..feelings of doubt, loneliness, or discouragement. In those moments, it can feel like the storm will last forever. But just as surely as the rain eventually stops, the Lord promises us that light will come again.
Sometimes that “rainbow” in our lives doesn’t appear as dramatically as it does in the sky. It might come as a quiet feeling of peace during prayer. It might come through the kind words of a friend, a prompting from the spirit, or the strength to keep going one more day. These small moments are reminders that God is aware of us and that He keeps His promises.
A “double rainbow”, which is shown below, has another meaning with regard to little babies. A “rainbow” baby is a baby following a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, representing hope and light after a “storm”. A “double rainbow baby” typically refers to a child born after two or more losses, or sometimes twins born after previous losses. These terms offer comfort to families who have gone through such very difficult and sad experiences. I know in my own family, we have had daughters and daughters-in-law who have had the sadness of a few miscarriages. Many feel that the term “rainbow baby” not only honors the baby they lost, but also is celebrating the new life of a little baby being born. Jill and I are excited to meet two great-grandchildren that have been born since we have lived here in Ghana.....and to cuddle with a brand new grandchild expected to come into this world in the next 2-3 weeks to Bonnie and Landon.
The pictures and videos this week remind me again of Ghana and the experiences we are going through each and every week. Many of the videos are for me so I do not forget. Next week we have transfers of about 70 missionaries..... and 11 will be going home.....and 21 new missionaries will be arriving. The cycle continues and it will be a Big week coming up. This will be our last transfer before we go home and the last time we will be taking missionaries to the airport to send them home. This could be an emotional week for us.
The next time you see a rainbow, please pause and remember what it represents. Remember that our Heavenly Father is a God of promises. Remember that storms and trials in our lives do not last forever. And remember that light is always on its way. If you are in a storm today…..hold on. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Your rainbow may be closer than you think. I testify that God is real and that He lives. I have felt His presence in my life these last 12 months more than I can ever remember. He knows each of us and wants what is best for us. His plan may be different than ours…..but He is in charge..... and He knows the end from the beginning. He is trying to change who we are…..to develop us into something better….something better than we can even imagine. All we need to do is have the faith to know that to be true…..and put our trust in Him.
A "double-rainbow" from the view of my backyard in California.
A video of a "double-rainbow".
This is a brand new chapel in Gbawa. Beautiful and where the new South Mission Office will be.
Elders Bartlett, Ikimau, Carter, and Rivera with their new converts. This lady was in her 80's and was baptized this day.....it is never too late here on earth to find the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A very supportive Ward.....and more begin to fill in as we had the room full.
This is Zone Council of the Kasoa Zone last Monday. These missionaries are great and teach and learn by the spirit each and every week.
First Transfer training at the mission home.....heading down to the mission office for more money.
Early morning Pickleball. We love it.....and even if they lock us out, we find a way to get in.
Fourth Circular Road....I will always remember this road.....we walked it almost every day.
This is also a visual I will not want to forget. I am on my way to give some Momo money to a Vendor named Richard. I give him the money, he puts it on my phone, we pay our utilities throughout the mission. Very old school.....but very effective.
Jill in the middle of all of these baskets.....I guess one can't have enough baskets.
The children of Africa are learning to love our Savior. And they love this painting.
Great pic and lesson.
I love you dad❤️🫶🏾
We love following your adventures! Love and blessings to all. Uncle Jess & Aunt Ginger