Document disappears after being inserted into db in Meteor - mongodb

Question

trying to add to my very simple collection using
Template.home.events({
'click #send-button': function(e, t) {
e.preventDefault();
msg = {
from: Meteor.user()._id,
to: Meteor.user().penpal,
sent: new Date(),
message: $('#message').val()
};
messages.insert(msg);
console.log(messages.find().fetch());
}
})
in collections.js I have
messages = new Mongo.Collection('messages');
messages.allow({
'insert': function (userId,doc) {
return true;
}
});
message gets inserted but the console shows that it is being overwritten every time, eg it adds my new message but does not keep all old messages as well. when I try to render messages using
Template.home.helpers({
'messages': function(){
return messages.find().fetch();
}
})
and then
{{#each messages}}...{{/each}}
in html I get the messages appearing for the blink of an eye and then disapearing again.
please help! I am desperate!

Answer 1

Based on the Q&A, it appears you simply need to publish the collection and subscribe to it:
server:
Meteor.publish('myMessages',function(){
const me = this.userId;
if ( me ){
return messages.find({ $or: [{ from: me },{ to: me }]});
}
this.ready();
});
(in the code above the collection is being filtered to messages that are pertinent to the current user, you can define your own filters as required).
client:
Meteor.subscribe('myMessages');