Family Home Evening Thought - Dec. 13

Christmas is coming, soon. I wish the season could be extended a week, so I could enjoy the music and the fun a little longer. The other choice would be to take a week long "mental health break" early in December. That won't work either - I have the microscopes for the month of December, and must make the most of my opportunity. This is my favorite unit to teach, of course, and that makes it easier to do with everything else.

With Christmas coming, and the focus we try to maintain on the "real reason for the season", I was impressed with the thoughts expressed by a speaker today in Sacrament Meeting. The topic was obedience, certainly something we should be thinking about. Christ was obedient to His Father, doing all He was called upon to do. As a result, we can return to the presence of our Father and Elder Brother. I'm certain that reunion will be glorious indeed, provided we have been obedient. The speaker commented that we don't just wake up one moring and decide to be disobedient. We do that "toe by toe", so gradually that we don't realize what is happening. The spiritual death trap we can so easily fall into begins when we become casual with two basic acts - daily prayer and daily scripture reading.

Because of my love for you, I challenge you to make a resolution that each day for the next year, you will take the time to pray and read His words. Then, in a year, see if you aren't happier!

The pictures posted today are from a nativity seen only by those who make time in their busy holiday season to give an eternal gift to someone they may have never met in this life by entering the temple and performing the saving work done there. The nativity sits in the trees in front of the temple, visible only from inside the temple gates.

The picture of Aidan and Ryan was taken last night at the May Creek Ward Christmas Party. Suzanne and the boys came. Glen was working on a "no kids needed/no interruptions" project at home. We had a great time - Santa came! Suzanne will get the pictures to me soon.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 30

The year is almost over. For the past five days, we have celebrated the unity of family - all of our posterity and the very important and loved additions to the family have been here as we offered thanksgiving to the Creator of all. Thank you for all you did to make these days possible.

I have pondered for the past few days what to write for this post. With the end of the year approaching, and the time for "New Years Resolutions" drawing close, I was most impressed with a story told by Sister Sheri Dew. She told of a time when, while driving down a dark road in the wee hours of the morning, she hit something, and in a matter of moments, her SUV was completely disabled. She was unable to move forward even an inch. A police officer stopped, and determined, with the help of a flashlight, that there was something big and black under the car, but what it might be was a mystery. After looking at the options, it was decided that Sis. Dew would carefully back up a little bit. Doing so freed her car - from the street lamp that had fallen to the road and become wedged under her car! She likened this experience to our lives. When we seem to be stopped - spiritually, emotionally, or temporally, sometimes it is necessary to back up, in order that we can move forward. It could mean repenting, mending a relationship, starting to do something, stopping doing something, learning something, or forgiving someone.

As you think about New Years Resolutions you can make (and keep), include something to help you progress in some way. If needed, back up - just a little. What may be stopping our forward momentum is usually something small. Make a change that will help you achieve your goals. Remember - We are told to ask and we will receive. What will you ask as the year ends?

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 22

What a wonderful time we had yesterday. Charleen Patton was married yesterday in the Seattle Temple to Miguel Lopez. She was a beautiful bride, he was a handsome groom. Their smiles brought sunshine into a cloudy day. Now we are waiting for all of our children, together with the additions to our family, to arrive and get together. Good food and visiting on Thursday, family pictures on Friday.

I haven't had a specific theme chosen for today. I am so thankful for all we have been given, but more about that next week. For today, a thought from the youth speaker in church today.

"The peace that comes from honesty lasts forever, the peace of following the crowd for a moment."

May God bless you this week in all you are doing. Take time to tell Him thanks.

Love, Mom

The picture is the quilt I made for Charleen and Miguel.

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 15

I have been thinking about Christmas and all I want to do (still undone) for the season. I finished a couple of the "big" projects - a quilt for a gift and a paper pieced wall hanging (a nativity I sewed two years ago, but finished this year), and pulled out a Christmas table runner pattern I got two years ago from a quilt website I like. I bought my four fabrics - red, green, gold, and purple - at the little quilt shop at the coast last year. The pattern is designed to be made as a 15 min/day, 3 week long advent project, with scripture readings for each day - sew and read. I realized that for me, this might not work - I love the readings (although I would read them from the reference and not the printed directions - I prefer the poetic language of the King James Version over more modern translations) and will probably read them, but the sewing needed to happen sooner. As I worked through the directions, (No, it isn't finished yet, but I'll post a picture when it is.) I chuckled a bit, but also thought, "How true." The directions for one day say, "Spend just 5 minutes ewing today, then at least 10 minutes thinking and praying about the "gotta do's" that are weighing you down. Instead of adding to your "to do" list, ask Him to show you the things that should be moved to the "let it go" column. If you're feeling weary and restless, you can be sure those burdens aren't from God. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) I had already decided to do the sewing early, so it wouldn't become a "burden."

What burden are you carrying with the approaching season that should be one of joy? Think of Him, and walk with a lighter load. Move a few "gotta do" items to the "let it go" column, and celebrate the joy of the birth of our Savior, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Rejoice!

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 8, 2009

It's all about family! What a wonderful weekend I enjoyed the past three days. Quick flight to Salt Lake City from Seattle, trading one windy city for another (warmer and drier) one! From time with little (?) Matthew, Jenn and Rachel (another generation closer), my parents and Aunt Ethel, to seeking for ancestors, records from the early to late 1700s, it was wonderful. Didn't manage to connect the people I found, but the names say I'm on the right track, just haven't found what I need for the connection. Maybe in all the pages I copied, I will find the gem I seek.
Families - wonderful people. As I prepared to leave for Utah, I had a call from a friend - not a sister by blood, but a sister in other ways. I had an email from another "sister", again, not by blood, but a sister still. Some share my religious faith, others have chosen another path as they seek to follow Christ, but sisters still.
This week - do something for a sister, a brother, related (or not)! You will feel good, and so will they!
God bless,
Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Nov. 1

A topic today at church relates to circumstances here in the Seattle area. The Howard Hansen Dam, which controls the flow of the Green River, is compromised, and because of the problems there, the reservoir can only be filled to 30% capacity. There is a very real possibility of extensive flooding this winter, all through the Kent Valley, Southcenter area, and parts of Auburn, Kent, Renton, Tukwila, and north. The Church is actively preparing for the possible need to have places for members to go if an evacuation order is given, as well as preparing for the possibility that there will be interruptions in availability of goods - food, etc. We were counseled to prepare 72 hour kits to have in our cars, check our food storage, and be prepared to deal with possible interruptions in our routines.

As I listened to the words from the bishopric, then the letter sent from our area authority, I was impressed to read these words from the scriptures, "Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail...Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." (D&C 6:34, 36)

When Rachel was here last week, she told of one of her friends, who lives in the flood plain. They have moved their valuables from their home into a storage facility on high ground, kept only what they need for day to day living in their home, have things packed as much as possible for an evacuation, and have arranged to move to her parents' home if need be. They have done all they can, and now will leave things in the Lord's hands. We were counseled to prepare, then to pray that the elements may be tempered in our behalf, but to know that regardless of what happens, the Lord knows us and loves us. We have been asked to look at our situations and what we could do to assist. We also know that if there is flooding, we may be asked to assist with cleanup and other needs.

"Ye cannot behold with your natural eys, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings." (D&C 58:3-4)

My challenge to each of you this week: Examine your preparation for the difficulties that life can bring, and do one thing to improve your situation. If you think you have "done everything you need to do", then pray and ask what else you need to do, because there is always something to be done.

We love you. God bless.

Love, Mom

Home Evening Thought - Oct. 25

Our lesson today in Relief Society was Elder Bednar's talk about families. I especially remember hearing the talk and thinking he was quoting my family. "He's touching me! Make him stop looking at me! Mom, he's breathing my air." (Sorry boys, Elder Bednar used all male pronouns, but I know the same things were said about your sisters!) It brought back memories of the times we had together when you were all growing up. Today, my message is short - I love you. Each and every one of you were wanted, dreamed about, and waited for with great anticipation. We weren't perfect parents, and we made mistakes. We know that, and wish there weren't so many. Please, if you ever doubted before, know that we loved you then and love you still.

Elder Bednar spoke of a painting of a wheat field. That picture was especially touching to me because I grew up with a painting of a wheat field in our home, one done by Grandma Jesse Ursenbach for my father when he left Canada and came to the States for school. Each stroke of that painting works together to make the whole. So do all the wonderful memories we have of the years since we married. Together, those memories make a wonderful family.

We love you, we pray for you daily. May you always remember the great blessing of family. Look forward to seeing you all together again at Thanksgiving.
Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Oct. 18

Williamsburg Basket - most fabrics are Civil War reproduction prints.

I was impressed to post some thoughts from our high council speaker today. This scripture he called "the Lord's model for spiritual progress."
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

Our responsibilities:
1. Come unto Him - fast, pray, scripture study, pay tithes and offerings, be obedient.
2. Humble outselves - trust Him and accept the trials we are given in this life without complaining.
3. Have faith in Him - keep a positive perspective of the plan of salvation, trust His power, deepen our committment to follow Him.

His promises:
1. His grace is sufficient for all men - the atonement
2. Our weakness will become a strength - He reveals to us what to do, how to do it, what we need for our weakness to become a strength.

We need to remember the words of Elder Nelson, "We all need to remember: men are that they might have joy—not guilt trips!"

Paul understood this when he said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

The Lord knows our strengths and weaknesses. He is just waiting for us to ask for help. Ask!

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Oct. 11

I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody’s need I was blind.
But I never have yet
Felt a twinge of regret
For being a little too kind.

Quoted by Pres. Monson in General Conference, Oct. 2009



As the holiday season approaches, I have thought much about the blessings we have received over the years as a family. I especially remember the great blessings we received those Christmas seasons when Clay was unemployed. Santa visited us one year, with a large box of surprises, and angels left cards with cash on at least two occasions. Friends called and brought "extras" to us, including a turkey. Family members brought and sent things that raised our spirits and encouraged us through difficult times.



We all have burdens in our lives, seen and unseen. Elder Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy said that there are three sources of burdens that we face daily that tax our souls - those that are the natural product of the world we live in, those we face because of the conduct of others, and those that we face because of our own mistakes/sins. He counseled us to remember that we are children of a loving Father, who sent us here so we could progress.



Pres. Monson counseled us that when we are having a hard time, we need to find someone who is having a hard time also, and do something for that person. In so doing, we find that we are lifted.


"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Than shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hngred, and feed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:34-40)

Be kind, find someone you can lift this week. We love you. We are so excited to have all of you here for Thanksgiving. What a great blessing that will be.

Love, Mom

“Treasure up the words of life continually” - Tonight, I want to share a few of the words that have meant the most to me in my scripture study during the past week:

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
(1 Corinthians 13:13)

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Romans 8:24-25)

And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni7:45-48)

Go forth with faith, in spite of the challenges we face. The Lord knows each of us, loves us, individually, and knows our needs. He has made promises to us, and He will always be with us.

A new, favorite link: http://www.lds.org/topic/hope/

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Sept. 14, 2009

We had a wonderful experience this past weekend. We had video broadcast stake conference from Salt Lake City, prepared for 61 stakes in Washington and Alaska. We had the usual adult meeting with the stake on Saturday night, then our Sunday session was broadcast. Our speakers included Bro. Larry Gibson of the YM Presidency, Elder Paul Pieper of the Quorum of Seventy, Elder Russell M. Nelsen of the Quorum of the Twelve, and President Monson. What a treat it was to hear from each of them. I have pondered what to share in this brief message and keep returning to Bro. Gibson's message.

He grew up on a small town in southern Nevada, never named in the talk. His love was to chase, capture, and study any of the wild life, particularly the arthropods and reptiles of the area. He told of having captured several different scorpions, turtles, snakes, and a variety of lizards. His greatest desire was to capture a Gila monster, a venomous lizard of the region. At about age twelve, he was out hunting for the lizard of his dreams, and located a large one. Armed with his forked stick, burlap sack and rope, together with his father's flashlight, he followed the lizard to the entrance of a long abandoned mine. Ignoring the frequent warnings about entering abandoned mine shafts, he followed the monster into the mine, following the rusty tracks of the ore car rails. Eventually, he arrived in a large cavern, which had three outlets. The tracks went to the far right hand tunnel. He decided to leave that one for last, and entered the left hand tunnel. Soon after he entered, the flashlight began to dim, then suddenly, went out. He was in the dark, deep in the mine, and there was a large Gila monster someplace. He said the darkness was so thick, he could feel it. Suddenly, understanding of the darkness at the time of the Savior's death took on new meaning for him. He felt around and found a wall, and started to walk, thinking it was the way out. He arrived at a dead end. After a time, he lost contact with all walls. It was then he remembered to pray. He resumed moving, crawling, feeling ahead of himself. He found the old, rusty track and followed it for some distance before it ended, still in the dark. He had crawled the wrong direction. He did the only thing possible, turned around, and crawled the other direction. Eventually, he saw in the distance a tiny speck of light that grew and grew until he could stand and walk out of the mine. He didn't encounter the Gila monster while in the mine, and didn't say if he ever managed to catch one.

He shared five lessons from the mine:

1. Always follow the Light, not the monster.

2. Pray when all else fails. Even better, pray before all else fails.

3. When you are lost, look to family and faithful friends for council.

4. Look to the fifteen men sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators. They will lead us to the fruit we need.

5. Keep our eye single to the Light - the Savior - the Light of the World

Have a great week. Don't chase the monsters, follow the Light.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Sept. 7, 2009

Another school year has arrived, and I have thought about how school has changed since I was there. One thing I remember vividly was all the civil defense discussion in school and on radio and TV regarding bomb shelters and the test tones on the TV and radio for the emergency broadcasting system. These were constantly in our lives duriing the cold war. As the hostilities eased, the iron curtain came down, and life seemed less threatening, until the morning of Sept. 11.

At that time, as I stood in the bedroom in my PJs, I watched on TV as the second plane went into the World Trade Center. I knew that for my posterity, the world would never be the same. The attack on our home soil that was feared during my growing up years became a reality, just not the reality we had heard was a threat. My son was in the active military, supposed to deploy to Korea that day. I knew that his life in his chosen career had also changed. I felt some fear and considerable concern while we waited to see where he would go. There were many prayers, spoken and unspoken, sent heavenward in behalf of those affected by this attack, and for Rob and his comrades in arms.

I have thought a lot about the important things in life in the years since that day, and have realized that the most important thing in life aren't how long we live, how rich we are, or if we are famous. The important thing is how we relate to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. If we are living as we should, we have no need to fear what happens, for in the end, all will be right.

I was impressed with the Youtube message on lds.org. Please watch, remember, and be grateful for all we have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkWc_EKLs4E

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Aug 31

Just as the Continental Divide marks the dividing of the watersheds (either the water flows east or westward) on the North American continent, we all stand at a "divide" in our lives each day. Our attitude about what happens determines which direction we "flow" - towards happiness and peace or sadness, anger, discouragement, all the negatives. Decide which direction you will flow!

Old Faithful erupting, Yellowstone Park

Photo from Rob and Katherine, Aug. 2009

(Just liked the picture)

My last Monday night before school starts. I have mixed emotions about it all. The summer has been absolutely marvelous, but there is so much I have not done. I will confess to a bit of a negative attitude about going back. Yesterday at Sacrament Meeting, one of the speakers said something that made me think. He said our happiness is all about our attitude. Our perception of our situation has a huge effect on our happiness. So, I put together two small photo albums (expanding on the one small one I took to the reunion), and decided that my attitude should be about how wonderful my summer was and how blessed I was to have accomplished as much as I did. I won't make you tired with a list (of what I did or what I didn't do).

My thought for the day is to take Paul's example as a way to live our lives. "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content...I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:11, 13)

I'm working on an "attitude adjustment." I recommend it for all.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Aug. 24, 2009

Names on the wall, members of the Hunt Wagon Train. Names in white are those who arrived in the Valley. Names in yellow are of those who died on the journey.

The Family and Spouses

The Sweetwater River

One of the monuments to the young men who carried pioneers across the Sweetwater in the snow and windy weather.

Martin's Cove - the pioneers were taken here while they waited to leave for the final push to the valley. The sand hill in front provided some shelter from the elements.

As I read the Ensign today, I thought of the experience I had on the way to the family reunion. Ben, Marilyn, and I stopped at Martin's Cove. I have felt a great desire to walk that area where our ancestor, Hans Ulrich Bryner and family walked in the snow with the Hunt Wagon Train. In the Ensign, I found an article which discusses that very event. "On the Saturday before general conference on October 1856, Elder Franklin D. Richards and a handful of returning missionaries arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. They reported to President Brigham Young that hundreds of pioneer men, women, and children were scattered over the long trail to the valley, facing the early onset of winter. The people were hungrey, and many carts and wagons were breaking down. People and animals were dying. all of them would perish unless they were rescued...In his [Brigham Young's] address, he said: That is my religion, that is the dictaion of the Holy Ghost that I possess. It is to save the people...I will tell you that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains." In the midst of snow and wind, those rescuers sought out and brought in the pioneers still on the Wyoming plains. What a wonderful experience it was to walk where they walked, to feel the spirit that exists there, to see the hills they saw, now barren of snow, but windy still.

Though times have changed and the journey from Europe to the Salt Lake Valley is but a long day's flight, the truth of Brigham Young's statement has not changed. "Remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple. (D&C 52:40) We are commanded, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matt. 22:39).

I challenge each of you to do something for someone this week - something you don't have to do. Visit someone, send a letter, bake a treat, provide a meal, call someone, do something to show your willingness to be His follower.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Aug. 17, 2009

In my studying this past week, I read again about the "whole armor of God." This scripture always bring to mind knights, arrayed in their protective (and heavy, bulky, difficult to wear) armor, entering into a joust (often to the death). The armor of God is not heavy, bulky, or difficult to wear, but as all things with God, the burden of wearing His armor is light and easy to wear. It is even more important than the armor worn by the knights of old, for they battled only for their physical life. We are engaged in a war for our spiritual life while we walk upon the earth in mortality.

My challenge for the week is to read of the whole armor (Ephesians 6:11-18, D&C 27:15-18) and take upon yourselves this armor:

Loins girt about with truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God

There is great joy in wearing His armor.

Love, Mom

Family

Family Reunion - We are all together.

Brave and Valiant Ancestors

Martin's Cove, Wyoming. My ancestor, Hans Ulrich Bryner, was with the Hunt Wagon Train. They took shelter here while the rescue party worked to get them to Salt Lake City.

Four Generations - Family

Four generations, adoption finalization day -

Matthew, Great-grandma and great-grandpa, Grandma, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Aug. 10

My theme this week is gratitude. I have spent the past week with family in Utah, Wyoming, and here at home. In nine days, I drove 2700 miles. What gratitude I feel for the technology that allows me to travel that far and still have time to visit with loved ones. I am grateful for the freedom to travel, for the economic ability to do this, for loved ones who also traveled to be at the reunion, for the beauty of His creations, for valiant ancestors, and for His protecting hand in all things.

What are you grateful for?

Love,
Mom

Family Home Evening Thoought for Aug. 3

I have thought much this week about the importance of family. While at Yorktown, I thought of the soldiers who were there. I don't know what the British soldiers feelings about fighting there were, but I know the Patriots, those colonists who had left their mother countries (not all were English), were fighting for a vision of something different, a land where they were free to determine the destiny of their lives. I recently finished reading the series, Prelude to Glory, which tells of the struggles, not only the Revolutionary War, but the great struggles as the convention convened, supposedly to amend the Articles of Confederation, but in the end, to through out that document and forge a new document, one which united the previously separate colonies into one great nation, preserving for each colony (state), many rights of self-government. There isn't time for me to tell all I learned, but I did learn that each of the delegates there was forced to look deep into his beliefs, and each had to give up something they thought important and compromise.

Familes are like that convention. We are all working together for a common goal, to be an eternal family. Sometimes we don't see the vision. We disagree with some, we let our memories of past events influence our progression. The family is under attack on every side. Yet the family is spoken of from the beginning. Adam and Eve established a family. Although we hear of only three sons, we know there were other children. Abraham was told that "in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

Not all families are traditional in their makeup. But there is a larger family, that of your ancestors and your descendents. Remember them. The stories and experiences they left behind are inspiring, for they perserved through many hardships, but also had many great joys in their lives. Consider leaving something for your posterity - a journal, pictures (with labels), and memories. Someday, descendents will be grateful for your efforts.

While traveling in Virginia, Mom told me something I don't remember hearing about Grandpa in Sweden. They lived in Eskilstuna, right down on the water. During the winter, even as a young boy, he would go to get water. When there was ice, they would chop a hole in the ice. The corners of the hole were marked with branches to show where the ice was thin. He was only 9 years old when he came to America, so he did this as a little boy.

From that simple story, I learned that in his life, warnings were posted to avoid danger. The branches remind me of the scriptures, given us as a warning for "where the ice is thin". Find a few minutes each day to read the words of warning given us.

Remember, Abraham was told all families of the earth would be blessed through him. My second challenge for the week is to record something about your experiences to bless future generations.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought

Yesterday, I taught the Teachings for our Times lesson in Relief Society. The lesson chosen for me was Elder Bednar's CES fireside talk, Things as They Really Are. Also, last Thursday, Aidan and Ryan were here. Aidan and I had a discussion about service - helping other people in any way. I had a similar discussion with one of the young women two weeks ago at camp. She was surprised at the willingness of the members of the church to serve one another and others not of our faith (she isn't a member). So, my thought tonight is a combination of these experiences.

Matthee 25:31-40 talks about service to the "least of these" being the same as serving Him. King Benjamin said it beautifully in Mosiah 2:37, "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." Elder Bednar was talking about specific subjects in his fireside, but the two questions he gave for evaluating our lives in that specific area can be paraphrased to apply to our lives as a follower of Jesus Christ:

1. Does my choice invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost?
2. Does the time I spend in the activity I have chosen enlarge or restrict my capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?

My challenge to you this week is to look for a way to serve. Perhaps it is a note to someone who has a challenge in their life, a donation to help students returning to school (Many groups have "shopping" experiences with school supplies for kids who otherwise don't have school supplies. These can often be purchased and donated with maximum use of a couple of dollars by watching the sales.), a smile and encouraging words, a prayer offered for someone other than yourself. Find something you can do - King Benjamin explained the attitude we must have if we are among those who "have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all ytou who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give." But even the person who can give nothing of material value, which is a common situation today with the economy as it is, can give of themselves in some way.

This week - serve someone else and you will find that your problems suddenly seem just a bit smaller.

PS - If you want to know what Elder Bednar was talking about, go to lds.org, Gospel Library, Additional Addresses, scroll down the list and find the talk. Powerful apostolic warning about a concern today.

Love, Mom/Sylvia

Circles of Friends

This quilted table topper has circles within circles, and the imagination can envision those circles going on forever.

"A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs 17:17

Family Home Evening Thought

"...feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." 2 Nephi 32:3

Our stake president, Bruce Taggart, gave the youth a challenge last month at youth conference. He challenged them to read the Book of Mormon by the first day of seminary this fall. Because I will be teaching some of the scriptures in sign with music this year, I have accepted his challenge. My challenge to you is to choose something from the scriptures that you feel would be meaningful in your life, and do more than just read it. Seriously study your choice this summer. Here is a formula for "feasting" given today at church:

Pray - study - pray - ponder - pray - study - pray - ponder....

Love, Mom

Introduction to my blog

This blog will combine many of my interests. I am, first and most important, a mother of seven wonderful children, grandmother of three handsome boys, mother in law of two wonderful "in-law" children, as well as a teacher by profession, a quilter as a hobby, pianist, reader, writer (on occasion), and survivor of 22 LDS Young Womens' Camps. My goal with this blog is to combine these interests into an opportunity to share with you my thoughts, feelings, and creations, as well as any interesting trivia that may come my way.

The title for this blog comes from an experience the third time I attended Young Womens' Camp. As I sat on the riverbank with another sister serving there, I realized that we were in a place that could be likened to a scripture from the Book of Mormon. Ever since that day, I can't drive past the camp without thinking of this scripture.

"And it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever." Mosiah 18:30