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