Family Home Evening Thought - July 5

I have been thinking about blessings today - how richly we are blessed, as individuals and as a family. I thought of how the Lord works - we have needs, we give Him what we have, and He gives us what we need and more. Then I thought of how this lesson is taught in the scriptures.
1 Kings 17 - Elijah is told a widow woman will provide for him during a time of drought. He asks her for bread, and she explains that she has a little meal and oil, is going to prepare it for herself and her son, and then they will die. Elijah tells her to prepare and bring him a little cake first, "for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waster, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth." It is recorded that this promise was fulfilled.
2 Kings 4 - Elisha was approached by a widow whose sons were to be taken be a creditor as bondsmen. Elisha asked what she had in the house. She had a pot of oil, nothing more. Elisha told her to bottow empty vessels from her neighbors, to borrow "not a few". She was to pour out the oil into the other vessels. She did so, and when all were filled, she still had oil in her pot. Elisha told her to sell the oil, pay the debt, and she and her children were to live on the rest.
Mark 6 (also Matthew 14) - Christ had been teaching all day, and the multitude were hungry. There was only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. The Savior took all that there was, blessed it, brake, and the disciples distributed it among the people. "and they all did eat, and were filled." 5000 were fed, and there were 12 baskets of leftovers.
Matthew 15 - again, a multitude had gathered to hear the Master teach, and for three days, they were with him. The Savior noted their hunger, and asked the disciples what they had to feed the people. There were 7 loaves and a few little fishes, according to the record. Again, He took, blessed, brake, and gave to His disciples to feed the people. There were 4000 fed and 7 baskets of the broken meat left.
In this dispensation, when the Saints were forced to flee Nauvoo, taking what they had, there were many who didn't have enough to care for their families. It was October,1846, and many were struggling to get to Winter Quarters, where the Saints would winter in preparation for a spring departure to the west. The records show that on Oct. 9, quail appeared in the camp, so many that the Saints could pick them up with their hands. As had happened to ancient Israel camped in the wilderness (Exodus 16), there was sufficient for their needs that day. Later that day, additional supplies were delivered to the camp.

It is my testimony that when we give the Lord all we have, He will take, give us what we need, and He always gives us more. May we all diligently give what we have, for the blessings are without measure. We have seen great blessings in the family recently, especially with Katherine and the flood waters. As King Benjamin said, (Mosiah 2:21-24) "and he are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever."

Love, Mom

A Family Home Evening Thought - Good-Things-to-Come

Good-Things-to-Come
I have been pondering the events of the past week, and the tender mercies of the Lord extended to Katherine as she has coped with the problems arising from the flooding of her home, with Rob in Iraq, and family all living in other states. How grateful we are, as her mother and father-in-law, to all who have helped her. Our prayers have been with her as she as done all that is needful. I found this video and thought of her, and of each of us as we face challenges. We never know when, in an instant, our lives will be changed. Katherine didn't get up Wednesday morning expecting to have everything change. Mortality is a test, and, as with all tests, we don't get to see the questions in advance. We have to go forward, with faith, knowing that when we are prepared, we need not fear. Love, Mom
Click on link above to watch an awesome video.

Family Home Evening on Sunday Morning

This morning, after scripture and personal study, I checked emails, and found a wonderful video link from a friend. As I watched, the Spirit whispered to me that I (as are each of you) am like the bear cub - threatened by the adversary who would have me stopped in my progression towards the day I return to my Heavenly Father and Mother. However, just as there is hope for the bear cub, there is One who stands ready and waiting for me to call for His help. That call will not go unheeded.
http://www.flixxy.com/game-of-survival.htm
I am grateful for talented nieces and nephews also, who make wonderful videos sharing the same message. This one was made by Matt and Julie for a cottage meeting at their home recently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf5YoIgL6Mk
The message is the same - come unto Christ, who will provide us with the peace, clarity of thought, rest, joy, and love we need to overcome the world.
I testify this day that He lives, and is waiting for us to come unto Him. When doubts, fears, temptations, invitations of the world, and adversity assail us, we can go to Him, we can call out to Him at our darkest moment, and He will answer. When the world turns its back on us, He is there waiting for us.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - May 24

I tried to watch this three times before it would play. Don't know if it was overload on the server or what. I was so impressed. Makes all my problems seem small. I was especially touched with a scripture quoted at the end: D&C 84:88 "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." When life seems tough, remember this beautiful promise. He will always be with us.
My New Life
Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought: Push-ups for doughnuts

This story, Push-up for Donuts, was told in Church today (without the assistance of youtube). I found this version on Google. The video tells it all. Christ lived, died, and was resurrected on the third day, and, in a future day, will stand triumphant upon the earth.

Love, Mom

Seek the Higher Ground

Seek the Higher Ground

Family Home Evening Thought

What a wonderful opportunity to share a few thoughts with such special people as my family. I have been impressed the past few weeks with the resounding emphasis placed on family, both at General Conference and this past weekend at stake conference. Our stake president commented that he gave his counselors no assigned topic, yet all of them spoke about strengthening family, and the same messages came in the Saturday evening adult session. Family is the most important relationship we can be part of. The family is under attack on all sides. Know how much we love each of you. We weren't perfect parents and still aren't, but in all, we have done what we could. We have learned that we can't judge our parents, because when we weren't parents, we didn't realize how hard it is. Now we know, and continue to learn how to be good parents, even when you are all grown.
Life hasn't always given us what we wanted, but we have been richly blessed. I am impressed with the scripture chosed for the Young Men and Women's theme this year, "Be strong and of a good courage..." (Joshua 1:6) May we each be strong and of good courage, that we may stand together in our determination that our family be united in doing good, living righteously, and loving all.
I have posted a link to a YouTube video. I hope you enjoy.
God bless,
Love, Mom