Family Home Evening - August 9

Home again, after a wonderful trip with three of my sisters. We left Salt Lake City on July 25, flew into Washington, D.C., toured there until Thursday morning, when we headed for Mount Vernon, then Williamsburg, VA. We returned to D.C. early Saturday, July 31, with time for a temple session before flying back to Salt Lake City that evening. I've thought alot about our country and the things we saw during that week. We visited the usual tourist attractions in D.C., saw the same things many others have seen, walked many miles, rode the Metro (great!), talked many hours, prayed, laughed, worried about family at home, saw sad things and exciting things, places where history was made, and places that reminded us of our many blessings. The thing that stands out in my mind this evening is the condition of our country today. We visited the National Archives, and saw the documents that established this country - the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution. In the American History Museum, we saw the tattered remnants of the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. We drove around the battlefield at Yorktown, ending our tour at Surrender Field, where the British surrendered to the colonial army. We walked the grounds and mansion at Mount Vernon, and watched Boy Scouts lay a wreath at the tomb of Washington. We walked around the monuments to Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, as well as the World War 2, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Marine Memorial, with the famous statue of the flag being raised at Iwo Jima. We walked the hills of Arlington and watched the solemn changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We also sat in the Senate gallery and watched the proceedings there. What I saw in the Senate didn't impress me. We all had the same impression - our country was established by statesmen, today we have politicians. For me, the most striking example was as one senator was speaking, many of the senators present (they weren't all there) were having side conversations. In fact, one very recognizable senator continued his conversation with three others, totally ignoring what his colleague had to say. There was no sense of courtesy for what another elected official was saying.
I was reading Ether from the Book of Mormon while on the trip, and read these words, "this land became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof." (Ether 13:2) I was saddened by what I saw. Brave men and women sacrificed, many giving even their lives, that this country may be established. I don't believe they would be happy with what is happening today. There is a seeking for power and riches that blinds men to the source of their many blessings.
May we always remember the cost that has been paid for this land, and remember the promises made by God to those who live here. It is my prayer daily that we, as a nation, will remember those two words from the Pledge of Allegiance, "under God", that we may remember who is to one day reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Love, Mom

Sunday Afternoon - Idaho Falls - July 11

Rachel arrived here yesterday, with Jennifer and Matthew - time for Grandma to engage in some serious time with Matthew. We went to the Goshen and Shelley cemetaries yesterday, saw where all of our children's paternal great-grandparents are buried, as well as other paternal family members. Had a good visit. Took Matthew swimming here at the motel last night - he had a great time.
Went to Goshen ward today, where Clay grew up. Family filled three and a half rows of the center section in Sacrament Meeting! Went to the cemetary again with family, had some visiting time. We'll have more serious visiting time tomorrow.
Rachel and passengers left about an hour ago to return to Utah - back to work and school for them. I can't wait to see them again in 10 days when I head to Utah. They left with all the toys/clothes/Halloween costumes from Suzanne, now Jennifer's problem. I will leave with a quilt repair project. Weather has included a few showers, not too hot here.
Families are forever - for which we are most grateful.
Mom

The Inn at the Lake - the view from the balcony

Great view, great hosts, fantastic breakfast!

Safely in Idaho Falls

We have had a wonderful trip so far. We spent last night in Diamond Lake, Washington. We have friends who have a bed and breakfast there, the Inn at the Lake. I highly recommend them - it is on Diamond Lake, and beautiful. I will post pictures tomorrow. It was so fun to visit with Blaine and Virgina Coffey, they send their best to our children who know them. They look, great, Blaine is the bishop of the Newport Ward (yes, there is another Newport Ward).

We left there on US 2 to Sandpoint, then to Missoula on US 200 - a beautiful drive along a river, with lakes appearing occasionally. Montana, as always, is lots of open space with some trains. Pictures to be posted for Ryan.

We arrived about 8 pm in Idaho Falls, after driving through a few sprinkles and one rain storm that lasted only briefly.

Looking forward to a great visit with family.

Mom

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