It has been a few busy weeks since I wrote. Since then, I have had the opportunity to think about life and death. Three weeks ago, I again served as an interpreter for a funeral. This was for a young man I interpreted for some years ago. His parents are wonderful, humble people. His mother has a stutter at times, and is quite shy, while his father was a humble, quiet man, content to serve without being a leader, who also had some health problems for many years. They have three children, two daughter, and a son, who is deaf. The father passed away after several months with cancer, having previously had major heart and other problems. I got a call asking me to interpret, which I did. The funeral was a celebration of the life of a humble servant of Jesus Christ, who knew where he was going. While his family will miss him greatly, they know of the plan of the Lord and that they will be reunited someday.
Last Friday, I again learned that a good friend from my paraeducator days at Highlands, Debbie, is dying of CJD, a disease similar to "mad cow" disease. Three months ago, she was fine, and in the next few weeks, she will leave this life. This time, the hope of a reunion with her family is unknown, her husband acknowledges no higher power of any kind.
Death comes to all, eventually, but how grateful I am to know that when the time comes for me, and for those I love, I know where we will go, and have the promise of a reunion in the presence of my Father.
I love each of you. Love, Mom
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Family Home Evening Thoughts - Sept. 6
While on our "sisters trip" this summer, Kathy Bertasso told of some advice she and Mike received in their mission presidents training. They were told that it was their choice to make every day a good day, regardless of what happened. We took that advice on Wednesday of our trip, as we walked around D.C. Our goal - we would not complain about the heat, regardless of how hot it was.
I have been trying to do better in my own life - trying not to complain about things that bother me. I'm not perfect by any means, but I am trying to be positive, even with the technology problems we are having at school.
Last night, we attended a fireside presented by Tom and Sandi Hachtel, of our ward. Tom and Sandi, together with many of their family members, participated in the Nauvoo pageant this summer. They told us of the advice they were given as family cast members. The weather in Nauvoo during the summer includes rain - sometimes very hard and persistent storm. Naturally, this isn't the most comfortable way to practice and perform. Tempers tend to flare, and complaints become divisive. They were given a quote from Brigham Young, telling the Saints how to get along with one another. This is my thought for the week.
"If you feel evil, keep it to yourselves until you overcome that evil principle. This is what I call resisting the devil, and he flees from me....when you are influenced by the Spirit of holiness and purity, let your light shine; but if you are tried and tempted and buffeted by Satan, keep your thoughts to yourselves - keep your mouths closed; for speaking produces fruit, either of a good or evil character...You frequently hear brethren and sisters say that they feel so tried and tempted, and have so many cares, and are so buffeted, that they must give vent to their feelings; and they yield to the temptation, and deal out their unpleasant sensations to their families and neighbors. Make up your minds thoroughly, once and for all, that if we have trials, the Lord has suffered them to be brought upon us. And he will give us grace to bear them...But if we have light or intelligence - that which will do good, we will impart it....let that be the determination of the individual, for spirit begets spirit-likeness; feelings beget their likeness....if then we give vent to all our bad feelings and disagreeable sensations, how quickly we beget the same in others, and load each other down with our troubles, and become sunk in darkness and despair!...in all your social communications...let all the dark, discontented, murmuring, unhappy, miserable feelings - all the evil fruit of the mind, fall from the tree in silence and unnoticed; and so let it perish, without taking it up to present to your neighbors. But when you have joy and happiness, light and intelligence, truth and virtue, offer that fruit abundantly to your neighbors, and it will do them good, and so strength the hands of your fellow beings.
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 5:351-352
I am accepting the challenge...will you?
Love, Mom
I have been trying to do better in my own life - trying not to complain about things that bother me. I'm not perfect by any means, but I am trying to be positive, even with the technology problems we are having at school.
Last night, we attended a fireside presented by Tom and Sandi Hachtel, of our ward. Tom and Sandi, together with many of their family members, participated in the Nauvoo pageant this summer. They told us of the advice they were given as family cast members. The weather in Nauvoo during the summer includes rain - sometimes very hard and persistent storm. Naturally, this isn't the most comfortable way to practice and perform. Tempers tend to flare, and complaints become divisive. They were given a quote from Brigham Young, telling the Saints how to get along with one another. This is my thought for the week.
"If you feel evil, keep it to yourselves until you overcome that evil principle. This is what I call resisting the devil, and he flees from me....when you are influenced by the Spirit of holiness and purity, let your light shine; but if you are tried and tempted and buffeted by Satan, keep your thoughts to yourselves - keep your mouths closed; for speaking produces fruit, either of a good or evil character...You frequently hear brethren and sisters say that they feel so tried and tempted, and have so many cares, and are so buffeted, that they must give vent to their feelings; and they yield to the temptation, and deal out their unpleasant sensations to their families and neighbors. Make up your minds thoroughly, once and for all, that if we have trials, the Lord has suffered them to be brought upon us. And he will give us grace to bear them...But if we have light or intelligence - that which will do good, we will impart it....let that be the determination of the individual, for spirit begets spirit-likeness; feelings beget their likeness....if then we give vent to all our bad feelings and disagreeable sensations, how quickly we beget the same in others, and load each other down with our troubles, and become sunk in darkness and despair!...in all your social communications...let all the dark, discontented, murmuring, unhappy, miserable feelings - all the evil fruit of the mind, fall from the tree in silence and unnoticed; and so let it perish, without taking it up to present to your neighbors. But when you have joy and happiness, light and intelligence, truth and virtue, offer that fruit abundantly to your neighbors, and it will do them good, and so strength the hands of your fellow beings.
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 5:351-352
I am accepting the challenge...will you?
Love, Mom
Monday, August 16, 2010
Family Home Evening Thought - Aug. 16
I have spent the past several months in a study of the Book of Mormon, using a study guide. Each week, I have had to interrupt my Book of Mormon study for a day or two and read the Sunday School lesson, again with a study guide, because I spend my time in Primary each Sunday. I have finished the Book of Mormon, and decided to read as I exercise. While on the "sisters trip", I heard about having a Book of Mormon spiral bound to make it easy to prop on the treadmill/elliptical/bicycle. I came home and got one bound, and am reading that as I "ride". I decided for study time each morning to read/study the book The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister. Tonight, I would like to share a couple of thoughts that have impressed me as I have read the book and scripture references:
1. The Atonement is glorious to behold and study. Regardless of where I am in my understanding, there is always more for me to learn.
2. The time and place for the Atonement was as the Son of God stood alone in all His majestic power against all the artillery of the Evil One. It was divine love in its consummate expression battling diabolic evil in its cruelest proportions.
3. Elder McConkie said the Atonement is "the most important single thing that has ever occurred in the entire history of created things; it is the rock foundation upon which the gospel and all other things rest."
4. The Atonement is the heart of the Gospel, the lifeblood that quickens every gospel precept, the center and core and heart of revealed religion.
5. The scriptures promise, again and again, that if I ask, I will be given. I plan to do just that. (See D&C 42:61, 6:7, 11:7, 1 Nephi 10:19)
I am so excited about the opportunity to have the opportunity each morning to study His gospel, to learn more of His ways, to become more like Him. What a blessing to have the "new" scriptures, with footnotes to all the other scriptures, as well as explanatory notes. My children don't really remember not having them, but many of us do. The work put into cross-referencing everything is a great blessing. Just as astronomers today can learn more of the heavens than Galileo could, not because they are smarter, but because they have better tools, I can learn more now than I could before, because I have better "tools".
The Gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, Mediator. Isaiah said, "...come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name." (2 Nephi 9:41) I may not understand all He did for me or how it was possible, but I can spend my life learning, with an eternity hereafter to continue that education.
Love, Mom
1. The Atonement is glorious to behold and study. Regardless of where I am in my understanding, there is always more for me to learn.
2. The time and place for the Atonement was as the Son of God stood alone in all His majestic power against all the artillery of the Evil One. It was divine love in its consummate expression battling diabolic evil in its cruelest proportions.
3. Elder McConkie said the Atonement is "the most important single thing that has ever occurred in the entire history of created things; it is the rock foundation upon which the gospel and all other things rest."
4. The Atonement is the heart of the Gospel, the lifeblood that quickens every gospel precept, the center and core and heart of revealed religion.
5. The scriptures promise, again and again, that if I ask, I will be given. I plan to do just that. (See D&C 42:61, 6:7, 11:7, 1 Nephi 10:19)
I am so excited about the opportunity to have the opportunity each morning to study His gospel, to learn more of His ways, to become more like Him. What a blessing to have the "new" scriptures, with footnotes to all the other scriptures, as well as explanatory notes. My children don't really remember not having them, but many of us do. The work put into cross-referencing everything is a great blessing. Just as astronomers today can learn more of the heavens than Galileo could, not because they are smarter, but because they have better tools, I can learn more now than I could before, because I have better "tools".
The Gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, Mediator. Isaiah said, "...come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name." (2 Nephi 9:41) I may not understand all He did for me or how it was possible, but I can spend my life learning, with an eternity hereafter to continue that education.
Love, Mom
Monday, August 9, 2010
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, July 11, 2010
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
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
Friday, July 9, 2010
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
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
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