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

Family Home Evening - April 5, 2010

(Picture from Rachel's phone, prior to conference)
Yesterday, I attended the last session of General Conference in the Conference Center. It was the first time I have been in the building, and it was a special experience. Rachel went with me, I provided the tickets (easier to get when you don't live in Utah!) The congregational hymn in that session, sung with 21,000 others who also know was very touching to me.

I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
He lives, he lives who once was dead. He lives, my ever-living head.
He lives to bless me with His love. He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed. He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply. He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend. He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing. He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath. He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare. He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to His name! He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the Joy this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives."

What joy filled my heart to be able to know and proclaim that knowledge, with so many others who also know.

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening - one day late - March 23

Tonight, I want to express my gratitude for our ancestors - those who left Nauvoo, wintered on the plains, and then, over the next few years, made their way to the Valley, as well as for those who, later, heard the message of the Restoration, left their homes in Sweden, Denmark, England,and Switzerland (as well as any place I left out), and traveled to a foreign land, learned a new language, and joined with those from earlier days. A few weeks ago, I decided to read The Work and The Glory series again. This time, I was so touched by the account of the departure from Nauvoo, and the trials and miracles experienced in the next few years. I tried to imagine living for two years basically "moving" across the country. I can't imagine day after day "camping", with no end in sight, no place to "get warm and dry", with no idea of when that lifestyle would end. May we never complain because it is raining, snowing, or too hot without remembering the great blessings that are ours at this time.
Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - March 7

I was reading the account of the people of Zeniff in the Book of Mormon last week, and was struck by the words recorded in the beginning of Mosiah 11, when King Noah becomes king, regarding Noah's actions. I recorded some thoughts relating to his words, and feel these should be my thought for this week. Mosiah 11:3-4 records that Noah imposed a tax of one fifth (20%) of all the peoples' possessions, gold, silver,ziff, copper, brass, iron, fatlings, and grain, to support Noah and his government, their wives and concubines. In doing this, "he had changed the affairs of the kingdom." Quote from my study journal: Does this ever strike a resonant chord in my heart – in America, I am witnessing a “change in the affairs of the nation” that is happening at breakneck speed. Americans elected a new president who I continue to strongly feel is led by a power seeking the destruction of all this nation was established for. The land was established in liberty, under principles that would provide a climate in which the Lord could set His hand the last time to place His kingdom on the earth for eternity. Over the years of my life, I have witnessed the gradual decay of the moral fiber of the nation and its people. The prophets have spoken, even before the clear attacks on the family, of the structure ordained by God for families. They have pleaded and exhorted the Saints to draw close to God, to overcome pride, to live the commandments. Temples have been built throughout the world, where righteous Saints may enter and receive power from on high to resist the temptations of the adversary. Missionaries have preached the Gospel in other languages among this nation’s inhabitants, that as many as possible may hear His words in their native tongue. Technology has progressed at lightning speed, allowing all Saints to hear the voice of the prophet, to access inspired help. The Church has taken advantage of the technology given by the Lord to further the work of seeking out and redeeming the dead. I know that as Saints, we are not alone in the realization of what is happening. Although many others may not fully understand the eternal destiny of this land, they also realize the wickedness that prevails, and are praying with the Saints for the people of this land to remember the Lord. There is one program uniting many to pray as instructed in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked way; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” I recently read the account of Abraham pleading with the Lord for the city of Sodom, where his nephew Lot and family lived. The Lord agreed to spare Sodom from the coming destruction if there were found ten righteous in that city. There were not found ten, and the city was destroyed. I don’t know how many righteous are required for the Lord to spare this nation, but I believe that we can depend upon the promises of the Lord. May I be counted among those who petition with faith in God, knowing of His great power to save and preserve.

Although spring is teasing us, the weather man says winter temperatures will return this week, with increased rain. I hope my plum tree's blossoms survive, because they are ready to open. Flowering ornamental plums and cherries, honeysuckle, and early azaleas are in bloom, the early bulbs have finished, the rose bushes have their new red-green leaves, and the red-leaf maple is covered with buds. The moss is growing apace with the grass. This is the month of "anything goes" with the weather in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - Feb. 28

Two months of 2010 already gone, and such eventful months - for our family and worldwide. Two major earthquakes plus many less severe have rocked the globe. In our family, three people have moved - Ben moved a couple of miles, Jenn moved to Redwood Road and 9300 South (she also starts school this week), and Rachel moved from Orem to Cottonwood Heights (reducing her commute from long to "just down the street"). Clay has had three heart procedures, and seems to be doing very well from the last one (a catheter ablation to stop the atrial flutter that necessitated all the procedures). I have made one trip to Utah and plan another one April 3-9. Rob and Katherine traveled to Winter Quarters last Friday to go to the temple, and Rob is preparing to deploy sometime next month - haven't heard an exact date yet. Change is a never ending part of life.

Through all of the flurry, flutter, and excitement is the constant thread of love for one another. Many of you have expressed concern about others, and your love is clear. "..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."

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be the mother of such wise and wonderful children and grandmother to three of the cutest and smartest young boys on the planet. They are a constant source of joy and amazement.

I am looking forward the future with great hope and joy - in spite of the turmoil of the world and the difficulties that surround us, I know that God is in His heaven, He knows our names, individually, and loves us. He stands ready to bless us with all that is right, for He sees that which we can't see - the ultimate destiny and crown prepared for each of us. When we struggle with problems, disappointments, and sorrow, He knows our pain, but He knows that only through opposition do we learn and grow closer to Him.

Have a wonderful week!

Love, Mom

Family Home Evening Thought - January 24

I haven't written the past couple of weeks. I apologize and will try to do better. I have been thinking the past few weeks about America and about the Book of Mormon. I have been reading Jacob's "general conference" address to his people, recorded in chapters 2-3. He warned of the dangers of becoming prideful, focused on seeking riches for the wrong reason. Lehi told his sons, "inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence." (2 Nephi 1:20) I flew to Salt Lake last weekend to visit there and saw beautiful mountains and hills from the plane on the flight home. From the air, there is no sign of the turmoil that exists among men on the ground. All appeared beautiful and serene from that viewpoint.

I work with sixth graders 180 days of the year. I hear many of them discussing things I knew little or nothing of at their age. The language, the experiences they have in troubled homes, the disrespect for themselves, their peers, for all adults, all remind me of the warnings Jacob spoke, more than 2000 years ago. I received an email from Linda, a friend from my graduate school program, regarding the "2 Chronicles 7:14 Project." She is a wonderful, devout Christian woman, seeking to follow Christ as she understands Him. There is no doubt of her love and devotion to her Savior, or of her desire to see America change, for the better. She sent me this link
http://www.greatdanepro.com/Pray%20For%20America/index.htm
which I am sending on to you. The message of blessings from obedience was not new when Lehi and Jacob spoke. The message of 2 Chronicles was to Israel in the days of Solomon. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
I love America, but as a nation, we are on a slippery slope. These thoughts are for your contemplation.

On another topic - I had a great visit with Mom and Dad, with Jenn and Matthew, and with Rachel. I was able to do things with all of them in a very busy weekend. I got some "informal" four-generation pictures, as well as a couple of Matthew - sleeping (the only time he is quiet), and playing with the simplest of toys - a cardboard box from his new car seat. Family - the greatest!

Lots of love and prayers,
Mom