Meant to Have Joy

Meant to Have Joy

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches that “sadness, disappointment, and severe challenges are events in life, not life itself. . . . They should not be allowed to become the confining center of everything you do.” With the reminder that the Lord told His prophet Lehi that “men are that they might have joy,” Elder Scott says, “[The Lord’s] intent is that each of us finds joy. It will not be conditional for you as you obey the commandments, have faith in the Master, and do the things that are necessary to have joy here on earth.”

Just Do the Very Best You Can

Just Do the Very Best You Can

Rather than waste time and energy worrying over our ability to endure to the end, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles suggests, “Just do the very best you can each day. Do the basic things and, before you realize it, your life will be full of spiritual understanding that will confirm to you that your Heavenly Father loves you. When a person knows this, then life will be full of purpose and meaning, making balance easier to maintain.”

 

Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer

Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer

“Our promised blessings are beyond measure,” President Thomas S. Monson declares. “Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”

 

Transformed through Righteous Choices

Transformed through Righteous Choices

In addition to President Monson, other living prophets and apostles reinforce the same message. “The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction” is evidence of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s infinite love for each of us, says President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency. Through facing the challenges of mortality we prepare for “the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life. . . . For us to have that gift and to be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do.”

The true test of life, President Eyring explains, is not adversity but “to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us. And to endure well is to keep those commandments whatever the opposition, whatever the temptation, and whatever the tumult around us.”

A Gold Nugget...

A gem of truth!  I found one!  In Alaska people still go gold panning at times.  You take a pan designed for gold panning, scoop up small amount creekbank soil that hopefully is veined, cover with stream water and swish and swirl and tip and raise and lower the pan, this water movement will wash away the sand/dirt/rocks, the gold will sink to the bottom of the pan...one is ever hopeful of eventually seeing the glint of gold nuggets in the bottom of the pan.  some nuggets are big and rough hewn looking and others little slivered particles of gold shine.  It takes a lot of work and a lot of patience to pan.  

On my recent sabbatical I found many gold gems from my concentrated effort.  I want to share a real gem with you that I found while seeking gold for the health of my soul.

Do you ever feel that if you were a better person in the obedience factor of your life that the help you need, the blessings that you are seeking, the heavenly help you ask for that never seems to arrive... would suddenly be there?  So you try harder to live more righteously, to study more, to pray more, to serve more, to be more in all ways.  And yet...things stay the same and struggles still cling tenaciously.

Let me share my beautiful gold nugget story with you.  Sunday I had BYU channel on and President Cecil Samuelson was speaking and his statement took my breath away.  I hurried to see if I could write it down and I couldn't.  Then I saw it was going to be repeated so I recorded it but missed almost all of it except for my desired thought.  Then I tried to find the talk online and I couldn't.  I went back and painstakingly played and paused the talk to the one spot that I will ever cherish.  Then it came out in the Church news.  Here is the part that just hit me like a lightening bolt....

"One area of confusion not rare among us is the notion that worthiness is synonymous with perfection.  One can be fully worthy in a gospel sense and yet still be growing while dealing with personal imperfections...Perfectionism is corrosive and destructive and is the antithesis of the healthy quest of eventual perfection that the Savior prescribes....The uneasiness of which I speak is largely rooted in misunderstanding some have about timing and also about definition....With definitions...some mistakenly consider worthiness to be the same as perfection.  This is not true....Please remember that worthiness is vital but is not the same as perfection...not everything, especially perfection, can be achieved quickly or at once."

No wonder we get depressed at times,  in giving our all to the Church in obedience and service etc. and feeling unworthy, as needed help still doesn't seem to arrive and we deem ourselves unworthy and so goes the cycle.  The parts I highlighted shine as gold in my eyes.  I hit pay dirt!!!


 

Amazing...

 The way the Church just embraces all technology to spread the Gospel in these last days is incredibly amazing!  Have you seen this new one?  check it out!


Why I Believe: Episode 45 - Miracles

  
 Take a minute each time, after you read the blog, to click on the right sidebar button- with the Temple picture.  The very latest of everything Churchy and it's constantly changing.  

Lydia and Michael were here and I showed them the one about the scorpion and we talked about always doing what parents tell us to do.  Great teaching tools!  

A daily touch with the current Church happenings....amazing!!   Treat yourself to a dab of pure spirituality by clicking on the Temple or view the happenings on the new site featured above in this post.  (It's about the 17 Miracles show)


Have I thanked you recently for reading my little blog?  I don't think so! 

THANK YOU!!!!!

Homeward Bound!

The party is over!  I can hardly wait to see him!!  I enjoyed my sabbatical for a week and then I wanted my sweetie to be here!!  I know I will hear these stories of his Norway Trip, for the rest of our earth-time together.  The family will hear the same stories. Our friends will hear them (will we have friends that stay friends?!)  NO!!!! not in a testimony meeting!  PLEASE...not that!!  Whatever it is...it is!  I love the guy to pieces and I'll listen to re-runs (okay.  if I can repeat the story in my mind then I might allow my thoughts to wander and think of VT routes and what to cook for dinner, laundry etc.!  My face will appear to listen though.  I have to be honest here!). I will enjoy his dear company.  So familiar to me.  So comforting to me.  I know him.  I love him.  We accept each other...talkative story repeats and all!!!!

 ********************************

Hey Momma,

Just wanted to let you know, we are taking Dad out to a nice lunch and then off to the airport. I am so sad

it's over, but know that Dad used up every single ounce of energy that he could muster and he is done. He

keeps saying "I miss Mom" "It'll be good to see Mom", "Can't wait to get home and see Mom" etc. He misses you.

We have had an extraordinary time together, priceless every moment, everyday. So many stories. You will

hear all about it for the rest of your life.

Things he said over and over this trip: "Why would ANYONE leave Norway?" "So how are we related?" "So

do you like lutefisk?" "They have the BEST bread!" I heard these questions and statements too many times

to count. At one point when we were visiting a cousin in Bergen, I was sitting in a place where Patty could see

me, but no one else could, as Dad started on his questions, I mouthed them silently along with him... she and I

had a good laugh later about it. Believe me, he got his use out of that genealogy chart!!

Thanks for sharing Daddy with me. He is precious, wonderful, full of love, kindness, goodness and innocence.

I have cherished every moment together.

Love you,

Jeanee
xoxoxox

The Dash

Our neighbor died not to long ago.  I thought of him when I heard his lawn being mowed on his side of our backyard fence by the lawn service, on the regularly scheduled day.  I thought of how he sat in his backyard and read and relaxed with his cigarettes.  He suffered a lot of pain, on many fronts, from his Marine time in Vietnam.  A few days before lung cancer claimed his life, at 62, he wrote a statement, part of it was in his newspaper obituary and then it was read at his funeral.

"I was born January 1, 1949, I died in Vietnam January 11, 1969."

How sad that is his summation of his life.  

Today I thought of this moving poem...

The Dash

By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth

And now only those who love her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

And more often wear a smile…

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

"Can't trust the Name."

09/10/11 Faith Happenings - Yakima-Herald Republic

Workshop today to focus on witnessing to Mormons

Grace Lutheran Church will hold a seminar from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today. The title is "Sharing Christ with Mormons" and features Pastor Mark Cares.

Cares serves as the president of Truth in Love Ministries, www.tilm.org, and is the author of "Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons."

The seminar will feature a Scripture-based approach to witnessing.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $15 per person or $20 per couple and includes lunch and materials.

The church is at 1207 S. Seventh Ave. in Yakima. Info: 877-887-3436.

***********************

I was startled when I read this in the morning newspaper!  I called the phone number and asked the woman....Why would you find it necessary to share Christ with a Church who bears His name?  Mormon is a nickname.  The official Church name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She said...You can't trust the name.  She then went on to explain that when they went door to door and met with Mormon's that they realized they worship a "different Jesus".  When faced with words like sin, grace, salvation...the Mormons don't understand those words.  They don't believe in our Jesus that died on the cross and rose from the dead and saved all of us and we don't need to do anything but believe that.  You can't trust the name of their Church.  What religion are you?

 I told her.... I am a member, a believer in the Jesus Christ of the King James Bible.  That I know Jesus was crucified and resurrected and the Church is a Restoration not a reorganized or man-made religion.  I know it to be true and love being an active member.  I do trust the Name of The Church.

The woman I talked to was actually the Pastors wife and she was helping him get set up for the meeting.  I thought it was a local person as presenter but his ministry is preaching against our religion!  Truth in Love. He is out to save our souls. That is how he makes his living. She said they use our manuals to preach against our teachings.

**************************

Flashback to Homer and visiting the Church of Christ next door, really, right next door to our Ward building.  I was visiting to worship with them and interview the pastor for a newspaper article.  In the entrance foyer pamphlet display, I was caught off guard when I saw a picture of Joseph Smith on the front.  I picked it up.  Scathing and horrible about the Church.  I took an assortment of their doctrinal tracts including that one.  At the end of our time together, the minister invited me to join them on a more permanent basis.  I pulled the one offending pamphlet and told him...if I had a mind to change religions, this tract alone would stop me from ever being a part of your group.  I would be embarrassed and ashamed to belong to a religion that preached against and printed information against another religion.  I then shared that wonderful WONDERFUL 11th article of faith....

11- We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may.

*******************

I remember going to one Anti-Mormon meeting in the late 60's.  I didn't know  people did things like that.  Preach against the Church in public.  His remarks were not accurate.  I was upset and wondered why our Stake President, in attendance, didn't stand up and defeat this man.  He remained silent during the tirade.  Afterwards, I asked him why he'd not spoken out as he knew the truth.  He basically said, we shouldn't contend over the Gospel and he'd gone because a group of us Stake YW leaders wanted to go and see and hear this man.  He said if people wanted the truth or to hear the truth they would seek it from the Church and not from someone speaking against the Church.  I decided to not go to meetings or read anti-literature but to focus on the truth.  To stay on the Gospel wall of activity.  Like Nehemiah.  (see June 15th blog)

***********************

My life is so blessed because of my Church membership and conversion and involvement in serving and associating with people that are also believers like me.  I trust the Name!!!

September 11th

 Terry will be flying from Norway to Florida today....September 11,2011

Conversations: Episode 32 - Kenneth and Jeanette Howell

Prissy & Perturbed....Me!!

I love laughter.  I love humor.  Friends and family know this about me.  

Now I am thinking when did humor become, in some instances, so juvenile and really, is it that funny or funny at all?  2 items set me off....one a line from a newspaper obituary, of a total stranger, that told, in partial summation of this 53 year old man's life... 

...he possessed a most wonderful sense of humor which will be greatly missed.  He loved to brag of his abilities to pass gas and that was our privilege for him to share it with a chosen few.

okay.  admittedly it was so wacko that I did call my sister and tell her and yes we did chuckle demurely.  okay.  we laughed.  raucous!  But isn't it so wild?  Don't lecture me about I didn't know him and why was I reading it etc. I'm all prissy prig!!!
                                    ************************************************

A Prig approaches social interactions with a strong sense of self-righteousness.

especially where the prig has the ability to show superior knowledge to those who do not know the protocol. They see little need to consider the feelings or intentions of others, relying instead on established order and rigid rules to resolve all questions.

Prude- A person of extreme or exaggerated propriety concerning behavior or speech...

Prim- stiffly formal and precise in manner or appearance or behavior, disliking what is rough or improper.

slang term Prissy, in the sense of meaning prim or prudish.

In the following newspaper clip I became not only a Prissy Prig but I'm.....

Peeved- annoyed

Peevish- irritable

Perturb- to disturb greatly, to make anxious or uneasy.

***********************************

'Shrek' musical opens Capitol Theatre's 'Best of Broadway' series this weekend

"You look for ways to theatrical-ize it and expand the piece, things the stage does well," he says. "It's a fun night at the theater. There's going to be burps and farts. It's just casual fun. It shouldn't be intimidating at all."

"It's done in a completely zany, madcap way," Director Sposito says. "There's puppets and makeup and fart jokes. It's fun for the whole family. But it's also smart. It's a silly, zany story that has a huge heart to it."

He does admit that ...."at it's heart it's still a simple story of self-discovery".

Tickets go from $15-$65.

******************************

My age must be showing!!!  or I'm soap-boxing!!!

Where is the gentleness of manners? politeness? dignity?...... 
                                  
                                (me being a Perturbed Prissy Prig!!!)
                                                                   (somewhat hypocritical also?)
                                                                                                         (ouch!!)

**********************************

 Question of the day....

do coarse/vulgar things fit the bill, in below listed categories, 

in the 13th Article of Faith?

 13 ^aWe believe in being ^bhonest, true, ^cchaste, ^dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing ^egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we ^fhope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to ^gendure all things. If there is anything ^hvirtuous, ⁱlovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Lovely 11th!

The 11th Article of Faith is used in how we view the way others worship, their religious beliefs and what guides them spiritually.

Articles of Faith  #11 "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."

This #11 Article is terrific in content and very civil and dignified and tolerant. If we could tweak it a bit and write it as such.... We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God (within our local Ward habitat) according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all (Ward Members) the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may (as they endeavor to live the Gospel).  Wouldn't that be loverly?

This sweet Article of Faith, the 11th, is one of my favorite guidelines for dealing with all people. It is a very important part of my religious faith and it helps me to in my dealings with current Ward members and those seeking to embrace the Gospel as new Ward members and just people in general that are in my life or come into it. I hope they look through that same, rose-colored filtered lens of the 11th, when observing me, as it is needed!

 The Virtue of Kindness - Ensign May 2005:

by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Excerpts below.....

"The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father."

"Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another."

"Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you."

"We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves."

                                      School Thy Feelings

                                                                    Hymn #336

1. School thy feelings, O my brother;
Train thy warm, impulsive soul.
Do not its emotions smother,
But let wisdom’s voice control.
School thy feelings; there is power
In the cool, collected mind.
Passion shatters reason’s tower,
Makes the clearest vision blind.

[Chorus]
School thy feelings, O my brother;
Train thy warm, impulsive soul.
Do not its emotions smother,
But let wisdom’s voice control.

2. School thy feelings; condemnation
Never pass on friend or foe,
Though the tide of accusation
Like a flood of truth may flow.
Hear defense before deciding,
And a ray of light may gleam,
Showing thee what filth is hiding
Underneath the shallow stream.

3. Should affliction’s acrid vial
Burst o’er thy unsheltered head,
School thy feelings to the trial;
Half its bitterness hath fled.
Art thou falsely, basely, slandered?
Does the world begin to frown?
Gauge thy wrath by wisdom’s standard;
Keep thy rising anger down.

4. Rest thyself on this assurance:
Time’s a friend to innocence,
And the patient, calm endurance
Wins respect and aids defense.
Noblest minds have finest feelings;
Quiv’ring strings a breath can move;
And the gospel’s sweet revealings
Tune them with the key of love.

5. Hearts so sensitively molded
Strongly fortified should be,
Trained to firmness and enfolded
In a calm tranquility.
Wound not willfully another;
Conquer haste with reason’s might;
School thy feelings, sister, brother;
Train them in the path of right.

Text: Charles W. Penrose, 1832–1925. © 1948 IRI

Music: George F. Root, 1820–1895

Alma 38:12

Proverbs 16:32

Passing On....

Hi Mom-

Found out yesterday that poor Lexi has cancer. Expect a couple of weeks to a couple of months to live. Poor thing. We are all emotional about it. I don't think any of us realized how much we cared for Lexi. There is a long chance that she might live a year but they doubt it. The vet said that black labs have a problem of a higher cancer rate in their middle ages (she is 5 which is middle age). She has been a joy and we have had many hours watching her funny antics. I am getting teary eyed so better quit talking about it.

Yesterday we all spent some alone time with Lexi. She has quit eating and drinking. I expect her passing in a couple of days. Poor thing. She has a couple of strategic beds that she has created around the place. She goes to the one that is coolest and lies there. We all had a cry yesterday and I'm sure more will come. I never thought a dog could have such an effect on us. 

****************************************

Hi Mom-

On Sunday I was reading something on the couch and heard Lexi sort of plop down on the deck. So went and looked and she tried to wag her tail but barely could move it. Tried to entice her with some raw hamburger and cheese but wouldn't have it. Cooked hamburgers on the deck. Read on the deck in such nice cool weather. Lexi just sat there and watched the action. I took a couple of pictures of her that really show the loss of weight. As I was reading she would let out a whimper every once in a while. Poor thing.

On Monday Britta was in the bathroom and looked out and saw Lexi lying on the grass. I wouldn't have thought anything of seeing her lay there, but Britta got her shoes on and raced out there and found Lexi had passed on. Lots of crying for about 2 hours. Both boys came and we dug a hole and buried her out across the gully and a couple feet into the brush area. Then we covered the site with six stones. Brooke had picked a fair number of flowers and put it in a little plastic container. She gave all of us flowers and one by one we took a turn to lay our flowers on the stones. I offered a small prayer and then we said our good-byes.

She was a great dog. I thought it was neat on Sunday while she was on the deck and gave us all a chance to be with her one more time.

*********************************

Lexi was such a part of our son's family.  We were in Kansas on the Christmas that she joined the family as a wonderful surprise.  Greg and Terry drove to another town and picked her up and the children had no idea what was going on.  She was a big footed lumbering shiny black coated tail-wagging lab.  Everyone fell in love with her and she fell in love with her family.

Not to long ago Jeanee's family lost their beautiful gentle golden lab, Jasmine.

 
David lost his so ugly she was beautiful bulldog, Gypsy.  I missed her even though she was so slobbery as David adored her and she made him so happy.  His wife, has a cocker named Hillary and she babies that dog like crazy!!

Our son, Kipper has 2 cairn terriers (Hi, Toto!)  named...Carmen Electra and Sophia Loren.   They are enchanting and adorable and are called our Grandpups.  They have been so wonderful to our son as he has struggled so much with health issues.  Carmen has been his nurse and protected him and makes sure that he is okay.

My childhood dog was named Cocoa, a combo cocker/collie.  It was the only dog we ever had.  My mother did not like dogs or cats in the house or actually in the yard.  a strict non-pet person. 

Every dog my children have had has been adored,enjoyed, loved and appreciated and well taken care of by them.  We do mourn the death of them as we see our children's loss and sadness and heartbreak.  I remember crying with them, as children, when we read Where the Red Fern Grows.

Knowing that Lexi was not going to last a long time, in preparation for this day,  I looked up different thoughts on pets in the afterlife, and here is what I found.

Where do animals fit in the eternal plan of things?

Gerald E. Jones “Nature helps us to see and understand God. To all His creations we owe an allegiance of service and a profound admiration.” Thus the General Superintendency of the Deseret Sunday School Union, President Joseph F. Smith, President of the Church, and Elders David O. McKay and Stephen L Richards, members of the Council of the Twelve, editorialized in the April 1918 Juvenile Instructor. Recognizing that the “love of nature is akin to the love of God” they reminded the members of the Church that “men learn more easily in sympathetic relationships of all life than they do in the seclusion of human interest.” (P. 183.)  Many families recognize the importance of pets and the resultant loving and sharing among their children. Caring for pets can also develop a sense of responsibility. Devotion of animals to families can be inspiring as well as practical. A recent news item related the bravery of a dog in saving the life of a small girl by breaking the window of a burning automobile and pulling her to safety.

A number of questions have been asked 

concerning the place of animals in the gospel plan:

Do animals have spirits and are they resurrected?
Yes. The Prophet Joseph Smith received information concerning the eternal status of animals. Answers to questions he posed are in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 77.

To what degree of glory do animals go?
The scriptures speak only of animals being in the celestial kingdom. Whether they go to other kingdoms is a matter of conjecture. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith on one occasion said the distribution of animals into all three degrees of glory is “very probable,” (Improvement Era, Jan. 1958, pp. 16–17.) To my knowledge, no other prophet has published an opinion on the subject.

Are animals judged and resurrected according to their obedience to laws?
According to Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, animals do not have a conscience. They cannot sin and they cannot repent, for they have not the knowledge of right and wrong. (Man: His Origin and Destiny, Deseret Book Co., 1954, pp. 204–5.)

Can animals be with their owners in the hereafter? 

 There is no revealed word on this subject. Reason would tell us that a rancher or farmer may not want all of the cattle he has owned during his life. On the other hand, emotional ties may be honored and family pets may well be restored to their owners in the resurrection. Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote that Joseph Smith expected to have his favorite horse in eternity. (Improvement Era, Aug. 1927, p. 855.)

Just what is the relationship between men and animals?
Men are children of God. Animals are for the benefit of man. This does not mean, however, that man is not to have a concern for this part of his stewardship. The prophets in all ages have indicated that man will be accountable for his treatment of animals and that justice and mercy should be exercised concerning them. Alma encourages us to pray over our flocks. (Alma 34:20, 25.) There are numerous examples in Church history of animals being administered to by the anointing of oil and their resultant healing. In the best-known incident, Mary Fielding Smith’s oxen were spared to bring her pioneer family, including a future President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith, to Utah. (Preston Nibley, Presidents of the Church, Deseret Book Co., 1959, pp. 234–35.)

Though the prophets have spoken frequently about man’s responsibility to show proper treatment to animals in this world, very little detail is known about the states of animals in the eternities. Greater emphasis is rightly placed upon man’s need to live the gospel and be worthy to return to his Heavenly Father where he will then learn the answers to such questions. Quoting again from the editorial cited at the beginning of this article: “Men cannot worship the Creator and look with careless indifference upon his creations. The love of all life helps man to the enjoyment of a better life. It exalts the spiritual nature of those in need of divine favor.” (Juvenile Instructor, Apr. 1918, p. 182.)

A Blank Sheet of Paper

So the travelers are enjoying their long anticipated, long planned for Norway trip and me?....I'm on my relaxed sabbatical and it's been very nice and I have a greater understanding of where I am and where I need to change and what is going on.

I went into this desiring more personal revelation and wondering about personal ministries.  That was my mindset and desire at the beginning, on Thursday.  5 days later, which included in that time frame, going to the Temple and fasting and praying and creating some quiet time and pondering and reading and endeavoring to listen for insight. I did get some insight.

Don't we all have to learn to pray, to develop faith, to access God, to get answers, to receive personal revelation?  isn't that what the blessing of the Gospel is?  I found that I've been blessed with personal revelation many times and I was somewhat off track in my request. (I said I wanted more direction, more personal revelation, more. more. more.)  Personal revelation, at this time in my life journey, falls into 4 categories.

1) Personal revelation for Church callings....  What needs to be accomplished  in this calling. Callings that I know absolutely nothing about, have never been involved, have not one idea of what I need to do.  I fast.  I pray.  I exercise faith.  When the answers come, I write them down on my blank sheet of paper. Overall plan sketched out. I now have my to do list and I'm ready to go.  I can think of 5 different callings that I've had that blank piece of paper in readiness, knowing I was clueless but knowing He would direct me.  and He did through personal revelation.  a dream.  a voice.  ideas that weren't of me.  a variety of ways.  I was so thankful!  and I still am.


2) Personal revelation for details of Church callings.  again....no  experience or ideas to draw on but ideas would come forth and I was thankful to fill out yet another blank sheet of paper.


3)  Personal revelation of things being recalled that have been studied or learned or life experiences that can be used to help someone in some way or words for a lesson etc..  Ideas that pop into my mind.  My mind appearing to be the blank piece of paper, with no ideas or perceived thoughts and then what to say or do pops in.


So the commonality of all 3 of these super reduced paragraphs, in content, is interesting.  I learned in all 3- I was open to receiving revelation as I truly was drawing a blank.  I was ready to receive.  I was open minded.  Faith filled me. The Lord knew my heart and He knew what was needed.  I was willing to serve but had no idea of what that encompassed.  So I have absolutely no need to wish for more personal revelation in this area of my life.  Should a need arise, it will be taken care of in this pattern in my life.  If receiving personal revelation, just stays as this holding pattern, for the rest of my mortal life, then I know that I will receive the guidance I need (and I will ever be thankful for the marvelous experiences I've had of personal revelation in Church service).  So asking in faith, knowing an answer will come, and being prepared to fill that blank piece of paper- is just a wonderful private spiritual experience for me.  


4) no blank piece of paper on this personal revelation- category 4.  I have a to-do list all filled out.  Things I just know will work.  Things that- if the Lord does this, then that will cause something else to happen, and a certain outcome will result and I will succeed at this, specific long sought-after, goal.  and I of course know what's best for myself.  Don't I?  Now this is not a to-do list of errands, or chores, or those sorts of accomplishments.  This is a list of personal improvements, overcoming shortcomings, that I've thought out etc., and I really feel it is best.  I've read and studied and I'm fervently seeking His help, in order to succeed with my very latest inspired plan of overcoming. My plan for me.  Not His plan for me.  But wait...isn't my plan for me also His plan for me?  In all these years of trying, my plans have never worked out to anything lasting but I never give up.  Until now.  My plan of action?... I decided to wad up my most recent long detailed list, remove the safety net of.... if it's written in detail then it's really going to happen.... and lay a blank sheet of paper on the table.

Last Minute Details!!

 Friday Happenings.....

Hey Momma, he and Scott arrived at the house at 2:45am. I fed him toasted English muffin with butter and jam, Ritz crackers and a banana. He seemed very happy and talkative, I showed him his bedroom, bathroom and he's getting ready right now. I told him to sleep in as long as he wants to. It's so awesome having him here. AND... 

                         the "carry-on" was probably the biggest thing I've ever seen.

xoxoxo J

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Hi family,

I just wanted to touch base with you all. Dad arrived late last night after a long travel day and a long delay in D.C. We are flying out in the morning (Saturday) and getting into Bergen at 10am on the 4th. We are meeting up with Dad's cousin Patty (his Uncle Lorrel's daughter) We are staying at a Pension just 2 blocks from the historic Fisketorget where the buildings are from the 1500's, it looks like a postcard and I can't wait to explore it. We are staying there the 4,5,6 and then renting a car and going to Seljestad and staying with relatives on the 7 and 8th that was arranged by Patty, then we will go back to the Pension and stay the 9th and 10th, flying back home on the 11th. I will try and keep you all posted through email and hopefully can access my fb to upload pics along the way.

Dad looked awesome last night, he was tired but so excited. We gave each other a hug and giggled, this is a lifelong dream of his. Mom got him a nook, when I asked if he downloaded any good books, she said "he has the entire Bible, Book of Mormon and Hymns." then we both laughed. He's so awesome.

I will keep you posted. If you would like a postcard and I don't have the address that you are at right now, just send it to me today and I will take it with me.

I love you all,

Jeanee

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Dear Mrs. Potato Head,

Your hubby is still sleeping soundly, 10:50am, I only heard him cough once just when he was getting into bed last night, other than that just the sound of deep restful sleep coming from his room.

He actually looked happy last night, even after traveling for 15 hours. We just hugged and giggled and couldn't take the smile off our faces. Hugging each other made this all of the sudden very real, very emotional and very special. I actually feel honored that I get to be the one family member that gets to experience this with him. I know each member of the family would love to be in my shoes. He is so precious to me and as I was watching him eat his toasted English muffin and telling stories of the people he met on the plane and their stories, I just looked at him and melted. He's so kind, so loving, so Christlike. I am so blessed to do this with him. Priceless. Honestly, if our plane goes down, I wouldn't care, I'd be with the one person on earth that gives me such comfort, love and strength, we'd be fine. It's really amazing when you realize you are doing something very big, monumental, profound, life changing, adventurous and memorable. It's beyond what I imagined and we haven't even started the trip!

I bought a small recorder about the size of an iPod, thin, small and compact. I thought it would be priceless to have, to record our trip by audio as well as visual. I'm sure I will hear stories I've never heard before and how cool to record Dad talking to his Norwegian ancestors with their thick accents. I'm putting it all together. I highly doubt I will be able to fit it all in one carry on and a back pack. My week supply of granola bars alone fills half the carry on, plus I have my camera and I have to have an extra lens and of course I need some clothes to wear and some makeup... there's just no way it's gonna fit.

I will call you later today when Poppa wakes up so you guys can talk too. Isn't this just amazing????

I love you,

Jeanee

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He's napping 12:36 xoxox

Scott and I are off to get a few things and Daddy is still sleeping.

********************************* 

It's 2pm and he's still sleeping, Scott and I just got back from doing some running around. I'm soooo glad that he's able to catch up today, this was a perfect plan! I have a pot of spaghetti on and when the girls get home we will have an early dinner and just relax.  possibly go to the beach this evening to sit and take in the sunset but only if Dad is up for it.

I have little piles on the bed for my carry on, it's looking good!  I just can't wait to see what you packed him!! If I see "angry eyes" in there, I have to draw the line...

xoxox Jeanee

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Hi Momma,

We are just going to bed. We are all packed, the jewelry was a hit! they loved them just as you had them. i will have him sign his passport. I have our passports, drivers licenses, credit cards, debit cards and tickets in a safe flat document travel pouch. I will keep it on me the whole time, or locked in the pension safe. We are so excited. We will leave our house at 8am and then the plane leaves at 10:53am to Boston, then on to Amsterdam then Bergen. It will be a long day, 17 hours total. We arrive on the 4th at 10:30am Norway time. I had Dad load a couple of awesome books that he will love by Clive Cussler, a bit of fiction, a bit of history and tons of adventure. Scott loves his books and Dad was excited to start on them, I figured after about 13 hours of the Old Testament, he would welcome a change of pace.

I am tired, excited and ready for bed. I can finally say "Tomorrow we go to Norway!"

I will keep in touch when I can. I love you!

Jeanee

                                                               **********************

Saturday, September 03, 2011 4:30 AM

Subject: We are up and almost ready, we leave in 30mins!!!!

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(They called when they landed in Boston and then again when it was time to board the plane.  My heart is now enroute to Norway!  By the time this is posted they will be in Bergen!!!)

The traveler was airborne (for a long time!)

Something fishy going on?  Wednesday we stayed up until 12:45am & I thought the bags looked perfect size.  But Thursday at 5:45am, a mere 5 hours later, they looked larger to me.  Terry said they were the same size when we went to bed 5 hours ago.  He was not surprised at their largeness.  At the airport, a bit of humiliation for me, as he was told the little perfectly packed, ready for any emergency he might encounter in Norway bag, was to big!!  Well, to big to carry on the plane.  Humph!

I sent Jeanee a little note about perhaps/maybe I'd packed a bit to much etc.etc.  Asking her to be respectful and NOT laugh at what I'd packed. Then my daughter, my usually precious/sweet daughter dropped this rude note!.....

Only one hour left and Scott will drive in to pick Daddy up. I can't wait. I have his bed all made and can't wait to see him. Do you think he will be hungry?

I love you, and yes, I WILL laugh at what you packed. You will be like the Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story, when her husband went out with the guys to try and find Woody, she opened his back up and said "I packed your angry eyes." You are like Mrs. Potato Head!

xoxox Jeanee

He sure flying the long route to Orlando!  Then just as things seemed to be going good, after the first delay, he was held up longer yet in WA D.C., she sent this....

His plane just took off 7 minutes ago, it's 12 midnight. The flight will be 1 hour and 37 minutes long and then another 40 minutes to our house. I hope he's doing alright  xoxox

I'm just grateful that it took off and he's on his way. He can sleep in in the morning.

 

I will be glad when he lands.  I hope he's not achy etc.  Poor fellow.

Other than the incident above the day was wonderful.  The Temple was so peaceful!

There are blessings to be had in the Temple that are not available anywhere else.  I believe that personal revelation is so key and I want to strengthen that aspect in my life.  I believe that we will, in the future, hear more about personal revelation and also about having a personal ministry.  (now that takes courage for me to write that but truly, did you know that Apostles, our current living apostles, each have their own personal ministry?  I first heard of that from reading Elder Maxwell's book.  and I've read other things on it.  I'll write about it one of these days and share the quotes) I believe in prayer.  I believe in the power of faith.  I believe God communicates with us and one way is personal revelation.  I want more personal direction in my life.  Some very specific things.  Today that journey began.  one thing that came into my mind was to use this time, while Terry is gone, in a more quiet peaceful train of thought and not pack each day with such busyness that I don't hear the quiet sought after answers.  I'll not hole up in a cave but I will consciously make sure I listen and study and ponder.  Just a nice little time to do some serious soul searching! and repenting.

Heading home from Temple and stopped at the Mortuary because our neighbor died and they were having a memorial service for him.

My mind is always on the gratitude I feel for my Church membership and the difference it makes in all aspects of my life.  The Lutheran preacher, did the best he could in reading "Scriptures of comfort" but really, without the plan of salvation, without what happens/where do we go when we die etc. etc., the hope of eternal families, the restoration of the Gospel and all of those powerful puzzle pieces to the real business of living in mortality- it was not comforting.  In the Gospel we offer hope.  we offer certainty of life after death.  The preacher said that he got saved on Thursday and died on Friday and would not be going to hell.  

I sat there for the 2 hours and I thought...I wish I could go up, pretend I'm teaching a Gospel Doctrine Adult Sunday School class and enlighten them with our amazing doctrine.  They would rejoice over the amount of information we have on the subject of death and life after death. 

How thankful I am to be a member of the Restored Gospel and I'm mighty glad you are also!  if your not?.....check it out!

 

Up, up and away!!!!!

 By the time you are reading this, if all goes as planned....Terry will be skyward and zigzagging across the US, landing and taking off a couple of times and finally reaching Orlando in the middle of the night.  Our SIL, Scott, will do the meet and greet as Jeanee will be snoozing.  She has a bit of night blindness so I'm glad she will stay home.

After a very intense amount of effort and planning- the bags are packed, the calls have been made, the Passport and all the folderol has been checked and rechecked, so many times, to make sure it's packed that it's amazing there is still ink on it!

The conversation was...Do I pack for you or do you pack for you?

The response from him...Can we pack for me?

My response...No.

He said...okay.  you pack for me.

I was glad-- #1 every single item has to be debated if "we" do it.  and I was glad-- #2 because I think of all sorts of details and put things in that he would never think of so he can be comfortable and I also pack enough and perhaps a bit to spare.  True.  Sometimes it's a large bit but well intended. That little word, spare, was what made him DARE to say....Isn't that way to much stuff?  and then the big kicker...what shirt is this?  does it fit me?  I don't like this shirt.  I don't need 12 pairs of garments.  I'm going to wash my clothes when I shower each day. Honey.

Oh, yes.  Honey. The little touch of sweetness. Truly you have to end up laughing at two seniors, not high-schoolers!, on how we deal with life.  We agreed to let Jeanee inventory the suitcase and if the 13 pair of socks and the 12 pair of etc. etc. are to much, then they can do, what we were unable to do, individually or as a team, and take it or leave it!


So he will be flying high and I'll be in the Temple repenting and starting my search for greater spirituality.  Now you can see how woefully lacking that area of my life is.  Rest assured...we are high school sweethearts and met when we were teens and we truly do love each other but boy, sometimes don't you just get a bit irritated and agitated?  Over little nothings!


We had our 2 person family prayer and all those silly worldly things faded away.  He'll survive and have fun whether his suitcase is bulging with my assorted closet selection OR has a packet of tide in it, for his daily shower laundromat.  He will make it...And we will make it also!!!  Love.  you gotta love LOVE!  I do!!

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changing the subject real quick....I read this and it is neat!  Enjoy!!
 "Is your household ready for the next “Irene”? Since September is National Preparedness Month, here’s a day-by-day to getting ready."

Meridian Magazine - Prepare Now for the Next Irene - Meridian Magazine - LDS, Mormon and Latter-day Saint News and Views