Clear Vision

I was so happy to see this little video that I put the Gospel net filled with fish aside for today. 
I LOVE this!

Looking Through Windows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbFiB7oiQs4&feature=channel_video_title&cid=MMemail2-28-12-L1

"On a clear day, rise and look around you,

And you’ll see who you are.

On a clear day, how it will astound you—

That the glow of your being outshines every star …

And on a clear day …

You can see forever and ever more.”

"...when small things provoke us."

There are many organizations that a person can apply for membership into and enjoy spending time with similar folks with the same interests.  Antique cars or model airplanes or dogs or beading or foreign films or sports or theater or the arts or whatever.  It's fun and exciting to share those things with like-minded souls. Professional wrestling fans and ballet aficionados most likely don't sit and have a good chat over their interests.  In our Church membership we are expected to get along with e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e!!  Yep!  ALL!!

When a person comes into the Church, into the citizenship of the Saints, no more a wanderer searching hi and low while chasing every wind of doctrine, but now a fellow citizen expected/expecting and desirous to stake out a Zion homestead and sink roots...the reality happenings?....the odds are at some point the lay of the land will appear, to our fellow homesteaders, to be mis-marked and some neighboring plow-boy or maybe a woman making lye, soap that is, will wipe the dirt and water off their hands and let us know our shortfalls through their clouded dime store glasses.  Ouch!!  That smarts like the dickens!!!

Members being offended, angered, faultfinding, disillusioned, backbiting and all those other nasty little parasitic human traits, surfaced early in the Church History.  Right out of the chute things got stirred up.

Members found fault with the Prophet Joseph because he was to human.  Just a regular man.  How could the Lord use a regular ordinary fellow?  (What other kind are there within the Church membership????) 

Remember the witnesses?  The 3 and The 8.  The 3 all left in a huff (over ill feelings toward Joseph) and then 3 of the 8 followed suit.  2 of the 6 grudge holders eventually came back into the fellowship of the Church.  To their credit all 6, even with demeaning the Prophet and having no confidence in him, never denied what they saw regarding the gold plates but so much collateral damage was done to the Church and the Saints by those choices, that testimony was sometimes overlooked.  

Another amazing story of the danger of determination- to prove others wrong and thereby cutting off your nose to spite your face- is the unbelievable saga of Thomas B. Marsh.  President of Quorum of the 12.  His wife makes an agreement with a sister Harris that they will share milk and give strippings with the milk and not hold any back so they can make a larger cheese when it's their turn to receive.  Sister Harris sticks to the deal but Sister Marsh systematically held that extra thick cream back, got caught, denied it and it was major fire works.  

President Marsh worked his way through all the Church channels to clear his wife of the thievery.  He went to his Home Teachers and they found his wife guilty so he then went, in order, to a Bishops trial and then a High council trial and finally to a 1st Presidency trial and each governing body supported the previous one in finding her guilty.  

That so infuriated him after exhausting all avenues, and all finding his wife guilty of not keeping her end of the bargain....

 "He went before a magistrate and swore that 'the Mormons' were hostile towards the state of Missouri. That affidavit brought from the government of Missouri an exterminating order, which drove some 15,000 Saints from their homes and habitations, and some thousands perished through suffering the exposure consequent on this state of affairs."

President George Albert Smith said years later at a meeting in the Bowery .... “This little affair kicked up a considerable breeze, and Thomas B. Marsh then declared that he would sustain the character of his wife even if he had to go to hell for it." ...   (I remember reading that Brigham Young once said that was where he would go!)


One of the best, if not the best talks, is  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1984/04/small-acts-lead-to-great-consequences?lang=eng&query=milk+strippings   

I take that back on it being one of the best.  It is the best!!  1984 by President Hinckley.  It has what Brother Marsh said in pleading to come back into Church, after 19 years, and the entire milk story. It is so great because President Hinckley tells the story right from the Church History, the repercussions and then he points out to each of us the danger of finding fault etc.  Puh-leeze read his short talk.  You will love it and be strengthened.  I just know it!

 "It is so easy to stumble. It is sometimes so hard to keep our voices low when small things provoke us."  by President Hinckley 

 I've bent your tender little ear more than enough for today!  

TOMORROW.... 
The Gospel Net Catches All Sorts of Fish!!!

He's home!

Greg is out of hospital and home and relieved to be there!  
I'm so thankful!!!!!

Life. just life with it's challenges and experiences!

I should not have said I'd finish my soap-boxing about how hard it is to deal with members as now I'm saying....another delay.  I guess I should not promise the moon unless I can deliver! 

I have what I want to say on the subject, in my mind, but my thoughts have been diverted and are centered on our 2nd son.  The one that works for Cat and designs things.  Greg.  He had a mini-stroke on Friday.  He's okay in that he can talk, think, walk and has all of his faculties.  They stopped the brain bleed.  Doesn't that sound dreadful????  a brain bleed.  oh, my!  1 cat scan to see what was going on and then, the next day, one to see progress.  now they will have cardiac people check his heart.  

When life challenges come my way I have this way of dealing with things, that must just be a part of my makeup and not cultivated as  it's always been a part of me, I'm usually fine for the first 2 days and then the 3rd day I sometimes fall apart!  I have felt peaceful about this and continue to feel that way.

We did not hop on a plane and fly to him.  If they were doing brain surgery we'd have been out of here!  Also we respect the fact that he has a wonderful wife and 4 children that are with him and will give him excellent care.

Moms are funny though, don't you think?  no matter how old your son is, he is still your boy.  It's an instinctive emotion to want to run to him and care for him.  
He is precious to me. He called from the hospital to check in with us.  Knowing we would want to hear his voice. And then he proceeds to invite us to come out for the pageant (or whatever it is called) for the dedication of the Kansas City Temple.  So we will see him in April!  Our granddaughter is in it.  

I absolutely detest flying but I will do this!! 

I feel that the Lord blessed and protected Greg with the way this happened, as it happened at work and he got immediate help.  Ambulance and off to hospital.  essential in any sort of stroke, regardless of size.

I just wanted to check in, tell you that my mind and thoughts will settle and I still want to visit with you about how difficult it sometimes is to deal with each other.  A challenge for sure!!!

Hopefully he will be home by Tuesday!!

I think I'm rambling!!

The Gospel helps us to deal with these mortal trials and I'm so thankful for that fact!  I have an understanding of the plan of mortality that lets me know that these challenges come, the Lord is aware and He is in charge.  I can pray, do all that I know how to help, then have faith and trust that when there comes a time that I'm powerless, feel helpless and don't know what I can do....the odds are there is probably nothing I can do.  This is work for the Lord to do.  It's out of my realm of possibilities but not out of His.  I will let go and let God.  

These scriptures have helped me through many a rough patch in the road

God is our refuge and strength, 

a very present help in trouble.  

(Ps.46:1)

In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee:

for thou wilt answer me. 

(Ps.86:7) 

Hot Topic!

Time just slipped away today but Monday I'm going to talk about the hardest thing I've ever dealt with since joining the Church.  The one thing that makes enduring to the end so hard.  Those that we are suppose to bear their burdens and we can't hardly bear them!  Ah, yes!!!  Members that make up our Ward!  Your Ward or my Ward or any Ward....the challenge of membership--surviving each other!!  What a trial!!  What a test!!

Brigham Young, supposedly signed an autograph book with the following sentiment.  (This is in Sheri Dew's book so I'm thinking it's true.  Would the President of Deseret Book put a fib in her book?  I'm thinking not!)  So here is what he said.............

To live with Saints in Heaven is bliss and glory;

To live with Saints on Earth is another story. 

Soul Music

That young man playing the organ, in 6th Ward on Sunday, just stays in my mind.  The power of that meeting and such amazing congregational singing!  Music is such a powerful tool and can reach and touch soul deep like no other sound.  when the lyrics are read, they may be great, but not as far-reaching as put to music.

Years ago when I was a girl attending the small Baptist Church, that I enjoyed so much, we sang lots of Hymns.  Each Sunday we'd have a segment that you could call out requests for the congregation to sing.  Once in awhile the preacher would call someone up to do a spontaneous solo or duet.  Dixie and I would sometimes go up and sing a hymn we both loved.  Actually there were two.  I Come to the Garden Alone and also The Old Rugged Cross.  Truly kids will do anything!!  It shocks both of us to think we actually did that feat!  I loved the words, the melody, the lilt and how it made me feel.  I've never forgotten these words.

I Come To The Garden Alone

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. 
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

I missed the singing of lots of hymns, on Sunday, when I joined the Church but soon adapted.  I love our LDS Hymns.  In summer of 1985, our son Greg and his wife were young college students.  Home again, to Alaska, to live with us and earn summer money for the upcoming school year.  The new green Hymnal came out and Lorrie, a pianist, and I sat for hours with her playing each new hymn so we could hear what they sounded like.  Checking for new hymns and seeing which old ones had been discarded.  It was an exciting time.

The preface by the First Presidency is filled with promises and counsel about singing hymns.  Also we have Doctrine and Covenants 25 which also tells about blessings attending the singing of hymns.  Just one more blessing from a very enjoyable act!!!

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend the knotted oak." by William Congreve

Longfellow called music "the universal language of mankind".

Years ago I remember the old inservice manual, Teaching No Greater Call, and the segment they had about music- "being one of the most valuable but neglected aids"- in Church teaching.  Not just for children but also adults.

If I had children at home, I'd use a lot more music than I did.  I consciously used it when I discovered Janeen Brady's music.  These were teaching character traits like honesty, gratitude, manners etc. etc.  By then I was down to one child but it was a wonderful teaching tool.  She had a great series.  I wonder if they still make those?  When he was in 6th grade I formed a group of 6 (or was it 8) children and we did a little performance for schools against drugs.  Probably 6+ years later they could break into any of those songs.  Such is the power of teaching with music.

I just checked and found Janeen Brady is still selling things!  I had the Standin' Tall set.  The drug one was called Safety Kids.  http://www.britemusic.com/products

I would let my children play on this site and sing their hearts out, in today's world!!!

http://www.lds.org/cm/display/0,17631,4996-1,00.html    (Interactive Church Music site)
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/

This is a great talk!!
The Nourishing Power of Hymns  by Jay E. Jensen--General Conference 2007
Video:
Hymns play an essential role in spirituality, revelation, and conversion.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-nourishing-power-of-hymns?lang=eng&format=general-conference&view=sessions&media=video

An Unfinished Woman

Eileen began her talk with a few lines from her most favorite poem.  I found it in an old book from 1997 and want to share it with you.  Wonder when it was written?  This will now be one of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  It has great wisdom, reality, humor, hope.  Well, to me it does...maybe your heart will be touched in another way!  Enjoy!

An Unfinished Woman

Here am I, Lord,

The dishes barely done and night long

since fallen,

The children would not go to bed

And would not go and

Would not go--

And now they are gone.

Gone to places of their own with children

of their own

Who will not go to bed and will not go... 

And I have taught them what I could and

They have learned the things they would

And now they've gone their way alone to

learn the rest
Most on their own.

And I remain, not half spent,

And I remain, not yet content,

So much to do, so much to learn,

So much to feel, so much to yearn.

My past mistakes make stepping-stones,

Not millstones great around my neck

but

Stones to guide my searching feet--

And I must search; I'm incomplete.

I watch my years go tumbling by

And I must use them better, I

Have yet so much to learn and do

Before I can return to You.

The hour is late.  The night comes on,

My celestial self I would become.

Ah!  What wisdom thou gavest to mortal

life--

I,

As sister, mother, daughter, wife--

In earthly roles have seen Thy face.

In my womanly life Thy heavenly place

Is taught through humble tasks and pain.

So, if royal robes I would obtain,

To wear as all Thy glories burst--

I'll need to do the laundry first.

 

                                               --by Jaroldeen Edwards

Thanks for sharing, Eileen!

(Eileen and her husband will be going to Russia in a couple of weeks.  She had been asked to speak about preparing children for Missions and the Temple.  These are from her notes that she so generously shared.  I'm going to add in red a couple of things that she said that aren't detailed in her notes.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.  so much good advice!!!  She was gentle in her opening, acknowledging that sometimes children don't do as we hoped for, thus this beautiful beginning......)

And I have taught them what I could and

They have learned the things they would

And now they've gone their way alone to learn the rest

Most on their own.

(from An Unfinished Woman by Jaroldeen Edwards)

FREE AGENCY- a gift that we sometimes wish only was given to parents and not children.

The truth- "Time and Truth are on our side" (Pres. Nelson said that a few conferences ago)

The Truths we can teach--

1. Priesthood is power to act in God's name. Deacon to Missionary Elder to being a Father blessing his own children. Based on willingness to serve and keep the commandments. Mormon said to his son Moroni 8:2 These are lofty goals but we need also teach our children Doc. & Cov. 121:36-37

(there was a moment that I so wished I had a camera!  from where I was sitting you could see the new Deacon grandson as he was presented to the Ward, the beaming councilor in the Bishopric, father to the boy- her son, and then the grandfather- her husband.  to see those 3 generations, profiled,  just really touched my heart) 

2. Wickedness Never Was Happiness- keep the commandments/repent. When in doubt follow the Prophet. "In our family we do what the Prophet says" - parent to child statement with a lot of clout. Specifics are in booklet for the strength of youth.  ( she said she used that statement when hard questions were asked.  I love that!!)

3. Every human has reason to have good self esteem -We have a 3 Man team on our side- who are totally devoted to our best good. Mosiah 4:9 The Savior is our Brother and we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and the Holy Ghost to teach us. Primary song (I know my Father lives and loves me too-the Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true) teach basic things to help them fit into daily living- the gift of reading, personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning, let them devote some energy to develop a talent they can feel good about.  (she shared that she had been discouraged one day and went for a run.  That Primary song ran through her mind and the discouragement left and calmness was there in being reminded of that love)

4.SUFFERING- teaches us and is necessary Doc & Cov 122:7 My Mother always got upset when I told her I was going to have another baby. I don't think she would have been happy with me going to Russia (not that I'm planning suffering there!!!) But I know for a fact that all elders and sisters do suffer on their mission!! Larry's hard luck stories- why didn't you tell us. We must let our children suffer or they will be blindsided. Pres. Hinckley even wanted to come home. Tears in the MTC.  

(I loved this concept to teach your children that suffering  is a part of life and they will suffer and they have to learn to deal with it.  no one can be spared suffering.  Missionaries especially should be prepared for tough times.  I really felt that was powerful where she said..."We must let our children suffer or they will be blindsided."   

when she mentioned, "tears in the MTC",  she shared that they have a Russian language skype tutor and they are in touch each week.  she told her the MTC halls are filled with crying missionaries that feel they will never master the language!)

5.Service. It's what's inside that counts! New Brides at the Temple. Service is what life is all about Best way to teach is by example- giving our children opportunities to serve in the community as well as in the Church.  (she talked about working in the Temple and how some brides arrive with the focus on how do they look etc. etc.  and others arrive with a peaceful understanding of the purpose of the day.)

"I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. when we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there's is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves." 
by President Kimball (see Matt. 10:39)

Not only do we "find" ourselves in terms of acknowledging guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve other--indeed, it easier to "find" ourselves because there is so much more of us to find! 

6. Faith Faith is a gift that grows- not one that is shipped from Amazon with free overnight shipping- gift wrap included. Alma 32:26 gives the formula which we can teach to our children. We can't expect to have a testimony when we are not willing to pay the price, and we are foolish to give up the gift of the gospel just because we don't see the Lord in our live NOW. Alma 32:38 Our children need to act in faith and humility- and they need to see us do the same. If some of your life experiences have led you to feel otherwise, just hold on and keep trying and humbly listen and you will be taught. My pleas to my own children at this stage of their lives is to have faith and endure and all will be for your good because the Lord love YOU and truths are true!!

Mosiah 4:9 No one loves your children more than you do except your Heavenly Father and the Savior. Always ask for their help. They will whisper small and simple things that you can do and always honor the free agency of us as well as our children.

Making the rounds visiting

A marvelous Sunday!  I visited Abby's Ward (does everyone know, except me, that she is expecting a wee one?)  She is doing her usual hard work in the baby making department and really sick during the day and that carries on into the night.  Their Church is held when she has a really rough time, so I was surprised when an arm went around my shoulder, and she whispered in my ear...come sit with me so we can snuggle!  I moved and we held hands until her hormones kicked in and she was so hot.  It was just great to see her!  Love you, Abby!

In the 6 Sundays, beginning January 15 and up to the present time, I've visited 5 Sacrament meetings and 6 RS meetings.  One of each of those was my home Ward on "official" assignment.  That averages that in the last 6 Sundays I've been with approximately 150-180 different RS women.  This is the part of my calling that I've been most excited about- meeting new sisters.

I've just been overwhelmed with the strength and spirit of these women.  They are filled with compassion and care for each other.  When they teach you can feel the Spirit and when people respond you can feel the Spirit.  I feel such a heart connection with these women.  I always want to just sit and talk with them and get better acquainted. 

I've heard great RS lessons and some outstanding sacrament talks.  Sunday was particularly interesting.  6th Ward.  The young teen organist played the organ louder than any I've heard!  It was great as the entire congregation just sang out as loud as they could.

The Connells are heading to Russia for their Mission, in a couple of weeks, so they spoke today.  Her talk was so great and everything she said just hit home as truth.  She has 8 children.  4 sons and 4 daughters.  She shared things that she felt children should be taught.  They weren't the usual things and she was kind enough to scan and share her notes with me.  and!... I'm going to share them with you!  you are welcome!

Well, so much for that grand gift!  I will have to type it as I can't figure out how to make it smaller as it's gigantic print.  I'm rather clueless.  I'll pull a Scarlett O'Hara...fiddle-dee-dee, I'll think about it tomorrow!  I will get it to you!  Somehow or other.
                                       *************************

Such a lot of buzz about the death of Whitney Houston.  Fame seems to destroy a lot of people when the money, adoration and availability of destructive substances becomes their lifestyle.  Yes.  I watched the funeral.  Yes. I watched the Michael Jackson rehearsal tape that was released.  looking like a ghost of some sort with his paleness.  his gauntness.  his amazing dance ability (and why does he do that disgusting move??!!)  Yes. Life can be dark and destructive if we choose wrong. 

I contrasted the glitz and glam of Whitney's life and her funeral with the simplicity and peace of Marion's funeral where I spoke.

it was a nice journey to prepare the talk.  I learned so much about life and myself.  First of all, I really have no idea why I was asked to speak.  This is a woman that was mid 80's and I did not know her in her prime.  Her health has slowly declined for 12 years and the last 4 have required help.  Then came the time that she took to her bed.  She had been housebound for a long time and as her mind slowly eased away, some things made her nervous- like to much noise or people around her.

There was a huge segment of her life, those prime years, that I was clueless about.  I called 6 women that knew her in those active years and asked for adjectives to tell me what she was like.  I also called her VT and her caregiver.
They all described her in the same way...outstanding cook, homemaker, compassionate etc. etc.  She was as described in Proverbs...a virtuous woman.

Each person said the same thing that I felt...I didn't see her as much as I should have.  and yet her husband Paul felt that people had just gone out of their way in reaching out to her.  I think when those kind words or deeds are added up, no matter how small or how far apart they are, that the sum of all our efforts creates care that touches others.  Our combined small efforts, in many circumstances, are enough.

It was puzzling to me as to how to bring life to my talk when my association with her had been in those health struggles, surgeries, pain, mental struggles.  I knew that wouldn't be appropriate, as that was just one small segment, so I felt blessed to have others who could enlighten me.

I also thought....she is mid-80 and I'm to say something meaningful about her life in 15 minutes!  An entire mortal trek!  The life sketch, by her Home Teacher, had the same challenge.  The Bishop covered the doctrinal issues and of course he talked about her also.  but isn't that interesting to think that we live for umpteen years and then in 30-45 minutes the talks to cover that span are over!?

The poem The Dash popped into my mind.
http://acandlestick.blogspot.com/2011/09/dash.html

Funerals really are an amazing event.  The greatest service one can be involved in.  Angels attend in my estimation.  Miracles occur.   
http://acandlestick.blogspot.com/2011/11/pan-of-ham.html

Preparation

I'm preparing to speak at a funeral today.  I'll check back in later today.

 ********************

Sat. evening... that was rude of me to not come back like I said I would!  sorry. 

Thoughtfulness Abounds

The Valentine love fest just continued right into Wednesday!  People are so kind, thoughtful and generous!  In the busyness of life to take time to show a little love is impressive.

My youngest friend, 6 year old Lydia, made me a collage covered butterfly, with assorted jewel items glued on, a love note that was charming in it's childish print and misspelled words plus a beautiful tulle bow.  I could tell she worked long and hard on this piece of art.  AND a container of hot chocolate mix was presented.

A couple of respected Ward seniors brought a red, heart-shaped helium balloon with swirly white script announcing --I love you

Terry cooked us a wonderful dinner.  I was a gimpy gal with a sore knee so he did the honors and it was great!

A working friend had made red velvet cupcakes for her co-workers and brought the one she saved for me!  Delish and sweet gesture on so many levels!

Another sister that constantly cares for her not so healthy husband, baked a batch of rolls for sandwich making and gave 4 gigantic rolls for us to savor.  I asked her how she found time to do all that she does, like bake the rolls, and she said....I have to do things like this or I'd go nuts!

And we were the recipients of that mysterious gifting-- a "heart attack".   Hearts on plastic spoons festooned the porch rail.  All pink and red.  And a plate of beautiful treats.  Someone worked a long time to create something so detailed.  How do they do it?  How do they knock and run away, so fast, that we can't even see a trace of them?  Who are these people???

I was so touched by the thoughtfulness of so many.  I was also impressed that they carried out their plan to give and share a bit of love.  No procrastinators!

I hope that everyone was touched by either giving or receiving and enjoyed every happy minute!

I remembered a school poem, from my girlhood, about the importance of little things...Little things adding up and becoming big things. 

Little Things

Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,

Make the mighty ocean

And the pleasant land.

Thus the little minutes,

Humble though they be,

Make the mighty ages 

of eternity.

                                        

                                                         --by Julia A. Fletcher

ID thief?

At the Safeway checkout stand I was digging in my purse, trying to find the cash I'd stashed, and the checker said....card or phone number, please.

One hand in purse, still searching for my elusive bill, I just reached over and put my phone number in.

Found the folded up money, paid the man and he said what he always does....how do you pronounce your last name?  Mrs., uh uh Pettingill?

me....PET-TINGILL?!!

he...oh, you say both T's.  Have a nice day Mrs. Pet-tingill.  Go online for our survey and you might win a $100 gift card.  Do you need help out?

Dumbfounded, I left the store knowing who I wasn't and him not knowing who I was!

Twitterpated!!!

Love is everywhere and I love LOVE.  

One of my past Seminary students has been bit by the love bug and her sweetie was at Church on Sunday, to hear her talk.  She was able to focus on the subject, and not him, and gave a great talk.  He will be leaving on a jet plane, and will be back again.  Probably shortly.  Did she float down the aisle after that talk?  Did they greet each other like they'd been separated for dozens of minutes?  yes and yes!  Ah, young romance!  My heart melts and I sigh. Sweet love!  No wonder sweets are the gift for Valentines day!

I also melt when Terry loves to sit close beside me at Church and hold my hand.  He misses me when I visit other Wards and tells me so. Ah, yes even long-marrieds feel long/strong love.  

Recently, the YW had an evening about marriage and they featured wedding gowns and wedding pictures.  I shared a picture of us.  Two scared, very young looking (because we were!) people walking down the aisle of the Methodist Church in Anchorage. 

People used to look at the picture and say....Oh, you look just the same now as you did then!  
Then came the day that someone said...Who is this couple?

Recently we went to the Temple and it was a large session.  They put 3 extra chairs for the men and 4-5 for the women.  The room was maxed out.  We waited for the three front row seats to be filled.  Soon we realized it was a man taking out his endowments and then when 2 women entered, one with a tag indicating her own endowment and the other a friend that was her escort, we knew it was his wife and they would end up being sealed that day. 

From my vantage point I could see them and their escort friends.  The reverence in the room and happiness for this couple just flowed forth.  I thought how wonderful it was, that even a room full of strangers, could feel thankfulness for the step this couple, probably 60 years old or so, were taking.


What a shock it was to me though when we entered the Celestial room and realized there were only 3 of us couples that didn't know the couple being sealed!   The six of us sat off by ourselves and the remaining entire company surrounded the couple.  Joy just filled the air!  talk about LOVE!!!  


Terry and I sat, holding hands visiting. Then the Celestial room emptied out except for the 6 of us plus the couple.  A Temple worker came over to chat with them and Terry and I left.  The sealing room door was opened and I blatantly looked in. How impressive it was, to see all the chairs filled with friends, waiting for this great event to take place.  

Love was on my mind, for sure.  Sitting there, I looked down at Terry's hands.  Rather gnarled in ways.  I loved those hands when they were straight and strong and beefy and even when there was diesel mechanic grease in the pores or under the nails.  I still love those hands--A bit crooked and lily white, from washing dishes so much and no longer a grease monkey,  but familiar hands I've spent a near lifetime with.  Love is wonderful.

 

Back on Valentine's Day - Feb. 14th

 February 14th!!

Posting again!!

See you then!!

"....then embrace."

I'm at an age in my life of realizing these really are the last days and things are getting worse and will continue to do so.  I'm not rearing children.  I have a testimony.  I sit and munch on popcorn and watch as prophesied events unfold all around me in the world.  I feel rather grounded and settled.  Not whipped around by every wind of doctrine.  Enveloped in a peaceful cocoon in the midst of evil.

And then I heard a 21 year old woman bear her testimony this past Sunday.   Then a sweet boy, looked to be 12, also shared his love of the Gospel and the Savior.  Each shared a beautiful strong certain testimony of the Gospel and it hit me hard.-- The challenge that our youth have to resist what the world is promoting.  They are constantly confronted with the oft-quoted fact that...

“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,

As to be hated needs but to be seen;

Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,

We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”

(Alexander Pope, “Essay  on Man,” Epistle II, line 135.)

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 In 1995 the Church made a historic Proclamation.  One of the 5 in the history of the Church.  A Proclamation to the World.  Boldly stated.  Putting the world on notice as to the importance of families and the definition of families and all about marriages.  I remember being rude, in my mind, when I read in the very first paragraph....

"...solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God....

my rude thinking was ...well, of course!  what else would it be except a man and a woman being married?! 

it didn't take very long for me to quickly repent as I watched the world unravel and see how prophetic and protective and emphatic and necessary those words are. 

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Back in the early 1970's the Equal Rights Amendment- and a new word, Feminism- were introduced to us by the likes of Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan. They tried to convince us that we were unhappy, being distinctly our female selves, in a Church run by men and championed for all women to break through the male-dominated culture and not be in bondage.  As we tried to educate ourselves of how ERA passage would impact our personal lives and what would really be the resultant vote, one item we became concerned about was the draft and that Mother's would not be exempt.  They saw nothing ill-advised about sending the Mom to war and letting the Father stay home.  That happens nowadays and is rather commonplace.  We felt that was not good for the family. I personally still feel that way. 

Feeling that we needed to understand more and hearing that some group, seems it was with Church people somehow or other, was going to have a Conference in SLC and talk about the ERA.  A friend and I decided to go and learn and come back and share with our group of women friends.  She had a grocery store with a spare room and an outside entrance.  So we had a garage sale and all brought items to sell.  My friend and I booked a flight from AK to UT and headed into the unknown.  

We attended several classes (was it on the BYU campus?) and then saw one listed that we wondered what it was about.  I don't remember the name but I do remember the class.  It was all gay LDS men.  Most were returned Missionaries.  All with testimonies.  All pleading with us to petition the Prophet to allow them to go to the Temple and be sealed with the man of their choice.  They even had formed a group of support.  Evergreen.  We were stunned.  We had no idea that such an organization existed and we both opted to not go back and share the "disturbing" news of this class.  (nowadays I would not be silent but 40 years ago that seemed right.  to stay on task and not get off subject. We saw no connection with our life and the personal choices of these few people)

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The saga of Ellen Degeneres- probably about 25 years after the above trip.

In 1994 the standup comedienne had her own weekly TV show - "Ellen".  In 1997 she decided to have her character come out and she in real life, would also acknowledge, that she was gay.  She wrote the Emmy winning script, "The Puppy Episode".  The show caused a furor of protest, ratings plummeted, the show was canceled by 1998 and she was pretty much blackballed.

In 2001 she eventually decides to go back to her comedic routine/roots and not be poster person for gays and gets a syndicated show  "The Ellen Show" .  Her popularity grows and the show flourishes.

In 2003 she gets an NBC daily talk show - "The Ellen Degeneres Show".  Wins award after award after award.

In 2008 she became the Cover Girl for Cover Girl make-up etc.
and also....

In 2008 she showed on her daily afternoon talk show, the home movies, of her marriage to another woman.  Like any other brides...the shopping, the rings, the cake etc. etc.  I had to watch as I was just struck dumb that in 10 years....10 short years!....Standards and our society had gone from a show being canceled, because she had that segment, about announcing over a loudspeaker at an airport that her character was gay and so was she.  Just move ahead  those brief 10 years- her lesbian marriage is featured on her talk show! NBC publicized, approved, promoted, embraced the show!

In 2012, just recently, she was announced as the spokesman for family values for  J.C.Penney.  This caused a bit of a fuss and a bit of a flurry but just like the Cover Girl contract it will most likely die down.  We will excitedly buy merchandise at greatly reduced prices and not be concerned about anything other than our purchasing power and getting more for our money.  Maybe I should just speak for myself!

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It amazes me to see how subtle change can be and exactly like the earlier quote stated, I see things go from being rejected to being embraced. My own casualness sometimes alarms me!!! 

In just this week I read...

1-The NY Times, yes- very liberal. has weddings featured, announced engagements etc. of homosexuals.

2-The TV show- the Cake Boss- featured the first two women to be married, at the stroke of midnight as the first couple to do so after gay marriages were legalized in NY.

3-Now WA is ready to join 7 other states and legalize same-sex marriages.  Will I accept that as an inevitable event?

In today's modern Babylonian society we have Rosie O'Donnell with a daily talk show and she said frequently on the first few shows....this show is about families and not just lesbianism.  So Ellen is no longer alone.

The Tony's, awarding Broadway's finest shows, opened with a gay man (recently married to a man.  adopted 2 baby boys), promoting Broadway is "not just for gays anymore" throughout the extravagant song and dance number.  It was more than disturbing to see in that huge production, what appeared to be Mormon Missionaries, in full dress suits/short hair/white shirts/ties/name-tags and holding Books of Mormon, while frolicking and singing the fact that show biz is not just for gays.  In fairness there were also nuns cavorting about from another play and maybe some didn't like that either.

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As I see this encroaching and pervading our lives, my concern is for the rising generation.  How will LDS parents teach their children, and most especially the youth, that even if their friends or family friends or family members are homosexual, and even if they are in love and want to be married, that we believe that is wrong?  How will they teach them --a basic part of our religious conviction and testimony-- is based on marriage between a man and a woman.  Also that marriage between a man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.  Morality cannot be legislated.  Making it legal doesn't make it moral.

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This talk from 1971 is astounding because of how old and bold it is.  It's from April Conference- 41 years ago!!!  At that time I was living in Alaska and had a brand new 4 week old baby that we'd adopted and I do not remember reading this before.  How prophetic!  I believe in modern day prophets, so this is startling to read, when I see how far we've gone downhill since he said these words.

Spencer W. Kimball-
http://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/06/voices-of-the-past-of-the-present-of-the-future?lang=eng

http://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&query=homosexuality

How about this one?

 This blog, along with the one previously mentioned, show how two LDS women are dealing with the challenges, heartache, pain and adversity in their personal lives.  This one is from Australia.  It's always interesting to watch people make a comeback.  There is so much to be learned from others and these two blogs are honest and open and teach a lot as they share their personal journey of surviving life! 


http://lisajking.blogspot.com/

Do you read this blog?

http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Plate of Goodies

Wednesday there was a knock on the door and when I went to answer it and opened it up- no one was there!  On the porch there was a paper plate, filled with a loaf of bread and some brownies, and a small card addressed to Terry and I, resting on top of it.

A tiny card filled with sweet sentiments from young hearts and signed by a YW class and their leader.  This was the treasure!  A keepsake!!

It made me teary.  

I so love these YW and their marvelous leaders.  They work so hard in encouraging these young women to learn who they are and live up to it.  Tonight I felt they did a good deed and it will go on throughout their lives--the giving goodies, giving time, giving love and showing appreciation and expressing gratitude.  

Our YW are remarkable and they have exemplary women as leaders- living what they teach, as they guide them in their personal progress.  

What a great Ward I live in!!!

 

12 Helps

 The year was 1974 and depression had hit a lot of sisters in the Church, in trying to find balance and be perfect in ever role, that encompasses an LDS woman's life.  Worst of all was putting on a happy face and hiding the pain and pretending that all was well in our little personal Zion. It was as if we feared the judgement of each other.  I could go on and on about this time period but I won't right now.

This was also the time when the Equal Rights Amendment was just coming into the forefront of our lives and confusion reigned in the minds of many.  


I'd flown up to Anchorage as I was responsible for a Woman's Conference and Sister Barbara Smith was coming to be our guest.  I got to stay at the Stake RSP house, had the opportunity to go to the airport and pick her up with the RSP, then got to share the basement with her,  and even got to, by choice, iron her clothes for the next day. We visited and she was so wonderful. 

I asked her what the greatest challenge was amongst women at that time.  She said (me paraphrasing) the aspect of expectation of perfection which resulted in lots of depression.  She said- goals are stepping stones and not sticks to beat ourselves with.  She also shared about feeling bad that the Church had to add Compassionate service lessons as some women in Utah were saying no to helping people out and gave a couple of examples.  So I guess it was elsewhere.  (I was happy when they took those lessons out as I felt things must be back on an even keel with most of us being true to our nature!)


Anyhow it was about this time that I was stunned when President Ezra Taft Benson gave a frank Conference talk about "despair, discouragement, depression, and despondency". He mentioned 12 things that would help defeat these problems. He was acknowledging that people sometimes struggle with these emotional issues and I'd never heard that before.  This was a time that things weren't talked about openly.  No one I knew took "tranquilizers" as we called them.  We'd never heard the word "anti-depressants".  It was not the era of Prozac, Zoloft etc. and what is common in today's Rx world.  Therapy was not common.  It was a relief to have a leader offer some solutions!


Today I shared a couple of my favorite scriptures with a friend and remembered that President Benson had been the one that led me me to these scriptures in this specific talk. 

"Sixth, reading. Many a man in his hour of trial has turned to the Book of Mormon and been enlightened, enlivened, and comforted.

The psalms in the Old Testament have a special food for the soul of one in distress. In our day we are blessed with the Doctrine and Covenants, modern revelation. The words of the prophets, particularly the living president of the Church, are crucial reading and can give direction and comfort in an hour when one is down."

I remembered reading the psalms and loving them.  today I shared...  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble  and  Be still and know that I am God...  and Call upon me in the day of trouble:  I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 

I also really enjoyed re-reading today these two paragraphs.....

Yet, of all people, we as Latter-day Saints should be the most optimistic and the least pessimistic. For while we know that “peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion,” we are also assured that “the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst.” (D&C 1:35–36.)

With the assurance that the Church shall remain intact with God directing it through the troubled times ahead, it then becomes our individual responsibility to see that each of us remains faithful to the Church and its teachings. “He that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved.” (JS—M 1:11.) To help us from being overcome by the devil’s designs of despair, discouragement, depression, and despondency, the Lord has provided at least a dozen ways which, if followed, will lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing.

Some of you will recall in that great book Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan that the main character known as Christian was trying to press forward to gain entrance to the celestial city. He made it to his goal, but in order to do so, he had to overcome many obstacles, one of which was to escape from the Giant Despair. To lift our spirit and send us on our way rejoicing, the devil’s designs of despair, discouragement, depression, and despondency can be defeated in a dozen ways, namely: repentance, prayer, service, work, health, reading, blessings, fasting, friends, music, endurance, and goals.

May we use them all in the difficult days ahead so that we Christian pilgrims will have greater happiness here and go on to a fullness of joy in the highest realms of the celestial kingdom is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Do yourself a favor and read this, print it and tuck it away for reference.  an oldie but goodie!!!  Words from a Prophet!!!!

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1974/10/do-not-despair?lang=eng&query=ezra+taft+benson-+depression#