What a great way to talk about the Gospel to your children....9 lessons on the Family Proclamation and now!...13 FHE lessons on the Articles of Faith! The AofF are the summation of our doctrinal beliefs so this is the Gospel 101. The core. The center. The real deal.
So for the next 22 weeks you can use the suggested lessons and put your own family twist into it. (yes, Jennie. I'd even do something for Hadlie. Just the picture with a sentence or two. Let her see the Proclamation/the Articles of Faith. She's a big girl now and attending nursery. She needs this also. This would be one way to answer your question about teaching little ones. Go Mommy!)
Articles of Faith lessons are here
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
A Gift of NINE!!!!!
Good morning!
What a way to teach your children and what a great review and greater understanding of the Family Proclamation! 9 FHE lessons, paragraph by paragraph, with the entire evening outlined, right down to refreshments! here
You can thank me later for this marvelous find OR tell me you already knew about it and I'm slow on the know!
Whatever...enjoy and think about doing this once a year or 2x a year in preparing your family to understand the whys and wherefores of the Proclamation!
(I do less (parentheticals) and more exclamations (since beginning my blog)!!! I yam whut I yam!!)
What a way to teach your children and what a great review and greater understanding of the Family Proclamation! 9 FHE lessons, paragraph by paragraph, with the entire evening outlined, right down to refreshments! here
You can thank me later for this marvelous find OR tell me you already knew about it and I'm slow on the know!
Whatever...enjoy and think about doing this once a year or 2x a year in preparing your family to understand the whys and wherefores of the Proclamation!
(I do less (parentheticals) and more exclamations (since beginning my blog)!!! I yam whut I yam!!)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Be Prepared
The power of teachers in our Gospel classes is vital. Lately I've been really thinking about the influence felt by students, no matter their age, when they are touched by the Spirit and many times impacted in a big way. We hope for that experience for our youth. Something Spiritual for them to experience. Even one time, of feeling that specialness of Spirit, can aid them in their conversion.
On Monday when Carol and I happened to be at the graveyard, at the same time as Myra, I heard a story about the impact Carol had on Myra as a teenager. Carol remembered the incident but not the impact. Maybe she didn't realize until Myra told her!
Carol was her YW leader and Myra shared that she wanted to do some sort of adventuresome outdoors experience like the boys got to do. She wanted to sleep on pine bows, dig snow caves, build roaring fires and really rough it. Carol told her...Make it happen. Plan it out and Lee and I will help you accomplish it. And that is what she did and to this day Myra remembers that as a highlight of her youth. A pivotal moment.
This story came up because they were reminiscing about the many years their families were involved together and the things they used to jointly do. Myra said that she'd recently been at some conference/class and they were asked to name the best teacher they ever had. Myra said she ran through all the people in her life, educators, friends, etc. etc. The prized, most influential teacher in Myra's life? She settled on Carol's name. She said that Carol took a girl that was walking to a different drumbeat (my words), accepted her desires, gave her permission/power to bring about her dreams, and helped it to happen.
Myra, is Mother to many children, been a Stake RSP for several years, has had lots of Gospel experiences but isn't that interesting that a YW leader from all those years ago impacted her life in such a lasting way?
It reminded me of a talk Betsy and I had on Sunday. Her 3rd, and last, son is leaving on his Mission in a week and we were reminiscing about his life. He was 6 months old when we met. We were talking about his Sacrament talk and I said, I had no idea that his Quorum adviser, Brad, had helped in his conversion at age 14. Troy shared that a lesson had been taught that he has never forgotten. His advisor talked about having your quiver full of arrows of righteousness (my words), if you wanted to go on a mission. That lesson was his point of conversion. I told her how amazing that was.
She shared that her 2nd son, Cody, had experienced his conversion as a young boy (10-11) in Primary, when Chelle (a member of the Primary Presidency) gave a Sharing Time lesson on The First Vision. Cody had his own conversion factor as a result of that lesson.
When her first son, Danny, was getting ready for his Mission and reading the Book of Mormon, she mentioned to him how important it was that he gain his own testimony about it. He told her he already had a testimony. She asked when/what and he said-- in Seminary when the Book of Mormon was studied. He was a 14 year old freshman.
That story I was familiar with because I was his Seminary teacher and when that incident happened (several years ago), that she knew nothing about it & then found out, and she told me...well, I also knew nothing about it!! I was as stunned as she was, as nothing in particular stood out to me in any experience of a spiritual nature with him, in that Early Morning class.
These four incidents really make me think again about the power of teaching by the Spirit. We don't know how the Holy Ghost will use what we teach-- to help in someones conversion to the Gospel or conversion to a principle of the Gospel to further them along. We need to always be prepared the very best we can and the Lord will ofttimes use us in ways we know not of.
IF I could rewind the clock, I'd really try to help my children feel the Spirit, recognize the Holy Ghost, and visit with them about feelings/emotions that are connected with Gospel growth. Well, that's not going to be happening with this clock rewind dreaming talk but you can do it with your little ones still at home (no matter what their ages!) You still have time if they are living under your roof!!!
On Monday when Carol and I happened to be at the graveyard, at the same time as Myra, I heard a story about the impact Carol had on Myra as a teenager. Carol remembered the incident but not the impact. Maybe she didn't realize until Myra told her!
This story came up because they were reminiscing about the many years their families were involved together and the things they used to jointly do. Myra said that she'd recently been at some conference/class and they were asked to name the best teacher they ever had. Myra said she ran through all the people in her life, educators, friends, etc. etc. The prized, most influential teacher in Myra's life? She settled on Carol's name. She said that Carol took a girl that was walking to a different drumbeat (my words), accepted her desires, gave her permission/power to bring about her dreams, and helped it to happen.
Myra, is Mother to many children, been a Stake RSP for several years, has had lots of Gospel experiences but isn't that interesting that a YW leader from all those years ago impacted her life in such a lasting way?
It reminded me of a talk Betsy and I had on Sunday. Her 3rd, and last, son is leaving on his Mission in a week and we were reminiscing about his life. He was 6 months old when we met. We were talking about his Sacrament talk and I said, I had no idea that his Quorum adviser, Brad, had helped in his conversion at age 14. Troy shared that a lesson had been taught that he has never forgotten. His advisor talked about having your quiver full of arrows of righteousness (my words), if you wanted to go on a mission. That lesson was his point of conversion. I told her how amazing that was.
She shared that her 2nd son, Cody, had experienced his conversion as a young boy (10-11) in Primary, when Chelle (a member of the Primary Presidency) gave a Sharing Time lesson on The First Vision. Cody had his own conversion factor as a result of that lesson.
When her first son, Danny, was getting ready for his Mission and reading the Book of Mormon, she mentioned to him how important it was that he gain his own testimony about it. He told her he already had a testimony. She asked when/what and he said-- in Seminary when the Book of Mormon was studied. He was a 14 year old freshman.
That story I was familiar with because I was his Seminary teacher and when that incident happened (several years ago), that she knew nothing about it & then found out, and she told me...well, I also knew nothing about it!! I was as stunned as she was, as nothing in particular stood out to me in any experience of a spiritual nature with him, in that Early Morning class.
These four incidents really make me think again about the power of teaching by the Spirit. We don't know how the Holy Ghost will use what we teach-- to help in someones conversion to the Gospel or conversion to a principle of the Gospel to further them along. We need to always be prepared the very best we can and the Lord will ofttimes use us in ways we know not of.
IF I could rewind the clock, I'd really try to help my children feel the Spirit, recognize the Holy Ghost, and visit with them about feelings/emotions that are connected with Gospel growth. Well, that's not going to be happening with this clock rewind dreaming talk but you can do it with your little ones still at home (no matter what their ages!) You still have time if they are living under your roof!!!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Remembering.....
Monday was a day of remembering....
Also.....
The Allsop's daughter, Myra, and her husband Steve...
 | |||
| Love you so much Carol and we all miss Lee! |
Also.....
 |
| We miss Brother Allsop! |
The Allsop's daughter, Myra, and her husband Steve...
 |
| Long time friends- Carol, Myra, Steve |
 |
| Carol and Myra |
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Have not seen this before....
"The 'Come Unto Me' bronze sculpture took more than a year to make its first appearance. Unveiled in the year 2000; today, the original life-sized bronze monument stands in the grand foyer of the Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George Utah,it has become a scenic attraction, in addition to a comfort to countless families at a most tender time of their lives. It portrays the spiritual journey from mortality to immortality. It is a portrayal of an aged woman's body, returning to its symbolic prime, and back to the arms of our Savior.
It is our prayer that it's divine destiny will be portrayed and preserved according to our Heavenly Father's mind and will; revealing to all mankind that we all live eternally; that death is not the end. We all, as 'Come Unto Me' portrays, "have an eternal destiny."
Friday, May 24, 2013
Special Tributes
The Church News invited four women whose husbands have served as General Authority colleagues of President Thomas S. Monson to share thoughts about Sister Frances J. Monson.
Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, wife of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency:
My husband and I have many special memories of President and Sister Monson’s visits to Germany over the years. One time we accompanied them on a very rainy day in Dresden to visit the burial place of a missionary. In spite of the terrible weather, she had a radiance of goodness about her. I was always impressed with the way Sister Monson complimented her husband and supported him in every way. However, I also noticed that she was a wonderful person in her own right. I have enjoyed listening to her as she shared her opinions and experiences. We will miss her friendship, her beautiful smile, and her kind spirit.
Sister Donna S. Packer, wife of President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve:
Sister Monson was an ideal example of a devoted wife and mother. She understood the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of her husband’s calling. She stood ready to assist him in any way. She was quiet and unassuming but ever ready to participate in meetings and do what was required. She loved associating with the wives of the General Authorities, especially the international sisters. On one occasion, we traveled with the Monsons to South America for a temple dedication. We spent a number of hours delayed in the airport and arrived almost late for the dedication, but Sister Monson was patient through all the stress of travel. We send our deepest condolences to the Monson family.
The wives of the members of the First Presidency, Sister Frances J. Monson (left), Sister Kathleen J. Eyring (middle), and Sister Harriet R. Uchtdorf (right), attend an event. Photo by Craig Dimond, © IRI.
Sister Barbara B. Ballard, wife of Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve:
On several occasions, Russ and I have been with President and Sister Monson in Toronto. It was always a pleasure to see how the Canadian Saints loved Frances and how she was always so pleased to be with them and to speak to them. Ever a lovely and gracious woman, Frances seemed particularly relaxed and at home among the Canadian Saints.
Sister Patricia T. Holland, wife of Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve:
Sister Monson was a gentle, caring friend. She reached out to encourage me with occasional phone calls from the time my husband was serving as president of BYU until the occasion of his call to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve. I was honored to be her companion while our husbands took a little time off to go fishing. She was so unassuming with me and quite open about how she managed to care for her husband by protecting his energies with talent, intelligence, and efficiency. Though others may describe her as reserved, I saw her as a strong, self-disciplined, independent woman of wisdom and faith. I believe she knew in the first years of her marriage that her husband was divinely destined to serve in the Church, and she deliberately chose to hold back a little so that her husband’s light could shine much more broadly and without borders. I admired her deeply for her choice to be beautifully modest and selfless. I know of no woman who had greater faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and His ability to bless, heal, and teach every child of God. It stands to reason that it was because of these strengths and beliefs that she was chosen to be the wife of a prophet who will always be remembered for his arms outstretched to everyone.
****************************************************
(Article in Deseret News by Gerry Avant)
“Search far and wide, high and low, but it’s doubtful you’ll find anyone less willing to talk about herself than Frances J. Monson.”
That lead sentence on an article I wrote for the May 2, 1998, issue of the Church News came into my mind when I heard that Sister Monson, wife of President Thomas S. Monson, had passed away early Friday morning, May 17. Not knowing of any working journalist today who has known Sister Monson longer than I have, I knew I would be asked to write something about her.
I met Sister Monson nearly 40 years ago. Over the years, I saw her in many parts of the world as she accompanied President Monson on his Church assignments. We visited together in airports between commercial airline flights, often sat at the same table in restaurants, and frequently passed each other in the comings and goings of Church events.
I did my first one-on-one interview with her in 1975 as I wrote a series of articles about the wives of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve.
She was warm and friendly, kind and considerate—but she was hard to interview. Quite simply, she didn’t want to talk about herself. She remained that way throughout the years of our association. She was a very private woman.
She was also kind, gentle, and compassionate.
Latter-day Saints throughout the world know about President Monson’s many compassionate acts of service.
They’ve heard or read about his visits to hospital bedsides, care centers, and private homes. What they might not realize is that Sister Monson was by his side during many of those visits and, on occasion, pointed out to him people they should go see.
In 1998 she and President Monson received the Continuum of Caring Humanitarian Award from Friends of St. Joseph’s Villa, a care center in Salt Lake City. I think she was a bit uncomfortable about being put in the limelight, but she graciously agreed to deliver a speech at the award ceremony. She was a giver who never wanted credit.
“I perhaps would have been content to perform my service in life by raising our children, participating in the Relief Society, and helping others as my time and energy permitted,” she said upon accepting the award. “But because of the Church callings my husband has had throughout our married life, I have, with him, witnessed more pain, more suffering, more need among God’s children than otherwise would have been the case. If I have been able in some small way to help alleviate such suffering, such need, I am most grateful.”
She quoted a famous psychiatrist who gave a lecture on mental health and answered questions from the audience.
“Someone asked, ‘What would you advise a person to do if that person felt a nervous breakdown coming on?’”
Sister Monson said, “Most people would have expected him to reply, ‘Consult a psychiatrist.’ To their astonishment, he replied, ‘Lock up your house, go across the railway tracks, find someone in need, and do something to help that person.’”
That is how Sister Monson lived her life. She found people in need and helped them.
She liked this poem by Emily Dickinson:
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain.
If I can cease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
Sister Monson did not live in vain.
“When the Savior was here upon the earth, He taught, He blessed, He served,” she said upon being honored by Friends of St. Joseph’s Villa. “Now that He no longer walks among us as a mortal man, it is left to us to do His work, to minister to the needs of others. He has no hands but ours.”
Sister Frances Johnson Monson extended her hands readily and willingly.
*********************************************
This is a beautiful short video that includes the graveyard...here
********************************************
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Today....11am
an amazing time to live!... technology that will allow us to "go to" the funeral of Sister Monson, being held in the SL Tabernacle.
The funeral of Sister Frances J. Monson, wife of Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle at noon on Thursday, May 23, 2013. The public is invited to the funeral service. There will be no public viewing. Appropriate funeral attire is requested.
Tickets will be provided at all four gates for admission to the Tabernacle. No tickets are available in advance. However, once all tickets have been distributed additional attendees will be directed to overflow areas at the Conference Center Little Theater and the Church Office Building Auditorium. The public is not invited to the cemetery.
Funeral services will be streamed online on LDS.org, and broadcast live via LDS.org, KSL 5, KSL.com, BYU TV, BYU TV Global, BYU TV International, KBYU, and on the Church satellite system.
In lieu of flowers, the Monson family has requested that donations be made to the General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:http://give.lds.org/frances-monson
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tomorrow Morning- 11am
an amazing time to live!... technology that will allow us to "go to" the funeral of Sister Monson, being held in the SL Tabernacle.
The funeral of Sister Frances J. Monson, wife of Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle at noon on Thursday, May 23, 2013. The public is invited to the funeral service. There will be no public viewing. Appropriate funeral attire is requested.
Tickets will be provided at all four gates for admission to the Tabernacle. No tickets are available in advance. However, once all tickets have been distributed additional attendees will be directed to overflow areas at the Conference Center Little Theater and the Church Office Building Auditorium. The public is not invited to the cemetery.
Funeral services will be streamed online on LDS.org, and broadcast live via LDS.org, KSL 5, KSL.com, BYU TV, BYU TV Global, BYU TV International, KBYU, and on the Church satellite system.
In lieu of flowers, the Monson family has requested that donations be made to the General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:http://give.lds.org/frances-monson
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Those little children!!!!
These natural calamities are so overwhelming in magnitude. Seemingly impossible to fathom. To much to wrap my mind around. So much pain and sorrow. At the same time so much compassion and unity and turning to God come forth.
I remember my CES Supervisor telling us...The happenings in the last days will parallel the happenings in the Book of Mormon. Today I read 3rd Nephi Chapter 8. these verses really grabbed my heart in the tone of familiarity in what happened in Oklahoma. also here and 88:90
3rd Nephi
I remember my CES Supervisor telling us...The happenings in the last days will parallel the happenings in the Book of Mormon. Today I read 3rd Nephi Chapter 8. these verses really grabbed my heart in the tone of familiarity in what happened in Oklahoma. also here and 88:90
3rd Nephi
12 But behold, there was a more great and terrible destruction in the land northward; for behold, the awhole face of the land was changed, because of the tempest and the whirlwinds, and the thunderings and the lightnings, and the exceedingly great quaking of the whole earth;
13 And the ahighways were broken up, and the level roads were spoiled, and many smooth places became rough.
We are blessed to know about death, resurrection, specialness of children, the opportunity to be sealed and on and on. I know that the Lord knows what He is doing but I really can identify with my ways and thoughts being on a lower level as mentioned in these scriptures. Monday, May 20, 2013
Primer talk- 101
Once a year in, my Stake RS calling, I'm assigned to go with a Hi-councilman to speak in a Ward.
This was my first time. Not a Ward. A Branch. A Spanish Branch. I speak no Spanish.
Not to worry (so I was told). There will be an interpreter for you.
A 10 minute talk. Single subject. The Plan of Salvation. (The whole ball of wax in 10 minutes?)
I really thought about this talk (yes, I did pray also).
The Stake RSP had told me that it would be a nice idea for me to give the interpreter a copy of my talk.
Red flag. I don't write my talks. I can't talk if I read. I just talk.
Then I got to thinking about this interpreter and wondering ....how long do you talk before you stop talking so he can start talking?
Then I got concerned about flow of thought... How do you make a point if you have to interrupt yourself, mid-thought, so the interpreter can remember what you were trying to say?
Then my timer alarm in my head went off. I'm an end-on-time speaker. I will take my minutes allotment and hopefully not a second more. Thou shalt not steal anyone's speech time. Oh, boy! If I talk 10 minutes and the interpreter takes 10 minutes (and really when they speak Spanish, don't they use more words than us? it's so fast but even at that it seems to take a lot longer to say something that I think I could say it in English. I'm just judging by what I've heard read out of RS lessons) So isn't it possible that my 10 minute talk could end up 20?
Brainy idea, or perhaps brainless is more apropos? I decided to cut my talk to 5 minutes to make sure I wasn't overlapping on time.
I decided to speak in two sentences at a time. Stating the entire thought so that nothing would be lost in interpretation. Giving the interpreter a chance and to keep things moving along.
I even wrote my little 2 sentence sets and printed them. then I printed the 3 scripture references for the Spanish wordsmith. I would try to follow my outline.
So that was my preparation.
I get there and the interpreter introduces himself. We chat a minute and I hesitantly say...I did print these scriptures for you. I show him my one page with sentence pairs and ask....is this to much to say at one time? I tried to keep it short. I've never done this. Should I say one sentence at a time or can I do a complete thought and say both? He says....You can say both just like it is. do you mind if I make a copy of this? I say...okay. I'm not sure if I'll say it exactly as it is.
He copies it and comes back. Thanks me. And he leaves. The Branch President is sitting in the hall with me and I asked him how this works on standing up, sharing microphone etc. He causes a shock wave as he calmly states...Oh, no. we don't do it that way. he sits out here in the hall interpreting and the members in the Chapel wear headsets. you don't stop talking. you just talk. not to fast. It's just a regular talk.
WHAT?????!!!!!
So there I sat with my pathetic little primer talk. A talk that could have been given by any child.
Next to me, on the stand, sat the HC with a sheaf of papers/Ensign/Quad and I had my single page!!!
It was on the style of ...
See Jane?
See Jane run?
Okay. back story. I decided to approach it from the Plan of Salvation was the Plan of Happiness. Our daughter was flying from Alaska to BYU-H. Different experience/being away from home etc etc. (No, I didn't say that.) To help her be happy and have a good first time at college I packed her a box filled to the brim with everything she might need- bedding/toiletries/office stuff etc. etc. It is still a fond memory of ours and was a help to her.
it comes out....written to make sure I don't miss a word. a really horribly humiliating, but very typical of the entire nightmare mini-talk was this example....
I packed a box for my daughter's college journey.
Father in Heaven created a world for my earth journey.
Just shoot me! It's burnt into my brain! All of the talk was the same way!!!!! I should just further my confession by printing the entire 16 lines for your gaze. If you happened to be feeling incompetent or down on yourself for your lack of ability?....I know you would feel amazing about yourself after reading my "talk"!
Timing? Exactly 5 minutes, of these comparison sentences. At least we were all out of our misery relatively fast.
As I was leaving the BP, thanked me for my talk (I cringed inside), and then said....we are such a small Branch and I told the Stake President that we had to have people come speak to us from the Stake. We are desperate. We'll invite you back again.
I personally thought desperate was hysterical but stayed RS calm and told him I'd enjoy that very much.
No, Nancy. No.
Go away.
Don't stay.
Run, Nancy. Run.
Don't stay.
Run away.
This was my first time. Not a Ward. A Branch. A Spanish Branch. I speak no Spanish.
Not to worry (so I was told). There will be an interpreter for you.
A 10 minute talk. Single subject. The Plan of Salvation. (The whole ball of wax in 10 minutes?)
I really thought about this talk (yes, I did pray also).
The Stake RSP had told me that it would be a nice idea for me to give the interpreter a copy of my talk.
Red flag. I don't write my talks. I can't talk if I read. I just talk.
Then I got to thinking about this interpreter and wondering ....how long do you talk before you stop talking so he can start talking?
Then I got concerned about flow of thought... How do you make a point if you have to interrupt yourself, mid-thought, so the interpreter can remember what you were trying to say?
Then my timer alarm in my head went off. I'm an end-on-time speaker. I will take my minutes allotment and hopefully not a second more. Thou shalt not steal anyone's speech time. Oh, boy! If I talk 10 minutes and the interpreter takes 10 minutes (and really when they speak Spanish, don't they use more words than us? it's so fast but even at that it seems to take a lot longer to say something that I think I could say it in English. I'm just judging by what I've heard read out of RS lessons) So isn't it possible that my 10 minute talk could end up 20?
Brainy idea, or perhaps brainless is more apropos? I decided to cut my talk to 5 minutes to make sure I wasn't overlapping on time.
I decided to speak in two sentences at a time. Stating the entire thought so that nothing would be lost in interpretation. Giving the interpreter a chance and to keep things moving along.
I even wrote my little 2 sentence sets and printed them. then I printed the 3 scripture references for the Spanish wordsmith. I would try to follow my outline.
So that was my preparation.
I get there and the interpreter introduces himself. We chat a minute and I hesitantly say...I did print these scriptures for you. I show him my one page with sentence pairs and ask....is this to much to say at one time? I tried to keep it short. I've never done this. Should I say one sentence at a time or can I do a complete thought and say both? He says....You can say both just like it is. do you mind if I make a copy of this? I say...okay. I'm not sure if I'll say it exactly as it is.
He copies it and comes back. Thanks me. And he leaves. The Branch President is sitting in the hall with me and I asked him how this works on standing up, sharing microphone etc. He causes a shock wave as he calmly states...Oh, no. we don't do it that way. he sits out here in the hall interpreting and the members in the Chapel wear headsets. you don't stop talking. you just talk. not to fast. It's just a regular talk.
WHAT?????!!!!!
So there I sat with my pathetic little primer talk. A talk that could have been given by any child.
Next to me, on the stand, sat the HC with a sheaf of papers/Ensign/Quad and I had my single page!!!
It was on the style of ...
See Jane?
See Jane run?
Okay. back story. I decided to approach it from the Plan of Salvation was the Plan of Happiness. Our daughter was flying from Alaska to BYU-H. Different experience/being away from home etc etc. (No, I didn't say that.) To help her be happy and have a good first time at college I packed her a box filled to the brim with everything she might need- bedding/toiletries/office stuff etc. etc. It is still a fond memory of ours and was a help to her.
it comes out....written to make sure I don't miss a word. a really horribly humiliating, but very typical of the entire nightmare mini-talk was this example....
I packed a box for my daughter's college journey.
Father in Heaven created a world for my earth journey.
Just shoot me! It's burnt into my brain! All of the talk was the same way!!!!! I should just further my confession by printing the entire 16 lines for your gaze. If you happened to be feeling incompetent or down on yourself for your lack of ability?....I know you would feel amazing about yourself after reading my "talk"!
Timing? Exactly 5 minutes, of these comparison sentences. At least we were all out of our misery relatively fast.
As I was leaving the BP, thanked me for my talk (I cringed inside), and then said....we are such a small Branch and I told the Stake President that we had to have people come speak to us from the Stake. We are desperate. We'll invite you back again.
I personally thought desperate was hysterical but stayed RS calm and told him I'd enjoy that very much.
No, Nancy. No.
Go away.
Don't stay.
Run, Nancy. Run.
Don't stay.
Run away.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
tribute video here
We will all miss her. What a strong, beautiful, faithful, loving woman she was to all of us in the Church. I would love to have met her and been friends but have enjoyed seeing her over these many years, supporting her husband, and sharing him with all of us. My prayers are with all of the Monsons and most especially our Prophet.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Iceburg Tip
Thursday I drove over to Yakima to take some pictures for my blog. When Terry was an in-patient in the rehab center, for those 3 weeks, I drove over every day and sometimes a couple of times. I watched with interest a couple of businesses start to pick up the pace. One was an older building that I'd always wondered what kind of a business it was and the new one also peaked my curiosity. I'd mulled it over for years as to what would be sold within when the only sign said-- The Glass Hook. Was it fishing gear of some sort? Was it jewelry? A Psychic?
The building was an old house, dirt front, heavy drapes unevenly hung, a plastic tattered Open sign was sometimes in the lower corner of the window. It was rundown. Almost invisible- except for that old sign with it's smooth looking glass hook painted on. More than once I wanted to peek in. I didn't. It was just before I headed onto the freeway so I just always zipped past.
The other new business was further down the street, across from Jack-in-the box, and I watched it progress as they painted it a royal blue, and painted an ape on the side with it's arm reaching around to the front of the building, looked like something from Alice in Wonderland on the building. Maybe a new toy store?
Daily I watched the progress of these two places. The day the blue building, which kept repainting figures on it, put up it's name...The Smoke Shop.
I'm very naive. I'm thinking that they sell tobacco. Imported cigars, maybe. No. not right on either count.
Both shops sell paraphernalia that obviously can be used for our WA State legal to use marijuana. True, at this point they can't sell marijuana but they can sell all the things one might use to smoke it.
The Glass Hook. Their bold new sign has a very barbed hook. Now that would sure make for a great FHE to talk about the wiles of Satan and how he hooks you by legalizing products that we know are not a part of our religious life.
They put up a new sign, spiffied up the store front, paved the driveway, have a flashing neon sign plus other open signs, trimmed the hedges, built a window shelf for flowers, and built a new railing up the stairs. And they have a sign advertising, at least some of their products. Take a look...
I stopped in the middle of the street to get this single shot of the second store. It started off as the Smoke Shop but now it's called Smoke-its. They haven't put their sign in yet. Just have some plastic flapping in the breeze. It started off blue but black is evidently what they settled on. Note the woman on the left blowing smoke. Wonder what the flag with the smiley face is all about? I see the same flag color on the women's earrings. Remember the Caterpillar, in Alice in Wonderland, smoking that pipe? Well, there you go...a blue hookah pipe right there on the front...see it?.....
When Greg was here we got lost and ended up coming off the freeway onto First. He was driving (my directions!) and I was just looking around as I'd not been at that end of town in ages. I was startled to see a Hookah Lounge as we drove by!! I tried to drive and find it but it was not easy, to drive and look!, and I had no luck. I cannot believe how these places are just creeping in. well, actually they have been there but not visible until now.
They moved fast. The law went into effect December 6 that anyone over 21 can smoke pot but the rules and regulations on licensing to sell etc. etc. is not yet in place and they have Dec. 1st deadline. of this year. 2013. In the meantime these enterprising folks are getting their ducks all lined up.
Right now it's illegal to smoke in public places so I'm curious what they are doing in that Hookah Lounge.
Hookah? a shared pipe (you bring your own mouthpiece) here is what one man said....
Typically a disposable mouthpiece is provided for each user for hygiene reasons. Hookah lounges do not typically have liquor licenses but instead derive the bulk of their revenue from sales of coffee, tea, soft drinks and snack foods, especially snack foods.
Due to several state anti-tobacco laws, many Hookah Bars have made the transition from smoking traditional shisha to smoking herbal shisha because it contains no tobacco, or nicotine and is legal indoors in areas specific to the prohibition of tobacco smoking. Herbs do produce tar when they burn.
The building was an old house, dirt front, heavy drapes unevenly hung, a plastic tattered Open sign was sometimes in the lower corner of the window. It was rundown. Almost invisible- except for that old sign with it's smooth looking glass hook painted on. More than once I wanted to peek in. I didn't. It was just before I headed onto the freeway so I just always zipped past.
The other new business was further down the street, across from Jack-in-the box, and I watched it progress as they painted it a royal blue, and painted an ape on the side with it's arm reaching around to the front of the building, looked like something from Alice in Wonderland on the building. Maybe a new toy store?
Daily I watched the progress of these two places. The day the blue building, which kept repainting figures on it, put up it's name...The Smoke Shop.
I'm very naive. I'm thinking that they sell tobacco. Imported cigars, maybe. No. not right on either count.
Both shops sell paraphernalia that obviously can be used for our WA State legal to use marijuana. True, at this point they can't sell marijuana but they can sell all the things one might use to smoke it.
The Glass Hook. Their bold new sign has a very barbed hook. Now that would sure make for a great FHE to talk about the wiles of Satan and how he hooks you by legalizing products that we know are not a part of our religious life.
They put up a new sign, spiffied up the store front, paved the driveway, have a flashing neon sign plus other open signs, trimmed the hedges, built a window shelf for flowers, and built a new railing up the stairs. And they have a sign advertising, at least some of their products. Take a look...
I stopped in the middle of the street to get this single shot of the second store. It started off as the Smoke Shop but now it's called Smoke-its. They haven't put their sign in yet. Just have some plastic flapping in the breeze. It started off blue but black is evidently what they settled on. Note the woman on the left blowing smoke. Wonder what the flag with the smiley face is all about? I see the same flag color on the women's earrings. Remember the Caterpillar, in Alice in Wonderland, smoking that pipe? Well, there you go...a blue hookah pipe right there on the front...see it?.....
When Greg was here we got lost and ended up coming off the freeway onto First. He was driving (my directions!) and I was just looking around as I'd not been at that end of town in ages. I was startled to see a Hookah Lounge as we drove by!! I tried to drive and find it but it was not easy, to drive and look!, and I had no luck. I cannot believe how these places are just creeping in. well, actually they have been there but not visible until now.
They moved fast. The law went into effect December 6 that anyone over 21 can smoke pot but the rules and regulations on licensing to sell etc. etc. is not yet in place and they have Dec. 1st deadline. of this year. 2013. In the meantime these enterprising folks are getting their ducks all lined up.
Right now it's illegal to smoke in public places so I'm curious what they are doing in that Hookah Lounge.
Hookah? a shared pipe (you bring your own mouthpiece) here is what one man said....
An elderly patron of an establishment in Turkey describes the advantages of the hookah lounge as follows:
(I was curious about what they do. So I read on Wikipedia. This is what they say but I'm not the least bit convinced that it's just a little chat time. This is a part of a tangled web in my way of thinking!)"The important thing is not what you put in the pipe, but who is with you while you're smoking...it's a complete experience...in a cafe like this one, you find the good people, the old people, the interesting people. As long as there is a need for company and friendship, as long as people want to stop and think, there will be nargile cafes."
Typically a disposable mouthpiece is provided for each user for hygiene reasons. Hookah lounges do not typically have liquor licenses but instead derive the bulk of their revenue from sales of coffee, tea, soft drinks and snack foods, especially snack foods.
Some hookah lounges have well-equipped kitchens and are more akin to bistros. In the broadest sense, any restaurant or nightclub can be considered a hookah lounge if it offers patrons hookahs, shisha and a comfortable place to smoke.
Due to several state anti-tobacco laws, many Hookah Bars have made the transition from smoking traditional shisha to smoking herbal shisha because it contains no tobacco, or nicotine and is legal indoors in areas specific to the prohibition of tobacco smoking. Herbs do produce tar when they burn.
The Hookah in its first and simplest form originated in India.[3] It soon traveled west to Iran,Turkey, and Egypt where it gained mass popularity and are now the sites of some of the best quality hookahs in the world. The hookah lounge has clear antecedents in the tradition of coffee houses in the Middle East and Turkey where people smoke tobacco from hookahs or other styles of water pipe provided by the establishment. In this traditional setting the hookah is typically of the single-hose variety. This is in contrast with the multi-hose variety favored in the hookah lounge and intended to emphasize the communal nature of the activity.
Operation [edit]
The jar at the bottom of the hookah is filled with water sufficient to submerge a few centimeters of the body tube, which is sealed tightly to it. Deeper water will only increase the inhalation force needed to use it. Tobacco is placed inside the bowl at the top of the hookah. Often the bowl is covered with perforated tin foil or a metal screen and coal placed on top. The foil or screen separates the coal and the tobacco, which minimizes inhalation of coal ash with the smoke and reduces the temperature the tobacco is exposed to, in order to prevent burning the tobacco directly.
When one inhales through the hose, air is pulled through the charcoal and into the bowl holding the tobacco. The hot air, heated by the charcoal vaporizes (not burns) the tobacco, thus producing smoke, which is passed down through the body tube that extends into the water in the jar. It bubbles up through the water, losing heat, and fills the top part of the jar, to which the hose is attached. When a smoker inhales from the hose, smoke passes into the lungs, and the change in pressure in the jar pulls more air through the charcoal, continuing the process.
If the hookah has been lit and smoked but has not been inhaled for an extended period, the smoke inside the water jar may be regarded as "stale" and undesirable. Stale smoke may be exhausted through the purge valve, if present. This one-way valve is opened by the positive pressure created from gently blowing into the hose. It will not function on a multiple-hose hookah unless all other hoses are plugged. Sometimes one-way valves are put in the hose sockets to avoid the need to manually plug hoses.
2 Nephi 26:
yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.
Moses 7:
26 And he beheld Satan; and he had a great achain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with bdarkness; and he looked up and claughed, and his dangels rejoiced.
Doctrine & Covenants 89:
4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence ofaevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts ofbconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
It seems to me that this situation is moving from flaxen cord, to strong cord, and into chains. This bothers me so much but all of these things are "legal" so technically they are not doing anything "wrong". You and I both know legalizing doesn't make anything moral!!
Talk about conspiring men in the last days!!! Our only sure bet is living the Word of Wisdom. Loving my religion that gives me such guidance and protection.
**********************************
I did read that it's not healthy. (who'd of thunk it? not good for you? really?) Also you can smoke a Hookah singly. It's not always a group setting. I also read that there are Hookah Lounges in lots of places across the country. My question is...how long will it be before they can smoke marijuana in WA Hookah Lounges?2 Nephi 26:
yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.
Moses 7:
26 And he beheld Satan; and he had a great achain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with bdarkness; and he looked up and claughed, and his dangels rejoiced.
Doctrine & Covenants 89:
4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence ofaevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts ofbconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
It seems to me that this situation is moving from flaxen cord, to strong cord, and into chains. This bothers me so much but all of these things are "legal" so technically they are not doing anything "wrong". You and I both know legalizing doesn't make anything moral!!
Talk about conspiring men in the last days!!! Our only sure bet is living the Word of Wisdom. Loving my religion that gives me such guidance and protection.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)