Get Ready!!!!

So enjoyed the excellent General RS Broadcast!  Since Sister Julie Beck was put in as General RS President, all those years ago, I've felt a great change in the Church spirit-wise.  It's like we are being really urged to be Christians and not so much focus on letter of the law.  I will always remember the day she said....each Ward has their own DNA.  That was the most freeing moment of being RSP for me.  I'd been told that I was a square peg in a round hole and suddenly it was just fine to be myself!!!  Loved that entire talk she gave.

Now this new General RS Presidency are really focusing on the heart of the matter and I just soak it up and it feels so good.  I love we have Handbook 2 to look up the correctness of doing things, so we don't accidentally re-invent the Church policies but I love, even more so, the encouragement to be myself, love myself and to love you, just as you are, in all our Daughter of God splendor. 

What a lot of goodness to think about, to ponder over, and to just flat out enjoy being an RS woman.
My life is so blessed!!

and now we get another time for spiritual growth....

The change of the seasons and the nesting instinct, that takes place at this time of year, just seems made to settle in and anticipate the upcoming General Conference.  You know I'm just an absolute Conference nut!!

I marvel at the technology that allows me to sit or stand, in my own home, and hear inspired talks!

This is the week to prepare for the upcoming weekend.   House needs to be cleaned.  Menu decided.
Not going to answer the phone.  Comfy clothes.  Notepad to remind me of which talks were just for me.  The talks that had answers to what I asked for through prayer...Those desires I will take to the Temple this week, seeking direction/personal revelation, I'll listen for those answers.

I believe in all of this.  I believe in Prophets.  I pray for all that will be speaking that they will be led by the Spirit as to what to say.  Can you imagine giving a talk that will be quoted, believed, relied on always???  Your words in cement!  chiseled in stone!  no editing.  no remix.  no take-backs. the printed word that will strengthen through all generations!

Now here is a great promise by a Prophet given at October General Conference 113 years ago but I will hold to it and claim it as if it were said yesterday.  or even today.

"...if you have any desire to know certain matters that you do not understand, pray that they may say something that shall enlighten your mind in reference to that which troubles you, and we will have a grand and glorious Conference, a better one than we've ever had before...let your hearts rise up to the Lord and exercise faith while our brothers are talking to you.  We will not be disappointed, and you will  not go home, you will not retire from this Conference, without feeling you have been greatly and abundantly blessed." 
                                                                                   --President Lorenzo Snow  1900 Oct. CR

Let's get ready!!!  Figure out your children's activities also.  There are all sorts of Conference tips online if they are old enough to enjoy them.  You will know how much they can tolerate/absorb of hours of talks.  How wonderful to be in your own home!  Maybe it will be life as usual for the young ones but still make a big deal out of it in some way.  Let them feel your excitement and testimony.

The above quote is from the very first lesson in our RS manual this year.  read the entire talk again.  It's a great way to prepare our hearts!

I am so looking forward to this entire week of preparation!!!
 

Looking forward to Saturday RS broadcast!!! back here Monday.

Men-only Mormon conference session to be broadcast!

Well, as I live and breathe, isn't this amazing and it just takes my breath away with excitement!  How fantastic for Priesthood holders, throughout the world, to get to see/hear from their rank and file members. How wonderful for housebound men!  How wonderful for women, that don't have a hubby that takes notes and then shares!  How wonderful for women that have HT that never quite get around to sharing earlier than late! How wonderful for women like me, that love to know the latest happenings as they are happening!! We can watch it as it unfolds!!  One more hour of goodness to fill my cup to overflowing!

The Church has worked so hard in getting all the sessions online ASAP for reading but to see it, all inclusive, in real time!  Oh, yes!  You know I'm hyper about this!

I've been looking forward to October General Conference, as I'm an avowed Conference nut, and now I'm way over the top!  Don't you just love firsts?  History in the making!

Wow!

Men-only Mormon conference session to be broadcast - Charter.net

here (church responds to Priesthood meeting request)


(PS- I'm not sure what happened to my computer but it froze up or something like that, wouldn't work, so that is why I'm just doing a blog!!  I stayed at it until midnight and then hit the hay!)

(another PS-  I don't know if my responding to comments gets to you but thanks for the love notes about our wedding anniversary!)

Hooray for enduring to the end!!!!

A milestone Sunday.  Our Wedding Anniversary.  I had left the house early to make the 9am Sacrament meeting in Yakima so we didn't get to sit together at Church, which is sometimes the case with me visiting other Wards, at times.

We talked a lot yesterday and today about being married for what at times- seems like eternity already- and then the flip side, of just getting things going in our marriage!

Our very first year of marriage was absolutely blissful!  We were two young 18 year old teens (Terry turned 19 the next month).  That is way to young for marriage!!!  Especially without the Gospel in your life.  Perhaps with the Gospel we would have still married but later on.

We knew nothing about being married and apparently nothing about planning a family as 3 months later I was expecting!  My Mother was barely adjusted, and I mean barely, to me being married and then a baby on it's way!!  I created grief for her as she was in a constant state of panic over what we were going to do, how we would handle it, how could we make it and on and on.

The thing that saved us, as we grew up and both of us changed, was the fact that we actually loved each other with a very deep love.  That coupled with the Church coming into our life and gaining testimonies, going to the Temple, and seriously wanting to be a forever family, held us together.

Looking back I'm surprised at the intensity of our love.  We have been through so many life experiences, that have sorely tried both of us, and yet we have endured...not only the learning experience but each other going through the learning experience!

We know each other so well and that is very comforting and relaxing.  Terry said that is what he loves most-- how comfortable we are with each other. 

People end up with their hen house ways and you just learn to accept it, roll with it and realize we are all a bit peculiar in our own individuality!  I love that he, Mr. Rock Solid, has compassion on Ms. Hormonal Mess.  He doesn't understand my drama and tears and wailing, while I on the other hand can't figure out why he doesn't weep his heart out.  Actually that was umpteen years ago.

His Bulging Biceps have receded and my Roller Coaster Hormones have all departed (wonderful!!!  love it!!)  It's a new world from those many years ago and it's different but it's great!

Like pets, we each have routine things that make us comfy.  Terry likes his personal space.  If meeting chairs are set up side by side, he will separate them so no one is touching him except for one chair.  my chair.

Same in the pew.  he doesn't want anyone sitting real close to him, with one exception.  Me.  He will pat the bench, motion for me to move closer, close enough that our shoulders/arms touch and then he will hold my hand.

He tells me he is amazed at how great I look, my size is just perfect, says he loves my skin that is not even wrinkled a bit,  says he just can't get over how young I look!  I go peek in the mirror and see the reality.  Skin does age and wrinkle.  Spirits don't.  He evidently is looking at my spirit with his spiritual vision.  Nice.

I on the other hand melt when he gets dressed for Church in his suit or if he puts on a pair of work coveralls.  He looks so handsome!  he tells me I'm blind.  But with him wearing that suit with that white hair, and sweet face, he is a leading man in the movies!!   and I love his hands.  Big and strong.  not so hefty now.  fingers now so crooked, that sometimes we laugh when he points, as it's hard to figure out which direction he really means!

We are here for each other.  Comfortable and comforting and still in love.  real love.

Happy 56th, Terry.  I love you so much!  xoxoxoxoxo

We were dancing fools!  Loved it!

visiting relatives on a road-trip.

Home from a stint at Amchitka

In High School. 2 babies!

Love to Share.....

Meridian Magazine - Do You Have A Little Love To Share? - Meridian Magazine - LDS, Mormon and Latter-day Saint News and Views


for those incredible people that do foster care!!!  

[Click on the top article to hear the song- “Do You Have a Little Love to Share?”]

                   

“Do You Have a Little Love to Share?”
Words by Joy Saunders Lundberg
Music by Janice Kapp Perry
Vocalist, Jenny Jordan Frogley

How would it be, to be the one
Who opens up the window and lets in the sun
In a young child’s sad and lonely life
Chasing out the darkness, letting in the light

There are so many lonely children out there
Needing just a little tender, loving care
They are wishing for a place where love is shown
Wishing for a place that they can call home

(chorus)

Do you have a little love to share
Can you find it in your heart to care
Do you have a little corner of love in your home
For a child who’s been neglected and left all alone
Do you have it to spare
Can you find it somewhere
Do you have a little love to share

How would it be, to be the one
To open up the door for a child the world has shunned
For a child who simply tries to cope
Living in the shadows, having little hope

There are so many children needing some love
Who are wishing for the life they’re dreaming of
They are hoping for a place in someone’s heart
Hoping for the chance for a brand new start

(repeat chorus)

(bridge)

Dinner on the table
Homework getting done
A little praise & hugging—
You could be the one

(repeat chorus, then add:)

Do you have a little love
Can you try to care enough
Do you have a little love to share

To the rescue....

This lamb rescue by these two Norwegians reminds me of our Missionaries.  All our young Ward members and that includes our Grandson! 

This rescue also reminded me of the hymn....  about bringing them back to the fold....to the rescue He hastens

I was not aware of this....

 The last few days I've become aware of so much suffering throughout our Stake.  Perhaps you know  of former Bishop Bruce Ricks, from Sunnyside, and his plight.  I wasn't aware.  Maybe you aren't either.  Because his immune system is really really compromised, they are keeping people up to date, through a blog.  This cuts down on visits and phone calls and etc.

He is in our prayers.
 
THE BRUCE: *Sleep coma and SAA*: The last week has been full of events, progress and sleep. Yesterday, I accidentally gave my dad a pain killer instead of an anti-nausea...

His wonderful RSP shared how great their Ward is to the Ricks family.  The Gospel is terrific.  Heard the same thing in 5th Ward.  and in 6th Ward.  All in one day!  Compassionate service is everywhere!!!  

Tuckered out...

Truth be told....I'm just wore out tonight!

So much going on and I can't collect my thoughts to write about what I want to!

Not sick or anything.  just sleepy and tired.

Have the luxury of heading to bed, snuggling in and catching some rest.

Tomorrow.  I'll be rested tomorrow!

Wards/Piecrust

Sunday Bonita returned my two pie tins (actually plates and not tins!).  When her daughter was getting married I asked what I could do and she said she needed some pies.  I sort of wilted inside.  Remember, not to long ago I made that fresh Raspberry pie and that was the first pie crust I'd made in years.  I for some reason just stopped making pies and Terry started making pies.  occasionally.  Or...maybe I stopped because he started?  Doesn't matter.  Just clarifying that I've not made very many in ages.  I did make a couple more fresh berry pies.  Then a couple of banana cream and then a couple of chocolate ones.

So pies are needed for this reception.  specifically homemade.  I opted to volunteer for 2.   Figuring in my heart IF they fail then I'll buy a couple of top of the line frozen pies and apologize.

It reminded me of the time when Toni was the Stake RSP and she casually asked if I could make pies for some event.  I said I would buy the crust and make the filling.  Reassuring her...they are real good.  She quickly gave me a different assignment and went on to bake the pies herself.  I think she made 12!!!

The pecan pie she made was the best ever.  Well, crust was as delish as my old old recipe.  She explained that she had a roommate at BYU, when she was a freshman, and that was the one thing the girl could make.  She taught Toni at 18 and she's been making them ever since.  She can make them fast as an assembly line.  It was inspiring to hear the story.


She wrote out the recipe and before I could blink an eye, Terry had made her crust that had oil in it.  It failed or Terry failed.  no good.  not like Toni's at all!!!

Finally after years, I did the Fresh Raspberry Pie.  Terry couldn't believe how great the crust was.  He seems to have totally forgotten that I used to make pie crust!  I was tired of his tough pie crust.

The 2 chocolate cream wedding pies turned out fine (and I wished I'd braved making 4-6).

All pie crust uses the same sort of ingredients...salt, flour of some sort, a bit of liquid, and some sort of fat.  There are all sorts of difference-- like mixing method, temperature of water, some add vinegar/egg/buttermilk, some chill dough and others don't.  Many different combos!

Whatever the specifics on choice of ingredients etc., the crust is combined, rolled out, put in a pan and baked and filled and enjoyed! (Yummy!!)

Sunday I went to my Ward and then went to 5th Ward.  I thought of pie crust!  Going to 2 Sacraments, back to back, was interesting.  5th Ward had the building with familiar LDS layout-- Sac. table, podium, organ, pews, hymnals etc. etc.   Order of program printed/handed out. Sacrament passed. youth speaker.  family of departing young Missionary-to-be sang.  Young Elder spoke.  and on and on.

The ingredients, the base, are the same everywhere but there is always a slight personalizing in each Ward and RS (where I go on visits).  Always within the guidelines but just their own inspired recipe of uniqueness.  All are just great!!

A little light on the subject!!!

Several months before the Church was even a certainty to be built in our neighborhood (years ago), I awoke in a sweat, terrified that our area was going to end up being the slum part of town.  I was truly in a cold sweat.  I felt it could either go one way or the other but it would not stay stagnant.  Something was going to happen.  I was heartsick as I didn't see any way that things would improve.  We used our limited energy in doing what we could to our old place (which we love in spite of age as we are aging also).

I prayed that we wouldn't end up in some crime infested area.  That there wouldn't be violence.  Or drug houses. That we wouldn't have cars in pieces or abandoned appliances or trash strewn around.

I hoped that people would be decent and nice.

In spite of a couple of rough patches, I have to admit that I'm startled and delighted with the happenings!  Our neighborhood main street runs from one road called Cheyne straight down to the next main road called Rosa.  It's the front entrance to some homes and also has side streets to houses.  Actually there aren't very many houses as a huge section is taken up by a school that has been remodeled/added on including playground.  Directly behind the school, across the street is our beautiful new Church and near it some lovely new homes.  Well, on the one side there are lovely new homes.  There is a fence running down the side of Church property and that starts where my concern is...a few duplex rentals, some older places that look a bit in need of care, a couple that really need work.  We are in that area but things have improved so much!  The school major improvements and the Church started the ball rolling.

A man bought one place and he is in process of remodeling.  going to put a new roof on and paint the outside.  Another one propped up his fence and that was an improvement.

I'd heard when the Church builds a new Chapel that the area improves and I have seen that happen right before my eyes!

The thing that has totally elevated our entire street from one end to the other is the fact that we got a new street!!!  It has been in process for several months and the crown jewel was put in place on Thursday....absolutely beautiful street lights!!  I mean gorgeous!  Very tall and black and vintage and amazing and they line the entire street.  I had been waiting to see what the lights would look like and these were way over the top.

I have enjoyed the months of hard work that the companies did.  I've enjoyed meeting some of the workers and watching them do their craft.  It was a joy!  I told one man that I knew he was employed and paid money to do it but that I enjoyed watching his crew and how well they worked together.  I never saw or heard them bicker.  They had pride in what they did.  There noise never bothered me and the only nuisance was when they compacted the gravel, readying for paving, and it about jarred my fillings out of my teeth!

I made that comment about how much I'd enjoy watching the process on the night they were going to work throughout the night with their big sodium lights keeping daylight for them.  He said that a lot of people get mad at them when they work at night.  I sat and watched them work for hours and kept wishing, as I had all along, that I had little boys (or big boys) that would enjoy all the equipment and busyness and yes, the noise.

Each crew had their own expertise and they would just zip in and do their thing and move out of the way while the next person did their part.  They all knew time was crucial and they hustled.  One woman that drove the water truck and placed all the signs and cones out (sometimes I didn't understand her sign placement but it still worked out!) actually lives in Wenatchee and she stayed in a hotel during their 4 day work week.  I enjoyed visiting with her when she was waiting to move things onto the pickup.

When they put those lights up  it just took my breath away.  I teared up a bit, thinking of that prayer and concern and tears years ago,  and thought...I live on the most beautiful street in Zillah!  and I believe that all of the residences will follow suit.   

Sadly I can't post a picture like I wanted to because today my little camera, that I have enjoyed for years, has given up the fight!!  It's over!!  I have worn it out!!

As I watched these months of work and the inspector endlessly checking things and the city folks doing their trust but verify peeks, I thought of the workings of the Church.  The check and balance system.  The return and report method.

How much effort it takes to create a Ward!  a real working Ward.  The more people willing to serve and step up to the plate then the nicer, fuller, better program is offered.  If everyone just does their part, their assignment/calling, and with confidence/trust let others do the same, then a Ward can be a great experience.  I've been in wonderful Wards.  Including now.

Wait until you see the street!!!!!

Marvelous to hear this little video!!!

Love these stories!  Great for FHE.  Take a few minutes and peek at the video.

you won't regret it!!!  Promise!

This will touch your heart.  so tender and beautiful.  here

A solemn reflection. Another anniversary.

Still feel the same...what I wrote on 9/11/12 here 

and this also...here

It's just etched in my mind!!  has never really faded.  how about you? 

 

2 jars of Balm--Vanishes/Banishes Blue-huedness Haze. from Gilead!!

Our daughter was working as Hostess on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Florida.  She would fly home to Alaska after her long assigned duty was done.  I know I've shared this before--- about when she asked me if I missed blue sky.  I told her that it was daylight and I'd never thought about the months of grey skies until we moved and I now revel in months of beautiful blue skies.  I love them pure and unmarred.  Just miles of blueness.  Hours and hours of azureness!  A bit of heaven! 

Recently I was asked...Have you ever been depressed or known someone that has been depressed?

My answers...Yes and Yes. 

It's not always easy being an LDS woman (my take).  Self-imposed expectations can easily cloud our vision.  Every LDS woman I've ever known, if we are in a frank and honest heart sharing friendship, will share she has struggled emotionally, in some way, from the palest of blue gauze haze to the blue that looks black as an Alaskan midnight sky.

In the most recent Ensign there is possibly one of the best talks I've ever read on hope.  It's called, appropriately so!, The Healing Balm of Hope.  a tease read...

"We all have a need for life-affirming hope. Here are some strategies for developing this attribute."

Also a real old (my name for it) "depression talk" from years ago, by President Benson. Wonderful!!

The reason these two talks touch my heart, is the fact they give direction/steps on how to help yourself up out of the doldrums, that happen in mortality.  We are not merry every moment of every day and we need to know what we can do to help that oppressive fog lift.  Obviously hopelessness and depression happen or these talks would not have been published much less presented to an LDS audience/congregation!

We all need to have blueprints tucked away, to help us when we can't think clearly, of what we need to do to help ourselves.  Amongst all this marvelous information you will find something to help you out of your plight.  Blue-blurred situations are usually temporary but they feel like they are permanent.  It's wonderful to have a first-aid kit for emotionally care.  These are my two favorites!!

Currently....
my all time favorite talk about hope is here
my all time favorite talk about depression is here

This touches my heart....

To soothe your aching heart...

It's a constant study to figure out how to apply the Atonement in our life.  Everything is covered by the power of the Atonement.  I used to think it was only helpful in sin.  Over the years I've really sought to figure out how to use it in my life on a more constant basis.  I was thrilled to learn that the application of the power of the atonement covers all pain and hurt.

I have friends that are struggling.  Aching and hurting and suffering emotionally& spiritually plus physically.  Hopefully they will draw strength from this old talk for 2006. It's going to zip through cyberspace and lodge in their hearts.

Take a peek  and do yourself a favor by reading this address by Carol Rasmus.

... just look right here The Atonement

It's entitled The Enabling Power of the Atonement.  She shares some of my most favorite sources.   I LOVE this article.  (This would sure make a great FHE.)

Ever thought in this light?  I underlined the part that is such a startling truth and the way Elder Holland says it?....sigh.  The Spirit  witnessed to me that it is true. 

Feel Confident in God’s Hands

On the eve of Jesus Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane, He issued this benediction to His disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Of this invitation, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “[This] may be one of the Savior’s commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord’s merciful heart.” Elder Holland added, “I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care or secure in his hands.”³

Christ stands ready with outstretched arms as He waits for us to come unto Him and be encircled in the arms of His love (see D&C 6:20). It is here that we can be healed, nourished, loved, enabled, strengthened, and made whole. Although the trial may be hard and the relief may not be immediate, we need to learn to allow God to help carry our burdens. We can do this by turning to Him regularly to seek His enabling power.

(Grace.  I love the concept of Grace. The Gospel empowers us....if we want it to be a part of our lives then we need to include that enrichment in our daily lives)

Finishing up the reminising!

Getting off subject with the feminists desiring to attend Priesthood meeting in their quest for Priesthood and becoming Bishops etc. sort of pulled me off base, momentarily, in reminiscing about some of the youth I was involved with.  I didn't stop thinking about them but just paused to soapbox a bit!!

Life is so interesting when you have lived enough years that in some instances years have accumulated in certain realms of Church service.  Today I asked the young man, (newly called to team teach Seminary, with his wife, in the building where we used to hold his class with me his teacher) how old he is.  He was in the first class I taught.  Marty told me he is almost 46 years old!!  How did that happen????  He has 4 children!  a daughter out of high school!!

Danny, a freshman in the last class I taught, is 26!!  Mike is about the same age.  Eric?  not sure.

So many missions, Temple marriages, & children in all those numbers.  Sadly some did not take that route but they have a special spot in my heart and I love them so much!  Life is not easy even if you go to Seminary!!!

I figure that covers 20 years of time and I probably taught 12 classes out of those.  The rest were with YW.  Several years with YW in CA and Anchorage/Homer/AK District before Seminary.

The Church is just fantastic in the opportunities we have to serve.  I loved all those years.  It has been fun to think about those times.  They are a great memory.  Now I make new memories and this stage of my life is wonderful also.

IF I could do it again.  I'd keep track of my callings and dates and number of students etc.  It wasn't of interest to me then but it is now.  It would be fun to look back and remember service opportunities.  Think about doing that for yourself.  I wish I had the names of each student I taught.  I'd try to track them down.

I'm wondering if I might find some Laurel girls from CA?  Now that would be fun to do!

No Girls Allowed!!!

Remember not to long ago the campaign for LDS women to wear slacks to Church?.....

Then there was an LDS blog and the woman felt that the Holy Ghost is actually Mary and others agreed. She felt the Godhead is comprised of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and Mary, the Mother of Christ.  I was surprised that several expressed their agreement....

Oh, and the "pressure" put on the brethren to allow a woman to pray at General Conference (seriously...does anyone believe that had a smidgen of impact on a woman praying?  really???!!!  NO!  not a twit!)....  

The underlying desire, the ultimate goal in all of these attention getters, is for LDS women to be ordained to the Priesthood.  The feminists are just moving along with their plan.  (how long before they lose their membership?).  

In line for October is an invitation for all of us to attend the Priesthood session.  All of us, LDS females and males, that want the slight taken care of-- Us being overlooked and not included in Priesthood ordination.  You have got to be kidding me but no!...look at this banner!



"OrdainWomen aspires to create a space for Mormon women to articulate issues of gender inequality they may be hesitant to raise alone. As a group we intend to put ourselves in the public eye and call attention to the need for the ordination of Mormon women to the priesthood."  check out their October Conference plan here

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

Ladies.  You are free.  Form your own religion and give yourselves the Priesthood or have one of your staunch male priesthood supporters ordain you!  Form your own Church.  Leave mine alone.  

Revelation comes from the tip top down to the bottom.  Not you on your tip toes, reaching up for all you are worth,  determined to change all that is dear, true, ancient and God's way, will change the Prophet's mind.  I don't care what you do but I just want you to leave me alone and that goes for my Church also.  Thanks.

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

 So... despite the promised arrival of the Restoration of the Gospel...they are seeking to rearrange/reorganize/restructure, that very long awaited Restoration??!!  Ironic!

I've looked at several of these sites and the one that showed a collage of the supporters just literally brought tears to my eyes as they were all so young.  so beautiful.  so desirous for change and equality.  A religious playing field of inequality, in their minds, that can only be leveled by rendering all mankind equal in the LDS Church by females having the Priesthood.  They would like to be leaders.  Bishops.  So they are working on the Church leaders to wake up and change things around.  Obviously beyond trying to persuade/convince General Authorities, they will have some sort of a campaign for the public and also a subtle inroad to reach women within the Church.  BUT....how will they go about convincing God on the need to change the Biblical descriptive requirements of a Bishop?

**************************************************************************
bits taken out of context and bold print added.... from 1 Tim 3:1-7  (read all of it here )

 1- If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

 2-A bishop then must be... the husband of one wife...

 4-One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

7-Moreover he must have a good report of them which are; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

also in Titus 1:7,9   here

7 For a bishop must be blameless 

 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

I will watch with interest how the feminists, desiring to be Priesthood ordained, will handle the above Bible truths, in their campaign to circumvent what God has written in stone... only men ordained with Priesthood.
********************************************************


a couple of my past blogs related to the determined LDS feminist desires. 
http://acandlestick.blogspot.com/2012/12/knicker-knots.html
 http://acandlestick.blogspot.com/2013/04/get-ready-decide-what-works-for-youenjoy.html

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Sherry Dew speaks What do LDS Women Get? 

Daily dose does wonders!!!!

There wasn't time to reach all of the people that I thought of but what a fun day to touch base with some of my former seminary students or those that I was involved in their youthful days in the Church.  I got to thinking and wondering, why I felt a pull to those former Seminary students and then it dawned on me, actually a no-brainer....when you are with someone each morning of each school day, sometimes for years (or even just one year), talking about/learning about the Gospel/Savior--you will definitely have a connection that you don't have with others.

I contacted several today.  A young man that was in the first class I taught, has just been called to team teach early morning Seminary with his wife!  He was a fantastic young man and I know he will be awesome as a teacher.  We had fun sharing a few memories.  He pulled a lot of innocent pranks that were always terrifying me.  Nothing is darker than early hours in Alaska, stepping into a darkened Church and thinking you are alone.  There was more than one time I shrieked from he and his sidekicks shenanigans.  He was spirit filled though and loved learning about the Gospel.

One fellow told me he had recently found an old script from a Roadshow.  We used to go big time on Roadshows and also Scripture chase contests.  We reminisced about those fun times.

I enjoyed hearing from a girl, okay, a woman, but to me she's a girl about our Ward drama pursuits.

And it was fun to get a note from my friend Sam.  I was never his Seminary teacher but we did a melodrama and he was the lead.  he was excellent as the villain!

 Those plays and competitions are a thing of the past.  Our new building doesn't even have a stage.  No one does roadshows.  No one competes for a prize in Scripture chases (we even traveled to Anchorage!  and won!!)  Those days are over.

This is a new era.  a new age.  and there will be memories galore, just a different kind than we made.

One thing though, the constancy of the Gospel, will never change.

Seminary teachers will continue to strive to bring their students into the Scriptures and the Scriptures into their students.  They will do their best to help those fledgling testimonies grow.  They will all hope for students like Mindi, that caught the vision/ the importance, of daily scripture reading. She started that day in class and reads daily to this day!  Amazing!!  she was a Freshman when she started.   She and I have talked and laughed about ...wouldn't it be great to know exactly what was said that day....what the challenge was etc. etc.  I do remember promising her that she wouldn't make bad choices if she read each day.  Was that a quote from President Benson?  A scripture?

Whatever it was...the Spirit taught her and she absorbed it.

There are many reasons to read daily.  for me?  I lose the Spirit without that daily jolt of goodness.

This is one of my favorite quotes about the value of daily scripture reading.....

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve explained:

“Scripture reading may … lead to current revelation on whatever [subject] the Lord wishes to communicate to the reader at that time. We do not overstate the point when we say that the scriptures can be a Urim and Thummim to assist each of us to receive personal revelation.

“Because we believe that scripture reading can help us receive revelation, we are encouraged to read the scriptures again and again. By this means, we obtain access to what our Heavenly Father would have us know and do in our personal lives today. That is one reason Latter-day Saints believe in daily scripture study” (“Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, Jan. 1995, 8).

Staying on target. On the mark!

A new school year and my mind always goes to time for Seminary to start.  I was surprised to find a note from Ami on Terry's FB.  (Maybe I still need to reconsider a site???)  What a sweet note!  Thank you, Ami.  Actually I'd been thinking of you and some book titles I want to share with you.  more on that later.

Again...thanks....
  
(Please Pass this on to your wife!)

Dear Nancy: Yesterday I was signing David up for Seminary and it surprised me how excited he was about it. It got me thinking how much I took you for granted in High School as my seminary teacher. I wish I was in a better place then but life turned out despite my bad attitude! I want you to know the one thing I did take away, which turned out to be most important, was your love for the scriptures. You spoke of them with a twinkle in your eye and I remember thinking- someday I want that! Today, I am excited for my son because I see that same twinkle beginning to grow. Sure hope it rubs off on me!
 Love you Nancy and your example of faith, it helped change my life.

I met Ami when she was 8 years old and newly baptized.  In Homer.  Then both our families ended up in WA and here we are, many years later, still connected by our introduction because of our Church activity.  

Church wise we were involved during her YW years which also coincided with my YW years of service.  I remember being her Laurel advisor and we did a service project, just the two of us, and took a shopping bag of things to a house where people were suffering from aids.  Remember, that Ami?  We tucked a Book of Mormon in also.

Every year at this time I think of all the past youth I was involved with either in YW/Roadshows/Drama/Seminary and it's so special to me.  

The new teaching program used in YM/YW has spread to Seminary and I enjoyed being able to listen to the entire training online.  True I'm not involved at all in Seminary but I am always so curious and interested in what is going on in that arena.  What a great way to prepare the youth for life.  I find the new way, comfortable and relaxed and can be done with ease.  Totally inspired.  Obviously.  How fortunate the students are and of course the teachers!  

When Ami mentioned that she could feel I love the scriptures, she was right.  I think it's easy to miss the mark.  There is so much information available in this era of technology.  The Church has made available, for our perusal , anything that they have about the Church.  It's all right there.  Then you also have every disgruntled apostate and their stories and misconstrued facts available.  Then you also have regular folks giving their take on what something means.  Means to them.  personally.  And that is before you have even  accessed every single talk given since 1971 at General Conference.  Talks you can see/read or whatever.  42 years!  and then manuals and monthly Church magazines and truly it's endless.  Books authored by both those knowing and non-knowing.  Oh, and let's not forget the fantastic LDS.org with it's myriad of info that is changing as we speak.  Videos and news and it is endless.

it makes me think though of the necessity of "getting understanding".  Proverbs 4:7
(  ^aWisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get ^bunderstanding) 

We hear a lot about core values on different issues and causes.  Sometimes dusting away the fluff, the diversion of others opinions, the distractions from the purity of the scriptures must be handled deftly or we get lost in the quicksand of gospel info, both truth and false propaganda.  

Over the years I've learned that pureness, extremely basic pureness scripturally, is as satisfying to me as a glass of refreshing ice water on a desert hot day.  Crystal clear with beaded drops that beckon.  Diamonds to drink (oh, drama mode is kicking in!!).  Nothing saccharin.  just soul satisfying truth.  Scriptures that withstand the test of time.  Scriptures that I can pull out to give myself a lift.  Pull myself up be my bootstraps.  Rejuvenate myself by feeling the Spirit tell me what I just read is true.

I am a Conference nut.  I love and appreciate the insight those talks teach.  They have helped me understand so much.  I love commentaries by authorities.  I love to learn.  I appreciate compilations of scriptures/Conference quotes.  On the other hand I'm a fusspot about what I will and won't read.  Don't like to waste time on articles that aren't truth.  Love to learn and be reminded as I relearn.

Over the years there was only one young man that made my life miserable in Seminary.  He was obviously miserable in his own life.... arrogant, intelligent, and he could bring me quivering to my knees with tears streaming down my face with his rudeness.  I told my supervisor that I could no longer teach but he wisely told me I could!  And I did! Other than him I have enjoyed every single youth that I was privileged to work with.  

Hmmmm.  Maybe I'll send a copy of this post to those I can find and tell them I love them.  Still!  

This is one of my favorite references about missing the mark, the target, because they went past the simplicity/the plainness of the words.  check out the highlighted words.  (Isn't technology amazing??)

 Jacob 4:14
14 But behold, the Jews were a ^astiffnecked people; and they^bdespised the words of ^cplainness, and ^dkilled the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their ^eblindness, which ^fblindness came by looking beyond the ^gmark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they ^hcannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may ⁱstumble.