Who'd of thunk it???

The movie Elder Bednar talked about.... here  A full length movie about some Church members!!

Meet the Mormons Movie

“Meet the Mormons” is a feature-length documentary film produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that will be released in select theaters on 10 October 2014.

This film is an opportunity for people to meet — in a very personal way — members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Filmed on location around the globe, “Meet the Mormons” takes viewers on a journey into the day-to-day lives of six Church members in the U.S., Costa Rica and Nepal. From their individual passions to their daily struggles, each story paints a picture as rich and unique as the next while challenging stereotypes that surround the Mormon faith.

Fantastic announcement!!!

I really want to be involved in this!!  here

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NEWS RELEASE

Apostle Calls for Uplifting Social Media Messages to Sweep the Earth

Elder Bednar also announces new Church feature film, 'Meet the Mormons'

Bravo!!

"Sharon Eubank, the director of Humanitarian Services and LDS Charities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received a standing ovation on 8 August during a speech titled 'This Is a Woman’s Church' during the 2014 FairMormon Conference in Provo, Utah." 

(Did you get a chance to see/read her talk????  here

Contradicting how she has seen the Church portrayed in the media, Sharon Eubank declared at the FairMormon Conference, “The doctrine and practices of the Church for me as a woman have given me things that I care more deeply about than anything else.”

I find it so wonderful that amidst all the TalkSquak about LDS women not having a voice that this woman is in  a key position of power and importance and impact in making things happen and representing the Church at large...

Heading to the Land of Oz...

We're off to see the Wizard...pray for us to have brains, courage, and a lot of heart!!!  we are aren't going to bank on the Wizard or the luck of the Emerald City!  We need real help!!

Conversion...small step but vital..

I don't label myself cold-hearted.  I'm warm-hearted.  I love people.  I'm seem to have lots of tender emotions towards the living.  Not so much though with those departed.  I have no idea why I'm such a sinner about that and I also have no idea why I always just blog my evilness.  But I do.  So be it.

Don't we always want to blame others for our shortcomings in character?  Isn't that the appropriate behavior?  As a girl, every relative of mine was living in Missouri.  I was in Alaska and had been there since 5 (I think).  My Mother wrote carbon paper copies of letters to the Missourian clan and Dixie and I were always made to put in a note of ...

Dear so & so,
How are you?
I am fine.
It is snowing.
I like school.
My dogs name is Cocoa.
Love,
Nancy

I knew and loved and my Grandmother Clark and my Ransdell Grandparents and adored my Aunt Bonnie.  I vaguely knew the others from my little girl memory and two trips to Missouri.

Could all of that saga be to blame in some way?

Am I just an out of sight, out of mind type person?

All of this pussy-footing around just to get back to the fact that I've not felt the warm fuzzies of doing genealogy that every other active LDS woman with a testimony seems to feel!  For me it's like a disconnect of non-concern if their Temple work has been done or their names are found.

I was given lots of genealogy information early on after I joined the Church, which was totally confusing to me, and eventually, my niece grew up and put it together in a more complete fashion than me. She is the one that I say...oh, my nice niece does that.  Our work is all done. 

Then came shifts and changes and advances in technology and the Church embraced it and put it to good use.  Indexing.  Specifically indexing the 1940 Census.  My husband fell in love with indexing.  Feeling that he would not go on a regular full-time mission, he decided that Indexing would be his Mission.

He worked at it for hours and loved it.  In his overzealous ways he tried to save my sinful soul that refused to even try indexing.  I gave it a couple of attempts and said it wasn't for me.

For a long time I've looked for information about the connection between this life and the life from whence I came (pat. bls.)  That coupled with the thought that I needed to index and not expect any soft feelings but just view it that we have been asked to do it by the General leaders so I should do it actually motivated me recently to really give it a try.  To go into it out of obedience with no expectations of confirming emotions.

Terry has been the most loving patient teacher and I have been impatient and fed-up many times.  He has always straightened out my messes and encourages me.  Always telling me how great I'm doing/how proud of me he is.

I decided to just plow along, realizing that maybe someday, somewhere, the information would make someone very happy.  I would read about 87 year old Mabel died Tuesday at Miller's Merry Manor and not really be touched.

I was touched when I did entry number 1,928.  My heart felt emotion, real tenderness and I so hoped these people heard the Gospel on this side and the other side also.  2 obituaries made a difference.  One was a little 3 year old boy that died in his sleep. I felt the horror of the parent finding him that morning.  The other was a father and a son, pushing strollers holding a 1 and a 3 year old.  Because of lack of funds for road/sidewalk upkeep they were walking almost in the street.  A truck hit and killed both children.  They described the emotion of the Father seeing his little ones in the street and really, my heart came alive with compassion.

There is hope for me.  Hope that I will continue to move past the letter of the law and further into the Spirit of the law.  My new number is 2,329.  I feel like I'm helping someone.  Perhaps it will be down the road but the information is there for their use.  I'm okay with just the feeling of willingness to Index, not needing endless spiritual confirmations to know this is the right thing to be doing.

Almost ready to drive off!

Already we are running a day late and we haven't even left yet!!  Terry was feeling a bit done in and didn't want to take off.  I was fine with leaving a day late.  Then he remembered it was a Sunday and he didn't want us to travel on the sabbath.  I agreed.  so no contention there on any counts.

There is a bit of strain on things with peaches though.  I bought fresh picked peaches to gift our loved ones.  Honestly, Terry acts like we will have the invasion of the fruit fly's...the car will never be the same, do you know how fast they multiply, we will never get rid of them... etc. etc. There is not a fruit fly any where near the peaches!

The loving concerned nay-sayers increase in numbers but we will press forth.  well, once we get in the car we will!  It feels good to have people care about our safety.  Love is so comforting/cozy/good!

Essential for travel--I had my nails done.  Painted in the special ordered, OPI Red polish, that Jen, my daughter-in-law, gave me.  My mind was on the frivolity of such an unnecessary enjoyable self-indulgent luxury as I was thinking about-- Ebola, beheadings, drought, starving/thirsty children, Africa and those sort of worldly things-- when I entered the pampering zone.

I was questioning the insanity of the woes of our last-days world and wondering if that bit of nail-care money could be put to better use...I was thinking of how blessed I am to have the life I do, interspersed with suffering abounding world-wide... so much lack and me with so much abundance.  My thoughts were interrupted by the masked young man manicurist muttering...wah han...while simultaneously not missing a beat in quickly moving nail files around.  I was able to interpret his 2 Asian words into English... please, go wash your hands in the back of the room.

Later I easily understood the direction si, accompanied by basic sign language- pointing index finger- to a chair at the drying nails table.  I sat there thinking of how customers are just money in the till and manners are not needed or used in any form.  I admit I was not going to win Miss Congeniality that day in the thought department.  I sat there feeling the air on my lacquer looking nails and checked out the really big Buddha staring past me.  A 4' or so golden Buddha with a girth of equal size, gaping mouth grin, fat rolls and jowls and belly bedraggling plus dangling ear lobes the size of golf balls.  underneath him... an open shelf with available incense and a package of half eaten cookies (an offering of some sort?)

I just took some deep breaths, calmed down and felt gratitude to be me and live where I do and most important to have the Gospel that reminds me --God knows.  He knows it all.  He knows my heart.  He knows the world happenings.  The only peace is in the Gospel and as I shift my focus to that fact and remind myself that I don't have to be some sort of martyr and forgo OPI Red in order to save the world...I really felt good inside. I can just do what I can.

Still do.  (feel good inside)    

almost ready!

I admit that I can make a great list in preparing for events.  Now I'm not saying I do everything on the list but I can make a detailed itemized plan and... IF followed will get me to the goal. 

on my list...fridge.  that pretty much says it all.  I was startled to find this little fortune cookie advice... nestled under who knows what.  it literally just fell out and onto the floor.

WHAT????!!!!!!

 

well, if these little gems are true then we are in a world of hurt.  We are headed totally the opposite direction to see the Wizard in Oz!  That must be from when the girls were here! I'm innocent and I'm sticking to my story!!!

On Thu, Aug 21, 2014 at 11:36 AM, Nancy Seljestad wrote:

hello to all of you!

School is starting and life is settling into a routine for most of you. But... we are wild and going off of any sort of routine and heading to KS and then UT to visit The Greg’s and then The Dave’s! 

We are ready for our Grand Adventure and excited to see how it goes!  Will we travel to Eagle and decide...Let’s go home  OR will we stay the course and stay steady to our Land of Oz goal?  Will we decide to never return home, as we can’t stand the thought of such a long arduous drive?  OR  will we stay a reasonable amount of time and homing pigeon like, return to our nest?

So we have those thoughts and in the meantime your sister, sweet little thing that she is, called and grilled us, counseled us, cautioned us, questioned us, lectured us, advised us  plus voiced that she has no confidence in our ability to use the teeny cell phone we have and told us how to charge it and did we have phone numbers and on and on.  We laughed ourselves silly at her MomTalk!  It was adorably hilarious!!

Out of all that conversation she extracted from us the promise that we HAVE to check in with her each day, tell where we are, how we are, name of hotel etc. etc.  In exchange-- she will pass that on to the waiting troupes...each of you!

When the cell phone is working (that will be today) then I will give you the number.

We are excited!!! 

love to all of you! and hugs and smooches!!

See you soon Greg and Dave and all those in your household!!!

Mom  

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Lol! thanks Mom. I'm thinking of having a gps chip inserted into you and daddy so you don't get lost. Soo excited for you guys!!! Awesome and good times coming! Call me when the battery on your phone charges.

Love you,

Jeanee

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In my defense...I did get the cell phone all situated by taking it to a store (as smarty computer son is not here right now).  it's a little tiny pre-paid phone.  IF a phone can be cute then this one is cute.  I wrote the number down and will send it to her plus our license plate number! 

Getting aligned. somewhat.

You know I like to go to the Temple weekly.  I strive to arrive.  You also know that I love solitude in travel to the Temple.  I recently decided to take someone every other time with me.  This week was my take a friend week.

I want to share how good the Lord is when we try to do what is right.  I always have an immense amount of soul tweaking that needs to be done.  I also have lots of flaws to be mended.  I feel I've been so busy keeping the home fires burning, in figuring out dealing with our NewNorm, that I've not really done good in the area of service...including VT.  So I'm always seeking answers and guidance and various things for resolution and solution from my Temple session.  I took those same desires with me this time.  Again.  As always.

This week I was sitting on the couch in the foyer, visiting before the session, & my heart was so tender towards my friend.  I just loved her so much and was so glad we were together at the Temple.

The session was well underway and I heard in my mind...always take people with you.  I felt it in my heart as my soul filled with joy.  prepare yourself at home before you go for worship and don't go alone.  I was so happy.  so surprised.  so thankful.  I said within ...How wonderful!  I will do this!!  I could see quiet time at home in preparing to go.  Maybe even on Sunday preparing for the upcoming week of when I would attend.  It just seemed exciting to me to think about.  I could take the sisters that I VT.  I could take friends.  I could render service and feel better about giving and helping others.

I know this is personal and I waited a day to decide to share but I decided I wanted to.  and I did.  A really special thing was the feeling I had that can best be described as pulling a cork out and releasing a wonderful healing elixir that just warmed and covered me and felt absolutely comfy and snugly.  it felt so light and fantastic and it was like releasing something that was jammed and held back, and it suddenly was free flowing.  I felt that I had just moved ahead with a great change, that was unexpected in the way it happened, and yet had been asked for over and over.  I hope that makes sense. I inched ahead but it was a milestone!!

That sweet tenderness of feeling, that gentle comfort, still hovers and I will enjoy each moment that it stays.  I'm hoping it won't be a quick fade.  I'm breathing it in and savoring the feeling.

I read this quote and felt I really understood what he was saying...

  Elder David A. Bednar taught that change “does not occur quickly or all at once; it is an ongoing process—not a single event. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. This phase of the transformation process requires time, persistence, and patience” (“Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 21)

Enjoy this promised gift!

My thoughts are with those trying to figure out teaching their children the Gospel.  I have a gift for you today.  A promise from an Apostle!!  I watch for promises from specific acts of obedience because it gives me confidence and faith.  I cling to promises as I know words spoken by Apostles are inspired and for my direction.

The days of having children in my home are long gone but they are still my children!  I have grandchildren, young friends in the Church and now I have my Laurels!  and I have you!  Don't we try to strengthen each other in our Gospel walk?

In 2007 Elder Bednar talked about "three Holy habits"---
(David A. Bednar, “Watching with All Perseverance,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 40–43)

Component Number One: Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon 
Component Number Two: Bearing Testimony Spontaneously
Component Number Three: Inviting Children to Act

(here is his promise and testimony!)

Promise and Testimony

I bear witness that parents who consistently read and talk about the Book of Mormon with their children, who share testimony spontaneously with their children, and who invite children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon will be blessed with eyes that can see afar off (see Moses 6:27) and with ears that can hear the sound of the trumpet (see Ezekiel 33:2–16). The spiritual discernment and inspiration you will receive from the combination of these three holy habits will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families—”watching … with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18)—to the blessing of your immediate family and your future posterity. I so promise and testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

I hope you enjoy just the thought of these promised blessings and will feel motivated to claim these blessings.  What a promise!!! 

PS-
(he also talked about the meaning of the root word plain.  Love this explanation!)

The convincing and converting powers of the Book of Mormon come from both a central focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the inspired plainness and clarity of its teachings. Nephi declared, “My soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn” (2 Nephi 25:4). The root word plain in this verse does not refer to things that are ordinary or simple; rather, it denotes instruction that is clear and easily understood.

Inching along!!!...but thankful for it!

My husband is such a sweetie-pie.  He cannot go to the Temple right now, and hasn't been for some time, because of his poor balance.  This is where he earns the Sweetie-Pie of the Year Award...he encourages me to go weekly.  He wants me to go.  He likes me to go.  He says he is blessed/We are blessed when I go.  He thanks me for going...actually expresses appreciation right out loud.  I think that is pretty incredible, don't you?

He has no guilt card that he plays in making me feel bad to go without him or me fussing over something that I didn't get done around here.  He asks me...What day are you going to the Temple this week?

I don't know about all older men, but my older man is my superman!!

In trying to be less selfish (as I just love Temple going in an empty car and praying/singing/silence and thoroughly enjoying myself) I'm going to invite someone to go with me every other time!  Withhold any judgement and try not to be to disgusted with my self-centeredness!  I'm seeking life balance and I have a lot on my plate with our NewNorm so sometimes I just need sorting out time...all alone. 

My testimony of peace/personal revelation and all of the good things, ever mentioned about the worth of Temple Worship, are an integral part of my Gospel Truths that I Believe to be True.

Last week, I was perplexed, and unsure.  Unsure and uncertain as to what to even pray for.  Puzzled as to what to ask for.  I ended up just praying for a bit, humming for a bit, and just being still and waiting for direction.  The one bit of direction that came to me, and I thought it was quick (you know that blessings can come in anytime after a Temple visit) was just a redirection of where to put my time and energies.  It was so welcome, so needed and I was so blessed and am so thankful.

Some time ago I saved the following quotes for you to enjoy.  Now I'm thinking...are these all from one source???  Paragraphs from one talk by Elder Packer??--I'm thinking so.  Getting ready for our Kansas trip and I'm to lazy to research them but I hope you enjoy them anyhow!!  they are true!  LOVE the one about dust of distraction!! (the last paragraph)  Actually I enjoy every single word!!

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the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can “see” things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known.

Temples are the very center of the spiritual strength of the Church. We should expect that the adversary will try to interfere with us as a Church and with us individually as we seek to participate in this sacred and inspired work. Temple work brings so much resistance because it is the source of so much spiritual power to the Latter-day Saints and to the entire Church.

At the Logan Utah Temple cornerstone dedication, President George Q. Cannon, then of the First Presidency, made this statement:

“Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness, moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us the blessings of the Eternal Gods, and those who reside in their presence” (in “The Logan Temple,” Millennial Star, Nov. 12, 1877, 743).

When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place to take our cares. In the temple we can receive spiritual perspective.

The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples. Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs. 

President Packer continues, “When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place to take our cares. In the temple we can receive spiritual perspective There, during the time of the temple service, we are “out of the world.” Sometimes our minds are so beset with problems and there are so many things clamoring for attention at once that we just cannot think clearly and see clearly. At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can ‘see’ things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known”      (“The Holy Temple,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2010, 35).

Yes!!! he did make it home!!!!

Arriving!!!!!

Mom hug!

Love this one of Lorrie and Lance

He looks so fantastic!!

He called tonight and we talked for just a few minutes.  He sounds wonderful!!  We are looking forward to our trek to Kansas and see him in person!!

I worked like crazy to get these pictures on and wasn't able to get a picture that was so special of him alone just smiling.

I was totally caught off guard at how the pictures impacted me.  I just started crying.  He looked like a warrior to me.  One that had stayed the course and lived the rules and witnessed for TWO FULL YEARS (plus those extra days waiting to hear about the bedbugs!!) of his testimony that the gospel is true!!  My heart is overflowing!!  Had no idea that it would have such an impact on me!!  So proud of him and so thankful for him!!  Can hardly wait to see him!!!!

Surely Elder Seljestad will be home today!!!!!

Not home yet!

 (Wednesday)

Me...any word about our Missionary and his travels home?????

Greg...
Morning Mom,
Inspector came by yesterday and found no bugs.  Mission President called
this morning and they will be flying home on Friday.  Lance called me at
work and was frustrated.  Jokingly asked to come get him.  He just called
and we are trying to get him home sooner.

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William Edward Norris said:

“If your lips can keep from slips,

Five things observe with care:

To whom you speak; of whom you speak;

And how, and when, and where.

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Friday cannot get here fast enough!!!!!!

In the quiet heart is hidden....

My life spans clear back to include the day Elvis died.  I remember it vividly...heading over to the costumer, for our upcoming roadshow, to discuss the Queen of Hearts gown.  The radio music was interrupted with the announcement of his death.

When I went in her house and told the seamstress the happenings, she totally went to pieces, and was to upset to even discuss anything about the costumes.

I left...of course.  My reaction was different than hers. She went into mourning while I was surprised and saddened by the way he died.  He was her hero/superstar/her love- so to speak.  When Elvis came on to the music scene years before, my high school friends and I were embarrassed by his hip movements.  Our parents were also less than pleased with his vulgarity. In spite of all the newness of the wiggling around, we all loved to dance to his music!  I shared blog-wise before about several of us riding on the back of a flatbed truck, swooning over our fellow teen- strumming a guitar/shaking his hips, in his best look alike Elvis imitation.  Advertising for the Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Spenard.  The only grocery store.

At the time of his death I was a grown woman so my reaction was not from a teen fan.

Over the years there have been many public personalities that have died.  Politicians or artists in various fields.  I remember several of them and the stir it always caused.  Also the questioning and perplexities and the whys be it suicide or assassination.

Now Robin Williams.  Genius talent.  On interviews he always seemed to be on speed-dial.  Lighting quick...Shifting and changing in character and conversation without pause.

There are so many people in the world, both public and private, that I would love to get to know and be friends with but that is not a reality.  I'm left with what others say or edited material on celebrities...drawing my own conclusions from pared down journalist interviews. 

With Robin Williams as with other famous folks, I did not know the man, but I did know his talent, his ability to entertain,  his fine-honed skills.  I know how he made me feel when I saw his work and I appreciated it.

So often the most talented seem to suffer the most without relief or cure.

We are blessed with the Gospel and we also know that many in our midst are depressed.  some deeply so.  For some they are able to find help for this affliction through the combination of medical and spiritual assistance.

How does this happen to our minds?  How can we be blue/sad/depressed, know it's going on/not want it to stay and yet have no power to just magically rid ourselves of such a heavy burden?

I have friends that battle depression.  I have family that to this day battles depression of varying degrees that range right up to manic/depressive.  I have dealt with my own fair share, that at times seemed a bit more than what you would call a fair dose!  My heart is tender towards sufferers of depression.  To this day there are times that unbidden cloud of grey haze blankets my mind and wreaks havoc with my disposition.

Suicide is even more complicated to deal with as far as understanding how that can happen.  I don't think anyone understands it.  There are readers of this blog that have had family members take their own lives.  It can never make sense no matter how many times you discuss it or try and figure it out.

My heart goes out to all sufferers of mental problems--forming a depressive state in a mind that causes an imbalance that is so out of kilter.

When I first became aware of suicide and questioned what this meant in a gospel sense, I wondered if this was considered murder and breaking one of the 10 Commandments...Thou shalt not kill.  How merciful the Lord is and how merciful the teachings of His Church through His Prophets/leaders.

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The late Elder Bruce R. McConkie, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve, expressed what many Church leaders have taught: “Suicide consists in the voluntary and intentional taking of one’s own life, particularly where the person involved is accountable and has a sound mind. … Persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord’s; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course.” (Mormon Doctrine, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, p. 771; some italics added.)

the above is an excerpt from a talk by Elder Ballard in 1988--
Suicide: Some Things We Know, and Some We Do Not

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Whatever your struggle, my brothers and sisters—mental or emotional or physical or otherwise—do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee. Though we may feel we are “like a broken vessel,” as the Psalmist says, we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter. Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind. 
This excerpt is from Elder Hollands 2013 talk --  Like a Broken Vessel

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a year ago I blogged this... 

http://acandlestick.blogspot.com/2013/09/2-jars-of-balm-vanishesbanishes-blue.html 

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Lord I Would Follow Thee

1. 1. Savior, may I learn to love thee,
   Walk the path that thou hast shown,
   Pause to help and lift another,
   Finding strength beyond my own.
   Savior, may I learn to love thee--
2. (Chorus)
   Lord, I would follow thee.
3. 2. Who am I to judge another
   When I walk imperfectly?
   In the quiet heart is hidden
   Sorrow that the eye can't see.
   Who am I to judge another?
4. 3. I would be my brother's keeper;
   I would learn the healer's art.
   To the wounded and the weary
   I would show a gentle heart.
   I would be my brother's keeper--
5. 4. Savior, may I love my brother
   As I know thou lovest me,
   Find in thee my strength, my beacon,
   For thy servant I would be.
   Savior, may I love my brother--
6. Text: Susan Evans McCloud, b. 1945. (c) 1985 IRI
   Music: K. Newell Dayley, b. 1939. (c) 1985 IRI

 

Home today????

2 years ago this month, August.  First Sunday of the month.  Fast Sunday.  Our son Greg and our grandson, Lance came to visit us from Kansas....a couple of weeks before he left on his mission to Las Vegas.  He had his new missionary suit with him and we got this picture of Grandpa and Grandson after Church.  Not the best in the world focus wise but you see and feel the love, joy and enjoyment of being together.

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I asked him to serve to the end and not come home early.  He asked us to not die while he was gone.  Covering all bases!  He served to the end and we are still earth bound.  No early departures for any of us!  Last Monday he sent his last letter.....

Hey guys, 

Well life is good.  They took our car for the last week.  :) That stinks but oh well its only 1 week, and the weather looks great.  This week we have taught some 1st lessons and we had an investigator at church.  It was great.  We taught this lady named Sherri.  She is from Arkansas with a sweet accent.  She was very interested and she told she would be at church and she actually went.  I have just enjoyed this last part of my mission.  We don't have any set things to do so we just walk and talk to everyone we see.  It is great.  I love talking to people.  I feel like time is running out and if I get any slight prompting I go get them lol.  Yesterday I ran over to catch a guy on his bike we talked for like 25 min and gave him a pamphlet and left. 

Well lots of mixed emotions.  We live 4 miles out of our area.  So we get rides as much as we can.  I am happy.  It will be sad to leave but 2 years is pretty tiring.  I have seen some of the people I have worked with in the last 2 years.  The Lord has blessed me to work with people that have changed their life.  Danielle who got sealed is pregnant with a baby boy.  That is exciting.  It is just cool.  It feels good to see the impact I was able to be a part of in peoples life.

Well I love you all, I am hoping to leave a bunch of stuff behind.  My clothes are just destroyed.  My shirts are almost see through and I have different socks now.  I am leaving all of my shoes except for the ones I wear.  So I think I will have like 2 pants, a suit, 3 shirts, and some socks.  

Love you guys ,

Elder Seljestad 

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Monday, yesterday, we get this note from Greg?  Lorrie?....

I just got an interesting phone call from Lance.  Unfortunately, an missionary who was companions with Lance's current companion ( Elder Herlin) before the last transfer, had bed bugs and the mission home is concerned that Elder Herlin may have brought bugs or eggs with him to Lance's apartment.  So they are sending a bed bug sniffing dog over there tomorrow and "bombing" the apartment or whatever they do to get rid of bed bugs.  What that all means is that he won't be able to come home until Thursday.  Bummer....

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Our son is a trickster/prankster and I'm thinking this is a joke!  I'm thinking Greg will privately pick Lance up today at the airport and take him home and surprise the family!  I've called them on it and they hold fast to their story!  My granddaughter, Britta, even told me it was true.  I'm just not buying it!!  come on!!..a bed bug sniffing dog????

I don't know the rest of the story BUT when I do...I'll share it!  bed bug sniffing dog.  oh, yes, that rings true!!  Uh-huh.

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okay.  so now I'm repenting.  I posted all of the above and I just now got this from Greg. (Way down deep inside, I'm still a doubting Thomas, if the truth be known!)

Sadly no joke.  He returns Thursday or Friday depending on if they find
bed bugs or not.  He said 22 sets of missionaries are quarantined and
cannot visit investigators or members (or go home).  He called last night
with permission to call.  All of us talked to him.  He said it is tough.
He looks at his packed suitcase.  The good members are dropping food off
for them.  He and his companion were scheduled to fly home today.  There
are four missionaries in their apartment and they are all stir crazy it
sounds.
 

Just re-read what Greg sent.  Beginning to think this is true. 

PS to last blog post....

In conjunction with my last blog post  here

I just kept thinking about the compassionate service rendered and two pictures stayed in my mind.  I contacted my daughter and ask her if she would crop those two pictures, to insure privacy of the Mother/baby, and allow me to share them with you.  She agreed.

In the first picture, Jeanee has just arrived, and the baby was in the hospital blanket.

In the second picture, is the little sweater bunting she made him.

Tip of the Iceberg

thinking about gifts that reside within us.  I really enjoy these two quotes....

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, 371). 

Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve said some “less-conspicuous gifts” include “the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; … the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost” (There Are Many Gifts--in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 23; or Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).

People are so fascinating, don't you think?  We only see and know and understand each other by how much we choose to share...to reveal.  Sometimes we learn things about each other, that we had no idea about, and it surprises us.  Usually we just see the tip of the iceberg in each other.  The visible part.  The Lord sees what is hidden to others.  He sees our hearts and knows our private deeds.

Once in awhile we get a glimpse of what lies below the water line....way beyond the tip of the iceberg.  I recently saw such a thing... a true deed of heavenly-ness. 

My heart is so touched by my beautiful daughter and a service that she did.  I didn't ask if I can share this but I will be discreet in the telling.  My daughter is my rose amongst the thorns...2 boys.  her.  2 more boys.  She was born a peace maker.  Is gentle and quiet.  Very talented.  Very loving.  Very compassionate.

She has had an adventuresome life but has always remained kind and people just love to be around her.

She always wants to alleviate suffering.  She loves babies.  She loves people.

She is a photographer amongst other interests.  Below is a recent picture she took.  Isn't it gorgeous???

She also does pictures that are not necessarily gorgeous but are heart wrenching but they are such a gift to the recipient.  No pictures of that deed will be shown here.

Recently she was called to the Hospital as a woman was in labor to deliver a stillborn.  Jeanee was going to take a picture of this less than one pound baby boy.  The night before she had taken a sweater, cut the cuff and sewed the teeniest of knit hats.  The sweater sleeve would hold the baby like a bunting.

She arrived right at the time of birth and was steeled for the scene with all her tears held back for later.

She took the baby, put his little hat on, nestled him in his Mother's arm and posed the picture.  She took his incredibly small hands and had him hold his Mother's finger.  The Mother was adoring this wee little child.  She captured that emotion in her picture.  The Mother, hospital gowned, exhausted, in the bed where she had just given birth.  Looking in wonder and tenderness at this tiny little boy, exuding the love that Mothers feel.

She thanked Jeanee over and over.

She left her the little hat and bunting.

The delayed reaction has hit Jeanee now and she has cried.  She cries off and on as she edits the pictures. I admit I have cried also. 

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Me- oh, boy.  oh, my.  rather haunting.  you can see the love just coming from the Mother.  what a startling, shocking scene for you to come into.  you rendered such great service.  that Mother will look at that picture and be so thankful for what you did.  you were the hands of Christ and I’m so thankful for you.  very tender and wonderful service you did.  I don’t know of anyone else that could do that.

Her-Thank you Momma. I was editing today, and listening to sweet music and just started silently crying....
 

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working on the balance beam...

My sister called yesterday and she was talking about receiving an invite that had where the couple was registered for gifts.  Perhaps it's not a modern thing anymore.  Maybe it's old school. She, and me too, are still not totally thinking it's great.  It is practical.

We talked in our lifetime about the anticipation/surprise/delight that would come from gifts that the giver thought the recipient would enjoy.  A lot of time the recipient hadn't even thought of or heard of such an item.  It was a happy, very personal time, a celebration for everyone.

My Mother would make Dixie and I sit down and write out a specific thank you.  We had to state the gift given/appreciation for it/and sign it.  it was then mailed.  Somewhere or other she had bought some little bread and butter note cards.  Little thank you notes.

Of course you know that I enjoy the Royals and how they do things!  (maybe I was a Queen on another planet??)  Well, when I read about Princess Diana and her life that ended up so tragically, I did pick up this tidbit, for those of you in the always busy social group--When she was going to some grand soiree, before the gala she would address her thank you note envelopes, place them on her writing desk and when she got home, no matter how late, she wrote her note-- 

thank you for the lovely visit at your lovely Palace and the lovely imported Japanese Wagyu beef was simply divine. HRH 

It was posted pronto, perhaps delivered by a horse drawn gold carriage, and her deed was done.

Maybe those notes are for days long past when people weren't doing everything lightning fast?  I enjoyed that savoring/contemplating time of writing the note.  At one time I even bought some stationary with my name on it!!  Is that Royal or uppity or what?  I love paper and stationary and note cards.  Nowadays I'm more prone to give some e-cards that I really find beautiful and I seldom send a paper note.  Seldom mail it either.  Hand it to them!

So I find myself having lived most of my life in a more proper time that was molasses slow in movement, and we all pretty much had the same standards of  etiquette.  So my earth time has been lengthy but my mind time, even as old as my body age, has managed to embrace some of the newness of this era.  Only some!!

I just did one that still has me thinking that I'm so with it, so modern, so savvy.  I did not renew my Deseret Church News!!  You read it right!! Not renewing!!  I have subscribed to it for as long as it was available and have loved it.  I realized that I'm actually reading it online and I already know the paper contents when it arrives.  I found myself first scanning for something new and then just stopping even looking through them.  So I made the big decision. Not renewing my Church News!!!

I see more and more the Church pulling me into being modern.  I don't have a cell phone.  I therefore don't text and all the other twitter and tweet and on and on.  I just started FB and the jury is still out on how to really use it and if i really enjoy it.  I do my blog.  I remember starting email and thinking I'd arrived.  Nowadays I'm thinking that is quickly getting outdated.  Prophets have FB.  We are encourage on all counts to embrace the technology of todays world.  Even missionaries are using tablets.  Oh, yes I have my tablet!  if a device can be adorable then that one is my adorable device!  I enjoy it and am amazed at it!! 

Manuals are not really printed anymore! Here comes the wave of the future or has the wave already crested?

Yesterday from Deseret Book--
Our New eCatalog is Available!  40 new products including David Archuleta & "The Peter Potential"

The Church recently released a major update for the LDS Tools mobile app, incorporating a variety of requests based on member feedback  --here

The manual for Young Women (and Young Men) is all online...Come, Follow Me is designed to help youth leaders pattern their teaching after the Savior’s methods, with the goal of helping youth become more converted to the gospel. Learn more by exploring the links below.

Handbook 2: Administering the Church

This handbook is a guide for members of ward and stake councils. It provides a doctrinal foundation for the work of the Church, as well as instructions for administering priesthood quorums and auxiliaries. PDF version

Gospel Library App

Find all of these resources and more on the Gospel Library App.

Blogging. Publishing your life through a blog can be an excellent
way to share with the world what being a member of the Church means to you.

• www.lds.org/topics/internet/blogging?lang=eng

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and this excellent talk by Elder Ballard....

Be Still, and Know That I Am God

ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD

OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

CES Devotional for Young Adults • May 4, 2014 • San Diego, California

First is the use of technology. In 2007 and 2008, I spoke to the graduating students at BYU–Hawaii and BYU–Idaho. On those occasions I said, “We cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches.”¹ At that time I urged the graduates to use the advances in technology to become involved in the worldwide conversation about the Church. I thought I was rather up to date when I suggested that they share their views on blogs. Since then, I have been introduced to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Google+, Instagram, and then my secretary told me, just as I was leaving, something about Snapchat. Wow! It seems like the world of technology cannot stand still for even a few minutes.

My cell phone is amazing! Smartphones are truly smart! They provide us so many wonderful opportunities, including accessing information, getting map directions, sharing photos and messages, and even once in a while actually talking to someone.

The modern world in which we now live is ever changing, which in some ways is good and in some ways can be not so good.

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Yesterday I had the sweetest thing ever happen about my blog.  A sister, a friend, stopped by and encouraged me to keep blogging.  She had no idea, that in my quest for balance and figuring out tweaking a life course correction-- by attending Temple, praying, immersing myself in Scripture study etc....that blogging was one of many questions in my mind.  Should I continue blogging?  I felt yes but she was the confirming factor.  Just like President Kimball said...the Lord many times answers our prayers through others.  Blogging is not the #1 concern on my list.  it takes time.  it brings in some self-doubt of what do you know/who cares what you think and other little devilish ideas that I don't like to even mention!  I was just wondering if I should keep on.  I am. I admit to loving to blog and loving the readers!! xoxoxox

In my study I found this about balance....

I realize, brothers and sisters, that other suggestions could be added to these. However, I believe that when we focus on a few basic objectives, we are more likely to be able to manage the many demands that life makes on us. Remember, too much of anything in life can throw us off-balance. At the same time, too little of the important things can do the same thing. King Benjamin counseled “that all these things are done in wisdom and order” (Mosiah 4:27).

 Sometimes we need a personal crisis to reinforce in our minds what we really value and cherish. The scriptures are filled with examples of people facing crises before learning how to better serve God and others. Perhaps if you, too, search your hearts and courageously assess the priorities in your life, you may discover, as I did, that you need a better balance among your priorities.

 Not long ago, one of my children said, “Dad, sometimes I wonder if I will ever make it.” The answer I gave to her is the same as I would give to you if you have had similar feelings. Just do the very best you can each day. Do the basic things and, before you realize it, your life will be full of spiritual understanding that will confirm to you that your Heavenly Father loves you. When a person knows this, then life will be full of purpose and meaning, making balance easier to maintain.

M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Life’s Demands in Balance,” Ensign, May 1987, 13–16