Friends coming...

How exciting for us!  Friends, from our Homer years, are going to be here for a short visit!!  It's been a long time coming and it will be wonderful!!  They will be here tomorrow!

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

Today was my HubbyHoney's birthday!!  78!!!  no way!!  Isn't that old?  He celebrated yesterday and got to go to Sacrament for the first time in a couple of months.  He enjoyed it and people were kind and caring and greeted him.  The Bishop handed him a birthday card with the sweetest/sincerest note.  Made his day! 

and I thought I posed him so cute!!  he is precious!! xoxox

Tonight we had dinner with Kip joining us.  The menu of choice was Meat Loaf/spuds/corn/salad etc.  The dessert was the traditional Cocoalight Cake.  This time I baked it in a 9x13 pan and it still fell somewhat.  I need to look up why this keeps happening.  I got practical and made a half batch of frosting (it seems to make a huge amount!).  I figured it would thickly cover the top of the cake and just leave the sides bare.  Terry started eating his cake and very gently (or was that cautiously??) asked...Honey, is there any more frosting?  Caught!  I said...No.  I only made a half batch.  Well, Kipper and Terry could not stop razzing me...Mom, it looks like someone licked the frosting off all around the outside edge...It's my birthday and I get skimpy frosting???  I will never live this down and it will be brought up until my demise!

What a joyful thing to experience with family calling the birthday fellow and wishing him a happy birthday.  serenades from grandchildren and children and families...so special.  so meaningful.  so thoughtful.

Love my sweet Terry.  So many years of birthdays together and each becomes more precious to me. 

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

I love teaching the Laurels but I talk way to much.  I know they need to teach...they will learn...they will research...they will grow...that is the program.  I seem to run free range and want to share with them.  Like I'm trying to protect them and arm them with the gospel to survive this wicked world.

I've thought about the fact that sometimes when they slip up or goof up or make a bad judgment call or just plain sin...they seem to really punish themselves and hang onto it.  I guess I do that myself.  Do you ever let yourself down and then feel so bad and just hang onto and wrestle and wallow in a pity mud hole?  Anquishing and in the midst of rolling around, giving yourself a swift kick.  I have. 

I wanted them to know that feeling guilty is good because it lets you know you need to repent.  Feeling that sick at heart feeling is a good feeling as it's prompting you to repent/address it/change things.  It's a clear message from the Holy Ghost.  Be thankful you can feel that prodding.

But...you only need that horrible feeling until you have repented.  Even in something serious that requires Church discipline, you don't need to keep beating yourself up.  Yes, depending on what has been done, there will be some pain but I'm talking about things that don't require that sort of judgement.  Just faulting myself with how weak I sometimes am.  I don't need to beat the tar out of me! 

I think this is beautifully stated when Alma was confronting his son Corianton over his sinful behavior and afterwards he said to him...Alma 42:29

And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.

We don't need to beat ourselves up when we recognize those need to repent feelings.  We just need to be thankful that we understand the message from the Holy Ghost and repent and move on.  This fits in with what Elder Bednar said (paraphrasing) We believe in Christ but do we believe Christ.  Do we believe that what He says will work in our lives?  (well that is the basis of what he said and sorry to be so casual and not look the talk up but...I'm tired and friends are coming and I need to get ready for them!)

Back here in a couple of days!

Checking in!!

Trying new Rx for Terry and at times it's awesome and at times it's back to the same old pain!  It is expected to take a month before his body adjusts and things level out.  We are hoping for a leveling soon.

It's been hectic here...at times.  It's been peaceful here...at times.  Oh, that is definition of MyLife.  Yours too?  Yep...it is what it is and that is what it is in one form or another--a challenge!

buoyed by so much goodness of the Spirit between...General Conference for Woman and General Conference and then our Stake Conference...buoyed on all counts.

Still in mellowing out and learning to embrace MyLife with gratitude.

Got my car back from repair shop!

Week 10- today!  Pedaling and staying in place!  going nowhere but feeling successful, nonetheless!

Sunday at Stake Conference I was feeling lousy and needed a blessing.  Asked a friend's husband to give me a blessing.  He and the friend with him had no oil.  They must have asked around for 10 minutes until they found an oil vial.  Turns out there wasn't even one drop of oil in the vial.  They headed out to find some and I said...never mind just give me a blessing without oil.  They did and I appreciated it and it helped me and by the time I got home I was feeling decent.

I told them...If I'd been bleeding I would have died waiting for you to find oil! 

Later his wife checked in, via email, to see how I was feeling.  I told her okay and asked her to tell her husband...you have the power to raise the dead.  you need to have oil.

I also mentioned...if I had that power I'd carry a quart of oil in my purse.

Okay.  Exaggerated statement but I did say that. 

Definitely not wanting the Priesthood but how can they not have oil in their pocket?  I mean...seriously?  You don't carry oil to Church meetings??? 

 

As we listen to this past General Conference...I'm so strengthened and so enjoying every word.

I will be back here on Monday October 24th.

Pullman Pans

Our daily listening/watching the old Conference talks sort of completely fell by the wayside as Terry's health was taking a tumble.  Things are sort of in a mending fashion right now for him and we are back on track but riding in a new train! 

Motivated and inspired by this recent General Conference and remembering what President Lee said, long before we joined the Church, but quoted many times over the years, we decided to focus on the most recent CR for the next 6 months.

It has been wonderful!  We recorded it on our TV so we get the music and can listen to it also.  We usually re-listen afterwards to each CR but the thought that we will listen to them over and over of the same CR and end up reading the footnotes and other cited CR is something to anticipate.

From CR April 1988- Ezra Taft Benson....

For the next six months your conference edition of the Ensign should stand next to your Standard Works and be referred to frequently. As my dear friend and Brother Harold B. Lee said, “We should let these Conference addresses be the guide to our walk and talk during the next six months.  These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day.” (Conference Report, April 1946, p. 68).

Today I decided to bake wheat bread.  Wheat for man. I thought about President Monsons talk and also thought of a formal group that was in hopes the WOW would be modernized and brought up to their standards and what they know to be needed to make it healthy...what did they think after such plain/simple talk?  I can imagine somewhat as I have read of their heartfelt passion to have changes made.  Their hopes and desires were dashed.

For me?--I enjoyed hearing his statement and hopefully it will calm some that wanted changes made.  I felt fine in making the WW bread.  I enjoyed it.  I'm trying to figure out some foods to have on hand involving grain and this bread is what I'll do.  Don't fault me.

Long ago I baked all the bread for my family and I enjoyed doing it.  for years I baked 3 huge Pullman loaf pans a week.  I loved my pans.  can someone love a pan?  I really did love them on the level of loving objects!  A friend had Pullman pans and I'd never seen them before.  I ordered mine out of Anchorage from a restaurant supply store.

Heavy stainless.  Square shaped with a lid that slides on.  My kiddos loved having square slices and all of the crust is soft and it's just fun.  I have two of my old pans left...darkened...lidless.

probably 19" long.  Maybe 5" wide

new one!

Today I didn't want to mess with pans and reverted back to another bread that was a family favorite and I'd make a gigantic single loaf.  Our daughter named it The Loaf.  It was not hard to make but time consuming with a lot of starts and stops.  I hadn't made it in years.  I use to make it on a cookie sheet and that sounded great to eliminate pan prep today.

I pulled out my old recipe and instead of making one huge loaf...I made two very large ones.  Next time I'm going to make 4 loaves!  I over-baked it a bit and was glad I used parchment paper so the bottom crust didn't burn.  As it cooled the crust softened up.  Terry enjoyed it no matter how the crust was!

The smell just brought me back to umpteen years ago as did the texture/taste of the bread.  so glad I made it.  that is now going to be my WW bread recipe.  I'll regain my technique!!

before baking. oversize full baking sheet.

after baking

There was such a nice feeling as I ground my wheat and made my bread.  It felt like the right thing to do on a fall day.

I believe in our living Prophet.

MyLife

Thinking about the joys of General Conference while riding my bike to nowhere and gave myself a cheer for today being 9 weeks of me doing this feat!  5 days a week.  40 minutes a day is my time.  Have not missed a day.  I dare not stop and miss any!  I know me...I'll slide backwards so fast and those 9 weeks will be undone in 90 seconds.  I will just keep pedaling.

Still have no intention of judging success by numbers on scale.  My success meter has one label...consistency.  I guess I could also put little milestone markers like...determination...steadfastness...faith.  Yep.  could put a lot of guideposts by the wayside.

Results...greater stamina...more endurance...increased strength...easier to walk...better able to carry things...overall just feeling greater comfort whether sitting or bending or whatever.  Size wise?--noticeable only to me.  decrease in girth.  Super heavies sort of wear the same clothes and they sort of expand out or shrink back but never visible to anyone...Just felt by the wearer of the duds.  I would say, my estimation...I've gone from ReallySuperDuperBig to SuperDuperBig.  Not being mean or putting myself down.  Just my size at the present.  I'm happy with it because eventually I'll just be MySize.

Wasn't it interesting at Conference when President Monson challenged, at the Priesthood Session...the Word of Wisdom needs to be lived!  Principles and Promises-  here

In 1833 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a plan for healthy living. That plan is found in the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the Word of Wisdom. It gives specific direction regarding the food we eat, and it prohibits the use of substances which are harmful to our bodies.

Those who are obedient to the Lord’s commandments and who faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular blessings, among which are good health and added physical stamina.

ALSO

....may we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do. That this may be so, I pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

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

His remarks were given at the Priesthood session but it's for all of us.  Just like the Proclamation to the World was given at a General Woman's Conference but not solely for women but for the Church at large.  I know I have to figure out how to live the WOW and make it work for me.

With all of the yak-yak about grain being bad for a person and meat shouldn't be eaten...I felt he reiterated that the 1833 revelation is still intact and in place.  I mean...this is the Prophet.  The living current Prophet and he is saying the WOW stands as is.  Amazing. Yes- there are people with allergies and there are bad things going on in the food industry and meat handling and all sorts of stuff BUT that still doesn't erase the WOW. 

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

The talk that grabbed my heart and has stayed lodged was Elder Cook's talk and even he mentioned the WOW.  I'm just going to stick that in here and then I'll go on and tell why I was just amazed at what he said.  Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus by Elder Cook

While there are many examples of looking beyond the mark,²⁵ a significant one in our day is extremism. Gospel extremism is when one elevates any gospel principle above other equally important principles and takes a position that is beyond or contrary to the teachings of Church leaders. One example is when one advocates for additions, changes, or primary emphasis to one part of the Word of Wisdom.

I did not remember reading an article he wrote in the Ensign in 2003.  He listed it in the footnotes. (I love footnotes!) Elder Cook mentioned the WOW.  Looking beyond the Mark here

Certain members have wanted to add substantially to various doctrines. An example might be when one advocates additions to the Word of Wisdom that are not authorized by the Brethren and proselytes others to adopt these interpretations. If we turn a health law or any other principle into a form of religious fanaticism, we are looking beyond the mark.

Some who are not authorized want to speak for the Brethren and imply that their message contains the “meat” the Brethren would teach if they were not constrained to teach only the “milk.” Others want to counsel the Brethren and are critical of all teachings that do not comply with their version of what should be taught.

Surely you have all sorts of WOW quotes, just like I do but to me this was so telling, to have it mentioned in the latest General Conference and pulling the focus back to the original doctrine.  Most likely, because I'm thinking I need to add something beyond pedaling to my health regime, I took this as a confirmation that my desire is on course.  So that was of great interest to me.

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

Of even greater interest to me was the fact that Elder Cook answered a question that I've thought about.  I will try to explain this and not make it like some intricate knot.  First of all I was startled, and excited, to hear a new to me quote ...

Heber C. Kimball was one of the original Twelve Apostles of this dispensation and First Counselor to President Brigham Young. He warned: “The time is coming when … it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint from the face of an enemy to the people of God. Then … look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall.” He concluded that there is “a TEST coming.”¹⁴

AND Elder Cook also said....

In line with Heber C. Kimball’s prophecy, Elder Neal A. Maxwell said in 1982: “Much sifting will occur because of lapses in righteous behavior which go unrepented of. A few will give up instead of holding out to the end. A few will be deceived by defectors. Likewise, others will be offended, for sufficient unto each dispensation are the stumbling blocks thereof!”¹

Somewhere along the line I'd been taught that in the last days, things would be so bad, that even the Saints may be deceived but most likely not and very few.  They missed Elder Maxwell's talk from 1982 as I did?? And then Elder Cook teaches the same thing this year (and it rings true to me).  His 2016 talk is about the stumbling blocks that will lay us low if we don't watch out.  and you can just list the things going on right now, most especially with people wanting the Church to change it's stance or policy or doctrine...like even the WOW.

I wondered what the Preppers and extreme food storage advocates felt when they heard him say...

While there are many examples of looking beyond the mark,²⁵ a significant one in our day is extremism. Gospel extremism is when one elevates any gospel principle above other equally important principles and takes a position that is beyond or contrary to the teachings of Church leaders. One example is when one advocates for additions, changes, or primary emphasis to one part of the Word of Wisdom. Another is expensive preparation for end-of-days scenarios. In both examples, others are encouraged to accept private interpretations. “If we turn a health law or any other principle into a form of religious fanaticism, we are looking beyond the mark.”²⁶

I just loved the warnings in his talk!!!!  The ways that you and I can be deceived, and yes, we can be deceived, are many.  I think what I took from it was if you desire to add something or take something from the established Doctrine, then that is the wrong path!  The adversary is marshalling his ranks and some saints are right on board. He gave us safeguards and roadsigns of what to beware of and what to avoid. 

I've just always wondered what the methods of deceiving would be in the last days and he names some, lists them as stumbling blocks, and has really opened my eyes to all of the protests and petitions and etc. on things like...women and Priesthood...gay marriage...eliminating grain/meat from the WOW and on and on.

The power of how this talk hit me is not coming through most likely but believe me it's inside and in my heart. 

When I get done having a party about this talk...most likely I'll say that the next talk is my absolute favorite!

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

(Have you read this? ---

last days being deceived  here)

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

Pictured below...what you face if you don't have your food storage and a hurricane is on it's way or has come and gone!  The water one is from before the storm and the other one is after the storm.  Jeanee said the stores are still without and she will check tomorrow.  I'm just curious as to how long it will take for the shelves to be reloaded.

A blessing to have Church guidelines to be prepared and to not spend a fortune on the food that you store.  I've already seen ads popping up all over the place for signing up for elaborate food storage plans and I think of the simplicity of the Church saying...don't go into debt...just do it sensibly and systematically. 

Today-- Walmart

Water aisle -2 or 3 days before Hurricane-- Walmart

Hurricane Weather

Life has been full and hectic around here on many levels, especially with Hurricane Matthew wreaking havoc on the east coast!  Imagine the east coast of Florida being pie crust and you run your fingers down it as if you are fluting the crust and right where you give that smoothness a pinch...well, that little jutting out, in real life, that bit of a tweak is called Merritt Island.  Home of my daughter and her family!!  It was the spot that the hurricane was always headed directly towards and the Governor was saying things like....Evacuate NOW!  If you don't, you will be killed!  Leave at once!  If you stay behind we cannot rescue you!  If you watched the weather channel hours on end, as we did, you heard what we heard and saw what we saw.

Yes...they actually debated if they should ride it out (which caused Hubby great concern) but did pack up and evacuate...after picking up Scott's Mother from a facility in Melbourne to take with them. 

I was so thankful to see that little eastward turn that caused MrMatt to veer and took Merritt Island off the bulls-eye target!  Whew! 

They are home...house intact...power on and running water.  Water did get in her little studio so she is cleaning the mold/mildew that had quickly formed...neighbors are helping neighbors pick up tree limbs and debris.  Joyful that they are all safe in their cul-de-sac.

There was a close call on a huge beautiful 25' tree, located between Jeanee's and a neighbor, that was uprooted.  No harm was done to her home except it did wipe the fence out.  Damage was done to the neighbors home.  I think on the roof.

I find it fascinating to look at this tree.

It has such a small root system!  Sort of fans out and is next to nothing.  Jeanee said that it can't make deep roots because a couple of feet down is the base of cockle shells which en masse ends up like concrete.  Here is the fallen tree...

small roots...no depth to soil base.

small roots

I got to thinking of all the palm trees and wondered why they weren't all uprooted as they look so vulnerable. 

Hurricane winds.

Hurricane winds.

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

and then I found this story and enjoyed it and wanted to share the reasoning behind the strength of the Palm Tree....

Psalm 92 says that the righteous will flourish like a palm tree (Ps. 92:12). In his talk, Joel described a time he visited a community in the aftermath of a hurricane. Many houses were destroyed. Several trees were uprooted and broken to pieces. But Joel noticed the palm trees were still standing.

He asked someone how the palm trees survived the storm. A person knowledgeable about trees told him that palm trees are designed to bend. When the storms come, palm trees can bend quite a lot, even to the point of being horizontal to the ground. But they don’t break.

During the storm, you might look at the palm tree flattened against the ground and think it’s a goner. But when the storm dies down, the palm tree is able to stand upright again.

Also, scientists have found when the storm is over and the palm tree stands upright again, the palm tree is actually stronger than it was before the storm. It comes back from the storm better and stronger than ever.

What a beautiful metaphor for how God made us. We live in a world where storms hit. Sometimes the storms are difficult or impossible to avoid. Sometimes the storms are difficult or impossible to explain. But God made us like the palm tree, able to withstand even the most difficult storms. If you’re alive, it means that God isn’t through with you yet. And when the storm is over, we are able to recover and stand upright again, even stronger than before.
                                                                                                 
                                                                  --by Joshua Hook  here

Palm Trees lining road to Laie Hawaiian Temple

Psalms 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree...

**********

Interesting to contemplate...Palm Sunday.  Hmmmm.  Need to think about that connection.  Or is there one?  Don't know.

Best time of year!!!

It's here!!

and...some family is here!

Enjoy every moment of General Conference...find answers...heavenly guidance..spiritual uplift!

I am so very needy!

I will be back here after family is gone and the dust has settled.  Maybe one week from now.