Choice of Household

Sacrament meetings....such a boost!  At least in our Ward it is!  People really give the assigned subject contemplative thought and prayer.  The Spirit is there and it's a great experience.  We actually sing pretty loud now. Our chapel is so new and beautiful.  True it's going on 3 years old but it's still gorgeous.  Great atmosphere.

Today was a double bonus.  Alyssa's last talk before leaving Tuesday for her Mission in Brazil  & Everett speaking after arriving home Saturday night, his first Sunday back, about his Mission in New York.  Two such amazing young people and our Ward was double happy to have friends and families of theirs visiting.

Plus Mike was there with his fiancee and we were all happy for the two of them and his family.

It was a celebratory weekend with food, festivities, open house, women baking cookies, friends from long distance, anticipatory sharing...  Joy for a journey to begin and Joy for a journey just ended and Joy for an upcoming Temple marriage.

Alyssa just moved here with her wonderful family and they just embraced the Ward and vice versa.  Mike and Everett were both born and raised here and this has been their home Ward their entire lives.  Mike was just a little boy when I met him.  When we was a 9th grader I was his Seminary teacher.  I remember when Everett was born and him being blessed.

If the new influx of missionaries are like these 3 young people then the gathering is going to really pick up speed and skyrocket.  As a Ward we are so proud of them.  We love them and pray for them.  We've watched them over the years as they've walked the Gospel path, testing the water of doubt and certainty, and working hard on their own conversion.  We look at them and tear up and tell each other...the Church is in good hands with young people like this as future Ward and Stake leaders.

When a person faithfully makes the effort to attend Sacrament meeting, week after week after week....When that person makes the effort to speak.  to smile.  to reach out to others.....the day will come they will feel like they are at an extended family reunion and it will be a wonderful feeling.  Their consistent effort will pay benefits because on those days, maybe it's been a rough week and they feel a little down, someone will pay that friendliness back with a warm greeting.

When we put forth consistent effort we will end up feeling we belong to our Ward Family and we are not a stranger.  If we put forth nothing and offer nothing, we will receive in kind that same amount.  People will not be pushy.  They will think you want to be alone and respect that and leave you to yourself.  A simple hello and a smile or the added bonus of a handshake is a ticket to being included & welcomed and the warmth of that fellow citizenship will wash over us. 

After our great exciting Sacrament, I headed on assignment to visit a Ward Conference.  I knew only 4 people in the room.  I thought of how new people feel.  How everyone interacts and checks on events and gives reminders.  How they name locations and people and upcoming plans.  How totally lost I was on what they were talking about.  How excluded I could be made to feel if I was truly a stranger instead of a happy woman that just left a fantastic Sacrament meeting.  The man conducting welcomed the Stake RS leaders (his wife is one of the Counselors!) but our names were never mentioned by way of introduction and again I thought of how important our conduct to visitors and new converts, is so essential.

It's a 2 way street.  The old and the new attendees need to reach out.  I've seen people move into the Ward and just step right up and volunteer to do things and say they want to be involved.  I've seen others that immediately start the Ward Comparison Chant about how marvelous/perfect their previous Ward was and how our Ward, their new Ward, lacks style & substance. and we really should do this and that and this and that.  Grumblers and nit-pickers are so abrasive!!  Pin-pricks our happy Ward to pieces.  Ouch!!!

Stranger in the Bible Dictionary....
 

Stranger

The word is frequently used to denote a man of non-Israelite birth, resident in the promised land with the permission of the Israelite authorities. There were various provisions in the law with regard to the treatment of strangers, all of which were intended to secure for them justice and fair treatment (Ex. 12:19, 48–49; 20:10; Lev. 16:29; 17:8–15; Num. 9:14; 15:14–30; Deut. 1:16; 10:19; 14:21).

It's interesting that strangers were to be treated fairly.  with justice.  These are great quotes.  Enjoy them.  These strangers arrived, wanted to be involved and welcomed and not excluded from the happenings.  The Israelites were reminded -Deu. 10:19....Love ye therefore the stranger; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.  All of us have had times of not being a member or being inactive or making ourselves scarce to the point of feeling like strangers. 

In today's world we have that same goal of remembering our own walk on the Gospel path and sharing the reassurance that we have....Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. (Eph. 2:19)

A Truth

What Really Counts

Photograph of President Faust © Busath Photography

“It’s not so much what happens to us but how we deal with what happens to us.”

President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Where Do I Make My Stand?” Ensign, Nov. 2004, 20.

Growth

I have long felt that trials/adversities/challenges/difficulties come to us and start off very small.  Each circumstance seems to grow in intensity and what we couldn't have imagined surviving quite some time ago, maybe even years ago, we make it through.  Also in looking back at some of our past life events, things that felt so challenging then, we now see our lack of life experience and it's almost like recalling ourselves in a more innocent state.

In that marvelous 7th Chapter of this years RS/Priesthood manual (Faithfulness in Times of Trial: "From the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine") I was fascinated to see a sentence that backed up that feeling of growing stronger to meet greater challenges.......

 ...And how far have we advanced, how much knowledge have we obtained and how much more are we able to bear now than one, two or five years ago, and are we able to stand more now than a few years ago? The Lord has strengthened us and increased us in our growth. Like the infant, when it grows up it knows not how it received gradual strength and the manner in which it increased in stature. It is larger this year than last. So in regard to our spiritual advancement. We feel stronger today than we did a year ago...

When I read that to Terry during his rehab stay, we both thought back to the earliest event in our lives that we could remember, one so overwhelming that we just didn't know how we were going to make it.  We both went back to the same event. We were frightened and terrified.  Filled with doubt and uncertainty of what to do and what the outcome would be. What was it?  Our 2nd son, around 9 months of age, had the croup.  Every breath was labored.  We didn't know what to do.  We thought he was going to die!  We made a steam tent in the bathroom and took turns being in there, all night, with this adorable little baby.  My emotions were raw and ragged.  What if he did stop breathing?   what would we do?  I even called the hospital in the middle of the night, crying and telling my plight.  Asking what to do if he stopped breathing.  The nurse said to give him mouth to mouth.  How do you do that??? So foreign to me.  to us.

This was before Medi-centers and frequent use of Emergency care at Hospitals.  More importantly- This was before the Gospel and the Priesthood entered our lives...and that, of course, added tremendous tools to withstand/endure/survive the rigors of mortal testing.

Now I've lived enough life that today a croupy baby would not terrify me.  My experiences of dealing with many tests of life began in earnest on that day.  Like developing our immune systems, we also develop strength, as we go through some of these overwhelming experiences in mortality.  and yes, we will have them.

I've never understood anyone asking for trials and yet there are those that do!  I loved what was said in that same marvelous Chap 7 by President Snow..... 

 ...Some of our brethren have queried whether hereafter, they could feel themselves worthy of full fellowship with Prophets and Saints of old, who endured trials and persecutions; and with Saints … who suffered in Kirtland, in Missouri and Illinois. The brethren referred to have expressed regrets that they had not been associated in those scenes of suffering. If any of these are present, I will say, for the consolation of such, you have to wait but a short time and you will have similar opportunities, to your heart’s content. You and I cannot be made perfect except through suffering:...

It was an illuminating moment for me when I read about someone asking Elder Maxwell, or maybe it was just a hypothetical question....if God knows how we will handle trials and how we will come out of them, then why do we have to endure pain like trials bring?  His answer was profound, he replied....God knows what you will do, but you don't.... We have to learn, for ourselves, what Heavenly Father already knows, regarding our ability to endure and survive the trials/tests/adversities of mortality.  (I really need to find the quote  and stop paraphrasing!!)

Back on Track (pretty much so!)

Well, we figured out how to focus on Terry's total recuperation and we shifted our day to make that possible.  Instead of just sort of fitting things in when convenient or when we feel like it, we now get up and do those things first things that need to be done for him. 

He just got the go ahead of no more PT needed in Yakima!!  He has really advanced more and more.  He does have one class on Wednesday mornings in Yakima that is sort of an exercise class to help him with balance and posture type things.  Truly he looks great and not like he's had a stroke with damage left behind. 

We figured out that we have to have things ready in the evening in order to do those exercises the next morning.  We simplified, streamlined, and planned ahead on how to make this happen without feeling we are overwhelmed.  We are now on course and it feels good.

Our gratitude is still in place and we are still amazed and stunned at our blessings.

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

Thought you'd enjoy this picture of our great Granddaughter Ava.  She absolutely did not want to go to pre-school and made no bones about it.  I was a pouter also so I get a kick out of this picture. Along with pouting I'd also give the silent treatment.  It was harder on me, to have to refrain from talking, than for those enjoying the peace of me not jabbering about everything under the sun! 

Here is adorable Ava....

Need help on your life journey? here it is!

 We are all so blessed by the Gospel.  Sometimes we need to hear certain words/experiences to keep us focused/faith-filled and on the path.  Here are 2 incredible messages to awaken you to a new shift in thinking and dealing with life.  I can promise you strength.

1) Fantastic CES talk by Elder Bednar.  given yesterday.  Amazing insight. You will never look at trials and challenges in the same light after listening to this.   see it here

2) Go to Mitchell's Journey on FB.  Think your life load is heavy?  Read an incredible journey of strength.  You will be amazed at what these people have shared.

3) This is a friend of my daughter's blog.  She is a 4th grade school teacher and she is blogging about the greatest sorrow/challenge of her life. She has no idea how she will get through what she is dealing with but feels compelled to write. One Pink Balloon: One Pink Balloon: For anyone wondering about the title of the blog, it stems from the memorial service we had for Kenley on Saturday.   My sister had the brilliant...

I hope this blog doesn't come across as something that brings a person down.  Elder Bednar's talk teaches us how to deal with life and is a fresh perspective.  The other two deal with how people are/have handled their life challenges.  Sometimes hearing of others plight helps us count our blessings and also be inspired and challenged to do better.

Current Historical Church Event!!

How exciting!!  Another great family night idea- to discuss the role of current revelation in the Church.  8 years in the making and 32 years since the last time this happened!!  A first for many in the Church.  I can hardly wait to get a copy.  Available online now but my paper copy won't be available until August.

I enjoy change as it keeps the Church alive and current and keeps us moving forward!

Enjoy reading about the  "New Version of Scriptures to be published"  here

"The Papal Election vs. the Calling of a Prophet"

True, I'm suppose to be having fun & getting my act together and not back here having fun thinking of wanting to share this excellent article- "The Papal Election vs. the Calling of a Prophet" .  The preliminary procedures start on Monday for the Papal Election and surely it will be televised somewhere.  This would be such an excellent way to teach your children about the difference in how a Prophet is called.  Priesthood authority etc. etc.

The author quotes what Elder Tanner said about the way things are done in the Church.  I really like an article by Elder Packer.  I'm not going to look it up right now as I really want to get this to you.  Maybe you've already read it but just in case you haven't...now you can.

I remember when, our Prophet, President McKay died, and how it was confusing to me that we weren't voting etc.  Make sure your little ones, at least begin, to understand how inspired and certain and comforting the Church way is, in conducting the business of the Lord's leadership through his Prophets.

The Pope wears red shoes signifying the blood of martyrdom of past saints.  He will now wear brown shoes. Only the Pope wears red shoes.  For some reason I find this interesting.

3 things of concern to some in Catholicism, feeling it might create a power pull, with technically 2 living Popes, even though one is emeritus are:  living right there, even though, Pope Benedict, intends to be cloistered...keeping the name he chose when he became Pope and not going back to his birth name (Joseph Ratzinger) thus he will be called His Holiness...wearing a white cassock which is the papal color.  Some feel if he was really going to stay out of the papal business he would have handled these details differently.

I just love the fact that we can have a safety net that in our Church, yes...I'm talking about the true Church that you and I hold membership in...we can know that we are never without the leader, that the Lord wants to do the work as President of His Church in His Kingdom.






Meridian Magazine - The Papal Election vs. the Calling of a Prophet - Meridian Magazine - LDS, Mormon and Latter-day Saint News and Views