WASHED WINDOWS

.

looking toward neighbors

I have been noticing my windows lately.

That is double edged.

Last week I observed that, except they are made of glass, I'm not really sure they can be called 'windows' anymore. I noticed they were absolutely filthy and encrusted with dirt, a white film from the sprinkler, and even traces of bird droppings - how does that happen?

Noticing these things is a good thing. A few years ago I wasn't noticing anything, much less doing something about living. Last year I saw problems developing but didn't care enough to try to fix them. But now - well, I am much more mobile and getting a bit of energy back. This spring I notice AND I care.

So what?
What am I going to do about it?

I've pondered this question the last month or so. Spring sunshine has begun to warm afternoons enough that I close the blinds to keep out heat. It also helps me to momentarily forget about the sorry state of the windows. Would I dare climb a ladder and work at window washing? Why not? It might take a long time, but with persistence, and if Papa and I worked together on a day he isn't at work, perhaps we could tackle the job one or two windows at a time: daunting but doable.

Spiderwebs and spider lunch remnants do NOT invite me to wash windows

I decided to prepare like for a marathon! I have been doing some stretches and exercises for balance and strength. I decided to take before pictures. The spider webs convinced me I am not very motivated. I decided to try to hire somebody else to do it and began to ask around. LOL

We were gone all day Saturday.
Anyone that knows us well, knew we would be.

Sunday morning I opened the blinds.
The house seemed lighter or something.

Spiderwebs, spiderwebs, wherefore art thou spiderwebs?

Well! would you look at that!
I can see out my windows.

The layers of dirt are gone!!
What??
Who?
When?

Well obviously Saturday, but ...

I have heard of 'a theif in the night' but this had to be broad daylight. And whoever heard of taking window dirt?  And how can we say thank you if we don't know whom to thank?

Walking around outside we noticed both our ladders were moved.

Hmmm - two ladders used - so at least two people ...

Do I care that the hard water lingers?
HA - it defies even a razor scraping.
I know - I tried!
And it looks like someone else made a serious try, also.

I suppose that someday the grapevine will tattle some detail, but for now I must simply gaze out my washed windows and enjoy seeing the birds (much better than excrement), watch the garden and flowers grow, and the trees fruit with unabashed appreciation.

Thank you - all of you ...
Were there several?
The dirt near the house reveals a few tracks.

BTW: did you misplace a pair of small gloves?
I will leave them on the porch.
And I won't peek if you come to get them.

Know this though, I will be praying for you.

God saw your kind deed.
He knows who you are.
And he knows your secret needs and desires.

He rewards openly secret kind deeds.
The scriptures teach us that.

I am asking him to grant them to you.
I will be asking Him every time I look through a window.
Thanks.

HOPE, HAPPINESS, and HOLDIN' ON

Dear Nena;

Arriving to your family was an adventure.

Of all the choices that could have been  -
   we, you and I, chose to be - family.

Peek-a-boo ...

You've always chosen gleeful delight - 'extreme joy'.
Here you could derive it in a simple game and props.

And then you found real joy.
Real joy in real things.

Hold on to delightful things.
Live gleefully in good.

Choose happiness.
Believe.

We hope a happy birthday for both you and hubby this month -
Extremely so ...

Love Mom and Papa

TRIAL: KNOWING SELF

Now and again, as I study, I learn something.

Some little thing that forever alters my views.

Or answers some nagging doubt or question.
(I have those sometimes - especially during trials.)

 Such an answer was in  Lesson 22 from John Taylor:

(Teachings of the Presidents of the Church.)

Being Perfected Through Trials.

Prophets declare we all WILL face trials.

John Taylor taught, "You and I cannot be made perfect except through suffering: Jesus could not (Hebrews 2:10). ... there is no other way .... It is the process by which knowledge is increased and peace will ultimately be established universally. ...(page 111)."

Such declarations leave my heart cold.

I waffle there - must I really?

Thankfully prophets also declare solutions and concise instructions. They tell us to "Cease to fear" (Richard G. Scott 7 April 2013).

Such were also the teachings of Elder Jefferey R. Holland on 7 April 2013. He told the classic story of a troubled child and a parent's agony from Mark Ch. 9. "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:23-24)."  

Elder Holland taught, " The father asserts his strength first and only then acknowledges his limitations. His initial declaration is affirmative and without hesitation." He encouraged us that we have more faith than we think and we can start where we are.

"In moments of fear, or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won," he said, "even if that ground is limited. In the growth we all have to experience in mortality the spiritual equivalent of this boy's affliction or this parent's desperation is going to come to all of us. When those moments come and issues surface, the resolution of which is not immediately forthcoming, hold fast to what you already know until additional knowledge comes."

I experience such moments.

Moments, and longer, of testing.

I have learned to pray.

I have learned to sing.

Sometimes a song is a prayer.

President Taylor taught, "We complain sometimes about our trials. We need not do that. These are things that are necessary for our perfection. We think sometimes that we are not rightly treated, and I think we think correctly about some of these things. We think there are plots set on foot to entrap us; and I think we think so very correctly. At the same time we need not be astonished at these things. We need not be amazed at a feeling of hatred and animosity. Why? Because we are living in a peculiar day and age of the world; which is distinctively called the latter days.

I know that as other men we have our trials, afflictions, sorrows, and privations. We meet with difficulties; we have to contend with the world, with the powers of darkness, with the corruptions of men, and a variety of evils; yet at the same time through these things we have to be made perfect. It is necessary that we should have a knowledge of ourselves, of our true position and standing before God, and comprehend our strength and weakness; our ignorance and intelligence, our wisdom and our folly, that we may know how to appreciate true principles, and comprehend and put a proper value upon all things as they present themselves before our minds.

It is necessary that we should know our own weaknesses, and the weaknesses of our fellow men; our own strength as well as the strength of others; and comprehend our true position before God, angels, and men; that we may be inclined to treat all with due respect, and not to over value our own wisdom or strength, nor depreciate it, nor that of others; but put our trust in the living God, and follow after him, and realize that we are his children, and that he is our Father, and that our dependence is upon him, and that every blessing we receive flows from his beneficent hand (page 203)."

Related Scriptures: Psalm 34:19; 2 Corinthians 4:8–18; 1 Peter 4:12–13;Alma 36:3; Ether 12:6; Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8

Thank you President Taylor.

Perhaps I can accept my life with more grace.

I have experienced learning about myself as you say.

I do know myself better because of trials.

I do comprehend my own "strength and weakness" better.

I am willing to learn my "true position before God".

I want to "appreciate true principles".

I accept that all "flows from his beneficent hand".

I testify that the additional knowledge and help promised by the prophets, like Elder Holland, does come. God is omnipotent and loving. He is mindful of us and does help and bless us, even if only to strengthen us like Alma's people (Mosiah 24).

I am nearing the end of my Book of Mormon classes. This past week I read:“And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me … for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men … (Moroni 7:33).”

My student manual, page 391, quoted Elder Holland teaching, “that one of the profound themes of the Book of Mormon is the role and prevalence and central participation of angels in the gospel story ….” Elder Holland's teachings then expanded my understanding about “those more personal ministering angels who are with us and around us, empowered to help us and who do exactly that (Ensign Jan 1996, 16-17).” Why am I so surprised? I have read and heard such promises many times. General Conference talks in 2011 were peppered with such references but this time I heard so much more and felt powerful comfort and hope from the promises for such help.

In General Conference Elder Holland encouraged us to "hope on, journey on .... even if you can no more than desire to believe." He promised, on Sunday afternoon, "God will send help from both sides of the veil."

I am so grateful for scriptures and prophets. I feel so weak and foolish. Why am I troubled by the simple things of this life? With the father of the possessed son I too cry “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief (Mark 9:24).”

SING IN THE DARKNESS

I have always loved Isaiah.

One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 24:14 After graphically describing the terror preceding the second coming Isaiah, as always, tells us the solution: those awaiting Christ in the engulfing darkness "shall lift up their voice, [and] they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea."

In General Conference we repeatedly heard, not only excellent music, but leaders of the church described the benefits of singing praise to the Lord and using such good music to dispel the darkness that surrounds us in our day. I especially felt the mood of dark terror such as Isaiah often describes, but that may be changed to pure joy, as Elder Deiter F Uchtdorf spoke. Isaiah rejoices in Christ and glorifies his power and majesty.

After describing the horror and darkness wherein we accept darkness exists but choose to not dwell there as we choose to remember light also exists and to constantly radiate light ... through faith, hope, and charity  Elder Uchtdorf described a joyful people that sang in darkness, thus:

"Some years ago ... we saw this promise* [of light] fulfilled in West Africa.... Even though these dear saints were surrounded by difficulties and trials they were filled with light. The meeting began ... but soon the power went out in the building and we were left in complete darkness. ... The darkness in the chapel continued ... As we waited something remarkable happened. A few voices began singing one of the hymns of the restoration, and then others joined in and then more. Soon ... [sweet] voices filled the chapel. These members ... did not need hymnbooks. They knew every word of every song they sang. And they sang one song after another with an energy and spirit that touched my soul. ... In the midst of great darkness these [saints] had filled [this place and us] with light.

"From time to time our lives may seem to be touched by or even wrapped in darkness. Sometimes the night that surrounds us will appear oppressive, disheartening and frightening. ... Our living hope is in Jesus Christ. He is the ... entrance to divine enlightenment. I testify that with Christ darkness cannot succeed. Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ. I bear witness that darkness can not stand before the brilliant light of the living son of God. April 6, 2013"

I was filled with joy.
It is such a simple solution to darkness: SING.
Sing praises to God.
Sing, all that love light.
Sing of light, for the darkness cannot abide such goodness.

Sing.
Sing praise for prophets and apostles.
Sing until you know the songs of light.
Sing until they are entrenched in our minds.
Sing until they fill our hearts with relief.
Sing for we live in a time of darkness.
Isaiah and other prophets have forseen this time.

Sing.
Sing for salvation, and sanity.

Sing for joy.
"Lift up your voice and sing."


* NOTE: Elder Uchtdorf taught "Even though we may feel lost in the midst of our current circumstances God promises the hope of his light. He promises to illuminate the way before us and show us the way out of darkness.

"...healing comes when we move away from the darkness and move towards the hope of a brighter light ... in the practical application of faith, hope, and charity [we] transform our [lives]... God's light is real. It is available to all. ...It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the ? of despair it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn.

"How do we open our eyes to the hope of God's light? First start where you are. ... We don't have to be perfect to experience the blessings and gifts of our Heavenly Father. We don't have to wait to cross the finish line to receive God's blessings. In fact the heavens begin to part and the blessings of heaven begin to distill upon us with the very first steps we take towards the light.

"The perfect place to begin is where you are right now. ... The very moment you begin to seek your heavenly Father, in that moment the hope of his light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. ... As surely as the night always gives way to dawn, the light will come.

"[The gospel of Jesus Christ] teaches us ... the things we must know, do, and be to walk in his light, following in the footsteps of his beloved son, our Savior. ... To all who feel they walk in darkness I invite you to rely on this certain promise spoken by the Savior of mankind, 'I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shalt not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of everlasting life (John 8:12).'

"I bear witness that darkness can not stand before the brilliant light of the living son of God. April 6, 2013"

BETTER MORE and MARVELOUS

Are you enjoying?
It continues tomorrow!

"We are not spiritual orphans ..." (Stanley G Ellis)
"We need to protect our fledglings ..." (Boyd K Packer)
"Catch the wave..." (Russell M Nelson).
This is the "test" ... (David A Bednar).
"...CEASE TO FEAR ..." (Richard G Scott).
"Stand in Holy Places ..." (Elaine S Dalton)

I can hardly wait ... what can be better than that?

MORE!!

183 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Are you ready?
It starts tomorrow!

I can hardly wait ... what can be better than this?

I BELIEVE

In Ether 3:9 an interesting question is recorded. 

Jesus asked the brother of Jared (after he saw the Lord’s finger), “Sawest thou more than this?” Since we know that Christ knows all things, we know he already knows the answer to that question.

I wonder if the reason he asked was to facilitate the agency of the brother of Jared, who answers “Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me (Ether 3:10).”

 “And the Lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak? (Ether 3:11)” Again we know that the Lord knows the answer and again the brother of Jared is given the chance to exercise his agency. He is being asked how much he believes and trusts: how much faith he has. Does he believe what he does not know, that has not even occurred yet? How much does he trust Jesus Christ?

Moroni teaches, "faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith (Ether 12:6).”

 “And the Lord [asks me]: 

Believest thou the words which I shall speak? (Ether 3:11)”

“Do I believe the words of Jesus Christ?

Even words we may not have heard him speak yet? 

Do I believe the words of prophets?

Do I believe things that I do not know?  

Do I trust that the Lord is omnipotent? 

Do I recognize his love for me? 

Do I accept it? 

Do I believe?

“And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie (Ether 3:12).”

OVER THE PEW

Church is always a fun place to watch children.
And their parents, not to mention grandparents.

I often learn significant lessons thus.

Sunday it was 2 little girls.

They were seated directly in front of me. 

They were quietly reverent.

The younger one (about 5ish), seated between grandma and sister quietly begged to pass insisted on passing the tray of broken bread to her sister. Grandma wisely let her. She held the tray level, carefully waited for her sister to partake, then handed the tray back to a very nervous, hovering grandma. 

I was interested to see what might happen next.

Sometimes I am not as attentive to the sacrament as perhaps I should be - I should have my mind focused on the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ, not family interactions etc.

I then learned one of the most valuable lessons of my life from the older sister, age 8. She was recently baptized. Her mother is not a member of the church. Her great grandparents were, and her grandmother joined the church as an adult.  She leaned near her sister and very quietly whispered, "thanks". 

It still makes me tear up to even think about it.

Such a simple thing: a grateful heart. 

Sure it would be disruptive and detract from the purpose of the sacrament and the focus of the ordinance if all of us said thank you to the person passing the sacrament to us. I am not in anyways suggesting that. 

I merely observe that gratitude is fundamental.

It is one of the basic principles of happiness.

Noticing the multitude of things others do for us almost constantly, and being grateful for those things, helps us feel greater love for them AND for our Lord. It helps us remember him who always remembers us.

Who can I say thank you to?

Right now, today, what can I notice?

Thank you child. 

Thank you for your example.

I am so grateful I was blessed to see it.

IN THE HALL

A week ago, after SS while on my way to the library to return things used in class, I joined a young girl, about age 13, strolling slowly in the hall. She was headed the same way (and away from YW). Since I may be her SS teacher next year I thought I might be able to establish the beginning of a relationship by walking with her for a few minutes. I will call her Cera.

Cera had a small ball in her hand. It was just a bit larger than a golf ball. She bounced it a couple of times and I ignored that - we were in an empty hall. There was no one else around to hit with it and nothing for it to hit or break. It did not make a loud noise either. She is old enough to know what she should or should not do; I wouldn't boss around an adult friend so why would I boss around a teen?

After she bounced it a couple more times, she asked me, "Do you think I should bounce this ball in the church?" I laughed. I asked her if she thought she should. She said, "I want to."

I laughed again. I told her we all want to do lots of things and must rely on the Holy Ghost to help us know if they are right or not. "You have been baptized, right? and received the gift of the Holy Ghost?" I asked rhetorically. Then as I resumed my quicker pace to hurry to RS, I asked her, "If you need to ask if it is right or not, do you think you are being prompted about something?"

At that precise moment her father came in sight at the other end of the hall. She continued to bounce the ball. As soon as he was in earshot he began to shake his finger at her and scold. I increased my pace exponentially - I did not want to be party to what followed.

Our fathers love us and want to teach and help us. It is hard to know what is best for each child. Some fathers may be unkind,or misguided but I believe they mostly love their children. Some may have never known a kind father or had a role model of gentleness. They must do the best they can at a daunting task. They may have never been taught and do not know where to find answers or how to teach implement what is learned or known.

It is even harder to feel responsible for the eternal welfare and happiness of a child. Papa has often expressed his concern that he teach and train our family so that he can face his maker and say he did his best. As a SS teacher I can leave daily discipline to parents.

I have thought on that repeatedly since then. It helps me realize what a kind and gentle father I have. I asked myself what my father might have done in a like circumstance. I was a deliberately rebellious daughter.

I asked Papa what his father might have done. He replied that he wouldn't have been bouncing a ball! He wouldn't have dared. He has mentioned in the past that he got a 'whipping' almost every single Sunday. He tells a story about that. When he got home each Sunday, he had been 'whipped' for some behavior at church for several weeks in a row apparently to no avail. His father often went to meetings in the morning long before church. One morning he gave Papa a whipping before he left for church to remind him to behave that day. Papa felt like he had a free pass - he already had endured his whipping so he could do anything he wanted to do. He got another whipping after he got home! He still feels that was terribly unfair - he understood being punished for what he was doing and accepted that was what was done but to be punished for the same thing twice he just could not understand.

My father would had come near enough to touch me or catch the ball. He would likely not have said a word, except perhaps my name in a disappointed voice. If I had dared to bounce the ball while he was in arms reach he likely would have caught it and pocketed it.

If I ever wanted my ball back I would have to ask him for it. To get it I would have needed to explain to him appropriate use and purposes of balls and when and how they should be thus employed. If my understanding was lacking he would add to it. Some people call such interactions with their parents 'lectures'. His explanations were seldom lectures. They were just a very loving father making sure I knew what was right and should or should not be done. He expected me to choose to do what I knew when I understood. The harshest and most difficult punishment he ever inflicted was the expression of disappointment.

My father whipped me once when I was 15 ish. I provoked him. After a face to face, head on show down of wills he took off his belt and strapped me with it 2 or 3 times. I fell to the floor. I could not stand. (The stripes took quite some time to heal.) He threw his belt down as he left the house.  I went to my room and cried. I also spent quite some time laying on my bed face down.Some of my siblings witnessed that event. One of them came to try to comfort and help me. I think she wondered if I were going to die. She had never seen or heard of anything so terrible. She brought me some ointment,  Mentholatum, and helped me put it on where I could not reach. 

In the years since that time my father has told me that I was the only child of 11 that he ever gave a whipping like that. I was the 5th child and first girl in our family of 7 boys and 4 girls. He said he had never done it before that and vowed to never do it to anybody again. He has apologized several times and said it made him sick at himself. I tell him I too am sorry. I am sorry I was so disrespectful to a loving and kind father. I tell him I don't know what he might have ever done differently. I was extremely willful and deliberately disobedient. I don't know how my parents endured having a kid like me.

We have talked about this a few times when he has brought it up. As we age we sometimes look with hindsight on our past and wish we had done things differently. There is no going back. It often begins as the littlest of things, a bouncing ball or a misunderstanding. I had wanted to finish a report I was working on for homework. He expected my chore of sweeping the floor to be done immediately. I had fully intended to sweep the floor ... soon ... but ordering immediate compliance was not successful in any way.

I have had to learn more humility. I have had to learn to bend my will to the will of a loving Heavenly Father without needing a harsh punishment. I have learned to try to be obedient to the commandments of God because he loves me and has good reasons to give them. He wants me to be happy. He wants me to be safe. He wants to bless me, and everyone around me, with more of every good thing. I KNOW he does. His commandments explain how to be happy. His commandments are given so that all his children can have joy - forever and always.

Can I try to understand?

Can we try to understand?
Can we trust an omniscient Father?
Can we accept the words of the prophets?
Can we obey?

CALIFORNIA WHEAT CASSOROLE

Mom Ames made a delicious whole wheat casserole she called 'California Wheat Casserole'. (I didn't know until sometime later, when I asked why it was called 'California' wheat casserole, that the frozen vegetables are called by that name. They are a mixture of carrots, cauliflower and broccoli. ) She told me you can put anything that 'seems' good in too.

A few of you have asked for her recipe. 

I will do my best.

Please read all the way through first. 

Remember she seldom used an actual recipe.

The bulgar was always done at least the day before.

It may be kept in the frig for a day or two or frozen.

Wheat Bulgar   prepared in advance

.

   Stove top method: I do NOT use this method.

   It seems to never completely soften and 'pop'.

   [Maybe because my wheat is often ancient.]

Wash 1 cup dry wheat, add 6-8 cups water, boil 2 minutes. Decrease heat to simmer and cook 1 hour or until the wheat has softened but is not mushy, and 'pops' (slightly splits). Drain well. Chill for use in salads, casseroles  meat loaf etc.  

   Oven method: I DO use this method.

   Also the lazy easy 'no attention needed' method.

Cover 1 cup dry whole wheat with cold water and soak a minimum of 8 hours (usually overnight or all day) - rinsing as needed to prevent souring - more often in warm weather but every 3 or 4 hours (once before bed by the late birds and once upon arising by the early birds usually does nicely). I was told if it appears to sprout, that this will actually increase vitamin content. 

Rinse thoroughly.

[AND why limit yourself to this process for only 1 cup? I usually used my roaster and do prep like this about once a month. I would make enough to measure and package into freezer bags (about 1 cup each) and place in the freezer ready for future use. ]

Place in oven proof dish, cover with at least 1/2 inch of water, and bake overnight at 200 degrees F or until wheat is softened but not mushy, and 'pops' (slightly splits). Drain well. Chill for use in salads, casseroles  meat loaf etc. [Of freeze in small packages if making larger amounts.] Adjust cooking times and temperatures to suit your time constraints - more heat = shorter cooking time with more water. DO NOT let it dry out or it will not cook and soften properly. 

CALIFORNIA WHEAT CASSOROLE

Next time we make it we will take some pictures.

.

Ingredients:  ground meat (abt 1 pound - keep fat or use oil) 

                   onions chopped (1 medium)

                   celery chopped (several stalks)

                   wheat bulgar (about 2 times the meat)

                   1 can cream soup* 

                   California frozen vegetables (abt 1 lb - small pkg)

                   cheese - grated (abt 3/4 cup - usually mozzarella)

* I usually use cream of celery when I use celery, cream of chicken when I use chicken, and cream of mushroom when I add mushrooms.

Brown ground meat and remove meat to large casserole dish. Add seasoning to meat mixture if you desire (ie garlic salt etc). [Sometimes I use chopped leftover meat instead because I don't have to cook it and  turkey, ham or roast beef - or canned is fast and easy. Just match up flavors of things you like.] 

Saute onion and celery (may also add garlic, mushrooms or green peppers - any pleasing combination of flavors) 

Add 1 can of cream soup with 1 can of water and heat just until blended. 

Add bulgar (1 - 2 cups depending on taste preferences and tolerance) and  frozen vegetables to the meat and stir just enough to distribute.

Pour soup and sauteed vegetable mixture over meat / vegetable mixture and stir just enough to cover of coat mix. Bake until hot and bubbly. 

Top with shredded cheese the last few minutes of baking or just before serving. 

ENJOY!

Caution:  go easy on the wheat until you become accustomed to the roughage. It tastes so good that it can be a problem if the body is not accustomed to it.

100th PART

100^th – only 1 in 100! – just one penny of every dollar?

I was somewhat surprised as I read in 3 Nephi 26:6 that, “… there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people;” but that the plates of Nephi contain, “…  the more part … (v.7).”

Is that the lost manuscript?

Verse 8-10 (3 Nephi 26) teach us that this part, that Mormon is recording in 3 Nephi, is the ‘lesser part’  to be given to us first to see if we will believe the teachings of Jesus. If we accept and believe this part, THEN the ‘greater things’ will be given, but if we do not ‘believe’ the lesser part the greater things will be withheld.

Jesus commands us, “Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things (3 Nephi 23:5).” I remember when President Benson pled with us constantly to remember to read our scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, and carefully taught about the blessings of obedience, and condemnation of failure to obey (Oct 1984, April 1986, 1987, 1988 etc).

President Benson often quoted from D&C 84:54-61 (and other scripture) and said we rest under the condemnation of unbelief spoken of there. We also read about this same condemnation in 2 Nephi 27:8; 32:7, here in 3 Nephi, and - as we continue to read the Book of Mormon - will again hear about our ‘sin’ and negligence in Ether 4: 8, 14-16. The prophets then and now beg us to read, accept and do these things as Jesus taught and set an example of.

DO - ah - there is the important kernel - no?

Jesus explains (for several prior chapters) and then commands, and immediately repeats his command to us in 3 Nephi 27:21. He explains, expounds scripture, and demonstrates his expectations to us, and then 2 times reiterates, “… ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do ….”

Do I love and believe his words, searching them diligently, obeying them and following his example?

NOT ENOUGH, not enough!! (3 Nephi 10:14; 20:11; 23:1;
1 Nephi 5:10,21; Mormon 8:23; Alma 14:1; 17:2; 33:2,
Jacob 4:6;7:23; Mosiah 1:7; Moroni 7:19, etc)

A BRAIN

On the farm, when I was a child, I spent a lot of free time 'investigating' the yards and fields outside. Mostly these were fenced with 3 or 4 strands of barbed wire. I was a small child. I could easily crawl underneath, or slide through, the wires. My father taught me not too and some of the sweetest moments of my life were spent standing quietly by a fence observing nature. I have seen wonders: a new colt wobble to its feet and suckle its mother, an ant negotiate the maze of grass stems to a berry, a chicken scratch and peck for its food, young calves frolic in the sun, a shimmering blue green fly buzz from place to place, and a ewe birth a lamb.

On the other side of the wires were cattle and horses. Both were much larger than, and a significant danger to, a pre-school child. Dad pointed out that to me. He was convincing but not threatening.

Dad helped me understand that animals do not think or reason like people do. The animals might not mean to hurt me but they would not know that I would not hurt them. They might be afraid of me. That astonished me. As my father reasoned with me, I could understand why. I had seen our small terrier chase the animals, nip at their heels and bark ferociously at them. I had seen them try to kick or bite it. I had even seen an old bossy cow, with a new calf, charge a meandering cat that came too close.

I had seen cattle tromple things. When they moved as a herd they could even ignore a fence and just flow over it like it did not exist. If the lead cattle stopped the others just kept pushing and if one fell it might be unable to regain its feet as the herd surged forward over it.

A horse stepped on my foot once. My father often mounted his horse and then bending down, grasped a child under the arm, and swung the child into the saddle in front of him or behind him. As he leaned forward to pick me up, the horse shifted her weight slightly and when she put her hoof down again my foot was underneath it. She almost immediately moved again as Dad continued his fluid motion and pulled me up, but I knew horses were so big that they didn't really notice me or necessarily recognize me as a person. I was very wary of horses.

My father taught me the animals needed the sharp pointy barbs on the wire fences to help them remember to stay away from the wires and be safe. I knew to not go on the roads where cars might run over me but horses and cows, and other big animals like deer (quite common in our area) often wandered onto roads and were injured or killed by cars or trucks.They needed fences (and deer were so silly because they just bounded over the fences and got killed all the time)!

Dad explained to me that I could choose to go in the pastures with the big animals but why would I? I had a brain. I could think and I could choose to be safe. My father is a persuasive and inspired person. If you let him think for a moment, he can explain almost anything. His most common discipline was reason - he would take time to carefully explain and demonstrate, to his children or workers (and anyone that might need to know something), what ever we needed to understand for safety, well being morally and physically, and for productivity.

I don't need fences with sharp barbs.
I have a brain.

I also have a heart.
My Father in Heaven teaches much like my dad.
He warns, and prompts my heart and mind.

And then they let me choose.

AT HIS FEET

What a privilege it has been to sit at the Savior's feet this week.

I am humbled and amazed as I read 3 Nephi ( for the BYU-I Book of Mormon class I am taking) about the things Christ said and did in 3 Nephi when he visited the people.

Last week, in Chapter 17, Jesus noticed that the people were weak and could not understand all he was teaching. He asked them to go home and ponder and pray and prepare for him to teach them the next day. I began to wonder what I would do if I were commanded to go pray and prepare for a meeting with Jesus.

When the multitude gather again and he returns (3 Nephi 19:16), after administering the sacrament miraculously (3 Nephi 20:6), Jesus begins to expound the scriptures to them and teach about the prophecies and covenants that are fulfilled by his birth and death, and those yet to be fulfilled - particularly the gathering of Israel and the words of Isaiah. 

I love Isaiah. It is the greatest testimony of Jesus Christ, and the plan our loving Father. What a tremendous composite of Isaiah's teachings 3 Nephi 20 is, as the Savior himself quotes them. Nephi tried to teach from Isaiah (1st and 2nd Nephi) but now we hear Isaiah's teachings from the mouth of Jesus Christ. And then Jesus quotes an entire chapter of Isaiah almost verbatim (see 3 Nephi 22, compare Isaiah 54) and commands us, as did Nephi, to "... search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah." 

But I digress, in my enthusiasm I am getting ahead of myself. THAT starts next week's reading where the Savior continues to expound the scriptures for several more chapters. Maybe I need to 'go home', ponder and prepare for another in depth meeting with the Savior. Maybe it will bless my understanding if I read some of the words of Isaiah (and other prophets he quotes). 

My heart and mind are full of astonishment at how much I do not know. I have never before realized this simple thing - that Jesus taught from the prophecies of Isaiah and expounded them at great length.

 How could I, someone that loves Isaiah not notice that before? How could I, someone that worships Jesus Christ never realize there are whole chapters in the Book of Mormon where he expounds the scriptures (3 Nephi 20-28) and plainly teaches what to expect in the future?

How could I miss all that when I have read all these scriptures so many times? I want to do better. I want to hear the prophets and follow their instructions. I want to meet with the Savior. 

He promises I can.

He promises we all can. 

John 14:1-4

1 Let not your heart be troubled:
   ye believe in God, believe also in me.

 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions:
    if it were not so, I would have told you.
    I go to prepare a place for you.

 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,
    I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
    that where I am, there ye may be also.

 4 And whither I go ye know,
     and the way ye know.

CACKLE-BERRIES

I have a few memories that tickle my funny bone.

Where do you put 2 orphan eggs so they don't roll 

around and break? Good thinking Papa - in a berry box!

Like my father calling eggs, 'cackle-berries'.
And milk, 'moo-juice'.

Papa wanted some breakfast the other day.
He likes eggs.
We had just replaced the empty carton a day before.

I was in the other room and heard a crash.
I knew the sound. It is unique to eggs ...
I have dropped a dozen eggs.

Sometimes you only break a few.
He got all 8 left in the carton.
Lucky for him he had 2 on the counter already.

2 cracked eggs, clean in the carton still, were salvaged 

for French Toast. Papa had mostly scooped up most of 

the other 6 by the time  I thought to get the camera.

I showed him how to rescue 2 in severely 'cracked' shells.
I often drop things. It's my eyes. I have astigmatism and little depth perception.

He decided to have French Toast so we could save the 2 whole eggs. He put them in a recently emptied, blueberry container. I laughed! I had to tell you. And, no, I did not cackle! Especially like a chicken.  I  did insist he stop cleaning up while I got the camera though.

Cackle-berries!
This week I have 2 in my frig.

STINKETH NOT

Sunday we did some family history.

Papa is so surprised -

He is 'deceased'!

(I edited for privacy)

Yep - Family Tree says so. 

And that dead guy appears to have no wife.

This kind of duplication occurs when someone adds a record
for a living person that is a member of the church. (see below). 

BUT - as for me - I do have multiple husband's.
(Well, actually just an extra I am not married to.)

And I have an extra child with my living husband.

Benjamin it appears you have a twin.

(You can delete him though.)

I wanted more kids but I wanted REAL kids.

And the deceased guy - there is no burial record.

Maybe I will check on Papa.
He's mostly gone to work the past week.

He stayed in bed last Friday but he is not still there!
And we haven't had a funeral or buried him ...

Well... he seems to be alive and molile.  

And, "As for myself, to me he doth not stink."
(Alma 19:5)

FYI: If you enter data (into Family Search or Family Tree) for anyone that is living and on the records of the church, you are creating duplicate records. If you have done that please delete what you entered. Only you can correct the data you enter. AND please do be careful what you input - have some proof and please do not 'guess'. Dead when you aren't can be funny - IF you have a sense of humour. Privacy is another matter.

Before you add data for anyone you should first search thoroughly to make sure they are not already in the system and not living. Church records are included in this data base so if they are deceased and were a member of the church they are already there. If they are alive you can not see that they are there because that is private information. Please do not add duplicates.

* Also, if you are not nearest kin please observe the promise you have made in your agreement to use the site that you will not do work for those you that are not your own family. 

21 DAYS

This morning I watched a video about happiness at work .
The speaker's name was Steve Achor.
There are dozens of other perspectives.

Mr. Achor suggested we can train our brain to better and more positive mental health just like we train our body to better physical health.

He suggested that if we look for 3 new things we are grateful for every day for 21 days, that our brain will retain a pattern of scanning the world for positive things first.

He claims that when we are aware of positives in the present we become happier and more able to achieve (and do better in) most things we attempt.

That suggestion was the first of 5 suggestions that can help us rise above the 'average' and become more positive in the present.

His 5 suggestions were:

   3 Gratitudes - see above

  Journaling - if we journal one positive experience that occurred within the last 24 hours it allows us to retain and relive it.

  Exercise - teaches our brain that behavior matters

  Meditation - helps us get over 'cultural ADHD of doing multiple tasks all at once - it allows us to focus on the task at hand.

  Conscious / Random Acts of Kindness - i.e.when you open your inbox write one positive e-mail thanking or praising someone for a kindness or support.

REMEMBERING

HAPPY VALENTINES EVERYONE

Here is a picture of way back when!
Cherish good memories.
And make some more ...
today and every day.

Wedding Day

I may find more.
We will see.
But for now this is a sweet one.

FLOAT

Most of my children don't swim a lot.

I don't either.

I love water.

I just don't want my face in it. 

I love swimming though -

but really, well I just paddle ...

Ask me someday and I will explain.

Nature or Nuture ...

Whatever - some like the water better than others.

  

One of my daughters graduated from high school with an immaculate 4.0 at the top of her class. She designed her own grad announcement and said she had barely gotten her feet wet. 

This week she posted on her blog a bit of her schedule (and it doesn't take into account her family schedule or her church callings - you know 'spare time'). I think she may have wet feet! I think she is swimming now. I pray she knows how to float. Sometimes we just have to float a little in life – stop swimming and just tread water or float. We are still in the water, and still on course AND we just need a short rest.

Her birthday is this week.

I think I’ll take supper over.

We’ll see if that ‘floats’.

GOOD MORNING

Before my youngest son was born I picked up a book that I had read in the past and flipped through it trying to remember its contents. The family were going to bed as I went to the final chapter to see if I could get my memory going. I couldn't but scanning those raised so many questions that I scanned the previous one and then the one before that, read from there to the end of the book and then read a middle chapter or two. Finally I settled down in an easy chair and began at the beginning. Sometime after midnight I finished the book and decided that labor had begun.

My journal records that before going to the hospital that a close neighbor, Steven Evans, came and helped David give me a blessing.  I arrived at the hospital about 2 a.m., processed paper work until 2:15 and was in bed by 2:30 to be seen by the doctor briefly.  The pregnancy had been high risk. We had wanted at least one more child and only with the assistance and interventions of a specialist, Dr. Wescott, had we successfully arrived at term.

Delivery was different and much more intense than all my previous children. It took all the courage and strength I had to follow simple instructions from the nurse. Never before had I experienced fear or pains like that. A healthy baby boy (in those days we did not know gender in advance) arrived at about 2:45 a.m. weighing 9 pounds 2 ounces (4140 grms). His head measured 15 1/4 inches (39 cm), his chest 14 inches (36 cm). He was fairly tall at 21 1/4 inches long (54 cm). He arrived so quickly that the doctor did not arrive so the nurse delivered him. She later told me that he was the 51st baby she had delivered. An IV had been ordered in case of complications but was not inserted.

The complications arrived about an hour later. Nurses, working very hard, got the IV in my right hand, and stabilized my condition but I had already lost 2 or 3 pints of blood. I was in a 4 bed ward and felt so bad for all the noise and commotion. The other 3 beds were all occupied. I was very weak and dizzy and remained weak for many months. So many Ward members, family and friends all helped out bringing food, gifts, and doing child care the first few weeks. We named him after his great grandfather.

I wrote on 15 February, "He is a good baby; gentle and quiet. He is very bright and alert: fully cognizant and he likes to be awake and looking at things and especially people. The children (his sibings) all seem to be in a real tizzy." His brothers and sisters were very excited to see and help with their new brother. We were so grateful to have this child. He was and is a special blessing in our family.

ME? IN ME?

-
YES.

David A Bednar said so. 

He said, "It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us. That is fundamental and foundational ... But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us—not only to direct us but also to empower us. (My emphasis.)

Saturday night a soloist performed 'O Divine Redeemer' at Stake Conference accompanied a superb pianist.  The words entered my heart until I prayed them in my mind as tears of gratitude came. Jesus Christ permits me to repent. He can live in me. He can empower me. What a marvelous thing.

Elder David A Bednar had a lot more to say about all the ways Christ can help us when he addressed students at BYU as their President in October 2001- and about 'grace'. He talked about that power too, and gave illustrations with their implications. 

His talk was published in the April 2012 Ensign. You can read it OR listen to it.

He states, "We may mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities.

The gospel of the Savior is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives; it also is essentially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad and to do and become good. Help from the Savior is available for the entire journey of life—from bad to good to better and to change our very nature.

“It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power … Grace is the divine assistance or heavenly help each of us desperately needs,  … the enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity." (My emphasis.)

Elder Bednar testifies, "You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, 'No one understands. No one knows.' No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

"I declare my witness of and appreciation for the infinite and eternal sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know the Savior lives. I have experienced both His redeeming power and His enabling power, and I testify that these powers are real and available to each of us. Indeed, “in the strength of the Lord” we can do and overcome all things as we press forward on our journey of mortality."

YES, I DID!

MMMHHMMM – I am certifiably crazy.

tray one - double deep - approximately 35 cookies each tray

(Either that or else have a serious case of cabin fever.)

tray two - even has 2 on the right that do not have chocolate (for someone special)

I baked – again.

Melting snowman cookies – again.

Mini Snowman - these are fun - but so not worth the trouble,
they are too fussy to handle. 

I did twice as many.

And 2 different sizes.

You might not notice these are about half as big - 7 or 8 small guys per plate

I just had to try out a tiny size that uses a whole mini marshmallow for a head. Yes, I did buy more sprinkles. I need only the tiny round ones for buttons. Do you want some colored sugar, or dinosaurs? I will never use either.

compare the cookies on the left  with the cookie on the right,
on the right the head and buttons, and cookie itself  are smaller

My kitchen needs serious help. I may need to call FEMA about that – did they change acronyms again? DAVID is good about that kind of thing too. LOL!!

When days are gray there is something that drives me to turn on the oven and throw sugar and butter around with a mixer.  Shortbread is the easiest thing ever – AND it tastes good. I like easy a lot. If that isn't enough sugar and fat be sure to add frosting, butter cream frosting, with real butter.

Fatso

I just pat these into ‘puddles’ and frost them while they are warm so that the icing ‘melts’ a little – cutting wait times - FAST! I like fast! In fact I love easy AND fast!

Not so ...

Especially if you can add in cute.

All kinds of personalities - is this one excited or ticked off?

These fellas develop their own personality as creativity arrives – or is that boredom – or both? And if the microwaved marshmallow (half only) gets ‘weird’ – just roll with it. Is that wrinkled bend eyebrows or a double chin? Have a look at this one below with a bubble that made a perfect hole for a snowman mouth!

Bubble as open mouth

Yes, I did make a few frown. 
I like smiles better though.

Yes, I did give them to all the people I VT.
And my companion.
And a couple of neighbors.

3 - 4 large snowmen per plate (and the plate is a bit larger too)

Temple workers that share the shifts we work on get to make sure I don’t eat any more of such baking. Yes, I did. I gave them all away in self defense. Want some? Hurry on over – I only have a few left that didn't fit in the boxes.


SHORTBREAD (for a press)
3 cups flour
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup corn starch
2 cups butter
drop of vanilla

Cream butter with mixer. Add all dry ingredients gradually, then add vanilla. Bake at 325 degrees F on an UNGREASED pan for about 15 minutes (only 7 minutes in my convection oven) or when light brown on bottom (can be seen on very edge when done). Be careful about how much flour you put in. I start out with 2 cups and add enough more to make sure the dough handles well - but not too stiff. The cookies can be very tender. Leave them on a flat surface while frosting to avoid too much breakage.

TIP: Buy only the best ingredients. If the flour, butter and sugar 'taste' good your cookies will taste good. Cheaper ingredients often do not have as nice a flavor as better quality ingredients. Particularly beware of generic  powdered sugar (especially be wary of WalMart brand). It often gives food a more starchy (cardboard) flavor.