Three people I want to remember.

A.: I was asked to visit you because it was difficult for you to leave your room because of the machines you were hooked up to. You had such a bright mind! You engaged immediately in conversation and told me about your family and career. I noticed your positive outlook on life, and I was impressed. Of most interest to me was the fact that you were studying the nature of God, and you wanted to talk about what you were learning. I too have been studying about God and I promised to bring in my notes so that we could continue our discussion. We were interrupted by an aide who took your order for lunch. I remember you ordered cherry pie with ice cream and you had a smile on your face thinking about it.
Sadly you passed away a few hours later and we never were able to continue our discussion. Still, you lifted me. I remember you and what I learned from you.

Ge. was a ray of sunshine! She knew the people who lived by her and she cared about them. She also paid attention to the upcoming activities at the center and supported them. She not only attended the activities and made them fun, but she brought others along with her. I noticed how she found the good in family members as well as staff members.  I learned from Ge. how to be a lifter, even at her age! It was an honor to know her!

Ga. was stricken with a series of strokes which left her unable to communicate clearly, but I sensed her mind was still intact and I talked with her as if she completely understood me. Her smile melted my heart and I also loved her laugh. Ga. was a nurturing soul, often carrying around a babydoll or stuffed animal. She tenderly rocked the baby and sang to it. How I wished I could have known you in previous years. It was an honor to walk with you, talk with you, and sing with you. I miss you!

 

I read a quote from Jenny Doan's book How to Stitch an American Dream that ties quilts and family history together beautifully:

"What I realize now is the pieces of all of our lives are being stitched together.  The fabric stretches all the way back to our mothers and fathers, and grandmothers and grandfathers.  So many of the little pieces of our past are part of the beautiful quilt that tells our story. While many of our stories are fraught with heartache and hardship, what I’ve learned is that they are also filled with the batting of blessings—bound with dedication, hard work, faith, and, above all else, love for one another. And sometimes, even when we’re not aware of it, it’s all of that love and dedication that gets passed down to the generations that come after us." 

Last week our son and son-in-law participated in a 55k mountain trail run. I was at the finish line when they came down the last mountain trail, and I cheered for them, as well as for every runner that finished.  I cannot imagine the physical and mental effort a race of that length requires. They have been training for months yet still they suffered. I was inspired by their determination. We talked after the race of the lessons learned and life applications.

Here is a section of our backyard fence that has had stain/sealant applied in the last week:

And here is a section of the fence that is sanded and ready for a coat of stain/sealant.

Big difference, right? This project has taken hours and I can't wait for it to be finished!

 

This is an excellent book. Each chapter is written by a different gospel scholar.  The premise of the book is that the editor wanted to have deep discussions with her children about subjects that come up in the church that often create division or questions, so she asked these gospel scholars to opine and explain on each subject. I learned something from each chapter. Here is a sampling:

If the twenty-three-year-old Prophet had engaged in any kind of mind control with the witnesses—each of whom was a rational, sensible individual—any one of them could have recognized what took place; and when questioned about their experience, these men likely would have mentioned that Joseph Smith employed some type of manipulation, especially those who later became disillusioned with Mormonism (pg. 54). However, in spite of the personal objections they may have had toward Joseph Smith or the Church following their separation from religious charlatan or deceiver, nor did they recant or revoke their testimony regarding the Book of Mormon or declare the sacred record to be a sham (pg. 55).
(Chapter 5: The Testimony of the Book of Mormon Witnesses by Alexander L. Baugh)

The Church does not practice equality in the same way schools, workplaces, and government organizations do. In the Lord’s kingdom, scriptures and Apostles teach that all factors do not need to be the same in order for two things, or two people, to be considered of equal worth or value in the Lord’s eyes (pg. 195).
(Chapter 15: Latter-day Saint Women in the Twenty-first Century by Neylan McBaine)

So while the earth and the universe are indeed magnificent beyond description, let’s not think that we can prove God with technical reasoning. Faith is still necessary (pg. 235).
(Chapter 17: Science and Religion: Friends or Foes? By David Bailey)

This week I went on a hike for a couple of hours and it was the most peaceful, gorgeous morning!  Here are a few pictures from the hike.

I thought about this comic, but this was not the case! I let everything go and enjoyed the beautiful scenery:)

 

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess
By Jen Hatmaker

Ms. Hatmaker decides to go without something each month for seven months in order to rid herself of unnecessary baggage in life and to come closer to Christ. What an interesting endeavor! A few grand quotes from the book:

Hospitality: There is something so nourishing about sharing your living space with people where they see your junk mail pile and pee wee football schedule on the fridge and pile of shoes by the front door. Opening your home says, “You are welcome into my real life.” This square footage is where we laugh and hold family meetings and make homemade corn dogs and work through meltdowns.  Here is the railing our kids pulled out of the wall. These are the pictures we frame, the books we’re reading, the projects we’re undertaking—the raw material of our family.  It’s unsanitized and truthful. We invite you into this intimate place, saturated with our family character (pg. 176).

Prayer: What happens in the spiritual realm when we pray? It’s such a mystery.  What words prompt the Spirit to move? What goodness do we join Him on when we pray for peace? How powerful are our prayer words? They are a catalyst for miracles, the impetus for healing. Does God wait for us to pray in His will, primed to move for righteousness? How many relationships is He waiting to mend? How much turmoil is He poised to soothe? How much peace is He ready to administer? Are we withholding the necessary words to trigger God’s intervention? (pg. 196)

Materialism: What I know now is this: less.  I don’t need to have the most, be the best, or reach the top.  It is okay to pursue a life marked by obscurity and simplicity.  It doesn’t matter what I own or how I’m perceived (pg. 109).

I really like these words from Maurine Proctor. I have read them repeatedly.

I asked my class, "What was Laman and Lemuel's most basic problem?"

We know that Nephi, Laman and Lemuel literally took a journey through the wilderness, and eight-year-marathon that took them from Jerusalem to the shores of the Arabian Sea--and then beyond. This journey, however, was also a metaphor of everyone's life experience.  It applies to all of us.

Here in mortality, we are cast into the wilderness, taking a wilderness journey, where, like Nephi's family, we experience the tremendous heat of trail, the tedium of the way, the wandering through a sometimes trackless desert, the hardship, the thirst.

Nephi's journey, which is a type of our journey in life, was joyously transformed because he did know the dealings of that God who had created him. 

He did not face anything alone or without purpose.  God walked by his side, led him to the more fertile parts of the wilderness.  He knew who stood by him. 

Their (Laman and Lemuel) "knew not the dealings of that God who had created them" and therefore their wilderness journey was going to be merely a miserable, futile experience. They became ripe for discouragement, despair, and anguish.

Surely, as sons of Lehi, Laman and Lemuel had been taught about God, just as Nephi had--but, nonetheless, and obviously, they did not know Him. They had not learned what they had been taught, because to come to know the dealings of that God who has created us, it is not enough to have someone else tell you about him.  You learn about who he is, in those hours in your room on your knees.  He reveals himself to you when you seek him with all your heart and when your whole mind and soul is inclined toward him.

Laman and Lemuel did not want to pay that price, and so they paid other, agonizing prices instead, throughout the entire journey.  They suffered, not because the Lord imposed suffering upon them, but given the nature of the journey, it was the natural consequence of attempting to go it alone. Because at their core, they knew not God, at their core they could only respond to the reality of the journey with the outlook of the natural man.

Meridian Magazine, January 4, 2011, "It Wasn't Because Laman and Lemuel Had a Bad Attitude."

The sunflowers are blooming in the gulley near our house and they are beautiful! Do you notice how the sun is just starting to come up over the mountains and the sunflowers are awake and standing up to greet the sun! Most of the flowers are facing towards the sun.

Today I read, "Repentance is a gift. Repent, reset, and refocus every day. Remember it is more about progression than about perfection" (Craig and Melissa Ballard, Liahona).

This quote reminded me of the sunflowers. I am going to repent, reset, refocus and turn towards the true light (Jesus Christ) every day.

 

I really enjoyed hearing the voice of Hugh B. Brown on this video. I have heard people tell this story, but I had not heard Hugh B. Brown tell the story in his own words, until I saw/listened to this. What an endearing message! "Thank you Mr. Gardener for cutting me down."