There is a missionary in our mission who spends two days a week helping with housing. He is marvelous because he can talk to the landlords in Cebuano about apartments that need repairs. Some missions have a senior couple who helps with housing, but ours does not. Every week there is a list of supplies that need to be purchased for the apartments. I am not complaining because I know we are not alone in this endeavor. Missions all over the world deal with housing demands for missionaries. With fifty apartments spread out through the island, it is tough to keep up on all of the supplies needed and issues. Take for instance this picture.

Two elders complained of rats in their apartment, and it is no surprise when I see the size of the hole in the door. The landlord has not been responsive about fixing the hole so we must find a new apartment for the missionaries to live in. But when will I have time this week to look for a new apartment? We have zone conferences on two days, and then we will be out of town interviewing missionaries in the northern part of the island. I advised the missionaries to ask the members of the ward they attended today for apartment leads. I will pray that we receive direction as to how to solve this issue.

But then, when my head and heart are heavy with issues, I think of the happy times I have had this week. Here is a picture of the three tallest sisters in the mission, and they are currently in a companionship threesome! Aren't they amazing?

I fight an inner battle every day of going from feeling fearful and overwhelmed, to feeling faith and confidence that things will somehow work out. I don't want to suffer through this assignment. I don't want to grit my teeth and get by. I want to find joy in it. I want to enjoy the journey. It's a lot and I am being stretched. Perhaps it is good that there is more to be done than I can possibly do, because then I find myself reaching out to the Savior, grasping for help and He rescues me. I know we can't do this without Him!

 

This is a picture of Lydia Partridge and she is a hero of mine. 

Steven C. Harper of the Church History Department describes Bishop Edward Partridge and his wife Lydia and their children as the "pioneering family of the law of consecration" ("The Law of Consecration" video, Gospel Library, churchofjesuschrist.org).

Let me provide a little background. Edward and his wife were searching for a church that taught the New Testament gospel. Four young men appeared at the door of Edward Partridge's hat shop. Lydia recognized the truth she knew from her Bible teachings, and she wanted to be baptized, but Edward sent the young men away. Edward sent an employee after the men to purchase a book from them. After traveling to New York to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith, Edward was baptized. 

In section 41:9 we read of Edward's calling to be a bishop unto the church, to leave his merchandise and to spend all his time in the labors of the church. Edward was given the responsibility to administer the law of consecration among the saints. That would be no easy task! 

At one point Edward went with Joseph from Ohio to Missouri and wrote to Lydia that he couldn't come back to help she and the girls move. Edward warned Lydia that once she joined him in Missouri, "We have to suffer and shall for some time many privations here which you and I have not been much used to for years." Lydia obeyed the revelation to move.

The Partridge family moved from Kirtland to Missouri, and then on to Illinois. At one point Edward served a mission and was imprisoned. In 1833, after the birth of five daughters, Edward and Lydia welcomed a new baby son., Edward Partridge Jr. When the baby boy was three weeks old, Edward was drug to the center square of Independence; he was beaten, tarred and feathered. 

In 1840 at 46 years of age, Edward died, leaving a wife and children, ages 6-20. One of Edward and Lydia's daughters wrote, "When I look back and remember the great responsibility that rested upon my father as first Bishop--his poverty and privations, and the hardships that he had to endure, the accusations of false brethren, the fault-finding of the poor, and the persecutions of our enemies-- I do not wonder at his early death."

I pay tribute to Lydia for remaining faithful through all of this!

Not only is the scenery magnificent in this video, but the message is also marvelous.

  

 Lessons I learned from the Pioneer Day Provo Temple to Temple 5k that can be applied to my life:

1.  There are lots of people who participate in this race. It was fun getting to know some of them.

2. Enjoy the scenery. I ran past the location of the old Provo temple (it has been completely razed), the MTC, the football stadium, the field house, the indoor practice facility, Brick Oven restaurant, shaded neighborhoods, finally arriving at the beautiful Provo City Center Temple. 

3. Set your own pace. I had people passing me throughout the entire race and I was sure I would be one of the last people to cross the finish line, but it didn't matter.  I was running at a pace that felt comfortable to me.

4. Look outward!  (Which I did not do.)  I was hot and focused and just trying to make it through the race.  I was not looking outward but was looking at the road in front of me.  A college-aged girl ran past me and said, "You'll make it.  You've got this." I appreciated her encouragement.  

5. The goal I set ahead of time helped.  I told myself that I could go as slow as I wanted, but that I was going to run the entire race. It helped to have set that goal before the race. I know some conditions present themselves which make the altering of a goal necessary, but in this case, the established goal carried me through the fatigue.

6. Don't give up! Keep running. You'll make it! I crossed the finish line with a beet-red face, but I did it!

From a family text chain today:

Someone posed this question (I'll call them Family Member #1): How do we receive a testimony/confirmation of things that have become habitual to us (i.e. scriptures study, daily prayer, fasting)? Curious about your thoughts/insight.

Reply: Does that mean you have been doing them but don't have a testimony yet of them?

Reply: Or you feel like you have received a testimony initially but don't feel as much or as frequently anymore as you perform these habits?

Family Member #1: Could be that, or could be where you're reading the scriptures all the time but maybe not having some big experience of truth.  It could be rephrased of how do we receive a confirmation sufficient to motivate us to carry on in what we're doing.  We aren't going to receive a life-altering answer to prayer every time we finish the BOM and ask if it is true, but we also aren't going to get radio silence.  So how do we put ourselves in position to recognize that we are receiving spiritual nourishment or strength in the little things we do that may tend to seem mundane if we aren't careful? Keeping the fire alive, but also continuing to receive a sure witness of their truths.

Reply: John 7: 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.

Joy Jones: "Accidental conversion is not a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Becoming like our Savior will not happen randomly."

President Nelson: "The Lord loves effort.  The Lord loves consistency.  The Lord loves steadfastness."

As good as these thoughts are, I don't think you were asking for why we should be religious daily, but rather how we can keep ourselves motivated on that path. I believe that if a person is diligent and sincere, the Spirit will come into their lives and fill them with a desire to continue on this path.  Consistency becomes easier.  The Spirit encourages you along, and you feel the blessings of heaven in your life.

Reply: Have you ever not done those things for a period in your life? There's been periods in my life where I've been less consistent with my scripture study or lazy with my prayers, and it doesn't take me long to realize why I'm suddenly less patient or struggling more with small things. 

I may not always see the daily benefits when I am doing them, but I certainly notice a gap in my life when I am not. 

The other analogy I would use is lifting weights. I go to the gym to stay in shape and feel strong.  Now that I am 40, I need regular exercise to keep my body at its healthiest.  If I get lazy and go a few weeks without exercising, I feel more aches and pains.  

My biggest testimony of these things is the simple fact that my life seems more peaceful when I am doing them than when I am not.

Family Member #1: That's how I notice it most as well.  This week I was not good until last night, and I immediately noticed a difference.  I'd love to not have to get lazy in order to notice the blessing the little things are in my life.

A few thoughts:

There is not a lot of color in the landscape this time of year. I am missing the color of flowers and the green grass, but there have been vibrant colors in the sky, both in the mornings and in the evenings. There is something so breathtaking and beautiful about colors in the sky.

We attended a funeral today for Joseph Young and it was an outstanding and uplifting service.  Matthew and I both feel inspired to be better because of our association with Joe. He had a set of core values that his life was fashioned around, and he stayed true to those values. We are blessed to have known him.

A friend told me this week: "True happiness is when your children grow up to be good people." I've thought about that and I think I would add...

"True happiness is when you see one of your children reach out to a sibling, or to someone outside of their family." 

"True happiness is coming to know God and Jesus Christ."

"True happiness is recognizing the effects of the Atonement, and that we have hope through Jesus Christ."

"True happiness is attending the temple and feeling that your spiritual armor has been strengthened, and your vision is clearer."

"True happiness is having a friend text you every week. True happiness is knowing someone cares."

"True happiness is a heater that works in frigid weather."

"True happiness is warm cinnamon milk."

"True happiness is forgiving."

"True happiness is reaching out and lifting a burden."

I liked discussing a book with friends this week. The qualities displayed by the characters in the book are admirable, and I am going to work on being more courageous and resilient.

I spoke with a friend this week who has battled cancer this past year and has undergone two surgeries which have left her weakened and fragile, and yet she expressed faith, optimism and gratitude. I am learning from her about enduring well.

Will I ever get through the boxes filled with family history items? I have been working on going through boxes from my parent's home for months! This is me talking to myself and reassuring myself--"Yes you will get through them. It will take a lot more time, but you will eventually deal with all of the pictures, letters, and mementos. Enjoy the journey Janine.  Think of all that you are learning and feeling as you read, sort, write, and scan. Something is changing in you and your heart is turning towards your ancestors.  Cherish this time of life that you have to spend doing this. Keep going."

 

 An email from me to my Dad sent today, Nov. 17, 2020

Today I read President Uchtdorf's talk from October General Conference and his encouraging and hopeful words soothed my soul. He said:

"We will endure this, yes.  But we will do more than simply grit our teeth, hold on, and wait for things to return to the old normal.  We will move forward, and we will be better as a result."

I realized that a lot of the time I am gritting my teeth and holding on, hoping for the day when we can all gather as a family again, when grandchildren and great grandchildren can come and visit you, and when the worry and stress of the pandemic has lessened.

Then he said, "In a way, we are seeds.  And for seeds to reach their potential, they must be buried before they can sprout.  It is my witness that though at times we may feel buried by the trials of life or surrounded by emotional darkness, the love of God and the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring something unimaginable to spring forth."

This latter quote from President Uchtdorf led me to reflect on your life and how you are an example of this.  Who would have known that a little boy who grew up on a sheep ranch, whose father had an eighth-grade education, who ate dried apples and codfish and slept on a hard rock instead of a pillow, would grow up to become educated, earn advanced degrees, teach at a University, manage a private practice, purchase a home and other properties, give generously to numerous entities, and raise a family? The little boy (you), like the seed, was buried under the stress of a severe economic country-wide depression and he experienced poverty and social isolation, and yet he later sprouted and grew to an "unimaginable" height! Surely the love of God and his watchful care supported and lifted you through the years. You are an example of going through rough times and surviving, and thinking about your life story gives me hope and courage. You made it Dad, and we can make it too. I have to trust that our children and grandchildren will not only be able to survive this Pandemic, but grow through the experience.

Love to you and see you tomorrow,

Janine

Everyone that listens to General Conference hears the same messages but perhaps hears things differently. I know there were messages that I needed to hear and will keep repeating in the weeks and months ahead.  Your personal messages may be different. The talks that were given were (without exception) absolutely wonderful, timely, and inspired. Here are lines and invitations that stood out to me....

You are good enough and you are loved, but that does not mean that you are complete. (Elder Whiting)

What are you doing that you need to stop doing? What are you not doing that you need to start doing? (Sister Craig)

The Lord does not expect us to do more than we can do, but He does expect us to do what we can do. (Bishop Waddell)

Enduring to the end means changing to the end. (Sister Craven)

Be of good cheer. (Elder Oaks)

Create places of security. Create a home that is a place of security.  (President Nelson)

Embrace the future with faith. Turbulent times are opportunities for us to thrive spiritually. (President Nelson)

Let us talk and testify of Christ. As the world speaks less of Him, let us speak more of Him. (Elder Anderson)

Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Will you allow His voice to take priority? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His? (President Nelson)

Am I doing enough? What else should I be doing? (Elder Renlund)

Faith means trusting God in good times and bad. (Elder Holland)

Live each day so that you are more prepared to meet your maker. (President Nelson)

I have fought a good fight

I have finished  my course

I have kept the faith

(2 Timothy 2:7)

I have given up the fight

I am so done

I left my faith

(Excuses 1-3)

Matthew was in a Sunday School class on Sunday where a sister held up two papers (shown above). One set includes the admirable statements of Paul, while the next set shows the path Satan would like us to take.

I'll add a quote from Elder Jeffrey Holland:

"When we join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we board the Good Ship Zion and sail with her wherever she goes until she comes into that millennial port.  We stay in the boat, through squalls and stills, through storms and sunburn, because that is the only way to the promised land."

(Created for Greater Things, pg. 85)

This week I have been reading about Solomon, and his life story stunned me.  First I read about his birth, then his desire for wisdom and understanding. He was extremely successful and noted, and individuals traveled from far and wide to seek his counsel, bringing him wondrous gifts and treasures.  God blessed Solomon and magnified his gifts. But then, after a lifetime of working in partnership with God, Solomon forsook Him and turned to the false Gods of his foreign wives.  Solomon's story is heartbreaking and troubling and is an important reminder to me to endure to the end, remaining faithful all the days of my life.

I have a testimony of the power of reading the Ensign magazine. Sometimes the articles look like they are not about my stage of life, but I read every word, every month, and I learn and am lifted. I have felt heavy this week with many things going on in life and this morning I read these words from the June Ensign:

The gospel of Jesus Christ is about constant repentance and change--it is an uphill climb rather than a stroll in the park.

Maybe instead of endure to the end, we can enjoy to the end.

Empathy is defined as the action of understanding and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another . We may not be able to alter the journey, but we can make sure no one walks it alone.

We learn quickly that our best and most selfless services are often not adequate to comfort or encourage in the way people need. We must ultimately turn to Jesus Christ and rely on Him.

The caretakers have to have care too. You have to have fuel in the tank before you can give it to others. 

Hope is the lifeline that can keep you from being overwhelmed by the storms in your life. 

Ha!  Last post I told you how I didn't mind painting because I thought of a gospel analogy as I painted and today my attitude has changed.

Get me out of that hot garage!!

Just as I was about to finish painting the doors, there was a truckload of base boards dropped off and then the next day some molding for the top of the rooms that are upstairs.  I have been painting for hours each day and I am no longer thinking of gospel messages.  I have "Kool and the Gang" cranked up and I am trying to plow through!