Taking the Bad with the Good, (late Sunday Post)

A few months ago my sister and her husband tried to buy a house.

Because of some technicalities the sale fell through very near to the end and my sister was crushed. She said at the time that she knew there was a reason why it didn't work out and she knew that she would probably find out what that was in time, but for right then she was pretty sad and upset about it.

Last Wednesday my same sister moved into a their new house. It is a different one than the one they tried to get before, and because of the economic climate, their loan is at a much lower interest rate than the one they had back in October. It will save them quite a bit each month and thousands over the life of the mortgage.

There are probably even more reasons why God had them wait for this house. We usually don't know all of his reasons. But Carrie, (my sister), is grateful for the house she has now, her lower interest rate and the way things worked out in the end.

We have probably all had the Sunday School lesson where we talk about why God gives us hardships. We know that by working through the hard times we become stronger, more humble, and appreciate the good times more.

I also think that often a bad situation can open the door to a better one.

A few years ago when we lived in Utah Chris and I went through a really horrible time at our job. So horrible in fact that I won't relate the details because they still make me upset when I think about them.

But, because of that rough time, we opened ourselves up to another job in Virginia. Which is where we are now, and where God wants us to be.

I know that because Chris and I were so devoted to our job in Utah and the agency we worked for, if things hadn't gotten so bad we never would have left, and we wouldn't be able to be where we are and receiving the blessings that we are now. So many times a bad situation, experience, or even a hard choice to do something that we know will be painful, leads to a greater happiness. Maybe the decision to leave a bad marriage, make a difficult job change, or have one of your foster sons moved, can be incredibly hard and painful at the time, but in time will reap benefits of greater happiness and peace.

Very often the hardest choices have the greatest consequences and rewards.

During one of those Sunday School lessons I remember someone making the comment, "I know God gives us hard times so we appreciate the good times. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could appreciate the good times all the time with out needing the hard times to remind us?"

I try to always appreciate the good times, and I think that this attitude helps me be happier.

But even if we always show gratitude for what we have and we always make the choices that will bring us happiness, we are often at the mercy of other people and the choices they make, which can often spread unhappiness around them.

This is part of God's great plan, for each of us to make our own choices, even if our choices bring sadness to others. And it is a test of our compassion if we can not only tolerate, but continue to love those who bring us unhappiness.

A long blog post, but what it comes down to is my acceptance of a few (relatively small in the long run) hard things and choices in my life, and hopefully, the growth and long term joy that I am getting out of it all, even if it is hard right now.

Thanks for all of your support and prayers.

-Della

Summary of Life, Sunday Post

I am sorry that I do not have a highly spiritual or inspirational post for today.

Instead I will share the content of an e-mail that I received that is good advice, but also entertaining.

Enjoy.

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Summary of Life

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.

3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.

4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.

5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.

6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.

8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.

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GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:

1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.

2) Wrinkles don't hurt.

3) Families are like fudge..mostly sweet, with a few nuts.

4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.

6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.

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GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD

1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.

4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.

7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

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THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:

1) You believe in Santa Claus.

2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.

3) You are Santa Claus.

4) You look like Santa Claus.

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SUCCESS:

At age 4 success is . . not piddling in your pants.

At age 12 success is . . having friends.

At age 17 success is . . having a drivers license.

At age 35 success is . . having money.

At age 50 success is . . having money.

At age 70 success is . . having a drivers license.

At age 75 success is . . having friends.

At age 80 success is . . not piddling in your pants.

My Talk on Family Traditions, Sunday Post

I got to speak in church today.

For some reason I can't explain, I actually like doing this.

I won't post my entire talk for you. If you weren't in my sacrament meeting today you just missed out.

But I will share the story I told at the beginning and the point that went with it.

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What I said:

"I would like to start by relating to you a story about Thanksgiving told by my friend Larry, as it was told to him by his grandfather. I should probably mention that his grandfather was usually intoxicated when he told this story.

Many years ago, Christopher Columbus and his pilgrim buddies came to America to live because the English King wouldn’t let the Jewish people go.

So Moses, who was a friend of Christopher Columbus, rented 3 boats called the Mayflower, the Santa Maria and the USS Enterprise.

When they landed on America an Indian squaw named Sacajuwea met them and traded them pelts for beads. Then she showed them how to degut a rabbit.

The head pilgrim then baptized all the Indians to be Christians and they shot turkeys and played horseshoes.

It was General Custer’s birthday and 3 oriental kings showed up with presents of Myhrr and other crap.

Many pilgrims didn’t survive the first winter, because Jimmy Carter, who was president of the pilgrims had an oil embargo.

Sacajuwea and her Indian friends burned buffalo turds and heated the camp. The pilgrims were thankful, however, it smelled so bad that animals came out of the forest two by two.

The Lord then made a rainbow appear to let the people know that he would never make turds burn again and cause a horrible smell.

All the pilgrims were happy they were away from the king and safe in a new land.

And to beat that they all landed right on that first Thanksgiving.

Charlton Heston was then elected president.

The reason I told you this story, besides getting your attention, is to make the point that, as with Larry and his Grandpa, when the traditions of the fathers are incorrect, even if they are based in truth and carried on with the best intentions, the traditions of the children are likely to be incorrect as well."

Chris warned me that anyone who mentions buffalo turds twice in their sacrament talk has it coming, but it went well.

I think the rest of the talk went pretty well too.

Oh, by the way, my friend Larry who tells this story is a cable technician by trade.

(Git 'r done).

Mormon Cartoons -Sunday Post

I decided to go a little lighter for todays post.

Enjoy.

If you are interested in learning more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints please visit mormon.org.

Faith, Sunday Post

When you get ready to crack open a walnut or a pecan, how do you know that there will be a nut inside the shell?

You haven't seen an x-ray of the nut to know that the meat of it will be waiting.

Maybe you've cracked open nuts before and always found what you were looking for. But how do know this time that it will be there?

The thing is, you have Faith that it will be there. You are hoping you will get that nut out of the shell even though you have never seen it.

And Faith is things which are hoped for, but are not seen.

You see, once you see the nut when you crack the shell, then you know it is there and you don't need to have Faith about it anymore.

. Now, in this lifetime, have you seen Jesus? Yes, you've seen pictures of Him. You've seen movies about Him, where He was portrayed by actors. You've read books bout Him too. But have you seen Him? I'm guessing no. So how do you know He exists?

You have Faith that He exists.

You have hope that He exists, even though you have never seen him. This is Faith.

And Faith, just like your biceps and abs, gets stronger when you exercise it.

So when you act on your Faith in Christ, by praying, by serving others, by keeping his commandments based on the belief that this is what He wants you to do, your Faith gets stronger.

And as your Faith gets stronger, your blessings from Christ and our Father in Heaven, multiply. Which, in turn, makes it easier to have Faith.

If you aren't sure if you if you have Faith, but you want to, and you have a hope to have Faith, I challenge you to ask God if he is there. Ask him in prayer, having only so much as a hope that He will answer, and He will.

I know this, because He answers me. Every time. He will answer you too.

A Lesson on Prophets, Sunday Post

I hang out with our local sister missionaries now and then. During which we chit chat, tell funny stories, strengthen friendships, laugh, have "friend therapy", and also talk about the gospel and teach it to others.

Every time a sister leaves I get so sad because I loved her so much and I don't think any other sister could be as awesome as that one. But they prove me wrong every time and I grow to love the new ones just as much.

They have also taught me so much and encouraged me to have a better relationship with my Father in Heaven and a better understanding of his gospel.

I went with them tonight to visit a family. It was a family that I know well and often interact with outside of church, so the visit was extra fun.

We taught them about prophets. It was such a great message I wanted to share it again.

The thing is that God loves us so much. He never wants to leave alone without guidance, so he sends prophets to guide us and give us his word.

A prophet is someone who has authority to speak to the people of the world on God's behalf, and give us his direction. They also prophesy of things to come, giving us warnings and the opportunity to prepare.

Many prophets not only speak to the people, they also write scripture so that their words can be carried through the generations after they are gone.

There have been prophets sent by God at all times through the history of the world.

The sad thing is that there is a cycle of acceptance and happiness, then disbelief and pridefulness among the people whenever they have a chance to hear prophets.

Every time God sends a prophet, that period of time is called a dispensation.

The prophets teach the people God's gospel and give them direction. The people accept it and follow the gospel. They find happiness in the gospel, and God blesses them.

Then they begin to be prideful. They discount the importance of their prophets. They stop being grateful for God's blessings. When the prophets call them to repentance they rebel against the word and even kill the prophets.

Then they fall in to a state of apostasy. During this time they have no living prophet to lead them. They are in spiritual darkness.

After a while God sends another prophet and the cycle begins again.

After Christ lived on the earth his apostles continued to teach the gospel to the people. But eventually the people fell into apostasy again. And the earth went a long long time without a living prophet to guide the people.

Many men carried on in believing in God and tried to live his gospel as they were able to interpret it from the scriptures. But without a living prophet to guide the people the gospel was distorted. Different people interpreted the scriptures differently and God had no emissary on the earth to define the truth of his word.

The time eventually came for a new dispensation, and God brought forth his prophet Joseph Smith Jr. to bring his gospel to the people of the earth in its fulness.

God gave Joseph Smith the responsibility of reorganizing his church the way that Jesus had organized it when he lived on the earth.

Joseph Smith was eventually killed by angry men who could not accept the gospel he tried to share with them, but God rose up another prophet in his stead.

And so now many prophets have passed away, but we still have one today.

His name is Thomas S. Monson and he speaks to us today with authority from God to guide us and give us direction in the world that we live in today.

This is not to say that the scriptures are not true. The scriptures are absolutely true. They hold the word of God.

But God knows that the world we live in today is a hard world. He knows that we are experiencing hardships and wonders that have never been seen in the world before. He knows that we need guidance unlike any that he has sent to his people before.

Just like God didn't teach Adam to build an Ark, but waited until it was starting to rain on Noah before he sent that knowlege; this is why God has sent us a prophet today. To bring us the prophesies, the guidance, the information that those before us didn't need and weren't ready for.

If we listen to him and seek to know the truth of God's gospel, our lives can be fuller, we can be happier, and we can be fortified against the hard things of this world.

I know this is true.

If you don't know this is true, pray and ask God. He loves you. He wants you to be happy. He'll tell you.

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If you want to know more about the prophet please >>>Click Here<<< or leave me a comment.

A Meaning in Everything, (Did You Know This About the Dollar Bill?) -Sunday Post

I think I read this somewhere once before, but I felt it was definitely worth posting.

We handle, use, earn and spend these dollars every day, but we don't even think about the meanings they carry.

It makes me wonder if I could ask my bank to put "In God We Trust" on my debit card.

Anyway, read this and learn something.

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On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States .

The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.

If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.

Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization.

The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished.

Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity.

It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.

The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, 'God has favored our undertaking.'

The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 'a new order has begun.'

At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)

If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments.

Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States , and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons:

First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.

Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England

Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own.

At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation.

In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning,'one from many.'

Above the Eagle, you have the thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.

Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace.

The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or tall buildings with a 13th floor. But think about this:

13 original colonies,

13 signers of the Declaration of Independence,

13 stripes on our flag,

13 steps on the Pyramid,

13 letters in, 'Annuit Coeptis,'

13 letters in 'E Pluribus Unum,'

13 stars above the Eagle,

13 bars on that shield,

13 leaves on the olive branch,

13 fruits,

and if you look closely, 13 arrows.

And finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle you will see that they are arranged as a Star of David.

This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result.

Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions but died a pauper.

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Food for thought, huh?

Something to think about next time you spend your hard earned dinero.

Be Grateful, Sunday Post

I had the privilege of subsituting for the Chorister in Primary (the children's church class) today at church.

I had so much fun.

We played Name That Tune with songs they have learned lately.

They got really into it and were actually pretty competitive.

The younger kids actually did better than the big kids and were guessing some of the songs with only 1 note.

One Sunbeam (3 year old) kept yelling out "I Am A Child Of God" on every song except when we did "I Am A Child Of God".

Anyway...

Today's thought comes from The President of the Church, Thomas S. Monson.

"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth.

Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.

We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.

If ingratitude be numbered among the most serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

Here are some things I am greateful for:

-My family, with all of our eccentricity and variety.

-The gospel of Jesus Christ

-The knowledge that God loves me.

-The opportunity I have to work at home with the job that I have.

-The physical health I enjoy so much.

Those are some of the big ones, but each day there are simple things and tender mercies that I am grateful to God for. Like:

-When J gave me a hug this morning.

-The little boy who kept yelling "I am a Child of God" and making me laugh.

-The steak and A-1 I had for dinner.

-That my headache is gone.

I will try to be more grateful for these small and simple things each day.

What are you grateful for?

Tell me here in the comments or list them on your blog.

God's True Church, and Stronger Families, Sunday Post

I didn't know what today's Sunday post should be until I read a quote in Relief Society today.

Our lesson was based on the talk "The True and Living Church" given by Henry B. Eyring in this years April Conference.

He gave this talk in the same conference session that our new President Thomas S. Monson was sustained in the solemn assembly as Prophet, Seer and Revelator to lead over the church in this dispensation.

President Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ,

spoke about how the church has been brought "out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth."

He said "This is the true Church, the only true Church, because in it are the keys of the priesthood. Only in this Church has the Lord lodged the power to seal on earth and to seal in heaven as He did in the time of the Apostle Peter."

He went on to talk about many blessings that the church and its members have recieved and will contuinue to recieve through their faithfulness.

(Okay, this is the part that stood out to me).

He said:

"Families across the church are searching for ways to strengthen and protect their children against the evils around them. In some cases those parents are desperately trying to bring back some in their family who have wandered.

I am confident that there will be, increasingly, a reward given by God for their efforts.

Those who never give up will find that God never gave up and that He will help them."

I can't say specifically why that jumped at me over all of the other things in the talk. But I felt impressed to share it.

I know the things he said are true, and if you don't know that they are, I challenge you to pray and ask God if they are.

He will answer you with the truth.

If you would like more information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, click here.

Our Country's Real Roots (Sunday Post)

(Another long one, but a really good one).

OUR REAL ROOTS:

God help us.

Did you know that 52 of the 55 signers of The Declaration of Independence were orthodox, deeply committed Christians? The other three all believed in the Bible as the divine truth, the God of scripture, and His personal intervention.

It is the same congress that formed the American Bible Society. Immediately after creating the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress voted to purchase and import 20,000 copies of scripture for the people of this nation.

Patrick Henry, who is called the firebrand of the American Revolution, is still remembered for his words, 'Give me liberty or give me death.'

But in current textbooks the context of these words is deleted. Here is what he said:

'An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.'

These sentences have been erased from our textbooks.

Was Patrick Henry a Christian? The following year, 1776, he wrote this 'It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.'

Consider these words that Thomas Jefferson wrote on the front of his well- worn Bible: 'I am a Christian, that is to say a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also.'

Consider these words from George Washington, the Father of our Nation, in his farewell speech on September 19, 1796:

'It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are the indispensable supporters. Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that our national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.'

Was George Washington a Christian? Consider these words from his personal prayer book: 'Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of thy son, Jesus Christ.'

Consider these words by John Adams, our second president, who also served as chairman of the American Bible Society. In an address to military leaders he said, 'We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions, unbridled by morality and true religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.'

How about our first Court Justice, John Jay?

He stated that when we select our national leaders, if we are to preserve our Nation, we must select Christians. 'Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian Nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.'

John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, was the sixth U.S. President.

He was also the chairman of the American Bible Society, which he considered his highest and most important role. On July 4, 1821, President Adams said, 'The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.'

Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President of the United States reaffirmed this truth when he wrote, 'The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.'

In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution: 'The congress of theUnited States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.'

William Holmes McGuffey is the author of the McGuffey Reader, which was used for over 100 years in our public schools with over 125 million copies sold until it was stopped in 1963. President Lincoln called him the 'Schoolmaster of the Nation.'

Listen to these words of Mr. McGuffey: 'The Christian religion is the religion of our country. From it are derived our notions on character of God, on the great moral Governor of the universe. On its doctrines are founded the peculiarities of our free institutions. From no source has the author drawn more conspicuously than from the sacred Scriptures. From all these extracts from the Bible I make no apology.'

Of the first 108 universities founded inAmerica , 106 were distinctly Christian, including the first.

Harvard University, chartered in 1636. In the original Harvard Student Handbook rule number 1 was that students seeking entrance must know Latin and Greek so that they could study the scriptures:

'Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, John 17:3; and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him (Proverbs 2:3).'

For over 100 years, more than 50% of all Harvard graduates were pastors!

It is clear from history that the Bible and the Christian faith, were foundational in our educational and judicial system. However in 1947, there was a radical change of direction in the Supreme Court.

Here is the prayer that was banished:

'Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on Thee. We beg Thy blessings upon us and our parents and our teachers and our country.

Amen.'

In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled that Bible reading was outlawed as unconstitutional in the public school system.

The court offered this justification: 'If portions of the New Testament were read without explanation, they could and have been psychologically harmful to children.'

Bible reading was now unconstitutional , though the Bible was quoted 94 percent of the time by those who wrote our constitution and shaped our Nation and its system of education and justice and government.

In 1965, the Courts denied as unconstitutional the rights of a student in the public school cafeteria to bow his head and pray audibly for his food.

In 1980, Stone vs. Graham outlawed the Ten Commandments in our public schools.

The Supreme Court said this: 'If the posted copies of the Ten Commandments were to have any effect at all, it would be to induce school children to read them. And if they read them, meditated upon them, and perhaps venerated and observed them, this is not a permissible objective.'

Is it not a permissible objective to allow our children to follow the moral principles of the Ten Commandments?

James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of the United States, said this: 'We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.'

Today we are asking God to bless America. But how can He bless a Nation that has departed so far from Him?

Most of what you read in this article has been erased from our textbooks. Revisionists have rewritten history to remove the truth about our country's Christian roots.

-Written by Mary Jones

At this time, as much if not more than any other, we truly do need God to bless our nation.

Ronald Reagan said "If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under. "

God bless America.

Polar Bear Blessing (Sunday Post)

This is me

Wishing you

In your busy life,

Time for Relaxation

Good Sleep

Good Health with Exercise

Someone to Dance With

A Bit of Adventure

Good Looks

But Most of All ...

I Wish You Lots of Bear Hugs

And The Comforts of Real Love

Many Blessings...

May you always have love to share,

health to spare,

and friends that care.

(But watch out for those darn penguins!)

Sunday Post

Today's Sunday Post was written by my husband, Chris.

He didn't write this for the purpose of blogging, but it works well for it.

You should take the time to read all the way to the end.

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I Can Only Imagine

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I like to think of myself as a very strong, grounded individual that is not easy moved or swayed by sentiment.

Very few things can move me to a point of talking about let alone writing.

The song “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe is one of those very few times that I have been moved to write my feelings down.

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I can only imagine What it will be like

When I walk By your side

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Will my works on this earth allow me to walk by your side in the Celestial Kingdom?

Can I be strong enough to put aside the feels, thoughts and desires of a flawed man and walk in your path?

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I can only imagine What my eyes will see

When your face Is before me I can only imagine

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Will I be able to look on your face and see my reflection in your eyes and be able to be proud of what I see? Or will my own shortcomings be all I am able to see in that reflection.

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I can only imagine .

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still?

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?

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I can only imagine

I can only imagine

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When the day comes that I face my lord and redeemer will I feel the ever lasting peace only brought to me by my Fathers gift or will I be overcome by my own weakness in not living up to my abilities and responsible as a priesthood hold in this life?

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I can only imagine When that day comes

And I find myself Standing in the Son

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Standing before my redeemer, my savior, by brother, what joy will this reunion bring to my heart?

Have I made my Brother proud?

Will he look at me as say well done thou good and faithful servant?

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I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is forever Forever worship You

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

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Have I dedicated my life to your service?

Is that service the best that I could do?

Is it what you have expected from me?

Have I chosen to forever worship you now?

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I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is forever; forever worship you

I can only imagine

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This song forced me to look at myself a lot closer and decide if I can only imagine or am I doing what has been laid out for me in the Plan of Salvation.

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has given me away to know and not imagine if I am doing what is expected of me to walk forever by his side.

He has laid out a plan for me to be able to look in my Brothers eyes and not fear or be ashamed.

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I have a testimony that God the Father has laid forth a plan for my eternal happiness.

I have a testimony that my Brother Jesus Christ sealed that plan with his blood so that I may walk for ever by his side.

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While I know I have a long way to go, I still have a place in my Fathers Kingdom.

I testify that God's church stands on the earth today and that I have a Holy Priesthood given to me by God and Jesus Christ and through its authority miracles happened daily.

I believe that Prophets walk the earth today and receive direct revelation from God and that Prophet is Thomas S. Monson.

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I have a testimony that families can be together forever and that knowledge moves me more than I can every possible express in words.

I am grateful for my wife and children.

I am grateful for the gift that heavenly father gave me to be a father to those without an earthly father.

I feel God’s direct hand in leading me love these kids.

I am grateful for an extended family of in-laws that have loved me without a second thought since the day they met me.

I often find it overwhelming and find myself falling short and unworthy yet you love me none the less.

My best friends in this word are Hugos and that means so much to me.

I count myself as extremely blessed to be a member of your family and am so grateful for the eternity to come.

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I am grateful for my mother, my father that did not have to be but chose to be, and for my sister who is growing into a successful and strong young woman.

I am grateful for my grandparents who have loved me as a son for all of my memory.

I have striven to make you proud of the man I have become.

I am grateful for the example that my grandfather has set for me.

If I am able to be even half the man he is I will count my life a success.

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My life is more blessed then I have ever even dared to ask for.

I am a perfect example of Gods mercy and grace.

He has guided my steps my entire life and has never let me fail.

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Thank you for never making me only imagine.

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-Chris Hill

Sunday Post

Our Relief Society Lesson today was from a talk President Monson gave during the priesthood session of the last General Conference.

He talked about how we are the ultimate examples to the world.

That we all have a divine mission that we can accomplish through the power of God.

And that others are always watching us, so we must always be acting in ways that will teach and encourage others.

There was much more to the whole lesson than that, but that is the summary of what I took away from it.

President Monson shared part of this message in a manner much more effective than I can share.

Watch this video to see it.

I promise it is worth the watch.

It is about 2 1/2 minutes long. The best part is at about 1 1/2 minutes.

Tag: President Thomas S. Monson ear wiggle

Sunday Post

This sunday's post is an excerpt from the Article "May We So Live" in this Month's Ensign by President Thomas S. Monson.

Chris is giving the Elders Quorum lesson on this article this week.

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Because life is fragile and death inevitable, we must make the most of each day.

There are many ways in which we can misuse our opportunities. Some time ago I read a tender story written by Louise Dickinson Rich which vividly illustrates this truth. She wrote:

“My grandmother had an enemy named Mrs. Wilcox.

Grandma and Mrs. Wilcox moved, as brides, into next-door houses on the main street of the tiny town in which they were to live out their lives. I don’t know what started the war between them—and I don’t think that by the time I came along, over thirty years later, they remembered themselves what started it. This was no polite sparring match; this was total war.

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“Nothing in town escaped repercussion. The 300-year-old church, which had lived through the Revolution, the Civil War, and the Spanish War, almost went down when Grandma and Mrs. Wilcox fought the Battle of the Ladies’ Aid. Grandma won that engagement, but it was a hollow victory. Mrs. Wilcox, since she couldn’t be president, resigned [from the Aid] in a huff. What’s the fun of running a thing if you can’t force your enemy to eat crow?

Mrs. Wilcox won the Battle of the Public Library, getting her niece, Gertrude, appointed librarian instead of Aunt Phyllis. The day Gertrude took over was the day Grandma stopped reading library books. They became ‘filthy germy things’ overnight.

The Battle of the High School was a draw. The principal got a better job and left before Mrs. Wilcox succeeded in having him ousted or Grandma in having him given life tenure of office.

“When as children we visited my grandmother, part of the fun was making faces at Mrs. Wilcox’s grandchildren. One banner day we put a snake into the Wilcox rain barrel. My grandmother made token protests, but we sensed tacit sympathy.

“Don’t think for a minute that this was a one-sided campaign. Mrs. Wilcox had grandchildren, too. Grandma didn’t get off scot free. Never a windy washday went by that the clothesline didn’t mysteriously break, with the clothes falling in the dirt.

“I don’t know how Grandma could have borne her troubles so long if it hadn’t been for the household page of her daily Boston newspaper. This household page was a wonderful institution. Besides the usual cooking hints and cleaning advice, it had a department composed of letters from readers to each other.

The idea was that if you had a problem—or even only some steam to blow off—you wrote a letter to the paper, signing some fancy name like Arbutus. That was Grandma’s pen name. Then some of the other ladies who had the same problem wrote back and told you what they had done about it, signing themselves One Who Knows or Xanthippe or whatever.

Very often, the problem disposed of, you kept on for years writing to each other through the column of the paper, telling each other about your children and your canning and your new dining-room suite. That’s what happened to Grandma. She and a woman called Sea Gull corresponded for a quarter of a century. Sea Gull was Grandma’s true friend.

“When I was about sixteen, Mrs. Wilcox died. In a small town, no matter how much you have hated your next-door neighbor, it is only common decency to run over and see what practical service you can do the bereaved. Grandma, neat in a percale apron to show that she meant what she said about being put to work, crossed the lawn to the Wilcox house, where the Wilcox daughters set her to cleaning the already-immaculate front parlor for the funeral. And there on the parlor table in the place of honor was a huge scrapbook; and in the scrapbook, pasted neatly in parallel columns were Grandma’s letters to Sea Gull over the years and Sea Gull’s letters to her. Though neither woman had known it, Grandma’s worst enemy had been her best friend.

That was the only time I remember seeing my grandmother cry. I didn’t know then exactly what she was crying about, but I do now. She was crying for all the wasted years which could never be salvaged.”

May we resolve from this day forward to fill our hearts with love. May we go the extra mile to include in our lives any who are lonely or downhearted or who are suffering in any way. May we “[cheer] up the sad and [make] someone feel glad.”

May we live so that when that final summons is heard, we may have no serious regrets, no unfinished business, but will be able to say with the Apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

I Found Jesus!

He was behind the couch the whole time!

Just kidding. (But that is one of my favorite bumper stickers).

I actually have found Jesus in a few new and different places lately.

I know, I know, Jesus is always with us. But right now he is on the front of and inside of my china hutch.

Apparently one of my kids wiped their face on the glass door of my china hutch leaving a greasy smear that actually looks like -you got it- Jesus.

Here are a couple of the pics I took of it.

I don't plan on charging devoted catholics admission to my dining room to see it. But I do think I might clean it sooner or later, so if they want to see it they better come soon.

Unless you think I can sell the glass pane on Ebay. What do you think?

Next:

On our recent trip to Palmyra I admired a 10" statuette of the Christus in a gift shop.

I have always particularly loved this rendering of the Savior.

When I used to work in the St. George, Utah hospital if room 417 was uninhabited I could go in there to look out the window at the 10' version across the street in the Temple visitors center.

My adoring husband noticed me admiring it and a few minutes later put a box containing my own copy in my hands.

It is now in my china hutch, (which I really use more as a curio cabinet than for china), slightly above and behind the face smear Jesus.

I'll keep looking behind the couch for Jesus, and I'll keep talking to him whether he's ducking behind the blinds or not. And if I think he's coming I'll try to look busy. But in the mean time I'll enjoy my statuette.

And sooner or later I'll pull out the windex.

Search labels: Image of Jesus

What would you choose?

I subsituted in the 11 year old Primary class today.

The lesson was on the consequences of our actions.

The attention activity was this:

Imagine you were in a raft in the middle of the ocean hoping to be rescued.

You have several things on the raft that might be helpful, but the raft is riding low and you have to throw out all but 2 things.

This is what you have:

-life jacket

-emergency flares

-fishing pole and tackle

-bottles of water

-chest of gold

-2 way radio

-large can of shark repellent

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The answers from the kids in the class were all different. We talked about the consequences of each choice.

The class went very well. It was probably the best primary class I have subbed in.

But I want to know, what would you choose?