Time To Learn

Being laid up with this broken arm has given me time to do a lot of reading, studying, and thinking.  I am getting pretty good at typing one-handed and using the mouse with the left hand, although I can't wait to be able to use my right hand once more.  I am thankful for the spirit I feel as I read and am led to places where I find answers to so many of my questions.

This morning I read an interesting article Becoming The Seed of Abraham in the Meridan Magazine.  I especially was touched by this comment about how we can help our family who are on the other side of the veil and how they in turn will help us.

Elder John A Widtsoe taught[13]

Those who give themselves with all their might and main to this work… receive help from the other side, and not merely in gathering genealogies. Whosoever seeks to help those on the other side receives help in return in all the affairs of life.

Later, in the same article, Truman Madsen says:

Forgiveness is the very nature of Christ’s way. I suggest that it may be difficult to forgive your enemies, but it is even more so to forgive your loved ones… It is harder to forgive your loved ones because you care about them and you have to go on living with them, or struggling to, and they can go on hurting you over the years and the decades. But our hearts will never turn to our fathers in the way this spirit of which we have been testifying motivates us to do unless we forgive.

I also like his response when an angry child says "I didn't ask to be born!  "“Oh yes, you did. You not only asked for it, you prepared for it, trained for it, were reserved for it…”

In my job as a teacher I see so many children who come from homes where there is little love shown, where they may be uncared for, or abused.  I often wonder why?  Why must some innocent  child suffer?  I know members of my own family have suffered at the hands of people who were supposed to love them.  How do we justify those actions, or learn what the purpose would be?  This article mentions that the very strong are there because the Lord knows they will stop the circle of abuse and in that role, they will save the spirits that follow them. 

"No matter what things you may have suffered at the hands of your family, no matter how thoughtless or faithless or even cruel they may have been to you throughout your life, if you have been privileged to receive any of the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant you are called to save them—and this is surely a calling to which you were foreordained in the beginning. Wrote Carlfred Broderick:[36]  (I don't take this to mean save the actual person who abuses, but safe the next generation.)

In a former era, the Lord sent a flood to destroy unworthy lineages. In this generation, it is my faith that he has sent numerous choice individuals to help purify them.…

God actively intervenes in some destructive lineages, assigning a valiant spirit to break the chain of destructiveness in such families. Although these children may suffer innocently as victims of violence, neglect, and exploitation, through the grace of God some find the strength to [neutralize] the poison within themselves, refusing to pass it on to future generations. Before them were generations of destructive pain; after them the line flows clear and pure. Their children and children’s children will call them blessed. In suffering innocently that others might not suffer, such persons, in some degree, become as “saviors on Mount Zion”[37] by helping to bring salvation to a lineage."

This just rang true to me this morning.  Perhaps it will bring some comfort to others. 

Accidents and Blessings

This will be a very difficult post.  Not because of the subject but because I am one-handed, and can use only my left hand to use!  So please excuse any typos and poor sentence structure.

The end of school arrived on May 25th and we headed to Logan for the weekend with the family there.  We stopped in Salt Lake for a celebration with Tyler at the Make-A-Wish House.  It was so exciting to see him so excited about his Captain Hook costume.  He gets so excited and bounces when he talks.  So funny!  It was a fun time.

We got to North Logan and had fun with the kids, then went to sleep anticipating a fun day on Saturday watching the soccer tournament and visiting the Lewiston cemetery.  But things didn't happen as planned.  Sparing myself the long typing, I will just say I didn't think as I picked up Isaac on the steps and turned to walk into the family room.  The terrible sensation of knowing you are falling and can't stop...so horrible and frightening.  Isaac was fine....I was broken.  I knew immediately that my arm was in bad shape.  Maxwell was my hero, running to get me some help as I laid sprawled out on my back with my right arm raised to the square by my head.

Somehow Garth, Barrett, a friend, Chantel, and other angels got me up the stairs and headed to the hospital.  I couldn't lower my arm, feeling it grinding and pulling in the elbow sending terrible pain everywhere.  Barrett was a trooper, holding my hand up to provide traction to the joint.  I was in horrible pain.  Barrett was able to gets us right into the emergency room and gets things rolling for us.  As soon as I was in a bed Garth and Barrett gave me a blessing that helped me relax a lot.  Suffice it to say, we were in the ER from approximately 8:30 to 7:00.  Broken arm....not set because we had to let the swelling go down.

We came home on Sunday via Lewiston and a beautiful ride along the back highway as we call it.  And I slept.  With Monday being a holiday we didn't get into our local doctor until Tuesday morning.  Once he looked at new xrays he send us up to a specialist in Provo.  That specialist sent us to another specialist....Now remember how medical billing an insurances go.  Each doctor we talk to charges us the usual co-pay, and so far nothing was done to my arm except new xrays!  Finally we reached a doctor who said he would be able to put it back together.  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday trips to Provo and three specialists, we were finally in surgery.  Emerged with 14 screws (as far as we can see on the xrays) and a large plate holding the bones together.  We spent the night at Tammy/Nicky's in Salt Lake with Garth returning to Orangeville to get things taken care of here.  The girls took good care of me while he was gone.

Saturday found us going back up to Logan for Morgan's baptism, which was beautiful.  So proud of her, and so humbled to see my son perform the ordinance for his daughter.

And when we returned we got the wonderful news that Barrett and Chantel are expecting a new baby to arrive in January!  I just broke out in tears, of course.  So excited!  Words can't explain how thrilled we are.

Throughout this experience I have learned so much.  First of all, I have the best husband in the entire world.  He has helped me in ways no man should ever have to help a wife.  He is so caring and thoughtful, tender, and kind.  My love for him has grown ten-fold.  It is so true that you love those who serve you.  When he has his personal priesthood interview with the Savior and is asked if he has treated his wife the way he should, he can truthfully answer YES.  I will be jumping up and down waving my hands in agreement.  No man can be a more caring husband. We have shed many tears of tenderness this past week as he looks after my every need.  I will never be able to thank him.  I just pray I will be able to serve him as he has served me.  But pray that he doesn't need to suffer pain/  I just love him and am so blessed to have him in my life.

Today my legs are swollen with fluids.  Can't get my support stockings on and taking water pills isn't a good idea because bathroom routines are difficult with only a left hand.  So I will just have swollen legs and feet for a while.  Sorry if people think I look terrible, but that is the way it is.

I am now tired and need to go back to my chair and rest.  Typing is very tiring!

Sometimes Life Is Like That

I had a college roommate who sang in the choir at Weber State College and I sang in the Institute Choir.  In the spring of the year we both went on a singing tour.  I had just returned when Pat's group left.  She was excited about going and I was excited to share the excitement with her because of the great time I had on my trip.  Her group was going to California.  For a girl from New Mexico being near the ocean was a big thrill.

I remember sitting at my desk doing my homework with the radio going and hearing an announcement that there had been a tragic accident at San Francisco Bay park involving the students from the Weber State College choir.  I sat in horror wondering if Pat was alright.  The TV finally told the story, but I later got more details from Pat when she returned the next day.

Apparently they were all having a lot of fun playing at the beach.  Many of the group were expert swimmers and joked about the warning signs posted to warn swimmers about the rip tide.  Pat didn't dare to venture into the water very far, but one of her close friends did.  She watched him as he went out further and further into the bay. The group started yelling for him to return, but it appeared that he was not able to hear them.  She started to get worried when she noticed he was waving his arms and acting like he was in trouble.  Another friend saw the situation and rushed in to help the first boy, but he took got in trouble with the rip tide.  The entire choir stood there watching as their two friends were caught in the rip tide and carried under the water and out to sea.  The patrol hurried in to find them, but they never did. 

The choir members were so upset. They had tried to get the first boy to return to the shore, but he couldn't see the situation as clearly as they could. He wasn't aware of the danger he was in.  The second boy knew the danger and tried to help out, but got caught in the danger as well.

I remember sitting at the Fine Events Center waiting for the bus to return with the choir members.  I was there to pick up Pat and make sure she had a ride home.  It was the middle of the night but that didn't dampen the tears as we all asked questions about what had happened.  Pat said it was terrible seeing the trouble they were getting into and not being able to communicate with them so they would get out of the water.  The boy thought he knew what he was doing, but the danger was there, too close for him to see until it was too late.  The bodies were never recovered, but the image lived on.

Sometimes life is like that.  Others might be telling us they can see the danger, but we think we know exactly what we are doing, totally unaware of the dangers lurking right there next to us.  We need to learn that our loved ones only want the best for us when they warn us of the danger.  They don't want to go home without all members of the choir/family.  We need to remember they are looking at another angle, one that might be better suited to see the dangers near us.  They want us to be happy and enjoy the beach with them, but they don't want us to get in a situation that might harm us.  

They want us out of the rip tide.  

A New Book

I recently purchased a book from Deseret Book for my iPad.  They advertised a new book written by the author of The Peacemaker.  I loved that book, and his other book The Holy Secret so I decided to get this one as well, and I haven't been disappointed. 

 Falling To Heaven has given voice to some things I have been thinking of for some time.  He talks about look down in order to look up, similar to President Monson's talk about looking up to get answers.  However, Brother Ferrell stresses that we much humble ourselves and look down, in the manner of praying, in order to see where we should be heading.  The introduction talks about how people tell us we should be happy with ourselves, but in reality, Jesus taught us to love others and forget about our self.  When the world tells us to stop being so hard on ourselves, to look at our strengths, Jesus says that He will show us our weakness.  And then our job is to make that weakness our strength. 

He then goes on to explain about the Truth in Contradiction.  Like in walking, we move forward because we push backward.  A good basketball rebounder doesn't move toward the basket, but away from it. For a golfer to hit the ball hard it sometimes helps to swing easy; to hit the ball high, swing down.  The scriptures say "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall fine it."  In Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life, the one thing that one group of people did when they tasted of the fruit, having held to the rod of iron,....."they came forth and fell down and partook oft he fruit of the tree."  They didn't reach up to get the fruit, they fell down.  They became humble and fell to the ground. The Zoramites raised themselves up on the Rameumptom (what a word!), thinking they would be closer to Christ, they were better than the poor souls around them.  They even prayed that they were thankful for how good they were!  They felt so good about what they were doing, how righteous they were.  But the Lord made it clear that this was not a good thing. 
 
In the next chapters he talks about how being down isn't always good, either.....Herein lies the Great Paradox.  How do we find the balance between down and up?  We shouldn't look down on others and say we are up ourselves.  We can't look up at others and say we are down on ourselves.  We have to realize that we are focusing on the Savior, seeing our weaknesses, and working to make them our strengths, and realize that the Savior is the one who will help us in all ways. 

I love the titles of the chapters:  The False Doctrine of Up; The False Burden of Down;Unacceptable and Acceptable Sins (Do you mean some sin is acceptable? No, but some people think so, or in other words, think their actions and words are acceptable when in realize they are sins.)  Superiority by Association (Don't we all know people who think if they associate with certain people they will become superior themselves, or they can now associate with certain people because they have reached a certain place in their lives where they are 'as good as them', leaving the rest of their associates behind in the dust?)

All these types of 'upness' are discussed throughout the book, with the emphasis on learning to overcome this in our own selves, or learning how to recognize it in others and therefore learn not to get 'down' on others who we see suffering from this upness.  While at the same time not thinking we are better because we don't have the upness because if we think we don't and that others do, we make ourselves better, again.  The Great Paradox.

Right now I am reading about how we sometimes withhold forgiveness at our own peril.  This goes along with my mantra  "Eternity depends on how we view those who mistreat us."  If we say we forgive someone but refuse to have any association with them (thinking of family, loved ones, workers, friends, etc.) we our self need to repent.  As Bro. Ferrell says "We are unwilling to pay the purchase price of forgiveness and are using it instead as a crass currency of exchange."  "Any withholding of love is itself a sin.  So to have held it back on account of what another has done is itself an act for which we must repent.  .......when I as the harmed party respond to this request by giving up my resentment and my grudge, what I am doing is repenting--repenting of my failing to love.  Forgiveness is simply the word we use to describe this kind of repentance....This is the most crucial type of repentance of all.   "  He talks about how the Lord's example of prayer, known as the Lord's Prayer, has only one item that has a condition...""Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."  And right after Christ closed his prayer he taught "your heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

 If we withhold our love, our association, our friendship, or our family ties from others because of their sins, we have not truly forgiven.  We may say we have forgiven them, and we probably have, but we need to forgive ourselves for withholding that love that Christ says we must show for everyone.

Why do I gravitate to books that force me to look at myself and see where I need to forgive?  I know it is because I hold some strong feelings toward others and need to let them go so I can become a better person.  My book is striped with highlighted comments, which is wonderful because then I can go back and read what I have been thinking about.  I love the interactive scriptures as well because I can then mark in my scriptures the verses that are brought to life. 

I am anxious to read Bro. Bednar's book "Increase in Learning".  I am so thankful that the church leaders feel the need to write books to help us.  Reading their words and looking up the scriptures they use to bring out their points, helps me in my scripture study.  I love reading the scriptures, but reading them in context with the words of the apostles and other people who teach through the scriptures helps me see ways I can apply the scriptures in my life.  I get so much 'pondering' done when I read books along with the scriptures, and then write about my thoughts. 

If you are looking for a good book, I suggest "Falling to Heaven: The Surprising Path to Happiness" by James Ferrell.

March

Where has the past month gone?  Time has really been passing quickly, although when I look back I see that we have experienced so much during this month.  Maybe that is why I feel so tired all the time.

This month I can say I dodged a serious bullet.  I have spent the past two week treating an infected knee that could have turned very serious.  I started having the old tingling feeling in my leg that I usually get when I start a bout of cellulitis but I got a big bump on my knee, which got red, hot, and very sore.  I was told I would need to go to Price to get IV meds to get rid of the infection.  I put it off thinking it would get better, but on Monday morning I knew I had to get help, quickly.  So we went to the hospital.  Infection, yes, but more than we thought.  The large bump on the knee was an abcess.  The doctor ordered an ultra-sound to find exactly where the abcess was, how deep, etc.  It had not yet gotten to the kneecap, so he was able to open it up and drain it right there.  And drain it did!  The doctor and the assistant (male) were so excited to see all the infection shooting out.  They said I made their day.  I'm glad they were excited, but it hurt like heck!  I was then on IV antibiotics for 4 days, along with packing the wound so all the infection will come out and allow it to heal probably.  We are still packing it after 14 days.  Because of the fluid in my leg it drains clear water each time we remove the packing.  So fun!

I really feel that if I hadn't been prompted on that Monday morning to get to the hospital that morning instead of waiting for the afternoon, my leg would have been in trouble.  I remember getting ready for school thinking that I would go to school, then go to the clinic to get a referal to the hospital.  As I stood to do my hair and make-up, I knew I couldn't wait and had to get there now.  So, even though I didn't have lessons prepared (I did have lesson plans, though, just not the papers run off and ready), and I didn't have a substitute (secretary gone, principal gone, call your own sub), I left it up to others to find a substitute and left as soon as I could.  I am sure I would have been in a sad situation if I had not gone.  I'm glad I listened to my body, and to the Spirit that whispered to I had to go now. 

Sometimes it takes a big pain in the leg to get my attention.  But when I listen, I am blessed.

Look Up

I had this post almost all composed and then it just disappeared!  I know it sometimes automatically saves, but not this time.  Perhaps that meant that I shouldn't have posted what was written, and I have been given another change to make it better.  I hope that is what I am able to do.

We had a very touching lesson in Relief Society today.  Since it was the 4th week our lesson was taken from the most recent General Conference issue of the Ensign, which is November 2011.  The talk was given by Elder Carl B. Cook entitled "It Is Better to Look Up."  You can find it on page 33.  

I remember hearing this talk.  He started out with a personal experience.  Elder Cook was in the elevator in the Church Administration building and was looking down at the floor when the elevator stopped.  He knew someone stepped on to the elevator and heart the person say "What are you looking at down there?"  He recognized the voice as President Monson, so he quickly looked up.  President Monson gently reminded him that it is better to "Look Up."

How many times do we forget this simple act?  It is so easy to lose focus on what is truly important. We each have so many things going on in our lives, thing that weigh us down and cause us to loose focus.  But as Elder Cook reminds us, by looking up to God we can redirect our focus to be healed and strengthened through Christ.  In doing so, we will not "feel incapable of doing what we are called to do, or need to do.  We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy....The Lord will help us.  But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction."

In Alma we read: "O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting abut your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful...Then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, .."

He ends with his testimony that "We are Heavenly Father's children.  He wants to be a part of our lives, to bless us, and to help us.  He will heal our wounds, dry our tears, and help us along our path to return to His presence.  As we look to Him, He will lead us. ......Our burdens are lightened as we look to Christ, "Let us remember him...and not hang down our heads. (2 Nephi 10:20) for, as President Monson said, "It is better to look up."

With all the trials we are each asked to walk through, no matter how righteous our desires, how blessed we are, no matter what our wishes and hopes are, we have to remember that He knows each of us, not just us but everyone.  He knows what is best for everyone.  We just have to trust that we can learn for ourselves that He is in control.  We need to remember to look up to see what He would have us do.

We were never promised that it would be easy.  As simple as it sounds, it isn't easy.  It wasn't easy for the Children of Israel to raise up their eyes and look at the serpent on the rod that Moses raised, even though they had been told that if they looked they would be saved.  It wasn't easy, and many didn't do so.  Those who looked were saved, and those who didn't were destroyed.  We might not be 'destroyed' if we don't look up, but by going to church each week and partaking of the sacrament we are promised to 'have His spirit to be with us."  That is a form of looking up.  That will help us to focus on what is important.  And even through it isn't easy, we can do it a bit at a time.  Then, after we look to Him, He will be able to show us the blessings he has in store for us.  Sometimes He sees the heartbreak that our wishes would cause us, sometimes He sees the blessings others needs from our actions, or the blessings we can give by service to others. But no matter what, He knows what is best for each of us.  We just have to have the faith that He will do what is best.  One sure way to show that faith is to "Look Up".

Temple Experience

We went to the temple last night for our Stake Temple Night.  Or was it Ward Temple Night?  It was the "Getting ready for Orangeville Ward Conferences  Temple Night.  February is the month for all the Orangeville Ward Conferences so the members are invited to attend the temple together in preparation for the conferences.

I had received a phone call from Brother Bott earlier in the week asking if I would play the organ for the chapel session, which I was very happy to do.  I've learned that when "Brother Bott" calls you have to expect him to ask you to do something. Since I have known "Brother Bott" all of my life as David B. I really have to think about taking him seriously, which is one of the problems of living in a small community.  He is David B because we had 4 David's in our one little classroom, David B, David R. David F, and David J.....But I digress......

Brother Bott asked that we be to the temple so I could start playing at about 5:45.  In typical Labrum style, we got there at 5:00, which was fine because there is a long hallway, then up the stairs, then changing clothes, then walking back down the stairs and half-way back down the hallway to enter the chapel.  I started playing at about 5:30.  Very simply said "I love to play the organ in the temple."

It was a good sized session, but VERY hot and stuffy.  Because we were one of the last couples out of the chapel, I was not sitting with anyone I knew, which helped me keep my attention on the session.  I really enjoyed the session and before I knew it, we were walking out of the temple.

It was a very good night for us to be together.  I love times like that.

Changes are Great

It has been very difficult for Garth and I to do things around the house that have needed to be done.  Our children realized that, and helped us do some long needed repairs and cleaning.  We are so thankful for their help.  I wish I could keep up with Chantel and her speed and thoroughness in cleaning.  What a Ever-ready battery she is!  Her handy steamer and constant energy makes me tired just watching her.  She saw me at  my worst and still kept on.  She learned my vise (pens and pencils) and still laughed at me.  I love her for helping me out.  My den and extra bedroom look wonderful, not to mention the organization in my pantry! More about that later.

A few weeks later they returned to redo our kitchen.  Barrett and Josh worked so hard to put down a new laminate floor in our kitchen.  It is beautiful and makes the kitchen look so much better.  We love it so much.  A special 'extra' was watching them working together.  It was just what we needed.  Tammy and Chantel worked to deep-clean the kitchen as they stepped around the guys doing the floor.  Nicky helped out when she wasn't running with the kids or doing errands and odd-jobs for us.  Our house was bursting with everyone helping us out, and we so love them for it.

Our cute grandkids played all day.  We hardly saw them because they were so busy having fun. I don't even know what they were doing or playing with, but I knew they were having fun from the laughing that came from the basement.  Tammy and Morgan played with every craft and doll they could find.  We saw them with little wedding reception aprons on, with crete paper, pens and markers, decorating everything they could find.  It was music to our ears.  

(Editing note!!) Ok, so it wasn't Tammy and Morgan that played, it was Lexi  and Morgan.....

During all their work, Garth and I got to keep the kids fed and busy.  We also got to spend time with our cute Isaac.  It was a dream-come-true.  How cute that little guy is!  We love him so much and are happy he is in our family.

The last thing they did was put together a new table and chairs.  It looks so nice on that new floor.  We can't thank you all enough for what you have done for us.

We missed the Browns here, but they have been sick with bad colds, so they will come down another time to help us clean up other rooms.  We so much appreciate all our kids helping us out.  

We also picked up a new stove! Our old stove was the stove we got when we moved into our new house in Cornish!  It is as old as Barrett, which is old for a stove.  Is that 32 years? We were down to two working burners, but who needs more than that?  It worked for us!  With the new floor and table, we needed to change that stove.  The kitchen looks wonderful!  We didn't think of getting 'before' pictures, but here are the 'after' pics.

Beautiful!  Every time I walk in love my kids even more.  I hope they know that.  

What a Month!

I was shocked to see it has been almost 4 weeks since I last posted.  But then, why should I be shocked?  I know I haven't written anything!  The reason I haven't written:  I'm tired!

It has been an eventful month, with lost of travelling, long hours at school, and just lots to do.  But the best has been the service we've received from our children.  I am so thankful for them for helping us out and helping us get some things done in our house that we just have not been able to do.

A little explanation:  I had a knee replacement on my right knee several years ago (probably about 5 years or more now), and recovery has been all right, but not satisfactory.  Actually, after the original surgery I had 3 more in order to get everything healed as much as it is.  After all this, I am totally unable to kneel on that knee at all.  I mean NOTHING! I can't kneel to pray, even if I knee on a pillow.  I know doctors say you shouldn't kneel on it anyway, but many people do.  I can't touch that knee on the ground without terrible pain.  It just doesn't work.  Garth can kneel on his fine; well, not really fine, but he is able to.  But I can't.  And because I can't kneel, I have a difficult time getting onto the ground to do things like wipe off the mop boards around the rooms, scrub the tub, any other thing that requires kneeling.

Also, every summer it seems I have some major health issue.  This year it was my swollen legs, retaining water, wrapped up legs, etc.  OK.  Call me lazy, but I really wish I could do things that I used to be able to do.  But it is difficult.

This past summer Garth was in a lot of pain with his back and down his legs, so we really didn't have the ability to clean our house like we would have liked to, so things just got more run-down each week.  It made us sad, but we were making the best of what we could do without complaining.

A few months ago I decided to let our children know that we really could use their help in getting our house in order, and admitted that we just couldn't do it right now by ourselves.  Our wonderful children gathered together and planned on helping us get the job done.  Although the plans didn't go as hoped for all of them, they were able to come and help us.  We so much appreciate all their work!

I want them to know that it was really harder than we thought to let them all go through our stuff and see what condition we were in.  But they really respected us and asked us before they threw anything away.  They even let me keep all my pens and pencils! :)  (Inside joke there)  I appreciate that they didn't make me feel bad about my cleaning skills, or my 'collection's of stuff. (except my pencils).

I learned a lot during the days they helped us.  Chantel is a wonderful cleaner and organizer.  That girl can go!  I like that neat little steamer and can't wait to get my own.  Maybe if I had one I might clean more often!   (Ok, maybe not, but it's an idea.)  I loved our visits and the time we had to just talk and get to know each other a little bit better.  We loved having Barrett here to help his dad, and really appreciate all the work he has done for us.  Tammy and Josh helped clean and put in the new floor.  It is beautiful!  It was nice to have Nicky here as well.  The plan was for her to help with the kids, but they were all so excited to play with each other that they really didn't need much watching.  So she watched Isaac, which was the most fun of all.  What can we say?  We love that kid!

Honestly, it was very humbling having our children do our cleaning, but so much appreciated.  There are no words to express our love for them.

Tonight, I am tired and ready to go to bed.  I've had too many late nights and I am tired.  That's what happens when report cards and parent/teacher conferences come along, with no Friday off after marathon conferences until 9:00.  It is very difficult to conference that late and still hold school the next day.  Hopefully the next few weeks will be less hurried and less stressful.

A New Year

If today is any indication of what the new year will be, it must be a great one!  What a wonderful way to start out the year for me.  I realize that not everyone is starting out the year with happiness and good things going on, but I sure did need the jump-start I got today.

First of all, we had a later church, so I didn't have to get up at my usual waking time to be to church by 9:00.  I actually slept until about 7:30, when just did not much until time to get ready for church.  We always leave for church about one-half hour before it is time for the meeting to start, at least that is our goal.  I am usually at the organ and I like to be playing before people start coming into the chapel.  And Garth has the calling to be an usher so he likes to be at his post early, so 10:30 was the time we wanted to go out the door.  At almost 10:00 I was in the process of getting the final touches on myself when I realized we should have been listening to The Spoken Word while we were getting ready.  I quickly turned on the TV and listened to the last song.  Then we just kept watching as the next show came on. It was a new show to us, since we have been in church by this time during the past year.  It is called Mormon Times and is hosted by Michelle King.  She had a guest author on who was speaking about her book.  I was sold on it as soon as she started to speak.  It is called "Live Life...and See Good Days".  She told that in her book she has 12 ways to see the good in every day, but today she focused on just three.  She was full of scriptures that helped her make her points.  Oh, to know the scriptures like she must!  (I ended up finding the book at Deseret Book and got an ebook copy for less than $10.00!  Can't wait to read it!)

Point #1 - Rise above what you are asked to do.  I didn't get the scripture for this reference, but she talked about how the Lord will help us overcome any obstacle we are met with.
Point #2 - Let your heart have great experiences - Sometimes we have to allow our hearts to feel and experience the good in things.
Point #3 - List what you love - Alma did so in his writing, even though he went through many trials.  In Alma 26:37 he is listing what good things he had, and how much joy he experienced, even through his trials. Ester spoke of her days of gladness.  She showed her Grandmother's Happiness journal, where she wrote the things that made her happy.  What a keepsake to have.

The show then went on to other things, but I went into the kitchen and looked through the latest Ensign.  I read the article on page 17 from Bro. Todd Christofferson, about how we need to keep close to the Lord every day so we can get the blessing He has for us.  He told how the people of Israel relied on the Lord giving them manna for their food each day.  It took them 40 years to learn that the Lord will keep his promise of manna, of food enough for their substance, to learn that they can rely on the Lord in all things.  He stressed that we also need to learn this lesson, that we can count on Him to give us the blessings we need when we learn to rely on Him and learn to go to Him with our needs.  This just really struck me and gave me lots to think about.

We saw a really nice video on the writing of the Book of Mormon in Sunday.  It was a seminary video, but helped me remember that the plates of gold are abridgements of larger plates, and who wrote each part of the Book of Mormon.  I liked it and hope we can see more.  It's been a long time since I have been to Seminary, and I know we didn't have fun videos like that!  More like film strips!

Then, the frosting on the cake, came at Relief Society.  I think it was meant just for me.  Our Relief Society president said she was inspired to have her sister-in-law speak to us.  I had noticed that most of the Law family was here visiting and was excited to get a hug from Janice Law, Dallin's wife.  They always sit in front of us, and they are always kind to us and acknowledge us every time they visit.  They know how special Bro. and Sister Law have been to our family.  So when I heard she was giving the lesson I knew it would be special.

Janice spoke about trials she has had to overcome in her life and how her trials have helped her turn to  Christ.  Her main thought was spoken many times:
 Whatever you focus on expands. 
Truer words can not be spoken! She stressed that we should be careful what we think about because it will consume our thoughts and grow out of porportion to reality.  You can find proof for what you look for.  If you feel you have been slighted or mistreated and that is your focus, you will find all the proof you need to convince yourself, and others, that you are right.  She told of a time when she felt down about things others had done, and she went to the Lord to find out what to do.  Her answer was to "bury your weapons' or the things you use to hurt others or to keep your pain going.  Just as the Book of Mormon people were told to bury their weapons so they wouldn't fight any more.  She quoted Ezekiel 36:26-27 where the Lord tells us that He will give us a new heart, a new spirit.  We need to pray to get that spirit and heart so that we don't feel the pain from others, and before we spread the pain on to others. 

She stressed that putting our focus on Christ will help us overcome any negative thoughts we might have, whether they are about ourselves, or our lot in life.  If we have difficult appointments we need to go to, if we focus on how the Lord can (and will) help us, we will see that the time will go much better.  If we focus on how difficult it is, we will see that it is difficult.  We need to put our focus on how He will help us, not how He tries us. 

She gave us several pointers on how we can focus on Christ.  #1 - Choose a street that you drive on every day, and decide that while you are on that street, or block, or area, that you will think about Christ.  #2 - Think about Christ as you fall asleep, thinking of stories or scriptures about Him, or ways you felt close to Him that day.  #3 - Tell yourself that you will think about Him at certain times of the day (doing dishes, or combing hair) and make it a habit.  Moroni 7:33 If you have faith in Him, He will give you power. 

She told how she was very hurt by something someone said, and how she wanted to call her mom, or her sister, or someone and tell how hurt she was.  Then she decided to kneel and pray about her hurt, realizing that if you focus on anger it will get bigger, but if you focus on Christ and think of the other person also at the feet of Christ asking for forgiveness, it makes it a little easier to calm those hurtful thoughts.  After Mormon had seen the terrible state of his people and the horrible things they were doing, he still wanted his son, Moroni, to remember how the Lord can lift you up.  Moroni 9:25.  If we are faithful to Christ, He will lift us upward.  Another scripture she used was D&C6:36-37.  Look unto Him in every thought, doubt not, fear not.

I really was impressed with the quote "Whatever you focus on Expands".  I see that in so many parts of my life, and those around me.  Some of those thoughts can consume us, while others help us to grow. No matter what situation we are in, we can look for good, and focus on good.  Especially focus on how the Lord can help us.  There is reason for everything, and He will help us find the lesson in all our situations.  We just need to focus on Him.