30 September 2014
29 September 2014
Parable of the Sting
I've heard the parable of the bicycle by Elder Boyd K. Packer; the parable of the washing machine by our good Relief Society president, and the one of the retainer (yeah, a mouth retainer!) by a vivacious Relief Society teacher – with wonderful teeth! That was just this past Sunday. Each "earthly" (I like "earthy") story really does have spiritual truth. And no less so this one I read the other day that reminds me how a "sting" can stick. Oh and I love the wonderful prayer at the end of this post. Reminding us to pause and think.
By Randy Kilgore (link)
By Randy Kilgore (link)
I can still see Jay Elliott’s shocked face as I burst through his front door almost 50 years ago with a “gang” of bees swirling around me. As I raced out his back door, I realized the bees were gone. Well, sort of—I’d left them in Jay’s house! Moments later, he came racing out his back door—chased by the bees I had brought to him.
I had more than a dozen stings, with little effect. Jay had a different experience. Though he’d been stung only once or twice by “my bees,” his eyes and throat swelled up in a painful allergic reaction.
My actions had caused a lot of pain for my friend.
That’s a picture of what’s true in our interpersonal relationships too. We hurt others when our actions aren't Christlike.
Even after an apology, the “sting” sticks.
People would be right to expect an absence of harshness and an air of patience from those who follow Christ. We forget sometimes that people struggling with faith, or life, or both, watch Christians with expectation. They hope to see
I had more than a dozen stings, with little effect. Jay had a different experience. Though he’d been stung only once or twice by “my bees,” his eyes and throat swelled up in a painful allergic reaction.
My actions had caused a lot of pain for my friend.
That’s a picture of what’s true in our interpersonal relationships too. We hurt others when our actions aren't Christlike.
Even after an apology, the “sting” sticks.
People would be right to expect an absence of harshness and an air of patience from those who follow Christ. We forget sometimes that people struggling with faith, or life, or both, watch Christians with expectation. They hope to see
- less anger and more mercy
- less judgment and more compassion
- less criticism and more encouragement
We have found that it’s easy to hurt others
with our words or actions. Teach us, Father,
to pause and to think before we speak or act.
Fill us with kindness and care.
with our words or actions. Teach us, Father,
to pause and to think before we speak or act.
Fill us with kindness and care.
28 September 2014
Twin evidences of His love
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| "The Prophet Hosea" by James Tissot |
Then virtually in one verse he can turn to Israel with mercy, beseeching and promises, passages of almost courting her.
In 1995 Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve addressed educators, saying that when he taught early-morning Seminary many years ago he noted this phenomenon ↑ in Hosea. As a teacher he struggled to understand the Jehovah of the Old Testament who could harshly describe the punishment Israel deserves, and... "then comes a remarkable change in the verses that follow:"
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the days when she came up out of the land of Egypt” (Hosea 2: 14–15).
I love this part where Elder Eyring learns from shifts like this all through the book... (and so now I can see clearly too ...)
“If I could go back again to that group of students of mine, I would see every classroom day ... as the opportunity for them to know a little better Jesus Christ as he is. He is the God speaking through these verses in Hosea. The exactness, the demand for perfect fidelity, combined with the willingness to reach out with mercy, apparently almost endlessly, are not in conflict. They do not create a paradox. Jesus Christ, the God of the Old Testament, shares his Father’s desire that all of us might have eternal life, to live the life that God lives. To do that we must become like him-perfectly faithful, clean without blemish. He knows that standard is not reachable for us, unless we do all that we can do and then rely on his mercy in faith. If I could go back again, I would try to help my students see the stern justice of God and his mercy as twin evidences of his love. I would teach them this: what he offers us in every covenant with him is the opportunity to learn to love as he loves, so that we may become, through the Atonement, like him and thus able to inherit eternal life. I would try to help them feel the Savior as unchangeable, the same God who speaks to them through the Old and New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and through his living prophets. He is not exacting one place and forgiving another. He is always both because he loves us and knows what we must have to receive the gift he offers us.”
27 September 2014
Hang on!
Here's a great Family Feud question:
Good answer I can hear every Family Feud show host that's ever been exclaim. Though... might someone have rushed for the buzzer ff-ringin (← check it out) with the answer
the iron rod?
Not so much. If the world's a game show, naw, that's not gonna' fly... ff-strike... (← give that old STRIKE buzzer a click!).
But the world's not happily, and... hang on!!!.... that's a winner!
Good answer I can hear every Family Feud show host that's ever been exclaim. Though... might someone have rushed for the buzzer ff-ringin (← check it out) with the answer
the iron rod?
Not so much. If the world's a game show, naw, that's not gonna' fly... ff-strike... (← give that old STRIKE buzzer a click!).
But the world's not happily, and... hang on!!!.... that's a winner!
26 September 2014
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25 September 2014
Purpose
- To live content with small means;
- To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion;
- To be worthy, not respectable, and
- Wealthy, not, rich;
- To listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart;
- To study hard;
- To think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word,
- To let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common –
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24 September 2014
Hiking day
Hiked with Brent and Marcia and Kent Monday. To Lake Solitude...
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We started at Brighton Ski resort
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trailing around marshy Silver Lake first...
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then taking the trail to Lake Solitude,
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essentially backtracking over the mountain the long way we'd come in the car.
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The lake at last, at the top of a 1.1 mile climb, the thirty or fifty yards to the top so very steep!
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It's quiet. The water's low and some places covered with dead reeds and scum... We trekked around it, then hung out in the high mountain scenery a while.
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On the way down of course I needed my few close ups. Arent' they pretty? ☺
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Though these vistas, far-away shots, are spectacular!
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By the time we got down, here's clouds over Silver Lake. So this shot makes it seem. There really are, though you can't tell in the next picture where the sky was startlingly blue... rain's coming.
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A few minutes later as we were driving away we had to stop for me to take a picture of this burning bush!
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Part of an hour later, lunch at The Corner Bakery. Today's been perfect.
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We started at Brighton Ski resort
trailing around marshy Silver Lake first...
then taking the trail to Lake Solitude,
essentially backtracking over the mountain the long way we'd come in the car.
The lake at last, at the top of a 1.1 mile climb, the thirty or fifty yards to the top so very steep!
It's quiet. The water's low and some places covered with dead reeds and scum... We trekked around it, then hung out in the high mountain scenery a while.
On the way down of course I needed my few close ups. Arent' they pretty? ☺
Though these vistas, far-away shots, are spectacular!
By the time we got down, here's clouds over Silver Lake. So this shot makes it seem. There really are, though you can't tell in the next picture where the sky was startlingly blue... rain's coming.
A few minutes later as we were driving away we had to stop for me to take a picture of this burning bush!
Part of an hour later, lunch at The Corner Bakery. Today's been perfect.
23 September 2014
Highlights
This is a longish post, but I sincerely invite you to find a quiet time to contemplate these few things... there are promises associated with such, not the least of which is peace and personal power in this world! I love you! I love the Savior's promises!
I'm really into the Ensign magazine lately. A couple of articles in the newest one I've already read and highlighted – they're so good! I love the one titled “My 'Forgetter' is Getting Better,” referring to the poem Elder Packer recited in the April 2013 General Conference, the one he wrote... The signs of aging can be seen. Those things will not get better. The only thing that grows in strength with me is my forgetter. The author concludes: It’s okay if I forget things as I get older because everything I learn will rise with me in the Resurrection, so I just keep learning!
Another good one is “The Sacred Roles of the Holy Ghost.” Here's a quote by Elder Orson Pratt relating to the Holy Ghost as our sanctifier. I've really paid attention to this, read it over and over, perceiving that sheer WILLPOWER IS NEVER ENOUGH. When repenting. Trying to effect a change. When committing, declaring, doing...
“Water Baptism is only a preparatory cleansing of the believing penitent; it is only a condition of a cleansing from sin; whereas, the Baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost cleanses more thoroughly, by renewing the inner man, and by purifying the affections, desires, and thoughts which have long been habituated in the impure ways of sin. Without the aid of the Holy Ghost, a person … would have but very little power to change his mind … and to walk in newness of life. Though his sins may have been cleansed away, yet so great is the force of habit, that he would, without being renewed by the Holy Ghost, be easily overcome, and contaminated again by sin. Hence, it is infinitely important that the affections and desires should be, in a measure, changed and renewed, so as to cause him to hate that which he before loved, and to love that which he before hated: to thus renew the mind of man is the work of the Holy Ghost.” (Major underline, italics, highlight on this one.)
A third article by Elder Terrence M. Vinson of the Seventy, "Reconciled to God," becomes emphatic. When we feel someone has unfairly wronged us we may wonder why we should we bear the (likewise "unfair") counsel from Christ to forgive and leave vengeance to Him, lest we have the greater sin. Agghhh! Elder Vinson states:
“At first this may seem to imply that God will take vengeance for us and that we should simply bide our time until He punishes the guilty party. Although He may eventually choose to do that, this verse said much more to me and in a completely different tone. What I felt from reading this was that we are not the ones to determine or demand a price for an offense committed against us. That is not our role. Only the Lord Jesus Christ has that right.”
“Why? Because He has paid the price for all sins. Any transgression committed against us has already had its price paid—by the Atonement of our Savior and Redeemer. We do not have the right to exact any further price, and we must leave the issue totally in His hands.”
“When we fail to forgive, even when such forgiveness is not sought, we commit the terrible sin of denying the power of the Atonement. The Atonement is not just for me; it is also for those who cause offense against me, who injure me, who gossip about me, and who rob me of those things that are most precious. The Savior suffered the Atonement for all of God’s children—the obedient and the disobedient.”
And now this about Nephi's bows. Very, very good!!!! Love the sentence at the bottom that has the word "moan" in it. See? The article wonders at Nephi's declaration “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow.” 1 Nephi 16:23...
It had to be made. Unlike the Liahona (see 1 Nephi 16:10), the new bow did not miraculously appear one morning. It took someone with learning, skill, ingenuity, and determination to make it. We should prepare ourselves to be the ones who can do what needs to be done.
It wouldn't have been easy to make or use. The problems we face aren't always easily solved. Doing hard things is part of life.
Nephi built it on his own initiative. Nephi chose to act. He did what he could to fix a bad situation. He didn't wait to be “compelled in all things” but decided to be “anxiously engaged” and do something “of [his] own free will” (D&C 58:26–27). The Lord then blessed his efforts by helping him have a successful hunt (see 1 Nephi 16:30–31).
Nephi built the bow while others complained (see 1 Nephi 16:18, 20, 22). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “Speak encouragingly, including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly. … No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse” (“The Tongue of Angels,” Ensign, May 2007, 18).
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I may not keep my issue that's come in the mail – now neon-colored in places – for longer than this month. It will get a little ratty-tat-tat shuffled from my night stand to the dresser next to my recliner or to my computer desk where I love to study... then, after that, I may throw it away. I tend to love to see this whole magazine online when the new one arrives in the mail.
I have this last week in September and most of October to hold on to this one and re-read and shuffle, roll it up and keep it even in my purse. Its highlights right with me to remind me to do good and be good.
I'm really into the Ensign magazine lately. A couple of articles in the newest one I've already read and highlighted – they're so good! I love the one titled “My 'Forgetter' is Getting Better,” referring to the poem Elder Packer recited in the April 2013 General Conference, the one he wrote... The signs of aging can be seen. Those things will not get better. The only thing that grows in strength with me is my forgetter. The author concludes: It’s okay if I forget things as I get older because everything I learn will rise with me in the Resurrection, so I just keep learning!Another good one is “The Sacred Roles of the Holy Ghost.” Here's a quote by Elder Orson Pratt relating to the Holy Ghost as our sanctifier. I've really paid attention to this, read it over and over, perceiving that sheer WILLPOWER IS NEVER ENOUGH. When repenting. Trying to effect a change. When committing, declaring, doing...“Water Baptism is only a preparatory cleansing of the believing penitent; it is only a condition of a cleansing from sin; whereas, the Baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost cleanses more thoroughly, by renewing the inner man, and by purifying the affections, desires, and thoughts which have long been habituated in the impure ways of sin. Without the aid of the Holy Ghost, a person … would have but very little power to change his mind … and to walk in newness of life. Though his sins may have been cleansed away, yet so great is the force of habit, that he would, without being renewed by the Holy Ghost, be easily overcome, and contaminated again by sin. Hence, it is infinitely important that the affections and desires should be, in a measure, changed and renewed, so as to cause him to hate that which he before loved, and to love that which he before hated: to thus renew the mind of man is the work of the Holy Ghost.” (Major underline, italics, highlight on this one.)
A third article by Elder Terrence M. Vinson of the Seventy, "Reconciled to God," becomes emphatic. When we feel someone has unfairly wronged us we may wonder why we should we bear the (likewise "unfair") counsel from Christ to forgive and leave vengeance to Him, lest we have the greater sin. Agghhh! Elder Vinson states:
“At first this may seem to imply that God will take vengeance for us and that we should simply bide our time until He punishes the guilty party. Although He may eventually choose to do that, this verse said much more to me and in a completely different tone. What I felt from reading this was that we are not the ones to determine or demand a price for an offense committed against us. That is not our role. Only the Lord Jesus Christ has that right.”
“Why? Because He has paid the price for all sins. Any transgression committed against us has already had its price paid—by the Atonement of our Savior and Redeemer. We do not have the right to exact any further price, and we must leave the issue totally in His hands.”“When we fail to forgive, even when such forgiveness is not sought, we commit the terrible sin of denying the power of the Atonement. The Atonement is not just for me; it is also for those who cause offense against me, who injure me, who gossip about me, and who rob me of those things that are most precious. The Savior suffered the Atonement for all of God’s children—the obedient and the disobedient.”
And now this about Nephi's bows. Very, very good!!!! Love the sentence at the bottom that has the word "moan" in it. See? The article wonders at Nephi's declaration “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow.” 1 Nephi 16:23...
It had to be made. Unlike the Liahona (see 1 Nephi 16:10), the new bow did not miraculously appear one morning. It took someone with learning, skill, ingenuity, and determination to make it. We should prepare ourselves to be the ones who can do what needs to be done.It wouldn't have been easy to make or use. The problems we face aren't always easily solved. Doing hard things is part of life.
Nephi built it on his own initiative. Nephi chose to act. He did what he could to fix a bad situation. He didn't wait to be “compelled in all things” but decided to be “anxiously engaged” and do something “of [his] own free will” (D&C 58:26–27). The Lord then blessed his efforts by helping him have a successful hunt (see 1 Nephi 16:30–31).
Nephi built the bow while others complained (see 1 Nephi 16:18, 20, 22). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “Speak encouragingly, including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly. … No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse” (“The Tongue of Angels,” Ensign, May 2007, 18).
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I may not keep my issue that's come in the mail – now neon-colored in places – for longer than this month. It will get a little ratty-tat-tat shuffled from my night stand to the dresser next to my recliner or to my computer desk where I love to study... then, after that, I may throw it away. I tend to love to see this whole magazine online when the new one arrives in the mail.
I have this last week in September and most of October to hold on to this one and re-read and shuffle, roll it up and keep it even in my purse. Its highlights right with me to remind me to do good and be good.
22 September 2014
Shopping
Marcia and I drove to an area east of South Towne Center right after lunch a couple of days ago for Marcia to return rugs and buy new, bigger ones and salmon-colored bath towels and different shower curtains and for hiking shoes for me and a shirt to match my brown skirt if there's one anywhere on this planet. That isn't an animal print or has see-through lace across the shoulders or back or doesn't have longish baggy sleeves rolled and hiked up with a button, you know. (What's this craze?) You can't believe this good string of stores here and, though it takes half an hour to come from our neighborhood, How Fun Is This! (You'll all be going, really Nat? Shopping's so fun, get with it!)
Bed Bath and Beyond we went to first. I lollygagged in the kitchen utensils section and ogled cookbooks while Marcia headed for rugs. Actually I tagged along and helped her say yes to a black rug bigger than the black rug she's bringing back. And matching toilet rug. She's been buying rugs here and bringing them home to match her bathrooms, etc. for two weeks attempting to get sizes and colors right. She's way in house-decorating/cleaning mode since she got home from Manila, and rightly so – she hasn't lived in her house for five years! Says she'd like me along for my opinion today; I've offered that a few times right inside her house with what she's bought before and strewn on the floors of three bathrooms, the laundry room and her kitchen under the sink, just checking things out... Week three here, she's making progress.For shoes we hoofed it to DSW adjacent and Marcia led the way to the discount racks at the back and pulled a size 11 fitness shoe off the shelf; rather, several 11s which I tried on in succession and to my great happiness, did pick one; Brent, Marcia, Kent and I are supposed to go hiking Monday and I don't want to wear the too-small shoes I wore last week when Kent and I did Elephant Rock which blacked my middle toe on my right foot, black as pitch, dang. (Though they gripped the mountain, that's a plus.) These have toe room! (And grip.) Marcia bought a pair of darling flats 'cause she can wear darling shoes: shoes that don't have to have orthotics in 'em; I'm jealous. I told her. She put them right on as we got in the car and then we drove two parking spots over to walk into Nordstrom Rack. She looked at shoes again, of which The Rack famously has zillions, and I browsed for a blouse to wear with my brown skirt. All summer I've been hunting for such and now we're into fall and winter and the styles are long-sleeved again. Nothing. Nope.We crossed State street to the mall and walked into Macy's. I do like this store – Marcia's always getting clothes from Macy's and she looks like a million bucks, and once, once in a blue moon I do shop at a big department store. I'm a horse of a different color though – naaayyy, I love The Dress Barn; Ross Dress for Less, or TJ Maxx; Marshall's; you know. Macy's has brands I like a lot and here I found three great tops while Marcia was upstairs hunting for towels: a short-sleeved turquoise pull-over; a three-quarter-length-sleeved brown and beige kind of silky soft pull-over print, no baggy rolled sleeves thank you; and a velour beige boxy jacket to go over either. Zip up the front with a little bling... these'll ALL go with my brown skirt. Hooray! I keep mentally observing myself standing before my Sunday School class every other week, class members having forty minutes then and there to study me while we discuss the gospel... and comparing myself to the other well-suited teacher (and teachers from the past; and teachers in R.S. now; and wives of... well I'll stop here). I keep looking at myself critically feeling I need to wear a certain look. And I can't in my brown skirt yet, simply because I need a great top. NOW here is something, a few somethings, that are very me. I love it! And love it especially because (who knew?) it's VIP days at Macy's and the tops are 40% off with 20% off that at the register! What's not to love?Next, to Paradise Cafe where we split a hefty chicken wrap, grabbed cups of water and enjoyed "buy one get one free" coconut chocolate chip cookies. That worked very well! This day we've been gone long enough to qualify for running away from home but did get me back soon enough to put a steaming bowl of Ramen noodles and a hunk'a apple pie on dad's plate downstairs at 5:30 for dinner. With a peanut butter sandwich for mom with apricot jam, her fave.Such, you guys, is a day in the life. If you're helping your sister decorate, hunting for shoes and a shirt, needing a treat in the middle, and/or on the dinner clock with the parents, too. Still. Always. While Kent sits on the couch sick and watches football.
And, bonus! After dinner Marcia and I went bike riding til dark.
21 September 2014
Our God is a good God
From this month's Ensign in the section called Latter-day Saint Voices comes this personal story...
This man lost his wallet. One Sunday after returning home on the train from visiting a ward in Vienna he realized he didn't have it. Of course he stressed: he didn't know if he'd lost it or it'd been stolen and it had a little money, his credit card and his temple recommend inside.
He was sick. He slept poorly in the night trying to recall where he might have left it. He called the train station, the police, and the bishop of the ward he had visited; nobody had turned it in.
He said that during his morning prayers the next day he felt an impression to open his Book of Mormon to find the answer to his dilemma. But he ignored the impression out of hand because no scriptures have anything to do with a lost wallet. But the feeling persisted.
Yet still he discarded the feeling as wishful thinking.
He writes:
But the feeling in my heart fought a hard battle and won. I got up, went to my desk, and picked up my Book of Mormon. My heart beat rapidly in anticipation. I did not turn a page forward or backward. I simply opened the book and read Jacob 3:1:
“Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause.”
He finishes the story accepting the Lord's blessing to him, acknowledging the Lord in this small and essential thing. "The Lord had consoled me in my afflictions. He had pleaded my cause... had answered my prayers in a direct, personal way."
For me, while I understand this man's praise of the Book of Mormon (it having become more precious to him following this experience), I'm impressed with his testimony of the Lord indeed pleading our cause! Reading this so closely on posting my other post (link) a day or so ago about the Lord not pleading against us is setting me on fire to live equal to this increasing knowledge and faith.
Our God is a good God.
Open Your Book of Mormon
Eduard Mayer, Upper Austria, Austria
He was sick. He slept poorly in the night trying to recall where he might have left it. He called the train station, the police, and the bishop of the ward he had visited; nobody had turned it in.
He said that during his morning prayers the next day he felt an impression to open his Book of Mormon to find the answer to his dilemma. But he ignored the impression out of hand because no scriptures have anything to do with a lost wallet. But the feeling persisted.
Yet still he discarded the feeling as wishful thinking.
He writes:
But the feeling in my heart fought a hard battle and won. I got up, went to my desk, and picked up my Book of Mormon. My heart beat rapidly in anticipation. I did not turn a page forward or backward. I simply opened the book and read Jacob 3:1:“Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause.”
I was overcome and couldn't read any further.
The Lord will plead my cause! I went to work relaxed and comforted. At 11:00 a.m. I received a call from the train station police informing me that my wallet had been turned in. One day later I received my wallet. Nothing had been taken.
The Lord will plead my cause! I went to work relaxed and comforted. At 11:00 a.m. I received a call from the train station police informing me that my wallet had been turned in. One day later I received my wallet. Nothing had been taken.
For me, while I understand this man's praise of the Book of Mormon (it having become more precious to him following this experience), I'm impressed with his testimony of the Lord indeed pleading our cause! Reading this so closely on posting my other post (link) a day or so ago about the Lord not pleading against us is setting me on fire to live equal to this increasing knowledge and faith.
Our God is a good God.
20 September 2014
Already? Not yet.
Not only is it September, it's the 20th of September! How?
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The world is turning.
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Our hike to Elephant Rock up Mueller Park Trail last Saturday.
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You know what guys? It's been two years since Kent and I hiked (he's recovering from a bum ankle) and it was harder than I thought it would be.
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Are we so old?
Like I said last time I posted about this trip, over two years ago (link)... I'm too queasy to get near the big, big rock (pics on that post ↑) which hangs off the side of this mountain like a wart off a witch's chin. Kent advanced to the spot where he could overlook it but stayed just a minute and, erm, see, I stayed safely on this bench, legs off to the uphill mountain side even, rather than the cliff.
It's been September for almost three weeks and I'm not ready for fall yet I think.
The world is turning.
Our hike to Elephant Rock up Mueller Park Trail last Saturday.
You know what guys? It's been two years since Kent and I hiked (he's recovering from a bum ankle) and it was harder than I thought it would be.
Are we so old?
Like I said last time I posted about this trip, over two years ago (link)... I'm too queasy to get near the big, big rock (pics on that post ↑) which hangs off the side of this mountain like a wart off a witch's chin. Kent advanced to the spot where he could overlook it but stayed just a minute and, erm, see, I stayed safely on this bench, legs off to the uphill mountain side even, rather than the cliff.
It's been September for almost three weeks and I'm not ready for fall yet I think.
19 September 2014
Lookin' good
Does this look good to you at all?
Do you even know what this is? (Don't send me a text or e-mail suggesting... nah.)
Bruschetta comes to mind, or something close.
Yes, I think this is that.
Sliced rosemary olive oil bread from a round artisan loaf covered with shaved Parmesan cheese, topped with fresh basil leaves and garden tomatoes, topped with Swiss cheese. (You could add garlic if you want and probably should.)
Placed under the broiler for two and a half minutes till crisp. Til the kitchen smells way good! Any longer and it won't smell that good...
Mmm, my favorite this week.
Go make some!
Do you even know what this is? (Don't send me a text or e-mail suggesting... nah.)
Bruschetta comes to mind, or something close.
Yes, I think this is that.
Sliced rosemary olive oil bread from a round artisan loaf covered with shaved Parmesan cheese, topped with fresh basil leaves and garden tomatoes, topped with Swiss cheese. (You could add garlic if you want and probably should.)
Placed under the broiler for two and a half minutes till crisp. Til the kitchen smells way good! Any longer and it won't smell that good...
Mmm, my favorite this week.
Go make some!
18 September 2014
Beloved
If Job could've had a letter in the mailbox to God here's what he would be saying after a while; after a long while of suffering, then pleading, wondering if God had forgotten him... it's interesting.
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Because I've so recently taught the Book of Job in Gospel Doctrine class, Job's still in me. (It'll pass, right, like all things in worldly time do; then it'll just be a memory...) Job's resonating in my brain – his character and his trials – and in my heart! His trust in God, his declaration (testimony) and integrity to the last.
I do admire Job's super capacity to endure. He struggled, though. Again, here he is struggling with feelings that God has forgotten him or isn't listening.
As he's PLEADING! I love the scripture above that says will he plead against me with his great power?
Job knew and declared: No.
No. A thousand times, NO! God will never plead against his children, not in a million years. Far from it! Here this week I'm studying to teach Hosea and find this truth repeated. The book of Hosea's a love story between Christ and his Bride, Israel. Israel has abandoned Him and gone after other "lovers," living in idolatry, synonymous with adultery. In fourteen chapters the Lord through Hosea pleads with his true love – even pays the price to buy her back – if she will want Him,
will return, and be His Beloved.
He declares:
14 ¶Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
Thinking on these things, upon good Job with his awesome loyalty to Christ, and on Hosea representing in scripture the Bridegroom who surely, steadily, with lovingkindness and with mercy, loves us; far, far indeed, from ever abandoning us –
If I could have a letter in the mailbox to God, "find him! that I might come even to his seat!" or "order my cause before him" –
I would admit, Dear God, I'm coming, I'm coming... I want to want Him,
return, and be His beloved.
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Then Job answered and said, Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
Will he plead against me with his great power?
No; but he would put strength in me. (Job 23:1-6)
-----Because I've so recently taught the Book of Job in Gospel Doctrine class, Job's still in me. (It'll pass, right, like all things in worldly time do; then it'll just be a memory...) Job's resonating in my brain – his character and his trials – and in my heart! His trust in God, his declaration (testimony) and integrity to the last.
I do admire Job's super capacity to endure. He struggled, though. Again, here he is struggling with feelings that God has forgotten him or isn't listening.
As he's PLEADING! I love the scripture above that says will he plead against me with his great power?
Job knew and declared: No.
No. A thousand times, NO! God will never plead against his children, not in a million years. Far from it! Here this week I'm studying to teach Hosea and find this truth repeated. The book of Hosea's a love story between Christ and his Bride, Israel. Israel has abandoned Him and gone after other "lovers," living in idolatry, synonymous with adultery. In fourteen chapters the Lord through Hosea pleads with his true love – even pays the price to buy her back – if she will want Him,
will return, and be His Beloved.
He declares:
14 ¶Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.
23 ...and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. (Job 2)
Thinking on these things, upon good Job with his awesome loyalty to Christ, and on Hosea representing in scripture the Bridegroom who surely, steadily, with lovingkindness and with mercy, loves us; far, far indeed, from ever abandoning us –If I could have a letter in the mailbox to God, "find him! that I might come even to his seat!" or "order my cause before him" –
I would admit, Dear God, I'm coming, I'm coming... I want to want Him,
return, and be His beloved.
17 September 2014
16 September 2014
He will bless you, He will bless you, If you put your trust in him.
Last Sunday in Sacrament meeting a quartet of women sang an arrangement of "Dearest Children, God is Near You." The first and second verses went along like we're used to hearing from the hymnbook, then the words to the third verse came out way different in the middle... a musical interlude... as, then, the song ended, repeating a bit, the way it began. Familiarly.
(In its wonderful four parts of course.)
For three days now I've been humming this little part in the middle! My brain must've latched on to it while the women practiced before church and then sang in the meeting. Now this week I'm humming it right out of nowhere.
Yup. Well... out of nowhere? Not exactly. I think out of somewhere. Specific.
It's no coincidence these words are revolving, playing, as background to everything I've been on-the-go doing since Sunday. Someone... something's... trying to teach me something, convince me, bless me, supply an answer to prayer.
Through the veil.
Through my brain.
To my heart.
And today happily I'm realizing it. (At last!) Don't you love when that happens? !!! → → →
(In its wonderful four parts of course.)
For three days now I've been humming this little part in the middle! My brain must've latched on to it while the women practiced before church and then sang in the meeting. Now this week I'm humming it right out of nowhere.
Yup. Well... out of nowhere? Not exactly. I think out of somewhere. Specific.
- Out of gratitude at a deep level in me – sub conscience? – that til now I haven't been putting a finger on?
- Out of the deeper well of my conscious faith in Christ and our Father in Heaven? (I do think!)
- Being surprised by joy suddenly at a "break" in a hard spot in life? (Yes!) Which I perceive (hummm) is coming from them!
It's no coincidence these words are revolving, playing, as background to everything I've been on-the-go doing since Sunday. Someone... something's... trying to teach me something, convince me, bless me, supply an answer to prayer.Through the veil.
Through my brain.
To my heart.
And today happily I'm realizing it. (At last!) Don't you love when that happens? !!! → → →
15 September 2014
Everyone
Rain isn't personal. It falls on everyone. Consider the words of Jesus: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)
Suffering falls on everyone too.
Remember I posted this here? (link) I'll post it again. So good to remember when it's raining buckets.
-----
Elder Richard G. Scott said: “When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial?” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17).
14 September 2014
13 September 2014
What's the focus?
Once again from the newest novel I'm reading, a to me arresting statement.
What's the focus here?
The imperfections and distortions...? Or making allowances?
12 September 2014
Meekness and surrender
I've admired for a long time the fictional character Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Québec, in novels written by Louise Penny. And haven't I already posted on this blog Inspector Gamache's "four statements that lead to wisdom?" As I'm reading Penny's newest novel this week revisiting these I sigh and think and run right here to write them. (In case I haven't.) To me these are very, very interesting.
This – maintaining a profound calm and control – humility – over our feelings or knee-jerk reactions is meekness. Giving of oneself.
“Meekness,” quotes St. Thomas Aquinas, “restrains the onslaught of anger.” And William Booth, Methodist preacher and founder of the Salvation Army, suggests “the greatness of the man's power is the measure of his surrender.” Where is this surrender better practiced, aye, than at home with our families? Dare I write that spouses can irritate us; children can exasperate; siblings annoy?
It is meekness that would keep us from snapping at each other with over-heated emotions or words. (Methinks again of Elder Zwick's talk wherein he cautions “words that may be firm in information can be soft in spirit.”) (Yes.) (Okay.) And as with other virtues,
Far from being associated with weakness, true meekness is rather the outcome of a long struggle against the disordered violence of our
I don't know; I was wrong; I'm sorry; and, I need help.
-----This – maintaining a profound calm and control – humility – over our feelings or knee-jerk reactions is meekness. Giving of oneself.“Meekness,” quotes St. Thomas Aquinas, “restrains the onslaught of anger.” And William Booth, Methodist preacher and founder of the Salvation Army, suggests “the greatness of the man's power is the measure of his surrender.” Where is this surrender better practiced, aye, than at home with our families? Dare I write that spouses can irritate us; children can exasperate; siblings annoy?
It is meekness that would keep us from snapping at each other with over-heated emotions or words. (Methinks again of Elder Zwick's talk wherein he cautions “words that may be firm in information can be soft in spirit.”) (Yes.) (Okay.) And as with other virtues,
we learn this by doing it
– so the very family members who most try us also give us some of the best opportunities to learn how to be meek. How to take a step back maybe, acknowledge the several angles of one dilemma; ask forbearance; even cooperate. Wives and husbands must practice this most of all. Difficult as it is (and it is), this virtue thrives at the heart of marriage, is indispensable to it: This –giving of oneself.
-----Far from being associated with weakness, true meekness is rather the outcome of a long struggle against the disordered violence of our
- feelings,
- failings, and
- fears.
11 September 2014
Recap
I finished this post and am realizing there's not a picture of Abbie in it anywhere. She's such a big kid she's like worlds apart from the routine of these three younger kids. Abbie's out super early and, once home, busy or at activities. I think I was too busy at those times too to look up and catch her at it! Sorry...
-----
First morning I woke up, Sarah and I took off on Erin's bike for a ride, me pulling her behind in a carrier. Later, we played at the park. A gorgeous day! The best we've had since I arrived.
And home for a snack. Always, that.
I picked up Noah from kindergarten and these two lunched. Chicken nuggets, natch. Mio in the water bottle. Double natch.
One morning I did laundry and Sarah was all over it. Literally. I had to give her her pile and keep the other pile for me... and work fast.
These kids' favorite thing ever! HIGHER is Sarah's favorite word.
On a day after school I walked Landon and his friend home.
Where was I going this day? School obviously, it's Hat day for Landon. When am I ever NOT in the car taking kids somewhere this whole week! J
Today has been way colder than other days here, and rainy. Nevertheless the Fun Run fundraiser happened as scheduled on the turf at the back of the school. Here's the Kinder classes lining up, an organizer getting them ready to break out and begin running laps. Noah's queued up with his class a little out of this pic... I waved to him.
Out of the gate the kids come! The guy with the microphone roars, we parents clap and yell and I video the whole thing for Erin and Mike... though... where's Noah? Oh. No.
Our boy's AWOL.
I turn, looking over the field of organizers, classes and teachers and parents, and here comes Miss S. with Noah who's looking mighty unhappy. Giant tears dripping, and totally anxious. 45 degrees today, and I'd raided Erin's closet for a hoodie to wear over my not-very-warm shirt and capris, and when I saw Noah heading toward us under the parents' booth I stripped that off and wrapped him in it. Now two of us are unhappy, but whatever, no sweat. No videoing the Kinder-2nd grade Run now, no clapping ecstatically for the race and the boy... uh, there's no boy in it. He's behind me in a chair.
I'm kind'a "trapped" in the spectator area unable to cross out and head for the car... Sarah's bundled but soon agitated at having to sit in place and very soon freaking, and I'm shivering, hopping from one foot to the other. Music amplifies as the kids run and run and I can't hear myself think much less Sarah shouting she wants to be held, and now tantrumming, or Noah's answers as periodically I ask him if he wants to run. If I run with him? Or maybe walk a lap? Or go out only once? His mouth says "no" and his face says "double-darn no."
I believe I consider my being here doing this Parent Booster support to the max. Erin's actually sad she would be missing this and sad I wouldhave get to go.
Fast forward an hour... back to the school. I went for Noah after Kindergarten and Sarah and Noah and I toted our folding chair again to the back of the school where now the bigger kids are participating at the track field. I shouted Landon's name as he flashed by - no matter that I've come late - and he grins. Picks up speed! Flies! He's already done like fifteen laps.
We three bounce up and down on the sidewalk cheering Landon on and finally, winded, he finishes like thirty-five laps. Whichever of us has sponsored this boy will be owing a chunk 'o change.
Heading toward the car after high-fiving Landon (toting the chair and accouterments necessary for small families), I grab pics of these sunflowers past their time. Darn right they are, it's practically snowing here!
My time with the kids is coming to a close too.
-----
First morning I woke up, Sarah and I took off on Erin's bike for a ride, me pulling her behind in a carrier. Later, we played at the park. A gorgeous day! The best we've had since I arrived.
And home for a snack. Always, that.
I picked up Noah from kindergarten and these two lunched. Chicken nuggets, natch. Mio in the water bottle. Double natch.
One morning I did laundry and Sarah was all over it. Literally. I had to give her her pile and keep the other pile for me... and work fast.
These kids' favorite thing ever! HIGHER is Sarah's favorite word.
On a day after school I walked Landon and his friend home.
Where was I going this day? School obviously, it's Hat day for Landon. When am I ever NOT in the car taking kids somewhere this whole week! J
Today has been way colder than other days here, and rainy. Nevertheless the Fun Run fundraiser happened as scheduled on the turf at the back of the school. Here's the Kinder classes lining up, an organizer getting them ready to break out and begin running laps. Noah's queued up with his class a little out of this pic... I waved to him.
Out of the gate the kids come! The guy with the microphone roars, we parents clap and yell and I video the whole thing for Erin and Mike... though... where's Noah? Oh. No.
Our boy's AWOL.
I turn, looking over the field of organizers, classes and teachers and parents, and here comes Miss S. with Noah who's looking mighty unhappy. Giant tears dripping, and totally anxious. 45 degrees today, and I'd raided Erin's closet for a hoodie to wear over my not-very-warm shirt and capris, and when I saw Noah heading toward us under the parents' booth I stripped that off and wrapped him in it. Now two of us are unhappy, but whatever, no sweat. No videoing the Kinder-2nd grade Run now, no clapping ecstatically for the race and the boy... uh, there's no boy in it. He's behind me in a chair.
I'm kind'a "trapped" in the spectator area unable to cross out and head for the car... Sarah's bundled but soon agitated at having to sit in place and very soon freaking, and I'm shivering, hopping from one foot to the other. Music amplifies as the kids run and run and I can't hear myself think much less Sarah shouting she wants to be held, and now tantrumming, or Noah's answers as periodically I ask him if he wants to run. If I run with him? Or maybe walk a lap? Or go out only once? His mouth says "no" and his face says "double-darn no."
I believe I consider my being here doing this Parent Booster support to the max. Erin's actually sad she would be missing this and sad I would
Fast forward an hour... back to the school. I went for Noah after Kindergarten and Sarah and Noah and I toted our folding chair again to the back of the school where now the bigger kids are participating at the track field. I shouted Landon's name as he flashed by - no matter that I've come late - and he grins. Picks up speed! Flies! He's already done like fifteen laps.
We three bounce up and down on the sidewalk cheering Landon on and finally, winded, he finishes like thirty-five laps. Whichever of us has sponsored this boy will be owing a chunk 'o change.
Heading toward the car after high-fiving Landon (toting the chair and accouterments necessary for small families), I grab pics of these sunflowers past their time. Darn right they are, it's practically snowing here!
My time with the kids is coming to a close too.
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