My Brothers--Last Year--ha ha!

Jonny and David

Adversity (from a talk I gave a couple of years ago)

Elder Ronald J. Hammond spoke at a BYU-I devotional a few years ago. He spoke of acquiring a first-person faith in God, meaning we know that God will bless us because we have had first hand experiences with His love. He says: The scriptures are filled with experiences wherein prophets and disciples struggled to develop first-person faith in God in the face of stifling unknowns. How much easier it would have been had they known, while in the furnace, how things would eventually turn out.

"For example, look with me down the long corridor of time. We see Father Abraham preparing, as God had commanded, to sacrifice his only begotten son, Isaac – hot tears matching the heat of the fiery trial. Then, as he raises the sacrificial dagger, you and I call to him down through the millennia, "Abraham, O Abraham, don’t worry. It’s all going to be just fine! See, I have the book! I know how this story ends! Abraham, hang in there, don’t give up!" But Abraham, in the thick of developing first-person faith cannot, must not, hear us. It must be just Abraham and God. Then, after the fiery trial of his faith, the miracle occurs, we sigh with relief, and Abraham becomes not only the father of millions, but the father of the faithful as well.

"And what about those 2000 Lamanite youth under Helaman’s command –youth near the age of many of you? The most powerful army of the Lamanites pursues them for a couple of days then silence. And then the terrible questions must be answered, questions like: "Do we turn back to help Antipus? And, is it an ambush? And, could you show me again how to hold a cimeter?" Back they go, this little band that never before has fought an enemy. And we call down the corridor of time, "Hello! You are going to win and not one of you will be killed! Here, read Alma chapters 56 through 58. We love you! Thanks for your examples. Remember, your team wins!" But, again, they cannot, must not, hear us. It must be each youth and his God. Only after the trial of their first-person faith was it written, "And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe."

Here is a quote by President Harold B. Lee, "There is so much work to do. This people is just beginning to be tested. When you are a golden nugget, prepare for the refiner’s fire!"

One more quote by Elaine Cannon said:  "There are terrible troubles among the Saints. Bizarre things are happening. Hearts are being broken. Testimonies are being tried. Dreams are being dashed. Pressures of all kinds and temptations that were never imagined are all directed at God’s choice children. But in D&C 106:5 we learn a critical key: ‘Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light.’"

Seems a bit depressing to end here.  More on this later. Be happy!  His promises are sure!  (Camille says I'm being too serious.)

This one is for you Laura, my favorite Texan

(click to enlarge)

twenty years ago i met a wonderful lady.  she was my companion twice during my mission--once in the mtc and once in the field.  we had wonderful and very fun times together.  we still keep in close contact with each other, emailing often and an occasional phone call.  she is someone i can say anything to and never feel condemned or judged in the very least.  i know she was sent to me by heavenly father.  i love her and she knows it  but we usually just say things like "mushy mush" etc. and we know what that means.  i wish we could live closer but i could not ask for much better than we have.  have a good day laura.  mush 'n' stuff.  =D

It's My Bloggy and I'll Brag if I Want To

~Three adults at Brandon's harvest job, including his boss commented on his good work ethic.  He comes home happy everyday and adds up what he thinks he is earning.  Love it!

I can't type

with my left hand but I can say enough to recount some blessings:
~My ride today with Dian to radiation was fun
~The people at radiation are so nice even though they gave me a new tattoo (that gives me 5 in all!)
~Dian bought sandwiches for our lunch tomorrow (she said it was her daughter's idea)
~Elaine brought dinner
~Christine brought raspberry salad and arranged rides for me for the next week (my pain meds makes it so I can't drive)
~Bro. Dance brought pie
~Colette called
~Darcee called
~Julinna called
~Mom called
~Janell and others sent facebook messages
~Andi and others emailed
~People prayed--I know they did!
~Dennis got me a sling but I don't need it  He also did lots of other stuff for me.
~Camille did dishes several times
~My kids are cute and fun and nice
~I'm sure I am forgetting stuff.
~I can still sew by hand--I'm finishing up some pin cushions and they are stinkin' cute!
~I don't have to do my hair 'cause I can't.  I'm glad flowers are IN!

The Atonement

Last Sunday Dennis, Jeffrey and I gave talks on the atonement.  Here is an excerpt from mine:

What does the atonement mean to you and me?
It means you and I have a relationship with Someone outside of this world and we know that we are dearly loved by Him!
I can make and keep sacred covenants with Him
We can be sealed to our families.
Jesus paid for our sins.
You and I can repent.
We can be forgiven.
We can have a clear conscience-- and what a blessing that is!
Jesus Christ knows our pains and sicknesses. He has experienced them! 
He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience. (President Eyring)
He knows and loves those around us. He has atoned for all.
We can rest assured that he is in charge of our lives. And we can rest assured that He knows what is best for us.
You and I must do our best.
Righteousness matters
Faith matters
Good works matter. If there were no atonement there would be no reason to even try. But the consequences would be beyond description.
Because of the atonement you and I can look up in faith!

I have experienced the power of the atonement in my life as I’ve struggled through trials. I know that when the load gets heavy for me the Savior will, if I allow Him, shoulder my burdens. We all know that we will be tested to the fullest in many ways. But I have been blessed to know that no matter what happens everything will be all right, that compensatory blessings will be bestowed upon my family to whatever degree they are needed. That is a burden lifted! To paraphrase Job, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Tidbits

Even though I had the hardest time staying awake during church (my pain medication makes it very hard), I had a sub for nursery today.  It was so nice to attend S.S. and R.S.

French dip sandwiches for dinner....Yum!!!

Dennis and the kids cleaned the house today while I took a nap. 

Dave and his family visited.

Robert, my brother-in-law called to see how I am.

Played games with kids.

Brandon and Jeffrey both have harvest jobs bright and early in the morning.

Radiation starts tomorrow.  I'm sure hoping for help with my poor lame hand.

Hum a Favorite Hymn

There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today, no. 227

There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my light.

Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll.
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.

There is music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,
And Jesus listening can hear
The songs I cannot sing.

There is springtime in my soul today,
For when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flow’rs of grace appear.

There is gladness in my soul today,
And hope and praise and love,
For blessings which he gives me now,
For joys “laid up” above.

Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine
When the peaceful happy moments roll.
When Jesus shows his smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.

Text: Eliza E. Hewitt, 1851–1920
Music: John R. Sweney, 1837–1899
Isaiah 60:19
Psalm 16:9, 11

Love Note

A facebook message from my favorite convert on my mission (her name is Camille and we named our Camille after her--I'd lost contact with her until just this week--she found me!):

"Wow!!! I am at a loss for words but my heart is full. I have read your blog for the past hour. What a wonderful woman, wife, mother and person you have become! I am amazed at your courage, love for others, faith in Heavenly Father and the quiet strength you possess that is so apparent in your thoughts, pictures and activities that you have graciously share with all the readers of your blog. Thank you for sharing yourself and your family. I have missed you so much!
Please know, you have always been in my thoughts, heart and prayers and you and your family continue to be. You are AWESOME!
I love you Katie."

Friends

I ran into 2 friends yesterday at the cross counrty meet. We hugged and cried together.  They had not heard about what is going on. I sure need the love.  But it is really hard to see people so sad for me.  My family is so wonderful. I have gotten a lot of loving phone calls. They make me happy.  Camille and Alexa fixed lunch yesterday. What sweeties!! Dr. Dickson called today and upped my pain medication.  It helps not be hurting.  I have still got a ton of peace.  It is wonderful to know that Heavenly Father is in charge.

An Email

I got the sweetest note from Natalie, my niece on Dennis' side.  It made my day.   I have always enjoyed being around Natalie.  But now she lives far away in Montana and we don't see her much.  It was so fun to be with her and her 4 little girls over Labor Day weekend.  I have been amazed watching Natalie mother her family.   Her girls are ages 4,3,2 and 8 months.  Amazing!  She and her husband are doing a fabulous job raising them!  I hope she will not mind if I post her email to me.  

Dear Katie,

 

I have been thinking about you and decided to finally write and tell you that I love you.  It was so much fun to go camping with your family.  Your boys are growing up to be incredible young men.  I have been so consumed in my own little family that at times I haven't noticed my surroundings, but since my girls are growing up and playing on their own I watched my surroundings and it was so great to see.  Jeffrey and Brandon are kind, loving and definitely love to have fun.  What great boys.  My girls can't stop talking about Mary.  They keep saying to me, you know that Mary that we played with at camping.  One of them is usually her when they are playing.  Family is really all that I need.  It was like they had been best friends for years. I had so much fun.  I really love those times.  Thank you for bringing your games and playing with us.  The games are fun, but I think the best part is just being together and laughing and working together.  Katie you and Dennis have an incredible family.  Thank you for your great example as a mother. 

 

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives and for amazing women and men who live it.  I love you Katie.

 

Love Natalie

New Blog

I'm keeping the old one and it will continue to function as usual.  I'm not making rules for this blog--it can be anything--but mostly it will be a daily blog of what makes me happy everyday.  I may be silly or serious depending on the day.   Short and sweet is my style. =)