I Do Not Doubt My Mother Knew It

-- I loved the October Visiting Teaching Message from Sister Julie Beck. Sister Beck likened us to the mothers of the 2060 warriors who taught the power of covenants to their young sons.
This message caused me to reflect on my own mother who was a devout covenant maker and keeper.
I do not talk of my mother often. She died at 39. After more than 40 years the memories of our loss are still too painful to revisit. This VT message, however, has caused me to ponder a few things. My mother loved and honored her covenants and because of her commitment her children grew to understand and support covenant keeping. There truly is power in the great example she set. We were relatively young when she was called "home" and yet she already in her short lifetime had taught her children well. Three of us were in our teens and we had a 6 month old baby sister, Angie. I believe that even Angie was blessed because she had a covenant keeping mother, possibly even influenced from the other side of the veil. From a faithful mother we were taught the importance of making and keeping sacred covenants and because of her I understood the importance of passing that legacy on to my own children. The things she taught her children will influence many for generations to come. I was blessed to have a mother who knew and valued the things of eternity. I do not doubt my mother knew it. (Alma 56:48)

General Conference was Delicious!

Remember when Alma taught us that as we come to experiment upon the word it will enlarge our souls and enlighten our understanding and then it begins to become delicious to us? Don’t you think the "words" of conference do that same thing? I do. The older I get the more I look forward to and truly soak up the many delicious words from General Conference. Joseph Smith said that the doctrine of the gospel tastes good! And it does! In his famous King Follett sermon he said,
“This is good doctrine. It tastes good. I can taste the principles of eternal life, and so can you . . . . You say honey is sweet, and so do I. I can also taste the spirit of eternal life. I know it is good; and when I tell you of these things which were given me by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you are bound to receive them as sweet, and rejoice more and more”
Love that!

Too Busy to Blog

Seeing awesome sights like these beautiful 13+ egrets while biking keeps me too busy to blog. I will be back when biking season slows down! (double click to get a larger image!)

Seven-Eleven

At the end of July we welcomed our 11th grandchild to the world. Hence Seven-Eleven.
It is a delight to see this beautiful little spirit join her eternal
family. She will be loved and taught by parents who adore
her and want her reach her full potential
in life. What a gift to be born to goodly parents who will nurture
you, teach you, protect you, and help you become all that you are
meant to be. Parents who will teach you to shun all that is evil
and ugly in the world because you were born to be great and
they will help you become so. As I ponder this blessing I am reminded
of a great story.

The Story is about the son of King Louis XVI of
France. King Louis had been taken from his throne and imprisoned.
His young son, the prince, was taken by those who dethroned the king.
They thought that inasmuch as the king’s son was heir to the
throne, if they could destroy him morally, he would never realize
the great and grand destiny that life had bestowed upon him.

They took him to a community far away, and there they exposed the
lad to every filthy and vile thing that life could offer. They
exposed him to foods the richness of which would quickly make him a
slave to appetite. They used vile language around him constantly.
They exposed him to lewd and lusting women. They exposed him to
dishonor and distrust. He was surrounded 24 hours a day by
everything that could drag the soul of a man as low as one could
slip.

For over six months he had this treatment—but not once did the
young lad buckle under pressure. Finally, after intensive
temptation, they questioned him. Why had he not submitted himself to
these things—why had he not partaken? These things would provide
pleasure, satisfy his lusts, and were desirable; they were all his.
The boy said, “I cannot do what you ask, for I was born to be a king.”

Wishing you the best little Greta! You were born to be a Queen!

Oh Happy Day

I rode my bike today for the first time since having double knee replacement surgery seven weeks ago. I rode up and down my street and I cried because it was hard and it hurt. We put the bikes on the rack and drove to the trail. We rode for about 10 minutes only. This time I cried because I was back on the trail riding my bike! It was hard, it hurt, and it was short, but I made it and I didn't fall off! Oh happy day!

Oh, What a Wonderful Plan!

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “In all things Deity gives his people, something that typifies the eternal ministry of the Eternal Christ.”

That is pretty much what Nephi was saying when he said, “and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.”

And again when Adam was baptized by the Lord, as Moses 6:63 records, the Lord taught him “And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual.”

I think the word "all" is key here.

I have a video of a CES talk my sister sent me years ago addressing this very subject. It is one of the most amazing talks I have ever heard. The speaker (Todd Parker) discusses how simple parts of life are a likeness of Christ, thus typifying of Him. Probably one of the more obvious likenesses would be the changing of the seasons. As each spring we watch new life come forth in the form of flowers and leaves from a once cold dead earth we see the amazing likeness of the resurrection. Do we, however, stop to ponder that this is truly what Nephi was talking about? Oh, what a wonderful plan! Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be aware that all things truly were made to bear record of His Son! In his talk Brother Parker draws attention to something as simple as one going to bed at night and awakening from his sleep to rise the next morning. He says in a sense we die each night and are symbolically resurrected each morning. I love that ! It is so simple and yet so obvious and profound. The fact that the sun is symbolic of “The Son” and that it rises in the east and The Son will come from the east typifies of Him.
There truly is so much more. You can find his talk (or one similar to the one I refer to at http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/transcripts/?id=42.

Bruce R. McConkie said, “It is wholesome and proper to look for similitudes of Christ everywhere and use them repeatedly in keeping him and his laws uppermost in our minds.” I love that!

More Than Just New Knees

I have been sleeping really well at night the last 2 weeks. (Given I have been in a hospital bed.) ☺ I cannot express enough love and appreciation to my family and friends near and far who have fed and loved and prayed for me. My husband has been a saint. He has protected me from hospital food. I, however, cannot write all the kindnesses and services he has extended to me. (Truly, you do not want to know! ☺) He has been diligent and Christ-like .

Getting two new knees has taught me more than just how to get around better. It has taught me to love more.
It has been a unique experience.

Last night I went to sleep feeling a little emotional with the following primary song running through my mind:

“All over the world at the end of day, Heavenly Father’s children kneel down to pray. Each saying thank you in his own special way……”

I had just said good night to my family but also to my the “clinical assistant” (nurses aide) Her name was “Comfort” and as she was giving me comfort, she told me how she had come to this country 12 years ago from Ghana. She has much extended family here but she left her father behind to come to this country. She may never see him again. She touched my heart as she worked to “comfort” me.

I have met so many others as well. I could watch these hard-working care givers come and go or I can talk to them and get to know them just a little. I decided to do the latter. It has been rewarding and touching to see them as children of a Heavenly Father who deeply loves them. I can feel that.

I met Osana from Romania (I think that is her name) first at the foot of my bed at what I think was midnight one night. With a heavy accent and un-tempered voice I awoke to her asking me how much water I had had to drink that day. I wondered impatiently, “Do I know you?” The second time I met her, and I was feeling a little repentant, I asked about her nationality and family and life in general, I immediately changed my feelings and attitude about her. Without reservation, I loved her. I will not quickly forget her.

I have had a nurse from Lithuania (who told me there was not one good thing about Russia where I told her my son had spent two years). I loved her anyway because she called me “sweetheart” all the time. “Now you get some sleep sweetheart” she would say with her heavy accent.

One night I had a very colorful nurse who seemed all Jamaican to me. I sort of watched to make sure I got the right meds that night, but she was kind and warm.

One of my favorites was just little Katie from Montgomery IL. I will always love Katie. She spread happieness everywhere she went. Thank you Katie. And there was Doreen, and Kathleen, Kristin, and Britney, and so many more who not only had a great handle on nursing but on kindness and love. I will forever be grateful for each one of them.

“All Over the World At The End of Day, Heavely Father’s Children kneel down and pray, Each saying Thank You in their own special way, saying Thank you, Thank you, in their own special way.”
Thank you to all of you!!!

Marriage: A Bicycle Built for Two

I think life is kind of like riding a bicycle (hmmm does that surprise anyone?) and I think that a good marriage is like riding a bicycle built for two: partners riding together in perfect harmony, peddling hard up the really steep hills, occasionally hitting bumps and roadblocks along the way, gliding down the easier slopes, always together in effort and purpose, encouraging and helping, working together toward a final destination that they can not reach alone, unified, and enjoying the view.

Marriage and tandem riding are neither one a free ride. Both partners must be contributors. One cannot coast while the other puts forth the only effort. Both must peddle, and one must steer. They must be in agreement in order to arrive safely “home”.

The Power of Love

I can’t stop thinking about one of the final stories in F Enzio Busche’s book Yearning for the Living God. Elder Busche told how he helped an elder become cleansed from an evil spirit. What was so profound to me about the story was that LOVE was the solution. He told how these scriptures… “perfect love casteth out all fear” and …”pray unto the Father with all energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love”, came to his mind as he dealt with the elder’s situation. As he cast off fear and was filled with love the adversary could not stay. The evil one could not abide the LOVE.
That story has filled me with wonder. I have set out on a journey to discover what exactly is (pardon me Huey Lewis) the Power of Love. Doctrine and Covenants 121 says that the power of the priesthood is maintained by LOVE. (see INDEX p.215) I think there is more to love than meets the eye.
Elder Busche said that he learned that our purpose is to fill our souls with love, that truth contains the essentials for our survival. Hmmmm. More to learn and think about!!

The Animal In Us

One of my all time favorite quotes from Neal A Maxwell:

So it is that real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed! Such is the “sacrifice unto the Lord … of a broken heart and a contrite spirit,” (D&C 59:8), a prerequisite to taking up the cross, while giving “away all [our] sins” in order to “know God” (Alma 22:18) for the denial of self precedes the full acceptance of Him.

I Scarce Can Take It In

More than 25 years ago I was in my car in a bank teller line. I was waiting for the car ahead of me. I must have had my window rolled down because I could hear the two women talking, the teller and the lady in the car in front of me. It was a small town and it was the Monday after Easter Sunday. They were talking about their Easter Sermon. They were both very disappointed and their sermon had left them wanting. As I listened I remember thinking how I had not left church that Easter Sunday disappointed or wanting. The gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness never leaves me wanting. In fact, truly, it fills me to the point that sometimes as the song says, I scarce can take it in.

C.S. Lewis

One of my three adorable one year old grandchildren is named C.S. Lewis. Quite like C.S. Lewis the author and theologian she has a way with words, well at least one word. Take for example the word “dog”. She excitedly spews that word from her mouth as well as any famous author ever could. That being said, let’s talk about the theologian. ☺ I really like the following words by Neal A. Maxwell where he quotes Clive Staples Lewis. It does however, contain a word I do not particularly like. You’ll know it. ( I much prefer “dog”.) Yet, I do love the quote with its pointed message. Elder Maxwell quotes C. S. Lewis when he said, “Do not company with fornicators---not because you are too good for them but, as C. S. Lewis wrote, because you are not good enough.” Point well taken.

The Tree of Life

I used to have the Illustrated Stories of the Book of Mormon. You know the ones. The young hungry zealous returned missionary comes to your door one summer afternoon and convinces you that you need them and then springs the shocking price on you. Yip, those ones. I no longer have them. Probably not long after I finally paid them off, I gave them away, by then the kids were grown and almost gone. One of the volumes had such an interesting preface in it that I wrote it in the front of my scriptures before I gave the book away. It was about the tree of life. Here is a little summary of that preface along with information I found in my Book of Mormon Reference companion.

The tree of life first grew in the Garden of Eden and as long as Adam and Eve partook of the fruit they lived eternally. We know the story. From the time of Noah the sacred tree of life became a religious symbol. The true meaning of the tree of life was lost through apostasy. It is fascinating to know that throughout the centuries various cultures portrayed the tree of life and its life giving fruit in their art and literature. Those cultures obviously knew something about the life-giving tree. Interestingly some Egyptian coffin lids actually depict a goddess growing out of the tree of life. All are interesting yet they are distortions and counterfeits of the original sacred tree. “The true meaning was that whoever ate the fruit could live eternally by arising in the resurrection after death.” This true meaning was restored to ancient Israel during the time and leadership of Moses and yet lost that meaning again over time. Knowing this gives deeper understanding to what we know of Lehi’s significant vision of the tree of life.

It is really interesting to me to know that the tree of life is symbolized in the menorah. The tabernacle built in the wilderness during the time of Moses housed the solid gold menorah. It stood before the entrance to the Holy of Holies. The burning lamps of the menorah symbolized the unending light from Jehovah to the children of Israel. This coincides with what we know about the fruit on the tree in Lehi’s vision. Symbolic of the love of God.

The menorah in the tabernacle stood as tall as a man, representative of the sacred tree. It did not hold candles as some small replicas we see today. It held and burned olive oil. The same sacred oil used to anoint. The Book of Mormon Reference companion says, “Even the lamps of the menorah filled with olive oil represent the presence and life of God. Anointing with olive oil symbolized partaking of the tree of life, whether in anointing prophets and kings, or in anointing the sick with a blessing of renewed and restored life.”

I love how each “piece” of the gospel of Jesus Christ fits together like the pieces of a puzzle. I love the tree of life piece of the puzzle. It adds understanding and depth to what I already know about Lehi, his vision, and the gospel in general. Each time a new puzzle piece is added, we can see more clearly our Heavenly Father’s plan. Awesome.

Always Learning

I’ve been reading “Yearning for the Living God” by F. Enzio Busche. It is a wonderful book filled with so many inspiring stories. One of the stories I like best is one he told when he was the president of the Frankfort temple. A small group of American military had come to attend the temple with one sister who had come to receive her own endowment. As Pres. Busche was teaching them about the temple prior to the session the one man in the group asked Pres. Busche when he thought the church would give the Priesthood to women. I love how Pres. Busche handled the situation. Rather than quickly giving a “stern response” he allowed time for the spirit to teach him so he could then teach the members of the group.
He said that a “calmness” entered his heart and He heard himself saying things that were even “somewhat new” to him. He said marvelous things to these sisters and brother about the Priesthood. He told them that the priesthood is neither male nor female, although it does have a male part and a female part and that different roles are given to men and women. It is through eternal marriage that the priesthood becomes complete. He elaborated on the various roles of men and women. My favorite part was that he said the role of men was to provide, protect, and admire. I love that “admire” part. The members of the group he taught that day were touched by the spirit and their hearts were softened as they were then “enlightened and their attitudes became mild and receptive” and “they were ready to participate in the additional experiences of the temple.”

I think the main principle I learned from Elder Busche in his book is just what he did in this situation; before we say words that we may regret or that can be too stern, allow the spirit to enter and teach. We can then proceed, being guided and enlightened. I love that.

The Finisher

Looks like I “get “ to speak in church on Easter Sunday. I will be doing some serious research and prayer and preparation for that. Maybe I will use this great, yet seldom quoted scripture from Isaiah 28. I like it a lot. Isaiah once again with his great imagery reminds us of our need for Christ and His atoning sacrifice. We need Christ, the finisher of our faith, to make up the difference.

“For the bed is shorter, than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. "

Isaiah was so smart!

There and Back Again

One day, several years ago, my youngest daughter and I decided to visit a friend and fellow seminary student who had been admitted to Loyola University Medical Center. I really don’t like driving to Chicago so my daughter and I decided to take the train. A friend told me that Loyola was within walking distance from where we would get off the train. I took her word for it and off we went. As we arrived at our destination we realized we had been misdirected and it would be much too far to walk to the Medical Center. Uncomfortable with the idea but realizing it was our only option we stood and waited at a corner for a bus that would make a stop at Loyola. We finally did board the right bus, made it to Loyola, finished our visit and headed out of the Medical Center. While I was feeling rather unexcited about the prospect of taking the bus again, I noticed a taxi waiting. Immediately I knew it would be well worth any cost to me to pay for a taxi to get us back to the train station. As we hopped into the back seat of the taxi, I noticed the driver. He was a huge and rather ominous looking black man. Keep in mind that any color of man this size, with this demeanor, in this situation would have unnerved me. Black, white, pink …any of those…. it just so happened that it was what it was. I felt somewhat fearful as I told him where we needed to go. Pulling away from the curb he suddenly demanded, “You a Christian?” Somewhat shocked but hoping to be able to please him I stuttered, “Yes, why yes, yes, we are!” My teenage daughter was cuddled up next to me in the back seat with her head leaning against my shoulder. I didn’t know if she was feeling what I was feeling or not but I began to get more and more nervous. I was imagining all kinds of things happening to us, even the possibility of loved ones never seeing us again. Very unexpectedly he continued in his demanding abrasive way, “What church do you go to”? (Like I really wanted to tell this guy I was a Mormon! ) I mustered the courage and said, “We go to the Mormon church. Have you heard of it?” “I know what you believe!” he grumbled. I didn’t quite think he DID know what we believe but I was not about to argue with him. He must have then asked me something about reading the Bible because I recall saying something to him about the scriptures and how sometimes they can be a little hard to understand. He said he understood them so I timidly added that I thought Isaiah was sometimes difficult to understand. Why should I have been surprised at that point that he let me know in no uncertain terms that HE understood them ALL. No argument there.:) I really don’t remember much more about the conversation, but that much I will never forget. I did not know the way back to the train station but I was fairly certain we weren’t heading in the right direction. I prayed a lot that we would return home safely. It did seem to take an unusual amount of time to get back to the station. When I could see that we finally had arrived I was astonished and relieved. Finding ourselves out of the taxi, back on the train and finally home, we were simply grateful to have made it there and back again.

Consider the Lilies

I do love flowers. I love my violets and orchids that help me make it through the long winter months after the summer flowers have faded and gone. I love to gaze at and even study the blossoms. There are so many varieties, colors, and such intricacies in the making of a single blossom. What an amazing Creator! Truly, He is omnipotent and omniscient! I like to reflect on the scripture in Matthew that says, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

In his fascinating address at a 2002 CES conference Neal A. Maxwell said:

“So as you and I ponder God's creative grandeur, we are also told to consider the beauty of the lilies of the field, remembering all things bear witness of Him. Added reverencing of divine design in the universe and in us, is miniatured in the lilies of the field. The miracle of life on this planet has so many on-going miraculous subtleties."

That pretty much says it all!

Anything!!!!

My 5 year old granddaughter wandered away from my son at their local Mall last Saturday. She was missing for a harrowing half an hour. My son was with his two daughters at the Mall when he bent down to tie his youngest daughter’s shoes. He looked up and the five year old was gone. He immediately started yelling for her. He yelled and yelled telling everyone within earshot that she was missing, how old she was, and how she was dressed. He just kept calling her and yelling. The mall was unusually busy that day but he said it grew silent as he continued to call for her. He related this story to us the following day when she was home, safe, with his family intact. I told my son I completely understood, that a parent would do ANYTHING to save their child. He agreed. It made me think about parenting in general and how as a mother I was passionate about saving my children spiritually. I would do just about anything and I resorted to tactics that probably weren’t respectable :):) , but I was determined to keep my children safe. I was passionate about keeping them temporally and spiritually protected. Our Heavenly Father has many tactics to try bring us safely back home to Him as well. His are all respectable. :)

Show Me

I hope it is not disrespectful in any way but I like to think of God as a “show me” God. When I think of Him that way I understand Him better and understand why we do the things He asks us to do the way He asks us to do them. Take baptism and temple ordinances for instance, they are “outward expressions of inward covenants”. It is that outward expression that “shows” Him we are willing to do what He has asked. It is definitely more binding when we “show” Him rather than simply say or think we will do what He asks us to do. We “show” that we truly accept the terms He has offered us. He is always the one who sets the terms, when we agree and “show” Him, then He blesses us. Another great arrangement!

We Choose Him

There is more than one place in the Old Testament where the Lord says, “You be my people and I’ll be your God.” I love that little “pact” the Lord makes with His faithful servants and I love the way He says it. I heard someone bear his testimony once and he told how he used to think it was somewhat unfair that the Lord would choose only certain people to be “HIS”. “His chosen people”. He shared how it took him awhile but he finally came to the realization that we make the choice. When we choose Him, He then will choose us. It is all our choice. I love that arrangement.

Rameumptom

It might appear that I am just all fun and games thus far (ha!) but truly I do have a serious side. J It may be a little difficult for one to understand this entry if one has never suffered unbalanced hormones. I know! Stick with me here……Sometimes my symptoms are difficulty thinking and my brain can get scrambled. J I know! Not really to the point where at those moments, you may not want to ride in a car with me driving but……well, maybe.

Anyway, I do recover somewhat once the brain becomes unscrambled. Stick with me. You need to know that to understand the rest of the story. I work part time in a department with several women. One day, during my seminary teacher days, just a couple of weeks after having taught the Book of Mormon story (and principles) about the Zoramites, I lost it. I mean my brain became scrambled, not at seminary mind you, at work. I was watching a co-worker sweep out her work area and decided to tease her. I said, “Hey Rosemary, I’ll bet if you put that broom down on the floor and hold your hand out like Harry Potter, you could get the broom to come right back up to you if you say the magic word!” Now, being game for some fun Rosemary dropped the broom to the floor and said, “Ok, what’s the word?” It was at this point that my brain became scrambled. I could not think. True story…I knew Harry Potter had learned a very clever magic word to get the broom to come to him, but I truly could not think what it was. Out of my scrambled brain and to my mouth came the answer, “I think it is something like rameumptom.” There stood my co-worker with the broom on the floor chanting “rameumptom, rameumptom…..”. At that point something did seem just a little off to my mixed up brain, but it was not for a couple of hours that it truly hit me just what I had said. I felt pretty dumb, but Rosemay had no idea. We had just had a little fun. When I got home that night I told my husband that little story and he laughed and then I asked, “What was that magic word Harry Potter used”? “Up”, he said. Don’t get in a car with me.

His Precious Jewels

I am intrigued by the scripture found in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:17) as well as the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord says, “ And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” I love that the Lord refers to His people as jewels. Love that! For me, it adds even more interest when I take note that the breastplate worn by the high priest in Old Testament times was beset with 12 jewels each representing 1 of the 12 tribes of Israel. I’ve looked at some Jewish web sites and although there is some controversy as to which jewels were associated with which tribes, some of the sites do assign certain precious stones to each tribe along with certain attributes assigned to each stone. Nephi says that the Lord esteems all flesh, but that He favors the righteous. Those who make and keep His commandments would be His precious jewels. I love knowing that!

A Pattern in the Mount

There is so much more about patterns. Here is one that I love knowing as well. A great institute teacher taught me this one. In the book of Hebrews (8:5) it says, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” Being the PhD linguist that he is, my teacher taught me that the word temple is derived from the Greek word for template (a guide or pattern), and that it goes even deeper…. The Latin word for temple is templum. Remember what a plum line is? A perfectly straight line leading directly up……..(in this case) to Christ. That would make the temple (templum) the perfect “pattern” leading us straight back to Christ. That is how we get back! It is one of the patterns the Lord has blessed us with. Love it!

A Pattern for Life

One of my daughters loaned me her awesome book (I’ve borrowed it twice now, and given it back only once) called “A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe” authored by Michael S. Schneider. I have to admit, the book is way over my head, but it is fascinating just the same. Very simply put, it details how all things in the universe have patterns or as the author puts it, “mathematical principles made visible in flowers, shells, crystals, plants, and the human body”. Take the human hand for example. The author shows how each individual bone length in the hand when multiplied by 1.618 equals the length of the next larger bone (a pattern). I love knowing things like that. Indeed I do believe in a divine creator, and I believe by faith. It is wonderful, however, to literally see His hand and His plan in a flower, or a shell, or a hand, and to see that He created those things using mathematical patterns. I love knowing that because I love the scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants (52:14) that says. “And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things,…..” I love knowing that the Lord loves to lead us and guide us by giving us patterns in all things. He gives us patterns to help us know how to be happy. He gives us patterns to help us be healthy. He gives us patterns to know how to pray to Him, and He gives us patterns to know how to return to Him. I love knowing that!