GOD'S CAKE

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve
this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here
is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is
going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend
broke up with her and her best friend is moving
away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks
her daughter if she would like a snack, and the
daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."
Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother
offers. "Yuck" says her daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking
soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those
things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are
put together in the right way, they make a
wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why
He would let us go through such bad and difficult
times. But God knows that when He puts these things
all in His order, they always work for good! We just
have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all
make something wonderful!
I hope your day is a "piece of cake!"
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but
while we are here we might as well dance.

CASHEW BRITTLE

If your guests think this is peanut brittle they won't touch it but if they once get started on the Cashew Brittle they won't stop.

Get two large cookie sheets and turn them upsidedown and spray the bottom generously with pam. Cook in a large heavy saucepan. Raw cashews are a must. I like the broken ones but whole ones can be used.

2 C. Sugar

1 C. Lt. corn syrup
½ C. Water

Bring to boil and add 1 C. butter and cook to
Soft crack. I water test this candy. When you put a drop in cold water at this stage it should be hard but not crackle.

Add 3 C. raw cashews and cook stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to a hard crack. The nuts should be light brown and the syrup should

sizzle and crack when you put a drop in the cold water. Remove from the stove and stir in 1 tsp. baking soda then pour onto the bottom of 2 well greased cookie sheets.

With two forks, working quickly, stretch the candy off the sheet while hot to as thin as possible--It helps to have a butcher knife tocut pieces on the edge as you pull them off. Break into pieces when cool.

WHAT GIFT SHALL I LEAVE BEFORE HIM?

Dennis Rasmussen (The Lord’s Question, pp. 60-4, from the chapter "Knowest Thou the Condescension of God?")

A thousand years before a thousand years ago a holy night descended on the world.

In the darkness of Bethlehem the omnipotent God became an impotent Baby.

The hands that made the world and hung the stars in the sky were now just large enough to grasp a mother’s finger ...

What would be said of a God who came not in glory but in secret, a King who came not to command but to obey ...

He revealed that man’s greatness is not to be found in dominion over the will of another but in submission to the will of God ...

He began his life in a stable, that no one should ever feel too lowly to approach him ...

And now that I have come, what gift shall I leave before him?

I know, because he has told me, what will gladden his heart

"Love one another; as I have loved you … By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

As I bring the gift of love, I shall see the smile of my Lord Jesus Christ.

CHRISTMAS LETTER

Merry Christmas Family and Friends,

We are enjoying our new home and all of our new feathered friends in the trees in the wooded back yard. Mike came home one day with a big bag of birdseed and several bird feeders. We have our binoculars, bird books, and birdbath. This summer we had breakfast on the deck with the birds most days. Is this what old people do?

Mike is still working half time and since our 401K has turned into a 201K we may have to stretch it out as long as possible. We thought we might be planning a mission by now but Mike began having problems with his hips after the move last fall and the Dr. has confirmed that he needs hip replacements. He is trying to see another Dr. for a second opinion on when the best time to do it will be. I told him I am not sure I can go on a mission with him groaning so he needs to get an answer before we go.

Other than a couple of trips to St. George and a small jaunt to LA we have been pretty close to home all year. Mike has played golf regularly. He is keeping busy making frames for my paintings in his new workshop. He has a nice set up for working now and has recently started making two large stained glass panels for our master bath.

Mike is still our fearless Spanish discussion leader. In about 10 years I may know something but Mike knows Spanish. He even read the Book of Mormon in Spanish this year. He just needs an opportunity to immerse so he can actually learn to speak. I am sure we will get that opportunity in time.

I taught my 5th Family Writing class in February. I had a great group of writers and we have organized a monthly writing get-together to keep ourselves motivated. I started a blog last November and enjoy the opportunity to write and connect with other bloggers. It is another world and I think I am addicted.

Stop by and leave a comment now and then. The Mormon Times section of the Desseret News published 3 of my essays this fall. They are all on my blog.

I try to paint most days and love it. I have photos of my recent paintings on my blog. I may pursue getting into a gallery this year or at least have a home show. The paintings are piling up.

Mike and I put in a flagstone patio in the woods behind our house, which was more work than we wanted to do but it is nice. We have a fire pit for roasting marshmallows and are working on a Tarzan swing off the hill. I planted and maintained a little flower patch in the front. That was the extent of our gardening and we are not missing it at all.

We are enjoying our new neighbors here. We have a group of about 10 empty nesters that meet once a month for Family Home Evening. It has been a nice bonding event especially since our Ward is full of young people.

Beau is still in LA working for Electronic Arts making video games. He has a new little boy Luke, who is 6 months old living in LA.

Maren has been putting together a new Tai Pan store in Rancho Cucamonga, California off and on all summer and fall. We went to see the store. She did an awesome job. She went to the temple this year, which was a joyful experience.

Ian is still in Portland working as a bellhop. He had several showings of his artwork this year. He did a series of crashing horse pictures in a watercolor like medium called gouache. I need to get one posted on my blog.

Leif was accepted into the University of Washington’s photography program in Seattle. He is leaning toward teaching on a high school or jr. college level.
My grandson Michael started first grade this year. He suddenly started reading everything in sight. It has been quite amazing to watch. I have never seen anything like it.

Life is good. We are content and we keep busy. What more could we want?
We wish you all a Wonderful Christmas and the happiest New Year.

Love, Charmaine and Mike too

AUSTRALIA - Movie Review

I don't see a lot of movies. I am fussy in my old age. I can't do Batman or James Bond type movies anymore. If too many things blow up I am miserable. Then the sexy comedies drive me crazy. Mike says I only go to those movies where there is British accent. James Bond doesn't count here. The critics didn't like Australia much but I loved it. It is a wonderful epic story that they just don't make much anymore. The reviewers didn't like the series of different stories unfolding but I thought they were woven together beautifully with some sweet elements as the harmonica music and the villain who was left menacing until the very end still making me nervous; the emphasis on the importance of stories in the Aborigine culture and the sweet love story. Nicole Kidman played a great part starting out as a quirky character and gaining strength through her tough experiences. Hugh Jackman was perfectly cast in his tough sensitive role. I even cried and that hasn't happened in a long time. I give it 3 1/2 stars.

MEATBALLS

These are really moist and tasty meatballs. I have included the sauce recipe if you want to make bar-b-qued meatballs for a holiday party. To use them for Spaghetti and Meatballs just leave out the chile powder and put in a tsp. of basil leaves and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. This makes 75+ balls.

1 can of evaporated milk
3 lbs. of extra lean ground beef
(I have made them with ground turkey also)
2 C. quick oatmeal
2 eggs
1 C. Chopped onion
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chile powder
Mix together well and form into desired size balls. Place close together on a cookie sheet and broil until they are lightly browned. Turn if you want but it is not necessary.

The sauce: 2 C. catsup, 1 1/2 C. Brown sugar 1/2 C. chopped onion and 1/2 tsp. garlic powder and 1 T. liquid smoke.

Pour the sauce over the meatballs and bake covered at 350 for 1 hour. Stir gently after 1/2 hour.

Make the entire batch and freeze half for a later time if this is too many for one use.

Rabbi Harold Kushner is blessed with wisdom that I admire. I have read several of his books and he touches my mind and soul. I like what he says here about fun. Affluence seeks constant entertainment at the expense of learning responsibility. I think about my teenage experiences now and am grateful that I was tall and homely and didn't date. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. At the time It gave me a lot of pain and disappointment to be the wallflower. I had girlfriends and we had fun but the ideal was the Friday night date and the Prom. Now I see the wisdom in having time to grow up, to go to college, to develop some hobbies and skills and to gain spiritual strength. Many of the girls I knew who dated young ended up divorced with a life altering dilema. My life with love and security was worth the wait.

"Fun can be the dessert of our lives but never its main course. It can be a very welcome change of pace from things we do every day, but should it ever become what we do every day, we will find it too frivolous a base to build a life on. I think of all the people I knew (and envied) in high school whose lives seemed to be so much more full of fun than mine—the athletes, the good-looking, smooth-talking students, the first ones to have serious boyfriends or girlfriends. We all envied them back then, because their lives seemed to be one long party, one fun experience after another. Neither they nor we could have known back then that a life of constant pleasure during those teenage years almost inevitably sets one up for a life of frustration afterward. There are skills not acquired, habits not formed, and lessons about the real world not learned during those years of having everything go smoothly for you…Will someone to whom things came effortlessly in youth ever learn the disciplines of patience and postponing gratification, or will that person be unprepared for the day when the music stops and people start saying no." (Rabbi Harold Kushner, When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough, p. 69-70)

THE CARROT PUDDING STORY

(stock photo)

My childhood family didn’t have many traditions but carrot pudding at Thanksgiving was one that I remember and cherish. This is an old pioneer recipe handed down in my family. Its invention could be centuries old. It incorporated all on-hand staples—carrots, potatoes or apples, dry bread crumbs and spices. I know lots of families have their version but the thing that distinguishes our pudding from others is the sauce—the very unusual Vinegar Dip as my family called it.

Carrot pudding is steamed on top of the stove. This method made a moist baked product without an oven. I am sure that was part of its original desirability because those old timers didn’t always have ovens. I have a recipe for the pudding that came from my great-great grandmother Hamblin. I have changed it a bit by using butter and oil instead of shortening. My mother and grandmother always used shortening because it was less expensive. (Butter probably was in the original) I use apples instead of potatoes but the potatoes work fine. I know in days past apples were not always available so a creative woman threw in some grated potatoes, which they had in the root cellar, and it worked famously.

Now the sauce is the special part. Most carrot puddings have lemon sauce or hard sauce but our sauce is made with vinegar. I am sure a resourceful woman who couldn’t get lemons or vanilla created this. She decided to add some vinegar for a little zing—Wow! Did it ever. I have vivid memories of the family women congregating around the kitchen stove trying to get the vinegar dip to taste right. No one ever worked up a recipe. They would just get a pot and start putting the ingredients in and then stand around with a spoon sipping and trying to decide what it needed to taste "right".

When I started cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my family carrot pudding was a must but I wanted a recipe for the vinegar dip. (Even if I was the only one to eat it – this is not fruitcake but it’s hard to compete with chocolate pie now days). So over the years I have worked on the ingredients. If the truth be known, I tweak it a bit every year trying to get it to taste just "right"—but it’s close to perfect—very close.

This is a double recipe and will fill a large bundt pan. (I figure while I’m at it, make lots.) The recipe can be halved and steamed in a smaller mold or tube pan. My family often steamed it in a coffee can. I have a steam canner, which works great for steaming the pudding, but one can be jimmied. You need to have a large pan, which will hold your mold. You want your mold raised up so the water can steam under it. If you don’t have a small rack use a few canning jar lids lying in the bottom of the pan. Put in 2-3 inches of water. Cover the pudding tightly with foil. I like the bundt or tube pan because the steam can come up through the middle and bake it evenly. The pan needs a tight fitting lid. Bring the water to boil and let simmer on low as the pudding bakes for 2 to 2 ½ hours depending on the size of the pudding. It can be made one day and steamed the next if you desire. Or steam ahead and reheat the individual pieces in the microwave a bit before serving.


STEAMED CARROT PUDDING

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 cups ground or grated carrots
2 cups grated apples or potatoes
3 cups dry bread crumbs (I like to make my own bread crumbs made in a food processor because the commercial ones are too fine. If you use the store bought only use 2 1/2 cups)
2 cups flour
2 tsp. Soda
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Salt
1 ½ tsp. Nutmeg
½ tsp. Cloves
½ tsp. Allspice
(Butter, margarine or shortening can be used in place of the butter and oil)
Cream the butter, sugar and eggs. Add all the remaining ingredients. Grease or Pam your mold well. 1 cup of chopped nuts and raisins can be added to your batter if desired. I sometime do half-and-half. (And then I eat both halves)

VINEGAR DIP
 2 cups of water
 ½ cup cider vinegar
1 cup + 2 T. sugar
3T Cornstarch
1 tsp. Cinnamon
¼ tsp. Salt
2 T. butter
Bring all ingredients to a boil and you are ready.
The pudding keeps well wrapped in the refrigerator for weeks (it makes a very healthy lunch for a couple of weeks – all those carrots must be healthy don’t you think?) Just warm in the microwave a bit before eating along with the sauce that keeps nicely also.

I’m afraid I haven’t given this recipe enough credit for being wonderful. I have served this at dinner parties and had people beg me for the recipe. And my mouth is watering as I write this.

AWESOME FRESH CRANBERRY SAUCE

This is a favorite!

1 12 oz pkg. Of fresh cranberries
1 ½ C. of sugar
2 pears peeled and sliced in small cubes
(Apples are also good)
1 8 oz. Can of crushed pineapple
Juice from one large orange
1 T. orange zest

Simmer everything except the zest until
The cranberries pop and the sauce thickens.

Add the zest and chill until ready to serve.

THANKSGIVING AND MORE - A TRUE STORY

http://mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/reader_voices/?id=5182

This was published in the Mormon Times section of the

Deseret News on Thanksgiving Day

We just never know how our desire to do a little service can expand into something bigger. The year this happened my brother Jack and I had so many teenage children it took two hands to count them. We thought it would be nice to harness this teen power for a good cause. My brother had recently started a catering business and had a big kitchen in his basement. We discovered a trailer park where people live in small camp trailers all year. The park owner gave us the names of five families that would appreciate having Thanksgiving dinner brought to their home.

Thanksgiving morning bright and early we all organized for the meal preparations. There was a good feeling with all the boys sitting around a garbage can peeling potatoes and chatting amiably. We cooked sweet potatoes and big pans of wonderful stuffing. We roasted extra turkeys so all would have a good portion. There were quarts of gravy for the fluffy mashed potatoes, fresh rolls and pumpkin pies. We piled up generous helpings of all the food for each family. Our delivery time was 1:00 P.M. and we wanted everything to be hot at drop off.

Everyone was interested in the delivery so we all squeezed into two cars and drove to the trailer park, 10 minutes away. We all agreed that a camp trailer wouldn’t be a good place to spend the winter. Jack was enlisted to carry the food to each home. When he returned to the car we were anxious to hear who answered the door and how it was received. Everyone was gracious and thankful. One older lady cried.

The fourth delivery shocked us all. As we drove to the spot we could see the mom, dad and two children standing by a car—this was their home, for now. We were glad the food was hot, knowing they had no way to heat it. We delivered our last dinner and as we drove out of the park we noticed the little family eating their Thanksgiving dinner huddled around a picnic table on this cool crisp November day. Our group was humbly silent. We could only quietly gasp.

We drove home to a warm house and had a wonderfully sumptuous meal. Good feelings prevailed as the girls cleared the table and the guys went to the basement to scrub all the big pots and pans we used. It was just the Thanksgiving we had hoped for.

A few days later Jack decided to drive through the park to find out about the homeless family. They were still there. He talked to the mother and the two little girls. She said that they had moved from another state on the promise of a job that didn’t materialize. The father did eventually get a job but it would take a while before they could save enough money to rent an apartment. My brother left determined that this family would have a home by Christmas.

Jack stood with his hand on the door knob and a lump in his throat, not knowing if he could go into the neighborhood and ask his friends for money—his goal was $4,000 for a camp trailer. He went back into the house and knelt down to pray for courage and generous friends. "How much do you want?" they would ask and when he answered, "$200 if you can"—most would write a check. When I found out he was collecting money, he already had $3,000. I solicited donations in my church paper and collected $500. When it was over, $4,644 had been donated. A suitable trailer was located in the newspaper from someone anxious to sell. He offered a good price. It needed a water heater, plumbing supplies, and carpet—All was donated along with food from a local grocer. There was money left over—enough to help someone else.

The owner of the park said there was a woman with three children in a desperate situation living in one of the camp trailers. She had been in and out of the hospital with pneumonia and her ex-husband had not been paying his child support payments. Consequently, she was in arrears on her rent, had very little food and absolutely no Christmas presents for her children. The rent was paid, gifts for the children were purchased, and the remainder of the money went towards food for the two families.

The trailer was delivered before Christmas. When it arrived many people in the park came to help set it up. There was great excitement in the neighborhood that day but the man who received this gift was amazed.

"People just don’t do things like this," he cried.

My brother said, "You know there is a price."

"Oh, what is it?" asked the man.

The answer, "You must promise me that when you are back on your feet and you see someone in need you will help them."

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN 62 YEARS

Tomorrow, November 19, I will turn 62 years old. Getting this old has made me reflective. Life is good for me right now even though I didn’t get some of life’s goodies that I expected, like better health, married children and lots of grandchildren. But,


1. I have learned I can be happy and content without getting my fantasy expectations. My life has many opportunities to serve, to write, paint and to share my days with a wonderful partner. Dwelling on what I didn’t get would be foolish.


2. I have learned that you can rise above the insanity and domestic violence you grew up in and be somewhat normal. I give God credit and good people in a church setting who taught me another way. The hand of God has been in my life from my first prayer with Oral Roberts in front of the television.


3. I have learned that the mothering time is so short that it would have been best to give up some of my selfish pursuits in order to have more time to enjoy and teach my children.


4. I have learned that you don’t mold children. They come as they come. Your job as a parent is to love, be a good example, teach to their willingness and laugh a lot at least more than I did.


5. I have learned that I need an artistic outlet and because this urge can be obsessive in me I have let it crowd out things I should have been doing.


6. I have learned that miracles can take a long time but if you never give up, keep fasting, praying and going to the temple, surprises can happen. I will never limit God’s ability to answer my worthy prayers because I have experienced real miracles.

7. I have learned that I married the right man. Mike is a gem. He has given me the space and means to grow without stress. He has taken good care of our family, often at the expense of his own comfort and happiness.

8. I have learned that choosing not to take offense can save you from a lot of heartache and pain.

9. I have learned that the most important prayer I can pray is as Mormon said in Moroni 7:48 "Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love..." When I began to pray to be more loving my life changed—I saw my relationships differently. I have definitely caused some pain in my life. I now see the importance of being a healer as Christ was a healer. But, I know that without His help I can’t do it.


10. I have learned to love the scriptures and understand that they have power beyond their words. I am in my 3rd year of reading scriptures every day "no matter what". The Word never fails to buoy me up and give me hope.


11. I have learned that trying to control another person is evil. A war was fought in heaven over our right to have agency. "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained ...only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned: By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—" D&C121:41-42


12. I have learned that the Holy Ghost is a gift of unspeakable value. "...put your trust in that spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit...which shall enlighten your mind which shall fill your soul with joy." D&C 11:12-13


Of course, I know many things intellectually and spiritually but still fail. I do believe that in time "I can do all things through Christ which Strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:63

WISE THOUGHTS ABOUT LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR

Anne Perry (Author, who is LDS) : If we say or do anything that drags someone else down, discourages them, makes them weaker, less likely to succeed in what is good and beautiful, then we sink with them, as if we were tied at the ankle. We may have crippled or debilitated them, but we have injured ourselves even more. And if we help, encourage, lift others, and make them better able to reach for the stars, we rise with them. If I can keep remembering that, then I will guard my tongue more, praise more, encourage more. I will leave people better and stronger than I found them, filled with a conviction that success is possible. (Meridian Magazine, WWW)


C. S. Lewis: Do not waste time bothering whether you "love" your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less. . . But whenever we do good to another self, just because it is a self, made (like us) by God, and desiring its own happiness as we desire ours, we shall have learned to love it a little more or, at least to dislike it less. (Mere Christianity p. 116)


Mother Teresa: …Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.

SPEAKING OF COSTLY APPAREL

If you are reading the Book of Mormon this year you may wonder why "costly apparel" is so often associated with wickedness in these scriptures. I like this quote. It helps me understand why it is a problem. For me if Ross doesn't have it I don't need it. In a conversation about this today with some friends we decided that in Utah perhaps our costly apparel is our obsession with big overly decorated homes.


"An analysis of the attitudes that lead to and are involved with this habit indicates why it is associated with wickedness. First, it promotes idleness and vanity. One who spends many hours coveting, shopping, spending, and adorning oneself becomes increasingly self-absorbed and uninterested in anything requiring that attention to be diverted from self. Accumulation and adornment become the prime concern. This practice is also a way of displaying wealth in a prideful manner, a manifestation of which has been called the ‘conspicuous consumption’ of the rich, which leads to despising the poor as somehow inferior, a separation of people into ‘us’ and ‘those kind of people.’ And when money and possessions become the chief marks of distinction in society, then the pursuit of money becomes the only action worthwhile. And if this pursuit requires the sacrifice of honesty, integrity, compassion, and all the other virtues, then so be it, for the love of money is indeed the root of all evil. The wearing of costly apparel involves the soul as much as the body." (Mae Banch, BM Studies in Scripture, p. 292)

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING

If you like Bread Pudding this is very nice and easy.

Cube or break up 1/2 Loaf of French Bread into a greased 9x13 pan.

Mix Together with a whip:
½ C. White Sugar
¼ C. Brown Sugar
1 Tsp. Cinnamon
¼ Tsp. Mace or Nutmeg

(Mace is a little different than nutmeg but

similar. I like it in the recipe.)
¼ Tsp. Allspice
¼ Tsp. Salt
½ C. Whipping Cream
4 Eggs
1 C. Canned Pumpkin
1 ½ C. Milk

Topping:
2 T. Melted Butter
½ C. Brown Sugar
½ C. Chopped nuts. (Can use Oatmeal)

Pour the pumpkin mixture evenly over the bread cubes. (If you have time let it sit for 1/2 hour or more so the bread can soak up the pumpkin mixture) Sprinkle with the topping. Set the pan in a larger pan with about an inch of hot water. Bake 350 for 40 Minutes. Serve warm with a little brandy or rum flavoring added to about 1/2 C. maple syrup and whipped cream or just whipped cream is wonderful.

WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY AS A PARENT

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=db977cf34f40c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1On

Sunday I spent some time going through my files and ran across a reference to this article from the July 1996 Ensign. I contemplated writing my own regrets but as I thought about doing it the process seemed painful in a way. As I read through this article I think most of these ideas would be on my list. The world is changing. We must be more valiant than ever in instilling within our children a knowledge and love of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not enough just to take your children to church anymore. Young parents--I pray you will never have regrets.

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER

When you are trying to live a Christian life sometimes it is hard not to get discouraged. Disappointments get you down. People that you love are not happy for various reasons. Society tends to want to go in a direction that frightens you and on and on. I do feel helpless at times but I try not to be co-dependent. I have lots to be grateful for. I am so very blessed. Nothing gives me perspective like the scriptures. These are some verses that always make me feel better because I know that they are true. When I consider the past I know that God will support me and comfort me whenever I need Him. He always has.



And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom. 8:28


Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another. D&C 90:24


Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord. D&C 98:3


Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church. D&C 100:15

WHEN YOU ARE OFFENDED

This is a quote by Brigham Young. I found it in something with no source, but I think it is powerful. Choosing not to be offended has to be the happiest, healthiest choice we can make.



"He who takes offense when no offense was intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense was intended is a greater fool. There are two courses of action to follow when one is bitten by a rattlesnake. One may, in anger, fear, or vengefulness, pursue the creature and kill it. Or he may make full haste to get the venom out of his system. If we pursue the latter course we will likely survive, but if we attempt to follow the former, we may not be around long enough to finish it."

THE SHACK - BOOK REVIEW

My visiting teacher mentioned she bought this book recently upon the recommendation of Jerry Johnston, a religious journalist for the Deseret News. While perusing the books at Costco one day there it was so, I got two copies one for me and one for a gift. There are two pages of recommendations for the book and the premise looked interesting. It is on the top 10 NY Times book list right now.

This is the story of Mac, who came from a sad childhood and is trying to create a loving home for his wife and 5 children. He has spiritual leanings, but church is not always comfortable. A family tragedy sends him into what he calls "the great sadness," as indeed it would any parent. He struggles to cope for several years when he receives a letter in the mail signed by "papa", which is his wife's name for God. It tells Mac to come to the shack and meet with papa. The shack was an important place in his great sadness. He finally decides to go by himself in a borrowed jeep.

God is there in human form along with Jesus in the form of a middle eastern looking back woodsman in a flannel shirt. The Holy Ghost is also there in the form of an ethereal Asian looking girl who gardens in gossamer clothes. The entire area is transformed into an almost Garden of Eden idyllic setting. During a weekend at the shack Mac is taught by these characters how to forgive in very creative ways. If you need to forgive someone of any sort of injustice this book gives you hope that it is possible through the atoning example of Jesus Christ.

What I didn't like about the book:

1. A few things in the story frustrated me a lot. The author wasted time trying to explain how these 3 characters could really be one, as the traditional Christian view promotes. But, as the story unfolds their personalities are distinct to the point that they actually disagree at times. The three in one concept never made much sense.

2. The author portrays this Godhead as taking three human forms of characters that Mac could relate to. So, it made me wonder: why was it necessary to portray this Godhead with "body parts and passions?" Well of course, because the body is wonderful! Anyone would want one even God. I thought of the parts of the story when Mac saw things in the eyes of God and Jesus; when their touch healed Mac; when Gods arms melted Mac's soul as he hugged him; when God "wiped away the tears," in Mac's eyes as He has promised all of us. Food and eating is an important part of the story. We eat and cook together out of love for each other as well as sustenance for the body. The most spiritual experience a human can have is holding a baby. Oh yes, God would want and need a body for his loving work. How do you wipe away tears without a hand?

3. There was a part in the book when Mac talks to God about religion and God discounts its value. Jesus said in John 7:17: "If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." God has a will and he has doctrine. Religious intuitions try to interpret the scriptures as best they can to create a basis for good wholesome God centered loving living. I am personally grateful for a prophet I believe God inspires and directs. I am also grateful that I am intitled to a personal witness for any doctrine. When you read the scriptures you feel God's presence more and are stronger in living a loving life. In the book "love" is all that we need and I do believe it is the most important part of religion. But, evil exists and it is a powerful force trying to draw us away from being loving. We are all naturally self absorbed and self centered. Religion shows us a better way. Once I wrote a 15 page treatise on "A Case for Organized Religion." I feel strongly about the value of religion. I can't resist giving a quote from Harold Kurshner, a Jewish Rabbi, from his book "Who Needs God."

"In congregational worship, regularly scheduled services on a Saturday or Sunday morning, I have come to believe that the congregating is more important than the words we speak. Something miraculous happens when people come together seeking the presence of God. The miracle is that we so often find it. Somehow the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts. A spirit is created in our midst which none of us brought there. In fact, each of us came there looking for it because we did not have it when we were alone. But in our coming together, we create the mood and the moment in which God is present." (Who Needs God, p. 149)

"The Shack" had some inspiring moments, some surprises at the end and a lot of thought provoking aspects but it's great value is in learning how we can forgive through Christ.

PUMPKIN BARS

This is a quick moist cake that can be cut into finger bars.

Beat Together:

4 Eggs
1 ½ C. Sugar
¾ C Oil
1 16 oz. Can pumpkin

Add:2 C. Flour
2 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp Salt
 

1 cup each nuts or chocolate chips - optional
Spread in a large sided greased cookie sheet.

Bake 350 for 20 min.

Fost with cream cheese frosting.

MUSINGS ABOUT CANNING

This is a painting I forgot I had done. It is from a photo in
Better Homes and Gardens. A version of this story was published last Thrusday in the Mormon Times section of the Deseret News:
http://mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/reader_voices/?id=4850

Oh fall, glorious fall! When an old woman’s heart turns to thoughts of canning peaches and other horrifying tasks.

Last night in a bookclub meeting the conversation was heavily spiked with talk about canning peaches and various other things. It was obviously on the mind of many because they were up to their sticky elbows in the process. It created a pang in my soul. One of memories, good and bad; guilt because I am not doing it; loss because I am not doing it and sheer comfort and joy because this year I have canned nothing.

Canning is an art form—a hunter-gatherer endeavor packed in our DNA to preserve food for our families as we perceive our role to provide sustenance. Recently I read a bunch of letters that my grandmother received from her sisters in the 1930s and 40s. The correspondence was filled with tales of what they were canning at the moment. It surprised me that this pursuit would merit so much hand written space in their letters.

As a young woman I saw canning as a right of passage into married womanhood. It was so much a part of my growing up that there was no question in my mind that I would do it too. My mother was obsessed with canning. She preserved everything and anything she could get her hands on to the tune of hundreds and hundreds of bottles of food yearly.

Canning began mid summer when the green beans came on and ended with the last fruit of the season. My mother canned all kinds of jams, fruit, tomatoes and pickles. She loved to make pickles and mastered the art of every variety. When I was growing up there was always a plate of various pickles on the table when we had dinner. I think it was a holdover to the time when fresh produce wasn’t always available.

A typical canning event with my mother began early in the morning on a day that would end very hot in a house that didn’t have air conditioning. Often we would try to find a place to pick fresh fruit for a reasonable price. Door to door fruit peddlers were common and we often bought from them. A canning day ended with my bedraggled mother, in a chaotic house, standing in front of a counter full of sparkling jars, her hands on her chest in ultimate pride. The jars would stay there for a few days and often I would catch my mother gazing at them like I do a work of art I am especially proud of producing.

Once my mother fell out of a peach tree and tore her hand open very seriously needing many stitches. My father didn’t do well with blood. I had never seen him more sympathetic to my mother. The injury wasn’t good but the event helped me to see he had some empathy for her.

So, I canned. Not like my mother but I did a little fruit, jam and tomatoes if I could get them free or reasonable—a few dozen bottles. We ended up planting some fruit trees in the back yard and when they produced I couldn’t get past the guilt and canned the fruit. I also planted a lot of tomato plants in my garden as they were my favorite finished "put up" product because they tasted so much better than the store bought varieties.

The last time I canned peaches went like this: I bought the peaches from a local farm for $12 a bushel which was reasonable compared to what they are selling for now. This week at a farmers market I saw them for $20 a box. Maybe the box was half a bushel. On this fateful day I canned all day. My youngest hanged on my leg and cried most of the day. My stove blew up because of the intense heat it was pumping out hour after hour. At midnight I was mopping up a sticky kitchen from a few bottles that had broken in the process. I did a calculation of how much the peaches cost me per bottle and with the supplies and the blown out stove I was in the hole big time. I went to bed with a promise—no more home canned peaches. That promise has been kept. I still put up a few tomatoes and jam. One year I did apricot nectar when we had a bumper crop. I can’t quite shake the desire totally but as an empty nester I can say, "been there done that."

Recently I spent some time with my brother Cliff and discovered something about him I hadn’t known. He said he loved canning and every summer put up everything he could. I was stunned. I think the canning gene went to him instead of me. I felt relieved. The canning guilt faded away. Actually, it has been gone for a long time and I didn’t even need therapy to get there.

WHY WHITE BLOUSES AT WOMEN'S CONFERENCE

I received this today from my sister-in-saw. It is obviously getting sent around and after reading it I know why. It is a story of women supporting each other in a world wide church. I don't even know the full name of the sender but Bravo! I loved it.

Hello Family and Friends -

Well, I broke down and decided to send a quick email to let you know that the choir for the General Women's Broadcast tomorrow night was selected from my area and I am in it. Not that I care if you look for me because I won't wave to you ~ but I just had to share some things I have learned and felt during the last 7 weeks at rehearsals. Just in case you want to (mother and sisters), I am just to the conductor's left in the middle about 5 rows up.

First, you will see that we are wearing white blouses. Some people have commented to me their surprise at the color choice (or lack thereof) but I have to tell you the story behind this. Sis. Beck, the General R.S. Pres., stopped into our practice one night as a surprise and she spoke for a few minutes. First, I cannot describe the feeling she brought with her, the power of the Holy Ghost as testified to us of the Lord's hand in this conference and her humble pleading for help in her talk (she looked tired). She said that as she has traveled the world, she has felt such a powerful need to communicate to the women worldwide, regardless or race, economics, etc. that we are sisters and ALL members of the LORD'S church - together. She said that she felt inspired to request that we wear white because everywhere she has gone, the women always show up in a white clean shirt somehow. She said she didn't know how it was possible in some areas to have anything clean let alone white - but they always come somehow in white, even if it is a tee-shirt, cleaned and turned inside out so the writing on it doesn't show. So, she wanted them to see the choir and know that they could be part of it regardless of money or situation. They also asked us to not wear jewelry (or very minimal) so that women who are not sure where the next meal is coming from don't feel such an economic division between Utah and them.

They have worked to prepare us spiritually as much as musically. From the first night, they have said, the music is secondary. The testimony of Jesus Christ is primary. It is only about Him and the sisters out there. From the second we started rehearsing, the Spirit has been tangible and present. Every time, I leave feeling changed inside. At our first rehersal, they said that there wouldn't be any new or original special songs. They told us that the conference is translated into the various languages, except the music. The music is always in English. They are many versions of Hymnals in the world, but they don't have every song in them. In fact, there are only about 15-20 songs (if I remember correctly) common among them all. So, to unify the sisters again, they chose 4 of the songs that are in every hymnal, so even if they don't understand our language, they will know the song and feel it is their hymns and their Church.

The theme of the music is rejoicing and hope in the Savior. In light of the events of the recent days (remember, my husband works for a bank), I can't tell you the power and peace I feel when I practice these songs. I invite you to listen closely to the words of the songs. They have come to me with force I have rarely felt in music ~ for example: "His kingdom cannot fail. He rules over earth and heaven." When it seems that everyday something else is failing, His kingdom cannot fail. Or, "I would learn the Healer's art", "Find in Thee my strength my beacon", or just the simple phrase "Lift up your hearts! Lift up your voice! Rejoice again I say rejoice." I have felt things during this preparation time that I never dreamed of feeling or learning. So, I felt the spirit say as I was practicing tonight " 'Lift up your voice' and send some thoughts to those you love." So, here are my thoughts and my love for whomever of you needs them.

My testimony has never been stronger of Jesus Christ and his love for us. My favorite name for him is "Savior." I feel it in every fiber of my being. He will not fail us if we cleave to Him. It is a marvelous time to be on the earth and great things are happening in this Church! It is his kingdom we are a part of. It is a privilege to bear His name and to try to be like Him. It is worth fighting for and holding our standards high. When we had our dress rehearsal in the Conference Center, and the organ started playing HUGE, and sound pouring out of the pipes over us, and singing with all the feeling of our souls, my heart felt like it would explode! I never considered how intimately the Savior watches over the preparations of conference, but I testify He is in every detail, every plan, every element of it. It is His conference, His church, His world, His people, His Love, and I am so grateful for the chance to sing my testimony to you tomorrow night! I will have you in my mind and heart! Thanks for indulging me.

XXOO

Sara

FAITH IS SPOKEN HERE #3

Another Story from Betsy Nagel's Women's Conference talk BYU 2006


3. Seek comfort and peace from the scriptures (Nancy)

Let me tell you about another shining face. Nancy grew up in the little Louisiana bayou town of Thibodaux. She joined the church as a young adult and married a lifelong member who was in Louisiana to work the oil rigs one summer. Twenty seven years and seven children later, Nancy found herself divorced, moved out of their beautiful Uptown New Orleans home, and living in student housing with three teenagers and an eight year old, while she was finishing a degree in order to support her family.


When Katrina hit, they evacuated to Thibodaux where most of her large Catholic family still lived. Since it would be a few months before they could get back into New Orleans, she put the children in school, enrolled in classes herself and arranged for a place to live. It had been an abandoned cottage, across the street from her parents and next door to the family meat market. With the help of about 20 extended family members, the cottage was renovated and made habitable. Nancy proudly showed us pictures of the new kitchen, and the tidy bedrooms.

She expressed gratitude for the safety of her family and the help of extended family and friends, but also great anxiety about the future and special concern for her children. A few days later I was reading 3 Nephi 22, where Jesus is quoting Isaiah. He speaks of the floods of Noah. I thought of the floods of Katrina. He talks about the Lord hiding his face for a moment. I thought of Nancy trying to figure out her life alone. Isaiah speaks of foundations with sapphires and windows with agates and gates of carbuncles. Then it says, "Great shall be the peace of thy children…..This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord." (3Ne 22:13.17) The words jumped right off the page and I could see Nancy’s little cottage, studded with jewels, her children, faithful and loving and supportive of her. So I wrote her a note and told her of this experience. I want to read to you the note that came in reply.


"I was on my way to Baton Rouge on Friday night to attend the temple when I checked the mail and found your card. I took out my scriptures to search for the reference you mentioned. In doing so, I realized the verses you referred to were part of the chapter that the Lord led me to, 2 days after the hurricane. I was praying and crying and figured I’d better open the scriptures to search for comfort. The electricity was still out and I was in a hot room reading with a flashlight. The page opened to the Topical Guide on the "W" page and my tear-filled eyes fell on the word, "widow." I went to 3 Ne 22. It truly comforted me on another one of my moments of enlightenment amid hardship. So it was with your card as I re-read the verses and this time pictured my new little sanctuary set in gems and my children being blessed and watched over by a loving Father in Heaven."


As we learn to feed our spirits and find comfort through the scriptures, our "assurance of things hoped for" will increase. A new song, or as Nancy says, "a moment of enlightenment" can come, even in the midst of great hardship and heartache. "With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." (3Ne 22:8) With this comfort, we can continue to step forward towards the light ahead, dim as it may sometimes seem.

MOVIE REVIEW - PENELOPE

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi92274969/ You can get a good idea by seeing the trailer.

Penelope was a little goofy but enjoyable anyway. It had an old fashioned fairytale feel to it. We watched it with Mike's sister and her husband and everyone liked it. Yes, even the men. It is a nice reminder to women that it is not about being perfect.

FAITH IS SPOKEN HERE #2

This is the second story from the talk "Faith is Spoken Here" by Betsy Nagel given in the 2006 Women's Conference at BYU

2. Express our faith through service to others (Beverly)
I remember attending church for the first time in Philadelphia. It was fast day, and one woman spoke of attending the temple in Washington, D.C., the day before. I remember thinking her face was glowing and she was perfectly beautiful and I wanted to get acquainted with her. After the meeting she came up to me and introduced herself. She was the RS president and noticed I was new. I noticed that up close she wasn’t that perfect. Who is? She looked tired, her hair was a little out of place, her make-up was gone - but she still had that shining countenance.

Over the next few months I became well acquainted with Beverly as I served with her in the RS. She spent every waking moment attending sweetly to her large family or to sisters in the ward, many of whom lived as much as an hour from where she lived. She loved to read, sing, and play the piano, but rarely indulged in these activities for lack of time.

On her birthday I decided the best present I could give her would be a day off, so I offered to tend her pre-schooler while she had a day to do what she wanted. I felt so proud of myself for thinking of such a generous present! When she returned late in the afternoon I couldn’t wait to hear what she had done with the time. Imagine my disappointment when she told me she had spent the day visiting a couple of sisters who lived in the most depressing place I have ever seen. It was called "The Philadelphia Home for the Incurables." It looked as bad as the name sounds. It was an old gray stone building with so many trees around it that no grass could grow. It smelled bad. It was dank and musty and not air conditioned. I had visited these sisters a couple of times with Beverly and couldn’t think of anyplace worse to spend time.

When she told me of her day I was obviously disappointed. "But I wanted you to do something for you," I protested. "Betsy, you don’t understand. I did it for me. That was what I wanted to do and I don’t usually have enough time to do it." I was humbled and realized why she had a shining face. I remembered Alma’s words to the brethren of the church. "Have ye spiritually been born of God? (Alma 5:14) "Can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?" (Alma 5:19) Remember the primary song, "If you’re happy and you know it – then your face will surely show it."

Today Beverly continues to sing her song of faith through service as a temple worker in the DC temple, getting up at 3am every Saturday to make the drive from Philly to Washington. And yes, she still has a shining face."

CURRIED SQUASH SOUP

Years ago Mike and I went to Boston in October. We happend onto a home botique and had a cup of Curried Squash Soup. I couldn't stop thinking about it and came home to create my own version. I make this every fall when winter squash are fresh. It is kinda "chick" soup. Mike will eat it but doesn't adore it like me. So, I usually make a pot and eat it for lunch for a week or so. I also like to make it as a dinner starter and serve in cups to sip while dinner is waiting to be served at Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you are not a big curry fan just add a touch. I find the reason most people don't like curry is because it is often overdone in dishes.

Peel, scrape seeds and cut up a 3 lb. winter squash. This can be an acorn, butternut or banana squash. (acorns are hard to peel butternut is my favorite) Place in a soup pot and cover with water. Add 1 onion cut up, 2 ribs of celery cut up and 2 large cloves of garlic to season. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes or when all the veggies are nice and soft. I have a hand blender that works great for blending the soup right in the pot to get it smooth (you can purchase these for about $10…very handy for lots of things). Or put in a blender in batches until smooth. Add salt, pepper and curry powder to taste. (About curry: I like Golden Curry Paste. It comes in a box next to the oriental foods. It is very mild and sweet. Add a piece at a time until you like it) Add ½ C whipping cream or 1 C half-and-half . I like the soup better if it is not very thick so adjust the water. I like it best served in sipping mugs.

FAITH IS SPOKEN HERE

Two years ago Maren and I attended Women's Conference at BYU in May. We were lucky enough to hear this talk by Betsy Nagel entitled "A New Song--Faith is Spoken Here" Maren and I loved this talk so much I got online after to find a copy and was able to get it. Betsy Nagel told 3 stories and I will print them all in time. Margaret in this story was with our friends the Hoffmans in Mexico City when they were there. Oh, what beautiful people love the Lord!
1. Express gratitude – learn to see the Lord’s hand in all things . Learning to recognize the hand of the Lord in the many good things of our lives will help to increase our faith in Him.


My friend Margaret and her husband had planned for years to serve several missions. They sold their house in New Orleans last May and retired early so that they could go while they were healthy and young. They were in the MTC and watched the reports about Katrina on TV, feeling very fortunate that they had dodged a big bullet. As soon as they arrived in Mexico City, Margaret had trouble with shortness of breath. "You’re moving from sea level to this high altitude. It will take a little while to acclimate." After 7 weeks of not getting better, the area doctor decided she ought to come back to the US for some tests. She was quickly diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

I had the opportunity to visit with her several times in December and January. With each visit she assured me that her life was in the Lord’s hands and he would do for her what was best. When I questioned the fact that her pre-mission physicals didn’t turn up the problem, she said to me, "That is just one of the blessings in this whole thing. If they had found the cancer earlier, we wouldn’t have been able to go on a mission. Instead, we were blessed with a wonderful seven week mission."


On another occasion she said, "There are only blessings in life. The Lord blesses us with opportunities every day. It is up to us to use them well." I attended her funeral on Valentine’s Day, knowing that Margaret left a legacy of faith for her family, enhanced by her gratitude for the Lord’s hand in her life.


In Exodus we read, "The pillar of the cloud was darkness to the Egyptians, but it gave light by night to the Israelites." (Ex 14:20 – JST) If we are looking for the light, it is there and we can find it - no matter the circumstance. As we express gratitude, and even thank him for the trials themselves, we can find a hymn of thanks to sing.

OUR WILL BY C. S. LEWIS

The non-believer often accuses the Christian of letting the doctrines of their church control them. What they don't understand is that we gain freedom by choosing to follow the precepts we see as good. "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) No one tells me what to do. I choose and feel joy and direction with my choices. The following is a quote by C. S. Lewis from Screwtape.

 
Satan’s aim is the absorption of our will into his, the increase of his own area of selfhood at our expense. But the obedience which God demands of men is quite a different thing. God loves us, and He wants us to be like Him. He wants to fill the universe with us; He wants our lives to be qualitatively like His own, not because He has absorbed us but because our wills freely conform to His. Satan wants cattle who can finally become food; God wants servants who can finally become sons. Satan wants to suck in, God wants to give out. Satan is empty and would be filled; God is full and flows over. Satan’s war aim is a world in which he has drawn all other beings into himself; God wants a world full of beings united to Him but still distinct.

THE WELLINGTON GIRLS IN PHOTOS

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and use

THE WELLINGTON GIRLS

Tomorrow I am going to Wellington to hang out with the Wellington Girls. Well, we are not quite girls anymore unless 60 something can still fit in that category. Maybe more like old girls. I want to write a tribute to the part they played in my childhood and growing into young womanhood. My family could easily have been in the "poor white trash" category. But when you grow up in rural Utah a good part of the town could fit somewhere here. Most of our fathers worked for the coal mine. All of our homes were small and humble. Mine may have been at the bottom of the rung but it didn't matter. There were about 10 girls this age that went to school together in Wellington. These girls were good, and kind and tolerant of differences. I didn’t see this kind of niceness in my daughters friends when she was growing up. She seemed to be tormented with a lot of little stinkers. I feel so lucky and blessed to have grown up in Wellington. In all the humility of this town there were spiritual giants. I feel like I was encouraged with many cultural experiences as music, plays, dancing and singing. The church was a facilitator for much of these experiences but also the school. So, hurrah for Wellington, which is 12 Miles East of Price. It is the last town before you hit the desert.

THE NASTY CHRISTIAN

Recently I heard a couple of stories from non-believers that made me think about being an "example of the believers." (1 Tim. 4:12)
1. In a work situation someone needed help from a fellow employee. This person was reading their bible in the lunch room earlier but refuses to help you. Why would you want to belong to a group like this?

2. Work again. You are under pressure with a project and need someone to support you but your office mate cannot do it because he is going home teaching. Is this what a real Christian would do?

C.S. Lewis has an answer in "Mere Christianity" that I love. He said: "We must...not be surprised if we find among the Christians some people who are still nasty. There is even, when you come to think it over, a reason why nasty people might be expected to turn to Christ in greater numbers than nice ones. That was what people objected to about Christ during His life on earth: He seemed to attract "such awful people." That is what people still object to, and always will. " (P. 180)

Then Lewis goes on to talk about the pitfalls of "being naturally good" which I have posted here previously.

So, as one of those "nasty people" that hasn’t always been good at being an "example of the believers," I want to apologize for my bad example...especially to my children. I have hope in the scriptures that say we will also be judged by the "desires of our hearts." I have wanted to be better than I am. I want to be so good that when you see what I do you will want to know the Christ that I follow but I know I have failed on many occasions and will continue to fail...hopefully less and less as I continue to try to be better.

Some quotes from Mere Christianity:

"Good people know about both good and evil: bad people do not know about either." P. 87

"Virtue—even attempted virtue—brings light; indulgence brings fog. (P. 94)

"Good and evil both increase in compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. And apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch and attack otherwise impossible. (p.117)



"...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Tim. 4:12

A SCRIPTURE TO KEEP ME ON TRACK

And the cares of the
World,

and the deceitfulness of riches,

and the lusts of other things entering in

choke the
Word
Mark 4:19

"SON'' FLOWER

http://mormontimes.com/ME_index.php?id=1929
Here is the link to the Mormon Times version of
this story published August 28 in the Deseret News.

Isaiah said that Christ was a "root out of dry ground." (53:2) Maybe He is like a sunflower. From mid to late July Sunflowers begin to bloom around here in all the most desolate dry areas in the hills, roadsides and empty spaces. They continue to bloom until winter hits in November. I have seen little sunflower buds continue to show their sunny faces through the last hours of fall. On the empty lot next to me all the weeds are dying from lack of water but the sunflowers are doing fine and blooming. I want to know how to be a "root out of dry ground" – a sunflower but only idealistically. Mostly I want to live sheltered in a greenhouse being watered, fertilized and pampered daily. But, this is never going to happen for any of us because Christ knows that being a sunflower is a choice opportunity. He wants us all to have the sunflower experience.

Recently I finsihed reading the 4 gospels. During this time I have thought a lot about Christ and all the healing he did. Surely, a day never went by when He didn’t heal someone. It has made me think about wanting to be healed. I have wondered if I could ever muster enough faith to have my Rheumatoid Arthritis completely healed. There are wonderful words in the temple that focus on health and it makes me think that being well must be very important to our Heavenly Father. I have mulled this over and over as I have reflected on all the healing accounts in the gospels and my faith.

One day last week I walked the hills, amid the sunflowers to my wilderness temple, contemplating these things when a profound thought came to me. Oh, I am sure someone else has thought and taught this before but it was a new concept to my brain. Christ was not telling us to worry so much about being healed as that we should be a healer. He never took Paul’s "thorn in the side" from him. Do these thorns keep us humble? I have always appreciated that Paul didn’t tell us what his thorn was. We can all wonder if he had our infirmity.

Christ was always trying to teach us by example. So, His daily healing was also for us—to help us realize that we need to be a frequent healer. We need to be a bright sunflower growing up without all the nourishment we think we need and to bloom with our happy faces toward the "Son"—even when our life isn’t ideal.

I hope the profusion of these happy sun flowers, growing in dry rocky places, will remind me to try harder to be a healer, filled with love. Maybe it is the answer to healing ourselves too.