And This I DO KNOW!

Four months before my dad died, I sent him a voice recorder in the mail.  After many phone conversations of PLEADING, he agreed to record some thoughts.  "You can record anything Dad, but please make sure to record why you got baptized,"  I urged him.  The end product is a treasure for generations to come.  It begins with his disgusted voice saying, "Donna, is this thing on?" And ends with a heartfelt testimony.  I would like to share a portion with you....

"I always believed in Jesus the Savior.  A spark of religion was always alive in me."  He talked of sleeping outside at night and looking up into the heavens, wondering why things were created the way they were and who God was.  He found himself at Ricks college with a swarm of people wanting to convert him.  The things the missionaries taught him made sense, but he just couldn't get past the fact that the Lord would put that much faith in a 14 -year old boy, Joseph Smith, to restore the Gospel to the earth.  Finally, he knelt down in prayer.  He said, "I finally humbled myself.  I knelt in prayer and I had a firm, and undeniable answer that Jospeh Smith was a Prophet of God..."

It is with the same conviction in my heart, born of deeply imprinted personal revelation, that I KNOW there are prophets today.  I have just spent the last two days listening to General Conference and a "layer" of that testimony has been added again. 

Paul told us that the "household of God...(is) built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Ephesians 2:20-21)  With Elder Holland I testify that "God not only lives, but He speaks." And he speaks through Apostles and Prophets.  Why does He speak, you ask.  He speaks "that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men..." (Ephesians 4:14) He speaks, and His Prophets speak, for our STABILITY AND WELFARE.  He loves us, so He speaks. 

In an ever gloomy world, these men speak and radiate the peace of personal preparation.  I don't need someone to tell me how bad it is going to get or how bad it really is.  I think we can all see the writing on the wall.  I need someone to tell me that we will be okay, when we stand with and hearken to a Prophet's voice, we will be okay! 

We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet

To guide us in these Latter Days.

We thank Thee for sending the Gospel

To Lighten our minds with It's rays.

We Thank Thee for every blessing bestowed by Thy Bounteous Hand.

We feel it a pleasure to serve Thee and love to obey Thy command.  

May my children always know that I KNOW.  Joseph Smith was a Prophet, he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a Sacred Grove.  Today, Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet, called of, and directed by the same God.  A God who loves us, so he speaks!  

HOUSE ARREST!

This is Gary.  When he is not being CUTE, he is being NAUGHTY and that becomes confusing to me as his mother.  He has plenty of cute things to say everyday like, "Do you know that superheros have to have a cape and they have to keep their fists on their hips all the time (with a demonstration)"...."Mom when I am a dad, my white shirts will always have a pocket on them."..."Mom these are my magic shoes, these are my fast-runner shoes, and these are my favorite shoes."  And do you see the freckles under his eyes and on the bridge of his nose.  They melt my heart!  Those are the cute moments.

However, the NAUGHTY has outweighed the CUTE lately.  Jared had a conversation with Bishop Leavitt yesterday that started like this, "I have a funny story to tell you, but only if you promise not to get mad at Gary."  The funny part is, that is not the first time he has started a conversation with those exact words.  So Jared promised (but I didn't) and the story goes as follows:  One Thursday evening (this past Thursday evening) Gary and his accomplice were roaming the neighborhood.  As they knocked on the Leavitt's door, nobody answered.  Feeling totally at home, they entered their house without permission.  Upon entering, they found a plate full of fries prepared for the Leavitt's upcoming dinner.  Seeing no need to practice any restraint, Gary and accomplice ate all but about 3 of the fries.  After some confusion on the Leavitt's part (that is another funny story).  They figured out that the 4 year old neighborhood thiefs had confiscated their dinner. 

So I questioned Gary....."Gary, did you eat the Leavitt's fries?"..."No mom I didn't, I promise!"..."Well, what did you do with the fries when you saw them sitting on the table?"..."They weren't on the table, they were on the oven."..."Well did you use a stool to reach the fries then?"..."No mom, I used a chair."..."Were the fries yummy?"..."Yep?"..."Gary did you eat the Leavitt's fries?"..."No mom, I didn't, I Promise!" 

So remember, Jared promised not to get mad at Gary, but I did not.  Gary gets to spend a full week with ME!  He is so excited.  So if you see him roaming the neighborhood, he shouldn't be.  If you would please ignore his cute freckles, and direct him home, it would be appreciated. 

Ribs, Razors, and Stitches

When my dad decided that Jared and I were close to marriage, he sat us down and gave us the "Marriage Talk".  (Notice that I said, "when my dad decided"....Jared and I had not even mentioned the word marriage yet.)  Anyhow, he gave us one piece of advice that I have to repeat to myself, it seems several times a day lately.  He told us that when we started to have children, finances would probably become a concern.  But he cautioned, "Never try to plan out children on a ledger sheet."  Financially, it will never make sense.  "Work hard, be careful, Pay Your Tithing.....THINGS WILL WORK OUT!" 

And what have we found in the first 10 years of marriage and 5 children....Things have worked out! 
Yet there I was again repeating that advice to myself yesterday as I sat in the emergency room.  You see, I believe that when a family is blessed with 5 BOYS (4 being little and 1 being big), the Lord must reserve extra financial blessing, simply to cover the price of STITCHES.

Yesterday Sam "decided" to fall from a 4 foot high beam onto a piece of metal, hitting JAW first.  We thought it was bad, but when the doctor opened the wound up for us and revealed over an inch of his jawbone....I had to sit down.   Three layers of stitches later, we knew that the tithing blessings had kicked in as there were no broken bones or teeth!  Sam was a TROOPER!  He sat very still for 30 minutes as the doctor sewed it up.  On the way home I asked Sam what he thought of the day.  He said, "It's been pretty good." :)

There has been a lot of moaning and groaning over pain in our house the past few weeks.  You see, Jared decided to break a few ribs playing basketball.  Then, he decided to ride the kid's Razor 360 and CRASH, giving his back a great deal of road rash!  I said to him, "Jared, tell me honestly, was your first reaction embarrassment as all the neighborhood kids were looking on....Because it should have been, the Razor is a 4 year old's toy!"  After these experiences, I guess he shouldn't be surprised when I call him at work and say, "Go get Sam (Gary, Joe, Daniel...pick a name), we are headed for the EMERGENCY ROOM!"

We have been Cursed!

So I have a funny story to tell you.  Last summer we went to Jared's home ward in Bluebell, Utah.  After Sacrament meeting I sent my kids to primary PRAYING that they would behave, just once.  After the meetings were complete I started to gather kids.  At this point I see Sam walking down the hall, a woman walking close by, LAUGHING.  As Sam approaches I realize that he is holding his socks, shoes, sweater, and tie...left only wearing a shirt and pants.  That was NOT the funny part.  His teacher proceeds to tell me why she is laughing.  It seems that many years ago when Jared was a teenager, he sat behind her irreverent children in Sacrament Meeting.  At the end he very FOOLISHLY made this comment, "my kids won't do that, they will sit still."  HENCE, WE WERE CURSED FROM THE BEGINNING!  And believe me when I say cursed.  Each of my children have been "kicked out" of Primary (and more than once),  each of my kids DESERVED to be "kicked out" of Primary (and more than once.)
It started with Ally.  Jared and I TRIED really hard to help her be reverent.  It was a constant concern to me. After a particularly hard Sunday I had a knock on my door.  A sister in the ward brought me 3 Parenting Books.  I took them, smiling, and waited just until the door was shut to begin sobbing.  I continued sobbing as I told Jared and called my mother....Her intentions were pure, but I was hurt.  At that point I made this decision - I will always assume that every parent is trying their VERY HARDEST before I make any judgement calls.  I wish I could say that I have always chosen that path.   I have not, but I have renewed my decision.  I will assume the best.
 I have also resolved myself to think very little about what people think of me, and very MUCH about what the Lord thinks.

A few years ago I read this poem....it has stuck with me ever since.  I hope that you enjoy it.

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

RISE AND SHOUT THE COUGARS ARE OUT!!!!

So, my Mom, Erin, Shannon, Patti, JD, McKayla, Addie, Shane, and Jimmer (all relatives, yes, Jimmer is my relative, and I am not talking about the one on the court) are in the midst of March Madness via Denver at this very moment.  And not long from now they will be watching the Cougs go at the Zags (They went on a whim and I kept asking my mom, "How much is this going to cost?"  She said, "Oh honey, I can't tell you that."  Ever since my dad died she keeps saying, "All I have is money."  I am not sure what that means, but it usually works in my favor!)
This being on my mind, I went to say my morning prayers and started praying for Jimmer Fredette and the rest of the the kids that play for BYU.  I finished...looked at myself funny, and thought, "Should I really be praying for a basketball team?"   The next thought that ran through my mind was, "Do you think Jimmer Fredette's mom is praying for a basketball team this morning?"  That settled it!   In the name of sisterhood, I have said lots of prayers today!
For the last couple of days Jared and I have been contemplating something rather large.  When we finally went to bed last night Jared said, "Well, have you prayed about it?"  I said, "Well, that depends on how you define the word pray?"  I began to explain to him that, although not obvious to most people, I am constantly talking to myself.  "Heavenly Father Please help me.....Heavenly Father why....." Alma talks about, "cry(ing) unto Him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks," my field is my kitchen, and my flocks are my kids.  I have the best "conversations" when I am cooking and cleaning.  After talking to myself for two days I told Jared that I had prayed about it and I was good with the decision. 
And while that decision is final, the other little matter of prayer is not!  I am afraid that the Cougars are going to need all of our prayers tonight, so get with it!  LET'S GO COUGARS!

Never Suppress a Generous Thought!

Imagine for a moment that you are sitting around our very LARGE kitchen table reading scriptures with my family.  Now imagine that you have heard this exact conversation probably 25 times.    Mom says, "So you have to listen to the Spirit and He will tell you what you need to do"...Ally says, "Mom, how do I know when the Spirit is talking to me?"…Mom says, "Um, Well, You know.  DAD, TELL HER HOW SHE WILL KNOW…"  Now this part will be really hard to imagine, Dad is no longer at the table, he has since taken Gary to his bedroom or he is cleaning up WHATEVER Joseph has thrown all over everyone.  I am stuck with the question and end up trying to describe something that I really do know, but have NO IDEA how to explain.  

It got me thinking...Am I listening to the Spirit?  Am I following His promptings?  Do I really know what I think I know?  After thinking about it for quite some time, I decided to do an experiment. 

1. I got a notebook out.
2. I wrote down EVERYTHING I "thought" was a prompting.
3. I tried really hard to follow through with everything  I had written down before the day had ended. 

Please let me report my findings:

1. Most of my promptings came in the EARLY MORNING HOURS DURING MY SCRIPTURE STUDY.
2. The Spirit is not overwhelming.  I had this crazy idea that if I started following through on all of these "good ideas", I would have no time for the ESSENTIAL things that must be done each day in my home.  Which seems almost ridiculous to me now.  If Heavenly Father knows my current load, He also knows my current capacity.  I could follow the Spirit and not ignore my family responsibilities. 
3. When you follow through on a prompting, and it doesn't end up how you thought it should.  It doesn't mean that it wasn't a prompting.
4. The Spirit works by simple means….A prompting to write a quick note, a phone call, a drop-in visit…..This was a great relief to me.  I am a simple person.  I know it is hard to believe, but I CAN imagine Relief Society WITHOUT A TABLECLOTH and an Elementary School Party without a fruit tray.  Crazy, I know!
5. Finally, IF I FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH SOMETHING QUICKLY, I FELT GOOD ABOUT IT.  (I have this personal problem. When I first receive a prompting I think it sounds like a terrific idea, as I let time slip by, I begin to feel embarrassed, like someone is going to think I am stalking them when I just wanted to help.  When HELPING contends with SELF DIGNITY, self dignity always wins." Sister Kimball said, "NEVER SUPPRESS A GENEROUS THOUGHT." 

If you are running out of time, this would be a great time to stop reading my post.  If not, please continue, this is the BEST PART.  In our local newspaper last week, there was a letter from a lady that has been in our valley doing construction for the past several months. It goes as follows: 

I am writing to you all to say that my job has come to an end as most of the jobs in my field do. But I wanted you all to know that you had a great impact in my life and were such a blessing to see each and everyday.
This letter is directed to all those kids that made sure they waved each morning and rolled down there windows to yell “hi”; to the parents that would slow down so I could say hello to their kids; to the family that brought me hot chocolate every morning; to the family that brought me fruit and scriptures; to the family with the little “hi five kids,” you know who you are. I treasure each and everyone of you.
To all the parents and people that were headed to school and work every morning to be inconvenienced by the construction zones, thank you for your patience and your smiles.
It truly was a great experience to work in your community. I will always remember the small town in Nevada with the friendly people.
God bless you all!
Nikki McCabe
Lady With The Pink Hard Hat

NEVER SUPPRESS A GENEROUS THOUGHT!

There is No Such Thing as a Personal Decision

I have been wanting to write this post for a long time.  It seems like today is a fitting day to do it.  You see, today marks a year...Last year on March 14th, a Sunday, all six girls and a really brave mom, stood by my dad's bedside as he STRUGGLED, and finally left this earth life.  So instead of bawling all day, which I could easily do, I am going to pass on one of the greatest lessons Joseph Delaney Foster, my dad, ever taught me.....There is no such thing as a personal decision. 
Every decision that we make effects people....lots of people.  Unborn people, old people, young people, people that watch us, related people, people that love us and have a vested interest in us....PEOPLE.   Do you see the alarm this might cause to Satan--the influence we have to effect people in so many good ways?  So he counterattacks, as he always does, with sayings like this:  It is my life, I can do what I want!  I am just expressing my individuality!  Nobody will ever know!  I can repent later!....... Maybe a few came to your mind as well.  These are lies.  Everything we do effects PEOPLE. 
There are BIG decisions that have BIG consequences - Marriage in the temple, being morally clean, staying active in the Church, --These decisions will show their fruits (good or bad) for years and generations to come. 
There are small decisions that also have BIG consequences - the language I use, having weekly family home evening, the movies I watch...These decisions will also show their fruits for generations to come.

So today I would like to thank my dad for being ever-aware of this eternal truth. These are some of the "Personal Decisions" that he made......
*To be baptized and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
*To marry my mom!
*To read his scriptures - even during Algebra class!
*To make spiritual topics a common discussion in our home. 
*To pray for ME and my concerns during family prayer.
*To WORK hard!  Even when he wasn't feeling good, he WORKED. 
*To teach all of his kids how to work - he disregarded all Child Labor Laws.
*To take me to church (okay, I must accredit this one to my mom...having six girls ready, hair done, teeth brushed, never late.  But my dad did have an awfully good view of the entire thing from the stand.) 
*To always love my mom.
*I NEVER heard him talk crude or inappropriately about sacred things - NEVER! 
*For choosing to be with me and my sisters, when he had plenty of offers to be somewhere else.
*For taking us on a family vacation every year.
*For letting my sisters and I always be a part of the conversation.......
This post is too long already, but I assure you, it will continue on in my head for years and years to come.  I love my dad!