This weekend was Stake Conference! I enjoyed it immensely. One quote struck me so much, that I made it pretty. And that is all that I wanted to share with you today!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Get To WORK :)
I believe I was a Beehive (strange name for a 12 and 13 year
old girl’s youth group in our church), sitting on the copper folding chair in
the Young Women’s Room of the Ashton, Idaho Stake Center. There was some sort of fancy meeting going on
and my dad was the featured speaker. He
was standing behind the brown kidney shaped table, in a dark suit, white shirt,
tie, scriptures unfolded in front of him.
I was sitting to the right, probably in that navy blue knit dress that
got WAY too much use during those teenage years.
I have no idea what the topic was…..I am guessing it was “testimony,” but I distinctly remember him turning the pages in his scriptures to Alma 32 vs27 and reading it. Then saying – “WAKE UP PEOPLE! It all makes sense, look around! It all makes sense!” To this day, I can hear it and see it, and I am not sure why that burnt such a mark on my heart, but I don’t think that my testimony has ever been the same. From that moment on, I have been completely in love with Alma chapter 32.
To say that I have read it a few times would be correct, but
over the past several months, I have read it with different eyes. We are at a point in our lives when we are
watching several young people that we love, go through the dreaded process
(seriously, I don’t know how any of us survive it) of courtship! I am now ready to rename Alma 32 to “Guide
to Courtship, Marriage, and Beyond!” I
am sure that captivating title begs you to move forward. (Maybe if you say it like Buzz Lightyear
would say it, it would appear more exciting to youJ It worked for me!)
We enter a rather difficult part of Alma’s life as he is
teaching the Zoramites. There are some
that want to understand but Alma can see they are not ready to take that giant
leap into faithfulness! He knows that
they would enjoy a SIGN right about now (vs17).
“If we just KNEW it was the right thing FOR SURE, We would do it FOR
SURE!” Sound Familiar?
“I want to get
married; I really do….but how am I supposed to know that HE is THE ONE?” If I could just know for sure….”
Alma carefully corrects their desire for sign and basically
says, it isn’t about SIGNS, it is about FAITH (faith is really a code-word for
WORK). So let me rephrase. “It isn’t about SIGNS, it is about
WORK.” Yes, Courtship is
WORK. Working to FIND A RIGHT ONE, and
making the right one WORK.
So get to work (vs. 26)
LOOK AROUND! AWAKE, Arouse Your
FACULTIES! Start DATING! And once you get a date, examine it very
carefully. Remember, the seed will not
grow unless it is a TRUE seed (vs. 28).
That means it has to be able to grow into something. Perhaps something ETERNAL. So are all the right things in order? Is it the RIGHT TIME (remember MISSION
precedes MARRIAGE). As far as I know,
could I take this person to the RIGHT PLACE (there is only one place that makes
things ETERNAL)! If you can answer YES
to those questions….keep moving!
And the Lord gives you another set of questions shortly
after. Does this process pass the SEED
test (vs. 28) SWELL, ENLARGE, ENLIGHTEN, and DELICIOUS? How do you
feel when you are with this person? If
any of the previous emotions occur, say to yourself, “It must needs be that
this is a good seed,” and keep moving forward.
Now it must pass one more test! “And now behold, are you sure that this is a
good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for
every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.” (vs.31)
Remember this, a relationship born out of VIRTUE will want to remain VIRTUOUS!
I could go on FOREVER!
Literally, I could, but I will stop, I will let you read the rest of the
chapter for yourself and discover that the nourishing doesn’t end when marriage
happens, and the process repeats itself until ETERNITY is finally here! But please remember, Faith is code for
WORK. Working to FIND A RIGHT ONE, and
making the right one WORK. So get to
work, because I am ready to plan some fantastic WEDDING GIFTS for some of
you. And for some others of you remember
mission precedes marriage, so STOP working and WORK on something else J
Friday, May 4, 2012
Lessons from Big Bad John
To say that life has been a bit demanding lately would not be overstating the truth. There is nothing special going on, just motherhood and it's sleepless nights and busy days. But I am EXHAUSTED and I knew that exhaustion had carried me to the BRINK when I went on a morning run.
Putting the earplugs in and turning on the ipod was a perfect start. UNTIL the song......Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean came on---Don't JUDGE! (I am really not sure why they even call it a song...he never sings a word)! I remember putting it on my play list because it reminded me of my dad and taking long drives. By the time Big Bad John is buried in the mine and they are erecting a monument, I am weeping uncontrollably.
To top it off, the next song was Pink Shoelaces (really, this should be on the list of classics). When I was about 10, my parents gave me a little jukebox filled with 8 tapes of 50's music. Being the music connoisseur that I am, I was immediately attracted to this little ditty and by the end of the day, we had memorized every word and were performing actions to it on top of the fireplace for the entire family to see. (Don't deny it Erin and Susan--listen to it, you still know the actions--don't you!). The memories started flowing and I stopped running. I couldn't anymore, remember, I am on the BRINK, and for no apparent reason, WEEPING uncontrollably.
By the end of the jog/run/convulsions, I had come to only one conclusion: Parenting, it the most SELFLESS job ever created. Let me tell you how I arrived there. Remember Big Bad John? Because he had done something good for humanity, they naturally erected a monument to him. Don't we always expect a monument of some kind?
Every Senior class is convinced that they were the greatest class to walk the halls of their school......They just know they should be remembered, so they plant a tree, engrave their names on a stone, post their pictures in the hall.......Do you see where I am going? My dad always said that "there is nothing more important than a Senior boy." When those important boys would ask him if they would be remembered, his answer was always the same. "Pretty soon, you will just be a Whisper in the Halls." "Never!" They say, and they erect the monument!
I don't think my mom and dad ever did anything with the thoughts that there would be a plaque at the end of the tunnel! But what if there was a plaque put in place every time a parent succeeded in teaching their children a life's lesson......
A plaque on my left foot "To Joe - for teaching me how to work, providing opportunities to kill gophers, roll trees, mow lawns, cut wood, stack wood...."
A plaque on my right foot "To Donna - for welcoming me home from a hard days work of killing gophers with Brownies, grape kool-aid, a clean home, and a smile."
I could write the inscriptions folks, but let's be honest, we would run out of room very quickly, and as much as we want to show our appreciation, they wouldn't want it. They do it simply for us. Because they love us.
I think I was weeping because I have finally come to realize that my dad is now just a "whisper in the halls," he "whispers" to me, and I can hear it. Every time I switch my laundry I can hear him saying, "Kathryn, it is a law of physics that if you shake out your clothes, they will dry faster." Every time I open my scriptures I can hear him say, "the good book should be studied." Every time I am TIRED and want to quit, the whisper comes, "Buck Up Kathryn."
I am afraid that I am the only one that thinks it is sad. Every time I do something good, the people that know me think--I did it. They don't realize the work of parenting that went into it, and saddest of all, they don't know my dad. So my heart wants to erect a plaque, but he wouldn't want it. Remember, parenting is the most selfless job created. Donna and Joe's years of parenting were a gift, without a name tag. I think.....in GREAT RETROSPECT, that is how Big Bad John would have wanted it to :)
Putting the earplugs in and turning on the ipod was a perfect start. UNTIL the song......Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean came on---Don't JUDGE! (I am really not sure why they even call it a song...he never sings a word)! I remember putting it on my play list because it reminded me of my dad and taking long drives. By the time Big Bad John is buried in the mine and they are erecting a monument, I am weeping uncontrollably.
To top it off, the next song was Pink Shoelaces (really, this should be on the list of classics). When I was about 10, my parents gave me a little jukebox filled with 8 tapes of 50's music. Being the music connoisseur that I am, I was immediately attracted to this little ditty and by the end of the day, we had memorized every word and were performing actions to it on top of the fireplace for the entire family to see. (Don't deny it Erin and Susan--listen to it, you still know the actions--don't you!). The memories started flowing and I stopped running. I couldn't anymore, remember, I am on the BRINK, and for no apparent reason, WEEPING uncontrollably.
By the end of the jog/run/convulsions, I had come to only one conclusion: Parenting, it the most SELFLESS job ever created. Let me tell you how I arrived there. Remember Big Bad John? Because he had done something good for humanity, they naturally erected a monument to him. Don't we always expect a monument of some kind?
Every Senior class is convinced that they were the greatest class to walk the halls of their school......They just know they should be remembered, so they plant a tree, engrave their names on a stone, post their pictures in the hall.......Do you see where I am going? My dad always said that "there is nothing more important than a Senior boy." When those important boys would ask him if they would be remembered, his answer was always the same. "Pretty soon, you will just be a Whisper in the Halls." "Never!" They say, and they erect the monument!
I don't think my mom and dad ever did anything with the thoughts that there would be a plaque at the end of the tunnel! But what if there was a plaque put in place every time a parent succeeded in teaching their children a life's lesson......
A plaque on my left foot "To Joe - for teaching me how to work, providing opportunities to kill gophers, roll trees, mow lawns, cut wood, stack wood...."
A plaque on my right foot "To Donna - for welcoming me home from a hard days work of killing gophers with Brownies, grape kool-aid, a clean home, and a smile."
I could write the inscriptions folks, but let's be honest, we would run out of room very quickly, and as much as we want to show our appreciation, they wouldn't want it. They do it simply for us. Because they love us.
I think I was weeping because I have finally come to realize that my dad is now just a "whisper in the halls," he "whispers" to me, and I can hear it. Every time I switch my laundry I can hear him saying, "Kathryn, it is a law of physics that if you shake out your clothes, they will dry faster." Every time I open my scriptures I can hear him say, "the good book should be studied." Every time I am TIRED and want to quit, the whisper comes, "Buck Up Kathryn."
I am afraid that I am the only one that thinks it is sad. Every time I do something good, the people that know me think--I did it. They don't realize the work of parenting that went into it, and saddest of all, they don't know my dad. So my heart wants to erect a plaque, but he wouldn't want it. Remember, parenting is the most selfless job created. Donna and Joe's years of parenting were a gift, without a name tag. I think.....in GREAT RETROSPECT, that is how Big Bad John would have wanted it to :)
Thursday, April 19, 2012
President "Grandpa" Packer
Years ago, I remember watching President Packer in a General Conference Session and thinking to myself, "he should have been my grandpa." I have felt that way about him ever since. He, as one of my Priesthood Leaders, has taught me more about the DOCTRINE OF THE FAMILY than any other. Things he has said come back to me at critical times and make me think, "I have a grandpa, I have a family, and my job is to get this family safely sealed and delivered to them!"
This talk that he gave in the last General Conference touched my heart perhaps more than any other. I just wanted to share a few quotes and thoughts:
President Packer:
Some years later in Cusco, a city high in the Andes of Peru, Elder A. Theodore Tuttle and I held a sacrament meeting in a long, narrow room that opened onto the street. It was night, and while Elder Tuttle spoke, a little boy, perhaps six years old, appeared in the doorway. He wore only a ragged shirt that went about to his knees.
On our left was a small table with a plate of bread for the sacrament. This starving street orphan saw the bread and inched slowly along the wall toward it. He was almost to the table when a woman on the aisle saw him. With a stern toss of her head, she banished him out into the night. I groaned within myself.
Later the little boy returned. He slid along the wall, glancing from the bread to me. When he was near the point where the woman would see him again, I held out my arms, and he came running to me. I held him on my lap.
Then, as something symbolic, I set him on Elder Tuttle’s chair. After the closing prayer the hungry little boy darted out into the night.
When I returned home, I told President Spencer W. Kimball about my experience. He was deeply moved and told me, “You were holding a nation on your lap.” He said to me more than once, “That experience has far greater meaning than you have yet come to know.”
Me:
Over the last little while, I have realized (by watching myself and others), that the way we feel about children is a great lithmus test for our own spiritual meter. When I can't love something pure, there may be a lot of purity missing in my own life
President Packer:
One of the great discoveries of parenthood is that we learn far more about what really matters from our children than we ever did from our parents. We come to recognize the truth in Isaiah’s prophecy that “a little child shall lead them.”
Me:
A couple of weeks ago I was waiting in a grocery line with all 5 of my children, to which I heard this comment (one of the nicer comments that I have gotten in a grocery line)....."Wow! You must be a Saint!"
To which I said, "Nope! But I am hoping that when I get done raising them, I will be, that is the point anyway!" Can you believe that I said something so profound? Really! The greatest lessons in life happen within the family!
President Packer:
I was number 10 in a family of 11 children. So far as I know, neither my father nor my mother served in a prominent calling in the Church.
Our parents served faithfully in their most important calling—as parents. Our father led our home in righteousness, never with anger or fear. And the powerful example of our father was magnified by the tender counsel of our mother. The gospel is a powerful influence in the life of every one of us in the Packer family and to the next generation and the next generation and the next, as far as we have seen.
I hope to be judged as good a man as my father. Before I hear those words “well done” from my Heavenly Father, I hope to first hear them from my mortal father.
Me:
Amen! I think I love Heavenly Father so much because I learned how a child can love a dad with my own. Amen!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Please Let Me Bore You!
This has been a FUN week for my family! (Actually, the funnest thing about my family is that they can make any week fun). If you don't want to read about how incrediblly wonderful my neices and nephews are, you can stop right here, but if you do.......I have a few things to brag about!
Years ago, the 4 oldest grandchildren named themselves the T4O (the 4 oldest)....I am not sure that was the most clever name, but they have gotten more clever as the years have gone on. They tried to be cliquey at first, but it didn't work because "there are no groups or clubs at Grandma's!" And as each grandchild has grown up, they have naturally become a part of that group. They get special privelages....like sneaking off to Aunt Ernie's house when everyone is asleep.....or.....well, really nothing else!
Well, this past month, the T40 has really outdone themselves, I am not their mothers, but sometimes I feel like I am, and I am just SO proud! Here comes the Bragging.
Brynnie (Brynne) - my oldest sister, JoDee's, oldest daughter is happily married and attending Utah State (GO AGGIES!) She has only been out of high school for a couple of years and her undergraduate is done! She recently applied for Grad School, and was accepted to every school she applied to, but having Aggie Blood she chose USU and recived a $9,000 scholarship!
Laney - (Delaney) - my second oldest sister, Kristine's, oldest daughter provided us with by FAR THE BIGGEST NEWS! She is engaged to Chris! We are all thrilled because, well, in another life, we think we were all very successful party planners. But mostly we are thrilled because DELANEY is GOOD to the core and worthy to go to the TEMPLE (Idaho Falls to be exact) in July (on the 21st to be exact) and be married!
JD (Joseph D) - JoDee's second child is graduating from high school this year with a lengthy list of credentials! Most of them have to do with sports - like being named the 2A Fifth District Player of the Year! But 2 weeks ago he was also the lead in SINGING IN THE RAIN! And tonight we got the BEST news! JD was awarded the Thomas S. Monson Presidential Scholarship (the most prestigious schoalrship that BYU offers), and A LOT OF MONEY!!!!!!!!
Kayla (McKayla) - Kristine's second child participated in Jr. Miss this week. It is a BIG DEAL in the Foster FAMILY! Did I say BIG!!!!!!! Anyway, she was AWESOME! A "Pro" at everything she did. She won INTERVIEW, SCHOLASTIC, TALENT, PHYISCAL FITNESS, and POISE. And then she Won it all! And in the process got enough money to pay for 1.5 semesters of college! (We will all be attending State Jr. Miss in OCTOBER)!!!!
She is in the PINK! Isn't she Beautiful! (Very funny sidenote: The girl standing on her left is Tristan Hillman, Nick and Launa Leavitt's grandaugther! We spent the week Jr. Missing together. She was Beautiful TOO and very talented!)
Well, to say the least, I am proud! They are overcoming all the CRAZY genes we passed on, and doing great things with their lives. All the grandkids are talented, but most importantly, they are GOOD and make GOOD CHOICES every day! It makes me so happy that they are so tight and love each other so much! I am proud! I know Grandma and Grandpa are proud too!
Years ago, the 4 oldest grandchildren named themselves the T4O (the 4 oldest)....I am not sure that was the most clever name, but they have gotten more clever as the years have gone on. They tried to be cliquey at first, but it didn't work because "there are no groups or clubs at Grandma's!" And as each grandchild has grown up, they have naturally become a part of that group. They get special privelages....like sneaking off to Aunt Ernie's house when everyone is asleep.....or.....well, really nothing else!
Well, this past month, the T40 has really outdone themselves, I am not their mothers, but sometimes I feel like I am, and I am just SO proud! Here comes the Bragging.
Brynnie (Brynne) - my oldest sister, JoDee's, oldest daughter is happily married and attending Utah State (GO AGGIES!) She has only been out of high school for a couple of years and her undergraduate is done! She recently applied for Grad School, and was accepted to every school she applied to, but having Aggie Blood she chose USU and recived a $9,000 scholarship!
Laney - (Delaney) - my second oldest sister, Kristine's, oldest daughter provided us with by FAR THE BIGGEST NEWS! She is engaged to Chris! We are all thrilled because, well, in another life, we think we were all very successful party planners. But mostly we are thrilled because DELANEY is GOOD to the core and worthy to go to the TEMPLE (Idaho Falls to be exact) in July (on the 21st to be exact) and be married!
JD (Joseph D) - JoDee's second child is graduating from high school this year with a lengthy list of credentials! Most of them have to do with sports - like being named the 2A Fifth District Player of the Year! But 2 weeks ago he was also the lead in SINGING IN THE RAIN! And tonight we got the BEST news! JD was awarded the Thomas S. Monson Presidential Scholarship (the most prestigious schoalrship that BYU offers), and A LOT OF MONEY!!!!!!!!
Kayla (McKayla) - Kristine's second child participated in Jr. Miss this week. It is a BIG DEAL in the Foster FAMILY! Did I say BIG!!!!!!! Anyway, she was AWESOME! A "Pro" at everything she did. She won INTERVIEW, SCHOLASTIC, TALENT, PHYISCAL FITNESS, and POISE. And then she Won it all! And in the process got enough money to pay for 1.5 semesters of college! (We will all be attending State Jr. Miss in OCTOBER)!!!!
Well, to say the least, I am proud! They are overcoming all the CRAZY genes we passed on, and doing great things with their lives. All the grandkids are talented, but most importantly, they are GOOD and make GOOD CHOICES every day! It makes me so happy that they are so tight and love each other so much! I am proud! I know Grandma and Grandpa are proud too!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Life is Good!
I just wanted to drop a quick note. Life is Good. I have spent the last two days listening to prophets of God! Life is Good.
I know with all of my heart that God lives! He loves me and directs my life in a very personal way. I know that His voice is still heard today. It did not cease in Biblical times. He has called prophets and apostles that direct the work of His church upon the earth today. And I know that he directs my life through the whisperings of the Spirit.
It gives me hope.....each of my children can have a direct link to heaven.....we can be safe in an ever darkening world. Don't read my blog.....Listen to this:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1540737917001&cid=12
or this:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1541950013001&cid=4
or this:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1541950015001&cid=5
Enjoy! Life is good!
I know with all of my heart that God lives! He loves me and directs my life in a very personal way. I know that His voice is still heard today. It did not cease in Biblical times. He has called prophets and apostles that direct the work of His church upon the earth today. And I know that he directs my life through the whisperings of the Spirit.
It gives me hope.....each of my children can have a direct link to heaven.....we can be safe in an ever darkening world. Don't read my blog.....Listen to this:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1540737917001&cid=12
or this:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1541950013001&cid=4
or this:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/04?lang=eng&vid=1541950015001&cid=5
Enjoy! Life is good!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
I lost that A LONG TIME AGO!
Let's start at the beginning. I have had an obsession with Cake Balls lately, and Daniel (my 1.5 year old) has had an obsession with opening the oven as I am cooking the cake balls...So there was a Carrot cake in the oven (it was going to make beautiful cake pops when combined with cream cheese frosting), I had 5 minutes before the buzzer rang to hang out the laundry. On the way out I say, "Joseph, lock the door behind me so that Daniel doesn't come out."
Joseph dutifully locked the door....and seconds later I hear he and his brother (Gary) sneak out the laundry room door to go ride bikes. At that moment panic set in...I already knew as I ran around checking each door, that we were locked out....And Daniel (the 1.5 year old with the oven obsession) is on the inside ALONE with a hot oven and a timer going off.
I grab the cell phone in my pocket and call Carol. Within minutes the locksmith was called, and Carol (Emergency vest #1) and Ann Marie (Emergency vest #2) were at the house. Carol had the duty of making sure Daniel stayed by the window and did not stray to the oven. Meanwhile Ann Marie was trying to break into every door with all of her credit cards (apparently she has experience...and she is good) but don't worry, our perimeter is secure and each door is impenetrable.
After 15 minutes and no locksmith, we call the non-emergency number to the police. They send an officer right over. I explain the situation and he says, "Well - I can get in, but I am going to have to break something." AGHHHHHHHHHH!
Luckily at that moment the locksmith rounds the corner. However, 20 minutes later it appears that not even the locksmith can open our doors. During those 20 minutes one officer was with Carol talking to Daniel through the window, trying to get him to open the laundry room door. The other officer was checking each window and trying his hand at Ann Marie's credit cards.
Finally the policemen had formed a plan to break in with the least amount of damage. While the locksmith informed us that he was just going to break one of the locks - which ended up being the least amount of damage.
The door was OPEN. I grabbed Daniel and the cake, and after almost an hour of trauma, we were all still alive (except for the cake). The $45 to the locksmith was paid while the policemen were sounded their sirens for ALL of the neighborhood children (because ALL of the neighborhood was watching at this point).
The policemen were AWESOME. They were so kind and helpful. They have experience in this kind of thing. You see, the same two policemen were at Ann Marie's 2 weeks ago (?) because her daughter called 911. Oh, and, they were at Carol's 2 weeks before that, because her daughter called 911. But, they were GREAT to all of us and joked that they would see us soon. I appreciated everything they said and did, but I hope I don't see them again at my house!
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