Who Are We?
Of course, the best way to get to know someone is to interact with them. Perhaps the second best way, is to study what they do and say. I have included some pictures and some of my writings from over the years so that you might have a little idea of who we are.
A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
Andrea
On April 9, 1990 I delivered a full-term still born child. On April 9, 1997 I wrote in my journal,
"Today is Andrea's birthday. She would be 7 years old. Does she celebrate in Heaven or is she too busy doing all that needs to be done? Does she wait in faith as we wait here for our reuniting?" Many unanswered questions. I have to wait for the Lord's answers.
Summer's End
The door was closed.
I opened it wide.
Everything was tidy inside.
The books on the shelves stood erect
At attention
No more the derelict~
The place of sleep was done-up for the day
And pillows placed in an orderly way.
Yet something was so, terribly wrong,
The laughter and chatter were all gone.
They've gone back to school, my children- my friends
Because it’s now, summer’s end.
The door was closed.
I opened it wide.
Everything was tidy inside.
The books on the shelves stood erect
At attention
No more the derelict~
The place of sleep was done-up for the day
And pillows placed in an orderly way.
Yet something was so, terribly wrong,
The laughter and chatter were all gone.
They've gone back to school, my children- my friends
Because it’s now, summer’s end.
Finding Emotional Strength
written in my journal in 2006
Often I have prayed for greater emotional strength. The power to endure and learn from life instead of lying, beaten-along-the-path, gasping for breath, knowing that I must somehow continue.
After emerging from the weak moments of my life, I desire never to return - beseeching the Father to protect and strengthen me. He hears my cry and I find reprieve. Once again he gathers me as a "hen gathers her chicks." laboring to teach me the eternal principle, "draw near unto me and I will drawn near unto you." (D&C 93)
What is the key to emotional strength? My answer. Become spiritually strong and then emotional strength will follow. Parley P. Pratt explains. "It [Holy Ghost] quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animations and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being." (Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, P.61.) The scriptures explain that we are actually children of Heavenly Father and that we can become like him. We are not destined to continue to struggle with our weaknesses and sins. The Holy Ghost brings things to our remembrance, provides comfort and provides many other services for our well being. The key to emotional strength is using the Holy Ghost to tap into the power and strength of the Lord. In the Book of Mormon, Mormon teaches a great principle as he comments on the experiences of the people of Helaman. He says, "And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven..."
Developing a partnership with the Lord is an individual task. Others can teach and motivate, but ultimately it is our own responsibility and the degree in which we enjoy the blessings of this partnership is based upon our own efforts. Doctrine and Covenants 59:23 tell us, "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come." Spiritual work is no different than physical work. It takes discipline to constantly repeat Christlike actions and visualize Christlike responses before challenging situations arise. It takes discipline to find that 1/2 hour of quiet time to study the word of God. It takes discipline to spend a few minutes before praying to ponder and evaluate. It takes discipline to prepare to partake of the sacrament evaluating sin, weakness, and hurt.
It takes discipline, but I want the outcome!
written in my journal in 2006
Often I have prayed for greater emotional strength. The power to endure and learn from life instead of lying, beaten-along-the-path, gasping for breath, knowing that I must somehow continue.
After emerging from the weak moments of my life, I desire never to return - beseeching the Father to protect and strengthen me. He hears my cry and I find reprieve. Once again he gathers me as a "hen gathers her chicks." laboring to teach me the eternal principle, "draw near unto me and I will drawn near unto you." (D&C 93)
What is the key to emotional strength? My answer. Become spiritually strong and then emotional strength will follow. Parley P. Pratt explains. "It [Holy Ghost] quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animations and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being." (Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, P.61.) The scriptures explain that we are actually children of Heavenly Father and that we can become like him. We are not destined to continue to struggle with our weaknesses and sins. The Holy Ghost brings things to our remembrance, provides comfort and provides many other services for our well being. The key to emotional strength is using the Holy Ghost to tap into the power and strength of the Lord. In the Book of Mormon, Mormon teaches a great principle as he comments on the experiences of the people of Helaman. He says, "And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven..."
Developing a partnership with the Lord is an individual task. Others can teach and motivate, but ultimately it is our own responsibility and the degree in which we enjoy the blessings of this partnership is based upon our own efforts. Doctrine and Covenants 59:23 tell us, "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come." Spiritual work is no different than physical work. It takes discipline to constantly repeat Christlike actions and visualize Christlike responses before challenging situations arise. It takes discipline to find that 1/2 hour of quiet time to study the word of God. It takes discipline to spend a few minutes before praying to ponder and evaluate. It takes discipline to prepare to partake of the sacrament evaluating sin, weakness, and hurt.
It takes discipline, but I want the outcome!