Jesus Said - Day 3

Matthew 7: 12, 16-21

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; 

for this is the law and the prophets.

Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Rick and I had our annual overnighter in Salt Lake City.  He had meetings to attend at the Marriott, and I had some shopping to do.  We got to wander Temple Square before any of the crowds arrived to overrun the place.  We noticed the vending machines in the lobby of the Joseph Smith Memorial building.  One machine dispensed ideas for the opportunity to do service during the month, another accepted donations for water for those in need of clean water - by building a well, giving jugs of water or bottled water, all for various amounts of donations.  The third machine had items and cards with a description of needed items for the local community support bank and for international needs.  People were lined up waiting to swipe their credit cards and GIVE in some sort of way.  I bought a GOAT!  It was so awesome to pay for a goat through a vending machine and to know that the organizations that partner with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will get that goat to a family in need.  Many, many people are joining this crusade.  Opportunities to help family, neighbors, community members and international needs abound.  It's fun to be a part of this effort.

By their fruits, ye shall know then.

Jesus Said - Day 2

Matthew 7:1-5

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measure to you again.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in they brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  

Or how wilt thous say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

This teaching is hard for many people, myself included.  It's hard to not expect that people around us will behave in a certain way.  We put our expectations of acceptable behavior, choices and actions on others and hope that they will meet our expectations.  This hardly ever works out well!  Sometimes it is hardest to cut some slack to those we love the most!  As we deal with others, especially those we call family and friends, it is good to remember this teaching of the Savior of first, removing judgement from our our thoughts, actions and words and instead focusing on positive words of love and encouragement.  Everyone is fighting a battle, and most often, it is a private battle or something that we cannot see or don't know anything about.  Love, don't judge.  First cast out the beam in our own eyes.  

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, celebrating with three of our four children and some of their family members.  It was a lovely day, full of fun, games, good food, good conservation and lots of love. 

Christmas Jammies to enjoy all month long!

Jesus Said - Day 1

Last year my friend Kathleen gave me the most interesting book.  It is entitled "JESUS SAID" and it is a compilation of the Savior's own words in one book from his teachings in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Revelation, Book of Mormon - 3 Nephi, and Pearl of Great Price - JS Matthew. 
I know that our Heavenly Father loves us completely and He has spoken saying "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well please, hear ye Him."  I hope to share some of what Jesus taught as we celebrate his birth and what his life actually means to me.

Matthew 5: 2-16

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick: and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.

#LIGHTtheWORLD

Temple covenants

As we have attended the weddings this year of two nieces and a nephew, I'm reminded again of the importance of doing what we say we will do.  If we make a commitment, a promise or in the case of an LDS temple marriage, a covenant, we promised to do certain things.

Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me (Job 27:5).

Temple ordinances lead to the greatest blessings available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  They  are those ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom.  As we strive to keep our covenants, our feeling of inadequacy and imperfection begin to fade, while the ordinances and covenants of the temple come alive.  Everyone is welcome to walk that path to eternal life.

I'm so grateful for the covenants I have made in the temple and for the opportunity I have to receive guidance and blessings in my life.  I want these same blessings for my children and grandchildren.  Doing what we say we will do in this world is becoming more and more difficult.  Nothing brings me more JOY than watching my children teach their children about Jesus Christ and helping them walk in truth through their own examples and through their teachings.  At this Thanksgiving time of year, this may very well be my greatest blessing:

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 

(3 John 1:4).

Andy and Chelsea's temple - Los Angeles, CA

Jake and Jordan's temple - Mt. Timpanogos, UT

Rich and Claire's temple - Provo, UT

Dave and Courtney's temple - Salt Lake City, UT

Rick and Vonnie's temple - Salt Lake City, UT

Stephanie and Kendrick

We were so pleased to participate in another wedding this year of our niece Stephanie to her love Kendrick in the Salt Lake City temple.  It was a beautiful day for a wedding and we joined with family and their friends to celebrate with them.  Stephanie asked Kendrick to wear a blind fold over his eyes and when he took it off, he saw her for the first time in her stunning wedding dress.  It was  very sweet to watch the expression on his face as he saw beautiful Stephanie. 

Since some family members couldn't attend the wedding in the temple, they held a ring ceremony on the gorgeous grounds of Log Haven in Mill Creek canyon.  Uncle (Bishop) Bob officiated.  The two fathers who helped raise Stephanie escorted her down the isle. 

Afterwards, we went to the wonderful back yard of Brian, one of Stephanie's fathers, for a reception.  It couldn't have been a more fitting setting for a wedding reception. 

Kendrick is from North Carolina.  Coincidently, a month later, we happened to be in Raleigh (for the BYU game of course) at the same time they had an open house in his home town.  The backyard party was amazing.  It was another beautiful evening and it was fun to surprise Stephanie and Kendrick and attend their open house. 

We wish this young couple much happiness as they begin their lives together.  I'm so proud of Stephanie for marrying Kendrick in the temple and to be sealed to him forever. She is working as an RN at Primary Children's hospital and she has worked hard to achieve her goals, through a lot of obstacles. I sure love these good kids.