I’m avoiding a display of photos of little kids in this post for their protection, but just imagine many happy little ones running around in costumes, plus many more decorated cars. It was a super fun evening in the church parking lot.
President Emily Freeman quoted Churchill last night in a devotional for youth, leaders, and parents about education.
I think the Lord taps us on the shoulder many times throughout our lives to help others based on our gifts and preparation. President Freeman’s words caused me to reflect on the times I needed to step up to do something special, unique to me, and fitted to my talents. Here are some of the things that came to my mind.
Mothering Paige, Daniel, Timothy, and Mark
Teaching homeschool
Speaking to congregations as a sister leader
Leading church and community groups
Writing family stories
Using my gift of listening
What positive things does this quote bring to your mind about your own unique contribution to the world?
Our car has been hit twice during the past two weeks, once at a stoplight where someone backed into us, and the other time, with a panel flying from a truck on the freeway. Richard was driving alone on the freeway, and was not injured. This is such a tender mercy. There is a lot of damage to the bumper and hood, and the car is being repaired. Things could have been so much worse if the debris had gone through the windshield.
The day of the accident, Richard’s burden grew with two more projects at work, and we were scheduled to host a youth activity at our house that evening. Mark and I set up the activity while Richard finished some work in his office before the boys began to arrive.
The boys chopped wood and made a fire in our solo stove, and cooked hot dogs, marshmallows, and biscuits. Happy sounds echoed through our neighborhood as the boys played kuub. Night fell too early, and soon, there were only adult voices coming from outdoors. I sat in my living room and thought about the good things that happened throughout the day.
A text from a friend.
Time with Mark.
A compliment from a young dad on our home.
A conversation with Paige as I worked in the yard.
A yard full of boys having fun.
Protection from harm. Knowledge. Peace.
Child is a word that applies to any age when a person is linked to a parent. Even though they are independent and strong, I am glad that I am still allowed to think of Paige, Daniel, and Timothy as my children.
I haven’t written about our older kids in a long time because they are living their own lives, very independent from us. But in my journal of tender mercies, any day that I get to talk to one of them, it makes the list of blessings for the day.
Paige and I have a phone appointment each Wednesday morning. It is something I look forward to each week.
Paige and Mike bought a house in Alabama this spring.
They both work from home. Michael is an accountant, and Paige works as an illustrator, and she has done a lot of digital art for the online Investopedia magazine. She mostly illustrates financial concepts, but she has also done some medical illustrations and more. This summer, her work was featured in a printed version of Investopedia magazine. She also did an illustration for the January 2023 Friend magazine.
Paige and Michael serve in the Primary organization at church. We will visit them later this fall, and it will be our first trip to Alabama.
Daniel lives nearby, and he begins his senior year at BYU this week, studying electrical engineering. He did an internship at L3 Harris (Richard’s company) this summer, so Richard talked to him quite a bit during the past several months.
After graduation next spring, Daniel will pursue a masters degree, and L3 Harris has offered him a job. Daniel and McKenna are quick to serve wherever they are needed. Daniel plays the organ in sacrament meeting and piano for choir, plus he serves in the elders quorum as service coordinator. McKenna served as assistant girls camp director this summer. Both of them help their local grandparents with all their hearts.
Timothy, our missionary, is on a new island, Saipan, a Northern Mariana island. This is country #4 where he has served during his mission, so I bought a new flag to display in the yard. He is excited to be on Saipan, and he and his companion are very busy teaching people. He is happy, as you can see.
He alternates with other missionaries to fly to a small island called Tinian on weekends to support a tiny group of members for church services. Here is a picture of their sacrament meeting last Sunday on Tinian. Oh, my! ❤️
We have a video call with Elder Ross each Sunday in the late afternoon, which is Monday morning for him. I have a hug scheduled with him on November 1 when he arrives home.
I appreciated President Nelson’s words to new mission leaders, so I made this reminder to put in my kitchen.
This was the article if you want to do an Internet search for it:
Each summer, my presidency hosts a luncheon for the ward Primary presidents. I told a new president that no one in the world understands what she is experiencing like the women in this room. They talked, and talked, and lingered. After hosting this luncheon for several years, I wasn’t surprised by the wisdom of the women. What surprised me was that they wanted to stay longer than usual this year.
Mark came home really happy from the For the Strength of Youth conference. Registering for this event was a challenge, until suddenly it wasn’t. I really think the Lord directed us to a great session that Mark would love.
Mark met an institute teacher that inspired him. He had good times with new friends, and roomed with his friend Jack. I am glad that Mark was able to do this!
Here is a description I discovered this week of an early Christian sacrament meeting:
And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgiving, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.
Justin Martyr, First Apology, written A.D. 147-161
I feel a kinship with the early church when I read this. It is a precious gift to be able to participate in sacrament meetings in the Restored Church of Jesus Christ.
I am trying to be more mindful of what I write online. My blog posts are going through a more rigorous editing process, with most posts simmering for days before I hit, “Publish.”
My religious posts have the most revisions because I want to share uplifting things well.
I understand that not everyone wants to read about church or God. I post religious content on my blog because I know that readers are here by choice. But occasionally, I post something religious on social media.
In May, I shared on social media a talk given by a general authority because it had been helpful to me. A friend left a comment explaining that the talk was hurtful. Both of us took time to communicate about the post in a respectful way. I love my friend, and I told him that his opinions won’t change that.
I was pretty sad that my friend found pain in something that has inspired me. I questioned whether I should have shared the talk, even though it was from a worthy source. I questioned my motives, weighing the pride behind my post against my good intentions. As I thought and prayed about this, I realized many things, and I want to share a few of those things here.
First, personal choices, experiences, and culture influence how people see the same things so differently, but religion is not inherently hurtful. The things that cause discomfort often indicate something we need to face about ourselves. I learned through this uncomfortable experience that pointing someone to the Source of truth is better than establishing truth or proving a point.
Second, there are poor, good, better, and best ways of sharing faith. I acted hastily, as I do sometimes, when I am trying to gain the courage to share. If I had paused, I might have been instructed by the Spirit to share the content differently. Still, God can work with my imperfect efforts. My post led someone to listen to something new. Who knows how this experience will affect my friend’s life moving forward. I hope something positive will come from this, even if it’s just knowing that I still care.
Third, the goal can’t be to please everyone. The goal is to be a light. I want to be a gentle, steady light, not a spotlight focused on myself, and never an interrogation lamp to accuse.
In 1834, the Lord gave some instructions about the Latter-day Saints’ behavior and words in the midst of opposition. While I don’t face the same level of opposition, I think that this is a good personal guide for expressing faith:
Be very faithful and prayerful, and humble before me…reveal [share] not the things that I have revealed…until it is wisdom in me.
Talk not of judgments, neither boast of great faith nor of mighty works…
And behold, I will give unto you favor and grace in their eyes, that you may rest in peace and safety.
Doctrine and Covenants 105:23-25
So, I gather my scattered courage, friends, as I keep trying to shine a light. Sending courageous wishes to you as you do the same. The Lord is working with us.
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
Mark 16:20
Richard has a new church calling as a counselor in the bishopric. I have seen him shine in this role before, and I know that he will do a great job.
I have not been released from my church calling, so Sundays will be extra full for all of us. I don’t mind.