Goals for the Year

Goal #1 (these are in no particular order)

Many years ago I came across a blogger who was pretty much in my same stage of life and I began to follow her . . . not literally, because that would be weird, but in the blogging world so to speak. She mentioned how she would pick one word to live by that year. I tried it once and kind of failed. A couple of times in her testimony, my neighbor down the street has mentioned how she and her sisters each pick a word and share it with each other. This year I decided to try again. I had one word I had decided on but then another came to my head, so this year is a twofer.

Hearken and present are my two words. Hearken is the first word to begin the book of scripture known as the Doctrine and Covenants which we are studying this year. Hearken is more than just hearing, but it's also doing something about it, listening and then obeying. How one hears the voice of the Lord can be a challenging thing to discover, but it's something I have continued to get better at. The hard part has been the obeying part. I'll get a prompting and dismiss it. I believe I do it out of fear. Fear of overstepping my bounds. Fear of how people might react. The older I've gotten, I'm getting over that fear. So hearken is a word I need to improve on and was the first word I chose.

The second one came to me as I was in the middle of many things, trying to multitask, and not really "there" for any of them. I am a doer by nature, but I knew that how I was doing things wasn't right. So word number two has become present in mind and body. I am working on being more present wherever I am.

Goal #2

Nate challenged me the other day in an email to study Preach My Gospel. "Preach My Gospel is as much for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it is for the full-time missionaries of the Church" (found in the introduction to PMG). Over the years since it was introduced, I've casually browsed through it, but now I'm beginning a more serious study. In my study the other night I reread a talk by Elder Richard G. Scott titled Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge and pulled this little nugget out of there:

"Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light."

Goal #3

"Find something to do that you think about all the time, that you enjoy so much that when you don't have to think about it, that's what you think about." -- Henry Eyring to his son Henry B. Eyring

(Young Henry often helped his dad with physics equations on the blackboard in the basement. One day older Henry noticed that younger Henry was still working through the same problem and asked him if he didn't think about this stuff all the time. Young Henry said no and older Henry gave him the advice above.)

Ah hobbies. I have so many of them that I like to devote my time to and in the last year my job has just become a hobby as I've slowly discovered that I have a passion for early childhood literacy. I can't seem to read enough or watch enough about it. It is the one thing I think about all the time. How do I help my struggling readers to unlock the magic of written words? What is the science behind reading? I have a student who could not read one word at the beginning of the year and only knew about half of his sounds. I have taken him aside, one-on-one, and worked with him at first with just his sounds and then we moved on to very simple books. Oh to see his eyes light up and the excitement he feels when he can read a page all by himself. He has recently gotten to where he will work through a word on his own without my help. It has been so rewarding to watch his growth. Four years ago I didn't understand the trial of unemployment Tyler and I were going through. But today I do. This is where I am to be and I am loving it!

So I guess Goal #3 is to continue to learn as much as I can about early childhood literacy which encompasses so much more than just reading words on a page.

These are the days of . . . 

*still more science fair competitions. This year the district had to go virtual for the competition and the program they used was glitchy, so not all participants were able to be interviewed. Due to that technicality, all participants at the district level have advanced to the regional level if they chose to. Alex decided he wanted to which means more uploading of materials and getting paperwork signed and taking a day off when he actually gets to present. But it's all good.

*mudstorms and snowstorms. First came the mud that just coated everything. I thought a good rainstorm might clean it all but when we did get some rain it didn't. When it warms up, I will be hosing off sidewalks and pergolas and plants. We did get some good snowstorms that were much needed.

*using the puzzle room florescent light as a grow light as Tyler and I attempt to germinate seeds for the first time. I've never started my own vegetable seeds inside. This is our new little experiment. Just waiting for some black pepper seeds to show up in the mail this week before the planting commences. (I might have to figure out how to clean the mud off that window to let some more natural light in.)

*splitting our stake. We are now part of a new stake -- the Lake Point Stake. It's crazy how this area has grown in the last 10 years. When we moved out here there were two wards, now there are four. Lake Point was becoming a dying town and years ago the ward members prayed and fasted for some new blood. Well, they got it. I don't know that they ever imagined one day they would be their own stake. We got to participate in that special stake conference over a Youtube link from home. Our new stake president is President Robbins. I called that one. He decided to take our bishop for one of his counselors, so we will be getting a new bishop in the new week or two.

*our temple FINALLY coming to fruition. They announced a new location and a new name. It will be called the Deseret Peak Temple, a name a like a whole lot more, and will be located up by Clarke Johnson Jr. High. I'm just excited that it is happening. What a blessing for this valley. The people of Erda really missed out with all their bickering and fighting over it.

*finally finishing the kitchenette 10 years later. There's countertops, a stove, a sink, and a microwave. Erik may never want to move out of the basement now. But seriously, having a sink right there has been so nice. No more carrying water in a bucket downstairs when I need to clean.

Power outages and questions

March has come in like a lion!

Snow and power outages sent us home early from church. Quiet testimonies in the dark amidst glowing cell phones gave the chapel a campfire like serenity. Satan may try his darnedest to extinguish the light of Christ but the Light always wins out. At times that light may be weak and dim in our life but then sometimes it might be the bright light we share with our friends.

Several weeks ago we were informed that our temple is becoming more of a reality. The plans are close to completion and should be turned over to the county within the next month or two. It will be similar to the Pocatello, Idaho Temple but with our own Tooele County flair. Groundbreaking should be sometime this fall with a completion date in fall of 2022.

Pocatello Temple

Stake conference was in the not too distant past and Aunt Nancy was one of our lucky speakers. She spoke about the energy she derives from the first vision and calls it First Vision Energy. "What has the restoration done for you? But more importantly what have you done for the restoration?"

Lately, I've been thinking about that question and several of President Nelson's inquiries about how we hear the voice of the Lord and how would our lives be different if the knowledge we gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away.

As a youth I would often wonder what kind of person I would have been had I been born into a family that didn't have the gospel. Would I have the same values and standards? What would my beliefs had been?

The outbreak of this coronavirus has got a lot of people in a panic. Just yesterday we were in a Walmart in Sandy to find empty shelves of Clorox wipes and bleach. There was no hand sanitizer or flu/cold medicine. Toilet paper was still there but selling at a premium. Many latterday prophets have strongly advised preparedness. My mantra with this current outbreak is to be prepared the best that you can and then leave the rest up to God. Had I not grown up learning about prophets and learning to heed their counsel and warnings, would I also be one of the panicked maelstrom? 

As I continue to ponder more deeply and earnestly on these soul-searching questions, there is one thing that I do know: God is not a God of confusion or doubt or panic or anxiety. He is my Father who loves me, who wants the best for me, and is the author of peace. When I begin to feel unsettled and panicky and fearful about the unknown, I know that is not God's spirit working in my life. God brings comfort and rest and peace and for that I am immensely grateful for the restoration of knowing who I am and whose I am.

Temple run

I went for my first run in a few weeks. I had to have a minor surgery on my foot to remove part of my toenail, and I haven't dared run as it continues to heal. But yesterday I went and it ended up being part run, part hike.

President Nelson announced a new temple in the Tooele valley and the rumor is it is being fast-tracked due to the Salt Lake Temple being closed for renovations for four years. Everyone like to speculate about where the temple might be and hope that it is in their backyard. I'm no different. As I've driven from Tooele to home, I've noticed this bluff where it would be visible from all over. As I was chatting with my foot doctor whose office faces this bluff, he made the same observation. So that's where I headed on my run.

You can see Tooele and Erda.

You can see Grantsville.

You can see Lake Point and I-80.

Stansbury is a little hidden at the base of this bluff, but you'd be able to see it from my neighborhood.

The location reminds me so much of the Manti temple which is up on a hill and seen from all over. Wherever the temple ends up will be fabulous. Nate and Ash have been going every Friday morning for many months to do baptisms, and with school out of the way, I'm going to up my attendance.

What a blessing it is going to be to have a temple so close.

Spring break

This week has been just what I needed. A break from normalcy.

Several years ago for spring break, Tyler was unable to come with us when we hiked Calf Creek Falls. So we decided to go back and take him.

I've got to say this trip was much easier. There was no hauling a child on my back while hiking through an ocean of sand. Alex made the entire 6 mile trip by himself. And while it was snowing at home, we were enjoying beautiful, sunny weather.

There is something about Grandma and Grandpa's house that is magical. I suggested doing several things for the break, but when I mentioned Ferron, the discussion ended.

Erik repaid their hospitality by cleaning the windows. Yea. He wasn't too thrilled with me snapping photos.

I hired him to clean my own when we got home, and Ash also got in on the action. I sure do love me some spring-clean windows.

I got to work in my yard: mowing and weeding and planting peas and lettuce. Ash and I painted my end tables and beans poles. When I put my bean poles up I realized that the yellow in conjunction with the turquoise pea sign were the exact colors of Kiersten's wedding. It was a sign! We are hosting an open house.


I took Erik to a foot doctor to ensure his self-diagnosed bunion have an actual doctor-certified diagnosis. And yep. Sure thing. That's what he's got. Not on one foot but on two. The doctor was slightly mystified that no one in our family has one. They hardly ever see teenagers and even rarely see male teenagers. He won't need surgery thank goodness, but they did send him home with some orthotics they custom made to his feet that he is required to wear regularly. Bunions aren't hereditary but his pronation is which is what has caused the bunions.

And then Good Friday really was a good Friday. Tyler had an initial interview with CUNA Mutual Group for a position we've been waiting to open up for 18 months. He's also interviewed for a different position with Wells Fargo. In my prayers I just tell the Lord that we are in need of better employment to afford the many good things happening in our lives right now. He knows what lies ahead and which position will be best for us. I'm just hoping that either of these will work out. While he was interviewing, I took my growing family to the Jordan River open house.

It was fun to see the sealing room where Tyler and I were sealed many years ago, and for Kiersten and Jason to envision themselves kneeling across that altar in a few short months.

Kiersten told me that Jason's parents were also married in the Jordan River Temple and that this temple was hers and Jason's first choice. However, when they called to reserve a day and time, the temple told them they weren't sure they would be open and operating by the end of June. So they went with option B: Payson. I even managed to get a picture of them in front of that particular temple. Ha, ha. Actually a picture of the Payson temple.

Later it was a Jazz game for me and Tyler.


Only 38 days, 7.5 weeks, left of school. For me the countdown has begun with so many things happening in this short period of time.

The temple

You don't need to go to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked.

Go to the temple.

Just like you'd never buy a home without walking through every room and inspecting it, Jesus also has walked through every one of his "homes," visiting every room.

These thoughts were given to our youth when we arrived at the Salt Lake Temple to perform baptisms this past week. This picture above is missing three boys. Our total was 26 good-looking young people. That might have been a record for us.

Grace

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.

-Romans 12:12

The past couple of days have been some downers. I am usually an upbeat woman full of faith and hope and optimism. But I let fear creep into my thoughts, bringing me pretty low. I went to the temple needing some assurance and some heavenly help and power from on high.

The word GRACE was whispered to me as I entered and I contemplated and referenced this word, waiting.

"My grace is sufficient for thee . . ." 2 Corinthians 12:9. This was a tender answer to my pleading for assurance from my loving Father in Heaven. His blessings and love are enough for me to get through these most difficult times. God's grace is sufficient for everything I lack and everything lacking in me.

"[I]t is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." 2 Nephi 25:23. I had been wondering why it seemed nothing was working in our favor and yet I felt I was doing everything I could within my power. I came to the temple asking about this and was pointed to this scripture. The Lord knows I am doing all I can and through his love and mercy and power He will make things right. One day this trial will end, saving us in a sense.

When the trials of life drive you to your knees causing you to realize how utterly dependent on the Lord you have to be, the only place to look is up. And God ever so patiently waits for us.

I came home, not feeling really any better, still wondering how to stretch our dollars. I was in a funk, needing to snap out of it, and decided a nap could help. Sometime during that nap, a delivery man, disguised as our bishop, handed Ty an envelope from a unknown benefactor. This is the second such envelope within a month containing a "sufficient" amount of funds.

Tyler and I are still so unsure how to handle this, wanting to pay it forward in some way. And so it sits, in a nightstand, waiting for the right time and the right use to manifest itself to us. The goodness of the people in our little community and ward has been incomprehensible as they continue to shower us with God's grace in rich abundance.

I once saw a quote that said something like this: "The gospel made us sisters; visiting teaching made us friends." I have found a new friend in one of the ladies I visit teach. She became aware of my "no good, terrible, very bad day" and gave me something to cheer me up.

I had told her that ice cream makes everything better. And she believed me. This was no easy task for her, having taken a chemo pill two days earlier that left her feeling very sick. What a gracious gesture. A gesture full of God's grace.

On a day when everything seemed to be wrong, God showed me through simple, small ways that he is still in the details of my life, very aware and concerned. God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.

These are the days of . . . 
* Ash's math competition. Two mornings a week since October she's been attending early morning math in preparation for this competition between the elementary schools in the district. Her team took 2nd place, only two-tenths behind first. So far all the my kids have participated in early morning math and loved it. Some of those questions had me scratching my head.

*Grammar Nazi.  Every day should be two words unless you are using it as an adjective as in "My everyday clothes are sweats and a t-shirt." This is one of the most common misspelled words I see in print, on billboards, and even on an English teacher's bulletin board.

Provo City Temple Open House

Temples are the greatest university of learning known to man, giving us knowledge and wisdom about the creation of the world. Washings and anointing tell us who we are. Endowment instructions give guidance as to how we should conduct our lives here in mortality.

--Robert D. Hales, BYU Devotional Address, November 2005

This past week I took advantage of the couple of days the kids had off from school and took them to tour the new Provo City Temple Open House. I love these opportunities they've had to visit so many in our little Mormon-saturated part of the world.

Draper

Oquirrh Mountain

Payson

And now Provo City.

As I was attempting to find parking, I kept looking for the temple. It's not so visible as some temples since it occupies part of downtown Provo and isn't really on a hill. But soon the Angel Moroni was spotted and I knew we were in the right vicinity. It reminded me of the trip to Seoul, Korea with Tyler when we were also trying to find the temple there and it was the angel that led us to it.

Keep your eyes on the temple and you will always be on the right path.

Kiersten invited her friend Trenton to come along. He is not a member and has been somewhat interested in things. In December she took him to Temple Square to see the lights since he'd never been. They toured and he asked questions and that's when she suggested he come with us to see the inside of one. A seed has been planted; only time will tell what comes of it.

As we watched the short introductory video before the tour, the part that got me and that gets me every time is when Elder Holland says that heaven just wouldn't be heaven without his wife and children. Amen to that. The single life just does not appeal to me.

I'm going to share a little doctrinal insight that President Rose gave at a seminary morningside a couple of weeks ago about the temple.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-20

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

Reworded:

19 And this MELCHEZEDEK PRIESTHOOD administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the TEMPLE ORDINANCES, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the CAPABILITY OR CAPACITY of godliness is manifest.

Temple covenants and ordinances give man the capability to become like God.

If we go to the temple to learn who God is and to become like him, wouldn't the same kind of learning take place in the hereafter?

Aren't there probably temple ceremonies in the after life but without the physical signs and tokens being made (because obviously they don't have a physical body)?

Isn't that why temple work is so important, enabling each person without a physical body the opportunity to progress toward Godhood if they choose? 

Just some thoughts I've been stewing about for several days.

Temple

Tuesday afternoon I kept getting these thoughts that I should really go to the temple and I kept dismissing it. It has been kind of a dreary weather day and I hadn't really dressed for the day. I was on a roll getting a few things done like laundry and tackling some things in my office. Plus it was a night where we had absolutely nothing going on. I was kind of looking forward to having an evening to do whatever.

However, as I thought about it, I knew this coming week would be crazy trying to tie up loose ends and get ready for our spring break trip. So with that I decided to just go. Tyler was a little surprised by my sudden decision, and I was just as surprised.

When I got to the waiting room I watched as quite a few of my old Salt Lake 11th Ward members came in. I didn't remember most names and some faces didn't quite look the way I remember, but I guess that's what 16 years will do to some. My old Relief Society president in particular looked as if she had aged quite a bit. It was a nostalgic feeling as I sat and reminisced to myself. I was certain no one would surely remember who I was. And I was right. No one did.

All through the session I sat close to a woman by the name of Mary who was very good friends with my friend Nancy Peixhot, both from the same 11th ward. Shortly after moving to Salt Lake, I was asked by our Relief Society president if I could be Nancy's helper. She was an older lady living in our complex who had just had her leg amputated below the knee. She needed help cleaning and running errands. 

(Bad picture, but it's the only one I have of Nancy. She's the one on the bottom left with red hair.)

Never did I ever think it would turn into the friendship it did. We stayed in contact even after moving to Magna. Things took a turn for the better with her for several years and then she had a few bad years. My kids remember the year we visited her at Christmastime in a nursing home, bringing her a Christmas tree and goodies. I was able to track her down six or seven years ago and went to visit her with Ashlyn and my niece Makayla. She was so down and depressed and simply did not want to see me. It was so sad to see her like that and it was the last time I saw her. I lost contact and for years I read the obituaries thinking, hoping, I would see hers and know what had become of her.

Well, when I saw Mary I knew she would know about Nancy. I followed her out of the celestial room and quietly told her who I was and if she knew anything about Nancy. I must have missed her obituary because she's been gone for about 3 years. It made me happy to finally know about my friend. I knew there was a reason to go to the temple that evening. I'm so glad I followed that prompting or I might still be wondering today "Where in the world is Nancy Peixhot?"

A sacrament meeting talk analogy

So the high council speaker in church today was telling how he and his wife were shopping for a new car, decided on the model, and then voila! They started seeing that model everywhere. And I was thinking as he was saying all this, "Yes, yes. We've done the same thing. Especially while we were building our house." All of a sudden styles, decor, became more apparent. It seemed to be everywhere.

Same with what we teach our kids. What you talk about and discuss at home will soon become more apparent and your kids will starting "seeing" it more in their lives. I guess you could say that about anything. His talk just happened to be about temples.

A temple sealing

Yesterday I attended the sealing of a cousin in the Rexburg Temple and was so grateful to be able to go. I LOVE being in the temple. When we arrived there was a lot of chaos and commotion outside as brides and grooms and families were picture taking. But inside it was quiet and serene and such a contrast from what was taking place outside. I was able to sit for about 20 minutes and ponder and think and look in those mirrors that go on f. o. r. e. v. e. r. I reflected on my own sealing and what an amazing day it was (and how I hated having everyone looking at me). But I loved being reminded of those sealing words that bound Tyler and me together literally for eternity. What an amazing promise if we keep our covenants.

I also loved that the sealer performed the sealing first thing so that the couple could relax as he gave them some counsel. Something he said stuck with me. The husband is the presider and his wife is a counselor whom he should counsel with often. And then the Lord is the other counselor. I've always known that by having a temple marriage, you are covenanting with the Lord and allowing him to be a third member of that marriage. But I'd never quite thought of Him as being a counselor like in a bishopric. I liked that analogy.

After we had all given our congrats and hugs, the sealer shut the doors and left that happy couple in the sealing room by themselves for just a few minutes. Oh, how I wished we had been able to do that. I love the idea of having a few minutes alone, together, to reflect on what just occured and perhaps take a second look in those mirrors before tackling the remainder of a crazy day.

And to think that I'll be able to do it all again in a few weeks. I can hardly wait. Bring on the Kleenex. I think I'm going to need a whole box.

My greatest birthday wish

Isn't every mother's wish to have her family together? I know mine is. And I couldn't have imagined a better birthday present than to be able to take my children to the temple.

The Draper Temple open house.

And we did.

In a huge snowstorm.

That doesn't normally happen in March.

What was supposed to be a much shorter drive took longer and I was a little anxious and sure we wouldn't make it on time since our session was the last of the day. I will admit that I had several thoughts along the way that maybe we should just forgo this expedition and try and make it to the Oquirrh Hills Temple open house in June. But we pressed on and I'm so glad we did. The peace that came over me was wonderful. I will never forget the feeling I had as Tyler and I and our children stood in the celestial room soaking in the grandeur of the room. I got a tiny glimpse of heaven that day as I imagined that this is really what HEAVEN is like, surrounded by family, never to be separated.

Later that evening as the kids and I knelt down for family prayer, I made them all promise me that someday we would all make it back to the temple.

Together.

As a family.

Just like any mother could hope for.