On Tents and Towers

King Benjamin has been our focus for the last two days in Seminary. It never ceases to amaze me how very truly our God is a God of order! Even when one author ends his scripture writings and another begins, each lesson builds on the one preceeding it and here is no exception. Where Amaleki admonishes us to come unto Christ, King Benjamin teaches how in his final words to his people.
First of all, our class divided into three groups. King Benjamin reminds them of how they have been prepared to receive the word of God. Each group is given a list of ten ways, of which they look up and make note. Then, for each answer the group gets one wood "Jenga" block, and with the blocks they construct a tower.
The next preparation is to take their tents (one bedsheet per group), and their food (trail mix), and put up their tents.
The groups are given parts of the King's talk to look up. As they sit inside their tents, they study and then they choose one in their group to represent King Benjamin, who wears a crown made by a student, and presents their portion.
With a discussion, some quotes and stories, we finished the morning with prayer, a bit of clean up and well wishes for the day.

From Amaleki - more than just the Record Keeper

In the book of Omni verse 26, in the Book of Mormon, there is a little-known record keeper named Amaleki. He is the one who delivered the sacred records into the hands of King Benjamin. His writings are few, (only 18 verses total), however he has written a powerful message of hope to all who seek perfecting. He says, "...come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth, ye will be saved."

What a relief to know that we are not required to run faster than we are able and that in spite of the fact that the "natural man", or "worldly man" is an enemy to God, I like knowing that there is a tangible guideline for just how to accomplish this and that it IS within reach. Actually, it is rather simple and nothing more or less than taking upon ourselves the sacred ordinance of baptism (and temple covenants when the time comes), and then striving to always remember Him, renewing our covenants weekly and truly repenting daily.

More Autumn Scents

When it's time to be indoors and the house is clean and you feel like curling up on the couch with a good book or movie, it's also time to light the candles. Candles were meant for cold weather just like the fireplace. Now, if I can just find time...

Autumn Scents

The weather outside is getting colder. The wind is blowing, there is morning fog and I love that during the day I can open the doors and let the fresh clean air in. They say the most powerful memory of the senses is that of smell and what better season is there than this for sweet aroma?
Tonight I checked some bananas to see if they were still useful. They were. And now, because it is no longer too hot weather wise to bake, they are in the oven becoming bread. My house smells so good. The warmth in the kitchen is inviting and I'm looking forward to the spiced cider, the cobblers and all the traditions that are part of this time of year.

The Bronze Bow, The Title of Liberty and other weapons of peace

I must have been in about the 7th or 8th grade when I read "The Bronze Bow". It's about a young man who wanted revenge on the Romans for the deaths of his parents at their hand. He is a Zealot for a cause he believes to be honorable: saving his people from oppression. A friend of the sword, he is ready to fight to the death until he meets a rabbi named Jesus. This book is a very good read.

In the Book of Mormon we have the account of the Nephite nation - peace loving people at that time who sent out many missionaries to teach the Gospel but opposing Lamanites threaten war on their families, faith and freedom. Captain Moroni hoists a flag, The Title of Liberty, to gather valiant men who are willing to defend their country in the face of an attack by their enemies.

Peace is always the preferred plan. From the Savior, the Zealot learned to love and forgive. The Nephites, on the other hand, had tried the peaceful way and had no choice but to defend themselves.

Now, in the 21st Century A.D. there are many wars going on all around us. Some are of nations and some are individual; some are violent and some are of words, but evil is on the rise and last year we were called upon by the Lord to help "fight" for the cause of freedom by raising a new flag; the banner in favor of Proposition 8 which supports the family and moral living.

Proposition 8 won but this was only a battle. More opposition is coming our way and I am proud to be part of the voice of freedom. I am also proud of my father who lives in San Francisco, where most of the people are against it. I am thankful for a faithful heritage. I am thankful for a father who puts God and family before anything else.

This cause will be on the ballot again and again. It is not going away. They keep pushing harder for their right to break commandments and for the law to support it and schools to teach it. We may not be able to prevent it from ever coming to pass, but we can hold it off for as long as possible and we can also go on the Lord's record as having done what we can by following His counsel. If we are to remain a free nation we must keep the commandments.

It's Personal - from an earlier writing

...Our trials and weaknesses are really our greatest blessings because they bring us to God. Everyone has things in their lives that they cannot conquer without Him. If things were always rosy and easy we would think we don't need Him in our lives, when, in actuality, He is the provider of the very air we breathe. So, there isn't anything wrong with us because we struggle and fail. These trials are our golden opportunity to place our small hand into His great, loving and powerful hand and together, conquer!
If we begin on our knees in prayer, supplicating the Lord for His help and then humble ourselves enough to follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will win. What we face here is a mountain climbing expedition, of sorts. Sometimes our feet will slip back, but we just have to keep praying, even repenting, (sometimes even asking Him to help us to want to want to do it, if that makes sense). I know that He will provide us with the voice of encouragement. I know that sometimes we will listen, and sometimes we may put weakness first, but as we keep trying we will become stronger until we are the master rather than the weakness mastering us.
Onward and upward my sweethearts! Let us look to the only one who can make this possible and at the same time, may we come to know our Father in Heaven well and trust in Him with our very lives. He loves us and will never let us down, steer us wrong or fail us!
We CAN do anything with His help.

Disneythoughts

1. I want to remember to wear well-cushioned flip flops because shoes hurt the TOPS of my feet!
2. It's okay to take outside food into Disneyland.
3. Be realistic with expectations - from crowds, lines, costs etc., but ESPECIALLY from kids. Disneyland can only be "The Happiest Place On Earth" if we make it so.
4. About Travelodge; not fancy but acceptable. The beds are fairly firm as most motel/hotel beds are. We had a fridge and microwave and a hide-a-bed for the girls . The "continental breakfast" included frosted flakes and raisin bran, pastries and toast with assorted jams and jellies, canned peaches and pineapple, apple juice, orange juice, milk and chocolate milk, which breakfast is better than what many provide, if it's offered at all. It is also in a good location - close to the park, fast food, and next door to AM-PM (gas, fresh fruit, forgotten toothbrushes, etc.).
5. Two days was about my limit for marathon racing through the park. Either get into condition way ahead of time or pay for the extra day and slow down a bit!!
6. Carry water only if it starts out frozen. Warm water is not worth hauling around if no one will drink it!
7. Celeste found the best ticket prices on e-bay.

Just For Fun!

Aren't they cute?!?

Birds of Paradise

Last Friday morning as we walked towards Disneyland I noticed "flocks" of Birds of Paradise. I told Paige and Abbie that these birds would not fly away as we got closer and that we could even touch them! There were hundreds of them lining the streets around the Travelodge. We made a fun little game out of the fact that they are called "birds".

Fantasia 1940

My Father was 7 years old when he saw the Disney movie "Fantasia" for the first time. It wasn't exactly a box office hit, but Dad fell in love! With him, Mr. Disney accomplished what he had set out to do, which was to educate by bringing the ultimate in classic music appreciation to everyday folks. As I say, most didn't buy into it, a full-length movie with no spoken word, but there was classical music in our house from as far back as I can remember. Richard and I would hear the music begin, head to the dining room, and he would tell us the story of the Sorcerer's Apprentice. It was only 9 minutes long but to me, it was magical, and has become such a memory! He knew exactly what was happening with every fanfare and cymbal crash. And we could see in our own mind's eye, a broom come to life as the Bassoon tiptoed into action. We were spellbound.

So now, these many years later, I have gone to Disneyland and brought back a prize! That sorcerer's hat. And I fully intend to find the rest of the wardobe to complete the costume.

THIS is Disneyland for little girls!

What an amazing place! I love how the rides put you right into the sets from your favorite movies, all the way down to the details. The fireworks were outstanding! I loved watching Steamboat Willie and reminiscing on Main Street. I love how clean the park is. The popcorn was especially good. I love the music. It was great to meet the princesses, and the royal dinner - delicious! I love that when Abbie wandered off they jumped into immediate action. She was found in short order and we were told that not one child has ever gone missing from Disneyland; and when Paige ran through the gate as we left to go home the gatekeeper kept his eyes on her to make sure she was safe with her people. Abbie was a little bit shy with some of the characters. Paige was thrilled with the roller coasters. Mollie was able to nap in spite of all the hustle and bustle. All of us did things we wanted to do, including getting a good night's sleep after we dropped down exhausted into bed Saturday night. I got some great magnets for my kitchen and a glitter ball with The Sorcerer's Apprentice inside, but best of all is my Sorcerer's hat!

You could hear a pin drop...

Seminary this morning was one of those days where you think you've planned the lesson you were meant to plan but had no clue the effect it would have on the class.
I often use lesson plans from a website that is open to teachers who share their ideas. There is one teacher in particular who has contributed complete outlines that follow those prescribed in the manual but she has added object lessons, stories, games etc., to enhance the lesson and I most frequently use them. But as I was preparing last night I just couldn't get our already very slow computer to work. It would take forever to move to a new page (we're talking many minutes here). Heavenly Father usually helps me out with a measure of time management so that my lessons don't have to be the only thing I do with my day so I wondered if I should be going in another direction. I prayed about it and I immediately thought about how nice it would be to fill up the time watching a movie so I tried to think of something I'd seen before that would go with the lesson. I couldn't, so I asked Mark and he said he had a great one from his mission. He couldn't find it except on you-tube but while I waited for him to look he had this talk by Joseph B. Wirthlin that was good. As I listened to Elder Wirthlin I realized it was his talk that I should use. He talked about keeping on the strait and narrow. I finished my preparations with having them journal and then dividing the kids into groups for sharing what they found in their sections of 2 Nephi 31, and then I thought of closing with the words from Michael McLean's song, "One of the Ninety and Nine". What I didn't think of 'til I was sitting in Seminary listening to Elder Wirthlin was how his talk would be received by my students. What I had heard the night before was how it applied to me at that moment but to those kids I could hear a totally different perspective.
At 6 a.m. no one was there but me and one student. The second student arrived at 6:08. Most didn't get there until around 6:15. As we were waiting I asked about it and the first 2 said it was probably because of how tired they were.
We did the journaling, the groups and the sharing and then we listened to Elder Wirthlin. For them I heard him speak of how the Lord knows they are tired but he will support them in their endeavors. He encouraged them to keep going and not give in to feelings of inadequacy or weakness. He reminded them that God does not esteem others who seem better dressed, smarter or even more valiant any higher than He esteems them.
As I closed with the words of the song, you could hear a pin drop. The Spirit was strong in bearing witness to them just what they needed to receive. I could never have put this together on my own. Seminary is a miracle every day but today it outdid itself.

"I am one of the ninety and nine. I'm not perfect but basically I'm doin' fine. I have not lost my way, I have not gone astray I'm just one of the ninety and nine. And I'm here in the heart of the fold. I'm not mindless but I try to do as I'm told. I'm not tempted to run, and become the lost one. I'm just here in the heart of the fold. So why is my Shepherd coming this way towards me? He's holding His arms out and He's calling my name, yes He's calling my name. But how? How can this be? I'm just one of the ninety and nine. I've stumbled and fallen but I've kept in line. I'm not one He would seek, I'm not all that unique, I'm just one of the ninety and nine. So why is my Shepherd treating me like I'm his lost lamb. He's searching for me; and He's holding me now, yes, He's holding me now and He's teaching me who I am. So why am I feeling like I'm the only one here? It's like I'm His favorite. And He takes me aside, and He sweetly confides these remarkable words in my ear. He says, "You're one of the ninety and nine. Have you any idea how brightly you shine? You are safe in this fold and it's time you were told that I know where you've been, so I know where you'll be, because all of your life you've been following me. You are more than just one of the sands of the sea or one of the ninety and nine; you are mine. You are mine. Yes, you are mine, all mine." I am one of the ninety and nine."

Subway

How does anyone nowadays travel without Subway? Not THE Subway. That would be New York. No, I'm talking about the restaurant that does a healthy version of food-in-a-hurry. All up and down Highway 99 these stores have suddenly emerged as Americans become more health-conscious. Some even have a drive-up window. I love that I can stop for a salad or sandwich filled with fresh veggies when I can't be home at mealtime, and it looks like so does everyone else!
P.S. And did you know that you can take food into Disneyland with you? You probably did. Now we do, too.

Special Thanks

Tomorrow I am missing Seminary to do something with my family and I wish to recognize those who help make this possible. I have had the GREATEST substitutes teach Seminary for me and this little post is to thank them for their sacrifice of time (and sleep). My classes of students mean the world to me and I don't ask just anyone to do this. So I want them to know how I appreciate them for it. The list includes Bishop Brett Taylor, Bishop Kim Flora, Bishop Bill Adkins, Brian Brazil, Larry Flood, Cindy Hampton, Paul Reagan, Katy Winter, and Brother Lyman. Brother Lanning, Brother Rogers, Walter Hepworth, Shannon and Mark have also helped me with lessons and/or food as have various missionaries and returned missionaries to whom I am grateful. (And if I have left anyone out, please let me know!)

Very special thanks I wish to extend to my husband, David, for all the help he gives me, from setting up chairs to cooking reward breakfasts, and recording sound effects and the spoken word to successfully trouble-shooting with the video equipment. (And for his patience at home :)

I can hardly wait!

I'm going to Disneyland! Yes, I am! I haven't been there since I was in high school but that was only for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. I am going to Disneyland, and it has nothing to do with winning the Superbowl or any other great accomplishment except that I have a daughter who included us in their family vacation. We have gone to Great America a number of times and with many family members. We've also gone to Marine World/Africa USA and the Stienhart Aquarium, other museums, zoos, parks and beaches, but never to Disneyland.
David and I have talked about the idea of going sometime since we live so close to Anaheim and had thought it was about time, then Celeste said they were going and it would be fun if we all went together. I can hardly wait for tomorrow!