When you ask the RIGHT questions

IAT = I am thankful

for answers
for friends who understand
and celebrate
for new focus
for a resolution

I've been asking a question, kind of, for several years. The question involves getting myself back home full time. That's enough detail. Each time I have set a goal to that end, when I get to the destination, the answer is clearly opposite of what I desire. That's been frustrating. My desire is something best, in the good, better, best scheme of things, but I've had to be satisfied with good.

It's been perplexing for sure. 

In the meantime, in my day to day desire to learn and grow, I've begun studying better financial habits. We've been applying that knowledge and it's exciting to see our progress toward our goals. A couple of weeks ago, it occurred to me, what my new goal should be. Then my question changed. I'm a fan of great questions, so I'm not sure how NOT having a good question got passed me. But it did.

Last week my question changed from WHEN CAN I _______ to WHAT MUST I DO TO _______?
When I asked that question, inspired answers came because I had prepared myself without even knowing. That's the beauty of doing what you can to follow the Best Source. He says:

But the Lord ^aknoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all ^bpower unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is.

I didn't know my answer was being prepared in advance of the question, but yee haw I'm glad it was. So, now that I have my question, and my answer, I have a goal and a focus. Hopefully, sooner than later, I can move from my good now, to a better process, to my end best goal. All because I changed from the wrong to the RIGHT question!

Week 2- Ifs, therefores, wherefores

IAT = I am thankful

for long talks with hubby
for friends
for the temple
for translation equipment
for warm fuzzy blankets

Week 2 covered chapters 8-15 of First Nephi.

Going back to last week, take notice of if/then and wherefore type verses. What do we learn in just these chapters from those kinds of words? Ok, I'm going back to chapter 1. Just some of them.

The first if statement we find is in chapter 2 at the end.

IF they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed.

In Chapter 3,

 Wherefore IF (they did not flee) they would also perish.

Verse 6,

Therefore thou shalt be favored because thou hast not murmured.

1 Nephi 4: 32, 33

If he would hearken unto my words, we would spare his life. (An important if!)

If he would go down to the wilderness with us, he would be a free man. 

There are parallels for us in those two ifs. IF we hearken unto the Lord He will spare us. If we allow Him to be with us in our wilderness, we can be FREE.

Verse 3,

An angel has spoken to you, WHEREFORE can ye doubt? (That's a head scratcher for sure)

Chapter 5, verse 4,

IF I had not seen the things of God, I would not have known the goodness of God and tarried and perished.

Chapter 7, this one should just be quoted.

12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all ^athings according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise ^bfaith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

IF we are faithful to him, we will obtain the land of promise.

If ye (hearken not, go against) ye will perish.

In the vision in chapter 8,

I partook of the fruit (and experienced it's joy) and wanted my family to partake.

 Chapter 9,

The Lord knows things from the beginning WHEREFORE he prepares a way to accomplish all His works. (Pretty amazing, that the way is prepared)

Chapter 10. GOOD stuff.

The way is prepared for all men IF they repent and come unto Him.

IF ye have sought to do wickedly, you are cast off forever.

WHEREFORE all men were lost and fallen, SAVE they rely on the Redeemer.

19 For he that diligently ^aseeketh shall find; and the ^bmysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the ^cHoly Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; WHEREFORE, the ^dcourse of the Lord is one eternal round.

THEREFORE remember all they doings, they shall be brought into judgment.

Chapter 11,

BECAUSE thou believest in the Son, WHEREFORE thou shalt behold.

Yea, it is the love of God, WHEREFORE it is most desirable above all things.

Chapter 13,

IF they endure to the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day.

WHEREFORE there are many plain and precious things taken away.

 WHEREFORE I will be merciful unto the Gentiles.

Chapter 14,

if the ^aGentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in ^bpower, in very deed, unto the ^ctaking away of their ^dstumbling blocks—

IF the Gentiles repent, it shall be well with them.

Wo unto them, IF they harden their hearts.

WHEREFORE, ^dwhoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the ^ewhore of all the earth.

Chapter 15,

IF ye will not harden your hearths, these things shall be made known to you.

IF they die in their wickedness, they must be cast off.

If their works are filthy, they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God.

WHEREFORE the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that ^djustice of which I have spoken.  

WHEREFORE, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that ^atree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most ^bdesirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the ^cgreatest of all the ^dgifts of God.

I hope that gives you some reasons to look for what I call indicator words. Important words that indicate something good is following. Don't forget BEHOLD either. :-)

Help NEEDED--Women

IAT = I am thankful

Inspired counsel from inspired leaders
Truth
Influential women I've known
Living prophets
The power and opportunity to BE an influence

I just finished reading the wonderful address by President Nelson from October 2015 General Conference. A Plea to My Sisters. It stood out profoundly to me the incredible list of what is needed in the women today to make a difference in our world.

He begins by quoting a favorite of mine by President Spencer W Kimball.

“Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world … will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.”⁵

Here is the list of everything needed during the "winding up scenes of the earth" from his talk. (Brings privileges and responsibilities)

*Your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, your voices.
*Women who make and keep sacred covenants, then keep them. Speak with the power and authority of God.
*Women who are organized, who can organize. With executive ability--plan, direct, administer, teach, speak out.
*Women with the gift of discernment. Who can view and detect popular trends that are shallow and dangerous.
*Women who know how to make important things happen by their faith. Who are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world.
*Women who are devoted to shepherding God's children. (ALL WOMEN can do this). Who know how to receive personal revelation, understand the power/peace of the temple endowment, know how to call upon the powers of heaven, teach fearlessly.
*Women who speak the things that come to heart and mind as directed by the Spirit.
*Your impressions, insights, inspiration. (We need you) to speak up/speak out in councils. Each married sister to speak as contributing and full partners.
*Married or single, all sisters possess distinctive capabilities and special intuition.
*YOUR STRENGTH.
*Women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ to teach and raise a sin-resistant generation.
*Women who can detect deception in all it's forms.
*Women who know how to access God's power who express beliefs with confidence and charity.
*Women with the courage of Mother Eve.

Feel overwhelmed? DON'T. "We" don't need THAT. Read the list several times. Read your patriarchal blessing. Which ones are gifts? Ask the Lord to strengthen them. Which ones are weaknesses? Ask the Lord to strengthen them. Choose some that you want to be better at, and DO THE WORK necessary to be strengthened. These kinds of attributes do not happen in a day. If you really want to be a woman of strength and power as President Nelson described, then MORE TIME has to be spent doing those things that will allow you to be what the Lord needs you to be in these final "hours and days" of His work.

If you sleep in, get up early. If you are afraid to speak, practice speaking. If you waste too much time on social media, replace it with study. SPEND TIME ON YOUR KNEES. If you aren't strong in doctrine, read the best books and talks. If you need more power in the word, spend more time in it. If you are absorbed in yourself, serve others. If you haven't been to the temple in months, write down a goal and keep it. If you aren't keeping the Sabbath, use it to do these things. YOU have complete power in becoming a woman of power that is needed. What are you waiting for? As President Kimball also used to say, "DO IT."

My Weekly Learning 1 Nephi

IAT = I am thankful

I get to teach SS
I have great students
The Spirit teaches
for many resources
for freedom to worship

I want to have a place where I keep all of my thoughts about what I learn each week teaching and being in class when the others teach the Book of Mormon.

Here are a few of the things I learned this week reading 1 Nephi 1-7.

The whole goodly parent thing in verse 1 of the first chapter always gets the attention, but I noticed this time the phrase,

"having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God."

I found the phrase interesting and wondered what kinds of experience Nephi had as a boy that taught him the goodness and mysteries of God. What things in life have taught me about the goodness of God? How am I studying to understand His mysteries?

We only get nine verses into the Book of Mormon before we see the first reference to Jesus Christ. He was seen as One whose luster was above the brightness of the sun at noon-day. Lehi also saw God on His throne, twelve others who were likely His apostles, and a book that he read many things out of.

The chapter closes with Nephi's testimony of the tender mercies of the Lord and the power He gives for deliverance.

In Chapter 2, the family has left Jerusalem and it's wickedness and after 3 days they build and altar, offer sacrifices and give thanks. This happens three times in these 7 chapters. I love that in spite of leaving comfort and riches, and taking to the wilderness and tents, there is still a spirit of gratitude. What a great example for us that when we make sacrifices or life turns differently, that we can still be grateful.

We begin to see already that Nephi and Sam, and Laman and Lemuel are very different types.

Nephi believed, L and L did not. Nephi knew he had good parents, L and L murmured. Nephi went to the Lord for understanding. L and L knew not the dealings of the Lord. Nephi was willing to go and do. L and L complained they had been asked to do a hard thing. Nephi refused to return without the plates even after failure. L and L wanted to give up at first failure. Nephi knew the Lord was mightier than Laban. L and L doubted the Lord could deliver them.

Who are we most like? Do we murmur or believe? It was pointed out in class today that L and L followed, and to a degree did what they were asked. But it was surface obedience. Nephi was willing to go the step further. Why? Did he not have doubts, fears, grumblings in his heart? Apparently he did. Verse 16 tells us.

wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did ^bvisit me, and did ^csoften my heart that I did ^dbelieve all the words which had been spoken by my ^efather; wherefore, I did not ^frebel against him like unto my brothers.

Nephews heart needed softening too. He cried unto the Lord until his heart was softened and he no longer had a desire to rebel. I can imagine with two older brothers complaining, it was probably hard not to feel the same way. Nephi took those thoughts and feelings to the appropriate place. Do we?

In verse 20, we see a patter of if then, in this case stated as "inasmuch." I think it's important to pay attention to these kinds of statements and what can be learned from. They might also start with an if or a wherefore. Here is the most important one for our story. It *IS* the story after all.

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall ^aprosper, and shall be led to a ^bland of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

Chapter 3 introduces us to the first of hundreds of questions in the Book of Mormon. The angel asks an informative question. Why are you beating your brother? Only moments later AFTER SEEING THE ANGEL, Laman and Lemuel ask a boneheaded doubt question. How is the Lord going to deliver Laban into our hands? Flipping the page to chapter 4 Nephi asks a faith question. The Lord is mightier than the earth, then why not mightier than Laban? Then when trying to convince Zoram not to flee and making an oath and explaining the Lord had commanded them to seek the brass plates, Nephi asks the brilliant question we should all be asking.

shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord? 

Chapters 4 and 5 taught me that we should be looking for repetition.  4 times in 4 and 4 times in 5 a word or it's variation occurs. In chapter 4 the word is deliver and in chapter 5 it's preserve. Doesn't the repetition imply (it does to me) that the Lord will not only deliver and preserve those in the story, but us as well? In this case, it would be the plates of brass with their scripture, history, genealogy, and teachings of the Lord that would preserve the people as much as they would listen to them.

In chapter 6 we get Nephi's intention for keeping the records.

that I may ^apersuademen to ^bcome unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

Chapter 7 gives us an example of Nephi's character. After asking his brothers a series of how is it questions (how is it that ye have forgotten?), he is bound by his brothers and threatened to abandon him to wild beast or kill him. He asks for help and when he received it and the situation is finally under control and they ask his forgiveness, he "frankly" forgives them. Are we so willing to forgive? These are my highlights I took away this week. I don't imagine many will be interested, but it's mostly for my own benefit. :-)


Here were my study questions for the lesson, most of which we did not get to explore in class due to shortness of time.

Why did Lehi leave Jerusalem? (Read 4 and 6. He has a vision. What does he see?

•Read 19-20. Why did the people of Jerusalem reject the message of Lehi and other prophets? (Read 2: 12-13) What was Laman and Lemuel’s response?  How do WE rebel against the Lord and His servants? How did Nephi respond to his father’s message? (Read 2: 16.) What do we learn from Nephi and others examples?

•What did the Lord promise Nephi if he would obey the commandments? (See 1 Nephi 2:19–20, 22.) What did the Lord promise would happen to Laman and Lemuel if they rebelled? (See 1 Nephi 2:21, 23–24.) Do the same promises apply to us, how?

Do you think it was a sacrifice (moving to the wilderness)? What sacrifices have you made to be obedient to the Lord? How have you been blessed as you have made such sacrifices?

Do we give thanks to our Heavenly Father even when the experience may be a sacrifice?

•What were the blessings from Lehi’s obedience?

Read 3: 5 and 7, What was the difference between Nephi and L and L’s response? How would you have responded?

•In verses 1 Nephi 3:3, 19–20; 4:15–16; we are given the reasons for obtaining the brass plates. What are they?  Turn to Mosiah 1:3–7.) Read. What does Mosiah confirm about the importance of the plates? How are our own records important? Are we keeping them?

Read Verse 3 of 4, Wherefore can ye doubt? What witnesses do we have in our own life that testifies of the Lord’s power in our lives, and then we doubt. Wherefore can ye doubt?

•What are some situations in which we might need to be “led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [we] should do”? (1 Nephi 4:6). What can we learn from Nephi’s words: “Nevertheless I went forth”? (1 Nephi 4:7).

•Nephi is reluctant, but the Spirit constrains him to slay Laban. How did this prepare the way for him as we read in 3: 7? Does anyone have a similar experience of the Lord preparing a way for you?

•Why was an oath important in these verses? An oath is a sworn affirmation to be true and faithful to one’s promises. Why is it important that we be known as people who keep our word? How important should the oaths and covenants we make in the temple be?

•How do we show faith like Nephi? (Shall we not be diligent)

Are we doubting? Asking how is it possible?

•What did the brass plates contain? (See 5: 11 through 16)  

•What prophecies did Lehi make about the brass plates? (Read 5: 18 and 19) How are these prophecies being fulfilled?

What did Nephi say would happen if they continued in the wilderness and were faithful to the Lord? What did he say would happen if they returned to stay in Jerusalem? (See 1 Nephi 7:13–15.)

What was their response? How did Nephi handle the situation? Read Verse 21.

•What qualities did Nephi conitnually exhibit in his dealings with his brothers? How can we demonstrate these qualities in our relationships?

Merry Christmas once again--2015

IAT = I am thankful

for another good year
for all well and healthy
for a home and a comfy bed
for children
for Jesus

Merry Christmas 2015

It was a busy but good year in our home. Not much excitement but plenty to keep us going.  We started the year with one more family member. Joseph married Mallory Placencia.

 

 

 

Jefferson got a mission call to Oklahoma, Oklahoma City in January and left in April. He's been there eight months now. He loves teaching and working and inviting people to come unto Christ.

 with his mission president and wife

 putting on the armor of God. :-)

helping someone with a stove installation

New friends (I don't have permission to share, that's why their faces are blocked out)

Joseph was in a play that was nominated for the Kennedy Center for the Arts regional competition. Our local junior college was chosen over hundreds of universities and colleges in the Southwest. They had a great competition and did very well. This summer, he and Mallory moved to Idaho where they have been working. Mallory started BYU Idaho and Joseph is starting in January.

 

Christopher graduated from ASU. Anica has been doing online marketing for a clothing company so we often get to see lovely pictures of her in their clothing. She started her Masters degree in business at ASU. They have traveled to some fun places as a couple, including a trip to England to visit our niece and her husband before they came home to the states.

 

I think this picture in London should be on a travel poster. I love it.

It seems impossible but Emily is a senior this year and turned 18. I am not sure where the time went. She is probably the world's easiest teen. She likes to hang out with her friends and laugh. I've been able to take her and friends on a couple of road trips. We also went to see Wicked together. Emily is in her last season of basketball and getting ready to figure out her future. We will miss her when she goes.(Even though she might live at home.)

Andrew is building his business at Allstate and Elizabeth stays home with Charity and babysits. We get to see them regularly because they live close by. It's fun to watch our grandgirl grow.

 

 

Halloween.

Olivia turned 12 this year when we weren't looking. She's moved out of Primary into Young Women. She remains a fun, happy, creative girl. Her art skills are really coming along. You can see the face she did in the picture below. I'll add a closeup of something soon. Our children are growing up!

 Halloween party

 With Tobe at a beautiful spot on our property she discovered.

She likes to go to the temple with me.

Noah is last this year but not least. He's 15 and will have his permit soon. I wish he were 16 a lot! I need another driver. :-) He sings, acts, is smart, and extremely helpful. When he isn't pestering Olivia he's opening doors for her. He's been in two plays this year and had a lead and a solo. He's a great kid.

shoulder angel

Rocking out in Oztentacious

Bret and I are realizing how fragile time really is. And fleeting. We'll be down to two children after this year. Bret is still teaching Institute. He serves in our ward bishopric which is similar to a co-pastorship. He likes to tinker around the yard and shop. We like going for 4x4 and 4 wheeler drives. We like camping and traveling when we get the opportunity. I loved teaching the New Testament this year in Sunday School. Next year is Book of Mormon. I love studying and learning more. I feel this position is helping me to grow more than any other I've had. I have become so grateful for the messages in the old and new testaments. The Bible is truly a book of love. The same message of love and hope and faith is also in the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for my simple life. I make it more complicated than it has to be. This year may see me slowing my real estate business and shifting into personal and professional development. One day at a time, one step at a time, we'll see where we are led. It's strange to now be looking at retirement which we know is just around the corner.

No idea what that little square is.

From our hearth to yours. Merry Christmas

We just finished the book of Revelation in SS. I love these verses. 

Merry Christmas, may it be all of our lots. 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more ^adeath, neither ^bsorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more ^cpain: for the former things are passed away. He that ^aovercometh shall ^binherit ^call things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my ^dson." Revelation 21: 4, 7

A few more pictures from some of our fun this year.  We went to a local cave that had a fun history. The locals were swindled out of money by a man with a big story. Emily was ducking the dive bombing bats.

 

 We rented a cabin this Summer and had some fun.

 

Noah and Olivia are home schooling this year. 

Olivia and I went to the pumpkin patch and corn maze.

 One of our highlights was playing with hummingbirds at a friend's house. HUNDREDS of them!

 Anica and Chris took us to a Zac Brown concert.

 We went camping in a huge new tent. We can't wait to do that more.

 

Went on a girls trip with my cousin to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and meteor crater.