Beneath the Wraps

  Before “Come Follow Me” was introduced the Doctrine & Covenants was part of a Church history study – taught in order of time frame when the revelation was given.   Today we are taught chronologically – but it still helps to know one’s church history to know why the revelation was given.   Our goal is to find Jesus within the scriptures – not to dwell on church history.   We are also taught to teach by the Spirit – which I don’t think was the case today. I have a hard time resonating with the current gospel doctrine instructor – though I’m not alone.   I wanted to share a discovery on my part but did not get the opportunity as my comments seemed to be brushed aside.   The instructor – who normally thrives on class participation – wanted to back up to the lost manuscripts and introduce Oliver Cowdrey.   Okay, I admit that my comment was a wee bit ahead of where he wanted to start – but I didn’t like the direction of conversation as comments seeme...

       In September  Kevin had called Richard to ask if he would join him for a safety convention in San Diego.  Kevin paid for Richard's plane ticket - but Richard had to drive to the Portland airport. They both collected trinkets from the show and brought them home to share.       Richard had brought socks and tee shirts (the tees he had purchased in San Diego) and a stuffed whale for Jaime.  I remember taking pictures of the shirts and socks and asking Jai which she preferred.  I placed all items in a bag and added earbuds and a deck of cards to the mix.  I don't know why we missed giving it to her then - but somehow the entire bag of goodies got misplaced and was not retrieved until yesterday.     For Christmas she had asked for a letterman's jacket featuring "Five Nights at Freddy's".  It had been the only thing she had asked for.  There was a delay on shipment however and we were told that it woul...

                           Jai has collected playing cards over the years.                           She keeps at least one deck in her backpack or                          whatever else she might tote around.   She has                          several decks that include vintage, Harley Quinn,                          round cards, Batman, 3D dinosaurs, big foot, and                          Friends to name a few.   This year three more decks                   ...

           I know I make worse of situations inside of my head than how they really are – especially if I haven’t gotten a proper amount of sleep.  I know I shouldn’t be uptight and I know I shouldn’t dwell on what I can’t change – like missing dishes that have made their way out of the kitchen and haven’t been returned.  My imagination runs away with me and I get carried away – which reminds me this skit of Ernie returning a vacuum cleaner.            Often when I allow things to get out of hand the real life situation will have the opposite results and I find I have worked myself up for nothing.   Yesterday I had gone to the temple though Satan had done his best to keep me away.   After the session had ended Richard and I continued to Ashland to collect Jaime to bring her home for the next four days.   She presented me with a cup that has an owl on the side.   She said it was for my birthday (w...

                We had signed up to feed the missionaries at 4:00.  We watched “An American Christmas Carol” and Jenna and I took Bonnie for a walk.  I think we talked with all three boys before Roland started dinner.           Jenna says it’s tradition that we always have a breakfast meal for our Christmas Eve dinner.   So guess what the elders got? It wasn’t the traditional breakfast that we normally have.   Roland started cooking the meal just after 3:00.   Our meal consisted of steak, eggs, cornbread and hash browns with bacon. Three elders arrived shortly before 4:00.   We put Bonnie in my room and fed the elders in the back room where we have the tree. Jenna does not like steak and could have made a meal out of corn bread alone. I think she had at least four pieces. After the elders left we watched “Encanto” – well, Jenna did.   Roland and I watched part of...

          Last week I had taken Jenna to the church with me in order to wrap gifts for some members in the ward.  Another sister had dropped by the church to donate some games – which Jenna volunteered to take home.  I ’ m not really certain how that came about but we did end up with them.         Thursday night Jenna ’ s Sunday School teacher dropped off a candy filled sock.   Jenna added the small sock to our fireplace ; she said it would be for Bonnie.           It turned out to be a really nice Christmas.   Each of us had three gifts beneath the tree plus the two games we dubbed from Santa Clause. Traditionally we will first open our socks.   Jenna passed them out one at a time.   I noticed my sock was bulkier than it had been before I had gone to bed.   Gloves, toffee, a chocolate orange and a notebook had been added to what I had already put...

          Tossing and turning because I was hot.   It isn’t right for the weather to be so warm on my birthday – especially when you consider the start of the month was always overcast – sometimes raining.               The wind has been blowing – even though it’s been warm.   The winds have been cool – but not cool enough to keep us from turning on the A/C.             I finally left the room at 3:45.   Jenna said “Happy Birthday, mommy!”   quite loudly.   I’d forgotten it was my birthday – even though I had been reminded of it last night when I called the RS pres.  My stomach was growling.   I had a glazed doughnut as Roland had brought them home and we have to eat them before they go stale – right? Jenna bopped into the living room about 15 minutes later bearing gifts wrapped in Christmas paper.  I ...