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...

  According to my Cryptogram puzzles Pope Francis said “God Never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving . . .” referring to the gift of Christmas, but I took it to another level and posted the following to the RS page: “ God never gives us gifts that we are not capable of receiving. He never gives us a calling that we are unable to fulfill. If we are willing and ask in faith for His loving guidance we can perform as an instrument in His hands. We can go from an unpopped kernal to desirable popcorn that we were meant to be. ” The last part of the quote comes from Ben Wilcox “Come Follow Me” lesson for next week ( here )           I know that there are people who struggle with their callings as they feel inadequate in the position due to their lack of knowledge or being able to relate to those they serve or those they serve with.   I do not foresee that in my current position or presidency, but I know when I was...

          Roland was watching a documentary the other day about the brain and its functions.   The first series was about the hippocampus and explained how sometimes our memories are distorted.   In other words, we sometimes remember details but do not relate them accurately, or else we are accurate but the memories are not our personal memories but rather someone else’s.   Examples that were used came from those who were affected by September 11, 2001 so much that they felt they had been there when the towers were struck and crumbled.   Sometimes our memories are fabricated.           I notice the “fabrication” each time Roland relates experiences about our marriage or when he relates memories of the boys.   He always tells it a bit differently until after a while it doesn’t sound like there's much truth to it.  But then again, I probably do that too - especia...

Ever since preschool, Jenna has had this unbelievable talent of being able to talk AND to listen at the SAME TIME! Who does that?  I could never work in telemarketing as I know I will have co-workers around me that will have louder voices than what I’ll attempt to be hearing over the phone.  I’ve always had a problem concentrating on one sound or voice when there is a louder sound penetrating my ears. I also find it hard to concentrate on speaking if my voice is in competition with other sounds. Last night Jenna asked if she could watch “What Would You Do?” as it is truly one of her favorite programs.  The entire time it was on, she was jabbering at me – telling me about different friends, certain plans, responding to whatever might ail her, personality traits . . . on and on.  The entire time she was talking to me, she would also respond to the T.V.  “No!  That isn’t right!  Why do people do that?” and then she would turn back to me, “. . . a...

            Currently I am taking two classes through the University and one for the library.  All three are online.  Currently two have to do with project charters.             I hadn't made the connection of the Grants Magic class being related to any of my schooling courses until after I contributed my thoughts to the discussion of my other charter class.  We were supposed to come up with a scenario in a situation gone wrong and how more productive it would have been to use a charter.  I had read some material and looked at countless videos and was still at a loss.  I sent a few links over to my husband and asked him to please review and dummy it down for me.   How would I possibly be able to explain how a charter would work for me if I haven't ever remembered using one before.              Roland ...

Randy has always been charismatic.   Often he has conned others out of favors based on his charm.   One time in fifth grade, someone dared him to wear a dress onto the playground.   Of course Randy needed incentive and said he’d do it for five dollars.   Randy wore the dress for the entire recess – but there had been a commotion about it.   Roland was called in and learned all what was involved.   Randy ended up having to give back the money on Roland’s orders. When the boys were older, we had a family home evening on the talents.   To each boy we gave 20 dollars and told them to go multiply.   Randy purchased 20 candles the following day.   He took his 20 candles from door to door and sold his one dollar candles for three dollars each.   And he would use his profits to purchase more candles until he had doubled his money and had made 40 dollars with the twenty. Jenna was a cute baby.   People would melt w...

           Each year in May the dual immersion students will put on a program with songs and dances in featured language.   Last year there were two students from the fourth grade who had hosted the program.   They may have in previous years, but last year was the first year I had noticed them. Jenna had come home last month to ask me what it means to “M.C.”   I told her M. C. stands for “master of ceremonies” and asked her why she had brought it up.   She said that she (along with another student) had been picked to M.C the dual immersion program performance. She said she wanted to learn some jokes to tell.   We went to the library and found three or four books that were either too “over the head” or just very lame.   And so she turned to the Internet and found four or five that she thought might work. She handed me an invitation earlier this week.   The performance for the parents was yesterda...

I remember having volunteered last year for the school fundraiser during which time the children held a talent show.    I don’t remember any talent shows in the years prior.   That didn’t mean they didn’t exist.   But I’m guessing last year may have been the first.            I don’t know how long it went for – at least two hours, I'm guessing.   It felt like it went on for longer than that.   And though there were a lot of truly talented children, it seemed there were some that needed work.   Kudos for them to having the guts to stand on stage and perform when some of it was actually somewhat difficult to watch without cringing            This years talent show has stipulations.   Only three acts or group of performers from each grade would be selected.   The time limit for each act is three minutes.       ...

My brother Corey has many talents.  One he started early on was with drawing comics.  He would entertain himself for hours on end drawing his comics and then reading them.            One year he received a giant drawing pad and a green ballpoint pen for Christmas.  He had filled the pad in less than two days.  By day three, the pen was out of ink.            One of his comic series I think was similar to “Spy Vs. Spy” - which eventually turned into a game between him and my brother Patrick, though it did not last long.           Patrick read one of Corey’s comic strips and imitated his style as he added to it and killed off the characters in different ways and Corey would always resurrect them.  Some of the deaths were challenging to overcome, but I think it was fun for both of them for a while.  ...

          We had a bear-sized dog come live with us before we were married and were moving Roland and the boys into the house.  He was an older dog who had come with his own name – but if he hadn’t, we would have named him Houdini as he was an escape artist.           The first year we lived in Kearns we had gone to a Cinco de Mayo [taste of Kearns] celebration.  The boys  (Randy specifically)  had wanted to enter Houdini  in a contest but didn’t know what category.  They ended up entering him in the fluffiest – we were among the first to arrive and hadn’t had the opportunity to see the one we knew would take first place.           Best trick really would have been the best option, but I don’t think the boys had a ball with them (as I recall we had just walked to the High School where the celebration had taken place) otherwise Ho...

We all have gifts and talents that are perhaps unique to other people, perhaps the same, perhaps what sets us apart. Some talents just seem to come naturally while others are mastered or simply given up on.  Unfortunately some talents go unrecognized or are lost due to lack of sharing.           Jenna is really great with math.  I pushed her into believing that it is awesome so that she might understand it on her own.  She starts third grade next year and I’m thinking it may become too complex for my brain.           Math is something I didn’t figure I would ever ask her brothers to assistance for. Math is just NOT their forte.  Actually I am more confident in my own math skills than I would ever be in Biff’s.  His talent lies within animal charmer and puzzle awareness.           Lately Jenna’s math homework has cons...