Our Savior, Our Guide, Our Light

 

The Church is full of imperfect people who are often called to positions they don’t want.  Some people will say “No’ when they are called to a position that they may feel inadequate to serve and some will say “No” to callings they really don’t want.  Many callings are given to the individual so that he or she may learn and grow possibly more than those they are serving.  We grow by the Spirit.  Hopefully we all may rely on the Spirit to guide us.  We are given so many opportunities to do so.

Recently I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting.  I started with two hikes on which to use as outlines.  The first happened during a family trip to Arco Idaho almost 40 years ago.  On average the wind in Arco blows 8-10 miles and I would imagine mirrors the season.  It was June and the winds were warm to an already scorching temperature.  The big draw in Arco, Idaho is The Craters of the Moon Monument.

There was an unguided walk tourists could take on a trail that went from one side of the landscape to the other.  Everything looked exactly the same in the eyes of my family and other spectators we had passed.  We could have just stayed in the parking lot and saw it all without having left the car. 

We would pass others who would ask if it was worth the walk (or hike – whatever it was).  Yes, the Lava ruminants were cool, but my family didn’t think it was worth the walk. I don’t recall any words of encouragement except those of my brother whose attitude was more of “if I’m going down I’m taking someone with me” Again, we had no guide.

I then recounted Emily Belle Freeman’s experience with her hike around Lake Powell (see this post counter 1709) in which she relates encouraging words from a guide who knew the way.  I compared this to our guide in Jesus Christ.  I then returned my focus back to Craters of the Moon. There are caves beneath the lava flow – perhaps impressive but I don’t know.  Those who explore the caves need to come prepared with something much brighter than a disposable flashlight or a birthday candle.  I suggested bringing a devise that carried the strength of the sun/son.

Each of us are in a different place in our lives.  Some members seem to carry the strength of the sun as they are able to teach a lesson at only a moment’s notice while others struggle just to focus on the light of a birthday candle and not on the darkness that may surround them.  We are from different walks of life and rely on the Spirit in different ways. 

I concluded my talk with encouragement to stay focused on the light. 

Myrtle and Creek

           The day we cleaned the shed two black chickens appeared – as though they had been living there and we destroyed their home.  They weren’t.  I have no idea where the two birds came from.  One was pretty much smaller than the other.  Normally Jaime has given names to all the animals that have come into our yard.  But she was not yet up.  Richard named the larger of the birds Myrtle and the smaller one he named Creek.

          We managed to keep Bonnie away from them during the morning.  I don’t know whose yard they had come from or why they chose to stay.  I let Bonnie out after 4:00.  I had forgotten about the chickens until I noticed her attacking Myrtle’s corpse. 

           Poor Creek seemed lost without her companion.  Richard would take Bonnie out and put her on a chain.  I don’t have the strength for the hook.  It has rusted over the years. I did manage to save Creek’s life a few times but failed today. 

           I feel bad at how their lives ended.  I feel helpless in the animal kingdom.  RIP Myrtle and Creek.

Maintenance

 

         For a week now we have been touching up our house.  The deck REALLY needed a make- over.  I don’t think it’s been painted/stained for two or three years.  It NEEDED a fresh coat of something.  And Richard was concerned about the trim facing west as it also needed a fresh coat of paint in his opinion.  Honestly no one is going to notice.  Nobody ever goes back there – especially to look at the shutters.  But whatever.  So here are some things we have done.

 

we painted the chairs after this photo was taken

clean up

          I thought I had posted about our make-shift shed that we made from the tarp of a greenhouse kit.  Richard built the frame to last – but the tarp did not.  It started out with good intentions but became more of an eye sore each time it was moved.  And so much junk accumulated over the years.  We took that down today.  It was a lot of work as Richard had built it to last.  Took us a couple of hours and whacking at it with a sludge hammer.   Made a trip to the dump.  It’s been exhausting.

JOY is an Acronym

 Jesus,  Others,  Yourself          -         in that order

Palm Sunday on Temple Square

 

Last night watched the most beautiful service spotlighting Palm Sunday.  An integration of faiths.

 I remember having gone to the tabernacle on Temple Square.  I didn’t visualize that I would have ever witnessed anything like this.  Pretty cool.

Conference Memories

                I think before the last two conferences (at least the October ones) Jaime has created Bingo cards that we might pay closer attention.  One year she picked a specific General Authority would wear a red tie.  I just had “red tie” on my Bingo card – no one specific.  I would not have even thought about the Bingo card except Dieter Uchtdorf was wearing a bright green tie which I liked.  I would have never guessed that a green tie would be worn.  Nor a lilac/orchid colored one with a circle/sun type pattern (that was worn by Gary E. Stevenson) followed by Amy Wright wearing a colorful orange suit.  I actually lost track after that – not that it’s important.  I didn’t lose sight of the message each had to convey.  It has been a really good conference thus far.

            Dale G. Renlund talked about being prepared and how the topic of the “last days” often make people uncomfortable.  I am one of those people.  Never have enjoyed of hearing about events that will take place.  But in my mind’s eye, I really thought I’d be on the other side.  I don’t like what Trump is doing to our nation.  Sign of the times.  But there are things he can’t control.  No matter how much he and his followers may want to deny evidence of global warming – he cannot control the weather. 

            I took comfort in his talk as I related in my own mind the events of resurrection – how the stone had rolled away.  It didn’t matter how many soldiers were placed to guard the tomb – the resurrection was going to take place.  The stone rolled away.  Those who were supposedly in charge could not change the elements or the events that occurred.  Same with the last days.  If we are prepared things will work out – maybe not the way we expect, but they will work out.

            Jaime is currently at a lake house with a group of her friends.  The nerds who graduated South Umpqua High in 2022.  I think it’s cool that they continue to make arrangements to hang out together.  It has been nearly three years since they left high school.  I enjoy watching conference with Jaime.  I miss having her here – but at the same time I understand.  She’s celebrating her 21^st birthday.  I hope she has an awesome weekend.

 

Preparing for Easter

 

Richard signed up for cookies for a refreshment after our Easter service.  Of course we had to trial run: