I read this story this morning that made me cry. It was a good cry. It's called "Epiphany in The Elm Tree" and is taken from the book 'Walking on Water' by Michael Wilcox. The story is about him.
"The first real testimony I had of Jesus came when I was a little boy about seven years old. I was sitting in a sacrament meeting with my mother who had a beautiful singing voice. The sacrament hymn that day was 'More Holiness Give Me.' Normally I wasn't too interested in sacrament meeting. I was wanting to get back home, to The Wonderful World of Disney and the Ponderosa ranch on bonanza, so I fidgeted through sacrament meeting. But for some reason as I listened to my mother sing "More Holiness Give Me," the words of the hymn began to fill an empty place in my heart that was reserved only for sacred and special things Nothing had ever touched that spot in my heart before, but those words went in and touched that spot. When she came to the line, "more longing for home," I was filled with an intense homesickness for a place - but more for a Being, for two Beings. Then I heard the last line, "More, Savior like thee," and I knew somehow that the secret to my returning to that place and to those beings that I longed for was to be "More, Savior, like thee." In my little-boy heart, I wanted to be like him. I went home that afternoon to the elm tree that grew in our front yard. I climbed up into it and sat there in the leaves and I quietly sang that song over and over again to myself. I so dearly wanted to go home. I wanted to be like Jesus so that I could go home.
When I read this story I think of the innocence of little children and how they really are more like the Savior than any of us. This little boy had an opportunity to feel the Spirit because he was in the right place at the right time and it profoundly affected his life forever. It reminds me of the great responsibility we have to help our children feel of the Savior's love for them. I needed this story today because it was one of those trying days where minor irritations become major inconveniences. It started out with our printer. We spent $54 on ink yesterday and now the darn things won't print. I tried all my tricks and after about an hour I gave up.
We had taken our car to Erik's this morning because he was going to put on new back brakes. He couldn't find the wheel lock so James went to Discount Tire to see if they had it. No they didn't. I drove to Chandler Lexus and they a set of wheel locks but they didn't have the one for my car so I ended up driving to Scottsdale to pick one up. Another minor irritation, my CD player won't work. After making the trip to Scottsdale and picking up the wheel lock which we have to have before going to Texas in case we have a flat tire, my day got better.
James and I finished "The Hunter's Moon" today and I was right, Holly went home on American Idol.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Taking a "Sponge Bob" break while playing light sabres.
This afternoon we had a rainstorm come up very quickly. The wind blew and the rain pounded. It was wonderful although I guess some places the electricity went out and trees fell over. The nice thing about rain is it cools the temperature down and give everything a good soak so I don't have to water! James and I got a hankering for chocolate and went out in the middle of it to make a trip to Fry's.
For lunch today we went early to Rudy's to finally use our $20 worth of Rudy bucks. I got the pulled pork. It was delicious. I also got peach cobbler for us to share. James didn't like it which meant I had to eat it all by myself.
Watched American Idol. I think Holly is going to go home tomorrow night.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
James and I had lunch at Applebee's today. I had their shrimp and spinach salad which is really very tasty. I wanted to get in my veggies for the week. Why do so many of my posts involve food? Because I love to eat so much!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Erik and Amelia Lambson are the proud parents of a baby boy born this morning at 12:38 am. His name is Oliver Wesley Lambson and he weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz. Here is a picture.
I had an appointment with my rheumatologist, Dr. Caldron today. It was a routine check up and an opportunity for them to take my blood. Afterwards I went to Costa Vida and picked up some dinner for James and I. I also got some sweet pork tacos for Stacy but I forgot that she only likes them with lettuce and they had tomatoes and onion so she wouldn't eat them even if I scraped the onions and tomatoes off.
James and I finished watching the 2nd season of Downton Abbey. Now we have to wait for January for the 3rd season.
I had an appointment with my rheumatologist, Dr. Caldron today. It was a routine check up and an opportunity for them to take my blood. Afterwards I went to Costa Vida and picked up some dinner for James and I. I also got some sweet pork tacos for Stacy but I forgot that she only likes them with lettuce and they had tomatoes and onion so she wouldn't eat them even if I scraped the onions and tomatoes off.
James and I finished watching the 2nd season of Downton Abbey. Now we have to wait for January for the 3rd season.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Today as part of my gospel study I read the Sunday School lesson for the Book of Mormon gospel doctrine class. Today's lesson covered Mosiah chapters 7-11 and the title was" A Seer...Becometh a Great Benefit to His Fellow Beings." Of course the seer referred to here is King Mosiah the 2nd. Jen Coffey was our teacher today and I love her style of teaching. One of the main purposes of the lesson was to encourage us to follow the counsel of Church leaders, particularly those whom the Lord has called as prophets, seers, and revelators. It was a good lesson.
James and I fasted today for three family members in particular that we fell are in need of spiritual help. Dallin bore his testimony today in sacrament meeting. He has a good testimony and the ability to express himself very well.
During Relief Society and Priesthood Sheri and I went in to the Teacher's Quorum where James set Alex apart as a Teacher. Michael was there too. The blessing James gave was very special and powerful and the spirit was strong. He told him to be a leader and a peacemaker in his home. And he said that the reason we are here on earth is so that we can serve others. James and Alex have a very close bond.
Tonight we had FHE with our children and grandchildren. It went something like this: We listened to "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" and then Max gave the opening prayer. James did a demonstration on how to get from birth to eternal life. He blindfolded Addy and asked her to go towards the eternal life sign. He twirled her around which was very confusing and of course she couldn't find her way. Next her gave her a rope to hang on to and she had no difficulty in finding her way. He related this to the iron rod and how if we hold to it we can find our way back to Heavenly Father and Jesus. We discussed the Tree of Life symbols and their meaning and then I expressed my love for the Book of Mormon. Rowan was especially interested tonight and answered many of the questions.
After the lesson we went outside and roasted marshmallows and made smores.
Those attending: James, myself, Stacy, Adam, Dallin, Michael, Joshua, Kim, Joe, Sheri, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan and Ruby.
James and I fasted today for three family members in particular that we fell are in need of spiritual help. Dallin bore his testimony today in sacrament meeting. He has a good testimony and the ability to express himself very well.
During Relief Society and Priesthood Sheri and I went in to the Teacher's Quorum where James set Alex apart as a Teacher. Michael was there too. The blessing James gave was very special and powerful and the spirit was strong. He told him to be a leader and a peacemaker in his home. And he said that the reason we are here on earth is so that we can serve others. James and Alex have a very close bond.
Tonight we had FHE with our children and grandchildren. It went something like this: We listened to "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" and then Max gave the opening prayer. James did a demonstration on how to get from birth to eternal life. He blindfolded Addy and asked her to go towards the eternal life sign. He twirled her around which was very confusing and of course she couldn't find her way. Next her gave her a rope to hang on to and she had no difficulty in finding her way. He related this to the iron rod and how if we hold to it we can find our way back to Heavenly Father and Jesus. We discussed the Tree of Life symbols and their meaning and then I expressed my love for the Book of Mormon. Rowan was especially interested tonight and answered many of the questions.
After the lesson we went outside and roasted marshmallows and made smores.
Those attending: James, myself, Stacy, Adam, Dallin, Michael, Joshua, Kim, Joe, Sheri, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan and Ruby.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
We left for Chandler around 10am and said goodbye and "have fun" to Brian and Joe. Of course we were hungry for green chili burros so we stopped at Burger House for lunch. When we got home we began our fast. This is our home in Chandler.
This evening I attended the Chandler Relief Society Centennial Celebration at the Chandler Center for the Arts with my sisters-in-law Cathi and Laura. There was a reception in the lobby before the program where displays were set up. My favorite display was a 50's kitchen done by a sister in our ward, Hillary Whalen. The two refreshment tables were the most beautiful I've ever seen with all kinds of goodies including cake pops, mini cupcakes and sugar cookies. Also there was a special punch receipe from Ada Jones's receipe file. Ada has been gone for several years now but she is one of the great Relief Society sisters from Chandler. The punch was called Ada Jones's Grapefruit Punch. Ada was one of my first visiting teachers when we moved to Chandler. As a former member of the General Relief Society board we always looked to her for counsel and advice. A very wise woman indeed. I suppose because I have served in Relief Society in Chandler for over 40 years they gave me a flower corsage and a Relief Society apron. I was there with some of the great ones, Kathryn Ethington, Betty Bogle, Beverly Parris, Lora Willis, June Bueler, and Carolyn Schnepf just to name a few. The program was written by my dear friend Karen Bland and it was wonderful with lots of singing and dancing and cute skits. Sherri Holtey made a power point presentation with old pictures and they had one of me from the 80's with my "owl" glasses. It was a wonderful evening and brought back lots of great memories. I have made so many wonderful friends here in Chandler!!
This is the 50's kitchen display and a funny picture of Hillary and her family taken on Cinco de Mayo.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
May the 4th be with you.
Worked on preparing FHE for our kids and grandkids this morning. I am giving a lesson on "The Tree of Life." I also read from my Michael Wilcox book "Walking on Water." I love reading and studying the gospel.
James and I went into town today to shop at our favorite stores. He went to Home Depot and I went to Walmart. Afterwards we picked up pizzas at Papa John's. I read to him from the Hunters Moon on the way home.
James put knobs on the cabinet doors in the kitchen today. They look so nice. I finished emptying all the boxes I brought up this week. We also watched several episodes of "Downton Abbey". We are becoming addicted. Once we are finished with season two we will have to wait until January to see season 3 which will be televised on PBS television.
Brian and Joe got here a little before 10pm.
Can you believe I am reading the book to James. The picture is deceiving. It's really quite harmless.
James and I went into town today to shop at our favorite stores. He went to Home Depot and I went to Walmart. Afterwards we picked up pizzas at Papa John's. I read to him from the Hunters Moon on the way home.
James put knobs on the cabinet doors in the kitchen today. They look so nice. I finished emptying all the boxes I brought up this week. We also watched several episodes of "Downton Abbey". We are becoming addicted. Once we are finished with season two we will have to wait until January to see season 3 which will be televised on PBS television.
Brian and Joe got here a little before 10pm.
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