President Henry B. Eyring
Inklings
"Facing Our Spiritual Hurricanes"
Sean Douglas
Mark 9:14-29
Matthew 11:28-30
2 Kings 5:1-17
I had planned on getting up at 6 to finish preparing for the presentation Brother Applegate asked us to do in Sunday School today but I slept right through until 7. I got the paper "The Works of Abraham" out and filled in the blanks. It looks something like this:
James, Sheri, Evan, Rowan and I all walked in to sacrament meeting together. The first person to speak to me was Wendy DeWitt. She said she had heard we were sick and acted concerned. I told her we were much better. Wendy never used to talk to me but since I made her a cake for her birthday and delivered it to her she has been super nice to me. It's nice to have her for a friend.
We were going to sit up near the front of the chapel but with the seating every other row, we couldn't find anything so we went to the back overflow. The chapel was full because this is a holiday weekend.
Bishop conducted today and he had his son Colter give the youth talk and his wife Alicia give the next talk.
Colter Hunsaker - The roles of the Holy Ghost: 1) bears witness of the Father and the Son 2) reveals the truth of all things, 3) sanctifies those who have repented and become baptized, 4) He is the Holy Spirit of Promise.
Alicia Hunsaker - Found a talk in her files that she gave in 1995 and is using it today because she thought the bishop was joking when he asked her to talk and she didn't leave herself any time to prepare. Alicia spoke about the temple and temple worship. Ezra Taft Benson story of when he was a boy seeing his mother ironing her temple robes. She told him about the temple and he could tell how important it was to her. This stuck with him throughout his life. She also quoted from a talk by Boyd K. Packer in 1995, The Holy Temple. Elder Packer also wrote a book called The Holy Temple. I have it and have read it. Alicia then told about going with the Grombachs to do baptisms on Friday.
Brother Webb from the High Council - The stake theme for this month is Hearing Christ through prophets and pure revelation. The featured talks are Elder Renlund's "The Peace of Christ Abolished Enmity", and Elder Soares, "The Savior's Abiding Compassion."
Brother Webb used Elder Renlund's talk for the basis of his talk.
"When the love of Christ envelops our lives, we approach disagreements with meekness, patience, and kindness."
The pandemic is a spiritual stress test. We need to be ministering in a higher and holier way. John 13:34-35: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Cease to be contentious: 3 Nephi 11:30 - Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away. 4 Nephi 1:18 - And how blesed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land. 4 Nephi 1:16 - And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
Unity requires effort. What can I do to foster unity? How can I help others to draw closer to Christ? Even former enemies can be united in Christ, example of the Russians and Finish people at the dedication of the Helsinki temple. D&C 38:27 - Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
After sacrament meeting Sheri, Evan, and Rowan went back to the cabin. I introduced myself to the brother behind us with two small children. His name is Kent Frost. He is here visiting but they have a place up here. I did not see a wife. Brother Frost did come to Sunday School and obviously took his two children to Primary.
I sat in the front row by Sandra Wilhelm during Sunday School. She said she wanted to be like me and know the scriptures like I do. She said I was so smart. I told her I wasn't smart, just old, and I said I would like to be like her, which is true. She is the mother of ten children and she is so kind and patient with them.
Brother Applegate introduced the lesson and then James went up and introduced Abraham and the Abrahamic covenant. I was up next and use the Works of Abraham paper to start a discussion about Abraham and his character traits. I felt like it went well and afterwards Brother Applegate thanked us for our part in the lesson.
James and I spoke with a couple who have land by the Hunsaker's. Their last name is Minharo. When we told them we had lived in Chandler for over 40 years Sister Minharo, Katie, said her dad lived in Chandler. Reed Brown is her dad. James was his Deacon's quorum advisor and Priest quorum advisor. His mom is Theola Crawford, another old friend from Chandler. She is 97 years old and lives in Sun Lakes. It's a small world. Also, Rowan knows their son, he has a class with him. They live near Signal Butte and Williams Field, just south of Darrel and Trina.
As we were leaving Brother and Sister Grombach approached us and asked if we would be willing to teach them the temple prep classes. Sister Judy Hunter, a single sister, is the teacher but Sister Grombach thinks Willie would be more comfortable with James as a teacher. He did some work on the fence for James and that's when they got to know each other. We said we would love to if it was all right with the bishop. Jana, Sister Grombach, assured us they had his permission.
When we got home Sheri was making mac and cheese for lunch. James and I both had some. After lunch the boys were watching The Office. James came over and said to me, "should I make them turn it off.?" I said that's up to you...and then he walked away. About that time Sheri, who was at the puzzle table said, "boys, I don't think this show is appropriate for you to watch. Could you please turn it off." Thank you Sheri. The boys turned it off and went outside.
I took a nap and then got up and finished Sheri's cake, making whipped cream frosting and putting the cake together. It didn't look very professional but it sure tasted good. We sang happy birthday to Sheri and everyone had a piece of cake, including James.
My first attempt at using ganche and
that is what made the cake look so
amateurish. It was way too think,
but again, it tasted good.
The boys rode the Razr in the mud and they got it muddy, themselves and their clothes muddy, and the blankets they used muddy.
Sheri finished her puzzle, James indexed, and this evening after pizza and taquitos for dinner, Sheri and I went into the bedroom and watched the latest episode of Aurora Teagarden, "The Haunted House." Probably not appropriate for the Sabbath.
My most favorite picture of
Scarlett ever!
Not feeling well.
Beauty dress and a tent
One candle because you are #1
on your birthday
Getting ready to sing to Sheri
No picture!
