"Oh remember, remember . . . I urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God's kindness."

President Henry B. Eyring

Monday, December 29, 2008

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Video

I'm so grateful to have a testimony of Jesus Christ! I want to keep Christmas in the way that would make Him happy! In the way that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints keeps Christmas! This video is beautiful, and it's real! Merry Christmas I love you all!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Merry Cowboy Christmas!

Roy Rogers and . . .

Dale Evans on Buttercup!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Come What May And Love It

Elder Wirthlin passed away today. What a wonderful man. I used his talk from conference last month for my visiting teaching message. I love his message because it is something I am only beginning to understand and barely trying to implement in my life. Ron can handle adversity like this. So can Becky. At Becky's wedding breakfast her father paid her the highest compliment when he said to her new husband, "Zak, I want you to know that when things go wrong (and they surely will) I can think of no one I would rather be with than Becky!" He then went on to tell the story of their camping trip on the top of a mountain. They had back-packed in and set up camp barely before it began to rain. And then all night long it rained and it was cold and the water seeped in. Finally about 4:00 a.m. their tent collapsed with the weight of sleet and snow. It was pitch black outside and they could do nothing but wait until dawn to pack up and hike out. So, the two of them laughed and told stories as their teeth chattered and they continued to get wet. Instead of complaining and gripping Becky eased the load. Ron felt bad enough that his daughter was in this miserable situation. I love that she can do that!

I'm trying so hard to be more like Ron and Becky! (He taught her how) what an example they are to me. I'm grateful that he has put up with me all these years when I have not responded as well. In my family growing up everyone's glass was always half empty and I saw Elder Wirthlin's comments literally played out on a daily basis growing up. He said:

"Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?

There is an antidote for times such as these: learn to laugh."

I have observed both Ron and Becky say, "Well, you can't change it anyway, might as well make the best of it!"

I think I am able to understand this whole concept better, because I am learning to be grateful! Several years after Robert died my Relief Society President challenged me to count my blessings! She wouldn't leave me alone until I promised her that I would count five blessings a day. She was so ernest and kind I did it for her and it was pretty easy for about a week. But, the only rule was I could not count the same blessing twice, so it forced me to become more and more specific. I did it for a few months and I could NOT believe how it changed my life. I love the hymn "Count Your Blessings"! It's almost my favorite hymn. It constantly surprises me "What The Lord has done!" And, done, and done, and done, and done! I'd start listing all my blessings but NO ONE has time to read them all!

Thanks Elder Wirthlin for the wonderful Thanksgiving message! And thanks, Ron and Becky for living it!

Hey!!! Hoorah!!! I think I finally did it! I had a good attitude on Thanksgiving day didn't I? I thought the whole thing was pretty funny even while it was happening---maybe even funnier than Ron did. Of course food is pretty important to him, and I didn't really care that much because I didn't have to cook, so I don't know how much it counts, but still---I laughed! I LAUGHED when the day went wrong!

Now if I can only laugh next time . . .

Friday, November 28, 2008

So Thankful!

What a funny Thanksgiving we had this year. So different! I told Ron that this is one we will remember because: tragedy plus time = humor! We didn't have a real tragedy so the day became something to laugh about as it unfolded.

Kids, as you know your Dad is a good sport! All I can say is it's a good thing that Kristi made him such a lovely turkey dinner when he was with her and Julie last month. He kept saying, "It's okay, I had a great turkey meal a few weeks ago!" Thanks, Kristi! And, thanks Jules for the "turkey a-la-king" you made your Dad before he left!

Now, about Thanksgiving: All of our children had dinner at the in-laws this year, so that left Ron and I. I have fed the five-thousand for 36 years (which I love and look forward to many times more) but I decided it was time for a year off, so we planned to go out to dinner and a movie. The movie we wanted to see wasn't there. (We didn't check, we just assumed!) So we saw "The Boy In Stipped Pajamas" which was really well done, but a little sobering and sad for Thanksgiving Day. Okay! So, it was then on to dinner. Except we didn't even think that almost EVERY restaurant in town was closed --- even the fast food! After driving around forever we found one open with a line longer than you could believe. So instead we found a Smith's open, and we figured we'd get something from the deli. Could you believe it was closed? I was grateful though that the workers were home and didn't have to work.

Well, we bought a store brand pizza, brought it home, and baked it (it was the WORST pizza I have eaten in a long time!) I think the taste was even worse than the heartburn it gave me afterward! Then, it was off to a viewing. That's right, a friend of ours died and the family had the viewing on Thanksgiving!

Sometimes you just have to laugh! The evening ended early because we had the temple this morning. We get up at 3:45 a.m. so we try to get a really early night! Before bed we had pumpkin pie (I made some the day before) so the day wasn't a complete loss! Ron really enjoyed his, but after the pizza pie my stomach was rolling a bit. It was a good thing we'd had it earlier for lunch. It was great then.

And I'm still thankful! I'm so thankful that I have my sweetheart to share such a day with! A man who never complains about the food I serve, and can laugh when things don't go as planned! All in all it was a great day!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Remote Control



1955: Roylance in the kitchen, "Fraaank . . . will you please turn down that television!"

"Ronald, go turn down the t.v. . . . no, no not the channel! Who threw the pass? Channel son . . . turn the channel back to 5! That's it boy, now turn it up just a little that's it . . . no, no not that way!"

Now you know why your Dad is so phobic about technology. In 1955 he was the technology!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Hoorah For Zion!


It was a wonderful Sabbath day. The one day a month that I teach are usually like this but today was especially so. I love teaching because it gives me the opportunity to bear my testimony and feel the spirit. It reminds me of how much I love Heavenly Father and reminds me of the hope of the gospel through Christ! It reminds me of how much I love my family and how much happiness I desire for them all!

All of the opposition the church has been experiencing over Proposition 8 has made me nervous and sad. Ron and I listen each Sunday night to the special on channel 14, on the Joseph Smith papers. It is a research project undertaken by scholars at BYU to read and publish all of the papers written by and about Joseph Smith. They are learning new things and it is wonderful to follow each week. Tonight's segment was about the legal premises for which Joseph Smith and the other leaders were imprisoned in liberty jail in Missouri. Attorneys went over every bit of recorded evidence and procedure and it was awful at how trumped up and really illegal everything was. It scared me that this kind of misinformation and bigotry could happen again today. Then, they always air last weeks segment (which we missed) and it was on the twelve apostles missions to England. One of the Pratt brothers was the most educated and was sent to a university city in England (I forget where, I forget so many things lately that it scares me, but all my friends do too, so that is somewhat comforting.) Anyway as he was presenting his message the scholars were polite and interested in a new idea, but not to the extent of becoming converted. He wrote that he wished he was experiencing more opposition like the other brethren were who were baptizing hundreds, so it could stir more interest. Well, his wish was granted and because of the opposition several hundred were baptised.

That gave me comfort and made me remember the temple in Denver. After all of the publicity and opposition more than 100 thousand attended the open house because of curiosity and so many baptisms resulted! It got me thinking about all this negative publicity the church has been receiving and then I thought of all the good Americans out there who know Mormons as neighbors and co-workers and friends. Most people are decent and good. They will see the reality of the vicious attacks as opposed to the good people they know and it will spark their curiosity. You know, I really believe that it will be these kinds of things that will cause the honest in heart to seek for the Lord! Life is good! The gospel is true! The Lord is in charge! Good will prevail! I feel like shouting as Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball did as they rose off their sick beds to wave goodbye to their families and shouted "Hoorah for Zion! Hoorah for Zion!"

I think that is really what Ron, Aubrie and Julie were doing at the Rocky statue in Philadelphia weren't you guys?

Hoorah for Zion!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

The Law of Life


My nephew wrote a wonderful tribute to a scout leader who influenced his and many other lives for good. He included this poem which his leader shared with the boys at one of their campouts. I hope Jeff doesn't mind if I pass this on because I have always loved that poem and it has often given me strength.

Jeff said, "Near the camp there was a large open field which we called Bristlecone flat because at the upper end of the field there was a very large Bristlecone pine tree. Bristlecone pine trees are very interesting and beautiful trees. They are the oldest known living organism (thousands of years old in some cases). The interesting thing about these trees is that they typically grow in very rocky regions near windswept ridges, at the timberline. In this very harsh environment they grow very slowly, but are very resistant to bugs and other things that kill trees. I'm not sure how old the tee at bristlecone flat is, but half of it is dead and has been burned. It looks like its been through hell, but it is really a majestic tree. I've always remembered a poem that Mike shared at one such fireside:"



The Law of Life

The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
That stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king,
But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil
Who never had to win his share
Of sun sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man,
But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow in ease.
The stronger wind, the tougher trees,
The farther sky, the greater length,
The more the storm, the more the strength,
By sun and cold, by rain and snows,
In tree or man, good timber grows.

-Author Unknown

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Election Reflection

My thoughts on this historic election. I think it's wonderful that a Black American has been elected. I think it's wonderful that old prejudices are melting away. I remember when we heard the news that all worthy males could hold the priesthood! What a happy wonderful day that was. I ran across an old diary I had kept. (I've not been the most consistent journal keeper.) After hearing a speaker, the summer just after high school while I lived in California in 1968, I came home and wrote that I felt the blacks would receive the priesthood soon. Ten years later they did, and it was a wonderful day!

Now I'm happy that prejudices are melting, but I am also sad. I'm sad that this historic first is shadowed by President Elect Obama's frightening ideology and association with radical people. I'm worried about the direction in which he wants to take our country. I also feel sad for all the black people, and young people celebrating today who do not understand the true providential history of this nation. I'm sad that his promises of "saving everyone" sounds so like the adversaries plan in pre-existence. I pray that President Elect Obama is really just a sincere young man who does love this country, and is not just a young man hiding his radical motives simply to get elected and then impose them on innocent and trusting people. I will pray for him, and for our nation, and for the wonderful people with whom we all share this great land of promise!

May God Continue To Bless America!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Birthday Grandpa Frank

Love You Forever


As I write this tears are streaming down my face. I have already tried to sleep, but my sleeping pill hasn't kicked in and I couldn't be more tired. I finally went back to the temple today. It was wonderful and soooo tiring, so I am plenty tired, but as I lay in bed thinking about all the mistakes I have made as a mother---all of the disapointments my children have suffered at my hands, I felt blue. I miss Robert today. I have missed him almost EVERY hour of every day of the last ten years, but sometimes it's worse, like tonight. So, unable to sleep, I was just dinking around on the internet traying to get as sleepy as I am tired and I typed into google: "Robert where are you?" When to my amazement a 34 page list of books came up, (I didn't search for books) and the very top book was "Love You Forever" by Robert N. Munsh. Who knew that a Robert had written it?

Kristi gave me that book for Christmas signed by all of my children while Brian was on his mission. (I later had him sign it.) The amazing thing about the book was that the day after Robert died I found myself alone in the living room, and cried out loud, "Robert do you love me?" My eyes immediately went to that little tiny blue book on the bookshelf. I have a lot of books on that shelf, and I did not know where that particular book was at the time. I certainly didn't know where anything I owned was on that horrible day, but my eyes immediately landed on it and I took it off the shelf and read it, then read all the signatures of my children including Roberts!

Can this even be a coincidence---of all the books written by men named Robert and this one came up first? Surely someone is trying to comfort me. Could it be Robert? Can he possibly love me?

Monday, October 27, 2008

Paradigm Shifts

Perhaps the greatest barrier to a paradigm shift, in some cases, is the reality of paradigm paralysis, the inability or refusal to see beyond the current models of thinking..

Ron issued a challenge to me---to shift my thinking in certain areas. I've been giving it a great deal of thought. I actually had a small revelation after praying and pondering about something for awhile. I'm so insecure about most things, mostly myself---my abilities, etc. etc. etc. Wow, how different things can seem when you take a look at the world from a different angle.

For instance Ron worked with this man years ago in scouts, who was really hard for most people to get along with, he was just stubborn and difficult. Then we found out he had a brain tumor, and that it had dramatically altered his personality. He eventually died from it, and before he did, it changed everything about the way we viewed him.

In the Book of Mormon, Jacob talks about seeing things as they really are. That is what Ron's challenge has started me searching for---truth! Anyway, I found this really great quote which I find very thought provoking!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you." -Marianne Williamson, 1993

I hate to hurt people's feelings. I just hate it! Not that I don't, but I have NEVER purposely tried too, ever! I spent too many years as a child being called names and feeling rejected! Well, because of that I spend a lot of time worrying about the things I say. It's just so much easier to be invisible, because no one criticizes someone they don't see. As a gospel doctrine teacher I'm forced to be up front and believe me I am out of my invisible comfort zone. My little revelation was how people in my class really perceive me. It's a crazy thought (which I'm not ready to share) but wow---it has shifted my thinking, it really changes everything! Anyway this quote is calling to me. I hope that it might resonate with you as well.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

For The Beauties of the Earth


On Sunday I taught my gospel doctrine lesson on the Sermon on the Mount! All last week I played the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's "Consider The Lillies" CD. Ever since, I have been absolutely filled with "the beauty of the earth!" I played the music as prelude music with a note on the board asking everyone to look up the corresponding scriptures to items I had placed on the table. All items I found in my own home---salt, a picture of lillies that Ron gave me that I had printed, a rock from the yard, bread, a picture of my newest little bride, a beam of wood, a picture of my neighbor, and many many more things.

This idea came to me so clearly as I prayed for guidance in teaching. Before prayer, I had no idea how to present so much absolutely wonderful material in half an hour! We really didn't have time to discuss each item, but they got the message before class even started. The wonderful thing was how reverent it became even before starting class! The power of sacred music has always been wonderful to me. It never fails to bring the spirit! After my son Robert died it was the ONLY relief and comfort I could find. Several of my friends who knew how much I love reverent, spiritual music gave me new CD's and they were, and still are my lifeline to the Lord and to hope!

I spent most of that class time talking of the Beatitudes and of their progressive nature as outlined in the Bible Dictionary! It is worth reading, really worth reading! I have pondered so much since preparing and then giving this lesson. We all have to go up the steps---line upon line---from being poor in spirit and finally learning to love ourselves, to then mourning for our sins enough to repent, being meek enough to submit to the prophet and thus to the Lord, which leads us to actually hunger and thirst after righteousness! Those steps teach us to love the Lord! Then on to being merciful, in other words, treating others with patience, kindness, and long-suffering, while always remembering our OWN weaknesses. This leads to our becoming pure in heart---being purged of all desire to do wrong by the Holy Ghost---till we become peacemakers. A person wanting to live in unity, law abiding, pleasant agreeable and generous. (Doesn't that sound like Ron? He's pretty wonderful!) These three beatitudes teach us to love others! And, then---the hard one---learning to love our enemies, by being willing to suffer trials and NOT compromise our ideals to win approval of the world! And, I think even harder, to do this without offense to man or God (Well, some men will take offense no matter what) but even when they do, the Savior actually commands us to pray FOR our enemies.

I am so thankful that He judges us by the intent of hearts. He is so merciful when we fall short! He just wants us to get back up and try again! I think I realized after studying these principles this time around, that we can go through all of these steps in certain times and phases of our lives, and then boom---we are right back to having to learn to love ourselves all over again. Life gets more challenging. We find ourselves at the top of the ladder only to discover that it is, in fact, the bottom of the next ladder, and so on I suppose to the end of our lives and even beyond until we have become perfect!

I pray that the Lord will help all of us. I think if we just find ourselves going up ... just keep going up we can make it! But, even when we slip down, the minute we reach for Him, our Father in Heaven is there. It has always amazed me that when I turn to Him, He just overwhelms me with his love!

And, I believe that things will always get better. They always will! The world is indeed beautiful. Like this picture I took while Ron and I were in the canyon on Saturday! It was a beautiful, beautiful autumn day! The big rock in this picture reminds me of the "rock of our salvation" Jesus Christ. Ron is also a rock for me---strong, steady, safe and kind!

Monday, October 13, 2008

At Least I Can Walk

My friend and neighbor Kathy Samsel, has had a herniated disk for eight years now. She is still so limited, she can never shingle a roof, but she can now pick up grandchildren, which she says is all she really wants to do anyway. And, she can now sit without pain.

This was my reply to her email: Thank you Kathy. I think my asperations are similar to yours. Well, I still have the desire to build my own house, but I think not in this lifetime, though I would like to repaint my little front room. Can you do that?

Yet, I cannot believe how grateful I am for the ability to walk. I may not gain back the nerve damage in my calf, but I walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes today! And, I feel fine!!! If I can walk without a limp I will truly feel blessed. We take our bodies for granted so much don't we? Can you clean your house? Don Hansen still just shakes his head no, when I ask if I can vacuum or mop yet. Ron's idea of a clean floor is not mine. Frustrating. I had planned on cleaning out closets and doing some deep cleaning (like the carpets) and reorganizing my storage room this fall, but . . . oh patience. Can you do any of those things? And, why do I get so tired? Has anyone explained that to you?

Kathy, when we have our new resurrected bodies, would you like to run and romp in a beautiful field of lillies, after we swing on a very large rope and drop into a deep blue pool at the foot of a gorgeous waterfall where we will have a lovely swim, before we picnic on food that is out of this world? (Which of course will never make us fat, but give us amazing, unbounded energy) Is it a date?

Love, Bonnie

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Beyond Testimony

I read an article by Wallace Goddard from Meridian Magazine, that has made great sense to me today. He spoke of getting beyond testimony. After we have gained a testimony of so many doctrines and had enough experiences with our Father in Heaven, we need not keep testing each and every doctrine, or each and every thing the Prophet asks us to do, to know that it is from God. We reach a point of trust, wherein we develop a relationship with our Father in Heaven! I love that. Relationships are trust! Whenever we are apart from someone we love, we have a desire to check-in and check-on the welfare of that person, and to share feelings and thoughts and joys and sorrows!

And then, beyond the relationship is partnership. Aah . . . partnership. I know I have had a relationship with my Father in Heaven all my life. I have simply had too many experiences with Him for it to be any other way --- but partnership? I have had only moments of this last step. Only little moments which I have begun to experience, but this article made it so clear. I quote now from the article.

"Maybe the stage of relationship prepares us for the next step in our spiritual development — partnership. After all, God has asked for our mind, heart, might and strength. Many of us submit our mind first through the testimony process. Then we offer our heart as we enter a relationship. As our souls are changed by that relationship, we offer more and more of our energy. We become partners with Him in the remarkable work of blessing His children.
This stage is accessed when we turn our lives over completely to Him. We become consecrated. Our prayers no longer have the begging quality to them: Please do this or change that. We stop trying to change His mind. Our mind and will becomes aligned with His.
Ironically, at this stage of complete submission, our prayers may actually be more authoritative than in earlier stages. The person in partnership with God may pray, “Father, help me to use Thy power to bless Thy children.” Since the person has no will but God’s will, He may be able to command and be obeyed.
Enoch, meek Enoch, was authorized to command the elements in the name of God. “He spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command” (Moses 7:13).
Partnership is where we work with Him in perfect harmony to advance His perfect purposes. At this level of progression, He is preparing us to partner with Him in eternity.
Testimony is the start. Relationship comes next. Then we seek for partnership. His plan is a beautifully progressive plan to make us more like Him". (End of quote)

My desires (Bonnie Holt's desires) to bless the lives of my family have lead me to desire something more, to change the nature and content of my prayers. I have prayed more earnestly lately to "know what to pray for!" I have known intellectually that we have power from God when we give our "whole souls" to Him --- to pray for that which He would have us pray for. I guess Enoch got to the point that the Lord trusted him. He knew that if Enoch wanted to move a mountain, he had a great and noble reason to do so, one in compatibility with God. So Enoch could say, "move" . . . I think I finally understand a little more why Alma could pray for his son and an angel could not be restrained from answering that prayer. Because, that is precisely what God wanted Alma to pray for, and precisely what God wanted to happen, because that was precisely the RIGHT thing for his son. Oh, to be like Alma and Enoch. To know and act and be in partnership with God! It's such a tall order it makes me gasp, but oh I want to be. Just to bless the lives of my family --- just precisely for them! To pray not for what I want for my children, but for what God wants, for them, for my husband, and for myself.

To read the entire article: http://www.meridianmagazine.com/myth/071121beyond.html

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Door Locks

Often I wake up with interesting thoughts. This morning I woke up with the image of a door lock clearly in my mind. It was the kind that latches public bathroom stalls. How strange. As I lay there in that state somewhere between sleep and fully awake I tried to remember a dream or some reason for the strange image. I couldn't. So I pondered door locks. Locks can protect us, but sometimes they can keep us isolated as well. I thought of how sometimes life for me has been so tramatizing that I have learned to lock out people and feelings, even the love of the Lord. I then thought of our recent stake conference. We had a general authority come and change our Stake Presidency. Elder Gonzales talked of the Christus Statue --- Christ with his arms open wide. He said too often we leave the Savior standing there with his arms outstretched and we never allow Him to encircle His loving arms around us! Or we dodge His love and go right under His outstreched arms. Or we just lock it out!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Least Among Us

The following is a story passed on to me by a friend from the internet about a handicapped boy named Shay. I normally do not pass on these stories and take them all with a grain of salt. But myth or not, I liked this one, and decided to share it. It reminds me of the Savior's words, "If ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me!"

At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: “When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?”

The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. “I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.”

Then he told the following story: Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, “Do you think they'll let me play?” I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play.

The boy looked around for guidance and said, “We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.”

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, “Shay, run to first! Run to first!” Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, “Run to second, run to second!” Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball … the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, “Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay." Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, “Run to third! Shay, run to third!” As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, “Shay, run home! Run home!” Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team. “That day”, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, “the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.”

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the “natural order of things.” So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process? A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats the least fortunate amongst them.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Charity NEVER Faileth

Tonight I was at Walmart at 8:00 p.m. I was tired. I looked around and EVERYONE seemed tired. The clerk was a young man who looked tired too. I handed him a clothing item first and asked him not to lay it down on the wet and dirty counter. He glared at me and literally snatched the item from my hands. Then he stomped off to get some towels to wipe the counter. Then, after glaring at me again he angrily called someone to bring him cleaner and more towels. I tried to explain that he only needed to keep my clothing off the wet counter and it would be okay.

He just glared at me again, and I said in an impatient voice. "Hey, I didn't do anything."

He just continued on with my order completely ignoring me. I felt annoyed and embarassed and wondered what had happened to friendly customer service, even civility, and I considered finding a manager to complain about this rude angry clerk.

Then for no reason I just smiled at him and said, "Hey, just smile! I'm old enough to have learned that no matter how bad today seems, things ALWAYS get better. Now, can you please just give me a smile?"

And, he couldn't help himself. He did. Then, he walked around the counter, shook my hand and thanked me saying, "You are very kind" and thanked me again as he pumped my hand.

My surprised smile spread to my eyes this time and I replied, "Now that's better. You have a great night and a wonderful day tomorrow!" I left him chuckling and I felt great. I didn't feel tired. My steps were light as I walked to my car passing on his smile, to all the tired, cranky people on my way out.

Charity NEVER does fail! I hope I remember to try this more often!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Ordinary People


I had the most extraordinary dream last night. It seemed to last for hours and in such great detail! Ron and I were visiting Aunt Mame’s house after it had been restored and opened to the public. It was so large, and we marveled at the changes. It was just filled with memorabilia and at the end of the tour you could buy copies to help offset the cost of the restoration.

The extraordinary thing about the dream, was that as the tour guide moved us from room to room she taught the values of hard work, honesty, etc. of the couple who had built the home. In the dream they began to blend with Ron’s other grandparents the Fairbourns and some of the rooms looked like their house. But, then the entire church was celebrating these people. In all the wards they were having anyone who was descended from them speak in church. I marveled because these people were not prophets or famous public servants, just good ordinary people. Ron, Krisiti, Brian, Julie and Becky as well as little Becky and Ammon all participated and they were each amazed that they would be asked to do this.

The amazing thing about the dream was the feelings that it left me with. This morning I still feel a sense of deep gratitude that my husband and children are descended from such a noble family! And, I am a little amazed that these people were being so honored not for some extraordinary large scale public achievement, but for simply being good!

I am reminded of Elder Packer’s last conference talk when he said that the common good people in the church are the same in the Lord’s eyes as the highest leaders! I need to read this talk again, because most of the time I feel so insignificant! I wish I could express the profound feelings of honor and respect these people and “our family” were receiving for simply being good honorable people!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Variety of our Bounty

I was at the store today buying fresh fruits and vegtables. As I put the beautiful oranges, apples and bananas into my cart I looked around at all the variety of wonderful foods we are priveledged to have. I felt a sudden surge of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for this amazing bounty! What a wonderful time in which we live.
I could not help but remember when I was a little child . . . and oh, how I loved fruit. I could NEVER have it except in the fall when I could pick it from a tree. My best friend and I would ride our bicycles to the banks of the canal in West Jordan, then climb the abandonded fruit trees that grew along it's banks, and make ourselves sick eating apricots and green apples! My bike was a very, very old one we found in my Grandmother's garage. My friend Pauline helped me paint it with flat grey wall paint, you know to improve it. We both thought it was just beautiful even though the rude boys in the neighborhood relentlessly teased me about it. Just know that I'm pretty sure I have large leg calfs to this day from riding that broken down thing.
I also felt a surge of gratitude for Ron. He works so hard and takes care of me so wonderfully well. I am a very blessed woman indeed!