"The Work Of Salvation" ~

 

Today has been a sweet Sabbath Day. It has been an inspiring afternoon. We watched a special World Wide training conference: "The Work of Salvation". My husband and I have been involved with missionary endeavors throughout our lives. Our parents served missions and my husband's parents more than one mission. My husband and I have served more than one mission and are presently Inner City Missionaries for our church. Presently, this is a part time mission but we hope in the near future to apply for a full time mission. In our church we have many different kinds of missions such as humanitarian, service, LDS Visitor centers, Seminary and Institute, temple and proselyting missions.  Within our own family we have had a total of 4 of our 6 children serve 2 year missions and all of our son-in-laws have served, also. Here are the areas that we have all served in: Northern California, Des Moines, Iowa, Washington DC North, Costa Rica, Venezuela, New Zealand, Arizona, Chili, Las Vegas, Nevada and Spokane, Washington.
Friends have asked us why we serve missions and there are a multitude of answers but my own personal reason is to help individuals come unto Christ and believe in Him, and follow Him.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the path to true happiness. I know this to me true in my own life.

Many people asked the questions, "Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?" The Plan of Salvation gives us the answers to those questions.
From the book: "Preach My Gospel the following statement will clarify what we believe.
"We believe that God is the Father of our spirits. We are literally His children, and He loves us. We lived as spirit children of our Father in Heaven before we were born on this earth. We were not however, like our Heavenly Father, nor could we ever become like Him and enjoy all of the blessings that He enjoys without the experience of living in mortality with a physical body.
God has a purpose for us. He has provided a perfect plan to accomplish His  purpose. We understand and accepted this plan before we came to earth.
Jesus Christ is central to God's plan. through His Atonement, Jesus Christ fulfilled His Father's purpose and made it possible for each of us to enjoy immortality and eternal life. Satan, or the devil is an enemy to that plan.
Agency, or the ability to choose, is one of God's greatest gifts to His children. Our eternal progression depends on how we use this gift. We must choose whether to follow Jesus Christ or follow Satan." There are so many beautiful teachings within the church. We believe that Family is central to this plan.
Missionary work is going forward at a rapid pace. The Lord is hastening His work.
As of December 2011, statistical report; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there were 347 Missions throughout the world, and 58,990 fulltime missionaries both young men and young women ages 19 to 21 +.  
Our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson at our General Conference of October 2012 announced that they were lowering the missionary age to 18 years for young men and 19 years for young women. Since that announcement there has been a huge increase in the number of missionaries.  As of a special broadcast today there are 405 missions throughout the world. We now have 70,000 missionaries ages 18 years to 20 plus years. By the end of this year they are projecting 85,000 missionaries in the field.



Here is a link for this conference: http://bcove.me/appf66hg.

Zion - The Heart of Utah's Colorful Canyons~

This past week we celebrated our 46th Wedding Anniversary in the land of Zion; which for us was Zion and Bryce National Parks. We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast In Springdale, Utah and enjoyed that new experience. We are not world travelers by any means. Most of our vacations through the years have been in Utah. We visited Zion park years ago; but never really explored it. We decided this time to see the canyons up close by walking some of the trials and driving the bumpy back roads.

Backyard of the Bed and Breakfast~

Scenery from the Balcony

Hot Tub

 

Day One - In Kolob Canyon~

Kolob Mountain Ranges~

Kolob Reservoir

LeAnn

Roger

 Hidden from everyday view we came across a seldom seen waterfall and pool~

A view from Kolob lookout~

A Tree to lean on~  I was a little nervous because

the tree was on an edge of the Clift.

LeAnn

Roger

A Cactus Flower ~

Click on the collages for a bigger view of the picture~  

 

Day Two -  6-12-13

We took a hike to the Emerald Pools. A two and half hour hike in the heat of the day ended at the Emerald Pools with the welcomed spray that fell from the canyon walls as several streamlets emptied into the box canyon. I was so happy when we reached the lodge and we cooled down and had a wonderful lunch.

 

Day Three - 6-13-13

For our Anniversary we spent most of the day visiting small towns near the mouth of the canyon. We returned in the evening to Springdale and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Switchback Restaurant. We had a great day!

 

 

Day Four - 6-14-13

We visited Bryce Canyon. I would have to say that the scenery here was the most incredible. The red rock formations were inspiring.The views were spectacular. We could see for miles across the canyon and into the valleys  below.

                                                            Day Five - 6-15-13
                               We pulled up stakes and headed south to St. George, Utah.
                                         On the way we visited a quaint frontier fort.

                We spent the rest of the weekend in St. George visiting some family members~

 

Happy 46th Wedding Anniversary To The Most Incredible Man I Know~

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Here is a small slide show of our wedding day~
 View PhotatoBug Slideshow

Today is our 46th wedding Anniversary and we are enjoying the day together on a little trip that my husband planned for us. He is always so thoughtful and I love him beyond measure. He is one incredible and amazing man. I feel so happy to have him for an eternity. Our love today is fuller and more joyful than it was 46 years ago.

Our Wedding Day was the beginning of our home. We have loved being together for 46 wonderful and fulfilling years and anticipate an eternity together. We love all of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They have brought great joy into our lives through the years. We love each and everyone of them and desire that we be an eternal family with "No Empty Chairs".
".. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father and Savior for all the blessings of this life. We love serving in the temple and we feel the spirit and  peace that is found within those sacred edifices.
We were dressed in white on our Wedding day and now we are dressed in white while serving in the temple. I am always so happy and my heart still skips a beat when I see my husband during our shift. We have a strong and true testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Our Wedding Day~

LeAnn, Roger and our youngest Great Grandson, Sagan

From these sweet beginnings we have a large posterity of which we are so proud. We love that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren love the Lord and are living good lives.

Our Posterity~

Happy Anniversary Roger; you bring into my life great joy. I will love you forever~

" A Song Of Redeeming Love" ~

 I am intrigued with thoughts of Zion. I want to have a better understanding of how I can become a “Zion” person. There are countless articles and books on the subject of Zion. Holy writ is saturated with songs and messages about Zion. For today I will focus on singing the songs of Zion. We are told that when our Savior, Jesus Christ, returns again we will sing songs of redeeming love.

 Isaiah 52:7-9  reads:  “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Break forth in joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem”. I look forward to that day. I want to lift my voice high in praises to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 We find in Jeremiah 31:12;  “Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd; and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow anymore at all.”

 I do look forward to that day. How I love good music!  It seems to sooth my soul. It is there to give me rest on days that are difficult. There are many hymns I can now play on the piano and have also memorized the words. I can't overstate how much music can influence the spirit within us. Since returning to practice the piano each day and by learning these hymns, I have been blessed to experience the songs of Zion. They are full of peace, joy, faith and hope.

 In the preface of the LDS Church Hymn book, the First Presidency stated the following under the heading of Music in Our Personal Lives: ".....Hymns can lift our spirit, give us courage, and move us to righteous action. They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace.

 Hymns may also help us withstand the temptations of the adversary. We encourage you to memorize your favorite hymns and study the scriptures that relate to them. Then, if unworthy thoughts enter your mind, sing a hymn to yourself, crowding out the evil with the good.

......Let us use the hymns to invite the Sprit of the Lord into our congregations, our homes, and our personal lives. Let us memorize and ponder them, recite and sing them, and partake of their spiritual nourishment. Know that the song of the righteous is a prayer unto our Father in Heaven," and it shall be answered with a blessing upon your heads." It is true – this is how they touch me.

 The Doctrine and Covenants, section 66, verse 11 explains the divine purpose for singing redeeming love. “Keep these saying, for they are true and faithful; and thou shalt magnify thine office, and push many people to Zion with songs of everlasting joy upon their heads. Continue in these things even unto the end, and you shall have a crown of eternal life at the right hand of my Father, who is full of grace and truth. Verily, thus saith the Lord your God, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.”

 When the Savior comes there will be choirs on earth and from Heaven. I want to witness these moments and be part of this great event and sing the songs of redeeming love.

 Now - sit back, relax and listen to two songs of Zion by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The Simple Woman's Daybook - I Received A Tender Mercy Today~

FOR TODAY - May 29, 2013

Outside my window...the sky is gray and we are expecting a rainstorm from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. We will be traveling this afternoon up to Heber City for our Grandson's High School Graduation. I am praying that we won't have to travel in a rainstorm. At least it isn't snowing, that's good.
I am thinking...that I may not be able to complete this Daybook entry before we have to leave for Heber City.  
I am thankful... for a good report today on my mammogram. Two weeks ago I went in to have my yearly mammogram screening. I received a letter a couple of days later that they saw a small area of concern on the mammogram and wanted me to come in and have another one. I was going out of town at that time so I scheduled it for today. I had tried not to worry about it; but the last couple of days my paranoid thoughts came flowing into my mind. I had a similar scare many years ago over some small tumors that were found on my chest x-ray. At that time I had a lymph node biopsy. While in the recovery room my physician visited with me and explained that I had either Hodgkin's Disease or Sarcoidosis. Being a nurse at that time I knew that Hodgkin's Disease wasn't a good diagnosis. That night I planned my funeral and worried about how my husband and our little son would do without me. Luckily, the report came back with a diagnosis of Sarcoidosis; which was more treatable. I received a priesthood blessing and I have never had a problem with it since then.
Through life experiences I have gained great faith in the knowledge that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me. I do have great faith in the Priesthood and it's power to heal.
This time instead of worrying about it too much, I decided to try not to think about it until I found out what it was.  Many of our fears in life are fears of the unknown. We can't help but be concerned when we have these kinds of experiences. Finally last night I decided that if I had a tumor I  would ask my family to fast and pray for me. I would then have a priesthood blessing given to me by my husband and my son, or sons. If it was God's will; I would be healed. I can say without reservation I have the faith to be healed. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for us all. Part of our life experiences is to follow His will for us.
So today I had the repeat mammogram and the area of concern was still there. The Radiologist wanted me to have an Ultrasound. I had to wait for about 1 1/2 hours due to a mix up on my record number. There were three different number. Meanwhile, my husband who was waiting for me was told that I had something show up on the mammogram and they were doing other tests. He was told that he would be invited back when the Radiologist had read the report on the ultrasound. He was finally invited back with me while they did the ultrasound. He was so upset and began to cry because he had been so worried about me.  After the Ultrasound was completed the technician told us that the Radiologist felt it is a cyst and I was told to come back in 6 months for another ultrasound to see if there were any  changes. I do have gratitude today for this good report.
Remember all of you wonderful women out there that it is important to have a yearly mammogram.

I am wearing...brown slacks, light green blouse and beige sandals.
I am going...to my Grandson, Jackson's High School Graduation this afternoon.
I am wondering... how I should dress. In my day we dressed up when attending a graduation program. However, this generation is so casual that I probably won't have to wear a dress.
I am still  reading..."To The Rescue". This book is so inspiring. I haven't been able to find a minute to read lately. If I could read this marvelous book for a couple of hours I could finish it. I have such a strong testimony that President Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet for our day. This book has increased that testimony of him. His sweet wife, Frances Monson passed away recently and my husband and I watched her funeral rebroadcast on Sunday. It was so touching. She was a wonderful woman and I am so sad for him. The pictures of our dear prophet at the funeral were heartbreaking. He looks so sad and she will be missed greatly by him. They had been married for 65 years.
 

 

I have started to read the Book # 5 in a series entitled; "Light and Truth" by Darryl Harris. Again, I haven't been able to read this book either.

 

The only book that I read on a daily basis is "The Book of Mormon" and I am very close to finishing it. As I have stated before; once I finish this book I will start reading it again.This book of history is of a people who fled from Jerusalem in 600 BC and came to this promised land. This book is so compelling that every time I read it I learn new things. I also receive at times revelation for my own life within it's pages. It is a book very relevant for our day. I would say it is the best self-help book and is diffidently a wonderful child rearing manual.

I am hoping....that our drive to Heber will not be in the rain. I hate driving up the canyon to Heber in bad weather. There are a lot of curves that make me nervous.

I am looking forward to...to attending the graduation and being with the family.

I am learning....more patience. I am learning to pace myself more and not think I can do 10 things when in realism I can only do 5 of the things listed on my schedule each day. 

One of my guilty pleasures... is to take a nap once in a while. I haven't done that for a very long time.
Around the house....yesterday was a busy one. We had to get our home in shape for a appraisal and inspection. We are trying to decide if we are going to stay in this home or downsize. Basically, I can't even imagine moving again. We have moved a total of 21 times in the last 45 years. When I look at a moving box I get nauseated. Yes, not a good reaction.
I am pondering....on how to do my daily journaling. Right now I am writing in a journal.I have several volumes of journals both hand written and typed. I think I should read them all because I have forgotten so many things over the years. I need to refresh my memory.

A favorite quote for today....

 

 

Something new about me...I love the color blue. I would love someday to have a light blue and white country kitchen.
A pet Peeve....is waiting for a physician or test appointment. My impatience is very apparent  when I have to wait.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Jackson's graduation, working on Family History, working in the Temple on Saturday and going to church on Sunday.

A peek into my day.... Here is a peek into my trip last week to Prescott, Arizona to see my daughter Jenni and Michael and our grandchildren. I will be doing update post of family activities for May.

Unique Rock formations~

A beautiful sunset~

 

Be sure to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself!

The Miracle Of The Lilac Bush~

OUR LILAC BUSH AND FLOWERS

This is the story of our Lilac Bush miracle. This story began the last part of September of 2008. This is a repost with a picture that I took of the tree this week. 

 I was feeling sad that my Lilac Bush was dying. We had planted this bush in 2007. It was not growing well and had never produced blossoms.  It is the only bush that I had requested to be planted in our backyard. I have always loved Lilac Bushes. My Grandmother's yard had more than one Lilac Bush and I loved the fragrance of the blossoms. These bushes bring back sweet memories of  my childhood and my grandmother.  
When Willie our beloved cat of 18 years passed a way in the spring; we buried him next to the Lilac Bush with a few other flowers surrounding it. When our dear little dog, Dollie was ran over by a truck, we were devastated. We buried her next to Willie on August 15, 2008. At that point the bush was not thriving at all. By end of September the bush looked like it was dying; the leaves were turning brown and falling off the bush. One day when I was outside looking at the bush, I said a silent prayer that this bush could be saved in remembrance of our two pets that we had buried there. We had been watering the plants and bushes on a routine basis; but I promised then to water them daily.
Lilac bushes do not bloom in the fall; they only bloom in the spring and rarely in the summer. The first few days of October the Lilac Bush started to look alive again and about a week later it had blossoms on it
As I have told people of this miracle, they were amazed. I had some friends over to show them this miracle bush.They too marveled at this. I know that Heavenly Father answered my simple prayer and we were blessed to have this Lilac Bush bloom at an unusual time. I feel like this was a sign that our sweet pets were doing well. I have always believed in miracles; those sweet tender mercies from the Lord.



Sammy

My Hubby and our Sammy



Christ - The Center Of Our Home~

This is a favorite scripture of mine as found in D&C 88:119, "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God. This is how I wanted and tried to pattern my home. I desired to have a Christ-centered home.

Of course, with six active children I can't say that our home was always prepared for the Savior to visit. However, we did try to do the kinds of activities that would invite the spirit into our home.
Today we are besieged with Babylon. Satan is strong and is battling for our families. He will do all in his power to bring about the destruction of the family unit. We all know that he is on a rampage. We must be ever watchful because he enters unannounced through the media of TV programs, music, books, magazines etc. that we allow into our homes.
I would say to begin the process of developing a Christ centered home one must be working towards being a Christ centered person.
Here are just a few quotes from a BYU Education Week class on the Savior taught by Robert Millet: "We need to live the part we believe". What we think of Christ is what we will be." "What we say, and how we live will determine our lives". "Christ is our master, the captain of our soul." "Turn your lives unto God." "Put your trust in Christ." I also love this scripture as found in 2 Nephi 25:26: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins". This is good instruction for us and for our family.
One of my favorite quotes is from President Ezra Taft Benson: "The world would take people out of the slums. Christ would take the slums out of people, and then they would take themselves out of the slums.The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” (Ensign, November 1985).
In order to become a Christ centered person one must be humble and willing to be taught. The Savior has said in D&C 88: 64: " Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive, knock, and it shall be opened unto you." It is important that we ask our Heavenly Father in the name of Christ for direction in becoming a true disciple of our Savior.
The following is a short list of things to do to draw closer to Christ:
1. Daily sincere prayers offered morning and night or whenever inclined and wherever you are. Ask for the gifts of the Spirit as found in D&C 46:11-33 and also for increased Faith, Hope, and Charity.
2. Daily scripture study with emphasis on pondering how the scriptures can apply to your life. Become a life-long student of the Book of Mormon. The scriptures should become your training manual for your own life and those in your family.
3. Daily service given to family, friends, neighbors and others you may come in contact with. There is always someone that could use your service each day. Pray to know who you might touch with your prayers, love or hands-on service. I love the quote by Bonnie D. Parkin in a BYU Devotional in 2007: "Never suppress a generous thought".
4. Attend the temple frequently. Go to the temple prepared to ask for revelation for your life, your family, your callings or other needs. Bask in the peace of the temple to help you cope with your day to day struggles.
5. Follow the current Prophets and 12 Apostles by listening to or reading their messages of faith and hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As you continue to grow and mature in your testimony you will become more anxiously engaged in helping your family members to “come unto Christ”.
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles expressed the following: "I am sure you can identify the fundamental principles that center your home on the Savior. The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular practices it will be difficult to find the desired and much -needed peace and refuge from the world.....
One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds. (Ensign, May 2013. pg. 29).
Those who enter a Christ-centered home will feel the spirit and the peace that prevails within those walls. It takes diligent work to keep the spirit in your home. There will be moments when peace is diminished or has fully fled. Such times are a part of learning to become a Christ centered family. However, always remember that you can reach the Savior in prayer at any time to seek the spirit’s abundant return to the atmosphere of your home.
That atmosphere will be more conducive to the residing of the spirit when you closely and carefully manage what you allow within your home. It is especially beneficial to display pictures of the Savior, the living prophet, temples of the Lord and of course, those precious pictures of the family. Fill your home with items that represent your centered beliefs and the sacred desires of your heart.
In that same article Elder Scott stated: "As you center your home on the Savior, it will naturally become a refuge not only to your own family but also to friends who live in more difficult circumstances. They will be drawn to the serenity they feel there. Welcome such friends into your home. They will blossom in the Christ-centered environment, become friends with your children's friends. Be a worthy example to them."
Even now I continue to desire that when my children, grandchildren and others enter our home they will feel the spirit. I want my home to reflect our testimony of our Savior, and know that he is the center of our home.