Kaleb, our super wrestler, took 4th in a BIG tournament.
We went to Mapleton shortly after the victory with
pizza to celebrate. Jordan and Andrea were there
tending while Neldon, Brenda and Ty attended a family
funeral. Grandpa, Bethany & Jordan took the kids to Macey's for ice
cream to celebrate Kaleb's victory, while Andrea gave me a perm.
This is a common sight at breakfast time.
Sometimes it is "2nd breakfast" for Hansie.
Food is always better from Grandpa's lap!
We had a few good snow/rain storms. The snow didn't last long.
My weekend in St. George with the Drill/Cheer
teams was a warm andwelcome change.
February 10: I awoke this morning with an understanding that could
have only come from the Spirit. I have been rather concerned about a Facebook friendship that has consumed a lot of Bethany's time and emotion the past few weeks. He is an old high school friend and I have to admit some of the dots connect looking back, but he is so far from what I want for her and what I had imagined Heavenly Father's plan for her would be. In our
last stake conference, we were told that the endowment is a parable rather than
a story and I have watched it as such as I have attended since. That practice has opened up new insights for
me. Suddenly I could see a new message from my temple experiences this morning. In times of deepest need for Heaven’s help,
our desperation may be a time of vulnerability to the whispering of Satan
because of our intense need for urgent revelation. Satan may attempt us to narrow our focus
ONLY on what we currently want rather than look to and wait upon God. If we do not stand
steadfast in our commitment to wait upon the Lord for answers and solutions, we
may become entangled in Satan’s web of distractions and counterfeits. Our commitment and obedience to what we have
already received may be tested and verified as well. It is clear that if we press forward in
faith, being true to what we already know day in and day out, further
instruction does come. Often it comes
through the words of the prophets ancient and modern. I could see Bethany at that critical point
in the parable and shared what I could outside the temple with Darrel.
Bethany had mentioned going to the temple, but had made
no concrete plan. Darrel and I had been
the day before, and I could not attend today because of my commitment to make 15
loaves of bread for the Youth Fund Raiser Dinner in the evening. We
felt the temple was the best place to share some insights and concerns with
Bethany, so Darrel offered to go with her while I stayed home. The kids were with their dad. I challenged Bethany to see the endowment as a
parable and through the Spirit---see herself in it at some point in the
story. I prayed that all would go well
with an unusual intensity as I mixed bread and felt a bit sad about not being
able to join them.
They hadn’t been gone 15 minutes when Jenny Bott called
and said Thela wanted to get married at noon.
They needed help with a place to gather as it had snowed overnight. I
immediately understood why I was not headed for the temple. I felt that God would take care of things at
the temple and in return I could help make this happen for Thela. She is
expecting her 3rd child with Marty Anderson so it was definitely past
time for it to happen.
I’ve long had a
soft spot in my heart for Thela and have looked forward to her being
married. In truth, this marriage is not
what I had hoped for her because she is someone special and deserves more than
she had growing up--- in my mind. I can see that her choices have narrowed other
options so this was the best choice for her. I knew the cultural hall was not available,
but I hoped the R.S. room would work for them.
I quick call to Bishop Hone revealed that the R.S. room was our only
choice as the town hall was not available either. He somewhat reluctantly gave his permission
for them to use the room and suggested it would be best if I could be there.
Through some small miracle I was able to get the bread baked and bagged just in
time to go to the ceremony.
I had felt a need to buy some beautiful spring flowers
for the vase in the front entry on Wednesday for no real explainable
reason. Today they became Thela’s bridal
bouquet. It was big enough to cover the
baby bump for pictures in the wedding dress which she has had for over a
year. They discovered she could wear the
dress if they didn’t lace up the back and she looked very beautiful, although
not modest. Jenny drove down earlier to
pick up the key and we had a brief, but Spirit filled conversation during that
time.
Jason went on line and got “authority” to perform the
ceremony. That seemed like blasphemy to
me, but I was surprised how un-abrasive to the Spirit that detail was in
comparison to the sanctity of their marriage.
Heaven did shine on that occasion. In addition, He revealed Himself to
Bethany in the temple, although not exactly in the same way the Spirit had
shared with me. However, it was equally
profound and she got a powerful message.
I am so grateful that she is seeing things more clearly and understands
that there are areas she cannot compromise.
For now--- friendship is the only option, as she waits upon the Spirit to bring
Byron to himself and soften his heart in the direction of religion, covenants
and eternal families, or he exits on his own accord.
I went straight from the wedding to a meeting in Payson
with my brothers and sister regarding Dad’s future care. We spent two of the most delightful hours I
have spent for some time together. There
was a unity that was almost tangible.
There was no contention. There
was laughter and joy in that gathering and in our focus. We made a good plan and each committed to
their part of the plan. I left feeling like I have the best family in the
world. I feel closer to my siblings because of that time together. I was saddened that Dick did not attend. He made no explanation and missed a rather
glorious time together.
Tonight was the Youth dinner. It was a lovely affair as always. The bread turned out well. The meal and company at our table was superb. Jarom Robinson was our waiter and he was
attentive and fun. I was pretty
exhausted by bedtime, but so grateful for a Spirit filled day and a chance to
be an instrument for the Lord in a small way to further His work.
Thela in her wedding dress. Jason "marrying" Thela and Marty.
Marty and Thela Anderson's current family.
Valentine's Day
I was able to take Dad back to the temple for the first
time since his stroke on Valentine’s Day.
I felt joy as we entered the temple, but that joy intensified as we
stepped beyond the recommend desk. There
were those seen and unseen who I sensed felt that same excitement and joy. The combination touched me deeply and it was
hard to blink back the tears. Darrel
went with us and took care of Dad’s every need.
As expected, Dad had forgotten some things he has had mastered for
decades, but I was grateful and somewhat surprised to see him accept that
honestly, but without great alarm. He
simply concluded, “I’ll keep going back until I remember it.”
One evening for FHE, Darrel and I drove
down to Yuba Reservoir. It was gorgeous that night.
Looking back towards to spillway.
Looking down from the bridge toward the river outlet.
The water was like a mirror.
