-- Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, "A Savior Is Born", December 2015 Ensign
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Elder Oaks Quote
"We live in a world where the power and influence of God in our daily lives are downplayed and dismissed and where the need for a Savior is ignored and even mocked. For those who are devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, there has never been a greater need for us to profess our faith in our Savior, privately and publicly."
Monday, December 28, 2015
Quote of the Day
"Obedience makes us progressively stronger, capable of faithfully enduring tests and trials in the future.” -- Elder Robert D. Hales, Of the Quorum of the 12 apostles
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Quote of the Day
“The path to eternal life is not on a plateau. Rather, it is an incline, ever onward and upward."
--Elder Keith K. Hilbig, an emeritus member of the Seventy
--Elder Keith K. Hilbig, an emeritus member of the Seventy
Friday, December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas!
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." -- Luke 2:11
Sunday, December 20, 2015
What's with Sunday Deliveries?
What is with Sunday deliveries now? I had two messages in my inbox today telling me that I have two deliveries scheduled for today! This is upsetting to me.
The first delivery was originally scheduled for Tuesday the 29th. In fact I deliberately requested slow boat delivery on this particular order. The order was placed just yesterday and none of the options even included Sunday delivery -- not that I remember anyway, perhaps they had next day, I never get next day delivery so to me that's not an option. I have been known to request slow boat delivery just to avoid Sunday deliveries. I don't want to have to make some poor mail carrier work on Sunday just to bring me a package that I don't even want delivered on Sunday.
I'm sure the company thinks they are doing me a great favor by delivered my package nine days early. But they are not. I would rather wait nine days than to have Sunday delivery.
The second delivery was originally scheduled for Monday the 21st -- tomorrow. This one is even more surprising because I didn't know that UPS even delivered on Sunday at all. But when I got home from church I saw the e-mail in my inbox that stated that I have a UPS delivery scheduled for today.
What is going on? All my life Sunday has been off-limits for deliveries. And even Saturday deliveries were limited to certain carriers. Never UPS. So I'm quite surprised at the Sunday deliveries I have scheduled today by UPS and USPS.
It's actually very sad. Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. A day reserved for worshiping the Lord. It is supposed to stand out and be different than every other day of the week. Yes, certain people have to work on Sunday -- healthcare workers, police, firefighters, etc. -- but not delivery carriers. People are used to having to wait until Monday for deliveries. That's how it's always been. People are not used to Sunday deliveries. It actually seems very strange to me. And sad.
Have people gotten so used to having things immediately when they want them that they are now demanding Sunday deliveries? Immediate gratification seems to be what people expect now. In this age of cell phones, text messaging, social media, etc. everything is instant.
I miss the days of waiting for packages, actually going shopping or on vacation or anywhere and checking the answering machine when you get home -- I'm so old I even remember when we didn't even have answering machines. :-)
Patience is a virtue and it seems like it is ever decreasing in our world of instant gratification. Life was much better when people could get away and actually get away. Life was much better when we anxiously awaited the arrival of packages, wondering when it would come. Today, tomorrow, the next day? Now we know when it's coming before we even order it. Life was better when people actually observed the Sabbath as a holy day and treated it differently than every other day of the week.
That's my two cents.
The first delivery was originally scheduled for Tuesday the 29th. In fact I deliberately requested slow boat delivery on this particular order. The order was placed just yesterday and none of the options even included Sunday delivery -- not that I remember anyway, perhaps they had next day, I never get next day delivery so to me that's not an option. I have been known to request slow boat delivery just to avoid Sunday deliveries. I don't want to have to make some poor mail carrier work on Sunday just to bring me a package that I don't even want delivered on Sunday.
I'm sure the company thinks they are doing me a great favor by delivered my package nine days early. But they are not. I would rather wait nine days than to have Sunday delivery.
The second delivery was originally scheduled for Monday the 21st -- tomorrow. This one is even more surprising because I didn't know that UPS even delivered on Sunday at all. But when I got home from church I saw the e-mail in my inbox that stated that I have a UPS delivery scheduled for today.
What is going on? All my life Sunday has been off-limits for deliveries. And even Saturday deliveries were limited to certain carriers. Never UPS. So I'm quite surprised at the Sunday deliveries I have scheduled today by UPS and USPS.
It's actually very sad. Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. A day reserved for worshiping the Lord. It is supposed to stand out and be different than every other day of the week. Yes, certain people have to work on Sunday -- healthcare workers, police, firefighters, etc. -- but not delivery carriers. People are used to having to wait until Monday for deliveries. That's how it's always been. People are not used to Sunday deliveries. It actually seems very strange to me. And sad.
Have people gotten so used to having things immediately when they want them that they are now demanding Sunday deliveries? Immediate gratification seems to be what people expect now. In this age of cell phones, text messaging, social media, etc. everything is instant.
I miss the days of waiting for packages, actually going shopping or on vacation or anywhere and checking the answering machine when you get home -- I'm so old I even remember when we didn't even have answering machines. :-)
Patience is a virtue and it seems like it is ever decreasing in our world of instant gratification. Life was much better when people could get away and actually get away. Life was much better when we anxiously awaited the arrival of packages, wondering when it would come. Today, tomorrow, the next day? Now we know when it's coming before we even order it. Life was better when people actually observed the Sabbath as a holy day and treated it differently than every other day of the week.
That's my two cents.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
T. Graham Brown
I've been on a T. Graham Brown kick for a week or so. I'm not sure why or how. :-) I think I may have stumbled upon the duet with Tanya Tucker on YouTube. Then I found his album in my iTunes. So I've been listening to it while on my computer.
For me, songs and artists always remind me of a certain time in my life or certain specific experiences. T. Graham Brown to me is college life after my mission. I used to listen to T. Graham Brown -- And I'm sure I did some karaoke to his tunes ;-) -- all the time in college. One of my favorite pastimes to relieve stress. :-)
Anyway here are a few videos I found on YouTube. Enjoy them. :-)
I love the first three lines from this song -- reminds me of me. :-):
"They say that I'm the kind of man who always speak his mind
To me there's nothing stronger than the truth
They can ask me almost anything and I'll tell it like it is..."
Perhaps my favorite T. Graham Brown song because Tanya Tucker sings with him. :-) I was also a huge Tanya Tucker fan in college. They both look a bit older now. :-) Love this song!
This song reminds me of my mom. :-)
This is a song I hadn't heard before. I actually shed a few tears listening to it. And that's a pretty tall order! :-)
I hope you enjoyed listening to and watching his T-ness as much as I did. It sure beats the garbage they put out on the radio today. Brings back some great memories too.
For me, songs and artists always remind me of a certain time in my life or certain specific experiences. T. Graham Brown to me is college life after my mission. I used to listen to T. Graham Brown -- And I'm sure I did some karaoke to his tunes ;-) -- all the time in college. One of my favorite pastimes to relieve stress. :-)
Anyway here are a few videos I found on YouTube. Enjoy them. :-)
I love the first three lines from this song -- reminds me of me. :-):
"They say that I'm the kind of man who always speak his mind
To me there's nothing stronger than the truth
They can ask me almost anything and I'll tell it like it is..."
Perhaps my favorite T. Graham Brown song because Tanya Tucker sings with him. :-) I was also a huge Tanya Tucker fan in college. They both look a bit older now. :-) Love this song!
This song reminds me of my mom. :-)
This is a song I hadn't heard before. I actually shed a few tears listening to it. And that's a pretty tall order! :-)
Monday, December 14, 2015
A Compensatory Power
I watched a really good devotional by Elder Neil L. Andersen Of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. It was an education week devotional given at BYU on August 18, 2015. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from that talk.
"We live in very interesting times, yet in marvelous times. We are in the dispensation of the fulness of times, when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, and as the world is being prepared for the glorious Second Coming of the Savior. These are days of looking forward, of beautiful anticipation. These are our days.
"We know as we approach the Second Coming of the Savior, our world will be full of commotion and confusion. Many in society will disregard the commandments of God. I have often quoted this statement by President Thomas S. Monson: “Where once the standards of the Church and the standards of society were mostly compatible, now there is a wide chasm between us, and it’s growing ever wider.”
"As these temptations and distractions increase, as the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes less palatable to the world, sadly, we will see more among us who will lose their way.
"When I was a young man growing up in southeastern Idaho, I remember frequently hearing a quote from Elder Heber C. Kimball given in 1867: “To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess his personal knowledge or witness will fall. … The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to [stand] on borrowed light.”
"As we find our way in a world less attentive to the commandments of God, we will certainly be prayerful, but we need not be overly alarmed. The Lord will bless His Saints with the added spiritual power necessary to meet the challenges of our day.
"Here is my major theme this morning: As evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling. The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight.
"My brothers and sisters, as evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory power, an additional spiritual endowment, a revelatory gift for the righteous.
"This added blessing of spiritual power does not settle upon us just because we are part of this generation. It is willingly offered to us; it is eagerly put before us. But as with all spiritual gifts, it requires our desiring it, pursuing it, and living worthy of receiving it. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?”
"Faith is the muscle of spiritual knowledge and power. Faith is a spiritual gift of God, but it is developed and magnified as we eagerly pursue our journey of embracing and following the Savior."
--Elder Neil L. Andersen, A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous, August 18, 2015
"We live in very interesting times, yet in marvelous times. We are in the dispensation of the fulness of times, when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, and as the world is being prepared for the glorious Second Coming of the Savior. These are days of looking forward, of beautiful anticipation. These are our days.
"We know as we approach the Second Coming of the Savior, our world will be full of commotion and confusion. Many in society will disregard the commandments of God. I have often quoted this statement by President Thomas S. Monson: “Where once the standards of the Church and the standards of society were mostly compatible, now there is a wide chasm between us, and it’s growing ever wider.”
"As these temptations and distractions increase, as the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes less palatable to the world, sadly, we will see more among us who will lose their way.
"When I was a young man growing up in southeastern Idaho, I remember frequently hearing a quote from Elder Heber C. Kimball given in 1867: “To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess his personal knowledge or witness will fall. … The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to [stand] on borrowed light.”
"As we find our way in a world less attentive to the commandments of God, we will certainly be prayerful, but we need not be overly alarmed. The Lord will bless His Saints with the added spiritual power necessary to meet the challenges of our day.
"Here is my major theme this morning: As evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling. The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight.
"My brothers and sisters, as evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory power, an additional spiritual endowment, a revelatory gift for the righteous.
"This added blessing of spiritual power does not settle upon us just because we are part of this generation. It is willingly offered to us; it is eagerly put before us. But as with all spiritual gifts, it requires our desiring it, pursuing it, and living worthy of receiving it. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?”
"Faith is the muscle of spiritual knowledge and power. Faith is a spiritual gift of God, but it is developed and magnified as we eagerly pursue our journey of embracing and following the Savior."
--Elder Neil L. Andersen, A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous, August 18, 2015
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Halfway to 90
Happy birthday to me! Today I reached the halfway to 90 mark. :-) Real proud. That's quite a milestone.
Here is my latest picture with my nephew and sister on Thanksgiving.
Here is my latest picture with my nephew and sister on Thanksgiving.
Happy birthday! :-)
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
College Football Picks 2015 Final Results
Because we had a three-way tie for number of first-place wins this year, to determine the overall winner we added up the place numbers each week -- lowest winning.
12 -- Richie 147
The following are the results for those who participated every week:
1 -- Tammy 32
2 -- Rex 34
3 -- Chanelle 44
1 -- Tammy 32
2 -- Rex 34
3 -- Chanelle 44
4 -- Dad 48
5 -- Lisa 78
6 -- Mom 112
All other participants missed at least one week and so we determined that the fairest way to tally the scores was to add 14 points (total number of participants) for each week missed.
5 -- Lisa 78
6 -- Mom 112
All other participants missed at least one week and so we determined that the fairest way to tally the scores was to add 14 points (total number of participants) for each week missed.
One week missed -- Derrinda, Elijah, Brandon
Three weeks missed -- Juliet, Cody
7 -- Juliet 112
8 -- Derrinda 113
9 -- Elijah 135
10 -- Cody 137
11 -- Brandon 139
The three other participants missed more than half of the weeks. But for completeness sake I will include them. Richie participated six times. Mercedes and Dallas both participated only twice.
12 -- Richie 147
13 -- Mercedes 181
14 -- Dallas 189
Congratulations to everyone who participated this year. It was a lot of fun! And especially congratulations to me for winning. :-) It was a close competition every week so that made it more fun.
Now everybody can look forward to the pizza party and awards. There will be lots of fun prizes and perhaps even a lottery for the winners and participants. Should be a lot of fun!
In case you're having football picks withdrawals, there are still all the bowl games for the next month! :-) Then we'll do it all again in September. :-)
Good job everybody and good luck next year!
Now everybody can look forward to the pizza party and awards. There will be lots of fun prizes and perhaps even a lottery for the winners and participants. Should be a lot of fun!
In case you're having football picks withdrawals, there are still all the bowl games for the next month! :-) Then we'll do it all again in September. :-)
Good job everybody and good luck next year!
Sunday, December 6, 2015
College Football Picks 2015 Week 14 Results
1- Dad -3 tiebreaker 61
2- Brandon -4 tie breaker 38
3- Rex -4 tiebreaker 65
4- Tammy -5 tie breaker 45
5- Elijah -5 tiebreaker 34
5- Derrinda -5 Tiebreaker 54
6- Mom -6 tiebreaker 42
7- Juliet -6 tiebreaker 68
8- Chanelle -6 tie breaker 74
9- Cody -7 tie breaker 62
10- Lisa -8 tie breaker 74
Actual tiebreaker 44
Congrats on a fun season everybody. Elijah and Derrinda were both 10 off the tiebreaker so they tied for fifth place this week. Congrats to Brandon on coming in second place this week! That's a pretty tall order. :-)
Good job everybody it was a fun competition this year. Bowl games and pizza party yet to come. :-)
2- Brandon -4 tie breaker 38
3- Rex -4 tiebreaker 65
4- Tammy -5 tie breaker 45
5- Elijah -5 tiebreaker 34
5- Derrinda -5 Tiebreaker 54
6- Mom -6 tiebreaker 42
7- Juliet -6 tiebreaker 68
8- Chanelle -6 tie breaker 74
9- Cody -7 tie breaker 62
10- Lisa -8 tie breaker 74
Actual tiebreaker 44
Congrats on a fun season everybody. Elijah and Derrinda were both 10 off the tiebreaker so they tied for fifth place this week. Congrats to Brandon on coming in second place this week! That's a pretty tall order. :-)
Good job everybody it was a fun competition this year. Bowl games and pizza party yet to come. :-)
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
FHE Lesson -- Infinite Worth
Tammy’s Family Home
Evening Lesson
November 26, 2015
Opening
song: I am a Child of God, hymn number 301
Opening
prayer: by invitation
“Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you.
That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your
possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not
changed by your talents and abilities.” —President Thomas S. Monson
“With the help of the scriptures, words of the prophets, and personal revelation, we gradually come to an awareness of our true nature and destiny. Once we grasp this reality, we can obtain the faith to move forward and overcome any obstacle standing in our way of fulfilling our foreordained destiny—including the obstacle of feelings of low self-worth.” -- Elder Glenn L. Pace of the 70, January 2005
“You are young women [and young men] of great faith. You brought your faith with you when you came to the earth. Alma teaches us that in the premortal realms you exhibited “exceeding faith and good works.” You fought with your faith and testimony to defend the plan that was presented by God. You knew the plan was good, and you knew that the Savior would do what He said He would do—because you knew Him! You stood with Him, and you were eager for your opportunity to come to earth. You knew what was going to be required of you. You knew it would be difficult, and yet you were confident not only that you could accomplish your divine mission but that you could make a difference. You are “choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work…” -- Elaine S. Dalton, YW general president, April 2010 General Conference, “Remember Who You Are!”
“I have
always loved the story of the son of King Louis XVI of France because he had an
unshakable knowledge of his identity. As a young man, he was kidnapped by evil
men who had dethroned his father, the king. These men knew that if they could
destroy him morally, he would not be heir to the throne. For six months they
subjected him to every vile thing life had to offer, and yet he never yielded
under pressure. This puzzled his captors, and after doing everything they could
think of, they asked him why he had such great moral strength. His reply was
simple. He said, “I cannot do what you ask, for I was born to be a king.”
“Like the
king’s son, each of you has inherited a royal birthright. Each of you has a
divine heritage. “You are literally the royal daughters [and sons] of our
Father in Heaven.” Each
of you was born to be a queen [or king].” – Elaine S. Dalton, April 2010,
“Remember Who You Are!”
“… look into the mirror of eternity. Remember who you are! See yourself as our Heavenly Father sees you. You are elect. You are of noble birth. Don’t compromise your divine inheritance. You were born to be a queen [or King].”—Elaine S. Dalton, April 2010, “Remember Who You Are!”
Song: I Am
of Infinite Worth (by Janice Kapp Perry)—performed by kids by invitation J
Closing
prayer: by invitation
I Am of
Infinite Worth (by Janice Kapp Perry)
All I need
do is remember
If ever I
wonder if I am of worth
Remember my
Savior what He did for me
When He
lived among men on this earth
Pain and
unspeakable sorrow
He bore for
my sins there in Gethsemane
Then He gave
up His life as He hung on the cross
And He did
it all for me
Chorus:
For I am of
worth
Of infinite
worth
My Savior,
Redeemer loves me
Yes, I am of
worth
Of infinite
worth
I'll be all
He wants me to be
I will
praise Him
I will serve
Him
I will grow
in His love
And fulfill my
divine destiny
Lovingly
Jesus is watching
He knows I
am worth all He suffered for me
Now I must fulfill
my own mission in life
Ever
following Him faithfully
Line upon
line I am striving
Not seeking
the honor or praise of mankind
I will reach
for the joy of celestial reward
Till all
that God offers is mine
Repeat
chorus twice
For my
Savior Redeemer loves me
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Daily Quotes
"As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions." —Thomas S. Monson
"Our divine nature has nothing to do with our personal accomplishments…Our divine nature comes from God." —Rosemary M. Wixom
"Our divine nature has nothing to do with our personal accomplishments…Our divine nature comes from God." —Rosemary M. Wixom
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