What Are You Thankful For?

Well, to start off with, we are thankful for the times we have spent with our great family this year. We have been to Indiana a couple of times, to Utah, and most recently to Idaho. This last trip included some pretty cold weather (yes, James, woosie cold) - but very warm times with two absolutely wonderful couples. I will devote another blog post to a response to Peter & Leigh-Ann's. We did have a great time in the temple, looking at Christmas lights around Rexburg, and even playing the Wii - although I think the consistant barrage of verbal faux pas from every quarter was the most entertaining. We loved being with Andy & Saramarie as well, a very relaxing time with lots of reading and napping.

In the meantime, here is one of the latest videos from Mormon Messages. We hope you enjoy it, and that it helps you create focus for the holiday next week, and beyond.

There Is A Happy Dale Far Far Away

As this is Halloween, we have celebrated by watching Arsenic & Old Lace - an old family tradition. We supplemented this year by watching some Sherlock Holmes, with Jeremy Brett. I got the entire 41 show series for my birthday, and they are really well done.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The Sabbath - A Delight

I … would urge upon all Saints everywhere a more strict observance of the Sabbath day. The Lord’s holy day is fast losing its sacred significance throughout the world. … More and more, man destroys the Sabbath’s sacred purposes in pursuit of wealth, pleasure, recreation, and the worship of false and material gods. We continue to urge all Saints and God-fearing people everywhere to observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Businesses will not be open on the Sabbath if they are not patronized on that holy day. The same is true of resorts, sporting events, and recreation areas of all kinds. Pursuit of the almighty dollar is winning, it seems, over the Lord’s commandment, “Keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary” (Lev. 19:30).
The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important, but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, writing letters to missionaries, taking a nap, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day at which he is expected.
Take time [on the Sabbath] to be together as families to converse with one another, to study the scriptures, to visit friends, relatives, and the sick and lonely. This is also an excellent time to work on your journals and genealogy.

"It's worth it, Oh, Katie, is it worth it."

The title of this post comes from an essay by Erika Price in the Spring 2003 issue of BYU Magazine. I have been going through my old magazines and tossing them, but keeping certain articles that may prove useful in the future (proving once again that I can never really truly throw anything away). Reading this short essay, and having listened to one of my favorited addresses by Elder Holland, Who We Are, And What God Expects Us To Do (given 22 years ago), made me reflect with gratitude on the great education I received at BYU. Was it worth it? Oh yes, it was worth it! That is why the prophets have always instructed us, and continue to instruct us, to get all the education we can.


This extends to any institution of higher education, not just BYU. I admire greatly all those who have, and are, pursuing their education "to the limit" in order to expand their ability to serve others to the greatest extent. And "getting all the education you can" extends far beyond our years in the formal system. Continuing education is a way of life for Saints, just as surely as is participating in any of the other Christ-Culture activities we focus on (pick your favorite). But there is a catch or two. Continuing education requires that: (1) We truly believe in eternal progression, which is really just another way of saying continuing education, so that we don't find ourself with a year's experience times our age (this is far easier than you may think); (2) We remain humble, because you can never teach anything to someone who already knows it; and (3) We repent, because "a lesson is never learned until it is lived".
Pursuing such a course is more difficult than we sometimes want to believe, or recognize - mainly because of perception problems brought on by our lack of proper focus. But it is critical to our eternal happiness, because it is fundamental to how we will spend that portion of eternity that succeeds our current state. So, continuing education -- is it worth it? Is it ever!

55 - James Branches Out

For years we have been the recipients of very creative and funny birthday cards from James. This year he decided to kick it up a notch and go electronic. I hope you enjoy it.