Author Archives: MEEThinks

AND BEHOLD, SHE AGETH….

Posted on by

OK, friends… It’s HERE!! I was born on a Sunday: 03-03-40. So THIS is the BIG DAY for turning 79. WHAT??? You mean I’m starting my 80th year as an earthling?? Oh my goodness… this can’t be true!! But there are some “symptoms,” eh? Yep… More about that later. But first, a few things. I found a lot of pictures, but I know they won’t all fit after all I’m planning to write (!!), so I might put just 2 or 3, and then maybe I’ll make an extra post just with pictures (although in the past when I was posting blogs quite frequently, I realized that for some reasons the pictures often disappeared! Rather quickly, too! I don’t know how to fix that… I’m on a pretty steep learning curve (and yes, I’m OLD). (OK… I’ve finished the post but can’t figure out how to add pictures…. I know that just breaks your heart! I’ll see if I can start a new post just with pictures)….

Now for some little factoids: When I was born there were 7 Temples in the world (the most recent being the Mesa Temple, built in 1927). The Prophet and president of the Church was Heber J. Grant. Franklin D. Roosevelt was USA president.  WWII was happening. An average home cost around $ 4,000. Gas was 11 cents per gallon. A new car averaged $ 850. A Hoover vacuum was $52.00. 12 cents could buy 3 sticks of gum. A 5-lb bag of flour was 25 cents. Life Magazine cost 10 cents. Hattie McDaniel won an Academy Award for “Gone With the Wind” (she was the first African-American actor to win but was not allowed to attend the grand opening of the film in Atlanta….) The first nylon stockings were sold. Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” was a hit. Glenn Miller. Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra were popular. Others born in 1940 include Jack Nicklaus, Peter Fonda, John Lennon, Mario Andretti, and Frankie Avalon. OK, but ALSO born in 1940: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and Elder Quentin L. Cook. Yep… it was a good year!

Now for the “symptoms.” Yes, I’m slowing down. I can’t leap tall buildings anymore [as if I ever COULD!!]. And I can only hold my breath for about 12 seconds (thanks in part to COPD and only 1/3 lung capacity). It seems like I used to look forward more than backward. I wasn’t just 5 or 11 or whatever – I was 5 ½!  11 ½!  I don’t really mind the numbers. I’ve never hesitated to tell anyone how old I was. And until I was approximately 35-40 I was always considered younger than I actually was. I was skinny until then. All numbers seem to have increased…. Hmmmm…. When I was a student nurse and then an R.N., no one would believe that I was older than 16 or 17. Ha!

I was very athletic. (I know… it’s hard to imagine that now). I was even voted best female athlete as I graduated from BYU High School. Wow. I played sports all through my 4 years at BYU, which included 2 years in Salt Lake getting experience at the LDS Hospital and other places there (like the first, and now GONE, Primary Children’s Hospital, up the hill from our nurse’s residence on 9th Ave). And clinics in downtown Salt Lake. I didn’t know how to use the bus system, so I’d just walk and jog down and back, usually through Memory Grove. I played basketball (on a nurse’s team), and was on our ward team (which also had student nurses) for volleyball and softball.

My childhood was ideal. Cedar City in the 40’s and 50’s. No TV (but YES, we DID have indoor plumbing and electricity). Our phone number was 34. Daddy’s office was 70. We had “Number please” and “Information please.” The Saturday matinee at the Cedar Theatre was 10 cents but went up to 25 cents by the time we moved away in 1957. The most popular songs included “You Are My Sunshine,” “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano,” “Tom Dooley,” “Beer Barrel Polka,” and “I’ll Never Smile Again.” Two favorite games were Parcheesi and TiddleyWinks. I was in a 4-H club, wrote poems, took piano lessons, was in 4 orchestras at once for a while (I played the violin: Jr. High, High School, College and Community orchestras – I had the blessing of playing in “The Messiah,” which was held each year in Cedar City). I saw the Utah Symphony each year, plus Raphael Mendez, Spike Jones and the Wacky Wacketeers, Jose Grecco and his dance company, several Metropolitan Opera singers (in 3rd grade I was “mesmerized” hearing Robert Wede sing “Old Man River”). For a small town, Cedar City gave us incredible opportunities!

I LOVE GOOD MUSIC! I heard Jesse Norman sing “The Last Four Songs of Strauss” with the Utah Symphony (and it still gives me chills even to think about it), and John Longhurst [also born in 1940] play the organ in “The Organ Symphony (also with the Utah Symphony). Placido Domingo and Jess Norman at the Metropolitan Opera. Marilyn Horne in Carnegie Hall. Van Cliburn in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Eugene Ormandy conducting the Tabernacle Choir. [Yes, it has a new name now]. Il Divo in San Diego and again in Salt Lake. Music on Broadway and lots of other places. I loved singing in my high school choir. And I always have music playing in my head! ALWAYS! Well, I could go on and on about MUSIC – good music thrills my soul!!!

Life is good (even with FLOOD #13 in my basement last week……..) I’m slowly moving from American Fork to Midway. The air quality is MUCH better up there (and I’m hoping it will stay that way). I’m thankful that many of my treasured “papers” are going to the BYU basement (the L. Tom Perry collection, I think). I’ve collected a LOT of “stuff and things” through the years which are very precious to me (but likely not to anyone else … so be on the lookout at D.I., OK??)

I’ve been “blessed beyond measure.” TRULY! I’ve had adventures, experiences and opportunities beyond my wildest dreams. Not all dreams have come true, but so MUCH has “come true” that I didn’t even know how to dream about!! (I didn’t even have to make a “Bucket List!”) I never imagined that I’d visit all 7 continents (yes – that includes Antarctica!), serve 4 missions (including being one of the very first sister missionaries in both the Philippines and Indonesia), become a nurse, write a few books (and read hundreds!), stand at the Southern Tip of the Pan American Highway (in Ushuaia, Argentina), serve on the Relief Society General Board for 11 years, visit a refugee camp in Thailand, have a Facebook account (WHAT??) and a Blog (WHAT???), swim in Navajo Lake, the Pacific Ocean, and a pool in Fiji, teach with missionaries for 7 years at the Missionary Home in Salt Lake and at the LTM and MTC for over 20 years, ride a dog sled in Alaska, teach “Seesters” at the MTC on Sundays for around 23 years, visit over 45 countries and all 50 states, ride the Star Ferry in Hong Kong, have the privilege of attending more than 50 Temples, sail the Pacific, spend time on the Altiplano in Bolivia (over 12,000 feet above sea level!), work at Zion National Park for 2 summers, climb Lady Mountain and Angel’s Landing, see the Sydney Opera House, have the police offer a $100 reward for anyone who could name MEE as a participant in a costly prank, kiss a stingray in Bora-Bora, do a dozen skits with Sandi Rogers for the BYU Women’s Conference, participate in “Time Out for Women” over 130 times, climb Timp, be hospitalized for the first time in my life in Taipei, Taiwan, watch whales breach off the coast of the Big Island (Hawaii), see the Statue of Liberty, wear braces for 10 years, be deeply moved in Jerusalem, Nauvoo, the Sacred Grove and lots of other places (like Fort McKinley, now Fort Bonifacio, in the Philippines and incredible scenery in so many countries I’ve visited, like Switzerland!… where both of my Grandmothers were born), give quite a few talks (including with EFY, Education Week, and “Know Your Religion”),find dear friends in MANY places in the world, say farewell to my parents and many MANY other dear ones (I’m really looking forward to LOTS of reunions!!!). I’m so grateful for my family. All 4 brothers and 3 sisters are still on the planet with me, plus a whole bunch of “posterity!” I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH!!

I’m deeply, constantly thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – and WOW! To be alive RIGHT NOW with an amazing continuing Restoration….  For the Priesthood, Revelation, Temples, Family History work, the Sacrament, ALL Scriptures … And on and on and ON (I’ll think of other things after I “hang up….)” 

AND IF YOU’VE ACTUALLY MADE IT THROUGH THIS WHOLE POST, JUST BE GLAD I WON’T BE GOING BACK TO ADD THINGS THAT I THINK OF AFTER I POST THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (A person can see and do quite a bit in 79 years!!) 

ELDER GONG

Posted on by

Many of you have probably already read (and pondered) this talk, printed in the ENSIGN, July 2014. I thought I’d share it again now that he has been named one of the two new Apostles. ENJOY!!!

BECOMING PERFECT IN CHRIST – By Elder Gerritt Walter Gong

We sing with our children, “I feel my Savior’s love, the love he freely gives me.”1  His atoning love, freely given, is as “milk and honey, without money and without price” (2 Nephi 26:25). Infinite and eternal (see Alma 34:10), the Atonement invites us to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32).  Understanding the Savior’s freely given atoning love can free us from self-imposed, incorrect, and unrealistic expectations of what perfection is. Such understanding allows us to let go of fears that we are imperfect—fears that we make mistakes, fears that we are not good enough, fears that we are a failure compared to others, fears that we are not doing enough to merit His love.

The Savior’s freely given atoning love helps us become more forgiving and less judgmental of others and of ourselves. This love heals our relationships and gives us opportunities to love, understand, and serve as our Savior would. His atoning love changes our concept of perfection. We can put our trust in Him, diligently keep His commandments, and continue in the faith (see Mosiah 4:6)—even as we also feel greater humility, gratitude, and dependence on His merits, mercy, and grace (see2 Nephi 2:8).

In a broader sense, coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him places perfection within the eternal journey of our spirit and body—in essence, the eternal journey of our soul (see D&C 88:15). Becoming perfect results from our journey through physical life, death, and resurrection, when all things are restored “to their proper and perfect frame” (Alma 40:23). It includes the process of spiritual birth, which brings “a mighty change” to our hearts and dispositions (Mosiah 5:2). It reflects our lifelong refinement through Christlike service and obedience to the Savior’s commandments and our covenants. And it recognizes the perfecting relationship between the living and the dead (see D&C 128:18).

The word perfection, however, is sometimes misunderstood to mean never making a mistake. Perhaps you or someone you know is trying hard to be perfect in this way. Because such perfection always seems out of reach, even our best efforts can leave us anxious, discouraged, or exhausted. We unsuccessfully try to control our circumstances and the people around us. We fret over weaknesses and mistakes. In fact, the harder we try, the further we may feel from the perfection we seek.

In what follows, I seek to deepen our appreciation for the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and for the love and mercy the Savior freely gives us. I invite you to apply your understanding of the doctrine of the Atonement to help yourself and others, including missionaries, students, young single adults, fathers, mothers, single heads of households, and others who may feel pressure to find perfection or to be perfect.

THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

Prepared from the foundation of the world (see Mosiah 4:6–7), our Savior’s Atonement allows us to learn, repent, and grow by our own experiences and choices. In this mortal probation, both gradual “line upon line” (D&C 98:12) spiritual growth and transformative “mighty change” of heart (Alma 5:12, 13; Mosiah 5:2) spiritual experiences help us come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. The familiar term “endure to the end” reminds us that eternal growth often involves both time and process. In the concluding chapter of the Book of Mormon, the great prophet Moroni teaches us how to come unto and be perfected in Christ. We “deny [our]selves of all ungodliness.” We “love God with all [our] might, mind and strength.” Then His grace is sufficient for us, “that by his grace [we] may be perfect in Christ.” If we “deny not” the power of God, we can be “sanctified in Christ by the grace of God,” which “is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of [our] sins,” that we can “become holy, without spot” (Moroni 10:32, 33). Ultimately, it is the Savior’s “great and last sacrifice” that brings about “mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:14, 15). Indeed, our “faith unto repentance” is essential for us to come unto Christ, be perfected in Him, and enjoy the blessings of “the great and eternal plan of redemption” (Alma 34:16).

Fully accepting our Savior’s Atonement can increase our faith and give us courage to let go of constraining expectations that we are somehow required to be or to make things perfect. Black-and-white thinking says everything is either absolutely perfect or hopelessly flawed. But we can gratefully accept, as God’s sons and daughters, that we are His greatest handiwork (seePsalm 8:3–6; Hebrews 2:7), even though we are still a work in progress. As we understand our Savior’s freely given atoning love, we cease fearing that He may be a harsh, faultfinding judge. Instead, we feel assurance, “for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). And we understand that time and process are needed for growth (see Moses 7:21).

OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE

Only our Savior lived a perfect life, and even He learned and grew in mortal experience. Indeed, “he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness” (D&C 93:13). He learned through mortal experience to “take upon him [our] infirmities … that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people” (Alma 7:12). He did not succumb to temptations, sins, or daily pressures, but He descended below all of mortality’s trials and challenges (see D&C 122:8). In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior commands us: “Be ye therefore perfect” (Matthew 5:48). The Greek word for perfect can be translated as “complete, finished, fully developed” (in Matthew 5:48, footnote b). Our Savior asks us to become complete, finished, fully developed—to be perfected in the virtues and attributes He and our Father in Heaven exemplify.2  Let us see how applying the doctrine of the Atonement may help those who feel they need to find perfection or to be perfect.

PERFECTIONISM

A misunderstanding of what it means to be perfect can result in perfectionism—an attitude or behavior that takes an admirable desire to be good and turns it into an unrealistic expectation to be perfect now. Perfectionism sometimes arises from the feeling that only those who are perfect deserve to be loved or that we do not deserve to be happy unless we are perfect. Perfectionism can cause sleeplessness, anxiety, procrastination, discouragement, self-justification, and depression. These feelings can crowd out the peace, joy, and assurance our Savior wants us to have.

Missionaries who want to be perfect now may become anxious or discouraged if learning their mission language, seeing people baptized, or receiving mission leadership assignments do not happen fast enough. For capable young people accustomed to accomplishment, a mission may be life’s first great challenge. But missionaries can be exactly obedient without being perfect. They can measure their success primarily by their commitment to help individuals and families “become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost.”3

Students beginning a new school year, especially those leaving home for college, face both excitement and concerns. Student scholars, athletes, artists, and so forth go from being a “big fish in a little pond” to feeling like a minnow in an ocean with unfamiliar tides and swift, unpredictable currents. It is easy for students with perfectionist tendencies to feel that, no matter how hard they try, they have failed if they are not first in all things. Given life’s demands, students can learn that it is sometimes perfectly fine to do all they can and that it is not always possible to be the very best.

We also impose expectations of perfection in our own homes. A father or mother may feel compelled to be the perfect spouse, parent, homemaker, breadwinner, or part of a perfect Latter-day Saint family—now.

What helps those who battle perfectionist tendencies? Open-ended, supportive inquiries communicate acceptance and love. They invite others to focus on the positive. They allow us to define what we feel is going well. Family and friends can avoid competitive comparisons and instead offer sincere encouragement.

Another serious dimension of perfectionism is to hold others to our unrealistic, judgmental, or unforgiving standards. Such behavior may, in fact, deny or limit the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement in our lives and in the lives of others. For example, young single adults may make a list of desired qualities in a potential spouse and yet be unable to marry because of unrealistic expectations for the perfect companion. Thus, a sister may be unwilling to consider dating a wonderful, worthy brother who falls short on her perfectionist scale—he does not dance well, is not planning to be wealthy, did not serve a mission, or admits to a past problem with pornography since resolved through repentance and counseling. Similarly, a brother may not consider dating a wonderful, worthy sister who doesn’t fit his unrealistic profile—she is not a sports enthusiast, a Relief Society president, a beauty queen, a sophisticated budgeter, or she admits to an earlier, now-resolved weakness with the Word of Wisdom. Of course, we should consider qualities we desire in ourselves and in a potential spouse. We should maintain our highest hopes and standards. But if we are humble, we will be surprised by goodness in unexpected places, and we may create opportunities to grow closer to someone who, like us, is not perfect. Faith acknowledges that, through repentance and the power of the Atonement, weakness can be made strong and repented sins can truly be forgiven.

Happy marriages are not the result of two perfect people saying vows. Rather, devotion and love grow as two imperfect people build, bless, help, encourage, and forgive along the way. The wife of a modern prophet was once asked what it was like being married to a prophet. She wisely replied that she had not married a prophet; she had simply married a man who was completely dedicated to the Church no matter what calling he received.4 In other words, in process of time, husbands and wives grow together—individually and as a couple. The wait for a perfect spouse, perfect education, perfect job, or perfect house will be long and lonely. We are wise to follow the Spirit in life’s important decisions and not let doubts spawned by perfectionist demands hinder our progress.

For those who may feel chronically burdened or anxious, sincerely ask yourself, “Do I define perfectionand success by the doctrines of the Savior’s atoning love or by the world’s standards? Do I measure success orfailure by the Holy Ghost confirming my righteous desires or by some worldly standard?” For those who feel physically or emotionally exhausted, start getting regular sleep and rest, and make time to eat and relax. Recognize that being busy is not the same as being worthy, and being worthy does not require perfection.5  For those prone to see their own weaknesses or shortcomings, celebrate with gratitude the things you do well, however large or small.  For those who fear failure and who procrastinate, sometimes by overpreparing, be assured and encouraged that there is no need to withdraw from challenging activities that may bring great growth!

Where needed and appropriate, seek spiritual counsel or competent medical attention to help you relax, develop positive ways to think and structure your life, reduce self-defeating behaviors, and experience and express more gratitude.6

Impatience impedes faith. Faith and patience will help missionaries understand a new language or culture, students to master new subjects, and young single adults to begin building relationships rather than waiting for everything to be perfect. Faith and patience will also help those waiting for temple sealing clearances or restoration of priesthood blessings.

As we act and are not acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14), we can navigate between complementary virtues and achieve much of life’s growth. These can appear in “an opposition,” being “a compound in one” (2 Nephi 2:11).  For example, we can cease to be idle (see D&C 88:124) without running faster than we have strength (seeMosiah 4:27).  We can be “anxiously engaged in a good cause” (D&C 58:27) while also periodically pausing to “be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10; see also D&C 101:16).  We can find our lives by losing our lives for the Savior’s sake (see Matthew 10:39; 16:25).  We can be “not weary in well-doing” (D&C 64:33; see also Galatians 6:9) while taking appropriate time to refresh spiritually and physically.  We can be lighthearted without being light-minded.  We can laugh heartily with but not haughtily at.

Our Savior and His Atonement invite us to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.” As we do so, He promises that His grace is “sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ” (Moroni 10:32).  For those burdened by cares to find perfection or to be perfect now, our Savior’s freely given atoning love assures us:  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  “… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28, 30).7

NOTES

  1. “I Feel My Savior’s Love,” Children’s Songbook,75.
  2. See also Russell M. Nelson, “Perfection Pending,”Ensign,Nov. 1995, 86–88.
  3. Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service(2004), 10.
  4. See Lavina Fielding, “Camilla Kimball: Lady of Constant Learning,”Ensign, Oct. 1975, 62.
  5. See, for example, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Four Titles,”Ensign,May 2013, 58–61. President Uchtdorf also cautions, “Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list” (“Of Things That Matter Most,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 20).
  6. This insight comes from Carlos F. and Alane Kae Watkins, mental health advisers in the Asia Area, assigned in Hong Kong. Other insights for this article came from Susan Gong, Larry Y. and Lynda Wilson, Randy D. and Andrea Funk, Janet S. Scharman, and missionaries in the Indonesia Jakarta Mission.
  7. See also Cecil O. Samuelson, “What Does It Mean to Be Perfect?”New Era, Jan. 2006, 10–13; Janet S. Scharman, “Seeking Perfection without Being a Perfectionist,” in Virtue and the Abundant Life: Talks from the BYU Religious Education and Wheatley Institution Symposium, ed. Lloyd D. Newell and others (2012), 280–302.

A COLLECTION FROM 03-03-2018

Posted on by

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE HAPPY, KIND, FUNNY, WONDERFUL MESSAGES WHICH I RECEIVED YESTERDAY AS I CELEBRATED MY BIRTHDAY BY MYSELF WITH STILL NOT MUCH OF A VOICE AND NOW A BIT OF A COLD AS “FROSTING” (??) ON TOP OF IT…. I’M KIND OF “HOME-BOUND.” BUT ONE THING I DECIDED TO DO WAS TO POST ALL THE THINGS I PUT ON MY FB PAGE TO CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY (AS IF ANYONE WOULD BE AT ALL INTERESTED IN SUCH A COLLECTION….) BUT IF IT’S ONLY SO I HAVE IT ALL “IN ONE PIECE,” IT’S WORTH MY LITTLE EFFORT ON THIS MORNING WITH THE SNOW COMING DOWN THICK AND HEAVY AND BEAUTIFUL!!!!

NOW…. BEFORE I PUT EVERYTHING HERE WHICH WAS IN SEVERAL FB POSTS YESTERDAY, I JUST HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF (AND ANY OF YOU WHO NEED REMINDING) THAT I’M NOT YET FINISHED!!  I’M STILL THE ONE WHO KISSED A STINGRAY IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC (BORA-BORA) LAST YEAR!!!  LET THAT EVENT NOT BE FORGOTTEN!!!

 

AND NOW I’LL PUT IN EVERYTHING FROM YESTERDAY (JUST FOR MYSELF… BUT YOU’RE WELCOME TO TAKE A LOOK IF YOU’D LIKE)

MUCH LOVE AND THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR HELPING MEE CELEBRATE!!!!!

 

TODAY’s THE DAY. I’M 78 NOW. GETTING A BIT “OVER THE HILL,” RIGHT? OH WELL. I’M STILL HAVING FUN AND ENJOYING SO MANY AMAZING EXPERIENCES AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND DEEPLY APPRECIATING AMAZING TENDER MERCIES, SWEET FRIENDSHIP, AND STILL WITH MY OWN TEETH. I’M HAPPY. LIFE IS GOOD. I CAN NEVER THANK EACH OF YOU PERSONALLY FOR THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES YOU’RE SENDING MY WAY… I WOULD IF I COULD, BUT I HAVE SOME OTHER THINGS I NEED TO GET DONE TODAY… SO I’LL JUST SAY “THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH!!!” ENJOY YOUR DAY — I’M GOING TO ENJOY MINE (GRIN) (NOW A BURST OF LAUGHTER). WITH MUCH, MUCH LOVE, MEE

CHARLOTTE AND I BOTH BECAME NURSES. IT TOOK ME 4 YEARS (AT BYU), BUT IT TOOK CHARLOTTE ONLY 2 YEARS (AT RICKS). SHE TOOK CARE OF BABIES (NURSERY/NICU) FOR MANY YEARS. I MOSTLY TOOK CARE OF PATIENTS A LOT OLDER THAN I, NEVER BELIEVING THAT SOMEDAY I’D BE “OLDER.” OK… OLD. I DON’T THINK NURSES WHO TAKE CARE OF ME WHEN I’M OCCASIONALLY IN NEED OF THEM HAVE ANY IDEA HOW CLOSELY I OBSERVE ALL THAT THEY DO (LIGHT LAUGH TRACK IN THE BACKGROUND). AND BY THE WAY (IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING) IT WASN’T EASY WEARING A CAP AND “DRESS UNIFORM” AND SHOES THAT HAD TO POLISHED (WITH “SANI-WHITE” OF COURSE) FREQUENTLY… SOMEONE GOT SMART, AND NURSES DRESS MUCH MORE COMFORTABLY AND SENSIBLY THESE DAYS…. LIFE WAS DIFFERENT IN THE LATE 1800’s…….

I’M SURE YOU ALL REMEMBER TIMES WHEN YOU LOOKED AT AN OBITUARY AND THOUGHT 60 WAS OLD… RIGHT?? I’M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT 60 IS VERY, VERY YOUNG (AT LEAST FROM MY VIEW). I HAD SUCH A FUN, WONDERFUL CHILDHOOD THAT I NEVER THOUGHT ANY PART OF MEE WOULD EVER EVER WEAR OUT!! IT WAS A MYTH… I’M WEARING OUT!! WHEEEEEEE!!!

ONCE UPON A TIME MANY YEARS AGO THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL WHO WONDERED WHAT HER LIFE WAS GOING TO BE LIKE (BUT MOSTLY SHE JUST PLAYED AND HAD FUN, KNOWING SHE’D NEVER EVER EVER GROW OLD!!) GUESS WHAT, LITTLE GIRL!!! YOU’RE OLD!!! HA HA … AND SO IS YOUR LITTLE SISTER CHARLOTTE!! HA HA

AS THE YEARS GO BY, I THINK AND LAUGH MORE ABOUT GETTING OLDER …. I REMEMBER MOM USED TO SAY, EVEN AS SHE GOT IN HER 90’s, SOMETHING LIKE “I STILL FEEL SO YOUNG INSIDE!” I’M NOT SURE I FEEL THAT WAY RIGHT NOW… BUT I KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT SHE MEANT. I LAUGH MORE AT THOUGHTS LIKE THIS ONE: WISDOM COME WITH AGE… SOMETIMES AGE COMES ALONE… I THINK THAT’S HILARIOUS. ANOTHER: OLD AGE COMES AT A VERY BAD TIME. YEP. AGAIN I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” WISHES!!! Love, MEE

 

100 STAKES!!!

Posted on by

My friend Sandi Rogers sent a note letting me know that a wonderful milestone has been reached – there are now 100 STAKES in the Philippine Islands!! OH! The JOY I feel (I’ve got goose bumps!!).

I had the blessing of arriving in early 1963 as one of the first two sister missionaries to serve there. We were placed in Quezon City as the first two missionaries to serve there. We knocked on the first door: # 7 New York Street. There was one branch (Manila Branch) and around 100 members. I think there were about 16 of us missionaries: 14 Elders and 2 Sisters. Our mission headquarters was in Hong Kong (and I had served there for 5 months, and for 4 months in Taiwan before being assigned to go to the Philippines (one of 3 zones in the Southern Far East Mission). I had the blessing of serving there again (as a health missionary this time) 10 years later, when the whole country was one mission. During that second mission, President Benson came to organize the first stake! And he also dedicated the first chapel in Quezon City (10 years to the day when we first arrived there in May of 1963)….

One of the fun facts about all of this comes as a result of some research Sandi did. It took 104 years for the U.S. to have 100 stakes, 110 years for Mexico, 65 years for Brazil, 57 years for Peru, and 56 years for the Philippines! 56 years from when missionary work began with a dedicatory prayer offered by then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley in the beautiful, peaceful Fort McKinley military cemetery (now Fort Bonifacio), one of my favorite places to be in that beautiful land. Oh, and just so you know: When I first served there, the Philippine Islands were a zone of the mission, the second time I served, the whole country was a mission, and now there are 21 MISSIONS.

Well, I’m feeling exceedingly excited and thankful this morning!! What happifying news! Greetings and “hooray” to all my beloved Filipino friends!

And now for some pictures (I know they seem to disappear quickly from this Blog, but I’m going to post them anyway … I’m in the mood to REMEMBER and to CELEBRATE!).

Here I am those close to 55 years ago (and no, we didn’t have to wear these hats as we proselyted! I look mad, but I’m not — I had the picture taken to show how miserable I was when I’d have massive allergy attacks (there are SO many beautiful things growing!)…but they really “touched up” the photo!

Here are the first four Sister missionaries: Edmunds, Smithen, Garrison, Davidson. Sister Smithen and I were the first to arrive, and 6 months later the other two joined us. We should have been on “The Philippines Has Talent!” (Obviously I’m kidding… and there was no such “show”) I’m about to play my guitar . . . we’re about to sing

I served for the last 9 months of my mission with Sister Mary Jane Davidson. We think we were often invited in because both our name tags started with “Sister Mary.” (They REALLY touched up photos!)

I had some fun mimicking one of my Mutual leaders (from way back in Cedar City) saying “Keep your standards high, girls!” … I did it in Mandarin….

I returned as one of the first 2 health missionaries to be sent to Asia, and Sister Jill Bousfield from Perth, Australia, and I were companions. She and her husband Joe (Grinceri) are now serving a mission in the Geraldton Branch… which is TWICE the size of BRITAIN in area!! The Relief Society president lives around 150 miles from Geraldton (and only makes it to church about once a month). Jill said to drive from the southern to the northern tip of the branch is a 10-hour drive, and that the roads aren’t exactly great in many places. But Geraldton is only about 4 hours from Perth! They’re having an adventure!!

One of our responsibilities (not our favorite) was to give Gamma Globulin shots to the Elders (both of us were nurses) — oh how they loved to see us coming!!

We were joined by Margaret Doyle from New Zealand, and we had the great privilege of receiving a visit from Dr. James O. Mason (our wonderful leader in this aspect of missionary work) and his fantastic wife Marie. (I loved this shirt… our dear helper and companion, Lina, made it for me)

It was a great blessing to be able to serve twice in this beautiful land. I’m so happy for this incredible milestone: 100 STAKES!!!

 

GOT OIL??

Posted on by

Who knows what brings a certain idea to mind. Well, I don’t know what brought this one to my mind (my aging mind with only about a 2GB “hard drive” … no wonder I forget so much so quickly!). I decided I’d like to share something I put together 3 years ago. It’s a message about spirituality, and it was presented at the BYU Women’s Conference. The title they gave was: “Replenishing and Fortifying Our Spiritual Reserves.” The more I worked on what I wanted to share, the more I wanted to have this title: GOT OIL?  IF you decide to read this, I think you’ll realize why I chose that title (I still like it a lot).  (Note: If you didn’t already know it, I use a lot of “ALL CAPS” when I write things down. Perhaps I should use italics, or underline, or even bold … but my habit is CAPS.)

GOT OIL? 

It’s been a wonderful experience to ponder on the theme of this year’s conference and the theme for this session: “REPLENISHING AND FORTIFYING OUR SPIRITUAL RESERVES.”  I’ve thought so much about having a SPIRITUAL RESERVE.  I’ve wondered what that means.

I have come to feel that it’s having “enough and to spare” of SPIRITUALITY.  And WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY?

Years ago I had been invited to participate in a Sunday evening fireside.  When I arrived, the woman who had invited me – the only one I knew in this area – hadn’t come yet, so I just sat at the back and waited.  Two older sisters were sitting right in front of me, and in a loud whisper the one asked the other: “Who did you say is speaking?”  The response went something like this:

“Her name is Mary Ellen Edmunds, and I hear she’s really SPIRITUAL….”  Well… that got me thinking….  What did she mean?  That I attend meetings regularly?  I do.  Keep all Ten Commandments?  I hope so!  Pay my Tithing?  Yes.  Did I have a GLOW about me?  No.

I think SPIRITUALITY is a whole lot more than what someone may have thought.  Simply stated, I think SPIRITUALITY is the DESIRE (and the increasing ABILITY) to SEEK, RECOGNIZE, and RESPOND to the SPIRIT – It’s doing what we need to do to have the SPIRIT – the GIFT of the HOLY GHOST – with us ALWAYS.  Spirituality leads to Godliness, to holiness, to personal goodness, to a mighty change of heart – to a sweeter relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Savior (as well as with each other).

I love the way Alma speaks of SPIRITUAL REBIRTH as an AWAKENING.  He tells us that with some, God “awakened” them, and that they “awoke unto God.”  This awareness of God, and a sensitivity to what is sacred with the help of the Holy Ghost, is the essence of spirituality.

(See Nephi Jensen, “What Does It Mean to be Spiritual?” Nephi Jensen. Improvement Era 1940)

The guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, can sometimes lead us to life-saving actions – for ourselves as well as others – both temporally and spiritually.

A friend who avoids going to doctors had a strong prompting a few years ago to do just that; she’d been experiencing unusually strong dizzy spells.  It was discovered that she had a life-threatening cerebral aneurysm.  If she hadn’t responded to the prompting and received treatment – surgery – she may not be with us today.

Years ago a Primary chorister followed a strong prompting to visit a little girl who had stopped coming to Primary, mostly because she was the only one in her family who was participating in the Church in any way.  The chorister told her she missed her.  She said “We don’t have anyone to sing the high notes.”  The little girl came back, and she never left again.  Her life was changed for the good – and she eventually sang the high notes as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!

SPIRITUAL GROWTH comes from SPIRITUAL SOURCES. Each time we respond to the Spirit – to PROMPTINGS from the HOLY GHOST – we increase our spirituality.  We REPLENISH our SPIRITUAL RESERVE.

From the BIBLE DICTIONARY: (p. 704)  The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  More powerful than that which is available before baptism, it acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify him from all sin.  Thus it is often spoken of as “fire.”

ELDER BRUCE R. McCONKIE: Men are born into mortality with the talents and abilities acquired by obedience to law in their first estate.  Above all talents – greater than any other capacities, chief among all endowments – stands the talent for spirituality. (The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.234)

If we think of spirituality as a TALENT … it likely means we can IMPROVE our ability to recognize and respond to the Spirit (rather than DEMONSTRATING how spiritual we are in a TALENT SHOW).

JACOB teaches: . . . Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.  (2 Nephi 9:39)  And from the APOSTLE PAUL: …to be spiritually minded is LIFE and PEACE.  (Romans 8:6)  Part of what being “spiritually minded” means is to follow the Savior’s admonition to “look unto [HIM] in every thought…”  (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36)

ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS:  The first of the Ten Commandments – “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3) – epitomizes the nature of spirituality.  A SPIRITUAL PERSON HAS NO PRIORITIES AHEAD OF GOD.  (Dallin H. Oaks, Pure in Heart, p.120)

Nothing comes before Him – there are NO priorities ahead of God.  This can be a very helpful KEY to keep in mind as we strive to PRIORITIZE the many responsibilities we have in our busy lives.

PRESIDENT EZRA TAFT BENSON: We must put God in the forefront of everything else in our lives. … When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. (“The Great Commandment – Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988)

One thing that came to my mind as I pondered about having a SPIRITUAL RESERVE was the RESERVOIRS which hold in RESERVE the water we need.  When we speak of the RESERVOIRS OF WATER, we worry when there is a DROUGHT.  With our PERSONAL SPIRITUAL RESERVOIRS, we should worry even more when there is DOUBT. As PRESIDENT UCHTDORF taught, “Please, first doubt your doubts, before you doubt your faith.”  (LDS Church News, Saturday, 05 October, 2013)

AVOID DROUGHT IN YOUR SPRITUAL RESERVOIR … AVOID DOUBT in your SPIRITUAL LIFE

Our personal SPIRITUAL RESERVE is compared to OIL in the SCRIPTURES.  We’re familiar with the PARABLE about the 10 VIRGINS – FIVE had a “RESERVE” of OIL for their LAMPS, and FIVE did not.  SO WHAT IS THE OIL?  WHAT DOES IT REPRESENT?  The OIL is the SPIRIT – it is the HOLY GHOST.  It represents the depth and strength of our TESTIMONY of JESUS CHRIST – the “condition” of our SPIRITUAL RESERVE.

The five WISE VIRGINS had prepared themselves carefully for the coming of the BRIDEGROOM (JESUS CHRIST).  They had filled their lamps with OIL to provide LIGHT (and maybe also some HEAT) – they had fortified their SPIRITUAL RESERVE with good works, love, obedience, with being true and faithful.  In this parable, the Lord uses OIL to represent SPIRITUAL PREPARATION, something which CANNOT BE BORROWED AT THE LAST MINUTE.

PRESIDENT SPENCER W. KIMBALL  I believe that the Ten Virgins represent the people of the Church of Jesus Christ. . . . [The five who were foolish] had the saving, exalting gospel, but it had not been made the center of their lives. (Faith Precedes the Miracle, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972, pp. 253-54; see also Matt 25:1-13)

It’s HAPPIFYING to me to be with all of you and to know that you are wise women – you’re here because you have a desire to be TRUE and FAITHFUL. You have OIL… you have a SPIRITUAL RESERVE, and you “LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE!”  THANK YOU!

PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST: … spirituality is like sunlight: it passes into the unclean and is not tainted. May our lives be such, that the spiritual within us may ascend up through the common . . ., the evil, and sanctify our souls.   (James E. Faust, To Reach Even unto You, p.16)

ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS: We should seek after spiritual gifts. They can lead us to God. They can shield us from the power of the adversary. They can compensate for our inadequacies and repair our imperfections. (“Spiritual Gifts,” Ensign, September 1986)

We seek THE BEST GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT and use them in kindness and service to others.

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY:  The development of our spiritual nature should concern us most. Spirituality is the highest acquisition of the soul, the divine in man. (David O. McKay, Pathways to Happiness , p.377)

There are no limitations to our faith when we build it upon spirituality – when we add OIL to our LAMPS and our LIVES, ONE DROP AT A TIME.  (Talk about essential oil!!) 

HOW DO WE KEEP OIL IN OUR LAMPS – HOW CAN WE REPLENISH OUR SPIRITUAL RESERVES?  By keeping the commandments of God.  By living our religion with all our hearts.

WILFORD WOODRUFF:  When we are laboring for the kingdom of God, we will have oil in our lamps, our light will shine and we will feel the testimony of the spirit of God. (See Wilford Woodruff, The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, edited by G. Homer Durham, p.124) (JD 22:208, January 9, 1881).

Here are a few SUGGESTIONS as to how we might replenish and fortify our spiritual reserves – add oil to our lamps and to our extra supply of oil.  As I share some ideas, I sincerely hope the Spirit will prompt you to choose even ONE THING which will make a difference in your life.  As always, you’ll learn so much more from the SPIRIT – from the Holy Ghost – than you will from me.  These ideas are not necessarily in any order (so – for YOU – the LAST may be FIRST!)

1- THINK DEEPLY – PONDER and MEDITATE more.  These are significant, wonderful ways to increase spirituality.  Find a time and a place where you can do this, even for short periods of time.  Maybe it will be while you’re driving, or walking, folding laundry, rocking a baby, taking time for a longer-than-usual moments in just letting your mind be QUIET as you welcome promptings from the Holy Ghost.  These can be REFINING experiences.

PRESIDENT DAVID O. McKAY:  We pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion…. Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as ‘a form of private devotion, or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued reflection on some religious theme.’ Meditation is a form of prayer. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 29)

Often, meditating becomes a time when we can do more LISTENING, when we can give our Heavenly Father a chance to communicate with us through His Spirit.  My personal times of meditation and pondering have brought me sweet spiritual experiences.

2- PRAY EARNESTLY – Do what you need to do to make your communication with your Heavenly Father matter more and be more enjoyable.  Communicate honestly and often.  There is a huge difference between “saying your prayers” and “communicating with your Heavenly Father” – COUNSELING with Him.  (Which means we give Him a turn! – We allow Him to tell US what’s on HIS mind, not just the other way around).  The most meaningful experiences with prayer happen when we allow the Spirit to help us know what to pray about.  Prayer is the opportunity to turn to the spiritual things in life, and to discover a sweeter, deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost.

3- SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES – Put these meaningful, wonderful thoughts and reminders into your heart OFTEN, and you will have OIL for your lamps – you will have the LIGHT you need in your life.  Studying the scriptures increases our spirituality, and with that increased spirituality we can see our way more clearly to gain the inspiration from the Lord for our challenges and problems.

THE LAW OF THE FAST is a source of spiritual strength – Read ISAIAH CHAPTER 58 again to be reminded of some of the sweetest blessings in all of scripture!  FEAST on the scriptures, and you’ll have PLENTY of things to think and ponder about.

4 – FOLLOW THE PROPHET – Most if not all of us had the opportunity (the blessing) to raise our hands to sustain President Thomas S. Monson as not just the PRESIDENT of the Church, but the current LIVING PROPHET. And we sustained him and 14 others as “Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.”  What does it mean to SUSTAIN them?

ELDER DAVID B. HAIGHT:  When we sustain the President of the Church by our uplifted hand, it not only signifies that we acknowledge before God that he is the rightful possessor of all the priesthood keys; it also means that we covenant with God that we will abide by the direction and the counsel that come through His prophet. It is a solemn covenant. (Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 17; Ensign, Nov. 1994, 14–15).

If you want an incredible resource for things to PONDER . . . go to the talks from these 15 and other speakers at the recent General Conference.  This is an opportunity for great spiritual refreshment and renewal.

PRESIDENT MARION G. ROMNEY: (After a General Conference)  We have heard enough truth and direction in this conference to bring us into the presence of God if we would follow it. We have been taken on to the spiritual mountain and shown visions of great glory.  (Conference Report, Apr. 1954, 132–33).

PRESIDENT HOWARD W. HUNTER:  Our modern-day prophets have encouraged us to make the reading of the conference editions of our Church magazines an important and regular part of our personal study. Thus, general conference becomes, in a sense, a supplement to or an extension of the Doctrine and Covenants.  (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1997], 212)

5- EXPRESS GRATITUDE OFTEN! – Being thankful (and expressing thanks) is a healthy thing to do.  PSALM 92:1 – It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.

PRESIDENT EZRA TAFT BENSON: The Prophet Joseph said at one time that one of the greatest sins of which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty is the sin of ingratitude. I presume most of us have not thought of that as a great sin. . . .  sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received. We enjoy so much. (God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], p. 199.)

PRESIDENT MARION G. ROMNEY:  It is perfectly evident from [Doctrine and Covenants 59:7] that to thank the Lord in all things is not merely a courtesy.  It is a commandment as binding upon us as any other commandment. (Marion G. Romney, Area Conference Report, San Jose, 1977:12)

6- COME TO THE TEMPLE! – This can be like jumping in a reservoir full of water… except that it’s a reservoir of SPIRITUALITY.  Even if we can just be on the GROUNDS of a Temple, or sit in the foyer for a little while – get your soul “FILLED” as often as possible!  The temple provides a unique setting for understanding spiritual things.

PRESIDENT EZRA TAFT BENSON:  I promise you that, with increased attendance in the temples of our God, you shall receive increased personal revelation to bless your life . . . .  (“The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensign, May 1987, 85).  There is a power associated with ordinances of heaven — even the power of godliness — which can and will thwart the forces of evil if we will but be worthy of those sacred [covenants made in the temple of the Lord]. ¼   Our families will be protected, our children will be safeguarded as we live the gospel, visit the temple, and live close to the Lord.  (Atlanta Georgia Temple Cornerstone Laying, 1 June 1983)

PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY:  . . . who, in these times of stress, would not welcome an occasional opportunity to shut out the world and enter into the Lord’s house, there to ponder quietly the eternal things of God? (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Why These Temples?” Ensign, Aug. 1974, 40–41)  I am satisfied that if our people would attend the temple more, there would be less of selfishness in their lives.  There would be [more] love in their relationships. . . . [and] more of love and peace and happiness in [their] homes.   (Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 6 Apr. 1984.)

ELDER BOYD K. PACKER:  Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people. . . . Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs . . . both spiritual and temporal.  (Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980, p. 265, 182)

7- LET YOUR HEART BE FILLED WITH LOVE! – Pray with all the energy of heart to be FILLED with this love, this charity!  Without CHARITY – PURE LOVE – we are NOTHING!!  CHARITY NEVER FAILETH!  It sometimes getteth tired, and maybe even getteth frustrated and impatient . . . but it NEVER faileth!  Matthew 25:34-40 – The “INASMUCH” miracle

PRESIDENT SPENCER W. KIMBALL: One can learn to be loving. If one patterns his life in the mold of love – if he consciously and determinedly directs his thoughts, controls his acts, and tries to feel and constantly express his love – he becomes a person of love, for “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)   (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 245, 251).

Don’t you love experiences like when someone asks how you are and then waits to hear your answer??

PRESIDENT EZRA TAFT BENSON:  When we have the Spirit, we will love to serve, we will love the Lord, and we will love those whom we serve.  (Come Unto Christ, p. 20)

There is a need for us to be filled with the Spirit – with oil for our lamps – and to cherish the gift of the Holy Ghost so that our lights may shine for others and we can help in the hastening of the work of bringing Heavenly Father’s children back to Him.

l A CHURCH LEADER told a group I was in of visiting less active members with another stake leader following a training meeting on working with Church members who were less active.

One woman was a “porcupine.”  When she saw them on the doorstep she almost screamed at them.  “I know why you’re here!”  He responded with “Why ARE we here?”  She said “You’re trying to get me to come back to church.”  He said that had never entered his mind.  So she asked “Well then, why ARE you here?”  He responded with “May we come in and tell you why we’re here?” — and he did this with such love and gentleness that she let him in. (Maybe she was curious!).  They sat down in the living room, and with genuine love he said “This evening the two of us knelt in prayer, asking Heavenly Father who needed us to visit.  Your name came to mind.  Can you think of any reason He’d want us to come and see you?”  She burst into tears and said “Yes … because I’m miserable!  And I’ve been miserable for years!”  And she poured out her story and her heart to them.  She was experiencing SPIRITUAL DROUGHT and MANY DOUBTS….   What followed was a tender time of comfort and healing.

As they got ready to leave, he asked “May we offer a prayer for you before we go?”  She quickly said yes and told them she couldn’t even remember the last time a prayer had been offered in her home.  As the two brothers left, she was in tears, thanking them for their visit.

PRESIDENT EZRA TAFT BENSON: This latter-day work is spiritual.  It takes spirituality to comprehend it, to love it, and to discern it. Therefore, we should seek the Spirit in all we do. That is our challenge.        (Ezra Taft Benson, The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson , p.92)

Brother RICHARD L. BEDNAR and SCOTT R. PETERSON shared the following:  Trivializing spiritual activity is a major stumbling block to cultivating true spirituality.  As long as we call activities spiritual when they are not, true spirituality is blocked and frustrated . . . .  If we trivialize spiritual activities, we can easily take for granted what could be truly spiritual activities by executing them in a half-hearted way and still calling them spiritual, even though the Spirit is absent. Either way, we have sacrificed spiritual substance for its much more evident, yet empty, form.  (Richard L. Bednar and Scott R. Peterson, Spirituality and Self-Esteem: Developing the Inner Self, p.127)

THE LOSS OF SPIRITUALITY IS IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE . . .  And SPIRITUAL DEATH is the most TERRIBLE of ALL DEATHS . . . .

PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY:  It is not enough [for us, you and me, now, in our time] to simply be known as a member of this Church. A solemn obligation rests upon us. . . We must live as true followers of the Christ, with charity towards all . . .  Be grateful, and above all, BE FAITHFUL.        (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Dawning of a Brighter Day,” Ensign, May 2004)

PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK Jr:  “Our faith must not be difficult to detect.”  (“The Charted Course of the Church in Education,” rev. ed. (1994), 7)

ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND:  Drawing upon my vast background of children’s bedtime stories, I say you can pick your poultry. You can either be like Chicken Little and run about shouting “The sky is falling; the sky is falling” or you can be like the Little Red Hen and forge ahead with the productive tasks of living, regardless of who does or doesn’t help you or who does or doesn’t believe just the way you believe. (“Terror, Triumph, and a Wedding Feast,” CES Fireside for Young Adults, 12 September 2004, Brigham Young University)

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 11:12-14   (p. 22)  And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good — yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.

HYMN #143: “LET THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE”

(With just a few slight changes in some of the words)

Let the Holy Spirit guide;  Let him teach you what is true.

He will testify of Christ,  Light your mind with heaven’s view. 

Let the Holy Spirit guard;  Let his whisper govern choice. 

He will lead you safely home  If you listen to his voice. 

Let the Spirit heal your heart  Thru his quiet, gentle pow’r. 

May we purify our lives  To receive him hour by hour. 

May we do all we can do – in this season of our lives – to REPLENISH and FORTIFY our SPIRITUAL RESERVES – our SPIRITUALITY.  I am convinced that as we do this the best we can, the theme of this conference will come true in our lives:  . . . NO GOOD THING WILL BE WITHHELD FROM THEM THAT WALK UPRIGHTLY.  (Psalm 84:11)

DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 45:56-59

56- And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.  57- For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.  58- And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.  59- For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver.

CDB

Posted on by

Many years ago (more than 50, I think … is that “many?”) my room-mate and I lived next door to a family with a cute little girl named Judy. We became friends and are still friends (although we don’t see each other nearly often enough).

One time when we got together she showed me a book I had given her years earlier: CDB. Some of you may have seen and read it. It’s so clever! One interesting “factoid” about the book is that children catch on faster than adults. So wake up the child in you and see if you can read the book. And yes – I’ll include the “answers” as part of this post (I don’t want to drive you crazy on a beautiful Sabbath morning!).

CDB – A book by William Steig

(See the bee) CDB!

D B S A B-Z B

O, S N-D!

I N-V U

R U C-P?

S, I M

I M 2

A P-N-E 4 U

K-T S X-M-N-N D N-6

D N S 5 X

I M 2 O-L 4 U

O U Q-T

U R A B-U-T

I M B-4 U

R U O K?

S, N-Q

I M A U-M B-N

U R N N-M-L

D C-L S N D C

 

D D-R S N D I-V

D L-F-N 8 D A

S E-Z 4 U, S?

B-4 U X-M-N L-C, X-M-N R-V

H-U!

Y R U Y-N-N?

I N O

I C U

S N-E-1 N?

L-X-&-R N I R N D C-T

I N O

K-T S D-Z

I C Y!

I 8 U!

I 8 U 2!

F U R B-Z, I-L 1 O-A

L-C S N X-T-C

E S D 1 4 U 2 C

I M N D L-F-8-R

M N X S L-T 4 U!

I M C-N A G-P-C

N-R-E S N T-S

I M N A T-P

P-T N J R N J-L

O 4 A 2-L

E-R S A M-R

S M-T!

I F-N N-E N-R-G

I M C-N U!

N-D U R

U R P-K-N!

P-T S N N-M-E

I O U 5 X

O, I C M

NQ

D Y-N S X-L-N!

O-L H

I O U A J

I M N N-D-N

O, I C

U 8 L D X!

SOME ADDITIONAL IDEAS (Not in the book)

A P C 8

I A-P-C-8 U

2 D RSQ

AND NOW YOU CAN SEE IF YOU GOT THEM RIGHT!

(The bee is a busy bee!) D B S A B-Z B

(Oh, yes indeed!)  O, S N-D!

(A kid watching another kid with a treat) I N-V U

(2 kids in bed at night) R U C-P?

(Yes, I am) S, I M

(I am too) I M 2

(A boy giving a flower to a girl) A P-N-E 4 U

(Leaning down looking at ants) K-T S X-M-N-N D N-6

(The hen [has] is sitting on a nest with 5 eggs) D N S 5 X

(Older girl explaining to a little boy) I M 2 O-L 4 U

(Oh! You cutie!) O U Q-T

(You are a beauty) U R A B-U-T

(To someone standing behind him in line) I M B-4 U

(A girl who is ice skating has fallen down) R U O K?

(Yes, thank you) S, N-Q

(Boy pointing to a dog: I am a human being) I M A U-M B-N

(You are an animal) U R N N-M-L

(The seal is in the sea) D C-L S N D C

(A deer in ivy) D D-R S N D I-V

(Elephant ate the hay) D L-F-N 8 D A

(Boy asking guy lifting big bar-bell, and she responds “It’s easy for you, yes?”) S E-Z 4 U, S?

(Nurse to Dr. while boy and girl wait) B-4 U X-M-N L-C, X-M-N R-V

(Guy sneezing) H-U!

(Boy asks crying girl) Y R U Y-N-N?

(She says) I N O

(Girl looking at herself in a mirror) I C U

(Man looking in an open door) S N-E-1 N?

(Alexander and girl are “in the city”) L-X-&-R N I R N D C-T

(Teacher at board pointing at 2+2; boy looks puzzled) I N O

(Girl twirling; Katie is dizzy) K-T S D-Z

(I see why!) I C Y!

(Two girls shouting at each other) I 8 U!

(I hate you too!) I 8 U 2!

(Guy talking to busy man at a desk) F U R B-Z, I-L 1 O-A

(Girl dancing in flowers, holding some) L-C S N X-T-C

(A man pointing a boy to where he needs to go) E S D 1 4 U 2 C

(Guy in elevator) I M N D L-F-8-R

(Mother talking to pouting boy at breakfast) M N X S L-T 4 U!

(Boy sitting at table looking at Gypsy with a crystal ball) I M C-N A G-P-C

(Baby boy sitting alone crying) N-R-E S N T-S

(Boy in a tent … a teepee) I M N A T-P

(Two guys in a jail cell – Pete and Jay) P-T N J R N J-L

(Boy is building something) O 4 A 2-L

(Girl hands him a hammer) E-R S A M-R

(Two boys looking in a big empty box) S M-T!

(Boy leaning on a tree talking to his friend) I F-N N-E N-R-G

(Boy peeking through a peep-hole in a fence) I M C-N U!

(Mad girl on the other side of the fence) N-D U R P-K-N!

(Boys throwing snowballs at each other) P-T S N N-M-E

(Lady brings eggs in a bowl to a neighbor) I O U 5 X

(Other lady responds) O, I C M  NQ

(Two men at dinner, drinking wine) D Y-N S X-L-N!

(Old man sitting on a chair leaning on his cane) O-L H

(Man gives a caged bird to another man) I O U A J

(Boy dressed up with Indian headdress) I M N N-D-N

(Girl responds) O, I C

(Girl to boy as they’re having a picnic) U 8 L D X!

SOME ADDITIONAL IDEAS (Not in the book)

(Appreciate) A-P-C-8

(I appreciate you) I A-P-C-8 U

2 D RSQ (I added this one: To the RESCUE! In honor of President Monson)

 

YOYO

Posted on by

He was called “Yoyo” when I first met him in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia in 1977. He’d been called to work with the Elders serving in that beautiful city where I was also serving. Our mission president asked that I spend time with Yoyo helping him with his English. Every single time we met he’d begin with “I want to tell you about my missionary experiences!” (In Indonesian). He was “on fire.” He was like the “energizer bunny!” He became and remains a dear, dear friend… teman. He deserves at least a dozen “SHOUT-OUTS.” His life and ministry have reached out to thousands, including me. He served a full-time mission, had many Church callings, married a beautiful faithful Saint named Steffi (who had also served a mission), had wonderful children, now some grandchildren. He lost his beloved Jaredita (who passed away in Phoenix; she was on her way to BYU; that is another story for another time). I got to see him and Steffi when they came to the MTC in Provo when he was called as MTC president in Indonesia, and then again when he was called as mission president there. Eventually he was called as an Area General Authority, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to tell you of his influence on oh so MANY in and out of the Church. (I’m having a hard time condensing his extraordinary life!!). I got to see him when he’d come for General Conference for the 10 years he served in that calling: 2003 to 2013). He served during the devastating tsunami following the huge earthquake in Sumatra (2006). One of my brothers, John, was in Jakarta in 2014 and took Yoyo and Steffie and other family members and 15 missionaries to breakfast. Yoyo reported: Dear Sister Edmunds: This morning, 15 missionaries, Steffi, my son Ezra and his fiancee and myself enjoy the “Super bagus” breakfast at the Kempinski Hotel … banyak makanan yang hebat!!!  We all were filled much with nutrient and mineral..  I think I gain 2 pounds when I finished breakfast.  we thank John for his generosity.   We hope he will have more business in Jakarta so I can be gemuk!!  Thank you for  connecting me with John …dia orang yang sangat bagus!! we love you and hope to see each other again someday!! I won’t translate… you get the idea (smile).

One of the reasons for a SHOUT-OUT now is because of something sent to me by my dear friend Sharon Barrus, whose son Seth served in Indonesia and had the blessing of knowing Joshua Subandriyo (President Packer gave him a first name – most in Indonesia have just one name… like Noah, Moses, Adam, etc.)

WEDNESDAY 03 MAY 2017 (Sent 5:18 AM yesterday from JAKARTA)

Reyhan Mahendra and I spent a happy moment a few minutes ago at his hospital bed prior to our surgery tomorrow morning. He will have my kidney tomorrow. He is 22 and just graduated in dentistry. He has been on dialysis for over a year. We didn’t know each other until 5 months ago when his mother and my wife met at the kidney out-patient clinic. My wife gave her phone number to her without knowing that Reyhan and I have the same blood type. One night she called Steffi and I talked to Rayhan’s Mom and asked her son’s blood type. She told me that he has B+, immediately I told her I want to give my kidney to her son. To make the story short, our kidneys match and tomorrow morning is the D-DAY. I am happy to contribute a better future for Reyhan. It will bring joy to him and his family, his own future family and his community. I figure out that heaven doesn’t need two kidneys, one is enough to be there.

He later sent a note: “I am recovering.”

I could never say enough about this dear friend, Joshua (“Yoyo”) Subandriyo. All I can say is that the shout-out is genuine but oh so inadequate . . . .

I LOVE YOU, DEAR FRIEND!!!

YOYO and STEFFI – CHRISTMAS 2015

A Cautionary Tale

Posted on by

THE BOOK OF GOMER

An Ancient Parable from The Book of Gomer

PART THE FIRST

Behold, these are the generations of Gomer, son of Homer, son of Omer. 2. And in the days of Gomer, Noah, the Prophet, went unto the people saying, “Prepare ye for the flood which is to come, yea, build yourselves a boat, that ye may not perish.”

  1. Now, Gomer was a member of the Church, and yea, even he taught Sunday School and played, yea, even on the ward softball team.
  2. And Gomer’s wife saith unto him, “Come, let us build unto ourselves a boat as the Prophet commandeth, that we may not perish in the flood.”
  3. But behold, Gomer saith unto his wife, “Worry not, dear wife, for if the flood comes the government will provide boats for us.”
  4. And it came to pass that Gomer did not build a boat for his family.
  5. And Gomer’s wife did go and speak with Noah, and she returned saying, “Behold, Honey, the Prophet saith unto us, ‘Build a boat, that we may preserve ourselves, for the government payeth men not to grow trees, wherefore the government hath not the lumber to build thee a boat.’”
  6. And Gomer answered saying, “Fear not, oh wife, for am I not the star pitcher on the ward softball team? Wherefore, the Church will provide for us a boat, that we perish not.”
  7. And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah, and she returned unto Gomer, saying, “Behold, mine husband, the Prophet saith that he hath been commanded to build one boat – an ark – and that the Church hath not lumber sufficient to build a boat for everyone’ wherefore, mine husband, let us build a boat, that we might not perish in the flood.”
  8. And Gomer answereth her saying, “Behold, and if we should build a boat, when the flood cometh, will not our neighbors overpower us and take from us our boat; wherefore, what doth it profit a man to build a boat?”
  9. And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and she returned, saying, “Behold, the Prophet saith, build unto yourselves a boat, and have faith, for if ye do the Lord’s bidding, He will make thy boat safe for thee.“
  10. But Gomer answered his wife, saying, “Behold, thou knowest that there is great inflation in the land, and behold, the price of wood hath gone sky high; therefore, if we wait awhile, perhaps the price will go down again. And then I will build for us a boat.”
  11. And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah, and she returneth saying, “Thus saith the Prophet, thou shalt haste to build for yourselves a boat, for behold, the price of wood shall NOT go down, but shall continue to rise. Wherefore, oh my husband, I admonish thee to build for ourselves a boat, that we may not perish.”
  12. But Gomer answereth his wife, saying thus, “Behold, for 120 years Noah hath told us to build a boat, to preserve us from the flood, but hath the flood come? Yea, I say, nay, thou knowest it hath not. Wherefore, perhaps the flood will not come for another 120 years… and perhaps it shall not come at all.”
  13. And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and returned saying, “The Prophet saith, he knows it has been 120 years, but this mattereth not, because yea, the flood SHALL come; wherefore, ye shall build yourselves a boat!”
  14. And Gomer answered her saying, “Wherewith shall we get shekels sufficient to build ourselves a boat? Thou knowest that we are indebted beyond our means for our fine-twined linens, our spacious home, our new chariot. Nevertheless and notwithstanding, I assure thee that when our payments end, perhaps we shall build ourselves a boat.”
  15. And Gomer’s wife went again unto Noah and returned saying, “Behold, the Prophet saith that we should behave wisely and cut down on our expenditures for recreation and luxuries, and on our conspicuous consumption, and even that we shouldest give each other lumber for Christmas, that we might thereby have lumber sufficient to build a boat.”
  16. But Gomer saith unto her, “What? And shall we languish in sadness without that which entertaineth in our lives? Shall the command to build a boat remove all our joy and merriment??”
  17. Wherefore, Gomer, having justified himself. But yea, he continued his lifestyle of debt and conspicuous consumption, and he paid no heed to the words of Noah.
  18. And Gomer’s wife was filled with anguish and fear, lest the lack of a boat should bring them to suffering and woe. Yet she spake not again to her husband Gomer of her desire that he build a boat.

PART THE SECOND

  1. Now behold, it came to pass, that on a particular day towards evening, that Gomer was once again at play with the ward softball team, and he playeth with all his might, muscle, and strength.
  2. But lo, he seeth something in the sky which giveth him pause and maketh him to wonder. He seeth great flashes of light, and yea, even he heareth the increasing sounds of thunder in the heavens.
  3. And it came to pass that Gomer remembereth the pleadings of his wife as she repeateth the words and counsel of the Prophet Noah.
  4. And lo, Gomer began to fear exceedingly, insomuch that his body began to shaketh.
  5. And he ran, even with all his strength, to buy lumber so that he might have wherewith to build a boat.
  6. But behold, the lumber merchant hath not, and he telleth the crowd which hath gathered that he hath barely enough for his own boat. And there was no lumber to be found in all the land round about.
  7. And later on that same day, as the heavens were opened and the rains fell in abundance, it was as if all the fountains of the deep were opened wide, and the windows of heaven broken, and the flood waters did rise with exceeding speed, insomuch that Gomer began to feel great fear.
  8. And behold, Gomer beheld that he had no boat for his family. And they clingeth to him with their pleading that he save them from the many waters which surroundeth them and growth stronger and deeper.
  9. And it came to pass that as the waters rose higher, his wife saith unto him with sadness, “Behold, my husband, in whom I trusted, thou hast been exceedingly slothful. Thou hast not followed the commands of Noah, the Prophet who gaveth thee wise instruction. And lo, we perish!”
  10. And this is the end of the account of Gomer … and his family ….

A LESSON FROM THIS FICTICIOUS CAUTIONARY TALE:

 

DON’T FAINT!

Posted on by

SHORT VERSION (This is the one I’d choose if I were you)

I realize that I haven’t posted anything on the Blog for a LONG TIME. I’ve got lots of excuses (I made most of them up!), but mainly I’ve been out of town a LOT since early January, and have had lots of SICK DAYS (the days weren’t sick… I was). But also I’ve been doing MUCH thinking about priorities, use of time, what matters most to me in my life, ETC. (LOTS of “ETC”). And I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll “Blog” less often, perhaps putting shorter notes and ideas on FB a little more often. I’m not stopping … just doing some “adjusting.” I’ve missed you more than you’ve missed MEE (in case you were wondering). I’ll be back… just less often. Thank you for kindness, friendship, positive comments, and lots of FUN! Love, MEE

LONG VERSION (Way too long… once I get started it’s hard to stop!… in case you hadn’t already noticed that about MEE)

I’m thinking that maybe 17 or 23 of you have noticed that it’s been a LONG, LONG TIME since I’ve posted anything on this Blog. I’ve thought about writing a Blog about Blogging. Or NOT Blogging. Posting on Facebook or not posting on Facebook. Trying to explain, maybe. But I’m not sure I can do that. I decided to try. I never did plan to be on FB. Ever. It felt like it would consume too much time, for one thing (but that was not my only concern). Then I found out from friends that someone had started a FB page in my name. It wasn’t malicious at all. There were copies of talks and quotes (hopefully none of THOSE were “malicious,” ha ha). But my friends told me that people were posting notes to me – and probably wondering why there were never any responses. So my friend Whit began to forward to me the comments, and I’d respond, and she’d post them. Can you imagine someone doing that? What a Saint! Eventually the Brethren began to encourage the use of social media to share good things, good messages, uplifting stuff. When I attended the devotional which Elder Bednar shared at the BYU Education Week (19 Aug 2014), I felt close to ashamed that I wasn’t really doing anything on social media. His message was compelling. With the help of Whit and others, I started doing my own posting on Facebook. And then the idea of a Blog “popped up.” It would be a way to share longer messages, including pictures. My incredibly talented and generously kind niece Wendy helped create MEEThinks.net … a new Blog was born. And I found it pretty fun, coming up with things to share. Yes, a lot of them were/are silly… I love to laugh! And I love to make people laugh (or at least try to give them a reason to do so). For a while I think I was posting almost every day. It took a lot of time thinking about what to share and preparing it (and finding illustrations for most of the posts). I was also doing more on Facebook. With both the Blog and FB, I felt not just a desire, but almost a need to respond to everyone and everything. I felt uncomfortable about not acknowledging notes – questions, reminders … ETC. (LOTS of “ETC”). And I sincerely wanted to share things which would lift spirits, make hearts happy, maybe make a difference in a day or even longer….

On the recent trip I took to the South Pacific with good friends, it became almost impossible to post anything due to the trouble I had getting (and staying) online on the ship. I had some health challenges during that month, and I did a LOT of pondering. I haven’t been home long enough to try to put the pondering into words. I’ve mostly been gone for 2 months plus, and you know what it’s like to come back to a “tsunami” of mail and things to do “right now!” Getting in touch with family (Note to family: I’m still alive! I plan to come and visit you before I turn 80! I hope you remember me!) It takes a lot of time to prepare for the weekly stake religion class that I teach (oh how I LOVE this calling!!). A talk in Sacrament meeting; that took time, especially when my computer wouldn’t boot up and my printer wasn’t working….).  Getting the message for this year’s “Time Out for Women” finished and sent in. Working on a message for the coming BYU Women’s Conference. Doing visiting teaching – and other visiting and service (which I’ve really not done very well at all recently… or ever??) Working on a home filled with “matter unorganized” (it’s more like living in a storage unit). Doing a massive DE-CLUTTER! Figuring out what to do with the “12-flood basement” … wondering how (or IF) to put it back together (knowing there will likely be more floods). LOTS of trips to D.I. …. I don’t want someone else to have to go through all my STUFF AND THINGS if I “shoot on over” before I get it done….

Through the years I’ve taught several lessons and given several talks about priorities – first things first, the use of time (which is a gift from God for which we are accountable) . . . What are the “first things” in my life? How do I keep them first? President Benson said this:  When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims of our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.  (Ensign, May 1988). I want to follow that counsel. There are so many things which I want to put “first” or “second” … right at the top. My relationship with my Heavenly Father, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost. My prayers really matter to me. Pondering, meditating… it makes such a difference for me to “think on purpose” (and WITH a purpose). Reading and studying, particularly from the scriptures, the Ensign, and many inspiring and motivating talks, lessons, and books. My relationship with my family matters to me so very much (but wow do I ever neglect them these days!!). Have you ever tried to make a list of priorities? I had to take extra pills! Where does a Blog come? And/or Facebook? I went through a long list of things I’d written down which really matter to me, and when I wondered (out loud) if FB or a Blog would come before this or this or this . . . both kept getting lower and lower on the list. And it’s NOT that I don’t enjoy posting things – finding something I think will be uplifting or interesting or thought-provoking . . . or funny/hilarious. (I know that so much of what I find hilarious may not be funny AT ALL to others – I laugh a LOT)! …. I LOVE sharing!!  (Did the pictures of MEE kissing a STINGRAY disappear??)….

CHOICES. Choices and consequences. Do I prepare a Blog or _______. Some Blogs take as much time to prepare and post as a Temple session! (I’m SLOW). I’m doing more names for family these days, and I’ve found that I’m more anxious to go – the NEED to go is greater, possibly because it’s not just for me . . . some of these kindred of mine have been waiting several hundred years! I LOVE doing work for them! And I love learning and/or noticing something “new” each time I go. Do I prepare a Blog or write a letter to my missionaries (I have a little “flock” of about 15 whom I write a note to each week). OK, I won’t go on and ON – but I hope I’ve explained what’s been happening since early January. I don’t need comments (and by the way, I did NOT start “doing” FB or a Blog to engage in some kind of competition – I think many kinds of competition are toxic (at least to me). I just wanted to share. I still do. Just not as often. And that’s the end of the LONG version (for the 3 of you who slogged through the whole thing).  I know St. Patrick’s Day came and went, but I want to add one of my favorite Irish blessings:  May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rain fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again [until I post again], May God hold you in the palm of His hand.  Much love, MEE

 

 

 

 

 

After 29 Days….

Posted on by

I’m such a SLUG about posting anything (as if anyone had noticed, ha ha). But today I’m going to post a few pictures. Miscellaneous for sure. Random. This South Pacific trip was SO wonderful! Such a beautiful part of this amazing earth. I’m still in awe of the size and beauty of the Pacific Ocean, and I have to mention again that it’s larger than ALL the land mass COMBINED!! It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to Antarctica in the south and is bounded by Asia and Australia in the west and the Americas in the east. It covers almost HALF of the earth’s water surface! And one-third of it’s total surface!! It contains the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world, reaching a depth of 35,797 feet (Mt Everest is 29,029 feet high). We had TEN sea days, when all we could see in any direction was this beautiful “deep blue sea” (sometimes the color looked almost black or dark purple).

Now just some random pictures of people and places along the way. Again, we were in Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands (Rarotonga), Bora-Bora, Mo’orea, Tahiti, then 5 sea days to Hawaii (Oahu and Maui), and then 5 sea days to San Diego.

We loved seeing chapels and Temples in the places we visited.

We didn’t get another one of MEE being terrified, but I add the picture from last year (on a Gondola ride HIGH above the jungle in Australia) just as a reminder of my morbid fear of heights….

And then the ever-popular picture of me and Leanne in our life jackets in Antarctica in 2014:

And we had to have a re-enactment (of course!!!)

Then a picture I think I already posted of us in Hawaii with my wonderful niece Wendy

It was truly “the trip of a lifetime,” and I feel so thankful to have been able to do this. The ship is still moving for me (this happens every single time I go out on the sea)… it affects my balance for quite a while after I’m off the ship (really a weird feeling!!!).  But OH… well worth it. What an incredible journey!!!