Finding Joy in the Journey
"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."
Sunday,
8:45pm, 11/29/15
Hello
Home teaching families, (this letter is brought to you by, VJ and
Eric Yunker.)
I
love all three of you families and my partner. I traveled up to Ogden
Wednesday evening and back on Friday evening. The evenings are long
these days, have you noticed that?
I
was quite concerned about the roads a number of times and my prayers
were a regular part of my travels! It is so nice to have a HF that
likes to hear from us even when we are in need. Thank Heavens.
Silly
sidelight: I bragged to my sister last month in a daily vmail, that I
could recite all 7 verses of A POOR WAYFARING MAN OF GRIEF in 7
breaths. At her Thursday morning family devotional she asked if I
would demonstrate at some point during my stay. After the devotional
I said, let's get this over with. Why not now? When I am trying to
say something perfectly I close my eyes so I can concentrate and not
be distracted. I took and deep breath and did the first verse.
Another and did the second and a third. I opened my eyes and said is
that good enough? I was the focus of everyone's rapt attention. She
has 3 children 16, 13, 9. Of course they wanted me to finish. I did.
I flubbed up a couple of times but still had breath to fix it and go
on. Success!
I
had told them I could recite it but not sing it. I was tiring on the
drive home. WE all try stuff to bring back the alertness when we feel
the blankets of sleepiness descending when we are driving. I dove
into a quick paced rendition of YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE. Then I asked
myself, why not try my 7 verses at the SUNSHINE pace? It took some
getting used to but I succeeded eventually. Then I did WAYFARING from
beginning to end 2 more times. I was out of breath when I finished
and very awake! So now I have a new skill. Want to hear? Just
Kidding.
I
listen to General Conference one year after another all the time. I
am not a very trusting person but I trust the apostles. Today I was
listening to President Monson the Conference right after Pres Hinkley
had passed away. His voice was vibrant, young and alive still. The
tone was the same as always. I detected no more urgency than before
he was President, and the love and encouragement was pervasive in his
sentences. His voice has aged like crazy since becoming prophet.
After being in for 50 years I thought he would last forever but even
he is declining. He doesn't cry much in his addresses. But he almost
sings to us in his loving encouraging voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I
begin by mentioning one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives
here upon the earth, and that is change. At one time or another we’ve
all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant
as change.”
Throughout
our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some
are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the
unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of
a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly
and slowly.
This
conference marks 45 years since I was called to the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles. As the junior member of the Twelve then, I looked up
to 14 exceptional men, who were senior to me in the Twelve and the
First Presidency. One by one, each of these men has returned home.
When President Hinkley passed away eight months ago, I realized that
I had become the senior Apostle. The changes over a period of 45
years that were incremental now seem monumental.
This
is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer
we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief.
Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the
greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth
are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and
what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things
pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when
you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy
in the journey—now.
I
am what my wife, Frances, calls a “show-a-holic.” I thoroughly
enjoy many musicals, and one of my favorites was written by the
American composer Meredith Willson and is entitled The Music Man.
Professor Harold Hill, one of the principal characters in the show,
voices a caution that I share with you. Says he, “You pile up
enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty
yesterdays.”
Stresses
in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with
them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of
what is most important—and what is most important almost always
involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know
how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them
know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show
their love.” 3 We will never regret the kind words spoken or the
affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are
omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.
Send
that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a
hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always
express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more
important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow
up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted,
until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left
with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet
Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words
left unsaid and deeds left undone.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This
last year I wanted to add some permanence to my words of love and
encouragement to others. I have done that by blogging. You can read
all of my letters to Brandon Perry Smith on adventurebill1 Blogs can
almost be like the book of life. And if you record your testimony and
efforts of living life by giving and serving it might serve to
inspire someone in the present or future.
Whether
you save it in a blog or not, kind words spoken or written to others
can bless their lives and yours /ours. Many used to do Christmas
Cards this time of year. My family of origin used to tape them all up
and the reaching out from others was almost tangible.
Reach
out as best you can. Spread light and hope and faith and testimony if
you can. If this inspires you to reach out to one person you might
not have, then this message will have been rewarded.
AS
you know I am unexpectedly retired. Reaching out has become the major
service of my life. I was not planning on that being this month's
message but it seems to be where TSM was pointing.
Hugh
Nibley believed there were only two virtues HF sent us down on earth
to prove. The ability to repent and the ability to forgive. Reaching
out can help us do both of those.
Thanksgiving
was wonderful. I was blessed above any expectations. Yep, I got to
reach out!
God
bless you wonderful saints,
In
the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Vern
Jensen & Eric Yunker 9:32pm
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