Friday- eye lashes n NET

Friday- eye lashes vern jensen <phonev6@gmail.com>12:11 AM (19 hours ago)to Louis, bcc: gayelinn Louis,This might seem silly but I want to report on my babysitting today to you.\I ate a package of BBQ chips and chicken jerky last night. I felt gross this morning. Thinking of babysitting L n G at 3 was like asking a drunk with a hangover if he would like to go to a Rock Concert. :)

I thought to myself, what would really make it worth it? Answer: if I could visit with them. Then I found out you were working and wouldn't be available. Aha.

L had two friends over when I arrived. The TV screen was divided into 4 and all three were playing at the same time. Amazing! I went out back and sat at the picnic table with the Nursery Lesson manual. Bonnie had gotten G to sleep and suggested we be quiet for her. After about 5 minutes Bonnie followed me out and sat at the picnic table across from me. After a few pleasantries and giving me some options on food she asked what I wanted to visit about. I hadn't planned anything so I hedged/dissembled.:) I explained the above two ideas: I ate. . . I thought. . .

She volunteered an update on her life and work and possible schooling in August. Here are some things I remember:

-She is not needed or cared about at work. She shows up and she can make money or not and not make money.

-She has 12 weeks of vacation time earned again, just like your Park City adventure.

-She is tired and burned out. Training is over. But she can't stand sales. The pressure is bad news.

-She wasn't ever a straight A student like I had thought. She is smarter than her sister and mother who think they know everything but she wasn't a perfect student by any means. This next part was so funny. Her sister can't stand to admit that Bonnie had better grades, took harder classes and better ACT scores. :) [I had remembered a discussion between the 3 of them during one visit where I had been impressed with Bonnie's academic record. I had remembered her taking chemistry and physics but she denied it.]

-I reminded her of my sabbatical after 10 years of teaching, and in my letter I had told, of me wishing to share earning family money by the dream of Kathy n I both getting occupational therapy degrees and sharing a job. The cards never fell into place. Our prayers were never answered along those lines. We ended up putting the needs of our children first and wanting to raise them in a safe place.

-She is unmotivated to jump through the hoops and apprehensive about taking classes and schooling again. I told of my investigating professions and even arriving at the wish to be a forest ranger on my sabbatical. I also told of my being pleased with how well my brain worked after 10 years of teaching school. It was more mature and better. :) I reassured her that once in classes she would thrive. She admitted she would need to be away from home. Distractions and responsibilities are too great at home for online school.

-She said this eyelash appointment was as much for emotional health/ getting away as anything. That I understand.

She left me the monitor so I could hear G and off she headed.

Louis, I was so touched she would share with me. One on one, across the picnic table. It was very special.

Lincoln was left alone shortly because the boy's sister came and called them home. He was very unsettled. Tearful when he called Bonnie and couldn't have his way.

-He asked if he could eat brown sugar. If your parents would say yes.-v

-He wanted to take the brown sugar on the couch. He vacuums he reassured me. It took about 5 tries before he accepted the brown sugar needed to remain at the kitchen table. He came back and restocked for the next hour.

-He asked if he could turn on the hose. v- yes.

-He asked if he could watch Youtube Minecraft videos of people building stuff. v- As soon as we have had a story time.

-He asked if he could go to his other friend's house. v- As soon as we have had a story time.

-He called Bonnie to trump me. She told him yes. He brought out the phone since I had gone to the picnic table again and Bonnie was still on. L-Mom says I can. V-I say you can as soon as we have a story time. B- L, do what Papavern says. You can play Minecraft or take a nap if you don't want to have story time first. [This proved to be a real blessing. I had an answer for his requests the rest of the afternoon!]

-2 hours later we had our best encounter. 5:30 G had been up since 4:45. Lincoln wanted to make ORed. popcorn. He said he knew how to do it. He put it in the microwave after bringing in the 2 step stool so he could reach. I asked if I could read the instructions. He said, haven't you ever made popcorn before? v-yes but not that kind. He was convinced and we read to remove the plastic. He took it and removed the plastic. He put it back in the microwave. v-let's read how long to cook it. He eventually passed it to me so I could read the rest of the instructions. 21/2 minutes to cook. I told him 3 so we could be sure it was done and I would just listen for the pops to end. You have a good microwave. It was done just after 2.5 minutes. G had her hands in two hot pads. It looked cute. We had to take turns holding the hot microwaved package because she wanted to use her hot pads too. L resisted at first but eventually came around to taking turns holding the hot package. L- we need a bowl. He opened the package bit by bit and poured it in.He took it to the TV room. Don't eat too much Grace he said. I reassured him we could make more if she ate it all. L- why are you sitting in time out Gpa? So I can see you. I love you.

Success!

G and I had gotten along phenomenally well. We had fun with naming the colors of the rainbow roses and 3 fruits on the counter. She enjoyed a story time with me, etc. etc.. It was just L who seemed a bit out of sorts today. Minnecraft worked for him just fine.

Of course I had to kiss the kids on the head after I had reported to Bonnie. G did not want to kiss my whiskers so she kissed my shirt instead. So cute. And Bonnie even gave me a soft hug. She said she tried not to take advantage of me babysitting. I appreciate that.

I have been curious how she has arranged for the kids to be watched each day. But I would lots rather have heard her state of the nation (personal state) address than that peripheral stuff any day. It was a very special day to me.

Thank you for texting and asking this morning.

I hope this gives you some flavor of my experience. Thank you for the opportunity. V

PS. Bonnie showed me the note L wrote the tooth fairy. Hilarious and so sweet! What goes around comes around! One generation after another! Isn't that fun! I loved seeing his carefully shaped letters.

"Gpa will you do me a favor?" What a cute way of asking, I heard from L. I offered him a paper. He didn't understand. I thought he had said, "Gpa can I have a paper?"

Saturday7/15/17 Hey Brandon, Welcome to the weekend! Do you have a hard time keeping your days straight? Louis worked in Vegas yesterday so he could be home this Saturday for an 11am 3^rd bday party for Grace'14. I babysat there for 3 hours yesterday so I was not feeling like an alien, I belonged. Before I left yesterday Lincoln'11 asked when I would be back. Tomorrow! I was able to answer. I picked two coloring books to take. One for him and one for G. I wrote their names on the front. He answered the door and I gave him his. “It is Gracie's birthday you should give it to her” and he handed it back to me. I showed him his name on it and that I had one for her as well. I felt queer knowing it only cost me a buck and her other presents would be phenomenal, but I told myself I babysat for free just yesterday! [and now that I think about it they have forgotten me for a couple of years as their lives have been so hectic! :)] Emma'15 is walking n talking now and it has been over a year since Louis saw her. This might be the last one for another 2 or 3 years, you never know! @SUNDAY 7/16/17 It is such a joy to hear the words of faith! When I was a kid NET seemed so so darn boring! Nathan Eldon Tanner. But he was in the first presidency and so he spoke twice as much as everyone else! He came from Canada and they say he was in line to become the Primeminister of Canada. He also had a nickname up there: Mr. Integrity. Would you like that for your nickname? Man, I sure would. I am going backwards. Oct'79 then Apr'79. In October he spoke about money. There are two talks back to back abut money that I would love Louis'80 to listen to as he drives to Las Vegas and back each day. Legrande Richards and NETanner. They both made us laugh! For example:

{NO mon-NO fun-Your son. So sad-Too bad-Your Dad.} You should have heard the audience come apart at that one, 15 minutes into NET's talk! Now I Know money is not a pertinent part of your life right now. So I will not send those. I just ate 3 small peaches I cooled in the fridge and listened to this one by NET. In prayer I thanked HF for NET. He did such a fantastic job on this talk. I am going to comment through it because I want to. @@To Those Searching for Happiness\N. Eldon Tanner\In 1896, about two years before I was born, Mr. R. M. Bryce Thomas from London, England, paid a visit to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he first learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.\Following this visit, and after a thorough and searching investigation into the practices and doctrines of the Church, and a comparison of the teachings of the primitive Church of Jesus Christ which was established by Him, with his own church in England, he subsequently became a baptized member.

On May 24, 1897, in London, England, he penned an article which he entitled, “My Reasons for … Joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” In the preface to the first edition he stated:“The object that I have had in view in writing this article, explanatory of my reasons for leaving [my] church [in] England and joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is to comply as far as possible with the wishes of those of my relatives and friends who have expressed a desire to know something of the teachings of the Latter-day Saints, and also of the reasons which have led me to reject the faith of my fathers.”

He concluded with this paragraph:“In sending out the following pages then I would ask our Heavenly Father in the name of His Son, our Lord Jesus, to let His blessing rest upon what I have written so far as it may be in strict accordance with His truth, and with His holy word and will” (Liverpool, England: Millennial Star Office, 1897).

In a preface to the second American edition, December 9, 1904, we read:“Since I penned the pages of this little work, however, I have paid two visits to Utah, and have become personally acquainted with the Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City, and in several other towns of that State. On the first of these visits I resided with two well known families of Saints, and obtained thereby the best possible opportunity of mixing freely in the society of this people, and of forming a just and correct estimate of them. … That they, in common with the rest of mankind, have their weaknesses and failings is only to be expected, and there will even be found some among them who can claim to be Latter-day Saints in a little else than name; but, taking the people as a whole, I have found them essentially God-fearing, honest, upright, with a firm faith in their Heavenly Father, strong in their testimonies regarding the divinity of the great latter-day work in which they are engaged, and in their belief of the great destiny which awaits them.

“Among the Saints, as among other Christian people, will be found educated and intelligent men and women. Education is a special feature with them, and it is by no means uncommon to find in this community, those who have studied, and those who are at the present time studying vocal and instrumental music and painting in the principal centers of art in Europe, and in the eastern parts of the United States. Musical talent seems to be decidedly conspicuous among them. Various important positions in the State, calling for such qualifications as education, intelligence, ability, and honesty, have been, and are now being filled by Latter-day Saints; while there are those who, having fully qualified themselves in the legal, medical, journalistic, and commercial professions, are following their various vocations with credit and profit to themselves, and advantage to the people of Utah.

“I am now paying my third visit to the capital city of that State, and see no reason to modify the opinion I formed of the Saints during my stay with them in 1901.” (First preface, Salt Lake City: Bureau of Information and Church Literature, 1904.)

Without wishing to boast or give offense, but in all humility, and only to give an assessment of the benefits of the gospel in the lives of people, I venture to say that if Mr. Thomas were to visit Utah today, seventy-six years later, I believe that he would still see no reason to modify his opinion.

The Church still has the same organization, the same ideals and purposes, and its people are still motivated to become well educated, to serve efficiently and honestly in the various professions, in government, in industry, in their communities, and in their church, which has grown to the extent that now it is known as a worldwide church.

In 1897 when Bryce Thomas first wrote his article, there were only 37 stakes as compared with over 1,000 today, 18 missions as compared with over 160 missions today, and 222,334 members (that’s less than a quarter million) as compared with over four million today.

I quote again from the pamphlet:“I found that this people possessed a beautiful Temple and a very fine Tabernacle, with prettily laid out and well cared for grounds; their houses too were neat and picturesque, with nice gardens attached to them, while they could boast of a Tabernacle Choir …, the best that I have ever heard. Everything to do with this people appeared to be most excellently managed and looked after, while their missionaries were preaching the Gospel in most parts of the world, having gone out altogether at their own cost, and at a very great sacrifice of self in all cases. The Church organization of the Saints too appeared to be complete and effective. … I therefore decided to secure some of their books, especially the Book of Mormon, in order to learn more of their character and of their doctrines.” (Thomas, first edition, p. 3.)

This he did, and his extensive study convinced him that there truly had been an apostasy from the Church as established by Jesus Christ. He states that he could not find a church which had the same organization101 and teachings of Jesus Christ as set forth in the Old and New Testament.

He was persuaded through his study that there was need for and was a prophet102 on the earth through whom the Lord could continue to send his revelations for the guidance of his people—that revelation103 from God to man had not ceased. He came to understand the importance and necessity of having the Holy Ghost104 through whom the gifts of the Spirit could be manifest.

He was impressed as he came to understand the prayer of Jesus as he prayed that all his children might be one105, even as he and his Father in Heaven were one (see John 17:11). This is his comment:“Now does it seem possible to suppose that this spirit of Unity, this Comforter, whom Jesus Christ was to send in order to show His followers how to grow like Him, and to guide them into all truth, can be guiding the numerous contending, discordant churches of Christendom, who exhibit such bitterness against each other, bitterness and hatred, which not so many years ago culminated even in the shedding of human blood!” (Thomas, first edition, p. 11.)

His search led him to discover that most of the churches had changed the ordinance of baptism by immersion, the form by which Jesus Christ and his disciples were baptized, which is practiced in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Regarding infant baptism, he found there was no trace of such until the Third Century106, and therefore it was not part of Christ’s original church. He found it hard to accept a doctrine which taught that the sin of Adam was within little children, for he felt that an infant is perfect in Jesus Christ and has no sin of which to repent.[v- the catholic church caught them both coming and going. At birth and at death! If infant baptism began in the Third Century what does that say about every baptism performed from then on? There was not a clergy baptized whose baptism was worth anything! It wasn't done right! How could they be members of the church if not baptized properly? DARN! The church was already extinct! The clergy were not authorized in fact they really were not even members!! But can't you almost hear the conspirator church leaders saying to among themselves: If we can catch their little infants then they are ours for life. If we require final rights then they are ours at death. They will have to respect us or they will go to hell. They are catholic their whole lives whether they ever come to church or not! WE have them! v- What a brilliant clever plan! How long did it last? Over 1,000 years! What was Satan doing during that time? S mi li n g! Good Job Satan!]

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, children are not baptized until they are eight years of age, or the age of accountability.[Mormon calls it an abomination! They were trying it in his day! 300 AD, satanic revelation on both continents! Good thinking Satan!]

From the Bible Mr. Thomas learned that baptism for the dead107 was practiced in the primitive Church, but had been done away with in latter days. He found much evidence to support this doctrine which caused Paul to write in an epistle to the Corinthians:“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:29.) [This really throws nonmembers for a loop! No one can understand what that means! Oh, yes we do.-v]

Peter answered that question in these words:“For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1 Pet. 4:6).[Preaching of the gospel is taking place in the Spirit World! They are not done. Hope is not lost. Life goes on! Even in the spirit world!-v I wonder if they have to earn their bread by the sweat of their brow in the spirit world?]

We know by the scriptures that the gospel is preached to the dead and the dead are to be judged according to men in the flesh and live according to God in the spirit. Thus baptism is necessary for those who, during their lifetime, had not opportunity for this ordinance of baptism by immersion for the remission of sin.[And we baptize even for those who did have an opportunity in this life. Who knows how much they might repent?-v]

Only in the Church of Jesus Christ do we find temple work which is performed for the living and vicariously for the dead, who rely on us for the performance of this work on behalf of those who cannot do it for themselves, even as we relied on Christ to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. [What in the heck to you righteous people do in those temples that are dotting the earth, anyway? Ordinances for the dead? Are you kidding? What in the world for?-v]

The Lord has said, referring to baptism for our dead, “For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect” (D&C 128:18). [Yay, for eternal families!]

God has provided the way to attain this perfection through genealogical108 and temple work so that we may trace our ancestry and link family to family back to Adam. This work is being done today in the temples of the Church and in fulfillment of the prophecy by Malachi, who said:“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Mal. 4:5–6.)

In view of all the evidence to show that the different churches which sprang up into existence following the death of Christ and his apostles had departed109 from the truth and changed the ordinances of the primitive Church, it is easy to understand and accept the fact that there was an apostasy, which had been predicted by Old and New Testament prophets.

During the period known as the Dark Ages, there was not a prophet on the earth to reveal the word of God to man, and there was even further departure from the true gospel and more changes in the ordinances as practiced in the original Church.[No wonder they said, there is no more revelation! There wasn't any! And how was that ever supposed to change? No way, Satan doesn't want that idea to change!-v]

Eventually, as prophesied by John the Revelator, the gospel was restored to the earth through Joseph Smith, who was chosen as a prophet and to whom were committed the keys of the Restoration and of the establishment of the Church on the earth in these, the latter days.[yep]

I invite you to read the story of Joseph Smith and of the personal appearance of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, which is a new witness for Christ in America and a companion to the Bible.

Ezekiel refers to these two books as the Stick of Judah and the Stick of Joseph, and prophesies that they shall become one, meaning that they proclaim the same gospel and teach the same doctrines (see Ezek. 37:16–19).[Yay!]

Now let me summarize some of the reasons given by Mr. Thomas for joining the Church:The moral character of the people as a whole, their faith in God, and their testimonies regarding the divinity of the work in which they were engaged.110

The completeness and effectiveness of the Church organization, with the same ordinances as in the church established by Jesus Christ.[check mark]

The restoration of the gospel following the Apostasy, and the need for a living prophet through whom God could continue to reveal his word for the guidance of his people.111

Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, prohibition of infant baptism, and baptism for the dead, all of which were doctrines taught in Christ’s original church.[check mark]

Genealogical and temple work for the living and the dead, as referred to in the Old and New Testaments.[check mark]

Reasons given by converts who join the Church today are similar and so varied as to lead to the conclusion that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can supply the spiritual as well as the temporal needs of any person who is seeking for the truth.

Let me share with you some personal testimonies and reasons for joining the Church. [oh boy a story?!]

In Florida a young couple was visiting different denominations and finally happened upon an LDS church, where they attended a meeting. They said:“We found it to be different from any church we’d visited before. After having the lessons and going to church, we decided this was the church we’d been seeking all along.” The mother stated that it was surprising to see what the children were learning about the Bible and Jesus Christ112, the changes she noticed in their relating better to other children113, and their helpfulness at home114.

Family and home life also changed for them when her husband received the priesthood, which increased his self-confidence115 and desire to improve their family life116 and relationship117.

A man in Ecuador met some missionaries on the street near his home and invited them in. They left tracts, pamphlets, and a copy of the Book of Mormon. He read them and liked them and later said of the missionaries:“I liked their teachings. They taught me things my own church had never taught. I realized I had to live the commandments they told me about. The Word of Wisdom has given me a new life. I know it is of the Lord not to use tobacco, tea, coffee, or liquor. When the elders were teaching me, I knew I had to live it if I were to have a good life. The elders told me to pray about it; then they had to teach me how to pray.”[Ha]

In Finland a woman, lost and lonely following the death of her husband, was found by missionaries who answered some of her questions. She said:“I was amazed at their answers. They talked about a reunion with my husband. We had had a wonderful marriage, and I just couldn’t think that it would end just like that. My minister had given me no answers, but those young missionaries told me a beautiful concept of eternal life. I listened in tears and wanted to hear more.”[tears]

She studied and read the Book of Mormon, received a testimony, and was baptized. [My bishop wrote his testimony for the world on his birthday this year. I did the same today:7/16/17! Good example bishop!]

A convert in England tells his story. Bitter over the death of an infant who had died without baptism and was therefore denied burial in the church cemetery, he was ready for the missionaries his wife had invited to his home. His first question was about the Church’s teaching on infant baptism. [so that little infant was cursed to hell? I think not!-v]

The elders cited a passage from the Book of Mormon which teaches that infants are incapable of sin and that they have no need of baptism because they are saved.[Yay for our church! See!]

Then he made this comment: “It was the kind of doctrine Christ would teach. I simply couldn’t see how a loving God could feel any other way about children.118 Then the elders gave me a lesson in obtaining a witness to gain a testimony. I put it to the test, prayed, and received a witness. I felt the burning in my bosom just as the scriptures described. I knew it was true.119”

He made this further comment: “One of the most joyous principles to me is celestial marriage. I feel that if people could understand this and really love their husband or wife, they would join the Church on this alone. It’s a wonderful principle.120”

Finally, I will deal briefly with the conversion of a Protestant minister, who after much tribulation [no fair!] and persecution by ministers and friends when he decided to convert, gave the following testimony:“I have written this in order to show that as in the Bible, when a man finds a ‘pearl of great price,’ he will sell all that he has if necessary in order to obtain it [see Matt. 13:46]. I have found that peace and truth within the Mormon church for which I had been seeking for over twelve years.

“I have not quite completed my first reading of the Book of Mormon, but already the riches of its truths as set down by the Prophet Joseph Smith have become a vital part of our family’s spiritual life. No man could have written this book except through the power of God. [Only those who understand it can say this, meaningfully.] We accept the test of hatred through which we have passed as God’s test of our sincerity in our seeking.

“My prayer is that others will not continue to willfully blind their eyes, refusing even to read the Book of Mormon in order to learn. No man can read this book and not have his life changed. I have not overnight become an expert on the Mormon faith, but I am an eager student and am not afraid to learn what the Holy Spirit would teach through those to whom He has given the authority. [Who wouldn't want to read the BoM? Those who like their sins and don't want to change! And HN points out they become accusers.-v]

“My personal tragedy as a Protestant minister was that I wasted a good deal of valuable time trying to keep going an organization and institution which no longer, with any stretch of imagination, can be shown to be doing Christ’s work.”121 [Argh! All those years of wasted time and effort, without the support and help of the HG! I hate waste! What benefit could there be? Answer: Appreciation, value.-v]

May I invite you all to study the scriptures, wherein are found the words of eternal life and the way to exaltation.

Jesus said, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

This is so important, that he gave his life for us that we may be resurrected, and he gave us the plan of life and salvation by which this may be accomplished. Read the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which testify of the things which I have told you this day.[personal challenge from NET]

If you are searching for happiness in this life and eternal life with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ hereafter, then I would exhort all of you to find the way, the truth, and the life, which is in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. @@ Wasn't that sweet Brandon? Evidence after evidence! I started with 101 so you would not think they were footnotes. Hearing the word of God strengthens our faith. I heard!