4 day pet:pascal lamb

 

Nevada was the first state completed. Yesterday there were only 3 states available: Nevada, Utah, Oregon. I tried all 3 and I figured out how to do it. I texted Andra Garrett and shared with her my discoveries on our T&FH thread. Ramona and Lloyd both responded and Andra succeeded. I felt inspired. Tuesday, 4/5/22Tuesday, 11;47am Hello Brandon, the internet is down at the FSC so I called my sister and left a MarcoPolo and then  my brother and left 5 vmails and now I am using the word processor on the computer to write you. :) @ My T&FH committee leader is Lloyd Simpson. He is over 70yo and will be in the 1950 census which we are processing right now. He has served as a HighPriest group leader and because of his nudging and teasing I am an Italian indexer! Anyway, He has purchased Croshaw pies for our treats each month we have met. The pies are about ~$15 each! And he usually buys 3!  Can you imagine? @ Well knowing our meeting was this week on the 2nd Sunday I called him Friday and an we visited for 20+ minutes. He usually comes over here to visit me in person and said my ears must have been burning. I like to support people in their callings and phoning him was an example of that. @ Anyway, I bought a 2lb sack of Snickers fun size bars last Halloween that I haven't opened and have wanted to use as a treat instead of his expensive pies. He accepted. But he told me this was not a long term solution/precedence. Brenda Fifield has also been concerned about the expense and suggested we take turns. Loyd tried to stop me from explaining this at the end of our committee meeting but I blabbed. I like to give credit were credit is due and anyone who will treat us every month to pie at the cost of about $45 deserves recognition and applause. :) @ There are 44 fun size bars in 2 lbs. I poured them out across the round table at our feet and told everyone we were playing a game called: Overfill your hand! Instruction: grab as many as you can and whoever gets the most wins! I was so pleased when Andra Garrett showed us how to play by bulldozing tons together with the heel of your hand and then grabbing them. @ I had cut open the bag with scissors at home before putting it in my satchel and carrying it around at church and choir practice so I could ride straight to Lloyd's house for our meeting. By the way, Andra won the game with 4. As you can tell no one really "went for it". We were missing our two priests who are attending a temple prep class with the Lambs. @@ Lloyd wanted me to present how to Review Names for the Census in 5 minutes. The bigger the screen the better I told him. He figured out how to hook up a ~36" screen and I had him run the computer while I pointed with a pen at the things I wanted them to look at on the big screen.  It was like we had presented together dozens of times. I discovered that method back when we did our committee training here at the FSC in February. Josh & Brooks & Amy & Brenda were the ones who ran the computer and I used the laser pointer and guided and explained. @ Reviewing Names is set up so it can be done by cell phone! You don't need a big screen. The program moves you to the next blue highlighted name and you fix it or approve it. No scrolling! A m a z i n g ! So on Saturday I realized I hadn't tried it on my cell, so I did. That really paid off. Thank heavens I had talked to Lloyd on Friday so I had an idea of what was in his mind and plan. That way I was interested in seeing if I could work it on my cell. (12:20 internet still down.) @@@ Robert was out of energy Sunday and invited me to drive to his house for a walk and talk. Zonos hired a young man from Vietnam. Robert is in charge of training the new guys. Teen, (I'm not sure how it is spelled) has accepted Robert's friendship overtures. He has gone hiking with Robert (but it is a new experience for him and he tires easily), he came to Robert's baby blessing (that was a first time he had ever entered an LDS church), and Robert took him to find some hiking shoes. It took weeks for Teen to decide. He had never purchased shoes before. The ones he uses every day were given to him by his brother in Vietnam. He didn't even know what size (9) he needed! Can you imagine only having one pair of used shoes? The story Robert shared with me was darling. I know Louis is generous and kind and understanding with his people as well. It makes my heart swell with pride. @ I toured Amber's 3 tiered garden while I waited for our walk, Sunday. I had fasted from Friday night and decided to try a huge leaf of Swiss Chard. It left a bitter aftertaste but they invited me to harvest some after our walk. I harvested the 10 hugest leaves you can imagine. They barely fit in the plastic grocery sack. I called Louis on my way home and dropped three off at his house. I cooked up the remaining 7 in oil and they shrank down to nothing. After cooking there was no bitter taste. @@ Louis offered to come help me figure out how to water my row of peas. He knew of a drip line with holes every 6 or 12". He came on Tuesday and again on  Wednesday to help me finish it off! :) While Grace was at dance from 6-7 on Tuesday he and Lincoln came to help and show me Lincoln's new Artificial Reality headset. Lincoln turned 12? on Saturday March 26. I used to teach my students about this coming technology back in the early 90's. Now my grandson has a headset with wireless hand sensors to game with! @ Bonnie had had stomach pain and been unable to sleep the night before. She texted Louis while he was visiting me that she had an appendicitis and had to go to the emergency room and have it removed. Louis asked if I would come watch his kids, (babysit) so I spent 7-12pm with Lincoln and Grace that night. I haven't babysat them for years so it was fun to see how they have grown. I asked Louis if they did "timeouts" anymore? A minute a year is what Karen does. Clayton may timeout for 3 minutes because he is 3. Louis says they no longer do timeouts. After studying he said that the kids just sit and fume and don't learn anything from it. Discipline means to teach. He said there are better ways to discipline. I read a different book to Grace in her room and then to Lincoln in his room. Grace joined Lincoln on his pillow for Lincoln's story. Lincoln wanted another story but since they had had a conflict during the first one I was done reading. Of course they promised not to continue but, no thank you, that was enough for me. Louis had extracted a promise from both of them that they would not fight and cooperate with me. When I had first arrived I asked Lincoln to go find a book we could read together. He agreed but after reading Dr.Doolittle with Grace he got sad and resisted. He proposed we play a reading or math game instead. I agreed. He taught me how to play “Farkle”. It took a while but he was a great teacher/explainer. That was my first time of having him teach me how to play a game. Grace had a fit and took the score sheet while Lincoln was using it to teach me. I was surprised and took it back. She cried and called Louis. Louis explained to her that she had had her time with me and that it was Lincoln's turn now. Grace ended up picking off the funny eyes that had been on their family picture. I did not stop her. It is above the fireplace. Louis had warned me that Grace was fragile that night. @ Lincoln wanted to call his dad after his bedtime story. I don't know how many times they ended up calling Louis. Louis called me 6 times. I was thinking about him the next day and had to call and tell him what a blessing he was to his family. My patriarchal blessing tells me I will be an anchor for my family. That means a ton to me. I described for Louis some of the ways he is anchoring his family. What would his family be like without him! @ Grace wore pajamas to sleep, Lincoln wore blue undies. When he came down to find his phone to call his dad he was unselfconscious. I have not tried Lincoln's headset yet. @ I asked Robert and Amber about AR and they both reported. Robert tried it back in '98 at Eric Yunker's house. Amber tried it at Trent's house about 5 years ago. She said it gave her an almost immediate headache. @@@ I went the extra mile to get our EQ counselor to attend our T&FH meeting Sunday. Alex G came late and left early. He said he had just finished dinner when he came in. Lloyd had a person to person conversation with him when he came in. It interrupted everything but Lloyd focussed on him. It is sad that Alex has not carried the messages back and forth from the committee to the EQpres and bishop. It had been a difficult barrier/challenge for Lloyd to deal with. Here it is April and the questionnaire to start the year has not yet been approved. Alex admitted it has not even been discussed. OOPS @Andra reported that at our stake training 2 weeks ago (March 27) the main push was to get people involved. To start doing the things our ward is already doing. We couldn't help but cheer Lloyd along! But he defrayed/side-stepped any credit. :) @ Brenda wanted to compliment her girls: Amy and Anna. Anna did her last 11 year old training by herself because Brenda was sick. 1:20 internet is back!

I have worked in all the states they have opened so far. :) 4/14/22Thursday 12:10 Good Noontide Brandon! Did  you notice how the colors changed from the top states to the bottom states. At first they thought 100% done would be the dark brown. But then they realized that 100% done on “Name Review” was really only ⅓ done (33%) because there are two more steps: Family sorting & Header checking. I have tried the Family sorting in Oregon and it is long and detailed! Instead of just checking a name, you have to check block after block of all the data recorded on the census page! The white states above are the ones available for Name Review. @ I got a delightful letter from you postmarked 4/6/22. I was so pleased to have you thank me for hanging in there with you through all those years of your depression and infrequent responses!!! That meant the world to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I texted KJ and told her how surprised and pleased I was to hear you had access to KBYU !!! Yippee! @ George Clarke and Sherri Schwabb (friendly greeters and shift coordinators) have teased me into watching “The Chosen”. I asked 6 different people to watch it with me and I had no luck. So I started watching it on my own. I have done the first 4 episodes. #4 was the netting of the fish episode and I finally realized who Simon is really going to be. . . I had never considered him to be a gambler so it was really a stretch for me to recognize him. Andrew so wanted him to believe and come see. I asked Sherri Scwabb if Mary Magdalene was ever really possessed?  She had me look it up and sure enough she had  been. How did I miss that part? 

Happy Passover/Easter Brandon! I thought I was being helpful when I carefully selected 5 emails to invite to a music concert in the Tabernacle tonight. Then Lloyd Simpson pointed out it was last night and today is not Friday! OOOps! @@So I was shocked last night as I learned from Book of Mormon Central Easter podcast that. . .  On the 10th day of Passover month each family picked a lamb without blemish and took it home. On the 14the day it was slaughtered, blood used on lintel and door posts and roasted and eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. Guess where it lived during those 4 days? With the family! Can you imagine a darling little lamb to entertain your children and be a part of your family for those days and then. . . goodbye? I was appalled at this new insight. Male’16 and Female’18, were visiting this afternoon while Dad Morgan worked on his back garden. I told them a bunch of Moses stories and ended with the passover. I held up Hace with his long curly hair as an example. I asked why that was done? Then I had a better question: How do you think HF felt when Jesus was crucified?

Gby-bltpjs-love vern

Harold Scott Wright

Mom, Myrna was their first child. Looks like she arrived 5 months after their marriage. 

Looks like his wife died 6 months before he did. His dad died when he was 13. His mother died when he was 20. Brent has his Harold for a middle name. Scott has his middle name for a first name.

He was a friendly man and very handy. He wore a mustache, combed his hair from back to front to cover his bald spot. Had an English accent and had a pigeon coop he was proud of.

WWII was bad news for their neighborhood. Bombs in London. They raised and killed rabbits for protein. Both he and his wife were short. Myrna was 5'1 1/2". Don't forget the half!

They were always active in the church that I know of. His wife had a squealy voice and wore the pants in the family. They drove to Sandy to visit us a couple of times. Grandma Wright sometimes sent $2 bills for our birthdays. She had a son just 9 months older than me, so she was tuned in to our ages. He was a machinist. I slept in a sleeping bag in their furnace room when I was 13 during December while dad looked for a house in New York State. Yep we spent Christmas with them that year. It is cold in Toronto at Christmas time.

Sandra asked me to document some of my ancestors.

This just turned out to be convenient because it is February and that was his birth and marriage month.

--

vern

live and learn

life is good

I am blessed

onward and upward

Are you part of Lehi's first group?

  

 

2/4/22 Hello Brandon, I don’t particularly like DAB’s talks. But I love the way he writes! This was in the Ensign’11.

 

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/10/lehis-dream-holding-fast-to-the-rod?lang=eng

 

 

Lehi’s Dream

Holding Fast to the Rod

By Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesThe overarching theme of the Book of Mormon—inviting all to come unto Christ—is paramount in Lehi’s vision.

I love the Book of Mormon. Some of my earliest gospel memories are of my mother reading to me from Book of Mormon Stories for Young Latter-day Saints, by Emma Marr Petersen. In those childhood experiences and during a lifetime of ongoing personal study and prayer, the Holy Ghost repeatedly has borne witness to my soul that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.[Hello Brandon, I ordered that book for my grandkids! I figured I could even show them this talk.-v]

I testify that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that the Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon with and by the power of God. And I witness that the Book of Mormon is “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” [ Brandon, the book of Moses adds tons to the first 8 chapters of Genesis! Since studying the D&C last year my testimony of the revelations JS received is rock solid. It is 1830 as he writes the book of Moses. The OT represents God as a vengeful, punishing, castigating God. After studying Moses 7 that all changes. He cries, he weeps for the consequences his disobedient children suffer. I don’t think there is more weeping than in these long 69 verses. In fact it makes me nervous! If God & JC weep, and I am trying to be like them. . . am I going to have to feel so deeply for the suffering of wicked men that I have to learn to weep too?  I don’t cry Brandon! I don’t cry for anything! Here are 3 phrases that explain why God weeps: 1-Satan shall be their father, and misery shall be their doom; 2-and the whole heavens shall weep over them, even all the workmanship of mine hands; wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer? 3-and until that day they shall be in dtorment. Enoch is absolutely floored that this God of the Universe can weep! But by the end God has shown him enough that Enoch understands and feels and weeps too. He is a likeness/shadow of Christ. Enoch knew, and looked upon their wickedness, and their misery, and wept and stretched forth his arms, and his bheart swelled wide as eternity; and his bowels yearned]

Key Symbols in Lehi’s Dream

The importance of reading, studying, searching, and pondering the scriptures in general and the Book of Mormon in particular is highlighted in several elements of Lehi’s vision of the tree of life (see 1 Nephi 8).

The central feature in Lehi’s dream is the tree of life—a representation of “the love of God” (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Thus, the birth, life, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ are the greatest manifestations of God’s love for His children. [I can’t believe God loves me like that! -v] As Nephi testified, this love is “most desirable above all things” and, as the angel in his vision declared, “most joyous to the soul” (1 Nephi 11:22–23; see also 1 Nephi 8:12, 15). Chapter 11 of 1 Nephi presents a detailed description of the tree of life as a symbol for the life, ministry, and sacrifice of the Savior—“the condescension of God” (1 Nephi 11:16).![I love it when Nephi tells the angel:Knowest thou the condescension of God?17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. N-all I know is that he loves his children. -v]

The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Atonement. Partaking of the fruit of the tree represents the receiving of ordinances and covenants whereby the Atonement can become fully efficacious in our lives. The fruit is described as “desirable to make one happy” (1 Nephi 8:10) and produces great joy and the desire to share that joy with others.

Significantly, the overarching theme of the Book of Mormon—inviting all to come unto Christ—is paramount in Lehi’s vision. Of particular interest is the rod of iron that led to the tree (see 1 Nephi 8:19). The rod of iron is the word of God.

Clinging versus Continually Holding Fast to the Rod

Father Lehi saw four groups of people in his dream. Three of the groups were pressing forward along the strait and narrow path seeking to obtain the tree and its fruit. A fourth group did not seek after the tree, desiring instead the great and spacious building as their ultimate destination (see 1 Nephi 8:31–33).I know[Sister Carol Leischman used these 4 groups in her answer to one of the three questions the Area presidency had us consider for our 5th Sunday combined meeting. It made me curious so I looked them up and shared this article with her. -v]

In 1 Nephi 8:21–23 we learn about the first group of people who pressed forward and commenced in the path that led to the tree of life. However, as the people encountered the mist of darkness, which represents “the temptations of the devil” (1 Nephi 12:17), they lost their way, wandered off, and were lost.

Notice that no mention is made in these verses of the rod of iron. Those who ignore or treat lightly the word of God do not have access to that divine compass which points the way to the Savior. Consider that this group obtained the path and pressed forward, exhibiting a measure of faith in Christ and spiritual conviction, but they were diverted by the temptations of the devil and were lost.

In 1 Nephi 8:24–28 we read about a second group of people who obtained the strait and narrow path that led to the tree of life. This group “did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree” (verse 24). However, as the finely dressed occupants of the great and spacious building mocked this second group of people, “they were ashamed” and “fell away into forbidden paths and were lost” (verse 28). Please notice that this group is described as “clinging to the rod of iron” (1 Nephi 8:24; emphasis added).

It is significant that the second group pressed forward with faith and commitment. They also had the added blessing of the rod of iron, and they were clinging to it! However, as they were confronted with persecution and adversity, they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group eventually was lost—perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.

In verse 30 we read about a third group of people who pressed forward “continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” The key phrase in this verse is continually holding fast to the rod of iron.

The third group also pressed forward with faith and conviction; however, there is no indication that they wandered off, fell into forbidden paths, or were lost. Perhaps this third group of people consistently read and studied and searched the scriptures. Perhaps it was diligence and devotion to a seemingly “small and simple [thing]” (Alma 37:6) that saved the third group from perishing. Perhaps it was “the knowledge of the Lord” and “the knowledge of the truth” (Alma 23:5, 6) obtained through faithful study of the scriptures that yielded the spiritual gift of humility—such that this group of people “fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1 Nephi 8:30; emphasis added). Perhaps it was the spiritual nourishment and strength provided by continually “feasting upon the word of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:20) that enabled this group to heed not the scorning and mocking of the people in the great and spacious building (see 1 Nephi 8:33). This is the group you and I should strive to join.

Nephi’s brothers asked, “What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

“And [Nephi] said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction” (1 Nephi 15:23–24; emphasis added).

What, then, is the difference between clinging and holding fast to the rod of iron? Let me suggest that holding fast to the iron rod entails, in large measure, the prayerful, consistent, and earnest use of the holy scriptures as a sure source of revealed truth and as a reliable guide for the journey along the strait and narrow path to the tree of life—even to the Lord Jesus Christ.

“And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life” (1 Nephi 11:25). [I need these everyday. GC is my staple! And doing OT with Marea and BoM with my class each week really help me. I wish you had someone to prepare for and to share with, Brandon. -v]

The Book of Mormon Is for Us Today

The Book of Mormon sets forth truths that are relevant and essential in our day and for our circumstances. The spiritual and practical relevance of the Book of Mormon in our lives is highlighted by Moroni: “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35). Having seen our day and circumstances through the foreknowledge of God, the principal authors of the Book of Mormon specifically included the topics and examples of greatest importance to the inhabitants of the earth in the latter days. [This is amazing to me and hard to believe.-v]

I invite you to consider carefully and prayerfully the following question: What lessons can and should I learn from Lehi’s vision of the tree of life and from the principle of continually holding fast to the rod of iron that will enable me to stand spiritually strong in the world in which we live today?

As you work diligently and seek inspiration to answer this important question, you will come to understand more fully by the power of the Holy Ghost, both in your heart and in your mind, the importance of continually holding fast to the rod of iron. And you will be blessed to apply those lessons with faith and diligence in your individual life and in your home.

May we all have eyes to see and ears to hear additional lessons from Lehi’s vision that will help us to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).

2/1/22 Brandon, this is at the end of  the wiki article on Insane Asylums.  In summer 2009, author and columnist Heather Mac Donald stated in City Journal, "jails have become society's primary mental institutions, though few have the funding or expertise to carry out that role properly... at Rikers, 28% of the inmates require mental health services, a number that rises each year."[84]2 Psychiatric hospitals is what insane asylums have evolved into. Thank heavens for drugs. Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental health units or behavioral health units, are hospitals or wards specializing in the treatment of severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Wikipedia

2/4/22 Hello Brandon, As I was indexing yesterday I realized that I am very excitable. I have never owned that characteristic before. When the Mackays’33’36 for their second helping of Indexing today I cheered and clapped my hands. Then I admitted I am very excitable. They loved it. It explained why I don’t act like everyone else. I am smiling as I write this. It is a revelation to me.  :)

 

Mahan principle

Friday, 1/21/22 Hello Brandon, I try to be good and do good. You probably do too. And when I get a fun idea in my head I often make it happen. Lola and Ezra sang a Christmas song with the primary in sacrament meeting. They were at the back and I gave them a thumbs up when I caught their eye. They returned the thumbs up and Ezra mouthed: BBQ Chips. Isn’t it fun that this boy recognizes me as his ministering brother that teaches with BBQ chips! You may remember a few years ago when I took plain chips and ~5 flavors of Kraft BBQ sauce when they were on sale for 50 cents. I taught them about agency and then they used their agency to pick the best flavor.

I loved those thumbs up! And I texted my companion about it so we could laugh together. We have both treated them with BBQ since that first time. So I got a new fun idea. . . Why not take multiple flavors of BBQ chips to see which tastes the best to everyone? I bought 6 bags of Lays chips from Lins when they were 3/$5.

Two weeks ago I sat on the bench in front of Nathan and Audrie after sacrament meeting and shared the thumbs up story. We all enjoyed it and Nathan said: “Ezra” in acceptance/recognition/exasperation or something.

I texted Nathan that week to get an appointment for dropping off a couple of bags of chips. I did not want it to interrupt nor deflate their dinner appetite. He said 6 pm would be a good time. I texted Roger about it and he wanted to go with me. :) We went on Wednesday but no one was home. :( I had prepared a lesson in my mind with all kinds of connections and possible ideas, so I was a little disappointed. I gave Roger a copy of the comic book that Dallin Ricketts (special ed missionary 5 years ago when they started special service missionaries in Saint George) had been facilitated in publishing. This comic book and Dallin’s possible future employment creating them is a miracle and blessing in my mind and his. Do you remember when I guided him in leading our priesthood hymns? We don’t do those any more. He thrived on it. And though he couldn’t keep time. . . the brethren accepted and supported him in leading them.

Funny thing, when I got the comic book back from Roger Eves on Monday he hadn’t read it yet. Neither have I. Guess we aren’t into comic books, just support for Dallin.

I picked up 3 copies of the song the YW performed Sunday. I couldn’t believe that it came from the testimonies that RS sisters wrote on 3x5 cards last fall.

I am a little ashamed of going for a ministering visit on Monday at 6 but I wasn’t thinking about the day of the week when I called Nathan to line it up on Monday. He apologized for being gone for our first appointment, sometimes he isn’t aware of when the kids have to be picked up etc.. In my mind, the effort just adds to the accomplishment when it finally does come to fruition.

So off HACE & Roger and I went to our 6pm visit. Hace adds an informality to the occasion and he can’t stand being left home. Plus these 5 little kids end up loving him! Hazel the youngest was absolutely smitten with him! It was so cute. So wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, I passed out the music and encouraged the 3 young women to sing to us. They eventually did!! Lilly Gardine was visiting and she and Lola carried the tune for one verse. Dad, Nathan, teased them about having done 3 or 4 verses because one verse was so long. We were all in a particularly joking and teasing mood. It went wonderfully.


I reminded them of what the BBQ chips lesson was originally about: Agency. Our ability/gift to choose.


I taught about how “as far as it is translated correctly” applies to the missing Chapter 1 of Genesis which is now found in Moses 1.


I showed them my journal where I have copied all the verses of Moses 1, first in blue ink and then black ink for each verse along with my commentary.


I showed them the new smaller journal I wanted to leave for whoever won it. Lola was quick to be first in line! I am smiling as I write this. As you know, journaling is so important to me. As it turned out Lola did win the journal, and I hoped she would use her agency to write in it like I do.


We talked about what Satan wanted removed by taking away the first chapter of the Bible. 1- the nature of God and his relationship to man, 2- the nature of man and his relationship to God, 3- Satan’s existence and his efforts to destroy the relationship between God and man.


The best part of the story was when I asked them what Satan did when Moses asked him where his glory was? “My eyes would have been fried when I saw God and his glory if I hadn’t been protected! Where’s your glory?” And Satan threw a fit/tantrum and Moses feared and saw the depths of hell.


Mom and Dad were on a celery juice cleanse and Lilly tried the juice. Ezra asked Audrie for BBQ sauce from the fridge to be squirted in his bowl so he could dip like the first time. He was also asked by Nathan to offer the closing prayer while we knelt. He grudgingly accepted. Nathan knew who would benefit the most by praying in our presence. :)


I had poured two flavors of chips in to medium sized bowls so we could all be tantalized during the “long boring lecture/lesson”. I wrote the flavor of the chips on two cards and took a 1.6mm bold green pen for writing initials for the flavor voted for. Everyone voted for Original. Not Hot Sweet Southern BBQ! Man, the original always wins. Why is that?


Roger made sure Lilly felt welcome and engaged her a number of times. He also asked for the music paper Flora, sitting on her father’s lap, had dropped on the floor.


When Mom came in and sat on the couch I moved us all from around the table to the couch circle so we could join her and “not knowing beforehand the things which I should do” it turned out to be a fantastic setting for the lesson.

I can’t tell you what a joy/reward it was to have Hazel trying to talk to me as she pets Hace on my lap during the singing, and to experience the thrilling atmosphere of that visit. Here it is Friday and it has stayed with me all week. TYHF for that rich and rewarding and purifying experience. HF loves that family and he aches for the hardships they have gone through and I think he wanted to bless them. I was so grateful to be a part of that blessing.

12:32pm Elder Monte _Holme_ and his wife Lisa conducted an AREA T&FH training in the east chapel at the DSU institute from 7-8:30 last night. There were a number of things that surprised me.

1- Marshall Topham’47, my FSC director, wore business casual. No white shirt. No tie. And he made a point of how it has changed since he began as our director. He said that some FSCenters only have first names on their name tags too! No Elder or Sister.

2- There are 22 stakes in this area!

3- ~100 people attended virtually. My son Robert, HC in Saint George stake, did that.

4- Monte had a fantastic powerpoint for his talk and even used a microphone attached to his tie.

5- He and his wife served a senior mission to S. Carolina and beore they got there HBE told them not to be surprised if people moved in saying, “We don’t know why we are here.” So strange! Cranes and Johnsons have said that as they moved into our ward this year. (from Washington State)

6- Institute teacher Bringhurst managed the technology for Monte.

7- BBB sent out a text the night before to meet at the chapel and carpool at 6:30. He sent it to 7 people: Lloyd, Brenda, Vern, Alex, Andra, Brooks, & Josh. I walked to the chapel and road with Lloyd. He was dressed informally and was glad I was too. He was completely reassured when he saw Marshal Topham. I texted Lloyd about the bishop being “on board!” I saw Mitch Six on the back row. Lloyd and I sat on the front row, my choice, all by ourselves. The backs of our heads showed on the big screen for about 20 minutes and then Bringhurst zoomed in.

8- RMN’s promises were emphasized. Love it! And you would not believe how many promises he has made for doing T&FH work!!!

9- Area Advisor is the title of this new calling, as of 2 weeks ago!

10- Carpet is a style that looks threadbare even though it is brand new.

11- There was an accident as people were trying to pull out of the parking lot.

12- Lloyd flattered me all over the place as we approached home.

13- I visited with HC Mitch Six on his way out to finally eat his dinner.

14- I visited with BBB as he left.

15- The prelude music was so pretty.

16- Sister Jones was the last speaker. She and Lisa went super fast! Monte went peacefully. He did a great job of owning the meeting. He had us raise our hands, he made sure more chairs were set up, he mentioned what a challenge it was to make the Zoom work, he asked us to move in and identify seats for people. I raised two hands and showed him 10 fingers for the front rows! HA!

17- The brother that was supposed to limit Marshal T to 10 minutes never did! Ha. Nice technique Marshal. He was to blame, not you. . .

18- MTopham tested positive for Omicron(-15 variant) on Friday. Has come in to work after hours this week. : ) So cute! I think Sister Jones said he was her Stake President. If so. . .news to me. God bless men with understanding and talent like him!

19- Sister Hardy and I love his sense of humor. :) She said there was nothing surprising. I disagree!

20- I really really want to see a T&FH activity report for our ward! Monte invited us to ask for one last night!

21- One brother asked if there would be copies of this meeting available in the question and answer at the end. Here it is Saturday and I just realized the portent of that! He wants to share with those who were absent. Monte seemed startled by that question and then he said, sure. :)

22- Nancy Topham answered a complaint from a brother mentioning other companies where no one can change your tree. (Mark Clark loves Ancestry. Jerry Peterson loves Roots Magic) But then she said, We have to remember these ancestors are all part of God’s tree and he is in charge. WOW! Stunning. Some people get so frustrated with others changing their trees, ancestors' info.

Sunday, 1/23/22 Good Morning Brandon! Church starts at noon this year. So that gives me more study time in the morning. I listened to Moses 5 again this morning and near the end it documents the descendants of Cain. I felt curious so I went to Taylor & Tyler, Mike & Brice podcasts to see if they told me anything more. Nope. They dwell on the uplifting and spiritual and of course that includes opposition. But Not much about the bad guys. Nevertheless, I was enlightened/ nourished. 1- I was surprised that they could quote the first two laws of heaven. The first two covenants we make in the endowment. Mike said that they are on the church website. Law of obedience & the Law of sacrifice. So I looked them up. Sure enough there they are! All 5 of them!





During the endowment ordinance, you will be invited to make certain covenants with God. These covenants include:


Law of Obedience, which includes striving to keep God’s commandments.


Law of Sacrifice, which means doing all we can to support the Lord’s work and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.


Law of the Gospel, which is the higher law that He taught while He was on the earth.


Law of Chastity, which means that we have sexual relations only with the person to whom we are legally and lawfully wedded according to God’s law.


Law of Consecration, which means dedicating our time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed us to building up Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth.

When you keep your covenants, your relationship with the Savior becomes closer and more powerful. God promises that those who keep their covenants will receive blessings in this life and the opportunity to return to live with Him forever.

M! 2- I learned about the Mahan principle. To kill for gain. To addict for gain. The Word of Wisdom helps protect us against the use of evil and conspiring men applying this principle. You and I have not been soldiers in war but Hugh Nibley saw the disappointment among conspiring men when WWII was ending and they would no longer get rank advancements. Lamech killed Irad and became the next Master Mahan. 40 And I the Lord said unto him: Whosoever slayeth thee, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And I the Lord set a amark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.41 And Cain was ashut out from the bpresence of the Lord, and with his wife and many of his brethren dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.42 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bare Enoch, and he also begat many sons and daughters. And he builded a city, and he called the name of the acity after the name of his son, Enoch.43 And unto Enoch was born Irad, and other sons and daughters. And Irad begat Mahujael, and other sons and daughters. And Mahujael begat Methusael, and other sons and daughters. And Methusael begat Lamech.44 And Lamech took unto himself two wives; the name of one being Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah.45 And Adah bare Jabal; he was the father of such as dwell in atents, and they were keepers of cattle; and his brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.46 And Zillah, she also bare Tubal Cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron. And the sister of Tubal Cain was called Naamah.47 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah: Hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech; for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.48 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech shall be aseventy and seven fold;49 For aLamech having entered into a covenant with Satan, after the manner of Cain, wherein he became Master Mahan, master of that great secret which was administered unto Cain by Satan; and Irad, the son of Enoch, having known their secret, began to reveal it unto the sons of Adam;50 Wherefore Lamech, being angry, slew him, not like unto Cain, his brother Abel, for the sake of getting gain, but he slew him for the aoath’s sake.51 For, from the days of Cain, there was a secret acombination, and their works were in the dark, and they knew every man his brother.52 Wherefore the Lord acursed Lamech, and his house, and all them that had covenanted with Satan; for they kept not the commandments of God, and it displeased God, and he ministered not unto them, and their works were abominations, and began to spread among all the bsons of men. And it was among the sons of men.

I underlined the word knew twice. Sexually knowing your wife is how children are conceived. I suspect that sodomy is part of the satanic secret ceremony. :(

You may notice that chastity is the 4th law of heaven! Satan has corrupted that appetite/passion to no ends on this earth. I love food. I haven’t learned to limit my eating very well. You do much better at that than I do. But I have psychological erroneous zones that I am still working on.

Crud! Brandon's emails blocked.

  

Friday, 1/14/22 Hello Brandon, I watched myself on youtube last Sunday as I bore my testimony the week before. I looked gay. Argh! I hated it.-1 Lloyd S. delayed my contribution in T&FH meeting and didn’t apply my agenda suggestions. Those things left me questioning myself.-2 As I drove to FSC Tuesday morning I realized that my core desire to be understood as well as not be boring are probably the driving forces for my behavior in front of an audience and in communicating/speaking with others. It is probably evident in my writing as well. Perhaps I can be a testimony giver and teacher for the children in those meetings. That seems to give my dramatics value. So I’m flying high again. 1- I helped Elder Collyer on the computer this morning for our prayer meeting. Sister Spence says that he seems to take it well from me. 2- Elder Kulesus’ face fell when he found he was on Saturday shift. It is from 10-4pm this year. 6 hours! I went to him at the piano after the prayer meeting and offered to do some of it for him. He was eventually pleased to give me his first 2 hours. :) 3- Lawrence Esplin and I left the room together and I couldn’t help telling him how excited I was to take Cap’n Crunch cereal boxes to my daughter when he asked me how I was doing. 47cents for a box is worth the digital download! We immediately went and set him up an account. I used my pointer to show him the buttons to push. (I stood and pointed to the “more” button for Joan at BoM class last night. I wanted to do it for Brenda F at the RS ancestors meeting on Tuesday night.) 84765 is Santa Clara zip. That’s the store Lawrence will go to on his way home, for his grandkids! 4- I took the Albertsons ads to show Bill Young the choices yesterday. I left his Cap’n Crunch hanging on his gate when I went and picked up Hace from being babysat. I gave Mushu and Hercules a thick hambone each. Left overs from Hace. 5- I texted L&Bonnie that I had 10lbs of free potatoes and it was time for another french fry. B-We are so excited. L-Perhaps next week. We have Mesquite races this weekend. 6-I shared a Quaker variety pack of granola bars at BoM class last night. 47cents. Boyd, Matt(2), Joan and Randall partook. 7-Gayelynn attended a RS lesson service last Sunday. She bragged on/about me in 3 ways when asked if they knew anyone doing unique ways of service. a-Big wig from SLC came to see me for being one of the top 8 indexer/reviewers in the world. (She did not tell them it was because I was “in Trouble”. Ha. b-That just like yellow helping hands t-shirts and vest the church provides helper members during natural crises, I have purchased tons of canary silk ties and give them to those who make their monthly indexing goal. Helping indexing fingers ties. (And that was the color that Merril Palmer chose last Sunday at T&FH meeting. “Because it means something,” he said.) c-that I have written Brandon for years. 8- I spearheaded getting permission to attend RS. Tues night. 9- The journaling PoGP I gave Joy S. last week is a highlight. 10- I took and example of the ages -ward -list I need to our new membership clerk, Tony Randall. I visited with Brad Newby on the clerk’s office to figure out who to ask. 11- I have communicated with Birds 4 times about BBQ chips this week. Roger and I went over on Wed at 6pm but they had forgotten and were gone. 12-Jerry Peterson and I reported/texted our dieting/evening eating to each other for 4 days. 13-all done for now. :) 14-Sis. Archibald says she enjoys my laugh. Thank you sis. Archibald. I haven’t heard that for years! Yep, I am loud and laughing on most informal occasions. Perhaps that is evident in my writing as well. Brandon sure is upbeat and smiling in his correspondence. :) Thank you Brandon.

@@@ Why did I stop putting your name & number in the email subject heading? Darn! It has kept you from getting them!!! When I saw how clearly your name was in the address I figured they can’t miss it. @ I got your letter yesterday explaining Sheree only prints off the ones with the proper subject heading!

5 of those emails were to Brandon but he only received the top 2! Those were the 2 I sent on Wed. 1/12 after KJ’s text!  I didn’t understand. Brandon’s letter helped me understand why. His number and name need to be in the subject heading so she can see which ones to print off!! Aha!

KJ told me she was going to resend the one of hers that you did not receive. I figured out how to forward the five(above) I sent you after Bioshock Infinite. I am so glad, GLAD that I found them and that my efforts are not wasted this way. I know you have refined the way I should pass along the info on the Xbox360 games. You don’t care about commentaries and people’s opinions/critiques. God bless you Brandon. See you later. V  

 

"I use the Pensieve. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one's mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form."— Albus Dumbledore explaining his Pensieve to Harry Potter\The Pensieve was a magical device used to review memories

.My journal and my letters to Brandon often serve me in this same way. I don’t have to keep remembering things. They are already recorded. :) I just finished listening to book 4. Goblet of Fire.

13 brandon questions

 

Vern-Saturday · 5:08 PM In my v mail I promised to read you Brandon’s answers to my 13 questions.\Oops.\Not in this letter.\Maybe next time.

KarenJane-VLol. Ok...? What is V mail. He hasn't answered my last 2 emails so now I'M wondering if he's getting them! Voicemail Saturday · 7:50 PM Ah. I'm in Oregon helping my son move. 

k-1/12/22 Tues. 11:09 AM Hey... brandon called to say happy birthday. He said he doesn't recall an email with 13 questions? He is NOT getting all emails. He didn't get the one with his aunts obit. She has faithfully written him almost every week...I reprimanded him for not answering her in ages... said she just wanted to know he got them&was on. Luckily he did. She called me the day before she passed& was very happy he written her. I had his name&# in the subject line... he never got it. He's thinking people are forgetting to include that... but I know I did. I checked it in the sent box. So I'm resending.. he wanted me to mention it to u. Luckily you mentioned the 13 question thing. 

v-4:42 PM This is so helpful! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. V

@@Since I learned this didn’t arrive. . . And I was so excited to hear. Here it comes again:

Thurs. 12/30/21 Hello Brandon, Have I earned any questions answered yet? @@@I visited with David Hughes for 60 seconds up on Summit Ridge Road Tuesday, as he delivered mail. V-Can you believe they may let Brandon get an xbox360? D-Strange huh! But I sure like how much smaller and low key Panguitch Jail is for visiting. And so much closer! @@@So Brandon, you returned an email page that listed games and you asked me for more info on some of them. I have sent you 4 or 5 emails filling you in on what you requested. How about considering answering some questions?

1. Could you have had an xbox at CUCF? 2. Can you share other’s games?

3. You don’t have the big library. Are you still reading? 4. How many hours of phoning can you do?

5. Are you working out to stay in shape? 6. How do you pass most of your time?

7. How far are you in your drug rehab manual? 8. Was around Dec. 10 hard for you?

9. What have you read and enjoyed this year? 10. How many people do you like/friends?

11. Do you think you will write a thumbnail on relatives? I encouraged you to do that some months back.

12. What is the best part of your day or week? 13. Is there any music you have fallen in love with?