Apple tree maintenanceVideo call with Paige and baby W
The local kids gathered with us to celebrate Father’s Day. Mark called from Copenhagen, and Paige called with W from Alabama. There was a puzzle, snacks, and a dinner of Richard’s favorite foods.
After a two year break from the tradition, I pulled out the Sunday dinner journal and asked our family what they appreciated about their dad this year, which launched us into lots of reminiscing. Daniel, McKenna, Tim, and Queenie placed bags on Richard’s apples to protect them from moths, and we enjoyed the evening sitting out on the beautiful lawn.
And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luke 14:16-24
This parable is referenced in Section 58 of the Doctrine and Covenants as the Lord uses it to teach about building Zion. (D&C 58:8-11) A key identifier of a Zion people is their focus on gathering others to the gospel feast. The servants in this parable go out and invite everyone, absolutely everyone.
How am I doing at accepting the invitation?
How am I doing at inviting others?
My favorite detail from this parable is that the Lord has prepared a wonderful feast and he wants his house filled. How parental. The older I get, the more I understand the longing for a full table with each child present. Magnify my small capacity and longing by an infinite amount and that would describe the Lord’s interest in helping all his children know that they are invited, numbered, and loved.
Richard and I were guests at young women camp one evening this week. They provided a lovely dinner, sang around the campfire, and had a testimony meeting. It was rewarding to be observers. Girls camp feels familiar, even as the girls grow up so quickly and the campsites change. I asked question after question of the girls and leaders and learned a lot about their experiences. It was a long drive home and we pulled in at midnight. Still, we probably got more sleep than those who stayed at camp!
Nominative determinism means that our names can influence our interests, personality, and life choices. For example, I knew a girl in middle school named Charisma, and her personality matched her name perfectly. My dad’s name means beloved, and he is! My mother’s name is Carol, and yes, music is a huge part of her life.
My name is Angela Christie. I’ve teased my mom about this in the past, “No pressure with that name, Mom.” When I married Richard, my name became Angela C. Ross. After many years, I noticed that my middle initial and last name spell the word cross. ✝️ (Hopefully the religious kind, not the grumpy kind!)
Sometimes my name stings with the disconnect I see between the real and the ideal. Other days, I am grateful for the reminder of potential and promise.
You and I are called to be better each day, no matter our names or their origins. Those who make and keep covenants become children of Christ and take his name. Nominative determinism suggests that each covenant child is set on a path for a glorious future, and I know that Christ will help us live up to his name if we let him.
Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.
Mark loves the Mission Impossible movies, and we took his advice and watched several of them together to prepare for our viewing of The Final Reckoning. These movies are long, so we had to split the marathon into several days.
I don’t normally watch action movies, but it gave me time with family and it was a reminder of Mark. We are resolved not to give him any spoilers and I’m sure there will be another movie marathon after he gets home.
June is my favorite month in Utah. I spend more time outdoors and the evenings echo with children at play. The neighbors come out of the house and chat in the street, and the canyon where we walk is still green and the creek is flowing. We work and I read in the yard. Summer isn’t familiar yet, and the sunsets are still a surprise. The cool grass in the shade refreshes the busy worker, and the flowers bow themselves over with their own weight. It’s an extravagant display and time slows down just a bit. And June is just the beginning.
If you do the work to follow the author’s thought journey, this book will give to you some validation for your views and give you a framework to understand your neighbor’s views. Daniel recommended this one and I am so glad that I read it.
School is getting out this week in my neighborhood, and this season of graduations makes me reflect on how much has changed since our youngest left home. During most of this school year, I have wondered why all the years of dedication and effort in raising my family needed to end with these hollow feelings. Recently, I decided to challenge my negative thoughts about the “empty nest.”
For instance, what if my current situation isn’t a sign that I did something wrong?
What if the quiet things I am doing now are essential, and not just filler?
What if this season is actually a gift?
What if I look at this time of transition less like an airport and more like a plane in flight?
What if my small achievements are actually big?
What if I choose to trust the process?
I begin to understand that I’m exactly where I should be. As summer arrives, I’m ready to graduate to a new kind of thinking, and move away from the hollow spaces I’ve inhabited so long.
