Author: Angela

I write so my family will always have letters from home.

On my mind

This was my Austin seminary class on the last day that I taught them in May 2001. Our house was their classroom for 3 years, from 6:00-7 am each school day.

As I study the Old Testament, a few of these kids come to mind like a reflex as I read the “scripture mastery” verses we rapped and sang together to help with memorization.

My heart aches for a few of them. If I could teach them all over again, knowing the things they would face in the future, we would sing even more. I’d have them share their impressions and testimonies more often. I wouldn’t lose touch with them during their adult years.

Even if I had been a better teacher, it was never my job to save them. It’s a comfort to know that the true Savior is still reaching out to them and helping them. I trust Him.

The ladder

Jacob’s Dream at Bethel by J. Ken Spencer

Grief lurks beneath the routines of life and finds its way out from time to time. This week I experienced a resurgence of some grief for Richard’s sister and my grandmother who both passed away 5 years ago, one day apart, during the first week of March.

As I studied Jacob’s dream recently, the detail of the angels stood out to me, perhaps because I have been living with these memories of loved ones. I like the imagery of the Lord directing and overseeing the comings and goings of angels.

Perhaps this dream is my reminder that the spirits of loved ones are busy, still progressing, and are allowed to minister to us from time to time, according to our needs and their life experiences, all under the direction of the Lord.

Jacob is experiencing a rough time. I like in this painting that more angels are coming toward Jacob than are walking away. He has a long path ahead, but it’s an ascent that leads to the Lord.

Maybe you’re discouraged about a loved one’s path and this image could be helpful to you.

Or, you might be the one in a wilderness, sleeping on a rock, looking for personal hope. I have seen that keeping my covenants with God really helps during these times.

As we keep our covenants with God, He promises great things,

  1. I am with thee.
  2. I will keep [protect] thee in all places whither though goest.
  3. I will bring thee again [home].
  4. I will not leave thee…
  5. Until I have done [all things promised to you].

-See Genesis 28:15

Our silent piano

Serve a mission! Anyone who wants a blessed and happy future should consider it. The Lord knows and understands even better than you what you sacrifice and you are compensated for it.

Elder Mark Ross, February 2026

Our temporarily silent piano means that pianos throughout the world have been played by our sons. Our silent piano stands in contrast to their missionary voices sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. What a privilege to have a silent piano for a few years while a child serves a mission!

Still a Monday girl

Almost without exception, I know that if I put something on my To Do list on a Monday, I’ll get it done. Monday is a blank canvas, a clean slate, and fresh powder on the ski slope. I thrive in new starts.

Maybe you’re a weekend person or you thrive on a different day of the week.

When, besides Sunday, is my list the shortest? Saturday! It’s just a decision based on current priorities. I don’t plan to clean, shop, or organize on that day because I’m not alone. I like to be flexible and adapt the day according to who stops by and what Richard would like to do. You may be in a different season where house tasks are the right thing to do on a Saturday. That’s just not my stage of life.

Once I learned when I’m at my best and identified my priorities, my To Do lists became manageable. Oh, and in case you forgot this advice, I think To Do lists should always be written in pencil. With an eraser, an unfinished list becomes an instrument of grace instead of an instrument of shame.

Richard!

We celebrated Richard’s birthday this week. We love the way he gathers our family on vacations and takes advantage of every minute. I’m thankful for his kind and gentle parenting of our children and his delight in our grandson. He works hard in a difficult field and I’ve noticed that he takes a lot of calls from people who need his expertise. He also gets calls from people who want his advice on ATVs and he’s the navigator when his friends go on 4-wheeler rides. He is a planner and an engineer, through and through. He has a church calling that demands a lot of time and self, and in this service, he shows us what it looks like to keep covenants with God. We love him!

All the math

Sometimes we need to add things to our lives, and other times, the best thing we can do is subtract. This quote is so vital in the process,

Sometimes we speak almost casually about walking away from the world with its contention, pervasive temptations, and false philosophies. But truly doing so requires you to examine your life meticulously and regularly. As you do so, the Holy Ghost will prompt you about what is no longer needful, what is no longer worthy of your time and energy.

As you shift your focus away from worldly distractions, some things that seem important to you now will recede in priority. You will need to say no to some things, even though they may seem harmless. As you embark upon and continue this lifelong process of consecrating your life to the Lord, the changes in your perspective, feelings, and spiritual strength will amaze you!

Russell M. Nelson, Spiritual Treasures October 2019

This quote identifies two important goals of mortality: to consecrate your life to the Lord and overcome the world. To succeed, President Nelson directs us to be intentional about subtraction.

Maybe you’re in a season of exponential demands. Perhaps you are in a season of multiplication, where you take on more responsibility or have another child. Or, you have to divide your time between heavy responsibilities. Perhaps you need to add something to your routine to make yourself stronger. No matter your season of life and its accompanying math, don’t forget the need for inspired subtraction.