Author: Angela

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

Be thou my vision

In the Book of Mormon, Jesus visits the people of the Americas. He teaches His gospel, and gives commandments, just as He did among the Jews. I like this verse,

“And ye see that I have commanded none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation.” (3 Nephi 18:25)

Today, I thought about the words, “Come unto me that ye might feel and see.” This is an invitation to a tangible, sensory relationship for the people of the Americas who met him. I like to think it is also an invitation to anyone. As we come, He enhances our ability to feel and see.

He will help us feel His love for us and for others. He will increase our depth of feeling, so we can be better ministers to others and comprehend greater truths.

He will help us see beyond fears, pain, and limitations, and expand our vision for our existence.

As we give ourselves to Him through our obedience, He becomes our vision, the lens through which we see the world, and the heart and guide by which we feel the safe path through the darkness. I am thankful for a Savior who helps me to feel and to see a little better day by day.

Payson Lakes

a beaver
The Dread Pirate Roberts

While I was in California, Richard took the kids (minus Daniel) camping at Payson Lakes. He took our small popup trailer and a tent, and cooked a nice Dutch oven dinner for everyone. I’ve always thought that Richard knows how to make the most of every opportunity. He has done things like this for the kids their whole lives.

Shuffling

Last week we sold our old black 1999 Toyota Sienna. It sold immediately after we listed it, and the emotions caught us a little by surprise. I guess it symbolized the adventures of raising our kids. It was a hassle-free car, with very few repairs needed during the past 18 years we owned it. I gave it a good pat and said thank you before it left our house for the last time.

During the past few months we have sold the van, Richard’s car, and three trailers, but Timothy fills in the spaces with his hobby cars. One of these must go before the snow arrives.

Tim’s Covid cars: lots of ventilation and only room for two people.

Join us for church online if you like

Daniel has been asked to speak in church on Sunday, Oct 11 at 9 am, Utah time. Church is now live-streamed via YouTube, so as different and new as this seems, I am inviting you to tune in to our sacrament meeting tomorrow. (Link to the channel included beneath picture)

Daniel will be giving a brief report on his mission and a gospel message.

Mark will be speaking, too.

I don’t know how long this link will work, but this was the meeting: (link no longer works)

https://youtu.be/IymgXDkpJJA

Press forward

Mark’s general conference block tower
The message of President Russell M Nelson was to let God prevail in our lives.

Recently, I took some time to begin our photo book for 2020. With so much canceled, I expected the photo book to be thin and a bit depressing. But friends, it just wasn’t that at all. What a beautiful year we have had so far, despite all, and maybe because of all.

Two pillars of the year for our family are our church’s general conferences in April and October. This year, perhaps more than any other, I have needed extra assurances that God is in control and speaks to His children to help them. So, with familiar rhythms of family time, block towers being built with monkeys at the pinnacle, we listen to church leaders and continue to press forward through the mist. (1 Nephi 8:24, 30)

To read or view the words of prophets, apostles, and other church leaders from general conference, you can follow this link.

A One-question Survey

My friend’s son is serving a mission in Tennessee, and with Covid restrictions, he does a lot of phone calls and video calls. It is working! The missionaries are able to contact more people in a day via phone than the traditional method of knocking on doors. Therefore, they are reaching and inviting more people to learn of Christ.

When someone answers the phone, the missionary introduces himself and asks, “Would you be willing to answer a one-question survey?” If the answer is no, the missionary says, “Thank you for your time, may we leave you with a short message?” If allowed, he shares a brief scripture and testimony of Christ.

If the person has time for a one-question survey, the missionary asks,

“If you could have one question answered by God, what would you ask?”

This really good question has opened up many conversations, connections, and Christ-focused change.

I have been thinking about this question, and still can’t come up with what I would say. I have so many questions, and I look for answers every day. Today my questions circle around a theme, “What needs to be done so people stop hating one another?”

As I write this, I realize the question I should be asking is, “How can I show greater mercy and kindness to the people I interact with today?” (See, our Father in Heaven is answering our questions all the time, within our thoughts and ideas and study.)

Also, I think this week I will re-read the Sermon on the Mount.