Captive in Iran and the Price We Paid --- Remaining Faithful through Trial

There are people  who touch our lives for good.  There are events which cause us to better understand who we are and what we are supposed to be,  We could all enumerate many such events and people and it would certainly be a good exercise and would definitely be something which would help us to see the hand of God in our lives. I'm not sure that we should publish such a list, but it certainly would be something we should include in our prayers of gratitude to the Lord.  Recently, I read a book entitled CAPTIVE IN IRAN.  This book left me with a distinct impression of how much our Father in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ love each of us and are actively involved in our lives.  It also left me with a deep love and appreciation for two young women, whom I have never had the opportunity to meet, but who are wonderful examples of the faith all of us would like to have.  It reminded me of the Young Women's Theme in  our church and also of the sacred covenants we make with the Lord in Holy Temples and elsewhere as we go about seeking to follow in the footsteps of the Master.  Each of us need to think deeply about these sacred commitments and trust in the Lord to help us be strong enough to withstand the firey darts of the adversary as he seeks to undermine our divine and infinite potential.  We need to stand with the Lord and we need to stand for each other as we seek to do His will.  The Lord moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.  We must be valiant and ever vigilant.

The book, CAPTIVE IN IRAN, gives a living testimony of what it means to be valiant children of our Father in Heaven, and how our faith grows and our prayers are answered as we as we patiently endure whatever trials come our way.  Another book I read sometime ago helped me to see and come to better appreciate the faith of our pioneer ancestors in a similar manner. This book was entitled, THE PRICE WE PAID.  Both of these books touched my heart and helped  strengthen me.  My prayer and my desire is that each of us could stand tall and be valiant if we were to be tested in a similar manner to the people in these books.  Perhaps we will never have to endure the horrific experiences described in these books.  Another thought should not be passed over however. It is not likely that the Adversary will test us to the extent he did these people, if he can get us to deny the Lord in things we encounter every day, which to us may seem so insignificant.  We need to be true and faithful witnesses "at all times and in all things and in all places."  Please watch the short video below!

http://youtu.be/LxoM0qvd-eo



Reading this book will be an inspiration to you and help you see the hand of God in your life.

Likewise, reading this book will cause you to reflect with gratitude on the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives and the heritage of our pioneer forefathers and mothers, to whom we owe so much.

Once A Teacher.........

Today has been a "day off".  That is a day off from the routine of formal commitment, that being a shift at the Logan Temple.  Here's how the day transpired for me today.  On Sunday I had talked with a member of our Stake Presidency, President Nyman, at church.  He asked me if I would give him a little more help on his family history.  Since I've learned a little bit about it during the past few years, I agreed to help him if I could.  We made an appointment and he came over to our home for about two and half hours this morning.  He was very interested and it was great to "teach" someone who is really motivated to learn.  I showed him what I do and tried to answer his questions.  As the time rolled by, I could see he was catching on and getting to feel really excited about what he was learning and what he was going to be able to do with his new-found knowledge.  The time seemed to fly by and he thanked me for helping him get what he called a "working ability"  to use New Family Search

and submit the names of those on his family tree to the Temple for ordinance work.  I was very happy to be of some assistance in this work, which is so very important I the eternal scheme of things.

 

 

Just before President Nyman arrived this morning, I received a phone call from the Sharps.  They are a couple we work with at the Temple.  They live up in Thatcher, Idaho.  In a conversation a couple of weeks ago they had indicated a desire to learn more about how to do family history and get some of the names of their ancestors submitted for temple ordinances.  They wanted to know if it would be alright for them to make a special trip down to Logan so that I could show them what I do and help them get started.  They arrived about 2:00 PM and left about 5:30 PM.  Sister Sharp said as they were getting ready to leave that it seemed like just about an half hour instead of three and a half.  That's what happens when a person has caught the vision, the Spirit of Elijah, and really wants to learn how this is done.  We found several names for both of them and more importantly, they left believing they could find names by themselves from here on out.  Of course, I will continue to help willingly if they need anything I with which I can assist.  Again I was very happy to be of some assistance in this work, which is so very important in the eternal scheme of things.

 

As they left to drive back home Iris took a picture of me and the Sharps.  When we left Bear Lake we left many dear friends and acquaintances behind. We still see some of them quite often.  We have met many people here who have become very dear friends as well.  We are blessed to have good people around us and to be able to help the in some small way.

Strange Lights at the Logan Temple

After we got home from Alison's  this evening, President Taylor, the Logan Utah Temple president, called me and told me that the lights on the Temple were unique tonight.  The main flood lights for some reason were not shining.  The tower lights were working on both ends of the Temple though, as were the interior lights in the stair wells.  I took my trusty Olympus and headed for the Temple.  The lights being what they were, it certainly had a different appearance, still very beautiful, but also unique.  It's hard for me to get really good pictures in the dark though.  Below are a couple of the ones that turned out reasonably well

How Beautiful Thy Temple Lord,

Each One a Sacred Shrine!

Each one a sacred shrine.



Super Sunday April 14, 2013

This has been a very special and wonderful day for us.  It started of as usual for me this morning getting ready for my Sunday morning meetings and being at the Church at 7:30 for PEC meeting.

Iris readied herself and picked up the Mathews Sisters in our ward who need to be at the church by 8:30.  They don't have a car so we have made a practice of supplying transportation to them for the past few years.  They are always gracious and appreciative of the help.  It certainly is no bother for us.  Our sacrament meeting begins at 9:00 and to day was Fast Sunday due to General Conference last Sunday.  I felt the urge to bear my testimony today as did many others and it was a spiritual meeting which added to my faith in the gospel of the Savior and his mission here on earth.  Our Sunday School lesson was taught today by a young USU student who lives in our ward.  He did a great job as usual.  It is always impressive to me to see how well these young students do and how close they are to the Lord.  It is wonderful to see how devoted they are as the begin their young families and get their education.  This is also evident as we serve in the Temple where so many of these students come to worship and to renew covenants as well as do work for their dead.  They are so busy and yet they find time and make the effort to attend the Temple very often.  They seem at peace with themselves and with the Lord.  This is the impression we always get as we see them at the Temple.

It is a testimony to us of the blessings inherent in temple service.

 

Early in the afternoon we got a telephone call from Jason.  They wanted to know if they could come and visit and if we would be home later in the afternoon.  Of course, they are always welcome.  We love it when they come.  They are such a joy in our lives and always make us happy and laugh a lot.

We had a good visit and then decided to go visit some of the others who were available at a moment's notice.  We were able to catch Ryan and Sam and their sweet family at home, and then went out to Alison and Ammon's for a little while.  These visits brought sunshine into our day and made us glad that we have family and that we live close enough to some of them that we can enjoy a visit occasionally.

 

Below are a few pictures of the days activities.  It was a Super Sunday for us.  Thanks, to Jason and Rene for coming and sharing time with us and the others here in Cache Valley.

 

Megan and Tanner, super teenagers.  Are they good looking or what? 

 

Maddie B and Tanner.  Can you tell his sisters kind of like him?

Rene's kids are all growing up so fast, but you can tell she still has a spot in her life for the little ones.

Rene and little Neveah.  She is our youngest grandchild, #25.

Jason seems to have a soft spot for little ones as well.

Family socializing in the kitchen at Alison's house.

Avery played a trick on Uncle Jason and Jason is the good sport, as always.

Aunt Alison with her nieces, Megan  and Maddie.  We do love our girls.!!!

A Spring Break Hike

For many of the school districts around Utah this week has been Spring Break.  This means a week out of school.  Some families take their kids and go on vacation to some warm or exotic place other stay home because one or both of the parents have to work.  Some go to visit friends or relatives.  School children love a few days away from the classroom and especially if the weather is nice and spring has truly arrived.  The warm rays of the sun seem to do a body good, not to mention what they can do for the mind.  We have been fortunate enough to have some of our grandkids here for a few days.  Mason in particular wanted to spend some time with his grandpa.  I was glad for that.  This morning we decided to take a hike up to the wind cave.  Micah found out about it and wanted to go too.  I was glad to be the guide and the leader of this little expedition, even though I ended up leading from behind.  Mason is growing up so fast,  Micah is still young and a bit small for such a hike, or at least so I thought.  He made the hike without any problem as did Mason.  I actually did too, though I must admit I needed to stop along the trail and rest a few times.  Nevertheless, I made it and it felt really good to be out in nature and enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine. It reminded me of so many good hikes in days gone past and I never fail to be amazed at the beauties of the earth and the love and greatness of our Maker.  I took a few pictures along the way, as usual.  Some of them can be seen below.

Micah and Mason on the trail to the Wind Cave in Logan Canyon.

Mason on top of the world r so it seems.  He is growing so fast and is such a good young man.

 

Here is Micah near the Wind Cave.  He is holding my walking staff.  He and Mason called it and old man's hiking stick.  They were not really that far off in their assessment.  This staff has a special meaning to me.  Several years ago I planned a solo hike in the Wind River Mountains into the Titcomb Basin, one of the most beautiful spots on this earth.  I mentioned my plans to our home teachers during one of their visits.  One of them, Jerry Ramsey, said he'd like to go.  I said he would be welcome and kind of left it at that.  I guess I didn't think he was serious because he had been suffering from severe back pain for several years.  The night be for I was to leave Jerry pulled up in my driveway in his truck.  He asked me come out and inspect and see if he had everything he needed for the hike.  I was impressed by his efforts and desire and couldn't have told him "NO" even if I'd been a mind to.  We went and enjoyed the better part of a week in the wilderness of Wyoming.  It was hard for him, but he never complained.  I felt sorry for him sometimes and helped where I could.

When we arrived home on Saturday that week we were both exhausted but grateful for the time we had shared together.  A few days later he brought this wooden shepherds staff over to me as a thank you gift for the time we had shared.  I was grateful for it, but never had  used it until today.  I'd set it out a  couple of weeks ago after learning of Jerry's tragic death in an automobile accident.  I lost a good friend and he lost the severe pain he'd been dealing with for almost twenty years.  My hike to day, staff in hand, was filled with memories and emotion as I not only enjoyed time with my grandsons, but with a dear deceased friend of years gone by.

Here are Mason and Micah at the Wind  Cave in Logan Canyon.

 

Another hiker volunteered to take a picture of all three of us.  We do live in a beautiful place and it is so good to have some of the grandkids come for a visit once in a while.  We love them each and every one.