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.

It's Baseball Time

Today was a beautiful spring day in Cache Valley.  The sun was shining and it was reasonably warm outside, so we were glad to take in one of  Ryan's baseball games at Logan High School.  His team was playing his old high school team, the Bear Lake Bears..  Of course, he was excited to be able to coach against his old coach, Craig Culver, who was a good mentor for Ryan during his high school baseball days.  It was good to see some of the Bear Lake crowd who had come to Logan to support their team  When our boys were playing baseball as they were growing up, we enjoyed watching them play and seldom missed a game, at home or away.  Ryan's family came over to the game and offered their support to Ryan and his Gizzlies.

 

Here we see Ryan and his girls, Annika, Samantha, Grandma Iris, and Neveah.  It was her first baseball game, but I doubt seriously  that it will be her last.  She really enjoyed the fresh air and the sunshine.  Her cute little bonnet helped to protect her from the suns rays.

 

Here are Ryan and Sam's boys.  No doubt Ryan will turn them in to baseball players too.

Batter up!! A Logan player tries to get a hit off the Bear Lake pitcher.  Ryan is coaching down the third base line.

 

Here Ryan is again, coaching a runner at third base.

 

Coaches!  Ryan has a great respect for Coach Culver and owes a lot of his love for baseball to the tutelage he received, while playing for him during his high school years.  These are two men who truly love the sport of baseball.

 

It was a double header.  The Bear Lake team was anxious to see some green grass, as their field is still under a foot of snow.  Ryan's team, the Logan High School Grizzlies, won both games.  It's still fun to go to a baseball game, but I must admit, I enjoyed it even more when I was playing as a teenager or as we watched our own sons playing during their youth.  Our day at the ball park was made more enjoyable by the first truly warm day of the year.  Soon there will be more warm days, so we will no doubt get to take in a few more baseball games

Spring Play at Mountainside Elementary School

Last night we went out to Mendon to see Ada in her spring school play.  They did a wonderful job.  It is so good to see young people (and of course their teachers) engaged in a good cause.  I was very impressed with all of the students and the wonderful costumes and scenery to go along with a fun script.  Alison has been fortunate to be involved n the school where their children  go to school.  She will miss Ada when she moves on.  At Alison's request I took a lot of pictures for her.  She was busy back stage and couldn't be the photographer.  I did the best I could.  I'm going to publish one of the pictures and give the rest to Alison to do with as she pleases.

Alison and Ada, the pirate, after the school play in Mendon last night.

We do love our Alison and Ada.  They light up our lives.

Early Springtime Activities on South Fifth Street

It is springtime in the Rockies again.  Sun shines one minute, snowing the next.  The snow has mostly gone and there are signs of lots of yard work to do, baseball games to be played, and all around fun to be had.  I have been  working on Ryan fallen tree a little bit in spare time if the sun was shining.  It's going to be a project and we'll eventually get it all sawed up and stacked away for winter firewood, or hauled off to the dump.  It has actually felt good for me to get outside and do a little more physical work and some good fresh air in my lungs.  I'll just take it easy and do what I can at my own pace.  I'm not as young as I used to be.  I was sawing the other day when the kids came home from school.  They are so precious.  We are fortunate to live close enough to watch them grow.

Here is Micah sitting on the trunk of the huge tree in their yard which fell down with the spring thaw.
That is no small stick.

Ryan came home after baseball practice at the high school. He's the coach and Micah is his little protégé.  They both love baseball.  They are lucky to have such a nice big yard in which to play.

Tristan is not to be out done.  He's learning to play baseball too.

Annika got caught trying out the swing in her yard.  When I left to go home I took her home with me.
She had fun with Grandma Iris, while I helped a couple in our ward with their family history.

And Great Was the Fall of It

The home Ryan and Samantha purchased last year is a wonderful home in a convenient location.  They have a beautiful, large yard for the children to play in and to keep them busy in spare moments, as though they had a problem with that.  It is surrounded by large trees, which provide shade in the summer, making their place very inviting and comfortable, even on the hottest days.  These trees are rather old, having been planted many years ago, probably about the time the home was built.  Some of these trees are beginning to show signs of their age.  One of them was dead when they moved in and had been topped and largely debranched by the previous owners.  It stood at the front of the yard. There have been some discussions about how and when would be the best time to remove it.  Another nearby tree has a large hole in its trunk about forty feet above ground.  That hole provided a cozy nest for a family of raccoons last summer and no doubt will be a sought out spot for some old mother raccoon to give birth to her litter again this year.

 

Last night, about five thirty Sam and the kids were startled by a sudden thud.  Upon checking it out they discovered that the old, dead tree in their front yard had fallen.  Apparently with the thawing of the soil around it and the fact that its roots had decayed resulted in the tree simply falling over, all by its self, as Tristan informed me.  It fell across their driveway, taking down the nearby electric wire and even the telephone pole to which it had been attached.  Fortunately their was no one near by at the time of its fall and no car was parked in its path.  Of course, this caused a power outage at the Eborn home on South Fifth Street.  Samantha called us and informed us that the tree had fallen and that they were living by candle light until the power company could get the wires back up and the electricity to their home restored.  We offered to come and get them or at least to bring down some lanterns, but she said they were fine and were actually kind of excited about their little adventure.

Ryan was away at a baseball tournament in St. George at the time the tree fell. Some of the neighbors came to lend assistance, though not much was really needed beyond making a few phone calls.

 

This morning I decided to go down and check things out.  I had an idea for a picture in mind.  Tristan, an axe and the huge fallen tree.  That could be a good one.  At first Tristan was apprehensive about even going out near the tree.  I finally decided to bribe him.  I offered to take him to the dollar store. He said he didn't want to go to the dollar store.  I said:  "How about a dollar, if you come out and let me take your picture."  His eyes lit up.  He liked that idea.  Then he had second thoughts.  "How about a dollar and a quarter?"  I quickly agreed and we went out for some picture taking before he decided to up the ante on me.  Most importantly, we are just grateful that no one was hurt because of this incident.  Actually,  it will be a positive, because it means a little less travel to get in the winter's wood supply for next winter.

Below are some of the pictures we took.

 

A miniature Paul Bunyan.

 

 

Proud Grandpa and Tristan, the Tree Slayer.  This kind of puts a new dimension to the well know

family phrase.  "Get wood!"

 

Our little Paul Bunyan and his Mother.

It takes muscles to get wood.  Tristan showing off his "guns." Tristan is such a joy to be around.

He is smart, full of life, and always has a big smile.  We love him, as we do all of our grandchildren.

 

 

A Special Day at the Logan Temple in Cache Valley

 

The Logan Temple in Winter

 

Yesterday some of the Eborn family met at the Logan Temple for a  Family Temple Day.

I had been to the Temple Baptistery a couple of months ago and had asked if we could reserve a two-hour block of time to do baptisms for deceased family members.  The baptistery is usually very busy and especially on weekends, in the early mornings and also evenings after school is out.  The secretary checked her schedule book and informed me that there was some free time on March 2nd beginning at 1:00 PM.  I accordingly scheduled two hours.  I knew I had enough names of extended family members to fill that time, but I really had no idea if I could find enough people in the family who could work this particular time frame into their busy schedule.  I sent out an e-mail to those I had addresses for and hoped to get a response.  I was blessed when several of the family showed an interest, and as I had suspected there were several who wanted to come and participate, but who have busy family schedules and couldn't work it in at this particular time.  At first I though about just canceling it and turning all the names into the Temple.  I'm glad we decided to go ahead with this project.

As it turned out we had Ammon and Addison come.  I was so impressed with Addison.  He came and sacrificed going to the State Championship basketball game between Mountain Crest (his school) and Skyview, their valley rival.  There are not very many young men who would do such a thing.  I am very proud of Addison and also his dad for bringing him and also participating.  Jared and Shana came from Murray.  They brought their children.  Emily was able to participate along with her parents and her older Sister, Kinsey.  It was a very special day for them and for us, especially Kinsey.

She is our oldest granddaughter.  She will be 19 in June.  With the lowering of ages for missionary service, she was waiting at her bishop's door 120 days before her birthday to get the missionaries papers started.  She is excited to serve and we are very proud of her example and strength of testimony.  She opened her call from the First Presidency on Friday night and we were thrilled, as was she.  Beginning in July, Kinsey will be serving as a missionary in Sweden.  Suddenly, Sweden is one of the most interesting places on earth for us.  Kinsey is well prepared and will do well.  Reed came with some of his family.  Dan and Rachel were there.  Dan did a lot of the baptizing and helped with the confirmations.  We loved seeing them and being in the Temple with them.  They are beautiful people.  Also Valerie came and performed baptisms.  Iris and I also participated.  Coincidentally. Donald Daugs and his wife, Ammon's dad and step-mother are workers in the baptistery and it just so happened that they were on duty just at the time we were there.  All in all it made a wonderful day.

At the end of our allotted time we had completed 150 baptisms for male relatives and a like number for the females.  Confirmations were also performed for each of these.  That is 600 ordinances.  We are grateful.  Now the real work begins.  It is work, but it is also very joyful work, at least for me, and I think also for the rest of those who have participated or will participate in the future.  I seriously doubt that we could have spent those few hours in a more productive way.

 

I was recently reminded of a vision Elder Melvin J. Ballard had at the baptistery in the Logan Temple many years ago.  I don't know that any of us had an actual vision, but I am certain that all of us felt just as he did.  Below is a short report of his experience.

The Vision of Melvin J. Ballard
at the Logan Temple Baptistery

---

“Elder Ballard sat at our baptismal font [in the Logan Utah Temple] one Saturday while nearly a thousand baptisms were performed for the dead. As he sat there, he contemplated on how great the temple ceremonies were, and how we are bringing special blessings to the living and the dead. His thoughts turned to the spirit world, and he wondered if the people there would accept the work we were doing for them.
“Brother Ballard said: ‘All at once a vision opened to me, and I beheld a great congregation of people gathered in the east end of the font room. One by one, as each name was baptized for, one of these people climbed a stairway over the font to the west end of the room. Not one soul was missing, but there was a person for every one of the thousand names done that day.’
“Brother Ballard said that he had never seen such happy people in all his life, and the whole congregation rejoiced at what was [being] done for them.
“For the rest of his life, Apostle Ballard preached to the Church in all his travels, that the work we do in the temples is accepted, and that the people themselves are permitted to attend and receive the blessings personally” (Nolan Porter Olsen, Logan Temple: The First 100 Years [1978], 170).

A Temple Baptism Font where sacred covenants are made by proxies for those who died without the opportunity.  Each of the LDS Temples has a font similar to this and dedicated  for use in the sacred ordinances of the Temple. 

 In sacred places like this I find  Heaven and Earth seem to be not very far apart

Hopefully we can have an experience like this again in the not so distant future, and include more of the family.Let us know if you would like you and yours to be involved and we will see what we can arrange.  Thanks again to each of you who came and added your special spirits to those of the Temple.  We love you all and always will.

Coming Home! Jesus, Lover of My Soul