The Truth Workshops In CA

It’s a snowy morning here in Utah. Mother Nature has been quite a tease this year. One day is bright, beautiful spring and the next is winter again. I think I heard her chuckling this morning as I walked.

I failed to tell you all how it went on Saturday and I should also explain why I was so concerned. Just a month ago I was very worried. I knew I had this weekend of Truth Workshops scheduled and that I would be teaching half a day on Saturday, but I was physically struggling to get through the two hours of teaching my classes at the University. I was also very discouraged that I had not gotten my stamina back. The doctors had told me it would take about a year and then with the setback of doing the radiation, I was told it would take even longer. But it had been more than a year and I had no strength. I would finish the two hours of teaching Book of Mormon and barely have enough energy to make it back upstairs to my office. Then I’d have to rest at my desk for at least a half hour before I could slowly walk to my car to go home and once home I was not good for anything the rest of the evening. I was worried and discouraged. But again the miracles happened.

A woman in my neighborhood, who is an herbologist, suggested I take Sun-chlorella and my bishop has a company that makes some very good vitamins. So I began taking both and within days I was beginning to feel better and to have more energy. Within a week I was making it through my university classes just fine. But I had not taught for 4 and ½ hours in a single day and was not sure if I could go that long. It is surprising to me how much energy teaching takes. But it went surprisingly well. I was tired at the end, but it was a normal kind of tired that anyone would feel after that long, and I was not wiped out! It was wonderful and not just because I made it through. The people were wonderful and the woman in charge of the luncheon did a magnificent job of making it special. She even had refreshments for people during the breaks and decorated the tables so beautifully—it just set the mood and made everything special.

So thanks for your prayers and your concern and your love! And thanks to the people of Hanford, CA. You are wonderful!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mother’s birthday—84 years Young. And I mean that literally. You see, her maiden name is Young and she is always reminding us that she is forever Young—something the rest of us can’t claim. Mom’s mother died when mom was just sixteen years old and being the oldest sibling she became the housekeeper and nurturer to her two younger sisters. That housekeeping status stayed with her. I’ve never known anyone who keeps house as well as my mother. Nothing is ever out of place. What most women do for spring cleaning, my mom does on a monthly basis. Every appliance, every nook of her house is always spotless. (That gene missed me!)

One of the great things about my mom is the traditions she established while she was raising us. Of course there were wonderful traditions on holidays like Easter and Christmas, but Mom had more. There was always green food on St. Patrick’s day—green milk, green pancakes, and yes, green scrambled eggs! And I can still see one of my brothers who loves to start the day with a bowl of oatmeal sitting on the stairs crying every April Fool’s day because she made soup and sandwiches for breakfast and pancakes for dinner. You’d think he’d remember from year to year, but he didn’t!

Mom is a hard worker and at 84 can still out work me and most people half her age. She has endured a great deal of adversity and hardship in her life, but has endured it well and without complaining. In short, she is amazing and I love her.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

It's the Easter Season!

I made it home yesterday! I drove back from California with my daughter and her four children so they can spend Easter and Spring Break with us. It was a long drive, but I love driving in the car so it was great. This is a beautiful time of year to drive. Everything was so green and the weather was perfect—we didn’t even need the air conditioner!

Now I’m back in my office getting ready to teach my classes for the day and counting the blessings in my life which are all possible because of Jesus Christ. As Easter approaches I feel an overwhelming reverence and awe for what He did for me. When I think about how miserable eternity would be with no progression—no salvation—I’m am filled with love and gratitude for the One who saved me from such despair.

I love my Savior and at this Easter season I am recommitting myself to His work and His gospel. I get a little side-tracked at Christmas with presents and food and everything there is to do. But I’ve managed to keep our family’s Easter celebrating at a minimum so that we can concentrate on the event that is celebrated. And this week is the week to concentrate on Him.

Living in Truth in California

Last night went very well. I was supposed to speak at 7:00 but there was a baptism in the room at 6:30 so we couldn't get in to set up. I was so delighted to watch everyone involved--they were Living in Truth! The missionaries decided that after the baptism they would move to another room for the confirmation. The people in charge of setting up for our class weren't the least bit vexed. One woman said, "We may have to start a few minutes late, but that won't hurt anything!" As soon as the baptism crowd left the Relief Society room, several people of their own accord helped turn the chairs back to the front of the room and a very knowledgeable man set up the screen and projector and we were ready to go on time! It was actually exciting to see people living in Truth at the very time we were talking about it. People are wonderful and it is such a blessing for me to get to meet and know so many of them.

Now for today! I will be teaching the other three sessions (4 snd 1/2 hours) of the Living in Truth workshops in one day. I've done that much teaching in a day before, but not since the surgery and radiation. I'm praying for a miracle--that I have the stamina to physically make it through this.

Family!

I have the most amazing family. They (like me) are not without flaws, but they are all trying their best to do what is right.

One of the greatest delights of my life is watching them love and care for one another. They are scattered all over the world—from Africa to California and various places in between—and yet they manage to be each other’s best friends. They call and Skype each other frequently, share recipes, parenting advice, and words of encouragement and love. Like I said, we are not perfect, but when someone says something stupid or even hurtful, they figure that person is having a bad day and forget it or laugh it off. You can’t live together as a family for as many years as we have and not have some bad water flow under the bridge, but my children have forgiven and forgotten and have moved on in love and peace. They stick together!

In short, my children live in Truth and it brings me great joy—the greatest joy of my life. Like John, I say, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4).

The Beauty of the Earth

I'm in Hanford, CA. I love flying into the San Joaquin Valley. From the plane window the the valley looked like soft moss covered hills. Bright greens and yellows covered the ground with no brown in sight. The beauty of it all  amazed me. Then while driving through the orange groves and vineyards with meticulously staked out rows of vines that go on for miles and miles a feeling of awe overcame me. This is a beautiful world. I forget how beautiful until something like the scenes of this day remind me. Enjoy it where ever you are!

Truth and Health

We’ve talked a lot about Living in Truth and the help  Truth Tools can be in your quest to live in Truth, but I haven’t talked much about the advantages of living in Truth. Just today I found this report from Johns Hopkins, “Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness, and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.”

The advice to “learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit” is what Living in Truth is all about. Many studies now show that when we get trapped into the negative feelings found in the Pit of Illusion, it not only makes us miserable but it affects our health. When we live in Truth we are at peace and we are healthier.

It is worth every ounce of effort it takes to live in truth because of the benefits living in Truth brings to our lives. So walk in the Light of Truth today!