Saturday, July 13, 2013

Contemplating Moses 6:60

Contemplating Moses 6:60 today: For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified;
The clear meaning of baptism, Confirmation of the Gift of the Holy Spirit, and the Atonement of Christ opened a deeper meaning for me today. Water, Spirit, Blood (specifically the blood of Christ), these are all life flows. They are all necessary for the soul to BE.
The Water. the percentage of water in our bodies varies between 45%-78%. Infants have 78% at birth, then it drops to 65% by age 1. Fatty tissue contains less water, so the leaner you are the higher your water percentile. I say all that, just to point out the we are, in a way, full of water. In fact, we're water sacks. Water is one of three ways life exists. “Water” is then, a designation meaning “temporal”. The body is water. The Commandments are also temporal. We're given them as our part of the covenant with God. They are for this world. We didn't have them in Heaven, and we won't need them in Heaven when we return.
So by the water we keep the commandments. As we live in our temporal state, we covenant to obey the commandments.
The Spirit. In verse 61 of the same chapter we learn that the Holy Spirit is called the comforter, that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things, that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. From scripture we learn that we are Spirit children born of God. We also know from D&C 93:29 that we are eternal without beginning or end because we were intellegences before we were children. “Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.” We know that God's power (light) comes from the presence of God and fills the immensity of space. This light is in all things, gives life to all things, is the law by which all things are governed, IS the power of God. (D&C 88:12-13) I'm trying to explain that as intellegences we were a part of God's power. God's power fills the “immensity of space”. Intellegence, while having the ability to act for itself (D&C 93:30), always obeys God because He IS God.
The word “justify” actually means to align. When you make a line of type fit the page exactly, or when you level or square off, or make a straight line, you are justifying.
So by the Spirit, we align ourselves in our desires, in our desire to be with Him and be like him. Because we are justified, made straight, by our desire, the fact that we can't actually obey perfectly is not going to keep us down. We align our spirit to God's power and that is also a life flow.
The Blood. In the Bible dictionary we learn that Israel considered the blood as the seat of life, or vital energy of all flesh. The power of the sacrifices done anciently was in the blood because it was regarded as containing the life of the animal and, most importantly, was a type of the great Sacrifice who is Jesus Christ. (Lev 17:11, Heb 9:22). The Savior is the only true half God, half man, all others were stories corrupted from truth previously known. He said that he had power over his own life, to live or die, or live again. He had this power in his own blood. We know from modern revelation that glorified beings don't have our kind of blood. We know that if a person has a vision of God, he can't abide God in all His glory, or he would be immediately taken, changed to his immortal state. I'm guessing every cell in our bodies would be trying to align (justify) themselves to Him as we stood (knelt? laid?) in His presence.
So we are made pure and sanctified by the pure blood of our Savior, and our blood becomes as His.
All that just to say water spirit and blood are all life flows that are moving in one direction or the other depending on who/what we're following. Obey God, align yourselves with Christ, and follow Him into God's presence. I love you.
Mom
1 John 5:7-8 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

4:20 am & still awake

A brief moment and then things end and new things begin, as in the birth of a child, so is the passing of a loved one.

Mom took her last breath at 12:30 am this morning. I was with her all evening. Her breathing was shallow and difficult for her. I said many prayers to let her go and I talked to her some. Mostly I just held her hand.

I told her a story about a handsome man named Sidney and his young bride Beatrice; how they had 5 boys but only one lovely daughter whom they adored and cherished. They named her Joyce, and she grew up to play the piano beautifully. At 17 she left home for college and there met a man who'd returned from the war. His name was Ben Slack. He was tall and had fiery red hair and sang like a master.  They fell in love and married. They named their first child, a girl, after her beloved father. She had four daughters to make up for never having had a sister, and two sons and she loved them all so much. They grew up and found eternal partners too and gave her so many grandchildren she could hardly keep track of them all. She was so blessed, but after Ben died, she missed him and was lonely. She met an old friend Grant Terry and they were married for a time, and she wasn't lonely for awhile. But he died too. Now it is Joyce's turn to follow. Ben is there, close by, waiting to take her as soon as she's ready to go.

Then I reminded her how much Ben adored, admired and loved her. I hope that I eased the way and helped her to think of him at the last.

I'll call everyone in the morning when its a decent time for telephone calls. But I just can't sleep and I needed to say it all out to my own children so they would know. We did our best for her, maybe she would have been better off in another environment, but we felt like we should care for her and we tried to make her as happy and comfortable as we could.

I'm so relieved for her, I can finally think of her again as I remember her, and I'm so glad for her. Thank God for His great plan of happiness.

I love each of you! Thank you for being who you are!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A Month Gone!

I just glanced at this page and was shocked to realize a month had gone by with no comment from me.
Three weeks ago I let Layne convince me I could run a 1/2 marathon. So training began. I've been gradually increasing the miles and occasionally working on improving speed. The bumber is that I am very sick and will miss my mid-week run this week. I'm determined that I'll still run on Saturday though. I am excited about doing this. I'm actually amazed at myself for believing that I can do it. that's new for me. The other crazy thing about this training it that I let Layne sign me up for the St. George Marathon in October too. I'm not totally convinced about that one, but I feel like if I can do this 1/2 in Bryce Canyon next July, that will be the confidence builder I need for the full.
Another wonderful thing this week was having Katrina come through on her way to her Writer's Conference. I was so happy to be with her. Thursday was the best day possible. Shayna and Katrina and their boys; a day of shopping and lunch, then a break-nap time and finally dinner and a movie. It was just perfect! Layne and I got to watch Katrina's boys, Sam and Layne James during Katrina's conference. I'm so glad we got to do that. The boys was awesome! I am just amazed at how advanced Sam is. Kudos to Katrina for making learning a fun adventure for him. He obviously loves reading and drawing. They are outlets for him, not work. Shayna was so much help too! I believe recognizing that Papa and NaNa are kinda old, she knew we'd need it. And of course, all the cousins had so much fun together. Sam couldn't get enough of Braxton. They were all adorable.
This weekend: Tim graduates with a master's degree in Graphic Design! I'm so proud of him! I can't even say how much. I always knew he was so talented! It's good to see him push to reach his goals.
My children are all grown ups now! I used to tell them that becoming an adult was inevitable but just because you get older doesn't mean you automatically become mature. That's a process that takes more than just time. but all of my children are truly maturing just as they should. They have all surpassed Layne and I in one way or another, and as a parent, nothing feels better than that.
I love you!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Yay! A Fun Show!

Hey, we got to go see Trevor in a Charlie Brown Musical! That was really fun!! Great Singing and fun acting. It flowed smoothly from scene to scene. Trevor was adorable, He was playing Linus, lot's of home-study  material there for him, as all three boys were right on the front row with their very own blankets and thumbs. You should have seen them dancing with their blankets after they saw their Daddy and the rest of the cast doing it on stage! Loved it.

All is well with us. Mom even laughed a couple of times through the show. Layne takes good care of her.

Hey guess what! I'm training for a half marathon! Yah, we'll see, right? But Shayna might do it too! It's in Bryce Canyon, which I've never been to. I'm excited!!

Sorry I haven't been writing every day like I was, it seemed kinda too much. I love you all with all of my heart!

Be good!!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Conference!

Papa and I are enjoying General Conference so far! Taking notes is helping me to focus and remember.

I'm excited about 3 new Temples. Papa couldn't believe there were enough people in the Boise area for putting one in Meridian. But little places grow sometimes.
I loved Elder Perry's remark that Christ was the only person with dual citizenship. That was cool. I'll try to keep the Sabbath Day better.
Sister Stevens' talk about children being our examples was beautiful. I'll try to "behold our little ones" a little better. When she talked about the eagerness to serve I thought of the little girl in my class that loves to carry all the books back to the library for me. They're too big for her and it's adorable to watch.
I want to be a better follower of Christ, like Brother Gonzalez said: to be more loving and to contemplate my covenants more.
Brother Richards talk was very much like Elder Holland's to our Stake two weeks ago. Through pain we learn patience and we learn of God's love. Pain brings us to Him. He is our Balm in Gilead. I loved that one so much.
Elder Cook was very kind in his remarks about the women of the Church, both past and present.
When Pres Eyring called the Welfare Program our Untied Order and the Law of Consecration, that rang so true. I'm so glad the Church is set up in this way! I loved that he outlined how to help others and how to build their dignity at the same time. That's so important.
I thought Pres Packer was strong and edgy. Good for him! I love that he's not afraid to be bold and clear in his message. Be a better Saint and let people know who we are and what we believe.
Elder Nielsen: I loved the line "We live to die and we die to live again" Beautiful. Oh yah, and "The only premature death is one who is not ready to meet his maker." Wow. Of course, right? Right! Oh yes! And his quote from Pres Monson; "Fear not. Be of good cheer. Your future is as bright as your faith". Love it!

Oh oh!! it's 10 am already!! We'll see you after conference!!

We love you!!!!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

3-29-11

Just pluggin' away here. Staying on top of work things and thinking about others. I jogged 3 miles on Saturday and 2 yesterday. Faster was what I was working on yesterday! Its hard to not just be a plodder.

I'm trying to resolve that its ok to not lose anymore weight. My body is perfectly happy being 150lbs and I can't convince it to shed anymore. I've been eating so healthy too! But the good news is that I finally don't want or  crave the crap - well, except potato chips and ours are better than store-bought.

Papa feet are getting better. He bruised them up awhile back and they are just recovering to where he feels comfortable again. Did everyone read his comprehensive blog on over-eating and other things? That was a really good one.

Joyce is doing well. She seems to be rallying again and getting stronger. I don't know how much longer this will go on. But its a struggle for her and we try to make it as easy on here as we can.

We love you!!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

3-24-11

Rainy today! I'm so happy for the rain on our plants and trees. I'm happy that it's Thursday and I get to take tomorrow off and work on sketches for Katrina's poem! I'm happy that I got a yummy shake for breakfast! I'm happy I found my birth certificate so I can get a new license - I lost mine at Zion park last week! I'm

Activity Days went well yesterday and I got to just help the 3 new girls with their personal binders and get to know them a little better. They are all so cute! How can they all be so cute!!?

I pray for you all with all of my heart! Be good and pray always!!

I love you!!