Out of the Mouth of the Truthist

We had the missionaries over for dinner yesterday. Shane doesn't love being the last one at home and having to be social in situations where it is just me and him and other adults, but he was very mature about it and was a good host at dinner.

 After dinner they shared a spiritual thought with us. They talked about the power of the Book of Mormon for changing lives and then asked us our thoughts on that. I didn't want Shane to feel pressured to say something so I shared a few experiences and then I looked at Shane and realized he had something to say. So I said, "I kind of blathered on there--did you have something to add?"

And he said:
"When I was 11 years old, I decided to read the Book of Mormon on my own. I read at night when it was very quiet and I could really take it in. As I was reading, it felt like a prayer. Heavenly Father was speaking to me through what I was reading and I knew it was true. All of it. That is when I got my  testimony of the scriptures and prophets and everything. I could feel it and I just knew it."

I managed to not embarrass him by bawling my eyes out. 

But it was hard. 

Remember

"Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action."
They Keep Us Free
by Roger Robicheau
In time of need their will is sure
American, their freedom pure
Protect our life and liberty
Unselfishly, they keep us free
Each soldier knows what is at stake
The risk is grave, there’s no mistake
With pride they serve our country strong
They face each foe to come along
Remember them while in your home
Or where you choose to freely roam
Don’t take for granted what you see
Some left this life, so it could be
To God I urge you all to pray
For soldier’s brave, to face each day
We should be thankful, one and all
For those who march to meet each call
©2003Roger J. Robicheau



"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Taken from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Peace, Be Still

This has been an interesting year for our family. From the day Andy called with the news that his job had been eliminated, through months of unemployment, to selling our house and relocating in a cabin-- we have certainly been on a roller coaster of uncertainty.



We built our last home with the idea that it would be our last. We pictured our grandchildren coming there to visit and huge family gatherings after all the kids were grown and married with families of their own. We have lived within 6 blocks of our ward meetinghouse for 24 years and never intended to stray any further than that.



Apparently, the Lord had other plans. And we have gratefully, if not always happily, accepted that. His tender mercies have seen us through all of our lives and continued through the recent times of worry. Each visit to the temple brought us a sense of peace. Each change ended up being for the better. Each step into the unknown, guided by His hand.



The sale of our house and the timing of it: Truly Miraculous--no other way to explain it. That alone released us from what would have become a huge burden as the job hunt continued longer than we expected. The cabin was another blessing--it softened the blow of all the changes we had to experience and allowed us to live frugally and conserve our resources. It also gives us a place to come back to in our beloved Northwest.



We are thankful for the extra time we've had after we sold our house, to linger in our hometown with our ward family. Grateful to have some extra time serving with the amazing women in our stake YW presidency. Time to spend with my husband, who, for the first time in our married life was free to spend time with the family. The Lord truly has eased the way for this next phase of our lives.



I have always placed such a high premium on security, it has been a great year of learning for me--to let go and trust--REALLY TRUST--that the Lord is mindful of us and would show us the way. Faith is a great thing in theory but requires practice to really mean anything. I keep getting reminded that this life's purpose is to be tested.