Showing posts with label Eternal families. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eternal families. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2022
A New Year with Terminal Cancer
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Help to Deal with My Health Problems
When I first began to collapse in my late teens, I wondered if I had long to live. At that time I had only been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a few months, but I had faith in priesthood blessings. In the blessing the missionaries gave me, the Lord assured me that my illness would not seriously affect my mission in life. Through the more than forty years of illness that followed, I have clung to this promise. It has given me both the strength and the courage to continue my life: to graduate from BYU, marry, raise four children, and serve in The Church and my community.
The many blessings I received have sustained me through my illness. Over and over I have been promised that the Lord would help me and guide me to understand the causes, accept, and adjust to my illness; and He has. Knowing that the Lord understands what is the matter with me and what I need to do to feel better has been a great comfort to me. It has given me peace when the doctors couldn’t discover the reason for my health problems. It also helped me through all the years when well meaning people admonished me to simply “get moving”, telling me I would then be fine.
Gradually, I was given experiences and promptings that eventually led us to discover that I have a rare condition, Addison’s disease, where my adrenal glands were being destroyed. With that knowledge, I thought the doctors would treat me and all would be well, but soon I realized that little is known about this condition and even less about how to treat it.
As months passed, I struggled with feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Once again, the Lord’s promises upheld me and helped me know what to do. For instance, one time I felt that I should not wait the normal hour after eating to check my blood sugar, but instead check it at just a half hour after I ate. We were all shocked to discover that my supposed level blood sugar wasn’t level at all. In fact, after a normal meal it was immediately rising to diabetic heights, then plummeting back down, so that an hour after eating my blood sugar ended up at a level even lower than before I ate. With this information, we were able to work out a very careful diet which helps me feel much better.
Through experiences like this and many others, I eventually came to realize that I need to rely on the Lord not on man. In the blessings, I was also taught that the Lord wanted me to grow by being responsible for myself. I had to quit waiting to “get better”, or for someone else to solve my problems. He expected me to all I could, then He would help me.
Not only have priesthood blessings enabled me to manage my illness, they have contained counsel to guide me in learning the lessons the Lord knows I need. Since I was not raised in the Church, one of the first and greatest challenges I faced was seeing myself as a child of God. I had grown up believing that my worth was determined by what I could for others. The long years of confinement to bed led me to reevaluate many of my past beliefs. As I sought new understanding through studying the scriptures and as I received blessings, the Lord reassured me over and over that I was loved. Slowly, I came to know that my worth was not dependent on what I could do, but on who I am-- a daughter of God.
A particular source of strength and guidance in my life has been my patriarchal blessing. What at first I thought was just nice counsel, later provided the specific help I needed to cope with my illness. In my blessing I am told that if I express gratitude to the Lord, my faith and testimony will grow. This sounded easy until I had to face year after year of debilitating illness. I struggled with discouragement and often felt frustrated with my limitations. I hated having to be restricted to my home and not even able to read or move much of the time. As I began to change from focusing on all the things I couldn’t do to noticing and being grateful for all that I could do, I began to feel better, and my testimony grew. Slowly, I came to understand that happiness came not from doing things, but from being close to my Savior. In fact, now I cherish some of the hardest moments because those are the times when I felt the Savior’s presence.
Seeing how the Lord is blessing and guiding my life also helps me accept others’ assistance. At first I resented the fact that I needed help, but as I began to see my illness as an opportunity for growth, I am now able to appreciate the service of friends and family and feel their love. Instead of just being upset about what I can’t do, I now see the positive side of our situation, such as my husband and I becoming more unified as we work together to solve problems and care for our family.
Over the years one thing my husband has done is willingly taken on more family responsibilities, such as doing the grocery shopping. Through this service not only has he become a more loving person, but, as I appreciate the things he does, my love for him has deepened. One experience is particularly impressed on my memory. When we first met, I was just finishing my degree at BYU, receiving a certificate in elementary education just four days before we married. We both agreed that I should devote my full energies to raising our children. This is a decision I have never regretted, but there was always the hope that I would be able to have a career in teaching after our children were grown. As my health continued to deteriorate this dream faded. Through this time my husband did everything he could do to enable me to teach in some way. For years he helped with more of the housework, so I could have the energy to volunteer at our elementary school. Sometimes, I was so exhausted that he even had to fix our food and care for me in the evening. Finally, there came a year when I couldn’t leave our home. That was the year that my husband gave me a great gift. For the entire year he went down to the elementary school each week and picked up children's writing, brought their papers home for me to correct, then returned them to the classroom. I’ll always remember this loving service, and his efforts to help me feel useful and needed.
Besides strengthening our marriage, the counsel I received in blessings also helped me to be a better mother. I often felt guilty about all I couldn’t to for our children, but, through blessings, I came to see that our children were also being given opportunities to grow. Instead of focusing on all I couldn’t do, I was able to feel proud of them as they learned to do household tasks and care for the yard. I came to see that being a good mother wasn’t about doing everything for my children, but helping them to grow. My illness wasn’t preventing me from being a good mother; but was helping me to be a better mother by allowing my children to have the responsibilities they needed to develop their self-confidence.
Through the counsel in blessings, I came to understand that I was being given a great opportunity to devote all my energies to my family, and was being given a precious gift of time to develop my talents. I was led to understand what was truly important for me to do and how best to use my very limited energies. As I learned to simplify, organize, and delegate, I came to realize that there is much I can do. I have come to see my illness as an opportunity for me to develop empathy, and reach out to others by writing to missionaries, tutoring in my home, sending encouraging notes to others, writing for our stake newspaper, and even editing our city newsletter.
Both my patriarchal and other blessings, have given me the support and guidance to grow from my illness. Not only have they helped me to have better health, but, more importantly, they have changed my perspective from feeling unloved and frustrated to having faith in Heavenly Father’s love for me. I can now see my illness as an expression of love from my Heavenly Father and know that He is a allowing me to have the experiences that will bring me joy now and help our family return someday to live with Him.
The many blessings I received have sustained me through my illness. Over and over I have been promised that the Lord would help me and guide me to understand the causes, accept, and adjust to my illness; and He has. Knowing that the Lord understands what is the matter with me and what I need to do to feel better has been a great comfort to me. It has given me peace when the doctors couldn’t discover the reason for my health problems. It also helped me through all the years when well meaning people admonished me to simply “get moving”, telling me I would then be fine.
Gradually, I was given experiences and promptings that eventually led us to discover that I have a rare condition, Addison’s disease, where my adrenal glands were being destroyed. With that knowledge, I thought the doctors would treat me and all would be well, but soon I realized that little is known about this condition and even less about how to treat it.
As months passed, I struggled with feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Once again, the Lord’s promises upheld me and helped me know what to do. For instance, one time I felt that I should not wait the normal hour after eating to check my blood sugar, but instead check it at just a half hour after I ate. We were all shocked to discover that my supposed level blood sugar wasn’t level at all. In fact, after a normal meal it was immediately rising to diabetic heights, then plummeting back down, so that an hour after eating my blood sugar ended up at a level even lower than before I ate. With this information, we were able to work out a very careful diet which helps me feel much better.
Through experiences like this and many others, I eventually came to realize that I need to rely on the Lord not on man. In the blessings, I was also taught that the Lord wanted me to grow by being responsible for myself. I had to quit waiting to “get better”, or for someone else to solve my problems. He expected me to all I could, then He would help me.
Not only have priesthood blessings enabled me to manage my illness, they have contained counsel to guide me in learning the lessons the Lord knows I need. Since I was not raised in the Church, one of the first and greatest challenges I faced was seeing myself as a child of God. I had grown up believing that my worth was determined by what I could for others. The long years of confinement to bed led me to reevaluate many of my past beliefs. As I sought new understanding through studying the scriptures and as I received blessings, the Lord reassured me over and over that I was loved. Slowly, I came to know that my worth was not dependent on what I could do, but on who I am-- a daughter of God.
A particular source of strength and guidance in my life has been my patriarchal blessing. What at first I thought was just nice counsel, later provided the specific help I needed to cope with my illness. In my blessing I am told that if I express gratitude to the Lord, my faith and testimony will grow. This sounded easy until I had to face year after year of debilitating illness. I struggled with discouragement and often felt frustrated with my limitations. I hated having to be restricted to my home and not even able to read or move much of the time. As I began to change from focusing on all the things I couldn’t do to noticing and being grateful for all that I could do, I began to feel better, and my testimony grew. Slowly, I came to understand that happiness came not from doing things, but from being close to my Savior. In fact, now I cherish some of the hardest moments because those are the times when I felt the Savior’s presence.
Seeing how the Lord is blessing and guiding my life also helps me accept others’ assistance. At first I resented the fact that I needed help, but as I began to see my illness as an opportunity for growth, I am now able to appreciate the service of friends and family and feel their love. Instead of just being upset about what I can’t do, I now see the positive side of our situation, such as my husband and I becoming more unified as we work together to solve problems and care for our family.
Over the years one thing my husband has done is willingly taken on more family responsibilities, such as doing the grocery shopping. Through this service not only has he become a more loving person, but, as I appreciate the things he does, my love for him has deepened. One experience is particularly impressed on my memory. When we first met, I was just finishing my degree at BYU, receiving a certificate in elementary education just four days before we married. We both agreed that I should devote my full energies to raising our children. This is a decision I have never regretted, but there was always the hope that I would be able to have a career in teaching after our children were grown. As my health continued to deteriorate this dream faded. Through this time my husband did everything he could do to enable me to teach in some way. For years he helped with more of the housework, so I could have the energy to volunteer at our elementary school. Sometimes, I was so exhausted that he even had to fix our food and care for me in the evening. Finally, there came a year when I couldn’t leave our home. That was the year that my husband gave me a great gift. For the entire year he went down to the elementary school each week and picked up children's writing, brought their papers home for me to correct, then returned them to the classroom. I’ll always remember this loving service, and his efforts to help me feel useful and needed.
Besides strengthening our marriage, the counsel I received in blessings also helped me to be a better mother. I often felt guilty about all I couldn’t to for our children, but, through blessings, I came to see that our children were also being given opportunities to grow. Instead of focusing on all I couldn’t do, I was able to feel proud of them as they learned to do household tasks and care for the yard. I came to see that being a good mother wasn’t about doing everything for my children, but helping them to grow. My illness wasn’t preventing me from being a good mother; but was helping me to be a better mother by allowing my children to have the responsibilities they needed to develop their self-confidence.
Through the counsel in blessings, I came to understand that I was being given a great opportunity to devote all my energies to my family, and was being given a precious gift of time to develop my talents. I was led to understand what was truly important for me to do and how best to use my very limited energies. As I learned to simplify, organize, and delegate, I came to realize that there is much I can do. I have come to see my illness as an opportunity for me to develop empathy, and reach out to others by writing to missionaries, tutoring in my home, sending encouraging notes to others, writing for our stake newspaper, and even editing our city newsletter.
Both my patriarchal and other blessings, have given me the support and guidance to grow from my illness. Not only have they helped me to have better health, but, more importantly, they have changed my perspective from feeling unloved and frustrated to having faith in Heavenly Father’s love for me. I can now see my illness as an expression of love from my Heavenly Father and know that He is a allowing me to have the experiences that will bring me joy now and help our family return someday to live with Him.
Family Evenings Together
We’re not sure how it happened. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we tried formal family home evenings. Some went well, and some didn’t. At the same time we were reading scriptures and stories to our children most nights. They loved it and kept asking if it was “reading time” yet. We were amazed!
Gradually, what had begun as family scripture reading, evolved into something much more. We were spending more and more time discussing what the scriptures meant and how to apply them in our lives. We talked about Joseph of Egypt’s integrity, and forgiveness; Daniel’s keeping the Word of Wisdom; Esther’s courage; Nephi’s faith; Alma the Younger’s repentance and humility; and of course, the example of love and perfection of the Savior. Abraham and Job made us ponder the purpose of trials in life. The Pearl of Great Price provided deeper perspectives into the Plan of Salvation. The Doctrine and Covenants showed us the way to the Celestial Kingdom.
As we studied the lives of people in both ancient and modern times, we came to better understand the commandments; the joy of keeping them and the consequences of disobedience. Our love for the scriptures and for each other grew as we shared our experiences, insights, questions, and testimonies in a safe, informal, environment. Finally, we realized that we were having family home evenings not just once a week but five to seven times each week! We were simply using the scriptures as our manual.
Gradually, what had begun as family scripture reading, evolved into something much more. We were spending more and more time discussing what the scriptures meant and how to apply them in our lives. We talked about Joseph of Egypt’s integrity, and forgiveness; Daniel’s keeping the Word of Wisdom; Esther’s courage; Nephi’s faith; Alma the Younger’s repentance and humility; and of course, the example of love and perfection of the Savior. Abraham and Job made us ponder the purpose of trials in life. The Pearl of Great Price provided deeper perspectives into the Plan of Salvation. The Doctrine and Covenants showed us the way to the Celestial Kingdom.
As we studied the lives of people in both ancient and modern times, we came to better understand the commandments; the joy of keeping them and the consequences of disobedience. Our love for the scriptures and for each other grew as we shared our experiences, insights, questions, and testimonies in a safe, informal, environment. Finally, we realized that we were having family home evenings not just once a week but five to seven times each week! We were simply using the scriptures as our manual.
Our Scripture Study
My husband and I felt something was missing in our scripture study. When our children were at home, my husband read from the scriptures after dinner while we cleaned up the kitchen. The children welcomed the company and enjoyed having something to listen to while they did the dishes. We stopped frequently to explain what words meant and to summarize or rephrase sections. My husband might even insert a child’s name in the scripture. Amid protests of, “Dad, it doesn’t say that!”, he’d finally admit, “maybe it didn’t, but it could have.” Sometimes, we shared an experience from our lives which related to the scripture, and often, they shared experiences with us, usually from school. As parents, we had the clear goal of trying to help our children relate the scriptures to their lives.
Now that our children are grown and have homes of their own, my husband and I continue to study the scriptures. We follow The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint’s course of scripture study for the year and attend our Sunday School classes where we appreciate the teacher’s insights. We read the small course guide which contains the reading assignments. We also read the footnotes in The Church's edition of the scriptures, from the Bible dictionary, and articles which coordinate with our scripture study from the Ensign (adult magazine of The Church), occasionally sharing some thoughts from our study with each other. Though we learned a lot, we still felt that something was missing.
Now that our children are grown and have homes of their own, my husband and I continue to study the scriptures. We follow The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint’s course of scripture study for the year and attend our Sunday School classes where we appreciate the teacher’s insights. We read the small course guide which contains the reading assignments. We also read the footnotes in The Church's edition of the scriptures, from the Bible dictionary, and articles which coordinate with our scripture study from the Ensign (adult magazine of The Church), occasionally sharing some thoughts from our study with each other. Though we learned a lot, we still felt that something was missing.
Christ Centered Christmas
 |
| Favorite dinosaurs came to see baby Jesus |
One of the most important things we did, though, was to change the emphases from gift getting to gift giving. We knew that we remember Christ most when we act like him – when we give and love. Most adults enjoy Christmas because they spend themselves giving to others. We didn’t want our children to miss out on this experience, so instead of encouraging greed in our children by asking “What do you want to Christmas?”, we asked, “What are you going to give for Christmas?”
We explained that Santa was anyone who wanted to give a gift to others, but didn’t want them to know who gave the gift. We had fun as a family as our little Santa, complete with a red hat and cotton ball beard, would drop off goodies at a friend’s home then run, sometimes in circles!
The weeks before Christmas went quickly. It was a busy time filled with secret plans and present making. My husband and I kept our decorations, food, and present buying simple (just one present each), so we could enjoy helping our children make their presents. Even the baby gave her hand print on a piece of paper.
No presents were put under our tree until just before bed on Christmas Eve, then Santa and his elf (our younger children) would bring in the unlabeled presents and place them under the tree.
On Christmas morning we take turns giving presents. The youngest child begins, then on to the oldest person in the family. Presents were opened one at a time, admired by all, and thanks given.
Keeping our Christmas preparations simple and giving small presents helps us remember our Savior at Christmastime and brings His Spirit into our home.
part of this was published in https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/12/questions-and-answers?lang=eng
Including Parents Who Are Not Members In Our Temple Wedding
On the long ride from Brigham Young University to my home in California, I kept wondering how my family would respond to the news that I was getting married. My fiancee had asked me to marry him just a few hours before, and now I was on my way home to spend a couple of weeks before starting my last summer class, so I could graduate in August.
Though I was excited, I had a growing sense of uneasiness about how my family would react to my marriage, and especially to my being married in the temple. Four years before when I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they hadn’t approved, and things hadn’t changed.
When I arrived home, I lasted a whole ten minutes before I blurted out my news. My step-father seemed happy, but not my mother. During the next few days, she kept trying to discourage me from getting married: Did he really love me? I hadn’t known him long enough. They needed to meet him before they gave approval. I should wait longer, perhaps a few years. Right now wasn’t a good time for the family to have a wedding. I wasn’t being considerate of them. Besides, I was wasting my education. Other family members took me aside and counseled me to at least put off having children for several years and “enjoy life first”.
Since I hadn’t realized that my marriage would be such an emotional issue, I prayed for help in dealing positively with my family. I tried to understand their feelings. I was the first to marry in the family, and the only daughter. Not being able to attend my wedding certainly was not the wedding of their dreams.
Though I was excited, I had a growing sense of uneasiness about how my family would react to my marriage, and especially to my being married in the temple. Four years before when I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they hadn’t approved, and things hadn’t changed.
When I arrived home, I lasted a whole ten minutes before I blurted out my news. My step-father seemed happy, but not my mother. During the next few days, she kept trying to discourage me from getting married: Did he really love me? I hadn’t known him long enough. They needed to meet him before they gave approval. I should wait longer, perhaps a few years. Right now wasn’t a good time for the family to have a wedding. I wasn’t being considerate of them. Besides, I was wasting my education. Other family members took me aside and counseled me to at least put off having children for several years and “enjoy life first”.
Since I hadn’t realized that my marriage would be such an emotional issue, I prayed for help in dealing positively with my family. I tried to understand their feelings. I was the first to marry in the family, and the only daughter. Not being able to attend my wedding certainly was not the wedding of their dreams.
Marriage Principles That Have Helped Us
I wrote this in about 2006 to answer a friend's question. In 2018 we just celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary, and it just keeps getting better and better.
I had just read this article in our church magazine* and remembered the question you once asked me about how to have lasting relationships. This couple is one of the happiest, most charming couples I have ever met. He is the Lord’s prophet and the leader of our church. They are in their nineties now and President Gordon B. Hinkley recently said:
"I am so grateful for her. For 66 years we have walked together, hand in hand, with love and encouragement, with appreciation and respect. It cannot be very long before one of us will step through the veil (of death). I hope the other will follow soon. I just would not know how to get along without her, even on the other side, "(life after death).
Talk about a love story!
My husband and I both came from unhappy homes where our parents were divorced. We each joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in our teens and have tried to follow true principles instead of our parents examples. It has been very difficult for us, but we have learned so much, now we have a fulfilling relationship, and the joy of seeing two of our children happily married.
Perspective of Womanhood
I wrote this many years ago as a professional woman who chose to be home and nurture my family.
Lord’s Perspective
Queen
defender of home
has mission to help family return to Heavenly Father
united with husband
eternal perspective of the significance of her work
responsibility to raise children shared with husband
she has stewardship over home- delegate work
husband is responsible to provide for the family
told she is capable- continually learning
encouraged to magnify gifts and talents
builder of society, home and community
views her life as fulfilling
told she is a leader, and nurturer
Is busily engaged in life
Is free to set own goals, schedule
told her family need her nurturing, leadership, emotional support
therefore she stays in the home and fulfill her mission and achieve eternal goals
Lord’s Perspective
Queen
defender of home
has mission to help family return to Heavenly Father
united with husband
eternal perspective of the significance of her work
responsibility to raise children shared with husband
she has stewardship over home- delegate work
husband is responsible to provide for the family
told she is capable- continually learning
encouraged to magnify gifts and talents
builder of society, home and community
views her life as fulfilling
told she is a leader, and nurturer
Is busily engaged in life
Is free to set own goals, schedule
told her family need her nurturing, leadership, emotional support
therefore she stays in the home and fulfill her mission and achieve eternal goals
Monday, March 14, 2016
Our Savior Gives Me Hope
https://www.mormon.org/easter/hallelujah
Hallelujah - An Easter Message About Jesus Christ
Why do I rejoice that our Savior came to the earth, laid down His life for us, and took it up again? Because it gives me hope. Because of Him, I look forward to seeing my grandparents again, and being with my husband and children forever. When I make a mistake, it isn't permanent. With His help, I can try again and become a better person. I couldn't bear not to be able to progress and grow. I couldn't live without the hope our Savior gives us.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Come Lord Jesus
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
This video not only explains the purpose of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but tells what happens there and shows pictures of the inside. I look forward to going to the temple because
What is the Purpose of Life?
I really like this video and identified with the confusion of the young man. We really are in the middle of life and don't remember what came before and we don't see now what will happen in the future. The scriptures have helped me to not feel so lost and to have
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Oakland Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where we were married.
What is so special about a temple?My husband and I met our daughter and son-in-law at the Ogden Temple open house. Even outside on the grounds, I could feel something different. As we viewed the interior, I enjoyed the beautiful mirrors and glassware, the dark woodwork, the stained glass windows, and the sparkling chandeliers. Yes, it was beautiful, but I have seen many lovely buildings and not felt this way.
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