Yesterday, Bob and I had a great experience with the primary kids of the Lakeridge 9th Ward. Those kids are like little angels. They sing magnificently, as is shown in the video that follows:
http://www.facebook.com/karen.j.hansen/videos/10155948371200960/
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Love those kids.
Wind Chimes
Wind has many moods, in force and intensity.
We see it in a summer breeze, or at a storm at sea.
We feel it in a brisk, cool wind, as winter stings each soul,
Or in the warm, hot summer, as sweat cools it’s hot flow.
Like wind we each have many changes that temper and steel our soul.
Sickness, injury and death can burn and freeze our flow,
Yet there are many times when we feel wind’s pleasant breeze.
Our memories can ease our hearts with such a gentle ease.
http://www.lds.org/youth/video/learning-through-trials?lang=eng
Wise Men and Camels
Last week some of our family attended a live nativity. I have never done that before and was excited to see if they would really do sheep and camels, and was not disappointed. The sheep were very wooly and had to be coaxed for their appearance. I was standing so close to the pathway where they entered that I could have reached out and and greeted them with a tender touch, but, I restrained myself. As the story unfolded, the anticipated camels began their trek, each one led by a wise man. Again, I was still very close to the path, and hemmed in by the crowd and a makeshift building at my back. When I saw them coming, I squeezed against the building to make room for their surprisingly massive bodies. The first one filed past me, and I marveled at it’s immensity, especially when it seemed to balk at the crowd and whatever instructions it was receiving. Suddenly, it pulled against it’s halter and came swinging backwards toward ME! There was nowhere to go, except to brace for the impact of a huge camel’s butt bolting directly my way. In a flash it swooped past me, arighted itself and continued on it journey to the manger. Breathlessly, I said a silent prayed of thanks that I would be able to emerge from the nativity in one whole, unbroken piece! What an adventure. The animals added a delightful dimension that I shall never forget.
Animals are delightful. I would like to include some photos taken just 3 months ago in Teton National Park…Just remember, don’t get too close!
The following link is a video of the nativity:
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/glad-tidings-of-great-joy-the-birth-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng
Christmas 2005
Today, we are using a guest poet, Sherrel E. Burgoyne. Sherrel is my aunt who passed away last June, and, as a tribute to her, I’d like to post this poem:
Maybe because they were out in the night
When the heavens were opened and flooded with light,
And they saw the angels and heard them sing
Glory to God and the newborn King
Maybe because that night they were out
They heard the message and did not doubt.
Maybe because they slept in the town
With their doors closed tight and their windows down
And they did not hear the songs from above
They did not hear the message of love
Maybe because that night they all slept
They heard not the message the angels kept.
What of us,
Where are we when the angels all shout,
Do we hide behind walls to feed on our doubt,
Or open our lives and let faith lead us out?
http://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_24-11-2017_dMIS_fMORG_xLIDyL1-A_
Into The Woods
Being close to Thanksgiving, I should entitle this, “Over the River and Through the Woods, To Grandmother’s House We Go.”, but that isn’t where they are going, nor is it the title of the painting, although, it is Thanksgiving time, and I am very grateful for all of my grand children seen in this painting.
Let us call it, “Into the Woods”. And it is a scene of my 6 grand children walking up a path. Some of the prominent intentions are:
1) They are walking into what appears to be a nice place.
2) There are 2 bears to be seen along the way. Are they friendly? The far one seems to be, but one wonders about the sneaky one on the right. Life is tricky and is not always easy to distinguish right from wrong or good from bad. The bears illustrate this.
3) Ammon sees the sneaky bear. He is holding Allie’s hand, giving him the role of protector. Ammon and Parleigh seem to be leading the group down the path. They are taking responsibility for the younger ones who follow, just as I hope they, and all of them, will do always and forever. Care for each other. Watch out for each other. Love each other. Help each other.
4) There is a bird flying high. This represents the Holy Ghost that will help to decipher the good from the bad and lead this little party safely to where they are going.
5) Now, the sad part of the painting. Notice that the children are all walking away from me. I am not with them, nor can I always be. But, nevertheless, I care and worry about them always and forever. And so this painting is dedicated to the last verse of my poem, “Give Them Wings”.
You stand at the threshold
Where I once stood,
With your back to our home
And the world in your face.
And I am glad
I am your mother (Or Grandmother).
I will miss you and wish
You were back home again,
But still I will help you
Fashion the best wings I can make
As you fly away from me.
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-11-23-thanksgiving-daily?lang=eng
Handprints on the Glass
Over the last 2 weeks, I’ve been viewing old family video tapes in an attempt to organize them and reproduce them on DVDs and other digital media. One tape in particular contained images of each of my children as babies. It had all of their first steps, birthday cakes, Christmas dresses, Halloween costumes, and so much more. Some went back so far that I honestly can’t remember that moment. Time passes so quickly. What a blessing to be able to take a trip into the past. I’ve posted this poem before, but, here it is again:
Why is it that those golden days of babyhood
So quickly waste away with daily household cares?
And one day soon we wake to find our little ones
Have stopped their testing antics and left us unaware
That we could ever wish for handprints on the glass,
Evidence of that playful mischief, now in our past.
I like this short clip from LDS.org:
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-06-012-moments-that-matter-most?lang=eng
Remember, Remember
I just finished a book, “The Time Keeper” by Mitch Albom. Since I have always been intriqued by ‘memories’, this book was also intriguing. It dealt with ‘time’. One quote from the book:
“You marked the minutes,” the old man said, “But did you use them wisely? To be still? To cherish? To be grateful? To lift and be lifted?”
Think of each moment as a grain of sand in the giant hourglass of our lives, and we hold that one grain right now. All the sand above and all the sand beneath–the past and future cannot be dealt with right now. Only one grain at a time.
Make memories, for that is what life is made of. Spend time with those you love while you have the time.
I remember precious moments in the past that give the present hope and light.. I love to collect memories and wish I could add to my collection every day. Days when I fail to do this are barren, and if there are too many ‘barrens’ in a row, life begins to feel meaningless.
We have nothing to remember if we do not savor life now. Memories are the acts of the present that bear fruit in the future.
Remember! Remember! from whence we’ve come, on trails of glory, from Thy Holy Son.
To prove on earth, our own true worth, This is our purpose, while here on earth.
Remember! Remember! to turn to Christ, so we may obtain eternal life.
Remember! Remember! The Holy Ghost, that He may guide us through Satan’s host.
Remember! Remember! Without our Lord, we could not follow His sacred word.
Nor understand His one true way, to lead us home to God one day.
Remember! Remember! His one true church that teaches us to pray, seek and search.
Remember to seek Christ when we are weak, with humble heart, sincere and meek.
The Holy Spirit will lift our soul, and help us know which way to go.
Remember! Remember! without God’s Son, we cannot return to the Holy One.
Remember! Remember! We have chosen Christ to guide us through earth’s trials to eternal life.
We need Thee, Lord, every hour and day; Thou art the light, the truth, the way.
Remember! Remember! To fast, search, serve, seek and pray,
And we will be lifted home to live and serve in our Father’s perfect eternal love one fine day.
Remember, Remember, Remember…….
http://www.lds.org/blog/think-to-thank?cid=HP_WE_1-11-2017_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL1-A_&lang=eng
Ask and You Shall Receive
I was reading in my journal today and found a little gem. “Stress of the extreme kind has a purpose. It drives us to plead for the Gifts of the Spirit required to endure something beyond our own conquest…ask and you shall receive.”
I would invite all readers to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments section. Have there been moments in your life when you have felt power beyond your own?
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-06-023-light-switch?category=topics/testimony&lang=eng
The Old Roan Who Sat Alone
Last week we toured one of our favorite spots, Teton National Park and Yellowstone. While on a drive in the Pelican Valley in Yellowstone, we spotted a couple of roan buffalo, and commented on how alone they looked. I do hope they were not really as dejected and depressed as they looked! They did inspire the poem that follows:
The old roan who sat alone, spoke volumes to our souls,
As he sat in silence in the glen, we felt for this tired bull.
His horns were worn, from the years of uncounted war-tossed days,
When heads and horns would clash, to win some cow’s sweet praise.
Like tatonka (buffalo), we too must face our own great battle field.
With sorrow, pride or sin, we can use Christ’s wondrous shield.
And when we’re tired and worn out, we never are alone.
Our Master’s but a prayer away. He longs to bring us home.
So when we’re tired and feel alone, look for some tired soul,
And try to help and lift some one, and then we both can grow.
Then as we sit in silence, we can join in mighty prayer,
Through our Great White Father’s Light, we learn, give and share.
www.lds.org/media-library/images/mormonad-you-are-never-alone-1118441?lang=eng&_r=1
Blind Lead the Mind
When someone offers someone a hand,
To guide them along the rivers of sand,
The one who follows is blind to the trail.
The leader must see, or both people fail.
When searching for truth in life’s living sea,
Who do you turn to for wisdom that’s free?
The one in the castle with power and gold?
The one with the kind eyes, who’s wrinkled and old?
We’ve all seen or felt the power of peer pressure, especially among children. We hope they will grow and learn to not be badly influenced by others, although most of us probably learn this the hard way. Hopefully, after decades of experiences, we do discover the importance of choosing our teachers, or leaders wisely.
On Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1, the Presidency and Apostles and other leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will address the world in conference sessions (10am-noon, and 2pm-4pm each day). Their messages are available through many media sources, one being lds.org. The following message refers to the wisdom and guidance that can be found there.
