A Deep Thought

I LOVE my Ipad!  I use it for email, scripture study, games, photos, checking the weather forecast and other various things.  I also very much appreciate my cell phone.  I take it when I go out but I leave it at home when I go to church.  My cell is simply just a phone.  I don't have the internet on it.  I don't feel I need the internet to go with me.  It really is okay to be unplugged.

Yesterday I received a letter from our missionary son and he had a great thought.  He was appalled at the number of people using their devices during the Sacrament meeting.  He was even more disgusted at the number of people using their phones during the actual administration and passing of the emblems of the Sacrament.  In their defense, could they have been using their device to read or study the scriptures during that time?  I do at times.

Anyway, he sat behind a man who was on his phone not reading the scriptures.  Andrew wasn't sure what he was doing, but it wasn't something that needed to be done during the Sacrament.  He thought about Christ in cleansing the temple of the money changers.  He felt that if our Savior would have walked into that meeting, He would have cleansed the chapel.  I hadn't thought about that before.  I just think it is rude for anyone to be checking Facebook or playing a game during that sacred time.  Andrew opened my eyes.  He is a deep thinker and I was grateful for this simple, yet profound thought.

I do not know if this is a problem in our ward.  I sit in the front so I can't see who is behind me and what they are doing.  Those months when I play the organ and sit on the stand, I don't believe we have this issue.

I wish to honor my Savior and especially try to ponder on his Atonement or at least his life during the Sacrament.

Sunday with The Wards

These wonderful people are Jack and Sharmon Ward.  They are individuals that we would never have met except for my husband's calling.  He served as an area authority 70 and was released in April. We had the privilege of attending his Sunday School class where he serves as the teacher.

They invited us to have lunch with them which was absolutely delicious.  We spent several hours in their home talking about our families, callings and the gospel in general.

There is a lot of time when I spend time without my husband due to his calling as Stake President. This is one of the perks of having him serve in that capacity.  I get the honor of meeting new people whom I would never cross paths with otherwise.  What a blessing!

Temple with Erin

 Earlier this month Pat and I boarded a plane and headed for Utah.  Earlier in the week, we sent our car with Alex and Megan Bohl to Utah for Erin to purchase from us.  We arrived on a Wednesday night and spent the night with Evan and Luana Byington.  They are wonderful people and I miss them in Wisconsin.  Thursday brought us to Provo with Erin's new car.  She didn't know we were bringing it to her so she was pleasantly surprised.  Thursday also brought us to the Barrett home with dear, dear friends.

Friday morning took us to the Oquirrh Mountain temple.  It is a "smaller" temple and it wasn't overly busy.  Erin had very specific and personal instruction.  She was a sister of promise and is now a sister of the covenant!  We had such a wonderful time with her.

There was a difference going to the temple with her as compared to the experience of our other children as well as my own experience of the first time.  Clare and I received our endowment because we were getting married.  Sammi and Andrew received theirs because they were serving a mission.  Both wonderful reasons but the next step in getting where we want to be.  Erin received her endowment because she wanted to and was ready to.

 We went to eat lunch at Which Wich.  It was a great place to eat.  Then off to Sweet Tooth Fairy for cupcakes.  After changing clothes we headed to Evanston to spend the evening with Brian and Kellie Welling.  On our way, both Erin and I were getting restless so we stopped at a rest area.

Here we found these prairie dogs which were very bold.  We had no food so I dumped our crumbs from the cupcakes on the concrete.  Before I could scrape more off of the papers, the critters took off with the papers.  It was quite entertaining.

Saturday was filled with selling Erin's Sable.  She posted it on Craig's list on Friday night and we had it sold by early afternoon.  God does answer prayers for sure.  We also bought and brought some things for a care package for Andrew.  A gentleman that Pat works with but has never met, volunteered to take the package to him.  So, we put the things together and dropped them off at his home.  I am filled with amazement that a total stranger would do something for us that we are unable to do for ourselves.  Gratitude is the only thing that I can express.

It was a quick trip but filled with only good things.  I loved being able to spend time with just our baby girl.