I'm sure you remember these verses from Nephi: For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my father, before his death; many of which sayings are written upon mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine other plates.
15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
I am picking up a project I've dreamed about for years. Our own family "small plates", a record of God's dealings with us specifically; his blessings, tender mercies, answers to prayers, etc. The list is so humbling, so exquisitely beautiful, so long and so loving, and I've only just started.
I feel that igratitude is the most beautiful motivating power for our obedience, and entitlement it's greatest enemy. Do you remember that commencement speech Coy found in highschool with the story of two fish swimming by in the water and an older fish passes them going the other say and says "Mornin, boys, how's the water?" And the little fish say, "What the heck is water?"
How I long to open my eyes and help open all of our eyes in any way we can to the fact that life is an exquisite stream of tender mercies. Every tree, flower, blade of grass, sunrise, breath, smile, life, creation is a loving gift from a loving Father in Heaven. Anyway, I'm excited about the small plates.
I've told you the story of James haven't I? He was trying to quit a chewing habit he'd had for over 20 years. Two young humble missionaries holding the priesthood of God laid their hands on his head and blessed him, and from that MOMENT on, he has NEVER HAD ANY DESIRE FOR IT. It is as biblical and penecostal a story as anyone could ever desire to hear. I just love it. They are moving to Evanston, but leaving our ward clean, active, sealed in the temple and we love them.
We had the whole Anderclan over for family Sunday meal last Sunday. It was so so fun. Some of my favorite moments of life are having the family together just talking and laughing and the kids playing with their cousins. It was fabulous. Jeni and Smitty are camping freaks. They are so fun. Evan is super busy at Qualtrix. Angie is playing in the Utah Valley Symphony. Eli has decided to focus his academic gifts on math. Nate and Nic and baby are doing so far so great. We are three weeks older than when Lewis was born so we are very blessed.
Joseph is doing well in soccer. Games are Tuesdays and Fridays after school. He's loving it, and his hair may be protecting him from drain bamage.
Wednesday we had Maranda and Dan over for dinner. It was so fun. He was dropped off in the Uintahs alone after graduation and picked up 4 days later. I don't think I would ever let my child do that. Oh wait, my child went to China by himself. They are awesome.
The new family came to pack meeting! They met lots of nice mormons.
Oh, Mook. I just want to talk to you so much about everything. You and I are doing the same work. I am working on my investigators here at home. It is amazing how the only thing that makes any real difference is pure love and pure witness in humility and with a heart full of charity. Nothing nothing nothing else makes any difference. Anger and frustration are such spirit inhibitors to me.
Thursday was open mic night for NAP in the backyard. The weather was gorgeous and it was so fun to just sit and listen to awesome music.
It has been so so warm this week. We just had to go play at parks and go on hikes, it was fun.
Sure having fun with Beauty and the Beast with the boys. It is so fun to hang out with Coy. Friday we practiced at a school and there were 100 kids in the room, and your brother was singing and dancing around in a French accent in front of everyone. He sounds so good and he's hilarious.
We watched Unbroken this week. Do you rememeber that story? i swore never to watch the movie after reading the book, but Spen had a lit and film assignment and needed help. Our spirits as children of deity can be so unconquerable if we choose to be. I think it's so beautiful that the ultimate expression of our independent will is the complete surrender of it.
Saturday we had Chloe, planted peas, ripped some bushes out of the front yard with the Ford explorer and life was beautiful. At one moment in the garden Spen asked whom he should call to get an appointment with the Bishop to open his mission papers. I just got chills everywhere. In one instant the eternal consequences of his decision just overwhelmed my spirit with joy!
Seth was just hankering to go on a hike. Spencer and Joseph went to the temple and I took Seth, Grady, Micah and Christian to the sky bridge. It was heaven. When we got home the neighborhood came over for night games, but just three of them, so we WALKED down Lover's Lane in the dark, played at a park...SO FUN! Spenny was with us and we just had so so much fun. Oh, and we stole a car. I brought the Ford keys and Joseph was at Centennial Park with all the cool kids. We just quietly went over and STOLE HIS CAR! We took the stolen goods to Petersons, got red neck ice cream and waited for the phone call. IT WAS SO AWESOME! (Somehow our spiritual experiences never quite seem to be quite as good as yours). The funny thing was Joseph hardly shrugged. He knew it had to be us.
Joey Summers gave such a great talk in church today about testimony. He shared that when he was in the MTC practicing teaching it was his turn to bear his testimony. He attempted to share his witness of the Book of Mormon but choked because he didn't have one. He told the mission president he was going to figure this out or go home, because he couldn't share a testimony he didn't have. His mission president told him to read it and pray about it. He read and read and it was during another role play, this time playing the investigator, that he knelt and said a simple prayer and asked Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon is true. It happened. He was bathed in the Spirit and he knew. His recipe is desire to believe, search the scriptures, keep the commandments and pray. Awesome.
I'm still really enjoying President Nelson's challenge, going through all the standard works writing down everything and anything about the Savior. I was so touched by the story of Joseph of old and his incredible example of forgiveness. After their father died his brothers said basically "Please don't kill us!" and he said, "Fear not, for am I in the place of God?But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fer ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones." What exquisite forgiveness! Continuing the story: And the comforted them and spake kindly unto them, and to the third generation was brought up on Joseph's knees. What's up, healing families, atoning forgiveness, I love it. I love you.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
love you so so much!!!
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