Category: Journal
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Notes from church
Spencer Nelson is gone to Italy now. He’s excited and Julie says it will be good closure knowing this is his last season (where he didn’t expect last year to be the last). Lisi peers: Lindsay Smith, Chandler Austin Laura might know or be able to learn if Lindsay is in a place where she…
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Hyrum Smith
Unlike any of the three witnesses, Hyrum never faltered in his faithfulness to the restored church. His is the remarkably rare example of unwavering devotion. He is often overlooked because while he held significant positions (patriarch of the church, counselor in the presidency, one of the eight witnesses) he never did any dissenting and he…
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Failure to submit
Babylon conquered Jerusalem in 597bc and was relatively gentle. The Jews kept rebelling for the next 10 years until Babylon came much more harshly. In the 10 years between then Jeremy counseled the people to submit. I’m confident that he recognized that the people needed to fix their internal problems of disobedience before trying to…
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After 30 Days
Today marks the end of the 30 day Happiness Challenge. Out of 6 people who started the challenge I am the only one who reached their performance for the whole month. I’m not sure how I feel about the challenge at this point but it was an interesting exercise and I’m grateful I did it.…
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Proximity with Isaac
I planned to spend time alone with Isaac this evening. When I got home I tried to invite him to help me with a few chores and while he helped me as much as he was able it was hardly alone as we Emma and the other boys were also there playing with Isaac and…
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The definition if omnipotence
“Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree.” The Lord is able to take what would be a thorn and make it into a pleasant and productive fir tree.
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Parenting Adult Children
I’m getting a taste of what is like to have an adult child to raise. Analese is a legal adult who clearly needs parental influence and in many ways we are in the best position to provide that influence. In addition we care for her well-being in ways similar to if she were our child.…
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New Direction
Today I’m grateful for inspiration, for confirmation, and for repentance. I have been reading Parenting Without Power Struggles on my but ride and during my day at work I thought of a plan for dedicating my focus more fully to my family and to building relationships with each of my children. My plan was to…
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Farewell to the Bradshaws
Chris and Missy Bradshaw moved out of the ward this week. I went over to their house to help them load up the last of their large items tonight. It reminded me of helping them move in a couple of years ago. Unfortunately they are doing worse now than they were then. Some things have…
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Good Things
Today I’m grateful for the influence and direction of the spirit. I had to reach Elder’s Quorum yesterday on no notice but it turned into a good discussion and I felt about ten minutes into the discussion exactly where it should be focused. I’m grateful for the capacity to go offer my time and skills…