Monday Memory Moment

It seems there are days I can go without noticing the date. Today, I saw it repeatedly. It struck mee as familiar and important for some reason. Maybe it is someone's birthday. Nope, no one I could think of ( I even checked facebook). Then all of a sudden it came to mee.

ON THIS DAY... June 27, 1844 Carthage, Illinois. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were martyred by a mob in Carthage Jail.

Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith

There are many emotional and intellectual responses to the name JOSEPH SMITH. This range includes disgust, admiration, or nothing at all. There are few names more generic in the English language than Joseph Smith. Ask mee: Who is Joseph Smith?

A prophet of God. The first prophet of this, the last dispensation, or the dispensation of the fullness of times. The founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Translator of The Book of Mormon. A friend of God and all mankind.

ginger? house

The task was to make a ginger bread house.

I made a sugar wafer out house. 

 The trees tell you it is out in the forest. Look closely. There is even a moon on the door.

Frost is going in. Hope there is toilet paper.

Say... :)

 Last week I was a girls' camp. We had a lot of fun. One of my goals for the year was to participate in the hike. While near the height of our climb I decided I wanted a picture. 

I stood up on a mountain slope giving a directive; "Say cheese", when another time and place came to mind.

I was in the Missionary Training Center (MTC) for three weeks. While I was there we took lots of pictures, especially the last day or so. One of our MTC Instructors had his own twist on picture taking. Where most might prompt, "Say Cheese" we were prompted with...say...

 

POLYGAMY !!!

Monday Memory Moment

As children, my brother, sisters and I enjoyed swimming. I remember swimming at Black Canyon Reservoir when we lived in Emmett. Most of memories, however, are of swimming at Eagle Island State Park.

The swimming is in a slow portion of the Boise River. There is a "beach". I really remember the cattails, and swimming out the island. I also remember diving for rocks. There is also a water slide. It was a special treat to enjoy. I do remember trying to keep our bare feet cool on the hot cement. We might follow wet foot prints, or stand on our mat, if we grabbed one.

We often got a season pass. It was close enough we would often go for just an hour or so after dad got home from work. I cannot say there was one particular time I remember the most. All of them sort of run together. However, I do remember what TIME we often went.

If we were wanting to go swimming when dad got home, first we had to eat dinner. Then, we had to clean up from dinner. We where usually given the same time frame as to when the dishes had to be done if we were to go swimming.

Dishes had to be done before...Hogan's Heroes was over.

Monday Memory Moment

I remembered I hadn't completed my memory moment. Right now, I just want to go to bed. I also remembered that I want to share this video. I remember some of the same things Brad does. Enjoy!!!

e-mail and facebook viewers...go to alwaysmee.blogspot.com

Monday Memory Moment

My sister recently asked for "mom" memories. Starlings were the first thing that came to mind. They are little brown birds. While the females are brown the males are more colorful, to attract a mate.

How does this related to my mother?

When I was in elementary school I did a report on starlings. I don't remember if it was suppose to be on an animal or a bird. Whereas I lived in Star I probably felt it was only logical for mee to right a report on STARlings.

If I remember right I had a book with the information I needed. Reading wasn't a strength, and was therefore avoided. Mom read to book onto a tape. I remember looking though the book while listening to the tape. It my have been my first audio book. 

Thanks, Mom. 

Dependence, a weakness

While standing at the kitchen sick I was pondering what story to tell you tonight. My thoughts turned to cleaning my house. Not really anything most people want to remember. However, maintaining a cleaner home is my goal for the year. 

Mission story:

A clean home wasn't really a huge prioriaty growing up. We had chores. Most of us got out of doing the dishes when mom said she would do them if we would cook. (It's always funner making the mess.) Have you ever heard, "Nothing cleans a house like company"? If we new someone was coming over, we cleaned. We also did a good clean before leaving town for a few days. I also remember washing the ceiling a number of times.

Sister Tanner, our mission President's wife, always had about a half hour of so during Zone Conference. About halfway into the mission she talked about keeping our apartments clean. It wasn't until then that I made the connection. I remembered liking the feeling of having a clean room. In D&C 132:8 the Lord says "...my house is a house of order..." It is also recorded in various places and phrasings "...no unclean thing can dwell with God..." So I realized, at 25, the reason my clean room felt so much better was because it was easier for the Spirit of God to be there.

I cannot say I mastered the cleanliness trait. I tend to migrate to cleaner offices when I need a different place to think at work.

Moving on...I started with the thought about developing my cleaning habits. Then my thoughts went to Ether 12:27 " ... I will make weak things strong unto you..."

This thought usually leading my mind back to sitting in my Major Professor's office. In accordance with NCLB I needed a subject area endorsement on my Special Education Certificate. She suggested Reading. Inside I laughed. Then came  " ... I will make weak things strong unto you..." 

While in elementary school I received Special Ed. services with a reading disability. In fact my IQ- achievement discrepancy was 25 points. It only need to be 15 for mee to qualify. (yep, Mee, the Reading Specialist who hates to read.)

Mind jumping back to  " ... I will make weak things strong unto you..." "...There is only one weakness." That was all she had a chance to say. It wasn't the point of the lesson. I was curious.

Ether 12:27

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.

She was right. I had always read it as "...I will show unto them their weaknesses..." Don't take this to mean you only have one flaw. The Lord did also tell Moroni "...I will make weak things become strong unto you."

So, what is this weakness? The answer I got, and felt to share via my not so world famous blog, dependence. It drives mee nuts. I work with so many students who feel they need to be coddled every step of the way. They often won't even try to do things by themselves. Oh, and those girls ( I am sure there are guys too) who always need to be in a relationship. Drive mee batty.

Yet, through our imperfect, mortal, probationary state we are dependent on Christ. There is no way home without Him. There is no peace without Him. There is no life without Him. It is through this humble and dependent state with Christ we are strong. With God, all things are possible.

Monday Memory Moment

I received an e-mail of "Texas Facts" from my cousin. It has some pretty interesting information. Read the following and then I'll share a quick mission story.


 Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie , Texas :

(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.


I did a google search for Cross Trails Church. This is the article I liked the best.


Mission Story:
I was in my last area, Holtom City. We had been working with a young father for about a month. His daughter was friends with a girl in the ward, and the families were growing closer. We were getting reading to share Moroni's promise when the seven-year-old came in. Dad asked if she wanted to read...


Moroni 10:3

 3 Behold, I would exhort ya'll that when ya'll shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ya'll should read them, that ya'll would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ya'll shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts...

Dad corrected her before she got too far...but classic.

Monday Memory Moment

I am getting ready for my trip to Nashville. When I thought about taking Boyd I remembered I haven't put up Sun Valley pictures yet.

This is one of my Co-workers, he wasn't this happy to have Boyd on his shoulder when I first put him there. This picture in in the Sun Valley Lodge Dining Room. I wish I was a really good architecture photographer. My pictures won't do it justice.

 This picture is also in the dining room. You can see the pine trees and the sun coming in. It had been snowing. It was also cold in the room. A small group of us took to setting at the window because that it where the heat came in.

 This picture is from our condo. It had more of a late 60's early 70's feel. It was big enough for the 6 of us. From the point where I was standing I could look down to the TV and fire place. Look across I saw...

a little reading nook. It was a great place to do my early morning scripture studying. The stain glass window on the right was in the room I shared with my assistant. It looked pretty neat at night with the only light coming from behind.

 Do you see Boyd?

Monday Memory Moment

I know, it has been a while. For these pictures as well. I spent some time scanning in pictures during spring break. These pictures were taken at Eastside Marketplace in Moscow. I am guessing they were taken late in 1998 or early 1999.

I believe I knew Sean (on the sax) and Eric (keyboards) were going to be playing there. I knew Sean through various campus activities and Eric through church. I would try to go listen to them when ever I knew they were performing. 

If I am remembering correctly my sister and family just happened to be there as well. We at dinner in the common area and enjoyed the music. As you can see Munchkin also enjoyed the music. She has always loved to dance. 

Monday Memory Moment

This weekend I got into a discussion about colleges. One of my friends commented on how she doesn't want her daughter to go to the University of Idaho because it is ranked as the # 3 party school in the nation. My first reaction was to laugh. So many alumni are proud of that fact.

I don't remember what I said. What I should have mentioned was that the University of Idaho is also home to the first Institute of Religion, in the world!!!

...it is a fun unique fact to share...I graduated from the first Institute of religion.

My sister included this scrapbook page with a bunch of pictures she recently sent mee.

from the picture: This is the original podium in the Moscow Institute Building. This podium was presented to the church for the Institute's 75th anniversary in May 2001. Elder Eyring asked that it remain in Moscow until the 100th Anniversary of the Institute Program.
Created in 1926 as the first institute for The Church of Jesus Christ of LAtter-Day Saints.
Dan Schoenburg restored the podium to what could be determined as it's original state.


Along with Elder's Erying's CES address we had an Institute Reunion including half hour ceremony for the 75th Anniversary. I have the ceremony and address on VHS. I was in the choir :-). His address Education for Real Life can be found by following the link.

Monday Memory Moment

As a high school student I took the opportunity to brighten peoples day by secretly decorating doors. I usually had one or more friend with mee. We typically had a "theme". 

A couple of themes were "Heart Attacks" and "Egging". A "Heart Attack" included color paper hearts either blank or with happy words, or positive actions noticed. "Egging" was usually done around Easter. Paper eggs where often colored with words including "Your eggcellent", "Thank you for being a good eggsample."

This habit is one that followed mee through college and the mission field. It is one I might need to take up 

again.

Just before the end of my mission I received a Valentine's package from my mother. In it was...

Heart shaped sticky notes. I was so excited! "Heart Attacks" were now so much easier! I am certain at least one district and zone leader fell victim, as well as various others.

From that time sticky notes have come out in a variety of shapes and colors. I often find it hard to pass up a new style. It is to such a level that I have a drawer at work dedicated to them.

One might think with as many as I have I wouldn't get excited about getting any more. What a mistake. I am continually delighted with new ones. These were received from my Little Man for Christmas.

Monday Memory Moment

Here are some more pictures from my recent trip to Moscow.

This is a picture of what is now the Art and Architecture South building.

This is my favorite building on the University of Idaho campus.

At the top of the building is a sword. It was originally an armory and gymnasium.

And of course...we had to get Boyd in a shot...

Monday Memory Moment

Last week I told of making snowmen.
My friend, Amy, must have enjoyed it as much as I did.

She scapbooked it. She upload these pages on facebook and said I could share them on my blog.

It looks like my memories are similar to her documentaion.

Thanks for the pictures!!!

Monday Memory Moment

There are some things we do just to make memories. Some of these events may seem senseless to those who don't know the value of those memories. Todays pictures are from last week. Turtlebug came to visit mee and determined my snow was perfect. As we worked on our creations my mind went back to the last time I recall making snowmen. 

From 2000-2001 I worked for the University of Idaho. As an employee I was not as free to go home for all of Christmas break as the students were.

One evening Mikey, Amy and I were up late when we noticed it snowing outside. We turned off the lights and rearrange the furniture. We sat on the couch and watched it snow. Amy, a California girl, mentioned she had never built a snowman. Despite the hour (it was at least midnight) we went next door to the institute to build snowmen.

Amy's original attempt at a snowman included piling snow to build what looked like a volcano. And I thought rolling a snowball was skill one was born with. How wrong I was. She was a fast learner. After completing what was our Sister Snowman in the back of the building we headed to the front.

There we decided to see who could roll the largest snowball. Each ball was easily 3 feet (or more) in diameter. When we went to stack them we realized we could not lift them. Amy, being the resourceful one, flagged down a car of boys to help stacking our snowballs.

We ended with a 4 foot female snowman to greet people as they came back to school in the back door and a 9-12 foot snowman to greet people coming in the front.

Monday Memory Moment

There aren't many things I remember having all of my life. I have a mouse I named Mickey. (I was very creative as a child. I also have a blanket which was made by my great-grandmother, Ella Glasgow. It is yellow with Raggedy Ann.

I don't remember being a big fan of Raggedy Ann and Andy. I do remember watching the show.

Monday Memory Moment

I got to Texas on December 3rd. I don't remember that day being cold. The next day however was colder than I expected Texas to be. It was December. It was also the Christmas Season!!!


I don't know who created the Texas Fort Worth Mission Christmas Program. However, we were directed to share it with as many people as we could. I remember going to our Bishop asking for his support. We were asking the ward members to have have us in their home to share it with them and their friends. We were a little surprised at his approach.


During Sacrament Meeting he asked the members to sustain President Gordon B. Hinckley as the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was 2002. He then asked us to stand. He reminded the congregation that we had been called as full-time missionaries by the prophet they had just sustained and he expected them to support us in our efforts.


I greatly enjoy the program we were asked to do. I actually lead the program last year for the Young Single Adult (YSA) Branch I was in at the time. I have been in the family ward for a year. I was presently surprised when the YSA Branch Preseident called mee last week and asked mee to do the Christmas program from them again this year.


I hope to include enough details for you to be able to enjoy reading it, or share it with your family and friends.


Materials:
Hymnal to include songs listed. Numbers are from the 1981 LDS Hymnal. If all the links are working you can follow them to printable and playable music. The songs are meant to be sung.
Scriptures to include New Testement and The Book of Mormon. The verses are meant to be read.
Globe, something for a Star
I also like to use a nativity set with pieces.


If you are reading this in facebook you may need to go to my blog for the links to work.


www.alwaysmee.blogspot.com


I gave it a title...enjoy... 

A NEW STAR

Begin with prayer
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful, no. 202

Matthew 1:18-23

   18 ¶ ^aNow the ^bbirth of Jesus Christ was ^con this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

  19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick ^aexample, was ^bminded to ^cput her away privily.

  20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a ^adream, saying, Joseph, thou son of ^bDavid, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the ^cHoly Ghost.

  21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his ^aname ^bJESUS: for he shall ^csave his people from their sins.

  22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

  23 ^aBehold, a ^bvirgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his ^cname ^dEmmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Luke 2:1-7

   1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all ^athe world should be ^btaxed.

  2 (And this ^ataxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

  3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

  4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called ^aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

  5 To be taxed with Mary his ^aespoused wife, being great with child.

  6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

  7 And she brought forth her ^afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the ^binn.

O Little Town of Bethlehem, no. 208, first verse

Luke 2:8-14

   8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the ^aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

  10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you ^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people.

  11 For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord.

  12 And this shall be a ^asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

  14 ^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men.

Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains, no. 212

Luke 2:15-20

  15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

  16 And they came with ^ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

  17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

  18 And all they that heard it ^awondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

  19 But Mary kept all these things, and ^apondered them in her heart.

  20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

****At this point we would talk about the special feelings of a mother for a child. You could do this in general or specifics. Tonight I asked a friend who is new to the restored gospel about here feelings around coming to know the truth.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, no. 209

Matthew 2:1-11

  1 Now when Jesus was ^aborn in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

  2 Saying, ^aWhere is he that is born ^bKing of the Jews? for we have seen his ^cstar in the east, and are come to ^dworship him.

  3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

  4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he ^ademanded of them ^bwhere Christ should be born.

  5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

  6 And thou ^aBethlehem, in the land of ^bJuda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a ^cGovernor, that shall ^drule my people Israel.

  7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

  8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

  9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

  10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

  11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and ^afrankincense, and myrrh.

With Wondering Awe, no. 210

Get your star in the sky. The find Bethlehem on your globe. (As missionaries we often used a balloon. This got the kids attention. We would ask some on to draw on it.) Talk about the star in the sky. The wise men saw it travel far.


We know that the world turns. If they noticed it maybe there were many others who noticed it too.


The Book of Mormon tells us of people on what is now the American Continents who were also looking for a sign to tell of the coming of the Savior of the world.


As in many cases there are believers and non-believers. In this case the non-believers were going to kill the believers if the sign didn't come by a certain day. That day...is tomorrow.


A prophet in the land is taking his concerns to the Lord...

3 Nephi 1:11-13, 21-22

  11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.

  12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord ^aall that day; and behold, the ^bvoice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

  13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the ^asign be given, and on the ^bmorrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be ^cspoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

   21 And it came to pass also that a new ^astar did appear, according to the word.

  22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be ^alyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those ^bsigns and wonders which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the ^cmore part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.

Joy to the World, no. 201

Our Relationship with Christ***As missionaries this is were we would testify of the living reality of Christ. Doing this with the YSA Branch I have opened it up for the sharing of testimonies.


As always...follow the spirit.


Close with Prayer and song.

Silent Night, no. 204