I went to a great devotional at seminary last Thursday morning. The speaker was Scott Horsley, who is one of the regular seminary teachers in our stake. I want to find out sometime if he is related to us. One of the things he shared with us was this: when he was in dental school as a young father, and very busy, he decided to improve his life by memorizing something every day. He was Elders Quorum president, his wife was Young Women president, and they had four children. Studies did not come easily for him, yet he wanted to do well at school so that he could go into a specialty. For all of these reasons his time was at a premium to him. At this point in his life, as he made it a practice to memorize something every day, he also found that his studies became easier for him. In fact, it became easier for him to organize himself and his time so that everything could fit into his schedule as needed. He has kept this practice going ever since then, with great benefit.
So I decided to do the same. I started that very day with the first scripture mastery scripture from the New Testament (since that is what we are studying in seminary this year). It's now been six days and so far I have learned one scripture a day. And I intend to keep it going!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Empty Nest happens
I write now as I step from 36 years of full-time mothering into the brink of the unknown realms of empty-nesterhood. How energizing and exciting to make this transition by taking Jonathan to BYU! (I did this two weeks ago -- we left home on Tuesday, August 26. It would have been Grandma Vivian Spencer's 95th birthday!) I see that opportunity as one of the positive aspects of the demise of the little maroon Honda, Frank, that Jonathan had been driving during high school. (I'll have to think about what the other ones were...) If the car had continued to exist, it certainly would have gone to college with him. Then how would I have had the opportunity to go along? Surely I would have come up with something. I wanted very badly to go.
BYU is unique and wonderful. I wish I had had the opportunity to go there. Sending ten children there, however, has been even better. At the parent sessions of orientation I thrilled at what a privilege and blessing it is to obtain an education there. The video presentation of the history of BYU filled me with appreciation.
I'm reminded of a story Paul Rockwood told in church a few weeks ago. He related how he had always wanted to catch a baseball at a major league baseball game. He had followed the Padres for years as a youth and attended many of their games, never having the good fortune to catch a ball. Then, in the recent past, he was at a game with his son when a ball was indeed hit their way. In fact, it came right toward them. Paul nearly caught it, but it glanced away toward his son, who became the lucky catcher. He related how, as much as he himself really wanted that, it was even better for him to see his son have the opportunity. Nephi expressed the same idea in 2 Nephi 25:26: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
As far as how life will be different now, I'll just find out as I go along. So far (two weeks), it's been busy, and a lot of business as usual. Richard still works every day. (He leaves every morning in the truck and works on the apartment projects. This takes all day every day, and will never end.) I still do everything I can with the family. I still have office responsibilities with our apartment business. We did go for a fun mountain drive with our friend Leland Hansen on Labor Day. That day will go down in history as the first Labor Day ever in Richard's life in which he did not labor! (He disagrees, counting a late afternoon trip to the apartments for something as still working.)
Last weekend we went to Albuquerque for the baptism of Benjamin and Merideth's son Paul. What a treat to spend a couple of days with their fun, lively family! We also got to stay with my brother John and his wife, Vickie. Perfect! We got to see everybody and be participants in a landmark occasion for Paul.
On Monday night when we got home from Albuquerque, it didn't take long to get lonely. I whipped up a batch of Joe's Pina Colada Ice Cream (he made it at their house on Sunday, and gave me the recipe). We took it over to the Winders' house for family home evening treats! Good thing we have them here!!!!
Today Heidi and her children are coming. I can't wait! On second thought, I'd better get busy! Need to rotate laundry, clean bathrooms, etc. Back to normal already! :)
BYU is unique and wonderful. I wish I had had the opportunity to go there. Sending ten children there, however, has been even better. At the parent sessions of orientation I thrilled at what a privilege and blessing it is to obtain an education there. The video presentation of the history of BYU filled me with appreciation.
I'm reminded of a story Paul Rockwood told in church a few weeks ago. He related how he had always wanted to catch a baseball at a major league baseball game. He had followed the Padres for years as a youth and attended many of their games, never having the good fortune to catch a ball. Then, in the recent past, he was at a game with his son when a ball was indeed hit their way. In fact, it came right toward them. Paul nearly caught it, but it glanced away toward his son, who became the lucky catcher. He related how, as much as he himself really wanted that, it was even better for him to see his son have the opportunity. Nephi expressed the same idea in 2 Nephi 25:26: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
As far as how life will be different now, I'll just find out as I go along. So far (two weeks), it's been busy, and a lot of business as usual. Richard still works every day. (He leaves every morning in the truck and works on the apartment projects. This takes all day every day, and will never end.) I still do everything I can with the family. I still have office responsibilities with our apartment business. We did go for a fun mountain drive with our friend Leland Hansen on Labor Day. That day will go down in history as the first Labor Day ever in Richard's life in which he did not labor! (He disagrees, counting a late afternoon trip to the apartments for something as still working.)
Last weekend we went to Albuquerque for the baptism of Benjamin and Merideth's son Paul. What a treat to spend a couple of days with their fun, lively family! We also got to stay with my brother John and his wife, Vickie. Perfect! We got to see everybody and be participants in a landmark occasion for Paul.
On Monday night when we got home from Albuquerque, it didn't take long to get lonely. I whipped up a batch of Joe's Pina Colada Ice Cream (he made it at their house on Sunday, and gave me the recipe). We took it over to the Winders' house for family home evening treats! Good thing we have them here!!!!
Today Heidi and her children are coming. I can't wait! On second thought, I'd better get busy! Need to rotate laundry, clean bathrooms, etc. Back to normal already! :)
Friday, April 11, 2008
The White House
Life is full of changes! I remember years ago hearing this quote from Alphonse Kerr: "The more things change, the more they remain the same." I didn’t really get it at the time, but I’m starting to understand more as I go along in life. Our family is at something of a turning point now, and I’m feeling so nostalgic about it that I want to collect some memories here.
What’s happening is that we are selling the house we have owned in Provo for almost 13 years. It’s a simple house but it’s unique and special. More than anything, it’s full of memories. And that is really the only explanation for the gnawing question: How can I be so attached to a house where I’ve never lived? It’s full of memories of my own children who have lived there, as well as their many friends. There are memories of buying the house, investing in it together as a family, working on it to make it serviceable, and furnishing it. From here the stories go on to the ward and family gatherings; the dating and romances; the many autumns, winters, springs and summers. There were innumerable trips back and forth to school on bicycles, on foot, on motorcycles and in cars and buses. There were times when it was being used by family only, and times when others were living there with some of our children; it would be interesting to recount everyone who has lived there during those years.
We find it so hard to close this chapter in our family story that we didn’t even decide to sell the house until last month, when it became obvious that the time had come. Now we will only own it for two more days! At least it will still have a chance to house loved ones until the last minute, as our friends John and LeAnn Halgren will spend the weekend there.
I’m now soliciting comments from you. I would love to have a collection of memories of The White House. I would love to have one-word triggers that say it all, whole paragraphs and stories that describe and elaborate, and loads of pictures.
What’s happening is that we are selling the house we have owned in Provo for almost 13 years. It’s a simple house but it’s unique and special. More than anything, it’s full of memories. And that is really the only explanation for the gnawing question: How can I be so attached to a house where I’ve never lived? It’s full of memories of my own children who have lived there, as well as their many friends. There are memories of buying the house, investing in it together as a family, working on it to make it serviceable, and furnishing it. From here the stories go on to the ward and family gatherings; the dating and romances; the many autumns, winters, springs and summers. There were innumerable trips back and forth to school on bicycles, on foot, on motorcycles and in cars and buses. There were times when it was being used by family only, and times when others were living there with some of our children; it would be interesting to recount everyone who has lived there during those years.
We find it so hard to close this chapter in our family story that we didn’t even decide to sell the house until last month, when it became obvious that the time had come. Now we will only own it for two more days! At least it will still have a chance to house loved ones until the last minute, as our friends John and LeAnn Halgren will spend the weekend there.
I’m now soliciting comments from you. I would love to have a collection of memories of The White House. I would love to have one-word triggers that say it all, whole paragraphs and stories that describe and elaborate, and loads of pictures.
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