However halting our steps are toward him

Sincerely striving to follow Jesus will try our faith and our patience sometimes sorely.

Even with all its travail, however, it is the trek of treks.

 

As we all know, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ gives us abundant answers. But Jesus also asked some searching questions which tell us even more about the stretching journey of discipleship. To those who inquired about His authority, Jesus, in turn, put a pointed question, saying, “Answer me.” They could not.

“Where are the nine?”

What desirest thou of me?

“What think ye of Christ?”

“Will ye also go away?”

Jesus was weary but never bored. He was ever tutoring, but never condescending. His doctrines are like glistening diamonds with many dimensions, displaying their verity and beauty, facet by facet, depending on the faith and preparation of the beholder.

Jesus had access to immense power but never used it improperly. He refused to put on a show for sign-seeking Herod. Legions of protective angels waited Christ’s command, a command which never came.

Jesus was often misunderstood and rejected. But He felt most forsaken and alone on Calvary just as the final act of the Atonement was enveloping mankind in His eternal love. Ironically, during the moments when in agony He was benefiting billions upon billions of mortals, He was attended by only a faithful few.

His infinite atonement affected every age, every dispensation, and every person. Hence the appropriate symbolism of His bleeding at each and every pore not just some in order that “as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

There will be no end to the ripples of the Resurrection resulting from the infinite Atonement. There will be no end either to the posterity of those who receive eternal life eventually more posterity than the stars in the heavens.

How infinite indeed!

These observations describe only in small part Him who said, “Answer me,” reminding us from Whom that invitation has come. May we, answer Him with the entirety of our lives……

Neal A. Maxwell

We can't foresee the turning of the tide when problems beset us and tears are cried.

Sometimes life deals from the bottom of the deck filling us with worry and leaving us a wreck.

The enemy seeks to devour and destroy, using deceptions to eliminate our joy.

While walking through the valley, our heads hung low, the mountain top seems so high, our footsteps slow.

How many times have we traveled this road to battle the frustrations of troubles bestowed?

Yet when we come to our darkest hour God demonstrates His infinite power.

It doesn't matter how bad things might seem, He always comes through, our faith to redeem.

God will not fail us in our times of pain. He'll never forsake us, by our side He'll remain.

So when we find ourselves at a total loss or when the valley seems too wide to cross,

just remember you're in His love and care, look over your shoulder, He's always there!

author unknown

“The sweetest feeling in mortality is to realize that God, our Heavenly Father, knows each one of us and generously permits us to see and to share His divine power to save.”

Thomas S. Monson

….I am not certain just what our experience will be on Judgment Day, but I will be very surprised if at some point in that conversation, God does not ask us exactly what Christ asked Peter: “Did you love me?” I think He will want to know if in our very mortal, very inadequate, and sometimes childish grasp of things, did we at least understand one commandment, the first and greatest commandment of them all “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.” And if at such a moment we can stammer out, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee,” then He may remind us that the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments,” Jesus said. So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord. We can’t quit and we can’t go back. After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before. The Crucifixion, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the beginning of a Christian life, not the end of it.

Jeffrey R. Holland

Though we may feel we are like a broken vessel we must remember that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter.

"The tests of life are tailored for our own best interests, and all will face the burdens best suited to their own mortal experience. In the end we will realize that God is merciful as well as just and that all the rules are fair. We can be reassured that our challenges will be the ones we needed, and conquering them will bring blessings we could have received in no other way."

Jeffrey R. Holland

"Every person is different and has a different contribution to make.

No one is destined to fail."

Henry B. Eyring

I know not by what methods rare, but this I know - God answers prayer,
I know not when He sends the word that tells us fervent prayer is heard.
I know it cometh  soon or late: therefore we need to pray and wait.
I know not if the blessing sought will come in just the way I thought.
I leave my prayers with Him alone, Whose will is wiser than my own.

author unknown

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God….He wishes us to come unto him, to follow him, to be comforted by him. Then he wishes us to give comfort to others. However halting our steps are toward him though they shouldn’t be halting at all his steps are never halting toward us. May we have enough faith to accept the goodness of God and the mercy of his Only Begotten Son. May we come unto him and his gospel and be healed. And may we do more to heal others in the process. When the storms of life make this difficult, may we still follow his bidding to “come,” keeping our eye fixed on him forever and single to his glory. In doing so we too will walk triumphantly over the swelling waves of life’s difficulties and remain unterrified amid any rising winds of despair.

Jeffrey R. Holland

Toffee Chocolate Bars

 

 

Toffee Chocolate Bars -

 

Base:

3/4 c. Margarine

3/4 c. Brown Sugar

1 1/2 c. Flour

Cream & press in 9x13 pan, bake@350 for 20-25 min. Cool.

 

Filling:

10 oz Sweet Condensed Milk

2 T. Margerine

 Heat milk & marg, stir over med heat 5-10 min. Spread over base. Bake@350 for 12-15 min.

 

Topping:

1 3/4 c. Milk Chocolate Chips

1 1/3 c. Toffee Bits.

Sprinkle on choc chips, bake 2 more min. Spread chocolate evenly. Sprinkle on toffee, pressing lightly into chocolate. Cool, cut & eat!

 

He's been holding my hand all day

 

 

 

In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible.. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true.

She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?" "Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy one, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, "We cando better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time.

 

And will you open the window to his room?"

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window. Sixteen firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"

"Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know,

 

 He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing . . "

He closed his eyes one last time.

 

 

God is nigh . . .

 

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song?

 

If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harris's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.

 

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

Day is done . . . Gone the sun . . . From the lakes . . . From the hills . . . From the sky . . . All is well . . . Safely rest . . . God is nigh . . . Fading light . . . Dims the sight . . . And a star . . . Gems the sky . . . Gleaming bright . . . From afar . . . Drawing nigh . . . Falls the night . . . Thanks and praise . . . For our days . . . Neath the sun . . . Neath the stars . . . Neath the sky . . . As we go . . . This we know . . . God is nigh . . .

 

 

(F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER, (I), (L)OVE, (Y)OU

 

 

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone." Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was so skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us who will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity. When the world pushes you to your knees.....You're in the perfect position to pray. Think about this... Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? And we often treat strangers and co-workers better than members of our family.

Do you know what the word FAMILY means? FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER, (I), (L)OVE, (Y)OU

 

Pineapple Coconut Bars

 

 

Pina Colada Bars

For crust:

 

1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg

 

For Pineapple Cheesecake Filling:

 

1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple, drained
1 & 1/2 cups shredded coconut

 

For glaze:

 

1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp milk

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease a 13×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter and egg with a wooden spoon until combined. Spread the dough evenly in the bottom of the greased pan. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
3. In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, milk, vanilla and egg together until smooth and creamy. Stir in the well-drained crushed pineapple to combine.
4. Spread the mixture over the crust and bake for approx. 15 minutes. Sprinkle the par-baked bars with coconut and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes or so until center is set and coconut is lightly golden.

5. Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before preparing the glaze: in a small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients and stir until combined. Drizzle over the bars, then refrigerate the bars for approx. 2 hours before cutting into squares. Store airtight in the fridge for best taste, about 2 days.

 

He worketh in me

He Worketh In Me

Emily Freeman

“And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me.  And now, I do not know all things: but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore,

he worketh in me to do according to his will.”

Oh, there is so much good in there.

The wise purpose, known by the Lord, who knows all things.

The whispering according to the workings of the Spirit.

He worketh in me.

It really is amazing.  The Lord works in us…each one of us so that we might do according to His will.

When I wonder what my role is, what I have to offer, what more I can do all I need to do is to turn to Him.

He worketh in me. He is working in me.

Tuning my heart.

Considering me good enough to act as His instrument.

What a privilege.

“There is the erroneous belief that all members of the Church should look, talk,
and be alike. The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of
personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious
and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children
are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth
and richness to the whole. This variety of creation itself is a testament of how the
Lord values all His children. He does not esteem one flesh above another, but He
‘inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth
none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female;

… all are alike unto God.’”

Joseph B. Wirthlin

”We cannot build up the kingdom steadily if we are constantly tearing ourselves down.”

Neal A. Maxwell

“The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration.”

Richard G. Scott

Beautiful in the eyes of God

 

Why Christmas Trees are not Perfect

They say that if you creep into an evergreen forest late at night you can hear the trees talking.  In the whisper of the wind you’ll catch the older pines explaining to the younger ones why they’ll never be perfectly shaped.

There will always be a bent branch here, a gap there….

Long, long ago evergreens were perfect, with each taking pride in branches sloping evenly from crown to skirt.

This was particularly true in a small kingdom deep in Europe beyond the Carpathian Mountains.

On the first Saturday of Advent the Queen’s woodsmen would search the royal evergreen forest for the most perfect tree.  It would then reign in honor in the great castle hall, shimmering with silver balls and gold angels that sparkle in the light of thousands of candles.  While a huge Yule log crackled in the fire, the royal family and villagers would dance and sing around the tree in celebration.

Out in the hushed forest every evergreen vied for this honor, each endeavoring to form its branches and needles to perfection.  All strained at the task, fully concentrating on their form and appearance.

One cold night, when a bright white moon glittered on the crusty snow as if it were strewn with millions of diamonds, a small rabbit limped into a grove of evergreens, its sides heaving in panic.  Beyond the hill rose the yelping of village dogs in the thrill of the hunt. The rabbit, eyes wide with fright, frantically searched for cover but found nothing among the dark trunks extending upward into branches that were artfully lifted from the snow.

Faster and faster the rabbit circled as the excited yelping sounded louder and louder.  The trees looked askance at this interruption of their evening, when growing was at its best. And then a small pine shuddered.  Of all the young trees, it had the promise of being the finest of the forest.  Everything about it from its deep sea-green color to the curl of its branches was perfect.

But now…its lower branches began to dip, down, down, to the ground.  And in that instant before the dogs broke into the clearing, the rabbit found safely within the evergreen screen.  In the morning the rabbit found its burrow.  But the little pine could not quite lift its branches.  But no matter, perhaps a little irregularity in a tree so beautiful would not be noticed. Then a powerful blizzard lashed the land.  The villagers slammed shutters closed while the birds and animals huddled in nests and dens.  A small wren, blown astray desperately sought sanctuary in the evergreens.  But each she approached clenched its branches tight like a fist.

Finally, in exhaustion, she fell into the little pine.  The pine’s heart opened and so did its branches, and the wren slept within them, warm and secure.  But the pine had difficulty rearranging its branches. 

There would be a gap evermore.

Weeks passed and winter deepened, bringing a gale as never before experienced in the mountains.  It caught a small fawn who had wandered from its mother.  Head down and blinded by snow, it inched into the evergreens seeking a windbreak.  But the trees held their branches open so the wind could whistle through them without dangerously bending or breaking their limbs. Again the little pine took pity and tightly closed its branches, forming an impenetrable wall behind which the fawn huddled out of the gale.  But alas, when the wind ceased, the small pine had been severely and permanently bent out of shape. A tear of pine gum oozed from a branch tip.  Now it could never hope for the honor it had longed for since a seedling. Lost in despair, the little pine did not see the good Queen come into the forest. 

She had come to choose the finest tree herself.

As her royal sleigh slowly passed through the forest, her practiced eye scanned the evergreens now preening themselves.  When she saw the little pine, a flush of anger filled her.  What right had a tree with such defects to be in the royal forest?  Reminding herself to have a woodsman dispose of it, she drove on, but then she stopped and glanced back at it.  As she gazed on it, she noticed the tracks of small animals that had found shelter under it and a downy feather within its branches where a bird had nested.  And as she studied the gaping hole in its side and its wind-whipped trunk, understanding filled her heart.

“This one” she said.  Her attendants gasped.  And to the astonishment of the forest, the little pine was borne to the great hall.  And everyone who danced and sang around it said it was the finest Christmas tree ever.  For in looking at its gnarled and worn branches many saw the protecting arm of their father, others the comforting touch of their mother, and some, as did the Queen, saw the love of Christ expressed on earth.

So, if you walk among the evergreens today, you will find, along with rabbits, birds and other happy living things, drooped branches providing cover, gaps offering nesting places, forms bent from wrestling winter winds.

For as have many of us, the trees have learned that the scars suffered for the sake of others make one beautiful in the eyes of God.

 

 

a holy gift

“When all is said and done, when all of history is examined, when the deepest depths of the human mind have been explored, nothing is so wonderful, so majestic, so tremendous as this act of grace when the Son of the Almighty, the Prince of His Father’s royal household, He who had once spoken as Jehovah, He who had condescended to come to earth as a babe born in Bethlehem, gave His life in ignominy and pain so that all of the sons and daughters of God of all generations of time, every one of whom must die, might walk again and live eternally. He did for us what none of us could do for ourselves.”

Gordon B. Hinckley

"With the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. This child was to become the King of kings and Lord of lords, the promised Messiah Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

Thomas S. Monson

“Never did the Savior give in expectation of receiving. He gave freely and lovingly, and His gifts were of inestimable value…We should strive to give as He gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift.

We give as a remembrance of all the Savior has given.”

Howard W. Hunter

The Gifts of Christmas

John A. Widtsoe

 

Christmas gifts should be in memory of the divine gift, the life of Jesus Christ. His gift gave us eternal life; our gifts should enliven with joy those who receive. His gift was the sacrifice of his earthly life; our gifts should represent personal sacrifices on our part.

It is easy to give to our own, those whom we love. Their gladness becomes our joy. We are not quite so ready to give to others, even if they are in need, for their happiness does not seem so necessary to our happiness. It appears yet more difficult to give to the Lord, for we are prone to believe that he must give and ask nothing in return.

We have foolishly reversed the proper order. Our first gift at Christmas should be to the Lord; next to the friend or stranger by our gate; then, surcharged with the effulgence from such giving, we would enhance the value of our gifts to our very own. A selfish gift leaves a scar upon the soul, and it is but half a gift.

How can we give to the Lord? What shall we give to him? Every kind word to our own, every help given them, is as a gift to God, whose chief concern is the welfare of his children. Every gentle deed to our neighbor, every kindness to the poor and suffering, is a gift to the Lord, before whom all mankind are equal. Every conformity to the Lord’s plan of salvation and this is of first importance is a direct gift to God, for thereby we fit ourselves more nearly for our divinely planned destiny.

The desire and the effort to give to the Lord, born of the surrender of man to the plan of salvation, stamp every Christmas gift with genuine value. They who identify themselves with the plan, who do not resist it, who earnestly seek to tread the path of the plan, are true givers to the Lord, and their gifts to men come with the flavor of heaven. The Lord and his plan must have place in our Christmas celebration.

Do we give intelligent obedience to the laws of the gospel obedience based upon sober study and trial of the practices of the Church? If our giving is without such obedience, it is away from the Lord, not toward him. Do we stand ready to sacrifice for the cause of the Lord in the unpaid services of the Church? That is, are our time, talents, and means at the disposal of those who administer the Lord’s work? Great is the gift from such a hand.

Do we look upon the progress of the purposes of the Lord, by feeble human instruments, through eyes of love? Love looks deep into the soul, beyond superficialities; the loving husband does not sense that age is stealing upon the sweetheart of his youth; the member who loves the Church dwells upon the likeness of man to God, forgets human imperfections, and does not find fault. These are tests of the higher, richer giving at Christmas. Obedience, sacrifice, love once these tests have been met, the gifts of Christmas, small or great, become more pleasing to the Lord, by a subtle, spiritual sense, more acceptable to the recipient, and leave permanent joy with the giver.

Would it not be well this Christmas to give first to the Lord, directly through obedience, sacrifice, and love, and then to give to him indirectly through gifts to friends and those in need as well as to our own? Should we do this, perhaps many of us would discover a new Christmas joy.

“Success in giving joy at Christmas usually involves help from others. It is rarely found in solitary effort. Joining with others spreads the joy and makes it more lasting. And perhaps most important, invoking faith in the Savior, the Creator and source of all lasting happiness, invites the pure love of God,

which is the greatest of all gifts and the sure source of enduring joy.”

Henry B. Eyring

“Without Christ there would be no Christmas,

and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy.”

Ezra Taft Benson