My arm is continuing to recover from the cellulitis. I'm still taking the antibiotics and benedryl but only have one day left.
We celebrated Eric's birthday and he got a cool camera that he loves. Uncle Paul and his beautiful fiance Ashley came to Eric's ordination and came to our house for Sunday dinner and hanging out. We had a really nice day and it is fun to get to know Ashley better. We are excited for their upcoming marriage in October. They look happy.
Football is getting ready to start. Eric and Joseph are both playing again this year. Vanessa just started private violin lessons with a lady in our neighborhood here. She starts 8th grade at the school just a couple of houses down the street. There are a lot of kids in our neighborhood here that are close in age to her and she has a lot of friends.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Update on Spider Bite and more...
Thanks Kimi for the get well wishes!
My arm is healing, although very slowly. The antibiotics are doing their job nicely. I am steadily seeing improvement. The morning time is when my arm looks and feels the best. As the hours go by throughout the day my arm swells more and it gets more painful. I am still just hoping and hoping to avoid the surgery. The doctor also told me that if the antibiotics don't clear out the infection, I'll have to go to the hospital for an IV drip of antibiotics. But, since the swelling is going down more and more each day, I think I won't have to do that.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about belief. I went visiting teaching last month and while visiting with a woman in our church, the subject of dreams got brought up. I made the comment that whether you believe the Lord is trying to send you a message in a dream or not depends upon your belief. The woman said in a sarcastic tone, 'are you saying I don't believe?' I was a little shocked by her statement, but took the opportunity to explain myself a little better. I told her how I believe the Lord can speak to us or send us messages in dreams and that if you wonder if he is trying to send you a message in a dream, you can simply ask him.
For example, if you've had a dream where you were in a store staring at strawberries when it is the Sabbath day and you should be at church, you can ask Heavenly Father if he is trying to tell you that you are worshipping strawberries instead of Him. You may laugh at this simple illustration, but this dream actually came to me. And if you knew what my day was like the day before I had this dream you'd understand better. That day I had bought some strawberries at the grocery store. I was so stingy with my strawberries that I chased my 5 little ones out of the kitchen so I didn't have to share them. So, do I think the Lord was telling me that my behavior was inappropriate? Absolutely.
Now, I buy plenty of strawberries and I don't feel stingy with them!
My arm is healing, although very slowly. The antibiotics are doing their job nicely. I am steadily seeing improvement. The morning time is when my arm looks and feels the best. As the hours go by throughout the day my arm swells more and it gets more painful. I am still just hoping and hoping to avoid the surgery. The doctor also told me that if the antibiotics don't clear out the infection, I'll have to go to the hospital for an IV drip of antibiotics. But, since the swelling is going down more and more each day, I think I won't have to do that.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about belief. I went visiting teaching last month and while visiting with a woman in our church, the subject of dreams got brought up. I made the comment that whether you believe the Lord is trying to send you a message in a dream or not depends upon your belief. The woman said in a sarcastic tone, 'are you saying I don't believe?' I was a little shocked by her statement, but took the opportunity to explain myself a little better. I told her how I believe the Lord can speak to us or send us messages in dreams and that if you wonder if he is trying to send you a message in a dream, you can simply ask him.
For example, if you've had a dream where you were in a store staring at strawberries when it is the Sabbath day and you should be at church, you can ask Heavenly Father if he is trying to tell you that you are worshipping strawberries instead of Him. You may laugh at this simple illustration, but this dream actually came to me. And if you knew what my day was like the day before I had this dream you'd understand better. That day I had bought some strawberries at the grocery store. I was so stingy with my strawberries that I chased my 5 little ones out of the kitchen so I didn't have to share them. So, do I think the Lord was telling me that my behavior was inappropriate? Absolutely.
Now, I buy plenty of strawberries and I don't feel stingy with them!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Spider Bites
So, on Sunday sometime during the day, I was bitten by a spider. 4 times. Two of the times I was bitten, it was on the back of my left arm in the fatty tissue there. Well, by Tuesday night my arm was swollen pretty badly. So, I called the doctors office first thing Wednesday morning and I was in the doctors office by 5pm. Well, the swelling had gotten worse by then and the doctor was very concerned. I, however, was shocked. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal. But I had to have a shot of antibiotics in my hip and then off to get a prescription of oral antibiotics and benedryl. The doctor is really worried because if the infection gets into my elbow joint I'll have to have a surgery to clean out the infection. If the swelling hasn't gone down significantly by Friday morning, I have to go back into the doctors office for another shot of antibiotics. Wow, what an ordeal! I was not prepared to have to go through this. I thought the doctor was going to roll his eyes at me and tell me to go take some benedryl. I almost didn't even make the appointment to go see him.
In other news, we are getting ready to celebrate Eric's 12 year old birthday this Saturday.
In other news, we are getting ready to celebrate Eric's 12 year old birthday this Saturday.
Friday, July 13, 2012
How Many Times...
I have a good feeling when I read this description of one man's feelings on forgiveness.
What are the Savior’s guidelines in how many times we should allow a person to unforgivingly do something before we take action?
Question: Gramps, I realize that when the Savior said that we are to forgive seventy times seven, the number is not as much realistic as it is symbolic, meaning a limitless amount of times. However, I have heard that the Lord has placed a limit to the number of times we should allow a person to unforgivingly do something to us before we take action against them. What are His guidelines in a situation like this, and where can I read to learn more about them? Stephen, from Arizona Dear Stephen,
Answer: I think that you will find the answer to all your questions in the Doctrine and Covenants. The scripture that you refer to that could suggest some limitation to forgiveness is found in (D&C 98:38-48). Behold, this is an ensample unto all people, saith the Lord your God, for justification before me. Again, verily I say unto you, if after thine enemy has come upon thee the first time, he repent and come unto thee praying thy forgiveness, thou shalt forgive him, and shalt hold it no more as a testimony against thine enemy– And so on unto the second and third time; and as oft as thine enemy repenteth of the trespass wherewith he has trespassed against thee, thou shalt forgive him, until seventy times seven. And if he trespass against thee and repent not the first time, nevertheless thou shalt forgive him. And if he trespass against thee the second time, and repent not, nevertheless thou shalt forgive him. And if he trespass against thee the third time, and repent not, thou shalt also forgive him. But if he trespass against thee the fourth time thou shalt not forgive him, but shalt bring these testimonies before the Lord; and they shall not be blotted out until he repent and reward thee four-fold in all things wherewith he has trespassed against thee. And if he do this, thou shalt forgive him with all thine heart; and if he do not this, I, the Lord, will avenge thee of thine enemy an hundred- fold; And upon his children, and upon his children’s children of all them that hate me, unto the third and fourth generation. But if the children shall repent, or the children’s children, and turn to the Lord their God, with all their hearts and with all their might, mind, and strength, and restore four-fold for all their trespasses wherewith they have trespassed, or wherewith their fathers have trespassed, or their father’s fathers, then thine indignation shall be turned away; And vengeance shall no more come upon them, saith the Lord thy God, and their trespasses shall never be brought any more as a testimony before the Lord against them. Amen. This may sound at first like a contradiction. We have in the same passage the statement, thou shalt forgive him, until seventy times seven, and following that the statement, But if he trespass against thee the fourth time thou shalt not forgive him. The second use of the term “repent” means we should in that circumstance hold him accountable, and bring him before the tribunals of the Church, not out of vengance or for retribution, but so that he may be held accountable before the Lord for his actions. In such a circumstance we are to retain the attitude of a forgiving heart, in that we would be free of animosity and judgement. Because the Lord further says, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. And ye ought to say in your hearts–let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds. And him that repenteth not of his sins, and confesseth them not, ye shall bring before the church, and do with him as the scripture saith unto you, either by commandment or by revelation. And this ye shall do that God may be glorified–not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that ye may be justified in the eyes of the law, that ye may not offend him who is your lawgiver–Verily I say, for this cause ye shall do these things (D&C 64:9-14). So, as clarified in the second reference, a forgiving attitude is always required. Since we are incapable of seeing into the heart of another, we are blind to all but the outward appearance, and through our lack of knowledge of what is in a man’s heart we would be prone to error in any judgemnt that we might attempt. God is the judge, not man. How arrogant of any man to assume the prerogative of God by attempting to execute judgement against another! Forgiveness is a sweet and noble quality of the godly soul. Someone has said that forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it. Gramps
Question: Gramps, I realize that when the Savior said that we are to forgive seventy times seven, the number is not as much realistic as it is symbolic, meaning a limitless amount of times. However, I have heard that the Lord has placed a limit to the number of times we should allow a person to unforgivingly do something to us before we take action against them. What are His guidelines in a situation like this, and where can I read to learn more about them? Stephen, from Arizona Dear Stephen,
Answer: I think that you will find the answer to all your questions in the Doctrine and Covenants. The scripture that you refer to that could suggest some limitation to forgiveness is found in (D&C 98:38-48). Behold, this is an ensample unto all people, saith the Lord your God, for justification before me. Again, verily I say unto you, if after thine enemy has come upon thee the first time, he repent and come unto thee praying thy forgiveness, thou shalt forgive him, and shalt hold it no more as a testimony against thine enemy– And so on unto the second and third time; and as oft as thine enemy repenteth of the trespass wherewith he has trespassed against thee, thou shalt forgive him, until seventy times seven. And if he trespass against thee and repent not the first time, nevertheless thou shalt forgive him. And if he trespass against thee the second time, and repent not, nevertheless thou shalt forgive him. And if he trespass against thee the third time, and repent not, thou shalt also forgive him. But if he trespass against thee the fourth time thou shalt not forgive him, but shalt bring these testimonies before the Lord; and they shall not be blotted out until he repent and reward thee four-fold in all things wherewith he has trespassed against thee. And if he do this, thou shalt forgive him with all thine heart; and if he do not this, I, the Lord, will avenge thee of thine enemy an hundred- fold; And upon his children, and upon his children’s children of all them that hate me, unto the third and fourth generation. But if the children shall repent, or the children’s children, and turn to the Lord their God, with all their hearts and with all their might, mind, and strength, and restore four-fold for all their trespasses wherewith they have trespassed, or wherewith their fathers have trespassed, or their father’s fathers, then thine indignation shall be turned away; And vengeance shall no more come upon them, saith the Lord thy God, and their trespasses shall never be brought any more as a testimony before the Lord against them. Amen. This may sound at first like a contradiction. We have in the same passage the statement, thou shalt forgive him, until seventy times seven, and following that the statement, But if he trespass against thee the fourth time thou shalt not forgive him. The second use of the term “repent” means we should in that circumstance hold him accountable, and bring him before the tribunals of the Church, not out of vengance or for retribution, but so that he may be held accountable before the Lord for his actions. In such a circumstance we are to retain the attitude of a forgiving heart, in that we would be free of animosity and judgement. Because the Lord further says, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. And ye ought to say in your hearts–let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds. And him that repenteth not of his sins, and confesseth them not, ye shall bring before the church, and do with him as the scripture saith unto you, either by commandment or by revelation. And this ye shall do that God may be glorified–not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that ye may be justified in the eyes of the law, that ye may not offend him who is your lawgiver–Verily I say, for this cause ye shall do these things (D&C 64:9-14). So, as clarified in the second reference, a forgiving attitude is always required. Since we are incapable of seeing into the heart of another, we are blind to all but the outward appearance, and through our lack of knowledge of what is in a man’s heart we would be prone to error in any judgemnt that we might attempt. God is the judge, not man. How arrogant of any man to assume the prerogative of God by attempting to execute judgement against another! Forgiveness is a sweet and noble quality of the godly soul. Someone has said that forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it. Gramps
Weekly Happenings
Vanessa just got back from Young Women's camp and reported that she had a good time. Jared got a steroid shot in his foot for his plantar facitis and jumped in the doctors chair from the pain. I have never seen Jared jump from pain. It scared me and my stomach dropped when he did that. Eric, Rex, Bruce, and I went to a fun splash pad with our sweet neighbor Amy and her son Matt two days ago. We had a blast! Bruce was shocked that I got in the water. In the car before we got to the pool, I asked him if he was excited to go swimming and he looked me in the eye with shock in his voice and said, "Are you excited?" I told him I was excited and then I committed in my mind to do it more because it broke my heart that my 2 year old son was shocked I wanted to go swimming with him. Rex is independent in the water and knows how to entertain himself. Eric was tentative to go down the waterslide, but after about 2 hours, he went down it. Then he went down the waterslide again. Joseph went to cub scout day camp up Ogden Canyon. He had a great time and loved the canoeing and buying things at the camp store the most.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Demise Part 3
So as I am walking out of the building in my dream and watching others running around in their own frenzy, I walk down some stairs away from the people running and toward a room filled with people who were hiding under their blankets. It looked like a graveyard of people side by side and hiding underneath their blankets. But, I wanted out of the building so I could go home so I walked right out the front door and onto the front lawn. It was dark outside and I found others there. They were each waiting for a car to come and get them to take them home. I went over to where they stood and began to wait for my ride to come get me and take me home. Standing there waiting was a fruitless thing for how was one to know when their ride would come to get them? So I determined to go back into the building and tell as many people as I could that they didn't need to be afraid of the demise or darkness or destroyer or whatever it was in their lives that had them afraid. So, the first person I went up to was a person who was rustling underneath their blanket. I lifted up the blanket and was excited to tell the person the good news and what did I find? I found that it was one of my favorite sisters underneath that blanket. (I have 5 sisters) And then I woke up.
Ever since that dream, I have been on a mission to tell others about the lessons I have learned over the last few years of my life. I have wanted to tell as many people as I can that they can face the scary things in their lives with boldness and without fear. It has brought me great satisfaction to find many people eager to hear how to make their lives better.
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