Music, Teaching, Crocheting, Messenger and Great Grandmonsters...

Friday, January 26th, was a day of healing. I felt grateful to live in a place where I have clean running water whenever I want. I remember this when I step in that shower to take as long as I like getting clean. So many places in the world, this is not the case. 

The working part of this day was at my laptop putting the final outline together for the Relief Society lesson I would teach on Sunday. I finished all the granny squares for the baby afghan I have been working on. This day I started putting them in strips and joining the strips together. 

Saturday, January 27th, I was up before Claude and put another strip together and attached it to the afghan. Then I went to Sandiland to work on a PowerPoint for my Relief Society lesson. 

In the evening we drove to the University of Louisville School of Music. Our Bailey was participating in the University of Louisville School of Music 2024 Invitation Honor Band. Bailey would perform with the Symphonic Band. When they arrive on Friday morning, they have some time of screening or testing. Then they place the student in the Concert Band, Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. To my observation, this is the level at which you can play. The students are given their music on Friday morning. They will rehearse all day on Friday and during the day on Saturday. Saturday evening is concert time to perform the music you have learned. The conductors for each band are from the music staff at University of Louisville. The music selected is intended to stretch the students skill level a little bit more. The high school sending students to participate were from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. The kids get to meet like minded students from all over and learn great music. There are only upsides to this experience. 

The concert was excellent. The Symphonic Band would play:

• Selections from "The Danserye", I, La Morisque
• American Hymnsong Suite, II. Balm in Gilead
• Halcyon Hearts
• Korean Folksongs from Jeju Island, III. Celebration on Halla Mountain

Here are the many faces of Bailey on this evening.

Sunday, January 28th, I was the teacher for the Elkhorn Creek Relief Society. Our lesson was from the October 2023 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The talk was given by Pres. Henry B. Eyring and was titled "Our Constant Companion". The end of 2023 we had a lesson taught by Elizabeth Christensen on the Holy Ghost. As she taught, I was concerned having another lesson on the Holy Ghost so close. However, as I studied and read Pres. Eyring's talk, I realized the focus of this lesson was on how we maintain having the Holy Ghost as our constant companion. 

When Pres. Eyring gave this talk last October, I remember being so impressed as he started it out as a letter to his descendants. He said it was something he felt most important for them as they face the difficult days ahead. It was a gift he could leave to them. I loved that. So I started my lesson with a brief description of Bea Marx. We had attended her funeral and she had such a strong influence on Michael, on Claude and me, on the handyman that stood next to me at the funeral. She left lessons with each of us. I shared that story, then gave out a card that was a letter to your descendants. I gave the sisters a few minutes to think of what they would share that could help their descendants. It could be anything. But they each needed to write at least one item on their card. Then I went into the lesson from Pres. Eyring's talk. I did not ask the sisters to share what they wrote. I wanted them simply to be in the frame of mind to understand why Pres. Eyring felt so impressed to share this with his descendants and us. 

This my lesson. It is an important one for our day. Pres. Eyring covered 4 things we can do to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Then he bore his testimony. I first shared Parker Risher's testimony. Parker is a newly serving missionary for the Church serving in the Colorado Spring area. 

Our Constant Companion

By President Henry B. Eyring

 Bea’s Funeral: Feelings & Lessons she taught

 Activity:       A Brief Letter to My Descendants

Pres. Russell M. Nelson’s warning, April 2018 General Conference, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”

          “Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

Because of that prophetic warning, Pres. Eyring pondered what he might teach his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren about how to have that crucial guidance in the difficult days ahead for them.

Pres. Eyring was touched by the testimonies borne in the October General Conference. He knew the Lord speaks to us personally through the Holy Ghost. As we pray and then heed the Spirit’s promptings, we gain greater insights and blessings to guide us through the increasingly difficult days ahead.

In his personal life, Pres. Eyring has learned to better understand what it will take to have the constant influence of the Holy Ghost in these days. He then shared his personal experience of inviting the Holy Ghost, as nearly as he could, to be his constant companion.

#1)

Helaman’s sons, Nephi & Lehi, and the other servants of the Lord laboring with them.

·       Alma, Alma², Helaman, Helaman², Nephi & Lehi.

·       Gadianton Robbers, Nephi becomes Judge, Gives up Judges Seat to preach the Gospel, Nephi and Lehi imprisoned, fire encircles them, converse with angels, Righteous Lamanites preach to wicked Nephites, Gadianton Robbers take over Nephite government, Nephi prayers from his garden tower, Nephi tells them the chief judge is murdered and who did it, Nephi is accepted by some as a prophet. Nephi is empowered with sealing power, Famine, People repent, Rain comes

·       Helaman 11:23 “And in the seventy and ninth year there began to be much strife. But it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, therefore they did preach unto the people, insomuch that they did put an end to their strife in that same year.”

·       Helaman’s sons were taught and guided by a series of experiences with the Holy Ghost. This assures me that we can be taught by and learn from the Spirit line upon line, receiving what we need, and then when we are ready, we will receive more.

#2)

Nephi being asked to go back to Jerusalem for the plates of Laban.

·       1 Nephi 3:7 … “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.”

·       Nephi’s experience gives Pres. Eyring courage when he has embarked on assignments that were beyond his past experience or his capacity.

·       1 Nephi 4:6 “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.”

Pres. Eyring was encouraged by knowing that Nephi was guided by the Spirit minute by minute through the night on the Lord’s errand.

#3)

The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is not easy to achieve. We each think and say and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit. When that happens, we may feel disapproval from the Lord. We may feel we are alone.

·       Remember the sure promise we receive each week as we repent and partake of the sacrament: “That they may always have his Spirit to be with them.” (D&C 20:77)

·       If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost today, you may take it as a sweet evidence that the Atonement is working in your life.

·       Pres. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better”, May 2019
 “Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power.”

·       If you find yourself having difficulty in feeling the Holy Ghost, you might ponder whether there is anything for which you might repent and receive forgiveness.

2 Nephi 26:11 “For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul.”

·       Joy D. Jones, “Value beyond Measure”, Ensign, Nov 2017

               Imagine that you are reading the scriptures one morning and the Spirit softly whispers to you that what you are reading is true. Can you recognize the Spirit and be happy that you felt His love and were worthy to receive?

     The feeling is brief, but you recognize that you, at that moment, are counted worthy to receive.

#4)

If you want to receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost, you must want it for the right reasons. Your purposes must be the Lord’s purposes.

Pattern of a Prophet:

·       I try to remember the Savior’s sacrifice and His love for me.

·       Then, when I pray to Heavenly Father to give thanks,

·       I feel love and assurance that my prayers are heard and that I will receive whatever is best for me and those I love. (Walking by FAITH)

·       It strengthens my testimony.

Of all the things of which the Holy Ghost testifies, the most precious for us is that Jesus is the Christ, the living Son of God.

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

What is one thing you can do today to invite the Holy Ghost into your life?

What changes in your personal life would enable you to have the influence of the Holy Ghost more constantly?

·       Gregory A. Schwitzer, “Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others”, Ensign, May 2010, 105 (Quoting Joseph B. Worthlin)

     “We are given the gift of the Holy Ghost after our baptism, but often we leave this gift on the shelf, forgetting that He will help us in the most important judgments of our lives. The Lord gave us this gift, knowing we would face difficult decisions in life. Listening to this voice is vital in developing good judgment. A relationship of listening often requires a quiet environment in which we can take time to ponder and hear the still, small voice. This peaceful environment is both external and internal.”

          "Observed how easily we fill our lives with “appointments, meetings, and tasks” and then act frightened at the prospect of some quiet time. Why would that be? He feared that we might “feel that the busier we are, the more important we are—as though our busyness defines our worth.” On another occasion, he reminded us that “being busy is not necessarily being spiritual”—for in fact, noise and busyness can actually crowd out the still, small voice of the Spirit.”

TESTIMONY:

Parker Risher parker.risher@missionary.org, Jan 18, 2024, 5:26 PM (2 days ago)

     The past two weeks have been so good for me and my character growth. I've had so many opportunities to lead by example and invite others to do the same. I've had multiple chances to help others in trying times and even got to give my first blessing! Oh my goodness was that just the best experience ever! I could genuinely feel the spirit flowing through me. It's like I was having an actual conversation with God. I've learned by some trial and error how to rely on the spirit here. Definitely my biggest take away from the MTC. I'm a plan freak and I over stress everything but if you want to speak by the spirit you have to let go of all that and trust in the lord. That requires being worthy of the spirit and having faith that it will inspire you as to what you should do and say in the moment. I can testify that it will.I testify that the Lord has kept His promise. The Holy Ghost is being sent to the faithful covenant members of the Church of Jesus Christ. Now, your experiences will be unique, and the Spirit will guide in the way best suited to your faith and capacity to receive revelation for you and for those you love and serve. I pray with all my heart that your confidence will grow.

·       President James E. Faust
     An important part of the spiritual being within all of us is the quiet and sacred part from which we may feel a sanctification in our lives.  It is that part of us wherein no other soul may intrude.  It is that part that permits us to come close to the divine, both in and out of this world.  This portion of our beings is reserved only for ourselves and our Creator.  We open the portals thereof when we pray.  It is here where we may retreat and meditate.  It is possible for the Holy Ghost to abide in this special part of us.  It is a place of special communion.  It is the master cell of our spiritual battery.

·       James J. Hamula, “The Divine Power of Grace”, Ensign, Dec 2016
     Elder Orson Pratt (1811–81) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “whenever the Holy Ghost takes up its residence in a person, it not only cleanses, sanctifies, and purifies him, in proportion as he yields himself to its influence, but also imparts to him some gift, intended for the benefit of himself and others. … These spiritual gifts are distributed among the members of the Church, according to their faithfulness, circumstances, natural abilities, duties, and callings; that the whole may be properly instructed, confirmed, perfected, and saved.”

In the afternoon, I received a phone call from Vickie Drakeford. Wendell Drakeford was our realtor when we purchased our home in Georgetown and sold our home Sadieville. His wife, Vickie, was his sidekick through the entire process. We received an eMail from Brad Manwaring, our friend who introduced us to Wendell and Vickie, telling us Wendell was very ill. Vickie was calling to check in. Wendell has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He is not doing well at all. He has lost about 50 pounds. Vickie is holding up okay. This seems to be around is stomach area and no where else. My heart aches for these sweet people. It was good to visit with Vickie. 

The other thing that is happening is Raelyn learning to use her tablet to send me messages. She has learned to draw pictures, then send me a picture of the picture she drew. I am to guess what she has drawn. Raelyn is extremely happy to converse with her great grandmother in this way. I didn't even know my great grandmothers!

Monday, January 29th, Claude and I filled our day quite nicely. We started our day with a grocery store run together. Then I did the washing. Still have the ironing to do. I also got the Relief Society newsletter for February ready for review by the president. I ordered us tickets for a Cirque du Soliel show in Lexington in August. And, I ordered the t-shirts for our March birthday gifts and picked out the ones I want to order the rest of the year. In the evening, I finished the baby afghan.

While trying to finish the baby afghan, I recieved a strange ring on my cellphone. I truly do not get many calls. I recognized this ring and someone wanted to video chat. It seems Miss Raelyn has figured out how to video chat with her tablet using messenger. Soon all three great grandmonsters were in the picture and Katelyn was trying to tell the girls they were supposed to be cleaning the living room. I tried to encourage that effort. We had a vibrant chat and they were off to help clean some of the toys in Joel's room. Isn't technology wonderful!

Tuesday, January 30th, is a stay-in-the-house-and-out-of-the-rain kind of day. I am clearing some things off my phone and getting some laptop things done. I may work on cleaning out picture files this afternoon. Wish me luck in that effort. I have so many duplicates and want to really clean that up.