sacred sabbaths 8/22

Keziah and Blythe were asked to sing in sacrament today. The song they chose is called “Remember” and it is one of the lovely songs from Stories of Jesus, which is our favorite CD about our Savior. This is the same CD that has “Gethsemane” and “See the Joy” that I have written about in the past. The whole album is incredible! You can download the whole thing at Hoffman House for only 6.99!

I tried to get a picture of the girls all dressed up, but due to Keziah’s feistyness none of them turned out. Keziah is making silly faces in all of them. Just trust me…they looked beautiful.

Since the front shots didn’t turn out, here are some pictures of the braiding creation I did for Keziah. According to someone at church, she looked like an angel.

Here are the words to the song…enjoy!

Remember

Remember the Man who walked on the water.
Remember the Man who talked to the sea.
Remember the Man whose hands healed the sick;
Who cared about children and what they can be.

Oh, remember. He asks us to remember.
Oh, remember. Always remember Him.

Remember the Man, the gentle Good Shepherd.
The one who fed thousands and brought us good news.
Remember the Man who came to save everyone,
Gave us the truth and taught us to choose.

Oh, remember. He asks us to remember.
Oh, remember. Always remember Him.

Remember the Man who carried our sorrows.
The Man who in three days rose from the dead.
Remember the Man who said “Be of good cheer”
And kept all His promises just as He said.

Oh, remember. He asks us to remember.
Oh, remember. Always remember Him.

Oh, remember. He asks us to remember.
Oh, remember. Always remember Him.

by Roger and Melanie Hoffman

Isn’t that beautiful! The girls did a wonderful job. I love hearing them sing and am grateful the Lord has blessed them with this talent so they can spread His love.

May we more fully remember Him, today and always.

yes, i love my ward

First Sunday back to my ward (local congregation of my church) after missing it for three weeks in a row and I fell in love all over again.

As I looked around me, I realized how much I love these people I gather with to worship with on a weekly basis. Some of them struggle with their faith, some struggle with obedience, some struggle with loving, some struggle with having patience, some struggle with their children, some struggle with making it through a three hour service. In short, we all struggle…and it is wonderful to struggle together! To have a ward family that supports, encourages, loves, rescues, and celebrates together. I was full of love for each of them…and I could feel their love for me. I could feel I had been missed and felt just how much I missed all of them.

A special friend who hasn’t been to church in over a year was there today. When I saw her, I had to leave my seat and go give her a huge hug. I was so happy for her and so proud of her for overcoming her fears and for coming to join us. I wanted to shout Hallelujah – and you know I did in my heart.

It was wonderful to be with my little five and six year olds and teach them a lesson about obedience and the happiness it brings. It was wonderful to see their smiles, get their hugs, and see their zest for life.

I know my ward will be divided soon and I am sad – I don’t want to lose any of these souls I have come to love.

sacred sabbaths 4/18: gideon

I am considering having a new weekly post topic…a Sabbath day post of a story or insight to add meaning or reflection to my Sabbath day…and yours as well. I’m not sure if I will stick with it or not, but I am at least going to do it this week.

We just attended a wonderful Sacrament meeting where Richard’s aunt and uncle spoke. They are leaving on a mission in Seoul, South Korea and were asked to share their thoughts on living like Christ with their congregation. Uncle Phil shared the story of Gideon and his army. This is one of our family’s favorite stories. Are you familiar with it? If not, let me recount it for you.

Gideon had an army of 32,000 men. A pretty large army, no? His opponent had an army of 135,000 men. God told Gideon he had too many men in his army and needed to send some of them home. Now they were already outnumbered almost 5:1. Send some home? Reason says no. Strategy says no. God says yes. Gideon obeys and sends 22,000 home. Left with ten thousand men, Gideon must wonder how his army can win with a ratio of 13:1. Again, God says, there are too many men. Finally Gideon is left with 300 men who are watchful, alert, and obedient. Three hundred! How on earth can they even have the courage to go into battle against the Midianites who greatly outnumber them?

Not only do they go into battle, they stand firm in their places, they obey with exactness and they prevail.

Lesson learned?

If you do things in the Lord’s way, all things are possible. Not just some things, but ALL things.