Check out what I've been doing on my other blog

I haven't posted for too long. But if you'll go to my other blog, PFCMom, you can see some of what I've been up to.

I was released as Relief Society President in March, then spent my time getting ready for both General Conference and my epic trip to Asia. I spent two fabulous weeks in Japan and Korea. Now back home I'm preparing for the graduation of Mr. Movie from high school by painting the Living Room so it will be ready for his party on May 15. HELP! (I should have girded up my loins, fresh courage taken when the room was empty, way back when, but I dislike painting and so procrastinated and now am having to do it with a roomful of furniture in the way.)

I think life will be back to normal (whatever that is) soon and I can post some of what's been on my mind about lots of different things. In the meantime, enjoy PFCMom.

A Parable

Brother Brown was sad; his wife had passed away several months ago and his home was in disarray. His lively, creative children were looking more unkempt as the days went by; the house just got dirtier. He did what he could in the evenings and on the weekends but things were just not as wonderful as when his wife was alive. So he looked around for another woman to help him. He found a school teacher, a delightful woman who loved children and homemaking; so he courted her and then married her.

The new Sister Brown enjoyed getting to know the children and after a little while began making chore assignments to all the children. Unfortunately nothing would get done, and the children came up with all kinds of excuses as to why the chores were not done. Sister Brown continued assigning chores and taking care of the grocery shopping and cooking. She was puzzled as to why the children wouldn't do their assigned chores so she talked to Brother Brown about it. They discussed the adjustments of having a new mother and he assured her that if she would just love the children they would eventually step up and do the chores. Sister Brown thought she had been loving, but redoubled her efforts and tried to be patient.

One day Sister Brown decided to get to the bottom of why the chores weren't getting done and she sat down with the youngest and after a pleasant conversation she broached the subject of chores. The youngster confessed that he really didn't know how to make his bed or clean his room because his real mom had always done it for him. Sister Brown made time for interviews with the rest of the children and found to her relief that the children weren't being rebellious about not doing the chores, they just didn't know how to do them and they didn't understand the benefits to the family if they did them.

Sister Brown began a training program immediately and helped each child learn the basics of bed making and clothes putting away, and then moved through all of the household chores. Once everyone knew he proper techniques and how to use the tools for each task the household began to run smoothly and feelings of love and unity increased in their home.

Many years later, when the children had homes of their own they were so grateful to their step-mother for showing her love by taking the time to teach them skills that would serve them all their lives. 

Everyone is Needed

Pondering while doing the dishes today and a thought entered my head. If everyone, who already is a member of the church, would actively participate in living the gospel and keep their covenants life would be easier for us all. 

Do you find it easier to live the gospel when those around you are living it? When they unconsciously set a good example and encourage others by their actions? Do you find it easier to do your visiting teaching and home teaching when the sister or family is welcoming to your visit and receptive to your efforts to serve? Do you feel encouraged to be obedient and keep your covenants when you are visited regularly?

Does serving in the church feel better when you can count on those you've given assignments to, knowing that the work will get done? Doesn't it seem easier to serve when you see all around you others who are serving and giving?

Everyone is needed! Needed to be active, participating, covenant keeping, obedient to the commandments.

Wouldn't it be fantastic to be in a ward (branch or twig) where all the members could say with one voice: "Yes, we believe all the words we heard in General Conference, and we know the words are true because of the witness of the Holy Ghost, which has brought about a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually and keep our covenants." (see Mosiah 5:2)

If only everyone who enters into the waters of baptism would hold fast to the Iron Rod and press forward with steadfast faith, instead of giving up at the first sign of trouble or hardship.

Think of how the Kingdom would move forward!

Well, a Relief Society President can dream, can't she?

Compare and Contrast

Last month I did some figuring. I got out the map and measured the area of our branch. I did the math three times because I just couldn't believe the figures. Our Branch (which I call a Twig because our attendance and activity numbers are so low) covers an area of approximately 2,700 square miles, includes 22 towns, and covers all or part of 7 counties.

When I shared all that with my husband he said "Now I understand why we put more than 30,000 miles per year on our car."

I'm sure that there are units that are bigger geographically. And I'm sure there are units that are smaller in members. Just pointing out that this has been a culture shock to us, and still is after three years.

Another shock is the pervasive attitude among long time members here of "We've always done it this way, and NOBODY is going to tell us what to do differently." It is the antithesis of a humble, teachable attitude, and it drives me crazy!!!

Okay, I got that off my chest.

This unit is the polar opposite of the one we attended in Provo, Utah which covered 4 square blocks, and a few BYU housing units (some of the RA's attended our ward). We had one non-member family, and I think, two inactive families. Our back door neighbor was in a different ward! The activity rate was in the high 90's and the only reason it wasn't 99% is because some of the members were elderly and homebound. There were so many active people that instead of having 2 or 3 jobs, 2 or 3 people shared a job! We had half a dozen organists for Sacrament Meeting alone!

But, as John Bytheway would say, I'm not bitter.

Have a great day! And count your blessings.

Resolution and Moving On

Our Branch President came over to talk to us on Fast Sunday in August. Although not everything was resolved, enough was resolved and I felt enough peace to return to the Branch.

I recently attended a training meeting with Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy who said that each unit, in the first generation, goes through a "Kirtland" period of trials. This branch has been there for the past five years. He said it is important to stay faithful and move on to "Nauvoo" and then "the Valley".

Today we had twelve sisters in Relief Society which felt rather nice.

As For Me and My House . . .

We attend church about twenty-five miles away at a little branch, which in turn is about an hour and a half from the Stake Center. This is the true "mission field"! We are the only active members in our town. Being here has been more challenging than any other place we've lived because there are more people on the rolls that don't come than there are ones who do attend. Visitors to the branch are warmly welcomed in hopes that they are not just passing through, but permanent residents within the branch boundaries.

I do not understand "in-actives"; nor have I cultivated any empathy or sympathy or patience as I have continued faithful attendance and participation through all the trials, challenges, and offenses of my life.  I can't imagine trying to face life without the church.

Today's reading in the New Testament included 1 John 1:5-7.

"This then is the message which we have heard of him,

and declare unto you,

that God is light, 

and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, 

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another, 

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

We can't claim to be members of Christ's church and then not participate, walking in darkness without the light of the gospel in our lives. We need the fellowship of each other to survive and progress; and it is in weekly partaking of the Sacrament that we renew our baptismal covenants and are cleansed again from sin.

A passage from 2 Peter raised a question in my mind: Does this apply to inactive members today?

"For if after they escaped the pollutions of the world

through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

they are again entangled therein, and overcome,

the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,

than, after they have known it,

to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

(2 Peter 2:20-21)

This subject has been on my mind so much lately as my husband and I struggle to home and visit teach people who haven't been to church for over ten years, or who are "too busy" to see us, or who are somewhat antagonistic towards the church.  I have likened our branch to a very old fruit tree that is in need of a good hard pruning to get rid of all the dead wood so there is room and energy for new growth. A unit of the church can't grow when the few active members are so stretched with trying to revive the deadwood that missionary work, and fellowshipping the active is neglected.  Also, who wants to add more in-actives to the rolls?  In our branch all but one of the people baptized last year have not been back to church after their baptism. That doesn't speak well of either their commitment or our ability to fellowship.

I wish Elder Bednar (or his equivalent) would come here and visit these people to invite them to stop being offended and lazy, and come back to church; or sign the letter to have their names removed from the records. Today is a day of decision!

Here's a link to Elder Bednar's General Conference address:

And a huge thank you to Noble for teaching me (over Skype) how to make links live!  YEAH!