Deep Thoughts

It has been a good week.  I have tried to put into practice some of the counsel that was shared from conference last weekend.  As a result, my mind has been pondering several thought.  It has jumped back and forth between Moroni 7:48 and an article in this months Ensign from Brother Ridd.  Both seem to find a cycle of repetitiveness in my head.

As I studied Moroni 7:48, I found myself focusing on some specific items:

• Love - this love that is bestowed upon us by our Father.  As you read the chapter, you learn that this love is called Charity.  Without it, Hope and Faith are nothing, so the scriptures tells us as you cross reference them to the Bible and such.  We are often taught about this scripture.  In my mind it has always Faith, Hope, and Charity.  I questioned whether we should not be doing it the other way. Charity - pure love of Christ, leads us to Hope in Jesus Christ and all that he represents, and then we plant the seeds of Faith in Jesus Christ.  Do we need to Love first?  As I pondered this thought, I was drawn to some of the recent talks of conference past, especially L. Tom Perry's last talk.  After 9 decades on earth, he has learned that Family is the most important.  I believe I have learned more about Charity as a son, brother, husband, and father, than I have any where else.  That Charity fills my heart with Hope.  Hope that all that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is and represent will come to fruition for my family.  This Hope gives me the courage to exercise Faith.  I often step forward, trusting He will carry me where I lack.  Hoping that my family will have the opportunity to feel the power of my Faith and Love, that one day, they too will Love, Hope, and exercise Faith.
• True Follower - what does that mean?  That I follow blindly? Maybe sometimes I due because of the previous bullet point.  I have faith that following will lead to the greater good.  However, following does me no good unless my heart is in it.  In this verse we are told to Pray with all the energy of heart.  In other words, Real Intent.  That has taken me to article by Brother Ridd.  What is my intent of following, living, being?  I have come to evaluate more deeply the intent of what I am doing?  Is it for the gold star, the tally mark in the competition, a point for the team, or is there something more?  Going back to Charity, I do not love my family to get a gold star.  I am striving to may my foot steps be more meaningful in all the other things I do to follow.  Think about it.
• Becoming a Son of God - I know that I am a spiritual son of God.  We are all spiritual offspring of our Father in Heaven.  As I mulled this verse in my mind this week, I was led to other thoughts of becoming.  I guess I should have mentioned another great article by Elder Hales in the Ensign as well this month.  By accepting the Plan of Salvation, as presented in my pre-mortal life, I affirmed my role and acknowledgement of being a spiritual son of God.  Is there more in the next phase?  Is part of this mortal existence affirming that we are worthy of becoming physical Sons and Daughters of God.  Through the process of following, obeying, and living, we acknowledge and are acknowledged that we are worthy of such a title.  Learning to master this physical being we have been granted, that we may take it to the next phase and continue the progression.
• Like Him - This is the goal is it not?  To be like Him, though I cannot see myself there now, our Father in Heaven does.  When I look at my children, I see what they have, what they can become, and who they are.  I do all I can to show them and teach them love.  I hope that they may use their agency to become who I see in them.  I then do my best to exercise faith in this plan, that they may.  Do you think our Father in Heaven does the same.  It is through His faith in all that He knows that allows us to exist and be where and who we are now.  That makes my head spins sometimes, but I believe that it is true.  

I pray with all the energy of my heart that you will as well.

There you go.  Not much, but it is a start.

Besides a sinking toilet, the week has been good.  I  will let you know how that goes.

The Queen has been counting down the days to being on vacation.  She was so excited at 3 pm mountain standard time on Friday that I thought she was going to do cart wheels down the hall.  I hope that she uses it well.  Besides counting down, she has just done the normal, homework, laundry, work, laundry, mutual, laundry, and more.  We will see what vacation brings, besides laundry, which I am sure it will.

The Professor has been counting down to being off track.  I think she really did do cart wheels.  I could hear her shouting for joy all the way from her classroom.  It has been a rough week,but she made it.  She has been doing about the same, homework, work, homework, visits, homework, and then she spent a great deal of time grading homework.  We will see how much she does the next few weeks.

Tall Man has not been round much.  We did see him at T's wedding reception.  He was radiant, but I think that was because of the pretty young lady that seemed to be latched on to his arm.  He has been spending the last few hours with that pretty young lady before she heads off to school this coming week.  We will see him soon.

SnackPack has been in and out.  He has Veteran's  Day practices, Disney Performances, Polo, Football, Volleyball, and more.  Did I mention he is doing homework when he is not doing all the previously mentioned.  Oh yea, he also found time to get a job as well.  I looks like he starts on Monday.

There you go.  I am sure the week to come will be filled with its own adventures as well.  I look forward to sharing them with you.  Until then, have a great week!