Remember where to Look!
Yes, another week has come and gone. There are times that they seem to do that before we even have a chance to catch up.
Ours has been filled with adventure, witness, and enlightenment.
My verses of pondering this week are found in 2 Nephi 9:8-9. I have had a hard time getting past the first sentence. "O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace!..." There is so much more in these verses. I guess they all come together in many ways, but I feel that I would be remiss if I did not focus on the gratitude I have felt this week with the wisdom, mercy, and grace my Father in Heaven has opened my eyes to this week.
Let me start with the fact that I was on the road, in the air, and traveling again this past week. I think I have one more trip this month. That's what keeps me on my toes.
Any who, I was not around for a couple days. The Queen has been busying herself with odd shifts and training all week. She had one of those days on Tuesday. It gave her the opportunity to do a little needed shopping. Unfortunately, while she was out and about our Big Blue decided enough was enough. It could not handle the pressures of life and over heated.
It would not be the first time we have had this happen in all the years we have driven, but it was kind of annoying. The Queen pulled over, rolled down the windows, and did her best to let Big Blue rest a little. All the while, wondering what this was and how much is it going to cost.
About 30 minutes later, she rolled up the windows, checked the fluids, and felt like she could get on the road again. Unfortunately, she did not get very far before Blue just died. The Queen was able to get her off the road and noted that she was over heating again. What the heck? She rolled down the windows and figured she would give it a little longer.
When she went to check the fluids this time, she noted some moisture, but could not figure out where it was coming from. When she tried to start her up, everything went dark. She had no lights, no radio, no dash, no power.
Fortunately, Puddin was trying a different schedule that day, so he was available to come to her rescue. It sounds like it was late enough that the Professor was able join him. Their attempts to give her a jump start were fruitless. After much debate, they decided to call a tow truck and let me know what was going on.
I happened to be entertaining co-workers at an evening meal. It was a loud and distracting environment. I know they had attempted a few times before I felt the ever so small vibrating of my phone. I excused myself and tried to counsel with the stranded members of the family.
They found themselves around Redwood and 2100 with no way to roll up the windows. It was not a good place to just walk away for a while. So the question was where to tow her. Who did we trust? Who could we trust? We just didn't know. In the end we all decided on the nearest dealership, even though it would probably require us to take a second mortgage out on our house.
I left them waiting for the tow and excused myself from present company and went back to my hotel room. It was there that I dropped to my knees and asked the Lord for assistance. It was all I could do from where I was. Then I sent a text and asked them to let me know when they were home safe.
That is when the Lord stepped in. While they were waiting, the Queen had this thought..."Where does Cannon work?" He recently married a young lady in the ward and the Queen happens to be her mother's visiting teacher. But she was not sure how to get find out.
The tow truck arrived, tried to assess some the issue and asked where they wanted it towed. When they told him the dealership, he questioned them. When he was told that they really didn't know of a mechanic they could trust, he suggested a shop that he liked and felt he could trust. Really? Was he scamming them? The random thoughts of doubt started filling their minds, were they going to be taken for a large some of cash, could they trust this complete stranger, etc...? That is when Puddin said out loud, "I wonder where Cannon works?", but he pulled out his phone and started reaching out via the social media networks to figure it out. Guess what? We found out where Cannon works. In fact, it was the same place that the tow truck driver had recommended. WOW! Small and simple things.
Some would blow it off and luck, fortune, or coincidence. I beg to differ. They diagnosed and fixed the issue within 24 hours and did not require us to sell any of our children into slavery. The Lord is aware of us. He wants to see us succeed. He is always willing to guide, we just have to listen, be worthy to receive, and then act.
Similar tender mercies were manifest later in the week after I got home. With out going into much detail, Tall Man and Ehl-Bo ended up at our house late one night and shared with us their personal manifestation of the Lord's hand in their lives. Little did they know that it was something we had been praying for for some time. We knew something was up, but did not know how resolve it or even if we could. The Lord listened and placed events in order.
Again and again I have been reminded of His hand this week. If we continue reading through chapter 9, His Plan is discussed. It is His goal to bring us all back to Him. In order to do so, we must follow a path. We must look to Him. We must Look Up! (another talk of study this week) As I read accounts of Alma I was reminded of how often He tells us to Look Up, Look to Him. Check out Alma 36 and 37.
As a result, I would ask, Where are you Looking? Do you look to Him through prayer, study, temple attendance, wholesome music, books, movies, and television? Are you putting Him first? or are you directing your gaze else where? I know I have done some reflecting in my own life. I do my best to Look toward Him, but I know there are areas in which I can improve. We cannot pick and choose which parts of His plan we will follow. We must follow it all. We are promised so much in this life and the next if we will. I was reminded of that again I read Elder Rasband's conference address again this morning.
I have shared much to ponder today. I invite you all to put Him first. Set aside the influences of the world, books, music, videos, social media, television, movies, and more until after you have given your attention to Him each day. You will be amazed at what doors will open to you each and every day as you do so. You may even find that some of those other things that were holding your gaze are not as important or entertaining as you think they are. They are just smoke signals, distractions, and tools the adversary uses to make us miserable like he is. Put your trust in the Lord. D&C 11:13 comes to mind this morning.
Ok, so on with the week.
As I have already shared, we have had some adventures. When were not participating in them, the Queen and I found ourselves driving north to Cache Valley, which is an adventure in and of itself. The Queen has been training each day and I have been trying to play catch up.
The Professor has been gearing up for the start of grad school, teaching a lesson today, and preparing for a bridal shower.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo have received many witnesses this week with promises of more if they will continue turning to Him.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are leaving the teens and headed to single digits. School starts in a week and there is still much to accomplish.
I hope those of you who are the road are safe. Protect your eyes and don't do crazy things.
Until next week,
Cheerios
Ours has been filled with adventure, witness, and enlightenment.
My verses of pondering this week are found in 2 Nephi 9:8-9. I have had a hard time getting past the first sentence. "O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace!..." There is so much more in these verses. I guess they all come together in many ways, but I feel that I would be remiss if I did not focus on the gratitude I have felt this week with the wisdom, mercy, and grace my Father in Heaven has opened my eyes to this week.
Let me start with the fact that I was on the road, in the air, and traveling again this past week. I think I have one more trip this month. That's what keeps me on my toes.
Any who, I was not around for a couple days. The Queen has been busying herself with odd shifts and training all week. She had one of those days on Tuesday. It gave her the opportunity to do a little needed shopping. Unfortunately, while she was out and about our Big Blue decided enough was enough. It could not handle the pressures of life and over heated.
It would not be the first time we have had this happen in all the years we have driven, but it was kind of annoying. The Queen pulled over, rolled down the windows, and did her best to let Big Blue rest a little. All the while, wondering what this was and how much is it going to cost.
About 30 minutes later, she rolled up the windows, checked the fluids, and felt like she could get on the road again. Unfortunately, she did not get very far before Blue just died. The Queen was able to get her off the road and noted that she was over heating again. What the heck? She rolled down the windows and figured she would give it a little longer.
When she went to check the fluids this time, she noted some moisture, but could not figure out where it was coming from. When she tried to start her up, everything went dark. She had no lights, no radio, no dash, no power.
Fortunately, Puddin was trying a different schedule that day, so he was available to come to her rescue. It sounds like it was late enough that the Professor was able join him. Their attempts to give her a jump start were fruitless. After much debate, they decided to call a tow truck and let me know what was going on.
I happened to be entertaining co-workers at an evening meal. It was a loud and distracting environment. I know they had attempted a few times before I felt the ever so small vibrating of my phone. I excused myself and tried to counsel with the stranded members of the family.
They found themselves around Redwood and 2100 with no way to roll up the windows. It was not a good place to just walk away for a while. So the question was where to tow her. Who did we trust? Who could we trust? We just didn't know. In the end we all decided on the nearest dealership, even though it would probably require us to take a second mortgage out on our house.
I left them waiting for the tow and excused myself from present company and went back to my hotel room. It was there that I dropped to my knees and asked the Lord for assistance. It was all I could do from where I was. Then I sent a text and asked them to let me know when they were home safe.
That is when the Lord stepped in. While they were waiting, the Queen had this thought..."Where does Cannon work?" He recently married a young lady in the ward and the Queen happens to be her mother's visiting teacher. But she was not sure how to get find out.
The tow truck arrived, tried to assess some the issue and asked where they wanted it towed. When they told him the dealership, he questioned them. When he was told that they really didn't know of a mechanic they could trust, he suggested a shop that he liked and felt he could trust. Really? Was he scamming them? The random thoughts of doubt started filling their minds, were they going to be taken for a large some of cash, could they trust this complete stranger, etc...? That is when Puddin said out loud, "I wonder where Cannon works?", but he pulled out his phone and started reaching out via the social media networks to figure it out. Guess what? We found out where Cannon works. In fact, it was the same place that the tow truck driver had recommended. WOW! Small and simple things.
Some would blow it off and luck, fortune, or coincidence. I beg to differ. They diagnosed and fixed the issue within 24 hours and did not require us to sell any of our children into slavery. The Lord is aware of us. He wants to see us succeed. He is always willing to guide, we just have to listen, be worthy to receive, and then act.
Similar tender mercies were manifest later in the week after I got home. With out going into much detail, Tall Man and Ehl-Bo ended up at our house late one night and shared with us their personal manifestation of the Lord's hand in their lives. Little did they know that it was something we had been praying for for some time. We knew something was up, but did not know how resolve it or even if we could. The Lord listened and placed events in order.
Again and again I have been reminded of His hand this week. If we continue reading through chapter 9, His Plan is discussed. It is His goal to bring us all back to Him. In order to do so, we must follow a path. We must look to Him. We must Look Up! (another talk of study this week) As I read accounts of Alma I was reminded of how often He tells us to Look Up, Look to Him. Check out Alma 36 and 37.
As a result, I would ask, Where are you Looking? Do you look to Him through prayer, study, temple attendance, wholesome music, books, movies, and television? Are you putting Him first? or are you directing your gaze else where? I know I have done some reflecting in my own life. I do my best to Look toward Him, but I know there are areas in which I can improve. We cannot pick and choose which parts of His plan we will follow. We must follow it all. We are promised so much in this life and the next if we will. I was reminded of that again I read Elder Rasband's conference address again this morning.
I have shared much to ponder today. I invite you all to put Him first. Set aside the influences of the world, books, music, videos, social media, television, movies, and more until after you have given your attention to Him each day. You will be amazed at what doors will open to you each and every day as you do so. You may even find that some of those other things that were holding your gaze are not as important or entertaining as you think they are. They are just smoke signals, distractions, and tools the adversary uses to make us miserable like he is. Put your trust in the Lord. D&C 11:13 comes to mind this morning.
Ok, so on with the week.
As I have already shared, we have had some adventures. When were not participating in them, the Queen and I found ourselves driving north to Cache Valley, which is an adventure in and of itself. The Queen has been training each day and I have been trying to play catch up.
The Professor has been gearing up for the start of grad school, teaching a lesson today, and preparing for a bridal shower.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo have received many witnesses this week with promises of more if they will continue turning to Him.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are leaving the teens and headed to single digits. School starts in a week and there is still much to accomplish.
I hope those of you who are the road are safe. Protect your eyes and don't do crazy things.
Until next week,
Cheerios
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