The Choice is Daily

Double Greetings -

I hope to make up for my lack of consistency last week.  I don't know where the week went.  I know where I was and what I was doing last weekend at the normal time of posting, so I am not apologizing, but hope to be forgiven.  I will do my best to catch up on the happenings of the last two weeks as well.

The Queen and I have been on a week of work/stay-cation of sorts this week.  With all the current public restrictions, we really did not feel like we could go anywhere and fully enjoy ourselves.  Instead, we stayed home, worked a little here and there, started several home projects, finished some, and spent time with family.

Then yesterday we had the opportunity to attend a ward baptism and then a temple sealing in the evening.  Both were wonderful experiences.  I have missed being in the temple.  I found myself being overwhelmed just basking in the peace the radiated from the walls of the Lord's holy house.

I love out all of these experiences over the past few weeks has culminated into one grand pondering.

Acts 2:37-39

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

As I prepared for this ward baptism, I pondered a great deal about what I could say to this young man who had chosen to make a covenant.  I though about the words of council I could share with those who might be in attendance about the significance of this sacred covenant that was being made and witnessed.  I could not have made it come together any better than those who were asked to speak.  

I had the same result at the temple sealing.  The temple president/sealer share marvelous words of wisdom that seemed to be just for me and no one else.  So, I am going to plagurize a little and share what I learned from them and the pondering that has been floating through my head.

Our current temple president reminded us that there are only two sacred ordinance/covenants that are performed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; baptism and sealing.  Like Peter, he reminded us that to be able to capitalize on all the promised blessings of both, we need to be "good repenters".

One of the speakers at the baptism compared repentance to weeding a garden.  It requires time and efforts.  Sometimes when we go to the garden, the number of weeds can be overwhelming, but once removed, the garden not only looks spectacular in its clean and refreshed cleansing, but it able to grow and flurish to it full capacity.  She pointed out the partaking of the Sacrament each week allows us to discard ourselves the burdensome bucket of weeds, if done properly.

I took her analogy one step further.  Being converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and become an active disciple requires, like the people in Acts, to feel the pricking of our hearts on a daily basis.  Weeding a garden is much easier if we spend a few minutes every day removing the weeds before the have time to establish deep roots that could damage not only the healthy growth of the desired fruits and vetetables,b but the ground/foundation of the garden itself.

We must choose each and every day to do those things that will draw us closer to our Heavenly home and parents.  In other words, be "good repenters".  Isn't that we our current and past prophets have asked us to do and be?

Our Adventures -

The Queen and I have enjoyed spending time together this week, working side by side, spending time with family, painting, building, and playing.  We have truly been blessed in so many ways.

The Professor has been spending time with Gus-Gus, writing papers, reading text books, and binging.

We met Tall Man, Ehl-Bo, and Lego at new diner.  It was fun to catch up and just spend time together.  Work has been filled with challenges, but they are working through it.  Lego is growing like a weed and loves eating like the rest of us.

Shout Out to Lady Hawkins who made a flying trip south with her Maw to take LPN test.  We were thrilled to hear that she passed with amazing colors.  Oh and Puddin is getting his butt kicked with PT, but loving the things he is learning in the academy.

 

SnackPack has been blessed with many adventures over the past two weeks.  I failed to report of on the amazing performance he and his friends shared last weekend as they shared their talents in a concert.