Boaz at the lake

I am thankful for good aunts and uncles who treated my Boaz so well while he was with out parents for a week. 

Today I saw pictures of him play at the lake. 

Love this picture. 

In Uncle Mark's boat. 

Boaz and Bridger. 

On the knee board. 

I'm grateful for sweet family who made sure my boy enjoyed his stay. 

Old friends

You know you have good friends when you can pick up in the same place after time apart. 

So happy to see them together again 

Scripture

We visited Blackfoot for church today. We walked into the building where we had attended for just over four years and saw many loved faces. 

I think that is an inkling to what heaven will be like. Seeing a group of people that you haven't seen in a long time and being enveloped in emotions of belonging and family. Happy smiles and hugs and feeling loved. 

In the third hour combined meeting a dear friend shared a scripture that I have recently passed over. So this is out of order, but worth ponderizing. 

The world want to hear smooth and easy things. They want to be told they are alright and good while they deny God and justify their sinful behavior. 

President Monson recently said we must do the harder right. 

We will continue to distinguish ourselves by holding to truth and refuting error. We must learn to discern the easier wrong of the smooth things. 

Idaho

I Josh and I flew to Idaho today. We are going to visit family and friends while we are here. 

At the airport waiting to board. 

Grandma and Boaz at the airport to pick us up. So happy to see Boaz again. I've missed him. He's been here in Idaho for a week and a half. 

Holding a sweet little girl. How lucky am I?

Leading Music for Sacrament

I have lead music since high school. I know the basics - certainly not an expert. I have had to struggle with 2/2 but I am comfortable with 3/4 and 4/4.

Our ward doesn't really have a called chorister. I have stepped in several times.

Yesterday was one of those days. I was unfamiliar with the first song at first - in the middle of my hasty review, I recognized the refrain. The song was #34 - O Ye Mountains High. "O Zion! Dear Zion! Land of the free. That was the line that helped me remember the song.

So feeling rather confident - even with the random 2/4 measure in the middle of the song, I go up and stand in front of the congregation.

The first verse went okay. I experimented on how to lead the 2/4 measure. (The organist plays and I pretend I'm leading. He does his own thing. Several times that has been a really good thing. I've had to figure out my mistake and get back on track.)

The second verse went okay up to the point of the familiar refrain. I was distracted apparently and started to sing the first verse again. It took me a few measures to figure it out and almost started laughing. Not really cool. I had to get myself together and finish the song.

The meeting ended with the pioneer anthem, Come, Come, Ye Saints. I knew about the switch between 4/4, 3/4, 4/4 and back to 3/4. It was all cool. I know the words and didn't keep my eyes on the music. Half way through, I got lost. I was definitely on the wrong beat. I almost panicked. I frantically searched for the last key signature. It was 3/4 and I had been beating 3/4. On the second verse, I was glued to the music and then I saw the fermata. 

Aaaagh!

It must be my hubris! I need to not be overconfident. I am a skilled beginner. Certainly not somebody who can just sing along and not remember middle of the songs fermatas.

Pictures from Idaho

Sweet family sent pictures of a great day.

Not all of the Elsie's great-grandkids, Dawn's grandkids. But a great group of people. There were five generations present at the lake that day.

Elsie's grandkids and Dawn's kids. A blessed family.

Craig and Boaz taking a break in the pop-up.

Craig and Boaz. Boaz is getting close to passing me, and he is close to passing his father's height as well.

Family reunions rock.

Scripture

I came across a frequent scriptural promise. This promise, though frequent, is certainly uncommon.

Verse 13 recaps the promise, and the plea. 

I really liked the beginning of verse 14: "And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:" A forceful statement that somehow makes it more personal for me.

Of course this requires that I seek. Where are the places that I should seek. The obvious primary answer - in the scriptures. The 'green' answer - in nature. The contemplative answer - in my quiet ponderings. The social answer - in my dealings with family and friends. The all encompassing answer - in creation.

But what about my personal answer? Where have I found God?

I have found God in my darkest moments. I have found God in my children. I have found God in my marriage. I have found God in the temple. I have found God in my quilting. I have found God as I ponderize on my blog. I have found God when I slow down and look for him.