"Did you burn your nylons?"

I was reading in Isaiah this morning and thought about that question. (Bear with me, and I'll make the connection.) Funny question. Funnier that so many people are interested, but after 3 years in dresses, closed toed shoes and nylons, people have been asking. And while I didn't have an official-nylon-burning ceremony, it was wonderful to toss most of them into the trash and snug back into my jeans and t-shirts with absolutely no socks at all, my toes finally set free to get reacquainted with the carpet, grass, sidewalk and anywhere I want to wander. But I didn't get rid of all my nylons and still make occasion to wear them; most notably to the temple*.

At general conference, 5 new temples were announced. As always, it was thrilling, especially when the Tijuana temple was mentioned and there was a noticeable murmur of approval in the conference center congregation. Temples are coming closer to every people. I love that I can drop Jeffrey off at school and then be in the temple in 15 minutes. It's wonderful to go and see the parking lot full, the halls packed yet reverent. I just love that I can make the temple a regular part of my week. But with more and more temples, and more opportunities to be in them, I don't ever want that experience to become common.

In our world there are many people who hold nothing sacred and almost nothing is sacred to everyone. Temples are different. Temples are sacred for my people as are the things associated with them: our relationship with Christ, marriage, family, covenants with God. (To better understand our belief of temples, visit this link or just ask me.) Attending the temple represents the pinnacle of my worship of, dedication to, and love for Jesus Christ. It is the closest I come to Him. I want to feel the difference when I walk through that door-every time. And so, I want to make those occasions when I go 'holy', set apart, or in other words, sacred.

The beginning of this post started out light hearted enough, but it's turning into something else. And I don't want to be disrespectful with a topic so important to me and to many others by the associations I'm making.  I do want to point out that there are things I deliberately choose to do to help make preparing and going to the temple something special, something different. I wear my best Sunday clothes, including my nylons. It's not that I think everybody should do it or it's wrong to go if you don't have the 'right' clothes, but it's something for me. There are certainly other ways that I prepare myself to attend, but it's these types of conscious choices that help set the tone for me, that help me say to myself, this is not an ordinary thing you are about to do. This is extra-ordinary.  After all, it is the fulfillment of prophesy. And that is the connection back to Isaiah, who prophesied about temples in our day, or the mountain of the Lord, and standing in Holy places.

Isaiah 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the ^alast days, that the ^bmountain of theLord’s ^chouse shall be ^destablished in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all ^enations shall flow unto it.
3. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us ^ago up to the^bmountain of the Lord, to the ^chouse of the God of Jacob; and he will^dteach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of ^eZion shall go forth the ^flaw, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

(*or for a baptism or taking the sacrament-anywhere a sacred ordinance is being performed)

It's Spring!

Just Friday I posted some pictures that whispered winter, and here it is two days later with me posting Spring in Scottsdale. But yesterday at the zoo with Jeffrey, the signs were unmistakable.

I thought it was just the difference in climates of the two areas that caused the drastic change in climate, but not so. We were back in Payson this morning for a stake conference, and most of the snow was already gone. I was so surprised!

And I know in just 6 weeks when we're driving back, the highway will be covered with tall sunny-yellow wild flowers.

We really do have all 4 seasons here; some just come and go a little faster than others.

Good Morning!

Who needs roosters when you have buff cheeked Gibbons hanging around? We could hear them from the entrance! At first, I thought it was a sound track when Jeff asked, but it didn't take us long to find them...or for Jeff to call back. What a great way to start the day.

Until we met their neighbors breakfasting on 'meat product'. (That's what the keeper called it, anyway. Just what is 'meat product'? Gross. King vultures, not my favorite, but I can't help stopping to stare.

Our morning was in for more ugly when we stopped to watch a little community hygiene going on. Social grooming at its best and breakfast to boot!

I don't know what was going on here-but when Jeff sat along the wall, several of these guys came to join him. Sorry girls, no lice on this boy. (Whew!)

Not everyone was enthusiastic about starting the day.

Others hadn't even started yet.

I felt bad for waking this guy up. He was just so cute curled up under the tree. 

 Jeff ran for the telescope, but there was no need. Both cheetahs were up and roaming, then came and posed for the camera.

Can you see the other cheetah back against the fence waiting for his turn at breakfast?

The cheetahs were inspiring, so we decided to pick up our game and race against the clock.

Let's just say I'm glad I don't have to outrun any four legged critters to save my neck.

And there's nothing I do that's this fast.

Or, fortunately, this ugly. 

Or this cute.

and back to... ugly? Or exotic? Or angry? Or creepy or what are these guys? I don't know, but they weren't exactly thrilled with us. We didn't stay too long here, they were making me feel guilty.

But my favorite of the day...

...watching these two staring at each other? I just wish I knew what was going on in their minds. (This was right about the point Jeff tried to climb as high as he could on the fence. Really, what was he thinking?)

For an even better pic of this beautiful cat sneak over to this post.

Be Beautiful

Finished putting on my mascara, took a brief once over in the mirror and knew I was beautiful. I also knew it wasn’t the make-up, the hair style or the clothes. It wasn’t cheekbones or eyes or lips or skin. In fact, I knew if I looked a little closer, I’d be able to see the wrinkles starting to creep up around my eyes and the three or four gray hairs that were hiding out ready for their turn. My face is certainly rounder than it was a few years ago, and my figure is headed in a ‘matronly’ direction. No, what makes me beautiful isn’t merely how I look; it’s who I am. Being a mom taught me that.

It’s quite a remarkable feeling to be sitting on the floor playing ‘blocks’ then suddenly have two little hands stretch up to cradle your cheeks and hear those words, “*Mother, you’re beautiful.” You glance over at a nearby mirror, see the sweats, the messy hair, the sleep deprived features then turn back to see yourself in the mirror of your little boys eyes. Then awe! You can see it. Right there in front of you; in that face gazing up at you, honest and sincere and true. You ARE beautiful. And you get a glimpse of what real beauty is and what it isn’t. It’s kindness and love and purity and joy. Not happiness; joy. From the inside out.

Beauty without those things is lacking, hollow. That’s the difference between looking beautiful and being beautiful. And there is a difference. Merely looking beautiful, beautiful the way the world defines it, is never enough. That kind of beauty will never satisfy, because it is empty. There will always be a need to supplement with more. More clothes, a better hair cut, trendy make-up, a new stomach or thighs, jewelry…more. More what? More things. And things don’t satisfy. They deflect.

Maybe you're asking, “Am I beautiful?” Maybe there’s no little child handy for a similar litmus test; (and if there are they’re quite possibly cranky or sleeping or preoccupied or just not feeling angelic. Mine are grown.) That’s OK. If I want to know, if I want to be beautiful, not just look beautiful, where do I go? Yesterday. How did I treat the people around me? Today. What will I do differently, today? It’s how I feel about others and how I treat them. That’s something everyone has control over. We may not immediately be able to change our body type, financial situation, or facial features, but we can be choose to be nicer, now. We can choose to like people. We can choose to forgive. We can smile and mean it.
It starts with understanding who we are-children of God, and who all the others around us are, children of God.

“Mark 12: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

And that, ability, talent, gift comes from God.

“Moroni 10:48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.”

“Doctrine and Covenants 88: 63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

So, no matter what the world says. You can be beautiful.

*“Mother” When Taylor was 2, he saw Bambi. For a long time after that, he called me “Mother” instead of “Mommy.” It’s one of my favorite memories!

Find the hero in you!

Morgan is so good! She called Taylor last night to encourage him to give blood. So, here they are after school showing off their bandages. What good kids. The problem? Taylor, you probably shouldn't do a heavy workout the same day you give blood. He said he felt fine, but he was white as a ghost at dinner.
******
Post Scrip Feb. 5, 2010
I just read the post of my sweet young friend that has been caring for our house while we are serving our mission. She's had some serious health issues since she was a young girl, and had a bout this past week. She needed some blood transfusions. Feeling so grateful right now to the people (like Taylor and his friends) that donated the blood that helped save her life. I remember when I first started donating blood regularly. I've always had needles and shots and doctors. Even enough to really stall getting my marriage license! It was after my little friend was first diagnosed with diabetes at age 10 or 11. She was testing every day and doing injections. Needles everywhere! I remember thinking if she could do that, I could get over myself and my personal squeamishness and give blood every few weeks.

When someone you love is in trauma, it's great to be able to help, but sometimes the giving comes before you even know they'll need it. If I donate to the blood bank, I may not save my brother or my friend or my dad that day, but it will save someone's mom, or someone's sister, or someone's child. And isn't that worth it?

Hide and Seek

That was always one of my favorite games as a little kid. We made up all kinds of variations. It's a game that could take hours if everyone was willing. Even when I got older, I still liked to play with my kids-hiding the younger ones in awesome places so the big kids were challenged to be able to find them. Of course, if someone was hidden too well, the game got boring and some one would give up-either the child that was hiding, or the children that were seeking. The trick was to make it just hard enough to stay exciting.

(Hide and Seek by William Merritt Chase 1916)

As great as hide and seek is, there are some things we seek that aren't meant to be hidden. And it's usually us that makes the finding more difficult than it needs to be. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we lose that simple faith and trust in God that was so easy to find when we were younger. We still ask some of the same questions we did as children, but maybe the answers no longer satisfy. There are also 'new' questions; although people have been asking those same 'new' questions for centuries: What am I going to do with my life-is there some greater purpose? Where did I come from? Is there a God and does He even care about me? What is He like? How do I find Him?.... Sometimes, when you ask a question, all you need to do is listen for the answer. You need to 'seek' for it, but as any good hide-n-seek player knows, you're never going to find it if you stand in the same spot and wait for it to appear. You have to go out and get it; look in every cupboard, under all the beds, and behind each door.
Today in church, there were talks centered on Christ/about overcoming, about making good choices, and about seeking after good things. No matter how many times I hear it, read it, or teach it, I never tire of the message in the scriptures from the chain below. I'd tell you the things I found, but those things were what I needed-what I was asking. Besides isn't that considered cheating and doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of seeking? Where would be the fun in that?
Here's the chain:  13th Article of Faith and Philipians 4:8 then Doctrine and Covenants 88:63 then John 7:17 then Hebrews 10:35-39 then Matt 11:29 then, finally to 1 Nephi 11:21-26 (and really the whole chapter!)
(OK, I will give one hint, sometimes the "thing" we seek like fruit and trees is really a "who".) 
For answers to more questions-check out mormon.org

O Remember, Remember

Yesterday I decided to revisit my commitment to follow the counsel in Elder Eyring's talk, O Remember, Remember. In simple terms, the idea is to take time each day to reflect on how we saw the hand of God (often through others) in the lives of our family, or to ask yourself if you felt some inspiration from Heavenly Father during the day.

SO, during the day I'm looking for that special something. Mark and I came home just after our meetings (just in time to get a snack ready before the younger boys got home from school) and BINGO! There it was. But first, let me preset the scenario.

Jeffrey goes to the office every day to check the mail, just in case there's a letter for him. There's usually not a happy ending to this ritual (and yes, every time I remind him that if he wants letters he has to write letters! He says he did-to which I respond that letters written over a year and a half ago don't count. He stomps off upset. That pattern never varies.)

Back to the present. Waiting for us, wrapped in a simple card board box, was a present from Emy, Ben & Clara. There was a fun package for each of us. I had intentions of taking a picture to post and say thanks, but the contents were dissembled too quickly. We had a great time going through all those things. It felt so good to be loved and remembered. Thank you Ben and Emy! We love you, too.

murmur, murmur, murmur

I love all the songs in the primary children's song book, but one of the kids' favorites is Nephi's Courage. (Do you think it's because of the hand motions?) And why not? It's a great story! What kid can't relate to being teased for wanting to do the right thing or has a big task ahead of them that they've never done before? What young boy or girl (grown ups, too) out there doesn't need more courage to do the hard things? We want heros that inspire us.

Certainly Nephi was courageous, but even more than courage, Nephi possessed a willing heart. Perhaps those two qualities can't thrive without the other. Reflecting over the last two years and rereading the passages of 1 and 2 Nephi again and again, I'm struck by how much attitude, not aptitude or opportunity, make the difference in a successful and happy 'journey'.

When I read 1 Nephi 3:5 & 6, it seems to me that Lehi is sad his older sons don't recognize his relationship with the Lord and his role as a prophet. They 'murmur' about the difficulty of the assignment. (Note that Lehi doesn't discount it is a challenging requirement.) Then, without any recorded comment from Nephi, Lehi knows Nephi will go without murmuring. For that willingness, Lehi responds, "go...and thou shalt be favored of the Lord..." It's only after these statements that we receive Nephi's inspiring words, "I will go and do..." How did Lehi know Nephi would respond positively? Can I think of specific responses I've made that put me in either the category of the 'doers' or the 'murmurers'? What possibilities opened up to Nephi due to his willing heart?

When Mark talks about Nephi, he often speaks of 1 Nephi 3:7 "I will go and do" and 2 Nephi 33:15 "I must obey" as the book ends of Nephi's life. I love that visual. I feel like I'm doing OK with the first end, now I only have to finish strong-and isn't the finish the most important part and the most difficult? So what do we do to maintain or even develop a willing heart?

Nephi knew the Lord would prepare a way-how? Through the same pattern that any principle becomes knowledge; through his own experiences and the experiences of others as taught by prophets-scriptures. [Alma 32, Bible Dictionary 'faith' and John 7:17-a pattern of persistent action and obedience.] Nephi had developed a relationship with God that Laman and Lemuel hadn't despite being taught by the same parent. (1 Nephi 2:12) Reflecting on the past and learning from it is a big part of that. We don't just read the scriptures, we apply those principles, or precepts, to our life. One of my favorite phrases in the scriptures is, "O remember, remember". And what is it that we're meant to remember?

'What great things the Lord has done for the children of men'. Each of those accounts deal with Him freeing them from bondage, healing them, guiding them, and being merciful to them-all shadows or types of the Atonement. To have a willing heart, we must come to know the Savior-who He is and why He is.

"As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel [and obey any of God's commandments with a willing heart] will increase. You will feel, as Lehi did, the 'great importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth.' " (PMG pg 2) Increasing our understanding of the Atonement is a topic for another day, but I'll leave with one final thought. When we take the Sacrament, we do it in 'remembrance' and as a 'wittness' that we are willing, that we will remember, and that we will obey.

Role Models

Sometimes, the inability to capture incredible moments into words and phrases prevents me from writing anything at all, but we had a beautiful moment today. I don't want to lose the feeling of this memory due to something as trivial as writer's block. Here's my attempt to record a few thoughts in the hope that on a later date it will help restore some of the precious feelings I had today.

A week ago Sunday-after seminary graduation for Jessica, we slipped into a side room with Bishop Carter and the Sanft family. Mark ordained Taylor to the office of priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. Bishop Carter, President Sanft and Taylor's friend, Adam Sanft, joined in the circle. Private, beautiful and personal. Going to church today, we anticipated that Taylor would have the chance to bless the Sacrament. I was so happy we didn't have other meetings to attend today so that we could just be there. What a pleasant surprise it was when they approached Mark before the meeting and invited him to join Taylor at the Sacrament Table. Seeing the two of them sitting together changed the entire meeting for me.

As I watched and listened to Mark and then Taylor, in turn, purposefully offering the prayer for the bread and then the water, my heart was full to overflowing with peace and contentment. For the past two years, Taylor has attended the final testimony meetings of departing missionaries. As part of his final instruction and testimony to those missionaries, Mark shares insights about the last days of the Savior's life with an emphasis on the roles and gifts of both the Father and the Savior-expressly talking of the Sacrament. Taylor has had the opportunity to see the power of faith and repentance in the lives of investigators, friends and missionaries. His seen his personal testimony touch the lives of those he's had the opportunity to teach. He's seen people baptized and receive the blessing of confirmation. And now he has the privilege and responsibility to worthily administer the ordinance of the Sacrament to those who are renewing their covenants, their commitment and faith.

I listened with a mother's interest to Taylor's inflection on certain words. I watched as two of the wonderful men in my life stood side by side in a symbolic act of service to others, respect and honor for the Savior. I watched the emblems of the Savior's sacrifice pass from the hands of priesthood bearers to members of the congregation; then from members of the congregation to the people closest to them-their family and friends. That's the way the Savior's very personal gospel reaches our hearts; through the organization of His priesthood, from person to person. One at a time. That's the way Taylor has watched his dad minister and serve others. That's the way our parents before us did it and the way I hope our grandchildren learn it. Grandma and Grandpa Brasher gave him a beautiful box with a Picture of the Sacramento Temple on the cover. Inside are some antique glass Sacrament cups, a glass plate from my Dad's mission in Finland and some antique white handkerchiefs; tools so that he can bring the Sacrament to those that are housebound.

Later in the program, Taylor played a piano solo, Lord, I would Follow Thee. I couldn't keep my tears to myself. Who is this young man? He amazes me. How blessed I am to be his mother. How grateful I am that he has a father to show him who the Savior is and that Taylor has his own desire to follow Him. How could I ask for anything more than a son who understands his relationship and responsibility to the Savior and is willing and earnest to magnify it?

"The perfect role model for use of the holy priesthood is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He ministered with love, compassion, and charity" Elder Richard G. Scott

to S.M.I.L.E.

To smile. I'm not saying to smirk, to grimace, to simper, to jeer or to sneer. 

But to smile.

To beam.

To radiate tenderness, joy and love ...and contentment.

To HOPE.

That's the kind of smile that starts from the inside. You don't just see it, you hear it. It colors inflection and word choice. It brings vision to the mundane. It accompanies the happy, vibrant moments of our lives but is also the quiet and consoling companion during times of trial that steadies our resolve.

Where does it come from? How can you find it? 

The best answers are always found in the best places. I found this one where you might expect that I would.

The answer?  ...to be spiritually minded is life eternal

In other words, to s.m.i.l.e. Prioritizing!

I love how Marlene always says it, "If you put God first, it doesn't matter what comes next."

And here it is again couched in phrasing not quite as cute:

Therefore (or in other words, because of the  5 or 6 verses before this one), dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then many we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

Prioritizing combined with cheerful, willing diligence! Then wherever we go, however fast we run-inside we'll be standing still with the utmost assurance...smiling from the inside, out.

One more thought from me and then a few random quotes just for fun:

We smile at our children to show them our approval. Our children's smiles brighten our outlook and excite joy. A smile for our spouse communicates our devotion and appreciation. And when we greet someone, we smile as a sign of welcome. 

So, learning to s.m.i.l.e. now assures that when we meet again, all these things will be reflected in our countenance, and reflected back in turn. The best is yet to come!

Smile Quotations  If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.  Maya Angelou  Peace begins with a smile.  Mother Teresa  Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.  Mother Teresa  We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.  Mother Teresa  Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.  Mother Teresa  Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.  W. C. Fields  (ha ha, just had to put that one in.) Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you.  Les Brown  Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  Leo Buscaglia