Continuing Education

This end of the week was just awesome to keep learning things deep in my soul. On Friday I went to the temple with Lys and the youth. I had to drive straight from work so I met them there. I helped with confirmations and it's so amazing when you get the distinct impression that they had been waiting and we're present and soooooo excited to have the work completed. I happened a couple of times where it was so clear. On one sister I thought what a funny/strange name only to have 1. A distinct knowledge that she was present and waiting for that long awaited day, and 2. That she chastised me for making fun of her name, for it was hers. It was good to quickly apologize and feel that special knowledge. But it could not happen if I did not pay the price through the years to know for myself in all ways. 

We talked about that in priesthood today also.  About how you have to work to get that faith. It does not come deep down by doing little or no work. Just like getting good at anything takes work, practice, and dedication. So does faith. It begins small but if you leave it it cannot grow. It has to be nurtured. 

Then church today was all about faith for sacrament and Sunday school. Great thoughts and stories about the building of, and the evidence of, faith. I still like the quote that knowing the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony, being consistently true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. 

I believe that is why I could know and feel the way I did. Preparation precedes the witness. 

Then after the baptismal session they answered a few questions and that got me thinking about the things we learned when teaching Old Testament in seminary. It's all about temples and families. When Jacob had the vision referred to as Jacobs ladder he called the place Bethel. As in Beth-el meaning house of God. And in that vision he liked the steps of the ladder to the steps needed to get back to heaven and Gods presence. We learn about that same thing in the temple. So it makes so much sense that it's all about temples. 

Saturday Lys and I worked so hard all morning. I got up earlier than wanted (we didn't get home from the temple until 11 something) because Gavin had offered to let a friends family borrow the chain saw. I had to out the chain back on as I had them both off to take and get sharpened. So after that I got to work, and Lys came out and helped when she woke up a while later. We moved a giant pile of mulch to the back forest by/off the bridge. It's where we have been transplanting things as we split them this spring and last fall. It looks really good. We moved a huge pile and spread it. Then just as I had cleaned up it began to rain. Perfect timing. We still have a pile to move to the hillside to finish what was started there last year. Slowly we are coming along with these things. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4