What Would I Do Without...

Mom!  Augh. This week was so tough. Mom was in Utah and I just can't keep up without her. She has skills and I can't keep up with what she can do. I really did try hard. I made breakfast some of the day, but one I just couldn't idea it up, so we had the backup cereal. But of course it was mom who had that plan. And she did the menu we followed almost every day. I did go above and beyond and invited the elders over Friday but Kieren basically did all of it as I ran to get Lys from skate world where Gabby and Chandler had their parties. I had totally forgotten. But so had Lys!  

I had a good week at work. We had many key meetings that we have had many days and months of prep for. Each of them actually went very well and we had great progress for work things. It was actually very nice to get to those points in work and begin to move forward anew. It is fun to carpool with Kieren. We talk lots, she sleeps lots:) and generally it's a nice change for me. 

I still am smiling at Jeff's mocking me for being a bachelor and eating toast for dinner and watching HGTV. That was soon after mom left. I admit it, I'm lame when it comes to making my own food. 

This week has been quite unique. I have always known that it takes the whole ward to accomplish His work. I have tried to do my part and know that we all pull together. But I am beginning to see the other side of the coin. I have seen so clearly how much each does that supports the work and how it lifts the load of the bishop. Perhaps because I now have the keys to see all that needs to be done, feel the weight, and see so clearly how the effort of each takes so much off the load. And how each, operating in faith in their callings receive revelation for their callings and when acting upon that, works in perfect harmony with what He has shown to me needs to happen. But we independently come to the same thing. It has been overwhelming this week to see that happen over and over. I am so grateful for the sustaining influence of the spirit that makes it possible to keep going in all the work. 

Gavin asked why children of age are baptized and confirmed the same day, but new members are baptized one day, then confirmed at the next sacrament meeting. I certainly don't k ow all the reasons, but in the handbook of instructions it clearly outlines that it should be done this way. In order to more fully support the new member the confirmation is done in sacrament meeting, in front of all those who will now accept and support them. It is also known that children are recognized as being baptized, but not presented and sustained. The new member is different, they are presented to the ward and the membership is given the opportunity to accept the new member and to welcome them in their new journey. 

This becomes a handoff of sorts. The new member is under the keys of the mission president while they are being taught and prepared. As they are baptized they still are under the keys of the mission president. Then things begin to change. They are now part of the ward where the bishop and his keys now regulate the ordinance. So in a way this handoff moves the member from the mission keys to the Ward keys. 

Gavin also discovered my comments I have been making for years about giving full proof. Indeed it does come from 2 Timothy. I have tried to teach that for a long time, and when we do give full proof, we will find remarkable success and remarkable peace at having done all, being ready to stand at the throne of God with confidence. I have long liked the scripture I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. It's wonderful. But then a number of years ago I read and studied the scriptures around that one. The I discovered give full proof of thy ministry. To me it means to give it your all, to leave no room for doubt. To have such evidence that if in a court of law conviction would be easy, because full proof would be evident. 

I love you forever. 

Dad

3 John 1:4