"It Was Just Something That I Had to Get Through, to Get Me to You"

Had an interesting conversation with my sister today about someone who showed up at her ward for church.

I sure wasn't expecting it, but in reflecting on the conversation, I have never been more grateful to swing at and miss a curve ball thrown in to my life a few years ago.

I love my husband more than I ever knew I could love someone.  I am incredibly grateful for the man he is, and the person he's always been.  He is my everything, and literally the best decision I have ever made.  He is so many things, but most of all....he's mine.  I sometimes think about where I would be had a previous decision played out in my life the way I thought it would the first time around.

I don't like it.

Everything I am, and every good thing about me, is made better because of you.  I love you, Robbie.

Because it Made a Difference to Me Today:

While researching things for my upcoming lesson in YW on Sunday, I stumbled upon this video. I have always loved this song, and along with the other 13 million members of the church still wonder why it is no longer included in the LDS hymnbook.

I took the few minutes to listen to and really feel this song as it is sung/played. I am so grateful that I did.

The Spirit has entered our home, and I have felt a noticeable change in Dax as he has heard it playing.

I am so thankful to have a knowledge of the love my Heavenly Father has for me, and for the tiny tender mercies I feel so blessed to receive, and more blessed to recognize.

The Grapefruit Syndrome

Thanks to my mom for reminding me of this article! It's a great reminder.

Lola B. Walters, “The Grapefruit Syndrome,” Liahona, Sep 1999, 24

As a young wife, I learned that marriage could be sweeter if I didn’t focus on my husband’s faults.

My husband and I had been married about two years when I read an article recommending that married couples discuss truthfully and candidly the habits or mannerisms they find annoying in each other. The theory was that if partners knew of such annoyances, they could correct them before resentful feelings developed.

It made sense to me. I talked with my husband about the idea. After some hesitation, he agreed to give it a try.

As I recall, we were to name five things we found annoying. I started off. After more than 50 years, I remember only my first complaint: grapefruit. I told him I didn’t like the way he ate grapefruit. Instead of cutting it open and eating it with a spoon, he peeled it and ate it a section at a time. Nobody else I knew ate grapefruit like that. Could I be expected to spend a lifetime, and even eternity, watching my husband eat grapefruit like that? Although I have forgotten them, I’m sure my other complaints were of similar importance.

Then it was his turn. It has been more than half a century, but I still carry a mental image of my husband’s thoughtful, puzzled expression. He looked at me and said, “I can’t think of anything I don’t like about you.”

Gasp. I quickly turned my back, not knowing how to explain my tears. I had found fault with him over such trivial things, while he hadn’t even noticed any of my peculiar and no doubt annoying habits.

I wish I could say this experience completely cured me of faultfinding. It didn’t. But it did teach me early in my marriage that we need to keep in perspective, and usually ignore, the small differences in our spouse’s habits and personalities. Whenever I hear of married couples being incompatible, I always wonder if they are suffering from what I now call the grapefruit syndrome.

I Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet

At the end of the Sunday morning session of Conference, the Choir sang We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet. During the song, the camera typically scans through the members of the choir, and sometimes the congregation or outside, on the temple or conference center grounds. Today, however, they played a slideshow of sorts, a montage of President Monson as he toured the world fulfilling his calling as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It was during this presentation that it really hit me of the reality of his calling. President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. He is called of Him to lead His church during this time of the world. He has been given priesthood keys and specific talents that allow him to serve in the way our Heavenly Father needs him to at this time.

I am so grateful for the witness of the Spirit that has allowed my testimony to increase and be strengthened by the words that were so powerfully sung by the Tabernacle Choir today.

Truly, I thank thee, O God, for a prophet!

Fabulous Evening

This afternoon/evening I had the awesome opportunity to attend an endowment session and temple sealing in the Logan Temple for my friend Charlie Bingham.  It was pretty fabulous.

Each time I attend the temple I feel the Spirit, but this time, it was a bit stronger than usual.  I was able to understand concepts and thoughts like I haven't been able to before.  It was neat.  

The best part, I think, was watching Corrie and Charlie's little family be sealed together.  They will have a baby next summer, so it was really fun to watch them take part in this little piece of eternity.  

The temple is such an amazing place.  I love it!  There is nowhere else on Earth that we can have such a clear perspective on God's eternal plan for each of us.  The Church is True!