TMM Skills Matter

TMM Skills Matter 1.21.20

Those who know Jim best will appreciate all aspects of this story: We depend on our printer daily. When we had a paper jam, Jim spent a couple of hours trying to fix the printer—but he’s not exactly very mechanical or techie. I was trying to give advice from the other room where I was working on the technology of our seminary lesson (yes, you know me, too). I promised to take a look myself while he went running an errand to buy the “tree of life” at Michaels and a stop at Sam’s Club. He said he just could not get to the paper jam, though I assured him (from the other room, of course) that he could “get to” anything that would fix a paper jam. I glanced at the printer while he was gone, but when he called from Sam’s Club asking if he should buy another printer (the fourth since we got to Laredo!), I said to go ahead, but get the best he could since we use it like a workhorse every day. We have $100 in ink for the “broken” one, but Sam’s did not have another printer that could use that ink. There was one on-sale for a good price, but I encouraged him to get the more-expensive version at $198 because I am tired of buying printers that just break down.

Now, I will tell you that we have been teaching about all the tender mercies that God grants us while we are trying to do His work. When Jim got to the checkout, he spent a half-hour arguing with the checker and the manager about the price of the printer. The price came up at $24. They insisted that they could not change the price that came up on the scan! So, Jim came back with a $200 printer for $24 and a feeling that it was not quite right. LOL. He started to put the “old” printer in the car to take it away when I stopped him and took a last look. I opened up the printer and pulled out the paper jam! There is a lesson here: First, do all that you can do to solve your problems. And then sometimes God takes care of you, even when you could have done better. And, always ask your wife to fix the electronics.

This is Kathy. She was baptized a week ago. We have had a few opportunities to drive her around (to church, to her baptism, to her temple-recommend interview) and talk to her. She is 23-years-old and in a learning program for disabled adults. We have come to love her, and she feels like she can ask us questions, so the other day she asked, “How do I know if I am feeling the spirit?” We explained that it is usually a good feeling of peace and joy for us, but may be different for different people. Then at institute this week she shared how her little testimony grows every time she meets with the missionaries or goes to church. She says she can just feel it inside, making her feel good and happy every time. In our hearts and in our minds, sweet is the peace the gospel brings! 

I love gospel music and feel that YouTube is a blessing. I love “The Miracle” by Shawna Edwards, so I was thrilled to see four new songs that she has written for this year’s study of the Book of Mormon. They are fabulous: “Come Unto Christ” “He Knows” “The Tree of Life” and “Liken the Scriptures.” I also love “My Own Sacred Grove” by Angie Killian. Check them out for a spiritual feast! I hope you have the joy of reading in the Book of Mormon every day, discussing it with someone, watching available videos, listening to talks about it, and basking in the beautiful music that’s available. We love the Book of Mormon, and we bear witness that it is true!