Feeling Important Matters 8.6.24
Today Cameron called from the car while he and Jim were running errands. He was over-the-moon because he had picked up his prescription all by himself. He received notice that it was ready on his MYChart app. He said, “It was easy, Mom. I went up to the window and said, ‘Cameron Flanagan.’” He was so proud of himself. Sometimes I think we do too much for our special needs “kids” and deny them the pride of accomplishment. He loves to help others and himself!
Do Politics Matter? July 2, 2024
The answer, of course, is « yes! » Here we are in the July 4th week, the middle of a Presidential election, a few days after Biden’s historical, disasterous debate, and a week since Utah’s republican primary election left Jim disappointed and deflated! And yet, the process goes on. It is, after all, the best political system the earth has ever seen. Leftists are melting down over the last week’s Supreme-Court decisions that favor the end of lawfare—presidents have immunity for official work and decisions—January 6th defendants win—and groups cannot act as legislators or judges. The gaslighting continues from the left, and their strategy is to name Trump a liar and a dictator. It is horrifying. I am hoping nothing disastrous happens in the next four months like a civil war, an assassination, or something I cannot even imagine!
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June 12, 2024 Chosen Matters
Do you love THE CHOSEN? I do! I have all the DVDS (season 1-4), t-shirts and stickers, a journal. I have watched the whole series straight through at least three times, and loved them more each time. I have THE CHOSEN app and watch the series regularly on the BYUtv app. Episodes are shown every Sunday on the BYU channels. I also know where to find the episodes on Fox Nation, Netflix, Angel app, and Vid-Angel. I love the actors and the spirit of the show. I also know it is NOT the scriptures; however, it brings the spirit and understanding. It makes me think of the Janice Kapp Perry song “Jesus Was No Ordinary Man.” I looked up the words yesterday:
Jesus was no Ordinary Man
But there were some who did not understand.
They saw Him working miracles, but some were still deceived.
Why did they not believe?
When with few loaves and fishes the multitude was fed;
When He showed them his power to heal and even raised the dead;
When He walked upon the water, and He calmed the raging sea,
Why did they not believe?
Chorus: Jesus was no ordinary man.
The power to bless and heal was in His hands.
They saw Him cleanse the leper;
They saw Him heal the lame;
They must have sensed divinity and known from whence He came,
But understanding not His cause,
They crucified the Son of God,
And even then they did not understand
That Jesus was no ordinary man.
2. Jesus was no Ordinary Man
But there were some who did not understand.
They saw Him working miracles, but some were still deceived.
Why did they not believe?
When His faith filled the fishnets,
Gave sight unto the blind;
When they saw at His bidding even water turned to wine;
When He offered all He had to them if they would but receive,
Why did they not believe?
Chorus
Blog: Matters of Deja Vu 06.05.24
The other day I was listening to the FOLLOW HIM podcast by Hank Smith and John Bytheway, when I heard a familiar story. John Bytheway was telling of a family fire that sounded much like an almost-disaster that happened to us in December 1982:
It was Christmas time, and Jim and I had been out doing our last-minute shopping. As we headed home, sirens filled the air and shrieked more loudly as we got closer to home. Smoke. Fire engines lined our street, and as we pulled up, our young children crawled out the front door under the smoke. We were assured that all was well as the firefighters checked and made sure that the fire was out.
All the children had been downstairs watching a movie when the two oldest decided to cook some more french fries. Steven and Derek were about twelve and ten. When they finished frying, they thought they had switched the stove “off,” but they had accidentally put it on “high.” The pot of oil had exploded, setting the kitchen on fire. The noise had the boys running upstairs. Steven had some scout training, and he quickly covered the pot with a lid and grabbed the hose from outside, extinguishing flames while Derek ran to the neighbors to call 911. They got the three younger children and had them keep low through the noxious fumes. Why was the hose out, connected, and ready to use in the end of December? A little miracle that the day was warm enough to wash the car, and the water was available and ready. Another miracle—that the boys knew what to do and acted so swiftly. By the time the fire department arrived a couple of minutes later, all they had to do was check for hot spots and put a big fan to blow the smoke out.
In the Bytheway story, his point was the kindness and compassion extended to his family. Our story is the same. People anonymously left envelopes of money, new shoes and clothes for all of us, food and other necessities. Our ward was a blessing for us in a difficult time. It turned out to be our most-memorable and most-joyous Christmas story ever! The covenant includes bearing each others’ burdens.
This spring has been so beautiful. It’s been cool, and the flowers are glorious. Sunday was the dedication of the Taylorsville Temple. It is exciting to have a temple practically down the street and around the corner! The talks were inspiring, touching, and spiritual. President Neal Peterson spoke! We are excited to serve our first shift at this glorious new House of the Lord on Friday afternoon. I bought eight Taylorsville handkerchiefs for the hosanna shout. Hosanna! June 2, 2024
Marriage Matters 05.06.24
Bryce and Sarah were married and sealed on Saturday in the Payton Temple. They were so sweet and in-love! The sealing was delayed a little bit as the sealer got things in order. The bride and groom entered and sat on the fancy loveseat with mothers on either side. The sealer (I think he must have been a Payson farmer, homespun) introduced the witnesses, Adam and Colton, and invited them to sit wherever they wanted. He invited Adam to sit by his wife and pointed to Jill. Everyone panicked a little. Some tried to correct the sealer, but he didn’t quite “get it.” Although they had explained to him before the ceremony that both moms were single, it was a bit of an embarrassing faux pas. Finally, Jill said something like, “I’m single and not married to him.” The wedding and ordinance continued, with many mentions of the babies they would have. Well, at least Sarah wants a big family… They asked Jim (Grandpa) to perform a ring ceremony at the luncheon. The temple was beautiful! The day was gorgeous! The bride and groom were especially handsome. The luncheon was delicious! Winners all around!
April 29, 2024 Taylorsville Temple Matters
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Today Cameron went to the open house for the new temple with his institute class. He was so excited to go that he couldn’t sleep last night. When he got there and found it was our stake’s day to serve, he was doubly blessed. He saw many friends and neighbors and was thrilled to meet up with Calloway Kluge. This afternoon was went as a family to see the new movie ESCAPE FROM GERMANY. I think we all had tears. It is about the miracles that happened to get the missionaries out of Germany before the start of WWII.
