Cemetery Traditions

It's late, I'm still coughing from the bronchitis I'm trying to get rid of, so I thought I'd post something that happened over Winter Break.

In the month of December, four people I either knew very well or was at least somewhat acquainted with passed away.   Between that, doctor's visits and running errands to prepare for the holidays, Mom and I got a little behind in the one tradition we now have at Christmastime:  visiting the cemetery and changing the flowers.

I know, it probably sounds like kind of weird to have a tradition of visiting a cemetery at Christmas, but when the majority of your family is deceased, and Christmas is a time for family, then a trip to the cemetery is one of the things you do.

This time we were a little late and went after Christmas but before New Years Eve.  The flowers looked beautiful and afterwards Mom and I went to the small Lion House Bakery inside the Chandler Deseret Bookstore for some fantastic chicken salad with a roll.

I will also add, however, after leaving one of the funerals at the beginning of my break, I went straight to the Temple.  Keeping my thoughts focused on the teachings and feelings there helped me get through a very difficult day.  Being dressed in all white and surrounded by others dressed in white reminded me of the Priesthood Blessing I had received a few days prior to the funeral reminding me to keep an eternal perspective on things as they unfold.

The Temple was such a "saving grace" for me when Decker passed away, and it continues to be a source of peace and strength for me today.

What If?

This morning, while waiting for Sacrament Meeting to start, I read from the Book of Mormon.  In my personal reading, I've started 2nd Nephi.

I read this (2nd Nephi 1:8-10

"8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance.

 9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.

 10 But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land of promise—behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them."

I wondered what if the descendants of Lehi, all of them, had remained righteous?  Would the "New World" as the Americas were called ever been discovered?  Would Christopher Columbus had been able to find the Americas?  Would the pilgrims have known about the Americas to leave Europe in search of religious freedom?  Would there have been a Trail of Tears?

Then the answer came.  Sometimes the question "what if?" is good for an increase in knowledge and understanding.  In fact, it's great if you are looking to innovate something for the future.

But pondering "what if?" about the past?  It may be interesting and even educational, but to dwell on it serves no purpose as it will not change how things are now.

Resolution For 2012

Do you make new year resolutions? I have in the past, but after a few years of not accomplishing them I gave up.

Then I went to the TOFW last month, and have since bought the DVD.  The talks on there were just what I needed.  Not for a new year resolution, but for a new life.  Also, I'm not waiting until 2012 to start, I already have started, in small ways.

For the most part of this, I'm posting on the Widowed Connections Blog, as I am hoping there may be some other widows who are at the point that I'm at and wanting to join in, or widows who have already done this and can offer support and advice.

Wish me luck!

http://widowedconnection.blogspot.com/

The Lost Art of Thank You Notes

Nativity Video

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ran a video during the Christmas Devotional that depicts the Nativity. An article on the Church's blog also gives a little bit of the story behind the video, including a video with interviews of the cast of the video.

Here is the video titled "A Gift To The World"



Here is the video from the blog:



There are more Bible Videos available to view and even download with an app. Here is the link: Bible Videos

Here is the link to the blog article: Actors Share Nativity Experiences

President George Albert Smith

Learning from the love and leadership of President George Albert Smith during this time of turmoil in the world is brilliant.

President Smith served in leadership positions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during and after WWI and assisted in the post-war relief efforts, served as an Apostle of Jesus Christ during the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and subsequent Great Depression, and became the Prophet of God at the end of WWII to oversee the Church's efforts in relief after the affects of War.

What can we learn from him? A lot.

I found a few videos of him on YouTube, many thanks to the posters. By the way, if you would like a hard copy of this video, the Church released it some years back on DVD called Presidents of the Church.

Wedding Rings

Lately things have been very tumultuous in my life. My finances have hit rock bottom, which has brought renewed bouts of depression and anxiety. Getting sick over Thanksgiving wasn't the greatest either.

The straw breaking the camel's back for me was the passing this past weekend of my "grandmother". This was a sweet woman I've gotten to know over more than 30 years. These last several years I've been her Visiting Teacher and I loved visiting her. She never judged me, she just loved me. No matter what.

In tears of joy for her reunion with her eternal companion as well as tears of sadness that she won't be around to talk to anymore, I felt I needed some extra help. I put my wedding rings back on, and along with praying for the peace from the Holy Ghost, I've also been praying for some peace from my eternal companion.

This is what having an eternal marriage is, and what the world does not understand. Sacred unions honored by God continue after death. I can't see Decker, but I can feel him.

Last night, with the rings on, I slept better than I have in months.

Today, with the rings on, I've had more peace in my heart than I've had in months.

Some of the financial mess I've been in is starting to miraculously work out.

The rings will be staying on for a while. (Smile)