"Visitors Welcome"

 

During the past week, I have learned for myself that we are all visitors here. Very few get to stay permanently. So we would be well advised to choose wisely how we use our time. 

I have been the beneficiary of wonderful visits---visits that have filled my soul with comfort and courage. I'm sure that those who have come had other things they could have done with their time, but they chose to share some of their strength with one who needed a portion.

If you look carefully, you will notice the same title invitation on designated buildings. Come on in and find out what you have to give and what is available for you to use on your own journey.

Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea

 (Originally scheduled for 12 February 2024)

I was reading in my off-schedule trip through the Book of Mormon (in other words, the trip I started before this year's scheduled reading) in Ether where the brother of Jared is conversing with the Lord about the conditions of their travel across the ocean. And just as sometimes happens, someone slipped a scripture in which I had never considered before.

24 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come.

Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea. What great faith it must have taken for this group of people who (unlike some of us) had never traveled across an ocean before and thus had never had confirmed to them that there was even anything waiting beyond their line of sight.

Our sight is often also extremely limited in spiritual things. As President Nelson observed, we tend to be a bit myopic and cannot see afar off. 

Should we not trust this God of ours, who has prepared all things in advance—the winds and the rains and the floods. All so frightening to us as we inch forward through this mortal journey. 

Nevertheless, I [the author of the Plan, the designer of all created things]—I will bring you up again —out of whatever terrifying situation besets us as we wander in the dark side of understanding. 

Eventually, all will be made clear and we will see why it was required of us to pass through the valley of faith so we would recognize our Master’s voice.

Well, it finally happened!

*Originally scheduled for 5 February 2024

Out of all the 33 gazillion 5-letter word combinations, someone I know personally guessed the WORDLE word on the first try. And she hasn’t even been playing all that long!

She said the response by the program was overwhelming. As well it should be, to honor such an achievement.

But deep inside, was there hiding just a little jealousy? Although there is no way I would have done the painstaking analysis of the possibilities, did I secretly wish it had been me?

It made me think about the way the scriptures teach us to deal with pride-buffeting disappointment. And I wonder if the secret isn’t to see the overall achievement, to be grateful to have contributed (after all, I HAD encouraged her to try the game), and to rejoice over success no matter from whence it springs.***

Galatians 6 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

First Try Phenomenon

Well, it finally happened!

Out of all the 33 gazillion 5-letter word combinations, someone I know personally guessed the WORDLE word on the first try. And she hasn’t even been playing all that long!

She said the response by the program was overwhelming. As well it should be, to honor such an achievement.

But deep inside, was there hiding just a little jealousy? Although there is no way I would have done the painstaking analysis of the possibilities, did I secretly wish it had been me?

It made me think about the way the scriptures teach us to deal with pride-buffeting disappointment. And I wonder if the secret isn’t to see the overall achievement, to be grateful to have contributed (after all, I HAD encouraged her to try the game), and to rejoice over success no matter from whence it springs.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase; 

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.