I had a great Mother’s Day weekend. I was able to help my mother-in-law and sister-in-law on Saturday. Sunday, I enjoyed a quiet morning of study followed by an uplifting Sacrament Meeting. Relief Society was a chance to connect with my ward friends, many of whom have been friends for over 20 years.
The afternoon was relaxing. Jessica and Nicole prepared a wonderful meal and organized a get-together with my sisters and sister-in-law.
It was an enjoyable meal and evening together. We shared stories and caught up with family events. My family in Idaho was similarly gathered with our mother.
Mother’s Day 2024 with Liz, Krista and Barb
My ward Relief Society shared this quote. My own mother came to mind immediately when I read this quote because she personifies someone who goes about doing good, like the Savior.
In February, she fell in her kitchen while making cookies. I was able to go up to Idaho on the day she was released from the hospital. On the way home, she was checking on friends in her ward whom she knew were sick or struggling. It wasn’t long after we arrived home that she was checking on her indexing activities.
My mother has been able to make a remarkable recovery from her hip fracture, and I believe the secret to her recovery is her focus on others. She always wants to be doing and serving. Despite having to use a walker to get around, she does housework, cooks, goes on walks with friends, accompanies friends to appointments, and visits the sick.
My mother is a woman who truly blesses others’ lives by her “efforts.” She emulates the example of the Savior of the World as she goes ..”about doing good. ”
My mother and father visiting my sister Allison’s grave on March 27, 2024
I am so grateful for my mother. She is a profound influence on my life. I am truly blessed to be her daughter.
I have a wonderful life. A daughter recently got engaged ! Another daughter courageously competed in a university pageant and did extremely well! My third daughter is doing very well in her work and continues to battle debilitating depression. My oldest daughter is wrapping up her undergraduate college degree in Environmental Science.
Family picture 2023
My husband, Gil, is such a good man and loving father. He also makes a mean batch of scones. Because I work pretty much every Thursday, he started working from home on Thursdays and making the bread dough for our monthly service at the VOA Homeless Youth Shelter. He is always getting compliments on the scones. The youth really enjoy using scones as base for Navajo tacos or slathering honey butter, powdered sugar, or plain sugar on a hot scone. Just one of the many ways he supports me in my “causes. ”
I don’t think I posted about him being willing to dress up as a brine shrimp during a vigil for the Great Salt Lake. As part of any activity with LDS Earth Stewardship SLC chapter, we meet up at the Capitol on Valentine’s Day and danced and sang around the Capitol dressed as various species who call the Great Salt Lake home. Definitely, not an activity Gil would have voluntarily signed up for but he drove there with me and participated because he loves me and has fond memories of the Great Salt Lake.
I am so blessed in my life. I am humbled by the Lord’s generosity to me and my family. I know that all good things in my life are a gift from God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that hearing the word of God from living prophets and apostles is a true manifestation of the Lord’s love for me and all people. I know the Book of Mormon is a gift that truly keeps on giving.
just last night, I was reading Jacob 5, the longest chapter in the Book of Mormon and one of my favorite chapters. In verses 73 and 74, I read:
And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof. 74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.
I had never really noticed those words before and they really struck me last night. I know the Lord of this Earth is not happy with the inequality in material possessions, the waste of the natural resources of this earth and the misuse of these resources for the obscene enrichment of a few.
The Lord is truly the Lord of the Vineyard and He expects me and everyone else to wisely and lovingly interact with this amazing creation, the world, and all living things. Reading Jacob 5 especially after listening to Mike and Bryce with Talking Scriptures podcast, fills my soul with wonder and gratitude at how much my Heavenly Father loves me and all His children. His tender and loving care of the vineyard helps me want to be a servant in the vineyard. His patience and focus on each of His “trees,” poignantly reminds me that I need to be more patient and caring when those in my small part of the vineyard, “bear bitter fruit.”
My disciple’s journey can’t be a leisurely stroll in an amazing park just taking in the sights and wonders. My hands will get dirty, my muscles and joints will ache, my eyes will want to avoid the ugly and the soul wrenching views, my heart will mourn and sometimes break as I do my minute part in helping to bring to pass the grand unfolding majesty of the Lord’s plan of happiness.
I read today these words from Elder Neal A. Maxwell spoken in April 1987. He is speaking of discipleship.
Some give of their time yet withhold themselves, being present without giving of their presence and going through the superficial motions of membership instead of the deep emotions of consecrated discipleship.
Some try to get by with knowing only the headlines of the gospel, not really talking much of Christ or rejoicing in Christ and esteeming lightly His books of scripture which contain and explain His covenants (see 2 Ne. 25:26).
Some are so proud they never learn of obedience and spiritual submissiveness. They will have very arthritic knees on the day when every knee shall bend. There will be no gallery then to play to; all will be participants!
Maintaining Church membership on our own terms, therefore, is not true discipleship.
Real disciples absorb the fiery darts of the adversary by holding aloft the quenching shield of faith with one hand, while holding to the iron rod with the other (see Eph. 6:16; 1 Ne. 15:24; D&C 27:17). There should be no mistaking; it will take both hands!
I want to be a real disciple, not a pretender. I want to be a true servant who wears out my life in service to my fellow travelers on this mortal journey.
I last wrote on January 19. I went the whole month of February with no posts. I thought any times about posting but then the day would get away from me and no posts.
ROOTSTECH 2024 was Feb 29 to March 2. I listened to Thursday morning sessions and a couple afternoon sessions as I drove to Idaho and then was at my parents. Didn’t see much on Friday while taking care of Mom. Went in person Saturday morning and attended a class and then got to see and hear Kristen Chenoweth sing and talk.
I bought a Mylio membership at the Expo Hall. It will help me get pictures organized and safely stored.
Tonight I attended the Democratic Caucasus for House District 44. I am now a vice chair of the West Jordan 060 precinct. There was only myself and a gentleman named Wyatt Frampton there from our precinct, so he is the Precinct chair and delegate.
I joined the Democratic party because it is not right that the Republican Party has so much control in the state of Utah. I sincerely disagree with many of the bills passed by the state legislature this session. Especially the bills the dismantled diversity, equity and inclusion offices, that didn’t fund Medicaid for more people or provide services for the disabled, the bills that promoted book banning, etc.
I need to get involved and try to be part of the solution and open my mouth.
I am reading a book called Less is More How Degrowth will save the world by Jason Hinkel. It is a fascinating read and puts into words so many concepts about wealth, inequality, injustice, and misuse of natural resources that have been floating around somewhat nebulously in my head for years.
Jason confronts the paradox of unsustainable growth in world with finite resources. He calls capitalism “growthism” because it only ‘works’ if there is ongoing growth. For over 500 years elitists have raped this planet and people to make themselves obscenely wealthy. They will continue to push their agenda of growth because that is what keeps them wealthy and powerful even though it is devastating the ecology of the planet and driving escalating poverty, social injustice and inequality.
Jason talks about how elitists create conditions that exploit the labor force mercilessly. I have never felt like I was being exploited but in just the last 5 days, the case management department continues to cut staffing because, somehow, the data says we are “overstaffed.” I realized that when I get so anxious at work trying to get it all done and when I work late, that is a form of exploitation. Of course, there are millions of people who are exploited so much more than my discomfort and frustration at my working conditions. But, the degree of exploitation aside..it is still my patients and consumers everywhere who ultimately suffer in some way while the elitists continue to collect record profits.
The book is filled with sobering facts. “The richest 1% have accumulated wealth worth $158 trillion, which amounts to nearly half of the world’s total [wealth]. “
“Data from 2010 indicates that around 400,000 people died that year due to crises related to climate breakdown –mostly hunger and communicable disease. No fewer than 98% of those deaths occurred in the global South. Rich countries will suffer only 1% of climate related deaths within their borders.”
Jason’s degrowth philosophy in a few sentences:
“We must choose to limit growth ourselves. We need to organize the economy so that it operates within planetary boundaries, to maintain the Earth’s life-suporting systems which we depend on for our existence. “
His statement reminds of my question formulated on the bus ride from Banos to Cuenca in December 2022: “What is a sustainable global standard of living?”
I know that I have more than I need of sheltered space, goods, and resources. I want to figure out how to not be wasteful with what I have and to redistribute with love and wisdom my over abundance. Just as happiness and meaning in life don’t correlate with my personal GDP, global measures of happiness and meaning/purpose are not tied national GDP or wealth accumulation, growthism.
Rootstech Expo Hall 2024Sunday dinner with the Burg’sCold Walk on North Ash Street My family
These pictures reflect some of the experiences and people that make my life so blessed.
I often wonder if the efforts I make as a novice genealogist make a difference. I rarely seem to be able to find and attach records to the appropriate people. There are so many options sometimes and it seems like I am just guessing sometimes. Even indexing names sometimes seems like my guess as I try to decipher handwritten records from two hundred years ago. It is easy to feel like my inconsistent and novice efforts to do Family History have little impact for good.
I opened Family Search this morning to do some indexing and found this new (to me) addition to Family Search. A whole page about My Impact. The page shows records I have indexed and records I have attached to persons in Family Search. Another section shows what happened to those names that were indexed and attached.
You indexed Virginia Norfleet Jordan’s name. Her name was taken to the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple on 9 June 2017.
I find this new feature an answer to prayers. I keep trying to do Family History because I know that I have a responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with both the living and the dead. I have a firm testimony that making connections between families is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. Despite having that desire and the testimony, I have struggled to be consistent in working on Family History daily. Seeing these connections now happening because I took 15 minutes to index some names or research some hints, gives me a lot of encouragement and hope that my every effort is meaningful to someone. I do make a difference.
I am also in awe of my mother Serena Watt. She just turned 85 on Saturday, January 13. She has worsening macular degeneration and struggles to see a computer screen. She is an avid indexer of records. I was visiting her this week and found her in front of the computer checking indexed records for accuracy. She has been doing this more often because she can see the typed names better than trying to discern the handwritten names. What an inspiration to me she is! An example of someone whose abilities are declining but she still makes the effort to serve others.
The screenshot shows how much work she has done over the years. I can’t even imagine what her Impact page shows!
My Book of Mormon study at the gym this morning focused a lot on light. The Light of Christ, the Gospel and the Light of the World.
The article in the news talks about how important natural light is to keeping our bodies and minds functioning properly, especially during winter months.
Snowshoeing near Spruces 2023
I am learning to really love snowshoeing in the Canyons. It is a great way to get natural light and exercise.
Jess led us up a mountain
I am so grateful for Jesus Christ who created such an amazing intricate world and the lights of the sun, moon and stars.
Yesterday I started reviewing my journal for the last 15 months. This morning I got up and started writing my life story.
I decided to use a similar format to The Book of Mormon..a title page, eventually some witnesses, an explanation of the format and the books.
I am trying to decide if I organize the books as time periods or more along the lines of concepts/categories.
I made a commitment to myself that I would work on my life history for 20 minutes, then do 20 minutes of Family History and then 15 minutes of decluttering.
I am excited to work on this endeavor. I have known since I heard Sis. Wendy Nelson speak at 2015 BYU Women’s Conference on the power of 1 hour a day of Family History, that I need that power in my life.
I have struggled to make that 1 hour a day a habit but I have begun anew and I am going to see it through.
The Book of Mormon is an integral part of my life. Spiritual development and my journey as a follower of Jesus Christ have been made possible by the contents of The Book of Mormon and the power of its message. It truly is Another Testament of Christ. http://Book of Mormon
I have realized that I don’t share my testimony of the truthfulness, power, and spirit of The Book of Mormon enough. 2024 is the year I change that. I will speak out and I will testify with courage and love.
Recently, a dear friend whom I greatly admire, shared with me his love of The Book of Mormon. He told me how he has read from the Book of Mormon nightly for years. In a voice full of emotion he shared how much he loved the book and how it has blessed his life. My heart was deeply touched by his words. I want to have that same kind of emotion and feeling also as I make a renewed study of The Book of Mormon a daily part of my life.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." Xavier University
I have been thinking about what I have learned from life in 2023. I have been trying to make a list of some the most impactful learning experiences.
Out trip to Ecuador even though it was in December 2022 the experiences of caring for the disabled orphans at OSSO and being in Ecuador have had a lot of positive influence on me.
I learned anew how very comfortable my life is and how much I take for granted in my daily life. I realized as I traveled from Cuenca to Banos and back that I can be more aware, more in the moment and more thankful.
I want to keep trying to answer the question: what standard of living is sustainable and helps people thrive wherever they live in the world?
Tonight Micole, Cassandra, Austin, Gil and I played Skull King. Tyler was also here but he watched and coached Nicole during the game.
Austin is very good at explaining games. He is able to explain complex rules in a way that I can pick up the game pretty quickly. I actually came in 2nd place tonight.
On New Year’s Eve, Gil, Hannah, Tracy, Steve, and Grandma Parkin and I played Settlers of Cataan. We love playing that game and used to play it weekly with Gil’s siblings. We have created many enjoyable memories and lost some sleep playing Settlers. We would all have our kids with us and they played and had fun until they fell asleep at midnight or later.
I truly enjoy playing board and card games. I have also developed a habit of playing Wordle. I have played Wordle for 136 days straight. Today’s word was ‘aging.’
I took some time to be outside today. I added to my compost piles. I filled 2 wheelbarrows of leaves from the road gutter and put the leaves in my garden. I planted onions that had sprouted and also buried 4 different zucchini and yellow squash to see if they will grow come spring. Amazingly, the spinach and other greens I planted in October have grown this much despite freezing temperatures and not much moisture.
We have had very little snow this year. Reason for concern certainly. I plan to fast this upcoming Fast Sunday for snow.
Gil and I worked on various projects around the house today. Samantha and Dan returned to Durango today. Miss them already.
Today I did 10 names from the Improve Places Names option in Family Tree.
Screenshot from Family Tree App
Working on this took me about 5 minutes. Some of the place names I reviewed were for ancestors and others were not my ancestors but they are someone’s ancestors.
I also spent some time on Instagram checking our Family Search posts. Again very informative and they take only a minute of so to read.
I also made connections with Kanda in Thailand on Instagram. I sent her the Church’s post on the Bangkok Thailand Temple Open House and encouraged her to go see the newest temple in Bangkok. Kanda and I had a short conversation over Instagram at 6:30 in the morning. A wonderful connection to start my day.
