Happy Birthday, Angela

Dear Angie, 

We have now been in Chile for one year and missed your last birthday also, but we look forward to seeing you, Darin and Gavin in November.

   Here is your report from your blog one year ago:  “For my birthday today, while Ellie was at preschool, Greyson helped me clear out the diseased zucchini plants from our front beds and put down new bark.  Just what I wanted!!  He was a very good (and cute) helper!

A delivery of flowers arrived just after noon from Darin in China who sent his love and wished he could be here.

Tonight, we'd been invited to the Birds' house for FHE and birthday pie. No pictures there, but it was nice!

44 doesn't feel much different from 43. :)  ”

And now our “little” Angie will be 45.  You have had so many fun trips and adventures this past year. Yet, it has also brought a trial of DCIS.  We see in you a greater faith.  Probably more prayers, love, trust and perspective as well.

Looking out our apartment windows has taught us about  perspective.  The view is amazing of the bay and of this beautiful world.  When a sunset would start, we would say, “Look at it now!”

   Wow!!  And then a few minutes later call and say, “Come and look at it now!!”

  The vastness of it all!

  Our view gives us an expanded perspective.  It “elevates” us.  It brings feelings of amazement – even an eternal perspective.

  

Our mission president is always encouraging his missionaries to set goals which will elevate our thoughts and bring us closer to Christ.

Our Zone watched conference together

  These days in the Church  it seems we all are of necessity working on that.  It seems that the women of the Church especially received wonderful counsel and guidance from Conference!!!

“…Attacks against the Church, its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase.  Because of this, we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation….”  “A Plea to My Sisters”, President Russell M. Nelson, October General Conference 2015

In his conference talk, "My Heart Pondereth Them Continually", Devin G. Durrant, the First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, said, “I sincerely pray you will choose to ponder God’s words in an extended and deeper manner.”

He also said, "I believe Nephi was a ponderizer....

ponderizing is like taking a bite of delicious food and then chewing very, very slowly in order to enjoy it to its fullest."
We believe you, Ang, are a ponderizer.... 

While your Dad is able to eat slowly and savor each bite, your Mom still hasn’t learned that skill.  Ponderizing might be hard !   

Here are a few quotes from Brother Durrant:
“If you choose to ponderize weekly, you may feel a bit like a person who has enjoyed snorkeling in the past

but has now decided to try scuba diving.

 

 With that decision, a deeper understanding of gospel principles will be yours and new spiritual perspectives will bless your life.”

"Can you imagine how

your life and your family’s life will be changed

if you write a new verse of scripture on your heart and mind

every week ...?
I promise…

you will experience a feeling of perpetual spiritual purpose,

protection, and power."

Let’s Ponderize….