Fred and Paula’s Most Excellent Adventure

  This week, Fred and I took the opportunity to take an 8 hour carving class from my mom.  The Utah Valley Woodcarver's Club held a carving show in Spanish Fork.  It was so amazing to see the talent and creativity of so many people's works of art. Many, including my mom, have worked  years to develop the skills of carving.  I loved the comradery among the fellow carvers.  They willing help each other as they work together in their individual creations. It was amazing to see a block of wood take shape and become something more.   I have always loved what Michelangelo said about sculpting. "The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material." Fred and I had the opportunity to go to Italy for our 30th Anniversary a few years ago.  My breath was taken away when I saw the sculpture of Pieta (Mary holding the body of Christ).  It was so beautifu...

In our missionary work at the Church History Library, I am reading the journal of the first recorder in the Salt Lake Temple.  The time period is 1892-1908.  I read for 6 hours a day. I begin to feel the joy and sorrows of his life.  It helps me see my life in a different light comparing what we have now to what they had then. There are two other missionaries in my office reading journals from the same man but different time periods.  We share the heart aches and joys with each other as we read about his experiences during his life span.  I have found one main thing in common.  Family--it is central to our life. It is where we experience our greatest joys and sometimes our greatest sorrows.   This week we participated in the sealing ordinance in the temple.  It has been a long time since I have heard the powerful words and felt the spirit of that ordinance.  I felt my Heavenly Father's love.  I felt a deep love for Fred as we renewed tho...

  On Labor Day, the Church History Library closed giving us some time off.  We decided to go on a hike in the mountains.  We found a beautiful reservoir in Little Cotton Wood Canyon.  Spending time outdoors helps renew my spirit.  I feel closer to God as I observe his beautiful creations.  These things testify of him. In the Book of Mormon, an anti-Christ came among the people teaching, there is no God, there is no Christ.  He taught that these things were just traditions passed down from their fathers to usurp power and authority over them.  He told them you don't know there is a Christ.  He taught there is no God--'a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be.' Alma the prophet said, "...The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form...

  We are so sad to learn that several of our friends in Houston have contracted COVID-19.  Our hearts are broken 💔 that they are suffering so much.  As you, we are so ready for this pandemic to end!!  Please know our prayers are with you.  I found some comfort in these scriptures this week... Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the Lord of Sabbaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament--the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted. Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory saith the Lord.  D&C 98:1-3  Just prior to the Savior's death He instituted the sacrament.  This is an opportunity for us to rememb...