Sunday Talks

Rebecca and I were asked to give talks in her parents' ward today. I think they wanted to make sure to get Rebecca in before they joined me in Idaho and when they found out I was coming for Thanksgiving they ended up asking us both to speak. Our topic was receiving personal revelation.

I tried to focus more on making space to receive personal revelation by taking regular time to ponder and meditate. Here are a few of my favorite quotes that I found for my talk:

'If a quiet hour ever opens up in my busy schedule, I’ll use it.’ This approach is certain to fail. Instead, firmly commit a definite hour each week, find a quiet place, and hang a sign on the door: ‘Worries and Trifles Not Allowed.” - Elder Bruce D. Porter

"Frantic, heedless busyness often crowds out contemplation and leaves no room for renewal.” - Elder Neal A. Maxwell

We sometimes “feel that the busier we are, the more important we are—as though our busyness defines our worth; however, noise and busyness can actually crowd out the still small voice of the Spirit.” - Elder Joseph B. Worthlin

"There seems to be little evidence that the Creator of the universe was ever in a hurry. Everywhere, on this bounteous and beautiful earth … there is evidence of patient purpose and planning and working and waiting.” - Elder Richard L. Evans

“Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord.” - President David O. McKay


Rebecca focused on the process of using personal revelation as a tool for progression. Here are a few of my favorite quotes that she shared in her talk:

"The companionship of the Holy Ghost makes what is good more attractive and temptation less compelling. That alone should be enough to make us determined to qualify for the Spirit to be with us always. Just as the Holy Ghost strengthens us against evil, He also gives us the power to discern truth from falsehood. The truth that matters most is verified only by revelation from God. Our human reason and the use of our physical senses will not be enough. We live in a time when even the wisest will be hard-pressed to distinguish truth from clever deception." - President Henry B. Eyring

"For those who are struggling with the high standard needed to qualify for the gift of the Spirit's companionship, I offer this encouragement. You have had times when you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost. It may have happened for you today. You can treat those moments of inspiration like the seed of faith that Alma described (see Alma 32:28). Plant each one. You can do that by acting on the prompting you felt. The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do. If it is to pay tithing or to visit a grieving friend, you should do it. Whatever it is, do it. When you demonstrate your willingness to obey, the Spirit will send you more impressions of what God would have you do for Him. As you obey, the impressions from the Spirit will come more frequently, becoming closer and closer to constant companionship. Your power to choose the right will increase." - President Henry B. Eyring

"The Holy Ghost doesn't tell us to improve everything at once. If He did, we would become discouraged and give up. The Spirit works with us at our own speed, one step at a time, or as the Lord has taught, 'line upon line, precept upon precept, ... and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, ... for unto him that receiveth I will give more.'" - Elder Larry R. Lawrence


Rebecca's talk was excellent and several people mentioned to both of us how great hers was. Instructors even brought up things she included in her talk several times in their lesson. One instructor did mention mine, but I don't think it was on purpose. She was trying to emphasize a point of how you feel a bond with the people in your church ward. She then said that it is just so much more interesting to hear someone from your ward speak than listen to a complete stranger :)

Rebecca and I are just hoping that if we are asked to give a talk soon in our new ward it will also be about personal revelation.

Here are some pictures of the girls in their church dresses today.

This was the face I got when I asked her to smile.

Museum of Flight

Talitha took us to the Museum of Flight in Seattle yesterday. It was a lot of fun. We got to walk through Air Force One and a Concorde jet as well as a space shuttle that was used for training astronauts. I think the kids really liked the Flight Zone where they got to play on smaller airplanes and helicopters. The space section was also neat and it was interesting to see all of the planes used in some of the earlier wars. My favorite though was the SR-71. This was always my favorite plane growing up. I remember making a model of it when I was younger, having a few small toys of it, and reading about it in books. I had seen it at this museum before a long time ago, but this time they actually had a cockpit that you could get in. We all had to give it a try. It was a really fun day and it was super nice of Talitha to take us.

Afterward Christian and Elliott got to hang out with her for a little while longer. Sounds like she took them to a bouncy house, but when they got there she discovered that Christian was not wearing any socks. They had to run across the street to Walmart to pick some up and then got to return. She then took them out to McDonalds. They talked about it for the rest of the night. I think it was a pretty ideal outing for those two boys.

More Birthday Celebrations

With Agnes' birthday last Sunday, Julia's birthday on Thursday, and Karen's birthday on Friday, they all got together and had a big party at the church building on Monday night. Looks like they played a ton of games and had pizza and cupcakes. Here are some of the pictures from the event.

It Pocatello it was fun to see Agnes' and Julia's birthdays listed on the church bulletin even though no one here has met them yet.

Home Updates - November 15th

Over the past couple weeks they have made a lot of progress on our home, although it still seems like they have a lot to go.


Here is what they got done:

They finished up all of the trim downstairs and painted all of the rooms down there.

Most of the house will be painted this light gray color. 

 One of the bedrooms and the bathroom downstairs we had painted light blue.

 It's hard to tell in these pictures, but this room is a light green.

They finished up all of the trim upstairs, including a window bench seat for one of the upstairs bedrooms, the main arches for the entryway and the greatroom, the master bedroom trim, all of the closets, and the trim part of the fireplace.

They put in the tile flooring for two of the bathrooms and the cabinetry for all of the bathrooms.

They put in the travertine flooring for the laundry room. They also put the cabinetry in there and built the bench seat.

They put in the kitchen cabinetry.

Here is what is left:
Outside they still need to pour the driveway and sidewalks, build the mailbox/lamppost, build stairs off the deck, finish the final grading of the yard, cover the eves, put in the gutters, put on the garage doors, and put in all of the light fixtures.

Inside they still need to paint the upstairs, put down the hardwood floor, put the counter-tops on all of the cabinetry, put down the carpet, do the tile that goes on the walls or in the showers, put in the plumbing fixtures, put in the appliances, and put in all of the finishing touches (light fixtures, speakers, doorknobs, vent covers, etc.).

Do you think they will finish by the end of the month?