Ask for Help

Wednesday night, we were taking Joshua to the church for activities. We had just finished scripture reading. I came into the kitchen, and there were dirty dishes everywhere and pots full of food. I started cleaning dishes, but we were already running late, so I wouldn't have time to clean up and put the food away like I usually do. I asked the rest of the family for help because I couldn't do it all by myself and still get to church on time. They put the food away, I washed the dishes, and we arrived in time for the opening prayer.

This morning, Kitten told me that she liked how I invited everyone to help with the dishes.

Maybe I could do that more often?

And not just for dishes...

Daily Ponderings: For Love's Sake

Philemon 1:9

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

I should ask people to do me favors

I can have the courage to ask

TFHW: Some More Places

3-30-22
Improved place names: Luxumbourg
Texted Jacom Davie to ask about youth temple trip; no response

Daily Ponderings: Them That Love Us in the Faith

Titus 3:15

All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

I should teach others who I am, so that it they love me, it includes my faith.

I can talk about my faith boldly, to share, and not to shame, to offer the joys of it with kindness.

TFHW: Counsel

3-29-22
Considered how to counsel Michael about transitions.
Attended Kitten's covenant class

Hello. I Embrace You and Remove Your Power.

Adversity is my friend. Adversity is my companion.

Adversity does not understand... I'm not locked in here with him... He's locked in here with me.

It's just you and me buddy. Not scared, are you?

Daily Ponderings: Being Condemned of Himself

Titus 3:11

Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

I should use that which I know to be true to examine my life; so that I can know what to keep, discard, or modify.

I can progress daily and maintain my gains.

TFHW: Roy's Last Days

3-28-22
Redacted Roy Edwards Nursing Home Card

The Turnaround

This stinks... How can I use it to my advantage?

Satan's answer: You can't

My response: If that's true that I can't do anything, why are you telling me that? Why not just let me waste my time in fruitless efforts? Are you trying to help me? Are you my friend? Are you trying to help me use my time more efficiently? You never have before. I don't think you are now, either... Depart.

Everything

Everything is a blessing that I should be grateful for. Everything.

Daily Ponderings: He Shed on Us Abundantly

Titus 3:6

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

I should notice the blessings in my life

I can be strengthened when I recognize the good things in my life and name them.

TFHW: Love and Gather

3-27-22
Texted TFH council, Ether 1:41 and invitation to tell a family member you love them, and copy of TFH plan
Finished attaching Robert Tenant obituary; added story about Marietta and their son John (Jack)
Uploaded and attached Roy Edwards obituary

Proof of Love

Do I love myself? Do I spend time with, listen to, and speak words of honest admiration about... me?

Proof of Happiness

How many times a day do I smile?

How many times a day *could* I smile?

How many times a day did Jesus smile?

Aftersight

If, in the afterlife, I watched a movie of my life, during what parts of it would I be yelling at the the screen for myself to make another choice?

Knowing that, would I be cringing at today's choices?

Should I be doing something different? Or is this like my beliefs, where I'm entitled to any action I'm willing to defend publicly if someone were to ask?

Ugly Duckling 2.0

What if the ugly duckling had known who he was the whole time and acted like a swan his whole life in spite of the world labeling him as nothing but an ugly duckling?

Daily Ponderings: These Things Speak

Titus 2:15

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

I should follow promptings to speak whenever I am given them.

I can speak and be a blessing to God, others, and myself

TFHW: The Big House

3-26-22
Did initiatory and sealings

Daily Ponderings: The Grace of God

Titus 2:11

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

I should seek His help in all things and not try to do it alone.

I can let Him help me feel better.

TFHW: Tenants

3-25-22
Finished transcribing and attaching John Tenant
Transcribed, started attaching Robert Tenant

Daily Ponderings: Exhort to be Sober Minded

Titus 2:6

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

I should share my knowledge and insights with others who face similar problems.

I can be a blessing when I share wisdom.

Daily Ponderings: Write the Things Which Ye Have Seen and Heard

3 Nephi 27:23

Write the things which ye have seen and heard, save it be those which are forbidden.

I should write the things I know to be true, then study them until they are a part of me.

This may take a long time. I should be kind and patient with myself during the transformation.

Daily Ponderings: Write the Things Commanded Me by the Lord

3 Nephi 26:12

Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings, and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me.

I should write the commandments I have been given so that I can recall, study, and do them until they become written in my heart, and are so much a part of me that I won't need to think about them consciously in order to do them.

Daily Ponderings: Commanded It Should Be Written

3 Nephi 23:13

And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded.

I must write my commandments as proof that I have these personal covenants

Daily Ponderings: Teach What You Have Expounded

3 Nephi 23:14

And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should teach the things which he had expounded unto them.

After I have been told and taught, I should teach what I have learned

Daily Ponderings: Give Heed and Write

3 Nephi 23:4

Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.

Writing my commandments down is part of the process of obedience and fulfillment.

Daily Ponderings: Unto the Land of Their Fathers

3 Nephi 20:29

And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people; and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Father.

I have an inheritance in the heaven from whence I came. That is the land of my fathers.

TFHW: Barely Known

3-24-22
Began transcribing John C. Tenant obituary

Pure of Heart

I can tell when I am pure of heart when I actively seek more, or better, to embrace the good.

When I move to embrace the good, I automatically flee the evil.

Write and Act

From D. Todd Christofferson's 3-23-22 BYU Address "The First Commandment First":

"Keep a record of revelation you receive and act accordingly"

Daily Ponderings: Unto Every Good Work

Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

I should try doing good works unto myself and see what happens.

I can minister to myself whenever I need it I can ask for comfort, I can celebrate joy. I can be happy. All the time. Without permission or preconditions.

Not quite. I give myself permission to be happy all the time. Because my life is just right. Everything in it is exactly the way it's supposed to be.

"It's possible..."

TFHW: See If That's Right

3-23-22
Reviewed 20 names

Daily Ponderings: Teaching Things Which They Ought

Titus 1:11

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

I should teach to others the things that make my life better.

I can be aware of when my knowledge would be useful to others and pass it along in a way that would be useful to them where they're currently at.

TFHW: Sitting

3-22-22
Sat with Joshua during Kitten's class
Transcribed, uploaded, attached Lott Wright's obituary
Sent John Conachen obituary to siblings
Transcribed, uploaded, attached Cedelia Doinne obituary

Trust Over Time

As I progress in the gospel, I feel comfortable giving Him broader and broader blanket permission to change my heart in whatever way it needs.

Inviting Change

I have to ask for my heart to be changed. No ask, no change.

It's like answering "are you sure?" when you go to overwrite a file.

Daily Ponderings: Be Blameless

Titus 1:6

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

I should be kind in all things

I can get help from Him, His peace and power, if being kind is hard. As I practice, I can make kindness habitual, to God others, and myself.

Do I need to be kind to God?

Daily Ponderings: The Name by Which He Shall Call You

Mosiah 5:12

I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.

I am Christian, one who embraces loving God, neighbor, and self. I flee all else.

I love by spending time with, listening to, and speaking words of honest admiration about.

Daily Ponderings: I Will Remember Their Sin No More

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

After I have exorcised the unhelpful behavior, there is no point in remembering the error. It has served its purpose of correction and may be safely discarded

Daily Ponderings: Law in My Inward Parts

Jeremiah 31:33

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

I will choose what to embrace and what to flee, based on His commandments: love Him, love my neighbor, love myself

Changing, Turning, Purifying Hearts

From David A. Bednar's April 2020 "Let This House Be Built Unto My Name":

"... the essence of the Lord's work is changing, turning, and purifying hearts..."

I choose a new behavior, I become aware of the old behavior, I focus on doing the new instead of the old, I have fatih in my ability to form the new habit.

I pray to be given a keener awareness, sharper focus, stronger faith (belief in the face of an uncertain outcome)

Covenants and Ordinances

From David A. Bednar's April 2020 "Let This House Be Built Unto My Name":

"...through gospel covenants and priesthood ordinances."

Covenants and ordinances enable me to believe that I have access to the power I need to make whatever changes I want in my life

Who We Are, Who We Will Become

From David A. Bednar's April 2020 "Let This House Be Built Unto My Name":

"Our hearts - the sum total of our desires, affections, intentions, motives, and attitudes - define who we are and determine what we will become."

I become what I think about most of the time.

My heart is my emotions. Emotions are the shortcuts to know what I should embrace and what I should flee

With intellect, practice, and habit I can replace things I feel strongly about with other things that serve me better.

TFHW: Lott's Wife

3-21-22
Transcribed, uploaded, attached Emilie Wright's obituary
Transcribed, uploaded, attached John Conachen's obituary
Texted Phoebe Olson to ask her dad about getting family names for the temple. Dave says not now.
Studied investigator question with family

Daily Ponderings: Be With Thy Spirit

2 Timothy 4:22

The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The best part of me is never alone. I should seek His companionship

My spirit can be supported by His Spirit

TFHW: Jacob's Home

3-20-22
Transcribed, uploaded, attached Jacob Conachen's obituary

Daily Ponderings: He Hath Greatly Withstood Our Words

2 Timothy 4:15

Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

I should be persistent in seeking peace, power, and kindness.

I can turn to these whenever the adversary whispers.

TFHW: Where We Are Sealed Together

3-19-22
Did sealings at the temple
Transcribed, uploaded, attached Jacob Conachen's death announcement

Daily Ponderings: All Them Also That Love His Appearing

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

I should live my life so that, when He comes, I will be glad to see Him. That He knows everything I have done and accepts me unconditionally.

I can allow myself to feel safe and loved by Him

TFHW: Note Out

3-18-22
Texted TFH Council

Daily Ponderings: Thoroughly Furnished Unto All Good Works

2 Timothy 3:17

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

I will be given everything I need to live a happy life. I should look for these tools and use them.

I can be happy and without fear

TFHW: Wing and a Prayer, Without the Wing

3-17-22
Prayed for TFH Council

Daily Ponderings: Out of Them All the Lord Delivered Me

2 Timothy 3:11

Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

When things are troubling me, I should look for a way out with His peace, power, and kindness

Peace, power, and kindness can always make everything better

TFHW: Harriet Rests

3-16-22
Uploaded and attached Harriet Edwards obituary

Daily Ponderings: Intent to Save Souls

Alma 26:26

But behold, my beloved brethren, we came into the wilderness not with the intent to destroy our brethren, but with the intent that perhaps we might save some few of their souls.

It takes energy to focus on the needs and desires of the person I'm talking to, but it brings the best results.

Daily Ponderings: They Which Creep Into Houses

2 Tiomothy 3:6

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts

Wherever I go, I should walk boldly

I can walk in all places with power and without fear, for He is always with me.

TFHW: Great Aunt Harriet

3-15-22
Transcribed Harriet Edwards obituary, sent it to siblings, Roger, Aunt Marion

Worship the Lord

Declare Him to be good, and seek to become more like Him. Peace. Power. Kindness.

The Most Important Thing

Treat everyone the way Christ would treat them. Make it more important than everything else.

Stand in His Place

I should strive to be His hands, His voice, His embrace. I should find out what Michael wants and help him get it.

Become Like Jesus

Peace. Power. Kindness

What Would You Have Me Do?

In prayer, ask "what would you have me do?" then do it. Don't be afraid. It's possible the answer might be "continue as you are"

Don't Trust That Voice

The adversary is trying to bring you down. Don't trust that voice. Never take those first, enticing steps down that path. Listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost

Ministering: the Goal

My job is to find out what the husband's goals for his family are, and figure out what I can do to help. It may only be to be encouraging.

Mentor

Spend the time to teach people what I want them to do.

A Good Way to Minister

Feel more connected with lighthearted fun. It doesn't always have to be serious and heavy. Take the opportunity to make a memory

Ministering

Take Michael ministering to the Davies & Langes and talk about mission prep. Bring Swedish cookies.

Touch a Life for Good

Be uplifting and Spirit-filled

What They Want to Know

They want to know that they're loved, that they're thought of, and that they're cared about. Help them know.

A Kindness

Think of someone. Write them a sincere thank you note and give it to them.

Daily Ponderings: Out of the Snare of the Devil

2 Timothy 2:26

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

When I feel out of sorts from time to time, I should remember to smirk patronizingly at the adversary's predictable tricks.

I can dismiss disempowering feelings, replacing them with peace, power, and kindness.

TFHW: FHE

3-14-22
Did Family Home Evening

Daily Ponderings: Their Word Will Eat

2 Timothy 2:17

And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

Words are powerful. I should choose carefully the ones I use inside my head, and to others.

I can embrace vocabulary that makes me more peaceful, more powerful, and kinder.

TFHW: The Extra Mile

3-13-22
Picked up boys at Chicago Airport
Helped create treasure hunt for the boys

Daily Ponderings: The Word of God Is Not Bound

2 Timothy 2:9

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Commandments aren't restricting, they're freeing to all other areas.

TFHW: For Art's Sake

3-12-22
Suggested Joshua enter an art show

Daily Ponderings: He Ministered Unto Me

2 Timothy 1:18

The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

I should be as kind to myself as He is unto me

I can follow every sad thought with a smile of knowing who sent that thought, and that I just busted his game.

TFHW: Questions 3-11-22 Texted TFH Council Endowment at temple

3-11-22
Texted TFH Council
Endowment at temple

Daily Ponderings: That Good Thing Which Was Committed Unto Thee

2 Timothy 1:14

That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

I should notice the good and be quick to laughter.

I can choose to enjoy my life deliberately

Smirk more at the feeble attempts of the adversary to discourage

TFHW: Oh Brother

3-10-22
Emailed Tom

Daily Ponderings: Sound Words, Which Thou Hast Heard

2 Timothy 1:13

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

I should strive to hear Him.

I can make the effort to listen, and He will tell me what I need to do, if I come to Him with a willing heart. As I experiment on His word, I will come to know that His way is the right way for me, and that following these small personal commandments, that I have reqested, will bless my life and the lives of those around me.

Who Taught You?

Question for people I meet who seem nice. "You seem very kind, who taught you to be like that?"

Laughter

I should keep practicing until my initial reaction to frustration is laughter.

TFHW: Follow-Up

3-9-22
Called Gary
Emailed Tom

Daily Ponderings: All the Study

Mosiah 21:36

And now all the study of Ammon and his people, and king Limhi and his people, was to deliver themselves out of the hands of the Lamanites and from bondage.

If I have a righteous desire, I should spend time studying it.

I can learn how to bring to pass my righteous desires by asking for help and guidance and strength

Daily Ponderings: Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear, But of Power

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

When I fear that the future will not be as good as the present, I can turn to Him and let Him calm my fears and send me peace.

I should turn to Him and let Him calm my fears and send me peace

TFHW: The Lonely

3-8-22
Called Gary

Daily Ponderings: Grace Be With Thee

1 Timothy 6:21

Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

I should look for moments of divine help during my day.

I can see His hand in my life and give thanks for it.

TFHW: Come Together

3-7-22
Visited Tom

Daily Ponderings: In His Times He Shall Shew

1 Timothy 6:15

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

I should look for the hand of the Lord in my life.

I can see and appreciate, be grateful for, be thankful for the way He helps me

TFHW: Talking About It Is the Most Important Thing

3-6-22
Bore testimony on TFHW
Talked to Ward Council about TFHW
Reviewed names
Indexed
Fasted for Betty
Put Roger, Betty, Jeff, Jaxon, & Jaxon's mom on prayer roll
Called Gary - Not home
Encouraged Dave Olson to go to the temple
Invited AJ to send Rockettes video to grandkids
Invited Iran to tell Nahti the story about Nahti's name
Mark Ritcher told great story about 18 year old deceased by drowning who thanked him for finding him on Family Search
Rachel Howell told about asking how to love her children and give them what they need and getting answers in the temple
Talked to President Nussbaum about looking into your wife's eyes during sealings, after getting temple recommend interview
Reserved James E. Butler & Ione Butler's work
Uploaded Herbert Edwards marriage record
Attached marriage record to Eva Cedelia Doine
Uploaded Herbert Edwards WWI draft card
Uploaded Herbert Edwards WWII draft card
Finished attaching Herbert Edwards obituary
Transcribed Roy Edwards obituary
Asked Elizabeth Merry for more obituaries

The Future Is a Closed Book

I asked to know when the baby would arrive. I was told that I would not be told. Knowing the future is for celestial exalted beings. I am not there yet. If I were to be told details about the future I would either run to them or run away from them. My life is for embracing, not for running.

I am to love my wife and invite my child. She will be my first born whether here or there. She is coming. And I am to invite regardless of age or circumstances. Her coming is in God's hands not mine.

Apostolic Blessing from Elder Rasband

During the youth conference in Appleton on February 25, 2022, Elder Ronald A. Rasband blessed us to have:

That which you desire in righteousness
A desire to feast on the words of Christ
The knowledge that Jesus is the answer to all questions
The desire to seek answers to our questions from the scriptures, the Topical Guide, friends, leaders, parents, and advisors
The ability to keep the commandments
The ability to prosper in the land, with "prosper" meaning our COMPLETE well-being
To have a greater capacity to love Jesus
To be bold to bear witness of Him

Fear

Fear = to hold the disempowering belief that what lies ahead cannot be as good as what we already have.

Nearer, My God, to Thee

Failure to obey God is to sin, which means to distance ourselves from God. Proximity matters. Similarity matters. "Near" means both proximity and similarity.

Remember

When the scriptures say "remember", they mean that we should reconnect fully to a time when we were in a more powerful state.

Daily Ponderings: Be Therewith Content

1 Timothy 6:8

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

I should note and be grateful for the blessings in my life.

I can forcus on something good about my life, instead of lack

TFHW: Temple, Family, and History

3-5-22
Went to the temple
Cookies to Roger & Betty
Checked to see if Madison Zoo would make a good family trip
Accepted invitation to speak to Ward Council on Sunday

Daily Ponderings: Count Their Own Masters Worthy of All Honour

1 Timothy 6:1

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

If I am a servant to a habit or desire, I should see that I am a servant to worthy ones.

I can be made powerful through the mastery of good habits. This is how He became exalted.

TFHW: I Invite, I Win

3-4-22
Invited Corey to do indexing
Texted TFH Council, invited them to invite someone to Indexing Weekend
Watched TFH leadership video

Daily Ponderings: Good Works

1 Timothy 5:25

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

I should do good works, which always bring blessings

I can feel powerful; impervious enough to show kindness to myself and those around me

It requires peace and power to be kind to myself

I can ask for and receive the peace and power I need to be kind to myself. This can becomer increasingly habitual, until it becomes effortless. It becomer easier as I become more like Him

TFHW: Read Cursive

3-3-22
Reviewed names in Illinois (new Family Search feature)

Daily Ponderings: Rule Well

1 Timothy 5:17

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

I should direct my home with kindness

I can feel peaceful enough to be kind

TFHW: Doine

3-2-22
Worked on untangling Herbert Edwards' ex-wife Eva Cedelia Doine

Daily Ponderings: A Widow Be Taken Into the Number

1 Timothy 5:9

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

I should seek to see everyone as they truly are.

I can be kind

TFHW: Be Supportive

3-1-22
Attended Kitten's covenant class
Fetched WWII draft card for Paul Rizzuto for Corey
Asked Michael how he was feeling

Daily Ponderings: Take Heed Unto Thyself

1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

I should listen to what my soul is trying to tell me.

I can listen to discover what I need and ask for it.

TFHW: Tangled Without the Tower

2-28-22
Worked on untangling Herbert Edwards' ex-wife Sedelia Doine