Make them Thirsty

     There is a saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." And so it is with children. I can lead my children to the truths of the gospel but how do I get them to drink? And then the thought came to me, my job was to make them thirsty.

     I remember when my children were young and I took them to a video store to rent a movie. Shelby wanted to rent a "new, modern" movie that had just been released. I don't remember what the movie was, but I do remember feeling that this movie did not bring out the best values and it was not going to teach my children anything "good or praiseworthy". I remember suggesting that we get an "old" movie. Yes, you know the ones, the black and white ones where there is a lot of singing and dancing, with happy faces, good prevails and everyone lives happily ever after. They weren't thrilled with my choice. So I said, "Ok, we'll get the new one." But I went ahead and rented the 'old' one too, knowing or hoping that they would all end up watching with me. And all I could do was to hope that they would soon appreciate the values taught in the 'old' movies.
 
     We went home and watched the new movie. It was funny and we all laughed together and then I put in my old movie. I didn't make them watch it, but invited them to come in and sit with me. I don't remember exactly what movie it was, but I do remember we watched it two or three times and never watched the 'new' movie again. Watching old movies is now a family favorite. We have grown to appreciate the light hearted humor associated with those old movies. We watch a lot of new movies also, but we have a deeper appreciation for the arts of good music, singing, dancing and acting.

     We are taught  in the Doctrine of Covenants section 93:40 to "bring up your children in light and truth." We are also taught that we began as spirits in the pre-existence as intelligence's with our Heavenly Father. It is our nature to "cleave unto intelligence" as we are taught in section 88:40 of the Doctrine of Covenant's. "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom, truth embraceth truth, virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light." We are drawn to truth and light by nature. Children by nature want all that is good. They will by nature be drawn to what is good.

    For every good influence you make on your children, Satan will make 20 bad ones. As a young girl, my youngest daughter Jenny stood in front of the TV watching a talk show where a number of women were expressing their opinions of the freedom to choose to have abortions if they wanted to. All of a sudden Jenny shouted out, "Why don't they let them choose for themselves, after all it's their bodies!"

     I was stunned. I thought, "Hasn't she grown up in this house with all my other children; where she has been taught the value of the unborn child and the responsibility one has to that unborn child they are carrying and the choice they made that got them into that circumstance? I remember just staring at her dumbfoundedly. A paradigm shift in my thinking was made. Then I realized that the world was voicing opinions everyday, many times a day to my children and how many times in a day did I voice my opinion in opposition to the evilness around them?

     I began a campaign at that moment. I began to search for opportunities and ways to make my children "thirsty"; thirsty for righteousness and all that was good. I took advantage of every opportunity that came along for them to be exposed to what I felt was the voice of proper values and principles. I prayed to know how to direct them. Up until that moment I didn't feel it necessary to take them to every extra church meeting held, but then I realized I needed to fight back and take advantage of every teaching moment and of every chance for them to feel the spirit. I began taking them to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. Jenny and I set a goal to visit every temple in Utah. I decided I might as well take Jacob with us too. I began to pray that they would have testimony building experiences in their lives and that I would recognize and take advantage of those opportunities when they came.

     Shorty after praying for those opportunities, one arose. Jenny and I had gone to a store to get some clothes out of law-a-way that she had there.  She gave me $20.00 to pay on her clothes while she kept $50.00 dollars in her little black coin purse, which she took with her while trying on some other clothes. When we went to leave the store she had realized that she left her coin purse in the dressing room. Of course it was gone and no one had turned it in. I felt horrible. I knew the money was gone. She had worked so hard to save it. She was planing on using it for a 6th grade graduation party the next weekend. She was very quiet as we drove home. I didn't know what to say. I felt angry that people could be so dishonest. Then the Lord pricked my heart and thoughts and showed me a better way.

     I had been given a teaching opportunity to teach her to rely on her Heavenly Father. I began to tell her, "Jenny, your money is gone. I am sure who ever took it spent it or left immediately with it. But if you will go to your Heavenly Father in prayer and tell him that you earned this money honestly and ask him to help you earn it back, I know he will help you." And then I felt very impressed to say to her, "Jenny, people will call you to babysit, even people you do not know, will call you to babysit!"

     What did I just say? I was stunned at my own words! I know the Lord had inspired me to say those things, although I wondered myself what that meant and who might call her? When we got home she went immediately to her room and said a prayer. The phone rang. A neighbor asked if she could tend that night. The phone rang again. A girl introduced herself as the sister of another lady at our church and was needing a babysitter for the next night, Saturday night; a young lady Jenny did not even know.

     The calls continued to come throughout the week until Jenny had earned all her money back. It was answer to her prayer and mine. A great lesson had been learned by both of us.

     Many other opportunities came to teach faith. We must pay attention and never be afraid to trust in the Lord to teach our children to trust in Him.  He will always answer the prayers of a mother and her children to have faith in him. They will want to trust him. They will feel good to feel close to their heavenly Father. They will begin to thirst after righteousness and will no longer need to be led to the waters edge, but will walk hand in hand with you there and will have a great desire to stay close to the waters edge where they can partake of the water anytime they want or need to.

Learning to Love Unconditionally through the Master's Touch

A number of years ago, I  had one of the most spiritual experiences of my life and also one of the most difficult. I found out I had breast cancer. I will never forget the feelings I had during the first two weeks of finding out about this cancer. 

The most frightening thought was that I might not be here for my children when they needed me, and that I would miss some of the best years of raising them. It was a difficult period of time, but I quickly recognized the spirit of the Lord was attending me constantly throughout the surgeries and for the next two years! I found out later that many people had been praying for me.

I found myself succoring those who came to succor me. I was lifted up by the presence of the Lord's spirit that attended me. I basked in his light and I soon began to see that I was being tutored by the Lord. I didn't recognize it at first, but little by little, I became aware of each teaching moment.

 One of the greatest things I was taught was how much the Lord loves us. I felt his unconditional love for me, every moment of every day. I began to look on others with this same love. It was like I was able to see them through His eyes; almost as if I could see into their earthly bodies and see their spirits. One day at work I helped a young man, who I was told was very belligerent, foul mouthed and had been refused care by the other nurses who had grown disgusted by his rudeness.  I will never forget walking into his room and looking him in the eyes. 

There I saw a young boy wracked with torment from  the heavy load he carried. It was if I could see his burdens surrounding him. My soul filled with love for him and I wanted to take him in my arms and rock him, as I would a hurt child. I called him softly by name and asked him if I could help him get dressed. He looked me in the eyes and I felt his heart soften. Somehow our spirits connected. I knew, that he knew, he could trust me. 

I helped him slip his shirt up around his shoulders and one by one I buttoned his shirt, while he patiently watched me nimbly push each button through the snug buttonholes. He quietly gathered his things, not saying a word to me, and left without proper discharging. One of the nurses turned to me and said, "How did you do that?" I said, shrugging my shoulders, "I just treated him like I would have anyone else." 

I wish I could explain how I came to feel this love for others. I was taught directly by the Lord. It changed my life. I don't ever look at people now the way I did before that day. I was taught by the Masters touch.  I began to see my own children differently and my husband. I saw my parents, my brothers and sisters and everyone one I met differently! Only our Heavenly Father sees an individuals potential. He understands what each of us is dealing with, and our abilities or inabilities to deal with each trial that presents its self upon us.

 I saw how important it is to always be positive and never, ever, focus on the weaknesses.  Our Heavenly Father sees our strengths and our potential. He knew us in the preexistence and knows what we are capable of.  He encourages us always. He is forgiving and He is kind. He cries for us when we are hurting and is merciful when we are repentant and would only say to us "Go and sin no more." 

Be kind. Be loving. Be gentle. Never, ever, be critical of the sweet, sweet spirits the Lord has entrusted into your care. Love them as he would love them and as He loves you. Be tolerant of their mistakes as He is with yours.

Encourage them as he does you. Recognize their potential and bask in their goodness. Be ever tolerant of their weaknesses and wrongdoings because often they have inherited them from you!

The Lord loves us in spite of our weaknesses. Treat them with the same respect that you would give the prophet because they are potentially Gods and Goddess's, Priests and Priestess's and heirs to all our Father has.

I could not bare the disappointment of our Father, who felt I did not give my children the love they needed to be secure in themselves and in their relationships with their Heavenly Father and Mother. 

Even though having cancer was one of the hardest trials I have had to deal with, it has been the best spiritual experience of my life. I learned things through that trial that I am not sure I could have learned any other way. I am so thankful for the things the Lord has taught me. When I have had weaknesses that I have wanted to overcome and have prayed earnestly and sincerely about, the Lord has always given me trials or experiences in my life that have caused a change in my heart and has helped me to overcome them. For that I am grateful. I don't think I had the ability to overcome them by myself. Those mighty changes of heart come through the Lord Jesus Christ alone. 
He is the  healer of the soul. For that I am eternally grateful. Amen. 

"Mother's Pearls"

My second eldest daughter Shelby went to China to teach English. When she returned, she brought me back a string of pearls. They are beautiful and I enjoy wearing them very much because she gave them to me.

One day I looked at those pearls and realized that some day in the very distant future, I hope, she will probably wear them also. On occasion my children will make comments about some of my "things" they would like to inherit when I am gone. I never was 'into' that sort of thing because they are just things.

When my grandmother, whom I loved dearly, died, I inherited a couple of her journals. They are the dearest and most meaningful possessions I have of hers. When I read them I feel like she is right there with me and am inspired by her writings. She taught me many things as did many other women in my life. Each little bit of knowledge I have gained, is like a pearl on that strand. My life is like that necklace and I still feel like I am adding to it. I decided that the greatest thing I could leave my children would be the 'pearls of knowledge' I have gained over the years of my lifetime, for what they are worth.

I was inspired to write the thoughts that come to me because of a question  posed to me by my daughter Jenny. She asked me one day, "How did you do it? How did you raise us kids?" It wasn't an easy question to answer. I thought a lot about it and once in a while some examples of inspiration in moments of child rearing would come to me and decided I needed to write them down.

No one taught me how to raise children before I had them. I had the example of my parents but knew there were many things I would like to add to what I learned from them. And that was the beginning. I am eternally grateful for the examples of others who taught me how to raise good children. I write these thoughts and feelings that come to me in behalf of my children and grandchildren so that they perhaps can learn from my mistakes and successes and start where I left off, improving on my example.

"Christmas" when our thoughts are turned to thee

                                     Reflections of Christ


     One day I was sitting in our family room reflecting on our Savior and the many blessings that I had received from him or because of him. My heart was so full of gratitude for my Savior Jesus Christ and my mind began to speak these words, when I soon realized that what I was doing and thinking was bearing my testimony to myself. I thought I should write these words and thoughts down on paper.

     At this time of year when I am reflecting on our Savior and his birth, I think back to the thoughts that I had that day.

                           My Personal testimony of Jesus Christ

"I bear witness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His life and his mission here on earth.

I know He came voluntarily to this earth, because He loved us so much. He is the Son of God, our eternal Heavenly Father and bore witness of this fact. His gospel is left to us in full, in the scriptures, that we might be able to have direction and personal revelation in our lives.

I bear testimony of the scriptures and the importance of reading them daily in our lives.

He taught the gospel in word and in deed, or by example, that we might know how to act and how to treat others and how to love others unconditionally.

He was and is the example of perfection;
He overcame the world-all things
He loved unconditionally
His mercies know no bounds
His arms are outstretched always waiting for us to ask for his help
He is one whose compassion heels the broken heart and body of all who would believe on him
And whose purpose iss to bring to pass the eternal life and glory of us all.

I LOVE Him! He is my protector, my comforter, he soothes my troubled heart. He leads me, and guides me, and walks beside me.

His spirit goes out before me daily and prepares the way for me. He stands as a witness before God in my behalf as my mediator and petitions our Heavenly Father to have mercy on my soul."


I know our Father lives and loves us! I love Him too. I am thankful for Jesus Christ, for all that he suffered on the cross for me, that I might, if I live worthily, return to live with my Heavenly parents again. These things I humbly bear witness of in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

    
 My wish at this time of year is that we all remember our Savior and His gifts to us and in turn try to emulate these gifts in how we treat others.

     I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

  "Come and Learn of Me"



We are studying the New Testament this year in our Sunday School classes. So I decided that I would study about Christ from the set of books written by Bruce R. McConkie, an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints or LDS Church, or commonly known as the Mormons.

The second book in this set, The Mortal Messiah, and actually printed as Book 1, is where I have taken most of my thoughts and quotes from today.

This invitation is always issued when the Lord has a people on earth; to "Come and Learn of Me". In every dispensation people have been invited to learn of Christ. In our day the invitation is,

"Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me, I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of my Father, and I do His will." D&C 19:23-34

We are told in 1 Corinthians 12:3, to "Come unto me and receive my spirit, THEN shall ye have power to learn of me." Joseph Smith taught us this "No man can know that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost,"

Everyone learns from someone else. Bruce R. McKonkie said,

"If all instruction and education ceased, if all patterns of living were taken away, civilization would cease in one generation, and all of earth's inhabitants would sink to a state of barbarism. Because of this, our merciful Heavenly Father endows his children, when they come to this earth, with the Light of Christ, a righteous power and influence which proceeds forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space."

It is the Spirit of Christ that allows us to learn and understand the truth of all things. We just need to
live so that we are worthy to have his spirit with us. We can pray to our Heavenly Father to know the truth of all things. When we have hard decisions to make in life and we don't know which way to turn--we can turn to our Father in Heaven who will tell us in our hearts and minds what is the right course to take. Even if we have to step out into the darkness, the Lord will not let us get too far into our decision without letting us know whether or not we have made the right choice. But we must always be listening so we can feel and hear that still small voice.

These answers often come to me in the early morning hours, when things are peaceful and when I am not distracted by earthly matters. I have learned when I hear the words in my mind, "I should" or "I wonder if" then the Lord is telling me that I need to go and do the things I was thinking of. I might have a feeling inside of heaviness or uneasiness about something. Or I might doubt or have hesitations about something. I have learned that the Lord is telling me that whatever it is, it is not for me, or the timing might not be right. It takes a long time to learn these feelings and what they mean. I have learned by trial and error, as we all must. But we are all here to learn from life's experiences that we might know the good from the evil. These experiences will make us grow closer to our Heavenly Father.

He wants us to be happy! He is very aware of us and what is going on in our lives. He will prepare the way for us if we just ask him to. He loves us. He loves you. He wants us to Come to Him.

Love, Nanna

The Peace this Season brings,


I woke up this morning to a most peaceful scene. SNOW! Lots of snow! Did I ever tell you how much I love snow? Well I do. And today was one of those moments I wait for all year.

I hurried and bundled myself up and ran outside and just listened, yes, listened!: not with my ears, but with my heart!

When the snow comes down there is a peace that you cannot hear but only feel. It is the most beautiful feeling. It always make me want to jump in my car and go driving in it, or just walk through the neighborhood in my boots.  I want to be the first person to leave their mark in the snow. I know it sounds crazy, but there is just something inviting about the snow.

There aren't very many things in this world that can fill us with peace. Our Savior Jesus Christ brings us the only true peace! Christ said,

         "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,
          give I unto you." 

When I feel the Lord's spirit, it is such a personal thing. I know at that moment, what I am feeling is only between me and Christ. It is the same feeling I get when I am out in the snow by myself; just me and the Savior, as I take in the beauty of His creations! It is the closest thing this world can bring to the true feeling of the spirit of Christ; For His spirit is in His creations!

At this special time of year, when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I pray that we will all feel the Peace that only Christ can bring! I hope that you can look for those moments of peace when it is just you and Him and you can feel His peace.  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!


                                                                      Love, Nanna

"It is Finished"

"It is Finished"


A little over a year ago as we were approaching Easter, I started having the feeling that I wanted to paint a picture of the Garden Tomb, where Christ was buried. I don't know what prompted the idea, but I felt a great interest in the site and what it might have looked like while Christ lived.

As I researched the area and looked on line to find the oldest picture of it I could, before all the renovations were made to bring it up to the standards of a fine tourist attraction, with all the added hand rails and beautifully potter flowers every where. Much of the surrounding area had been built up and repaired with stones to make it a more enveloped and secured area for people to gather and to protect it from those who's intent was to destroy or defame it.  Many of the paintings I had seen were of this modern new place.

That is not what I wanted. I wanted to be able to look at my painting as if I were the only one there and had just arrived after Christ had risen and be able to feel his presence there with me as I pondered the great event of the resurrection of Jesus Christ my Redeemer, who suffered in Gethsemane and died on the cross for me, and for my sins. I wanted to give thanks as I reflected on this merciful gesture that would enable me to be forgiven and through His mercy be allowed to return to live once again with my Heavenly Father and my Savior.

Once I felt I had the vision of what I wanted the painting to represent, I began the process of drawing the picture with the symbolism I wanted in it, that would make it more meaningful to me and for those whom I would be sharing it with.

I put in red flowers, representing the blood that was spilled in Gethsemane because of your and my sins; purple flowers that represented His royalty, a Son of His Father who lives in Heaven; Pink Geraniums, my favorite color of flowers, in an earthen clay pot formed and envisioned by man, representing you and I being formed and shaped through His forgiveness allowing us to become like Him and  as He has asked us to, in Mathew 5:48  "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.".  And last the Easter Lily, a modern reminder of the living Christ and our Father which is in Heaven.

I titled the picture "It is Finished."  It was the final act that Christ needed to perform to complete what the father had asked him to do.

I am not a seasoned water colorist, and was very apprehensive when I started the painting. I though if I started on the right, where there is very little interest, if I were to make an error I could more easily fix or repair it without it being so noticeable. I began and immediately was disappointed with what I had done. I quickly ran in and washed the paint off, scrubbing as I went. And naturally it is almost impossible to wash all the paint out. I sat and stared at my painting almost in tears.I had taken such care to get to this point and felt I had ruined it practically before I started. As I stared at the mess, as I thought it was, I noticed colors fading and washing in together and before my eyes I began to see the face of Christ forming right before my eyes on my paper.

And as I stared, I was overcome with the spirit of the Lord and the reassurance that Christ really does 'fix' our mistakes. Now when I stare at my painting, I can thank the Lord for the tender mercy he gave to me that night as I began my painting, and that he gives me every day as I walk with Him through this life.

"It is Finished"

                                                                               by

Deborah Parr