Frame of Reference

It is somethings surprising to find that things are not as we think.  We project on the unknown ideas and beliefs so familiar to us.  I have learned that there is no Institute at the University of Cardiff like there is at the University of Utah, Utah State, etc., but we will hold our Institute classes in a chapel.  I guess part of the time in the summer the classes were even held on the beach. ("They are a hardy people.")  

I have had other occasions to find this frame of reference thing true recently.  I have found that when I have an opinion of someone, I assume that people I really like have the same opinion of them - and it is not necessarily so.  

I hope in the future I will remember this and not be so quick to form opinions or jump to conclusions.  Pob-bendith.  (I am told that means-- "All Blessings" in Welsh.)  

General Conference

General Conferences are my favorite times of the year.  Of course it always rains, but it also cleanses, lifts and renews.  H Burke Peterson, a dear friend of ours, has given us perfect advice before each General Conference.  He tells us to do three things: 1) Before Conference consider your concerns, needs and questions, then pray that you will receive inspiration regarding them; 2) During Conference write down your impressions, whether or not it was something spoken; and 3) Take a nap - between sessions.  I try to do this every April and October. This time I wrote down seven impressions and I would like to share a few of them. 1) Ask our family members to pray for us when we are on our mission then always remember that they are doing so; 2) Be more reverent during the prelude music before sacrament meeting and don't use it as a time to give messages to others; 3) We should not try so much to impart new information when we teach as to bring the Holy Ghost into the teaching; 4) Use our best efforts to get more young adults involved in the seminaries and institute programs in Cardiff and South Wales; 5) Believe in angels - and be one.  It would be so interesting to have you share what your impressions were.  I hope that I will not just enjoy General Conference, but will "go and do."  

Adorable as Children - Fabulous as Adults

Unexpected Tears

I thought I was doing really well. I thought I would miss my grandchildren, my parents, my sister and my children, but not so much that it would be a huge deal. Then today as I was sorting through old files I came across the immunization records of my children. I looked at each of them and they reminded me of so many things. How adorable Kim was and what a cute, talented little girl she was. How afraid Chantel was whenever we took her to a doctor and what a beautiful, kind little girl she was. How brave Cherie was and how tiny she was and what a sweet natured baby and child she was. Then I came to Julie's. I remembered how she broke out with red spots all over her body after her smallpox vaccination (which they no longer gave by the time Kim was born) and how worried I was about this. I remembered how I told her it would be fun to go get a shot - and she believed me! She didn't even cry, she only looked surprised. It wasn't until the third booster that she figured out that it wasn't fun. All of these memories brought tears to my eyes, then there were even more tears. I realized that I really am going to miss my family more than I bravely tried to tell myself I would. After all, they are an adorable family, so who could blame me.