Faith - Something We Live

"Our faith is the foundation upon which all our spiritual lives rest. It should be the most important resource of our lives. Faith is not so much something we believe; faith is something we live."  Joseph B. Wirthlin

"Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action." Bible Dictionary

Mary Floyd Holton

February 27, 2003 

That's the day Mary Floyd Holton finished her journey here on earth.

It's interesting what sparks memories. We keep this fishes and loaves plate by the front door. It's the receptacle for outgoing mail. Mom and Dad gave us the plate years ago. I like the connection between Christ's miracle with the fishes and loaves and the abundance and relationships represented by cards and letters.

Mom was a great believer in cards and letters - and thank you notes. When we were growing up, thank-you notes were written by the end of Christmas day and soon after our birthdays. Mom wrote cards and letters. She marked birthdays and anniversaries with cards. After her death, many people mentioned how much they appreciated her notes. She freely expressed her opinion to columnists and others, local and national.

In the days of expensive long distance phone calls and before email and texting, Mom expected letters. She was not subtle in letting people know it had been too long between contact. Sometimes she included stamps in a card as a reminder that it was time to write. 

I am thankful to Mom for her example of the importance of staying in touch and expressing opinions and appreciation. 

December 28, 2002

Family Ties Built By Memories

"Family ties are built by memories, and the more memories, the more depth and richness in the family."*

178 stories from 41 people 

representing 5 generations

Memories - our family has been giving each other the gift of stories for nine years. This is our Christmas gift to each other.

As I put the stories in the mail this year I reflected on family memories and their importance. I wish we'd been able to convince Mom to record more of her stories and memories. Back here I wrote about Dad's recollections. What a gift he gave us with these stories. I wish someone had encouraged our grandparents to write something about their lives. 

Joe and I have talked about the kind of stories we wish we had from our parents and grandparents. In addition to the "what life was like" kind of stories, it would be wonderful to have some of their reflections and feelings about love, marriage, family, faith, and other such topics. Joe commented that by the time we get reflective about these issues in our own lives, our parents and grandparents are usually not here to share their thoughts. Joe and I want to leave both kinds of stories for our posterity.

178 stories from 41 people 

representing 5 generations

What a treasure!

*************

*Another Country-Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders" by Mary Pipher

God Knows & Loves Us Individually

The other day I was looking out the window and noticed tiny beads of water forming on branches. As I pondered the beauty, I was reminded that God knows each of us individually.

How does He do it? I don't know, but I know that He does. 

Think of the times you've noticed a small bird, a drop of water, a beautiful flower, or some other small, seemingly insignificant item. Think of a time in a crowd of people you noticed someone's smile, or lack thereof. Think of times you have felt someone's happiness or sorrow.

If we can be this observant and in tune, think about what God can do. 

God knows and loves us individually. 

Worthington Friends In Oregon

Recently we drove to Portland, Oregon to see dear friends who were visiting their daughter. 

Mount Hood makes a beautiful backdrop for Portland.

Mount St. Helens in the distance

This beautiful full moon lit our way home.

Bill Holton's Recollections

May 1985

“What was it like when I was growing up? What did we do before TV? How were things different?

In these few pages I have written a few recollections at random of things which seem particularly significant to me for one reason or another. Most of them are little things which may not seem to have much meaning. But, taken together, these bits of trivia are part of what makes me what I am today.

Maybe after reading this you’ll have a better understanding of life in the “good old days” – many of which really weren’t that good.” Christmas 1987

This week I reread "Recollections," written in 1986 and 1987 by my father, Bill Holton. Reading through them was bittersweet. I am thankful Dad recorded so much for his posterity. I'm sorry I didn't read them more thoughtfully earlier and ask the questions that come to my mind. 

At the front of one of the booklets, Dad included the following quote. 

“ … I wondered about my own children, and their children, and children in general, and about the disconnections between children and parents that prevent them from knowing each other. Children rarely want to know who their parents were before they were parents, and when age finally stirs their curiosity there is no parent left to tell them. If a parent does lift the curtain a bit, it is often only to stun the young with some exemplary tale of how much harder life was in the old days.

“We all come from the past, and children ought to know what it was that went into their making, to know that life is a braided cord of humanity stretching up from time long gone, and that it cannot be defined by the span of a single journey from diaper to shroud.”

“Growing Up,” by Russell Baker

Dad's comments are a reminder of the importance of recording and sharing our stories. 

Text & Commentary

"The first 40 years of life give us the text; the next 30 supply the commentary."*

I read this during the time I was compiling family stories to distribute to the family. It's wonderful when we share stories and commentary with each other.

*Arthur Schopenhauer

The Week, February 17, 2012, p21

Home - Reflections

Kirkland home

 "Your bags are checked through to Seattle," said the Southwest agent. Momentarily I thought, "Wait, I'm going home. They should be checked through to Columbus." For most of my life Columbus was my "home" airport. 

I had just finished two weeks of conferences, meetings, and family visits in Salt Lake City. I met many people, most of whom asked where I was from. Columbus didn't slip past my mind to my lips at all but it still flitted through my head as I said, "Seattle area."

After almost a year in Kirkland, "the Seattle area" or Kirkland, depending on who's asking, is almost automatic when people ask where home is. But the transition to the correct verbal response is not totally complete. Our Kirkland townhome feels like home. We love our new community and we are glad we made the move. We are happy. 

My reaction to the ticket agent's comment got me to thinking about home. Home is where Joe is. Home is associated with loved ones more than a house. 

Oak Street - childhood home

Not every house is a home. Oak Street was certainly home - as long as Mom and Dad were there. My college dorms and the first places John and I rented in didn't feel like homes. They were temporary. Harvest Street and then North Street were certainly home. 

Many years ago we had a family reunion in London. With Dad accompanying us, we took our children and grandchildren through the elementary school attended by Dad, his brothers, and the four Holton children. We sat on the front steps of the school and looked across the street at the house that was Dad's home for his entire childhood. I asked Dad about special feelings he had for the house. I was surprised when Dad indicated he didn't have any special feelings. At the time I thought this was just Dad being Dad - not expressing his emotions. 

North Street - home for 34 years

Now I understand the feeling - I can drive by my childhood home on Oak Street and it's just a house because the people I love no longer live there. The house will always have many memories associated with it but the place is no longer larger than life in my mind or life.

When I was back in Worthington a few months ago, I drove by our North Street house. Sweet memories flooded my mind, but there weren't any feelings of loss or regret. We've moved on. We are now establishing our home in Kirkland. 

As these thoughts have gone through my head and heart the last few weeks, I've also thought about the trip "home" to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. That's our real home. We're here on earth for a visit, an adventure, and learning opportunities. Eventually we'll all go home. 

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: 

The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting, 

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness, 

And not in utter nakedness, 

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home+

***************************

+"Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood," William Wordsworth; The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250-1900; http://www.bartleby.com/101/536.html; accessed February 21, 2012

A Smile

"A smile is the shortest distance between two people." 


Victor Borge

Spring?

This is our first February in Washington. So we're not sure when Spring starts and what it's like. In January we saw primroses, pansies, and ornamental kale. Then the big snow came. The primroses, pansies, and kale survived. They are now joined by budding trees and flowering bushes and trees. 

Pansies & ornamental kale

Primroses

Flowering bush with tiny, tiny blossoms

Tulips, daffodils, pansies & Dusty Miller

Budding tree on our driveway

This pussy willow shrub is by our front door. 

Note the beautiful green grass. 

Flowering tree around the corner from us

"Go And Do Thou Likewise"

“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, God, and do thou likewise.” Luke 10: 36-37

 “My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness ---be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us” Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, November 2009, p. 85

365 days of the year: Let us pray that we do not become so focused upon our own activities and challenges that we lose sight of our commitment to serve the Lord and to be His voice, hands, and feet. Let us try not to be so busy that we walk past a brother or sister not noticing that he/she need a smile, a good word, or a hand up. –

Julia put it very well the other day (here) when speaking of a grand niece who died at a very young age of Batten Disease and the positive impact the child had on so many others both in the family, medical personnel, and community.   She said, “We can never underestimate the impact one person’s life can have on others – and how far the ripples of a person’s life can extend”.

Joe's home teaching message February 2012

Grandchildren's Activities

We enjoy being able to support our grandchildren in their various activities. 

Double Rainbow

Rain + Sunshine = Rainbow (usually)

When we had rain and sunshine this week I looked out several windows to see if there was a rainbow. There were two of them! I went out to stand in the rain so I could see the full beauty of both of them. Click on this image to better see both rainbows. 

We talked about several life lessons - in the midst of challenges, beauty can be found. Sometimes the beauty can be fully appreciated only in the middle of the challenge (standing out in the rain). 

The colors were more distinct than I remember seeing previously. This picture is taken out our office window. 

Added 2/20/12: According to a Wikipedia article: The colors of the second rainbow are in reverse order from the colors of the first one. 

Taught By A Little Girl With A Giant Spirit

Back here I wrote about the passing of little Celia, my sister's granddaughter. Celia's parents asked people to write about Celia and some of our experiences with her. Here is part of what I shared with them - some of what Celia taught me in her short, but eventful, life. Life is full of lessons, sometimes taught by the very young. 

*************

“… and a little child shall lead them*”

CELIA TAUGHT ME

We can never underestimate the impact one person’s life can have on others – and how far the ripples of a person’s life can extend.

Individuals and families can be strengthened as we support each other through challenges.

Life doesn’t always turn out as we expected or planned. That doesn’t mean life can’t be full and immensely meaningful.

To every thing there is a season+

We don’t know how long our seasons will be or if our season will be the same as someone else’s. There are blessings and beauty to be found no matter the length or kind of season.

Family includes everyone – young, old and in-between; this side of the veil and the other side. Running, walking, talking are not required to be a fully functioning part of the family. We learn and love no matter what. Including everyone is important. Making adjustments so that can happen is important and can change everyone for good.

Sharing is important and helps us bear the grief and sadness and deepens the joy. Andy and Jenni shared Celia and her story enabling many to be taught by Celia and her giant spirit. People learned about Batten through Jenni’s blog, newspaper articles, TV spots, and fundraisers. Awareness of Batten was increased, people became aware of their blessings, and many thought about the big questions of life, death, and what this is all about.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.~

Celia helped us slow down and ponder.

Special times with Celia – These are just a few of them

Being at my sister's and holding Celia – Often Celia needed to be held. It helped calm her and her body. Sometimes she needed to be held a long time. It was at times like this that Celia taught me much and caused me to ponder some of the big questions that can get passed over during the busyness of every day life.

Taking Celia for a ride in the wagon – It was a beautiful day in June. I thought Celia would like to feel the breeze on her face and hear the birds singing. Her smiles and vocalizations indicated she was feeling some pleasure. Helping her experience these beauties of nature increased my appreciation of them.

Having Celia at our house – we had fun entertaining her with Joe’s singing toys – the mouse, the puppet, and Big Mouth Billy Bass. She seemed to like the mouse better than the fish (see picture above).

*Isaiah 11:6

+ Ecclesiastes 3:1

~Luke 2:19

God's Love For Us

“Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you.

… Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.

He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. ...

What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Love of God,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 22-23

Faith, Life & Metaphors

"Religion - his faith - was not a source for metaphors by which to understand and explain his life, but rather his life was a metaphor by which he could understand and articulate his faith, his religion."

Neal E. Lambert, speaking of Clinton Larson; BYU Studies 49, no.2 (2010), p. 182

RootsTech - Great Conference

Genealogists and software developers make an interesting mix. Almost 4,400 of us are gathering in Salt Lake City for a few days to learn from each other. In its second year, this conference is using innovative formats to promote the exchange of ideas. 

The Family History Library is going to be open until midnight Friday! Exciting, don't you think!? Today it was announced that pizza will be served at 11pm. My first thought had to do with greasy fingers on the microfilm and computer keyboards. I don't know if I'll stay there for pizza. I do know I'll be there beyond the usual 9 pm closing time. 

Each morning an opening session is held in a HUGE room. There's lots of people, loud music, flashy PowerPoints, and talk about the future of genealogy and technology. Yesterday's and today's speakers were techy people who are very involved in shaping genealogy technology and software for the future. 

The exhibit hall is one of the most interesting 

and exciting areas at a conference such as this. 

The people in the black hats are with a British company 

that is trying to break into the US market. 

 Microsoft has a playground area that is being heavily used

 So far I've attended presentations on 
-Using Google Earth to make a family history tour
-YouTube Your Family History
-How-To Guide to Website Building
-Creating Interactive Family Histories
-Recording Your Living Family History
-Using a Blog as Your Online Research Log
-ancestry.com Techniques
-Google's Toolbar and Genealogy

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Dick Eastman blogs here about RootsTech and all that's going on in the genealogy community. Several interesting side notes about Eastman. He has decided to get rid of all paper in his life; he's blogged about that process. Recently he started his life in an RV that he's going to drive around the country.

Check here for a live feed and news about RootsTech.

Our Next Desk

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Image from MacLife