Reflections on Marriage

Henry Eyring reflected on 52 years of marriage with Kathleen Johnson. 

“I have become a better person as I have loved and lived with her. …We have been complementary beyond anything I could have imagined. …I realize now that we grow together into one — slowly lifting and shaping each other, year by year.” He said the differences between him and his wife have combined to form a better whole.

“The happiness that came from our becoming one built faith in our children and grandchildren that marriage could be a continuing source of satisfaction for them and their families.”

He acknowledged that not all marriages produce happiness. One prime factor, he said, can make the difference between being happy or unhappy. “Where there is selfishness, natural differences of men and women often divide,” he said. “Where there is unselfishness, differences become complementary and provide opportunities to help and build each other.”

It’s essential for marriage partners to replace self-interest with charity and benevolence, he noted. “Only then will people be able to make the hourly unselfish sacrifices necessary for a happy marriage and family life — and to do it with a smile.”

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So much wisdom here - "Hourly, unselfish sacrifices ... done with a smile" - definitely are key factors. 

Lately I've done a lot of pondering about the "becoming" process as I develop my discipleship of Christ and my potential as a child of God. This quote is a reminder to me of the "becoming" process that Joe and I are committed to as eternal companions. 

Read more from Henry Eyring here

Festival of the Nativity

Bellevue Festival of the Nativity is in its fifth year. The presentation of Nativities from around the world is amazing. In addition to the gym (aka cultural hall) which has hundreds of Nativities beautifully displayed, there is the children’s room with more child oriented and child friendly Nativities; the Christ room; a room where children could get dressed up and have pictures taken in front of a manger; an activity room for children; a movie room. Groups and individuals from the community perform throughout the event. Friday evening we were hosts at the Festival.

550 Nativities from 80 countries

100 trees in the gym & many more throughout the building

360 live poinsettias - The poinsettias are purchased by individuals, “loaned” for the festival, and then picked up after the festival closes.

Click on pictures to see larger images

above - Puerto Rico; clay

below - Peru; gourd with plaster & potato clay

Made by Zulu women in South Africa. Animals are hand-carved from hard wood and covered in a complex web of beads in traditional designs. I love the giraffe.

 above - Thailand

 above Nepal; below Cambodia

above - Kyrgyzstan; wool felt

below - Mexico; clay, beeswax & beads

above - Japan

below - Hondurus, made from snack bags

above - Slovakia; corn husks

 below - Philippines; recycled newspaper

Alaska

Click here for pictures from last year's festival 

This is a wonderful way to start the Christmas season. 

A great reminder that Jesus is indeed the reason for the season

He is the gift

Kirkland Parkplace & Snow

Often we mention how wonderful this community is. In March we'll celebrate our fourth anniversary here and we're still saying it's a great place to live. The day before Thanksgiving I shopped at nearby Parkplace. I went to Hoffman's Bakery, Tim's Seafood, the grocery, the independent bookstore, and a few other places. If I'd had time and inclination, I could have gone to a movie, eaten at any one of four or five restaurants, had a massage, bought gifts, and so forth. I paused and appreciated it all. 

Christmas trees were out. 

The Salvation Army bell ringer was greeting people going to the grocery. 

From the Parkplace parking lot you can see two cranes. 

Two apartment buildings are being built on Kirkland's Central Avenue. 

Here's our "big" snow on November 29th. 

The pictures are taken around our townhouse.

Several days later the snow still hadn't melted. 

I think this is the coldest we've experienced here. 

This temperature was about 9:30 in the morning several days after the snow fell. 

Endings-Transitions-Pauses

"In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.

"Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number.

"Endings are not our destiny.

"The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.

"How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."    Dieter Uchtdorf

We are made of the "stuff of eternity." I am thankful for that knowledge. Our journeys here on earth have many pauses, interruptions, or transitions. Going from life on this side of the veil to the other side is another transition in our eternal lives. 

image: Seattle Temple

He Is The Gift

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Discover the gift

Embrace the gift

Share the gift

Trials - Perspective

"Don't let your trials own you. You own them."*

I read this phrase recently and it's stuck with me. I think it's referring to not becoming overwhelmed with the challenges that are bound to come along during our journey here on earth. It means living with an eternal perspective. This brings hope to our lives and can bring peace during turbulent times. 

One reason we can "own" our trials is that we know a lot about the "end of the story." We finish our lives here and then the next phase of our eternal lives starts. We know we can live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ if we choose to live in a way that makes it possible for us to be in their presence. Knowing this takes away the anxiety and hopelessness we can feel during tough times. 

"Knowing the end of your mortal life story and the beginning of your eternal life can free you from despair and help you gain an eternal perspective of your trials. Don’t let your trials own you. You own them. Because you know the truth and the truth has set you free, you can look in the face of adversity with faith and ask this powerful question, 'what can I learn from this?' ...  Embrace your trials and live after the manner of happiness.  You know how the story ends, so move forward with faith, not fear.  *From Brent Nielson

Even with an eternal perspective life's challenges and trials will still be tough. There will be sad times, hard times, frustrating and discouraging times. Our faith, family and the Holy Ghost will help us weather the storms and learn from the experiences. 

I like Nielson's comment about looking in the face of adversity with faith. And I like Dad's frequent admonition of "onward and upward."

Making Memories

"Each day of our lives we make deposits 

in the memory banks of our children." Charles R. Swindoll

Dad made & painted this teepee as well as the swing set. 

Our back yard was a wonderful playground

Thanks for the memories!

1951 - swing set 

1952 - teepee

1954? - Susan in box
1956 - spatter painting
1957 - Tom with cat