Traditions

We had an interesting thing happen here today. As you likely know, it was Canadian Thanksgiving.  I usually do a HUGE meal with 2-3 vegetable dishes, yams and mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, buns, turkey, dressing and 2-3 pies (all homemade). We also usually invite another family or two to join us. The last week or so I've been sorta laid up, it seems everyone in the house is always running in different directions, and financially things are still a bit tight, besides it's a lot of work and hassle for the kids to clean it all up. All things considered, Ron and I had decided to scale things back a titch with the Thanksgiving spread this year. We didn't really talk about it with the kids, we figured it would be fine with them since I am the big holiday tradition person in the house.

We figured turkey, cranberry, yams and Brussels sprouts would be good enough this year. He even talked me in to a "store bought" pumpkin pie.

Kaili was at work today and the rest of us played a game together, watched movies and napped most of the day. It was a generally relaxing day for a change.  Ron and I did put the turkey in the oven so it would be ready about the time Kaili came home from work, though we hadn't really prepared anything else by the time she walked in the door.

We were quite surprised with the scorn that our plan was met with upon Kaili's arrival. Our spare menu got mashed potatoes and gravy added to it and everyone was eager to help make the rest of the spread.  We ended up with a nicer dinner than I had thought we would.

I guess I have had some sort of influence on the kids, even though it's always surprising where and when it shows up.

According to Kaili "THIS is a Thanksgiving dinner."

A Meandering Story About a Long Journey That Led to a Quick Trip

A few people know and others may have guessed that Ron and I made a "quick", barely planned trip to California for the weekend. 4 days in the car and 3 days actually there.

This story actually started about 60 years ago when my mother babysat for the Mormon family down the street.  She grew to love that family and admire their faith. 20 years later, she is talking to a friend in front of my teen-aged self when I overhear her admiration for the LDS church.  This information is filed away in my brain until I am actively looking for a church to attend with my young daughter just over 12 years ago. I began meeting with Elder Trujillo and his companion, Elder Beale.  Elder Trujillo ended up baptizing me after a few months and we lost contact for awhile, but I digress. . .

Last summer, our son Adam returned from his mission (Winnipeg), Kaili graduated from High School and Dax was preparing to go on his mission (San Antonio).  My mom came up to help us celebrate, then joined Ron and I as we drove Dax to the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah.  We spent almost a week in and around Salt Lake, doing tours, attending concerts and performances and getting Dax geared up for his 2 year mission. We were also able to visit with Justin Trujillo and his family ("my" missionary from 12 years ago) It was an awesome trip and we had a great time! 

• As a side note- At one point during the trip, I was notified (and shared with Mom) about my "pioneer heritage".  It appears the family rumors about a Mormon handcart pioneer were TRUE! My mother's great-great grandfather came to the Salt Lake Valley with the 20th handcart company. So the picture hanging on her wall that looks like an old Mormon pioneer actually IS an old Mormon pioneer!

 Back to this story. . . We were home from the "Utah trip" for maybe a month when I get a Facebook message from my mom about going to church and telling the missionaries to "get ready". About a week later, this was followed with a baptismal date! She was still "playing her cards close to the vest", so I didn't feel right about announcing our trip, or the purpose of it. If you are one of the many that didn't know we were there, I'm sorry.  It wasn't my story to tell and I didn't feel right sharing it until Mom was ready.

Elder Ruby, Me Ron, Mom, Justin, Michelle and Elder Sweetin

Elder Sweetin, Me, Ron, Mom, Bill and Elder Ruby

Ron Baptized her and she asked me to give a talk. I spoke about baptism and her is some of the content of my talk-
What does baptism mean to, and for, us?

I am paraphrasing the following from the Baptism lesson in Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, (2000), 42–43 Where it says-

Baptism symbolizes our birth into the kingdom of God. It is a pivotal event in our eternal progress. Just as we cannot have mortal life without physical birth, so we cannot enter the kingdom of God except by being born of the water and of the Spirit. Thus it is very important to thoroughly understand the covenant of baptism.

Through baptism we enter into a covenant with the Lord.

- we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, to stand as a witness for God, and to keep His commandments; God covenants to give the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands to those who accept baptism. To receive the blessings, we must obey the commandants.

Baptism is an eternal ordinance that has been practiced in all gospel dispensations.

Adam was baptized in water by the Spirit of the Lord. Enoch was commanded to baptize. Noah preached repentance and baptism. Baptism was practiced among the ancient Israelites. It was also taught and practiced among the righteous Nephites and Lamanites. Jesus set an example for us all by being baptized and baptism was taught and practiced by the Savior and His Apostles.

Baptism is an essential ordinance.

Baptism is required of us if we are to enter the kingdom of God.

Baptism is necessary for us to become members of the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth and is an essential step in receiving a remission of sins

Baptism is a prerequisite for receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Baptism symbolizes eternal realities.

Baptism symbolizes 3 ideas- First, the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Second- a rebirth to a newness of life, or as stated earlier; our birth into the kingdom of God and finally- it symbolizes washing and cleansing

 

This was one of the most spiritual experiences I have been privileged to witness. THANKS Mom!

Other trip "highlights"-

Ron got to see his first tarantula "in the wild!"

Where Shasta Lake used to be

Mount Shasta (This is AFTER a light dusting of snow)

The Portland Temple-we were able to stop and do a session there!

We put a double air mattress in the back of the van and slept in rest stops and on the ferry.  It was quite comfortable (something about sleeping in sheets) and we could just travel until we were tired.  Since we did some driving in the wee hours, we managed to miss the rush hour traffic in every city both ways- except Seattle- we hit it just as they opened the express lanes on our way home last night and were in the thick of it for long enough to remind us why we live in the Comox Valley.