Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monday, April 07, 2008
Edith Hoag Drake
It's been much too long since I last was in church,
And may God forgive how selfishly search.
Trying to find excitement and fun,
And turning my back on all that He's done.
The ways of the world seem to be my delight.
I live in the dark, I shut out the light.
To all that is right, I quickly rebel,
Knowing this life leads only to hell.
It seems nothing matters but doing what's wrong,
To put Satan first, to sing loud his song.
I know there is something deep within,
Letting me know, I can never win.
There's one thing I know I will do,
For I do believe God's love is true.
My daughter, I swear, will so live for him.
His light in her life will never grow dim.
To know in my heart she's held in his heads.
I must make her life a part in his plans.
As long as she's young this promise I give,
She'll always know God, and for Him to live.
Written By: Edith Hoag Drake, 1964
Edith Drake was one of my employees, the on-site manager for Riverside West Apartments in South Seattle. I will never be able to replace her. I was privileged to know her here on earth. I attended her memorial service last Wednesday where her poem was read. From deep despair of her past she not only lived for Him for her daughter's sake but she also was an instrument in His hands for countless people. I am humbled and have an admiration for Edith that words do not express. Person after person stood at Edith's memorial service and thanked her family and God for putting her in their path. Numerous times did I hear "I would have been homeless if it were not for Edith." She gave everyone a second chance when they needed it. No matter what their past she would say, "prove it", she would always explain that "Words could tell you anything but until you prove it with actions I will not believe you." Edith knew that God had placed people in her path and she would do everything in her power to help them. Like a scene straight out of a movie, the mailman stood and spoke and expressed a thought that everyone there agreed with; "Anyone that ever crossed Edith path is a better person." She will be missed.
And may God forgive how selfishly search.
Trying to find excitement and fun,
And turning my back on all that He's done.
The ways of the world seem to be my delight.
I live in the dark, I shut out the light.
To all that is right, I quickly rebel,
Knowing this life leads only to hell.
It seems nothing matters but doing what's wrong,
To put Satan first, to sing loud his song.
I know there is something deep within,
Letting me know, I can never win.
There's one thing I know I will do,
For I do believe God's love is true.
My daughter, I swear, will so live for him.
His light in her life will never grow dim.
To know in my heart she's held in his heads.
I must make her life a part in his plans.
As long as she's young this promise I give,
She'll always know God, and for Him to live.
Written By: Edith Hoag Drake, 1964
Edith Drake was one of my employees, the on-site manager for Riverside West Apartments in South Seattle. I will never be able to replace her. I was privileged to know her here on earth. I attended her memorial service last Wednesday where her poem was read. From deep despair of her past she not only lived for Him for her daughter's sake but she also was an instrument in His hands for countless people. I am humbled and have an admiration for Edith that words do not express. Person after person stood at Edith's memorial service and thanked her family and God for putting her in their path. Numerous times did I hear "I would have been homeless if it were not for Edith." She gave everyone a second chance when they needed it. No matter what their past she would say, "prove it", she would always explain that "Words could tell you anything but until you prove it with actions I will not believe you." Edith knew that God had placed people in her path and she would do everything in her power to help them. Like a scene straight out of a movie, the mailman stood and spoke and expressed a thought that everyone there agreed with; "Anyone that ever crossed Edith path is a better person." She will be missed.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
General Conference Thoughts
So it is Sunday night after general conference. I watched a total of 10 hrs between yesterday and today consisting talks and singing. As usual I have been spiritually uplifted. Tons and tons of information, suggestions, list, how-to's, and commandments. I was trying to explain to Aubrey today that I would be better off just with one session of general conference and then at least I would be able to remember what was spoken about and try to apply it to my life. With 4 sessions and the priesthood session I sometimes feel overwhelmed. Although there is a simple solution as presented in our elders quorum a few weeks ago;
Added weight in the right area will give us balance and stability. Let me try to explain. At the beginning of the class a paper airplane was folded and the teacher asked for a volunteer to try and fly the plane. When the volunteer tried to throw the airplane it did not take flight, it just flopped to the ground. The teacher then produce a paper clip which he then added to the front of the airplane. Once again the volunteer put the airplane in flight and it flew all the way across the room. This was used as an example of positioning weight in the correct area to give us balance. It took someone with the knowledge (a Boeing engineer) to properly place the weight, anyone else might have thought that adding weight would have only added to the problem of the airplane not being able to fly. We then discussed a conference talk from the October general conference that gave 8 or 10 things that we could do bring balance to our lives. Just as the airplane, this list of 10 things could be perceived as added weight or as weight in the right area so that we can receive balance and stability in our lives.
As I watched general conference this weekend I could not help but think about that lessons from Elders Quorum. As our Prophet and the Apostles continued to added "things to do" to our list I knew that I needed to view them as added weight in the right areas of my life and not run screaming with my hands in the air giving up. I pray that I will do those things that I have been taught to do this weekend and I know that I will receive added balance and stability in my life.
Added weight in the right area will give us balance and stability. Let me try to explain. At the beginning of the class a paper airplane was folded and the teacher asked for a volunteer to try and fly the plane. When the volunteer tried to throw the airplane it did not take flight, it just flopped to the ground. The teacher then produce a paper clip which he then added to the front of the airplane. Once again the volunteer put the airplane in flight and it flew all the way across the room. This was used as an example of positioning weight in the correct area to give us balance. It took someone with the knowledge (a Boeing engineer) to properly place the weight, anyone else might have thought that adding weight would have only added to the problem of the airplane not being able to fly. We then discussed a conference talk from the October general conference that gave 8 or 10 things that we could do bring balance to our lives. Just as the airplane, this list of 10 things could be perceived as added weight or as weight in the right area so that we can receive balance and stability in our lives.
As I watched general conference this weekend I could not help but think about that lessons from Elders Quorum. As our Prophet and the Apostles continued to added "things to do" to our list I knew that I needed to view them as added weight in the right areas of my life and not run screaming with my hands in the air giving up. I pray that I will do those things that I have been taught to do this weekend and I know that I will receive added balance and stability in my life.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Our Land
Nameless died as an assasin but was buried as a hero.
I recently watched Master and Commander and Hero. I love both these movies and have come to find out that all the movies that I enjoy the most have the same underlying theme. Devotion to God and Country. I am blessed that I strive for God and Country each day and have family and friends that do the same. Thank you for all of your great examples.
Quote from the movie Hero "One person's pain is nothing when compared to the suffering of all."
"This scroll of Broken Sword's isn't about sword technique but about swordsmanship's ultimate ideal. Swordsmanship's first achievement is the unity of man and sword. Once this unity is attained even a blade of grass can be a weapon. The second achievement is when the sword exists in one's heart when absent from one's hand. One can strike an enemy at 10 paces even with bare hands. Swordsmanship's ultimate achievement is the absence of the swordin both hand and heart. The swordsman is at peace with the rest of the world. He vows not to kill and to bring peace to mankind."
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
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