This evening I finally started and actually finished going through like 7 or 8 boxes of Christmas decorations. These were my Christmas decorations and my grandma Lillie’s. It has been exactly one year and 4 months to the day since she passed away from cancer. We both shared a love for decorating at Christmas time. Thus, I naturally got almost all of her Christmas decorations.
Around Christmas of last year I pulled down almost all of her decorations as well as mine with the intentions of going through them and sorting out what I would keep and wouldn’t keep. Well, tonight was finally the night that I did this.
As I sat in my chair going through the boxes I was reminded of Christmas’ of old. I came across crafts I had made in elementary school and Sunday School. Two of these crafts had a picture of me in the middle of them from that year’s school photo. Memories of my childhood came fluttering back. Such good times!
I then started going through my grandma’s boxes. I came across the nutcracker that I loved so much growing up. I came across Christmas presents that I had given her while growing up. I also came across the stockings that she had for my brother, cousins, and myself for when we would come over and visit during the holidays. Again, such good memories.
It’s hard to believe that she has been gone for almost a year and half. As I sit here writing this the tears of joy and sorrow come back to wet my face. So many of the items I have here in my apartment were hers. I am thankful for the memories I have.
One of our favorite Christmas songs was “Mary, Did You Know?”. Specifically Kathy Mattea’s version. Here is a video of it for you:
Let’s take a quick look to see how Webster defines both.
Christian: One who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Disciple: One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.
In fact, as I look at this definition for even a Christian most so-called Christians don’t even do that. hmmmm…..interesting……but moving on.
As I was reading the blog of a friend of mine I came across this gem of a statement he made in a post titled “Learning Mission”. Here is a snippet of what he wrote:
He pointed out that “Christian” is mentioned three times in the New Testament, while “disciple” is used over 260 times. “Christians” aren’t the solution to the world’s problems, “disciples” are. And discipleship is an activity, not just a state of being.
Wow! What a wake up call! Many call themselves “Christians” but how many can truly call themselves Disciples. How many “Christians” feed the hungry? How many “Christians” preach the Love of Jesus Christ? How many “Christians” not just preach it but embody it? How many “Christians” are willing to stand up to their government when they see it oppressing the helpless? How many “Christians” don’t need to tell some one else what type of religion they are but because of the way they live there life they know that they are a Christian? You know the song, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love”.
I have to confess, I sure fail at being a Disciple! I have so many times used the word “Disciple” to describe me but I didn’t have a clue what I was talking about. Only now, is my view changing. Only now am I beginning to realize what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. It isn’t just about getting wet at the age of 8. It is about living a life dedicated to the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is about magnifying my role in the Community of Christ as a minister in the priesthood. It is not just about professing that I am a Christian but actually living like one.
In closing, I am reminded about the passage in Doctrine & Covenants 163:1 where it states, ““Community of Christ,” your name, given as a divine blessing, is your identity and calling. If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future, you will become a blessing to the whole creation. Do not be afraid to go where it beckons you to go.” May I be a Christian that is a Disciple who lives up to the calling of what it means to be in the Community of Christ.
1. Background information (Becoming aware) 2. Two short talks (Presentations) 3. Group participation 4. Ways in which you can help/support 5. Handing out flyers
Time: Sunday, April 29 at 3:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Host: John Watts
Contact Phone: 253.588.1892
Location: Community of Christ Church (Tacoma, WA), 6912 40th St. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
Directions: From I-5 take the 56th St Exit and go East on 56th about three miles to Orchard. Turn right on Orchard and go about 1 1/2 miles to the first light, 40th St. Turn left onto 4oth St. go down a hill and up a hill through a light to the next light. (67th St.) Cross 67th and back down a small hill and starting back up you will see church on left back off of the road.
Thanks to the help of Mike I am now able to make changes to my page. I have already added some things with many more changes to come in the near future! I also got a lot of ideas for posts brewing in this brain of mine so look out for those soon!
Well, since we decided to drive straight through the night (dumb idea) we were back on the road not long after midnight. At around 6:00 am or so I took over the driving (again, dumb idea).
Just after sunrise (about 8 hours from home) everyone in car wakes up, including me……the driver. Yes, that is correct. Sean fell asleep while driving. Everyone waked up to the sound of me hitting the dirt on the side of the road and slamming on my brakes. I jerk the car one way and then another and then another until the car finally comes to a stop after doing a 180 degree turn. We are now facing the wrong direction. Thankfully no one was hurt and no one else was driving on the road. So, I pull over and let Rosetta drive. Very scary moment.
Then, At about 3 hours from home. We are driving along in Chehalis, Washington and all of the sudden something hits the driver side window and it explodes into a thousand pieces. We pull over and call 911 to have them tell us just to call our insurance company. We are still not sure what hit it.
After meeting Rosetta’s daughter in Tacoma to drop off Rosetta, mom and I ventured on our way home. Before coming to the house we stopped in Everett to eat at a very good Chinese Buffet. Then it was off to home for some much needed rest.
What a wonderful vacation. It could have ended a little less scary though. I am already looking forward to the 2010 World Conference. For the time being, I must get a job!
Tuesday started with us checking out of the hotel and finding a place for breakfast. When we went outside to put our belongings in our car we noticed a light dusting of snow had fallen over night. For breakfast we went to this small breakfast and lunch only restaraunt on the outskirts of Cody, Wyoming. It was really good but I could only stomach to eat half of my breakfast. I had finally gotten tired of breakfast food on my trip.
After breakfast we headed towards Yellowstone. Though, within only a few minutes into our trip we noticed a sign saying that Yellowstone was closed until middle of May. WHAT!? We spent a half a day of driving for nothing! So, we started going one way and then decided we should probably go back the safer way.
So, here we are in the outskirts of Cody in Northern Wyoming and we now have to drive to the southern part, cut across the tip of Utah and back through Idaho and Oregon before making it home to Washington. Ugghh!!!
About mid-day we stopped for lunch in some small town in Wyoming. I had some nasty Caesar salad. As we were leaving the restaurant I bent over to pick up something and started to come back to have my back go out. I was in so much pain that I just started laughing. Thankfully, the passenger and driver seats in moms car were heated. That helped to soothe the pain.
Within no time we were back on the road. Around sunset we had made it to Utah. At around midnight we ended our day at the same place we were at on our first midnight on the way out to Missouri; at a Denny’s in Boise, Idaho. I ordered B-B-Q chicken wings.
Monday started with us chugging along the interstate in South Dakota. We stopped for breakfast in Wall Drug, South Dakota or something like that. I ordered pancakes but was not feeling very well so only ate a few bites. I then went back to rest in the car while Rosetta and mom shopped in the little store there.
After they got their shopping out of the way we went to see Mt. Rushmore since Rosetta had never seen it. It really is a work of art.
After our visit to Rushmore we had lunch at a nearby restaurant. I had a wonderful prime rib dip and fries.
Following lunch we headed to Wyoming. Wyoming really is a beautiful state. We had to drive through white out snow conditions in the mountain passes. That got a little scary.
Once off the mountains we stopped for dinner at this little cafe place. I ordered a hamburger and fries. After dinner we went on our way to Cody, Wyoming where we had planned to stay for the night.
At around 11 PM we pulled into the Days Inn parking lot and checked in. This was the same hotel we stayed at in Cody on our way back from a family reunion when I was 8 years old. After 28 hours on the road it was good to sleep in a bed for the night.
This morning I decided to skip the first worship at the young adult event so I could try and get some more sleep. I was still not feeling myself after being sick.
At around 10:30 I got to the temple and went to my class. It was a class on Temple Ministries and was taught by President Veazey. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with this class. I was hoping for something more but I already knew everything that Steve shared. I was happy to see him taking ideas from the young adults. He seemed to be genuinely interested in what they had to share and I believe he was.
Following the class I ventured over to the Laurel Club for lunch. Thankfully, it was better this time around. We had chicken, potatoes and gravy, etc.
After lunch was the final worship at the young adult event. It was a communion service. It was honestly very neat to experience communion with fellow young adults actually doing the serving of the communion.
Following the service it was back to the house to get all packed up and ready to leave. Once packed we hit the road but had to come back twice because we kept remembering items we had left. Then it was off to Sheridan’s Custard where we met Meta and Kay for some custard before hitting the road. I got a raspberry and hot fudge over vanilla custard dessert that was so wonderful.
After the dessert and a group photo it was time to hit the road. Along the way we stopped for dinner in Council Bluffs, Iowa. We went to the Cracker Barrel. The food there was very good and very reasonably priced. After dinner we headed north to I-90. Around midnight we were somewhere in South Dakota.
On Friday I awoke to still feeling crappy but better than I did the day before. I opted to skip the morning caucus session so I could sleep in and get to feeling better. I got up in time to go to the morning legislative session.
Following the legislative session I, again trying to take it slow, got a hot dog at the auditorium for lunch. I did not really want to go anywhere as I was trying to get better.
After lunch we had an extended legislative session. During this session we went over the Words of Counsel to discuss including it in the D&C. After a long time discussing the Words of Counsel we voted to include it as Section 163 in the Doctrine & Covenants. Once we did we sang, “We thank thee, O God, For a Prophet” as President Veazey was escorted back into the conference chamber. As always when we approve new words of counsel, a very moving experience!
Following the session Erik, Rachel, and I went over the World Market at the Temple. I had a hamburger for dinner at one of the food stands. Following dinner we ventured over to the Stone Church to spend some time in the sanctuary. I could have rested there all day. What a beautiful sanctuary.
After spending time in the Stone Church we went back to the World Market to get some ice cream. At around 7:30 we headed over to the front of the auditorium to see the Taiku drummers. They were very good. Following the drumming performance we went inside the auditorium to go to the Hymn Fest. As usual, it was a beautiful hymn fest.
Following the fest some of us visited in the balcony until we left. Well they visited, I just kind of sat there in a funk, still not feeling somewhat well. After that I went back home and eventually went to bed. The lady we were staying with was having a party so I was still up for quite a while.
