classylady

Slamjet, thank you for the update. I have been wondering how you were doing. I’m so happy to hear your blessings have been restored. I knew you were working hard to get that done. Keep us posted on how life’s going for you.

I love the Christmas season! To me, it is so heartwarming to see people looking for ways to help others. I know many people are like this year round, but during the holidays there seems to be so many more willing to donate and give of their own resources. In years past, my family has been the recipients of anonymous gifts. We live in an affluent, albeit small community. And it was obvious that our family struggled financially. One Christmas Eve we had a knock on our door about 9 pm. When we opened the door, no one was there, but, there on the steps was a huge rectangular box. Someone had given us a trampoline! My children were thrilled! That trampoline was used for years by our seven kids. We have had anonymous donations of cash given to us on several different Christmas occasions. What a blessing this has been. One year, we had anonymous gifts of homemade quilts given to each family member. We have had coats, toys, watches, and food given to us other years. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I have been for our kind and thoughtful neighbors. I have seen the joy on children’s faces as they have opened presents on Christmas morning given to them by good people who have donated to various Christmas charities. To those of you who donate, thank you. I do want to mention one experience told to me by my cousin and his wife. They adopted a young teenage boy from a catholic boys home in Northern California. They also adopted his younger sister who was in a foster home. I won’t go into his horrific younger years, but needless to say foster homes were no longer willing to take him. (Many people do not want teenage boys, they are generally more willing to foster or adopt teenage girls than boys.) For this young teen, his first Christmas in his newly adoptive home was so different from what he had ever experienced before. He had never experienced a real family Christmas. In the boys home he had only received one gift. It was a bicycle helmet. He didn’t have a bike and no access to a bike. This has helped me to realize that if we donate gifts, to be mindful of the children it will be given to.

I feel strongly about completing our years supply. I’ve talked to my husband about it and he agrees. I have some long term items stored, such as wheat and sugar and beans. And, I have a lot of canned goods. Just cleaned out our storage and threw a lot of canned goods away. But, I can’t find my wheat grinder. We may need to purchase a new one. I used to grind my wheat and make bread all the time. Haven’t done that in quite some time. This year for Christmas I’m thinking of buying food storage items for my adult children.

I attended both BYU and UofU. I graduated from UofU. Hubby and I used to buy Utah football season tickets. I cheer for both teams. But, when Utah and the Y play each other I admit I am more for BYU than Utah. My experience has been that the rivalry is intense. Some of it is good natured, and I don’t mind that. It’s when it feels like hatred, that it becomes uncomfortable. Quarterback Max Hall’s statement of how much he hated Utah was inappropriate. BYU then had their long losing streak to Utah. Kind of kidding here, but I have to admit I have wondered if the Lord was punishing the Y for such unchristian behavior.

I love cookies!!! Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter with choc. kisses, snickerdoodles, sugar, pumpkin choc. chip, no bake chocolate, and so on. I don’t bake like I used to, there’s no one to help me eat them anymore. I’m the only one who really likes cookies in our house. What I need to do is halve the recipes.

I’m not sure how to help. Just don’t do the same as me, and that is to try and sweep everything under the rug. I’ve had some real trials and struggles the last 40 years. I always pretended everything was fine, and I acted as though everything was fine, but deep inside of me, I was hurting and barely holding on. I had a break down over the issues about 10 years ago. It really frightened my husband. I finally opened up and started talking. My poor husband has become my sounding board, even though he is part of my problems (not all of them.) My struggles and trials haven’t gone away, but it helps that I don’t bottle it up inside of me. I would probably benefit from talking to a counselor, and I did have a few sessions with one, until it was no longer covered financially. Talking has helped me, but the specific trials I have will never be able to be resolved. I just need better coping skills in order to survive with some semblance of acceptance and happiness.

One of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon is the simple quote that Helaman makes from his stripling young warriors: “We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” Those simple words are so profound to me. How did those mothers (and their fathers, grandparents, etc.) teach their young sons, that those young men did not doubt? The experiences the people of Ammon went through were so spiritual, and also traumatic (thousands killed when they would not take up arms to protect themselves). They would rather die than break their oath to lay down their weapons of war. These people, I believe, had a sure knowledge of the plan of salvation. They knew that to die is not the end, but they would be with God. To reach this knowledge, they had the witness of the Holy Ghost. That witness is the sure knowledge. If one has received that witness, there is no doubt. Many of these young warriors probably grew up in homes where their fathers, grandparents and even mothers had died in the massacre of their people. Along with the surviving mothers, their fathers and grandparents, also had a hand in teaching these young men. The teachings must have been done with the Spirit. That Spirit witnessed to these youth the truth. These young men did not doubt, they knew it because their mothers (and other adults in their lives) knew it. For myself, when I was a missionary, I personally needed to know for myself. I couldn’t just believe. I couldn’t witness and testify of Joseph Smith unless I knew. I poured my soul out in prayer, much like Enos in the Book of Mormon. My answer didn’t come immediately, but when it did, the spiritual witness by the Holy Ghost was so strong, that I could say “I know”, and I could say “I testify to you in the name of Jesus Christ that Joseph Smith did see God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.” That witness has remained with me. And, because of that knowledge, and faith, there have been times in my life when I have received other personal revelation that I know I would not have otherwise received. Some people are blessed with the spiritual gift to know, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ (D&C 46:13). Others are blessed to believe in their words (D&C 46:14). I believe those stripling warriors had that spiritual gift to believe in their mother’s words. And then received the gift to know it was true—all through the gift of the Holy Ghost. When we are confirmed we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We should try to utilize that gift by praying for the spiritual gifts we lack. There are certain gifts that I personally feel I need in my life, so I pray for those.

There’s a lot of variables in choosing an antenna. Where you live, what your surroundings are, hoa/pud restrictions (legally they can’t keep you from putting up an antenna, but there might be restrictions in how high), are there power lines in the way, etc. Will you be getting your general or extra class license to get on HF? My husband is working on a fan-dipole antenna for HF. He has a Kenwood TS-850S. It’s about 30 years old. I’m setting up a base station in my office with a TYT radio and a small external power supply. Probably will be using a Potkus dual band j-pole antenna. Up until now I’ve just used my handheld Baofeng UV5r with a larger battery. Occasionally I will use my husband’s base station which is a QYT 980+, a dual band uhf/vhf radio. In my car I have a BTech 25x2, with a 19 inch dual-band mag mount antenna, and my husband has a BTech 50x2 in his pickup truck with a 30 year old Larsen dual-band mag mount antenna. In Hubby’s ham shack he also has an ICOM 2340h, Kenwood TH71, a smaller 2 meter Yaesu, and can’t remember exactly how many baofengs. I also have an old ICOM 2AT.

I think of gospel and doctrine as pretty much the same thing. I probably haven’t given it a lot of thought. And, it doesn’t overly concern me. For me, I think about one of the rawest of emotions: grief. For many, the death of a true loved one is heart wrenching. That’s when the basic fundamental questions are often asked. Where do I come from? Why am I here? Where do I go after death? And, many people in the world wonder, is there a heaven? Is there a God? And, what knowledge do we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? We know the answers to those questions. Answers, that we often take for granted. Answers that a young child who has been brought up in the church knows. It is the gospel of good news! Most in the world do not have the answers to these questions. At least not as thoroughly as we do. So, the death of a loved one is almost more than they can bear. It is still difficult for members, too, for we too grieve and mourn, but we have a knowledge that is a wonderful blessing. It helps to know that our loved one is on the other side of the veil. We know we will see them again. And, we have hope in the atonement and in the resurrection. We know who our Heavenly Father is. We are His spiritual children. We know who Christ is. He is our elder brother and our redeemer. For those who have searched for those answers, and then was taught them: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” Isaiah 52:7. What greater blessing is there than to know the gospel of Jesus Christ and living those principles and obtaining the ordinances in order to receive exaltation? I am so blessed! My testimony is what has brought peace through some nearly unbearable times in my life. And, honestly, I have a hard time understanding how someone who has had this knowledge can throw it away and leave the church. I love the gospel. I love the “good news.”

Thanks everyone for your input. It has been very helpful. My husband and I are trying to prepare a Family Home Evening lesson that we will personally teach to our children and grandchildren. We want to incorporate actual spiritual experiences we have had, or our ancestors have had. We are trying to get across the blessing of knowing where we came from (who we are), why we are here, and where we go after death. I’m trying to decide if my grandmother’s experience might be too controversial. Yet, it is very profound. Some of the experiences I will be sharing are experiences we, my husband and I, and our ancestors have had as to help from the other side of the veil. These are experiences that I feel very strongly need to be shared with my posterity. They are sacred. And, I feel there is a purpose to them and it can help strengthen their testimonies. I want them to know we are watched over, and at times help is given us. But, there are also times when the Lord stays his hand. And I also want them to know the adversary is real, and we can command an evil spirit to leave our presence. I’m just wondering how much I should share, or even really go there. I’m still praying for inspiration. Last night as I was sorting through some family history papers, I know I was led to a very specific experience my husband’s grandmother had after the death of her husband. My mind keeps flooding with events I remember being told about as a child. Some of the experiences are recorded. Others are not, such as my grandmother’s experience with commanding an evil presence to depart. My mother told me that one, and as I’ve talked to a few other extended family members, they remember being told it too, but some had forgotten until I brought it up. It needs to be recorded. I was questioning this idea of even doing a Family Home Evening for the kids and grandchildren. Is this inspired? Or is it just my wishful thinking that my husband and I can help influence the kids and grandchildren. Some are really struggling with their testimonies. But, after finding that experience on my husband’s grandmother, I feel I’m being led. There is no stupor of thought here. There is so much evil out there. My desire is for them to have rock-solid testimonies. For some, I’m afraid it may already be too late. Hopefully, something we say will get through to them. There is always hope. And, we will never give up. I have a 15 year old granddaughter who is already questioning her sexuality. She’s a baby! Why does she need to worry about this at her age? Kids are bombarded at such a young age with this, and made to think they need to choose. Im so tired of all this worry for my family. I’m looking forward to the Second Coming.

I’m not sure how to ask this. This is a topic that isn’t often discussed and rightly so. We don’t want to dwell on negativity. But, I’m trying to write some family history, and then discuss it with my family in a Family Home Evening format. The experience I’m writing about is one where my grandmother raised her arm to the square and in the name of our Lord commanded an evil presence to depart. My questions: As a woman, did she have the right to do so? Or, because she was an endowed member, and under her husband’s priesthood could she exercise that power? Or, can any worthy person do what she did? Or was my grandmother wrong to do so? There are a few articles in Ask Gramps about this, but it only mentions men.

My guess: Maybe the driver of the other car thought he saw a patrol car and quickly decelerated and backed off, which you didn’t notice.

Look at Hamstudy.org. It is a good resource for what you need to study for the exam. At least here in the U.S. Morse code is no longer required for the exams. But, it is a hobby within the hobby of ham operators. Back when I was a teenager, and Morse code was required, I would listen to my brother transmit and receive. I tried learning it, but didn’t stick with it. I’m thinking if I ever have the time, I’d like to learn code.

We have over ten BaoFeng radios in the house. They’re relatively inexpensive and not too difficult to program by computer and cable. Of course these are for VHF/UHF, which is mostly local. If your area has linked repeaters you will be able reach greater distances. The more you use your radio the more you learn. You’ll want an HF radio for long distances. Antennas make a big difference. A directional yagi antenna will get you greater distance with lower power, but is directional.

My FaceBook account has been hacked. Someone has managed to change my password, my email, and my phone number, so I can’t change password, or recover my acct. I’m going through customer support, but it’ s been about three weeks now and I haven’t heard anything back from FB. So frustrating!

I’m going to be planting my seeds this spring. I’m hoping our Utah climate will grow these beauties and I get some sweet watermelon.

Technology or anything mechanical does not come naturally to me. I’m continually having to ask my husband, kids, or grandchild how to do something on the computer, or how to get something to work. I’ve just been called to be a Sunday School teacher and I am panicking because I will be teaching using Zoom. Before COVID-19, when I taught SS I never brought a TV into the classroom because I can never get it to work for me. The more I think about this calling, the more anxious I am getting—all due to technology. Last Sunday when trying to listen to Relief Society on Zoom, I missed half of it because I couldn’t figure out how to get the audio to come on, yet the week before I didn’t have that issue with the Sunday School lesson. And, how to reply to a question on Zoom is beyond me. I have no idea how others were able to make comments which I could read. Plus, during the whole lesson I was terrified I wasn’t muted. There were comments that people weren’t muted. So, I kept as quiet as a mouse just in case my audio was on. I’m finding Zoom to be terribly anxiety causing.

Oh, Dahlia, he is precious! Congratulations!

I’m from the western United States and I learned to pronounce aunt as ant. I’m okay when easterners pronounce aunt as auhnt, but it bugs the heck out of me when westerners switch their pronunciation to auhnt. It sounds affected.

JohnsonJones, my understanding is that if a woman gets a sealing cancellation she is no longer sealed to her ex-husband. If you mean a civil divorce without a sealing cancellation, then yes, I suppose she is still technically sealed to him. If it remains that way until the next life, I believe he/she would be given the option if they want to remain together through the eternities. There’s usually a good reason for divorce. Most likely one or both of them do not want to be married to each other. Even though Heavenly Father frowns on divorce, it is allowed because we are imperfect people. I don’t believe anyone is going to be forced to be with an ex, if they don’t want it. Even, once we have reached our perfected state, and have celestial love for all, does not mean we lose our option to choose.

I had a very traumatic experience when I was a young girl of about 4 or 5 years of age. My parents had just given me two cute, adorable kittens. I still remember their coloring—brown and caramel tabbies. We lived on a dairy farm, so of course these were outdoor cats. One morning I went outside to play with my kittens. When I got to their “nest”, I saw that their heads had been torn off! I screamed and screamed! My parents came running, thinking something terrible had happened to me. I was devastated. My parents said it was most likely a tom cat that had killed them. This has stuck with me for over 60 years.

If I inherited five million, I would pay off my mortgage and other debts. I and my husband would have much needed dental work done on our teeth, which we currently are unable to afford. We would get a decent car. We would replace some of our food storage. Travel some. Maybe buy a camping trailer. Our aches and pains are such that camping is getting hard for us. Taxes would probably take about half. I don’t think there would be much left after these expenditures.

I was under the impression that he would need to be baptized by proxy, but I could be wrong. Then he would have his blessings restored. I’ll see if I can find any information on this. Children do not lose the blessing of being born in the covenant when a parent/s is excommunicated. Also, when parent’s have their sealing canceled, the children retain their blessing of being born in the covenant.

Wow! Your watermelon patch is really coming along, as are your other veggies. I’m rather envious. I really would like to be a great gardner, But, alas, I try every year, and it’s hit or miss. I’ve switched to container gardening. It’s about all I can handle now. Next year I will have to figure out where and how to plant my Bradford watermelon seeds. I’ve got enough land, about 1/2 acre, but the soil is rocky and not the best. I will have to get it ready. I really want to try those seeds. We just cut up a watermelon we got at the grocery store. It’s not sweet, and as usual lately with any watermelon we buy, disappointing!