Adversity

"Adversity will be a constant or occasional companion for each of us throughout our lives. We cannot avoid it. The only question is how we will react to it. Will our adversities be stumbling blocks or stepping stones?"  Dallin H. Oaks

This morning after watching Music and the Spoken Word on TV, a past BYU Devotional given by Dallin H. Oaks came on.  The speech was titled "Adversity" and it was given on January 17, 1995.  I agree with Elder Oaks when he said that "adversity will come to all." Then he asked, "how we will we react to it?"  I'm hoping that I'm using my adversities as stepping stones and that my adversities are making me stronger.

You can listen to the whole devotional below.  You can skip past the introductions and start listening to the meat of his devotional starting at 4:35.

You can read the speech by clicking here.  

COVID - 19: "The Rules as of Today"

As Scott and I were checking out at Walmart the other day, this sign was 6 feet away from the front of each cash register lane.

Which brings me to this list that Rachel shared with me yesterday.  (Thank you COVID-19)

The Rules as of today:

1. Basically, you can't leave the house for any reason, but if you have to, then you can.

2. Masks are useless, but maybe you should wear one, it can save you, it is useless, but maybe it is mandatory as well.

3. Stores are closed, except those that are open.

4. You should not go to hospitals unless you have to go there. Same applies to doctors, you should only go there in case of emergency, provided you are not too sick.

5. This virus is deadly but still not too scary, except that sometimes it actually leads to a global disaster.

6. Gloves won't help, but they can still help.

7. Everyone needs to stay HOME, but if it's important then GO OUT.

8. There is no shortage of groceries in the supermarket, but there are many things missing when you go there in the evening, but not in the morning. Sometimes.

9. The virus has no effect on children except those it affects.

10. Animals are not affected, but there is still a cat that tested positive in Belgium in February when no one had been tested, plus a few tigers here and there…

11. You will have many symptoms when you are sick, but you can also get sick without symptoms, have symptoms without being sick, or be contagious without having symptoms.

12. In order not to get sick, you have to eat well and exercise, but eat whatever you have on hand and it's better not to go out, well, but no…

13. It's better to get some fresh air, but you get looked at very wrong when you get some fresh air, and most importantly, you don't go to parks or walk. But don’t sit down, except that you can do that now if you are old, but not for too long or if you are pregnant (but not too old).

14. You can't go to retirement homes, but you have to take care of the elderly and bring food and medication.

15. If you are sick, you can't go out, but you can go to the pharmacy.

16. You can get restaurant food delivered to the house, which may have been prepared by people who didn't wear masks or gloves. But you have to have your groceries decontaminated outside for 3 hours. Pizza too?

17. Every disturbing article or disturbing interview must start with " I don't want to trigger panic, but…"

18. You can't see your older mother or grandmother, but you can take a taxi and meet an older taxi driver.

19. You can walk around with a friend but not with your family if they don't live under the same roof.

20. You are safe if you maintain the appropriate social distance, but you can’t go out with friends or strangers at the safe social distance.

21. The virus remains active on different surfaces for two hours, no, four, no, six, no, we didn't say hours, maybe days? But it takes a damp environment. Oh no, not necessarily.

22. The virus stays in the air - well no, or yes, maybe, especially in a closed room. In one hour a sick person can infect ten, so if it falls, all our children were already infected at school before it was closed. But remember, if you stay at the recommended social distance, however in certain circumstances you should maintain a greater distance, which, studies show, the virus can travel further, maybe.

23. We count the number of deaths but we don't know how many people are infected as we have only tested so far those who were "almost dead" to find out if that's what they will die of.

24. We have no treatment, except that there may be one that apparently is not dangerous unless you take too much (which is the case with all medications).

25. We should stay locked up until the virus disappears, but it will only disappear if we achieve collective immunity, so when it circulates… but we must no longer be locked up for that?

Rachel found the list  on this Facebook page.

As long as I'm on this subject, here is a funny picture of Reed Christensen's sister-in-law who got married just before they closed the temples for COVID-19.

Below is a video of talented singers, Home Free, explaining it all......

You can also see the video by clicking here

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

This past Sunday as we watched General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this closing hymn was the highlight of the conference for me.

Templehousegalery.com explains the uniqueness of the presentation of hymn:

The 190th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April 2020 featured Latter-day Saints from around the world virtually joining The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square in a prerecorded performance.

In addition to the historic significance April’s general conference holds as the bicentennial anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision — one of the Church’s most important foundational events — risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the Church’s official choir could not sing live, as they normally would.

These unique circumstances provided even more value to a recently produced compilation of prerecorded videos of the iconic Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and choirs of Latter-day Saints from congregations across the globe.

At the close of the Sunday afternoon session, the preproduced video of Church members on six continents singing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” along with the Church’s iconic choir was broadcast by satellite and streamed by internet to millions of people worldwide who listened to general conference on Church and public-facing channels.

Latter-day Saint choirs from Accra, Ghana; Mexico City, Mexico; Seoul, South Korea; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Frankfurt, Germany; and Auckland, New Zealand, participated in the almost five-minute rendition of the beloved Church hymn.

Speaking of  being grateful for our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson asked that we fast on Good Friday that our lives may be "normalized" as we are dealing with this "present pandemic"

The church news states:

Latter-day Saints and all others who want to participate are being called to join in a worldwide fast.

“For all whose health may permit, let us fast, pray, and unite our faith once again,” said President Russell M. Nelson in his Saturday evening general conference address. “Let us prayerfully plead for relief from this global pandemic.

“I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened and life normalized.”

This video shows President Nelson's invitation"

As I fasted on Good Friday and listened to this 2015 recording of the  Hallelujah Chorus, I felt connected to my brothers and sisters around the world in a united cause.  

Sabbath Day Worship With a 2-Year Old

On March 12, 2020 our church made this announcement:

As the rapid spread of COVID-19 continues across the globe, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced Thursday afternoon that all Church gatherings—including public worship services and sacrament meetings,......will be suspended immediately. The announcement included no end date. 

A week and a half later I found myself in Idaho welcoming home our twin grandbabies from the hospital.

Saturday was the first day all five Jeppsons were home together.  On Sunday morning I found myself with my two-year old granddaughter while her parents and newborn siblings slept in.  We had a special time listening to songs about Jesus.  The songs brought tears to my eyes as we both learned about the special mission of Jesus Christ.

Enjoy a couple of the songs we watched:

The Miracle is a song written by Shawna Belt Edwards to teach children and youth about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I Will Walk with Jesus is written by Stephen P. Schank.  We can be assured that Jesus Christ will walk with us along the way. When we choose to walk with Him, we find safety,  purpose and salvation.

Double Blessings!

Grandbabies #9 and #10 arrived this month just in time for a Valentine's Day treat.  Baby girl and baby boy joined Kristine and Bryce keeping the Magnusson grandchildren count at an even 5 girls and 5 boys.  We couldn't be more excited!

 Let the fun begin!

A Mission Memory

We have been home from our mission for almost 9 months.  As I think back on the many experiences we had, this reading from the Book of Mormon and discussion with Charles is one of my most precious memories.

 In this video, we are reading from and discussing 3 Nephi 11:15

15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

Book of Mormon reading from Kathleen Magnusson on Vimeo. 

Chase's Baptism

Earlier this month, we traveled north to Idaho.....

....so we could attend the baptism of our grandson, Chase.  

We are proud of him and that he has followed the example of the Savior.  

Matthew 3:16
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Acts 2:37-38

37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Click on the arrow to view my favorite depiction of Jesus' baptism

Baptism 

Words: Mabel Jones Gabbott

Music: Crawford Gates

1. Jesus came to John the Baptist,

In Judea long ago,

And was baptized by immersion

In the River Jordan's flow.

2. "To fulfill the law," said Jesus,

When the Baptist questioned why,

"And to enter with my Father

In the kingdom up on high."

3. Now we know that we must also

Witness faith in Jesus' word,

Be baptized to show obedience,

As was Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Christmas Nativity Sets

While I was in Belize, I discovered this free printable nativity set available on the made by joel website.  

Handing out this simple nativity set has brought me so much joy.  I have given this set to so many people --young, old, teenagers, and ages in-between.  Enjoy the smiles of some of the children who have received it.

Click here to go to the made by joel link for the free Nativity Scene printable   I print the 3 pages on card-stock paper, cut the figures out, and place the set in a quart size ziplock bag to hand out.  As the child sets it up for the first time, we talk about the stable, the animals, and the events of baby Jesus' birth.  

2023

I discovered that after the children set up the nativity, it is fun to have them watch this video that tells the nativity story.  As the song sings about a part of the scene they have set up, the children can point to that item that is being sung about at the time.   (See the words below that are in bold print) 

The Nativity Song

by Patricia Kelsey Graham

1. This is the season beloved of the year.

Sing a rhyme; Christmastime soon will be here.

Tell the true story of Jesus’ birth,

When, as a baby, he came to the earth.

2. This is the new star, shining so bright,

Lighting the world on that first Christmas night.

This is the angel proclaiming the birth,

Singing “Hosanna!” and “Peace on the earth!”

3. This is the stable, shelter so bare;

Cattle and oxen first welcomed him there.

This is the manger, sweet hay for a bed,

Waiting for Jesus to cradle his head.

4. These are the shepherds, humble and mild,

Hast’ning to worship the heavenly child.

These are the wise men who followed the star,

Frankincense, gold, and myrrh brought from afar.

5. See the sweet mother, Mary so fair,

Joseph, who guided the donkey with care.

See the dear baby of Bethlehem,

Little Lord Jesus, the Savior of men.

We're Tied Up in Knots

We send to all our friends, far and near, this year's Christmas card, with love.

You can see the other Magpad Christmas cards through the years by clicking here.  

It's a Tie!

Grandbaby # 8 has us all tied up.  We  have 4 granddaughters and with this latest little one joining our family, 4 grandsons.   Renee and Dave's baby boy was born just before Thanksgiving which has given us a lot to be thankful for!