It Is Well with My Soul

On Oct 14, 2018, I wrote this on our mission blog:

A highlight of watching General Conference last week was listening to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sing the hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul".  We had never heard the hymn before.   As we sat listening to it in the Belize City chapel, it was obvious that it is a beloved hymn of the Belizean saints as several in the congregation sang like angels along with the choir.  We have listened to the hymn several times this past week and, truly, "it is well, it is well, with my soul."   

Enjoy watching the ASL version of this song that was preformed in the April 2022 General Conference.

(Be sure to click the enlarge button in the bottom right hand corner as you watch it)

It Is Well with My Soul

Text:  Horatio Spafford/Music:  Philip Bliss   

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well

With my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

And Lord, haste the day when thy faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

This afternoon a friend posted the song on her facebook page along with the background on why the song was written.  It brought back a tender memory as I saw her Facebook post.  As I was researching more about this song today, I found this video explaining the background as it is explained by Lloyd  Newell on the program, Music and the Spoken Word.  

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square's YouTube page explains the background to the song:

Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties, can come unexpectedly. Our life’s dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence? 

Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever. 

Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?” 

Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred. 

As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn: 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll—

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives. There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies. But with faith in a loving God and with trust in His divine help, we can confidently say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Episode 4580. Aired June 25, 2017.

Our Visit to Mt. Rushmore

This past week, Scott and I took a road trip to South Dakota to see the Mt. Rushmore monument. It was a memorable trip to a historical site and an experience we'll always treasure.

On the first day of our journey through Wyoming, we stopped at Independence Rock, a landmark for the pioneers traveling west on the Oregon, Mormon, and California trails. Many of these emigrants carved their names on the huge granite rock in the foreground and to the left behind the marker. 

Mt. Rushmore features the faces of four presidents of the United States who were prominent in the founding and preservation of our nation: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

The monument was sculpted by Gutzon Borglum. The project officially started in 1927 and ended in 1941, just prior to our entering World War II.  Projected to cost about $500,000, the final cost was just under $1 million.     

Scott made sure he packed his binoculars to see the details of the sculpture.

We enjoyed visiting the museum and learning the details of how Mt. Rushmore came to be.   

Of all the things we learned in the museum, I was most surprised to learn that Gutzon Borglum was born in Idaho, the son of "Mormon" Danish immigrants. 

Sadly, Gutzon passed away shortly before completion of the project from complications from surgery, at age 74. It was left to his son, Lincoln, to finish the Mt. Rushmore memorial.   

Because we were visiting Mt. Rushmore during the off-season, many restaurants, shops, and stores were closed in the small town of Keystone, where we stayed.  We were happy that there was one restaurant open.  We'll give Boss' Pizza & Chicken a 5-star review! 

After lunch, we toured the town of Keystone (it's one street long!) and we returned that night to enjoy the lighted view of the monument. 

Miraculously, of the hundreds of laborers who blasted and carved away the mountain into what has become a national treasure, no one lost their life or was seriously injured during the project. 

We stayed two nights at the Roosevelt Inn (right).  It wasn't until our second day that we noticed right next door the Magnuson Grand!  (We wondered if they would have let us stay there free?-- probably not, since we spell our name with two "s")

We experienced a tender mercy on this trip. This was the view of the mountain the day we arrived and the day we left Mt. Rushmore-- completely obscured by fog and clouds.  

This clear photo was taken of the monument in the same spot as the above photo.  It was a blessing to be at Mt. Rushmore on the day that we were....not a day earlier nor a day later!  

On the journey home, we stayed a night in Casper, Wyoming, and visited an air and war museum, located near the airport. 

This photo is of a Russian MiG fighter.

As we drove home through Wyoming, we couldn't believe how wide open the state is.  We've always heard that it is one of the least populated states, and we saw for ourselves that this is indeed true.  

"Don't say 'I can't' on this work. 

The 'I can'ts' are unknown in the world's work and unremembered in history." 

--Sculptor Gutzon Borglum

Paper Plate Skeleton

I remember making many paper plate skeletons back in the day when my kids were little.  I don't remember what magazine I got this pattern from, but I'm glad that I kept a copy of the pattern in my files.  

Onto generation 2 as I make some skeletons this Halloween season with my grandkids.  

Christlike Attributes

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted this wonderful video that shows the attributes of Christ that are depicted in scenes from His life.  Jesus Christ was:

Humble

Obedient

A healer

Kind

A teacher

Courageous

A servent

Submissive

Selfless

and

Full of love

You can also see the video by clicking here

This video reminds me of the Primary hymn by Janice Kapp Perry, "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus".  

I’m trying to be like Jesus;

I’m following in his ways.

I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,

But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

[Chorus]

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.

Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,

For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor;

I’m learning to serve my friends.

I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.

I try to remember the lessons he taught.

Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:  

[Chorus]

May we all try to be like Jesus by showing Christlike attributes....

Happy Halloween!

During the craziness of 2020 it's alway refreshing to find something to make us smile.  Two years ago JK! Studios produced this most entertaining Halloween video.

This is what JK! Studios said about this video:

With Halloween almost among us the trick or treat struggle is REAL! We’re soo focused on candy, and scary costumes we never even stop to think about the heroes who give it out. This one is for them!

Credits:

Cast: Jason Gray

Director: Jeremy Warner

Writer: Jason Gray

FamilySearch and My Grandfather

On September 8, 2020 I read this on my FamilySearch message page:

2 August 2020

Hi,

In cleaning out my grandmother and great grandmother's things, I have an original photo of Marion L. Harris that I'd love to share with a family member. If you know the best address or contact of Marion's descendant, I'm happy to put it in the mail.

Thanks…

As it turns out, the person that reached out on FamilySearch isn’t a relative, but had in her possession a picture of my grandfather.  Through her research she was able to reach out on FamilySearch.org asking for anyone who is his descendant to reply to her message.  

Here is the photo I received in the mail after I replied to her message. My parents and my siblings had never seen it before.  I am so grateful for the effort this person went to so I can have this original 1917 photograph of my grandfather, Marion L. Harris.  

What is FamilySearch.org, you ask?   You can find out for yourself by clicking here.  Anyone can sign up for this free service.  

This is a screen shot from a page on FamilySearch.org which shows some of the activities you can do.  I got to this page by clicking here.  

 

Find out for yourself how easy it is to track your family tree.  

Welcome Ryan!

Saturday we had a wonderful day in Logan, Utah participating in the wedding of Ryan and Lisa.  They say a picture is worth 1,000 words.  Enjoy the pictures.  

Please Pass the Popcorn

Last Christmas Rachel gave us a Popco microwave popcorn popper.  We love it!  She got the gift idea from Mel's Kitchen Cafe post titled:  "Mel's Holiday Gift Guide..."

This is what Mel said about the gift:

 Microwave Popcorn Popper {aff. link}:  after many years, my last microwave popcorn popper went kaput. Enter this new fun popper! It works exactly how it should, and it means my kids make popcorn for after school snack 4/5 days of the week.  

This is what I say about the gift:

After years of not eating popcorn very often, we are now regular popcorn eaters thanks to this new way to make popcorn.  It is also fun to make a popcorn snack for our grandkids.  When I was in Idaho helping with the arrival of Janelle's new baby, every day at 4:00 we paused what ever we were doing and had a popcorn popping and eating break.  The grandkids loved it.

I also give this away as wedding gift along with a jar of Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn  whenever I get the chance to.  This is the note I include with the gift:

I know it is a gift that is appreciated because of this thank you note I received written by a newlywed husband who was the recipient of the popcorn maker:  

"Thank you so much for your kind wedding gift.  *Susie has frequently said she used the popcorn maker more than any wedding gift we've received.  She loves it, as do l..."

*the name has been changed.  

Please pass the popcorn!  

Entertaining Toddlers

Several years ago, my daughter observed a toddler playing with a version of the two middle containers and told me about this brilliant, entertaining, free toy.  I've been collecting milk jug lids and containers ever since.

Just unscrew the lid of your homemade toy, dump out the milk lids and watch your toddler entertain himself by putting the lids back into the container.  You can also review color names as he/she adds them to the container.

Here is another view of the tops of the container. 

Have fun!  

Wise Words from Elder Holland

This great advice from Elder Jeffery Holland was posted on his Facebook page this morning.  I have highlighted the parts of his message that stood out to me.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, it has been interesting for me to have so many meetings, trips, and public speaking assignments canceled and to spend more time with myself. That is something that I don’t get a lot of opportunity to do.

For any of us, it’s an interesting experience to be the only person in the room and ask yourself whether you like the company. Personally, I’d say that there are some things I like about Jeff Holland, but some other things need work and improvement. I like to call this time alone with yourself “character time.” It’s a good exercise to ask hard questions and hope you like what you’re able to answer.

In my normal life, I would have a few moments each day to pray and be in the scriptures. Now, I’ve had day after day where I can spend hours praying and being in the scriptures. That is a luxury that I didn’t know I’d ever have again. I hope when things go back to normal—whatever normal is going to be—that I don’t forget the feelings and experiences I’ve had during these months of reflection and solitude.

The scriptures testify of God’s hope that we will turn to him voluntarily—His hope that we will choose to be reflective, righteous, and contemplative in a way that will all lead to His grand purpose and to our improvement. There are many ways that we can learn to be more careful, more thoughtful, more grateful, more spiritual—and I believe that for many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic is one of those ways. We would be foolish to miss out on this sacred opportunity to search our souls, do a little repenting, and look for how we can be better and kinder.

This picture with Elder Holland was taken in 2006 during the Arcadia Stake Conference