Wow...I wasn't expecting this

Every Tuesday afternoon and evening I get to spend time at the Bountiful temple as an ordinance worker.  This is the number one thing I like about Utah. The temple is so much closer than it has been for us ... ever.  I can't get enough of it. Dad and I eagerly volunteered our services as ordinance workers, even though our work schedules don't allow us to work together on the same shift, we still wanted to serve.  We love the temple and know of the great blessings that come to those who serve there. EVERY ONE who walks through the temple doors will be blessed for coming and serving.  It's a wonderful thing.

About one month ago I was asked to be one of the assistant supervisors at initiatory.  I was excited because I love this ordinance and also surprised, because I still feel a bit like a 'newbie'.  It's a three month assignment and then another sister gets to serve.

Last night my assignment was changed and a I was called to serve as the Initiatory Coordinator.  Wow...I wasn't expecting this. This will be a nine month calling.  I am excited, humbled, thrilled and happy for this opportunity.  I love the temple.  I hope you do too.

What Do You Expect?

Last night at the temple, a sister came who was quite obviously very near to delivering a child.  In fact, as I spoke with her, I found that she would be delivering twins today.  I thought about this expectant mother, and how she was preparing for her new family members by coming to the temple.  As she left, she mentioned how peaceful she felt. She was grateful for the peace, as these babies would be numbers 3 and 4 and she expected her life to be turned upside down for the next little bit as she adjusted to doubling her posterity.

It made me think of a Sister in our ward who had made a comment in Relief Society not too long ago.  She is growing a new family too in her own way.  Married for the second time, she is dealing with all that comes when you add a new member to the family dynamics.  She mentioned that sometimes she gets frustrated because husband number 2 does not respond in the same manner as husband number 1 would have in any given situation.  It was causing some contention as he did not behave as she expected.

So what is it about expectations that is both wonderful and frustrating?  Wonderful, because of the anticipation and excitement, frustrating when what we envision to be the results turn out to be something else.

The expectant mother at the temple cannot determine, force, demand or do anything else to make her babies look or behave as she has imagined.  The Sister in my ward can try to get her husband to behave as she wants in various scenarios, but in reality if you force someone to be a certain way, you limit their agency and agency is a gift from God that shouldn't be taken away. If a change needs to be made, then teaching and leading are effective ways to encourage and help one to understand the need for change.  Teaching correct principles and then letting the 'student' govern themselves is what I believe Joseph Smith taught. (or maybe it was Brigham Young)

So...What do you expect?

Expect that God will be there for you when you do as He asks.  Expect that He has provided tools for you to use to return to him.  Expect to be responsible for using those tools.  One of them is the temple.  Go there often, learn many great and wonderful things.  The plan of salvation is taught there.  A pattern for family life is shown.

Expect there to be challenges in life.  Expect that you can manage them.  Expect joy!

They Say It's My Birthday.....

A BIG Thank you to all of you 

who came to the surprise family 

'sing-in'...yes, that's what I am 

calling it ... and wished me 

Happy Birthday 

on Sunday evening.

I was TOTALLY SURPRISED 

and delighted to see each 

and every one of  you!!!!!

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

 THANK YOU!!!

Today We Celebrate.....

PATRIOT'S DAY!!!!

Which meant that when you were little, I almost always had you home for my birthday - YAY! - and we got to watch the Boston Marathon on TV :) 

Moffat Family Motto....

I have been thinking about my life and how blessed I have been. There have been challenges and I am sure there will be more. Whenever I have had a decision to make, a problem to solve, or just every day happenings to deal with, I have found that when I have taken it to the Lord, the results were remarkably better. They were not always what I anticipated, but they were right.

Therefore, I think we should adopt this motto for our family:

Have You Inquired of The Lord?

Aprils like this....

Are why I had a real tough time convincing my parents

 that LAGOON was a great place to host a birthday party....

Coming to you from the Family Archives....

Precious Moffat Moments...

A Dad, A Son, and A Balloon...does it get any better?

Eager smiles from everyone...this could be our first 'silver star'!

Two handsome Moffat men...not to mention, stylin'!

Christmas morning...a little bit of sleepy, a lot of fun!

Really?  Dad and Mom dressed up for Halloween? Coolness factor of...one billion.

Honestly Dad...I'm HUNGRY!  Where's the turkey?

NO ONE can resist kissing those Moffat cheeks!

Two Bros and Two Cousins...Sweet!

And let's not forget the "Mommy Do It" years!  :)

This 'Daddy' Themed Archive Moment brought to you by Mommy.

Who knows, there may be more archive posts in the future. There are many awesome Moffat Moments with many themes to choose from!

April Snow

This morning found snow in our yard.  Snow.  In April.  After a winter of almost no snow whatsoever.  Snow.

I looked at the snow and found it fitting as today is the funeral of our friend Jeff.  Remember Jeff?  He was my definition of true religion.  Last Friday Jeff had a feeding tube inserted and it was bothering him. Dad and another brother in the ward were called over to Jeff's home to administer to him.  Dad's natural concern for others led him to notice the youngest son who was quietly watching.  Dad exchanged 'pounds' with this young boy and did his best to help him feel comfortable at a difficult time.  That is just your Dad. This is one of the many reasons I love him so much.  He did not know that 15 minutes after he left that home, Jeff would pass away.

I also pondered back to 19 years ago this very week as I attended another funeral.  Also, a snowy April day when another dear friend,  Marita Hynynen was buried. I remember learning what the word 'wail' meant as I listened to her 7 year old son throughout the service.  I remember how when Kulervo remarried, the children were at first hesitant to welcome their new mother with open arms, but how as they tried to accept her and love her they came to be grateful for and need her.  A great lesson is to be learned from them.

I saw this at the funeral today:

This is a great family motto.  I want to adopt it as ours. We live it anyway, most of the time. When we don't, then we cross that bridge of forgiveness, repent and move forward living in a family, the way God intended.

So, snow in April is OK.  It reminds me of families and their eternal natures.

EASTER BUDDIES!!!!!

I can't get over how much I gained from General Conference this past weekend.  I plan to post about that later...as I am currently working on my Gospel Doctrine lesson.

It was so wonderful that conference fell on Easter as well.

It was also grand to have these two Easter Buddies enjoy Easter dinner and General Conference with your father and I.

They are kind of cute, aren't they?