Look Up!

October General Conference 2011, Carl B Cook

"It Is Better To Look Up"

"At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Auhority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question "How can I possibly do this?" I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building.  As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

The door opened and someone entered, but I didn't look up.  As the door closed, I heard someone ask, "What are you looking at down there?"  I recognized that voice - it was President Thomas S Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, "Oh nothing."  (I'm sure that cleaver response inspired confidence in my abilities!)
But he had see my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward.  "It is better to look up!" As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple.  When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, "Now, remember, it is better to look up."

Walking...why is it that when were walking we always look down?

What are we missing when we look down?  When we focus downward we cannot see the beauty all around us.






As I began pondering this I started to focus on what I was missing because I was just looking down. As I glanced around me I began to see the beauty that was surrounding me! All of God's creations and beauty were engulfing my senses. The colors, the smell, the sounds were everywhere.  So, as I walked I realized what we are missing when we put blinders on making it impossible to see all the blessings that we have to enjoy.

Now this talk has a total different meaning but I took it literal! As I was walking, here on the Metcalf Family Farm, I thought of the words, "It's better to look up!" So that's what I did!  As I began to look up I noticing the view around me.  I saw the cows in the pasture grazing.

The mountains came into my view.  The light made the mountains stand out majestically in the distance. The beauty overwhelmed me as I continued on my walk.  I began to notice the birds singing and the crickets chirping as I listened to all that surrounded me.  It's a piece of heaven on earth.

While walking I remembered my favorite Primary song, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me".

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by

Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by a lilac tree
I'm glad that I live in the beautiful world
Heavenly Father created for me

In the distance family life came into view.  Homes, farms and community.  I loved what I saw.  It was glorious and beautiful. The simple country life of these families.  As I've been in this community, I've been welcomed even though I am a stranger. It's comforting to know that a friendly face will greet us wherever we may be here in the Cedar Valley.

As I'm walking another song comes to my mind.
"For The Beauty Of  The Earth"

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,

[Chorus]
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each our
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flow'r,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.

The lone tree...barren and withered showing it's struggles.  Oh what stories this tree would tell!  I can imagine the history of those that rode their horses and pulled their wagons down the dirt road. The cold harsh winters and the glorious summer time!  I can also imagine the birds that built their nests there to lay their eggs, feeding their babies and watching them take flight.  Oh the stories this tree could tell.












Then I see the horses feeding in the pasture. The grandeur of the horses...big and strong!  As I walked by they came up to me.  Oh the excitement of a child jumps into my heart. I cannot resist to pet them on their noses.  I love these gentle giants!

As I rounded the corner this came into view.  The green grass, green trees and the bounty of the lushness.  In contrast to the weary tree, life was plentiful.  The beauty engulfed me and I was overwhelmed with the sight of a glorious world that we are blessed with.  Our Heavenly Father gives us everything and are we truly grateful?  I pondered that question.  Am I truly grateful for all that Heavenly Father has given me?  Do I take it all for granted?  I took some time to reflect and ponder my thoughts. Sometimes life takes me into such a busy place that I may not be as thankful as I should be.  I must stop and see what is around me for life will pass me by if I do not take these moments to enjoy what is around me.  I'm so thankful for this walk to see deep inside of myself to bring to my mind the need to slow down and be in the moment and not pass the moment that is before me.  We are so blessed to have all that we enjoy here on earth.  We have a loving Father in Heaven that loves us and it's important to always remember that he wants the best for us.

God's Love

We do not see the wind;
We only hear it sigh.
It' makes the grasses bend
Whenever it goes by.

We do not see God's love,
But in our hearts we know
He watches over us
Wherever we may go.

We do not have to see
To know the wind is here;
We do not have to see
To know God's love is near.

Little Chicks At Grandma's House!

When we arrive to Linda and Dan's house in Cedar Fort, Utah we are greeted with a galvanized tub with 14 chicks inside.  I don't ever remember being around that many baby chicks or even the last time I held one.  I've come to discover that there is nothing cuter than a baby chick!  They're soft...and to hear them cheep is the sweetest sound ever!

I soon discovered I wasn't the only one that was enthralled with these little creatures.



Here's Savannah and Miranda (Linda's granddaughters) holding chicks. I love the expressions on their faces.  The wrinkle on Savannah's face tells it all!

Each of them are holding their chicks to insure they don't get away. Precious memories at grandma's house!

It's Summer Vacation Time!

We left home yesterday going up to Utah to see Sabrina and Family, Dan and Linda, Brandalee and Family, go to a Scentsy Family Reunion, travel to Nauvoo and return back to Utah to continue our vacation.  It will be a full July with a lot to see and do.

This morning we left Kanab moving our way to Provo then up to Cedar Valley.  On the way we always stop in Manti to see the beautiful Manti Temple.  This is my favorite temple!  It's beautiful outside and inside the workmanship is incredible!  This is the view from the park across the street! Breathtaking!

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What Do LDS Women Get?

I wish I had the eloquence and ability to say what is in my heart regarding this topic.  I'm so thankful that Sheri Dew shared her experience when speaking with a reporter on this topic.  It saddens me when LDS women don't understand that we do have a lot.  We are not oppressed!  We have a special place in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A few weeks ago a sister in our ward shared an analogy regarding the priesthood.  This sister has her own business decorating for weddings, events, etc.  She explained that she uses extension cords all the time.  She knows that when she plugs in an extension cord that she can add twinkle lights to it and illuniate the center of a room by placing extension cords together.  She likened that to the priesthood. When we have a calling in the church we are set apart by the priesthood authority to work in the capacity that we've been called.  We are an extension of that priesthood just like the twinkle lights in the middle of the room that are connected to the extension cord.  We may not hold the priesthood but we are connected to it.  We receive personal revelation.  We receive personal revelation over those we have stewardship over in our callings.

I love that analogy.  It is so simple!  Yet, I know there will be those that will find fault with it.  To those I say, I do not judge you...therefore do not judge me for my opinion.  We all have our agency to choose and to question.  My choice and belief is that our Heavenly Father's plan is the right plan.  I am not an oppressed woman in the LDS church.  I am a daughter of God and I know He loves me and I love Him.  Again, choose what you may.  As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!

   

Here are a couple of Conference Talks that I think are appropriate to share here.

The Cost -  and Blessings - of Discipleship by Jeffrey R Holland

The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood by Dallin H Oaks

Families Are Forever

There is nothing more special than seeing a family sealed together.  Today we had the opportunity to go to the Gilbert Arizona Temple and see the sealing of Joseph to his parents Robert and Sarah Atkinson. The sweet spirit of the Lord was present.  It was a quiet peaceful sealing with their older children there in the temple too.  I cannot express how important the temple is to all of us that know that families can be together forever.  Without the temple ordinances and sealing power it would not be possible.  I am forever grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.