At the moment, I am interested in the place of the BEATITUDES in our scriptures... 

In researching the topic today, I ran across these words regarding the difference between a joyous family and an agitated one...

"Well, we can find joy in ....the life of the home, which has been spoken of here so beautifully throughout this conference, beginning with that inspirational message from our President.

"I am mindful of the struggle we have to go through to get a home, and then the pride we feel as we come into it, and then the joy of children as they come to bless it. I still think that the birth of a baby surpasses the greatest miracle ever wrought. The joy in the coming of the children, their development, their questions, their affection, their frank disclosures, the privilege we have of living life over again, and then when we get to the stage of grandchildren, where we have all the joys and not quite the full responsibilities, when, after they have worn us or our nerves a little threadbare, we can suggest, that for the children's sake, maybe they ought to be in bed. These are great blessings and great sources of joy.

"Let me give you a homely illustration of the difference between a joyous family and an agitated one. Some people make their lives center in "don'ts" and "mustn'ts" and "can'ts." I often think of the mother who used to say, "Go and see what Billy is doing and tell him to quit." That kind of parent gets into the car and proceeds to tell her children what they cannot do and orders them to be quiet. The wise parent, who has the joy in the association of the children, says, "Let's see how many white horses we can see in the next hundred miles." Perhaps we shall have to change the white horses to red tractors. It is an interest to trace the alphabet on the billboards along the way—good fun to try to work out a complete alphabet. It is fun to find the best signboard along the way or, if you want to, and lean a little to the intellectual side, you can get one of the children's best current books—not the cheap ones that Brother Dilworth [Young] talked about this morning—but one of those beautifully illustrated books now available, and you can sit in the back seat (if you have the kind of driver) and fill in the time that otherwise might drag. That is joy in the making.

"In the home, too, there is the joy of a few good friends—not too many—because you cannot cultivate them—but a few of the friends who will stand by you in all that comes in life. We have such friends—God be praised for them.

"In the language of Shakespeare, "Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel."

Adam S. Bennion, Conference Report, April 1955, pp. 108-112

ELDER LENHARD

052 Tuesday to Tuesday (April 15-21, 2015)

We have been blessed with the new Senior Couple.  Elder Smith is not only an upper HP guy, he is really good with computers. I guess he must have something to do with marketing HP because he has great ideas on how we can better market Family Search at the festivals. We met with Jane Orne (Stake Genealogy Director) and talked about how we can do more than we have before. I don’t think he understood why we had to go to her to present any ideas or why we needed her input, but we had to make sure he understood that we can’t just do things on our own. He is going to make a presentation to show at the festival and use it to get the attention of the visitors. We are excited about this opportunity. Jane is really laid back and is not in a hurry, so Elder Smith was a little shocked that she suggested we not meet again until May 5^th. He has done this kind of stuff in his job, so he knows how long it takes to get something put together and all the kinks worked out before the festival. We left the meeting looking forward to our next meeting.

Thursday found us again inspecting one apartment holding Elders and one holding Sisters. It was fun because we got to go to the Peewaukee area to visit the sisters. Craig wasn’t feeling well toward the end, and I usually go into the Sisters apartment by myself. I ran through their apartment so fast I think they were wondering what in the world I was doing. On the way home, we stopped at Costco. We had gotten two new tires from Sears in March but had found nails in the other two tires and decided we would get Costco to do them. They were much cheaper, thank goodness, and we were told (Craig saw it on the computer) that the ones we had gotten from Sears was not recommended for our Honda. So they rotated them to the front and put the newest ones on the back. Whatever! The ride is much smoother now. We are astonished that we are getting 32-34 miles a gallon out of the car, and we just hit 100,000 miles. We have put on over 25,000 since we got here.

That night we did not have Pathway, and it was a treat to be able to stay at home. Course, there is always genealogy to do, and I’ve started making copies of all the stuff we are collecting here so I can throw away the paper and not take it home. It is very liberating to do that.

Friday, we had paperwork to put together and just took it easy. We don’t have many days that we can say, wow, there is nothing on our schedule. 

Barefoot and all, just relaxing and taking it easy.

On Saturday, we planned to go to the Milwaukee Genealogy Workshop, but did not make it. It was cold and rainy, and Craig did not feel well so we stayed inside.

Sunday saw us at Church with the Armstrongs. We decided we would try to begin having FHE with them each week. They said they would like that, so we planned the program and dessert. We will have to work it so that they can also plan a program themselves. We did get in touch with Denise, and she said we could go over in the afternoon on Monday.

On Monday, we started out at the gym. I love to exercise. It helps my knees to feel better. I like to think it helps my stomach to get smaller, but then I look down and realize it is still there. Shouldn’t that have dropped off at the corner somewhere? Why does it hang around?

Denise contacted us and told us we couldn’t come because she didn’t feel well. I had to insist on going because we still had stuff in our car that we had been carrying around for a while. She didn’t seem to like it, but she consented to our going over. When we got there, she acted sick and after opening the door laid on the couch and let us bring in the stuff. Then we asked if she needed a blessing, but she said no. Her sister, Christine, was there. I told Denise she needed to send her sister home, but she says she has to take care of her. We feel she will regret that decision.

That night we had FHE with the Armstrongs. She doesn’t get off work until 6:00, and he then goes and gets her. We were meeting at 7:30, and we can’t stay long because they are tired. We had bought a pie from a place called Baker’s Square. Their pies are to die for, and we have sampled just about every one they make. Craig gave a short lesson, and we tried to get them to help with the lesson. They really seemed to like it. We won’t be available next week because we are going to Texas for Jackson’s birthday. We are getting excited and know this week is going to drag by. When we get back though, we will have FHE every week with them if possible.

On Tuesday, we had District Meeting. We love the missionaries that we meet with, and for the most part, we are so impressed with their leadership. We do (or at least I) see a somewhat more lax attitude with this group we have now. There is one missionary in particular, who really makes us scratch our heads with wonder that he is still here. He does not portray an obedient attitude. Several times we feel he embellishes what he does to the point that it is fantastical. There have been times when we have caught the other missionaries rolling their eyes when he talks. He only has two transfers left (12 weeks), so we hope he will catch the vision and do better.
In studying, I found a quote from President Benson: "When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." I really like that. If  we are obedient because we realize it will allow us to become more like our Father in Heaven, and we will have the power to do His work.

On Thursday of this week, I will finish my first time reading the Book of Mormon for this year. I have read it fast this time, and I’ve tried to concentrate on the book like it is a history. Know the facts and the action so I can get a better grasp of what is happening when, where, and by whom.  I have benefited from this reading as I picked up things I hadn’t before. For example, I have read this book over and over, and this is the first time that I realized that there were only 200 years after Christ’s visit to the Americas before the Church began to tear itself apart as there were “ites” again. After 4^th Nephi, basically, all the fighting and everything is over. Mormon then comes in to bring it together, and then Ether reaches back in history to tie up loose ends. When I start reading again, it will be with a different method in mind. I don’t know what it will be as at this time, but it will be different.

Our scripture for this month is 2 Nephi 11:5

     And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul 
     delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from 
     death.

Elder and Sister Lenhard

051 Tuesday to Tuesday (April 8-14, 2015)

One of the favorite things we get to do is to go to the MPAFUG meeting on the second Wednesday of the month to gain greater insight into how to do genealogy and to meet the people who have similar interests. It is a real opportunity to mingle with others and to tell them about our interest in Family History. This night was a special one because we had a nonmember named Tony come to the meeting. We had met him at our gym, and he is a photographer. He’s really big and so jovial. We encouraged him to come and learn about what the group is all about, and we hope we can help him in the genealogy library at the Church. He met one of the Senior Missionary couples there who are interested in photography, and they along with Craig want to go take pictures. There is an opportunity in May to go photograph birds.

On May 9, we had an opportunity to inspect three sets of missionary apartments. They were held by the Spanish missionaries and were all in the same area. It was fun to visit with the missionaries, help them get an idea of what they need to do (and their apartments were pretty clean but in need of some work), and to find out what needs they might have. It is hard to convince them that we really are their friends and not there to make them feel bad. The day was cool, rainy, and misty. Not the kind of day we wanted to be out in, but we made it.

We held our last Pathway class. The students had to report on a book they had read that pertained to some economic ideas – Rich Man, Poor Man – is an example. The students had a group of books to choose from, and then they had to relate the teachings in each book to the Gospel. What a class. Everyone did such a good job. They bore such beautiful testimonies about how the Gospel was supported by the ideas received from the book each had read. It was amazing. When they finished, all I could say was amen and amen. These people are absolutely the type of people that you would want on your side when you needed spiritual strength. We are so blessed to be a part of the Pathway program. Afterwards, we had a party, laughed a lot – relief from the stress of having finished the math semester – and on to a week of relaxation. 

Earlier in the week we found out there was a new Senior Missionary couple who had come to Milwaukee. They had been sent to Chicago, but for some unknown reason they came here. Even President Cutler was surprised when he must have gotten a call from the Mission President down there. They called us, and we asked them out for dinner on Friday night. We were very impressed with Elder and Sister Smith. He is upper management for HP and travels all over the world. He and his wife want a proselyting mission. You can tell he is quite the leader. President Cutler suggested that they might want to help us with the festivals. We will look forward to working with them.

The sub we toured

On Saturday we actually went on a road trip to Manitowac to see the Maritime Museum. They have a submarine that was used in WWII that was not comfortable at all to get through. Each hatch that we had to go through had the bottom of the doorway at least 2.5 feet up. So we had to climb over them to get from one area to another. If we had been in a race to get from one end to another, we would have lost. It was interesting, but I would have been claustrophobic on a ship like that, no extra space at all. The museum was delightful. We enjoyed seeing a history of the lakes, the different types of ships manufactured in Wisconsin, those that were lost in the lakes, and those that made such an impact on this area. Fun, fun.

Manitowoc Submarines Info

Map showing ways ships left Wisconsin for the Ocean.

  
Sunday was a treat. We went to Elkhorn to talk to the members there about family history and what is being done with getting their new members to the Temple. These are such good people. I have to say I have never been in a Relief Society like theirs. The Elder’s Quorum was going to have a target shooting activity the next Saturday. The sisters wanted to know if they could go. Evidently, nearly every sister there had a gun, and they knew how to use it. I had to laugh! I told them that I’d never been in a Relief Society where the women wanted to shoot guns.  Hahaha

Scenery on way to Elkhorn

On Monday, we spent time running around picking up donations from members who are moving and to get them to Denise. She needed a microwave, curtains, rugs, etc. Unfortunately, after picking them up, she wasn’t home to have us drop them off. Again, another week without being able to see her. We are worried, but we can’t break down that door. Hopefully, it won’t last for ever.

I also talked with someone about long-term insurance. There is a group that represents retirees in Georgia who offers various types of benefits for us. I asked for information and will see what it costs. We did get our taxes done and evidently we are in a situation where we do not owe taxes anymore.  Hahaha I like that.

Tuesday found me being contacted by my health insurance regarding “my health.” I have a life coach who checks in to see if I’m choosing healthy alternatives in my life. I have to do this in order to get certain credits that will be used before my deductible. I realized that next year I will be on Medicare. When did I get so old. This is unbelievable. I guess I should be grateful that I’ve lived this long. When I hear someone has died who is younger than I am, I do marvel that I’m still here. Gotta take care.

Well, another week has gone. Our scripture for this month is 2 Nephi 11:5

     And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers;
     yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great 
     and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

Elder and Sister Lenhard

050 Tuesday to Tuesday (April 1-7, 2015)

With April will come spring surely, but judging by the cool weather, it may be a long time in coming. However, we will be grateful for the sun when we can get it. We started out the day helping Denise get settled in her new apartment. It is really a tiny apartment, I hope she can be happy there, but I’m not sure it will happen. It is smaller than our apartment if that is possible. We asked the Church if we could have twin beds to go to Denise’s sister, Christine, so that her sister would give Denise her queen-size bed that Denise wanted. The Church had some missionary beds that they needed to get rid of because we have lost some missionaries and would be giving the beds to the Salvation Army or some other organization. So we went to the storage facility and picked up the beds and then went to Denise’s apartment to pick up Christine to go to her apartment and exchange the beds. Denise also got the dresser in the room. We had the Elders from her area and those that had worked with her before so they did the lifting and helped us take them down and put them up at the respective places. 

After moving, we went to a local grocery and helped the Salvation Army by encouraging people to buy a bag of groceries for the hungry in Milwaukee. We did that for 3 hours. We met a man who after talking with us finally asked us what Church we were from (looking at our tags). We told him we were out here on a mission and what we were doing. I asked if he had heard of the Church. He said we had never asked him his name and if we had we would know of his connection to the Church. I asked if he was a Young, and he said he was. He had been excommunicated from the Church in 1975. I asked if he was ready to come back. He told us his story, and we encouraged him to go to the Bishop and ask how he could return. We don't know if he will, but we have his name and will ask missionaries down in the area to look him up.  He was a nice, older man, who (like many old men) was very funny (or tried to be). We couldn't help but like him.

Helping with Salvation Army's Feed the Hungry Project

  
Afterwards, since we were at a store, we got Denise some dinner so she wouldn’t have to worry about cooking anything that night. We all know how it is to move into a place the first night.

We started the day on Thursday by going to the gym. I wish we had more opportunities to get to the gym, but many times it is just impossible.  That night we had to prepare for our last Pathway class for this semester taught by a student. Next week Craig and I will teach the class. The sister who did it was not really prepared, and it was almost painful watching her. She has had a couple of deaths in her family in the last couple of months, and her son had to come home from his mission early because of serious back problems. She has been so caught up in the family problems (which she should be), that she has let the math go. But the rest of the students stepped in and took care of it for her. That’s one reason we enjoy the program so much. Everyone wants the others to be successful. 

On Friday, I actually tutored the Spanish sisters again. They only have a week to get it down for the final exam. I feel good about them. 

This being Good Friday, Craig and I decided to go to the St. Joseph’s Basilica downtown and attend a special meeting they have on to celebrate the resurrection. There was a choir that couldn’t be seen, it was located on the second floor balcony out of sight, and the music was haunting. The choir sang the program, and although we (I) had a hard time following it, we could see the devotion the congregants had to their program. They would walk in and before they slid into the pew they had chosen, they would kneel and give the sign of the cross – even the little children. It was very reverent, and when the children got noisy, they were quietly taken out. 

Beautiful inside of chapel

This edifice has a duplicate so they are on both sides of chapel.

This is the ceiling in the chapel. The inspiration for this room is the Sistine Chapel.

 At one point, all of the people pulled out the benches in front of them and leaned on the back of the pew in front (breathing down the neck of those that did not kneel themselves but stayed on the bench). While the singing continued, the people stayed this way. I was afraid to move, and the man behind me coughed on my neck. Finally, they sat back on their seat.

There were two priests up front, and between the breaks of the music (I can’t say that they were singing hymns so that when one stopped another started), one of the priests would come forward from behind the pulpit and snuff out two candles on this candelabra. The candles were on each side of the center candle, and they were set up like a triangle. So one candle on each side would be covered. When all but the center candle was out, all of a sudden the lights went out and while a priest carried the candelabra with the one light burning back through the congregation (down the center isle), the people began to stamp their feet and use their hands and program to beat on the back of the seat in front of them. It symbolized the earth in upheaval due to the death of the Savior. It was so real, I could almost feel the rolling of the floor. The priest carried the candle out, the lights came on, and the congregation stood and began to leave. It was very interesting. 

Of course, on Saturday and Sunday, we were privileged to watch General Conference on TV. What a wonderful experience. I could feel the strength of the Priesthood when they told us not to cave in to the pressures of the world to change our beliefs so that they lined up with the way the world wanted to portray the rights of our human existence. Stand for good, morality, pride in our Christian heritage, and for our families who are the most important people in our lives. I felt so good listening to them, and I look forward to the May issue of the Ensign.  On Sunday, we took Victor some dinner (I had bought a ham because Denise had promised she would come for dinner yesterday to watch Conference – but she bowed out at the last minute).  That afternoon, we went to our friends, the Calabro’s for dinner. It is nice to be invited to other member’s homes which doesn’t happen much. We had a great time, and we were excited to just sit around and deepen our friendship.

On Monday, we started the day at the gym and while there, we got our haircuts because the places are next to each other. We really enjoy the lady who cuts our hair. She and her husband don’t have children, their dogs are their children. We had a meeting scheduled with Denise, but she cancelled it. This can’t be good.

Tuesday, we had a Zone Conference from 10-1 and then afterward I had math practice. The Spanish sisters are so sweet, but they are panicking. They have to finish the final test by this Friday. They also have a test on Wednesday, and they need to do well to help them finish with a flourish on Friday. We didn’t get back to the apartment until after 6 o’clock, and we were worn out.

We started a new scripture for April – 2 Nephi 11:5

And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

What a great week. We are worried about Denise, as we haven’t heard a thing since last week. We pray for her every day.

Elder and Sister Lenhard

BEAUTIFUL!

FLYING FROM DALLAS TO ATLANTA AFTER JACKSON'S BAPTISM

Image as taken on my NIKON 60. No processing.