My Favorite Things

Great Thoughts

2008-10-03T10:36:26Z

This quote went so well with the theme of my blog, "Your value is in your individuality," I decided to share it with you here, rather than on my "how-to-writeblog."

"Originality is not seen in single words or even sentences. Originality is the sum total of a man's thinking
or his writing.
~ Isaac Bashevis Singer
(1904-1991)

Craigdarroch Castle Photos

2008-09-26T23:23:17Z

While writing my romantic suspense novel, tentatively titled Flip-Flop, my research turned up several beautiful pictures--from the internet--of one of the settings in my book: Craigdarroch Castle. I thought I'd share a few of them here.

YOU'RE BETTER THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE

2008-09-05T20:54:09Z

Over the years, I’ve gradually come to know this crucial truth: each of us is better—kinder, more talented, more capable of good and noble actions—than we think we are.

My first memory of this developing understanding came when I was a young woman attending girls camp. I had decided I’d watch for the good in the other girls. I then reported to them during testimony meeting that I had found something good in each of them and they could ask me what I’d learned if they liked. After that meeting, a new Beehive asked me to tell her what was good about her. I answered her, and though I didn’t know how my words had affected her, I felt grateful—grateful I’d looked for the good in others and hopeful that I’d lifted her self-esteem.

I’ve had other similar experiences, such as the time I gave a Christmas gift to a girl who not only thought she’d been forgotten, but was perhaps the least accepted, most friendless young woman in the school. I wish I could describe to you how she beamed when I gave her that gift. I hoped—still hope—it made her feel some measure of worth.

And yet, though I hope those things, and though I know, really know, that each of us is of more eternal worth that we believe we are, I’m still subject to thoughts of inadequacy, self-debasing depression, and hopelessness.

Why is that? I believe the answer can be summed up with these three words: Satan the Deceiver. In an article titled “Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy,” from the August 2007 Ensign, David S. Baxter, said:

The Savior invites improvement to encourage us in reaching our potential (emphasis added). The adversary deploys derision to discourage us with feelings of worthlessness. Satan “seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27). He uses the circumstances of life to drag us down so that we think less of ourselves than we should. He would have us look at how far we have yet to travel and the challenges en route, in the desire that we might give up in a state of discouragement and hopelessness.

Please do not misunderstand me. I fully realize there are biological, emotional, and psychological reasons people become depressed and require medical attention; however, for the majority of us, I believe the fallen Son of the Morning is the main perpetrator. In fact, I recently attended a young women’s camp where we had a special speaker, a Seminary teacher, who taught us about Satan’s tempting devices. One of his statements, which I’ll paraphrase here, made a lasting impression on me. “Think about it. Satan resentfully attacks us through our bodies. He does this because he is forever banned from having such a precious gift.”

Isn’t that exactly what Satan’s doing when he whispers demeaning nothings in our ears? Words that lead us to believe ill of ourselves or slip into depression and/or laziness? I believe it is, but I also believe we do not have to be deceived. We can recognize and overpower Satan’s treachery. Consider Moroni’s counsel: “Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil . . . I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do (and believe) good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do (and believe) evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil (parenthesis added)” (Moroni 7:12-17).

With that introduction, let’s look at a few of Satan’s lies and their corresponding, eternal truths. That way, we can judge for ourselves.

First, lets look at a few attacks against the body:

Satan’s Lie: You can’t because . . .

A. You’re incapable.

Christ’s Truth:
Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

President Harold B. Lee: “Whom the Lord calls He qualifies.”

B. You’re too weak.

Christ’s Truth:

1 Cor 1:27 “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty . . ."

D&C 1:19 “The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh . . . ”

Ether 12:27 “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

C. You’re too out of shape.

Christ’s Truth:

D&C 89:3 The Word of Wisdom was “Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.”
1 Cor 9:25, 27 “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. . . But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

Satan’s Lie: You have no worth to anyone.

Christ's Truth:

D&C 18:10 “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. . .”

PS 8:5 “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour”.

PS 82:6 “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”

My Thought: An old adage of home organization is “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Since God’s house is a house of order, doesn’t that imply there’s “A place for everyone and everyone is in his or her place?”

Satan’s Lie: Women have less value than men.

Christ's Truth: President Howard W. Hunter, the 14th President of the Church, counseled: “A man who holds the priesthood accepts his wife as a partner in the leadership of the home and family with full knowledge of and full participation in all decisions relating thereto. … By divine appointment, the responsibility to preside in the home rests upon the priest-hood holder (see Moses 4:22). The Lord intended that the wife be a helpmeet for man (meet means equal)—that is, a companion equal and necessary in full partnership. Presiding in righteousness necessitates a shared responsibility between husband and wife; together you act with knowledge and participation in all family matters. For a man to operate independently of or without regard to the feelings and counsel of his wife in governing the family is to exercise unrighteous dominion” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 68; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 50–51).

My Thoughts: I recently attended a class titled “Enmity and the Mission of Mother Eve” by Cherie Burton at BYU-Idaho’s Education Week. There, she defined “helpmeet” from its Hebrew root word “ezer conegno” to mean in paraphrase, “one who has the power to give help—often someone in a superior position.” She further explained, as far as I understood it, that man and woman were equal in strength and “saving” power; they, together, through their differing roles and unique abilities, had the power to complete God’s purpose of bringing to pass the immortality of man. Some other notes I found both interesting and empowering: Adam’s abilities, as man, had obedience, a sense of divine duty, and a willingness (oath bound) to serve God. Eve, as woman, had wisdom, intuition into the mind and will of God, and the ability to see the “whole picture.”

Satan’s Lie: You’re unworthy, too imperfect, and unable to ever be good enough or “perfect.”

Christ’s Truth: Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

My thought: This is an obvious example of truth shrouded by evil. YES, we are unworthy, imperfect, and unable to reach perfection ALONE. We cannot cleanse ourselves of sin. We cannot do everything. Nor can we run faster than we are able. Each of these can only be tempered and accomplished through Christ and His Atonement. He’s our Savior. Remember that. He’s blessed us with the supreme gift of repentance. I hope we accept and use it. Remember, too, that Christ didn’t even refer to himself as perfect until after He’d completed His work on earth, been resurrected, and returned to The Father. All things were done in order for Christ just as they will be for us if we are obedient and rely on Him.

I realize these are not all of Satan’s lies nor are they all of Christ’s truths related to those lies. It may also be that other scriptures will more powerfully help you combat Satan, but what I truly hope you’ll take away from this article is you can ignore Satan’s buffetings. Heavenly Father has blessed us with that ability. And even if we don’t yet know what Christ’s truth is connected with the lie Satan is currently hitting us with, we can and must do what Christ did when Satan tempted Him. He said, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” And obey. And believe.

Beiging, China Pictures

2008-09-05T17:36:05Z

With the summer olympics taking place in Beiging right now, I thought I'd share a few more China pictures with you. These pictures were taken in Beiging in the spring of 2007. Some depict the new, glitzy part of China, and others show a bit of how most of China really is. One thing that was amazing to me when I visited Beiging and Shanghaii was how closely the glitz and the--well, you decide what to call it--stand together. You can literally take one step away from the glamour and be in the . . . And these pictures are only a taste.

Young Writers Contest

2008-07-18T08:31:39Z

Calling all writers, ages 18 and younger!

Is it your goal to become a professional writer? Now is your chance to use your creativity and win your own, unedited, autographed, ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of J. Scott Savage's, not-yet-released, fantasy novel, FARWORLD.

Just click on over to my other blog, TheWriteBlocks.blogspot.com to check out the rules.

SACRAMENT MEETING REVERENCE

2008-07-11T14:14:37Z

I have a question. In the October, 1976, issue of the Ensign, President Marion G. Romneysaid, “Reverence is the soul of true religion. Its seedbed is sincerity. Its quality is determined by the esteem in which one holds the object of his reverence as evidenced by his behavior toward that object. When that object is God, the genuinely reverent person has a worshipful adoration coupled with a respectful behavior toward Him and all that pertains to Him. . . Judged by their superior knowledge of God, Latter-day Saints should be the most reverent people in the world (italics added) . . .” If his last statement is true, then why is it that more often than not, when I first enter an LDS chapel in preparation for Sacrament meeting, what I see—and hear—reminds me more of a subdued ward party than a worshipful service?

Some may respond by saying reverence is a private feeling or something we can feel no matter what events are taking place around us. Besides, members of Christ’s church are friendly, aren’t they? They work together, too, and they try to accomplish much in a short time.

While I believe such characteristics are good and represent our love for each other and our dedication to God’s service, and while I also believe we can feel our love for Him even as we are chatting or “catching that person we just have to talk to before we leave the room,” I can’t help wondering. . .

Last summer, I toured a Buddhist temple in Shanghai, China. Due to my background, I assumed the building would be a no-longer-used, cultural landmark, similar to a historical site in the United States; but I was wrong. It was a “working” temple, where believers worshipped, monks studied, and tourists, like me, paid to enter, then paid again to enter the “holiest” room, walking throughout the building, examining and visiting at our leisure. However, I also noticed that even though all was in commotion around them, the few worshippers in attendance appeared riveted to their rites. How could this be, I wondered?

I had these same feelings a year earlier when I entered the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Italy. That revered room, one of Catholicism’s most holy places on earth, housed wondrous, awe-inspiring paintings by history’s esteemed artists. Yet I, along with many other paying tourists, found myself bustling among committed, reverent worshippers. Their tear-filled eyes were focused upward, and their mouths were silent. I did not doubt their devotion. But, while I marveled at them, as I later did the Buddhist worshippers, my wonderings eventually turned more thought provoking: Since reverence was so obviously an inward feeling, when it came right down to it, was there really that much of a difference between those places of worship and our own Sacrament Meetings?
Another thought. The same year I toured Vatican City, I also visited several Austrian cathedrals. These, too, were open to the public, but I remember one edifice in particular which exhibited a major difference from its counterparts: there was a glass-walled entryway where tourists or other non-worshippers could watch the ceremonies without disturbing the sanctity of the meeting. I appreciated that. And even though I didn’t stay long—I felt uncomfortable gaping at the local Austrians like they were performers—it reminded me of the truths taught in our simple Primary song, “The Chapel Doors.

The chapel doors seem to say to me, “Sh, be still.”

For this is a reverent place to be, “Sh, be still.”

We gather here on the Sabbath day,

To learn of Jesus, to sing and pray.
So when we come through the chapel doors, “Sh, be still.”

Similarly, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone in the September, 1976 Friend, described reverence in this way:

“Reverence during meetings is a very important part of the responsibility we have as members of His true church. We are all impressed with the reverence shown by children in Primary who enter the chapel quietly with arms folded. Their reverence is an example that all members of the Church should appreciate and remember when attending any meetings in the chapel.

“However, reverence is not shown only in the chapel. Boys and girls who have learned how to be reverent do not run up and down the halls or yell and talk loudly inside the church. Reverent people also do not offend or hurt people’s feelings or make fun of others’ clothing or appearance. They try to be kind to everyone they meet.

“At Sunday School and sacrament meeting we have an opportunity to show our Savior how much we love Him by being reverent. It is not reverent to walk in and out of a sacrament meeting while it is in progress. We should get a drink of water and go to the rest room before the meeting begins. It is very disturbing to a speaker when someone leaves. The attention of other members in the congregation is also distracted.

“Those who speak and provide music have prayed and often fasted for help with their assignment. The reverent person listens carefully and receives the message from the speaker.

“Determine to be reverent in sacrament meeting by never speaking out loud. Speak in a whisper and then only when it is absolutely necessary. Sing the hymns with your parents. Children have beautiful voices and it adds much to the meeting when they sing. It is appropriate to take the sacrament with your right hand. And during the administration and passing of the sacrament, we should try to think of the Savior.
“Boys and girls who have smaller brothers and sisters should not tease them. They should not keep asking their mothers or fathers to let them take these little ones out. Your brothers and sisters and often older people can learn how to be reverent by watching your behavior.”

I welcome Elder Featherstone’s depiction of reverence. It’s not only simple, but it also teaches us exactly how we should behave without ignoring the fact that reverence is a feeling. However, what I appreciate most about it is it gives me hope that we Latter-day Saints can follow the Austrians’ example and leave our outside cares in the entry way before we walk through those sacred doors. That way, we, too, can see and hear and feel reverence; we can more fully worship the True and Living God.

Another Helpful Article:

“How We Improved Reverence”

Driving through Austria's Alps

2008-06-30T20:02:59Z

I'm currently working on my 2nd romantic suspense novel. I'm a little over 1/4th the way through the first draft, and my main character and the romantic lead have just arrived in Salzburg, Austria. Since this area is the setting for the remainder of the book, I thought I'd share a few pictures from my 2006 driving trip through Bavaria and the Alps. It was beautiful! And while I visited several other parts of the world during that trip, I must say that this area was among my favorites. Perhaps these pictures will help you see why--not to mention help you, my readers, experience it along with my characters.

My Top Ten Wedding Gifts

2008-05-12T21:22:31Z

I recently attended a bridal shower. The bride bubbled with radiance, beauty, and optimism. Her mother looked on with gratitude and hope. Her friends hugged and congratulated her. It was a moment not to be forgotten. But as I watched her, I couldn’t help but think back on my own bridal shower—how I’d felt and what I’d imagined for my future life with my husband—and at the same time, I also saw bits of my twenty-two years of marriage—the trials, the heart ache, the times of true joy—and thought, “Knowing all this, can’t I offer a wedding gift that represents more than this moment? Something that can help them reach their ultimate goal of oneness with each other and with God?” Yes. Which is why I have created this “Top Ten” list of practical, yet meaningful, wedding gifts:

10. Gifts that keep on giving, such as a year or two’s subscription to the Ensign. Many young couples struggle financially and may determine church magazines are something they can’t immediately afford. And yet, those magazines often bring much needed counsel from our prophet and other leaders on how to strengthen our marriages. The benefits of such knowledge learned and applied prior to marital difficulties can be incalculable.

Household items with a meaningful note. Some of my most memorable gifts have been letters or Thank you notes from dear friends, so why not combine one of the wedding couple’s requested items, like kitchen appliances or bath towels, with a heart-felt letter? Likewise, if you don’t know what household articles they need, food storage or other preparedness items, like a fire resistant safe, are always beneficial. Your message could say something like: “You’re Safety is important to us . . .”

Similar to number nine are gifts which symbolize a message. For instance, how about a basket of spices with bits of “marriage spicing” advice attached to each container? Often, the suggestions or ideas from other married couples can bless the new couple both now and in the future.

     7.  Self-help books, especially those that help through the sure-to-come “tough times.” Let’s face it. The process of
         growing from a single One to a married Two and finally on to a married One is a difficult transition, but knowledge
         about our individual humanness and increased understanding of our eternal-long journey can help married couples
         weather their storms. I received one such book as a wedding gift, turned to it for help in the coming years, and
         later bought another which focused on my specific issues. This link offers several, marriage advice books by LDS
         authors.

Gifts that encourage the couple to continue dating each other after the wedding day can not only help the new couple ease into their new-found routines, but also help them maintain their marital priorities. Movie, restaurant, or other activity gift certificates are a few good suggestions. So is an extensive list of inexpensive dating ideas.

Forgive a monetary debt. This was a gift my husband’s parents gave us on our wedding day. It was both meaningful and practical to us because it relieved us of a burden, helped us start our new lives together with a clean, financial slate, and increased our gratitude and love for them. It was a gift I’ll always remember.

A “Remember When” recipe book. A friend of ours gave my husband and me a custom-made book of her favorite recipes. It also included an anecdote with each recipe that told which family member or friend the recipe came from and described a memory associated with the dish. Now, whenever I open that book, I not only know the recipe will be excellent, but I also remember the woman who gave it to me, and that memory makes me want to be a better person.

Any useful or beautiful items made by a family or friend who has a special skill. Such items may include quilts; afghans; already-filled, photo/scrapbook albums; embroidered pillowcases, and carpentry work like furniture or picture frames. Although these gift ideas are highly practical, they are also meaningful, because they represent both the love the giver has for the couple and the hours upon hours of service he or she gave in the couple’s behalf. A humbling thought.

    2.   Separate, individualized gifts for the bride and groom. In 1982, Hugh W. Pinnock wrote an excellent article
          titled, “Making a Marriage Work.” Included in his message was this statement: “Husbands and wives should
          allow each other freedom for personal growth and expression. When both marriage partners are able to develop
          their talents and interests, the marriage is less likely to suffer from boredom and narrowness.” Furthermore, in the
          April 2008 General Conference, Elder M. Russell Ballard said to the sisters (I believe it applies to the men,
          too) “. . . find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would
          like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well,
          and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to
          others . . ."
          Isn’t that one of marriage’s greatest challenges, to replenish and enrich our spouses and families? A “half
          example” of this gift idea is a memorable wedding present my husband and I received from one of his college
          professors. It was an electronics tool.
          “She,” the professor said, pointing to me, “gets everything else here, but this one’s for you.”

         From that day forward, I’ve considered that tool to be one of the best gifts we—my husband—received; it was
          practical (it helped my husband use his newly learned skills), it was meaningful because it showed that the giver
          had truly thought of “us,” and most of all, it lifted my husband’s spirit even higher than it had already been.

     1.  Gifts of Service. Too many times, young couples make it through their hectic wedding days only to find
          themselves overwhelmed by sudden, day-to-day responsibilities. Easing that burden by helping them paint a
          room, move into their apartment, clean or repair their car, or cook one of their first meals can lift their hearts and
          inspire them to find the joy that comes from serving others.

That’s my top ten, wedding gift list. Yet, there is one gift I left off because it is not tangible; nevertheless, I believe it is greater than all the others. It is: forgive the couple. Far too many times, once cherished relationships are destroyed by anger, resentment, or unbending pride. I’ve known and experienced several examples of this, sometimes to the point where loved ones refuse to attend or even acknowledge the couple’s marriage. However, in President Spencer W. Kimball’s book, The Miracle of Forgiveness, he states, “The essence … of forgiveness is that it brings peace to the previously anxious, restless, frustrated, perhaps tormented soul (363).” As most married couples know, forgiveness of their spouse is critical to maintaining a peaceful, lasting marriage; so, perhaps, if we forgive the couple, maybe they will, at some future time, remember our example, forgive each other, and continue on their road to true joy. That is, after all, what we most hope for.

Broccoli with Garlic, a GREAT Recipe

2008-04-24T22:42:45Z

As I've said before, my husband and I went to China last summer. While there, our eyes, noses, and taste buds were awakened to many new senses. Sometimes we liked what we saw, smelled, or tasted, and sometimes we didn't, but there was one dish my husband tried (I wasn't there at the time) at one of his favorite restaurants in Shanghai which he loved so much that when he got home, he searched the internet until he found a recipe that seemed to contain all the flavors he remembered. Then, he went directly to the store, bought the ingredients, and soon after cooked it up. His first try wasn't quite right, he said, so he experimented with the cooking time and the amount of garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper until he finally found his--now our--favorite combination. My family LOVES this dish. Including the kids. We've even had a few family, late night snacks of just this broccoli, so I thought I'd share it with you. I've copied this recipe directly from sneakykitchen.com. I hope you enjoy it. Actually, I bet you will!
Broccoli with Garlic
1 1bunch of broccoli, OR 1 lb. frozen chopped broccoli (we only use fresh broccoli)
6 garlic cloves
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional--we use it!)

1. Wash broccoli and cut into small florets. (We do not use the stems.)

2. Steam in a microwave steamer or over boiling water until barely tender and still bright green (about 3-1/2 to 5 minutes in a microwave, depending on the volume of broccoli and water). Don't overcook: with all cruciferae, this is a very important guideline!

3. Place olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Chop or mince the garlic. When the oil is hot, add the salt then the garlic. Sauté, stirring frequently, just until the garlic starts to soften. Quickly add the water, and the cayenne pepper if desired. Turn heat low and simmer for a couple of minutes. Place the broccoli in a large glass or crockery serving bowl. Pour the garlic mixture over it, mixing gently to coat.

Learning from our Heritage

2008-04-10T21:36:58Z

    In the April 2008 issue of the Ensign, our newly sustained prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, provided three guides to eternal happiness. Speaking of the first guide--"Learn from the Past"--he said it was our privilege and responsibility to build on the "firm and stable" examples of, as well as the faithful lessons learned by, our stalwart forebears. President Monson then emphasized his point by recounting the true story of Benjamin Landart, a man who lived in the late 1800's. In brief, Benjamin was a violinist who loved to play his violin. However, when "the test" came, the one that determined which he loved more, music or God, he chose God and sacrificed not only his cherished, musical opportunities, but also his instrument, to serve a mission for the Lord.

   As I read that story, I pondered on the faith and sacrifices of my own forebears, a few of whose stories I have had published in the Friend, and I wondered, what more can I do to remember my past? Or, more importantly, what more can I do to help my children remember and learn from their heritage?

    Three ideas came to mind:

We can attend/hold family reunions and take part in their many and varied historically oriented activities, like Family Scavenger Hunts and Tours into the Past.
We can use events from our ancestor's lives as teaching tools. For example, when I need to talk with my children about chastity, I can tell them about their great-great grandmother who disarmed a would-be rapist with her unquenchable faith and complete trust in God. Or when I want to discuss the importance of keeping our language clean, I can recount how their grandmother, a slight but steadfast woman, stood up to a large, foul-mouthed war veteran, telling him in no uncertain terms that he must discontinue his blasphemous speech; and he, to everyone's surprise, contritely complied.
We can create simple, Family History Coloring Books during Family Home Evening. ( I give credit to my mother for inspiring this idea.) The steps are:

Choose an ancestor whose life you would like to highlight. For example, when my mother put together a similar idea, she chose my grandfather, Henry Gibb.
Designate someone (an older child or adult) to read your chosen ancestor's life history and list several, one or two sentence facts about him or her. These can include birth/wedding/death dates and places, lifestyles, accomplishments, beliefs, and humorous or touching anecdotes. For instance, my mother's book included:
    1. Henry was born in Lehi, Utah.
    2. When he was a child, he fell into a rain barrel. A neighbor who happened to be walking by saw his feet poking out of the top and rescued him.
    3. Henry enjoyed riding "willow horses" in a nearby grove of willow trees.
Write a separate statement at the bottom of several pieces of paper.
Divide the pages among the children.
Ask the children to "illustrate" them with simple, able-to-be-colored drawings.
When the pages are complete, gather and organize them into a book then photocopy.

As I previously indicated, my mother inspired my Family History Coloring Book idea, but what I didn't mention is that both my parents have been the motivational link in all my family history efforts because they have regularly worked to acquaint--unite--their children with their ancestors. Maybe this is because FAMILY is so important to them. Or maybe it's because their hearts are fully turned to their fathers. But either way, or both, one thing I know is their hearts have turned my heart. Now I, in like manner, have the privilege and opportunity of helping my children's hearts to "turn" as well.