What about your bad temper? You've got a problem there.

December flew right by and I missed blogging it. 

These are a few of the beautiful white Christmas animals
that I wanted to blog about.

Gorgeous animals but all to convenient for their predators, aren't the little one's darling?

I received this via email and at first it didn't sound interesting but as I started to read I found that it is very interesting and true. I hope you like it too

This is in two parts:  

The prayer (in blue type) and GOD (in red type )-in response.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

But, you called Me.

Called you?

No, I didn't call you.. I'm praying.

Our Father who art in Heaven.

There -- you did it again!

Did what?

Called ME.

You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven"

Well, here I am… What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. 

I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.

I always say the Lord's Prayer.

It makes me feel good, Kind of like fulfilling a duty.

Well, all right. Go on.

Okay, Hallowed be thy name ... 

Hold it right there.

What do you mean by that?

By what?

By "Hallowed be thy name"?

It means, it means .. . Good grief, 

I don't know what it means.

How in the world should I know?

It's just a part of the prayer.

By the way, what does it mean?

It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense.. 

I never thought about what

'hallowed' meant before.

Thanks. Thy Kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you doing about it?

Doing? Why, nothing, I guess.

I just think it would be kind of neat if you got

Control, of everything down here like you have up there. 

We're kinda' in a mess down here you know..

Yes, I know;

But, have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church..

That isn't what I asked you.

What about your bad temper?

You've really got a problem there, you know.

And then there's the way you spend

Your money -- all on yourself.

And what about the kind of books you read ?

Now hold on just a minute!

Stop picking on me!

I'm just as good as some of the rest

Of those people at church!

Excuse ME..

I thought you were praying

For my will to be done..

If that is to happen,

It will have to start with the ones

Who are praying for it.

Like you -- for example .......

Oh, all right. I guess I do have

 some hang-ups.

Now that you mention it,

I could probably name some others.

So could I.

I haven't thought about it very

much until now,

But I really would like to cut out

some of those things.

I would like to, you know, be really free.

Good.

Now we're getting somewhere.

We'll work together -- You and ME.

I'm proud of You.

Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here.

This is taking a lot longer than

 it usually does.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

You need to cut out the bread..

You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this?

Here I was doing my religious duty,

And all of a sudden you break in

And remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing.

You just might get what you ask for.

Remember, you called ME -- and here I am.

It's too late to stop now.

Keep praying. ( pause .. . )

Well, go on.

I'm scared to.

Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.

Try ME. 

Forgive us our sins,

As we forgive those who sin against us..

What about Ann?

See? I knew it!

I knew you would bring her up!

Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.

She never paid back the money she owes me..

I've sworn to get even with her!

But -- your prayer --

What about your prayer?

I didn't -- mean it..

Well, at least you're honest.

But, it's quite a load carrying around all that

bitterness and resentment isn't it?

Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.

Boy, have I got some plans for her.

She'll wish she had never been born.

No, you won't feel any better.

You'll feel worse.

Revenge isn't sweet.

You know how unhappy you are -- 

Well, I can change that.

You can? How?

Forgive Ann.

Then, I'll forgive you;

And the hate and the sin,

will be Ann's problem -- not yours.

You will have settled the problem

as far as you are concerned.

Oh, you know, you're right.

You always are.

And more than I want revenge,

I want to be right with You . . (sigh).

All right, all right . .

I forgive her.

There now!

Wonderful!

How do you feel?

Hmmmm. Well, not bad.

Not bad at all!

In fact, I feel pretty great!

You know, I don't think I'll go

 to bed uptight tonight.

I haven't been getting much rest, you know.

Yeah, I know.

But, you're not through

with your prayer, are you?

Go on.

Oh, all right.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Good! Good! I'll do that.

Just don't put yourself in a place

where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

You know what I mean.

Yeah. I know..

Okay.

Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For Thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory forever..

Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory?

What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know.

I want to please you now...

I've really made a mess of things.

I want to truly behave like Christ

I can see now how great that would be.

So, tell me .. . .

How do I make you happy?

"YOU just did".

Love,
Grammy T.

“And if we die before our journey’s through.. all is well”

That is surely a depressing title and I know I owe you an explanation.

I have loved reading The Hole In The Ceiling Blog  this last little while. In fact I printed the whole story out so that I could read it at night before I went to bed. Jane's husband died of Cancer and left her with two young boys. She talks of what a horrible experience it was and her feelings have given me a better insight into saying the proper things to someone who has lost something so important to them whether the death of a spouse or a job and a home.

I have been praying for a sweet young mother that I go to church with that has battled Cancer for a while now. She also has an adorable young husband that cherishes her and two young boys. What a coincidence...well maybe not.

I thought that hope was one of the best things that I could give her besides prayer. But the hope turned into reality for us all this week and she is dying. I still pray for her, her boys and her husband that the angels will be with them to buoy them up in the times of their sorrow. Her pain is in her back because the Cancer has attacked her spine. The medicine has taken most or some of the pain away.

Last evening I took dinner to an older lady that I go to church with that is honestly one of the cutest little things I have ever met. She leads the music and what a treat that has been to watch her. She has been down with horrible pain in her back. Her spine is very disjointed. Thankfully she has been rescued from most of the fierce pain with medication. We all have been praying for her that her pain could be alleviated.

Today after I had been up awhile my back starting killing me. It has hurt me the last few days but today it was horrible. I have had seven babies and I can tell you that this pain was as bad if not worse than I've ever had.  I don't know why but I do know that tonight I have true empathy for my sweet friends that have had pain so much worse than mine.

The Lord hold you in the hallow of His Hands, my dear friends. xoxoxo

Love,
Grammy T.

The Big Yellow Lion

Berchtesgaden in Bavaria

My daughter Jessie and I were talking about prayer the other day. And we agreed that many times the prayers of tiny children are answered. 

As I was thinking about this phenomenon the story of The Big Yellow Lion came to mind. 

When we lived in Germany we were able to go to Berchtesgaden in Bavaria for an Area Serviceman’s Conference with meetings and lodgings at the Eagles Nest.

(I love it there) 

Hitler's Eagle Nest

Marion D. Hanks was a visiting General Authority and he told the story of a little boy that seemed to get himself into big trouble all of the time, 

for telling fibs. 

This is how the story goes:

When Johnnie was out playing in his backyard he saw something so awesome 

that he just had to tell his mom.

He rushed in the house and told his mom that he saw a big yellow lion in the neighbors backyard. 

"You know what I said about telling lies," she said.

And sent him to his room.

Later she told him he could come out of his room if he had learned his lesson. 

He put his little head down and didn't answer.

"Well, when you were in your room didn't you learn anything?" His mom asked.

"While I was in my room I said a prayer." 

“That is a very good thing to do.“ She said.

"Yes and Heavenly Father said...that the first time he saw Tommie’s new dog, 

He thought it was a Big Yellow Lion too.” 

Love,

Grammy T.

It’s All About Tonight

Tonight Papa T. and I go to the Salt Lake Tabernacle to have An Evening with President Uchtdorf. This event is for CES teachers and retired CES. I remember the first time we got to go. We lived in Idaho and my 6th baby was little but big enough to make a fuss. In fact she was allergic to all milk except mommy’s milk so we were pretty much best friends. I was so excited to see President Kimball I could hardly stand it. BUT, I knew Amy would not be as excited as me and I would wind up taking her out. So what to do? Pray you say, that was my thought exactly. So I prayed that when President Kimball started his talk that Amy would be very quiet. The music started, you know that song “We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet” and we all stood up and Amy was wide awake and enjoying the lights and sounds. But when we were done with the opening song and prayer and President Kimball stood up Amy closed her eyes and went sound to sleep. When his wonderful talk was over Amy’s little eyes popped open and she was ready to help us sing the closing song. So you see  God does hear and answer our prayers.

Love,

Grammy T.

PS:

Tonight was wonderful.  President Uchtdorf  is always so inspiring but tonight after the meeting was over and we were all standing for him and his wife to leave he kept turning to us and waving like he didn't want to go. And then he put his fist over his heart and then pointed to us. It was so special. We love you too President Uchtdorf.