in His hands

Wonderful thing, Thursday 9 April:

Have you seen "Because He Lives"? http://www.mormon.org/easter

Wow.  If you scroll down, it says, "Why does Jesus Christ matter today?" and then there's a bar to click that say "Read more", which leads to twelve fundamental beliefs of the Church, many of which include a short video.  I've watched a couple of them and am very impressed.

Soon, they'll be translated into Italian.  Blaine and I went out "on the street" Monday, which is also a holiday here, called Pasquetta, or Easter Monday.  We handed out about 40 passalong cards with the Italian version of "Because He Lives", called "Perche' Egli Vive".  A few refused to accept one or to talk to us, but most were willing to accept the card and to hear a brief explanation.

Maybe it was because Easter was still in the air.  Maybe it was because people are searching.  Something is in the air.  Something big is happening.  I think people are catching on to it.  Things are tough, here as everywhere - perhaps more here than in other places - but I was just reminded when I read D&C 121-123, preparing for this week's Institute lesson, that God "control[s] and subject[s] the devil and [his] dark and benighted dominion..."  and that "their bounds are set, they cannot pass."

That's good enough for me.  If I can't see any further than that, I know He can.   D&C 50: 40-42 remind us that,  "ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.  Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;  And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost."

Reminds me of that good ol' Leslie Uggams song I first heard on the Lawrence Welk show eons ago, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."  

He does, indeed.  Hallelujah.

fun thing:

We found a passalong card on the ground on our way home, so we picked it up, brushed it off, and sent it on another mission.

God is good on every level.

Wonderful thing for this week, 31 March - 5 April:

Yes, God blesses families.

I cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel to the Lord for the sweet spirit that has prevailed during Amy and Lawton's family's visit.  In crowds we did not lose a child.  On roads we did not lose our way.  Our missionary work has not suffered.

I hear children laughing in the living room and marvel.  It is an unparalleled pleasure to share with family the sights and places and feelings we are experiencing here.  It is a joy to see them enjoy it.

We spent an entire day letting the kids unwind, playing Wii (they haven't had games since leaving Utah in January) and watching both of "The Gods Must Be Crazy" movies.  Totally worth it.  This morning there was a fair amount of contention going on because Mom and Dad insisted on the kids doing Saturday chores (they cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms!).  They felt bad because they brought a "bad spirit" into a missionary house.  We said it's just part of family life; family life belongs in a missionary house.

We've studied Book of Mormon verses every evening, and talked about the events of Holy Week, as manifested at http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_ , which has hallowed everything else.  We feel to praise Him.

We've seen Florence Centro; San Gimignano; Pisa.  So much more to see, but enough for this trip. Spending time together, as a family, is the greatest blessing, no matter where you are, no matter what you're doing.

fun thing:

Children running around the lawn outside the cathedral ("duomo") in Pisa, playing tag with two little girls from Spain, communicating in both Spanish and English.

Time, Talents, and Everything the Lord Has Given Me

Jesus suffered - before the spear wound and the nails - scourging (which in itself killed some), the crown of thorns crushed into His scalp, deprivation of sleep and sustenance, humiliation, unbelief, scorn...all this, AFTER the expiatory agony of the Garden. As he trod the Via Dolorosa in a near state of physical, mental and emotional collapse, He could at any time have "self-medicated" - or, more specifically, self-healed. He alone among mortals - for He was mortal - had the power to do that, for He had nascent Immortality in Him. He could have healed Himself in every moment in every particular. But at every stage, He practiced Self-denial: "No. I will not do this for Myself, that I MAY do it for others."
Because of His choices in my behalf, I will never be alone in suffering or in agony; I will never be faced with more than I can bear. He only asks that I do as He did, that I use whatever "powers" He has given me, whatever talents, gifts, capabilities, callings, stewardships - not for my own benefit, but for others'.