I have heard the whisperings of the Spirit. I have felt the comforting hand of the Lord. Not all the time mind you, but often enough that I know that the Love of God is real. I am in the USA because the "Voice of the Lord" said "Go the the United States". The words were not fancy, but they were startling...they were penetrating...and I obeyed. Such experiences have been infrequent, always simple, yet powerful...like... "Be a good son". That got my attention. Ii was more difficult to obey...it was open ended...a lifetime challenge.
When I was a counsellor to Bishop Kent Wallis, I realized that he was a man who expected direct answers to his prayers. I had really never associated with a man like Kent Wallis. We would kneel as a Bishopric to pray about an issue. He would ask his counselors "Did you get an answer?" It was always embarrassing to have to admit that we had neither heard nor felt anything. Bishop Wallis would go to the temple and generally stay until he had an answer. I was not then in his league. I am not today.
Still...age has wrought a change in me that I can feel. Whereas I have always been a deep sleeper, one who could miss the end of the world so-to-speak...I now find myself waking in the early hours of the morning...and often receiving very clear promptings regarding such things as Family History, or work issues, or even my political ambitions. Rather than lie in bed, I get up, sit at the computer and write for a couple of hours, then go back to bed. That is most unusual for me. But I have come to enjoy the promptings...even look forward to them.
I think it was Elder Scott who talked about the promptings of the Spirit in Conference. There were lots of great talks. It was wonderful! But I think I heard a message which was truly new to me. It was that even though the Spirit might prompt us to do something...the lesson is in recognizing the Spirit. It is not important whether or not the prom[tings lead to some dramatic conclusion or solution. Rather it is more important that we simply learn to recognize the promptings...and enjoy them with gratitude.
I recall Nate going through a very difficult time in his youth. He had had a very clear vision of the direction which his life was going to take. It did not happen. He asked for counsel. I do not recall what I said, but I am sure that I did not have a good answer. Today I might be more inclined to smile and say "Enjoy the experience son...know that the Lord is mindful of you. Things may not work out for you the way you dreamed or visualized, but always remember the feeling that you had, when the spirit either whispered or showed you something special."
Elder Scott helped me realize, for example, that just because I felt prompted by the spirit to get up and write something that might be useful in my political campaign, I may or may not be successful in the campaign. And that's OK. Whether I am successful or not does not diminish the warm feeling that our Father in Heaven is mindful of me...and His Spirit is prompting me...and I am becoming used to it...and loving it. Let's face it, unless the Lord has some grand political plan for me, such as helping to save the Constitution of the United States, I'm sure that whether I win or lose an election is of little importance to Him. I think Elder Scott's message was that when it comes to spiritual promptings...it is not so much about the outcome...it is about the journey...and learning to enjoy the trip, feeling that you are truly under the watchful eye of God.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ann Newton Holmes
I did receive a response from Ann Newton Holmes regarding the Suttee which my dad witnessed. She was delighted, but currently overwhelmed because her husband is in a hospital fighting for his life. She promised to get back to me when her life normalizes.
Ann apparently travels to India for 2-4 weeks every year. She is a free-lance writer so she probably collects ideas for articles. I was really thrilled to hear that the Maharaja's wife Rani (known as Kuku to my dad) is still alive, still elegant and beautiful, according to Ann.
I need to make a trip to India...just to pay my respects.
Ann apparently travels to India for 2-4 weeks every year. She is a free-lance writer so she probably collects ideas for articles. I was really thrilled to hear that the Maharaja's wife Rani (known as Kuku to my dad) is still alive, still elegant and beautiful, according to Ann.
I need to make a trip to India...just to pay my respects.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Book Pusher
Barbara Hales was affectionately known as "The Book Lady", but she preferred to call herself "The Book Pusher". More appropriately, Barbara Hales was the leading advocate for literacy in the valley. She and her husband Lee have sold 500,000 books (at cost) since her retirement from USU. They traveled all over the west buying up books for children. Family members would read the books and report back to her on their content and quality. Barbara would put a sticker on each book to identify its age appropriateness.
Last Sunday Kathie told Barbara about Logan, our nine year old grandson who has a mild form of autism. Logan loves anything related to China, so Kathie asked Barbara if she would keep a look-out for a book related to China.
The very next morning Barbara and Lee were in the parking lot of ShopCo at 9:30 AM. Barbara was walking into the store when she was struck by a truck. She died later that day. A whole community was stunned. TV stations ran the story. The State of Utah had lost a treasure.
Wednesday morning Kathie received a call from Lee Hales. Lee was surrounded by his mourning family, yet remarkably he called to tell Kathie that Barbara had found two books for her...and that their very next stop that fateful morning was to be to Borders, where Barbara had apparently located two more books. Kathie was speechless. She called me to ask if I would stop at the Hales residence to pick up the books. That was a difficult, emotional assignment. The grief was palpable in that home...yet Lee had felt compelled to follow through with Barbara's mission for Kathie.
So what do you think Shelly? I think those books must be something special. And Barbara Hales seemed to be stepping out from behind the veil to complete one last assignment...to bless just one more child...who just happened to be yours.
Last Sunday Kathie told Barbara about Logan, our nine year old grandson who has a mild form of autism. Logan loves anything related to China, so Kathie asked Barbara if she would keep a look-out for a book related to China.
The very next morning Barbara and Lee were in the parking lot of ShopCo at 9:30 AM. Barbara was walking into the store when she was struck by a truck. She died later that day. A whole community was stunned. TV stations ran the story. The State of Utah had lost a treasure.
Wednesday morning Kathie received a call from Lee Hales. Lee was surrounded by his mourning family, yet remarkably he called to tell Kathie that Barbara had found two books for her...and that their very next stop that fateful morning was to be to Borders, where Barbara had apparently located two more books. Kathie was speechless. She called me to ask if I would stop at the Hales residence to pick up the books. That was a difficult, emotional assignment. The grief was palpable in that home...yet Lee had felt compelled to follow through with Barbara's mission for Kathie.
So what do you think Shelly? I think those books must be something special. And Barbara Hales seemed to be stepping out from behind the veil to complete one last assignment...to bless just one more child...who just happened to be yours.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Love Story...or...Suttee
The coincidences continue. In my last blog I commented on the 10 year anniversary of my commitment to transcribing my dad's memoirs. I have to teach the Family History class next week and I was wondering what I could possibly discuss.
This past week, Kathie gave me a copy of the September 2009 issue of "Traveler" and said "You need to read this.". Last night I decided to check it out. On page 164, under the heading of "Putting on the Raj" are images of glamorous models with the backdrop of Jodhpur palaces. Since my dad was the private pilot for Himmat Singhji (Regent of Jodhpur) from 1952 -1954, and since he lived in Jodhpur palaces, I have searched for images of those palaces without success for years. The magazine provided the official names of the palaces and I was able to Google them with great success. It was exciting. I even discovered that each of the palaces have guest quarters where visitors may stay.
So feeling lucky, I also searched the name Himmet Singhji. I have never found a reference to him before. I was amazed to find an article called "A Love Story: Suttee in Contemporary Rajasthan" by Ann Newton Holmes. This woman actually interviewed Himmat Singhji and his wife, in about 1994, about their life in the Umiad Palace. Himmat digressed from the subject and wanted to discuss "the most moving experience of my life".
As I read the article, I realized that it was about the Suttee (a woman's self-immolation on her husband's funeral pyre) which my dad wrote about in his memoirs. I got goose bumps on goose bumps. My father was there. He witnessed the whole event. He was the only "Englishman" to do so. He was close friends with the "Brig" and his wife who committed Suttee; they played Bridge together on a regular basis. My dad agreed that it was an experience that one could never forget.
So then I Googled Ann Newton Holmes and found her email address...sent her an email with a couple of my dad's transcribed tapes. Now I'm waiting for a response. I think I may have something to talk about on September 6.
This past week, Kathie gave me a copy of the September 2009 issue of "Traveler" and said "You need to read this.". Last night I decided to check it out. On page 164, under the heading of "Putting on the Raj" are images of glamorous models with the backdrop of Jodhpur palaces. Since my dad was the private pilot for Himmat Singhji (Regent of Jodhpur) from 1952 -1954, and since he lived in Jodhpur palaces, I have searched for images of those palaces without success for years. The magazine provided the official names of the palaces and I was able to Google them with great success. It was exciting. I even discovered that each of the palaces have guest quarters where visitors may stay.
So feeling lucky, I also searched the name Himmet Singhji. I have never found a reference to him before. I was amazed to find an article called "A Love Story: Suttee in Contemporary Rajasthan" by Ann Newton Holmes. This woman actually interviewed Himmat Singhji and his wife, in about 1994, about their life in the Umiad Palace. Himmat digressed from the subject and wanted to discuss "the most moving experience of my life".
As I read the article, I realized that it was about the Suttee (a woman's self-immolation on her husband's funeral pyre) which my dad wrote about in his memoirs. I got goose bumps on goose bumps. My father was there. He witnessed the whole event. He was the only "Englishman" to do so. He was close friends with the "Brig" and his wife who committed Suttee; they played Bridge together on a regular basis. My dad agreed that it was an experience that one could never forget.
So then I Googled Ann Newton Holmes and found her email address...sent her an email with a couple of my dad's transcribed tapes. Now I'm waiting for a response. I think I may have something to talk about on September 6.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Turning the Hearts of the Children
Last Sunday was my turn to teach the LP2 Ward Family History class. I chose to depart from our focus on NewFamilySearch. I decided to talk about our new family "tradition" of involving grandchildren in a Reader's Theater during our Family Reunion, to help them learn about their ancestors.
Kathie has a theory that getting people involved at the level of reading and writing histories is the most effective way to "turn the hearts of the children to their fathers". Once we are hooked we may advance to genealogical research, but it is not required. Since that is what happened to me, I must agree.
On occasion, in our classroom setting, I like to recognize those individuals who actually got me started. Norm Barber is at the top of the list, but he was the type who was persistent to a fault. Austin and Gwen Haws were our Ward Family History Specialists; they were less zealous in their approach and they always deserve special mention.
The story is as follows: The Bishop decided to have a Sacrament Meeting dedicated to Family History and assigned Gwen and Austin to speak. Unfortunately they were involved in a terrible accident over at Bear Lake, by Paris, Idaho, and could not participate. Gwen was badly injured and has never been the same physically. The Bishop assigned Doug Hart to substitute for Austin and Gwen on short notice.
Those who know Doug Hart, know that he is NOT a dynamic speaker, so I'm afraid I was not expecting much. But it is a testimony to me that the Lord can use anyone to touch our hearts during a Sacrament Meeting.
Doug's concluding message was simple. It was "Do Something!...Do something related to Family History...anything...just get started." It was a remarkable meeting. Of course we were all concerned for Gwen and Austin, but I committed right there to get started on the transcription of my father's voice tapes. That was the beginning of my involvement in Family History. And I have not stopped...I'm hooked. The Preface to my Dad's memoirs actually tells this story.
So knowing that Gwen Haws would likely be in attendance at our Family History class, (in her motorized wheelchair), I decided to honor her for her role in getting me (and others) started. After telling the story of her terrible accident and Doug Hart's remarkable presentation in Sacrament Meeting, Gwen said..."Thank you...But do you know what is interesting Tony...That Sacrament Meeting occurred exactly ten years ago today!"
Well...I was speechless...I had no idea...but I do know who is in-charge...and we all love Gwen Haws. So I'm honored to have been able to spotlight her. Gwen has published dozens of family histories for her own family and for others. She is the "Mother of Publishing Histories"...no-one comes close to her accomplishments... and she is still at it...from her wheelchair.
Kathie has a theory that getting people involved at the level of reading and writing histories is the most effective way to "turn the hearts of the children to their fathers". Once we are hooked we may advance to genealogical research, but it is not required. Since that is what happened to me, I must agree.
On occasion, in our classroom setting, I like to recognize those individuals who actually got me started. Norm Barber is at the top of the list, but he was the type who was persistent to a fault. Austin and Gwen Haws were our Ward Family History Specialists; they were less zealous in their approach and they always deserve special mention.
The story is as follows: The Bishop decided to have a Sacrament Meeting dedicated to Family History and assigned Gwen and Austin to speak. Unfortunately they were involved in a terrible accident over at Bear Lake, by Paris, Idaho, and could not participate. Gwen was badly injured and has never been the same physically. The Bishop assigned Doug Hart to substitute for Austin and Gwen on short notice.
Those who know Doug Hart, know that he is NOT a dynamic speaker, so I'm afraid I was not expecting much. But it is a testimony to me that the Lord can use anyone to touch our hearts during a Sacrament Meeting.
Doug's concluding message was simple. It was "Do Something!...Do something related to Family History...anything...just get started." It was a remarkable meeting. Of course we were all concerned for Gwen and Austin, but I committed right there to get started on the transcription of my father's voice tapes. That was the beginning of my involvement in Family History. And I have not stopped...I'm hooked. The Preface to my Dad's memoirs actually tells this story.
So knowing that Gwen Haws would likely be in attendance at our Family History class, (in her motorized wheelchair), I decided to honor her for her role in getting me (and others) started. After telling the story of her terrible accident and Doug Hart's remarkable presentation in Sacrament Meeting, Gwen said..."Thank you...But do you know what is interesting Tony...That Sacrament Meeting occurred exactly ten years ago today!"
Well...I was speechless...I had no idea...but I do know who is in-charge...and we all love Gwen Haws. So I'm honored to have been able to spotlight her. Gwen has published dozens of family histories for her own family and for others. She is the "Mother of Publishing Histories"...no-one comes close to her accomplishments... and she is still at it...from her wheelchair.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Political Points
Kathie heard the following timely political truths on Jerry Stewart's radio program:
Right is right...even if everyone is against it.
Wrong is wrong...even if everyone is for it.
There really is no middle road.
The only thing in the middle of the road is either YELLOW or DEAD
Like a yellow stripe...and/or a dead possum.
Right is right...even if everyone is against it.
Wrong is wrong...even if everyone is for it.
There really is no middle road.
The only thing in the middle of the road is either YELLOW or DEAD
Like a yellow stripe...and/or a dead possum.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Politics 101-Plus
I forgot to post about the fact that I was not selected to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Steve Thompson from the Logan City Council. But Tami Pyfer is not running again, which leaves two, at-large openings on the Council. Last Monday I signed application forms to run for Logan City Council in the November elections. I know...it was a moment of weakness.
While I was in the act of signing the papers with Theresa Harris, the City Recorder, Kathie called shouting exciteldy "Where are you?" I told her exactly where I was and what I was doing. She relaxed somewhat. She had just received a call from Jay Monson who was calling to congratulate Tony on "running for mayor". Randy Watts had told him it was a fact. Kathie's response was ..."He better not be...that would be cause for divorce."
Nine people applied for City Council, so there will be a primary election on September 15 to narrow the field to four. It is actually encouraging that there is so much interest in running for political office throughout Cache Valley.
Steve Stokes is also running for City Council, but the Steve Stokes you know from our Ward called to make sure that I knew it was not him. Actually I met the Steve Stokes who is running, at the City offices...and he is a nice young man about 25 years old. But the name Steve Stokes is a completely unfair advantage. Our "Steve Stokes" is a really high profile, popular, very successful businessperson in Logan and NAME RECOGNITION is everything in politics.
Oh well...bigger signs...and more of 'em.
While I was in the act of signing the papers with Theresa Harris, the City Recorder, Kathie called shouting exciteldy "Where are you?" I told her exactly where I was and what I was doing. She relaxed somewhat. She had just received a call from Jay Monson who was calling to congratulate Tony on "running for mayor". Randy Watts had told him it was a fact. Kathie's response was ..."He better not be...that would be cause for divorce."
Nine people applied for City Council, so there will be a primary election on September 15 to narrow the field to four. It is actually encouraging that there is so much interest in running for political office throughout Cache Valley.
Steve Stokes is also running for City Council, but the Steve Stokes you know from our Ward called to make sure that I knew it was not him. Actually I met the Steve Stokes who is running, at the City offices...and he is a nice young man about 25 years old. But the name Steve Stokes is a completely unfair advantage. Our "Steve Stokes" is a really high profile, popular, very successful businessperson in Logan and NAME RECOGNITION is everything in politics.
Oh well...bigger signs...and more of 'em.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)