The Ten Commandments

I have had a great week studying the Ten Commandments.  I love how relevant they are to us still, though they were given to Moses THREE THOUSAND YEARS AGO!!! 

I know that these commandments can serve as a guide from a loving Father in Heaven 

to help us attain a full and happy life.

In Matthew 22:36-40, the Savior teaches that there are two great commandments.

1.  Love the Lord thy God With All Thy Heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

2. Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself

As we look closer at the commandments that Moses was given, 

each fits inside one of these two "Great Commandments."

Love God
1. Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me.
2.  Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image.
3. Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord Thy God in Vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath Day, and Keep it Holy.

The first four commandments help us know how we can show Love to our Father in Heaven.  

Love Thy Neighbor
5. Honor thy Father and Thy Mother
6. Thou Shall not Kill
7. Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
8. Thou Shalt Not Steal
9. Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
10. Thou Shalt Not Covet.

The last six commandments instruct us on how to Love our Neighbors.  

Many of these commandments are largely ignored by the world. 

I think the three most neglected commandments are:

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord, thy God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath Day, and keep it Holy.  

First, it was prophesied that idolatry would be a major characteristic of this generation.  We have certainly seen that come true, though the idols of today differ from those of Moses's time.  I love the scripture in Matthew 6: 19-21, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  I understand this to mean - that which we spend the majority of our free time doing becomes our priority.  Are we giving priority to God through studying His word, and serving others in our free time?  We are commanded in Matthew 6:33 to "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."

Many today take God's name in vain.  Even individuals who believe in the Bible and worship God on Sunday, often fail to honor Him with their language throughout the week.  Obeying this commandment means that we hold a deep and reverent attitude about God and we do not use his name lightly.  Profanity is incompatible with reverence.

Finally, the Sabbath Day was given to us for rest and worship.  However the world sees it as just another day of the week.  During the Mosaic dispensation, the punishment for violating the Sabbath was death.  This shows us what an important principle it is.  It is a sign between the Lord and His children forever.  We can not follow after those in the world and fail to give the Sabbath it's due importance among the commandments.

It's interesting to reflect on these and other commandments and wonder what the world would be like if God's children followed them.  If all the world followed the 2nd commandment to not worship graven images, there would be time for so much better activities.  We would have a world full of people helping others and less selfishness and pride.  If the world followed the third commandment to not take God's name in vain, the spirit would be available more freely and we would share a deeper reverence for Holy and sacred things.  If all of the world kept the Sabbath Day Holy, what a wonderful day that would be!  There would be no need for stores to be open on Sunday, and families could enjoy some time together, serving others and worshiping the Almighty.

I believe someday we will live be able to enjoy a world where those who remain here will attempt to follow the commandments exactly.  I will love to see what that kind of world looks like and feel the abundance of spirit.  I know these commandments are calculated to prevent misery and promote happiness.  Through obedience, blessings are available to each of us.

Leadership and Delegation

There are some great principles taught in the book of Exodus.  One that stood out to me in my reading this week was the story of Jethro (Moses' Father-in-law) counseling Moses.  This story is found in Exodus 18.

The story goes like this:

Jethro came to visit and observed Moses sitting upon the judgement seat from early in the morning until late each evening.

He was doing a great thing.  He was working so hard and advising all the people and helping them each know what God wanted for them.  After observing Moses for a while, Jethro asked what he was doing.  Moses explained in verses 15 and 16, 

"The people come unto me to inquire of God.  

When they have a matter, 

they come unto me; and I judge

 between one the another,

 and I do make them know the statutes

 of God and his laws."

After listening to Moses explain his routine, Jethro said, (verse 17)

"The thing that thou doest is not good."

Jethro went on to explain to Moses that this responsibility was too difficult for one man and that he could not do it all on his own.  This is where Moses' true character shines.  Instead of taking offense and reminding Jethro of his greatness and his leadership among these people, Moses was humble and wise to listen to this older man and take his advice.  

Jethro advised Moses to find men to be lesser judges.  He told Moses to look for these kind of men:

(vs. 21)

Men who fear God

Men of Truth

Men who hate covetousness

Jethro counseled Moses to teach these judges the ordinances and laws, and show them the way they must walk and the work that they must do.  Then Moses was told to allow these lesser judges to judge  the people in all small matters, and that only great matters should be brought to Moses.  (vs. 22)  I love what Jethro says at the end of that verse, "and they shall bear the burden with thee."

This account in the scriptures is still a crucial principle of the modern church.  It would be so difficult for a Bishop of a Ward to meet the needs of each member of his ward.  He relies on the men and women at the head of each auxiliary to help and administer so he can deal only with matters of most importance.  

Likewise, Relief Society Presidents and Elder's Quorum Presidents and High Priest Group leaders can not meet the needs of each individual in their group.  They rely on faithful Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers to assist them in this work.  

The load our Prophet carries is heavy and hard to bear, but he has help in the other leaders who serve with him and help him with these responsibilities.  There are his counselors, the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, the Area Authorities, and the General Auxiliary Presidencies who serve with him, each doing their part to help the work to go forward.  

In 1 Corinthians 12: 14-22 we read,

"For the Body is not one member, but many...

But now hath God set the members of every one

of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body. 

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:

nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, 

which seem to be more feeble, are necessary."

I love this lesson, taught by Jethro.  We should not be expected to do more than we can.  God does not want us run faster than we have strength.  We each have a work to do and, no matter our contribution, we are furthering this work and administering to those in need.  We are laying the foundation of a great work and we each have a part to play, we each have a offering to give.

A Contrast Between Two Brothers

I love the story about Rebekah.  I named my youngest daughter, Rebekah after Isaac's wife.  I told my Bekah that she should marry a guy named Isaac someday.  She didn't seem convinced.  (She's only 4)

In Genesis 25, we learn that Rebekah and Isaac married and had two sons, named Esau and Jacob. Esau was the oldest, and therefore would be natural heir to the birthright.  Esau was described as red, hairy, and a great hunter.  ( I wonder if "hairy" was a sought after trait for a husband back then?) We are told that Jacob favored Esau.  Jacob was described as a plain man, dwelling in tents.  The Hebrew word, "plain" means whole, complete or perfect, so Jacob sounds like a pretty well-rounded individual. Rebekah favored Jacob.

In Genesis 25:32, the story is told of how Esau traded his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage.

I used to be really surprised by this story.  Now I have teenage boys and I have seen how ravenous they get when they are hungry.  Sometimes the act like they are going to die if they don't get some food immediately!  This story also shows how little value Esau put on the birthright. His immediate needs seemed more important to him than the rights of the covenant.

So, poor Esau gave up his birthright for a mess of pottage... 

In Genesis 27, Isaac is getting old and can not see very well.  He calls for Esau and asks him to go hunting and prepare some delicious meat for his father, and tells him that he wants to give him a blessing.  Rebekah overhears this conversations and tells Jacob to play the part of Esau to receive this special blessing.  Great lengths are taken to put hair on Jacob so Isaac will think he is Esau and will give him the blessing.  Their plan works and Jacob and Rebekah tricked Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing.  

My heart kind of goes out to Esau at this point.  However, Rebekah knew from previous personal revelation that Jacob was to be the son of the covenant (Genesis 25:23) - so she must have felt justified in this act.  I would have liked to be there for Esau during this time.  He would have needed a trusted friend to help him find his place in all this and understand the best course of action.  I would have tried to help him see that his father had the opportunity to revoke the blessing and give it to Esau.  However, Isaac did not offer that and instead gave a different blessing to Esau.  I would want Esau to know that, though it seemed unfair, it was for the best and what God wanted. I am sure Rebekah helped Esau through these feelings and helped him understand.  At the time, however, Esau was angry and wanted revenge, but Jacob was sent away until Esau's feelings cooled down.  

This story can teach us a lot about prioritizing the most important things in our lives.  Esau traded his birthright for something that satisfied only temporarily.  What modern day examples are there where we sometimes sacrifice things of critical importance for things that do not satisfy in the long run?  

Here are a few examples that I've thought of.  

Pornography - so many people are addicted to pornography - that which never satisfies - usually sacrificing important relationships until they are left with emptiness.

Time Management - We get so busy with critical things that we often don't save time for that which can really save us - the scriptures, prayer, service, etc.  

Service - We get so caught up in what is going on in our lives and often feel down - and like life has little meaning.  When we look for opportunities to serve, life makes better sense.  

So Jacob disappeared to go win over a wife (or 4) for several years. When he returned, he was nervous that Esau would still desire to kill him.  However, "Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept." (Genesis 33:4)  I love this verse.  It made me cry a little.  Family.  Isn't it a pretty magical thing?  

Old Testament

Hello Friends!  I am currently taking an Old Testament Class and part of my homework is to post my thoughts and research to a blog...  So - for the next few weeks I will be posting about what I am learning about in the Old Testament.  I am really enjoying this book, so I am kind of excited to share some of this stuff with you.

Home

What a great adventure we have had these last few months.  In short, (because all 3 of you that follow my blog already know all this:) Jason got a job for ConAgra in Boise and we moved to Idaho in September.  We showed up and surprised my folks, stayed with them for a few weeks while we settled on a home and closed on it, and then we got moved in.  We are so happy to be here.  We live in a great little community called Hidden Springs, in the foothills of Boise and our home here is as beautiful as our mountain views.  Really, we are so happy.  Jason's job is going well and the kids are starting to settle in at their new schools and in the ward here.  We do miss Wisconsin, but it is so wonderful to be near family again.  And we do just love Idaho! 

So, that being said... Many of you who know me well wiil be surprised to hear me say I am SO SICK OF MOVING and I NEVER WANT TO MOVE AGAIN!!!  I really have enjoyed living so many places and seeing so many things, but it is just so much work every time we have to move.  Especially now that the kids are older and moving is never easy for them.  I counted the homes we've bought since we've been married.  We have purchased 7 homes in the short 16 years that we've been married.  This move brought Kiley's "schools attended" count to 10 and Will and James are at 8 each.  That is just way too many times to have to make new friends and start over.  So we have committed to staying here for the next 6 years (at least).  That will get the three oldest kids through High School, but after that, we will see how we are feeling and maybe I will be up for some more adventures by then... 

I will try to take some new pictures.  Tomorrow Tracy and Russ and (I think) my parents are coming over for dinner and trick-or-treating, so we will take pictures then and post some in a few days.  We are still unpacking boxes like crazy and trying to get settled, but we feel so blessed to be here.  Maybe once things settle down a bit, I will be better about blogging more often...maybe...

Some thoughts

First, some thoughts about Lizzy...  Thank you friends for your kind words.  I have thought a lot about Lizzy these last few months.  Her birthday came and went.  We had plans and I missed her being here to carry them out with me.  During the time I knew Lizzy, I always thought that I was helping her and trying to make myself available to be a friend to her.  She was interesting and unique and I enjoyed my time with her, but I always thought that I was the one serving her.  It is funny how now my perspective has changed and I see that she was actually the one serving me the whole time.  I needed her.  What I gave Lizzy pales in comparison to what I gained from her. 

I don't want to sound too corny, but since Lizzy has passed away, I have felt her spirit with me at times.  I feel stronger and more happy because of the time I spent with her and the things she taught me.  She has given me strength and made me realize how very blessed I am.  Physically, Spiritually, Economically, etc.  It occured to me in a very real way that with these blessings comes a great responsibility to do good.  We who are so blessed, what a greater responsibility we have to bless others.  Lizzy practiced this priciple.  It took so much energy and work for her to even get out of bed each day, yet she did.  Because of her condition, she could not do much physically.  Her hands did not work well, yet she painfully wrote letters.  Tons of letters to friends and family.  While cleaning out her apartment I found some paperwork showing that she had been financially providing for a child in a third world country who needed food and clothing.  Lizzy had very little money.  Only the money she recieved from the government.  Still, she sacrificed so she could help this child.  One of Lizzy's last acts was to donate her gorgeous, long hair to locks of Love.  She could do so little, but she did what she could.  She was very creative in looking for ways to serve and lighten the loads of others. 

Still, a couple months after her death, I see her example and she teaches me.  I am so glad that I met her and feel like she has had such a significant impact on my life and my future. 

Other news - our summer was wonderful!  We spent a week up at the company resort in Northern Wisconsin.  The kids learned to water skii there and did archery, tubing, horse-back riding, canoeing, fishing, boating, swimming, scavenger hunts, made pinata's, tie dyed t-shirts, did some other crafts, and just had a wonderful and fun week.  They met some great friends there too.  I saw Kiley very little the whole week.  She was always off with her friends and flirting with boys. 

Then we also got to go out west and spend a couple weeks with family.  Kiley went to EFY in Provo and she loved it.  We went to a Workman family reunion in Utah and spent time in Rupert and Boise with our families as well.  It was so great to be with family and see everyone.  We really miss everyone and it is hard to be so far away. 

 Kate got to be a flower girl for the wedding of a friend this summer.  She had a beautiful dress and danced with her dad at the reception afterward.

Kate and Lucas (the ring bearer was only 3 years old.  When they were walking down the aisle,

 Kate was scattering the rose petals out in front of them.  Lucas was confused and looked at her and loudly said, "What are you doing?"  "Why are you doing that?"  It was so funny.  I have it on video.  Very cute!

Grandma and Grandpa Wallace with the four youngest grandchildren.

Cameron, Brook and Bek

Will and James pose in the museum before our tour of the old Idaho Jail...

Nothing but trouble

Now the kids are back in school and doing well.  It seems they all got great teachers and they are very happy and getting settled.  I am enjoying a little time each day with my little Bekah.  She is a walker now and she gets around pretty good.  I love watching her learn.  She is starting to say a few words and really imitates what she hears us say.  She is such a source of happiness and joy for all of us.  We feel so blessed to have her in our lives. 

Life Goes On...

Hello, Family and Friends. What a summer it has been so far. Funny how certain events can change us so dramatically. I lost a very good friend a few weeks ago. Lizzy had cerebral Palsy. She was only 28 years old and she lived a short, but significant life. I met Lizzy through church. She is a convert to the church. She was taken from her parents at age 10 and put in foster care. She endured so many hardships in her life. She and I became fast friends when I moved back to Wisconsin. She taught me about service and endurance and so much about gratitude.





Three weeks ago, Lizzy came to our house for dinner and a priesthood blessing prior to going into surgery the next morning. Lizzy was a very private person and did not want anyone in her ward to know about the surgery. No one knew about it, other than me. I was busy with so many things that Monday, but stopped in to check on Lizzy after her surgery on Monday evening. She was happy, comfortable and tearful. Kate and Bekah were with me. Lizzy kept asking for hugs and wanted to hold Bekah. She spoke of peace and that she was not worried for this surgery. She felt happy. I was not worried about her at all. She seemed to be doing so well. The doctor came in and talked with her and everything had gone so well. I left to go to baseball and thought about her a lot that night. Lizzy was expected to be released the following morning. I was planning to check in with her that morning and see if she needed a ride or anything. I recieved a phone call from the hospital at 6:27 am saying that Lizzy was unresponsive. I jumped into the car and headed to the hospital. Jason was with me, and we ran out of gas on the way. While driving, I called the hospital for an update and got the news that she had passed away. I was devastated and so shaken up about it. I still get teary when I think of it.


Lizzy had listed me as her next of kin and her power of attorney. She had a "Do not resuscitate" bracelet on and so they could not do too much to try to bring her back. I got to the hospital, and said my goodbye's to her. The nurse came in to clean up her body a little and she told me that she had sat with Lizzy the night before, and the two of them spoke of God and his goodness and mercy. That is so Lizzy! The nurse checked her vitals at 5:30 am, and she was doing well, the doctor came in a little after six and she was unresponsive at that time.


I ordered an autopsy and nothing could be discovered. Lizzy's time on earth was just over. I knew it. I just have had a really hard time saying goodbye. I think of her everywhere I go. Her birthday was coming up and she wanted to come over for a family night and spend her birthday with us. I was planning on a trip to the zoo with Lizzy. She has not attended the zoo since she was a child, about 6 or 7 years old. She was so looking forward to going.


Hmm... To make a long story short, we tried to contact her family and friends and foster family. Most of them live out in Washington State. The family demanded cremation. I felt Lizzy would not have wanted to be cremated, but I discovered that since Lizzy did not have a will, my power to make that call did not stand up legally. Her family got their wish and she was cremated and sent home to Washington State. Dealing with that news of cremation was really hard for me to come to terms with also. I felt like Lizzy did not want her family making these calls, and I was helpless to do anything. My husband and my Stake President (Who was Lizzy's other closest friend) helped me to come to peace with this. We cleaned out her apartment and her ward did a small memorial service that I spoke at. We were supposed to be on vacation, but we went late so we could make the service. I am so happy we went. Mostly nonmembers showed up and it was a very touching and lovely service. Her foster family came all the way here and I was so honored to meet Kathy, her foster mom. Lizzy told me that Kathy was the first person that ever made her feel loved.


Moving forward after this event has been difficult. I feel more nervous and scared than normal. I had a really hard time sending Will to scout camp just afterward. I just want to hold everyone close and watch over them carefully. I know that Lizzy is in a better place. I know she is relieved of the burdens she carried all her life. She no longer has to drag her feet. She is free and happy. I have felt a lot of comfort as I grieve. I am so greatful for my friendship with Lizzy. I love her dearly and look forward to the day when we will meet again.