Called To Serve

Good luck Bridger as you leave to serve the Lord and the people of Kentucky for the next two years...

Bridger Musgrave
Called to serve in the Louisville Kentucky Mission

"Don't Quit--Keep Playing"...

"I have heard the story told of a mother who, wishing to encourage her son's progress at the piano, bought tickets to a Paderewski performance. When the evening arrived, they found their seats near the front of the concert hall and eyed the majestic Steinway waiting on the stage. Soon the mother found a friend to talk to, and the boy slipped away. At eight o'clock, the lights in the auditorium began to dim and the spotlights came on. Only then did they notice the boy up on the piano bench, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on the Steinway. His mother gasped, but before she could retrieve her son, the master appeared on the stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy, "Don't quit; keep playing." Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filing in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side and improvised a delightful obligato. Together the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized." (as told by Ardeth Kapp) 

As everyone who has ever taken piano lessons (or any other sort of lessons) has heard, 'practice makes perfect.' There will be times that we mess up, that we hit the wrong note, that we feel discouraged and want to quit. At times such as those, remember that with Him all things are possible. We are told repeatedly in the Scriptures, by small and simple things great things come to pass. He will take our simple songs and turn them into masterpieces. All we have to do, is keep playing.

Let our souls be still so that we may hear the voice of our Father, gently and tenderly whisper to us, "Don't quit; keep playing." Then with all the love in the world, He puts His arms around us. And as those loving arms wrap around us, they lift us, they assist us, they make up the difference. They make us enough. They give us strength when we are weary. They steady us when we are afraid. They comfort us when we are sad. They make simple things, great. They make us more.

"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

Isaiah 41:13



Thank You...

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of their kindness and the outpouring of love and support, with the passing of my sweet dad. Your care and concern means so very much. ~Lori

My Rememberer Is Broke...

We aren't sure who this is actually attributed to, but it was too funny not to pass along. Can you relate as much as we can?...

My Rememberer Is Broke...

My forgetter's getting better
But my rememberer is broke.
To you that may seem funny,

but to me, that is no joke.

For when I'm "here" I'm wondering
If I really should be "there."
And, when I try to think it through,
I haven't got a prayer!

Oft times I walk into a room,
And say "what am I here for?"
I wrack my brain, but all in vain;
A zero, is my score.

At times I put something away
Where it is safe, but, Gee!
The person it is safest from
Is generally me!

When shopping I may see someone,
Say "Hi" and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away
I ask myself "who was that?"

Yes, my forgetter's getting better
While my rememberer is broke,
And it's driving me plumb crazy
And that isn't any joke.

In His Arms We Find Rest And Strength...

"...when we cannot do more, or when we simply do not understand, or when we feel so exhausted we want to lie down in the snow and go to sleep, He picks us up and His strength becomes our strength. In His arms, we find rest, comfort, acceptance, and knowledge. And then, He gently sets us on our feet again and says, "This is the way. Walk in it with me.""

-Chieko Okazaki

Seek Him. Seek the one who longs to embrace you and help you through this life. He stretched forth His arms as He sacrificed His life so that we could have a way to return back to our heavenly home to live with Him and our Father for eternity. Never has there been such a great love, and never will there be a greater one. He loved us then and He loves us now. No matter where we may find ourselves...whether well along the path of righteousness, or far from it...He loves us deeply and perfectly. Nothing will ever change or alter that love. It is eternal and endless.

Know that He sees each of us and is very aware of our weariness, challenges, and trials He wants nothing more than to help us. All we need to do is ask. Reach out to Him. He stands ready with His arms outstretched waiting to encircle us in the safety and comfort of His loving, tender, peace filled embrace.

Til We Meet Again...

Earth lost a good man, while Heaven gained an angel this week. We offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Lori and her family with the passing of her beloved father.

Ezra Hadley

1926~2011

You may view the obituary here and offer your condolences to Lori and the family here...

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"And we too can anticipate that when the time comes for us to step through the veil of mortality, leaving our failing and pain-filled bodies behind, we will see the loving smile and feel the welcoming embrace, not only of our Heavenly Parents and of the Savior, but also of our loved ones who will greet us in full vigor, full remembrance, and full love." ~Chieko Okazaki

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