Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The Spirit of Elijah

Today I went to the temple with Honey to do some temple work. One of the workers had the surname "Stromberg." Stromberg is my maternal grandmother's maiden name.

I asked the woman if she knew the first Stromberg in her husband's line to enter the country; she replied "Karl Johan." So, small world of small worlds: her husband's grandfather (Golden Alvin) is my grandmother's father. (As I look in my family history, it occurs to me that it wasn't likely to be her husband's grandfather; I wonder if she is a closer relation than I thought?!)

I was just struck by the coincidence. There are abundant descendants, scattered hither and yon, and two meet at 9:30 in the Oquirrh Mountain temple on a Thursday morning.

The spirit of Elijah made this possible. If it weren't for it, I wouldn't have known/cared about my grandmother's maiden name, and those who came before them. I wonder how many other family members I pass, all unknowing?

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year

It is always so reassuring that the New Year comes without me staying up to watch it happen. Being a morning person, I don't often get to/want to watch the old night tick over to the new day, and I don't really change that policy just because there is a giant party going on.

Some goals and hopes for the New Year:

1) To better represent my faith in the world
2) To better live my faith at home in and in private
3) To pass the NCLEX the first time I take it
4) To find gainful employment as an RN
5) To lose 25 pounds (is any list complete without a weight goal?)
6) To take my kids on more adventures that don't come with joy stick
7) To remember and acknowledge family birthdays

Hopes:
1) That my country will survive the current attempts to save it
2) That I will be courteous, no matter the conduct of others
3) That more people will desire self-reliance and liberty than assistance and bondage
4) That I will be able to help someone else in a meaningful way, and not do it for praise of the world - or even that person
5) That all will be well for the people I love, and that that list might get longer.

Happy New Year to you all!