I've got a History 434 class that gets us into using technological tools for our research. I'm finding many things to add to my work, so it's a successful class for me. Just check out my other blog, MaineRaynesFamily, and you will see what I mean. Where before my research was all about what I could put together, with an occasional e-mail from a Message Board, now it is about seeing the whole picture. Prof. Jill Crandell explained that historians see broadly the overall picture of populations and communities; genealogists see deeply into lineal groups; the middle ground of family communities is the intersection that most interests us. This picture might reflect that view, of looking deeply to better understand the larger emergent identity.

Aspirations

Resolutions! Resolutions! So much to improve, so little time, such looonnng projects. Give me something do-able...
So I have the best resolution ever this year: Make a new resolution once a week. I love it! I'm finally keeping my New Year's resolution.
Charlie's observed that I'm just on the edge of overload most of the time.
I'm thinking about that. Does that mean that I should cut back? There is too much to do, to see, to formulate. I think that maybe I like being busy, even if it doesn't seem like much gets done. Mundane is mundane--I would rather be working on something. Which reminds me of a story my mother used to tell. When I was 10, we visited a Relief Society Bazaar (they used to do fundraising in those days) and as we finished our purchases, I had chosen only those things that I didn't think I could make myself. As I looked up at my mother, I wailed, "What if I don't live long enough to do everything?!"                  Photo collage credits:http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/7828_102849263059760_100000040602345_78407_6825036_n.jpg , 

In our readings last Sunday, Charlie & I found it interesting that George Albert Smith set down his creeds in his early thirties and lived by them the rest of his life. We found creeds to live by in our family:

Never take advantage of people—CE Chenoweth Jr.

Honor your name—CE Chenoweth Sr.

Bear solemn testimony of Jesus Christ—CB Chenoweth II

It’s important to treat other people with kindness and respect—Kathryn W.Smullin Chenoweth

Develop reverence and self-control—Lincoln F. Raynes

Don’t be judgmental of people—Nina M. Knight Chenoweth

Love everyone and show it too—Beth Milner Raynes

Be forthright and honest—Caroline V. Fitzgerald Smullin

Never fear to stand for righteousness—Arnel  Seaton Milner

Love life and God’s beautiful world—Pearl Hamblin Milner

Everyone has value—Grace Cheever Milner

A sense of humor goes a long ways—Ronald Curtis Raynes

Be kind and friendly—Joseph Dale Smullin

Inquire; Seek always for truth---Mary E. Trimble Raynes
                                                                                              image by ianmoranflicker

Merry Christmas

Did they begin with the end in mind?

 The building of the Provo Tabernacle started with a groundbreaking in the fall of 1881, and was fitted with "luminous jets of electric lighting" on 6 May 1891. It was finally finished and dedicated on 17 April 1898 (Salt Lake Tribune, April 18, 1898). The black and white photo here is taken from 1902, before the city condemned the middle tower as too heavy for existing support, and before the stained glass windows were added. It was unique, the only structure in the territory to have seven totally separate entrances, plus a west one (back door) for access to the choir seats. I used this entrance the last time I attended Stake Conference with Katie & Matt's family. General Conference 1886, was held here, even though the balcony seating hadn't been installed yet. For a transcription of multiple sources describing its history and use, try this link: Provo Tabernacle

       One of the great things about the gospel is the vision of the future that each of us may have as we study things out and invite the Holy Ghost to attend our ponderings. My great-grandfather, George Brewitt Milner, was one of the blacksmiths that put in long hours on this structure. His stories tell of an independent sort of man who excelled at his work and had a great sense of humor. A future president of the church, George A. Smith,  frequented his blacksmith shop on Center Street in Provo as a boy, fascinated with his ability. My father tells of a time that a plow broke when they were living on West Mountain (Utah Valley) and Grandpa Candy took him along to an old crony's place in Provo where Dad watched as he hammered the metal as though it were putty to re-form the tool. Grandpa Candy would have been 90 years old at the time, but he barely broke a sweat. (He picked up the nickname because he always carried candy in his pocket--his way to quit smoking--and the kids loved it!)

      As I ponder the vision that he must have had during his daily labor on the Provo Tabernacle, I remind myself that my daily labor has vision too. Every day is important; every day has something in it that contributes to my life's building. I want to build something everlasting--and I guess that's why the artist's rendering of the second Provo Temple gives me hope. We leave a legacy, and what will that be?

Running fast, running wisely

Sometimes I run faster than I am able. I know, a contradiction. I just get so pressed to accomplish something that I go for it and leave other parts of my life unfinished or unprepared for the next event.
I have been indexing lately and feel it helps bring the spirit into our home; many times the spirit directs how to interpret what I see. And that is just the point.
The photo here is of some raw materials used for building a home. How do I interpret the raw materials in my life for building our home? If I'm spirit-directed, I will be able to pick and choose what to use and when. Otherwise, it's a fun ride and it will probably work out. The big difference is my attitude when I look at this big pile of raw materials. Is it chaos? Is it back-breaking labor? Or is it a day in the open, to enjoy nature and put to work my belief that the deeds I perform today are building a great home and a future mansion.
Yes, I'm mixing metaphors. But this stack of logs reminds me of how overwhelmed I am sometimes, and how exhilarating real work can be at other times. The sometime-attitude-changes happen when I try to run faster than I should: Mosiah 4:27 ; D&C 10:4
And just for fun, since it's the season, here's my link.of.the.week: letkidscreate.blogspot.com/2011/11/24-days-of-holiday

Inside Work

While reading scriptures this week,
And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
(Alma 26:28‎)‎
it occurred to me that this is about faith; suffering is the material that faith is made of. Not all suffering is all that bad, sometimes it's just patience. The faith of the child grows in love, knowing their parent has a soft spot for them. Not getting everything you ask for is part of faith--learning to Trust that God won't necessarily grant your selfish requests but responds to your heart's desire. I love my Heavenly Father.
image from hanselman.com