****Walt & Eileen Petersen**: Traces of Time... October 16-22, 2023

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Traces of Time... October 16-22, 2023

Traces of Time . . . {Last week: Scroll to end and click "Older Posts" at bottom right.}

"Time moves slowly, but passes quickly."
“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, 1982
"The magical, supernatural force
that is with us every second is time.
We can't even comprehend it.
It's such an illusion,
it's such a strange thing."
— Anthony Hopkins
Note from Eileen: You will notice I call my blog: "Traces of Time..."
On this blog I share with family and friends my daily thoughts, doings, what interests me, and--at times--tributes to my eternal sweetheart, Walt, who graduated to heaven on 8-21-2020.

Dedicated to our seven children--Janie, Gary, Steve, David, Julie, Brian, Jen, their spouses, our 39 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and posterity to come.
THIS WEEK-
OCTOBER 16-OCTOBER 22, 2023
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

Family is Everything.. Sunrise: 7:39 a.m.
Sunset: 6:46 p.m.

Happy Birthday to
Jacob Carter today
"21"

“Years ago, I wondered over the scriptural imagery of angels waiting “day and night” for “the great command” to come down and reap the tares in a wicked and suffering world; it seemed rather eager to me. (See D&C 38:12; D&C 86:5.)

Given such massive, needless human suffering, I don’t wonder anymore! Even so, the final reaping will occur only when the Father determines that the world is “fully ripe.” (D&C 86:7.)
Meanwhile, brothers and sisters, the challenge is surviving spiritually in a deteriorating “wheat and tares” world. (See D&C 86:7.)” Neal A. Maxwell from ‘Behold, the Enemy Is Combined’ April 1993"
* * * * * * *
“There’s no denying that the world is in shambles. It was prophesied that the world would fall apart in many ways before the second coming of Christ. As individuals, the only thing we can do is to encourage our friends and families, as well as ourselves, to turn to Heavenly Father, and follow His commandments, and lean on Him for comfort and revelation.”
--Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
* * * * * * * * * * *

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023

Family is Everything…

Institute

Steve drove me to the

wedding reception...

for Ross & Karen Taylor's

for grandson,

Aaron &b Heidi Taylor's son.

Ian & Emma Taylor

married in the

Provo City Center Temple

this morning.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

Family is Everything…

* * * * * * *

Lunch Bunch was at

Nachos Live in Lehi

at

at

at

at

at

at

at

at

at

at

at

at

* * *
Imagine, Tammy chose

to be with Mark in

Curaçao

celebrating their 40th

wedding anniversary,

instead of being at

lunch with us today.

What country is Curaçao belong to?
the Kingdom of the Netherlands
What Country does Curacao belong to? Curacao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Four countries – the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten – make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands.Dec 8, 2022

Ah! Being young is beautiful,
but being old is comfortable.
Lord, please keep your arm over my shoulder,
and your hand over my mouth.
May you always have:
Love to share,
Cash to spare,
Tires with air,
And friends who care.

* * * * * * ***

Our Wednesday night movie

was Jason Bourne

What's not to like about

Matt Damon.

Gary and I enjoy

thses old movies.

* * * * * * *
Opening Night...

Feel the Rhythm with BYU

Ballroom Dance Company

Jacee in the pre-tour...

...tour team performance.

She's in 8 numbers.

Jacee with her college

brother, Jackson.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

Family is Everything…

Lunch with Jen and Gary**

My grandson, Michael Fisher

drove me to the Thursday

night performance to

see Jacee dance.

She is phenomanal!

Nick & Jacee

Nick just received his

mission call to the

Brazil Bahia Mission...

enters the MTC Jan 8, 2024

Feel the Rhythm with BYU Ballroom Dance Company   Debut Ballroom Performance Combines Latin and Traditional Dances

"Join the BYU Ballroom Dance Company in their debut of “Rhythm,” a highly anticipated new show that fuses Latin and traditional ballroom dances for an energetic yet elegant experience. “Rhythm” will grace the Richards Building’s Dance Performance Theatre October 18-20 before leaving on tours to Washington State, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Featuring a diverse range of dance styles, the show’s choreography, rhythm and visuals will mesmerize all who come with a blend of movement and emotion on stage. The graceful movements of traditional ballroom will dazzle viewers while upbeat Latin dances will have the audience tapping their feet to the infectious rhythms of samba, the passionate flair of tango and the lively steps of the cha-cha, according to Artistic Director and dance professor Curt Holman.
The dynamic choreography in “Rhythm” was crafted by Holman and a team of internationally renowned ballroom dancers. Holman’s background in both dance and choreography, the collective expertise of the choreography team and the passion of each dancer in the company bring a fresh perspective to ballroom dance that manifests onstage.

“We’re incredibly excited to present ‘Rhythm’ to our audience,” said Holman. “This show represents the culmination of months of hard work and creative exploration. We wanted to bring something truly unique to the stage and I believe ‘Rhythm’ will do just that. It’s a celebration of Latin and ballroom dance traditions, infused with contemporary creativity.”

The Ballroom Dance Company welcomes dance enthusiasts, art aficionados and everyone in between to witness the grand premiere of “Rhythm.”

Early booking is recommended to secure the best seats for this event."

Tickets and Show Details

October 18-20 | 7:30 p.m.

Dates & Times:

Location: Richards Building Dance Performance Theatre

Price: $18

Tickets: Available online at BYU Tickets

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

Family is Everything…

                                               Sunny day...

Last night of

"Feel the Rhythm"

BYU Ballroom Dance

Company - Tour Team

Maddie with Jacee

* * * * * * ***

Old Age ... I was born
in 1938, but relate to this...
So can my first 4 children
born in 1963, '65, '66, and '69.
(David, you barely made it!)

They call us ”The Elderly”

We were born in the 40-50-60’s.

We grew up in the 50-60-70's.

We studied in the 60-70-80's.

We were dating in the 70-80-90's.

We got married and discovered the world in the 70-80-90's.

We venture into the 80-90’s.

We stabilize in the 2000’s.

We got wiser in the 2010’s.

And we are going firmly through and beyond 2020.

Turns out we've lived through EIGHT different decades...

TWO different centuries...

TWO different millennia...

We have gone from the telephone with an operator for long-distance calls to video calls to anywhere in the world.

We have gone from slides to YouTube, from vinyl records to online music, from handwritten letters to email and Whats App.

From live matches on the radio, to black and white TV, colour TV and then to 3D HD TV.

We went to the Video store and now we watch Netflix.

* * * * * * ***

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2023

Family is Everything…

It's good to be reminded...
The Human Body
"Each organ of your body is a wondrous gift from God. Each eye has an autofocusing lens. Nerves and muscles control two eyes to make a single three-dimensional image. The eyes are connected to the brain, which records the sights seen.
Your heart is an incredible pump. It has four delicate valves that control the direction of blood flow. These valves open and close more than 100,000 times a day—36 million times a year. Yet, unless altered by disease, they are able to withstand such stress almost indefinitely.
Think of the body’s defense system. To protect it from harm, it perceives pain. In response to infection, it generates antibodies. The skin provides protection. It warns against injury that excessive heat or cold might cause.
The body renews its own outdated cells and regulates the levels of its own vital ingredients. The body heals its cuts, bruises, and broken bones. Its capacity for reproduction is another sacred gift from God.
Anyone who studies the workings of the human body has surely “seen God moving in his majesty and power.” Because the body is governed by divine law, any healing comes by obedience to the law upon which that blessing is predicated.
Yet some people erroneously think that these marvelous physical attributes happened by chance or resulted from a big bang somewhere. Ask yourself, “Could an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary?” The likelihood is most remote. But if so, it could never heal its own torn pages or reproduce its own newer editions!
If the body’s capacity for normal function, defense, repair, regulation, and regeneration were to prevail without limit, life here would continue in perpetuity. Yes, we would be stranded here on earth! Mercifully for us, our Creator provided for aging and other processes that would ultimately result in our physical death. Death, like birth, is part of life. Scripture teaches that “it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness." To return to God through the gateway we call death is a joy for those who love Him and are prepared to meet Him. Eventually the time will come when each “spirit and … body shall be reunited again in … perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame,” never to be separated again. For these physical gifts, thanks be to God!"

Russell M Nelson
* * * * * * *

BYU FOOTBALL WIN
27-14 Texas Tech Raiders

* * *

Utes 34 - Southern Cal 32
* * * * * * *

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2023


Family is Everything…
Supper with
David & Julie, Jen...
...Sarah, Seth, Grama
...at Denney's.

Gary  as Indiana Jones at Thanksgiving Point

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023

Family is Everything…

Sunrise: 7:45 a.m.

Sunset: 6:37 p.m.

Marriage
If we look for imperfections in our spouse or irritations in our marriage, we will certainly find them, because everyone has some. On the other hand, if we look for the good, we will surely find it, because everyone has many good qualities too. Those who save marriages pull out the weeds and water the flowers. … No matter how flat your relationship may be at the present, if you keep adding pebbles of kindness, compassion, listening, sacrifice, understanding, and selflessness, eventually a mighty pyramid will begin to grow. -- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

* * * * * * *

Saratoga Springs 3rd Ward

Sacrament Meeting

Presiding: Pres. D Petersen

Conducting: Bill Miller

Speakers:

Watson Cheney

Piano-Violin Duet:

Dean & Nadine Fletcher

"My Peace I Leave with You"

Westin Smith

also spoke on President Eyring's

message from General Conference.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023

Saratoga Springs 3rd Ward

Relief Society

Lesson taught by

Rebecca Sterrett

"The Power of Jesus Christ
in Our Lives Every Day"

By Elder Joaquin E. Costa

Of the Seventy

The source of our strength is faith in Jesus Christ   as we intentionally seek to come unto Him each and every day.

"Dear brothers and sisters, this is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a joy it is to be gathered as His Church. I am thankful that President Russell M. Nelson has reminded us to use the correct name of the Lord’s Church often so that we remember whose Church this is and whose teachings we follow.

President Nelson has stated: “In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. … He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.”¹
Sister Sterrett read this again "...we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior's power that the world has ever seen..."
She had read the part of Pres. Nelson's talk that said some days we might want to stay in bed in our pajamas until world conditions improved. Rebecca said she didn't want to stay in bed and miss seeing "the greatest manifestations of the Savior's power..."
Elder Costa's talk continues:
"One of the greatest privileges for me and my wife, Renee, is to meet with the Saints where we serve. We hear their stories, we witness their losses, we share their grief, and we rejoice with their success. We have witnessed many of the blessings and miracles that the Savior has bestowed upon the faithful.
We have met people who have gone through the impossible, who have suffered the unthinkable."
"We have seen the manifestation of the Savior’s power in a widow who lost her husband while they were on the Lord’s errand in Bolivia.² "
"We have seen it in a young woman in Argentina who fell under a train and lost her leg, just because someone wanted to steal her cell phone.³ And in her single father, who now must pick up the pieces and strengthen his daughter after such an unexplainable act of cruelty. "

Sister Sterrett asked the class this question that Elder Costa asked in his talk?
"What gives them the power to go through hard things?"

How have you sisters gone through hard things?
What helped you get through the hard things?

Here are the replies: Not in quotes because I didn't get it word for word...just a summary of what was said.

Julia Witham: Like Pres. Nelson has told us to Think Celestial.

Madeleine Summers: Like the young girl who lost her leg who at first said "Why me?" changed it to "What for". I try to think that.

Kathie Hatch: I can't do it by myself. I turn it over to the Lord. He takes the weight off my shoulders.

Jennie Andersen: Depend on God. Trials come to all of us. We can be bitter or be strengthened from our trials. Other people help us. Trials are not exclusive with us.

Chelsea Smith: I try to look ahead at how will I be better from going through a trial.

Madeleine Summers: When I look back at how I went through other trials, it helps me.

Rebecca Sterrett shared a time when--shortly after Sharon Mardesich lost her young son Cooper-- she was asking Rebecca how her children were doing.
Rebecca asked Sharon how she did it and Sharon answered: "My lamp is full."

Rebecca shared a story about Ann Rowley showing how we add these drops of oil in our lamps daily so our "lamp will be full."

Ann Rowley had faith and a miracle from the Lord to feed her family.

"The life of Ann Rowley, a pioneer woman in the early days of the Church, demonstrates how exercising faith impacts our lives for good. A widow from England, Sister Rowley exercised her faith to answer the prophet’s call to gather to Zion. She was a member of the Willie handcart company, which encountered deep snowdrifts along the trail in the fall of 1856. They had reached a point in the trek where her seven children were literally starving. She wrote: “It hurt me to see my children go hungry. … Night was coming and there was no food for the evening meal. I asked God’s help as I always did. I got on my knees, remembering two hard sea biscuits that … had been left over from the sea voyage. They were not large, and were so hard they couldn’t be broken. Surely, that was not enough to feed 8 people, but 5 loaves and 2 fishes were not enough to feed 5,000 people either, but through a miracle, Jesus had done it. So, with God’s help, nothing is impossible. I found the biscuits and put them in a dutch oven and covered them with water and asked for God’s blessing. Then I put the lid on the pan and set it on the coals. When I took off the lid a little later, I found the pan filled with food. I kneeled with my family and thanked God for his goodness. That night my family had sufficient food.”

Painting of Ann Rowley and her 7 children.

Rebecca asked us if any have had miracles.

Samantha Warner: Our refrigerator stopped working, it couldn't be fixed, so they paid out not quite half what it cost--$600-something. I found a similar refrigerator online at Costco for $999,99. It was a miracle to us that we could get the new refrigerator we needed for that low of a price.
Eileen Petersen: We lived in Oklahoma where Walt was doing his military time as a physician/surgeon at an Indian Hospital. Our 2-y-o daughter started having seizures. A lot of them. It was very scary. We feared for her life, of her growing up and being normal.

We fasted 2 days to figure out what was wrong and for her to recover. A specialist in Tulsa diagnosed that she had had encephalitis and as her brain cells were going back down to normal, they were giving off electrical charges, causing seizures. They put her on the needed medicine and she recovered. She grew up to marry and have 7 children. We were very thankful for that miracle.

Nadine Fletcher: We had an old, old refrigerator that was about worn out. We could either pay our tithing or put the money toward buying a new fridge. We kept paying our tithing. The old refrigerator kept working. We called it our tithing fridge.

Rebecca showed a 3-min video about
Rebecca shared a time when Riley was going to a friend's birthday party in the canyon. It was very windy and she didn't feel right about him driving in those conditions as a new driver. She wanted to tell him he couldn't go, but the words wouldn't come out as he told her goodbye and drove off.

She dropped to her knees and prayed there in the family room and prayed for his safety. About ten minutes later Riley walked in the door. When she asked him why he came back, he told her he just had the feeling he shouldn't go.

A mother's prayer was answered.

Rebecca had mentioned this part of Elder Costa's talk earlier in the lesson. She pointed out that he didn't say he read the scriptures in the morning, but that he read a scripture in the morning.

"How do we begin exercising a little bit of faith every day? For me it begins in the morning: When I wake up, instead of looking at my phone, I say a prayer. Even a simple prayer. Then I read a scripture. This helps me with my weekly covenant that I make as I partake of the sacrament to “always remember him.”⁷ When I begin my day with a prayer and a scripture, I can “remember Him” when I do look at my phone. I can “remember Him” when I face problems and conflicts, and I try to face them like Jesus would."

Rebecca closed her lesson by saying I can remember Him a scripture and a prayer at a time.

She played a short video "Come Unto Jesus."

Joanne thanked Rebecca for her wonderful lesson. She shared that her mother had a trial with two sons and asked: "Why me?" A friend said to her "Why not you?"

Dottie Thayne gave a tender closing prayer thanking Heavenly Father for this great lesson, then thanking Him for the Sabbath - a Day of Rest.

Rebecca Sterrett

has a tender spirit

about her and teaches an

inspirational lesson.

I have a new calling to

write a summary of the

Relief Society lesson to

be shared with those

sisters who are not able

to attend Relief Society.

Heather is happy to be back

home after being gone

for a while.

Joanne, our amazing

Relief Society President

with her equally amazing

secretary, Susan.

We are thankful for Relief Society,

for the sisterhood we feel, and for

the relevant lessons we learn.

I like to know something about the
General Authority who gave the talk.
Hope you do, too.

Who is Elder Costa?

Elder Joaquin E. Costa was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 2, 2016 at age 51.

Elder Costa has served in numerous Church callings, including bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, counselor in a mission presidency and as an Area Seventy.

Elder Costa was raised in a traditional Catholic family before meeting his future wife as a university student. She introduced him to the Church and he was later baptized.

Before his call as a General Authority Seventy, Elder Costa’s banking career took his family from Argentina to the Czech Republic, Oman in the Middle East and Peru.

What has Elder Costa done recently?

Elder Costa last spoke in general conference in April 2017, when shared four lessons from his path to conversion.

In 2019, Elder Costa and his wife, Sister Renee Costa, spoke at a BYU–Idaho devotional on the topic of “Things We Wish We Had Known in College.”

Elder Costa presided at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bahía Blanca Argentina Temple, in his home country, in April 2022.

·         Joaquín Estaban Costa was born on 8 March 1965, in Concordia, Entre Rios, Argentina, to Graciela M. Fassi and Eduardo J. Costa. He was baptized in 1988 after beginning to date Renée Beatriz Varela who had served as a missionary in Chile. They dated for another year after he was baptized, and were married in the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple on 29 September 1989. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters.
He received his Bachelor Degree in Economics from Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1987, and his Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University in 1994. He has worked in the banking industry in his native Argentina, the Czech Republic, the Sultanate of Oman in the Middle East, and for a multinational investment banking and financial services corporation (Citibank) in Chicago, Illinois. At the time of his call as a General Authority Seventy, he was working in Lima, Peru, with MAJ Invest, a Danish investment firm. His duties focused on microfinance.
·         Elder Costa has served in several callings in the Church including Bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, counselor in a mission presidency, High Council member, and Area Seventy. He was serving as a member of the Fourth Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South America Northwest Area when he was called as a General Authority Seventy. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy during the Saturday afternoon session of the 186th Annual General Conference on 2 April 2016.

Two weeks ago...

Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023

Our Relief Society Presidency

Joanne Lyon, President, Jennifer Cheney

1C, and the new 2C Heidi Wright...

before Relief Society started.

Madeleine Summers taught

a great lesson from

Elder Gary B. Sabin's

Saturday evening General

Conference session:

"Hallmarks of Happiness"

She shared a touching message

of gratitude for all things--even flees--

from Corrie and Betsie ten Boom,

sisters from The Hiding Place.

Elder Gary B. Sabin, a General Authority Seventy, spoke during the Saturday evening session of October 2023 general conference, teaching five essential principles that can lead to happiness. The following is a summary of what he said.
Elder Sabin’s talk summary
Living the principles of the gospel can help Latter-day Saints find the kind of true happiness that seems to elude so many in the world. Here are five principles to remember:
First, building upon the sure foundation of Jesus Christ is essential to finding happiness. “Doing so prepares us for the challenges of life, come what may.”
Second, remember that all are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. “Knowing and trusting this reality changes everything.”
Third, remember the worth of a so
ul. “We will never regret being too kind.”
Fourth, maintain an eternal perspective. “Seeing life from an eternal vantage point provides clarity, comfort, courage and hope.”
Fifth, a person will never be happier than he or she is grateful. “Gratitude gives birth to a multitude of other virtues.”
* * * * * * ***
Thank you to Jen Miller for
taking my Sunday photo.

David with his daughter,

talking with Cynthia
Autumn is here...

A scenic drive home...

This little tree is the last one to get
its leaves in the Spring and the last

one to lose them in the Fall.

Riggy got my cell phone I left in the car.

Thanks for being such a good helper.

We had a nice Sunday dinner.

The day length is getting shorter--

10:51:45 today. -2:30 less than yesterday

I am so thankful for The Plan of Salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes this Great Plan operational.

At the end of this October 22nd,
I pray you have had a
restful , peaceful, and spiritual
Sabbath Day...
I share these truths as my testimony to you...

Heavenly Father lives and knows us each by name. He loves us and wants us to return to Him and Heavenly Mother when we leave this mortal existence.
He loves us just
as we are at this very moment.
He knows what our potential is.
* *
Jesus Christ came to earth as The Only Begotten of the Father and fulfilled the Atonement. He is the Redeemer of all.
* * *
I am thankful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost as the third member of the Godhead.
Walt said to me once: "I look forward to thanking the Holy Ghost in person when I get to Heaven. I don't think we give Him enough credit for all He does."

* * * * *
Joseph Smith was foreordained to be the Prophet of the Restoration. He is the Restorer of all things.
* * *
President Russell M. Nelson is the Living Prophet today for all the world.
* * *
The Bible is "the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly" and is a Testament of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.
* * *
The Book of Mormon is the Word of God and is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is the most correct book of any book on earth.
* * *
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the True Church on the earth today. Because of the restored Temple Ordinances families can be sealed for eternity.

* * *
Of these truths I testify in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Eileen Petersen
October 22, 2023

Next week OCT 23-29, 2023**

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