LDS Friends Worldwide - Discussions/Chat

TomK · Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject:

Went to church today.

It was Fast & Testimony meeting. I bore my testimony and thanked the members of the ward for their prayers concerning my daughter Isabelle who successfully weathered some recent surgery.

I also felt to bear my personal witness of the Savior's reality and pure love. I extended the invitation to anyone in the congregation who was laboring under a burden of sin to "come unto Christ" and lay their burden at His feet.

My heart was beating so fast and I had a hard time keeping my emotions in check. The witness was so powerful.

Then we sang as our closing hymn "More Holiness Give Me" and during that song I received a complete remission of my sins. I just sat there and wept and wept and wept. It was so sweet and so needed and so welcome.

I bear my witness of Jesus Christ. Not just that He is my Lord and Master, but also that He is my Friend. My Second Comforter.

I am so grateful for His Atonement. For His total GIFT of love and forgiveness. As I felt Him wash me clean today I felt to exclaim, as did Peter in John 13, not just my feet, but also my hands and my head!

8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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TomK · Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject:

Was talking with a good friend tonight and I was sharing with her some of my feelings about God and His unchanging Love for us.

Out of that conversation, some interesting insights came to light (I think) which I want to put down on paper, uh, I mean, electronically, here, in my BLOG. LOL

Consider the following scripture:

Alma 40: 8
Now whether there is more than one time appointed for men to rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this mattereth not; all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men.

For us, time can seem to pass PRETTY dang slowly at times. Like when I'm waiting at Big O Tires for my front brakes to get worked-on.

Time is only measured unto MAN.

Let me say it a few times more:

Time is only measured unto MAN.
Time is only measured unto MAN.
Time is only measured unto MAN.

another way of saying this is:

With God, everything is one eternal NOW. Past, present, future is all NOW.

That comes from the other part of the same verse which I will emphasize:

Alma 40: 8
Now whether there is more than one time appointed for men to rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this mattereth not; all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men.

D&C 130:

6 The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth;
7 But they reside in the presence of God, on a globe like a sea of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest, past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord.
8 The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim.
9 This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ’s.

I don't remember where I heard this or read this, and frankly, I guess it doesn't matter cuz this is MY BLOG and nobody reads this rubbish anyway, but I heard once that 1000 years is as ON DAY with God.

Assuming this were actually true (setting aside the fact that even THAT is not accurate -- 1000 years or 1,000,000 years -- it makes no difference -- it is all NOW with God -- time is only measured unto man, remember?) assuming this were true, our time on this earth would constitute but a few minutes or even seconds away from God (I'm too dumb/lazy/tired to try and do the math). I think you get my point.

This just constitutes more proof, more evidence, that God's love is CONSTANT and UNCHANGEABLE.

Why would God' love CHANGE, HOW could it change, it there were no TIME for it to change?

Do you see what I am saying?

I God loved us before we came to Earth, and God lives in ONE eternal NOW -- then that love never changed.

I hope these ramblings make sense.

Goodnight.
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TomK · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 9:56 am Post subject:

May 23rd at 10:48 Mountain Time

Big news. Thank you Anneji for your words of comfort (she was the first one I got to tell from LDS Friends)

Well, we now know what is wrong with our daughter, genetically.

It does not yet have a name.

There is a deletion on Chromosome 1, specifically with MECP2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MECP2

Here is the part that most closely matches Isabelle (bolded in blue):

Mutations in the MECP2 gene have also been identified in people with several other disorders affecting the central nervous system. For example, MECP2 mutations are associated with some cases of moderate to severe X-linked mental retardation. Mutations in the gene have also been found in males with severe brain dysfunction (neonatal encephalopathy) who live only into early childhood. In addition, several people with features of both Rett syndrome and Angelman syndrome (a condition characterized by mental retardation, problems with movement, and inappropriate laughter and excitability) have mutations in the MECP2 gene. Lastly, MECP2 mutations or changes in the gene's activity have been reported in some cases of autism (a developmental disorder that affects communication and social interaction).

As you might imagine, my wife and I, and our other two children, have, and will yet experience, a wide mix of feelings regarding Isabelle.

My wife and I love her so much, and we are so grateful for this tiny little slice of heaven in our home. A bonafide member of the Celestial Kingdom. Smile

Still, part of us grieves for the things she'll never get to experience in this life, namely, a family of her own. Every parent wants that for their child. The list is endless.

Isabelle

Isabelle (blowing raspberries)

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Madd Dawg · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 10:58 am Post subject:

She is sooo beautiful! What a little doll.

TomK · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject:

Tough Grits · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject:

Tom,

I remember the sweet angel that was my sister. Though her body and mind was not as others of her age, due to her spina bifida, her spirit was without blemish.

Just as her spirit was pure and innocent on earth, so it will be when I see her again in the next estate. One day, I will see my sister as she truly is, and has always been, not as her mortal body was on earth. Oh, how I long for that day.

I love you, and hope and pray that you and your wife will have the strength and comfort from the Lord to raise up these special children of Heavenly Father, and help them to find all the love and joy in life that awaits them.

My most sincere thoughts, prayers, and love...always.

~Shauney
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Love,
~Tough Grits Cool

I live in my own little world, but it''s okay...they know me here. Razz

TomK · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject:

TomK · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:52 am Post subject:

My life, and that of my family, just continues to get more and more interesting.

Our landlords decided to kick us out of our townhome.

So now we are living with my mother-in-law. Bless her heart for letting us move-in with her with no notice.
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Madd Dawg · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 8:39 am Post subject:

Tom, I am so sorry for the trials you and your family are going through! I wish I could take all of you, enfold you in my arms, and just hug you!
...I do have you in my thoughts, in my prayers, and in my heart...

Love, Daune...
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Love,
Madd Dawg

You can judge the heart of man by his treatment of animals.

TomK · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:18 am Post subject:

TomK · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:28 pm Post subject:

When it rains it pours, I guess.

Wife slipped on a puddle of water while we were shopping at Wal Mart today. She's hurt her knee pretty badly. She's in the hospital.

Someday all of this will make sense. Right now it just hurts to go through all of this. It's one thing for me to suffer, but to watch my family suffer sometimes is just too much.
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Tough Grits · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject:

Gosh, I am so sorry to hear that!!

Your wife and your family will be in my prayers. Stay positive, and turn your burdens and frustrations over to Heavenly Father. His shoulders are much stronger. Wink

Love,
Shauney
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Love,
~Tough Grits Cool

I live in my own little world, but it''s okay...they know me here. Razz