"Patriotism should be sought for and will be found in right living." 

"You can't be really patriotic unless you're righteous.  No man can be a good [Christian], and not be true to the best interests and welfare of his country".  (Joseph Smith, Hartman Rector, Jr.)

I had the honor of visiting Mount Vernon this past week with my husband, sister, and her husband.  We had a unique opportunity to take their boat that is stored just off the Potomac in Virginia, and go north almost an hour to Mount Vernon in Virgina, George Washington's home and burial place. After sharing some experiences with each other, my sister and I concluded that this visit was meant to be, and that George (and the Holy Spirit) had something to teach us that day, something we needed to share with those within our sphere. 

Janet, my sister, has had several meaningful experiences regarding Washington, as have I.  We have learned that the more you study somebody, not only do they become real to you, but you begin to realize  the legacy they left behind for us to follow can easily be forgotten, misinterpreted, or disregarded.  The lessons we learned that day, I am here to tell you, is meant for all to hear.  I do not say this braggingly, but in all humility, and I hope you, the reader, interprets my experience that way. 

After George and Martha died, Mount Vernon was left to family members to try to maintain.  However, there was so much acreage, farmland, a mansion, gardens, etc., that his family members either didn't have the means or the desire to keep it up, and it was pretty much in ruins by 1860.  At that point the Mount Vernon Ladies Association bought the land from the family, and started to buy back some of the acreage lost, as well as start to improve the mansion.  By 1960, it was made a National Historic Landmark, and was restored almost completely.  Janet told me she visited Mt. Vernon in the 90's, and was able to tour the mansion, walk the grounds, see his burial place, and see some of his belongings that were on display on one of the lawns.

Jon and I went for the first time in 2003, along with Janet, and my parents.  By then, there was even more to see and do.  About 2 years later, a huge, new museum was built, with life-size structures of him, several movies, and a hands-on place for students.  This is how we got to see Mt. Vernon on this latest trip.  And it was meant to be.  Janet and I were supposed to be there together at this particular time.

Janet, being a "Friend of Mount Vernon", was able to get permission to dock at George's dock on the Potomac River.  We got off the boat and walked up the forest path on his estate to the entrance.  Janet's pass got 3 out of the 4 of us in for free, so we planned on paying for the 4th person.  As we were about to hand the clerk our card, she waved it away, saying our fourth person was free.  It was amazing how many things like this happened that day!

As we walked the grounds, toured the mansion, saw some incredibly made movies about him, and looked through the museum, Janet and I were both quiet, yet talkative.  I think we were both trying to be in tune with the Spirit and his spirit.  It is amazing how strongly both are felt there.  A deep reverance and desire to keep the grounds clean and neat...it felt much like a place of worship.  A place where the Holy Ghost can reside and teach those who come, a quiet, humble, clean place, free of things of the world.  Janet posed the question about why nothing had been done with Mt. Vernon for so long...that it took so many years to restore and now has become a pilgrimage of sorts, to those seeking answers, peace, and comfort in this increasingly evil world.  That question has been on my mind all week since we got back.

We both talked about the fact that this really is a sacred place, and the Lord designated Washington as our country's first leader for a reason.  I'm not sure any other man of the time could have handled with such humility the ultimate power he had been given after the war was won.  He humbly gave up his right to lead after winning the war, giving all those rights and privleges back to Congress.  He was then shortly elected to the position of president, but he never forgot to whom he owed everything to.  Mt. Vernon, as well as other places, remind us greatly of the love he felt for God, and in his own words, how he owed everything he was and did to Him.

This is felt so incredibly strong, especially at his home.  So, as we talked, I think both Janet and I realized that one of the reasons His home has been preserved and saved in the last few years is because now more than ever, we each need to be reminded, physically, spiritually, and emotionally, the principles this country was founded upon.  The incredible sacrifices, their determination to do what was in the best intrest of the people, and not themselves, or their parties.  To put their own needs on the backburner, in order to make freedom happen for every person that lived here.  To be reminded that the power here is God's power. He brought this country out of obscurity, and can withdraw His power just as easily. depending on the choice and will of the people.  But there is no doubt.  The founders loved God, and loved freedom.  They had their differences on how to frame the government, but generally speaking, they looked to God for answers, and were given the directions on how to do so.  So, Mount Vernon really has become a physical temple to millions of people, seeking that same direction on what to do to fix the problems in this country.  Essentially, they are looking for the Holy Ghost to guide them individually, and what to do within their own sphere to preserve freedom and help others preserve it, as well.  A desire to increase the good in people, and to remember the principles that were a guidance to those founders so many years ago.  A truly amazing place.

I encourage everyone within the sound of my voice to go and seek out the Spirit, wherever you are, but specifically in regards to our forgetful nation. Let us go back to see our roots within this country.  Seek those who sacrificed for us.  The Lord will tell us, through those He touches, past and present, what we can do in our own sphere of influence.  Open our hearts and minds, and we will be surprised at what He will help us find.  Good luck and may God bless you, and the United States of America!

"Patriotism is more than flag-waving and fireworks.  It is how we respond to public issues.  If we ask only, 'What's in this proposal for me? -- What do I get out of it' -- we are not patriotic and we are not good citizens.  But if we ask, 'Is this right? -- is it good for the people? -- would it preserve and strengthen our freedom?' --  then we deserve to stand in the company of [great patriots].  Patriotism is trying alway to give more to the Nation than we receive.  It is selfless service." (Ezra Taft Benson)

Oh What Do You Do In the Summer Time?

Summer! Kids out of school, hot weather, water activities, yard work, traveling, long evenings outside, playing games, riding bikes...the list goes on.  I love summer, and always have.  Ever since I was a child, growing up in California, summer always meant running around with friends, staying up late, and having a great time being a kid. 

I have always wanted that for my children.  That is one of the reasons we moved to a small town.  I really wanted my kids to experience the kind of childhood I had, in spite of the fact that we can no longer let our children roam free, as we did.  And, even though we have to be aware of where they are 24/7, I believe they are growing up in a similar fashion.  We live in a great neighborhood with lots of kids, and everyone truly loves each other.  I really love it here, and am so happy that my kids get to experience summers of quiet leisure, like I did. 

And then comes the dreaded words, starting around mid-July.  "Mom, I'm BOOORRREEEDDD!!".  The three words every parent cringes at the very thought of, let alone said out loud. 

This year, though, I was going to combat those annoying little words.  Rebecca, at 7, is finally old enough to do some fun learning experiences with, so with some help, I decided to have them take a trip around the world.  Each week, we would "visit" a different area of the world.  Learn about their culture, sample some of the food, and make a fun little craft.  Good idea, right?  

The first 2 weeks were great.  We first learned about our own country, and then went on to France.  They had their cute little passports that I would stamp each week, and we were having lots of fun with it.  And then it got harder.  And harder. And harder.  Between sick children, and other distractions, I was having a rough time finding time to research what I needed for each country, in addition to all my other responsibilities that never go away.  The children were getting frustrated with me because I wasn't finding the time for them that I had so often promised. Finally, after a couple of weeks, the dreaded words came back to haunt me.  "I'm BOORREEDD!", just as one screamed at the other for "looking at him".

From then on, the fighting began.  The more bored the kids got, the more they fought.  The kid's friends around the neighborhood decided to all go on vacation at the same time, as well, so there was no one to play with.  We were still managing to do some fun things, but I was getting more and more tired, and more and more frustrated with the kids.  "Go play outside.  Draw.  Write in your journal.  Play with a toy."  Let's just say that the response I got from Rebecca and Ryan was not, "Okay, Mom!  That sounds great!".  The frustration level was growing, for each one of us.  "Will school ever start?", I began to wonder.  Fighting between the kids were more frequent, and I think my voice was getting hoarse from yelling at them to stop.  Finally, I started asking the question I should have asked in the beginning, and going to the right source for the answers.  In prayer.

As I prayed for guidance, which I still am trying to do, I discovered that I am trying too hard to make their will bend to mine, instead of the other way around.  I am realizing that my expectations of each child need to change.  These two children are very similar, and very different in so many ways.  And, I believe that the Lord is trying to help me see that I need to recognize their differences, and not try so hard to shape them into what I think they should be.  They are individuals, and I need to see them that way, spending some time doing what each one wants to do, not doing what I want them to do.  Why is this so hard to do? 

So, back to the drawing board, I go.  I know I had a good idea in the beginning, but instead of me running with it, I can see that I need to go to the Lord with some plans for each child, ask for help, strength, and guidance, and then run with it.  I have 3 weeks left before school starts.  Can I do it?  "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..."

My Friend Patrick

Well, I am finally updating the blog! I never understood, until recently, how hectic life gets with three kids! Once William started getting mobile, life has gotten incredibly crazy, which is saying a lot, since it's been below freezing temperatures and which keeps us indoors most of the time. In any case, it means I have to re-adjust the little time I have to myself, and some things just get neglected, like the blog. But, I had an incredible experience a few weeks ago that I have been encouraged to share with you.

I have never been one to be too interested in Family History. I love learning about where I came from, and the history behind it, but as far as actually doing the research part of it, I have never been very interested. I have always figured that while I have children in the house, my time would need to be devoted to them, my husband, and all that comes with running a household. I have never felt bad about that because I knew that there would be time later in life to really get involved with it. I really love reading about the family history my parents have documented for us already, and learning about those who came before me. But, that's about as far as I was willing to go at this stage in my life.

About 2 months ago, I began reading a Civil War book on Joshua Chamberlain. Jon read this biography on him 2 years ago and loved it. He had been encouraging me to read it the second he finished it. I knew I would get to it, but I have a whole shelf full of "To-Read" books that I was getting through, as well as other books that would come my way. Finally, in January, I was in-between books, and decided now was the time to start it.

Joshua Chamberlain is pivotal in our nation's history in the Civil War. The battle of Gettysburg, and perhaps the entire war, may have turned out differently had it not been for his bravery and his devotion to the Union and holding his line on Little Round Top at Gettysburg. He is a fascinating man and I have loved reading about him.

While in the middle of the book, I came across a picture of a man that was in battle with Chamberlain. There are many pictures of people who had dealings with Chamberlain in the book, but for some reason, this man really stood out to me. I read his name, Patrick DeLacy. I continued to read on a bit and found out why he was so important to be mentioned in this book. It turns out he won a Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in Gettysburg and ensuing battles. A remarkable man.

Well, I was finding I was having a hard time concentrating on what I was reading after I came across his photograph. I pushed the feeling aside, and tried to keep going. But to no avail. I looked at his picture again, and it felt like he was looking at me, in a way. But, again, I pushed the feeling aside and went to go take a bath.

I was pretty tired that day, (who isn't after caring for 3 children) so I laid back in the tub, closed my eyes, and tried to nap a little. Again, I had this feeling. His image kept coming back into my mind, as did his name. I remember feeling like I was almost asleep, but not quite. Again, it happened. I finally jolted myself awake and decided that maybe I needed to look a little further into this man's background. But, I had no idea where to start or how to even look.

I first googled his name into the computer and found out that he was buried in Pennsylvania in the early 1900's, where he was from, and that he had won a Medal of Honor. I also saw an article written up of him in a Gettysburg publication by a great nephew of his.

I called my mom and asked her advice as far as going to the Family History Research Library and what I should do. She told me to go in and talk to a specialist, as the program had changed a bit and she wouldn't be able to tell me over the phone anyway. That seemed simple enough.

I told Jon about all this, and he was pretty interested to know why I was having all these impressions. We both knew the Holy Ghost was trying to tell me something, and perhaps even Patrick himself!

Two days later, I got ready to go to the local FHL here in Vernal. I walked down our stairs and had this really nervous feeling, the feeling I get when something is about to happen. I quickly got in my car and drove the 2 miles to the Library.

When I got there, I explained to the specialist a little about what had happened and asked if they could help me look up his name. They sat me down at a computer, and we looked up his name in the Family Search site -- a website to determine if a person's Temple work has been done, or if it's even in the pool of research other people have done.

I eagerly waited as several similar names came up to the screen. I was excited and nervous. Several names came up, and none of them were the right Patrick DeLacy. I was stunned. His Temple work had not been done. He was no relation to me or Jon (that I know of as of yet, but lots of similarities), but for some reason, I had felt him and the Spirit tapping me on the shoulder, letting me know that he was anxious for his work to be done, as well as his family's.

I was in tears as I realized the magnitude of this. The Spirit was so strong. I knew this was meant for me to do.

I looked at the specialist, and said, "Okay, what now??!". He looked at me for a minute and said,

"Okay, there is more to this story. Why don't you start from the beginning?".

I explained everything that had happened to him. He informed me that the church really emphasizes families doing their own family temple work, but in cases like this, where the Spirit is undeniably telling someone otherwise, that it is okay for that person to do it. Again, tears were rolling down my face. I had heard of experiences happening like this before, but never to me!

I went home and excitedly told Jon the good news. He was stunned, and yet believed me. I thought maybe at first he would think I was crazy, but he is so sensitive to the Spirit. He knew I was telling the truth.

I immediately downloaded Ancestory.com onto my computer and started researching. Patrick had a wife and 8 children, 4 that lived to adulthood. And, it was apparent that they have been waiting a long time for this.

This last week, Jon and I went to the Temple to be baptized for the core family, and prepare them for their Temple Endowment. It was so exciting to do this. We both felt so humbled by the experience. Much work remains, but I am up to the task. I still have very little time, but realize that I can find the time as long as I prioritize. And, it's working!

I wanted to share this experience with you, the reader, to help you understand how thin the veil is to the other side. Listen and learn, and they will find you, too! I know, as crazy as this may sound to some, that it is true.

NOTE: For those who may read this who are not LDS, The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches that all who live on the earth must be baptized with the same Priesthood Power that Christ gave to His apostles. In temples we do baptisms for those who have already died, as well as other ordinance work, that they may choose to accept or reject in Heaven.