The Hiding Place

I am sure that most of you have already read this book. I just finished it for the first time. What a story! My interest was stirred when I heard it quoted from in conference last April. There are many great quotes in the book but here are two of my favorites: What puzzled me all this time was Betsie. She had suffered everything I had and yet she seemed to carry no burden of rage. "Betsie!" I hissed one dark night when I knew that my restless tossing must be keeping her awake. Three of us now shared this single cot as the crowded camp daily received new arrivals. "Betsie, don't you feel anything about Jan Vogel? Doesn't it bother you?" "On yes, Corrie! Terribly! I've felt for him ever since I knew - and pray for him whenever his name comes into my mind. How dreadfully he must be suffering!" For a long time I lay silent in the huge shadowy barracks restless with the sighs, snores, and stirrings of hundreds of women. Once again I had the feeling that this sister with whom I had spent all my life belonged somehow to another order of beings. Wasn't she telling me in her gentle way that I was as guilty as Jan Vogel? Didn't he and I stand together before an all-seeing God convicted of the same sin of murder? For I had murdered him with my heart and with my tongue. "Lord Jesus," I whispered into the lumpy ticking of the bed, "I forgive Jan Vogel as I pray that You will forgive me. I have done him great damage. Bless him now, and his family...." That night for the first time since our betrayer had a name I slept deep and dreamlessly until the whistle summoned us to roll call. To me this is a perfect example of the doctrine found in D&C 64:9-11 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds. Corrie had no piece until she forgave this man. The thought of him and the anger she felt toward him was eating her up inside. The example that was shared in conference happens at the end of the book after Corrie is free. She meets one of the German male guards from Ravensbruck. He has heard her speak at a German church and wants to shake hands with her. Here is that quote from the book: Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him. I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me Your forgiveness. As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me. And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.

Meals Tested, Tasted and Approved

I found this at a yard sale and couldn't help myself. It was printed in 1930.

Three Nephite story

In my seminary class, we are studying 3 Nephi. We are at the end of the book and I remembered this great 3 Nephite story. I got it from a man named Mark Callister when he was bishop of the Macomb ward. It is such a great story and you will love it, I'm sure. So, enjoy the read.


"When I was a young man, having just moved to Utah with my family and not knowing anyone in our high school, feeling very uprooted and a bit irritated at my father for moving us during my junior year of high school, I met a young man in our high school named Richard Glazier. He was very kind and inclusive, inviting me to "hang out" with him and his friends. I came to really appreciate his goodness and his love of serving. My first impression upon meeting him, however, was that he was a "hick" and perhaps a bit on the social margins. I came to learn that yes he was a hick, but very much respected and popular in the school. I was rather stunned that a young man with old cowboy boots, big belt buckle, rosy cheeks and a baby face, with crocked bangs (there was some indication he cut his own hair), an old Willie's truck that was missing the floor boards, no athletic ability to speak of, could ever be so well connected and respected. I truly believe that the respect people had for him came from his desire to live close to the spirit. He was not without his faults, as all of us had our weaknesses, but he was someone with whom you just enjoyed his company, you felt safe and you felt strength from the standards he upheld. My mom would interrogate me on weekend nights as to where I was going, when I'd be home etc., but the minute she learned I was with Rich, all interrogations ended because of her trust in him. I was soon to learn that much of Richard's inner happiness and positive outlook came from his joy of serving.

"One day he approached me and asked if I wanted to be a part of a club. When I asked what this club was, he informed me that if I joined I could not tell anyone about it. Well, this got my attention, so I agreed to the terms. The club, he informed me, was called the "Three Nephites" and was made up of about 5 other young men. I pointed out the number discrepancy, and he responded that the number was irrelevant. The purpose of this little band was anonymous service. He explained that whenever there was a heavy snowfall he would contact me at night to inform me that he would come by at 5:00am the next morning. I was to bring a snow shovel and wear a ski mask that covered all of my face except for my eyes and mouth (so as to hide our identity). I gasped at the thought of waking up at 5:00am, but saw the fun and wholesomeness of the activity. "Count me in!" His father was the Stake President and knew of families in the Stake who had special needs, primarily widows--one was a woman with 4 small kids whose husband had drowned in Utah Lake just months before and she was expecting a 5th. The first time the two pick up trucks pulled up in front of my house at that early hour, I felt an element of joy--perhaps you'd call it Heavenly approval of what we were doing. I had asked my mom to purchase the requisite ski mask and, not knowing what it was for, she purchased a bright orange one that made it look like a giant pumpkin was mounted on my neck :) Off we went to shovel snow and what a memorable time it was--some of my fondest memories were climbing out of the trucks with these exceptional young men and shoveling drive ways. I remember that we always went by one home in particular--I believe it was a sister Pullman whose husband was confined to a bed. She must have wondered who was shoveling her driveway after every snowfall--because we heard her window open above us on the second floor. We all just froze, hoping she wouldn't detect us (as if she couldn't see Mr. Pumpkin head!). We weren't sure if we should run or just keep shoveling. She spoke: "Who are you?" Richard immediately responded, "The three Nephites ma'am." We all got a kick out of that when we drove off. There really is joy in service--and to be in service of your fellow man is truly to be in the service of the Lord. Those mornings make up some of the sweetest memories of my youth."

China after 33 years

After 33 years of marriage I finally broke down and bought some china. I got this 16 place setting set at a yard sale. It is Taihei China made in Japan. The design is Springtime. It also came with a covered vegetable dish. Now I just need to find an oval serving platter.

Easter Skirts

Here are a couple of skirts and an apron I made for my daughter and her daughters for Easter. Spence needs something too so I'll have to make him some shorts only out of different fabric.

Easter Story Cookies

The Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter.

You need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
A Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important! Don't wait until you're half done with the recipe!

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar.
Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat egg white mixture with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks
are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.

NOW GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9

Share "The Easter Cookie Story" With Your Friends

All the Places to Love: There's a monster in my closet... or is it under my bed!

All the Places to Love: There's a monster in my closet... or is it under my bed!

This is such a great idea and so funny too.