I gave My Last Lecture. I have been thinking about it all year and collecting ideas for things I might like to share, and suddenly one day last week, it was here. I went into my last two classes and gave the lecture in each one. (Can you really give a Last Lecture two times?)
The students were wonderful, even taking notes like they might be hearing something they might like to remember. They were very kind afterwards, one class looking serious and shaking my hand and the other class applauding. A former student even remembered that I had told him about my plan months ago and he came to listen in. That was nice.
I talked about 12 things I thought were important like "Be present," and "Some things are not what they seem," then finished up with the story of Joseph in Egypt. I admire him sooooo much. How would it be to be sold by your brothers and then have to deal with a strange country, strange language, strange culture, and people who didn't even believe in the same God you do. But Joseph did it, even being unjustly accused by Potiphar's wife and languishing in jail for years.
In spite of all that injustice, he rose to the top time and time again. And, above all, he kept his faith and his knowledge of revelation from God.
Years later, when his brothers came to get food from Egypt, he had already forgiven them. Amazing!
How did he do all that under such difficult circumstances? I love his integrity and his courage; his hope and his hard work; his stalwartness and his leadership. In the end he tells his brothers that he knows he was sent to Egypt to preserve all their lives.
My friend, Laurie Swim, took me to see Emma Smith, the movie, afterward. It's a great movie. Then Laurie took me to her house where she gave me dessert---four kinds---and had fireworks---sparklers in a dish of salt or sugar! Shades of Thanksgiving at ein Gev. Thank you, Laurie.
I felt properly celebrated and grateful for the whole experience. Now we gradually begin on the next phase.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
I remember the day you were born
Two birthdays this week. The baby at the top is Zach, 11 years old on April 2.
The baby on the right is Olle, 9 years old on April 5.
What blessings to our family you both are, firstborn sons. I'm amazed at the things you are learning and the things you can already do. I love your stories and your jokes. I love your songs and your drawings. I love your ball games and your plays. I love your energy and your clever ideas. I love your humor and your serious thoughts. I love everything about you. Most of all I am so grateful you both came to turn me into a "Bamma!" Happy Birthday!
I'm dreaming of a white...April 6th?
Look what we woke up to this morning!
Daddy is supposed to be driving to Reading this morning for Priesthood session.
Guess what? I decided to start my own blog. It is http://zeusnation.blogspot.com. I want to be able to put my own pictures from my new camera and songs I've written and other stuff on it for you guys and my friends.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLLE YESTERDAY! We love you and hope you had a great day.
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