I Did It

Yesterday was Fathers' Day. In the week leading up to this Sunday, Brian and I talked a lot about the importance of fathers, but also, on this Sabbath Day, remembering our Heavenly Father and his abundant gifts. He invited ward members to find ways to honor our Heavenly Father on this special day.

At church, in prayers, I heard more than ever before a gratitude that we know that God is our father and that we are His spirit children. It was said several times throughout the day, and I was grateful for this reminder.

After the sacrament the Primary children sang a couple of Fathers' Day songs. They are simple, common songs, but it was wonderful to hear how well the primary children sang them. As they finished and the first children started to return to their seats, a little Sunbeam standing right in front said, "Daddy, I did it!" I don't know if she was nervous to go sing in front of the congregation or not, but it was easy to see that she felt the joy of this success, and it was so cute to see her eagerness to share this success with her daddy.

I thought about the Savior, who at the very en of his life pronounced, "It is finished." (John 19:30), confirming that He had completed all that the Father had asked Him to do.  I thought about how really a similar experience is something I long for. I look forward to the time I return to my Father in Heaven. I hope to bow before him and to be able to say, "I did it. I did my very best. I fulfilled the work you needed me to do." What a joyful experience that will be!

And then in Relief Society I read this quotation from the talk we were discussing with new eyes. 

“When you … see our Father,” Brigham Young described, “you will see a being with whom you have long been acquainted, and he will receive you into his arms, and you will be ready to fall into his embrace and kiss him.” (Am I a child of God? by Elder Brian K. Taylor)

Thankful for service

This morning we spent about an hour helping a family move into they new home in our ward. We went up and down a lot of stairs, but I was truly grateful for the chance to help.

I love that we can take our whole crew and that they willingly pitch in. Sure, they would probably rather be somewhere else, but they served happily and worked hard the entire time. I am grateful for this little army of mine nd the good they can do.

I also was reminded that there is always something we can do. Megan (or me for that matter) can't necessarily carry the biggest, heaviest stuff, but that doesn't mean our time there wasn't helpful. There was stuff for us to lift and ways for us to help.

The family was very, very grateful for our help. They didn't seem to know what they could possibly do to thank us sufficiently, but truly I was most grateful for the opportunity to serve with my family.

something funny

We enjoyed watching the 2018 Winter Olympics. We saw many great gold medal performance, including the USA men's curling team, which was so fun to watch.

We also watched a lot of figure skating. Brian and I joked and joked about taking up pairs skating in time for the next winter games. He assured me that if I am able to learn the spin where the girls pull their leg up behind their head then we could train for Beijing in 4 years.

Later we were watching replays of the figure skating action and I told Brian I was making progress so we should get ready for 2022. He said, "I think that ship sailed a long time again."

Nathan replied immediately. "That ship was never built." We laughed and laughed.

Where Can I Turn for Peace?

This passage is not one that I am familiar with, but loved reading it today. It is one of the scriptures listed under the hymn "Where Can I Turn for Peace?"

Hebrews 4

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

I particularly loved the third verse. It is a direction to approach the Lord "boldly", to ask for his help, to lean upon the power of His atoning sacrifice. But the first two verses explain WHY we can approach Him boldly, with confidence. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is perfect and sinless. But he has also been "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." He knows our pains and our sorrows because He has felt them. He can give us strength to resist temptation because He resisted every temptation. He understands it all.

And because of this we can go boldly to the throne of grace. We can obtain mercy and grace in every time of need. Because of this we can have peace, even in a world of turmoil.

Reminded

When my mom and Dad were here for Christmas my mom reminded me of something and I want to write it here so I remember it.

In November 2005 we went to Maine for Thanksgiving. Part of our visit included taking Liz to see the Nutcracker. We know the people who run Maine State Ballet and we were able to take Liz to meet the SUgar Plum fairy and the Nutcracker prince.

IN preparation for this nigh we had talked with Liz lots about going to see the Nutcracker, and we had played some of the well known music for her, so it would be a little familiar.

That night we got dressed up. Grandma put cute curly ribbon in Liz's hair and we bought a fun ornament. Liz sat on Grandma's lap as the ballet began.

After several songs and dances the traditional "March" music began to play. Liz turned to grandma and said, "Grandma! It's the Nutcracker!" IT was at that moment that it all clicked!

Merry Christmas!

Dearest Friends and Family,

This year has been a big one at the Chantry house. The kids are growing up so fast and doing so many great things. It has been a year of challenges, but also of many unbelievable experiences. Through it all we have felt the guiding and strengthening hand of the Lord, and we feel so abundantly blessed. Here are a few highlights:

Liz (16) - Now a junior in high school, she attended her first prom in April, she has excelled in music receiving an award for a band score that she wrote, and she composed and wrote lyrics for our stake pioneer trek which will take place next summer. Perhaps the most memorable was representing the USA in Budapest at the World Youth Goalball Championships. She met (and played against) teenagers from all over the world! She and the Utah team also took silver at Goalball Nationals in November.

Nathan (15) - Now a sophomore in high school, he has his drivers' permit (we couldn't be more excited for a second driver!), continuing with violin and started running cross country. He ran on the JV team this fall and worked so hard that he was even able to run at a regional race in Arizona. He ran his best race ever. He is taking challenging classes and doing great in school.

Michael (13) - An eighth grader, he is part of the junior high jazz band. He loves playing the trumpet and has come a long way this year. He was invited to create a youth ensemble to play several carols at our Stake Music of Christmas (for church). He invited ten youth who played various instruments, they practiced weekly for over a month and they sounded great when they played on Sunday. He does great in school and still loves anything he can build.

Megan (11) - sixth grade, our last year at the elementary school. She has grown so much (both in height and ability), she is motivated and responsible and a great problem solver. For the second year in a row, she was the first student to finish all 20 books for Battle of the Books. She loves to read and is looking forward to the battles in the spring. She is so excited for opportunities that will come when she turns 12 in March.

Jen was able to go to Budapest to watch Liz play. She also had the chance to do a lot of sightseeing. It was amazing to watch Liz have such great experiences, and to have some new experiences of her own. She is also doing lots of math tutoring this fall and loves it. Brian continues his work at BYU and takes such good care of this crazy family of ours. He teaches by word and example, and helps each of us to be better each day. We welcomed Brian's parents home from their 23 month mission in the Philippines, and we spent some time in the east with Jen's family. We are grateful for the chance to see family throughout the year.

We have felt the Light of Christ fill our lives this year, and hope that you, too, can feel the peace and joy that comes because of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

Brian, Jennifer, Liz, Nathan, Mike and Megan Chantry

Thankful . . . from A to Z

My mother-in-law sent us home after Thanksgiving celebrations with a "I am thankful for" paper. There were 26 spaces, each with a letter of the alphabet next to it. I took some time after kids were in bed to fill it out. They took some time Saturday to fill out theirs and we had fun comparing answers. It was a fun way to think about our blessings.

A - Ancestors - Parents, Grandparents and generations who have come before to make the many blessings of my life possible.

B - Brian - What would I do without such a wonderful husband!

C - Children - I sure love my kids and I am grateful for the opportunity of motherhood.

D - Date Night

E - Education and Employment - WE are so blessed!

F - Family and Friends - so many people bless our lives. They lift and help and strengthen.

G - Games - Such a fun way to spend time with family.

H - Home - Protection for the storms, both of weather and of challenges of the world.

I - Ice Cream - Yum!

J - Jesus Christ - My Savior and Redeemer

K - Kisses (and other ways to express love)

L - Lakes and Oceans - Being around water is so peaceful

M - Math (and Music)

N - Night - a time to rest and rejuvenate

O - Opportunities for Growth - whether they come through challenges or exciting experiences, we have had many opportunities to try new things and improve this year.

P - Priesthood and Prophets - The power and authority of God has been restored to the earth

Q - Quiet time to ponder

R - Reading - Learning from great literature

S - Scriptures - Feast Upon the Word of God

T - Temples - Families CAN be together forever

U - Umbrellas - Protection from rain, especially when I am dependent upon public transportation and a storm comes

V - Vacuum and other labor saving devices - they sure make life easier

W - Water - Clean and Plentiful!

X - X-rays, MRIs and the many miracles of modern medicine

Y - Yellow and other colors that make me happy

Z - Zippered sweaters and coats that keep me warm!

I am so very grateful for abundant blessings that have been poured upon me! Life is good!