Understanding

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom:  and with all thy getting get understanding.

Proverbs 4:7

In our family we value learning and education.  We have always encouraged our children to do their best in school, and they have all done well.  This week we are celebrating DD3's graduation from the University and new job!  Way to go DD3!!  We love you and are  proud of you!

We also know that a college degree doesn't mean that it is time to stop learning.  Quite the contrary, it means that hopefully we now know how to learn and will continue to learn throughout our lives. Hopefully an education teaches us to use the knowledge that we have gained and turn it into wisdom, and into understanding.  Our knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, indeed our intelligence is the one thing that we do not leave behind when we leave this life.

And set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people.

D&C 90:15

Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.  And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his dilligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

D& C 130:18, 19

I believe that all true knowledge, wisdom, and understanding come from God.  The closer we come to God, the more knowledge and understanding he is able to bless us with.

And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the plates of Nephi' and I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me.  

Words of Mormon:9

Through the gift of the Holy Ghost, God can help us to know what is true and good and right.  Not only with things of the world, but also with things of God.

Now we will compare the word unto a seed.  Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Alma 32:28

May we all continue to learn and to gain more wisdom and understanding throughout all of our lives.

Temples

  Temple in Salt Lake City  ( source)

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I have had the privilege of visiting and worshiping in many of our Church's 141 operating temples around the world.  We hold our weekly worship services and other activities in our local chapels, and anyone is welcome and invited to visit and attend our meetings there.  However, we believe that temples are the most sacred place on earth--a place where earth and heaven meet and where we feel close to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.   In order to attend a dedicated temple, individuals must be worthy church members who have met with their local church leaders and been issued a temple recommend.   Before a new temple is dedicated, anyone is welcome and invited to attend a temple open-house where they can tour the beautiful interior and learn about what is taught and practiced inside. 

In the temple we are taught principles of the Lord's gospel, we make sacred covenants, we are promised blessings, and we receive ordinances that enable us to return to live in the presence of God.  We gain a glimpse of what life after death can be like.  In the temples husbands and wives are sealed to each other in an eternal marriage, and children are sealed to their parents in eternal families, allowing us to be reunited with each other in the world to come.   In addition to receiving these blessings and ordinances for ourselves, we can receive them for our deceased ancestors.   

The temple is one of my favorite places to be, and I like to visit as often as I can.  I feel a peace there.  I feel at home there.  My greatest happy moments are when I can attend the temple with those that I love, and I look forward to the days when I can be in the temple with my DH and all of my dear children.

You can learn more about LDS (Mormon) Temples right here  and  find one close to you and view photos of all of our temples here at Temples Around the World.  

Service

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:  I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me:  I was sick, and ye visited me:  I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  . . .  And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:35 36, 40

I am so ever grateful to the many people who have helped me throughout my life:  my dear Mother and Father, grandparents, siblings, DH, children, friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, and church members. Even strangers have often been the ones who were there when I needed help.  There has always been someone in my life who I have been able to call upon for help in times of need, and most times the service has been provided without my even asking.  You are all examples to me, and I want to be more like you.

And behold, I tell you these things that ye  may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.

Mosiah 2:17

But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.

Mosiah 4:15

Resurrection

I have spend a wonderful weekend with various family members and friends celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago.  Because of his sacrifice and resurrection, we can all know that death is not permanent. All men and women who live on this earth will one day live again.  Christ has won the victory over death, and we are all the recipients of his wonderful gift to us!

 Saturday DD1 and DD4 and I were able to attend an exhibit of beautiful artwork celebrating Easter and the life of our Savior.  You can view the art that was on display here.  On  Sunday DD1 and I were able to sing with the choir at church. There is nothing quite like singing hymns and praises to our Savior on an Easter morning!  Then in the evening there was wonderful food, fun, and socializing with extended family.

There are many wonderful songs and videos and pieces of artwork celebrating the resurrection, but here are links to a few that I have enjoyed during the past week.  You might enjoy them too!

That Easter Morn

Praiseworthy Arts

Quiet and Peaceable

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 

1 Timothy, 1, 2

This is what I have always wanted, to lead a quiet and peaceable life.  I imagine most people have similar desires.  Life isn't always simple and quiet and peaceable, and sometimes we have to get involved with the business of earning a living, caring for a family, and making a difference for good in the world and community.  I still believe that we each need to find quiet and peaceable times in our lives where we can be still.  We need times of prayer and contemplation, and times of inspiration.   If we sincerely make the time to  quietly seek out the Lord each day, I know he will bless us with the knowledge that He lives and with the strength that we need to make our way through the challenges and difficulties of life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.  Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?  What greater witness can you have than from God?

D&C 6:22, 23

Be still and know that I am God.

D&C 101:16

Priesthood

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.  

Luke 9:1

When Jesus Christ lived on the earth, he organized his church with twelve apostles and ordained them with the power of his priesthood.  The priesthood allowed them to participate in his work.  

As Christ neared the end of his ministry and life on the earth, he taught and prepared his apostles for the responsibility they would face in carrying out his work on the earth without him.   The apostle Peter, along with the others, had the priesthood power to lead the church, perform ordinances, and bless lives just as Jesus Christ had done. 

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:18, 9

After Christ's death and the deaths of the apostles, the priesthood power was taken from the earth.  Thousands of years later, these same apostles, along with John the Baptist, visited the prophet Joseph Smith and ordained him to the same priesthood that they had received at the hands of Jesus Christ.  These  keys and power have now been restored to the earth to bless the lives of men and women.  

The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James, and John who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Preisthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second.  It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized.  

Joseph Smith History 1:72

You can read even more about how Jesus Christ has restored his church and his priesthood to the earth right here.

Ordinances

"An ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood.  Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation.  These ordinances are called saving ordinances.  They include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing.  With each of these ordinances, we enter into solemn covenants with the Lord.

Other ordinances, such as naming and blessing children, consecrating oil, and administering to the sick and afflicted, are also performed by priesthood authority.  While they are not essential to our salvation, they are important for our comfort, guidance, and encouragement. 

Ordinances and covenants help us remember who we are.  They remind us of our duty to God.  The Lord has provided them to help us come unto Him and receive eternal life.  When we honor them, He strengthens us spiritually."

Source  (see True to the Faith (2004)  109-110)

"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.   

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are:  first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second, Repentance, third, Baptisms by immersion for the remission of sins, fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."

The Articles of Faith 1:3-5

News!!

I have just found out the most wonderful news!!  

After five years of marriage, DS2 and DDIL have just received all of their final clearances and approvals to be adoptive parents!   Now comes the job of spreading the news and finding their future family.   You can check out their official profile right here to learn more about them and their values and interests and their contact information.  If you happen to know of a child in need of a home and a family, please pass the word and share the news for us!

Marriage

And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him an help meet for him. 

Genesis 2:18

The Family is ordained of God.  Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. 

The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave.  Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.   

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife.  We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.  We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.  

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.  

The Family:  A Proclamation to the World

Light

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

I have always been a lover of the light.  I love sunshine!  I love city lights and Christmas lights and staring up into the nighttime sky filled with the lights of the universe, especially out in the country and up in the mountains where one can truly see as much of  that glorious awesomeness  as possible. 

  At night time our house often has lights on in every single room.  Bright lights.  But, of course there are times when we need to have some absence of light.  Most people do sleep better in a darkened room, and as mortal humans, we do need sleep.  I can accept that fact.  But most of the time, I love to bask in the light.

I'm happy that we have many sources of light:  The sun, the moon and the stars, firelight, candles and lanterns and such.  In our day we are blessed with electricity and the myriad of lights and fixtures available to us.  I'm also grateful for the light of knowledge and truth, and the light of life.  Revelations from the Lord to modern day prophet, Joseph Smith, have helped me to understand more about the light of Christ, and about how vital this light is to all of us.  It is what we are created from.  Light is truth.  Light is intelligence: 

He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.  Man was also in the beginning with God.  Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created nor made, neither in deed can be . . . The glory of God is Intelligence, or in other words, light and truth.  Light and truth forsake the evil one . . . but I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.  

D& C 93: 29, 29, 36, 37, 40

Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.   And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his dilligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. 

D& C 130:18, 19

Are you as intrigued by light and truth and intelligence as I am?  You can read more here and here.  

Kindness

Charity suffereth long and is kind.

1 Corinthians 15:4

I have come across quite a few little reminders of the importance of Kindness lately that I'd like to share:

It may not seem like much, but every act of kindness that we perform makes the world a better place to be.

I'm not very good at embedding videos here, but follow this link to a very enjoyable facebook video:

Facebook Video about Kindness

Here's the  link to another video of a great message on kindness:

Love, the Essence of the Gospel

May you have a very wonderful weekend filled with kindness!

Joseph Smith's Search for Truth

Joseph Smith's Search for Truth

Joseph Smith was a young fourteen year old farm boy back in 1830 when he developed a great yearning or desire to know more about the truth of God, and to unite himself with God's true church.  After much searching and study of the Bible, and meeting with the different churches and sects available to him at the time, he decided to pray and ask God, himself, which of all the churches was true.  You can read his history here, or learn more about his life and story in the videos below.  

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.  In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and a name that cannot be slain.  He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum.  In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated. 

Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 

Inspiration

Inspiration

But there is a spirit in man:  and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Job 32:8

in·spi·ra·tion

 noun \ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən, -(ˌ)spi-\

: something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create 

: a force or influence that inspires someone

: a person, place, experience, etc., that makes someone want to do or create something

: a good idea

: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation

(source: merriam-webster.com)

I believe that God is our loving Heavenly Father.  He has sent us here to this earth to learn many things.  Since our Heavenly Father truly cares about us, he helps us learn, and gives us inspiration about what we should be doing, how we can solve problems, and how to invent or create machines, technology, medicines, music, art, books and every other useful thing in this world.  I believe that the Holy Ghost is an instrument that Heavenly Father uses to inspire us.

I know that I have often been inspired in decisions I have needed to make, as to what to write, how to finish a particular sewing project, or how to help a particular child or friend or neighbor.  

Have you experienced divine inspiration in your life? 

But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

D&C 9:8

Heaven

Heaven

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.  

Jeremiah 1:5

I believe in heaven.  Just as Jeremiah lived in heaven before he was born, I lived in heaven a long time ago with my Heavenly Father and with all of the people I know.  So did you.  We lived as spirit children of our Heavenly Father.  I believe that after this life on earth our spirits will return to heaven.  At some point, because of Jesus Christ's atonement and resurrection, our spirits will be reunited with our perfect, resurrected bodies.  We will continue to live, learn and grow in heaven. 

 I have been fascinated throughout my life with the thoughts of heaven, and have loved learning more about heaven.  I have read many accounts of people who have had near-death experiences or who have experienced actual death and returning or being brought back to their bodies on this earth.  One of my favorites is this book that has recently been made into a movie which premiers on April 16th.  We rarely go to movies, but I'm anxious to see this one.

 

Heaven is For Real

Four year old Colton had amazing experiences during his short time in heaven.  He visited with the great grandfather who died thirty years before he was born.  He met his sister who died before she was born.  He visited with Jesus Christ and God and learned more of the Holy Ghost.  Jesus really loves children.  Heaven is beautiful beyond our imagination, and it is a real place.   

Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said; these I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me:  Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.  
And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him:  We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;
And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.
Abraham 3:22-25, Pearl of Great Price

God and the Godhead; Good and Evil

Testimony of Truth from A to Z

God and the Godhead; Good and Evil

God is my Heavenly Father.  I know that he loves me, and I love him.  I lived in heaven a long time ago with my Heavenly Father, and with all of the people I now know, including you.  God, our Father, created a plan for each of us, wherein we could all come here to earth.  We were to each receive our own body of flesh created after the image of God.  We were to experience joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, and eventually death.  We were also to learn how to return to God our Heavenly Father.

One of God's children that we all knew was Jesus Christ, our elder brother.  God's plan depends on our having a Savior who was willing to come to earth as God's literal Son.  This would enable him to atone for our sins and allow us all to overcome death and the demands of justice.  Jesus Christ volunteered to be our Savior and teacher and example.  Because of  his Atonement we can make the choice to follow the teachings and commands of God, our father, and one day return to Heaven and enjoy the blessings of Eternal Life.

Another brother was chosen to play another vital role.  The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit does not have a body like you and I do, but is a personage of spirit matter.  This allows him to dwell within us, to guide us, to teach us, and to help us understand truth.  The gift of the Holy Ghost is given to those who believe.  God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost make up the Godhead.  They are three separate individuals.  They are united and act as one with the purpose of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of mankind.

Yet another brother lived with us in heaven.  Lucifer, or Satan, also volunteered to be our Savior.  He offered to come to earth and ensure that each one of us did what was required to return to God our Father.  We would not have the choice of our actions.  Lucifer's plan was rejected.  He rebelled against God and was cast out of Heaven.  He was denied the privilege of receiving a physical body patterned after our Father's.  Many of our brothers and sisters followed Satan and were also cast out.  Their presence is felt here on earth as they try to persuade us to disobey the teachings of God our Father. Yes, there is a definite battle between good and evil. It has always been here on this earth and will continue until each of God's worthy sons and daughters have been given their chance to experience this life.  We have a choice.  We have a plan.  We have the guidance of the Holy Ghost.  We have a Savior.  We have a Heavenly Father who loves us and desperately wants us to return to his presence.  

Family

(I'm a bit slow posting today, because I spent quite a bit of time over the weekend with my Family and didn't get this post prepared ahead of time.)

Family

Testimony of Truth from A to Z

source

I have been blessed with a wonderful family!  I have a wonderful DH, six incredibly wonderful children, and the best daughter in law you could ever ask for.  My own parents and siblings are the best ever, as are my DH's family.  

DH, myself, and the kids, just a few years back . . .

My parents and siblings, with me in front on the right, even more years back.

I'm so grateful that I can spend my life with these people.  None of us are perfect, but I know that they are always there for me, and I admire and look up to each and every one of them.  One of the greatest blessings of my life is the knowledge that God is our Eternal Father and has planned a way for us to return to him as part of his family, sealed and united together as individual families united for eternity.  Last fall I shared many of my thoughts in this post about family, so I won't repeat it all again here, but I will just say that I know we can always be together forever, and united and sealed to both our parents, grandparents, and other ancestors, as well as to our children, future grandchildren, and all of their descendants too.  

The Family is ordained of God.  Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.  Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.  Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ . . . faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

     Family, A Proclamation to the World

General Conference

I will not be blogging today.  Instead I will be watching the LDS General Conference.  

You can watch it to at:

LDS General Conference

Have a Happy Sabbath!

Eternal Life

Eternal Life
Testimony of Truth from A to Z

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosover believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
 John 3:16

Life can be wonderful.  Life can also be very challenging and stressful and hard.  Sometimes we wonder what it is all about, and even whether the hard times are worth it.  I believe that life on this earth is a gift from God to each of us, his children.  It is the opportunity to gain a physical body, to learn, and to prove that we have faith and are willing to keep God's commandments.   With the help of God's son, Jesus Christ, who was willing to atone for our sins and suffer death for us all, we can receive the blessings of eternal life.  We can return to live with God and Jesus Christ.  

For Behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Moses 1:39

Because he was the literal son of God, Jesus Christ had the power over death.  During his ministry he was able to raise several of his followers and their loved ones from death.  Each of these instances was a remarkable miracle, and proved to his disciples that he would also have the power over his own death.  They may not have understood the fullness of this power until Christ returned to their presence as a resurrected being and allowed them to touch the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet.  Because of his sacrifice and resurrection we will all live again.  And what does God ask of us?  To do our best to follow Christ's example:  To live like his Son.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father:  Ye shall have eternal life.

2 Nephi 31:20

Disciple

According to wikipedia, a disciple is a follower and student of a mentor, teacher, or other figure.  In Christianity, the term disciple primarily refers to students of Jesus and is found in the New Testament in the Gospels and in Acts.

I believe we can all all be disciples:

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

      John 13:35

Charity

Testimony of Truth from A to Z
Charity

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things . . . And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, 13

Perhaps the greatest example that Jesus Christ has given to us is the compassion and love and service that he has extended to all humankind, as evidenced in the scriptures, and ultimately in his Atonement.  If I can try each day to be a little bit better and to love and serve others a little bit better, I will be satisfied.  

 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Moroni 7:47, 48

Book of Mormon:

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible.  It is a record of God's dealings with the ancient people of America and contains, as does the Bible, the words and gospel of Jesus Christ.  It tells of ancient prophets and their teachings.  It tells of Jesus Christ's visit to the people of America after his death and resurrection.  It tells how the people prospered when they followed the teachings of Christ, and how they were eventually destroyed when they chose to be disobedient.  The Book of Mormon teaches how to draw near to God and to Jesus Christ.

I have read and studied The Book of Mormon many times.  I try to read from it every day, and read it from cover to cover at least once every year.  I love this book.  It gives me comfort, strengthens my love for and  testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and I believe that it strengthens me and helps me to face the challenges of life in this crazy world.   If you would like your own copy of The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, just let me know in the comments section and leave your email address or another way to contact you. I promise I will get in touch and make arrangements to mail you your own copy, no strings attached.  You can also read it online right here.   I love this book and want to share it!