Transcendence - Poem

Transcendence -

Lazarus arose

   from sickness

   and wrapped death

To the astonishment

   of all

Except one

Whose power

   transcends sorrow

   and opens manmade tombs

To a realm

   of glory

By Janice Harten
Nov 28, 2008
Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Taps - Poem

Taps

Adieu Mom

Flown anon

O’er the lake

O’er the hill

O’er the sky

All is well

Safely rest

Loving Son

Janice Harten

Sept 4, 2011

Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

In Memory of Jeane

On August 24, my mother-in law, passed away.   Bill and I were on a temple trip through Canada when he received the phone call from his sister.  Some people might have wondered why we had tears in our eyes, moments later, while sitting in a restaurant, as the first realization about our loss began to sink in.

As I contemplated what Jeane meant to me, a certain question kept coming to mind.  Will anyone remember me when I am gone?  It seems like a selfish question to ask at the passing of another person, but I couldn't get it out of my mind.  Will I be remembered a week after I am gone, in a month, a year, in ten years, or one hundred?

I thought of many conversations I had with my mother-in-law.  She had a way of telling stories about her own life, that taught lessons.  She also shared stories of her childhood, such as the time, as a teenager, she visited the home of a friend whose father had given her a musical instrument, called a marimba.  Jeane asked if she could try playing it.  With great natural musical ability, she played it beautifully the first time.  This was offensive to her friend, but Jeane recognized the gift she had been given, and in years to come, she would obtain and play her own marimba at many events.  Other times, she spoke about doing genealogy, reading, or writing in the middle of the night.  Her writings contained powerful concepts, such as, keeping her fingers off other people's buttons, meaning their agency.  When her life became more solitary and isolated, as her hearing and vision faded, she spoke about her prayers to find her glasses, or her purse.  She acknowledged the Lord's help with her simplest, momentary needs, as well as his help to remain grateful and happy as she endured to the end.

As I reflected on the impact these conversations have had on my life, I had a profound realization and found the answer to my question.  My life has been forever changed by knowing and spending time with Jeane.  And I will never forget her, because her life is woven into the very fabric of my own.  I have become a certain kind of person because of her influence.  My thoughts are not just my own, but are also hers, and I can no more forget her, than I can forget myself.  And her influence continues to be passed on,  into the lives of my children and grandchildren.  More powerful than our physical genes, is our spiritual heritage, which lives on in the lives of anyone we have contact with.

Oil Painting by Jeane

Rocky Mountains - View from Above

Glacier National Park, Montana

Bill riding Gondola, Banff

Banff, Alberta Canada

As impressive as Glacier National Park is, it is only an infant preview of an even grander view of the Rockies Mountains, found in Banff, Alberta, Canada.  There we traveled to the top of a mountain in a gondola, to witness the expansive view of seven different mountain ranges, with trees carpeting the valley floor.  It must have been where the word "Awesome!" was first uttered.

Lake Louise canoe ride

And to top off our experience, we traveled to Lake Louise, where Bill successfully convinced me to paddle into the lake with him, in a canoe.  Emerald green water below a snow white glacier is now a picture, forever, in my mind.

A delicious moment, was stopping back, at Glacier National Park, for a slice of  huckleberry pie with ice cream, on our return trip home.  Bill and I compared it with one of our favorite memories, eating a smoked salmon omelette, at a small street cafe in Paris, years ago!  Yum!

Huckleberry Pie and Ice Cream, Glacier National Park, Montana

Why is it so satisfying to see a place from high up?  I feel I cannot get my bearings until I have stood in a mountain above a city.  My internal compass is not content, and I am lost, until I can see with my eyes, or picture in my mind, the world around me.  Maybe this is the result of having grown up in the mountains.  Even when I lived in Bolivia, as a youth, I was in the top of the Andes Mountains, and could gaze in awe, at the miracles of God's creations.  Perhaps it is perspective I need.  I can see where I am in relationship to everything around me, and how amazingly beautiful it all is.  I feel humble among God's creations.

Mount Timpanogos Temple - Transitions

I am moving through another transition in my life, that has taken me somewhat by surprise.  I have heard the term “empty nest syndrome”, all my life.  And the reality has finally arrived.  My husband and I are on our own, and our children are living and functioning completely independent of us.  Of course this was our goal from the beginning, to raise them to move off on their own and become self-sufficient, and capable of starting homes of their own.  But, it’s a rude awakening when they seem quite content to go for seconds, minutes, or in some cases, years, without my advice and companionship!

Along with the realization that they no longer need me, is the shock that my time is no longer involved in changing diapers, meeting with teachers, driving to ball games or choir performances, driving to a college apartment, or even writing letters to a missionary.  Instead, I am left alone to decide what I want to do, and be, for the rest of my life.  Wasn’t this the conversation I had with my child, when I dropped them off to college, in what seems like yesterday?..what should I study and what do I want to become?  Now, all the sudden, my head is spinning with all my options, only a thought away.

My ah ha! moment, in the Mt Timpanogas Temple, was this: The temple is all about helping us move through transitions.  Not only does it describe all the major transitions, such as life before this earth, our purpose on earth, and where we go after this life, but it teaches us how to move through each phase.  Is it possible that by focusing on what I learn there, I will be able to discover what the rest of my life, will be best used for?

Shakespearean Festival

Once a year, we travel to Cedar City to enjoy the Shakespearean Festival, and invite some of our children to join us.  This year was an experience in contrasts.  The first play we saw was "The Music Man", and I smiled all the way through.  The second was "Richard III", one of Shakespeare's plays, which is a history lesson about the consequences of ill gotten power, a statement about choice and character.

One of my desires, is to know the truth about what has happened historically throughout the world.  I wish I could know whether "this" historical account is true, or "that" one.  I like reading historical fiction, because I hope it contains bits and pieces of true history about different places and people.  Sometimes I wonder, when we get to Heaven, will there be a giant movie reel, anyone can watch, to uncover the truth of what really took place?  That is one movie I do not want to miss!  Except, come to think of it, maybe I would like to edit a few things in my own life, first!

Manti Utah Temple

Parents engagement photo

My father trained B-25 pilots during WWII.   While visiting home, during one of his rare leaves, he invited my mother to go on a small airplane ride.  He proposed to her as they overlooked the Sanpete Valley, where they both grew up.  However, he is careful to mention that he neglected to take parachutes, as a means of persuasion!  Soon after the war ended, my parents were sealed (married) for time and all eternity in a beautiful room in the Manti Temple, by my father's Uncle, who had been called and set apart by the Prophet of the church.

In subsequent years, all of my grandparents were called to serve in the Manti Temple, and my father's father received the sacred calling of a temple sealer.  Sealing, or marriage, in the temple, is the highest and most sacred ordinance on earth.  It allows a couple to receive the full blessings of Abraham, to have their marriage honored not only here on earth, but also in Heaven.  And all children born to that couple remain sealed to them for all eternity.  That means they can be a family forever.

My great-great-great grandfather was the original settler of one of the small towns nearby.  And other ancestors contributed to other settlements in the valley.  I wonder how many of my distant relatives helped build or contribute to this temple.  Their stories, and my heritage, fill me with appreciation for their sacrifices and faithfulness.  

The Prophet Brigham Young said, in ancient times the prophet Moroni once stood on this very spot and dedicated the land for a temple site.  It's exciting to know I have stood where these great prophets were standing.  And my life is, in part, a fulfillment of their prophesies.

Blog Title - The Bright Secret - Poem

As I considered what to call my blog, I looked to my poetry for ideas.  One poem stood out, "The Bright Secret".  Everyone born on earth has the light of Christ within them, and we have a responsibility to nurture that light and share it with others.

I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was eight years old, and soon after, while being blessed and confirmed, I was given the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This constant companionship of the Holy Ghost gives me additional light and knowledge.  With this increased knowledge I know who I am, where I came from, what I am doing here on earth, and my purpose after this life.  I can have a personal relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ, repent of my sins, and gain His divine attributes.

The challenge lies in keeping the light within us, bright!

The Bright Secret

A candle, when lit,

   Is placed on a

   Candlestick,

So that they which

   Come in

   May see,

Quiet service -

   Soon discovered, --

A life,

   Once lit by the Savior

   Cannot be hidden,

   The secret is bright,

And helps

   Light the way,

   For those searching

To see

   Christ's safe path

   Along life's journey,

*Let your light so shine

   Before men,

That they may see

   Your good works,

   And glorify your

   Father in Heaven*

By Janice Harten

Mar 6, 2008

Luke 11:33, Matt 5:16

Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Bountiful Utah Temple, Chandelier - Poem

A beautiful crystal chandelier hangs in the center of the Celestial Room of the Bountiful Temple.  One day, while gazing at the countless sparkles of light reflected within it, and in the mirror behind, I felt the spirit whisper about a numerous eternal posterity.  At first, I was thrilled by the symbolism and vision about the future.  However, the next few moments I felt the tremendous weight and responsibility that comes with having a family.  I felt overwhelmed and said a silent prayer, acknowledging my weaknesses and fears.  But again, the spirit whispered that my Father in Heaven would help me learn one moment, or one day at a time.  How is it that the Lord is willing to trust us with his most precious gifts, his children, knowing our imperfections?

As a result of my first impressions, I wrote the following poem.

Chandelier

Celestial Temple mirrors

   Sparkle Chandelier’s reflection,

Points of light and color grow

   With each crystal’s motion

Contemplating stars above

   And countless sand and sea,

Abraham’s promised posterity

   Travel through time to me

Miniature diamond chandelier

   Within my wedding band,

Brilliant sparkling facets

   Reflect husband’s love and children

Beyond us travel the promises

   More than the eye can see,

Whether grain of sand or point of light,

   Shines our eternity

By Janice Harten

7/21/2008

Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

34 LDS Temples - Bountiful Temple

Recently, a friend and her husband, celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary.  To celebrate, they visited 12 different LDS temples, within a week.  I felt inspired as she shared her experience, and I could see the light twinkling in her eyes and in her countenance.  So, my wheels started turning.....

On Saturday, as my husband and I sat together in the Celestial Room at the Bountiful Temple, I proposed we visit 34 temples before our 34th wedding anniversary, next June.  There is no real purpose in visiting 34 different temples, other than to make it challenging and fun.  We have a little more flexibility in our lives, than we have had in the past, to even consider such a goal.

Before we left the temple grounds, we tried taking a picture of us, with the temple in the background, holding my husband's phone camera at arms length.  After a few frustrating attempts, we finally asked for help.   Hopefully, we will chronicle each of our temple visits with a picture, as proof of our adventure, and to capture the memory.  While attempting to get our picture, a father, mother and three young children walked past us, all dressed in white clothing.  We watched as someone took their picture as well.  I realized they had just been sealed as a family forever, and they literally glowed with happiness.

I spent the rest of the afternoon, using LDS.org, creating a list and information about each of the temples we might consider going to.  I mapped out three different trips with googlemaps.com, with stops at 6-10 temples on each trip.  We can take advantage of my husband's business trips, and I will consider traveling with him, if there is a temple nearby.  And, since we live along the Wasatch Front, we can visit nearby temples anytime of the year.

The LDS.org website was very helpful, giving information about individual temples, when they are open, the hours for ordinances, scheduling and contact information.  Now, if I only knew more about computers, I could superimpose our picture in front of temple pictures on-line, and you wouldn't know the difference!  :)  Now you hear my "task-oriented" side talking....  My excitement is growing, as I look forward to seeing new places, and enjoying the spirit of the temple, with my husband.

A New Frontier

I am entering a new frontier, starting this blog.  In an era when many people fear too much information is being made public, I am running against the grain and will be posting some personal thoughts, poems and experiences.  My purpose is to share part of my life, and give encouragement to those I love.  And if someone else benefits in some small way, I will consider that a tender mercy.