Bubbles - Poem

Bubbles

Hope filled eyes look up at me

“Bubbles?” was his innocent plea

His smile lit up with childish glee

Blowing and waving the tiny wand

Shiny, delicate circles dance along

Each moving to its private song

Here then there, soapy rainbows disappear

As they gently pop in the air

Magic glistens on each tiny sphere

Fleeting is this moment in time

One second it’s there and then it’s gone

Only the memory lingers on

Precious small ones quickly disappear

And I am almost caught unaware

Like tiny bubbles in the air

Janice Harten

April 27, 2008
Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Transformation

Today, my husband and I witnessed a beautiful event.  A friend and her family, were sealed for time and all eternity, in the Bountiful temple.  They have been married for 15 years and have experienced many hardships.  But, in the last two years, they turned to the Lord for help, and it has been miraculous to see their lives transformed and for them to be filled with happiness.  Watching them has given me great hope for the future, and for members of my own family.  I am so happy for them, and I am grateful for my blessings.

Moment of Joy - Poem

This is a poem I wrote to one of my daughters, when her little boy was born.

 Moment of Joy 

Nine month trial

Moment of joy

Heaven’s light shines

Miraculous little boy

Womb delivers

Gentle waiting arms

Pain forgotten

Swaddled infant warm

Mother, Father gaze

First muffled cry

Tiny child

Bids Heaven goodbye

Eternal bond and blessing

Sacred birth

Chosen time

To come to earth

Tender hearts within

Hold and ponder

And remember

In awesome wonder

 Janice Harten

May 27, 2008
Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

What's in a Name

Recently, we welcomed a new baby granddaughter into our family.  I was invited to stay at my son's home, and help for the first few days after she was brought home from the hospital.  It is the only time in my life when I look forward to going without sleep, so that I can hold a new infant.  Not only am I enjoying this tiny child, I also enjoy observing the transformation and transition of her parents, as they become absorbed by the well being of their tiny infant.

After a couple of days of consideration, they shared with us the name they have chosen for her.  My son wrote the following:

For many reasons, we have decided to name our daughter  _______. A visit we made to (my wife's) great-grandmother, _______, just a few days before she passed away last summer is one reason. I was struck by a man there, who was himself quite old - one of the missionaries who had served as a missionary under her and her husband. For much of the time we were there, he sat in front of her in silence while the people around him interacted. The love he had for her was evident - as was the legacy of goodness this woman was leaving behind - in the fact that here, near the end of their lives, they maintained an association that began in their youths. 

It was profound to me that one room represented five generations of women, from (my wife's) great-grandmother to the baby (my wife) carried - that (my wife), herself was a product of this woman's body and life and that our daughter was one more link in that chain preparing to enter the world as this old woman was preparing to leave.

I felt strongly as we drove home that _______ is the name we should give our daughter, and that impression has returned many times. (My wife) has expressed that she loves the name because of many associations she has with it - both through (her) family and from her friend (by the same name), who has been a remarkable friend to (her) and to us as a newly married couple. 

Through the name we give her, we want to teach our daughter strength - how to experience hardship, even tragedy, and respond with faith and power. We want to convey to her that the women from whom she has descended leave a legacy of goodness. We want to teach her that what we want most for her is emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social independence like _______(a Biblical name) of old.

Thank you all for the support you offer (my wife) and me. We are very happy to welcome this daughter and begin teaching her the principles we have been so blessed to know.

Heaven's Bundle - Poem

  Heaven's 

Bundle

Love

   gently 

         tips

      heaven's

           bundle

                 over 

                 veiled 

                      rim

                         of 

               knowing

                    into 

                faith's 

            embrace

Janice Harten

Jan 18, 2012

Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Life - Poem

Life

One son kneels to bless broken bread and tiny cups of water
Walking toward me, another son, the sacred food he offers
I gratefully drink and slowly partake of the emblems and remember

The Savior’s life, given, that I might live and thirst again, never

Delivering life's saving ordinance into my waiting hands
The Lord entrusts imperfect youth, who do not fully understand
The meaning of these symbols and the power that they hold

In saving my rebellious, stubborn spirit, and ever repentant soul

Life of my Spirit enabled, through Christ’s priesthood ordinance

Performed by my own sons, become young men at my next glance

Each of us giving life for life, as the Lord’s called and humble stewards

Through me they came from Heaven’s throne, and through them we travel homeward

Janice Harten

January 20, 2002
Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Salt Lake Utah Temple - Love

There is one word that entered my mind when we attended the Salt Lake Temple, love.  When the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1842, there was nothing but sage brush and harsh desert.  The saints had been driven from their homes in beautiful Nauvoo, Illinois, and made the long difficult trek to the mountains.  When they arrived, Brigham Young declared, "This is the right place", meaning this was the place the Lord had shown him in a vision, they would live and build again.  Only this time, they would not leave.  The saints were destitute, bringing with them a few seeds and items they could carry in wagons or handcarts.  So, they began anew, building a city with their bare hands, and faith.

The Salt Lake Temple was a labor of love.  The first foundation laid, which took nine years, was filled in when the army of the United States once again threatened to enter the valley and persecute the saints.  When it was uncovered, there was a serious flaw discovered and the decision was made to begin again.  For 40 years, the people devoted resources, time and talents, to build a temple to God, like the ancient temple in Jerusalem.

When I look at the beautiful details in every inch of the walls, doorways, ceilings, floors and more, I feel the labor of their love, and their testimonies.  They were building a place for the Lord to visit and give instruction to his prophets and saints.  Several rooms have floor to ceiling murals depicting the creation of the world.  Intricate carvings and colorful moldings decorate the ceilings.  Doorknobs made of brass, are works of art with symbols of beehives or other meaningful items.  They used their best artistry and yet their humility is evident.  Their work was not to be seen of men and praised by the world.  It was to furnish a house unto the creator of heaven and earth.

For a long time, Bill and I sat, gazing at the beautiful furnishing, and feeling the spirit of the Lord.  We watched as many others quietly entered.  I noticed people from many other nations, brought together in worship.  One young sister from the polynesian islands, entered.  She was soon greeted by family members and friends, with long hugs and tears.  Again and again, they came to hug and congratulate her on receiving her endowments.  Her tears flowed.  This was a place for family and friends to greet and show their love for one another.

This is a place to feel the love of the Lord and receive his blessings.

More interesting information about the Salt Lake Temple can be found at :
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake/
http://saltlakemormontemple.com/162/a-history-of-the-salt-lake-mormon-temple


This information mentions, the Salt Lake Temple is a fulfillment of the prophesy found in Isaiah 2:2

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."

Jordan River Utah Temple - Never Thirst

I believe the Jordan River temple is named for an actual river that flows through the Salt Lake Valley.  And I also believe, that river is named after the Jordan River which flows between the Sea of Galilea and the Dead Sea.

Water is the life blood of the earth.  Just like the blood that courses through our veins, rivers and lakes enable life to exist on this planet.  And as I listen to news accounts about space exploration, it seems scientists are intent on finding evidence that water did or does exist on any one of the planets around or beyond us.  As humans, we are hoping to find evidence that there is life somewhere, in addition to earth.

Christ once sat beside a well in Samaria, and asked for a drink of water.  Responding to his request, a Samaritan woman learned one of his most profound teachings.

"Jesus...said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."  John 4: 13,14

It is no wonder that Christ uses the metaphor of water to remind and invite us to partake of his gift.


Spiritual revelation flows like water.  One of the privileges I seek by attending the temple, is revelation or knowledge from the Lord.  I go with a prayer in my heart and mind, and am asking to learn.  My husband described his experience in the Jordan River Temple as a flow of ideas, as though a water faucet had turned on in his mind.  I would describe mine as drop by drop or a tiny trickle, but small streams are also beautiful.

It was different stepping back into a large temple, after having visited so many smaller ones. 

War of Words - Poem

 I wrote the following poem to describe political and social battles I observe being waged, and my ability to find the truth.

War of Words -

War of words,

Wrestle court-side

Match conducted,

Arena worldwide

Prayer prevails,

Pinning pride

Flattery’s grip broken,

Discernment alive

Janice Harten

Sept 4, 2008
Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Let Freedom Ring

When I was young, my father accepted, what turned into a four-year assignment with USAID, to do agricultural studies abroad.  So, he and my mother, packed up their growing family, and began an unforgettable adventure.  After this experience, my father was asked by the church, to set aside his regular employment for three years, and serve as a mission president in that same country.  It was life altering for me to be part of another culture and view my own country from afar.  We witnessed primitive living conditions and came to know humble people.  During the first few years, my father arranged for us to travel on many trips to multiple countries, and this filled my mind with extraordinary images and thoughts.  I developed a great appreciation for other lands and beautiful places.

However, lingering throughout all these experiences, were deep and unforgettable thoughts and feelings about my homeland.  I longed to be home, in my own country.  I recognized the precious gift the United States of America is to the whole world.  I witnessed it's beacon of freedom and light, and the hand of strength and protection it offers to anyone who will accept it.  I knew my heart would never be at rest until I returned.

Because of these experiences, I have, planted in my heart, a penetrating and immovable love for my country, and a desire to do what I can to protect God's handiwork here.  I feel that the freedoms born here are sacred, and are intended to bless the whole world.  The blood of martyrs has sanctified this ground, and their blood is found in many other lands, all for the cause of freedom.  Although some will argue about the intent of various battles that have been waged, the overriding theme of liberty and justice for all, continues to ring, in the heart and blood of this American citizen.

Divine Winds - Poem

Divine Winds -

 We move upon this earth 

      Our lives—carefully built

            With the materials and tools

                Of Christ’s gospel—In faith

                     We subject these mortal vessels

                         To be blown by divine winds

                           To destinies only the Master knows

                           He gives reassurance and light

                       Sufficient to see only what is necessary

             That our sails remain filled by His power

     Master, carry us whithersoever Thou wilt

                                       Janice Harten

                                    August 1, 2001

                              Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.