Fish and All - Poem

Fish and All -

A few fish

    fed  a multitude, and

One, at it's creator's

    bidding, swallowed a coin

    to necessitate

    payment unto Caesar

We do not

    anticipate God's

    unique plan

And the varied ways he uses

    fish

    for the benefit of man

We followers open wide

    each fish's mouth

    to search inside

While Christ seeks

    to relieve

    our true temporal need

Directed to seek first

    His kingdom

    and His righteousness -

Then fish and coin

    and all He hath,

    will be given unto us

Janice Harten

Matt 15:34

Matt  6:31-33

2/10/2009
Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

This is part of the view from the front of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple (pronounced Oker).  I will not make the mistake again, of calling it the Oquirrh "Hills" temple! My son teased me yesterday, for making that mistake.  This temple was built on the Oquirrh Mountain Range, and it looks directly across the valley, at the Wasatch Mountain Range.  The view spans the width and length of the Salt Lake Valley.

Our daughter lives nearby, and we invited her to join us.  As we waited together in the chapel, we listened as someone played hymns on the organ, and the words of the songs began running through my mind.   My daughter pointed to a hymn book which was sitting next to a set of scriptures, nearby.  I opened the book and the second verse of the hymn I turned to, directly answered a silent prayer I offered that morning.  I know someone was listening.

During the session, thoughts and impressions continued to flow, about the life and mission of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I pondered on the power he grants us, to overcome temptation and sin, and then to bless and help others, as we listen and follow him, step by step.  It doesn't happen in a single day, but over time his spirit teaches and prompts us to do better things.  We begin to desire and value the things of heaven, more than the things of this world.

I hope I can remember this visit to the mountain of the Lord.

Holiday Decorations

Sadly, I am not one to decorate much for the holidays.  Halloween comes, and I am lucky to get a pumpkin set on the doorstep.  And I even neglected to do that this year, feeling justified because we have been traveling so much.  But, a part of me feels regret at not having a little more fun.  At least I remembered the candy and kept the light on for the trick or treaters!

For Thanksgiving, I looked for something simple to set in the middle of the dinner table, and even though there are a myriad of things to choose from, I came home empty handed.  However, for dinner, I decided to set out the china and goblets.  And then, my husband surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses!

But the best Thanksgiving decoration was the faces of those I love, sitting around the table laughing together.

(I have decided not to post pictures of other members of my family, out of respect for their privacy.)

Painted Toenails - Poem

Painted Toenails -

I look

at my recently painted toenails

and carefully moisturized feet

and wonder—

how would these hold up

on the plains of Wyoming?

July 14, 2006

Janice Harten

Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Rachel Combs Acord

Recently, I spent time with one of my sisters, reading and sharing stories she has gathered, about some of our ancestors.  I am in awe of her efforts to preserve and share these precious histories, pictures and genealogies.  Her goal is to get them into a format that can be easily shared, with all the members of the family.  The following is one of the fun stories we ran across.

AN EXPERIENCE OF RACHEL COMBS ACORD

John Acord and his wife, Rachel Combs, were both born in Pennsylvania. They built a cabin in a clearing in the forest, all alone and far from neighbors. It was, of necessity, very sturdy with heavy wooden shutters at the windows to keep out wild animals of which there were many in the forest.
On one occasion, John had gone a considerable distance away, which would mean his remaining from home overnight. His young wife was left alone with only the companionship of a faithful dog, and an axe for protection. Sometime during the night, Rachel heard a noise made by some animal prowling around outside. Thinking it might be a panther, she hastily built a great fire on the hearth to prevent it from entering through the chimney. The noise outside still continued. She slipped to the back door and turned her dog out. Presently she heard him whine and knew he was in trouble. This was too much for her sympathetic nature, and seizing her heavy axe in one hand she opened the door. To her surprise and terror there was a huge bear in the doorway. He seemed dazed by the blinding light of the fire. Rachel struck him a terrific blow on the head with her axe, and he fell dead at her feet. She dragged him into the room, skinned him by the light of the fire, and in her own words:
"When John came home the next day, I was living in grease and plenty."
At the age of 55 Rachel was left a widow and remained one for 40 years. She became a proficient mid-wife, riding through the woods on horseback for miles to care for her patients. When she was 94 years of age, she delivered a fine baby boy to Nancy Frost Acord, wife of her grandson, Abram.
After rearing her family of ten children, she cared for nine orphaned grandchildren for many years.
Rachel Combs Acord was a woman of strong character, staunch, loyal and utterly fearless. She lived to be 95 years and 7 months of age.

Who doesn't love that story!!  Although, I'm wondering how she got that bear into her house.....I'd like to ask her someday!

Sooted Face - Poem

Sooted Face -

Soiled countenance

   My efforts ever wanting

I lack in the trying

   Yet continue while faltering                      

Others falter as I stumble

   Magnifying my guilt

Desire is not sufficient

   To overcome nor correct

For in one crying instant

   I confess and recognize

Yet, in the next moment

   My faltering again overrides

Where does the cycle end

   How can the loss be found

How can the feelings mend

   How can I overcome

Only Christ’s power

  And perfect understanding

Can lift the load and heal

  Wherever hurt needs mending

Oh, needed mercy sweet

   I fall at thy pierced feet

Tearful sorrow unmasked

   Undeserved healing

Countless times the pleading

   Will I ever rise

As I return for mercies

   My sooted face undignified

Failing words cannot describe

   Charity’s warm embrace

As dust and error are erased

   In rebirth’s sacred place

Calmest feelings linger

   Lifting faith to carry on

Hope’s restoration

   Love’s window into Heaven

And I behold His face

November 18, 2002

By Janice Harten

Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Optimism

I believe in being optimistic.  I think optimism is a sister with faith, or perhaps it is the result.  I experience plenty of opposition and discouragement.  It's been a challenging road to raise five children, while supporting my husband with his dreams and ambitions.  I have shed many tears and fought to keep my family together.  My husband and I, while united in our purposes, have very different personalities and methods, and it's sometimes challenging to communicate and agree.  If I have painted a rosy picture, it's because I try to stay focused on my blessings and the good things.  Every day presents a choice.  Either I can allow my feelings to give in to discouragement, or I can turn my face to God, and ask for help in taking the next step forward.  I am keenly aware of my imperfections, and I wish to overcome them.