February

Today was the long-anticipated baptism of Daytin Verdi (second from right) by his best friend Iran Montiego in Menlo Park (the same place I was baptized in 1967, and Paul Gilman (below) a few years later (giving a beautiful talk on baptism, sharing that repentance is the Lord's law of growth; real joy is powerful as we call upon God's power)

Lynne Wilson emphasized in her talk that we must have the purifying, sanctifying gift of the Holy Spirit of Promise, solidified in the saving ordinances, to protect us, to help us return to God.

These three elders sang, accompanied and signed the hymn "Be still my Soul." Daytin's mom Kristin came down from Seattle to share the happy day. She is not a member of our church but spoke, saying that not long ago she was heard the spirit tell her she would go through hard times, but that Heavenly Father would hold her up and that she would handle it with grace. Tomorrow Daytin will be confirmed in church, receiving the Holy Ghost.

Daytin received a beautiful picture of the Oakland Temple, to keep in mind that his next goal is to receive a temple recommend

Daytin and Iran's friend Obinson traveled from the Dominican Republic to attend. We enjoyed talking about mutual friends and the beautiful country where I served my first temple mission in 2010-11 (I arrived exactly 10 years ago). He lives in the same stake, Independencia, which I attended there. Small world!

Celebrating Valentine's Day and "prime timers" in our ward who have winter birthdays at the home of Carolyn Pettegrew.

February in California holds promises of spring, and, as everywhere in the U.S., it is the month we celebrate Valentine's Day, the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington and other special people. Jean Gong (who shares a birthday with me), turned 94 on February 5. Daughter Marguerite threw her a party. She doesn't get out too much now, but looked vibrant as guests came to her home to wish her Happy Birthday!

With very young-acting and longtime friends Hank (turning 88) and Colette Taylor. Jean's oldest son is our new Apostle Elder Gerrit Gong, who is the product of amazing parents!

Son Brian is helping her share stories about her colorful life growing up in Hawaii where she worked in her father's portrait studio, her coming to the US, joining our church, attending BYU, teaching elementary school in Palo Alto, and serving in so many capacities. She has shared  with us many beautiful clothes she has saved, many handmade. Her closets are filled with treasured hats and clothes. 

Over the last 30 years I have had 150+ (mostly) young adults live in my home. The current 4 young women are delightful and fun and bring a wonderful spirit into my life. Angie teaches yoga, is working on a PhD with the goal of attacking sex-trafficking, Rochelle is a personal trainer and helps us all with aches and pains and injuries, Ghanaian sisters Jessie and Elsie work in accounting and auditing and teach us a bit about their culture.

My birthday was quiet this year except for a nice lunch with a few friends... that's all I need at my age (except cards and calls of course!) I really love sharing a birthday month with our beloved Presidents Washington and Lincoln who awaken the patriotism in me. I have spent a month reading about their lives and their spouses and contemporaries (inspired by the show "Hamilton") and other related topics.  There was much contention in their days, too, but as we prepare to vote in this upcoming election, I appreciate the following words of an excerpt from an article by Emma Petty Addams, Jennifer Butler, and Jennifer Walker Thomas: " We must exercise our faith as we select candidates who will best serve our democracy, looking for those whose convictions drive them to care for the marginalized, the weak, the suffering. Our faith should push us to challenge partisanship where we see it and ultimately to serve, as our religious values dictate, by upholding human dignity and love for neighbor.

I enjoy daily walks around a neighborhood park, where once existed one of the several elementary schools, torn down due to declining population. After a few years, the school age population grew, so portable classrooms have since been added to those schools that were left.

The bulbs and especially the flowering pear trees are blooming.

The elementary school around the corner from my house where all 5 of my kids attended and where I spent many years helping with math, music and PTA, etc....so many memories. I also enjoy walking in the evening close-by. A full moon lit the sky.

I love it that in the U.S. ,we give and send valentines to friends and family and classmates as well as to sweethearts. I am touched to see immigrant families buying and making valentines for their school friends in their new country. My daughter sent me this red felt heart chain she'd made, which I hung over my dining room table. I am grateful for so many people to love in my life.

Last Sunday evening I took a Czech friend interested in our church to a filled-to-capacity Stanford Memorial Church to hear Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland address young single adults. The following is an excerpt from his message (photos on instagram):
"Accept our Savior’s invitation to receive Him. The wonderful thing about this invitation to receive Him, to come to Him, and to pursue the fullness of His stature, is that anybody can do it; everybody can do it I dearly plead for faith that is shining and bright and pure and robust, for Christ to be brought into every square inch of our culture....for the stature of Christ to be at full measure in our lives. Wherever you live, whatever your joys or sorrows, however young or old you may be, I am asking that your ongoing journey follow in the footsteps of the Master. Wherever you are going and however you work through your challenges in getting there, I ask you to come unto Him as the imperative first step in getting to your personal destination, in finding your individual happiness and strength, in achieving your ultimate destiny and success. All of that can be yours if the answer to the question 'Where goest thou?' is 'Wherever you are, Lord.'”

Verified
I recently had the chance to speak at a devotional for young adults in Palo Alto, California. I know that many of you who follow me on social media are also young adults. My primary message to them—and to you—is this: Accept our Savior’s invitation to receive Him. The wonderful thing about this invitation to receive Him, to come to Him, and to pursue the fulness of His stature, is that anybody can do it; everybody can do it.
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Consider this comment by the remarkable Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he who died in a prison camp while opposing the Nazi regime in his beloved Germany. Said he, we must “[follow] Christ with every ounce of [our] being in every moment, in every part of [our lives]. … Christ must be brought into every square inch of the world and [our] culture. … [Our] faith must be shining and bright and pure and robust” (Eric Metaxas, “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy,” 264–65). I dearly plead for faith that is “shining and bright and pure and robust,” for Christ to “be brought into every square inch of our culture.” For the stature of Christ to be at full measure in our lives.
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Wherever you live, whatever your joys or sorrows, however young or old you may be, I am asking that your ongoing journey follow in the footsteps of the Master. Wherever you are going and however you work through your challenges in getting there, I ask you to come unto Him as the imperative first step in getting to your personal destination, in finding your individual happiness and strength, in achieving your ultimate destiny and success. All of that can be yours if the answer to the question “Where goest thou?” is “Wherever you are, Lord.”

12h