I've been thinking a lot about the word dwindle. It struck me the other day while reading my scriptures how it is always said that people dwindle in unbelief. That is an interesting word choice. They could have used fall into unbelief, or just simply stop believing. But the word dwindle is used over and over. Of course, I know what dwindle means. But I looked it up anyway. It means to diminish gradually. And that got me thinking about how someone might gradually fall into unbelief.
I have been so impressed by the way my Dad spent his time. He had countless notebooks filled with his thoughts from the scriptures. He had carefully drawn out and labeled Lehi's Dream, complete with his own insights and impressions. He had made lists of gospel questions he had, and then the results of his deep study and prayer. It just seemed like he was always hungry to know more. Judi referenced Enos in her talk at the funeral. She spoke about how Enos remembered the words of his father, and they sunk deep into his heart, and then his soul hungered for more truth. We, too, can remember the words of our father. They were filled with faith and testimony.
You want to know the opposite of dwindle? Here are just a few of the words I found in the thesaurus:
rise, strengthen, swell, increase, develop, enhance, expand, enlarge, grow, improve. All of those words sound exactly like what we are striving to do with our testimonies. So unless we are growing, we are dwindling. Dad has really inspired me to do better at this.
Today while I cleaned I listened to the General Women's Session of Conference. I had missed it Saturday night while I was in Hooper with my family. It was beautiful and inspiring. I am so grateful to be part of a glorious sisterhood, to be led by women who truly understand what it means to have a testimony. It's a wonderful thing!
I knew that Stalee was bringing Mom to St. George today. And I was so excited. St. George is basking in all her glory, weather-wise. It has been the most beautiful day. It's impossible to feel sad with all the windows open and the sound of my kids playing out in the yard. I made up some of my strawberry, chicken, candied-walnut salad with raspberry/poppyseed dressing. I carefully packaged one for me, Stalee, Mom, Greg, and Emma. Then I met Greg at work and we headed to Cedar City for Emma's volleyball game.
Stalee and Mom were there waiting for us. It was so good to see them. Mom looks fantastic and she's so positive. We had fun watching Emma play. They won! Then we sent Greg home and I rode in the truck with Mom and Stalee. We ate our salads and visited and then headed down to Dixie High to watch Brynn play her varsity game.
She was doing great and all was well until a single bat swooped out of the rafters and flew over the game. The ref stopped the game for a minute and suddenly there were two bats flying frantically around. Then three...then twenty! The girls were screaming as the bats flew around and swooped low. It was pure chaos in the gym. They tried turning off the lights. They tried opening the outside doors. But finally, they moved the game into the small gym. Stalee, who is still terrified of bats, was hilarious! She had her head down under a jacket, laying on Mom's lap. It was so funny!
Brynn played such a fantastic game and Dixie beat Hurricane in three games. It was fun to be there.
I came home and read my scriptures. I haven't been perfect at this. And it seems like it's been a while since I sat down and pondered. But my deepest wish is that I, and my family, remain faithful and true to the gospel. I don't want any dwindling happening around here. And I can hear my father's voice. The words he has spoken have sunk deep into my heart. I do hunger for truth and righteousness. I will try to do better...to be better.
Mom told us that Dad hoped that when he died he would be given a huge sword, and that he could fly through the air, fighting for truth and righteousness! That sounds just like my dad. I wonder what he really is doing. But I have a lot of hope that he can help us here on this earth. And I hope I will keep working and growing until I see him someday, clothed in Celestial glory.
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