Por Antonio

I am having fun doing this even though it is slow going. If any readers speak Spanish, would you check my translation for errors, please? This is my very own New Testament Study Guide translated from English to Spanish for a nice young man named Antonio. He's the same age as my youngest son and such an earnest, kind person.

Matthew Chapter 1

Many people who read scripture for the first time get stuck on the genealogies. They are important here, because they testify of Jesus royal lineage and His fulfillment of Old Testiment prophesies and covenants. David, the king who slew Goliath, was promised the Messiah would be his descendant, Psalm 89:27. David was a descendant of Abraham, who received the same promise, Genesis 22:18, 2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, 2 Nephi 10:3. "Matthew's account is that of royal lineage,...Had Judah been a free and independent nation, ruled by her rightful sovereign [king], Joseph the carpenter would have been her crowned king; and Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." James E Talmage, Jesus the Christ. Because Greek Christ is translated as Hebrew Messiah or annointed one, Matthew linked the name Jesus and Christ.

Muchas personas que leen las sagradas escrituras por primera vez se quede en las genealogías. Ellos son importantes aquí, porque dan testimonio de Jesús linaje real y su cumplimiento de profecías antiguas Tome y en los pactos internacionales. David, el rey que mató a Goliat, fue promesa del Mesías sería su descendiente, el Salmo 89:27. David era un descendiente de Abraham, que recibió la misma promesa, Génesis 22:18, 2 Samuel 7:12 -16, Isaías 9:6 -7, Miqueas 5:2, 2 Nephi 10:3. "Relato de Mateo es la de royal lineage,... Judá había sido una nación libre e independiente, gobernado por su legítimo soberano [rey], José el carpintero se coronó rey, y Jesús de Nazaret, el Rey de los judíos." James E. Talmage, Jesús el Cristo. Porque el Griego Cristo se traduce en hebreo Mesías o consagrado, la de San Mateo con el nombre de Jesús y Cristo.

In the time of Joseph and Mary, an espousal or engagement to marry was a legal, formal, binging contract, nearly like the marriage covenant. From the way Joseph acted at the news of Mary's pregnancy, it is obvious he was a kind, just, merciful, loving man. The law would have respected his demands to have her shamed in a public trial or even put to death. However, he wanted the whole thing kept quiet and was willing to break the contract in private. It is easy to see that God, the Father, picked Joseph with his good character to be the earthly foster father of Jesus.

En el tiempo de José y María, una asimilación o compromiso de matrimonio era legal y formal, borracheras, casi como la alianza matrimonial. En el camino José actuaron con la noticia del embarazo de María, es evidente que era un amable, más justo, misericordioso, amar al hombre. La ley se han respetado sus exigencias de que su vergüenza en un juicio público o incluso a la muerte. Sin embargo, quería todo esto mantuvo la calma y estaba dispuesta a romper el contrato en privado. Es fácil ver que Dios, el Padre, se adjudicó José con su buen carácter terrenal para ser el padre adoptivo de Jesús.

An angel came to teach Joseph the truth about Mary's condition and the child she carried. He was the literal Son of God to be born unto a virgin mother foretold by ancient prophets, Isaiah 7:14. Additionally, Joseph was given direction to name the child Jesus, meaning the Lord saves. Joseph lovingly accepted the truth, obeyed,  and married Mary. Mary remained a pure, chaste, virgin until after Jesus' birth even though she and Joseph were legally man and wife.

Un ángel vino a enseñar Joseph la verdad sobre María y el estado del niño. Él era el Hijo literal de Dios que nació á una madre virgen anunciado por antiguos profetas, Isaías 7:14. Además, Joseph fue dado sentido a nombre del niño Jesús, lo que significa que el señor salva. José aceptó la verdad con amor, obedeció, y se casó con María. María sigue siendo una pura, casta, virgen hasta después del nacimiento de Jesús a pesar de que ella y José eran legalmente hombre y mujer.

Jesus is the literal, physical Son of God, The Father. Mary is the mother of Jesus body, just as each child born on earth has an earthly mother. From Mary Jesus inherited mortality, which allowed him to die. While from Heavenly Father, Jesus Inherited immortality, the ability to feel the pain of all mankind, and the godly power to resurrect.

Jesús es el literal, física Hijo de Dios, el Padre. María es la madre de Jesus cuerpo, al igual que cada niño nacido en la tierra tiene una madre terrena. Mery Jesús heredó de mortalidad, lo que le permitió a morir. Mientras tanto, de Padre Celestial, Jesús heredó inmortalidad, la capacidad de sentir el dolor de toda la humanidad, y el divino poder de resucitar.

summer

I'm late getting into the game, but last year I was faced with an interesting question. How many summers do I have left? After a scary day last fall, last summer could have been my last. So...I am pondering how will I spend this summer. I will spend it as if it were my last.

Daily Shinrin-yoku...even if it rains...

Weekly excursions to really get to know this island

Daily hour in the orchard, which I recently found working there is a spiritual experience for me.

Weekly painting cards for my grandchildren.

Daily serving those around me with gratitude and joy

Devoting and Playing and Singing and Painting and Learning and Writing and Mentoring and Praying and Calling and Mowing and Cooking and All things that brings feelings of joy and gladness 

It doesn't seem that different than other days, except I plan to do these things purposely. I plan to concur some of my little demons along this summer path.

witness of the holy ghost

I love teaching primary. Six year old children are so earnest, teachable, and willing to please. This coming Sunday I get to teach the story of wicked king Noah and Abinadi. While his father was a righteous king, Noah taught the people to be wicked, gave them heavy taxes, replaced righteous priests with wicked men, had concubines, was a glutton and a drunk, and generally caused moral decay because of his lack of public and private virtue. Noah led his people down this evil path, because it is hard to enjoy sinning in the midst of good and righteous people. Abinadi was a prophet sent to cry repentance. Noah didn't like the message and put him to death. But one of Noah's priests heard the whisperings of the Holy Ghost that the words of God's prophet were true. He accepted and preached Abinadi's message to small groups in secret until he had converted 450 people, Mosiah 11-18. This priest's name was Alma. Alma knew Abinabi's words were true, because the power of the Holy Ghost witnessed the truth to him, Moroni 10:5. Even though Abinadi only converted one person to the truth, this person in turn touched the lives of 450. Who knows how many other people were brought to the joy of righteous living by the 450.

Shrug

I received a special opportunity to walk my talk concerning forgiveness and charity. This was hard. I know what to do, but my hurt feelings didn't want to cooperate. The thing that got me through this was keeping an eternal perspective. What is more important; receiving immediate justice or living eternally with bliss and love? Letting go of hurts seems out of the question in the moment. Holding onto them, we imagine we get some satisfaction. In reality, we torture ourselves needlessly. Some small thing can take on huge proportions or can be shrugged off. Even though this was hard it was ever so much easier than wallowing in perseaved pain induced self-pity.

Wet week

Praying For...Sweet Claire, a delightfully smiley four-year-old, that she might have a carefree, innocent childhood. Let her come to know Jesus as well as she does the mortals in her immediate family. I pray that the world will be a better place for all the little Claires out there. Also, praying that people of the world, especially the leaders, will turn their hearts again to public and private virtue.

 Meditate on Jesus Word..."Charity is the pure love of Jesus Christ...pray unto the Father that ye may be filled with this love, which He hath bestowed on upon all those who are true followers of His Son, Jesus Christ; that...when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is...that we may be purified even as He is pure..." Moroni 7:47-48. The world can be a better place and all can come to know Jesus if we strive to live with this pure love. I think the more we study to understand, pray for His saving grace and repentance, and allow His grace and love to work within us, we can grow to have a more Christlike character. Thus we make our small part of the world a better place. 

Bibliophilia...bought Angelina Ballerina for Claire. Our little Katie loved this book at four. 

Cucina Frsca...a couple weeks ago I made an Italian potato/tomato gratin. The leftovers were fabulous with tostadas the next day except the spices didn't match too well. Planning for guests, I came up with this equally delicious, traditional, Mexican, side or main dish. It's a perfect, flavor-filled, low-fat, plant-only, soy-wheat-nut-dairy-egg-flesh-oil-olive-free, nutritious, pantry meal. Fresh veg may be substituted for any canned or dehydrated ingredients, but less water will be needed.

 Papas Guisadas

4 red potatoes, 1/2 in dice
1 can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
1/2 small onion, puréed
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 can chopped green chilis
1/4 t dried thyme and cilantro
1 T powdered dehydrated veg
1 T dehydrated spinach
1 T dehydrated cabbage

Mix ingredients and place in gratin pan. Add water to just below the surface of the potatoes. Bake at 400f for an hour or until desired tenderness is achieved. It will be brownish on top.

Sound of Music...my sweet husband cleared out and mulched the music circle here on the farm to make my music sessions more pleasurable. Alas, it has rained all week, keeping my old violin pal indoors. Can't wait for a sunny day. Asked S to send a few books from my bookshelf at home including Our Latter-Day Hymns? I want to start memorizing and learning about hymns again.

Guest Room...Emily came to town on business and spent a bit of time here.

Pen and Brush...with all the rain there was more time to draw and watercolor. Still don't have my Mac up and running so cannot post anything. Finished a moleskin and will start an new own today.

God's Hand...tonight we attend a baptism at our little branch. I have never witnessed a more closely knit branch of the church. Everyone shows up to every baptism, which then becomes an unofficial branch party afterwards.

Feed them

"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." 3 Nephi 22:13 In this day of confusion and turmoil, this promise is crucial. How is this to be done? Our children learn to feel Heavenly Father's love, when we treat them with Christlike love, Moroni 7:45-48. When we teach with scripture and encourage active participation, they learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, Deuteronomy 6:7. As we teach scripture stories, liken the principles to make them petinant, and help them understand doctrine, we invite the Holy Ghost to assist our efforts. Feeling His presence, we explain to the children what they are feeling. They learn to recognize the still small voice, 1 Corinthians 12:3. As we teach with love, we leave lasting impressions that children will use to guide themselves along the straight and narrow path toward peace, John 21:15-17.