Refiners Fire

So I just felt this story appropriate for all that is going on.  I hope you all take the time to read it.

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot--then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.

She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you.

Our Young Woman

Jordan gave her first talk in Sacrament Meeting last Sunday.  She did really good for her first time being in front of so many people.  She thought she was gonna pass out, but luckily didn't.  It was also her first Sunday in Young Womens', as well.  We cannot believe our little girl is growing up so fast.  We are very proud of our sweet girl.

Jordan's 12th birthday, so of course I had to buy trick candles.

She figured if she licked her fingers and grabbled the candle it would work, but she was too chicken.

When she was out of breath she used a towel.

Obviously that didn't work.  Next, here comes the temper...like father, like daughter!!! HEHEHE!!!!

Pray for Ryan and Ashley!!!!

Ryan (my sister Ashley's husband) went into the urgent care clinic on Wednesday for abdominal pain and came home with some pretty scary news.  He has a large growth in his adrenal gland (14cm).  Kris saw the scans and said you couldn't even see his organs on the one side, only the mass.  Ash said that this is pretty rare (only 290 some odd reported cases).  I guess in cases where the mass was over 6cm it was often cancer.  He went to a specialist on Thursday and they are planning to operate next Thursday. They did see a few other areas of concern so he will be having a MRI on Monday where the Dr and the Radiologist will be present.  They have run tests to see if there is hormones in the tumor or not.  If there is he will have to take meds to keep him from having a stroke when they take the tumor out.   They will be removing a rib and very possibly his kidney in this procedure.  He will be in the hospital in Boise for at least 5 days post op.  We will know more Monday and I will do my best to keep everyone posted.  In the mean time please be praying for their family.