A Note from Jim and Shirlyn Allen

No excuses, but from the time of the last post to this blog until now, we have returned from our two year Mission over the Seminary and Institute that covered parts of three Missions in Brasil. With adjustments in front of us that many in that position have to deal with, Shirlyn and I have now visited with our seven children and their families from Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Idaho, and our parents in their 90's from Arizona to Wisconsin, all done in a newly acquired car. So now, with at least part of our life calming down we have considered the purposes of this Blog after the April Conference. 

There are three major areas that seem most relevant to us from the perspective of Senior Citizens, Parents and Grandparents: 

1. Empty Nesting and Retirement (although retirement does not show up in the scriptures) 
2. Families with Children at Home
3. Life in a Country (and World) in Chaos 

We will read the talks as usual but will pull out of the relevant talks, some of the advice, actions, potential blessings, and dangers addressed therein. Putting these categories into lists will be helpful in using them as points to ponder. They will be helpful for Family Home Evenings, Life Planning, and Drawing Closer to the Lord. 

This blog was initially intended only as an incentive to ponder and report on each Conference Address for the possible benefit of our family and a few others. It has not received much attention out side of this purpose as it has not reached the attention of the search engines, however, it did get the attention of Joseph Walker of Deseret News. I have included here the relevant quote from his article:

"President Henry B. Eyring's priesthood talk inspires, motivates and comforts"

"Another full-time missionary, James Russell Allen, also reported drawing strength from President Eyring's talk. Upon returning home from a 23-month mission to Fortaleza, Brazil, with his wife, Shirlyn, Allen was concerned about finding ways to serve the Lord after his mission was over. In his blog, he expressed appreciation for the way President Eyring "helpfully gives us a list of service we can consider wherever we are in this quest to … have the gift of eternal life with God.""

By Joseph Walker , Deseret News

Published: Tuesday, March 27 2012 5:00 a.m. MDT

As usual listening to this April General Conference was again the highlight of this past six months.  That's not to say that getting reacquainted with our family and meeting new "Grands" and other new family members hasn't been wonderful as well.

The counsel given us was so inspired and relevant for our day that we wanted our blog to reflect that in our postings for the next six months.