The Pleshek Parables

  I love Elder Bruce Robertson.  He's gone back to Laramie with his sweet companion Sherry.  They were site missionaries until Covid hit.  Sherry began working in the office just prior to that so she had a job to keep them here.  He has a lot of skills so it made sense to send him to FM.   He became the handyman's assistant.  With Elder Robertson driving the "duck truck" he and Pat could get twice as much done.  He took care of a lot of the little things so Pat could work on other things.  One of the things he did was to repair the door frame on the Brigham Young outhouse.  The original door was rotten so a new one was built and Tom painted it all by himself.  Elder Robertson repaired and then installed the new door.  I went after him and sanded and touched up the paint where needed. Another one of the things he did just before leaving was to create a new plow to replace the one in front of the blacksmith shop that had rot...

  We are told to liken the scriptures unto ourselves.  Find those things that apply to our own lives. Last week I was reading in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 11.  As I was listening to the text being read to me, the following verses jumped out at me. 23  And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall  deliver  them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God. 24  Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall  cry   unto me I will be  slow  to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies. I thought about the situation we are presently in with the Covid 19 restrictions and social distancing.  I also thought about how the world has forgotten God.  He is not allowed in schools or other public places.  He has been pushed out!  We have been involved in two worldwide fasts for the purpo...

  We were asked to sign up for a day or two or more to work with the parking for the pageant.  We're actually part of the security team as well.  We were assigned to work the main entrance.  There we were really crossing guards but were also given the assignment to keep people safe. We were warned ahead of time that a local who is a very vocal non friend of the church may be there. He is called "the screamer."  He stands just off the street at the main entrance to the pageant grounds and does a lot of yelling as the people enter.  I had a feeling that that was the place where we would be assigned. Once again, the Spirit witnessed to me ahead of time.  Brother Anderson, who is the head of all of this looked at the two of us and asked if we would take the main entrance.  Of course.  We will do whatever is asked of us.  He wasn't there initially but came walking down the road with his sign.  He does a lot of yelling and ranting about h...

  One of our first weeks here I would always drive the truck home after finishing my work at noon.  I always drove forward across the grass.  One day I was thinking about that and decided I should back out of my spot.  I'm not quite used to driving the truck as our car was much smaller.  I got in the truck and put the windows down because it was so blazing hot in there.  I backed out of my spot and heard something crunch.  I pulled forward and saw a van with this dent in the tailgate. I was sick as I knew I did the damage.  I didn't feel my bumper hit the van but I did hear it so I knew it was my fault.  I went to the office and asked Sister Corder whose vehicle it was and she told me it was the Christensens.  Afterward my husband asked me why I didn't use the backup camera.  We have a backup camera? I waited for Sister Christensen to come and she didn't for some time.  She was busy practicing backing the van with the trailer....

  I had an interesting conversation with Erin this week. We talked about the power of electricity. Isn't it interesting that we take for granted the power we possess in turning on a light switch. At our whim we can turn the lights on or off. But, if for some reason the power supply is compromised, we are helpless to make the lights come on by flipping that switch. Suddenly we have no power.  As I was teaching a seminary lesson this week, we talked about different types of power. We decided electricity, generators, motors and batteries all were sources of power. I spoke to the youth about the power of heaven that comes to us as we enter the sacred walls of the temple and receive all that our Father has for us. As we hold a temple recommend, we have that power available to us. We can turn on the power and use it as necessary. But, if we fail to qualify for a recommend, we are helpless as to calling down the powers of heaven. As for me, I possess a recommend and plan to for all m...

  In February of 2012 we needed a new roof on our house and we also needed to install a new septic tank and drainfield. Both were going to cost a bundle of money and I wasn't sure how to find the cash to pay for both in the same year. A loan from our savings and investment took care of the septic but how to pay the $5000 for the new roof was yet to be determined.   I spoke to my dad and asked if we could borrow it from him. He agreed and I had the check in hand a few days later. The work was completed and I was able to pay the contractor. I started paying off the loan to my dad. Each paycheck I set aside some money to repay the loan as soon as possible. I had paid $1000 of it back but noticed that my checks were not being cashed. The day before my birthday, Dad gave me a card and told me not to open it until the next day. Okay. Not a problem. I put it in my bag and didn't think about it anymore. The next morning, my birthday, I remembered that card only because of his words ...

  I had a difficult week emotionally.  The reason doesn't matter.  What does matter is that I learned something beautiful through the Spirit. As I was struggling, my husband offered me a blessing.  I wept as he pronounced God's words upon me and I felt His love.  He told me to learn of my Savior.  I spent the next day reading from the Book of Mormon and then from Jesus the Christ.  Pat's job ends on May 31st.  We had a meeting in Minneapolis to help the employees find alternate employment and to understand what benefits they will receive. Since we were in town we went to the temple and again I felt of God's love for me. I was planning to go back to the temple during the meeting but the roads weren't so great since it had snowed overnight.  I went out to do some shopping.  On my way back I heard the song The Rose playing on the radio.  I have always loved this song with the message of hope it gives. As the song was ending, I heard th...

  On Saturday, Pat and I drove to Iron Mountain to do some work before the day was out.  We had a speaking assignment in Houghton on Sunday and wanted to make a working trip out of it.  When we got to the building I was informed that I, a church service missionary, would be cleaning the sign on the front of the building.  I looked at the sign and didn't think that it looked bad.  One short run across one letter with sandpaper on a hand sander showed me how much filth and pollution was on that sign. I worked on it for quite some time and was just beginning to clean the name "Jesus" when I thought that there must be something in this experience for me to learn from.  As I pondered on my task at hand, I recognized that the world doesn't treat the Savior's name with the reverence and respect it deserves.  Thus, it get polluted.  It was my job to clean the name of my Savior and make it shine once again.  My job took on a new look.  I no longe...

  Last Saturday Pat and I headed north to do some work and then speak in Houghton.  On Monday we went to Marquette and rode our bicycles through the Preque Isle park.  When we finished riding we decided to walk this water break.  There was a plaque at the entrance to this trail that said to be careful when there are big waves as two young men drown after being swept off the break.   The first half of this is concrete wide enough for two people to walk side by side.  Not wide enough for three.  It was an easy walk.  Large boulders were placed in the water next to the concrete.  Not sure why but I'm sure there's good reason.  Once you leave the concrete you start climbing over the boulders.  Not as easy as the concrete but not difficult.  They are fairly smooth and level.  That lasted about half way to the lighthouse at the end.  The second half of the rocks were not smooth.  I had to pick my way around and ov...

  It is April 15th and we are in the midst of the biggest blizzard in 129 years. We have been blessed with over two feet of snow! That's not the blessing I'm referring to. Six years ago, while driving home for Christmas, Jeff and Sammi's car died west of Fargo. I had to get in my car and drive the 8 hours to go rescue them along with Erin and baby Evelyn. It wasn't too difficult, just a pain.  Fast forward to yesterday. Andrew is driving home after his semester in Salt Lake City. His cousin, Evan Hoffman, flew out there to drive home with him. Andrew's car is not very trustworthy. It has it's issues. Using oil being the major issue. Pat and I both offered many prayers that the car would function properly and get them back to Wisconsin. Pat and I were in Milwaukee overnight due to a speaking assignment in the north stake. We were supposed to speak in two units in the Appleton stake on our way home. Due to the blizzard, church was cancelled everywhere north of Mil...

  When I was a teenager, Ma Hoffman had the missionaries living with her.  They had it good there as she did their cooking, laundry and cleaning.  She wouldn't take any money for rent either.  That was back in the day when each missionary paid whatever rent was in their area.  I was at her home the day that a specific missionary got word that he was being transferred.  I don't recall his name but I know he was a larger guy.  Tall too.  Ma was maybe 5' tall.  This missionary was upset and crying because he didn't want to leave.  I suppose it was like living with your grandma when you stayed there.  I was standing in her kitchen when I saw her look up at this giant of a man and start singing, "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord, over mountain or plain or sea..."  He was still crying but I believe it was for a different reason now.  It was a powerful thing to witness. Years ago when there was still a stake mission, I w...

   I have never been to the Provo Tabernacle.  It is a building used for conferences, seminary graduations, concerts and other civic and church events.  It was built by the Mormon pioneers who settled there.  In fact, General Conference was held there.  Clare recalls having her Stake Conference there when she lived in Provo. Five years ago in the middle of the night, a fire started, completely gutting the facility.  Much of the community was devastated.   With all those flames, I can't imagine that there was anything left.  But actually there was.  There was a set of scriptures that survived the fire with just a little charring on the edges.  The pulpit was also left completely in tact.  But really is was a burned out shell of a building. President Monson announced a few months later that it would be rebuilt and turned into the second temple in Provo.  They would call it the Provo City Center Temple.   After an engine...

  As I was thinking about the miracle of manna I discovered that the symbolism can go even deeper. As I study and ponder the scriptures, a miracle can occur within me.  Perhaps that miracle will be a mighty change of heart or perhaps an increase in charity.  Whatever it is, the miracle that happened each week on the Sabbath for the children of Israel can happen for each of us too.  I believe that the focus on Sabbath day activities and our observance of it, can be the miracle in our lives.  We have recently been instructed by the Quorum of the Twelve through our local leaders that observance of the Sabbath will bring us closer to the Savior.  What a miracle to feel His love more deeply and understand His atonement better!  Apparently, our miracles aren't so different from those of ancient Israel.  Each Sabbath can be a miracle!

  This week I taught a lesson about the Lord providing Manna to the children of Israel.  I learned some very interesting things as I prepared to teach this lesson.  As with most things, the Lord gives us principles through symbolism.  Manna was to physically feed the people each day.  He could easily have given it once or twice a week but instead gave it every day except the Sabbath. I learned several things.  First of all, the Lord provided manna every day because he wanted the children of Israel to remember Him every single day.  He wanted them to see His hand in their daily lives by providing for the physical needs. Secondly, He gave an example of just how important the Sabbath is by providing a miracle each seventh day.  They couldn't gather more than they would use in a day or it would become wormy and stinky.  But, on the sixth day, they were instructed to gather and prepare enough to be used for two days.  How many people didn't l...

  I LOVE my Ipad!  I use it for email, scripture study, games, photos, checking the weather forecast and other various things.  I also very much appreciate my cell phone.  I take it when I go out but I leave it at home when I go to church.  My cell is simply just a phone.  I don't have the internet on it.  I don't feel I need the internet to go with me.  It really is okay to be unplugged. Yesterday I received a letter from our missionary son and he had a great thought.  He was appalled at the number of people using their devices during the Sacrament meeting.  He was even more disgusted at the number of people using their phones during the actual administration and passing of the emblems of the Sacrament.  In their defense, could they have been using their device to read or study the scriptures during that time?  I do at times. Anyway, he sat behind a man who was on his phone not reading the scriptures.  Andrew wasn't sure ...

  I had a seminary lesson this week and it was about plural marriage (polygamy).  Last time I taught Church History I don't believe we studied this concept.  I spent quite a lot of time studying over the weekend so I could understand this concept better. I thought about how I would respond to this if I lived at that time and was asked to allow my husband to take an additional wife/wives.  I certainly responded as any woman would, with absolute repulsion. As I talked about this concept with my students, I came to understand that the Lord never makes things easy for us.  He expects us to make decisions that are difficult.  I am very thankful for the Spirit that bore witness to me of this concept of doing hard things. Each of us will be asked of the Lord to do hard things.  I thought about Andrew going on a mission. He was very nervous and homesick in the beginning and it was very hard for him.  It was a hard thing!  When I knew I was going to b...

  The last few lessons over last week and this week, we are studying Alma and Amulek's mission to Ammonihah.  I have found some interesting things through my study.  First of all, I love these two guys because they weren't like Nephi who was obedient from the womb.  These two had their own issues.  Alma was a real stinker in his younger years.  It took an angel to help him see the light.  Amulek lived in a city where Christ was really not taught although he had knowledge of the truth. I assume he was less-active. In reading Alma 10:11, Amulek lists the people with which the Lord has blessed him.  He lists: My women and my children, my father and my kinsfolk. I assume he has many friends as well because he tells us he is a man of no small reputation.  That tells me he is well known and respected in his community. After telling the people to repent, they are bound and thrown into prison.  Then a horrible thing happens.  The men who be...

  Last week I had the opportunity to read, study and teach Nephi 8 which is Lehi's dream or vision.  As we read it as a family I had some great insights to help my husband with a problem he was having.  When I reread it again I gained even more.  Then, our seminary supervisor sent an email with more insights.  Did you know that all the people in Lehi's vision were members of the church?  Even those in the great and spacious building.  This is a vision about those of us who have already been baptized.  As I thought about the different groups of people within that vision I discovered that this chapter is a  great self evaluator.  At this point in your life, which group do I fit in?  Am I holding to the rod or just walking the strait path without holding?  Am I getting lost in the mists of darkness?  Do I make my way to the tree and partake and then hang my head in shame or do I partake and feel God's love and glory in His go...

  This little boy absolutely warms my heart.  He's all boy and loves boy things.  He also has a temper which he shows off from time to time.  Putting that aside, he did something tonight that was very interesting.  Last night I put up my Christmas tree.  It isn't decorated nor will it be until Thanksgiving is finished.  I just really wanted to see how the furniture would fit with it up.  Since we moved the furniture, there was a big empty spot where the tree should go, so I put it up.  Tonight, the Gourleys came over which is normal for a Sunday.  Adam came in and noticed immediately the the tree was up and said, "Tree. Beautiful."  (It's pre-lit and the lights were on.)  After some time he came over by me and looked up at the top where angel Moroni is our tree topper.  He folded his arms and became very reverent.  My question is, how does this little boy even know who Moroni is?  He certainly has seen him on top...

  My seminary students and I studied the Fall of Adam today.  We had a great time with treats and pretend laws.  The point was very clear that we have the right to choose.  That was what we fought for in the pre-existence...our agency. What would it be like to be free to choose and not really have any choices?  There were some great ideas for object lessons.  You may eat anything you want from the table before you...except that the table is empty.  Way to go in keeping that law!  You may choose any treat you want from the table...but why didn't you choose the one I had hidden in my pocket?  You may take any treat from the table except that one that I don't want you to take.  I'll give you $20 for doing the "correct" thing all day.  Except no one knows what that correct thing is.  I certainly am thankful we don't have to live that way.  Adam and Eve were given two commands in the garden.  They couldn't keep b...

When I was a little girl I had a favorite tree that I loved to climb.  It was a MacIntosh apple tree.  I remember my dad decided to "trim" this overgrown tree.  I watched as he began to cut limbs off of my tree and hoping beyond hope that he wouldn't cut the one limb I needed to climb that tree.  As he cut off my limb, I was standing in the livingroom watching out the window with tears streaming down my face.  How could he cut off my climbing limb?  I loved my apple tree. Fast forward many years.  I now own the house that I grew up in.  Along with the house came the trees.  This tree has produced some wonderful fruit throughout the years...even without my climbing limb.  These days I'm shocked that my tree is still standing.  I understand that trees get their nutrients through their bark.  This poor tree doesn't have much else except the bark.  Take a look at the following photos and give me your thoughts.  ...