redoubled

Last Saturday and Sunday was our stake conference.  Quite a fancy one, in fact.  Our stake and a neighboring stake were divided and a new one created.  We are growing!  Our family will be in the newly created unit and we are pretty excited to be part of it. 
Anywho. . .

Elder Ronald R. Rasband was one of the visiting authorities.  At the Saturday evening adult session, he gave a great talk, in which he spoke of the word "redouble".  He spoke of the soon to be built temple (did you hear?  we are so excited!), and read a letter from the former First Presidency, in which members of the church were counseled to increase their temple attendance.  The actual word used in the letter was "redouble". 

Now, have you ever thought much about that word?  Me?  Not so much.  However, since Elder Rasband's talk, it has been at the forefront of my mind. 

Elder Rasband said that when he heard that letter for the first time, the word redouble made an impression on him.  Not such a common word, and he wanted to get a better idea of what it meant.  He asked his scientist brother, who excitedly explained that the word is an instruction to double something, and then double it again.  Whew, he thought, that is a big request.  He then asked his mom what she thought.  She replied that she thought the word could be taken to mean greatly increase your effort at something.  Relieved a bit, but not completely satisfied, Elder Rasband went to Webster.  Mr. Dictionary.  I couldn't remember the exact definition he read, so I looked up the definition tonight.  It read, "to make twice as great". 

All told,  the picture I'm getting is that the counsel to redouble means to do more than I am currently doing.  More effort.  More thought.  When I think I've reached the end of my rope?  I could probably give just a little bit more. 

Elder Rasband elaborated, asking us to think about our efforts in our own homes.  Are we following the counsel of the prophet?  Are we striving our best with those that mean the most to us?  Could we possibly redouble our efforts?  He taught that the word actually appears just once in the scriptures, which is where President Hinckley chose the word in that letter.  In Doctrine and Covenants section 127, verse 4, you will find this counsel, ". . .let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled. . ."

And you know what?  I felt a spark.  A little something telling me that yes-indeedle-dee-do, I could do better.  I could redouble.  I would find a little something in me and increase my efforts.  Get back to doing all those little big things that I've somehow let slide.

I'll tell you what, it was better than any half time go-get-em' speech I ever heard. 

I'm encouraged.  I'm gonna get back at it.  It's not always pretty, I will tell you that much, but I'm determined as ever.  Baby steps, you see.  

And on a happy note, I learned something else this past weekend.  In a different talk given on Sunday, Elder Rasband quoted David O. Mckay, who once said "No success can compensate for failure in the home."  Sometimes I hear that and I want to climb back in bed and pull the blankets over my head.  Because seriously, I can chalk my fair share of days up to the failure category, if you know what I mean.  But!  Then came this!  He went on to say that when asked what exactly he would define as "failure", President Mckay answered that the only time failure occurs is when the parents quit trying. 

Did you hear that? 

I rushed home to tell Courtney (who was home with sick Claire) the good news.  He (being much wiser than I) smiled encouragingly at me and said, "See?  That's what I've been trying to tell you." 

Boy, do I feel better.  And here is why.  I may be grouchy.  I may be lacking in patience.  (I sometimes say a prayer of thanksgiving that we don't have neighbors so they can't hear my monstrous moments.)  I am most definitely not perfect. 

But!  I'm not a quitter.  I'm gonna hang in there.  Head back into the game.  Where there was once just one imperfect me?  Watch out.

I've been redoubled.