Raising An Ebenezer Stone...

Grandma Christine called the whole family together...it was FHE.

..She decided awhile back, that she

wanted to raise an Ebenezer stone in her yard to represent our commitment as a family

to Heavenly Father.  She selected the location...a place that everyone passes by, so that

it would be seen very often.  She had some large rocks brought to her home...and selected just

the perfect one....then had a little pad of cement poured, the rock placed in the center,

and it was about then...that the family arrived.

When we "arrive"...it is most often in a variety of off road vehicles...and this was no

different.  Grandma C. gathered the family around...and that is not an easy thing to do;)...

and she taught everyone what an Ebenezer Stone was and why it was important to our family.

History of the Ebenezer Stone;

The name Ebenezer is taken from 1Samuel 7:12, and translated means "the stone of help". According to the Biblical account, Samuel exclaimed "Thus far, the Lord has helped us" when he erected a stone, and named it Ebenezer. The Ebenezer Stone served as a memorial, to the children of Israel, of all the ways the Lord had helped them - routing their enemies, protecting their borders,

returning the Ark of the Covenant.       

Every person present placed their hands in the wet cement, and wrote their name below the

handprint....commiting to the words that Grandma C. also wrote in the wet cement...

"We will stand for right...even if we stand alone"

The family had a great time finding the perfect location for their hands...

All the while this was going on a big storm was looming above.  While some were still writing

in the cement...rain began to fall.  The Stone was quickly covered with a tarp and it

began to pour!  It was quite a storm...one that left alot of rain behind.

Even the littlest people...Gavin....put their small hands into the cement!

We were so happy that it was able to get done before The Boy left for his mission...there

is his hand above...and man are we missing him!!!

I appreciate so much, the efforts of a beloved Grandma who is always thinking of ways to

strengthen her posterity.  She offers counsel, writed sweet notes...and most of all

offers unconditional love.  This was a great unifying experience for our family!  As I have read

about Ebenezer Stones...what I have come to understand about them is that although raising a

literal stone is wonderful...it really is about offering thanks and recognition to a Heavenly

Father who has blessed us so much!  Our offering....is Our Boy...who left us this week

to serve his mission.  He is our Ebenezer Stone for the next two years...and he will be a

constant reminder of how blessed we are as a family!