Valentines and a Greater Love

Yesterday was such a great day. My friend, Debra Simons, had a card making class at her home. Again, Debra lives in my old Stake and the group of women there were so darling. Only two I hadn't met before. The cards were so cute...I'll see if I can add pictures here. I loved it so much, I went back last night so I could complete my Valentine's cards for Bucket group next week! (And I'm not showing the one I made for Bucket group....sorry Sheron !)

This cute one on the left is fun. You pull on the ribbons on top, and out comes your Valentine treat!



From there I called Cathy to see if she could go to Bro. Wilcox's class and if she could, maybe we needed to grab a bite to eat before, since, well it WAS lunchtime and we DO have to eat. She called back and said that she couldn't go to class but she could go to lunch, so we did. We had a lot to catch up on since we hadn't seen each other since lunch the day before!!! We're SUCH a bad influence on each other!

Then.....I got home from class to find a box dancing on my porch. A birthday box from friend, Sophia. She's a dear blogging friend. She's an insane blogging friend. Besides a box full of goodies, on top was this embellished brown paper bag. We have this joke about my never wanting to "meet" her....or if we did, we could just wear brown paper bags over our heads. It is an ongoing conversation. So, she sent me a bag with a hairbow. The bag's eyes were so high, I couldn't see out of them to take a picture. So I had to manufacture eyeballs so you could see the full effect. Don't you love friends that make you laugh?!!! Sophia, among other things, sent me her killer brownies. The brownie recipe that all her friends want but she won't share. She said the recipe will be printed on her funeral program. After having one, I told her maybe that wasn't a good idea to taunt people like that. Maybe there was a contract out on her life as we speak! Just to get the recipe......


Then Bro. Wilcox's class. I am loving this so much, as always, and don't want to overload my thoughts here but I just have so many. We have been studying in 3 Nephi, the beatitudes or the Sermon at Bountiful. What I have thought about consistently was, we tend to dismiss the power of the Sermon on the Mount because we read it so much, it seems to lose punch with familiarity. We think we know "what" is being said. But I have realized that I haven't really "known" in this manner before and I will never think of them the same.

When Christ came, he brought the higher law. Every thing he teaches us in the beatitudes is to teach us how to live on a higher plane. We know that- not only do we not kill (Telestial), or fight (Terrestial) but we don't have unkind thoughts about each other either (Celestial.)

We may think that is impossible but I don't think it is. If anyone has read this journal from its beginnings or knows me personally, you will know that "forgiveness" and the atonement are really big issues with me. (see OFFENSE ) I know that there is power and help in "getting over" hurts and even those who have hurt us. I also think forgiveness is the essence of the atonement.

One of the beatitudes says, "As you forgive others, you will be forgiven." Another, 3 Nephi 12:43,44 - "And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy; -44: But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you. (that you may be children of your Father....who has shown us the proper behavior (paraphrased))

In the last verse of this chapter, it says, "Therefore, I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect." In the New Testament, the translation for "perfect" is merciful. So, this scripture that we tend to beat ourselves up with (being perfect) really means extending mercy as our Father in Heaven would. Mercy is not only the gift the Father gives to us, but we are expected to give mercy without limits to others, including our enemies, including those we don't like. It is also a gift we don't receive unless we give it to others.

Sunday I was in the foyer at Church. There was a discussion going on about the topic of the RS/Priesthood lessons of anger. I wasn't in the class since I am in the Sunbeams but I was intrigued with the conversation. Two women that I adore were having an animated discussion about people in their lives (extended family) that they just didn't like....and were talking about how to deal with them in their lives. I think their conclusion is that you "just stay away from them because they bug you." I wasn't in the class to know all the discussion but even so, I don't think I would have come to that conclusion. Verse 44 says "....love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, that use you, that persecute you." That doesn't sound like you "just stay away...." It means we have the wonderful opportunity in our lives to extend mercy. That means we get on our knees and take our issues to the Lord, not praying to hear what we want to hear or for justification in feeling the way we feel. It means we "pray" for those people, we pray for a softening of hearts, of actions, of interactions. It doesn't mean that we have to (as Bro. Wilcox says) "have them over for weekly BBQs" but the most important thing here is our "thoughts." God wants to elevate us, take us to a higher plane, so although we are "bugged" or don't like someone, we realize that we really can, and are expected to, pray for others, that they may have a softening of heart or action. Think the good of others. Try and walk in their moccasins and pray for understanding. Then, most importantly, pray that "we" have a change of heart. That we extend mercy as shown by the Father. As we want mercy extended to us. "Perfection" isn't something that we master, as in never doing a naughty thing. Perfection is the concept of mercy....of truly controlling our thought process in loving without boundaries, in forgiving others (and receiving the gift of our own forgiveness)- in elevating our hearts and thoughts to a higher plane. Later it says, 14:2- "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." I don't think forgiveness and making judgements about others and "not liking" others is a small matter. I think it "is" the deal. I know it is possible. Forgiveness is the most amazing gift, the most amazing opportunity. I have literally prayed "forever" about certain people or situations....and felt the burden lift from me as I gave up the resentment or offense. I know I can pray for love instead of annoyance. We may not change another's heart (although I think it can) but the most important thing is that "our" hearts are changed. We become a part of this great gift of mercy......

Random Thoughts

I had the most lovely birthday in the world. Thank you to many people who emailed. Jan was here in the morning for cleaning and she started laughing because I was no help at all....I stood by the ringing phone and just answered it and talked all morning. Lots of birthday wishes and a great variety of birthday songs. Just the best!

Lunch was so much fun! Great friends laughing and talking around the table (Chili’s) for hours! I’m trying to remember all the things we thought were so funny....the waiter was taking our drink orders and we’re already busy gabbing. He gets to Cathy and she said, "I’ll take the Caribbean salad too." We all just sat there quiet, then burst out laughing. No one had ordered the Caribbean salad (although we all eventually did)...he was taking drinks. Just dumb stuff.

Starting to get President Hinckley quotes coming in. Keep them coming!

On Monday, when I was driving in the car with Hallee and Addison, Hallee said, "Grandma, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Hmmm.........it was just so innocent and sweet. I said, "Hallee Babe, I think maybe I’ve already grown up....but when I was little, I wanted to be a mom and a writer because I like to write things." She said, "I think I just want to be a mom 'cause I want to cook stuff." Great answer! I hope Hallee Babe and I can cook and cook and cook together. I see an Easy Bake oven in her future. Maybe we can attend culinary school together. We’ll do Iron Chef competitions together. Rachael Ray will have us as guests on her show. We'll pubish a whole line of Hallee Babe and Grammie cookbooks! Finally, I know what I want to be when I grow up.....

When we were driving, we drove past a high school. The weather was horrid but I noticed all these kids wearing dresses and white shirts and ties (of course, no coats!) going to the seminary building. All a part of a spontaneous tribute to the prophet. I guess a calling tree had gone on the night before. I was so touched. Ann, a blogging friend of mine in Nebraska, sent me a note this morning with her quote saying that she heard that Sat. people are planning to bring canes to wave along the line to the Conference center. Oh my, I’m teary just thinking about it.....

So, then we get to the kiddo’s house, in the snowstorm. As soon as Gracie gets home from kindergarten, we load up again and go to a drive-in to get lunch. Crazy, I know, in the snowstorm but the girls know that’s what we do when we’re together. It is all about the toy in the happy meal/kid’s sack/box/whatever. Gracie’s cheeseburger came with ingredients listed on the outside of the bag that I guess whoever took the order checks (Arctic Circle...Hallee wanted a corn dog.) I was amazed at how well Gracie was reading. She read "Cheeseburger. Lettuce. Pickle. Struggled with white sauce. Mustard. Then she spelled out onion. When I told her, she said, "Oh no, Grandma, will it make us cry to say it?" Totally sincere. We had an onion lesson a few weeks back. The girls were at my house and I was cooking, they were helping. I was chopping an onion and crying like a baby. Gracie was quite worried about why I was so sad and I told her onions made me cry. She didn’t get it so I held up the onion to her nose and told her to take a big whiff. Sure enough, now she "gets" onions! It was just startling to her.

Last night all the family except Ryan and Marci and those kiddos met for pizza at Rock Creek. I had called ahead to schedule the back room, knowing that our noise level could possibly shut the place down. We had the best time just talking and eating while the kids were running wild. Cousin love! Lots of darling gifts. Lots of kisses. David was concerned because he had flowers that were suppose to be delivered during the morning. He could see on the Internet that the courier had marked that they had been delivered at 10:40. No flowers. I was at the house until almost 11:30. So David kept making calls until he talked to someone (instead of multiple computers) who talked to the courier who said he left them by the mailbox. Hmmmmmm? Okay, why would anyone delivering flowers do that? I was expecting another birthday treat in the mail yesterday and walked out to the mailbox and counted 200 steps. We don’t live by our mailbox. There is a snowbank around the mailbox. Our road is plowed. Who would leave a bouquet of flowers sitting in a snowbank in freezing weather? Something is not right with this deliver guy/picture. I have a feeling I am getting flowers today.....

My last birthday visit ended last night about 9:30. Debra Nelson, in our Ward, (remember my friend that lost her daughter to skin cancer less than a year ago?) She came over with a card and we had the best visit. She is a focus leader over sewing where they have made the CUTEST ruffled aprons this past year and funky baby quilts and sewed African dolls for a humanitarian project. She told me about a couple of fabulous humanitarian projects that our Ward is doing this year....one is helping a little community in Nigeria. A Mother’s Without Borders foundation, is raising 1 ½ million dollars through boutiques and donations to build a school, technical center and I can’t remember the other building but also houses to house and school or train thousands of orphans. They will eat three meals a day! It makes me weep to think of children anywhere (and I believe this village is the tip of Africa’s iceberg which is a tip of the world’s...) without families, without food, without a place to live. We will be collecting or sewing clothing for the children. Debra has committed to 6,000 sewn tee-shirt dresses for little girls. (We will also be gathering clothing for the boys.) She is thinking that our Ward can do 1,000 but hoping that others will desire to get on board as well. She has the instructions which are simple....a tee-shirt where you sew a ruffle on the bottom to make a skirt. Please, please, please, if anyone reading this would like to be involved, I will provide better instructions. If your Ward RS would like more information, there is a video available. Our Ward is kicking this off this Sunday and we hope to get it done by September when we will start our Christmas humanitarian projects (which I will share later.) Debbie and I just sat here and cried together as she told me about miracles that have already happened, running into people where the Spirit has prompted her to ask if they would help. She said she can’t wait to see what miracles are just waiting around the corner.....I love to be a part of such miracles! I love being around women who jump at the chance to do good, whatever project it might be.

It is good to be alive!!!!

Ta-Da!!!

"Age is a number and mine is unlisted!"

I feel like a little kid waiting all month for my birthday. I’m not sure why but I love to celebrate life! I called my mom last night and she reminded me that "x" many years ago, she and my dad and my Uncle Tom (Zella’s dad, Heather White’s Grandpa) stayed up all night playing pinochle. In the early morning, my Grandma J., who was living in a smaller house out back, came and stayed with my older brother, Gary, while Tom drove us all to the hospital. I about put my mother under.....all 9 pounds of me ( my mom is about 5 foot 2 inches....)

Thanks Mom and Dad! I love you both so much! Thanks for giving me a wonderful life, in a home where I felt loved and adored.


Thanks David and my kids and kiddos who give me the best reasons in the world to get up each day. Okay, so I don’t get up so early but heh! I won the lottery with my family...they are my greatest gift!

I’m going out to lunch to celebrate with Cathy, Penny, Valene and Kathy Wilson. Such wonderful friends! We cancelled pizza out last night with the kids because of the snowstorm but hopefully, if the weather behaves itself today, we’ll try again tonight.
Ben and Suzie got snowed in last night at Alta. The roads were closed and they have something like "shut down" where no one is allowed outside their cabins for protection. I have laughed because Suzie (who seems overwhelmed by our family size!) said, "Your WHOLE FAMILY is going out for pizza?" Ben replied, "Ooh yah!"

It is good to be alive. David’s been reading this book about being younger next year. I guess that is our new "goal." Thanks, David (sarcastic....) But I’m proud of myself... I have been faithful on the treadmill....have been faithful on my scripture reading....have been working on my resolution’s list.

And I’ll publish all the President Hinckley quotes on Saturday, the day of the funeral. I've only gotten a few....please keep them coming. I’d love to hear what each of you think!

Isn't today just GREAT?!!!!!

Unabashedly Asking for Gifts

I attended a BYU Women's Conference where a certain talk really affected my heart. It was a talk on "Not Taking Offense." One of the points was that other people are not mind readers. Oftentimes people are offended when they want something and think that other's should know by instinct what they want, and then are offended when they don't get it. It became a little joke in the family. I then told my children what I would like for Mother's Day. Surprise! I got it! And I loved it!

Tomorrow is my birthday. The day for gift giving. And I want something. I want something REALLY bad. And I don't feel bad about asking. Not a bit.

I miss Pres. Hinckley already. I woke up early this morning and started pulling up some of his talks so I can hear his voice again. I have already been worrying that my great-great-great's won't know, won't UNDERSTAND that this wasn't an ordinary prophet. Not that they aren't all wonderful- each brought their own gifts. But THIS prophet has been adored. THIS prophet has spoken to our hearts and souls. I want a memorial to him in my records to my great-great-great's. Will you help me?

For my birthday (I'm sorry I'm so blunt! Thank BYU Women's Conference for that one!) I would like you to share with me your favorite Pres. Hinckley story or quote. I know many of you will be like I have been already today, looking through past talks and thoughts because we don't want to let go of the man. Share them with me, please. We could have quite a collection and they could be something that you would then have as well. So your great-great-great's will know what a incredible man he was. Please share. Either in this forum or by email:

mdwillpoet@msn.com

Let's mourn together but lift together, laugh together, reflect together. I'll start it with one that I re-read this morning.

When President H. worked for the railroad, he got a phone call from Newark, New Jersey saying that a train arrived there without the luggage car and that there were 300 irate passengers outside demanding answers. This is what Pres. H. said:

"I went immediately to work to find out where it may have gone. I found it had been properly loaded and properly trained in Oakland, California. It had been moved to our railroad in Salt Lake City, been carried to Denver, down to Pueblo, put on another line, and moved to St. Louis. There it was to be handled by another railroad which would take it to Newark, New Jersey. But some thoughtless switch man in the St. Louis yards moved a small piece of steel just 7.5 centimeters, a switch point, then pulled the lever to uncouple the car. We discovered that a baggage car that belonged in Newark, New Jersey, was in fact in New Orleans, Louisiana—2,400 kilometers from its destination. Just the 7.5-centimeter movement of the switch in the St. Louis yard by a careless employee had started it on the wrong track, and the distance from its true destination increased dramatically. That is the way it is with our lives. Instead of following a steady course, we are pulled by some mistaken idea in another direction. The movement away from our original destination may be ever so small, but, if continued, that very small movement becomes a great gap and we find ourselves far from where we intended to go.

Have you ever looked at one of those 5-meter farm gates? When it is opened, it swings very wide. The end at the hinges moves ever so slightly, while out at the perimeter the movement is great. It is the little things upon which life turns that make the big difference in our lives, my dear young friends."

See this wonderful tribute in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Our Dear Prophet Jan.27, 2008

Monday will be a kiddo day. But I hope during the day I can find the time to write my thoughts about this great man. I don't want him to be just a picture my great-great-great's see in their Primary classes. I want my posterity to know that THIS was a prophet that was ADORED. He was OUR prophet. I LOVED him! He made us laugh. He wanted us to feel good about ourselves. He wanted us to "BE" better in all ways. He wanted us to not make ourselves nuts but to take one step at a time. He showed us how to have humor in a husband/wife situation. He helped us see that to be a man of God, a prophet of God, doesn't mean you can't laugh. Can you even BEGIN to imagine the happy reunion he received in Heaven today?!!! Can you even begin to imagine who would be there to greet him? Can you even imagine what Pres. Monson and his family are feeling right now? Our prayers are with them all!

Birthday Time Capsule

The Internet is such a wealth of information and it is a great source for adding to your personal history. Try putting your birthday in Wikipedia and it will list all the people throughout the ages who were born on that date, died on that date, important events on that date. I’ve had fun going through the myriad of information and then choosing just a few to share here in this journal, celebrating my birthday which is Tuesday.

January 29th
1595 - William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet is probably first performed....probably the most famous romantic story in history. Premiered on MY birthday to be....

1845 - "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe is published in the New York Evening Mirror. Okay, this might be the counter to the most romantic story.....

1861 - Kansas admitted as the 34th U.S. state. Mother born here so that’s a plus.

1863 - Bear River Massacre- Sorry all you Cache Valley people that didn’t know how to get along with the Indians

1886 - Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven automobile. He'd turn over in his grave if he knew how high the price per gallon is for gas!!!

1891 - Liliuokalani is proclaimed Queen of Hawaii, its last monarch. Not fair that she got ousted!


1916 - World War I: Paris is first bombed by German zeppelins. Just think of all those pastry shops! I LOVE Paris. Shame on you, Germany. But I do love Germany too....

1959 - Sleeping Beauty, an animated feature produced by Walt Disney based upon a fairy tale, is released. Okay, just so you are up-to-date on your princesses...Sleeping Beauty’s name is Aurora. Because of the mean curse put upon her when she was just a baby, her name was changed to Briar Rose. Sleeping Beauty/Aurora/Briar Rose did not eat an apple to fall asleep. She pricked her finger on a spinning wheel. But, sigh, Prince Phillip rescued her with a kiss.....As a grammie, you have to be up on your princesses.....

Famous Births-

1843 - William McKinley, 25th President of the United States (d. 1901) -okay, did you remember he was assassinated? Shot twice. He actually lived a couple of weeks, seemed to be getting better, then succumbed to gangrene. He was the last veteran of the Civil War to be elected president. His picture is on the $500.00 bill. I carry several of those around in my wallet.....The presidential race when he was elected was also the first where Utah as a new State voted in the elections. George Albert Smith, future president of the Church, was in the hallway of the Music Hall in Buffalo, New York and heard the shots that hit McKinley.

1880 - W.C. Fields, American actor (d. 1946) - lots of funny, ornery quotes are attributed to him. One was "Start your day with a smile....and get over it!"

1891 - R. Norris Williams, American tennis player, Williams also gained fame as being a survivor of the Titanic (April 1912). He and his father were traveling first-class on the liner when it struck an iceberg and sank. Shortly after the collision, Williams freed a trapped passenger from a cabin by breaking down a door. He was reprimanded by a steward, who threatened to fine him for destroying White Star Line property, an event that inspired a scene in James Cameron's 1997 filmTitanic. Williams remained on the doomed liner almost until the very end, eventually swimming to a swamped lifeboat that had been washed off the deck. He spent several hours knee-deep in freezing water in the collapsible lifeboat until RMS Carpathia arrived on the scene to rescue survivors. His father was lost in the disaster.

1918 - John Forsythe, American actor - best known perhaps as Blake Carrington on Dynasty and the voice of Charlie Townsend on Charlie’s Angels.


1940 - Katharine Ross, American actress - she was Etta Place in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Also starred in "The Graduate."

1942 - Claudine Longet, French singer, dancer and convicted murderer (she had been married to Andy Williams, divorced, later shot her lover, Olympic skier Spider Sabich.)

1945 - Tom Selleck, American actor - love his mustache- Loved Magnum P.I.

1950- Ann Jillian- actress and Breast Cancer advocate

1954 - Oprah Winfrey-needs no introduction

1960 - Greg Louganis, American diver -remember the controversary when he hit the diving board and bled all over....and he didn’t tell anyone he was HIV positive?

1970 - Heather Graham, American actress - she has been in the news this past week as the ex-wife of Heath Ledger

Deaths:

1963 - Robert Frost, American poet (b. 1874)- oh my gosh, one of my favorite poets in the world. I will have to post a couple of my favorite poems of his this week.

1980 - Jimmy Durante, American actor and comedian (b. 1893)- loved him/loved his nose! Remember "Inka-Dinka-Doo?" I also love the song his rendition of "Smile" and also the way they used his song "I'll Be Seeing You" in the movie, The Notebook.

2007 - Barbaro, American thoroughbred racehorse (b. 2003) - I had to put this one in just for David (although he doesn’t read my blog.) When he won the Kentucky Derby , it was a really big race since one of the horses in the running to win was a horse called "Brother Derek" (really Brother of Derek.) The horse had formerly been owned by someone in our neighborhood, Craig Tillotson, who named him for his son, Derek. Derek is a darling boy in our Ward whom we adore. He was serving a mission in Armenia during the race and there was a lot of media coverage about him. Barbaro won that race but broke his leg in the next race. After multiple surgeries, he was finally put down on MY birthday!!!! Not even nice!

Okay, now YOU put your bithday in and find out more about YOUR special day!!!!
http://www.wikipedia.org/

Starfish

I finally got to see "Dan in Real Life" last night! David and I had date night. I loved it! Except we had to sit on the second row. WHY do they make theaters with the front rows so close? I felt like I was looking up their noses during the whole show? Regardless, just a great evening with my husband. And the movie is about challenges of life. Of moving on after heartache. Of raising children with all the bumps that entails. Of learning to breath again. Of finding joy.

Because Colleen came over the other day to learn about journaling, I had a stack of various kinds of my journals out- regular journals, my creative life history examples, a book of talks I've given (they include so much personal history), our Book of Small Plates (which isn't so small anymore!) and one book of missionary letters, this particular one to Tanner. It has been fun to randomly start reading in the various journals to see what what going on in my life.

This is what was happening just three years ago this week:

Tanner was a new missionary in Hartford, Connecticut- the same mission that Travis's wife, Tenille, went to although they never served in the same towns. Whenever we would get excited and asked Tenille if she had ever served where ever he got transferred, she'd shake her head and say, "Nooooo, that's an Elder's town! They wouldn't send girls there!" Tanner only served in "Elder's" towns. Pretty rough. His first 15 minutes in the mission, he saw a shooting/murder less than 50 feet away! He was wondering what he was getting into!

First, in the letter, I was telling about family stuff...what the grandparents were doing. We moved into this home the weekend that Tanner had his farewell. The upstairs wasn't done and so we all moved (David and I and Travis and Tenille and Rylee lived with us then as well) downstairs for almost two months. It was pretty chaotic but also fun. And there was a lot of work to be done and also going on. Our stair rail guy was interesting. He was a funny dude and wouldn't show up for days. He loved raccoon hunting and was so excited when we found raccoon nests in our attic (can you understand why I SOBBED when David told me he wanted to buy this house???) But raccoon man was a dear soul and did beautiful work, when he actually worked. His life was hard.

One paragraph from the letter:

"Last night I went an an orientation at BYU for those speaking at Women's Conference at BYU. Everyone has a partner to speak with and guess who I am speaking with? President Monson's daughter, Ann Dibbs! How awesome is that! (Our topic was "Gratitude.") Thanks for the Scott Anderson story. That is really a good one. If we could always look at the good things and be thankful for them, even in the middle of bad things. I guess you are actually living that right now. A hard time in many respects but wonderful in others. It really will settle down as you already stated and it will seem normal and not so crazy. New London sounds pretty different than their website on the Internet. On the Internet, it sounds like this quaint seaport village. But what a great opportunity to teach. Pray for love and understanding and learn all the good things your companion (whom T. was struggling with) has to teach you."

The letter goes on to say that our son Ryan was leading a Single's Cruise in Mexico. Some things don't change....he's been in Guatemala this past week with a private group, touring the ruins, teaching about Book of Mormon archeology, doing some humanitarian work at the orphanage. And I expressed anxiousness for him to get home and help us with our upcoming Costa Rica trip. And I was getting ready to go to Washington to see my parents for my birthday. All fun memories.

Tanner had a rough time for quite awhile on his mission. especially with companions which was surprising since Tanner is the most easy-going, likable guy. He gets along with little old ladies, ornery people, little kids. Everyone! The President actually said to him that he was purposefully giving him companions that struggled with other people because he knew that Tanner would be good to them. It was a challenge. I later sent him a story, from the Ensign, about a missionary that was discouraged. The work seemed stagnant. The one family they were teaching had issues. The Stake he was serving in was hosting a celebration by the ocean. Discouraged, he and his companions were climbing on the bluffs, watching the surf pound into the rock cliffs. As the missionary stood there, he saw a small red starfish hanging onto one of the rocks. With every thunderous wave, pounding the rocks, when the water cleared, he was amazed to see that little starfish still clinging there. As he pondered, he felt the whispering of the Spirit. "I love you. Be of good cheer. Be like the starfish and just hold on. I will take care of everything." At last he felt hope. He knew the Lord loved him, his companions, and the family they were working so hard with.

Elder Jeffrey Holland taught "I know some of you do truly feel at sea, in the most frightening sense of that term...It is not without a recognition of life's tempests, but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God's love and the Savior's power to calm the storm...Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But....He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!"

This missionary, and Tanner, and each of us have those times of despair. Sometimes we have to do just as the starfish...just keep holding on during difficult circumstances. But our loads can be lighter, not because the problems or pressures of life are alleviated, but because there is power in putting our trust in the Lord. If we hold on, the peace will come.

It was fun for me to relive a week in my life. To relive the stories that we learn from each other. I hope that my great-great-greats will know and understand that every generation has problems and challenges. What we experience and what you will be experiencing fifty years or a hundred years from now might not be exactly the same. But the lessons learned can be strength to you. Just hold on. Weather the storm. Put your trust in the Lord. Peace will come.

Happy Birthday, Addison!

Today is my youngest granddaughter's birthday- Addi turns two! She is such a love bug and we are all crazy about her. Although Parker did say in his prayer recently, "And please bless Addi not to be such a handful today." Being born in the winter time can be a challenge. Addi was only about a week or two old when she got RSV (or is it RDS.....or is it RSVP? Tara, kind of like ESPN...) Anyway, the respiratory distress syndrome. She was in Primary Children's Hospital for almost two weeks. But she is healthy now, other than breaking her finger the week before last, and then banging her head and getting 13 stitches! Children are such a gift and Addison certainly is one in our lives! Happy birthday, Baby Girl!

I need to get ready for Art class in an hour. I haven't really even decided what I want to work on....that was my goal yesterday....to choose what I want to paint, but you know how bad I am about keeping goals! Well, except Book of Mormon. I haven't missed a day. I just finished Lehi's father's blessings to his children before his death. The timing was perfect because I could just picture the night before, David giving Tanner a father's blessing. What a gift to have the priesthood in our home, to help us and edify us. And now I'm in the Isaiah chapters. Can you hear growling and moaning and gnashing of teeth? Not necessarily Isaiah's but mine? That is really one goal on my Bucket List. To not have a little "Oh no" when I hit an Isaiah chapter. And I have studied them and studied them but still.......You know what I mean?????

Then after art today, my cute visiting teachers are taking me out for a birthday lunch. I adore Linda Raddon and Birdie Wardle. And luckily, Debbie Stowell is back in town and can go as well. But honestly, it seems like just a few months ago that they took me out for my birthday. Time is whizzing by so fast! Slow down!!!

Last night I went with Valene to her Ward's focus group at Libby Greer's....for a "dumpling" class. This delightful friend of Libby's came and we had a dumpling festival. There were about 20 of us there, and she divided us into groups...and each group made a different kind of dumpling and they were served with various dishes....we had beef with a dressing like dumpling, a Czechoslovakian pork chop (really shredded pork) with potato dumplings (also served with sauerkraut), an almond dumpling on chicken soup and two dessert dumplings- one an orange dumpling with orange sauce and apple dumplings where the dumplings were wrapped like a pastry around chunks of apple. It was a dumpling extravaganza! This is a Ward in another Stake, my old Stake, but not a Ward I lived in. And we moved 17 years ago. But so many of my best friends live in that Ward, and I attend so many of their activities, I feel totally at home and hardly spent time with Valene all evening! Again, I feel like I have such a quiver full of wonderful people in my life.....

And also, I'm feeling like I have a HUGE dumpling on my bottom. Oh wait! It IS my bottom! Good thing I did the tread mill TWICE yesterday (which means 2 miles instead of just one...I'm telling you, I'm starting out slow!!!!) I might have to double up today as well!

Also, last night I had a long phone conversation with Debbie Y., my best friend from growing up. We haven't talked for months and it was so good to get caught up on family stuff and what is happening in our lives. Her family is the reason I found the gospel in my life and for that, I will forever kiss the ground she walks on! My life has been incredible and filled with such joy because her family allowed me to come to their home each Sunday, participate in family prayer around the dinner table and treat me like one of their own. Deb, I love you!

And I found this quote that I love and applies to me in many areas of my life:


"If you take too long in deciding what to do with your life, you'll find you've done it." George B. Shaw

Over The River And Through The Woods

Just a p.s. today. When I used to live in our last home, I loved the drive to the house. It was woodsy and I used to sing "Over the river and through the woods...." Even before I was a grandmother. So, when I went to pick up Cathy yesterday, I started singing again. And this is what I saw.

I'm so glad Cathy and Kirk and family live there so we can visit! I'm so glad they love it there as well! I do love our snow......

August Rush

So, you know how I have been whining about needing a date to go and see "Dan In Real Life?" It is at the dollar flicks and David is out of town and I actually only got turned down once but everyone else who I thought might go was out of town or working or.....

But then I called Cathy. Kirk happened to be out of town and she said that although she had already seen it, she would go again. Girlfriends are the best. So, what a surprise, when I then realize that August Rush is there also, that I ask her if we could see that instead. After all the WHINING I have been doing and wanting to see Dan..... 

There is usually reason in such happenstance. Yesterday was one of those days. It was filled with good things. I loved serving Kay. And wonderful things happened throughout the day. But tender things happened, heart-wrenching things happened, emotional things happened. And somehow, seeing this movie, along with events of the day, opened a floodgate of emotion for me.

So, Colleen, if you are reading this. In answer to your question, do you share all things in your journal writing, I need to step back and clarify my answer. Things happen that you don’t share in a public forum. Yesterday was one of those days, filled with those kind of emotions. But I will share them in my private journals. It is my story, not anything hurtful to another. It is a personal journey of life....
Not to be cryptic or anything, let's get back to the movie.

The main character, Evan Taylor, can hear music in everything around him. He is being raised in an orphanage with no contact with his parents, although he insists that he can "hear" them. Evan believes that the music that he can hear in everything from the wind in wheat fields to the buzzing of electrical lines, is some kind of message from his parents, whom he wants desperately to find.

I was just blown away by it. Cathy didn’t see everything the way I saw it but I was just overwhelmed with the metaphors I feel in my own life. The music to me is the Spirit. I feel it and hear it in everything around me. We all yearn to know that our parents (Heavenly) (and earthly) can hear our voice through the wilderness. We also want to hear their voices surround us as well. We all want to be "found."

So, if you haven’t seen this movie, please go. I hope you love it as I did.

And just so you know, in the next life if you see Keri Russell and think "Oh, there is Keri Russell", it’s not. It will be me! Surprise! Cause I’m looking like her in the next life!

It's Going To Be a Good Day

Today is a day of service. The lady that I helped last week needs additional help today and it is the perfect day for me to help her. She has some eye problems and hasn’t been able to drive and her husband is in a care center. So, this morning, I will take her to her hair appointment. Then we go to her eye Dr. appointment. Then I’ll drop her off at the care center and head to my religion class. Elsa is off traveling somewhere (I can’t keep track of her....they are always going somewhere!!!) and Debbie S. is out of town as well, so I guess I’ll have to go to class alone. Well, me and 500-600 other people! I think I can handle it.

So, yesterday was a great day. Getting the last of my Christmas put away. I’m always sorrowful putting away all my kiddo’s pictures with Santa. They are a treasure to me and I just like looking at them. This year I counted 23. They fill all my available shelves. We (Jan and I) also took down my Jim Shore nativity. It is the nativity that has all sorts of stories carved into each piece. Again, I can hardly put them away. But Jan was telling the wise men that they did a really good job of holding out their hands and they could have a little rest now, and I was agreeing but secretly I was worried about what a bad influence I am on friends that I spend a lot of time with....when they start talking to "things" the way I do.

It feels good to have things a little back to normal. And I’m decorating for Valentine’s so it is time! I really do have Valentines on my mind....


A real treat in the afternoon was when Colleen L. came over to get jump started about creative journaling. We had the best visit together and I think she was happy to hear about "writing your concluding remarks" and also focusing on her "small plates." All the rest is dessert. I look forward to her sharing her writing with me. I love to get vignettes in the mail from people (Cali!!!! Send me more!) and it is fun to encourage each other in this passion of mine.

Two deaths in the news disturbed me. Heath Ledger, a young movie star (I loved A Knight’s Tale) was found dead at 28. And then an extreme skier, also 28 died up in the canyons, in a skiing accident. I have a boy that age (and he is cuter than Heath Ledger and also an extreme skier) so it really tugged at my heartstrings. How does a parent lose a child? My heart just aches for the families left behind.

And prayer has been on my mind for a variety of reasons. When you have a heartache or troubles or concerns, the first thing you want to do is get on your knees. Today I'm aching for someone who needs answers to prayers. Sometimes it is a hard process to get in that listening mode. At Girl's Night Out last week, as Loretta was telling us about her trip to Norway, she mentioned how her exchange student, Annika, was answering somebody about what Mormons were like. She said that we prayed, but Mormons don't have regular prayers, they "just make them up."

So, today is a "make up prayer day." It's enough to make you smile.....

Almost Snowed Inn

Frosty is hoping for a whole village of friends.

Cousin Casey's car from the rear.

Cousin Casey's car from the side!

This is the side of the greenhouse/pool. It gets quite the avalanche. Underneath that pile of snow is a 4 ft. hedge. You can see the 6 foot plus pergolas in front. And my Italian fountain is under there as well. There could be a body or two but we won't know for a few months.....

So....did I mention we got a little snow? Did I mention I spent most of the day jumping up in the air and clicking my heels? You do know what an exaggerator I am and if I could really jump up in the air and click my heels, surely I would have a picture of it. And I wouldn't have to spend my big ol'20 minutes plus on the treadmill. So, okay, I clapped a lot. Clapped for the snow that fell in abundance! We LOVE snow!!!!

Got a call yesterday morning from a friend who goes to the Hale Theatre regularly with a group of friends. One of the couples (Linda and Kelly Shepherd, Ann!) was in Croatia, picking up parents on a mission (how cool!) and so they had two extra tickets. I may have mentioned that David's really not a "play" guy. He's more of a rodeo guy. But he was a good sport. We had dinner at Debra and Dan Simon's home...with Rochelle and Dave Clark and Kathy and Greg Wilson (of Jet Ski fame....BOAT ON! ) Then we headed to the Hale Theater. On the way home, I thanked David for going with me. He said, "Whatever makes you happy even if it means seeing a play that is as weird as a two-dollar bill!" Now THAT is true love!

Monday List

Our biggest snow storm to date....over a foot and a half and still snowing hard! Yes! We love it!

Things I need to get going on this week:

1-design a Valentine that reflects my personality for the next Bucket group which is at my house on Feb. 5th. We’re all bringing Valentines....how fun will that be???

2-write a thank you note to Elaine Ipson, for sending me a book of poetry she published at Christmas. Elaine is an older woman that I wrote with in a group for years. She is this quiet angel, who has always had amazing insight into nature and the world around us. She is someone that I have adored. Her health is very fragile right now- she reminds me of a delicate bird. I miss seeing her and hearing her insight. So her gift is a treasure. She writes with a voice I love.

3-watch the kiddo’s. I think Brandi just has one patient.

4-a gal in our Stake called this past week and plans to come over today so I can get her started on creative journal writing. I love to do this and look forward to getting to know her better.

5- send my sister-in-law Laraine a birthday card and a surprise

6-plan something for Addison for her birthday this week. She turns two!!!

7-figure out how to see Dan In Real Life this week. It is at the dollar flicks and I just need a date. David is out of town for two days so I’m looking!

8-clean the refrigerator (again!!!) (I hate this job)

9-read a chapter a day in Bk of M. I start 2Nephi tomorrow. I haven’t missed a chapter a day all year.

10- Do at least 20 minutes a day on treadmill, 6 days. I can handle 20 minutes. Maybe not 21. I’ve been great this past week on treadmill. But I would still rather be a slug. And 20 minutes is barely more than breathing, I realize, but it is a start!

11-Make a few phone calls and assignments for the next Creative Cooking- we’ll be doing quiches and cream puffs.

12- Organize my Christmas closet. I have a huge closet under my stairs that holds my Christmas stuff perfectly. That is, when everything isn’t crammed in there without being organized. Where is Pretty Patty Petty when I need her?????

13- Get started on an art picture! Good grief....I can’t seem to get kicked into gear!

Today is Martin Luther King Day. Last winter we took Ben and Suzie out to dinner up at Alta. Somehow the conversation came around to Martin Luther King and I said how I used to always think he was wonderful, then read that he had extramarital relationships and how I didn’t really think he was so great anymore. Suzie quietly wondered if that negated all the wonderful things he did. I thought about that quiet statement for months, and one time, when they (Ben and Susie) were in Alaska, I told Ben to tell Suzie that I been reflecting on our conversation and realized that she was right. He was an amazing man who inspired so many. No, he wasn’t perfect but he did many great things. And I am very glad there is a holiday to celebrate not just his life, but ideals and goals he saw for the greater good and to help correct injustices in the world. Here are some quotes of his that I love:

Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.

I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Martin Luther King Jr.

The Sunday Funnies

This morning Casey shared with me a story from his friend, Brian. Casey and Brian worked together at BYU as sport's camp counselors and Casey tells me he is the greatest storyteller. First he told me about a story about Brian's dad, who was getting ready to eat a big brownie. The brownie had powdered sugar on top, and before he took a bite, he inhaled, causing all the powdered sugar to inhale up his throat and lungs and he them tells this great story about his dad "almost dying" with the powered sugar attack. Then today, Casey receives this email from his friend:

"Oh man, I just heard another great story about my dad. Do you remember the powdered sugar brownie story? This one may be its rival. Well, this fool likes to have himself a handful of chocolate chips every now and then, but my mom keeps a pretty close eye on that type of thing. So he has to restrict himself to only taking a small unrecognizable amount at a time. However, once in a blue moon he will lose control and take an extra couple handfuls, from which there is no return. In this case there is only one logical thing to do - go to the store and buy another bag, make an identical incision in the bag so as to match the one he so shamefully devoured, and remove just enough chips from the new bag in order to fool my ever so meticulous mother. Then you discard the empty bag in a neighbors trash can and you are home free. The plan was working so well! But the next day my mom enters the living room and awakes my father with a loud, "Donald!" As his vision begins to focus he can see an angry woman holding a small, yet terrifying bag of chocolate chips from the cupboard. A guilty expression wipes across his face as he tries to figure what he did wrong. Did he open the bag from the wrong side? Did he leave the wrong amount in the bag? Then my mom breaks the silence with, "I always buy semi-sweet, not milk chocolate. Better luck next time, fatty."

Later, man. Brian


Oh my!!!!

Meme from Jane

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8:15 sorry....that's my luxury!

2. Diamonds or pearls? pearls Mostly, though, I like chunky funky. Not the real thing.

3. What was the last movie you saw? Went last night and saw The Bucket List with David and Kirk and Cathy. Other than typical Jack Nicholson languge, I loved it.

4. Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been? Can't choose....Alaska or Garmish, Germany or Lake Attilan, Guatemala or a beach in Jamaica or......you get the idea!

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Ovaltine and toast or a bowl of Life or HoneyNut Cherrio's cereal

6. What is your middle name? Kay (after my father's initial) but when I got married, I starting using my maiden name, Darley

7. What food do you dislike? Brussell Sprouts, Liver, sushi (I know, I know, there are many kinds......)

8. What is your favorite CD? It is usually a mix I make

9. What kind of car do you drive? 2007 Jeep

10. Favorite sandwich? prime rib sandwich - I love turkey sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches, peanut butter and honey, grilled cheese, tuna, most combo's.

11. What characteristics do you despise? When people are crude or unkind.

12. Favorite item of clothing? the longer t-shirts like Mod Bod or Shades. I wear them under everything.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go? Italy. The New England States.

14. What color is your bathroom? It is a gray blue color with antiqued gold travertine on the floor and jaccuzi and shower. With a beehive inlay.

1 5. Favorite brand of clothing? no favorites

16. Where would you retire? Home. Where my family is.

1 7. What was your most memorable birthday? Giant surprise party given by friends when I turned 39, complete with an hour long video with funny stuff from a million friends....

18. Favorite sport to watch? eating. Oh, a sport. I'm really not a sports watcher. I eat the popcorn and watch the cheerleaders, if they have cheerleaders, then twiddle my thumbs. I'm a little more into rodeo. I can't believe I'm saying that. Yeah, I'd have to say rodeo.

19. Furthest place you are sending this? Where ever you are!

20. Who do you expect to send this back to you?

21. Person you expect to send it back first?

22. Favorite saying? so many. I love quotes. My "constant growing amazement" quote by Elder Buche which I have on my profile.

23. When is your birthday? January 29!!! It's almost here!!!!

24. Are you a morning person or a night person? SOOO not a morning person. I would rather putter at night.

25. What is your shoe size? 8

26. Pets? Just deer and squirrels. Lots of squirrels. David has 4 or 5 horses. The number keeps growing so I'm never sure!

27. What did you want to be when you were little? a mom. a writer.

28. What are you today? content.

29. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate-covered gummi bears from Chocolate Covered Wagon. Milk chocolate. Big Hunks.

30. What is your favorite flower? Sunflowers, blue salvia, flax, gerber daisy's, and on and on and on....

31. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? my birthday, activities in Feb., Powell in June

32. What are you listening to right now? just the sound of the fireplace

33. What was the last thing you ate? last night, after popcorn at the movies, we ate the Joe's Crab Shack. I had shrimp alfredo.

34. Do you wish on stars? absolutely!

35. Do you believe in Angels? Yes! My mom, my daughter, my daughters-in-law, girlfriends, my ancestors......

36. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Yellow. It is my signature color!

37. Pet peeves? Mostly my answers to #11

38. Favorite Television show? Dancing with the Stars or later Idol (after the silliness) and sometimes Medium. House Hunters. Designed to Sell.

39. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Cathy

40. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Of course!

41. Favorite soft drink? Vanilla Diet Coke. Prefer caffeine-free.

42. Favorite restaurant? Cheesecake Factory

43. Hair Color? multi-colored. I have been blonde/blonde all my life until the last few years.

44. Siblings? 1 brother

46. What was your favorite toy as a child? Loved Easy Bake Ovens. Loved the game "Life." My best friend, Debbie, and I named each of our little plastic babies. With just a spin of the wheel, life was a breeze! Ha!

47. Summer or Winter? I adore every single season!!!! Bring it on!

48. Hugs or kisses? Very affectionate but I'd say hugs!

49. Chocolate or vanilla? chocolate, of course!

50. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? If they have time

51. When was the last time you cried? When someone was telling me something sad. I can't remember the last time I cried an unhappy cry. My last full-out sobbing episode was when Capt. Elliot died.

52. What is under your bed? Heh, I'll go look! Okay, 2 socks (not matching) 1 kid's Thanksgiving Indian headdress, 1 little girl's hairbow and 4 books I started and didn't finish. Oh, and 1 hanger and 1 kleenex. Looks like it needs a good cleaning!

53. Who is the friend you've had longest? My best friend from elementary school, Debbie. She lives in Springville now. We don't talk often but every other month or so. I keep friends so I have them from growing up, college, young marrieds, every place we've lived.

54. What did you do last night for dinner? answer to #33

55. Favorite smell? vanilla or Tropical Mist air freshener by Glade

56. What are you most afraid of? Losing anyone. Losing control of my thoughts/body

57. How many keys on your key ring? 2

58. How many years at your current job? Well, being a grandma? 9 Being a mom? 34 Wife? 35

59. Favorite day of the week? I love them all for different reasons.

60. How many towns have you lived in? Only 5 and only 2 since I've been married- Provo and Sandy. (Rupert, Idaho-Moses Lake, WA-Rexburg, Id.-Provo, Ut- and Sandy, UT.)

61. Do you make friends easily? I just don't make them, I keep them. They are my treasures!

62. How many folks will you send this to: I won't send it to people. If they read it and respond, I'd LOVE to hear from them!

And now, I think I had bettered go vacuum under my bed! And hop on the treadmill (just my 3rd day in a row) and have some cereal for breakfast and battle with my washing machine some more and plan out Primary for tomorrow.......

Star Gazing

Cousin Casey and I have been talking about a friend of his, Skippy. Skippy has this obsession with stars. Movie stars. Each year he hangs out at Sundance during the film festival to see who he can spot and have his picture taken with. He just called on the phone- Casey put him on speaker phone, so we could hear the latest. And Casey and I just shake our heads. Colin Farrell was his biggest conversation today. He went on and on about directors and shows and people and....

So, I’m wondering what age you get when you are no longer memorized by movie stars. When you realize they aren’t usually worthy of adulation. Marci’s (my daughter-in-law) dad, Bob, played bass for several popular groups in the 60's and 70s. He said one time he was on stage and the crowds were going crazy screaming and he looked around at all the guys in the band and realized what a drugged up mess they all were.....and just walked away. He later found the church and his life has never been the same. That has always impressed me. I wonder how many people can do that?

I used to go to the LA Gift show for many years with a huge group of girlfriends. It is during January and the Golden Globes. One year we ended up crashing the Golden Globes (well, after) and it was probably one of my most embarrassing moments. Yes, we did see many famous people but honestly, I thought, who cares? I’m not so much a star gazer.

I think it was 3 years ago, Brendalyn had GNO in January. When we got to her house, we found the dinner all in containers on the counter. We were puzzled. Then she told us to put on our coats and we went outside....to a waiting limo! We took dinner and ate in the car, laughing like we always do. We did drive up to the Sundance festival in Park City, got out and walked the strip. The air was so cold and walking was brisk, but being with friends was the best. The riding in the limo a hoot. The evening a blast...but the stars had nothing to do with it!

One year, when we went to LA, it was at the beginning of the Krispy Creme Donut craze. We didn't have one in Utah yet. So after we saw our "show" (whatever traveling Broadway show was there...one year we saw "Sunset Blvd." with Glenn Close (or was it Faye Dunaway?), one year Beauty and the Beast, I can't remember after that....), we were DETERMINED to find the Krispy Creme store. So we were hauling around the city, looking for the address, looking for the creme. We finally got to a real-uprise-building part of town. We thought it was odd but we were not going to be deterred. Even when we had to valet park. All 10 of us (maybe 12) in some caravan sort of car, piled out. We were laughing and chattering as we hopped on the elevator. Not a quiet group! What were we going to, a food court? We didn't care...we were getting our Krispy Cremes! The elevator opened and we kind of piled out laughing and carrying on. It was a huge office space and dead silent, as all the "corporate" people were stunned! No cute Krispy Creme stand. No green light flashing. How embarrassing.....

Actually, the biggies at corporate headquarters were flattered. They invited us in "the big boy's" office and someone even scrounged up a box of leftover donuts from a coffee break when they learned we had come all the way from Utah (multiply wives of the same husband...they loved that) just to get a Krispy Creme.

So, I guess what I am saying is this, "I don't stalk stars. Just food. Go figure....."

Brrrr!

Boy, it is bitterly cold outside! Today Parker and Gracie are going skiing with their mom and Uncle Ben while I take the little girls. They might turn into popsicles. I’m not sure when this cold spell is suppose to warm up but I think I’ll just spend my time indoors, before the fire.
Yesterday was awesome. I had forgotten that Elsa and Gayle and I had visiting teaching lunch. We had changed the date so many times, it got lost on me. But how perfect! Gayle chose Mimi’s and gave the lesson. We reflected alot on Sister Beck's marvelous address in the general women's meeting. I love Elsa and Gayle and the relationship we have. Since Elsa is going on another trip and won’t be here for my birthday, they treated me to lunch. Another bonus! And Elsa gave me the cutest belt I have EVER seen. That is because I said once to her that my goal was to get to a size where I could wear a drop dead gorgeous belt. Well, I GOT the belt, but maybe I’ll have to wear it as a necklace!

Detail on belt... Isn't it fabulous?!!

Bro. Wilcox’s class was great. I’ll give details in another post. Gave me another whole brain load of information to ponder.

Afterwards, Elsa and I stopped at Rodworks. This is one of my favorite stores and they had a ton of new things since I had been there last. Valentines and Easter and Garden things. I was able to get several things, including Valene’s thank you gift.

I’m already thinking of things I have in February. Feb. 5th I host the Bucket Group and I’ll already excited and making plans. Then Creative Cooking is Feb. 13th and we will continue French Cooking without Valene, who will be in Hawaii. I think we’ll do quiche, and cream puffs, a little fondue. And a fabulous Valentine treat I love to make. Normally I have my gratitude luncheon in December but this year I decided February would be better so I am planning on that when Elsa gets home from Asia on Feb. 26th. I’m excited about them all!

Brandi got called to the Young Women’s presidency and last night was her first night. Then Ryan is the Cub Master and last night was Pinewood Derby which is a HUGE undertaking. I asked her what the kids were doing and she said "running wild!" I called Tanner that doesn’t work too far from them and he was a doll and ran out to Brandi’s and picked up the little girls and I met him halfway (since he was going elsewhere) and picked them up and brought them home. I was just so grateful for Tanner, who has such a happy countenance. When I ask him to do something, he is eager to help. About 9:00, as David and I were getting ready to then drive the girls home again (it is about 25 minutes away), Tanner called and said he would come home and get them and take them back again. What a doll! He is a great son.

Brandi’s call to YW’s has been a little heart wrenching. Wednesday nights she does her service to her friend, Maryanne, who died in childbirth one year ago tomorrow, leaving a brand new baby and 4 other children. Rob is in Ymen’s and that is really his night to get out of the house. Brandi goes each Wed. night, usually with Dennilynne or Karen and they play with the kids, get them ready for bed and tuck them in. It has been a sweet ministry. What a beautiful family! I’m so touched by Brandi and her friends’ devotion to them. One time the 10-year old boy was invited somewhere and he said, "No, that is the night that Brandi comes and I don’t want to miss her." Wow!

"There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." Edith Wharton