Just a reminder...you have one day left to enter contest (and only two have entered so far!) Don't be shy....anyone who reads this journal is WELCOME to enter! This is what you need to do:
Send in a comment answering either 8 things on your wish list or 8 things you are looking forward to and on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m., I will draw a winner....for a set of magic earrings! And to sweeten the pot, a Christmas cd.
I'll draw a winner at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Last Installment-First Person Faith
Each Sunday for the last 3 Sundays, I have posted excerpts from a talk given in Oct. of 2007 by Elder Ronald H. Hammond called "First-person Faith in God." You can Google it to read it in its entirety. Just wonderful, especially when you examine your own life and the oil in your personal lamp.
Here is the concluding portion:
PRINCIPLE 4: DEVELOPING FIRST-PERSON FAITH IN GOD MATURES INTO DOUBT NOT, FEAR NOT, ONLY BELIEVE.
Alma counseled his son Helaman, "look to God and live." On a first-person level, look to God in every thought, for everything. Turn your life and everything about it over to Father. Look to Him, doubt not, fear not, only believe.
I have pondered much about why Alma would say to Helaman, and not his other two sons, "look to God and live." It seems significant that this is the same Helaman who, just eight years or so later would lead a little rag-tag band of 2000 believing boys to war.
Each boy would survive because of first-person faith. Each had to know that God would preserve him if he looked to God and did not doubt. Each had to know he must obey with exactness. And when he, scarcely knowing one end of a sword from another, lunged into battle, each boy had to yield his fears to God. It was just that literal, "look to God…and live or look elsewhere…and die.
And who was their leader? Who helped them develop first-person faith in God? It was Helaman who was looking to God in every thought, doubting not and fearing not – because the prophet had told him to.
When we look to God, we yield to Him everything – our fears, our doubts, and our own stern preferences, with the meek entreaty, "Thy will, not mine be done."
And brothers and sisters, it really should be a cheerful yielding of the heart. Our submission should not be a grumpy "giving up" to the universal superpower who is going to win the arm wrestle anyway. But rather a joyful yielding because we know that what God wants is truly the best thing that could ever happen to us. Therefore, when grappling with life’s heavy-weight trials, don’t yell "uncle!"— just pray, "Father!"
This comes easily, even naturally, when the steps ahead are well lit and clearly marked. But, for faith to grow, some things must, for now, remain unseen. What then, do you do when the next step of the trial as well as the duration and outcome of the trial are hidden? You obey God, doubt not, fear not, only believe.
The scriptures are filled with experiences wherein prophets and disciples struggled to develop first-person faith in God in the face of stifling unknowns. How much easier it would have been had they known, while in the furnace, how things would eventually turn out.
For example, look with me down the long corridor of time. We see Father Abraham preparing, as God had commanded, to sacrifice his only begotten son, Isaac – hot tears matching the heat of the fiery trial. Then, as he raises the sacrificial dagger, you and I call to him down through the millennia, "Abraham, O Abraham, don’t worry. It’s all going to be just fine! See, I have the book! I know how this story ends! Abraham, hang in there, don’t give up!" But Abraham, in the thick of developing first-person faith cannot, must not, hear us. It must be just Abraham and God. Then, after the fiery trial of his faith, the miracle occurs, we sigh with relief, and Abraham becomes not only the father of millions, but the father of the faithful as well.
And what about those 2000 Lamanite youth under Helaman’s command –youth near the age of many of you? The most powerful army of the Lamanites pursues them for a couple of days then silence. And then the terrible questions must be answered, questions like: "Do we turn back to help Antipus? And, is it an ambush? And, could you show me again how to hold a cimeter?" Back they go, this little band that never before has fought an enemy. And we call down the corridor of time, "Hello! You are going to win and not one of you will be killed! Here, read Alma chapters 56 through 58. We love you! Thanks for your examples. Remember, your team wins!"
But, again, they cannot, must not, hear us. It must be each youth and his God. Only after the trial of their first-person faith was it written, "And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe."
Looking down the shorter corridor of more recent history, we see pioneers struggling through unimaginable hardships trekking westward to their beloved Zion.
Thirteen-year-old Mary Goble of the Hunt wagon company had already lost two younger sisters and a younger brother on the journey. As she and the rest of her family neared the Salt Lake Valley, her mother slipped away also. They arrived in Salt Lake City on December 11, 1856.
Mary wrote in her journal, "three out of the four that were living were frozen. My mother was dead in the wagon. When Brigham Young came in, he shook hands with all of us. When he saw our condition, our feet frozen and our mother dead, tears rolled down his cheeks. The doctor wanted to cut my feet off at the ankles, but President Young said, ‘No, just cut off the toes and I promise you that you will never have to take them off any farther,’…The doctor amputated my toes using a saw and a butcher knife. That afternoon, my mother was buried."
But it wasn’t over. Mary married Richard Pay whose wife and baby girl had died on the westward trek. They had 13 children, three of whom died very young. After 21 years of marriage, and still with little children to care for, Mary’s oldest son died. One year later her husband passed away and the following year another son died. She lived another twenty years as a widow.
And we, through our tears, call down that corridor of years and cry with all the compassion within us, "Mary, O Mary, don’t give up. It’s all going to work out. We know the rest of the story! One of your grandchildren will be Marjorie Pay Hinckley, wife of a mighty prophet of God. O Mary, listen to his words about you."
This is…a marvelous but simple faith, an unquestioning conviction that the God of Heaven in his power will make all things right and bring to pass his eternal purposes in the lives of his children.
We need so very, very much a strong burning of that faith in the living God and in his living, resurrected Son, for this was the great moving faith of our gospel forebears….With faith they sought to do his will. With faith they read and accepted divine teaching. With faith they labored until they dropped, always with a conviction that there would be an accounting to him who was their Father and their God.
"Mary, your story of faith will live on. The husband of your granddaughter will become the prophet whose words, "It will all work out," will give hope to millions of us in our own trek through life.
But Mary, with dying mother and siblings and frozen toes cannot hear us. Mary, living in unspeakable poverty and losing two sons and a husband in three years, must not hear us.
Through her wine press circumstances wherein her first-person faith was born and nurtured, Mary Pay would learn to lean on the Lord and submit her will to his…a true life drama with but one cast member and one director. It had to be just Mary and her Father in Heaven.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow.
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
PERSONAL APPLICATION OF FIRST-PERSON FAITH As it was Mary Pay, with Abraham, with Helaman’s 2000, and with so many, many others of whom we read in scriptures and journals, so it will and must be with you. In your own wine press encounters, you must do as Elder Henry B. Eyring counseled missionaries in Reynosa, Mexico, "Trust the Lord, get some sleep, and wake up happy." Sooner or later, and better sooner than later, you will learn to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding"….and to let him direct your paths. And when life’s trials become particularly challenging, then listen. Can you hear you—talking to you? From a point years in the future, you call back down the corridor of time to you here in October 2007. "Hey me, that’s right you. Pretty tough right now is it? O, don’t give up. Hang in there. Trust the Lord, get some sleep and wake up happy. It will all work out. See! I’ve got the book! I know what happens next. My past is still your future and I know everything will be just fine. Believe you…me!"
Here and now in the thick of first-person faith things, you are not allowed to know how or when things will turn out…just that they will. For now, it is enough to submit eagerly to Him whose ways, ideas, and power are higher, brighter and mightier than your own,
"Where can I turn for peace? Who can understand?" The Lord is very concerned about how we answer these hymnal questions and so should we. Our first-person faith depends on our answering them correctly. "He only" is the only right answer.
Developing first-person faith in God then:
Refers to a process
Requires personal involvement
Involves remembering Jesus always
Matures into doubt not, fear not, only believe.
Brothers and sisters, you will not need to wait long before you have occasion to apply these principles. Today, sometime after you leave devotional and before you fall off to sleep tonight, you will likely have one experience, or several, that will let you know Father in Heaven is at work helping your first-person faith to grow. Maybe a small trial, maybe a major challenge, either way, you will be asked to look to Him, to doubt not, to fear not, and to let Him direct your life’s course. In a world where sorrow ever will be known, look up my soul is very good advice. Look up to God and live!
Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. And it is the first, "first-person" principle as well. First-person faith in God will move you past His generalized interest in humanity to an assurance of His first-person involvement in all of the first-person ups and downs of your life.
I commend each of you for what you do and for who you are. You are accomplishing much through your faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Much will yet be asked of you that will require ever-increasing reserves of first-person faith. I testify that God lives. He is worthy of our unrestricted trust and is mighty to make good on all his promises. With all my soul, I witness that His Son, Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior and Redeemer. He is, for you and me and all others, now and forever, the deserving focus of our first-person faith.
Here is the concluding portion:
PRINCIPLE 4: DEVELOPING FIRST-PERSON FAITH IN GOD MATURES INTO DOUBT NOT, FEAR NOT, ONLY BELIEVE.
Alma counseled his son Helaman, "look to God and live." On a first-person level, look to God in every thought, for everything. Turn your life and everything about it over to Father. Look to Him, doubt not, fear not, only believe.
I have pondered much about why Alma would say to Helaman, and not his other two sons, "look to God and live." It seems significant that this is the same Helaman who, just eight years or so later would lead a little rag-tag band of 2000 believing boys to war.
Each boy would survive because of first-person faith. Each had to know that God would preserve him if he looked to God and did not doubt. Each had to know he must obey with exactness. And when he, scarcely knowing one end of a sword from another, lunged into battle, each boy had to yield his fears to God. It was just that literal, "look to God…and live or look elsewhere…and die.
And who was their leader? Who helped them develop first-person faith in God? It was Helaman who was looking to God in every thought, doubting not and fearing not – because the prophet had told him to.
When we look to God, we yield to Him everything – our fears, our doubts, and our own stern preferences, with the meek entreaty, "Thy will, not mine be done."
And brothers and sisters, it really should be a cheerful yielding of the heart. Our submission should not be a grumpy "giving up" to the universal superpower who is going to win the arm wrestle anyway. But rather a joyful yielding because we know that what God wants is truly the best thing that could ever happen to us. Therefore, when grappling with life’s heavy-weight trials, don’t yell "uncle!"— just pray, "Father!"
This comes easily, even naturally, when the steps ahead are well lit and clearly marked. But, for faith to grow, some things must, for now, remain unseen. What then, do you do when the next step of the trial as well as the duration and outcome of the trial are hidden? You obey God, doubt not, fear not, only believe.
The scriptures are filled with experiences wherein prophets and disciples struggled to develop first-person faith in God in the face of stifling unknowns. How much easier it would have been had they known, while in the furnace, how things would eventually turn out.
For example, look with me down the long corridor of time. We see Father Abraham preparing, as God had commanded, to sacrifice his only begotten son, Isaac – hot tears matching the heat of the fiery trial. Then, as he raises the sacrificial dagger, you and I call to him down through the millennia, "Abraham, O Abraham, don’t worry. It’s all going to be just fine! See, I have the book! I know how this story ends! Abraham, hang in there, don’t give up!" But Abraham, in the thick of developing first-person faith cannot, must not, hear us. It must be just Abraham and God. Then, after the fiery trial of his faith, the miracle occurs, we sigh with relief, and Abraham becomes not only the father of millions, but the father of the faithful as well.
And what about those 2000 Lamanite youth under Helaman’s command –youth near the age of many of you? The most powerful army of the Lamanites pursues them for a couple of days then silence. And then the terrible questions must be answered, questions like: "Do we turn back to help Antipus? And, is it an ambush? And, could you show me again how to hold a cimeter?" Back they go, this little band that never before has fought an enemy. And we call down the corridor of time, "Hello! You are going to win and not one of you will be killed! Here, read Alma chapters 56 through 58. We love you! Thanks for your examples. Remember, your team wins!"
But, again, they cannot, must not, hear us. It must be each youth and his God. Only after the trial of their first-person faith was it written, "And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe."
Looking down the shorter corridor of more recent history, we see pioneers struggling through unimaginable hardships trekking westward to their beloved Zion.
Thirteen-year-old Mary Goble of the Hunt wagon company had already lost two younger sisters and a younger brother on the journey. As she and the rest of her family neared the Salt Lake Valley, her mother slipped away also. They arrived in Salt Lake City on December 11, 1856.
Mary wrote in her journal, "three out of the four that were living were frozen. My mother was dead in the wagon. When Brigham Young came in, he shook hands with all of us. When he saw our condition, our feet frozen and our mother dead, tears rolled down his cheeks. The doctor wanted to cut my feet off at the ankles, but President Young said, ‘No, just cut off the toes and I promise you that you will never have to take them off any farther,’…The doctor amputated my toes using a saw and a butcher knife. That afternoon, my mother was buried."
But it wasn’t over. Mary married Richard Pay whose wife and baby girl had died on the westward trek. They had 13 children, three of whom died very young. After 21 years of marriage, and still with little children to care for, Mary’s oldest son died. One year later her husband passed away and the following year another son died. She lived another twenty years as a widow.
And we, through our tears, call down that corridor of years and cry with all the compassion within us, "Mary, O Mary, don’t give up. It’s all going to work out. We know the rest of the story! One of your grandchildren will be Marjorie Pay Hinckley, wife of a mighty prophet of God. O Mary, listen to his words about you."
This is…a marvelous but simple faith, an unquestioning conviction that the God of Heaven in his power will make all things right and bring to pass his eternal purposes in the lives of his children.
We need so very, very much a strong burning of that faith in the living God and in his living, resurrected Son, for this was the great moving faith of our gospel forebears….With faith they sought to do his will. With faith they read and accepted divine teaching. With faith they labored until they dropped, always with a conviction that there would be an accounting to him who was their Father and their God.
"Mary, your story of faith will live on. The husband of your granddaughter will become the prophet whose words, "It will all work out," will give hope to millions of us in our own trek through life.
But Mary, with dying mother and siblings and frozen toes cannot hear us. Mary, living in unspeakable poverty and losing two sons and a husband in three years, must not hear us.
Through her wine press circumstances wherein her first-person faith was born and nurtured, Mary Pay would learn to lean on the Lord and submit her will to his…a true life drama with but one cast member and one director. It had to be just Mary and her Father in Heaven.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow.
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
PERSONAL APPLICATION OF FIRST-PERSON FAITH As it was Mary Pay, with Abraham, with Helaman’s 2000, and with so many, many others of whom we read in scriptures and journals, so it will and must be with you. In your own wine press encounters, you must do as Elder Henry B. Eyring counseled missionaries in Reynosa, Mexico, "Trust the Lord, get some sleep, and wake up happy." Sooner or later, and better sooner than later, you will learn to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding"….and to let him direct your paths. And when life’s trials become particularly challenging, then listen. Can you hear you—talking to you? From a point years in the future, you call back down the corridor of time to you here in October 2007. "Hey me, that’s right you. Pretty tough right now is it? O, don’t give up. Hang in there. Trust the Lord, get some sleep and wake up happy. It will all work out. See! I’ve got the book! I know what happens next. My past is still your future and I know everything will be just fine. Believe you…me!"
Here and now in the thick of first-person faith things, you are not allowed to know how or when things will turn out…just that they will. For now, it is enough to submit eagerly to Him whose ways, ideas, and power are higher, brighter and mightier than your own,
"Where can I turn for peace? Who can understand?" The Lord is very concerned about how we answer these hymnal questions and so should we. Our first-person faith depends on our answering them correctly. "He only" is the only right answer.
Developing first-person faith in God then:
Refers to a process
Requires personal involvement
Involves remembering Jesus always
Matures into doubt not, fear not, only believe.
Brothers and sisters, you will not need to wait long before you have occasion to apply these principles. Today, sometime after you leave devotional and before you fall off to sleep tonight, you will likely have one experience, or several, that will let you know Father in Heaven is at work helping your first-person faith to grow. Maybe a small trial, maybe a major challenge, either way, you will be asked to look to Him, to doubt not, to fear not, and to let Him direct your life’s course. In a world where sorrow ever will be known, look up my soul is very good advice. Look up to God and live!
Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. And it is the first, "first-person" principle as well. First-person faith in God will move you past His generalized interest in humanity to an assurance of His first-person involvement in all of the first-person ups and downs of your life.
I commend each of you for what you do and for who you are. You are accomplishing much through your faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Much will yet be asked of you that will require ever-increasing reserves of first-person faith. I testify that God lives. He is worthy of our unrestricted trust and is mighty to make good on all his promises. With all my soul, I witness that His Son, Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior and Redeemer. He is, for you and me and all others, now and forever, the deserving focus of our first-person faith.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Leftovers
I'm waiting for Brendalyn to pick me up to walk...it will be a short one this morning since David and I are going to the funeral of a dear man in our Ward/neighborhood who died last Sunday, Lloyd Castelton. He has struggled with Parkinson's disease for many years but has just really been bad for the past few months. Members of the Ward have gone in daily for months to help take care of him and give Nilda some relief. Lloyd and Nilda have lived all over the world. He spoke about 4 or 5 languages. Just a kind, gentle giant...he stood easily 6 ' 8" or more.
Yesterday Brendalyn and I went to see "Twilight." Finally! It is just so interesting to see who they picked for the characters that have lived in our minds. All in all, entertaining. And you can't beat movie popcorn! (And Sue...I won't be taking Jenny to see this one...it would freak her out....)
Don't forget about contest entries. You'll want the magic earrings and cd! Who doesn't like to get little treats in the mail?
I may have posted this before but my mom sent this to me...and I really think it is funny. Hope you're enjoying leftover turkey sandwiches...I think I enjoy them more than the actual dinner!
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. In desperation, John threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior." John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, when the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"
Yesterday Brendalyn and I went to see "Twilight." Finally! It is just so interesting to see who they picked for the characters that have lived in our minds. All in all, entertaining. And you can't beat movie popcorn! (And Sue...I won't be taking Jenny to see this one...it would freak her out....)
Don't forget about contest entries. You'll want the magic earrings and cd! Who doesn't like to get little treats in the mail?
I may have posted this before but my mom sent this to me...and I really think it is funny. Hope you're enjoying leftover turkey sandwiches...I think I enjoy them more than the actual dinner!
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. In desperation, John threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior." John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, when the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"
Friday, November 28, 2008
Eight Things...and a Contest!
Trista is one of my cousin's daughters...living in Provo and working...(and the one that inspired me to get my spikie hair-do) and she tagged me with this meme. Since I am too full of "stuffing" to think, this meme works for me! I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving and is ready to kick off a wonderful Christmas season! This meme is called 8 Things ..
8 TV showsokay...I can tell right off that I’m going to be bad at this one. I don’t watch very much t.v. So I will instead choose to list 8 popular shows I’ve never watched (or watched a complete episode of)
1. Survivor
2. The Great Race
3. Numbers
4. 24
5. Desperate Housewives.
6. I can’t even think of what shows are on.... about the only shows I watch are House Hunters, Designed to Sell, cooking shows (when I'm really bored or sick) American Idol-not the beginning...I wait until they get over the goofy stuff. And Dancing With The Stars, although this season I only saw 4 shows.
8 things I did yesterday...and being Thanksgiving,
I walked 2 ½ miles with Brendalyn
-cooked a prime rib, made gravy, a cobbler, rolls, baked sesame cream cheese appetizer, etc.
-forgot the green bean casserole until after dinner. I always forget to set out one dish- that’s tradition
-played Phase Ten with my son, Ben- beat him
-played Phase Ten with my son, Ryan....beat him (he was skunking me too!)
-Wii bowled with David...he beat me by one pin.
-Had a great time playing and visiting with all the family. During the course of the day, our entire immediate family was here....happy chaos.
-Ate like tomorrow is the beginning of a diet!
8 places I love to eat- I love to eat out almost anywhere...not too big on ethnic places but here is a list of where I go the most often.
Porcupine Grill
Stella’s
Smokey Mountain Pasta and Pizza
Dodo
Cheesecake Factory
Chili’s
Ruby River Steakhouse
Crown burger
8 things I am looking forward to
Christmas GNO at my house
Sophia and family coming for an overnighter
Flying to Washington to see my family
Relief Society Christmas party
Everything Christmasy....I love it all- nativities, the decor, the music and seeing all of Santa's helpers. Christmas Eve and our Snicky-Snack dinner/kid’s jammie night and Christmas day
Snowmen
New Year’s Eve party with friends
Tanner and Brooke’s wedding
8 things on my wish list
-That our country’s economy will stabilize
-That my SIL, Ryan, would be healed
-And employment for him would be great...when he’s healed
-That I can get back on a regular exercise program (to fit in my dress for the wedding!)
-or several people I know with grieving hearts to be comforted and who have difficult lives..that they will be blessed with peace and joy and solutions.
-That my Christmas decorating would be done (I start today)
-Receiving the kiddo’s pictures with Santa
-To get our family pictures back...I’m sooo excited!
8 people I tag-
well, I don’t really tag people. But I will make a little contest out of it. Send in a comment answering either of the last questions- 8 things on your wish list or 8 things you are looking forward to and on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m., I will draw a winner....for a set of magic earrings! And to sweeten the pot, a Christmas cd. Just a little thing but it will brighten up your day.
A Charlie Brown Christmas quote:
Schroeder: This is the music I've selected for the Christmas play.[Schroeder plays Fur Elise]
Lucy Van Pelt: What kind of Christmas music is "that"?
Schroeder: Beethoven Christmas music.
Lucy Van Pelt: What has Beethoven got to do with Christmas? Everyone talks about how "great" Beethoven was. Beethoven wasn't so great.
[Schroeder stops playing]
Schroeder: What do you mean Beethoven wasn't so great?
Lucy Van Pelt: He never got his picture on bubble gum cards, did he? Have you ever seen his picture on a bubble gum card? Hmmm? How can you say someone is great who's never had his picture on bubble gum cards?
Schroeder: Good grief.
8 TV showsokay...I can tell right off that I’m going to be bad at this one. I don’t watch very much t.v. So I will instead choose to list 8 popular shows I’ve never watched (or watched a complete episode of)
1. Survivor
2. The Great Race
3. Numbers
4. 24
5. Desperate Housewives.
6. I can’t even think of what shows are on.... about the only shows I watch are House Hunters, Designed to Sell, cooking shows (when I'm really bored or sick) American Idol-not the beginning...I wait until they get over the goofy stuff. And Dancing With The Stars, although this season I only saw 4 shows.
8 things I did yesterday...and being Thanksgiving,
I walked 2 ½ miles with Brendalyn
-cooked a prime rib, made gravy, a cobbler, rolls, baked sesame cream cheese appetizer, etc.
-forgot the green bean casserole until after dinner. I always forget to set out one dish- that’s tradition
-played Phase Ten with my son, Ben- beat him
-played Phase Ten with my son, Ryan....beat him (he was skunking me too!)
-Wii bowled with David...he beat me by one pin.
-Had a great time playing and visiting with all the family. During the course of the day, our entire immediate family was here....happy chaos.
-Ate like tomorrow is the beginning of a diet!
8 places I love to eat- I love to eat out almost anywhere...not too big on ethnic places but here is a list of where I go the most often.
Porcupine Grill
Stella’s
Smokey Mountain Pasta and Pizza
Dodo
Cheesecake Factory
Chili’s
Ruby River Steakhouse
Crown burger
8 things I am looking forward to
Christmas GNO at my house
Sophia and family coming for an overnighter
Flying to Washington to see my family
Relief Society Christmas party
Everything Christmasy....I love it all- nativities, the decor, the music and seeing all of Santa's helpers. Christmas Eve and our Snicky-Snack dinner/kid’s jammie night and Christmas day
Snowmen
New Year’s Eve party with friends
Tanner and Brooke’s wedding
8 things on my wish list
-That our country’s economy will stabilize
-That my SIL, Ryan, would be healed
-And employment for him would be great...when he’s healed
-That I can get back on a regular exercise program (to fit in my dress for the wedding!)
-or several people I know with grieving hearts to be comforted and who have difficult lives..that they will be blessed with peace and joy and solutions.
-That my Christmas decorating would be done (I start today)
-Receiving the kiddo’s pictures with Santa
-To get our family pictures back...I’m sooo excited!
8 people I tag-
well, I don’t really tag people. But I will make a little contest out of it. Send in a comment answering either of the last questions- 8 things on your wish list or 8 things you are looking forward to and on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m., I will draw a winner....for a set of magic earrings! And to sweeten the pot, a Christmas cd. Just a little thing but it will brighten up your day.
A Charlie Brown Christmas quote:
Schroeder: This is the music I've selected for the Christmas play.[Schroeder plays Fur Elise]
Lucy Van Pelt: What kind of Christmas music is "that"?
Schroeder: Beethoven Christmas music.
Lucy Van Pelt: What has Beethoven got to do with Christmas? Everyone talks about how "great" Beethoven was. Beethoven wasn't so great.
[Schroeder stops playing]
Schroeder: What do you mean Beethoven wasn't so great?
Lucy Van Pelt: He never got his picture on bubble gum cards, did he? Have you ever seen his picture on a bubble gum card? Hmmm? How can you say someone is great who's never had his picture on bubble gum cards?
Schroeder: Good grief.
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Pictures are from last year's children's table.
Last night my son-in-law, my FAVORITE son-in-law, spent hours in the U of U hospital (with Brandi) getting an extensive MRI. We won't have any results for a few days but just the time spent in the machine was excruciating. Please, please, please, we need some answers. Ryan and Brandi both need relief.
I miss the olden days when our family would team up with either David's sister, Laraine and family or with the Dahlquist's. Each of our family has grown, with kid's married and everyone needing to start their own traditions. Today for dinner we will have 19....that doesn't seem like very many to me. All of our kids and their counterparts except Brandi and Ryan and family will be with us.
Last night was heaven cooking. David was at a Jazz game, Tanner gone all evening so I just cooked and cooked. I got the dressing done first, sweet potatoes that are mashed and full of sugar and butter and topped with a praline topping (Heather White's Aunt Jan's recipe.) The mashed potatoes are ready to just be reheated in a crock pot. Two pumpkin roll-ups are in the freezer. The turkey got put in the oven about 10:00 to slow cook most of the evening. This morning I'll just make rolls...then walk with Brendalyn, then home to make the green bean casserole and another couple of desserts. Can I tell you how cooking makes me happy?
The Utah State student that died from alcohol poisoning this past week is my friend, Maniac Rose's nephew's brother-in-law. Their whole family is grieving over this fine boy that got caught up in the craziness of Fraternity hazing. What heartache.
This is our first Thanksgiving without my dear father-in-law. I don't mean this post to sound sad and maudlin...I truly am so thankful for all our blessings. I'm so happy that David's mom is with us.....she was lost for months...but now she has settled into her "routine" and worn out several brooms sweeping. I've never seen anyone sweep so much. She is such a wonderful woman.
I'm anticipating a wonderful day of eating and playing games with the family. I'll leave with my one my favorite CS Lewis quotes:
(From The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe- C.S. Lewis)"
At first Edmund tried to remember that it is rude to speak with one's mouth full, but soon he forgot about this and thought only of trying to shovel down as much Turkish Delight as he could, and the more he ate the more he wanted to eat...."
Thanksgiving ABC's
Since one of the Family Fun ideas was to play Thanksgiving ABC's, I'll give it a try. Here are a few things I'm thankful for right now...
A- Annee will bring a new dynamic to our family when Brooke and Tanner get married. Our family has already taken this little girl into our hearts.
B- Brooke, comes with Annee.....we love her and we are so happy that she makes Tanner happy as well.
C-Celine Dion is who I was going to say...but her concert was cancelled.... David surprised me with tickets.....It has been rescheduled for next year....on a Sunday. Our tickets will be for sale.... So I’ll say CHRISTMAS CAROLS!....I can’t help it.... I've started listening a little already. I can’t get enough of the them!
D-David....I’m married to a wonderful man who brings me great joy!
E- Escalators....I’m thankful I didn’t break my fool neck!
F-fire blazing in the fireplace in my kitchen. I curl up before it every day...it is the comfiest place in our home.
G-girlfriends! Do you know anyone who has more than me? I didn’t think so....
H-hor’dourves....they’ve been on my mind. Soon you’ll see why....
I-Internet shopping has been MY way of shopping this Christmas season. I LOVE it! Most companies offer free shipping....click on the keys and it is delivered to your door! Can’t beat it!
J-juicy turkey and tender prime rib. They will be the main courses on Thanksgiving day. (I have one boy that isn’t a turkey-kind-of-guy!)
K-kiddos! I love all eleven of them and the two on the way (I include Annee "on the way"...)
L-lights! I’ve never had them on my house before! Thanks Tanner and Ross!!! You’re both sooo invited to my birthday party! (That’s what Hallee Babe said to her mom when Brandi did something nice for her....)
M-my parents! Mom did some of my shopping and shipping for me all the way from Washington! I can’t wait to see them in two weeks!
N-New England in the fall. It was on my short bucket list. Heavenly to be there with David and Cathy and Kirk.
O-My favorite ornaments for Christmas are the years and years of pictures I have of a great Old World Santa...with my kiddos. I’m getting quite the collection and I love every one of them!
P-pumpkin pie,pumpkin roll-ups, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin pie squares. Pumpkin makes me sooo happy!
Q- quotes...."As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
R-Realizing that where much is given, much is expected.
S- Soaking in the tub. I bet I have taken over 100 baths in the past month...sometimes during the worst of "the illness" I’d take 4 in a day. How did the pioneers survive without a good hot tubby?
T-Tanner...especially since my baby is getting married in about 5 weeks!
U-Unexpected friends who have come into my life through blogging. I write this blog for my great-great-greats...and for a record of my life...but you have all been an unexpected bonus! I love your comments and your participation in my journal!
V-I’m sorry. I’m stumped at "V." Whenever I think of "v", I have to think of my mom, who asked, "Do you know why one of side of the "v" is longer when geese fly? (Then she answered, "Because there are more geese on that side....")
W-water aerobics this past summer with Brendalyn and girlie friends. It was the ultimate way to exercise....the ultimate laugh zone. And walking 3-5 miles a day the 4 months before that.
X- X means "strike" in Wii bowling! I have actually gotten 7 strikes in a row...once. Of course, Boston, who is 3 once bowled 168 so that tells you how hard it is....
Y-yada-yada-yada. Did you ever know anyone who could talk as much as me?
Z- ha! I know what you are thinking....WHAT will she say for Z? A zebra? The zoo bond passing? Well, fooled you...my cousin, Zella! I found the perfect Christmas gift for her...and already delivered it last week. The best part was that Zella and I (and Charles) got to visit for awhile...and it was wonderful. They have always been a touchstone for me in the gospel and I love them dearly!
A- Annee will bring a new dynamic to our family when Brooke and Tanner get married. Our family has already taken this little girl into our hearts.
B- Brooke, comes with Annee.....we love her and we are so happy that she makes Tanner happy as well.
C-Celine Dion is who I was going to say...but her concert was cancelled.... David surprised me with tickets.....It has been rescheduled for next year....on a Sunday. Our tickets will be for sale.... So I’ll say CHRISTMAS CAROLS!....I can’t help it.... I've started listening a little already. I can’t get enough of the them!
D-David....I’m married to a wonderful man who brings me great joy!
E- Escalators....I’m thankful I didn’t break my fool neck!
F-fire blazing in the fireplace in my kitchen. I curl up before it every day...it is the comfiest place in our home.
G-girlfriends! Do you know anyone who has more than me? I didn’t think so....
H-hor’dourves....they’ve been on my mind. Soon you’ll see why....
I-Internet shopping has been MY way of shopping this Christmas season. I LOVE it! Most companies offer free shipping....click on the keys and it is delivered to your door! Can’t beat it!
J-juicy turkey and tender prime rib. They will be the main courses on Thanksgiving day. (I have one boy that isn’t a turkey-kind-of-guy!)
K-kiddos! I love all eleven of them and the two on the way (I include Annee "on the way"...)
L-lights! I’ve never had them on my house before! Thanks Tanner and Ross!!! You’re both sooo invited to my birthday party! (That’s what Hallee Babe said to her mom when Brandi did something nice for her....)
M-my parents! Mom did some of my shopping and shipping for me all the way from Washington! I can’t wait to see them in two weeks!
N-New England in the fall. It was on my short bucket list. Heavenly to be there with David and Cathy and Kirk.
O-My favorite ornaments for Christmas are the years and years of pictures I have of a great Old World Santa...with my kiddos. I’m getting quite the collection and I love every one of them!
P-pumpkin pie,pumpkin roll-ups, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin pie squares. Pumpkin makes me sooo happy!
Q- quotes...."As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
R-Realizing that where much is given, much is expected.
S- Soaking in the tub. I bet I have taken over 100 baths in the past month...sometimes during the worst of "the illness" I’d take 4 in a day. How did the pioneers survive without a good hot tubby?
T-Tanner...especially since my baby is getting married in about 5 weeks!
U-Unexpected friends who have come into my life through blogging. I write this blog for my great-great-greats...and for a record of my life...but you have all been an unexpected bonus! I love your comments and your participation in my journal!
V-I’m sorry. I’m stumped at "V." Whenever I think of "v", I have to think of my mom, who asked, "Do you know why one of side of the "v" is longer when geese fly? (Then she answered, "Because there are more geese on that side....")
W-water aerobics this past summer with Brendalyn and girlie friends. It was the ultimate way to exercise....the ultimate laugh zone. And walking 3-5 miles a day the 4 months before that.
X- X means "strike" in Wii bowling! I have actually gotten 7 strikes in a row...once. Of course, Boston, who is 3 once bowled 168 so that tells you how hard it is....
Y-yada-yada-yada. Did you ever know anyone who could talk as much as me?
Z- ha! I know what you are thinking....WHAT will she say for Z? A zebra? The zoo bond passing? Well, fooled you...my cousin, Zella! I found the perfect Christmas gift for her...and already delivered it last week. The best part was that Zella and I (and Charles) got to visit for awhile...and it was wonderful. They have always been a touchstone for me in the gospel and I love them dearly!
Thanksgiving Games for the Fam
Game ideas for the big turkey day from Better Homes and Gardens:
Turkey Day Games Get your body and mind moving after a big meal with games that are fun for everyone. And don't forget to have the old standbys on hand -- such as checkers, cards and board games.
Pass the Apple: Form two teams, with equal numbers of players. Line up facing each other, sitting or standing. Place a chair at the head and the end of each line. Place six apples on the chair at the head of each line. Each player grasps the right wrist of the player to the right. The first player picks up an apple with her free hand and puts the apple into the right hand of the player next to her, still keeping hold of their joined hands. The apple must be passed down the line this way and if it drops, it must be picked up without breaking the chain. When all the apples have been passed, reverse the procedure. The team that gets all the apples back to the original chair first is the winner!
Thanksgiving Dinner: Players sit in a circle and the first player starts by saying, "On the first Thanksgiving dinner, the Pilgrims ate turkey." The next player must repeat this and add another dish. The game continues with each player adding an item to the menu. The player who makes a mistake drops out and the game continues until there is one player left.
Pumpkin Roll: Take two large pumpkins and two sturdy sticks (hockey sticks work well). The players line up at the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides. On the count of 3, players use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line. Younger players can use their hands instead of the sticks. This game is easy to play in teams to make a relay race.
Corn Hunt: This game is much like hiding Easter eggs on Easter. Hide kernels of corn around the room. Set a 3-minute timer and let the fun begin. Whoever finds the most wins the game.
Top Turkey: Pick someone to be the fox. The fox stands at one side of the yard while everyone else ("the turkeys") stand at the other side. Then the fox yells "Turkeys on the run!" The fox tries to tag as many turkeys as he can while the turkeys try to get across the yard. The turkeys who are caught join the fox to help catch the balance of the turkeys. The last turkey is declared the "Top Turkey."
Turkey Strut: Place masking tape Xs all over the floor. Start the music and let the children pretend to be turkeys and strut around the room. When the music stops, the turkeys need to be on one of the Xs. Start the music again and let the turkeys strut some more. This game is great for little ones since, unlike Musical Chairs, here there's at least one space for every player.
Wobble Gobble Turkey: Play some upbeat music, and ask the children to move like: big turkey, little turkey, happy turkey, scared turkey, tired turkey, sad turkey, goofy turkey, and any other kind of turkey you can think of.
A to Z: This game lets everyone get in on the act. The first person tells everyone the things he is thankful for that start with the letter "A," like apples, Alaska, and aunts. The next person uses the letter "B," and so on.
Turkey Day Games Get your body and mind moving after a big meal with games that are fun for everyone. And don't forget to have the old standbys on hand -- such as checkers, cards and board games.
Pass the Apple: Form two teams, with equal numbers of players. Line up facing each other, sitting or standing. Place a chair at the head and the end of each line. Place six apples on the chair at the head of each line. Each player grasps the right wrist of the player to the right. The first player picks up an apple with her free hand and puts the apple into the right hand of the player next to her, still keeping hold of their joined hands. The apple must be passed down the line this way and if it drops, it must be picked up without breaking the chain. When all the apples have been passed, reverse the procedure. The team that gets all the apples back to the original chair first is the winner!
Thanksgiving Dinner: Players sit in a circle and the first player starts by saying, "On the first Thanksgiving dinner, the Pilgrims ate turkey." The next player must repeat this and add another dish. The game continues with each player adding an item to the menu. The player who makes a mistake drops out and the game continues until there is one player left.
Pumpkin Roll: Take two large pumpkins and two sturdy sticks (hockey sticks work well). The players line up at the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides. On the count of 3, players use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line. Younger players can use their hands instead of the sticks. This game is easy to play in teams to make a relay race.
Corn Hunt: This game is much like hiding Easter eggs on Easter. Hide kernels of corn around the room. Set a 3-minute timer and let the fun begin. Whoever finds the most wins the game.
Top Turkey: Pick someone to be the fox. The fox stands at one side of the yard while everyone else ("the turkeys") stand at the other side. Then the fox yells "Turkeys on the run!" The fox tries to tag as many turkeys as he can while the turkeys try to get across the yard. The turkeys who are caught join the fox to help catch the balance of the turkeys. The last turkey is declared the "Top Turkey."
Turkey Strut: Place masking tape Xs all over the floor. Start the music and let the children pretend to be turkeys and strut around the room. When the music stops, the turkeys need to be on one of the Xs. Start the music again and let the turkeys strut some more. This game is great for little ones since, unlike Musical Chairs, here there's at least one space for every player.
Wobble Gobble Turkey: Play some upbeat music, and ask the children to move like: big turkey, little turkey, happy turkey, scared turkey, tired turkey, sad turkey, goofy turkey, and any other kind of turkey you can think of.
A to Z: This game lets everyone get in on the act. The first person tells everyone the things he is thankful for that start with the letter "A," like apples, Alaska, and aunts. The next person uses the letter "B," and so on.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thanksgiving Table Favors
After I had already done my Thanksgiving favors, I found this cute candy bar wrapper on Martha Stewart's web site. I've added the link....the wrappers are just put around a candy bar....besides the cute turkey...there is also a place for names for seating. Really they are so cute...two different background prints...just print them off from Martha's template.
Makes you want to eat a pastry, doesn't it....
The other night I made my favors....certainly not as cute as Martha's but they work. They are the same as I did last year. I made rolls (like tp rolls) out of heavy scrapbook paper and double-stick tape, filled them with M & M's and nuts and chex mix (whatever you like to munch on), then rolled them in cellophane and tied them with ribbons. I actually rolled them in cello, tied one end, then filled them. 
Last year I started out to make these (below) but they were a royal pain. I do love the squirrel but getting them to stand up on the tubes.....too much work. But I also used the cute squirrel for other things. You can find this pattern to download at Martha's website as well.
Someone said to me yesterday that they didn't know how I get done all I do! Ha! Truly, I am a slug. I don't work outside the home, I don't have little kiddos running me ragged all day (although I did have Addison and Hallee Babe for the day yesterday).....and if you ever feel overwhelmed, I would love to show you my laundry room and closet! Well, if I showed you those two rooms, I'd have to shoot you. But what I am saying is this. NO ONE does is all! And I am TOTALLY disorganized and have a hard time getting things done....unless they are creative. But my laundry rules me, I don't rule it....and my closet? I just shut the door. Then make favors for my Thanksgiving table.
Trying not to remember that one year ago today, I was here:
Makes you want to eat a pastry, doesn't it....Come To An Art Party
Gracie Raye of Sunshine turned 7 and Hallee Babe turned 5 last week. On Friday, we threw back-to-back parties. Whew! Brandi decided on an "art" theme...these are some of the things we did.
Hallee Babe's cupcakes with crayon candles.
Hallee Babe's cupcakes with crayon candles.
art supplies
Two funny friends...we started with face painting and pizza
Two funny friends...we started with face painting and pizza
This is our Raye of Sunshine....
One activity I had never seen before was painting with your mouth. Brandi had copied leaves in various colors. We added a little water to tempura paint and dropped the watered-down paint with eye droppers on the leaves. The girls then blew the paint dobs with straws until the paint swirled around. The girls LOVED it
to look like this....
Opening gifts to raucous birthday tunes that Ryan put together. They passed a paint brush, and like musical chairs, when the music ended, the person holding the paint bursh got to present her gift. It was fun and the girls got boogying really well (well, Brandi boogied...)
One activity I had never seen before was painting with your mouth. Brandi had copied leaves in various colors. We added a little water to tempura paint and dropped the watered-down paint with eye droppers on the leaves. The girls then blew the paint dobs with straws until the paint swirled around. The girls LOVED it
to look like this....
Opening gifts to raucous birthday tunes that Ryan put together. They passed a paint brush, and like musical chairs, when the music ended, the person holding the paint bursh got to present her gift. It was fun and the girls got boogying really well (well, Brandi boogied...)
Coloring wooden paper dolls....
Brandi made these little art aprons for everyone. Pink and brown leapord print with brown ribbons and individual pockets for their crayons. There were soooo cute!
Painted ceramics.......
made shrinky dink necklaces....
This paint pallette was Sunshine's birthday cake...the paint brushes were made with licorice sticks with cut fruit leather on the ends. The older girls made theirs.
It was fun to see all the little girls (and one boy) from last year. I recognized most of them....and I have to say....they were ALL adorable! Really, I couldn't believe how absolutely darling they all were!
This paint pallette was Sunshine's birthday cake...the paint brushes were made with licorice sticks with cut fruit leather on the ends. The older girls made theirs.
It was fun to see all the little girls (and one boy) from last year. I recognized most of them....and I have to say....they were ALL adorable! Really, I couldn't believe how absolutely darling they all were!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Third Installment-1st Person Faith (my favorite!)
(here is the 3rd installment from one of my favorite talks that I have been posting each Sunday.)
PRINCIPLE 3: DEVELOPING FIRST-PERSON FAITH IN GOD INVOLVES REMEMBERING JESUS ALWAYS.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are under covenant with the Father to always remember His Son, Jesus Christ. One of the many compelling reasons for doing so is that it is essential to an ever-growing first-person faith in the Lord.
Again, we turn to the Book of Mormon for examples. Who can forget Nephi’s extraordinary demonstration of faith when his murderous brothers tried to throw him into the ocean? Unflinching, Nephi stood his ground and said, in so many words, "touch me, you die." And then this unparalleled expression of first-person faith saturated with first-person pronouns.
And I said unto them; If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
How did Nephi do that? Where did he get such great faith? Brothers and sisters, he did it in the very same way that you have and will yet do it. He remembered Jesus. When Nephi’s brothers refused to help him build the ship, he began to speak to them. Now, he did not know that Laman and Lemuel would try to kill him just 25 verses later, but the Lord did and he bolstered Nephi’s faith so it would be sufficient when the crisis came.
One after another, the Holy Ghost brought to Nephi’s mind a virtual cascade of past experiences wherein the Lord saved and strengthened those in need. Israel delivered out of bondage, the Red Sea parted, Israel saved – Pharaoh’s armies drowned, manna from heaven, water from a rock, day cloud, night pillar, cure for fiery serpent venom, and on and on, one faith-building memory of Jesus after another. Then, when the moment of need came, Nephi and his bolstered faith were ready.
Please note however, that something happened, had to happen, in Nephi’s mind to connect God’s involvement in ancient Israel’s lives to Nephi’s present circumstances. This was the connection, "And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many mighty miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?"Nephi went from remembering what God did for others, all the way to trusting He’ll do the same for me!
When life’s challenges bear down upon you, it is not enough to know that Jesus saved ancient Israel and Nephi or that he helped your classmate or roommate. I know that you know that your Redeemer lives must progress to, "I know that my Redeemer lives! Then, when you hear Jesus say, "Peace, be still!" you will know he is talking to your own personal storms and not just in generalities.
But there is another very compelling reason to remember Jesus always and it has everything to do with the inner peace for which every one of us, whether we know it or not, is yearning.
The Bible Dictionary teaches, "Faith must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed himself and his perfect character…so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation."
Remembering Jesus keeps us focused on the Redeemer of Israel, on whom for a blessing we can confidently call. Otherwise, when we slip slightly – or crash terribly – we will look in vain for the Deliverer because he is far from the thoughts and intents of our hearts. In moments of spiritual alarm, when we cry out for help, we will reflexively direct that cry to Christ…if… we have been remembering him always.
Brothers and sisters, the bridegroom does come quickly…and repeatedly in our lives. An unexpected illness, death of a loved one, poor test grade, frustrated relationship, rejection to graduate school, and more…on such occasions the oil of first-person faith in God must already be in our lamps. Where, when my aching grows, where is my solace? We will know, instinctively we will know, where and who our solace is…because we have been thinking about Jesus; because we have been remembering him always.
Our remembering, like our faith, must be centered in Jesus Christ if it is to bring us the peace that we seek.
In the aftermath of sin, Alma the Younger was spiritually going under. In his moment of greatest alarm when this very young and very frightened prodigal needed help like he had never needed it before, his first-person faith in Christ was awakened by a first-person memory of his father’s teachings of Jesus.
And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me…
And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
Young Alma gained a first-person faith that there is a Deliverer in Israel. Alma also learned first-hand that when he remembered Jesus always, he remembered former guilt never. How priceless a truth for all who sin. The Father commands us to repent and remember His Son always, knowing that, a memory of Jesus will crowd out a memory of guilt. How gentle God’s command – indeed!
PRINCIPLE 3: DEVELOPING FIRST-PERSON FAITH IN GOD INVOLVES REMEMBERING JESUS ALWAYS.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are under covenant with the Father to always remember His Son, Jesus Christ. One of the many compelling reasons for doing so is that it is essential to an ever-growing first-person faith in the Lord.
Again, we turn to the Book of Mormon for examples. Who can forget Nephi’s extraordinary demonstration of faith when his murderous brothers tried to throw him into the ocean? Unflinching, Nephi stood his ground and said, in so many words, "touch me, you die." And then this unparalleled expression of first-person faith saturated with first-person pronouns.
And I said unto them; If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.
How did Nephi do that? Where did he get such great faith? Brothers and sisters, he did it in the very same way that you have and will yet do it. He remembered Jesus. When Nephi’s brothers refused to help him build the ship, he began to speak to them. Now, he did not know that Laman and Lemuel would try to kill him just 25 verses later, but the Lord did and he bolstered Nephi’s faith so it would be sufficient when the crisis came.
One after another, the Holy Ghost brought to Nephi’s mind a virtual cascade of past experiences wherein the Lord saved and strengthened those in need. Israel delivered out of bondage, the Red Sea parted, Israel saved – Pharaoh’s armies drowned, manna from heaven, water from a rock, day cloud, night pillar, cure for fiery serpent venom, and on and on, one faith-building memory of Jesus after another. Then, when the moment of need came, Nephi and his bolstered faith were ready.
Please note however, that something happened, had to happen, in Nephi’s mind to connect God’s involvement in ancient Israel’s lives to Nephi’s present circumstances. This was the connection, "And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many mighty miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?"Nephi went from remembering what God did for others, all the way to trusting He’ll do the same for me!
When life’s challenges bear down upon you, it is not enough to know that Jesus saved ancient Israel and Nephi or that he helped your classmate or roommate. I know that you know that your Redeemer lives must progress to, "I know that my Redeemer lives! Then, when you hear Jesus say, "Peace, be still!" you will know he is talking to your own personal storms and not just in generalities.
But there is another very compelling reason to remember Jesus always and it has everything to do with the inner peace for which every one of us, whether we know it or not, is yearning.
The Bible Dictionary teaches, "Faith must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed himself and his perfect character…so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation."
Remembering Jesus keeps us focused on the Redeemer of Israel, on whom for a blessing we can confidently call. Otherwise, when we slip slightly – or crash terribly – we will look in vain for the Deliverer because he is far from the thoughts and intents of our hearts. In moments of spiritual alarm, when we cry out for help, we will reflexively direct that cry to Christ…if… we have been remembering him always.
Brothers and sisters, the bridegroom does come quickly…and repeatedly in our lives. An unexpected illness, death of a loved one, poor test grade, frustrated relationship, rejection to graduate school, and more…on such occasions the oil of first-person faith in God must already be in our lamps. Where, when my aching grows, where is my solace? We will know, instinctively we will know, where and who our solace is…because we have been thinking about Jesus; because we have been remembering him always.
Our remembering, like our faith, must be centered in Jesus Christ if it is to bring us the peace that we seek.
In the aftermath of sin, Alma the Younger was spiritually going under. In his moment of greatest alarm when this very young and very frightened prodigal needed help like he had never needed it before, his first-person faith in Christ was awakened by a first-person memory of his father’s teachings of Jesus.
And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me…
And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
Young Alma gained a first-person faith that there is a Deliverer in Israel. Alma also learned first-hand that when he remembered Jesus always, he remembered former guilt never. How priceless a truth for all who sin. The Father commands us to repent and remember His Son always, knowing that, a memory of Jesus will crowd out a memory of guilt. How gentle God’s command – indeed!
And the Winner Is.....
And the winner is.....
Here's a hint.....this isn't her...... nope, not even if she smiles real big....
But THIS!!!!!! Julie, not Julia!!!!! (Kind of makes you want to break out in song, doesn't it? Except for Sophia, who refuses to see this show. I think it is un-American but that is for another post...)
Julie- mother of Sam and Lizzie (and Princess Emma!) Send me your address info to my email....mdwillpoet@msn.com and let me know if you want a ToysRUs gift card or Tar-Shay! (Target) (See...what goes around comes around....)
I LOVED all the funny stories everyone shared! I loved that some new readers entered. I died when I read about the cut off braids....and Megan, the little girl excited to have lice....grew up to have a career in medicine. Of course she would! The pink eye, the two-lips, everything you shared made me smile! I hope everyone reading this will write down the all the little and big things that make up your life. Your children, your posterity will love you by the things that you leave...and learn as well! Happy journaling!
Here's a hint.....this isn't her...... nope, not even if she smiles real big....
or this.......... not even if she cooks me Thanksgiving dinner!
But THIS!!!!!! Julie, not Julia!!!!! (Kind of makes you want to break out in song, doesn't it? Except for Sophia, who refuses to see this show. I think it is un-American but that is for another post...)
Julie- mother of Sam and Lizzie (and Princess Emma!) Send me your address info to my email....mdwillpoet@msn.com and let me know if you want a ToysRUs gift card or Tar-Shay! (Target) (See...what goes around comes around....)
I LOVED all the funny stories everyone shared! I loved that some new readers entered. I died when I read about the cut off braids....and Megan, the little girl excited to have lice....grew up to have a career in medicine. Of course she would! The pink eye, the two-lips, everything you shared made me smile! I hope everyone reading this will write down the all the little and big things that make up your life. Your children, your posterity will love you by the things that you leave...and learn as well! Happy journaling!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Keep the Contest Going!
You still have some time to post a funny kid thing.....until in the morning at 10:00!!!! I've LOVED reading your funny stuff!
The Football Game!
Tonight was the big BYU/Utah rivalry football game. David watched it at Kirk and Cathy’s...I came at the 3rd quarter since I was at home getting things ready for a birthday after-game party for Cousin Casey (my nephew.)
Last night the four of us (Kirk and Cathy, David and I) went out for dinner at Ruby River Steakhouse...one of my favorite restaurants...it was the first time since we got back from our New England trip that we’ve all been together. Here was the funniest story of the evening:
Bobbye Tillotson married Brandon H. a year ago. He used to play football for BYU....Bobbye was a star soccer player for them as well. So, awhile ago, Brandon announced he had secured tickets for the big game today. Bobbye got excited until he said that it "was a boy thing. Boy bonding." She wasn’t invited. Bobbye was a little ticked so she went to her dad to see if he could get some tickets. In the meantime, Brandon’s tickets fell through...so he then organized a big tailgate party at the Tillotson’s home (his in-law's....Bobbye’s parents.) When Bobbye started to get involved, she was told again, "Sorry, sweetie, you’re not invited. It’s a guy thing." Well, surprise....Bobbye’s dad came through with two tickets. Brandon was so excited....until he was told by Bobbye that he wasn’t invited....it was a GIRL thing! Bobbye planned to take her mom, Nancy, to the game!
I don’t care that BYU lost! Bobbye rules in my opinion!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Contest Today!
This morning is art from 9-11:00...and I'm still not satisfied with my art projects for Hallee Babe and Gracie Raye of Sunshine's parties..... so I'm depending on you to write my entry for today.
Last night, after I got home from Stake RS Women's Conf., for some reason I got out some old journals and started reading things that happened years ago...things I would have forgotten had I not written them down. Some were minor but others were very meaningful in my life.
As I was writing about the kids, starting school, I wrote that I learned accidently that Ben had to sit in the corner his very first week in kindergarten. When I asked him what for, he replied, "Oh mom, it's too long to explain."
Share with me a funny story of your children or family members. I'll do a drawing on Sunday morning so you have until then to post....win a $25 gift certificate to ToysRUs or Target or...wherever you wish! Just think, you can buy a Christmas gift or your Thanksgiving turkey!
I'd tell you all about my marvelous day....but it's too long to explain....
"If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one."
— Cavett Robert
Last night, after I got home from Stake RS Women's Conf., for some reason I got out some old journals and started reading things that happened years ago...things I would have forgotten had I not written them down. Some were minor but others were very meaningful in my life.
As I was writing about the kids, starting school, I wrote that I learned accidently that Ben had to sit in the corner his very first week in kindergarten. When I asked him what for, he replied, "Oh mom, it's too long to explain."
Share with me a funny story of your children or family members. I'll do a drawing on Sunday morning so you have until then to post....win a $25 gift certificate to ToysRUs or Target or...wherever you wish! Just think, you can buy a Christmas gift or your Thanksgiving turkey!
I'd tell you all about my marvelous day....but it's too long to explain....
"If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one."
— Cavett Robert
A Random Meme
Stuff you might not otherwise know....
1. Middle name? It really is Kay but when I got married, I took my maiden name, Darley. My dad's name is Keith..therefor the "K."
2. Birth weight? Of course you would ask this...a whopping 9 pounds! I about killed my mom off. Brandi outdid me though...Hallee Babe, that sweet little thing, was 10! And today is Hallee's birthday!!!!! I love her to death!
3. Scariest childhood memory? Well, it is too scary to tell but I’ll tell my second most. We had gone on a little vacation to Hat Rock, Oregon with neighbors. There is a big rock formation that just juts out of the ground...that, surprise! Looks like a hat! The thing is to climb it. I can’t even believe that kids would be allowed to do that! Well, that is where I learned I was terrified of heights. Really, I got halfway up and panicked! I knew my life was over. I can close my eyes and remember exactly where I was splattered on the rock wall, clinging to any little crevice I could hang on to with my bloodied fingers. My heart about to burst. I couldn’t go up. I couldn’t go down. Panic attacks are not a pretty thing. Shudder.
4. Do you look like your mom or your dad? Definitely my mom though I have my father’s nose, his hairy legs and runny blood. I know, too much information....5. What was the nicest thing that happened yesterday? Hard to narrow down since usually my days are filled with nice things. I attended religion class with 3 women I adore- Elsa Gray, Debbie Stowell and Lynda Raddon. I keep saying I’m going to post my notes but life gets too busy. I had a million wonderful thoughts so I will try really hard to share them later. My notes aren’t close by but one little line that stood out to me was about Enoch...and it said "he refused to be comforted." I wonder how many times God tries to comfort us in our sorrow and we turn away, wanting to mourn.
6. What’s on your agenda today? Today Elsa and Gayle Howe and I are meeting for lunch at 1:00 at Mimi’s for our VT lunch. Brenda Bailey is out of town...this is something the 4 of us do monthly. Tonight Brendalyn and I are going to our Stake RS Conference...Susan Easton Black is speaking.
7. What are you looking forward to? Well, I’d better just go short on this one. Thanksgiving is wonderful. It is hard for me to get away from the traditional menu because I love all the dishes so much. But I always like at least one dish that is new to the table. And needing to get to work on favors for the table. I’ll probably do the one I did last year which was so simple but cute. I got cute heavy fall print scrap booking paper and made a roll using double stick tape that looks like a tp roll. I think my print last year had acorns and leaves. Then I cut longer, amber colored cellophane, filled the tubes, tied cellophane around them, with ends sticking out tied with ribbon. The tubes were filled with nuts and candies. Simple but cute laying on each plate.... I might be experimenting with a warm praline sauce to serve over the pumpkin pie.
8. What are you most worried about right now? Of course my son-in-law, Ryan. It is hard not to think about it. On a larger scale, I’ve been really affected by the backlash directed at the church in California and across the nation because Proposition 8 was upheld. Lynda Raddon’s son, Richard, is the head of a huge film festival in California. He’s been successful in Hollywood for years. His family has been threatened, his name smeared in the trade magazines and he realizes he will probably lose his job. Some of my friend's family members homes have been vandalized. Names of members and addresses were printed on a retaliation website and cars and homes and many churches have been targeted. I’m not talking about a few but hundreds. This will be a whole other post this week. It is hard to believe this is America, where people are allowed to have a difference of opinion and vote their will.
9. Who is one of your heroes? Now how can you choose just one hero? In my "now" life, I would say my daughter, Brandi, who continues to influence people for good even though her life is stinkin’ hard. In the scriptures, my hero is Deborah in the Old Testament...who knew that strength came from God, not from the flesh. That whole story is filled with wonderful stuff. And in history, I have a great love and admiration for George Washington Carver....who is the perfect example of service and goodness.10. What do you see outside your door right now? Well, I see the apple trees. They are in the kid’s playground...mostly branches with about 1/6 of their leaves on....and then brilliant red apples still hanging. Our 2000 little pine trees fill our property beyond (in front of our house) and they are mostly about 3 feet high now. I love them. The tennis court is overgrown and full of leaves and balls. The plumber the other day said, "So it looks like no one here plays tennis...." That would be right. But it is a fun place for the kiddos to play. Then I look up on our mountain which always fills my soul. All will be well.
God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. Izaak Walton
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Normal...whatever that is!
For Sophia's take on our fun Girlie Visit, read about it here:
http://sophiacorbridge.typepad.com/sentimentsbysophia/
Yesterday Sophia and I had another magical day. Toast and hot chocolate for breakfast, then we headed off to Dear Lizzy’s. When I took Peggy there a few months ago for the first time....and I’m anxiously watching her face to see her reaction....she finally said, "I think I just want to burst into tears...it’s so incredible!" That is EXACTLY how I feel....sensory overload. Sophia had the same experience. I think you need to be terribly right-brained to have that reaction which we all are. After Lizzy’s, we hit Rod Works, Taipan, and then it was lunch at Asian Star. She loved all my favorite dishes. Our pace slowed considerably after two days of playing and eating.....but we did make it to World Market (CostPlus.) This was always my destination store whenever I would travel...to LA or Las Vegas. We got one here last year.....and now I don’t go very often but when I do, it is always a treat. It wasn’t on the list....but we were so glad that we went because Sophia found the one "wowzer" gift she needed to make her shopping trip successful! Our time together was relaxing and energizing...just what we both needed. She got home safe and sound last evening.....and David and my MIL got home late with a truckful of Mom’s things from St. George. I’m so glad to have them home.
It is time to get back to normal life...if you can call "pre-holidays" normal. But I feel like I have checked off many items on both Christmas and the wedding list. Last Sunday was Gracie’s birthday....tomorrow is Hallee’s...so Friday means back-to-back birthday parties. I have my to-do list from Brandi.....the girls are having art parties...so I am experimenting today with shrinky dinks to make necklaces and clay to make beads.
Ryan, Brandi’s husband is progressively getting worse, healthwise. It is like every part of his body is being attacked. We are so worried (more like scared to death).....one of his Dr.’s called Monday afternoon and said that she needed to take him to the emergency room....it was a late night at the U of U (where they have all his records) only they couldn’t do the tests that needed to be done...and that particular Dr. wasn’t in the next day to schedule the test. I don’t know how my sweet girl continues on doing all that she does to keep the family going...and my heart aches for my sweet SIL, who is in so much pain.
Well, I’d better get working on birthday party projects, so I can attend class today. Health-wise I’m almost back to normal. Almost!
If you haven’t seen this email (ordering pizza in 2010) click on the link below. It is funny though alarming how much information is out there.http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf
http://sophiacorbridge.typepad.com/sentimentsbysophia/
Yesterday Sophia and I had another magical day. Toast and hot chocolate for breakfast, then we headed off to Dear Lizzy’s. When I took Peggy there a few months ago for the first time....and I’m anxiously watching her face to see her reaction....she finally said, "I think I just want to burst into tears...it’s so incredible!" That is EXACTLY how I feel....sensory overload. Sophia had the same experience. I think you need to be terribly right-brained to have that reaction which we all are. After Lizzy’s, we hit Rod Works, Taipan, and then it was lunch at Asian Star. She loved all my favorite dishes. Our pace slowed considerably after two days of playing and eating.....but we did make it to World Market (CostPlus.) This was always my destination store whenever I would travel...to LA or Las Vegas. We got one here last year.....and now I don’t go very often but when I do, it is always a treat. It wasn’t on the list....but we were so glad that we went because Sophia found the one "wowzer" gift she needed to make her shopping trip successful! Our time together was relaxing and energizing...just what we both needed. She got home safe and sound last evening.....and David and my MIL got home late with a truckful of Mom’s things from St. George. I’m so glad to have them home.
It is time to get back to normal life...if you can call "pre-holidays" normal. But I feel like I have checked off many items on both Christmas and the wedding list. Last Sunday was Gracie’s birthday....tomorrow is Hallee’s...so Friday means back-to-back birthday parties. I have my to-do list from Brandi.....the girls are having art parties...so I am experimenting today with shrinky dinks to make necklaces and clay to make beads.
Ryan, Brandi’s husband is progressively getting worse, healthwise. It is like every part of his body is being attacked. We are so worried (more like scared to death).....one of his Dr.’s called Monday afternoon and said that she needed to take him to the emergency room....it was a late night at the U of U (where they have all his records) only they couldn’t do the tests that needed to be done...and that particular Dr. wasn’t in the next day to schedule the test. I don’t know how my sweet girl continues on doing all that she does to keep the family going...and my heart aches for my sweet SIL, who is in so much pain.
Well, I’d better get working on birthday party projects, so I can attend class today. Health-wise I’m almost back to normal. Almost!
If you haven’t seen this email (ordering pizza in 2010) click on the link below. It is funny though alarming how much information is out there.http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Play Day
There are a few words in the English language that I despise. I won't share them (other than Magpie...sorry, Sandy...was it you that was nicknamed that by your dad?)...but I WILL share two with you.
Septic Tank.
I woke up yesterday morning, as I did once last week, with two rooms downstairs flooding. One is just the furnace room and the other Tanner's bathroom. I called a plumber who came, told me condenscendingly that there was too much paper in the drain, charged almost three hundred dollars and told me he had augered both drains. It flooded again yesterday. Thankfully, I have a little $10 gadget I bought that sits on the floor of the furnace room...that when it gets wet, it gives off a siren. I think you might be able to get one at Home Depot. Anyway, after a million towels (which I am now desinfecting), I called different plumbers and they ran cameras down the system and found the septic tank full! We just had it pumped this year! They said obviously the previous plumbers (again, another set) didn't really pump it down to the bottom.
Grrr.....so I asked the plumbers if they would wrap their bill with ribbon so I can put it under the Christmas tree! Ca-chinga! $1000 in one week.
And Sophia was coming! I was crazy... trying to clean, work with the plumbers, clean, work with the plumbers, clean, etc. Running late. I was expecting her at 11:00. Then she called and said she had one heck of a morning and was just really getting off.....which actually worked out better.
We have had the best time. Somehow things kept jumping on the "list" that weren't on it.
We:
had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Sophia had the Chicken Madeira...which was so good, I'm going to Google and see if I can find the recipe. I always have to have the Shrimp Scampi. Great lunch...we didn't quit gabbing for a second.
Then we...
went to a pawn shop downtown...don't ask. But Sophia was a big baby. A real scaredy cat. I made fun of her....
Went to Xpedex....since it was close. A giant paper store.
Then to Gygi's....the restaurant supply, ultimate cooking store.
Then Jolleys....where we both had moments.
Randee's and Company....really blew her away
The Store...a goumet grocery store that we perused
Then dinner at the Porcupine Grill.
We came home and got jammies on....then watched "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day." REALLY really different...kind of a art film but we stuck with it.
Talk. Talk Talk.
Eat. Eat. Eat.
Time to go....we still have 6 on the list of places to go and 5 restaurants!
This is Sophia typing. May I just say that Marilyn is absolutely THE best hostess ever!!!
Septic Tank.
I woke up yesterday morning, as I did once last week, with two rooms downstairs flooding. One is just the furnace room and the other Tanner's bathroom. I called a plumber who came, told me condenscendingly that there was too much paper in the drain, charged almost three hundred dollars and told me he had augered both drains. It flooded again yesterday. Thankfully, I have a little $10 gadget I bought that sits on the floor of the furnace room...that when it gets wet, it gives off a siren. I think you might be able to get one at Home Depot. Anyway, after a million towels (which I am now desinfecting), I called different plumbers and they ran cameras down the system and found the septic tank full! We just had it pumped this year! They said obviously the previous plumbers (again, another set) didn't really pump it down to the bottom.
Grrr.....so I asked the plumbers if they would wrap their bill with ribbon so I can put it under the Christmas tree! Ca-chinga! $1000 in one week.
And Sophia was coming! I was crazy... trying to clean, work with the plumbers, clean, work with the plumbers, clean, etc. Running late. I was expecting her at 11:00. Then she called and said she had one heck of a morning and was just really getting off.....which actually worked out better.
We have had the best time. Somehow things kept jumping on the "list" that weren't on it.
We:
had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Sophia had the Chicken Madeira...which was so good, I'm going to Google and see if I can find the recipe. I always have to have the Shrimp Scampi. Great lunch...we didn't quit gabbing for a second.
Then we...
went to a pawn shop downtown...don't ask. But Sophia was a big baby. A real scaredy cat. I made fun of her....
Went to Xpedex....since it was close. A giant paper store.
Then to Gygi's....the restaurant supply, ultimate cooking store.
Then Jolleys....where we both had moments.
Randee's and Company....really blew her away
The Store...a goumet grocery store that we perused
Then dinner at the Porcupine Grill.
We came home and got jammies on....then watched "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day." REALLY really different...kind of a art film but we stuck with it.
Talk. Talk Talk.
Eat. Eat. Eat.
Time to go....we still have 6 on the list of places to go and 5 restaurants!
This is Sophia typing. May I just say that Marilyn is absolutely THE best hostess ever!!!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Company Coming Today!
Sophia is coming! Sophia is coming! This is our re-scheduled birthday visit (her birthday was the first part of October but somehow life got in the way.) I’ll do a Top Ten Sophia List, since she's a big Top 10-er, and wish you were all here to play with us!
Ten Things We are Going To Do Today When Sophia Gets here (Okay, maybe we’ll do a few on Tuesday as well.)
1. pedicures (that's her belated birthday present)
2. Dear Lizzy's
3. Sweet Briar Hollow
4. Rodworks
5. Taipan
6. Interior Elements
7. Gardner Village
8. Art Garden
9. Jolley's
10. another collectible store...by The Store...I can't even remember the name of it. In Holladay.
Nine Places We’ll Go for Food:1. Sonic for drinks
2. something from Dear Lizzy's
3. Panini's from Haggermans....maybe the Turkry Pomadero with Cranpeno jelly.
4. Cheesecake Factory? Probably not but I’ll keep it on the list. We might be too busy.
5. Asian Star...I want her to at least try the Honey Walnut Shrimp and take home a lettuce wrap for Barbie to figure out the recipe.
6. gelato's
7. Stella's- maybe, maybe not....
8. Movie popcorn
9. Caramel Apple drink at Starbuck’s
Eight Things For Sure I Know We Will Talk About1. Our husbands and kids
2. Friends
3. Our mothers (Ha! Thought I’d perk my mom’s ears on THAT one!)
4. Christmas and Thanksgiving
5. Exercising...if we must!
6. Decorating
7. The state of affairs in the world
8. Food- cooking, eating, the whole works.
Seven Phrases I Know Sophia Will Say:1. The babes....
2. So blessed...
3. I love that....
4. Isn’t it funny...
5. You’re killing me here...
6. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfectly wonderful.
7. Put them on the slap list. (oh wait, that's what "I" say...)
Six Qualities I admire in Sophia:
1. She’s family-centered. She has her priorities in the right place. I am touched by the sacrifices she and her husband have made to raise 3 of their grands...adopting them....raising another family.
2. She tries so hard to serve her extended family, whom she loves.
3. She loves the Lord and excels in whatever assignments she’s been given to serve.
4. She snorts. Now I don’t really admire this snorting quality. What I admire is that when she snorts and I tell her it is totally unladylike for a Southern girl, she snorts again. I like someone who doesn’t let other people push them around.
5. She’s willing to bite the bullet and forgive. I feel so strongly about forgiveness so I really love to see others who are willing to do it as well.
6. She’s a Southern girl with manners. I’m a Western Girl who slouches even though my mother taught me better....
Five things that we have in common1. We both love our families
2. We both love the Lord and are willing to serve
3. We love decorating and the HOLIDAYS!
4. Creativity runs in both our genes. We love to bounce ideas off of each other.
5.. She loves to cook so I love to exchange recipes with her. Food speaks to us both. Unfortunately, it speaks to me too often!
Four Ways in Which We Are Very Very Different:1. She has beautiful black, curly hair. Dark eyes and skin. I have always been a blond until the last few years when I’ve become two-toned and spikie. My hair is straight as a board.
2. She’s a real organizer. She’s task- orinated. I’m scatterbrained and a daydreamer.
3. She’s a housekeeping wonder. I’m scatterbrained and a daydreamer.
4. She lives there. I live here.
Three Things That We Are Going To Do That Isn’t Shopping Or Restaurants
1. We are going to see "The Secret Life of Bees" We might watch "Miss Pettigrew For a Day" as well.
2. We will walk a few miles. That’s the plan. We will see if it happens.
3. Work on some Christmas stuff.
Two Things Sophia Will Find On the Guest Bed:1. Some cd’s I’ve burned with my new favorite playlists
2. Some Christmas stuff.....
And the FINALE....we’re going to have ONE GOOD TIME!!!
I realized as I made this list, I could insert a dozen names of wonderful friends in place of Sophia’s name. Pretty Patty Petty, Cynthia, Peggy....when they come, this is what we would do. I am blessed with a good life that is fun to share.
Ten Things We are Going To Do Today When Sophia Gets here (Okay, maybe we’ll do a few on Tuesday as well.)
1. pedicures (that's her belated birthday present)
2. Dear Lizzy's
3. Sweet Briar Hollow
4. Rodworks
5. Taipan
6. Interior Elements
7. Gardner Village
8. Art Garden
9. Jolley's
10. another collectible store...by The Store...I can't even remember the name of it. In Holladay.
Nine Places We’ll Go for Food:1. Sonic for drinks
2. something from Dear Lizzy's
3. Panini's from Haggermans....maybe the Turkry Pomadero with Cranpeno jelly.
4. Cheesecake Factory? Probably not but I’ll keep it on the list. We might be too busy.
5. Asian Star...I want her to at least try the Honey Walnut Shrimp and take home a lettuce wrap for Barbie to figure out the recipe.
6. gelato's
7. Stella's- maybe, maybe not....
8. Movie popcorn
9. Caramel Apple drink at Starbuck’s
Eight Things For Sure I Know We Will Talk About1. Our husbands and kids
2. Friends
3. Our mothers (Ha! Thought I’d perk my mom’s ears on THAT one!)
4. Christmas and Thanksgiving
5. Exercising...if we must!
6. Decorating
7. The state of affairs in the world
8. Food- cooking, eating, the whole works.
Seven Phrases I Know Sophia Will Say:1. The babes....
2. So blessed...
3. I love that....
4. Isn’t it funny...
5. You’re killing me here...
6. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfectly wonderful.
7. Put them on the slap list. (oh wait, that's what "I" say...)
Six Qualities I admire in Sophia:
1. She’s family-centered. She has her priorities in the right place. I am touched by the sacrifices she and her husband have made to raise 3 of their grands...adopting them....raising another family.
2. She tries so hard to serve her extended family, whom she loves.
3. She loves the Lord and excels in whatever assignments she’s been given to serve.
4. She snorts. Now I don’t really admire this snorting quality. What I admire is that when she snorts and I tell her it is totally unladylike for a Southern girl, she snorts again. I like someone who doesn’t let other people push them around.
5. She’s willing to bite the bullet and forgive. I feel so strongly about forgiveness so I really love to see others who are willing to do it as well.
6. She’s a Southern girl with manners. I’m a Western Girl who slouches even though my mother taught me better....
Five things that we have in common1. We both love our families
2. We both love the Lord and are willing to serve
3. We love decorating and the HOLIDAYS!
4. Creativity runs in both our genes. We love to bounce ideas off of each other.
5.. She loves to cook so I love to exchange recipes with her. Food speaks to us both. Unfortunately, it speaks to me too often!
Four Ways in Which We Are Very Very Different:1. She has beautiful black, curly hair. Dark eyes and skin. I have always been a blond until the last few years when I’ve become two-toned and spikie. My hair is straight as a board.
2. She’s a real organizer. She’s task- orinated. I’m scatterbrained and a daydreamer.
3. She’s a housekeeping wonder. I’m scatterbrained and a daydreamer.
4. She lives there. I live here.
Three Things That We Are Going To Do That Isn’t Shopping Or Restaurants
1. We are going to see "The Secret Life of Bees" We might watch "Miss Pettigrew For a Day" as well.
2. We will walk a few miles. That’s the plan. We will see if it happens.
3. Work on some Christmas stuff.
Two Things Sophia Will Find On the Guest Bed:1. Some cd’s I’ve burned with my new favorite playlists
2. Some Christmas stuff.....
And the FINALE....we’re going to have ONE GOOD TIME!!!
I realized as I made this list, I could insert a dozen names of wonderful friends in place of Sophia’s name. Pretty Patty Petty, Cynthia, Peggy....when they come, this is what we would do. I am blessed with a good life that is fun to share.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Happy Birthday, Gracie!
This is my oldest granddaughter! She is just about the sweetest thing ever! Of all of the girls, her personality is the most like Brandi's when she was young. Gracie is kind and giving. Everyone wants to be her friend. She's one of the best color-ers I know. She loves girly things like High School Musical and earrings and cute clothes. She is a fabulous soccer player and I think will excel as an athlete. I never had a little kid that was a brunette.....even Parker's hair was lighter when he was younger....and then came along this beautiful little girl with hazel eyes. I just adore her. Happy birthday, punkin!
Week End Report
Friday I did an all day workshop with friends and Jon McNaughton. Jon's an artist who lives in Salem, Utah....has a studio/gallery in Provo by the theaters in the newer mall. We've taken several workshops from him and this has been in the works for a couple of months. I wasn't sure I was up to a full day, but painting is relaxing enough....it is just wearing clothes that's the issue! We painted "The Sacred Grove"...it was an awesome day with ten wonderful friends. We broke for lunch and I have some great recipes to share later. To see some of Jon's wonderful art, go to his link. http://mcnaughtonart.com/
When I got home, Ryan C. and the kids were here. Brandi had one patient to see, so we played until she got here, then I pulled out some of the freezer meals that Brendalyn and I did a few weeks ago. One easy one was perfect for the kids. We just took thawed Rhodes dough, rolled it out, stuck a cheese stick (I had some that were mozzarella and some Colby jack) in the middle and fold the dough around the bread stick. We sprinkled them with Parmesan cheese, baked about 10 minutes then froze them. Just thaw them and bake about 6-10 minutes until golden brown and serve with spaghetti sauce for dipping.
David and his mom left Saturday afternoon for St. George and will be gone for a few days. David's got a day long deposition there on Monday, needs to fix a few things around Mom's house, has a golf date with Dr. Engar and Mom is excited to go and pack up more of her stuff to bring back. I would have loved to go with them but I have company coming tomorrow (Sophia!) for two days and we've already had to reschedule once before. Cathy and I were going to go to the movies in the afternoon but we got running errands and decided to bag it. It was fun to just talk and get caught up. Lunch at Stella's. Always wonderful. I always get the same thing. Half of a turkey avocado sandwich on wonderful bread and a bowl of French onion soup. Cathy and I even exchanged CHRISTMAS GIFTS YESTERDAY... already! I can't wait! Well, mine for her was something to wear and not Christmasy at all...and I thought that she needed it now...and then while we were shopping, I found a Wowzer that she got for me! I love this whole, long holiday season!
While running errands, I was able to get a lot more wedding stuff crossed off. I set up a wedding dinner command center in the Princess room downstairs. It is looking like a party is going to happen. Brendalyn picked me up later and we ran some more errands for her, grabbed dinner at 5 Guys and a Burger, then headed to her house to watch "Get Smart" in her home theater! While we watched, we worked on a little favor I'm doing for the dinner. The movie is so funny....maybe just funnier since we grew up watching the TV series. I'm a big Steve Carroll fan. What a fun, fun day. Of course, all that playing caught up with me. Last night was miserable but, oh well! I'm back to life!
Today friend, Debbie Stowell, taught my class for me in Primary. I actually went and made it through about an hour of Sharing Time, then came home. I only have 3 little ones and one wasn't there....but the girls like to climb on me, hug me, wiggle all over....so it is a little owie. Debbie is a lifesaver. She's the kind of friend that always steps up to the plate....that always goes the second mile. She called last week and said she'd take my class today. She's the kind that says, "Don't you even worry about it...let me take care of it." And she does...
My mom sent me this today. I'm posting it in memory of my friend, Sophia, who is COMING TOMORROW!!!! I'm so excited! We've postponed this Friend Trip since the first of October because life kept getting in the way.
A blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off the tail of her cat, which was hiding in the grass.? She immediately rushed the cat, along with the tail, over to Wal-Mart?
Why WAL-MART?
HELLOOOOOOOOO! Wal-Mart is the largest re-tailer in the world!
(Friend, Sophia, hates WalMart. Well, it is just because hers is dirty and has poor service. Mine is gorgeous and clean and carries everything and the workers are nice. I like to bring this up to her often....because that is what true friends do!)
When I got home, Ryan C. and the kids were here. Brandi had one patient to see, so we played until she got here, then I pulled out some of the freezer meals that Brendalyn and I did a few weeks ago. One easy one was perfect for the kids. We just took thawed Rhodes dough, rolled it out, stuck a cheese stick (I had some that were mozzarella and some Colby jack) in the middle and fold the dough around the bread stick. We sprinkled them with Parmesan cheese, baked about 10 minutes then froze them. Just thaw them and bake about 6-10 minutes until golden brown and serve with spaghetti sauce for dipping.
David and his mom left Saturday afternoon for St. George and will be gone for a few days. David's got a day long deposition there on Monday, needs to fix a few things around Mom's house, has a golf date with Dr. Engar and Mom is excited to go and pack up more of her stuff to bring back. I would have loved to go with them but I have company coming tomorrow (Sophia!) for two days and we've already had to reschedule once before. Cathy and I were going to go to the movies in the afternoon but we got running errands and decided to bag it. It was fun to just talk and get caught up. Lunch at Stella's. Always wonderful. I always get the same thing. Half of a turkey avocado sandwich on wonderful bread and a bowl of French onion soup. Cathy and I even exchanged CHRISTMAS GIFTS YESTERDAY... already! I can't wait! Well, mine for her was something to wear and not Christmasy at all...and I thought that she needed it now...and then while we were shopping, I found a Wowzer that she got for me! I love this whole, long holiday season!
While running errands, I was able to get a lot more wedding stuff crossed off. I set up a wedding dinner command center in the Princess room downstairs. It is looking like a party is going to happen. Brendalyn picked me up later and we ran some more errands for her, grabbed dinner at 5 Guys and a Burger, then headed to her house to watch "Get Smart" in her home theater! While we watched, we worked on a little favor I'm doing for the dinner. The movie is so funny....maybe just funnier since we grew up watching the TV series. I'm a big Steve Carroll fan. What a fun, fun day. Of course, all that playing caught up with me. Last night was miserable but, oh well! I'm back to life!
Today friend, Debbie Stowell, taught my class for me in Primary. I actually went and made it through about an hour of Sharing Time, then came home. I only have 3 little ones and one wasn't there....but the girls like to climb on me, hug me, wiggle all over....so it is a little owie. Debbie is a lifesaver. She's the kind of friend that always steps up to the plate....that always goes the second mile. She called last week and said she'd take my class today. She's the kind that says, "Don't you even worry about it...let me take care of it." And she does...
My mom sent me this today. I'm posting it in memory of my friend, Sophia, who is COMING TOMORROW!!!! I'm so excited! We've postponed this Friend Trip since the first of October because life kept getting in the way.
A blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off the tail of her cat, which was hiding in the grass.? She immediately rushed the cat, along with the tail, over to Wal-Mart?
Why WAL-MART?
HELLOOOOOOOOO! Wal-Mart is the largest re-tailer in the world!
(Friend, Sophia, hates WalMart. Well, it is just because hers is dirty and has poor service. Mine is gorgeous and clean and carries everything and the workers are nice. I like to bring this up to her often....because that is what true friends do!)
First-Person Faith in God-Part Two (Ronald Hammond)
See first part here: http://constantgrowingamazement.blogspot.com/2008/11/first-person-faith-in-god.html
PRINCIPLE 2: DEVELOPING FIRST-PERSON FAITH IN GOD REQUIRES PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT.
Faith without works is dead – and the works cannot be vicarious. Even for Nephi of old, whose very name many of us equate with faith in God, first-person faith could only be developed through first-hand works. With heaven expecting him to build a ship, Nephi’s faith in God could not have grown with him in a hammock and Sam and Jacob doing all the work. Nephi, himself, had to be personally involved in building the ship, sunburn, wood splinters, and all.
Surely the Lord could have had a fine ocean-worthy ship waiting for Lehi’s family when they came to the ocean shore. But He did not. Then, as always, personal faith needs personal involvement to grow. Note in the following verses, Nephi’s generous use of first-person pronouns:
Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me…
And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.
Nephi’s faith grew with each construction problem that was solved and with every step of progress that was made. That is the essence, the very essence, of the Lord’s drop by drop, line upon line pattern. The end result was not just a sea-worthy ship of inspired design, but a disciple of Christ with faith equal to escalating stewardship demands.
Nephi’s brothers could lean on Nephi’s "involvement" for a while, but there came a time when they had to enter the very personal process of growing first-person faith. And in this instance, they did. And when the ship was all done, Nephi said, "My brethren beheld that it was good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine; wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lord." Laman and Lemuel’s personal involvement led to first-person faith—in boat building. Alas, had they only been as personally involved in prayer and obedience as they were with measuring and sawing wood!
Brothers and sisters, you will hear faith-promoting stories about others. That will inspire you. You will see the Lord’s hand working wonders in the lives of others. That will encourage you. But, I witness that the saving kind of faith in Christ is a very personal, sweetly private, first-person kind of faith developed only "in the process" of personal involvement in life’s challenges.
To those who went before us, we owe so very much. What strength is ours today because of the faith of our fathers and our mothers too, for we do not doubt that our mothers knew it! Now, may your individual demonstrations of faith be such that when your relatives in yet to come generations sing, "Faith of our fathers, living still," they will be referring to you and your steadfast "first-person" faith in the Savior.
PRINCIPLE 2: DEVELOPING FIRST-PERSON FAITH IN GOD REQUIRES PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT.
Faith without works is dead – and the works cannot be vicarious. Even for Nephi of old, whose very name many of us equate with faith in God, first-person faith could only be developed through first-hand works. With heaven expecting him to build a ship, Nephi’s faith in God could not have grown with him in a hammock and Sam and Jacob doing all the work. Nephi, himself, had to be personally involved in building the ship, sunburn, wood splinters, and all.
Surely the Lord could have had a fine ocean-worthy ship waiting for Lehi’s family when they came to the ocean shore. But He did not. Then, as always, personal faith needs personal involvement to grow. Note in the following verses, Nephi’s generous use of first-person pronouns:
Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me…
And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.
Nephi’s faith grew with each construction problem that was solved and with every step of progress that was made. That is the essence, the very essence, of the Lord’s drop by drop, line upon line pattern. The end result was not just a sea-worthy ship of inspired design, but a disciple of Christ with faith equal to escalating stewardship demands.
Nephi’s brothers could lean on Nephi’s "involvement" for a while, but there came a time when they had to enter the very personal process of growing first-person faith. And in this instance, they did. And when the ship was all done, Nephi said, "My brethren beheld that it was good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine; wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lord." Laman and Lemuel’s personal involvement led to first-person faith—in boat building. Alas, had they only been as personally involved in prayer and obedience as they were with measuring and sawing wood!
Brothers and sisters, you will hear faith-promoting stories about others. That will inspire you. You will see the Lord’s hand working wonders in the lives of others. That will encourage you. But, I witness that the saving kind of faith in Christ is a very personal, sweetly private, first-person kind of faith developed only "in the process" of personal involvement in life’s challenges.
To those who went before us, we owe so very much. What strength is ours today because of the faith of our fathers and our mothers too, for we do not doubt that our mothers knew it! Now, may your individual demonstrations of faith be such that when your relatives in yet to come generations sing, "Faith of our fathers, living still," they will be referring to you and your steadfast "first-person" faith in the Savior.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Magic Earrings Contest Winner!!!
I have to laugh...I told Brandi she'd better hurry and enter my contest and she just laughed and said, "I know what earrings are the magic earrings...so next time you wear them, I'll compliment you on them and you'll give me a pair!" Too smart for her britches, I'd say!
So, here is a hint for our Magic Earrings winner.... Her name is -
Can you guess it? If not....how about this?
So, here is a hint for our Magic Earrings winner.... Her name is -
Can you guess it? If not....how about this?
Still not sure? Then how about this? There's a BIG clue hidden on this picture only they spelled it wrong.
Cindy! Send me your address! (email: mdwillpoet@msn.com) I'm also enclosing another pair of Magic Earrings to put in your pocket the first time you wear yours....and you can give them to the first compliment giver! See how fun this is? Oh Happy Day!
I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.Oprah Winfrey
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