Blessing #26 of 30

I love what Carrie Snow said about technology.  

 “Technology… is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand,   and it stabs you in the back with the other."               

I, like many, have a love/hate relationship with the miracle of technology.  It is easy to love it when it corrects my spelling and punctuation. It is easy to love it when a phone is always at my fingertip in case I have an emergency.  I love having a car full of gadgets that tell me what is working and what isn't.  I love it when I need some clipart or a quote and it's at my fingertips.  I love being able to listen to a talk, a book on tape, or music.  I love having church at my fingertips to enhance my study time.  I love seeing pictures of what is happening at each of your homes and I love receiving texts and emails from Canada, North Dakota, Utah and California.  It is truly a blessing to have so many things that enrich my life.  That being said it is challenging to see how easy it has been to replace personal interaction with one another.  To release us from the obligation of making eye contact.  To make it easier to be critical of one another with biting words and judgmental assumptions.  I knew a mother in New Hampshire who had very strict rules in her home about technology.  All phones went into her bedroom at night.  Technology was never allowed during family times.  When company came one on one interaction was required and excepted.  I can honestly say that her children were some of the most outgoing and friendly teenagers I had ever met.  They knew how to talk to each other, their friends, and adults.  They knew how to use technology and were better equipped because of the availability that it provided.  But they also learned from their parents that there was a time and a place for everything.  I believe that technology is a great blessing as long as we understand that it should never replace the joy of family chatter.  Technology should never replace or weaken family relationships.  I sure love all of our wonderful technology!  We have truly been blessed because of it.  

Happy Birthday Ben!

 

Hard Hat Area

Let the fun begin!  Bill and Cathy's home improvement project is now under construction.  When it is done there will be an additional entrance into the basement, additional windows to lighten up the area and much more room for every activity imaginable!  Upstairs Cathy's dream of a big beautiful kitchen, dining area and huge family room will become a reality.  Today the process began as the construction crew started removing the back porch so that the additional basement space can be dug out.  If all goes as planned they hope to have their beautiful addition complete towards the end of April.  I'm so excited to see everything done.  I'm sure they are too!

Blessing #25 of 30

I was so blessed to grow up in simpler times.  I often joked about grandpa watching Perry Mason and other black and white TV shows during his illness.  I said I could tell you "who-dunnit" before the first commercial after watching Perry work his magic over and over and over...again.  My confession is that even without grandpa beside me I still watch Perry Mason, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, Leave it to Beaver and most any other black and while tv shows that comes on the television.  They are delightful!  It was in the 1950's when televisions became popular and I was about 5 when we got our first one.  I was a senior in high school when we got our first colored TV.  When I am watching these golden oldies I never feel embarrassed by the content.  I'm not assaulted with language that should never be spoken.  I am not red-faced by scenes that serve no purpose in the plot of the story.  I appreciate the innocence of the story line and the simplicity of the plots.  It is nice not to see bullets flying, bombs exploding, and profanity being spewed in every sentence.  It was nice not to know what was going on in the actors personal lives.  And political correctness had not entered the scene.  It truly was a blessing to have televisions but it is sad to deal with what the "market will bear" now.  I got to grow up when the television went off after the news of the day at 10:00 p.m. and the sign would come on that asked, "Parents it's 10:00.  Do you know where your children are?"  And in the morning the shows would begin after the national anthem was played.  Simple is best I think.  I'm grateful that I remember them!

Quote

 Our homes are to be more than Sanctuaries

they should also be places where God's Spirit

can dwell, where the storm stops at the door,

where loves reigns and peace dwells.

Thomas S Monson

Blessing #24 of 30

Jesus Christ.  When I finished reading the Book of Mormon earlier in the year I decided that I would read it again but at the same time I would read the New Testament.  It has been one of the best decisions I have made about scripture study.  Each morning I read a chapter or two from the Book of Mormon and then I do the same reading from the New Testament.  It is wonderful to come to know the Savior even better as I go from scripture to scripture.  On the title page of the Book of Mormon it reads:  The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  On the title page of the New Testament it reads: The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  When Lehi sent his sons to go back to Jerusalem and get the sacred records from Laban, Nephi experienced extreme challenges in the process but he testified after returning to his father;  "And we had obtained the records, which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children.   Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise."  As I go back and forth in each set of scripture I have had so much clarity about the great blessing we were given of having the opportunity to come to know and better understand the love that Jesus Christ has for each of us.  He sacrificed everything for each of us and knowingly gave up his life to give each of us the opportunity to live again.  When grandpa died I knew where he was.  I knew he was whole again,  I knew that the time would come that I would see him again.  Jesus Christ is truly our Savior and Redeemer.  I am truly blessed because I know that this is true.  Thank you Jesus!

Blessing #23 of 30

Good books are one of my great blessings.  I took for granted for a long time that being able to read a book was a wonderful gift.  Grandpa was such an avid reader and I have to admit it made me want to love reading like he did.  Someone wrote, "reading is dreaming with eyes wide open."  I experience that every time I pick up another book to read.  I have traveled all over the world within the walls of my own home.  I have learned about all kinds of people and experienced adventure, suspense, trials, love, and happy endings.  I have found my favorite authors and quit trying to read a book that I didn't love in the first few chapters.  I have laughed so hard as I read that I woke grandpa up from a sound sleep many times.  I cried just as hard as my characters struggled and mourned.  I have come to value history because of the lessons it teaches me.  And I have often changed my mind about things I was at one time so sure about.  I use to love hearing grandpa read to Aunt Amy and your dads and would often have to come in and say "no more" because he couldn't stop and it was way past bedtime.  I loved the look on his face each time he read a story to you grandkids.  I loved how serious he was and sometimes I'd see a tear roll down his cheek because the book that had been chosen by one of you touched his heart.  I read every day now.  Sometimes I stay up later than I meant to because I had to know what was going to happen next.  Or I wake up in the morning and read some more before I begin my day.  I don't read to escape--I read to experience.  John Martin wrote, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.  The man who never reads lives only one."   It is true.  A good book is a great blessing.  

Happy Birthday Abby!

15 Years Old

Lincoln's Diagnosis

Last Monday Lincoln's doctor confirmed what they suspected his illness was.  Lincoln has Wegener's Disease.  I have included a description of what that is.  

"Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, and kidneys.  Formerly call Wegener's granulomatosis, this condition is one of a group of blood vessel disorders called vasculitis.  It slows blood flow to some of our organs.  The affected tissues can develop areas of inflammation call granulomas, which can affect how these organs work.  Each diagnosis and treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis might lead to a full recovery.  Without treatment, the condition can be fatal." 

The treatment Lincoln is receiving seems to be making a difference and hopefully he will continue to get better.  In the meantime he is enrolled in an on-line Biology class at BYU which will start in January.  He also signed up for choir class at the local community college.  He also will be taking Institute classes.  At the end of April he will start regular college courses at BYU.  He plans to major in Medicine. 

Blessing #22 of 30

 I received a Christmas gift from my ministering sister.  It is a book with a collection of paintings of landscapes along the Mormon Trail that immigrants followed as they came to the Salt Lake Valley.  With each picture there were quotes by actual members of the church who made that incredible journey.  As I read through the book I was touched by a quote by Louisa Barnes Pratt.  She along with other Saints stayed in Omaha, Nebraska at what we call Winter Quarters until the Spring.  From my reading of church history it was not a pleasant experience and they were very happy when they could continue to the Salt Lake Valley.  But I loved what Louisa wrote. 

"A cold dreary winter was before us.  I hired a man to build me a sod cave; he took the turf  from the earth, laid it up, covered it with willow brush and sods; built a chimney of the same.  I hung up a blanket for a door, had three lights of glass to emit light.  I built a fire, drew up my rocking chair before it, and that moment felt as rich as some persons (who have never suffered for want of a house) would to be moved into a costly building.  Thus we learn to prize enjoyments by sacrifice."   I have never lived in a house of sod.  I flip a switch and light comes on.  My home is heated by turning on a thermostat on the wall  I have a wonderful bed to sleep in each night and the worst thing I deal with is an occasional fly who likes to dive bomb me.  What a blessing we have been given to live in comfortable houses.  Even now there are people who live on the street in tents, or in their cars at the mercy of unknown dangers.  I have loved every house that I have lived in rather it was big or small.  And as Louisa Pratt so wisely said, I have felt rich!  

Company

 On  Thursday Aunt Amy and I had a Christmas luncheon with my niece Heidi and Grandpa's sister Rozi.   It was really nice to see your great aunt and visit with Heidi!

Blessing #21 of 30

In all the cooking I have done during the holidays I have spent a good deal of time pouring over recipes.  It was important to find the perfect dish to serve to the people I love and care about.  In that process I truly felt blessed because so many of my recipes brought such sweet memories.  I have felt like I was working on family history as recipe after recipe reminded me of someone from my past who I grew to love and appreciate for their kindness and generosity.  I have felt like I was being reminded as I followed each recipe that how we live and direct our life is much like a recipe.  There is a pattern of cooking with rules and responsibility just as there are in our day to day living.  You can't take shortcuts because each process has a purpose and the results can be disappointing if we skip anything.  There is the gathering of ingredients and if not planned well you get into the process and have to stop because something is missing.   In our life we have to plan as well so that we don't have to interrupt our life progress as we gather everything back in.   I think the most treasured recipes are those who came from a relative or a friend.  They have been tried and proven true.  They involve a sense of well being and happiness because they have proven to be good and even more important they have been tried, adjusted, and perfected for the end result to be wonderful.   And wonderful people were willing to give their their treasured recipe to me.  Helen Seacord's sweet potato casserole and Cranberry-Raspberry Salad.  Jody Palmquist's English Toffee.  Kathy Done's Cheese Soup.  Judy Claybaugh's bread sticks.  My mom's fudge.  These are but a few of the sweet memories I have of those who were willing to share their recipes with me.  I have met people who would never share a recipe.  I was more sad for them than disappointed in them.   They had the opportunity through their generosity of sharing to live on in the memory of others.  I love that each of my daughters are amazing cooks.  I hope that some of the recipes I have shared have become treasured memories for them.,,and a blessing of good food to their families.  I value my recipes and even more I treasure the memories I have of the people who shared them.

The Greatest Gift

 One Cry Awakened the World.

One Birth Changed History.

One Life Made All the Difference!

Also!

 I had a wonderful visit with Aunt Cathy this morning.  She called to tell me that Bruce took the giant step and he is also now enrolled for High School.  I have two brave boys here and I'm proud of them for making the decision to try something new to them.  Can't wait to hear how they like being at the Junior and High School!

Courageous

Will registered for school at Lehi Junior High today.  He has been home-schooled for many years and it seems he's decided to make a giant step in doing something he is unfamiliar with.  I believe Will can do it and I hope that he has many positive experiences.  I certainly know he is definitely capable and smart enough to tackle the challenges he will have in a new environment.  I love this quote by Nelson Mandela; "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."  I am proud of Will.  He is courageous!

Music

Here is Miriam during her performance!

 Music is such a big part of our family.   Aunt Becky sent me a link of Miriam's   Christmas concert this weekend and it was   beautiful.  During this month I also heard   via "Live Stream, Jane's concert from the   Jr. High and Ruth's from the High School     Everyone did such a good  job.  Thank you   all for including me in sharing links to this   beautiful music until we get back to   normal...hopefully   soon!  Good job,     Miriam, Ruth and Jane.

My Second Home

I went to the church building that was my second home on Saturday.  It was the first Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building I had ever been in.  I went to Primary each week.  To Sunday School each Sunday, partook of the Sacrament and listened to hundreds of speakers who taught gospel principles and bore testimony of Jesus Christ.  We had church potluck dinners, Blue and Gold Balls, and other activities that were unique.  My brothers played basketball in the gym and went to many a Scout meeting there.   I loved my MIA classes. I had amazing teachers in each organization and couldn't wait for the next meeting.  We had church dances on Saturday nights, and roadshow productions that were always the best in the stake.  "Pigs! What's the matter with these pigs today?  Pig's!  They smell in the most unusual way."  The title of the Roadshow that year was, "How Roast Pigs Came to Be!"   It was a magical time in my life full of wonderful memories, dedicated leaders and teachers.  My brother left on his mission from that ward and Grandpa and I had our wedding reception in that building.  Your Uncle Bill was blessed in that building.  Your Great-grandpa had his funeral services in the chapel.  When I drove up the street and saw my old church a rush a wonderful memories came to me.  It was even more beautiful than I remembered.  As I drove around the parking lot I had such an incredible sense of well-being.  I had come back to my second home and I felt welcomed!

Blessing #20 of 30

 

I am so grateful and feel blessed that I have memories.  After caring for Grandpa and also growing older where memory issues can be very frightening, I appreciate those times that I can remember things in my life.  On Saturday I took flowers to my parents grave site and then to Grandpa's grave.  When I left the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Cave Creek, instead of going straight home I decided to wander a little in the area where I grew up.  After a visit to the ward building of my youth I headed up Central Avenue.  That was the teenage drag strip where on Friday and Saturday night we would get into a friend's car (actually their parents car) and we'd drive up and down Central Avenue waving at friends we knew and for me loving it but hoping my parents never found out I was doing it!   As I was driving south I had the thought that Grandpa and I lived in our first apartment after we got married just off of Central Avenue.  I thought, "I wish I could remember where it was." And all of the sudden I remembered the address!  301 W. Medlock.  Just like that in a moment of clarity I remembered an address from almost 50 years ago.  Sure enough it wasn't a minute or two later that I saw the street sign for Medlock and turned right.  I drove right to the apartments that was to be our first home.  I guess you have to be me to appreciate this story but I am so grateful that I remembered.  Memories are such a blessing!

Happy Hanukkah!

 As I was preparing the food for our Hanukkah dinner yesterday I thought about how many times I had made the brisket, peeled and shredded potatoes, made the citrus salad with honey as the dressing.  I wondered why this tradition continues on with me and the thought came to my mind.  This holiday, that Jews throughout the world celebrates, recognizes God's love for them.  It reminds me that God loves all of his children and will help them if they do everything they can and ask for His Grace he will be there to help us keep going.  So I will continue celebrating great food, family, and a Loving Heavenly Father who wants only the best for each of us.  

Katie

Yesterday Katie went to the Mount Timpanogos Temple to receive her endowments.  I am so proud of all of the good decisions Katie has made in her life.  Everything about Katie is good!  

Blessing #19 of 30

Yesterday I baked six different kinds of cookies and I loved it because when I was done I had some cleaning to do!  I love a clean house and I love cleaning my house.   It is a blessing to have things to do and for me I was blessed to have had a mother who loved and kept a clean house and taught me how.  I sometimes wonder how she managed to do it but I don't remember any house we lived in not being spic and span.  I remember sitting on the floor beside her as she ironed shirts and other clothes for people and made 10 cents an item.  She made it seem so easy and even in the heat of the summer I don't ever remember hearing her complain.  She started working at a drug store managing their soda fountain when I was in 6th grade and I still can't remember ever coming home to a messy house.  She would often walk in from work and go right into the kitchen  to start dinner.  I can't count the number of times that she went over to my Aunt Erma's to help her clean her house.  I love having a smaller area to clean now and it certainly isn't terribly difficult to get everything done in an hour or two but whenever I am cleaning I often think of my mom.  She was an amazing woman!

Our Green Thumb Girl!

When Miriam volunteered to clean up at a park by her college  she was given three bulbs.  I am proud to say that Miriam went  back to the dorm, ordered a pot and some soil on-line, and then  planted each of the bulbs.  Then the challenge came.  She won't  be going back to school until January.   What's a girl to do?         Taking her pot home wasn't going to happen and after some thought she dug each plant up, wrapped them carefully and packed them for their new home in North Dakota.  Aunt Becky made sure they would have a home immediately on their arrival with a new pot and North Dakota soil.  In great appreciation and love for their gardener they settled in and have grown nicely! 

Blessing #18 of 30

 I'm grateful that our stories never end!  It is a blessing to know that wherever we are in life that each of our stories continue.  I use to love listening to a newscaster named Paul Harvey.  He had a story line he used called The Rest of the Story.  He began broadcasting during World War II and in 1976 he started a radio show that was called by the same name.  I started hearing his stories in the 70s and I loved hearing details about events in history that little had been spoken of.   During the Christmas Devotional last night I was touched by Elder Nielsen's story of his father who served during World War II.  He shared with us the rest of the story of his fathers life and legacy.  As I thought of it I thought about many of the stories in the life of your ancestors.  Then I remembered the time Grandpa left Uncle Andy in his office.  Those of us who know the story have chuckled about our "absent minded professor" many times.  A little background.  I had to go to the store in Duncan, AZ and I stopped at the office where Grandpa was working.  I asked if he was going to be around for a while.  He was and so I asked if I could leave Andy, who was sleeping soundly,  while I took Billy to pick up a couple of things at the store.  He agreed and I left.  I was in and out of the store in less than 10 minutes and as I walked back to Grandpa's office a car pulled up beside me and it was him.  I looked to see how Andy was doing and realized that he wasn't in the car.  "Where's Andy?" was the question I asked.  The minute I said those words he got the most terrified look on his face and I realized he had left our baby alone.  Bill and I got in the car and we drove directly to the office.  When we walked in the office Andy was sleeping peacefully with the town Sheriff sitting at his desk.  Needless to say we had some explaining to do.  Needless to say I was upset with Grandpa.  As I look back on those awkward moments I remember how sad and embarrassed Grandpa was.  Because it ended well the story was often told and each time Grandpa was truly chagrinned.  But as with every event there is a "rest of the story."  Grandpa beat himself up for weeks over what had happened.  I had a hard time convincing him that it was an accident and everything was okay.  That one incident brought out a side of Grandpa that blessed all of us.  He became the most attentive dad there was.  He loved his children and when he was around them he tried hard to give them his full attention.  Often when I think of that story a picture always comes into my mind.  We were living in Kingman.  At that time we now had Ben who was about 15 months old.  Grandpa was in the back yard playing with the three boys and I was cooking in the kitchen.  I looked out the window and there was Grandpa leading a marching band of Bill, Andy, and Ben.  Grandpa was playing the imaginary trombone and his little band of followers were marching right behind him laughing and playing their imaginary instruments.  We are so blessed that our stories never end and in spite of our challenges, struggles, or mistakes we can continue to make things better!

Blessing #17 of 30

Today I gave the prayer in Sacrament meeting.  I didn't cry!  I worried for two days that I couldn't do it but I did and I didn't cry.  I felt like doing somersaults off the stage but got control of myself and just smiled as I went back to sit down.  How grateful I have been to be able to attend church again.  How grateful I am that I have the gospel in my life that has given me purpose.  It had been almost five years since I have spoken at a church meeting.  Because of that I know that I will never take for granted opportunities to share my testimony, have a calling, attend the temple, or say a prayer.  I hope that there will be many activities in the coming years that I will be able to be a part of.  I was 10 years old when our family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  For 60 years I have loved being part of gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have been taught, challenged, encouraged, and loved.  How different my life would have been if we didn't have missionaries come into our home and into our hearts.  I have said it before and I will say it many more time--everything good in my life has come because I am a member of the church.  That is my testimony and this is my great blessing.  I am truly grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.    

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

 

Blessing #16 of 30

I am so  grateful for the little things that make life easier.  When I visited the North Dakota Duncan's I sat and watched in awe as Aunt Becky made pie after pie for Miriam's  graduation open house.  I was especially amazed when she pulled out a little gadget that peeled, cored, and sliced apples.  It was great.  After tasting her wonderful apple pie I became a new lover of apple pies.  In preparation for the Thanksgiving feast we were planning I decided I'd go in search of the apple pie peeler that she had used.  I visited a number of stores before I found mine at Big Lots.  I was so excited-- I felt like a child with a new toy!  Not one to let a good gadget go to waste I made TWO apple pies.  And on Thanksgiving morning I peeled 5 pounds of potatoes!  By the way I'm very grateful for Aunt Becky because her pie was so good I asked her what kind of apples she used.  Her reply was "the cheapest ones!"  So gala apples filled my pie shells and they made the best and sweetest pies imaginable.  I call this a blessing because it truly is the little things that can give us the greatest joy!

Tarantula!

 On the way back from Arizona Uncle Andy noticed something on the road.  It was a tarantula.  He pulled over and he and Caleb spend some time getting a closer view.  Uncle Andy said it was the biggest tarantula he had ever seen.  That had to be true since he noticed it crossing the road.  After a thorough inspection he helped the tarantula make it safely to the other side of the road before continuing their journey home.  

Happy Birthday Christian!

 

Celebrations Wrapped into One!

No wonder Meg loves her roommates so much.  They all know how to have fun!  Since they were all going their separate ways for the Holidays and one was getting married after Thanksgiving they decided to combine and celebrate Thanksgiving, Meg's birthday, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.  In case you want to do this some day I'll give you a little run through.  They had Thanksgiving dinner (but with ham because it was easier to cook), next they had a birthday party for Meg with gifts they gave her from things in the apartment, Then a family picture in their matching PJs (and the puppy with matching pjs!) and then they had sparkling cider to welcome in the new year.  I love that Meg is a part of such a creative group of girls.  What a blessing!  Thanks for sharing these cute pictures Meg.

Happy Birthday Meg!

 22 Years Old

Cousins

 

Perry was the last to leave and as you can see his cousins didn't want him to go.  I loved how
sweet all of you were to the young ones these last few days.  Katie has got to be the best
cousin in the world and bless her heart she never had a minute to herself because she
was so adored by Eden and Graham!

Thanksgiving!

Here are a couple of pictures of our wonderful Thanksgiving feast.  More pictures will follow but I wanted to share just a couple of an amazing day and wonderful food.  Thank you all for coming and thank you for pitching in to make it a memorable occasion for me.  Thank you Amy and Christian for sharing your beautiful home and backyard and for Perry's smoker that filled the neighborhood with the wonderful odor of roasting turkey.  It was truly a feast!

Blessing #15 of 30

I live in a beautiful area surrounded by farmland.  As growth encroaches it may not be for much longer but while I still get to see furrows of dirt, acres and acres of different crops growing throughout the year (the advantage of an Arizona winter) I am so thankful for farmers.  It is such an easy thing to take for granted as I go to the store and pick up food without a thought about the hours of labor that produced the wonderful fruits, vegetables, and meats.   When I walk out of my apartment at times and my nose is assaulted with the pungent odor of manure I stop before I can complain because I know that the land around our area is being plowed for a new crop to turn those furrows of dirt into something lush and green that will sustain life.  Brett Brian wrote; "Farming is a profession of hope."  I am so thankful to those who haven't walked away from the land and go out each day with faith that what they plant will help them reap a harvest.  Farmers are a blessing.