step it up

email to granddaughter Acadia serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Oregon Eugene mission

Happy First Monday!

It’s the first Monday of 2020 and the first day back to a regular workweek after the holidays. Not a day greeted with universal joy. When my job turned ugly and the workplace was toxic, I kept reminding myself that I was grateful to be able to pay my bills. I also reminded myself of my good and pleasant co-workers. That, sadly, no longer included management, but many of my peers were good folk. I am very grateful to be retired now. I still cannot keep up with my responsibilities and I wonder how we survived when I was gone all day. Even retired, I cannot say that I look forward to Mondays. Somewhat for myself, but more so for Joseph who is in a dead end job in a workplace that has also become unpleasant. I am trying to encourage him to consider the possibilities and work toward improving his lot.

How was your New Years? We were pretty low key. Joseph found New Year’s celebrations on YouTube from earlier places in the world. London’s fireworks were spectacular and went on for a quite a long time. I always have mixed feelings about fireworks. I feel so sorry for all the animals and birds in the area and for people who have PTSD from combat. But it was an amazing show. I didn’t care much for Dubai’s although it was fairly impressive. Shanghai had an impressive drone display instead of fireworks. Included a man running, the count down and other displays. I was able to enjoy some fireworks and still go to bed by my usual time. The neighborhood was surprisingly quiet. There were illegal fireworks on and off all day and evening, but no big noise eruption at midnight. (or I was really zonked) When I was young, people used to go outside, bang on pots and pans, and yell “Happy New Year.” I didn’t hear any of that here.

We enjoyed taking the day off, eating junk food, and playing games on New Year’s Day. I would have liked to have watched the parade on TV, but I didn’t want to bother the guys and I can’t watch TV in the kitchen where I seem to spend most of my time. I made cinnamon rolls.

Although I do not officially make New Year’s Resolutions, I am always trying to improve taking care of myself, my family, my home, and my ministering. Not that anyone can tell by looking. Very little baby steps. Constant struggle. Anyway, to try to motivate myself to move more towards a healthier me, I got myself a fitness tracker (Gramin Vivofit 3) AND joined Yes, Fit (Virtual Races). Y-our tracker communicates with their app or website or whatever and marks where you are on their race map. It is not really a race as you can go at your own pace – run, walk, swim, bike, crawl – it doesn’t matter. I am on the $4/month plan. I can do the races. If I want to register for prizes ($25-$30/race), I can win a T-shirt or something. I am not going to bother with that generally.

My first race, is Cinderella - mainly because it's one of the shorter ones. 18.5 miles. (Not going for the reward.) I look forward to Getting My Kicks on Route 66, Man's Best Friend, Lucky Leprechaun, The Pacific Highway, and more.
I anticipated that a trip to Costco or Winco would be worth LOTS of steps, but, alas! nothing. Apparently, pushing the cart keeps the device from detecting steps. Now, that's frustrating. Some of my Facebook friends suggest wearing the tracker on my ankle. I am going to try that.
We decided that for FP&S (Family prayer and Scriptures), we will mostly follow the Come, Follow Me reading. This last week we did the introduction to the BoM and Joseph Smith’s history in the Pearl of Great Price. Basically on track with Come, Follow Me and the Prophet’s counsel to read about the restoration. Is good.
Wishing all good things.
Love, Grandma Barbara

Happy Last Day

December 31, the last day of the year

But what if you knew it was your last day on earth?  What would you do?

See / call your family and friends to tell them "Good-bye.  I love you."

Frantically try to get your affairs in order - write/review your will, throw away the embarrassing junk/clutter, no time to lose weight (argh)

Eat your favorite food

Try to find someone to care for your children/pets

Go someplace you always wanted to see

Do some serious praying and repenting

Sit and cry because there is NOT time for everything you want to do

   The idea of a last day is overwhelming and sad.  There are too many things that I would want/need to do and I would not be able to to them all.

    Maybe, just maybe I should try to do some of these things every day. 

thank you, Mesoamericans!

email to Acadia, full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in the Oregon Eugene Mission (Or is it Eugene Oregon Mission?)

Dear Acadia,

Happy New Year!

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?? The only NYR I was ever successful at was to not make any more New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t want to break it now. I tell myself that I should be doing something similar weekly, should we not? Check in with ourselves, repent, resolve and covenant to do better? Daily even, but especially in preparation for the Sacrament. I do confess that I do not often think of it, but I know I should and I do manage sometimes.

I also do not go out and celebrate on New Year’s Eve. I prefer to be safe and comfortable at home. Maybe watch some celebrations on TV and probably go to bed at the regular time (which for me, honestly could be anywhere from 8 to 10 or maybe 11) Officially, Family Prayer and Scripture) is at 9 and then I get ready for bed. But some evenings one of us (usually me) asks for early FP&S. Once in a while so we can watch a movie and not be too tired for FP&S when it is over, but more often because we are tired.

The new curriculum for Come, Follow Me is the Book of Mormon. So now what are we going to do? We usually read a chapter every night after Family Prayer. On Monday at dinner we read from “Come, Follow Me” and call it Home Evening. I think we are going to spend a little time with “Come, Follow Me” for our FP&S. See how that works. Which will lead to new decision making next year about how to work in reading the BoM daily.

I hope you had a Merry Christmas! I hope my little package made it to you.

We had a bit of a long, leisurely Christmas.

Our traditional bread, fruit, and cheese on Christmas Eve while talking about Jesus and his birth. I had not been feeling well, so I didn’t have a plan for the evening. It would have been better if I had.

Christmas morning was just us at the Patch. I had told Santa not to bother with us, which honestly made me a little sad. He surprised us, however with chocolates! We all were up at different times and quietly did our own thing. I watched The Nativity and some other Christmasy movies. Every now and then I asked if they wanted to open a couple of presents, but no one leaped with interest, so it waited until way late in the day. David and Teresa came over and hung out. It was pleasant and peaceful, but not especially Christmasy. Miriam took the day off her special diet, so I made cinnamon rolls, we each put pizza toppings on our own Focccaia bread, and we had Tater Tots. Foods she sometimes misses a lot.

Some of us were glad to have the couple days after Christmas day to finish getting family presents together. Saturday was fun! ! We all gathered at Debi’s for gift exchange and were even able to be on the phone with your folks for hours. Three elves gave homemade chocolates to their giftee AND so the rest of us wouldn’t be jealous, each made little bags of chocolates for the rest of us. My children each gave me chocolate, as well. Debi gave a couple of us Nativities from her day in Portugal. Mine is so tiny! The base is little bigger than a good sized postage stamp! She also gave me a rock with a fish painted on it from Portugal. Really cute. I want to find time to do rock painting. I started to, but life is full. Hinds gave me and apron and “4 seasons towels” made with the kids’ hand prints. The hands are flowers on the apron and in the spring, cardinals in the winter, leaves in the fall, sand un rays in the summer. Cute and clever. Jared did a wood burning Nativity for me. David and Teresa gave me Downton Abby cds. And Mercy Street dvds. For my next, but shorter obsession. It only lasted 2 seasons. Too bad. It was good.

Chocolate was one of the most popular gitts to give and receive this year. I wonder if there will be a reaction next year and no one gives chocolate. Hope not!

So far, I have only had to give one person receipts to return the gift I gave them. I really liked the sweaters I found for Joseph and so did he, but they were two small in the neck and too long in the arm. What a combination. He does not have a thick neck or short arms. But maybe he doesn’t like things on his neck much. I don’t.

With Christmas, 2^nd Christmas, special Sacrament Meeting, people taking days off from work, I got quite mixed up on the day of the week and frequently had to check my phone. Not done yet, with New Year’s this Wednesday but that should be less disruptive because my Christmas was sort of Sunday like, but I expect New Years to be less so.

Andrew has been called back into teaching Primary. 7 turning 8. With the 74 year old husband of our RS president. He is really a big kid. An absolute imp. Except not at all evil. Definitely mischievous. They have worked together before. It should be good.

I have had a slight cold for a couple of weeks now. Which meant that when Benjamin, Bethany, and Jacob came to the family gift exchange, I had to wear a mask and I did not try to hold him. Slowly getting better. Hopefully, I can get to know my newest grandchild soon.

I sure love my oldest grandchild! And I am so proud of you! We will be working on plans to go to your homecoming soon. Don’t get trunky! Savor every minute and keep working hard. I know you will. Some missionaries sort of stop focusing on the work, but I think most really throw themselves into it as they realize their time is growing short.

Love you!

Batman elbow

email to granddaughter Acadia,

This has been somewhat of a nothing week as I have not been feeling well.  Not miserable sick, but tired, a sore throat early on, sneezes and coughs.  I spent a couple of days doing nothing but resting.  And addressing Christmas cards.  

Fortunately, I have gifts that I am pretty much happy with for all my *8*5*9*.  Although, frankly, 9 is cheating.  I am giving Jacob a crocheted blanket as I have given all of you just for being born.  I don't think he'll notice.  I hope you got your package envelope. 

We had our "special" Sacrament Meeting which was pretty much like our regular Sacrament Meetings except both the Primary and the choir sang and the Bishopric spoke. Nice, but not newsworthy.  No false advertising in that meeting.  LOL.  The Elders Quorum provided milk, cookies and background music for some nice visiting afterwards.  I am not sure whether we had any visitors due to the advertising / invitations, but a couple of people who have moved from our ward came back to visit.  One couple who moved to West Sacramento double dipped.  A fellow moved to Montana but comes back now and then for business.  It was nice.   I would have appreciated it all more but for  my minor cold. 

I just got in from riding my bike (Sylvia) from dropping my car (Gracie) at the shop.  I have not ridden in a long time.  I need to!  

Remember when I told you that Teresa and I were getting together a couple times a week to exercise?  I don't think we have since!  I think I told you that I am not good at doing it on my own.  Something must change. 

As  I said, no news.  Looking forward to a home centered Christmas and a fun family gathering the Saturday after.  May your Christmas be filled with love. 

here a jingle, there a jingle

The Ward Christmas Dinner was a success. There was just enough food which was quite tasty. The decorations were lovely. We had about 8 loaned Nativities and 25+ craft stick Nativities placed around, plus some greenery off a ward member’s redwood trees and some battery candles. Lots of compliments for the craft stick Nativities. One sister is going to have her family do them for their extended family night. The Primary presentation was sweet and meaningful. The children sang well. Everyone seemed to have a good time (except possibly our overworked kitchen manager)

Busy, busy, but not quite as hectic as I feared. I made lots of phone calls – looking for more people to volunteer to help with the food and reminding those who had. I helped deliver “Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner” Kits which had everything one needed to make our main dish except a half (?) cup of milk and oven to bake it in. I didn’t have to go around picking up Nativities or trees. I made two apple cakes and two dinner casseroles. I helped a little with set up on Friday. I was there the whole time, only a little help LOL. It was not as organized as I expected. No clear leader. I had almost accidentally drug Miriam along – we took too long doing one of her errands and so I didn’t take her home first. Good news, bad news. She has a good eye for decorating and setup and she is not afraid to tell people what to do. Maybe she should have checked with the RS President before, but, well she did a good job. Worse news is that between that and a couple other things she got wiped out and was unable to go the actual dinner on Saturday or church Sunday noon. She was able to have dinner with the family Sunday and between leftovers and recreations, we had the same dinner as the ward had Saturday. But not the lovely Primary program, of course.

I had thought that Benjamin, Bethany, and Jacob were coming over, so I skipped a Messiah Sing-a-Long at the Presbyterian church and the Valley Choral Society Concert at our own building to take care of dinner (and try to straighten up a little). Otherwise we would have had tortilla wraps on the run. It didn’t work out for B+1, which was disappointing. We had a pleasant evening nonetheless. I also missed our local Live Nativity on our temple hill . Well, it was chilly outside, anyway. Hopefully timing will work out better last year. We have gone at least 2 years and it is quite well done.

Now I need to finish gathering and wrapping family gifts. Try to get my Christmas cards out. And maybe, maybe do a little to take of myself and home. Or that can wait until next year.

stick it to me

 email to my granddaughter, Acadia, serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Oregon Eugene Mission

 

Patchy news. not much

Baby Jacob Bruce Robarts spent a little extra time in hospital. Apparently he had swallowed fluid before or during birth.  With his tummy full, he was not eager to eat.  And he was sleepy.  After they pumped his stomach, he started eating better.  He is a rather laid back, easy going fellow.  Benjamin and Bethany are totally in love.   He is a charmer.  And wearing 3 month clothes.

Despite feeling like I was quite busy all week, I have nothing to report. 

We are almost done making the craft stick Nativities.  Which is very good, because the Ward Christmas Dinner is Saturday.  I need to remind everyone who signed up to let us use Christmas trees and/or Nativities and everyone who signed up to help with food.   The RS 1 C is putting together kits of ingredients  which we will need to deliver.  I need to help deliver food kits and collect trees and Nativities from those who cannot get them to the church as needed.  There is a lot of shopping to be done.  The RS Pres was going to do most of it, but she was very sick Sunday, so that may change.  I need to get CDs from Tom with a playlist of Christmas music for background for the dinner.  And get hold of a CD player.  Friday we are setting up and decorating with the youth, maybe just YW? and having pizza.  Saturday I will be doing some cooking for the dinner.  Not sure what all yet.  I know at least one Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner, but I may have to also make some Apple Cake.  This is going to a busy week.  I hope the dinner goes well. 

I went to a class Saturday about watering and  pruning trees.  There is a lot to learn and I only remember bits.  Then, too, I don't have any young tress right now.  My "baby" apple tree is several years old now. 

Church ads inviting people to a special service Sunday the 22nd end showing hands reaching for cookies.  Having heard nothing, Miriam, Teresa, and I started asking.  As of last Sunday, there were no plans for cookies.  False Advertising!  That troubled us, so we started thinking about what we were going to do about it.  Do we have time to bake?  Costco has a great bakery.  I usually do not care for store bought baked goods, but I have never had any bakery items from Costco that I did not think were very good.  Fortunately, yesterday Relief Society brought it up in Ward Council and, joy of joys! Elder's Quorum accepted the assignment.  At least there will be cookies.

Do you find that people are more willing to learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel this time of the year OR are they too busy with Christmas preparation and activities ? 

Wishing you warm hands, feet, nose and heart.

Love,

Grandma Barbara

8*5*(8-2+1)

email to my Granddaugher, Acadia, serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - 

What a wild wonderful week!

Monday was mostly shopping for Thanksgiving and attendant activities. That was wild enough.

Tuesday morning was Relief Society Presidency Meeting. We are in charge of the Ward Christmas Dinner. Just dinner and music. They keep announcing it as a party, but to Miriam and I party sounds a little more active and festive. I hope that the kids are not disappointed. 

Then dinner at Ruth’s with your family. Hawaiian Haystacks. And lots of talking. Almost everyone at once.  It was loud.  All of my children and almost all my grandchildren. Everyone except you and Molly. I so seldom see Molly. Does Benjamin and Bethany’s baby count? He was in utero. We even got to meet the ever famous Kali (Roser's dearly beloved Maine Coon Cat)

Wedneday morning David and Teresa, the Hinds, and we Patch people met at Country Club Plaza Mall for a scavenger hunt. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Peter only intermittently because he just woke up in a bad mood. Lol. Since there were few of us, we all stayed together and worked pretty much cooperatively. Sam had pictures of things to look for, the rest of them worked from written clues. We played about an hour before dispersing to our various preparations.

Take a picture by the capitol. 

 

 

 

 

Find a Fairytale Town element.

I prepaid for each child to choose a balloon.

The hunt planning crew.

Clue: Make a bird sing.  (When you enter the shop, this bird sings. So fun!)

David and Teresa were going to spend Thanksgiving with her sisters’ family but the kids started getting sick, so we got DT for Thanksgiving! Typical Thanksgivng Day dinner close to our regular dinner time. We were so full we didn’t eat any pie. Pumpkin pie for breakfast Friday!

Benjamin and Bethany went to the hospital Thanksgiving morning about 10 to have labor induced. We were on alert all day. And all night. And into the next day. Jacob Bruce was born on Friday at 1:39pm 9lbs 11 oz, 22 inches Big boy! We have only seen a picture, but he looks a bit like Ben did.  They are settling in, learning to feed, and avoiding germs.

Naomi got sick, so we cancelled plans to play games with Hinds for Forced Family Fun Friday. (Frankly, I think that delightful, but short lived tradition is dying. I am going to try to encourage more Family Day togetherness January 25) Tried to do some cyber shopping. Small stack of birthdays right after Thanksgiving! Benjamin Dec 1, Bethany Dec 2, and Molly Dec 4. (Bethany’s brother is Dec 3, but I don’t gift him.) Miriam convinced me to wait until we looked at Target. Joseph and I went to Office Depot where he got a Chromebook that was on a good sale. And we bought a new printer. There was a $50 trade in on any printer, so I went home to get our old one. We bought the printer. Andrew, Miriam, and I went to Target. None of us found what we were looking for. I ended up on Amazon ordering a book to be delivered to Molly, and gift cards for B&B.

Joseph worked on setting up the printer. Which said an ink cartridge was leaking. He checked and didn’t see anything, but the printer insisted. So, we went back to the store. (That made 3 trips to that store for me in one day.) At first, they were baffled, but when they took the printer out of the box and looked at the back, there was ink everywhere. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any more in stock. Offered us a discount on a different printer, but I declined. A new one will be shipped here tomorrow. Hoping it works out! In the meantime, instead of a printer that hates me but sometimes works for the others, we currently have no printer. Of course, I get last minute requests to do some kind of sign up sheet almost every week for Relief Society. This week it was for temple cleaning. I got one up on-line and it will be in the notebooks next week. (I hope!) The assignment is Dec 14-20, so we have a week.

Saturday was Andrew’s last day as Building Cleaning Supervisor until July. Joseph went to help and they had a good crew. Andrew felt like they went out well. I think the Spanish ward will do December and June. The other ward in our building will do January through May. It’s a big job. Andrew is glad of the break.

I got a surprise text! My friends, Kent and Melanie Larson, who moved to Utah years ago, were in town. Their oldest son married my Bishop’s daughter and their daughter married one of my former Bishop’s son. They had Thanksgiving with the Bishop. On Friday, which was the best weather day of the holiday week, they went to the ocean so Melanie could put her feet in the ocean. Saturday they visited friends. Joseph and I spent an hour or so with them. They are friends that when you get together it seems like there was no gap in time or distance. 

Sunday evening we managed some Downton Abbey time with David and Teresa. 

Now it’s back to the regular life. Clean, cook, pay bills. EXCEPT I must get ready for Christmas! I got a few things together to send with your folks, but now I need to get on everybody else. So far I have not been adequately inspired by “what to give a missionary” and all my years as a missionary mom still leave me without great ideas. Any modest suggestions?

I am charge of gathering / making Nativities for each table for the Ward Christmas Dinner on the 14^th. With Teresa’s help, I am making cute craft stick Nativities. I am also in charge of background music. Working with Tom to get a playlist and with David to set it up for sound through the building’s speakers. 

I have been neglecting my ministering sisters. Gotta spend some time on that this week for sure. I have a couple I should contact multiple times a week. 

Over booking, over booking. The 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th is the Live Nativity on our temple hill. But the 13^th is set up and decorate for the Ward Dinner. The 14^th is the Ward Christmas Dinner. And the 15^th is a Sing-along Messiah at Bethany Presbyterian Church at 4 and Valley Choral Society Messiah concert at our building at 7pm. I think we will miss the live Nativity this year. Teresa, David, Andrew and I went to the Sing-along last year and determined to make it a tradition. We should be able to easily make the Valley Choral Society Concert. 

My bruise from the last visit is almost healed.  Time to book another platelets donation. 

So glad I am retired and have lots of free time. LOL

Thank you for bringing joy to our world through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

hear the calling

email to my granddaughter Acadia serving a in the Oregon Eugene Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

I think about you all the time.  So proud of you.

As you know, things are moving along with your family move.  The good news for me is that we will be able to see your family briefly as they drive to Arizona.  What a trip that is going to be with the cat!  I don't think the details have been worked out, but I THINK we will all be together for dinner Tuesday night before Thanksgiving - Hawaiian Haystacks.  

It is going to be a bit of a different Thanksgiving for some of us.  Your folks at Lucas' cousin's mother's house (so nice of them!) and us at the Patch just us. 

It would be the perfect opportunity for me to do a Thanksgiving thing I like - invite people from the ward who might otherwise be alond, BUT  1) I am feeling not very ambitious and don't want to do a big full on meal alone, 2) part of that is I hope to spend time with at least some of the family Wednesday (working on a scavenger hunt at a nearly abandoned shopping mall), 3) my house is still in a state of more than usual chaos (which is always bad) with the kitchen project rather stagnant, and 4) Miriam does not like the idea.  I am still half considering it.

 

What fascinating things do I have to share this week?

The most impressive thing was I got a mammogram. Smashing. I have heard nothing back yet, so I assume they saw nothing alarming.

I went to a 3D printing class at my local library. Unfortunately, my computer didn’t want to play nice, so I didn’t finish the project. It was not really a class for understanding as much as doing a specific project. I suppose one gains some understanding of the process. I am told that one can go to the website for this 3D program thing and take tutorials for free. Something to add to my Things To Do in my spare time list.

What I need to do is learn Time Management and Self Control.

In Sunday School, our instructor, Tawna, told us about how she had been feeling quite unwell and unable to go to the store for things she needed. She put an order on Amazon Prime and they quickly delivered what she needed right to her door. What feelings of relief and gratitude she felt! She then compared how much more relieved and grateful we should be to our Savior who has provided us something we never could have done for ourselves – the Atonement and path to forgiveness and returning to our heavenly home.

The lesson this last week asked us to think about our own definition of faith. The first word to my mind is Trust. What is the first word you think of?

I heard another song that I really like at the RSVP concert Friday. (RSVP is a singing group Bethany belongs to - but is not performing with this season due to being fit to burst out in baby any time now.  RSVP is a charity organization.  They do free concerts, but each concert season features a local charity for which they solicit donations.  This season, it's Wellspring Women's Center which provides a safe place and counseling for women in difficulties to visit.  Anyway, the song is "Calling My Children Home".  I liked the RSVP version better than any I have found since. 
Those lives were mine to love and cherish
To guard and guide along life's way
Oh God, forbid that one should perish
That one alas should go astray.
Back in the years with all together
Around the place we'd romp and play
So lonely now and oft times wonder
Oh, will they come back home some day.
I'm lonesome for my precious children
They live so far away
Oh, may they hear my calling, calling
And come back home some day.
Love you,  Grandma Barbara

a little over my head

email to Granddaughter Acadia serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Oregon Eugene Mission-

It is thrilling to read of the good you are doing and the good people you are working with. Exciting to think of lives being opened to the goodness and promises of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

One sees the Lord’s hand in how quickly your Vancouver home sold and how quickly your folks found your Chandler home. I admit that a part of me wishes you were staying in the PNW, but we trust the Lord in His love and wisdom. I am sure that wonderful things await you in Arizona.

My replacement phone arrived and I managed to set it up myself without having to ask Joseph for help! My old phone is now the Green Lantern. The wifi works without being connected to my carrier, so I can still get limited use out of it at home. The new phone is much the same, but supposedly with better camera, storage, and battery life. I tried to call a ministering-to sister. We could hardly hear each other. Then I realized that the speaker and microphone are positioned differently and the old phone case (which I really like) covers them. I stuck tiny pieces of plastic under the edge of the cover so the sound is better now.

Friday, the Front Street Animal Shelter hosted Climb for a Cause at Peak Adventures at Sac State. Unfortunately it was during work hours so Joseph missed it. Andrew has Fridays off. He climbed and walked a log walk several feet in the air and then a rope walk that was at least as high. The support people were great.

Sunday was a rare treat. At 9 we went to Hinds’ ward for their Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation and at nooon, Andrew and I went to our ward for our CSMP. Both had me in tears. Brighton Ward (my ward) really scored by having the children sing both “Gethsemane” and “Miracle”.

“Gethsemane” is a most powerful and touching explanation of the atonement. I love that song. I bought the music and choir rights to it when I was Primary President. A couple of weeks ago, our RS 2^nd Counselor used it in the Relief Society lesson. It is awesome. Do you know it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uSGSvKy6Io

“Gethsemane” by Melanie Hoffman

Jesus climbed the hill

To the garden still

His steps were heavy and slow

Love and a prayer

Took Him there

To the place only He could go

Gethsemane

Jesus loves me

So He went willingly

To Gethsemane

He felt all that was sad, wicked or bad

All the pain we would ever know

While His friends were asleep

He fought to keep

His promise made long ago

Gethsemane

Jesus loves me

So He went willingly

To Gethsemane
The hardest thing That ever was done

The greatest pain that ever was known

The biggest battle that ever was won

This was done by Jesus.

The fight was won by Jesus

Gethsemane

Jesus loves me

So he gave His gift to me

In Gethsemane

Gethsemane

Jesus loves me

So he gives His gift to me

From Gethsemane

"Miracle,” new to me this year, is amazing as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ2djzQ9J64

“Miracle”

Lyrics by Shawna Belt Edwards

Jesus walked upon the water

He stilled the storm and calmed the angry sea,

With His hands he healed the leper,

He made the lame to walk the blind to see.

He fed a thousand people with a loaf or two of bread.

And when the ruler’s daughter died,

He raised her form the dead.

Jesus is a God of miracles,

Nothing is at all impossible to Him,

But I know this:

Of all his miracles,

the most incredible must be

the miracle that rescues me!

Jesus bled and died to save me,

A price that I could never pay alone,

When he rose again he gave me,

The greatest gift the world has ever known!

Yes I can be forgiven every time I repent

And someday He will lift me up to live with him again.

Jesus is a god of miracles.

Nothing is at all impossible to him,

but I know this; of all his miracles

the most incredible must be the miracle that rescues me!

The miracle that rescues you and me!

Love you!

Grandma Barbara

rice spa

11/4 email to my granddaughter Acadia serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Oregon -

Plunk. Monday my phone took a spectacular dive landing in the only liquid anywhere close by. From the stove hood to the pot of chicken broth on the back corner. I pulled it out quickly, wiped it down and put it in rice. But it was doomed. It eventually recovered to the point where the phone seemed to function, but the screen was green (horizonatally striped green like old fashioned wall paper) and you couldn’t see anything. After some research, seeking opinions, and wavering forth and back, I have ordered a replacement phone. Joseph managed to get to settings and up the screen brightness to where I can see somewhat through the green curtain. I have learned that I am very technology dependent. I miss my phone.

I told you I have been a little Downton Abbey crazy lately, watching DVDs whenever David and Teresa can come over. On a slight hiatus at the moment as they are in Tracy watching a little nephew and nieces while they get a new sister. But this week, despite still being only half through the series, David, Teresa, Miriam and I went to see the movie. It was good, but not nearly as good as the TV series. Hard to put my finger on exactly, but I often found myself feeling I was watching caricatures of some of the characters. So, will I buy the DVD when it gets to Costco? Oh, probably.

I donated platelets on Halloween. One of my attendants was Vitalant Man. He was fun. And I think the only one who dressed up. He liked my pirate and was full of Arrrs and Ahoys. I told him that it was good sailing with him.

Miriam got 3 tickets to a Disney movie for purchasing Almond Milk in multiples of 3 during a certain time period. Actually, I did the shopping, but she bought and drank it. The tickets expired Halloween, so she, Teresa, and I saw Maleficent – Mistress of Evil. And we learn a little about not judging.

Miriam bought 2 dozen little plastic unicorns and 3 dozen littler plastic dragons to give the neighborhood kids on Halloween. We finished the evening with 4 dragons. I was surprised we had that many Trick-or-Treaters and we were happy to hear many exclamations of delight, even from older Trick-or-Treaters. One of my ministering sisters gave out candy and holiday pencils. She said she could hear the children excitedly telling their parents about the pencils. Something to bear in mind for next year. Kids like little gifts.

Our Sunday School lesson focused on fear preventing us from doing good. What are we afraid of and what can we do about it. It is surprising how fearful we (I) can be sometimes. One of the strangest things is being afraid of repentance. Embarrassed, afraid of the price we will have to pay, afraid we cannot change. The struggle is real. Yet it is silly of us. Embarrassed to confess to God? Like He doesn’t already know. Afraid of the price/punishment/cost of repentance or change? It will only get worse if we don’t. Afraid we cannot change? Christ said that we can with His help which He yearns to give. And yet it seems hard. We need to love and trust the Lord more completely.

Our poor compassionate service leader. Last week she was trying to get people to sign up to bring meals to a pregnant woman with a son in burn center at Shriners Hospital. She gets people lined up and before we take meals in the boy is discharged and they go home. Good news all around. This week she asked us to take meals to one sister and soup to another brother. I was to take something to each of them today. As I was reviewing my recipes (no salt, no cholesterol, no fat for the sister), Lorretta called. The request she saw was an OLD email. The ward had served, the crises had passed, they don’t need food brought in. She was so embarrassed. I laughed and told her that this time we were just being tested for willingness. I hope it is not too wicked to be relieved not to need to actually serve.

There’s still – always – plenty to do. I think I will try to do something useful.

Love you lots!