As she passed my desk on the way out recently, L said, "Barbara, you are a comfortable person."
On her way back in she said, "If I were a lost child and I saw you, I would go to you for help."
She said I have a motherly, nuturing look.
I am glad you came by to visit. I would enjoy hearing from you.
"Guardian of the Sea" by Nicky Boehme
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
I feel a little guilty
So many people have said what a horrible year 2009 was for them. My life has been pretty good. The last week was quite lovely.
David worked pretty much all week on my Christmas present. Now our TV signals come in clearly and No More rabbit ears! He replaced the cable from the antenna And set it up so I can watch movies in the kitchen! The only thing we cannot do is watch movies in the kitchen and oh-oh I forget! But I think it is we cannot play Wii and have a movie in the kitchen at the same time. It is so great to turn on the TV and be able actually see and hear. No more box in the middle of the screen telling me the signal is not good enough!
Monday Teresa met up with some girlfriends for lunch and shopping. I worked Monday (had headaches with manual checks) but took off an hour early to get gas, start dinner, and prepare to meet up with the family at our house to go see Christmas lights. the girls wanted to go to Dovewood Court where we could drive to one place, walk around together and see lots of decorated houses. Good idea except Dovewood Court's last display night was last Sunday. Instead, people ate burritos, played on the Wii and generally hung out.
Tuesday I worked only half day. Teresa and spent the afternoon working on pretty in and out magnets for my office. I plan to take them in tommorrow and I am pretty excited.
That evening David, Teresa, and Joseph went with Ton to one of his MonaVie meetings. Do you know about that? Tom sells MonaVie some line of super health drink made from berries from South America. You are supposed to drink 2 ounces each morning and evening. $5/day David says. (I will never know if it really can change my life!) Teresa asked about the product and Tom got pretty excited about telling her about being a distributor. So he invited them to his meeting to learn more.
Wednesday was another full working day. (more checks - I do revolving fund checks Mondays and Wednesdays). Teresa visited her sister(s? And some friends?) Evening time we took the Wii to Ruth's and stayed up too late.
Thursday, New Year's Eve, again I worked a half day. It took us a very long time to go over to Ruth's, in fact, they got a bit put out with us. We all seemed to have things we felt like we needed to get done and some of us were moving a little slowly. We missed Debi who was getting together with friends. We took the Wii and a stack of movies. We played Disney Yatzee and It Came To Pass, and watched Up. Esther and Jared both stayed up for the new year. Just as surprising, so did I.
Friday and Saturday for me was mostly about getting ready for and worrying about the Graduation Celebration. As it turns out I did not do something I should have done which is send out reminders! We put on a great party - green and gold/yellow decorations everywhere. Teresa had made scrapbook pages for guests to write on. David hung their caps and gowns on a bulletin board behind the guest table. We had lots and lots of yummy food. And of course. Tom had great music. Everyone who came appeared to enjoy it, but very few came. Hamakers, Bennions, Sis Pasquera. It was almost 9- time for it to be over (according to DT's invitations, which was fine by me) when a couple of young couples came, so the party went on a little bit longer. Which is what Tom had intended all along. Clean up took a long time. We didn't get out until after midnight.
Lots of leftovers, but already they are diappearing quickly. D&T took some with them when they left today. Miriam and Debi came over Sunday evening to play on the Wii - when I went to sleep at 10:30 they were still hard at it, and of course they ate some. Leftovers not a big problem. I am thinking of putting tomato sauce and cheese over a layer of taquitos and baking them up sort of enchilada style Monday.
For me 2009 was fine. I am so thankful for the blessings the Lord has showered on me, most especially my wonderful family and friends.
I expect 2010 will be good, too.
David worked pretty much all week on my Christmas present. Now our TV signals come in clearly and No More rabbit ears! He replaced the cable from the antenna And set it up so I can watch movies in the kitchen! The only thing we cannot do is watch movies in the kitchen and oh-oh I forget! But I think it is we cannot play Wii and have a movie in the kitchen at the same time. It is so great to turn on the TV and be able actually see and hear. No more box in the middle of the screen telling me the signal is not good enough!
Monday Teresa met up with some girlfriends for lunch and shopping. I worked Monday (had headaches with manual checks) but took off an hour early to get gas, start dinner, and prepare to meet up with the family at our house to go see Christmas lights. the girls wanted to go to Dovewood Court where we could drive to one place, walk around together and see lots of decorated houses. Good idea except Dovewood Court's last display night was last Sunday. Instead, people ate burritos, played on the Wii and generally hung out.
Tuesday I worked only half day. Teresa and spent the afternoon working on pretty in and out magnets for my office. I plan to take them in tommorrow and I am pretty excited.
That evening David, Teresa, and Joseph went with Ton to one of his MonaVie meetings. Do you know about that? Tom sells MonaVie some line of super health drink made from berries from South America. You are supposed to drink 2 ounces each morning and evening. $5/day David says. (I will never know if it really can change my life!) Teresa asked about the product and Tom got pretty excited about telling her about being a distributor. So he invited them to his meeting to learn more.
Wednesday was another full working day. (more checks - I do revolving fund checks Mondays and Wednesdays). Teresa visited her sister(s? And some friends?) Evening time we took the Wii to Ruth's and stayed up too late.
Thursday, New Year's Eve, again I worked a half day. It took us a very long time to go over to Ruth's, in fact, they got a bit put out with us. We all seemed to have things we felt like we needed to get done and some of us were moving a little slowly. We missed Debi who was getting together with friends. We took the Wii and a stack of movies. We played Disney Yatzee and It Came To Pass, and watched Up. Esther and Jared both stayed up for the new year. Just as surprising, so did I.
Friday and Saturday for me was mostly about getting ready for and worrying about the Graduation Celebration. As it turns out I did not do something I should have done which is send out reminders! We put on a great party - green and gold/yellow decorations everywhere. Teresa had made scrapbook pages for guests to write on. David hung their caps and gowns on a bulletin board behind the guest table. We had lots and lots of yummy food. And of course. Tom had great music. Everyone who came appeared to enjoy it, but very few came. Hamakers, Bennions, Sis Pasquera. It was almost 9- time for it to be over (according to DT's invitations, which was fine by me) when a couple of young couples came, so the party went on a little bit longer. Which is what Tom had intended all along. Clean up took a long time. We didn't get out until after midnight.
Lots of leftovers, but already they are diappearing quickly. D&T took some with them when they left today. Miriam and Debi came over Sunday evening to play on the Wii - when I went to sleep at 10:30 they were still hard at it, and of course they ate some. Leftovers not a big problem. I am thinking of putting tomato sauce and cheese over a layer of taquitos and baking them up sort of enchilada style Monday.
For me 2009 was fine. I am so thankful for the blessings the Lord has showered on me, most especially my wonderful family and friends.
I expect 2010 will be good, too.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Between the holidays
Day before yesterday, Monday, Teresa got together with some girlfriends and David worked on figuring out his fix Mom's TV reception project. I took off work an hour early to get gas before meeting up with the family at our house to go to Dovewood Court to see the Christmas lights. Fortunately, before we went David looked up their website and found out that unfortunately Sunday had been their last display day. So, everyone ate burritos and just hung out. The Wii was kept busy!
Yesterday, I took a half day. Teresa helped me work on my office present project. Which means she did most of the work. I had some marine colored stones that people put in flower vases, rub-ons and Crystal Effects (for the glue) from Stampin’Up, and little magnets. I had previously learned that I am not very good with rub-ons. Lucky for me, Teresa is. She put the pretties on the stones and I glued everything together. I look forward to giving the new in-out magnets to my co-workers when everyone gets back after New Years.
Today I am working a full day and Teresa is going to go visiting. David might go with her or, if the roof is dry enough, he might work on my TV reception. Tonight, I think everyone is planning on going to Ruth’s after dinner. The sisters want us to take our Wii.
Tomorrow I will work a half day again. Then it's New Years and the Graduation Celebration on the 2nd.
And then David and Teresa go back to SLO. Teresa to finish her last quarter and David to work on finding a job. He needs a job for while she finishes school. And he needs to start his career. It would be nice, but is not highly likely that they will be one and the same. Job hunting can be tough, especially lately. Keep him in your prayers.
Yesterday, I took a half day. Teresa helped me work on my office present project. Which means she did most of the work. I had some marine colored stones that people put in flower vases, rub-ons and Crystal Effects (for the glue) from Stampin’Up, and little magnets. I had previously learned that I am not very good with rub-ons. Lucky for me, Teresa is. She put the pretties on the stones and I glued everything together. I look forward to giving the new in-out magnets to my co-workers when everyone gets back after New Years.
Today I am working a full day and Teresa is going to go visiting. David might go with her or, if the roof is dry enough, he might work on my TV reception. Tonight, I think everyone is planning on going to Ruth’s after dinner. The sisters want us to take our Wii.
Tomorrow I will work a half day again. Then it's New Years and the Graduation Celebration on the 2nd.
And then David and Teresa go back to SLO. Teresa to finish her last quarter and David to work on finding a job. He needs a job for while she finishes school. And he needs to start his career. It would be nice, but is not highly likely that they will be one and the same. Job hunting can be tough, especially lately. Keep him in your prayers.
Christmas Day
………(posting before work Wednesday, December 30)
We (David, Teresa, Joseph, Benjamin and I) had a fairly leisurely Christmas morning opening the gifts under the tree. Some of us ate Shredded Wheat cereal because the shredded wheat looks a little like a bale of hay - hay > manger > you get it. The guys were thrilled with the ties and us gals with the glittery scarves (Teresa’s gold - Cal Poly, mine white - I plan to keep the gold one I had previously bought to use at the up coming Graduation Celebration) we found in their stockings (which I have on good authority elves found at the 99cent store - I am beginning to really like that place). I accidently gave Joseph the same book twice, having bought one for him and one for David, but forgetting which one I had wrapped the first one for when I wrapped the second. We got that straightened out. What book? The Mormon Way of Doing Business: How Eight Western Boys Reached the Top of Corporate America by Jeff Benedict . I read a little bit before wrapping and look forward to borrowing the book from one of them.
Anna got a new rope tug toy. Within minutes she chewed off the comfy rubber handle. She loves it, frequently bringing it to us to play with and even taking it to bed with her sometimes.
Around 11 we went to Ruth’s where everyone was gathering for more gift opening, especially the highly anticipated gift exchanges between the siblings, most especially the homemade gift exchange which also includes Acadia, the oldest grandchild. Wow. She drew Benjamin and made him a beautiful wood pen (with the help of a nice woodcrafting neighbor) She also included a DVD of her making the pen. Awesome. Joseph was sent on a treasure hunt all through the house to eventually find the cat tree that Ryan made him. Benjamin made Miriam A Cookie of the Month calendar with pictures and recipes of the cookies he will make her each month for a year. Joseph gave Teresa charming pictures of a little frog and a shore bird which he shot, printed and framed. This is embarrassing. I do not remember all the home made gifts right now, but I do remember that each one was greeted with cries of delight and admiration.
We opened gifts for an hour or so, then Andrew called with his contact information. I called him back and we took a gift opening break while we passed the phone around for just short of two hours. http://madman7o8.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-2009.html People snacked, enjoyed their already opened gifts, and visited. After the call, we went back to opening gifts. Which helped me not get the after phone call let down I sometimes feel. It is not that we get so many gifts, but there are a lot of us and we open each gift one at a time with everyone looking on. After the recipient has a moment or two to look at his/her gift, (s)he gets up and chooses the next gift to hand out. Most of us enjoy this relishing of the gift opening. Someone whose name starts with T gets a little tired of it. He kept saying, “It’s going to be dark soon.” I was wondering if, for some reason we could not open gifts after dark. We did, however, finish opening before darkness fell.
Then we made pizza. Ruth didn’t have any tomato sauce, so we made white sauce pizzas which were quite good. I think the favorite, certainly mine, was ground beef, spinach, and olives. OK, I confess, I didn’t even try the pepperoni or the ground beef with pineapple because I already knew which one I would like the best.
I don’t even remember how we spent the evening, except again, Joseph and I went home at a semi-decent time to see to the pets and get some rest while the others stayed up late.
Christmas is not all about presents, but presents are fun and I got some great gifts! Acadia gave me some nice rubber stamps. Sariah (et al) gave me a great knife set with block. Sharp knives and lots of them! And a nice photo wheel loaded with pictures of their family. David and Teresa are trying to fix my TV reception. (weather permitting) Miriam gave everyone a mug with homemade candy. She also gave me a lovely Nativity. Debi, who recently took up jewelry making, made me a pretty ornament. Joseph and Benjamin gave me the bicycle which simply amazes me. The planning, time and expense! So sweet! I may be forgetting some things.
Even more.
Joseph had been checking on-line and making phone calls, and we had been going to Office Depot in pursuit of some elusive thing. The day after Christmas we tried the Office Depot out by Costco where I bought pork roast for Sunday, but forgot to get gas. Then he confirmed and got reserved his quarry in Folsom. Out we drove. In he went. When he came back, successful, he told me it was for me. He bought me a Nextstar GPS to replace the Magellan that was stolen when my car was broken into. So cool. He started looking at it as we headed for home. Soon he said that he was starting to want one. Well, it was the last day they were on sale and it had been hard to find, so we turned around and went back just before the store closed. It is supposed to be good for car, bike and pedestrians (although it shows a shorter, but not really bike friendly route to my office.) You can choose from 4 voices. Right now, it’s Amy.
oops! Work Time!
We (David, Teresa, Joseph, Benjamin and I) had a fairly leisurely Christmas morning opening the gifts under the tree. Some of us ate Shredded Wheat cereal because the shredded wheat looks a little like a bale of hay - hay > manger > you get it. The guys were thrilled with the ties and us gals with the glittery scarves (Teresa’s gold - Cal Poly, mine white - I plan to keep the gold one I had previously bought to use at the up coming Graduation Celebration) we found in their stockings (which I have on good authority elves found at the 99cent store - I am beginning to really like that place). I accidently gave Joseph the same book twice, having bought one for him and one for David, but forgetting which one I had wrapped the first one for when I wrapped the second. We got that straightened out. What book? The Mormon Way of Doing Business: How Eight Western Boys Reached the Top of Corporate America by Jeff Benedict . I read a little bit before wrapping and look forward to borrowing the book from one of them.
Anna got a new rope tug toy. Within minutes she chewed off the comfy rubber handle. She loves it, frequently bringing it to us to play with and even taking it to bed with her sometimes.
Around 11 we went to Ruth’s where everyone was gathering for more gift opening, especially the highly anticipated gift exchanges between the siblings, most especially the homemade gift exchange which also includes Acadia, the oldest grandchild. Wow. She drew Benjamin and made him a beautiful wood pen (with the help of a nice woodcrafting neighbor) She also included a DVD of her making the pen. Awesome. Joseph was sent on a treasure hunt all through the house to eventually find the cat tree that Ryan made him. Benjamin made Miriam A Cookie of the Month calendar with pictures and recipes of the cookies he will make her each month for a year. Joseph gave Teresa charming pictures of a little frog and a shore bird which he shot, printed and framed. This is embarrassing. I do not remember all the home made gifts right now, but I do remember that each one was greeted with cries of delight and admiration.
We opened gifts for an hour or so, then Andrew called with his contact information. I called him back and we took a gift opening break while we passed the phone around for just short of two hours. http://madman7o8.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-2009.html People snacked, enjoyed their already opened gifts, and visited. After the call, we went back to opening gifts. Which helped me not get the after phone call let down I sometimes feel. It is not that we get so many gifts, but there are a lot of us and we open each gift one at a time with everyone looking on. After the recipient has a moment or two to look at his/her gift, (s)he gets up and chooses the next gift to hand out. Most of us enjoy this relishing of the gift opening. Someone whose name starts with T gets a little tired of it. He kept saying, “It’s going to be dark soon.” I was wondering if, for some reason we could not open gifts after dark. We did, however, finish opening before darkness fell.
Then we made pizza. Ruth didn’t have any tomato sauce, so we made white sauce pizzas which were quite good. I think the favorite, certainly mine, was ground beef, spinach, and olives. OK, I confess, I didn’t even try the pepperoni or the ground beef with pineapple because I already knew which one I would like the best.
I don’t even remember how we spent the evening, except again, Joseph and I went home at a semi-decent time to see to the pets and get some rest while the others stayed up late.
Christmas is not all about presents, but presents are fun and I got some great gifts! Acadia gave me some nice rubber stamps. Sariah (et al) gave me a great knife set with block. Sharp knives and lots of them! And a nice photo wheel loaded with pictures of their family. David and Teresa are trying to fix my TV reception. (weather permitting) Miriam gave everyone a mug with homemade candy. She also gave me a lovely Nativity. Debi, who recently took up jewelry making, made me a pretty ornament. Joseph and Benjamin gave me the bicycle which simply amazes me. The planning, time and expense! So sweet! I may be forgetting some things.
Even more.
Joseph had been checking on-line and making phone calls, and we had been going to Office Depot in pursuit of some elusive thing. The day after Christmas we tried the Office Depot out by Costco where I bought pork roast for Sunday, but forgot to get gas. Then he confirmed and got reserved his quarry in Folsom. Out we drove. In he went. When he came back, successful, he told me it was for me. He bought me a Nextstar GPS to replace the Magellan that was stolen when my car was broken into. So cool. He started looking at it as we headed for home. Soon he said that he was starting to want one. Well, it was the last day they were on sale and it had been hard to find, so we turned around and went back just before the store closed. It is supposed to be good for car, bike and pedestrians (although it shows a shorter, but not really bike friendly route to my office.) You can choose from 4 voices. Right now, it’s Amy.
oops! Work Time!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Boy, oh, boy
Christmas morning brought me a BIG surprise. Normally, as Mom, there are not too many surprises for me. Wow. Not this time. There was a brand new bicycle in front of the tree. A girl’s bicycle. for me, must be, I am the only girl that lives here. A couple of elves, in the form of Joseph and Benjamin had been plotting together for months. Discouraged me from buying new tires when I was having trouble with a series of flats. One day, quite some time ago, Benjamin was playing with a measuring tape measuring all kinds of things around the house, including the people. To figure out what size bike to get me. The day they were to meet at the shop to pick it up, Joseph was not well. Benjamin walked and light railed and walked to the bike shop and rode my bike home. Without me finding out or suspecting a thing. They hid it in the garage in an area Benjamin had cleared in his sorting and cleaning binges. Apparently, Joseph was just covering it up with a tarp when I went into the garage to get a broom and dustpan. Clueless, I thought he was out there with his cat for some reason.
It is a really nice bike. A Trek, same brand as the one Joseph’s office surprised him with. They put a nice cushy seat on it. We need to get my rack for my bike bag transferred on to it and a kick stand. Maybe adjust the handlebars a smidge. We will probably take it to the bike shop for adjustments Friday.
I am eager to ride it to work, but a little concerned about leaving my nice bike in front of the building, even though I do use both a U lock and a cable lock. Maybe I will reconsider renting space in the cage in the parking garage across the street. I have been reluctant to do so because, 1) I am afraid of parking garages - this one was dark and scary when I visited it on lunch break, 2) it will had a few minutes to my commute time, locking and unlocking the cage, still locking my bike, and a bit of an extra walk to the building, and 3) (but not really) I am incredibly cheap and this will cost a couple of dollars a month. Going down into the garage at 5 or 5:30 on a dark winter evening is daunting to me. When I go out to the bike racks in front of the building in the evening, there are more lights than in the garage and either lots of other workers coming out or, if it is later, a security guard. But this is such a nice bike, I don’t want anything to happen to it. Must think about it.
It is a really nice bike. A Trek, same brand as the one Joseph’s office surprised him with. They put a nice cushy seat on it. We need to get my rack for my bike bag transferred on to it and a kick stand. Maybe adjust the handlebars a smidge. We will probably take it to the bike shop for adjustments Friday.
I am eager to ride it to work, but a little concerned about leaving my nice bike in front of the building, even though I do use both a U lock and a cable lock. Maybe I will reconsider renting space in the cage in the parking garage across the street. I have been reluctant to do so because, 1) I am afraid of parking garages - this one was dark and scary when I visited it on lunch break, 2) it will had a few minutes to my commute time, locking and unlocking the cage, still locking my bike, and a bit of an extra walk to the building, and 3) (but not really) I am incredibly cheap and this will cost a couple of dollars a month. Going down into the garage at 5 or 5:30 on a dark winter evening is daunting to me. When I go out to the bike racks in front of the building in the evening, there are more lights than in the garage and either lots of other workers coming out or, if it is later, a security guard. But this is such a nice bike, I don’t want anything to happen to it. Must think about it.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve we went to Debi’s for our traditional supper of fresh baked bread, cheese, and fruit. It was not an evening of hymns and reflection with quiet discussion of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus and our Savior's mission, but Esther could tell me why we were eating this particular meal and we did read Luke 2.
We enjoyed visiting. When it was time for the children to go to bed, there was a general migration to the Hinds home for some kind of fun. Joseph and I came home to finish up our last bit of wrapping and help Santa with his deliveries. His reindeer had just pulled away when David, Teresa and Benjamin came home.
David and Teresa scored. Santa gave them each a stocking for being my children in my house and another stocking for being married to each other. The DT elves also added to the candy that the home elves put in our stockings.
We enjoyed visiting. When it was time for the children to go to bed, there was a general migration to the Hinds home for some kind of fun. Joseph and I came home to finish up our last bit of wrapping and help Santa with his deliveries. His reindeer had just pulled away when David, Teresa and Benjamin came home.
David and Teresa scored. Santa gave them each a stocking for being my children in my house and another stocking for being married to each other. The DT elves also added to the candy that the home elves put in our stockings.
All Creatures Testify
Another birthday present Sariah gave me was a rubber ducky Nativity. I wrestle a little with whether this is taking things a little too lightly, but it is cute and certainly brings a smile, if not a laugh, from everyone who sees it. Esther burst out laughing so loudly when she went in to use the bathroom that her parents thought she was up to something until I explained that, no, she had just suddenly seen the ducky Nativity, which led to a general rush on the bathroom and more outright laughs and chuckles. I like it.
Santa Puzzle
Sariah had given me for my birthday, among a couple of other things, a 1000 piece puzzle of Santa at the Manger. (she gave me another one for Christmas,but Ruth snatched that as quickly as I mentioned it was a repeat.). We have had it out since we put up our decorations. Benjamin worked for hours doing the edges and getting it started. We worked on it together a bit Monday. He is good! I mostly just sorted color groups. He could look at a smudge and say, “That’s the sheep’s eye.” or “That’s the donkey’s Biblical donkey.” (think about it.)
When David and Teresa arrived sometime arrived midnight Wednesday, Benjamin and Teresa stayed up into the wee morning hours working on the puzzle. While I was taking Joseph to work the next morning and doing some stocking stuffing shopping ( I got some good stuffers at the 99cent store including a green and gold Mustang Matchbox Car for David - green and gold are Cal Poly colors and the mustang (equine) is their mascot), they finished up the puzzle - double locking the door to keep me from spoiling their surprise. Benjamin now understands why so many people glue and frame their jig saw puzzles. He does not want all that hard work undone and put back in the box for next year.
It is a pretty puzzle. Some people think of Santa at the manger as the world bowing before Christ, kind of in a judgmental down on Santa and the commercialism of Christmas kind of way. I think of it as one selfless giver of love worshiping and recognizing the Savior, the font of all love. Personally, I think Christ probably likes Santa and what he represents to many of us.
I think Santa represents love, thinking of others, and caring especially for children. It is true I sometimes wonder why he brings more to rich children and that I never quite liked the idea of this fellow taking credit for parents' sometimes great sacrifice, but in our house, Santa was always fairly low key and brought things for the family to enjoy together. Lots of movies over the years! (Oh, Santa, what we need is more shelves for the movies.) This year he brought only one movie, "Up" which I hear is great, but haven't had time to watch yet. He also brought Super Mario (or something like that) for the Wii. Very popular. And a Presidential cookie recipe book.
When David and Teresa arrived sometime arrived midnight Wednesday, Benjamin and Teresa stayed up into the wee morning hours working on the puzzle. While I was taking Joseph to work the next morning and doing some stocking stuffing shopping ( I got some good stuffers at the 99cent store including a green and gold Mustang Matchbox Car for David - green and gold are Cal Poly colors and the mustang (equine) is their mascot), they finished up the puzzle - double locking the door to keep me from spoiling their surprise. Benjamin now understands why so many people glue and frame their jig saw puzzles. He does not want all that hard work undone and put back in the box for next year.
It is a pretty puzzle. Some people think of Santa at the manger as the world bowing before Christ, kind of in a judgmental down on Santa and the commercialism of Christmas kind of way. I think of it as one selfless giver of love worshiping and recognizing the Savior, the font of all love. Personally, I think Christ probably likes Santa and what he represents to many of us.
I think Santa represents love, thinking of others, and caring especially for children. It is true I sometimes wonder why he brings more to rich children and that I never quite liked the idea of this fellow taking credit for parents' sometimes great sacrifice, but in our house, Santa was always fairly low key and brought things for the family to enjoy together. Lots of movies over the years! (Oh, Santa, what we need is more shelves for the movies.) This year he brought only one movie, "Up" which I hear is great, but haven't had time to watch yet. He also brought Super Mario (or something like that) for the Wii. Very popular. And a Presidential cookie recipe book.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Today, the last late meeting for a year, we were late. We barely got into the lobby for Sacrament. (no choir practice this week, as you may have guessed.) Benjamin, as you may imagine, was irritated, but behaved with forebearance. How will we manage 9am meetings?! We should manage to be pretty much on time. No more leisurely mornings, that's all.
One most striking message during an excellent Sacrament Meeting. High Councilman Daniel Hunt told of a conversation he had with a Christian friend who believes that we are saved by grace. He asked why, if our actions do not affect our salvation, why does his friend obey the commandments so righteously. His friend, astonished at such a question, answered, “Because I love Him and He asked me to.” Profoundly beautiful. Or maybe beautifully profound. Brother Hunt pointed out that if we obey from fear of punishment or hope of reward, we are more prone to see how little we can get away with, but if we obey out of love, we will not want to fudge or take any short cuts, we will want to obey as completely as possible to show our love. Doesn’t that just make you want to cry? Deep and true.
We are signed up to feed the missionaries tonight. The guys and I decided that it would be a good time to use a Big can of tomato sauce we inherited from Troop 40. We would have spaghetti. We invited your siblings. They were interested in coming for dinner, but Ruth said
spaghetti makes her sick and requested pork roast or chicken. Saturday, I went to Costco and bought pork roast. That night, just before DT&B went over to play at Ruth's (9:30), the elders called and asked to eat at 7 (or is it 7:30?). Of course, we said yes. I sent word to the sibs via the party people, thinking that they would decide not to come after all. This morning I was taking it a little easier, thinking spaghetti at 7 when I finally thought to make sure the message was delivered. It was, but the response was that they would be here for pork roast at 5. Now I am serving dinner twice! Our Home Teacher, Bro. Hall, said the missionaries did the same thing to them. As Halls also have little children who go to bed about then, the missionaries had to eat alone. David, who scrubbed up a dozen spuds, said if any of the 5 o'clock people want seconds, they have to wait and eat with the missionaries.
........ later....... As we prepared the pork roast dinner for 5pm, I wondered if “the kids” (how old do you have to be before you stop being “the kids” to your parents?) were really coming. David assured me they were and they did. Every heartily enjoyed the dinner. The young ladies retired to the front room to play Phase 10. I understand there was some sort of grudge or revenge match going on. The fellas and the younguns went to the family room to play with the Wii. Santa had brought the new old Mario game that 4 people can play at a time either cooperatively or competitively.
In due course the missionaries arrived. They may have enjoyed their dinner as well, but not with the raptures of my earlier guests. At least one of my daughters really likes pork roast, but for some reason doesn’t make it. After the missionaries had dinner, we all had ice cream with cookies that Teresa had made.
Good Sabbath
One most striking message during an excellent Sacrament Meeting. High Councilman Daniel Hunt told of a conversation he had with a Christian friend who believes that we are saved by grace. He asked why, if our actions do not affect our salvation, why does his friend obey the commandments so righteously. His friend, astonished at such a question, answered, “Because I love Him and He asked me to.” Profoundly beautiful. Or maybe beautifully profound. Brother Hunt pointed out that if we obey from fear of punishment or hope of reward, we are more prone to see how little we can get away with, but if we obey out of love, we will not want to fudge or take any short cuts, we will want to obey as completely as possible to show our love. Doesn’t that just make you want to cry? Deep and true.
We are signed up to feed the missionaries tonight. The guys and I decided that it would be a good time to use a Big can of tomato sauce we inherited from Troop 40. We would have spaghetti. We invited your siblings. They were interested in coming for dinner, but Ruth said
spaghetti makes her sick and requested pork roast or chicken. Saturday, I went to Costco and bought pork roast. That night, just before DT&B went over to play at Ruth's (9:30), the elders called and asked to eat at 7 (or is it 7:30?). Of course, we said yes. I sent word to the sibs via the party people, thinking that they would decide not to come after all. This morning I was taking it a little easier, thinking spaghetti at 7 when I finally thought to make sure the message was delivered. It was, but the response was that they would be here for pork roast at 5. Now I am serving dinner twice! Our Home Teacher, Bro. Hall, said the missionaries did the same thing to them. As Halls also have little children who go to bed about then, the missionaries had to eat alone. David, who scrubbed up a dozen spuds, said if any of the 5 o'clock people want seconds, they have to wait and eat with the missionaries.
........ later....... As we prepared the pork roast dinner for 5pm, I wondered if “the kids” (how old do you have to be before you stop being “the kids” to your parents?) were really coming. David assured me they were and they did. Every heartily enjoyed the dinner. The young ladies retired to the front room to play Phase 10. I understand there was some sort of grudge or revenge match going on. The fellas and the younguns went to the family room to play with the Wii. Santa had brought the new old Mario game that 4 people can play at a time either cooperatively or competitively.
In due course the missionaries arrived. They may have enjoyed their dinner as well, but not with the raptures of my earlier guests. At least one of my daughters really likes pork roast, but for some reason doesn’t make it. After the missionaries had dinner, we all had ice cream with cookies that Teresa had made.
Good Sabbath
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
My Testimony
I am re-printing my testimony as I wrote it in December 2001. It has not changed much since then, except to grow. There is more I could say (you know my long windedness), but this will do for now. (You also know me and my resource - especially time - management problems)
December 2001
Although in many ways my testimony is weak, and my living of it much weaker, it is the most precious thing I have and the gift I wish to share with you.
I believe in God. The wonderful beauty, variety, and forces of the earth testify to me daily. The changing seasons. The miracle of life. I believe in our Creator and the Father of our Spirits. Sometimes a simple moment brings a rush of joy that testifies that God is - the look of the sky, a child's smile, the flight of birds. I see greatness in people in grand deeds of courage or in the goodness and courage of daily living and I know they are His children and of wonderful potential. Sometimes I really believe as well as know that even I am His child. On occasions, I have felt His love for me and been amazed.
I believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. At Christmas time we all think about the little baby in the manger. I am awed and amazed that the Creator of Worlds would come to earth as a helpless baby and live so humbly. I think of His life and teachings, so simple, so profound. I can hardly believe that He went to Gethsemane and the cross because he cares so much for each of us - for me! I can hardly to bear to imagine even part of what He suffered in body, mind, and spirit. I know I do not live nearly worthy of that love and sacrifice. But, I keep trying to do a little better. I know that He was resurrected, that He lives. I know that He has saved us from death and will save us from our sins, if we let Him.
I am amazed at my great good fortune to have been raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I hope and believe that had I not been so blessed that I would have found and accepted the Gospel. Fear that I might not have, makes me so grateful that Mom did and gave it to us. I believe, no, I really KNOW the church is true. In the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored through prophets and brought to us through the church, is the answer to every problem and question, if we will only learn to be humble and accept them. I am so grateful to live in a time of prophets. Their words delivered to my mailbox every month through the church magazines. The opportunity to sit at their feet and hear the prophet's voice twice every year at General Conference. Such incredible, unbelievable blessings!
I am grateful for the scriptures, though I have not yet learned to truly be at home with them as I ought. Do you realize that for centuries, they were just not available to people?! What scriptures that were on the earth, were available to only an elect few, who dispensed what pearls they chose among the masses. We have so many copies of scripture in our home! More than one per person. What a tremendous blessing! I am grateful that the Lord asks us to come to him about anything and everything. I love the verses in Alma 34:17-27 in the Book of Mormon that urge us to pray at all the times of the day and all the places we may be and all our endeavors and concerns. I am dumbfounded at my own hesitation to accept His wonderful invitation and command. I know that the Lord hears and answers honest prayers. I know He wants us to be open with Him. I know that we are safe with Him. I know that we can pray about every little thing and that despite world concerns, He listens, cares and answers. I like to think of a prophet's wife who said she never put a loaf of bread in the oven or bought a pair of shoes without a prayer. When I grow up, I will be like that.
I am thankful that the Lord let me live in modern times. I love the blessings of plumbing!!, hot water, and electricity. I love the postal service, the telephone, the computer to help shorten the distance between loved ones and bring a world of wonder and information into our homes. I am grateful for modern transportation and good roads. I like the comforts of modern living that are unimagined, impossible luxuries compared to the way most of humanity has lived and far too many still live. I am grateful the Lord lets me live in such comfort. Even more, I am grateful that when family members are separated by distance, we need not be cut off from each other. I so miss my children who are not close by! How grateful I am for frequent contact! What a great lesson it is too, of the love and home with Heavenly Father that misses us and wants us to talk to Him and to prepare to come back. I love my country and am so grateful to be American. I know that God inspired the foundation of this country. I am thankful for the great men who served as His instruments in founding, preserving and leading the United States of America. This land is so rich and beautiful. So diverse and wonderful. Physically and culturally so rich. We enjoy such freedom, such opportunity, such peace that comes from a strong nation with the rights of the people rigidly safeguarded. I realize as much as about anybody that the country and its people are far from perfect, but oh, they are wonderful, and there is or will be none greater, until the King of Kings establishes His perfect government. I am so grateful for those who have and do protect our country, its people and its freedoms. The Armed Forces, especially, but also the police, and firemen, doctors, true statesmen, and all those who choose lives of service and sacrifice. Who face dragons for it and us.
I am so grateful for my children. Besides my testimony, there is nothing more precious than they. I am so humble and thankful that the Lord loved me and trusted me enough to send them to me. I have been blessed with children beautiful inside and out. I enjoy their similarities and their differences. I am so pleased with their choices and the good lives they live. I enjoy being with them. Being with them in person or in spirit makes me feel rich. I am unbelievably blessed. I am thankful for so many friends, relatives, leaders and teachers, most especially in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who have and continue to help me raise my children. I am delighted and grateful for my "children"who have married into our family. Such wonderful people. Good, faithful, loving, kind, patient, fun. (and they're cute, too) I hope and pray that my other children will be as blessed in their choices and that we will all fit together as well.
I am grateful that throughout my life, I have been blessed with truly good friends. People who have loved and accepted me despite my many failings, and yet who also uplift me and make me want to be a better person. I am grateful for people I can trust, laugh with, cry with. That some of my best friends are family is indeed a rich double blessing.
Despite the evil and trouble in the world and personal difficulties, I know that God lives and loves us and that if we will trust Him, all will be well when it really counts. I give you my testimony with my love. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
December 2001
Although in many ways my testimony is weak, and my living of it much weaker, it is the most precious thing I have and the gift I wish to share with you.
I believe in God. The wonderful beauty, variety, and forces of the earth testify to me daily. The changing seasons. The miracle of life. I believe in our Creator and the Father of our Spirits. Sometimes a simple moment brings a rush of joy that testifies that God is - the look of the sky, a child's smile, the flight of birds. I see greatness in people in grand deeds of courage or in the goodness and courage of daily living and I know they are His children and of wonderful potential. Sometimes I really believe as well as know that even I am His child. On occasions, I have felt His love for me and been amazed.
I believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. At Christmas time we all think about the little baby in the manger. I am awed and amazed that the Creator of Worlds would come to earth as a helpless baby and live so humbly. I think of His life and teachings, so simple, so profound. I can hardly believe that He went to Gethsemane and the cross because he cares so much for each of us - for me! I can hardly to bear to imagine even part of what He suffered in body, mind, and spirit. I know I do not live nearly worthy of that love and sacrifice. But, I keep trying to do a little better. I know that He was resurrected, that He lives. I know that He has saved us from death and will save us from our sins, if we let Him.
I am amazed at my great good fortune to have been raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I hope and believe that had I not been so blessed that I would have found and accepted the Gospel. Fear that I might not have, makes me so grateful that Mom did and gave it to us. I believe, no, I really KNOW the church is true. In the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored through prophets and brought to us through the church, is the answer to every problem and question, if we will only learn to be humble and accept them. I am so grateful to live in a time of prophets. Their words delivered to my mailbox every month through the church magazines. The opportunity to sit at their feet and hear the prophet's voice twice every year at General Conference. Such incredible, unbelievable blessings!
I am grateful for the scriptures, though I have not yet learned to truly be at home with them as I ought. Do you realize that for centuries, they were just not available to people?! What scriptures that were on the earth, were available to only an elect few, who dispensed what pearls they chose among the masses. We have so many copies of scripture in our home! More than one per person. What a tremendous blessing! I am grateful that the Lord asks us to come to him about anything and everything. I love the verses in Alma 34:17-27 in the Book of Mormon that urge us to pray at all the times of the day and all the places we may be and all our endeavors and concerns. I am dumbfounded at my own hesitation to accept His wonderful invitation and command. I know that the Lord hears and answers honest prayers. I know He wants us to be open with Him. I know that we are safe with Him. I know that we can pray about every little thing and that despite world concerns, He listens, cares and answers. I like to think of a prophet's wife who said she never put a loaf of bread in the oven or bought a pair of shoes without a prayer. When I grow up, I will be like that.
I am thankful that the Lord let me live in modern times. I love the blessings of plumbing!!, hot water, and electricity. I love the postal service, the telephone, the computer to help shorten the distance between loved ones and bring a world of wonder and information into our homes. I am grateful for modern transportation and good roads. I like the comforts of modern living that are unimagined, impossible luxuries compared to the way most of humanity has lived and far too many still live. I am grateful the Lord lets me live in such comfort. Even more, I am grateful that when family members are separated by distance, we need not be cut off from each other. I so miss my children who are not close by! How grateful I am for frequent contact! What a great lesson it is too, of the love and home with Heavenly Father that misses us and wants us to talk to Him and to prepare to come back. I love my country and am so grateful to be American. I know that God inspired the foundation of this country. I am thankful for the great men who served as His instruments in founding, preserving and leading the United States of America. This land is so rich and beautiful. So diverse and wonderful. Physically and culturally so rich. We enjoy such freedom, such opportunity, such peace that comes from a strong nation with the rights of the people rigidly safeguarded. I realize as much as about anybody that the country and its people are far from perfect, but oh, they are wonderful, and there is or will be none greater, until the King of Kings establishes His perfect government. I am so grateful for those who have and do protect our country, its people and its freedoms. The Armed Forces, especially, but also the police, and firemen, doctors, true statesmen, and all those who choose lives of service and sacrifice. Who face dragons for it and us.
I am so grateful for my children. Besides my testimony, there is nothing more precious than they. I am so humble and thankful that the Lord loved me and trusted me enough to send them to me. I have been blessed with children beautiful inside and out. I enjoy their similarities and their differences. I am so pleased with their choices and the good lives they live. I enjoy being with them. Being with them in person or in spirit makes me feel rich. I am unbelievably blessed. I am thankful for so many friends, relatives, leaders and teachers, most especially in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who have and continue to help me raise my children. I am delighted and grateful for my "children"who have married into our family. Such wonderful people. Good, faithful, loving, kind, patient, fun. (and they're cute, too) I hope and pray that my other children will be as blessed in their choices and that we will all fit together as well.
I am grateful that throughout my life, I have been blessed with truly good friends. People who have loved and accepted me despite my many failings, and yet who also uplift me and make me want to be a better person. I am grateful for people I can trust, laugh with, cry with. That some of my best friends are family is indeed a rich double blessing.
Despite the evil and trouble in the world and personal difficulties, I know that God lives and loves us and that if we will trust Him, all will be well when it really counts. I give you my testimony with my love. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
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