I thank you

Wow is a good word.

Big Wow's abound.

Marriages. Travel/Trips.

Babies. Here and Arriving!

All the fun and the rest that goes with it!!!!

Empty house filling up again. Family visits are more priceless.

Right now.

Less traffic in the domain, means get more done??

Maybe, maybe not.......

Gratitude for all I have.... and don't have.

A warm wonderful companion.

Lots of kids, and new female members.

A missionary soon back.

A home.

Food and fuel to cook it.

Phones, internet and Scriptures.

Reverse the order above.

Hair and teeth? Bones.

Hey this is getting funny...

Humor.

I'm here and can endure well.

For Blessings are everywhere.

Thank You God.

Missing or Lost?

I am Lost, but she is found.

Today in what was less than flash Sadie was gone. We relaxed and knew she hadn't gone far. We had all just seen her, wasn't it just minutes ago I sent her to find the other Mickey? Amanda knew she had been right there. How did she disappear?

We searched. We hit the street, I checked from the Balcony, we re-checked everywhere we Had checked.

Gone. Nowhere. Time was passing by, we were all out and frantic on the street now except Jim.

Jake left in his car. We were running.

Jim called and said a neighbor had found her, was bringing her back.

Turns out she was pretty far off, barefooted, and hadn't ever gone that direction before when being chased. We were amazed she had gotten that far off!

A miracle.... someone who knew her drove past and saw her. There she was oblivious, very near the border of our ward and neighborhood. Had she gone any farther she would not have been recognized.

She was holding a fistful of broken-off tulip blossoms, and looked as if to say, What's the big deal... and why aren't you paying attention to these flowers? She looked confused and a bit sad.

Not contrite one bit though!

Life lately echo's this pattern. We're lost, don't have a real plan or direction, it's tempting to go where we've never gone before. Escape. Get unrecognizable.

Turns out we're pretty unprepared too. Racing barefoot in the cold weather ahead.

We've gone so far and so much time has passed by. We have had our rescues, someone reaching, and recognizing us.

And here we stand holding fast to our fistful of broken-off tulips with determination. And not wanting to let go and hear or learn what is there that could save us.

And we are old enough, so now no one here will put us on the bench for a time out, and make us think about it!

I think God laughs, like Sadie's mom did, and thinks to himself, "not one bit contrite" either.

Silly Ack Celiac

This is where I hope to post an Ode or Sonnet to forbidden foods.

Fullness of Joy.

Pure Joy is how I describe it, that is really the short answer to"How did you enjoy Ed week?"

I truly felt Joy in the process of attending Mon-Fri classes. they started at 8:3o am and finished at 9:30 pm. With only an average break of 45 minutes per day it is amazing that I could even keep up the pace. Often heading to bed after midnight.

What is it like to be drenched in the spirit? Hour after hour, and feel it even walking around and crescendo-ing from time to time in class, and at times quiet whisperings calling me to greater works in my life and with those I love.

I am moved with appreciation to God and for appreciation to my husband that has 'supported' me in going and often encouraging me. He needs the rest from me as well. My attendance has inspired me over many years, going the first time in 1984, pregnant with Joel. Valerie L. and I stayed with her sister-in -law Judy and I tried to make it a firm committment to myself ever since. That's 26 years about. Before that we attended local ones in Blackfoot and Ammon Idaho.

Meaning in all things?

I do not know the meaning of all things. I guess that is one more gratitude to add to my list of wonders.

'How is it done Lord' remains in my heart daily as I see the hand of God in things that I wonder about, and all The wonderful things as well.

Small and simple things need to have our notice; for in these things exist Joy and Gladness, not to mention Wonder.

One may wonder at my reference to Wonder here. But it is in those small things that miracles happen, are born, and can with proper attention flourish.

Meeting someone, making a phone call, following a prompting, seeing meaning in our thoughts, circumstances, and events can help produce miracles, as we bow our heads before God and confess HIS Hand in all things. After all He calls himself the "Author and Finisher of our Faith". Hello.

Fall into it, and float but with Gusto. Pay attention, & see the Arm of the Lord revealed.

Lastly give thanks, and Thanks and Praise, to Him from whom all blessings flow.

Wonder of wonders, miracle of Miracles, it is all going according to plan.

Let's just not be 'too busy' for noticing it all, and may we find "our meanings" and be so glad to see His Hand in our small and simple things.

Summer Wonder

At least that's what we used to call it, calling early to get the kids up and read from the scriptures and make goals, written down, for each day, to complete.

Nowadays we are using less formality and Chris and I are 'cooking up' projects each day to conquer the house and yard which is immense for our style of accomplishing. We aren't good for each other.

During breaks I read and keep coming up with new projects, he disappears back to his room. Like today I was reading a 'get organized blog' and it had listed; "Clean Garage Doors". Boy I added that quick to my master list for Chris, things like that aren't even on my radar 'blips'.

Then it had itemized other projects like; West Garage Wall. Dang. I have one of those too. It said to put large objects there. I haven't room for anything else to go there! And someone already spilled about 20 lbs. of the Duck Feed there, all over the ground, and I really don't want to move all those boxes and containers to clean it up, but.. I guess that's why I have Chris.

Now, how, can I reach and touch his Motivational DNA to want to do that? ( I'm not paying him!) The reason I'm 'project-ing' him to death is so he will want to get a Real Job that will pay!!

Summer it is a Wonder; filled with happy memories of heat and work projects.

The Savior Was Never Rude

I have been examining my life lately. Seeing my weakness has been a goal for over a year.
I haven't taken it seriously enough though, and have just started to think about where my life needs to improve. Several things have come to light even today as I have pondered and asked for help from above.

In our fast-paced world we tend to leave it all on the floor and get all we can out of a day. We are each tired and pushed to our limits. We are ill or just don't feel well. We're hungry, have headaches, feel disappointment and hurt. It happens. It's really life. Very, very, few days go as we plan. Frustration mounts. Then we reach "a breaking point", end of 'our rope', "wits end", or whatever we choose to call it! I've heard some people actually see the color red. We hurt someone, slight them; showing disrespect and rudeness.

I've been asking myself about those times, Times when I've been challenged by my circumstance and said wrong things. Sadly, at my age you'd think I'd get a grip on my tongue Especially when I'm unable to keep my emotions in check. Words fly and we are unable to call them back. And so it goes. Damage. Damnage.

I 'profess' to be" trying to be like Jesus and following in His Way".. in all that I do and say. AND I fall short, and excuse myself with one or several of the aforementioned excuses. I don't like excuses. They bug me. So today in taking it to The Top I have realized, 'the Son of Man hath descended below all these'.

HE didn't allow Himself to dishonor His Father with a get-back thought. He didn't let anyone 'have it'. And He was tested way beyond our tests. He held true to his beliefs.

' He suffered' takes on even greater and new meaning today. He was so valiant and constant. He could have called down legions and struck down despots but he didn't. He yielded His will to His Father. He kept his tongue, and in His life he shows us how.

Maybe this is a good place in my weakness list to begin again. I marvel, and stand all amazed at ' The Grace Jesus offers me!'

I would do well to proffer that 'Grace' so fully to my associates and family. Did the Savior have ocassions to lash out? Yes.

HE did NOT do it, except as he felt it dishonored His Father.

I have enough work to do ere the Earth turns, and the Sun goes down.

Join me won't you? It doesn't have to be an impossible dream.