Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Good Times from the Grands!

Magic moments are not the way I'd describe these 'incidents' of what I think can not adequately be defined with our limited language. These Fabulously-funny moments (thanks to witty daughters, sons and in-laws), never written and are now but remembered in a blurred feeling of delight coupled with Joy.
Here are some recent example of what I mean.

I don't want to lose these recent ones.... hence....Blog...
Please feel free to add some of yours in the comments!

I have lately began to collect these and hope you'll find a better "name" for what I think are very memorable occurance's. Laughable? Yes! But something else as well. So many of these have occurred over the years, but since I'm forgetting more these days I decided to write the latest ones to 'Preserve' them.

When I went to L.A. to be with Lisa, Dave, and Isla and get to know Forrest. I had so much fun. It was good for me in many ways, waking up in Isla's room, she never quite got over my intruding, though I tried hard. Forrest and I had some special moments. Besides helping in all ways I could think of, including trying new recipes, (thanks Lisa) odd jobs, and staying around so you'd get some freedom out and away. Memories of two silly things are still my highlights from the trip.

First, one night when Dave came home, Isla was watching a movie with me and pretty much having an ignore me/us moment. Dave kept talking to her and she continued to ignore us both while she layed on the outer edge of the couch.. As she ignored, he'd pester her to pay attention, or listen by bumping her body which was very close to falling off. Finally as the last straw, he gently bumped her off the edge. But the Joke was on us. After a fall of about 10 inches she layed perfectly still, not moving a particle of her body as if she had died! Totally surprised by her inaction, he ruffled at her  "parlyized corpse" with his foot, but nothing, she layed totally lifeless. We cracked up as she continued the drama,  far beyond reason for effect, it was one of the funniest moments from a two year old I can recall.

My second best memory of the trip was her pouting and ignoring us as we tried to get her to come out of her trance watching TV.  I started to dance using my arms and legs in place and sing "The Merry Little Working Song" from Enchanted, she glanced toward me and without taking another breath she suddenly let out a very-long piercing scream, reminiscent of torture, shocking us, so much we became hysterical once again at her skill-set of drama.

Two recent ones that come to the forefront of fun making was talking with the girls from Millville about their impending "American Girl Party", though not really in the conversation, grandpa started to sing a made up song to fit in. The lyrics were very impromptu, but cracked the girls and I up the rest of their visit. In fact we practiced them, so we wouldn't forget.

She's an American Girl, she's an American girl,
She's coming to your Town, she's gonna burn it down,
She's an American girl.

The girls and I laughed to think he would sing that about their sweet dolls, it really was funny!

Sweet Zona, from Taiwan, was here for the last time before flying home. Now embraced as family practically,  Steff wanted her to get to see our "young" family and we worked hard to find one particular bad boy photo of Jim. Finally we found some early pictures of me, and Jim's favorite. (The one he still carries in his wallet) After the girls seeing quick flashes through the hunting process,  and giving up, we slowed now on this one of me as they gathered round. Evelyn summed it up by smiling and remarking, "Oh..., and there's something about you/it that's just a little bit like Miss Piggy". For day's I've enjoyed  laughing such an honest impression. 


 

Sunday, September 4, 2016

All Things Bright And Beautiful

"All things Bright and Beautiful" are the words that came to me concerning my spiritual feast in August.
I have feasted, yet again, at the experience of Education Week.
I had not availed myself of this opportunity for a couple of years. But plans to attend were planted in my heart early speaking with darling Sharlene, and then I mentally began "gave space" for attending , so when Gay called inviting me, it helped me exercise 'a particle of Faith',  believing that if I ventured the way would be opened. And it was!  The power and love of Heavenly Father fed me and reminded me I am of worth, infinite worth. A much needed lesson He granted me.

I had a great week, spiritual beyond any expectation, and filling, even to overflowing. (That sounds better than, I'm stuffed.)

On an evening while there I was able to visit with Joel,  I committed to him I would write on my blog the many "Questions" presented and posed during the week, using that socratic style that the Church is encouraging. His support for my posting was encouraged, and since we'd do practically anything for our kids.... here goes.

In the words of Brother Kevin J. Worthen, and by recording these here, it is my wish me and any reader will 'counsel' as in "take" these in, and 'counsel with', as in "receive" our individual 'whisperings' from the Lord in the what and how.  Thus attending growth toward ultimate redemption!

All readers here are invited to also; watch, read, study, seek and 'receive counsel' from whatever source as needed in answering.

Take pencil in hand and begin..... (one a week might be nice)

NOTE: These Questions appear in no specific order, only how they were found in my notes.) 
  1. What is it that I have come here to change? 
  2. Do my daily routines reflect what I claim to value?
  3. Am I wearing my busy-ness as a badge of honor?
  4. What are the 'good works' I am abounding in so that Christ can seal me His?
  5. What leisurely activity can I replace with Temple service?
  6. Am I preparing for the sacrament? How can I improve my worship?
  7. What will I eliminate or alter?
  8. How will it be different next week?
  9. Can I identify negative behaviors I ritualize?
  10. How can I repent and overcome these?
  11. Identify how Satan works on me specifically.
  12. Help me to visualize myself in the way I want to be.
  13. How do we go to Gethsemane with our children?
  14. Do I believe that He invites us to come to Him there and he will meet us?
  15. How do we ritualize coming to Christ?
  16. Do I really want to come?
  17. What lies have I chosen to believe?
  18. Do I have a lie I feed and nurture? What is the pay-off for believing the lie?
  19. What are my weaknesses, and am I humble enough to make them strong?
  20. Have I trained others to accommodate my poor behaviors?
  21. How will Jesus help me feel I am enough?
  22. How does the Atonement help with feelings of inadequacy?
  23. What do I value and what does that look like?
  24. Are my behaviors consistent with what I claim I value?
  25. Will you help me to more fully live the Plan today?
  26. And what will that look like?
  27. Is there something I need to alter?
  28. How do we keep moving forward?
  29. Is there more I should know?
  30. Will I look inside and ask myself: What can I do to improve?
  31. Does Nephi really believe all he says?
  32. What will people see in us that is "distinct and different in happy ways"?
  33. Are we trying to keep up to "how everyone is looking"?
  34. What is the motive, and are we feeding each other a lie?
  35. Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I was is the Lord's presence?
  36. Do I spend some time everyday with the scriptures?
  37. Am I practicing the above as a divine directive, not just a nice 'to do'?
  38. Take an accountability of how I trust?
  39. What am I doing to grow my testimony?
  40. Do I expect my spouse to meet all of my emotional needs?
  41. Can I think of a time when I showed patience?
  42. Do I know my triggers? 
  43. Can learn to, and be "mindful", so I can discourage my triggers?
  44. Which commandment am I struggling with? Why is that?
  45. Do I remember 'The Fall' was enormous, that 'we put aside crowns and robes' to come here?
  46. Have I acknowledged parenting has given me front row seats to my own immaturity? And what is my commitment to change?
  47. What did righteous Alma do for his son?
  48. Have I recognized yet that having patience heals souls and unlocks treasures?
  49. What would I like to be an expert in?
  50. What are we selectively choosing to "not look at" in the Gospel, "because of the easiness of the way"?
  51. Do I know how to sanctify myself? When will I start?
  52. Will I maintain hope and remember it is never too late?
I was reminded God works with us in 'our process'... So it is with certainty He will bring me home, if I but do my part.
It is my prayer that I can answer and hearken to these great questions of the inspired instructors.

May we all yield our hearts to God, and allow others in our path to help us do so.