Randy and I are going to be out of town for a week and so we posted this picture on the computer desktop to remind our children that they still have parents and so act accordingly. There's also a long to-do list of daily instructions posted on the fridge. From past experience we should save ourselves the trouble of typing it up. But, it makes me feel better even if I know the chance of it being read is about 1/2 percent.

Voices

I attended a sacrament meeting in Colorado a few months ago and was struck by this quote of James E. Faust's from the speaker:

"The Spirit's voice is ever present, but it is calm. The adversary tries to smother this voice with a multitude of loud, persistent, persuasive and appealing voices:

• Murmuring voices that conjure up perceived injustices.
• Whining voices that abhor challenge and work.
• Seductive voices offering sensual enticements.
• Soothing voices that lull us into carnal security.
• Intellectual voices that profess sophistication and superiority.
• Proud voices that rely on the arm of flesh.
• Flattering voices that puff us up with pride.
• Cynical voices that destroy hope.
• Entertaining voices that promote pleasure seeking.
• Commercial voices tempt us to spend money for that which is of no worth, and/or "labor for that which cannot satisfy." (2 Ne.9:51)"

"Now what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy." (D&C 128:19)

"...the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear;"
(D&C 1:11)

Faith

I believe that a (if not "the") major purpose of our lives is to learn to overcome by faith. I see that invitation constantly presented to us over and over in varying circumstances. Each day is a new set of challenges that gives us the choice to use our faith. We work hard and contribute our best efforts to the situation but then there's always that point where our limits are reached and the desired result has not materialized and we need to use our faith. It takes spiritual effort. It takes patience. It usually takes time. It sometimes requires tabling our own ideas or desires and opening ourselves up to another course of action. We must trust that Heavenly Father's perspective is greater than our own and that He in his perfect love for us is invested in our complete happiness. Sometimes we are required to suffer for a time in order to achieve a greater happiness down the road. When we succeed on occasion to overcome by faith we burst upon the scene of Heavenly Father's love for us and we see for a brief moment our potential and what he is trying to teach us. The challenge is to remember that for the next go around.

Wedding planning...

Is it possible to meet one's demise incident to wedding planning?

Kimberly

My beautiful daughter and her handsome man!

I have seven daughters. They are all very beautiful each in their own way. Kimberly is 5th in the line-up of girls. She's always had a sparkle about her. From the time she was young she could captivate others with her smile. When we would go shopping together I always enjoyed watching young men respond to that charm. She wasn't a flirt but something in her would light up when she smiled and the gentlemen were extra attentive.

Now she has found her special man. They will be getting married next week. I am very happy for her but on the other hand it's hard to let her go. I have found myself of late remembering her as a tiny baby. Even then I sensed her insightful and caring personality. My mind keeps drifting back to when she was just days old and we were both deathly ill with the flu. She slept by me in the bed and even though she was a tiny infant she gave me consolation and comfort. I could feel her mature and wise spirit. I'm going to miss her terribly! This moving on business is very happy/sad.

The other day I went upstairs to put something in her bedroom and found my husband alone in her room sitting on the bed. "Thinking about Kimberly?" I asked him. "Yes," he replied with some emotion in his voice. "Too many daughters have left this room." It's hard to believe that the time is gone when she was just our daughter. Now she will be, first of all, Kevin's wife. She is marrying someone who will love her and care for her. We love you Kimberly.

The Announcement

Kevin, Kimberly's fiance is a fabulous graphic designer and he designed their wedding announcement. They will be heading to NYC shortly after they are married as Kevin has a design job with the Valentine Group.

The beautiful engagement photos (see above blog) were taken by our son-in-law Kevin. (Yes, that's right. We will have two Kevins in the family.) Kevin W. is a fantastic photographer. Check out his amazing website here.