Hope All Things

Spiritual Patience

2012-02-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

It can be hard to wait for difficult situations to change or for trying periods in our lives to work themselves out. Whether one agrees or not with Al Gore's theories on global warming put forth in his 2006 film "An Inconvenient Truth" the title aptly applies to a need for spiritual patience in the Lord's timing as it relates to our personal lives. The following pertinent quote comes from Neal A. Maxwell's beautifully humble book "Meek and Lowly."

"Throughout scripture we encounter the need for us to remember that the Lord has His own timetable for unfolding things; it will not always accord with our schedules or our wants. When, in our extremities, we urgently call for a divine response, there maybe, instead a divine delay. This is not because God, at the moment, is inattentive or loves us less than perfectly,. Rather, it is because we are being asked, at the moment, to endure more for the welfare of our souls. The blessed meek understand that God loves them even when they may not be able to explain the meaning of what is happening to them or around them...

"If there were too much swiftness, there could be no long-suffering, no gradual soul stretching, no repenting, With too little time to absorb, to assimilate, and to apply that which has already been given, our capacities would not be fully developed. The developing and the testing of our faith and patience require time."

Neal A. Maxwell - Meek and Lowly p,. 89-90

I Am With You - Greg Olsen

The Giving of Life

2012-01-24T09:14:00.000-08:00

Early in Dec. I was sanding and re-staining our oak stair rail. It had become worn and the finish needed refurbishing to fit in with the newer decor of the entryway. It's a beautiful rail and had served us faithfully for 25 years. I wouldn't even begin to think of replacing it. It's part of the family. I sat on the stairs sanding the finish and began to examine the beautiful wood. I wondered what tree gave it's life for my rail and what forest it had grown in for years before it came to beautify my house. Though the tree sacrificed it's earthly life years ago it's service and influence had lived on and will for who knows how many more years. What a wonder! Those living things that have existed on the earth even hundreds of years ago still have impact upon those living today. They have filled the measure of their creation in a magnificent way. I'd like to think we can say the same for our lives? May they still bring loveliness to generations to come after we are gone.

I had similar thoughts as we perused Christmas tree lots looking for just the right tree to grace the corner of our living room. All of those trees standing in a row as tree shoppers examine each one with a critical eye were just recently living upon a forested mountainside. (OK - or on a multi-acred tree farm. The mountainside is a much more impressive imagination!) Later as I gazed at our beautifully (to us at least) decorated tree I realized that once again a life had been given so that a reminder of Christ's birth during this Christmas season could be a part of our celebration. I don't want to take that tree's life for granted. I wanted to honor it. Perhaps that's why I have a twinge in my heart each year when we pull off the ornaments and put the tree out to pasture. It somehow seems wasteful.

Life is valuable, even the smallest life has a meaning and a purpose. If I can only remember that on a daily basis my life will be more full.

Caitlin's Blog

2012-01-17T23:00:00.000-08:00

K K Kachay - My Attempt At Learning to Comunicate

Caitlin has a blog. It's quite entertaining. If you have secret wishes to access the inner sanctums of teenage girl thought it's the perfect vehicle. Here's the link:

http://tenten-ten.blogspot.com/

Mish Mash

2012-01-17T22:51:00.000-08:00

I'm in decorating discontent. My two most put together rooms (living room and dining room) before the remodel are now my least settled rooms on the main floor. It's disturbing. I'm a little jolted every time I walk in. In comparison to the new addition these two room are a bit orphaned. The curtains are down awaiting me to replace the sills and trim out the windows. I've repainted and recarpeted and don't really care for either change. The furniture in the dining room has finally hit that stage where suddenly it is old, worn out, broken, scratched into oblivion etc. I've moved it around to freshen things up to no avail. My area rugs aren't heavy enough to stay put on the new carpet. I shouldn't be complaining as I've really had a great house year, but the budget is making a comeback which means random spending on new furniture, rugs and the like is not really an option. It's just a lovely little reminder that life just never really is perfect.

My Mother's Gloves, My Father's Watch

2012-01-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I went walking/running at the Vineyard park for the first time in almost a year. When we started construction early last spring I knew I needed to save my energy for the labor demands around the house and no kidding, I couldn't have done both. It was warm enough to walk outdoors so I donned my coat and a pair of gloves that had belonged to my mother. As I walked I thought to myself that this was the first time in about three and a half years I felt I was approaching normalcy in my life. Before my mother's death over three years ago, I and my siblings had spent a tumultuous fall caring for my father who had developing health issues along with dementia. After her death we brought my father to Utah to share his care between my sister and myself. He passed away 14 months later. Then there was a series of health issues and our remodel. As I walked I realized that perhaps I just might regain my "normal" routine (whatever that is!)

I looked down at my mother's gloves and tried to picture my mother's hands in them. They looked practically brand new and I realized that she probably had saved them for "special occasions" as she did with anything new or nice that she owned. Brand new towels or dish clothes lay folded neatly in her hall closet drawers because they were saved for "company" and she made do with her worn towels and rags. How odd even now that her hands were no longer there to put on these leather gloves or wipe with those towels - hands that had always been there to care for me over the years. I still find it somewhat startling.

Last week I was going through my jewelry box and found my father's watch which he wore on his wrist every day. His nightly ritual was to remove the watch just as he was laying down in his bed and put it on his nightstand. He would place it meticulously in the same spot every night carefully facing it towards him. The first thing he did the next morning was to reach out slowly for his watch with his trembling hands and slip it over his fingers onto his wrist. The watch brought order and familiarity to his life especially as his mind drifted into the abyss of dementia.

My mother's untiring service to my siblings and myself remains in her gloves and is vividly alive as I look at my hands within them. My father's daily dedication to his role as his family's provider is encapsulated in his watch. It no longer is marking time but his mark upon us is timeless. No one ever completely passes from life. My mother's gloves, my father's watch are reminders, touchstones, medallions, tokens, catalysts. Their lives continue.

Catching Up on Remodel Pics

2011-12-30T12:53:00.000-08:00

Lest we should forget, here are the remaining photos to document our remodel adventure.

For a while our house was perky pink! (insulation board). The front of the house looks mostly the same....

...the back however looks quite different!

The new master bedroom in process.

The old bedroom area is morphing into a new family room.

Our macho construction workers...

Notice the manly watermelon hard hat.

Nathanael and Mom were often a team - Thanks Nathanael! Christian was another fabulous worker.

Setting doors is one of the new skills we acquired.

Lincoln spent hours doing various things inside and out. He wired our house for speakers, (which is proving to be an awesome feature) phone and internet

We took up the sod in the spring and rolled it up and kept it watered. Four months later we rolled out basically nothing but brown roots. The nursery guy said it would never work but by fall, voila we had grass!

Christian, Randy and Nathanael.

Nathanael and Mom working on something - one of many.

Allysha was the queen of sanding and puttying.

Mom is the lone worker....

Randy's turn...

Getting ready to paint.... Thanks Jarred for loaning us the paint sprayer. It was definitely the way to go.

Interesting piano bench! The oak floor was stored in the living room waiting to be installed.

Making room for FHE.

Cameron taking up tack strip.

Lane is working on those pesky stairs. The provided a challenge.

Jose putting together the family room floor.

The master bedroom became the perfect carpentry zone. It was ideal for cutting etc. until we had to lay the carpet. It was a bit sad to loose the convenience of an inside sawing center.

Things are coming together! The floor turned out beautifully.

Cabinets were finally installed and the fridge came back inside (it was out in the back yard) after months of doing without it. Celebration!!! Our neighbors were kind enough to lend us a small camping fridge which we kept in the basement for milk.

We were able to put together the master bedroom before the main rooms. It was luxurious to have our bedroom back after months of living in the basement.

We finally had the last topcoat put on the floor. Time to move in the furniture.

The master bath is beginning to take shape. We still need to tile the tub surround and shower but that will wait until spring and warmer weather. Next summer's project will be finishing the basement and maybe building the deck. There's still a few streams to ford but hey, we've come a long way baby!

Christmas at the Hall House

2011-12-17T23:32:00.000-08:00

Really this snow was in Oct. but it fits the Christmas ambiance so we'll include it here. We are waiting and wishing and hoping that snow will arrive in time for Santa's sleigh.

You better watch out, you better not pout because Santa has a lot of people to supply goods for and he just might run out of stuff for you if you don't behave.

Those white guys are at it again. They show up every Christmas!

This is the first year they seem to have acquired musical talent.

They've been riding the camels for years however. The wise men must have been bumped.

Stockings hung all in a row.

This year we have added one more fireplace. The chimney is sadly fake so Santa will still have to use the original one.

A favorite tree ornament.

Santa's practicing his cheer routine.

Merry Christmas from the few remaining Halls at home (obviously wishing you Christmas cheer).

Invasion of the white guys.....

2011-12-14T23:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is my fridge he is raiding! Always hungry as usual. Doesn't he fit nicely with the decor!

Malachi is not sure what this is - "Haven't seen that one before!"

We haven't started using the guillotine just quite yet. It's a birthday cake for Graham - one of Stephanie's many creations. Christian in hidden somewhere underneath all that white.

Thanksgiving BB game...

2011-12-14T23:29:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late in posting this - considering the current holiday is not Thanksgiving. For years we have had a traditional, friendly, slightly competitive family BB game on Thanksgiving morning. Usually we play in our driveway with some energetic music in the background but our hoop became a casualty of large construction vehicles during our remodel so this year we went to the church. Notice who was not in the pic - someone had to stay home and tend the turkey.

Christian is going to......

2011-11-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

what a surprise - Brazil! He will be leaving the end of Mar. for Sao Paulo, Brazil. I should have a picture of him opening his call but I don't! It's on video - maybe I'll figure out how to post a clip. We had most of the family over for pizza (Steph was in Hawaii) and then the big moment arrived. For some reason I didn't expect Brazil! It's fast becoming our family's second country. Christian will be our 6th Brazilian missionary - Randy, Lorien, Bethany, Natalie and Kevin, Kimberly's husband.

Time to move on past Steve Jobs....

2011-11-15T23:18:00.000-08:00

Not that I don't find the guy interesting but he's been the front-line post a bit too long.

What's Important....

2011-11-02T21:52:00.000-07:00

I was surprised by the death of Steve Jobs. I didn't know he was ill and though I wondered if something was amiss when he stepped down from Apple I didn't expect he would be exiting life quite so soon. I was inspired by reading the eulogy given by his sister at his funeral. It moved me to want to live life more fully and with more love. His last words were priceless and somehow fit the man.

"Before embarking, he’d looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life’s partner, Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them.

Steve’s final words were:

OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW."

Bethany reminded me of another set of beautiful last words by Gerard Manley Hopkins, a 19th century poet priest who wrote beautiful sonnets of devoted love for the Lord and also struggled with the despair and doubt of depression.

"He refused to give way to his depression, however, and his last words as he lay dying of typhoid fever on June 8, 1889, were, "I am happy, so happy." Source

Dayton's legs....

2011-10-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks for sharing this link Kara....

What Matters Most

2011-10-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

A lift in your day....

It's Arrived!

2011-10-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

Good news! Christian received his mission call today!

Bad news! We can't open it!

Not that we physically can't open it, but Randy is in Lima, Peru and is going on to Brazil and won't be back for 8 more days. He wants to be here when we open it and Christian wants him to be here. This is seriously a test of will power but I promise with no crossed finger that I won't try to peek. Besides, I've already held it up to the light to no avail. This is becoming a pattern however. Randy was also gone when Nathanael and Kimberly received their calls. Same 8 day wait. Next time around I'm going to have a little say about the calendar.

While the cat was away.....

2011-08-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

....the mice underwent a transformation. Randy and I attended my 40 year high school reunion a few weeks ago. We left our children looking like this:

and came home to them looking like this.

I did graduate in 1971 - the express your individuality era. I think they all look like they came out of the 70's. They've sealed their fate. These pictures are going to stay!

What we've been up to......

2011-06-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Hall Remodeling Saga....

More to come -

Caitlin goes to prom.....

2011-05-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

We actually got smiles for these pictures. Numerous older sisters were on hand to help with dress, hair, nails and the overall getting ready marathon. It's a party when you have six to call upon. Thanks to the brothers-in-law who tended the children to free up the cadre of ladies in waiting.

2011-04-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

"The shaping of man's mind begins before this mortal probation. He brings with him certain dispositions. He arrives, for example, with a heightened consciousness toward that which will comprise his earthly plan. This heightened awareness in specific areas acts as a steering mechanism. A child destined to play the violin will be drawn to everything about violins but may tend to avoid sports. The girl with intellectual gifts may be drawn to opportunities to use her mind at the expense of, say, homemaking skills. So the strengths and gifts he comes with will necessarily cause him to develop consciousness in those areas, but also predispose him to be weak in others. None of us gets the whole pie in this life, only a slice or two. Therefore, we can be philosophical about some of our weaknesses, and others', realizing that it just wasn't given to us to be strong in some areas, in order that we would focus on other particular skills during our earth life. Since we can't do everything, our lives are necessarily full of both accomplishment and neglect." M. Catherine Thomas - Light in the Wilderness

This description of our strengths and weaknesses is a hopeful insight. I don't think it is the whole story nor is it meant to be, but I love the viewpoint that sometimes our weaknesses are steering mechanisms. This implies premortal choices, inclinations and desires. Maybe if we quit wishing for the whole pie we can enjoy the delicacies of our own slice.

Quotes from Ben.....a few thoughts for your Monday morning.

2011-04-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

"Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others."

"If passion drives you let reason hold the reins."

"Those things that hurt, instruct."

Benjamin Franklin

Nat's view from her apartment...

2011-03-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Love the color! True Brazilian!

Quote of the day....

2011-03-28T09:46:00.000-07:00

Finally...

2011-03-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

A photo from Natalie who is serving in the Brazil Londrina mission. She will be home the end of May. Hurray!

Graffiti translation: "Only the crazy survive!"

When you only have one....

2011-03-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

This is my one and only brother. He is awesome and I love him.

(He is my younger brother - just remember that George! Who's the boss?)

Great hair George!

Shooting the Olympics. He is an amazing photo journalist with numerous magazine covers to his credit (Time, U.S. News and World Report etc..)

George has definite mountain man in him.
He took me up my first Fourteener back in 1976.

He's climbed most of the 53 peaks above 14,000 ft. in Colorado.
His goal is to get them all.

(I think I've managed to ascend 5 of them and he's been along on every one

patiently helping his sisters struggle their way up.)

Love ya bro!

Mother Teresa and Joy...

2011-03-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

"Joy comes to those who in a sense forget themselves and become totally aware of the other."

"Joy must be one of the pivots of our life. It is the token of a generous personality. Sometimes it is also a mantle that clothes a life of sacrifice and self-giving. A person who has this gift often reaches high summits. He or she is like a sun in a community."

"Resist anything that leads to moodiness. Our prayer each day should be, 'Let the joy of the Lord be my strength.'"

"Joy is very infectious. We will never know just how much good a simple smile can do. Be faithful in little things. Smile at one another. We must live beautifully."

"If you are joyful, it will shine in your eyes and in your look, in your conversation and in your countenance. You will not be able to hide it because joy overflows."

I love reading about and quotations from Mother Teresa. I have such an admiration for her. I used to want to do something like she has done but as I had five children by the time I began reading about her I decided it would really be a better choice to not hang up my hat and head to India. :) And, I'm a believer that we all have our own path in life and that there are many opportunities each day in our own unique, obscure lives to make contributions to the world one person at a time.

The young Mother Teresa

Cats!

2011-03-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

We have a new cat around the house to join with the feline friends who line up at our back door waiting to be fed. She's somewhat feisty as you may already know.

A few photos of Caitlin preparing for her choir concert which included some selections from the musical Cats.

Soccer ...

2011-03-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Cameron (#11) who is in 9th grade is trying out for the high school soccer team this week. We have a fairly competitive soccer program and so expectations are high. He made the cuts yesterday and just called me to tell me he's on the list posted today. He has one more day to hustle his muscle and if he's on the list tomorrow he's on the team.

Christian (#9) is another soccer enthusiast in our family. He writes a soccer blog covering the ins and outs of the soccer world. Here's the link: http://footballpitch90.blogspot.com/

Red Clover

2011-02-27T22:40:00.000-08:00

Bethany (#5) has been cooking up a new business on Etsy. (She will tell you that she definitely prefers this kind of cooking to the traditional variety.) K. is in school full time and Bethany is looking for ways to supplement the family budget. I think her products are quite awesome. I'm using several of them and they are great! Check it out. Red Clover Creations. And if you like what you see please share.

Scandinavian Sweet Soup

2011-02-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

My neighbor Carl likes to cook. Yesterday he brought by some Scandinavian Sweet Soup. Plums, peaches, raisins, lemons floating in a spiced sauce. Yummy! Perfect for a snowy winter night.

Class of '71

2011-02-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

I've been getting Facebook messages from old high school friends. Our 40th (shock of shocks) reunion is scheduled for sometime this summer and the organizers have started to move and shake. I haven't seriously thought of this time period for ages. I pulled out my high school yearbooks tonight for the first time in probably 30 years. Talk about a bizarre time warp. Forty years just collapsed and disappeared. I attended high school in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Class of '71. It was enlightening reading what people wrote in my book. With some distance I saw some things that maybe were more obscure first time around - or perhaps I had just forgotten them. In any case, distance brings new eyes to the situation. (Note to those of you tempted to throw out your yearbooks. Don't. At some point they can provide a bit of therapeutic insight into a time of life most people remember with some degree of angst.) And they provide great fodder for your children to be amazed and amused on all fronts.

Things I've learned from Jacques Lusseyran

2011-02-16T09:27:00.000-08:00

Light and Truth found within the walls of Buchenwald:

It's not what a man has but what he is that makes the difference in happiness.

"We had our poor and our rich at Buchenwald as they have everywhere. Only you couldn't recognize them by their clothes or their decorations...The rich were the ones who did not think of themselves, or only rarely, for a minute or two in an emergency. They were the ones who had given up the ridiculous notion that the concentration camp was the end of everything, a piece of hell, an unjust punishment, a wrong done them which they had not deserved."

Joy comes from inner light, not outer circumstances.

"I had never lived so fully before."

Our difficulties often have higher purposes:

"Sickness had rescued me from fear, it had even rescued me from death."

In the end Life conquers over death and evil whether we live on here or in another place.

"Life had become a substance within me. It broke into my cage, pushed by a force a thousand times stronger than I. It was certainly not made of flesh and blood, not even of ideas. It came towards me like a shimmering wave, like the caress of light. I could see it beyond ,my eyes and my forehead and above my head. It touched me and filled me to overflowing. I let myself float upon it."

Faith connects us to the Source of Life:

"There were names which I mumbled from the depths of my astonishment. No doubt my lips did not speak them, but they had their own song: Providence, the Guardian Angel, Jesus Christ, God." I didn't try to turn it over in my mind. It was not just the time for metaphysics. I drew my strength from the spring. I kept on drinking and drinking still more. I was not going to leave that celestial stream. For that matter it was not strange to me, having come to me right after my old accident when I found I was blind. Here was the same thing all over again, the Life which sustained the life in me."

We can do many things of ourselves but in the end we need divinity:

"It is true I was quite unable to help myself. All of us are incapable of helping ourselves...But there was one thing left which I could do; not refuse God's help, the breath he was blowing upon me. That was the one battle I had to fight, hard and wonderful all at once."

It is estimated that over 56,000 people died at Buchenwald. I chose the artistic picture above for my post but it does not represent the horror that went on there. Of the 2000 Frenchmen incarcerated with Jacques Lusseyran that day in January of 1944 only 30 survived.

How amazing that even from the most horrific of events in the earth's history, light and truth can surface and lend it's strength to us who struggle even in freedom and material prosperity.

Happy Informational Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:12:00.000-08:00

"The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France."

From History.com

Accepting what is...

2011-02-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

I am reading a book "And There Was Light," by Jacques Lusseyran, a Frenchman who became blind at seven years old. At age 17 he was a leader in a resistance movement fighting the invading Nazi tyranny in France during WWII. He later survived 18 months in the Buchenwald prison camp. I have been fascinated by his perceptions. I recently ran into this quote by him while reading another book:

"One should not try to console either those who lost their eyes, or those who have suffered other losses - of money, health, or a loved one. It is necessary instead to show them what their loss brings them, to show them the gifts the receive in place of what they have lost. Because there are always gifts. God wills it so. Order is restored; nothing ever disappears completely."

"We wish to force our own conditions on life; this is our real weakness. We forget that God never creates new conditions for us without giving us the strength to meet them....By all this, I learned at the same time that we should never give way to despair, no matter what brutal and negative events occur in our lives, just as quickly the same sum of life is given back to us."

(Against the Pollution of the I: Selected Writing of Jacques Lusseyman)

Although I am a believer in consolation and compassion (Jesus wept with Martha and Mary even though he knew that Lazarus would be back to normal in just a matter of minutes) I really liked Lusseyran's perspective on the gifts that come through adversity. I do believe that "there are always gifts."

Congratulations Egypt....

2011-02-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, you could feel the happiness of the Egyptian people all the way across the world. I must admit I went around all day with a smile on my face as I thought about their newly acquired freedom and their success in toppling an oppressive regime. (It reminded me of how I felt the day Elizabeth Smart was found. The happiness was palpable!) I am sure the road ahead will be a rocky one for Egypt and perhaps the rest of the world will feel some repercussions as well, but all people deserve the right to be free from fear and recrimination, from imprisonment and torture. I have thought a great deal about our country these passed few weeks and about the courage of those who brought about our own revolutionary war. Thankfully the Egyptian revolt was mostly peaceful. I admire the courage of those who were willing to stand up for freedom, human rights and democracy without really knowing what the long-term consequences would be.

I have followed the Egyptian revolt with a bit of fascination. I couldn't help but remember the two visits Randy and I made to Egypt and our brief contact with the Mubarak inner circle. We visited Egypt not too long after a terrorist attack on a tourist bus in the Valley of the Kings which resulted in the death of 57 tourists. Because of that Church Education had decided to take Egypt off of their travel list during their Israel study tour for CES teachers. Our Egyptian contact worked hard to get our business back and we were the first CES group to visit after the attack. As tourism is a huge industry in Egypt they were very anxious to retain our business so our tour guide who was very influential in the industry set up a dinner for our group with the Minister of Tourism, who, as we were told, was Mubarak's second in command. As Randy was the highest ranking authority in our group as the one administrator on the trip, he and I were assigned to sit with the Minister at dinner - one of us on either side of him. We were taken to a special room an hour before and given instructions on how we were to act and to address "His Excellency." We were to walk behind him, not with him, eat when he ate etc. There was quite the little flurry that someone so important was going to be arriving at the hotel. We ate on an outdoor veranda by a beautiful pool of water. I'm sure the meal was exquisite although I couldn't really tell you as carrying on small talk with a world government leader was a new experience and it was difficult to focus on eating let alone enjoy it. When the Minister arrived he was attended to by everyone around who had anything to do with anything. You could feel the power and importance emanating from him. He was a very congenial dinner guest. (Or were we his guests?) He painted Egypt in a favorable light. He told us he liked America but not the violence, immorality and corruption that America exports through it's media. (Couldn't agree more!) He said it was safe for a woman to walk on the street of Cairo at 2:00 am because of their strict punishment of crime. During the cultural entertainment afterward he took the opportunity to talk to Randy on the side out of my hearing and ask him if he had been favored with any of Egypt's excellent belly dancing while he was there. He recommended a celebrity dancer who earned well over a million a year with her gyrating talents. Randy politely declined the offer. All in all, our evening with His Excellency was a memorable one. Oh yes, and did I tell you this was a bit of a publicity stunt. We were televised on the national news that evening. It was broadcast to the world that tourism in Egypt was resumed, happy and healthy.

Awesome young men....

2011-02-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynVgDWKWHtU

It's time...

2011-01-30T13:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's time for a new post. Hmmm. Nothing to say...and I usually can ramble on quite well. I guess I could post on the weather. Utah weather this year is all over the map. We have frigid cold one minute, sun the next, rain, rain, rain and then ice, snow and what do you know, sunshine again. It's actually been a bit entertaining. I am weary of the winter however. I would like spring to peak it's little head up and decide to arrive even if it is a bit premature.

Come spring we plan on wreaking havoc in our yard (and I mean bonified, genuine havoc!!!) by bringing in a back hoe and digging up dump truckloads of dirt for an addition onto our home. Strange as it seems, we are enlarging our house even though 8 of our 11 children are wending their way in the world (the 9th one will soon follow.) The problem is that they are not necessarily wending their way alone therefore the principle of multiplication is in force and when everyone is at home one can barely find space to sit with their meal laden tray and eat. Watching my son-in-law standing in the corner while eating his Christmas pie clenched the deal. We need more space. So we are taking out our lovely 23 year old honey locust tree in the back yard, pulling down the front section of fence we just installed last fall, ripping out cement patios and stairs and digging a humongous hole in our back yard. The plan is to extend the kitchen, add a master bedroom out back so we can knock down the wall between our current bedroom and the family gathering area to make it larger. While we are at it we might as well extend the basement also (cheap square footage the builder says).

Our builder has informed us that we will need to learn how to live without a kitchen, a bathroom, two of the bedrooms,the family room and part of the basement and the garage. Hmmmmmmmmm.... Oh yes, and without much of the yard. Sprinklers, lawn and landscaping all in upheaval. Maybe this would be a good time for the earthquake (yes, we do live close to a fault line) and we can kill all the birds with one stone. Natalie will be returning home from Brazil in May, Nathanael from BYUI and there are five of us here now. So all seven of us will squeeze into the remaining space. It's possible I will very quickly want to be one of those birds. For some odd reason I am warily looking forward to it all.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-30T09:18:00.000-08:00

Look to the Light

Here's a Christmas gift to you - whoever you may be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aup9M5HZawI&feature=player_embedded

Congratulations Cameron...

2010-12-19T23:32:00.000-08:00

Cameron completed his Eagle Project just after Thanksgiving. He collected winter clothing (coats, gloves, hats, scarves, boots etc.) for the Salt Lake City Mission, a Christian, non-denominational organization that helps homeless individuals and families as well as those who have lost jobs or families who have a parent in prison. The SLC Mission provides a breakfast every morning. They assist the unemployed in looking for work. They have a winter clothing room to help those who are in need of warm coats etc.

Cameron collected over 42 garbage bags of good coats, gloves scarves, hats etc. He had them all washed and sorted into sizes. He found dry cleaners to donate cleaning for coats that couldn't be washed.

He also went to a retirement center here in Orem and arranged for the women there to make blankets, fleece shirts, gloves and hats. Altogether his project has probably logged in over 500 hours.

Cameron, Bethany, Christian and I delivered the clothing the Mission offices in Salt Lake the Monday after Thanksgiving. It was a great experience. There were about seven men who had come in off the streets having coffee in the office that morning and they all came out to the van and helped unload the clothing. They were very polite and expressed appreciation to Cameron for his work. While we were there the first customer came in for a coat.

The Mission clothing director (far right) was very appreciative. He said they had emptied their clothing room the week before Thanksgiving as we had had a cold spell with temperatures in the single digits. He was not expecting to have any clothing available for several more weeks. He invited us all to come back on Christmas Day to help with the dinner they put on. I think we will go and help out.

Mo Tab Christmas Concert....

2010-12-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

David Archeleta and Michael York

Friday night some of us attended the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert - (Yes, the coveted event where getting tickets seems next to impossible - I believe I saw somewhere that there were over a million and a half requests for tickets this year. We did not luck out with the computer-based allocation system but Allysha did and as Ella had a dance performance in the Nutcracker we were the blessed recipients of her tickets much to Caitlin's delight!!) Guest stars were David Archeleta and Michael York who narrated several Christmas stories. Both were fabulous! The entire evening was stunning, enchanting, beautiful and angelic. Very lovely. It was a highlight of the season.

P.S. Caitlin tried very hard to get an DA autograph afterward at Deseret Book but the line was impossibly LONG - out the door and down the block, around the corner etc. - so instead she settled for slipping inside the store, buying his book and getting a few pics on her cell phone. "He did look at me," she told us on the way home.

Maybe we should do more of this....

2010-12-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

28 If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
29 If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 136:28 - 29)

Thoughts on government....

2010-12-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

David O. McKay

“That government is best which has as its aim the administration of justice, social well-being and the promotion of prosperity among its members” (Elder David O. McKay in Conference Report, Apr. 1930, p. 80).

Anthony W. Ivins, Heber J. Grant, Charles W. Nibley

In January 1928 the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley) issued a statement that read in part:

“Laws which are enacted for the protection of society have no value except when they are administered in righteousness and justice, and they cannot be so administered in righteousness and justice, if dishonest men occupy administrative offices.
“The Lord says ‘When the wicked rule, the people mourn.’ Wise men, good men, patriotic men are to be found in all communities, in all political parties, among all creeds. None but such men should be chosen. . . .
“Without beneficent laws, righteously administered, the foundations of civilization crumble, anarchy reigns, decay and dissolution follow.
“We call upon all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world to honor the laws of God, and obey and uphold the law of the land; and we appeal to good men and women everywhere, regardless of creed, party affiliation, race or condition to join with us in an effort to put into operation the words of Lincoln, the great emancipator, that our country may continue to be a light to the world, a loyal, law-abiding, God-fearing nation.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1928, p. 16.)

Scriptural backing for WikiLeaks

2010-12-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. (New Testament | Luke 12:3)

(Lest anyone take me too seriously, this in tongue-in-cheek.)

Best Wishes Elizabeth....

2010-12-12T23:36:00.000-08:00

I must post well-wishes to Elizabeth Smart who just finished the month long trial of her captor Brian David Mitchell. He was found guilty, not that anyone doubted his involvement in her kidnapping, but he was held accountable for his actions as opposed to being found non-guilty by reason of insanity. I believe in accountability and that such is good for individuals and society as a whole. If there needs to be treatment for mental illness I hope Brian David Mitchell will receive what is needed in prison. In the meantime, I'm happy that Smart can move on with her life, return to her LDS mission in Paris and put this horrific experience behind her. She is amazing and courageous. She hopes to take her experience and turn it into good for others. God speed Elizabeth.

The Joy of the Saints

2010-12-12T23:22:00.000-08:00

Peace, Mercy & Joy
By Alva

I have been thinking this past week about a phrase found in the book of Enos from the Book of Mormon.

3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.
4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
(Book of Mormon | Enos 1:3 - 5)

As I re-read Enos a few days ago that phrase caught my attention and I found myself thinking about it over the next few days. There is quiet and at times robust joy in attempting to live as a follower of Christ. It is an inner peace that permeates all of life, even times of sorrow and difficulty. It is beyond and outside of $$, entertainment and success. It is found in living and in loving God and all men. It is a pleasure in the beauty of daily life. It is joy in the "hope" in Christ. It is real. It gives strength.

Magnificent Messiah

2010-12-12T22:57:00.000-08:00

George Frideric Handel

Tonight Randy and I attended a local church choir event. The culmination of the evening was a few pieces from Handel's Messiah. We, of course, had the opportunity to try our hand (or our vocal chords) at singing some of the chorus parts in between a few solos. One of my favorite and cherished Christmas traditions is to take whoever will come with me (this year it was Bethany, Kip and I) and attend the Messiah Sing-In at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake Thanksgiving weekend. The symphony hall is filled with several thousand other Messiah lovers like myself. There are enough decent voices (I'm not one of them) in the audience to make the sing-in participation quite thrilling. The Utah Symphony is there and a Salt Lake City choral group along with four always-fabulous soloists. It's not just the holiday experience that I love. Handel's Messiah stirs my soul to the core. It lifts me to heavenly realms. I love the music and the scriptural text from book of Isaiah. The entire composition rejoices in the Savior of the world. I've attended the Messiah Sing-In for years now. I can imagine Handel himself conducting a magnificent celestial version of Messiah in the spirit world. I certainly intend on being front and center at that performance when my time comes to relocate.

Thank you Snopes once again...

2010-11-21T22:34:00.000-08:00

I just received a forwarded email entitled "Don't buy it! Don't use it! discouraging the purchasing of a supposedly new "Muslim" stamp issued by the U.S. postal service under the purported directive of Pres. Obama. The email outlined a long list of offenses against the U.S. at the hands of "Muslims" and encouraged all patriotic Americans to protest such a stamp.

If you check with Snopes there's only a vague resemblance of truth to the entire email. There is a collector's stamp commemorating two Islamic holidays. It was issued 9 years ago along with a collection of stamps centered around various holidays including Hanukkah, Kwanzza, Cinco de Mayo, Thanksgiving, Christmas etc. It would be hard to boycott it as it is a specialty item which you have to request in order to purchase it. It has nothing at all to do with Barrack Obama. In fact, Pres. George W. Bush extended official greetings and participated in commemorations of these two Islamic holidays even after 9/11. Seems as though it's just a gesture of civility in a diverse world.

So, my question is, who writes these emails? How does such misinformation get spread around and about? Why do thinking people so readily believe such propaganda? Political leanings do strange things to otherwise nice human beings.

P.S. This is really strange. I just went back into my email box to send the Snopes link to the person who sent me the email and the email has entirely disappeared. ???

Spiritual Gifts...

2010-11-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

My Relief Society lesson today is on gifts of the spirit. I have been thinking about spiritual gifts and how they are often an untapped resource both in dealing with the problems that vex our lives and in receiving an abundance of joy in living. Rather we tend to rely solely on our own limited strength and temporal resources. I found the following quotes interesting. I hope they will be a strength to you as well.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"Faith is a spiritual gift. So is personal revelation. So is a testimony of Jesus Christ. And there are other spiritual gifts. We know too little about spiritual gifts. This is evident in our communications, and it is also evident in our failure to seek after and use spiritual gifts.....

"We should seek after spiritual gifts. They can lead us to God. They can shield us from the power of the adversary. They can compensate for our inadequacies and repair our imperfections. Almost a century ago President George Q. Cannon of the First Presidency taught the Saints:

“If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. … No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a man lacks wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else. That is the design of God concerning His Church. He wants His Saints to be perfected in the truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them upon those who seek after them, in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face of the earth.” (Millennial Star, Apr. 1894, p. 260.)

Here's another one from Elder Mervyn B. Arnold

"Not long ago at a stake conference I was assigned to attend, I asked the stake president what challenges the members were experiencing. He responded that many members were focused on diversions such as extravagant homes, expensive clothing, cars, boats, vacation cabins, and countless activities. He explained that many of these activities were held on Monday nights, taking family members out of the home.
To maintain this lifestyle, oftentimes both the husband and the wife had to work—in some cases two jobs. This made it difficult for these members to hold regular family home evenings, family prayer, and scripture study, and in some cases even to attend Sunday meetings. There was little time, if any, to seek those things which “neither moth nor rust doth corrupt” (Matt. 6:20).

The Apostle Paul teaches the importance of seeking the best gifts:
“Now concerning spiritual gifts … I would not have you ignorant.
“Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. …
“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:1–2, 31).

I have reflected on the stake president’s comments and share his concerns for the increasing number of Church members who focus their attention on “that which is of no worth [and] cannot satisfy” (2 Ne. 9:51). Satan is very astute, and he has cunning ways to divert our attention from that which is of greatest worth. The Lord warns, “Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you” (D&C 50:3)...

Man’s earthly existence is but a test as to whether he will concentrate his efforts, his mind, and his soul upon the things which contribute to the comfort and gratification of his physical instincts and passions, or whether he will make as his life’s end and purpose the acquisition of spiritual qualities.” 1
As members of the Church, we are commanded to “lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (D&C 25:10)—or, said another way, to “seek … earnestly the best gifts” (D&C 46:8).

Here's the best Jonah and the Whale recitation you'll ever hear....

2010-11-17T20:30:00.000-08:00

http://vimeo.com/16404771

Thy Will Be Done!

2010-11-17T14:21:00.000-08:00

The following was written by my great, great grandfather, Francis M. Lyman. This really isn't a poem, but it is eloquent and passionate enough to be considered poetic.

"They are words that should be written in letters of fire on the mind of every son and daughter of God; a motto that should be engraven on every heart, a motive that should govern every impulse, a spirit that should inspire every prayer that is wafted upon the wings of faith through the open portals of eternity. The fiat of the Gods in the counsels of the beginning; the chorus of the stars in the glad morning of creation; the prayer of the suffering Savior at life's weary noon; the song of the saints on earth and the anthem of the angels in heaven; it yet shall be the closing hymn---the benediction over the burial of human history, the solemn epitaph inscribed upon the tombstone of Time. "Thy Will Be Done!" Like a river of power and of purity, flowing from the throne of God, making heavenly melody as it surges along the shores of life, bearing the bubbles on its breast the mightiest of human aims and achievements; it glides down the channels of the ages, glittering in the sunbeams of eternal truth and rolling the music of its bright waves into the boundless ocean of the Evermore!

Hurray for Dr. Nutt.....

2010-11-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Alcohol is more harmful than heroin or crack, according to a study published in medical journal the Lancet.

My globe trotting family....

2010-10-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Randy is in Russia, then Armenia and then South Africa. Natalie is in Brazil and Lorien is currently in Japan. You can follow her adventures here: http://afrika03.blogspot.com/. Nat, of course, has no blog being that she is preaching the gospel and Randy has a blog but I'm sure he hasn't posted.

LDS Church statement on immigration:

2010-10-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

I recently ran across this statement again in a publication. I don't believe immigration should be a partisan issue. Rather it is a human concern. I am grateful for the perspective outlined below:

“The complex issues surrounding immigration are a matter of increasing concern and debate for all in this country.

Elected individuals have the primary responsibility to find solutions in the best interests of all whose lives will be impacted by their actions.

We repeat our appeal for careful reflection and civil discourse when addressing immigration issues. Finding a successful resolution will require the best thinking and goodwill of all across the political spectrum, the highest levels of statesmanship, and the strongest desire to do what is best for all of God’s children.” (Issued July 2010)

Inheritance....

2010-10-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

In August my siblings and I sold our parent's long-time home of thirty plus years. In spite of the depressed housing market we had an offer within a week of putting the house on the market and through all the negotiations lo and behold the offer held and the house was sold. I have a sneaking suspicion my mother in particular was behind the quick sale of the house. She loved to write checks to her children. They were small as my parents did not have much in material goods, but large considering that same fact. Here was her last chance to write a dream check to each of her four children. Again it's not a grandiose inheritance but considering the simplicity of their lives it is quite the accomplishment on their part and it is a significant contribution to each of us.

The day after the closing my brother wrote an inheritance check for each of us as the executor of the estate. (This little job I am sure he is happy to be rid of. It's the equivalent of walking a tight rope in a circus act with a bowl of eggs on your head.) I took the check to the bank and deposited it. I put the deposit receipt on my desk and last night as I was clearing off and sorting through the unruly stack of whatever that had accumulated over the past month or so, I found the receipt. I cannot throw it away. It is sacred. It represents so much more than the $$ amount printed in pale blue ink. I hold it in my hand and see my parents' sacrifices, the simplicity of their lives, the lack of hold that material possessions had on them. I discern the love they had for each on of their children - each one unique and loved uniquely by them. It represents their great charity and service to others. Though they had little, what they did have was mostly shared with this or that person in need. When they died there was little in their checking and savings accounts, their funerals were paid for, only a few medical bills were left and their house was the inheritance left for their children. I wrote a note in a card and put the receipt inside and filed it away with my keepsakes. Thank you Mother and Daddy. I love you.

Fun on the tramp!

2010-09-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Ella, Oliver, Camille, Madeleine, Graham, Abi, Townsend having fun at Nana's.

Charles Otto Crumley and Edythe Kathryne Lundberg

2010-08-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are interested, Charles Otto Crumley and Edythe Kathryn Lundberg are Grandma Frey's parents. Their family story is one of love and tragedy and a witness that life and good things always somehow rise from the ashes. I have created a blog containing all the information I have on their family. http://crumley-lundberg.blogspot.com/ If you sign up as a follower you will get the new posts as they come along. The goal is to follow their families back and get all photos and stories online.

Family baseball game...

2010-08-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

Divide into teams - ready to go!

Oliver tries to steal home.

Abi gets a lesson in hitting.

Madeleine is waiting for her turn at bat.

Kevin is looking for a home run hit.

Go Ella!

Camille's the cheerleader.

Graham gets around the bases.

Caitlin is going to - oops strike #1.

Hey - t-ball's not so bad.

Towns says "Just wait until next year. I'll show everyone up."

Caleb joins the family....

2010-08-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

Caleb arrived on the scene in June. He's grandbaby #9. We are glad he is here!

"Wow - this is a new place."

Mom meets baby. Hello there!

Yeah - he's here!

Baby is sleeping and Dad wishes HE were sleeping.

The siblings check out the newest addition. Camille looks a little unsure.

Oliver gets a brother!

Ella and Caleb

Madeleine and Caleb - #1 checks out #5

"It's ok here - I think I'll stay."

Endorsements, endorsements, endor-orsements!

2010-07-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

My two latest and greatest new products are:

The Swiffer (yes, Swiffer does it again!) duster is a light-weight magic wand with a little fluffy, fuzzy disposable attachment that picks up dust in every possible nook and cranny. It's great for flower arrangements, (which are a nightmare to dust), pictures, nick-nacs or whatever. Just swiff it around everywhere, poke it into hard to reach crevices and in just seconds you are done. You can even do a little Snow White dance and whistle while you work. When the fluffy part looks nice and dirty just toss it in the trash and and put on another one. It's up there on the top of my list.

Windex has come up with their own disposable window washing system (copying the Swiffer success, no doubt). For outdoor windows, Windex has some pre-soaped pads that you attach to handle which you can put on an expandable pole. Simply spray your outside windows with the hose, wipe them down with the pad and spray again. The windows will dry clean, clear and spotless! No ladder, no squeegy, no sweat! Each pad will do about 20 windows.

P.S. No I'm not being paid and I don't own stock in Proctor and Gamble and the S. C. Johnson corporation.

Tree of Life

2010-07-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

I thought this painting by Japanese artist Kazuto Uota on the cover of the Ensign this month was beautiful and stunning. I'm sure this small picture does not do it justice.

Brigham Young on Judging Others

2010-07-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

Brigham Young had a "way" of saying things with vigor that got the point across.

"How I regret the ignorance of this people—how it floods my heart with sorrow to see so many Elders of Israel who wish everybody to come to their standard and be measured by their measure. Every man must be just so long, to fit their iron bedstead, or be cut off to the right length: if too short, he must be stretched, to fill the requirement.

If they see an erring brother or sister, whose course does not comport with their particular idea of things, they conclude at once that he or she cannot be a Saint, and withdraw their fellowship, concluding that, if they are in the path of truth, others must have precisely their weight and dimensions. "
- President Brigham Young

Mantua RL Hall Family Reunion

2010-07-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

Cameron practices for the archery competition. (Did we have one this year? Who won?)

Kimberly loves her honey.

Graham and Abi check out the horsey.

Lincoln (Mountain Man), Alena and Townsend chilling.

Caitlin hiding behind Harry Potter.

Another famous "Caitlin avoids the camera" shot.

Kevin (W) and Stephanie have breakfast. Are you cold Steph?

Kevin (C), Madeleine, Nathanael and Graham finding food.

Time for some serious fun! I think we have Kevin, Nathanael and Lincoln.

Nathanel and the mean machine.

The conquering hero returns...

Kevin (C) rides again....

What's with the pink towel Nathanael?

Father and son heading around the lake...

The many beautiful faces of Mantua....

Danger and intrigue abound....

What's up Caitlin?

Is a hug from your bro that torturous?

Christian keeping up on the soccer world.

This is not representative of all who were there. If anyone had more pictures please send them my way.

I really haven't died...

2010-07-14T09:46:00.001-07:00

It's been so long since I posted I almost forgot I had a blog! :)

Seek the face of the Lord....

2010-06-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

Son of Man - by J. Kirk Richards

38 And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 101:38)

I love this scripture.

Seek - The act of "seeking" keeps us from drowning in the multiplicity of frivolous things. Our current world has much to offer that is of no consequence and no substance. Seeking is an active expression of our true desires. Of course, it is possible to actively seek shallowness.

The face of the Lord - when you are face to face with someone you are in their presence. You can know them intimately. It is present and personal.

Always - Self explanatory!

Patience - We don't get there overnight, leap the building in one bound etc. The possession of our souls takes time - a lifetime.

Possess - How great to be in complete control of our own selves and not be driven by our appetites, addictions, selfishness - our natural man. This is true freedom!

Eternal life - Life! Isn't life what everything worthwhile is about? Does what we are about lead us to life or death be it physical or spiritual. Abundant life eternally is what God has to offer.

Plug your ears.....

2010-06-22T23:52:00.000-07:00

I'm going to gripe about a few things.

1 - First...the music played over the sound system at J.C. Penny's. It just about drives me right out of the store. You would think their clientele was on average 16 years old with spiked hair and nose rings. They just did a remodel, added Sephora to their floorspace and "upgraded" their music. Seriously - I've left twice now without finishing my shopping because the raucous song selection is so obnoxious. I guess the one good thing is it's a plus for the pocket book. If anyone knows any JC Penny powers-that-be pass this on!

2 - This must be the month for annoying sounds because I will celebrate when the World Cup is over and the sound of swarms of angry bees are not BUZZING out of my tv screen. The vuvuzela is on my hit list and takes the grand prize for the world's most unwanted musical instrument. And I thought that the usual soccer chanting was a bit odd .....I'd welcome it back... anytime!!!

2010-06-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

CRICKETS IN THE GRAVE FLOWERS

by James. G. Goode

When an old man dies,
A library burns to the ground…”
Sometime, somewhere,
Someone repeated that African proverb to me.
I think of that and feel
The hollowness in the sound
Of these crickets hiding in the grave flowers.
Homeless,
I wander across desolate plains…
Fatherless now,
I must realize that he will not step from behind the barn;
That when I hear a strange noise and turn quickly
To see him there
I will never be quick enough;
I will no longer touch the bristles on his face.

His hands were strong and veined.
I see them now,
At once, gone…
Once again, everywhere.
They touched this cabin wood,
This Chestnut sprout,
This Hickory bark,
These rough sawed boards.

Here, they rested on my youthful head
And firmly grasped my hand as a young man.
They touched this earth,
Raking in toil across the stones.

Say goodbye,
The Hemlocks whisper…
Say goodbye,
The Oaks echo.
His eyes will never again see Pink Lady’s Slipper bloom in May.
Say goodbye,
Say goodbye…
I cannot say goodbye.
I cannot say goodbye these Autumn days
When I ache from the loss.
I cannot say goodbye

As my symbol shuffles through the Maple leaves
Washing across this gray Earth.
He laughed,
But I never saw him weep.
He walked where flowers bloomed;
Spoke native languages in Haiku…
Brief messages of complexity found in simple things.

I studied him like the university he was…
Earned several degrees under his thick eyebrows ---
Sometimes eagerly lapping the lesson,
Sometimes resistant.
But a well disciplined student who listened with him
To Pheasant wings beating a woodland drum;
To Crickets under his hearthstone;
To the angry bee buzzing out of the Catalpa bloom;
To the music made by leaf colors falling…
A student who watched small birds search the snow;
Tall ridges comb the clouds;
Roses strive in vain;
Cloud ships in the sky;
Mules thinking of oats;Dogwood blooms falling on blue pond waters…

Today the library burned
And I felt it useless to start another.
But he would have demanded it.
“Look at the volumes you already have!” He’d say.
“Rebuild, rebuild, rebuild!”

This beautiful poem was sent to me upon the death of my father, Lloyd G. Frey, by Carolyn Frey Rasmussen's daughters, Lenore Robbins, Laura Jean Frey and Dearwyn Woodbury.

San Diego

2010-05-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

In Feb. Lincoln and Alena invited Randy and I to hang out at a condo with them in San Diego - Coronado Island to be exact. It was a lay-low vacation of sorts meant to get me to rest from my labors - something my health was forcing me to do anyway at the time. We booked for the 3rd week in April. All the while I was wondering if the whole thing would fly because of Grandpa. He was going downhill and I didn't know how he would be and if I would be able to leave. Well, Grandpa surprised us all by exiting the scene on April 10. (I can hear Grandma saying, "Lloyd, get over here. You aren't going to mess up Lloya's vacation.) Then we thought the funeral would be scheduled on the day we were suppose to leave. The mortuary had told us there were no openings earlier. We also had to get Grandpa shipped to Denver. We called back Monday to verify the week-from-Tues. date for the funeral when lo and behold they had gone ahead and scheduled it on Friday. Ft. Logan Cemetery fit us in as well which previously had been a problem. So true Frey style we pulled together a funeral in four days, all of us re-located to Denver and everything came off fabulously. So, the end point of this story is we were able to go to San Diego! I'm putting my money on Grandma being the mover and shaker here. And of course, if the plans hadn't have worked I would have been just fine taking care of Grandpa.

It was great to have some time with Randy. Life is busy and we don't get that too often.

I like this picture of Randy.

Lincoln, Alena and Townsend were great hosts.

It was cold and rainy much of the time but we did brave the swimming pool on the one sunny day.

Townsend's first swim.

The first merry-go-round ride at Del Sol.

A house with personality right across from the beach.

Thanks Lincoln and Alena and Towns. It was great fun.

Caitlin's doings....

2010-05-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

Monday night Caitlin was inducted to the National Honor Society. (Applause, applause!)

Getting a "normal" picture of her is certainly a proposition (meaning it takes lots of scolding and bribery!)

Finally!

Enough is enough...

Gotcha!

"Mooooooom! Stop!

Tuesday night was Caitlin's choir concert. The picture taking was slightly improved. She knew a Jamba was at stake.

Oops - I guess change is short lived.

Cameron plays sax....

2010-05-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

Tues. night Cameron received a music award for his 8th grade saxophone skills. Congratulations Cameron!

Congratulations Bethany.

2010-05-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Bethany is now a bachelor - of English Literature that is. Bethany received her degree from UVU Friday, April 30, 2010.

The procession....

Hey Bethany - we are proud of you!

Favorite professor Deb

Kimberly and Isabella offer congrats.

Bethany and Kip celebrate at dinner.

Welcome Home Nathanael

2010-05-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Nathanael just returned from his AIT training at Ft. Hauchuca, Az. (That would stand for Advanced Individual Training.) Welcome back soldier!

My Mother's Day Card

2010-05-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

I'm taking my children up on this offer to table circumspection once in a while.

Loose ends.....deja vu.

2010-05-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

I'm slowly getting the loose ends tied up from my Dad's passing. Last Monday I drove out to Greenwood Assisted Living where he was staying at the time of his death to give them a thank you gift. My Dad loved chocolate so a box of See's to share among his caregivers seemed like a fitting token of appreciation. As I drove up into the drive way a sense of sacredness and reverence engulfed me. Here was the last spot on earth where my Dad lived in his body and from whence he took his departure. Finding Greenwood was an answer to our prayers. It is a small facility that houses up to 16 residents. My Dad's room was just off the large common area which includes a lounge, dining area etc. Every time I have entered that building I've felt a comforting, warm, spirit and ambiance. I'm sure there are angels in attendance there. Perhaps because most of these residents at Greenwood are closer to being on their way out. As I walked in I passed by the door to my Dad's former room. It was closed. I thought about peeking in for a second but I didn't know if someone had moved in already.

I gave the gift and thank you card to a staff member. She gave me a bag containing a couple of things we had left and a sympathy card from the staff. "To Lloyd's Family" was written on the outside envelope. I was struck by the tenderness I sensed in those words. I've not realized before how comforting and touching small sentiments of sympathy can be at the death of a loved one. The card read "Thank you for letting us take care of your Dad. He was a very sweet and loving man. I enjoyed playing Bingo with him. He loved it when he won. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this hard time. Love, Everyone at Greenwood."

His passing hasn't been necessarily hard however. It is an odd combination of moments of sudden sorrow and missing him along with feelings of great relief that the hard time of the past year is over. I would describe it more as intense and refining than hard.

As I drove away it was a deja vu. Late afternoon on the 10th of April I had pulled out of that driveway with most of my Dad's mortal possession in the back of my van. His life had been reduced to several pictures, some articles of clothing, a couple of blankets and pillows and a few small personal items. I was sobbing uncontrollably then. I did so again.

I wouldn't ask for his return. His life was complete. I'm just grateful for the love and the million lifetime human moments that contribute to the sorrow of losing my father. I know he exists somewhere and that that somewhere is not all that far away. When I think of him I actually sense his younger more vigorous self as opposed to an aged, frail and broken body. I know I will see him again in a few years when it's my turn to "go over."

A few more pics

2010-04-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

Final Farewell...

2010-04-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Tribute to my Father

2010-04-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

My father, Lloyd G. Frey, 87, passed from mortality April 10, 2010 at 11:40 a.m. I had spent most of my time the past 14 months caring for him. It was the last great gift he gave to me in this life. Difficult, yes, but what I gained far surpassed the sacrifice. His last five weeks he was in a care center. They were kind and did a beautiful job of keeping him clean and happy. I stayed with him the last night of his mortal life. He couldn't speak nor open his eyes but he was aware. He wanted me close by so I moved a lounge chair next to his bed and held his hand most of the night. I felt and watched life ebb slowly from his body. The nurse thought all the signs indicated he would be gone by 8:00 that morning but true to his usual tenacity he held on until 11:40. All four of his children were there. About 5-10 minutes before he went I felt some kind of shift in the air. I went over and sat down by him and whispered in his ear, "Daddy, it's time to go. Others are waiting for you. They want you to come. Thank you for all you have done for us. We love you. It's ok to go." His breathing shifted to soft and gentle breaths. He took a few and then a few more and then one last one and that was it. Very peaceful. His body relaxed. Everything grew still. A beautiful silence filled the room. We were now orphans. I will always hold dear the memory of being with my three siblings in unity of heart during the last few hours before and after my Dad's death. As we looked upon my Dad, my only brother George picked up my Dad's razor and with tears on his own checks gently shaved the scruff my Dad had acquired the past few days. My Dad always liked to be clean shaven and performed this task religiously every morning until that last week. It was one of the most beautiful moments I have witnessed between my brother and my father.

We held the funeral the next Friday in Denver, Colorado, my parents long-time home. It was a small funeral but a handful of dear, life-long friends along with a large posterity and some extended family were present. He received a military burial in Ft. Logan Cemetery in honor of his service in WWII. I think he was pleased. He and my mother are now together both in spirit and in body.

So long Daddy, I love you. Thank you for your example of love, service, honesty, gentleness and devotion.

Natalie's latest email...

2010-04-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

...for those of you who may be wondering how she is doing.

Sister Moraes and Sister Hall

P-day (obviously those missionaries look a little different the rest of the week!)

"So, I am e-mailing in the middle of being transfered! I am heading to Campo Morão and I will be companions with Sister Oliveira, the sister that I was with for one day when I arrived in Brazil before I headed out to Arapongas. Sister Moraes also is being transfered to the same zone, so the other two sisters we left in Arapongas will take on our area too. They are a little stressed. Ok, they are really stressed.. I think..but all will work out! We woke up at 5. A member drove us to Apacurana and we arived in Marangá around 9. I don´t head out to Campo Morão until 5. I get to spend p-day at the bus station. Ya! Ok that was a lie, I am here e-mailing and we will go get lunch and stuff. I will arrive in my new area around 7. It´s kind of strange just picking up and leaving our investigators, hoping that the other missionaries will take care of them. Transfers are crazy, but I enjoy the craziness. Heading out to work not knowing what will happen and getting a call that you are heading out the next morning. While I like the unexpectedness and the adventure of a new area, I don´t really like packing. And then having to unpack. Maybe I will simplify my life and travel like the first missionaries of the church and just wear the same thing everyday....any objections? Good.
I don´t know a ton about my new area, Sister Viera who was with us in Arapongas served there and loved it, so that´s good! There will be four sisters again living there, One other American I think. Anyway, more information next week with this transfer!"

Ok, General Conference. I was blessed to have the opportunity to be able to watch all of it. And in English. There is something about being able to hear the actual voices of the Prophet and Apostles, being able to hear the emotion in their voices, that you just don´t get with translation. We were allowed to watch Saturday if we had investigators and on Sunday. We had investigators at all of them. I am so glad because I really loved Saturday. Elder Holland? Wow. Powerful. During all of conference, and all the talks centered around the family, I just want to say that I love my family. I am grateful for your examples. Well that is all for now. more next week.
Read your scriptures.
I mean...Study your scriptures.

Sister Hall

I must say, once again, it is great having a missionary.

2010-03-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

"Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted."

This scripture caught my eye and attention a few days ago as I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord is our advocate! He speaks for us in a beneficial manner before the throne of Grace. He's on our side (our better side that is.) He knows our frailties and failings and stupidities. And He knows how to strengthen us. And yes, we are all tempted so we do indeed need that succor.

**********

It has often occurred to me that the word "know" in the scriptural sense is experiential rather than just something learned intellectually. Adam "knew" his wife by experience. The Lord knows the weakness of man through experience. We learn to know the Lord through experience.

**********

“A little boy, I’m told, wrote a letter to God (this is published in a collection of children’s letters). It said, “Dear God, How do you feel about people who don’t believe in you? A friend of mine wants to know.” Recently I was invited to sit in on a graduate class elsewhere–a group most critical and equipped with jaw-breaking terminology and bone-breaking arguments against religion.

At one point I said, “So I’ll know where you’re coming from, would each person here consider: If you had only one question to address to Jesus Christ, what would you ask him?” Well, most of those in the room had a grievance and said that they would ask a kind of “pick-a-fight” question. But one lad, in the corner, didn’t respond, and, having been urged, finally said with a thoughtful smile, “Well, if I had only one question, I would ask, ‘How am I doing?”’ – Truman Madsen, On How We Know

There really is nothing like a good book!

2010-03-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

One blessing of convalescence is having a chance to read. Allysha recommended Peace Like a River, a national bestseller by Leif Enger. It was a happy surprise when a sister in my ward brought it by for me with a bouquet of lavender tulips in accompaniment. I loved the book! I recommend you find and copy and read it for enlightenment, uplift and just plain delight.

"The novel is narrated by Reuben Land, an eleven-year-old boy suffering from severe asthma who lives with his unusual family in a small Minnesota town in 1962. His mother abandoned the family years before; his younger sister and best friend, Swede, writes epic poetry at age eight; and his father, Jeremiah, a school janitor, is a man of faith who quietly performs miracles – one of which is to bring Reuben to life after he is born dead."

There much more than that but I'll let you discover it.

I am also reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. It won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as the National Book Critics Circle Award. "The novel is the fictional autobiography of the Reverend John Ames, an elderly congregationalist pastor in the small, secluded town of Gilead, Iowa who knows that he is dying of a heart condition. At the beginning of the book, the date is established as 1956, and Ames explains that he is writing an account of his life for his 7-year-old son, who will have few memories of him as an adult."

Another great read. Both books have underlying religious themes.

(Book descriptions from Wikipedia.)

I should post...

2010-03-13T08:13:00.000-08:00

It's been a while. I have sat down to post numerous times and haven't had the energy to do it. My life has changed somewhat dramatically in the past six weeks. The last week of January I was finding it difficult to get going in the morning. I would talk myself out of bed and be ready by the time my Dad came. His care was getting harder and harder. His dementia had progressed and he was requiring a ramp up of the constant supervision he has needed this past year. A friend had told me last fall of an adult day care center her mother-in-law attended that she highly recommended. One day as I was sitting quietly realizing my strength was going I remembered that recommendation and decided to look into it. It proved to be sent from Heaven and none too soon because within a few days I was flat on my back in bed. Everything just stopped. Willpower was no longer enough to get me up and at it. The side benefit was my Dad loved the daycare center. It is run out of the Community Church in Orem by a group of saintly people who seem to exude love for the elderly dementia patients they care for. It's small with 7-8 drop ins. My sister would bring my Dad there at 10:00 and I arranged for my children to pick him up at 5:00 and drive him for an hour before returning him to my sister's place for dinner and bed. (At first I thought I would be able to do the pick-ups but nope - it wasn't to be.)

To make a long story short as my sister was not far behind me in not being able to maintain care for my Dad at her house, we have now found a permanent place for my Dad. He and his black Stetson (his pride and joy since last Father's Day - it's the most well-used present he's ever received!) seem to be adjusting well with a few minor hitches here and there. I am now on my sixth week of not being able to do much. Some days are better than others. I've always been go, go, go and now it's slow, slow, slow if I'm going at all. Yes, I've been to the doctor. The first one was a bust. I think I've now found someone who can really help. I'll know more next week upon my return visit. In the mean time I'm getting some reading and sleeping done. I'm pretty much living in pj's and slippers - getting dressed to go out maybe once or twice a week. There's nice things about not being on the run - like sitting and looking out the window at the magnificent clouds and flitting birds from tree to tree. I thought I would have turned around by now but not so. I see some glimmers so hope still springs eternal - it's just the spring part comes in it's own due time.

Precious Grace

2010-02-25T21:48:00.000-08:00

"Most of us spend many, many years trying to do things on our own. We believe in God, to be sure. We know of the availability of the precious grace and tender mercies of Jesus. And yet our hearts tend to cry out (even if we never utter the words), "I can handle it!" The fact is, I cannot handle it; neither can you. No one can "handle" life without help, particularly heavenly help. There comes that moment when it dawns upon us-and a singular moment it is-when we admit to the fact that our omnipotent, omniscient, and omni-loving God can do far more with our lives than we can. Humility ushers us into the realm of submission and surrender. And, ironically, submission and unconditional surrender to the true Captain of our souls lead eventually to victory."

From Men of Valor by Robert Millet

Scriptures of strength and solace...

2010-02-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

A few years back during a time of spiritual need I collected a number of sciptures that gave me strength and hope. I have them printed on 4x5 cards and keep them in my scriptures to draw from as needed. I would like to share a few of them with you.

"Hast thou not known? Has thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall untterly fall; But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40: 28-31)

"...for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." (D&C 84:88)

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." (Psalms 27:14)

"My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning, therefore my hand shall be over thee." (Abraham 2:8)

"And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith, and I will be with thee and go before thy face." (D&C 39:12)

There are many. These are just a few. If you have beloved scriptures or quotes of faith and strength please share!

Love and Pleasure... one of many Swedenborg tidbits.

2010-02-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

I'm reading Heaven and Hell by Emanuel Swedenborg. I find it interesting. Swedenborg was an 17th-18th century scientist, philosopher and theologian who began having visions at the age of 56. He wrote volumes on spiritual matters taught him by angels. I find his writings thought provoking and they make me want to serve God and do good towards my fellowman.
Here's a small segment on love and pleasure.

"All pleasures flow from love, because what we love we feel as pleasant. There is no other source of any pleasure. It follows, then that the quality of the love determines the quality of the pleasure. Pleasures of the body or of the flesh flow from love for ourselves and from love of the world, and these are also the source of our urges, and their gratifications. The pleasures of the soul or spirit, though, all flow from love for the Lord and love for our neighbor, which are also the source of affections for what is good and true and of our deeper bliss."

"Heaven's pleasures are both indescribable and innumerable; but no one can realize or believe anything about their multitude who is wholly wrapped up in the pleasures of the body or the flesh....For no one who is wholly involved in pleasures of the body or the flesh (or in love for oneself and the world, which is the same thing) feels any pleasure except in eminence or profit or in physical and sensory gratification. These stifle and smother deeper pleasures of heaven so completely that people do not even believe such pleasures exist. So they would be quite bewildered if they were so much as told that any pleasures remain once the pleasures of eminence and profit have been taken away; and they would be even more bewildered if they were told that the pleasures that take their place are countless and simply defy comparison with pleasures of the body and the flesh, especially pleasures of eminence and profit. We can see, then, why people do not know what heavenly joy is."

"We may gather the magnitude of heaven's pleasure simply from the fact that for everyone there, it is delightful to share their pleasure and bliss with someone else; and since everyone in the heavens is like this, we can see how immense heaven's pleasure is....This kind of sharing flows from the two loves of heaven, which as noted are love for the Lord and love for our neighbor. These loves by nature want to share their pleasures. The reason love for the Lord is like this is that because the Lord's love is a love of sharing everything it has with everyone, it intends the happiness of everyone."

My unofficial endorsements!

2010-01-30T23:56:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would tell you about a few products I love!!! :)

dyson ball

My Dyson vacuum! I can't say enough good about it. It's perfect! It's worth the $$. Best vac I've ever owned. I can't think of anything I don't like about it. It turns on a dime, gets in all the nooks and crannies, is light weight and easy to use on stairs and the tools are a dream. There you go! (Mine's the purple one.)

swiffer wet-jet

My Swiffer Mop! I received it as a Christmas present this year and I'm sold. I haven't used a mop for years because I couldn't find one I liked. This one comes the closest to my all time favorite mopping tool - an old terry cloth towel cut in half. Don't let your kids use it however as they use it as an attacking squirt gun on any unsuspecting sibling who meanders by.

It is battery operated (woo, woo) and dispenses the cleaning solution directly onto the floor. When done you throw away the disposable pad. Probably not great for the environment and it costs more than an old towel, but very convenient and easy to use.

The State of the Union

2010-01-29T23:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, I did watch the State of the Union address. (I insisted those children at home watch with me.) All the nuances were interesting such as one of the chief justices shaking his head at Obama's assessment of a recent supreme court decision. I have to say I like Mr. President though. I think he is a nice guy. That is as much intelligent commentary I can muster at this moment.

I should post something....

2010-01-29T23:07:00.000-08:00

I am sleeping at my sister's house last night and tonight to father-sit. Sandra is in Colorado helping her son move. It's almost midnight and my Dad descended the stairs about a half hour ago dressed and spit polished, ready for the day. He had his hat on and everything was buttoned, buckled and tied just as it should be. (We get a mixed variety in that department!) He was cheerful and perky and ready for breakfast. So I sat him down and he ate the last bowl of cereal in the house. (I called Christian to drive over some more cereal and milk as I will need it bright and early tomorrow morning.) We then went back upstairs, I helped him undress and tucked him back in bed. I hope that means he will sleep the rest of the night. Last night we were up twice. My guess is probably not.

I believe in prayer...

2010-01-18T09:44:00.000-08:00

Prayer by J.E. Knauf

...and I believe that God responds to our prayers though sometimes we don't recognize those responses.

...as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit." (Doctrine & Covenants 6:14)

I think the disconnect can come in our spiritually immature (in the young sense rather than the spoiled sense though both may apply) approach to prayer and spiritual things. We often look upon prayer as a divine request list and/or a way to ask God to make our decisions for us. We forget one of the main reasons we are here is to learn to operate by faith and to exercise our own wills in righteous ways. It is a delicate balance to learn to subject or subdue our will to God's while also schooling and training our own desires and acquiring power through faith by acting upon our ability to choose.

I believe we receive more divine guidance and revelation than we realize. I think it is meant to be that way out of respect for our own agency. I believe that prayer is absolutely essential and serves us in so many ways. We receive strength through prayer. We receive enlightenment through prayer. We receive direction through prayer. We can bless others through prayer and smooth their paths in life. Through this we gain charity and true love for our fellow men. (Here Lincoln would argue with me that we can't just pray, we must also do - I agree!) I believe if we are truly sincere in our desires to make good choices in keeping with Heavenly Father's greater vision for our lives that He will provide guidance and our decisions made in good faith will be a part of our instruction, learning and growth.

10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:10)

24 Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 90:24)

2010-01-10T23:01:00.000-08:00

Pretty!

Last night I went shopping with Caitlin to buy shoes, jewelry and do-dads for the Preference Dance next weekend. This will be her first date. We had fun shopping together - we always do. We were leaving one of the many adolescent oriented shops in the mall and I stepped aside and waited for a young mother, somewhat awkward, maneuver her stroller past me. I smiled at her and offered some sort of greeting. She apologized for being in my way and then as she passed she looked at me and said "You look really pretty." Quite surprised I thanked her wondering what it was she thought was pretty about me. I certainly didn't feel like the Queen of Sheba at 8:25 on a Sat. night. Caitlin said, "That was weird!" "Actually," I replied, "That was nice of her. It made me feel good." The next mirror we passed (which wasn't longer than a few seconds) I checked to see what she perhaps saw? Was is my lipstick (ha, ha) or what? Instead of the usually slightly dumpy feeling I have when I go to the mall I felt poised and happy. Somewhere in the mall I had a new unnamed friend .

Just as the mall was closing we were buying a pair of shoes. The clerk was especially pleasant and helpful. I remembered her from shopping in that store last Christmas. She had been very helpful on some difficult returns. "You've worked here for a while." I said to her. "Yes, two years she replied. "You are very pleasant to work with." I told her. "It's enjoyable to shop here because of that." I continued. "I appreciate your helpfulness." I really meant it. She looked surprised and pleased and thanked me several times. There was a bond between us. She was no longer a stranger. I knew the feeling. It was good. I'm sure she will pass it on.

2010-01-10T22:14:00.000-08:00

I am rather bereft of blog posts lately. I'm too tired or preoccupied (that means the moment has been occupied by someone or some task before it ever arrives on the scene) to think of something to say that might be worth reading. This will be a bit of a ramble.

I'm sitting here at 11:15 somewhat alone - everyone at home is in bed - Randy is in Mexico. I'm listening to Lyle Hadlock (piano player of hymns) and enjoying not having a living soul to interrupt me whiling away my time. I'm thinking, as I have said before, we seem to always have too much or too little of many things in life.

Tomorrow is Christian's 18th birthday. He will sort of officially be a partial adult - at least as good as it's going to get until he turns 21. It's also Lorien's birthday. It's been a special treat to have two born on the same day. They are quite different in some ways and uncannily similar in others. I think they are sort of unofficial twins. Their common birthday has always given them a special bond of their own.

When life presents you with difficult circumstances be grateful Heavenly Father hasn't left you to drown in your own selfishness.

2010-01-02T23:22:00.000-08:00

I had just finished writing this post when it disappeared off the page! I guess you'll just have to guess what it was about about.

Wow!!

2009-12-22T07:03:00.000-08:00

...is my reaction to Susan Boyle's new album, I Dreamed a Dream. It's not just the title song that knocks you off your feet. Try Wild Horses (move over Rolling Stones!) or Amazing Grace or Cry Me a River or Up to the Mountain or You'll See. I am usually not one to jump on a bandwagon but I am extremely happy her album is the top seller at the moment and has made Amazon cd sales history.

I'm Dreamin' of a White Christmas...

2009-12-15T21:26:00.001-08:00

For a good time click here :).

Jack McConnell, MD

2009-12-11T06:57:00.000-08:00

I wanted to find out more about Dr. McConnell. This article is worth reading - it's a great addition to the nation health care debate. Here's enough to get you started:

It was raining softly 12 years ago, the day Jack McConnell, MD, had the epiphany. McConnell remembers how the rain had turned the dirt roads on Hilton Head, South Carolina, into mud, and how, as he drove out the back gate of his subdivision, he spotted a man walking along a path without an umbrella.

McConnell had a habit of picking up hitchhikers. It was payback of sorts for all the rides his family received when he was growing up in the hills of southwest Virginia. His father was a Methodist minister who never had a car. He told folks that he "couldn't support Mr. Ford" on a preacher's salary and send his seven children to college.

His father also was fond of asking his children at suppertime. "And what have you done for someone today?"--a phrase that became part of McConnell's muscle memory as he grew older. So, on that drizzly day 12 years ago, he slowed down without thinking and gave a ride to a man who would change his life and thousands of others.

The man's name was James. McConnell asked where he was going. "To look for a job. Any kind I can get." He said he had two children, and that his wife was expecting. Always the doctor, McConnell asked whether he had access to medical care. No, James said. "We have to take care of ourselves. No one else is going to help us."

After McConnell drove James to a work site, he thought about the other hitchhikers he had talked to since his retirement on Hilton Head. They were maids, waitresses, construction workers, and every one of them said they had trouble getting basic medical care. Someone should do something, McConnell thought.

Then he heard an echo from his past--"What have you done for someone today?" And, as he did in the 1960s, when he directed the development of Tylenol, and in the 1980s, when he helped create the first commercial MRI system, McConnell began to visualize a solution.

To continue on go here.

Jack McConnell, MD: "what have you done for someone today?"

Physician Executive, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Tony Bartelme

What Have I Done for Someone Today?

2009-12-11T06:28:00.000-08:00

From Pres. Thomas S. Monson's Oct. conference talk:

"A few years ago I read an article written by Jack McConnell, MD. He grew up in the hills of southwest Virginia in the United States as one of seven children of a Methodist minister and a stay-at-home mother. Their circumstances were very humble. He recounted that during his childhood, every day as the family sat around the dinner table, his father would ask each one in turn, “And what did you do for someone today?”1 The children were determined to do a good turn every day so they could report to their father that they had helped someone. Dr. McConnell calls this exercise his father’s most valuable legacy, for that expectation and those words inspired him and his siblings to help others throughout their lives. As they grew and matured, their motivation for providing service changed to an inner desire to help others."

Proclaiming motherhood part 2

2009-11-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

So...last week I quickly dashed over to the rec center for a run before I took up the duties of caring for my father. I hopped on a tread mill (I usually prefer the track for lack of tv) and found it hard to ignore the Rachael Ray show just off to the side of my machine. Rachael, America's currently hip homemaking queen, was interviewing Shakira, the hot-to-trot Columbian singer sensation who was promoting a philosophy of motherhood outside the box. (Children first and then we'll see about marriage.) "Times are changing," Shakira said. (I believe Bob Dylan got there first.) Quoting her recent interview in Rolling Stone Magazine she professed her great desire to produce children - a worthy endeavor to say the least! I'm definitely in favor of motherhood, but I believe children and marriage should be linked.

I'm also more than a little mystified by this combination of motherhood and embracing "our true wishes and desires - our primal natures" professed and extolled in the interview and exemplified by Shakira's music and performance. While I admire her humanitarian work with children in poverty, and her congenial personality, I don't find her portfolio a desirable role model for the up and coming generation. She views herself as a "good girl." Just what does that mean? Anything in the name of art or perhaps $$? I'm just as amazed by Madonna's protective claim that she did not allow her young children to watch tv, all the while producing quite unsavory fair for everyone else's children to consume. It's hard to criticize someone for fighting poverty or promoting motherhood, but what do you do when they combine that with other destructive influences?

I was even more unsettled by the whole-hearted acceptance by middle American women of all ages in the Rachael Ray audience who wildly applauded what I thought was a fairly carnal and pornographic dvd clip of Shakira's latest release She-Wolf. "Hot-hot-hot" was Rachael Ray's comment. I wonder how many preschoolers whose mothers were tuned in caught a view of Shakira in her very un-motherly gyrations and attire (or lack thereof). It seems we live in a time where anything, however destructive to the moral fabric of our society, dressed up and promoted by the time honored institutions of fame and fortune becomes main stream. What are we thinking?

Why we forgive....

2009-11-30T20:41:00.001-08:00

More rec center musings

2009-11-30T20:08:00.000-08:00

"I feel sorry for her " the elderly woman said to her younger walking companion. "She tries so hard but he is always criticizing her and yelling at her." I ran past the two women walking on the inside lane of the indoor track. "He's always so kind and patient with everyone else. It's sad." The conversation faded into the background as I moved on ahead.

Why is that? Why don't we save our kindest remarks and most charitable behavior for those who have given us their lifelong companionship and have sacrificed for our well-being?

(Image from www.macadoodles.net/images/let-us-oft-1.jpg)

Forget the Windex

2009-11-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of the struggling economy I made my own glass cleaner yesterday. It's fabulous - much better than the brand name I was using from the store and it probably cost about 25 cents a bottle.

1 c. ammonia

2 c. rubbing alcohol

1 tsp. dishwashing liquid

fill water to make 1 gal.

Add a little blue or green food coloring for aesthetics

Pour into spray bottles - one for each bathroom. Also good on chrome, appliances, and I use it on my tile bathroom floor.

Proclaiming motherhood....part 1

2009-11-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

"Portrait de la belle-fille de Maxim Gorki (Motherhood)" by Boris Dmitrievich Grigor'ev (1886-1939)

At some point in the last several days a vision of clarity and deep gratitude washed over me concerning the role mothering has played in my life. As a young mother (more than a few years ago for me) you struggle to lay yourself bare to the process of giving your whole to the care and well-being of these little people you have created. It seems as though you are always being asked to dispense more than you have, let alone more than your natural woman would like to part with. It's not that you don't want to give it - it's just that you want to keep something for yourself. There's a feeling of trying to hold on to some vestage of your pre-mother independance. At age 56 (almost 57) I am (sort of) approaching the other end of the continum. (I say sort of because I still have three of my offspring at home in the throws of teenagehood.) However, I've seen enough of my children venture off into adulthood and form homes of their own to have an almost full spectrum vantage point. As I view past years from this scenic overlook, I find I have become willing and gratefull to be defined by my motherhood. There's nothing I want more, nothing that even remotely compares in deep-seated rewards than emersing self in hearth and home. I have traveled some (Rome, Egypt, Israel, Hawaii, much of the US each several times over). I worked in sales for over 15 years, received top accolaids and sat on the company's executive board. There are other rewarding ventures that have come and gone. Nothing, however, comes even remotely close to the peace of heart and mind that comes to me when I emmerse my life in my children and their ensuing offspring. (There are 8 thus far.) I can see the future exploding into who know how many more and I can hardly contain my excitement over the unlimited potential of joyous posterity. If I were to offer some advice (how well, though, I understand that there's no way to really pass on this vision) to the younger generation of mothers it would be "keep working at it" - "do your best" - "chin up" because I can promise that down the road (even thru stretches full of potholes and teeth-jarring bumps) there are big dividends that keep growing long after other excitement and endeavors have faded into "so what" obscurity.

Now thank we all our God....

2009-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

"The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man."

Joseph F. Smith

2009-11-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

3 And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.

(Book of Mormon | Ether 6:3)

I love this scripture from Ether. Men, women and children are on equal footing before the Lord. If we have eyes to see, He lights our way that we might not walk through this life in darkness.