The past week I went to TOFW with Grandma,
studied Spanish, read OT and Juju and I - I
guess you should say 'fought' over whether or
not to get another dog.
studied Spanish, read OT and Juju and I - I
guess you should say 'fought' over whether or
not to get another dog.
She really wants one and has for a very long
time. I really don't want one. I think the burden
lies more on me because she leaves in a year
in a half. She says it's her because she would
take care of both dogs and after a year and a
half having two dogs is no different than one.
time. I really don't want one. I think the burden
lies more on me because she leaves in a year
in a half. She says it's her because she would
take care of both dogs and after a year and a
half having two dogs is no different than one.
I'm sitting at the airport waiting to board my flight
back home. It was nice to spend the weekend
with my mom, Fran and Aunt Katy. I can't say it
was really fun, but it was nice. My mom had tears
as we said goodbye (well maybe that's not unusual,
but I think she knows we did this for her. We love
her.) Time Out For Women was good and I have several notes I wrote down.
back home. It was nice to spend the weekend
with my mom, Fran and Aunt Katy. I can't say it
was really fun, but it was nice. My mom had tears
as we said goodbye (well maybe that's not unusual,
but I think she knows we did this for her. We love
her.) Time Out For Women was good and I have several notes I wrote down.
But my thoughts are turned. Maybe it's because I'm doing these
gratitude thoughts each day. Maybe it's because I realize how
easily life can be so different. There were terrorist bombings in
Paris on Friday. Over 100 people killed. Maybe it's because life
is fragile. Maybe I have a home to return to and Aunt Katy doesn't.
Or Grandma who has a house but it's a mess in a lot of ways. I'm
sure it's because of all of these things. As Katy and I visited at the
airport she talked about Amelia. She was working for the church
and really didn't respect a few people. (Aunt Katy called one woman
evil. I don't think that's true, but...). She's been in theatre and
gratitude thoughts each day. Maybe it's because I realize how
easily life can be so different. There were terrorist bombings in
Paris on Friday. Over 100 people killed. Maybe it's because life
is fragile. Maybe I have a home to return to and Aunt Katy doesn't.
Or Grandma who has a house but it's a mess in a lot of ways. I'm
sure it's because of all of these things. As Katy and I visited at the
airport she talked about Amelia. She was working for the church
and really didn't respect a few people. (Aunt Katy called one woman
evil. I don't think that's true, but...). She's been in theatre and
I'm sure has gay friends. Phil is liberal and likes to stir things up.
Anyways Amelia does not attend church. She has not blessed her baby and she is not
Anyways Amelia does not attend church. She has not blessed her baby and she is not
attending a wedding at the temple of a good friend. (They'll just sit outside). Aunt Katy just found out
how bad it is. Phil goes to church but she thinks it's only because he is a student at BYU. She told Amelia
she's going to have to figure things out for herself. Her decisions don't just effect her. There's her children
and grandchildren. She also said she feels she's lost Alan, but when I asked if its the church she said no.
She said he just likes to do things his way and he's prideful. I'm not sure what that means. Aunt Katy
talked about how she has told the bishop that she will not support the YM because they play Halo and
it's a waste of time. She talked how she doesn't support her primary president that she serves with
because she's a liar. Aunt Katy said Alan is judgmental. (Maybe he's right and Aunt Katy is wrong. I don't
know. Even when things are bad, we choose to support the church programs). The whole thing makes
me sad.
how bad it is. Phil goes to church but she thinks it's only because he is a student at BYU. She told Amelia
she's going to have to figure things out for herself. Her decisions don't just effect her. There's her children
and grandchildren. She also said she feels she's lost Alan, but when I asked if its the church she said no.
She said he just likes to do things his way and he's prideful. I'm not sure what that means. Aunt Katy
talked about how she has told the bishop that she will not support the YM because they play Halo and
it's a waste of time. She talked how she doesn't support her primary president that she serves with
because she's a liar. Aunt Katy said Alan is judgmental. (Maybe he's right and Aunt Katy is wrong. I don't
know. Even when things are bad, we choose to support the church programs). The whole thing makes
me sad.
I am grateful for the Church. I can go and worship and feel inspired. I don't have to have friends or like it, it's
nice but my testimony is not dependent on that. I know our obedience to the programs of the church and its
leaders strengthen us. We don't have to like or agree with our leaders to be strengthened. Our obedience
strengthens us. We only have our agency to give. We only have our heart to give.
Right now I am filled with love and humbled gratitude. I love my husband and my kids. I would and do -
do everything I can for you. You are my everything. Not because you are my life, but because I would
give everything, even my life for you. I am so very proud of each of you - how you care for others, how
you are friends with each other and how you strive to follow the Lord and be like Him.
do everything I can for you. You are my everything. Not because you are my life, but because I would
give everything, even my life for you. I am so very proud of each of you - how you care for others, how
you are friends with each other and how you strive to follow the Lord and be like Him.
Why am I so blessed? Why does my heart hang on a little longer so the Lord can comfort me, heal me
and show me the way while others slip?
and show me the way while others slip?
I am grateful for all the things I have and for all the things I don't have, that I don't want. I haven't really
wanted for anything. I've receive so much more than I ever imagined I would have. I've had cancer, but
nothing what a lot of people have had to handle. Danny had diabetes but we've managed it. We've had
huge family trials but we've been able to rise above the clouds or hang on long enough to heal or be
strengthened.
wanted for anything. I've receive so much more than I ever imagined I would have. I've had cancer, but
nothing what a lot of people have had to handle. Danny had diabetes but we've managed it. We've had
huge family trials but we've been able to rise above the clouds or hang on long enough to heal or be
strengthened.
It was raining in Phoenix and we just took off. We rose above the clouds and I could see the sun. I took
a picture.
a picture.
In just a moment we were back in the clouds again. I was happy I took the picture.
(You have to remember it was rainy and dismal on the ground)
Then we kept gaining altitude
and the plane was able to rise above the clouds again.
There are always going to be storms and clouds. We may rise above the clouds just long enough to
see the sun and then we're back in the clouds again. Be grateful for the sun (Son). If we keep rising,
we will gain altitude and we will rise above the clouds.
see the sun and then we're back in the clouds again. Be grateful for the sun (Son). If we keep rising,
we will gain altitude and we will rise above the clouds.
All of us have storms in our lives. This weekend one of the speakers was a quadriplegic. She was a
dancer and broke her neck at 21. She talked of being at the store on a rainy day and while getting in
her car fell to the wet asphalt. A car drove by. She talked of a older woman coming over to help. She
said she couldn't have weighed over 100 lbs. There was no way. She first tried to lift her by one arm.
No success. She then straddled her and started to count...1,2...3. She then testified 'You are the
strongest when you bend down to lift someone else up.'
dancer and broke her neck at 21. She talked of being at the store on a rainy day and while getting in
her car fell to the wet asphalt. A car drove by. She talked of a older woman coming over to help. She
said she couldn't have weighed over 100 lbs. There was no way. She first tried to lift her by one arm.
No success. She then straddled her and started to count...1,2...3. She then testified 'You are the
strongest when you bend down to lift someone else up.'
She said 'I went on my way and the old woman walked back into the storm.'
We all have storms - some more turbulent at times than others, but we still can help each other.
This week I just want to thank you for being such a wonderful, beautiful person. I also want you to know
how very much I love you!
how very much I love you!
Dad says he lives a 'charmed life'. Well, I live a 'Cherished Fricken WOW' life! Thanks!
