OLD POSTS

The below posts are items that I have emailed to myself and wanted to put on my blog.  Finally I took a small break and posted them.  Feels Good!

There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today

You know how it is when you have such a great weekend that everything in life just feels calm and peaceful and full.  I had one of those this past weekend.  I was able to accomplish some things in my yarden and put in my freezer some more beans, jalapenos, and tomatoes.  We are slowly getting the yard the way we like and we put in some rocks for the aloe vera garden.  Looks so pretty!  Our grapes are turning purple.  We each ate one last evening.  They are still a little bit tart.  I received a new calling to serve with the little ones in nursery.  I am so excited and glad that the Lord called me to serve the little ones.  I get to work with some wonderful sisters that I love dearly.  I still get to lead the music in Sacrament meeting for a while as well and pick hymns from the hymnbook.  The hymn book is truly one of my favorite books.  My sweetheart and I will be celebrating 15 years this week.  Pennies are powerful was able to help the trip to the orphanages by aiding in the purchase of some much needed supplies.  Thank you so much sisters for helping make that possible.  So as the saying goes “My Cup Runneth Over”.  I am so truly blessed and I am thankful for all of the special people that add to that abundance in my life.

 

Here is to a week ahead  full of love, fun, and blessings.

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today

I have been thinking a lot about the hymn “Have I done Any Good in the World Today”.  For many this hymn makes them feel bad like they have not measured up but I want to put a different perspective on this sweet hymn.  I think most of you complete it very well every day more than you know.  Have I helped anyone in need, cheered up the sad, made someone feel glad.  These are the questions asked in the first verse.  I know that you mothers of young children do these things frequently throughout the day.  Kissing boo boos and just plain old being there.  The rest of you, well, you help me on a daily basis and make me feel glad because I know you are there.  As I sit in my office and do the daily grind, I can find much comfort that you are all just a mouse click away.  I also know that just letting that person running late for work cut in the traffic line without blaring the horn to let them know that the line cut was noticed, well they may not feel glad but they would not feel good if the horn blared so you are sparing some stressful feelings (your own included, and yes I am speaking from recent experience of just this morning.  The person cut right in and I was flustered at first and then considered that maybe he/she needed to get to work quicker than I this morning).  Or the smile you give to someone or the thank you to the cashier at the grocery store.  Just noticing someone could be what makes their day.  Giving someone the benefit of the doubt is a form of charity.  So remember friends, no matter how insignificant you think a gesture is, it may just be that ray of sunshine in someone’s life.  So here is to doing good in the world each day just a little bit at a time.

Service is the cure for selfish pity

The garden is flourishing so that is a good outcome for all of the heat and humidity.  Last week was a hard one at work.  That of course carried home and combined with the heat, made for a grumpy me.  On Wednesday evening, a sweet friend and myself went to the temple to fulfill a ward assignment.  We came out to the most beautiful sunset.  It was humbling to remember all of the beauties that Heavenly Father has created for us to enjoy.  Then on Friday morning, I just decided to be happy on that day.  I started to look for opportunities to serve others and a miracle occurred.  As soon as I stepped out of my self-absorption, the world around me changed and I was able to smile and laugh and find joy.  Then last evening our home teacher came and was asking us about why service is important.  I really think one thing leads to another.  Service allows us to step outside of ourselves and to see a different perspective.  This makes us grateful for our blessings which helps us want to serve others.  The cure for the good old fashioned pity party is indeed service to our fellow brothers and sisters.  Just imagine if everyone did this day in and day out.  What a pleasant world we would have.  But then, we can start with changing our own self and move outward to our families and then spread outward to our wards and communities.  Each one of us doing a little bit makes a huge difference.

 

Hope to always find joy in the journey.

Service is Beautiful

There is a shopping network that has been advertising “Christmas in July”. It is fun to hear the Christmas songs and to see Christmas type things and start feeling in the mood for that wonderful holiday.


It also made me stop and think of all of the giving my friends and sweet sisters do all year long. Our Pennies are Powerful effort was able to give $70 this July along with some other donations that I know will bring happiness to some of the orphans. I just want each of you to realize that everyone giving the few coins really makes a huge impact on the lives of these children and the people that donate their time and lives to care for them. It provides a little ease but more important is that they know they are not forgotten. We care about them and that realization is more powerful than the supplies that are purchased with these “pennies” of love. Just a reminder that the Iaomai opportunity for this year ends in mid September. The medical ministry is heading out the end of September beginning of October. With school shopping coming up, please keep in mind of any coloring books and crayons opportunities that can be donated for this. Also, thank you to everyone who has so graciously donated yarn for making mittens, blankets, and baby caps. Karen and I are working as fast as our hands will allow.

I know that the things are not what changes lives but the love that goes with them. The powerful love that we can express to them that their Savior, Jesus Christ loves them and knows who they are. That changes their lives, FOREVER!

I am so thankful for the beautiful examples and daily acts that inspire me to become a better person.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Or should I say Happy Sweetheart Day! I love my sweetheart and I am so thankful for him. He makes me feel like a queen every day!

Tonight we are going to make a special dinner at home. I made the dessert. A strawberry cake with frosting and heart sprinkles. We also have chocolate ice-cream for the side. He is making ribs, corn on the cob, and salad. YUMMY!! Then we are spending the evening snuggling and watching junk tv. Or in other words "House" because it is one of my favorite shows.

Today and Tonight are going to be AWESOME!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I am so thankful for today. I have a wonderful sweetheart that makes me feel like a queen every day. We are planning a wonderful sweet dinner together at home this evening. I made a valentine cake for dessert with little heart sprinkles and everything.

This weekend I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting on 1 John 4:20-21. I am grateful for inspired leaders who guide us and help us to learn and grow.

Today is going to be AWESOME

Patchy Pants

I have a pair of pants that I use for gardening. They are old and soft and the denim is worn so that they are finally feeling comfortable. You know, where they are like an old friend. I LOVE MY PATCHY PANTS. I would wear them everywhere except that I would embarrass everyone I know. Well. The bottom on these patchy pants has worn out. Holes huge holes. So I took some fabric that I love from my fabric drawer and put patches on my bottom. Hence the name Patchy Pants. They are adorable. How many people can say that they have butterflies, Christmas angels, Christmas teddy bears, and more butterflies on their rear end.

Patchy Pants rule!

SAN DIEGO TEMPLE

My Sweetheart has been wanting to put a nigh time picture of the San Diego Temple up in our Bedroom/Bathroom area. So, when I had to order some other items from the distribution center, I ordered a temple picture. $1.00 for an 11x17 picture. It is absolutely beautiful. We framed and hung it up this past weekend. Now there is a reminder of where he needs to take me someday so we can be ETERNAL COMPANIONS. I think I will do some vinyl lettering that says "Families are Forever" over our closet door to tie it all in.

Small and Simple Things

I have been pondering for a while now on what happened last evening. One of our sweet next door neighbors was found dead in his home last evening. It was a long night for all involved. I am proud of our first responders to this. They handled every aspect with respect dignity and courtesy. They were very professional. During the crisis and after the Fire, Sheriff and ME were gone I discovered that it is the small and simple things that matter most. Jim and I were most fortunate to be available to take the young niece (11 years old) into our home to avoid being with the body and watching it taken from the home. We got to know this young lady better and she us. It was a good thing. Then as the niece and her mom were going to go and be with family for the rest of the night, we had on hand some small items that were needed. They were insignificant to us but to her it was one less thing she had to worry about. Several other close friends and neighbors were each able to do some small thing, one will call the complex HOA and make sure that the man’s van is not towed away, one is a co-worker and will be able to tell the office so she need not worry about that. Each of us doing some small thing made a big difference to her. Also, just holding them and crying with them became a sweet act of service.


Mosiah 18:8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; 9 Yea, and are awilling to mourn with those that bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
Alma 37: 6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

I am so thankful for the hope of the gospel and how sweet the small and simple things are.

May we also see our blessing and be grateful for each moment.

Live this moment as it it may be your last

This is late in posting but.... my sweetheart sent me a copy of the obituary for our neighbor that passed away. It was a great tribute to this man. May all of us live to be remembered like this…..


“He never tired of listening or lending a helping hand to anyone who might need it; generous to a fault, judgments left to God. …He lived as if the world was a roller-coaster ride to delight in and will be sorely missed by all who got the chance to ride with him for a ways. Contributions can be made to: Wounded Warriors Fund, the next homeless person you meet or in the form of a reconciliation with someone who has wronged you.”

Just another angel to help us become better today than we were tomorrow because of his example.

Hope we can count our blessings no matter the circumstances we are in.  Each of us could be called "home" at a moments notice.