Serving

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In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we don’t have paid clergy. Everyone helps and serves. We often take turns doing responsibilities. Right now the leader of our congregation is a wonderful man whose full time job is to work at the local fire station. He donates his time without pay to help members who need help, and to keep us all organized.

A congregation is called a ward. There are lots of people in a ward, maybe 500 or so. There are organizations within the ward that are for specific groups. There is the Primary, where the little kids meet. The Young Women and Young Men where the kids that are 11 years old up to 18 meet. The women’s organization is called the Relief Society, it’s almost 180 years old. The Elders Quorum where the men meet. When we go to church after our big main meeting called Sacrament, we go to our separate rooms and learn some more about God, life and being good.

I starting wondering if I could remember all the responsibilities/callings I’ve had in my 60 years. I’m sure I’ve missed some and we don’t really serve until we’re 18+ years old, so in the last 42 years I came up with 29 Callings or responsibilities I’ve had in my life.

  1. Nursery-18 months-3 years old
  2. Missionary-I served in Texas in the 80’s for 18 months
  3. Sunday School-17-18 year olds
  4. Teaching Relief Society
  5. Relief Society-2nd Counselor
  6. Homemaking Leader-Relief Society
  7. Teaching Relief Society-Spiritual Living Lesson
  8. Teaching Relief Society-Compassionate Service Lesson 
  9. Relief Society 1st Counselor
  10. Relief Society President 
  11. Young Women-Camp Director 
  12. Relief Society-Visiting Teaching Coordinator 
  13. Ward Librarian 
  14. Primary Teacher
  15. Relief Society-Homemaking Leader
  16. Primary Teacher
  17. Scout Leader-Wolves-8 year olds
  18. Assistant Camp Director
  19. Primary 2nd Counselor
  20. Young Women President 
  21. Primary Teacher
  22. Relief Society Teacher
  23. Primary President 
  24. Family History Consultant 
  25. Ward Missionary
  26. Relief Society Teacher
  27. Young Women MiaMaid Adviser
  28. Primary Teacher
  29. Family History Consultant 

I have always learned lessons from my callings. Some I learned more from than others. And sometimes the ones I learned the most from were because they were very hard for me.

When you get a calling, the secretary to the Bishop calls you and says, “The Bishop would like to meet with you, can you come ______,” Then you worry until you see him about what he wants. I’ll be honest, sometimes I knew what he wanted. I had already received a feeling or confirmation in my heart/mind about what was coming. Those times I didn’t worry as much, because I knew God was calling me. I knew He would help me to serve. Not that He wasn’t calling me for other callings. I believe the Bishop and his counselors pray and ask God if so and so is a good fit for this or that calling, at this time. Maybe I’ve felt it in my heart when the calling was big.

When I was just 29 years old I had just had my third child. I was in the middle of motherhood. Up to here, with the daily routines. I was very overwhelmed, but I knew I was going to be the new Relief Society President. I don’t know how to explain it, but I knew it was coming and I knew I could do it. As I met with the Bishop, I thought about all the things going on in our little home. I thought about all of the things God was asking me to do, and all of the time I would need to spend loving and caring for the sisters in our ward. As I was set apart by the Bishop and he placed his hands on my head and pronounced blessings and promises which I knew would help me, a feeling of peace came over me.

Some how I found time to visit, organize and love all of the sisters in our ward. I had chosen to quit breastfeeding my new baby a few months after he was born, and realized it was a blessing that I could just hand him over to his dad if I needed to be somewhere, or help someone. I loved serving the women in our ward and felt so blessed by their love and goodness.

A few months into my calling as Relief Society President, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. I was pretty much maxed out. I don’t know how I did it, except to say that Father In Heaven had been helping me to complete my responsibilities. He was blessing me with some strength I didn’t even know I had. I also learned that many sisters in our ward had depression. One of the sisters said she had prayed that God would call a president that actually understands depression. I did, and the Bishop was checking on me often to see how I was doing. I would let him know that I felt like I could keep going, I knew I was being sustained by heaven and all of the sisters.

On January 1st I received a call that has forever changed me. I was called to help at the hospital and be there for the family, where a couple from our ward had just been killed by a drunk driver. They were taking their son to the hospital in the early hours of the morning with what they thought might be appendicitis. As they drove up the street they missed the turn to the hospital, and had just slowed down to make a u turn when they were broadside by a car going way too fast! The husband was killed instantly, and the wife died shortly after arriving at the hospital. She was pregnant. The son they were taking to the hospital was ok, and didn’t have appendicitis. I have never seen such sorrow and devastation. News of the tragedy went through our ward and most of us young parents thought about what would happen to our kids if we were suddenly gone. The Relief Society is usually in charge of the meal for the family after a funeral. Watching all of the family grieve was almost more that I could stand. I told the bishop maybe it was time for me to be released.

I think about this sweet couple every New Year. I feel sorrow for their loss and worry for anyone who might be out and about on that day. I am always telling family to be so careful and watch for drunk drivers. I prefer to stay home to bring in the New Year.

Callings and responsibilities can have that effect on you, changing you forever. I will never forget the lesson’s I learned, and the challenges I overcame as the young and overwhelmed Relief Society President of our ward.

Super Power: Birthday Remembering!

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I’m not a super hero, but I do have a super power.

My little brother says, we remember what’s important to us. Well, I must consider birthdays very important. Maybe I didn’t get enough attention when I was younger on my birthday, I don’t know, but I love my birthday, I love celebrating and I love remembering other peoples birthdays and special days.

For as long as I can remember I have had a good memory for other peoples birthdays. I can remember other special days, too. I don’t know for sure how it happens, but when I explain it to others they like to tease me. Example: I’ll say, “Well, I was almost full term pregnant with Kelsey when Scott and Stacy got married. I was big and uncomfortable at the wedding, and Kelsey was born a week later on July 21st. So I know their wedding anniversary is July 15th.”

So family will say, in jest- “The moon was rising over Sagittarius and Jupiter was falling…” like it is a magic ability, or power. Well, if I do have a super power this is it. If you asked me the price of bananas, I have no idea and never have. I can’t remember any prices, ever. I don’t know if what I’m shopping for is a good deal, because I can’t remember what the price of hamburger is per pound. If I need bananas, I buy them. If I need hamburger I buy it, but forget a birthday? Never!

For example: in January these are the birthdays, Brad-2nd, Lizzie-2nd, Indie-6th, Nancy-9th, Ian-16th, Vickie-17th, Monroe-22nd, Kiefer-23rd, Liam-23rd, Lilli-30th, Colin-30th, Abby-31st. I typed all of these from memory except 2. I had to check, but not too bad.

I have made lists of birthday, and anniversaries and shared them with the rest of the family. I may have even saved someone from missing an important birthday. Just sayin’. In that way I may even be a super hero!

I love my family, my people. I have chosen to send a birthday card to each family member on their birthday. It takes effort, but I want them to know I love them and I want them to know they are remembered on their special day. Most the time I don’t hear back from them. That’s ok. The ones who say thank you are always so glad I took the time to remember them. I just got a message from my niece who is serving a mission in Germany. She got her bday card and loved it. When your away from home and you get mail it’s the best!

Maybe that’s it. When I was a missionary I loved mail. When someone takes the time to send a letter it means they thought about you to think about doing it, then they thought about you while writing the letter/card, then they thought about you while getting/writing the address, and then one more time while dropping it off at the mailbox! So much loving thoughts.

It’s worth it to me!

________________________________________________________

Why Important Birthdays Are Important

They acknowledge our steps along the road. They let us savor the joy, yet again. They inspire laughter and shenanigans. They embrace pageantry and tradition. They ask us to close our eyes and make a wish for the future. -Tiffany&Co.

Pet Peeves

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One of the things that have evolved in the history of mankind is the need to remember something. Maybe a hundred years ago or so, you might have to remember a combination to a lock, or locker. You might have to remember where the letters were located on a type writer. You would have to remember how to drive a car, or a car with a stick shift.

In the period of time I live in it has gotten very complicated. I am still trying to come to terms with the amount of change and detail I feel overwhelmed by on a daily basis. My number one pet peeve and it is something I deal with everyday, is passwords.

In the world we live in you need at least a few passwords to function. In this world there has been evil almost from the start. If we could trust everyone, we might not need locks and passwords and so many things to remember. But for now, this is what we get.

Even the most basic function of taking care of keeping your money safe is more complicated. If you have a bank account you can use your plastic card to get money out of the bank, but you’ll also need a 4 digit pin (like a password) to finish the job. This is a private, secure, random number that you must remember. It really should not be written down, to keep it secure.

If you want to receive email, besides the mail you receive from the mailman (snail mail, as it’s called), you need to make sure you have access to a computer, this is called being “Online”, then choose a provide; Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook, etc. Don’t ask me how to make the decision on who to use as a provider, cause I don’t know. Then you decide what your email address will be. Some people use cleaver emails, like i.like.cats@example.com, or betty_better_best@funexample.com. It is quite an ordeal to even come up with your address. Then check and see if it’s available. If it’s not available then someone else picked it first. The hardest part is next- decide on a password. It must be at least 8-10 characters long, use numbers and letters and symbols. Then after you decide and have a really creative password, never forget it…except when you do, then you have to reset your password and come up with another really creative password. Sometimes my fingers hit the wrong keys, and it says my password is incorrect. This is sooo frustrating to me. I take it personal. I am offended! “What the ______!” “No dang way!” “Oh my h___!” If I forget or have to reset my password when I’m away from home and can’t write something to see if it is creative, I just come up with something on the fly and then I may never remember it again. My brain was not built to remember passwords.

If you want to shop online, check on your kids progress at school, be a part of Social Media- which means checking out what everyone else is doing in their life (Online), you need multiple passwords I have hundreds of passwords. I hate them! They make me crazy! I do have a place where I keep some of them besides my head, but it is even more confidential than my passwords.

Even though I can do lots of things because of passwords it feels like how I imagine hell. You are in a place where you want out. You can see from a distance things to do, nice things to see, places to go. There are old friends and new friends over in the distance, but you can’t go, because you don’t remember your password. They have helpers to help you reset your passwords, but because you’ve done it so many times nothing sticks anymore. “Nope, nothin in my noggin!”

Now all of this is the best case scenario. The worst is if someone finds out your password, they can do serious damage to your life. They can take your money. They can take your identity and pretend they’re you, shopping online and scamming your friends on social media. Why? I have no idea, except they are annoying and evil. These people apparently have brains made for millions of passwords or least know how to use a computer for that. They not only have their own, but try to find out everyone else’s passwords. Losers!! I don’t know what the answer is except to just keep making really cleaver passwords and forgetting them. It is the world we live in.

My hope is someday we have a better world without passwords and losers!

Maybe that’s death. I sure hope I don’t go to password hell.

Cheerleaders!

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This cutie on top is my little friend Kalli!

I love to watch cheerleaders! They are truly amazing. They get you pumped up and excited about life. When they perform and do stunts it is a wow moment in life! One of the funnest things I’ve seen them do is called Spirit fingers. They lift up their hands high in the air and wiggle their fingers and yell “Wooohooo!” If they do it right the people in the audience will raise their hands and do spirit fingers back to them and yell “Wooohooo” too.

I loved cheerleaders in junior high school too. I thought that being a cheerleader would be so fun! I did gymnastics for years and knew how to tumble, and do some tricks. I decided when try outs were coming up that I should try out for cheerleader. I worked hard at it, but I was all by myself. Some of the girls would work together as they practiced the required cheer and stunts. We didn’t have stunts back them like they have now, where several girls lift the smallest girl while she holds her leg up and then flips off the top of the girls holding her. It was just you doing a cheer that they gave you. On the day of try outs I was so nervous. I felt good too, like it could happen. I could make cheerleader and have a blast cheering the teams on at all the games.

When it was my turn to try out, I ran out into the gym, did a tumbling pass and yelled my cheer at the top of my lungs! I thought “Oh yeah, I’ve got spirit!” It went well, I thought, mostly because I never got to see anyone else try out. I felt good about it though. I went home. Wondered about it several times. Then bedtime came. I didn’t sleep great, because I was still wondering and hoping that I made it. The next morning I got on the bus for school. I saw one of the other girls who tried out. I said, “I think I might have made cheerleader.” She said, “Really?” I said, “I just feel good about how I did.” She smiled. When we got to school they had an assembly were the new cheerleaders were announced. I found out that the new cheerleaders had been kidnapped the night before and taken for dinner or dessert, I can’t remember which. I also found out that the girl who tried out with me and that I talked to on the bus made cheerleader. I felt foolish. I wished I hadn’t said anything to her. Oh well, I thought you can’t do anything about it now. I was sad for little while, but then ok with not making cheerleader, but I never tried out again. That was about 47 years ago.

I still love to watch cheerleaders. They are amazing. It sure looks like fun!

I was recently thinking about the story of trying out for cheerleader. I’m ok with not making it, and not being a cheerleader, but I realized while thinking, I am a cheerleader! Even though I didn’t make cheerleader as a young woman I am a cheerleader and always will be.

At 21 years old, I was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was a cheerleader for people looking for a Savior and friend. As missionaries we would cheer as they accepted the gospel and were baptized members of the church. We felt the spirit as they bore humble testimony of God and His influence in their lives. What a blessing to be their cheerleaders.

I cheer for my brothers, Daddy and Mama. Since Daddy passed away I am my mama’s biggest cheerleader. I give her pep talks and tell her how amazing she is, and that she can “do it!”

In the first years of marriage and even now, I am my husbands best cheerleader. All through the years we raised our children I cheered them on daily! (Spirit fingers!!) I was chosen to be a Relief Society President and Head cheerleader to our ward women’s organization. It was an important job- encouraging those mom’s and wives to do their best in spite of exhaustion. I cheered the Primary children on as the Primary President and leader and taught them all about spirit, and how to follow the leader. I cheered for the Young Women in our neighborhood as the Young Women President and leader, and sometimes we cheered together about this wonderful, and exciting life! Just like a high school football game, there were highs and lows and I would cheer; “You can do it! There’s nothin to it!!”

I cheer for my kids now that they are adults, and their spouses and their darling little team mates! I will always be their cheerleader!

This year I made it to one of the best squads. I didn’t even have to try out. I was chosen to be a cheerleader for Families. I am so excited to cheer for the members of our ward family. I will cheer and encourage and persuade them to research and find their loved ones and get to know them. Then they can take them to the temple and be together forever!! I am cheering on my friends who are writing their personal histories. I am sharing my excitement and spirit for Family History. Yes! This is an important job. I love it and I’m having so much fun cheering!

We can all be cheerleaders. You don’t have to try out. You just need to be available and care about others. It’s that simple.

“We have spirit- yes we do, We have spirit- how about you?”

Birthdays, and Turning 60!

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Me in Kindergarten.

I love birthdays! I love all birthdays! I love sending cards and buying balloons and decorating cakes. I love giving gifts and watching the expression of the person opening the gift. I love celebrating my birthday as well.

I’m always happy I’ve had another year to get smarter and wiser and more appreciative of the blessings and people I am surrounded by. It’s like celebrating the fact that “I’m here!” I made it another trip around the sun! I’m doing my best at life and I love that God gave me a family and friends to help me while I’m here.

I’m sure that birthdays like life are what you make it!

When it’s my birthday I sometimes get worried because of expectations. Will the people I love remember? What is the celebration going to be like? I have learned that in order to not worry, I just tell everyone it’s coming and make a plan for what I want to do. Some of my favorite bdays were spent doing projects and organizing my home and life, but best of all is celebrating with family!

This year I’m turning 60. That is old!! I remember thinking 30 was old when I was a teenager. Now I’m twice as old -as old! I’m so happy to be here. It’s like going on a long trek, or hike. It feels so good that you are finished with the challenge, but you feel really sore. Yes when you get older things ache. I’m not going to die yet, so don’t worry about that, I’m just letting the reality of where I am sink in. I know there are people who run marathons, climb mountains, do iron man competitions at this age. Not me. I’m just moving along “slow and steady” like Alex taught me many years ago.

Waking up this morning I laid there thinking about turning 60, and where I am in life. I felt such an immense feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to live. Life is hard, but life is also such an amazing experience! My blessings and challenges are what has made me who I am.

I was blessed to be born into a family. My parents were and always have been loving, and kind. They have taught me to work, to set goals, to be the kind of person others can count on. Their example has been such a blessing, and I’m so grateful for them. My Daddy has passed on, but I’ve learned, and I believe he is close and still loving me. I know when I feel sad, it’s because I’m thinking about me. I am happy he is resting from his busy and hectic life. I will see him when it’s my time.

I grew up with 3 older brothers, Brian, Brad and Keith. They taught me to be tough. They weren’t always nice, so that taught me empathy. They made mistakes, and that taught me to love unconditionally. Sometimes I felt alone and unloved by them, but I learned to just keep trying to be a good little sister to them. I am a total fan of boys and men because of all my brothers fun and entertaining personalities. I know they know I love them. They have all passed to the other side. I miss them, but I know we’ll see each other again.

I have 2 little brothers. They taught me to have patience and think of others. I hope I wasn’t too mean to them. I was left in charge of them when our parents went on trips, We would go get fast food and eat Frosty’s. As adult they are very talented, and their knowledge and life choices are creative and inspiring. They are such a blessing to me. They are my very dear friends and I love spending time with them.

I am a Family History fan. Knowing where I came from is huge! I feel so blessed to know grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and second cousins, etc. I have learned about the life of these people. What kind of sickness or sorrow was part of their existence. Did they have it easy? No, I believe it was harder. I admire and adore them. I believe that because they lived and rose from each challenge that I can too. How great is that? I can do hard things!

All my young life, I wanted to be loved by a sweetheart. A soul mate, and best friend. I wasn’t really sure it would happen, but it did. My Darlin is that sweetheart. I am so grateful for our marriage. My Darlin, is a loving and hard working man. I can count on him and I know he loves me. He has always put our family first. I wouldn’t trade our 36 + years togethers for anything. It hasn’t been perfect, but we’ve learned so much. We have learned how to sacrifice for our children and each other. We have learned what matters most in life and that is love, patience and kindness. We have always included God in our relationship. We pray daily thanking God for each other and asking His blessing upon our marriage. He has blessed us!

I’ve wanted to be a Mama since I played with my baby dolls as a child. I know I am so blessed to be a Mama. I have learned so much about life from my 4 children. They are each unique and amazing. They are all grown up and I feel a little sad about that, but what wonderful adults they have become. When I feel lonesome now and then, I remind myself that the amazing adults they are- is my best hopes and desires for them. We taught them to be responsible, we taught them to love, and share, and do good in the world. They are much better than I could ever imagined!! Because of their great choices they have wonderful sweethearts, too. Oh, do I ever feel so much love and admiration for the humans they grew up to be, and their wonderful choices!

“Grandchildren are your reward for not killing your kids.” I don’t know who said that, but it’s funny. The truth is Grandchildren are such a blessing because you’ve already been through raising your kids. You don’t have to worry about them, because that is their parents job. You get to hug them, and kiss them, and sugar them up, and send them home. They are like the cherry on top! The icing on the cake! Such a wonderful part of life, that’s grandparenthood. Sometimes grandparenthood isn’t what you thought it would be, but that’s ok too. You just do your best in every situation. Just love everyone! (and maybe try not to have expectations) I’m so grateful that my life includes grandkids!

“Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold.” I haven’t always been a good friend. I have made others feel sad. I have had friends be unkind to me as well. I’ve learned that friendship is a treasure that is worth the effort. I know that friends are part of my life because God knew I needed them. Their example, the acceptance, the experiences we’ve shared. I love them so much!

Knowing about God, and Jesus is such a blessing. I wouldn’t have made it through life without them. I can’t forget the Spirit or Holy Ghost. When times are hard and I am sad. I know because of the peace I feel when I pray that God is aware of me and loves me. He will help me out of some situations and others He will hold my heart while We go through it together. I know He sent me to earth to have experiences and grow. I know he wants me back when I’m done.

I’m glad I’m 60 years old! I’m so blessed. I’m thankful for all of my life experiences the beautiful, wonderful experiences and the challenges. I wouldn’t go back. No regrets. I’m not going that way anyway. Like my “Most Quoted” said, “I’m trying really hard at life!” and I always will.

Spazzle, A Dog True to Her Name

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While our youngest, and Bonus Baby was in high school and Most Quoted and Dream Come True were on their missions, Emily begged me for a pet dog. We had lost our precious Taz just a few years before and we all missed him so much. One day while running errands we noticed that the local pet store was having an adoption day. We went in just to look. They have quite the set up, telling you how wonderful it is to adopt a pet, one that might end up being put down if not adopted. They were all adorable, and very friendly. We wanted a dog. He or she couldn’t be too old, because we just had just recently lost our beloved Taz, and adopting seemed like a good idea thinking the dog would already be trained to go potty outside and some of the basic commands. We saw a cute little fluffy dog and read the name, Spazzle. Hmmm, is that a name that represents someone just having fun, or is this dog a Spazz? We wondered, but decided to get the dog.

Now just so you know, it’s kind of a production adopting an animal. First the animals are have a computer chip inserted to identify the animal if they get lost or stolen. The animals have been fixed so they won’t produce other animals. The price to adopt was $100. They make you sign a form that says you won’t take the animal to the pound, or sell the animal to someone else. If there is a problem you call them and they’ll make it right.

The very first night we got Spazzle home she slept in her kennel and pooped in her kennel. This was a huge red flag to me, knowing that dogs don’t poop where they sleep. I cleaned it up really good and she slept there the next night and pooped again. I thought this dog has been abused and left so long in its kennel it had no choice but to relieve itself. She had many accidents in the house. I thought maybe she just needed to have a little encouragement. We would go out with her to go potty, in our fenced yard, and wait for her to go, so we could give her a treat and praise her. She would never go. Finally we’d come in the house and as soon as we did she’d poop or pee on the floor. I have never had so much frustration with an animal in my life.

Finally after two weeks of trying to work with her, I called the adoption place and told them, “Either come get her, or she’s going to the pound.” I’ve never sent a dog to the pound. They came and got her, and we lost $100 dollars.

The more I thought about it and the more we talked about it, it felt kind of like a racket to us. ‘Let’s guilt these people into adopting a dog that is a Spazz and has been mistreated, then tell them we decide what happens to the animal even after they adopt it.’ So when you are at the end of your rope and can’t handle the animal anymore, not only do you have to call them to come get it, you lose money. Then they can re-adopt this defective animal to another unsuspecting family. I feel sorry for Spazzle. She was a sweet, dumb dog. The people who were trying to come across as caring, animal people, were not. I will never adopt an animal again.

You’ve Got Mail

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This cute and fun romantic comedy came out in 1998. Little did I know at that time it would be such a big part of my life. In 1998 my children were 12, 9, 7, and 4. My days were spent doing laundry, cleaning, running kids and errands all over the city we lived in. It was a typical routine that most moms know. We had only been in our home for a year or so and were feeling the stretch of a house that was a little too much for us. We moved there, because we had a plan to put a massage and hair shop in the basement apartment that was part of the house. This shop would bring in income and help with the house bills and help us raise our family. It didn’t quite work the way we thought. Not wanting strangers coming into our home, we chose not to advertise our shop. Our clientale was word of mouth, not enough customers came. The neighbors were wonderful and very supportive. Often children would stop on their way home from school to get their hair cut. My sweetie still needed to work full time which allowed for health and dental insurance. As it became clear the shop would not provide enough income, I started working at the local grocery store, the first of many jobs through the years.

All my life I have wanted to be a stay at home mom, a homemaker. Making a home is very important to me. So now I was not only a mom, and a homemaker, I was bringing in income. It became very important to supplement my husbands income. I worked about 3-4 days a week. After a time, I started other small jobs, I even tended for a friend for many years. I did PTA, worked part-time, worked full-time, I tended full-time, and I had very responsible church callings. I even studied real estate and insurance at different times, all in an effort to make enough money to pay the bills and live. I enjoyed all of this busyness as much as I could, but then started to struggle with the responsibilities and depending on the day and what I had to do after work, I would come home at 5:00 take off my bra, put on my pj’s and get into bed. I would start the movie “You’ve Got Mail” and would always feel more light and sometimes even happy. Sometimes the kids would hop on my bed with me and we would all watch. I’ve always loved being their mom! I am usually a motivated person, I push myself, but for years I was so over-whelmed that I was just moving a long, doing what I could. Sometime in the middle of all this Alex said to me “Slow and Steady wins the race!” from the Tortoise and The Hare story. I wrote a post about that. Those kind of phases are helpful, too.

I watched You’ve Got Mail so many times, I don’t know, but I still love it so much. The things I love about this movie are; It takes place in New York City, her apartment is adorable, Meg Ryan is the main character and she is just a easy going bookstore owner who just turned 30 years old, I love books, when the story starts it’s Fall (my favorite season), there are some cute and funny one liners, one of the biggest reasons why I love the movie is how she handles the challenges she faces. She does get discouraged, but doesn’t stay discouraged. The most important part is the happy ending. My Darlin always says I need to only watch “Sweetness and Light.” It’s true no dark and scary stuff for me! Sometimes it’s just fun to escape your own life and live through someone else even if it’s just for a few hours. It was important during years when I needed to cope with a busy, busy life. Now my kids are adults. They are amazing! I am very happy I made it through those years!!

On a trip to New York City, we did a little tour of the places that are in the movie. What a blast! We saw the store that was “The Shop Around the Corner.” We’ve been to Cafe Lalo where Kathleen waits for her email pen pal, we have seen H & H Bagels-we didn’t go in, Starbucks, Zabar’s, Riverside Park & Gray’s Papaya (super yummy hotdogs). It is so fun to visit places you’ve seen in a movie.

I still love You’ve Got Mail even though I don’t watch the movie much these days. It actually doesn’t help me feel better like it used to, but I keep finding things that do.

I am so thankful there are distractions, diversions, and other ways of coping when life is over-whelming! I’m super thankful for favorite movies like “You’ve Got Mail!”

A Sacred Place

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Through all the days of my childhood and youth I knew I wanted to go to them temple, someday. I thought it would probably be to be married. I did know that temples have been an important place to commune with God from the beginning of time and in many religious groups. I knew it was important to the religion I was raised in. I’m grateful that there was an anticipation and goal to go inside someday. There is a song that talks about going to the temple written by Janice Kapp Perry.

I love to see the temple. I’m going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit, To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God, A place of love and beauty.

I’ll prepare myself while I am young; This is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple. I’ll go inside someday.

I’ll cov’nant with my Father; I’ll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place Where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth: A fam’ly is forever.

She wrote this song in 1980. I was 19 years old and taught little eighteen month-three year olds in the nursery. I’m sure we sang it. I love the spirit this song brings to my heart. As I got older I looked forward to going to the temple. I didn’t know for sure what happened in there because it is sacred and not talked about in regular conversation, but I knew I wanted to go and planned on going when the right time came.

The right time came shortly after I received a mission call to serve for my church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was called to serve in the Texas, San Antonio Mission. I had been going back and forth with the decision to go or not for months. Every time I thought about going the spirit would burn inside my chest, testifying that this was right and good. I was very scared to leave home. I had never been gone for more than a month in my whole life. Missionary girls serve for 18 months. I was afraid my parents would die while I was gone, etc. But I could not deny the prompting, it was real and powerful. So powerful that I sent my papers in and received my call.

After my call came the next step was to enter the temple and receive my endowment. At churchofjesuschrist.org the endowment is descibed like this:

“The endowment is a religious ceremony administered in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is available to adult Church members who are prepared for this sacred experience.

The endowment provides instruction, covenants, and promised blessings that offer power, purpose, and protection in daily life.”

I knew I wanted to go to the temple. I had planned on going my whole life, but I was very overwhelmed at the thought of it. I knew it was important. I knew it would change my life, and help me to be better, and do better in my life.

On the day I was planning on going to the temple I was going to Cosmetology at the local college and thought off and on about what would happened later that day -all day long. I was apprehensive, nervous, and excited. I got home from school, and my parents and I left for the temple. It was only about 8 miles away from our home. I continued to think about what I was about to do. I had looked forward to this all of my life, 21 years. I honestly thought I would be getting married when I went to the temple, but the opportunity was not presented. I had become quite independent and was ok to an extent leaving home and having an adventure.

When we got to the temple my Daddy dropped me and my Mama off at the doors and went to park the car.

I walked into the temple for the first time.

The first thing I noticed was how light it was. It was dark outside, but it still seemed so light. I felt the most peaceful feeling I have ever felt in my life. The sweet lady who was there just for me, walked up to me and touched my arm and asked my name. I told her and she said with the sweetest voice, “I’m so glad you’re here.” She asked me to follow her. I felt so much love. Love and Peace are exactly what you want to feel when you are doing what God wants for you. I knew my life, and my decision to serve a mission was what God wanted. I knew that I was where I was supposed to be. I felt the same feeling I felt when the spirit prompted me to go and serve the Lord. I knew that everything would be ok.

My experience at the temple was sacred. I am so grateful for that experience, and all the other experiences I’ve had attending the temple.

It wouldn’t be for another 2 and 1/2 years before I was married in the Salt Lake Temple to my eternal companion and sweetest Darlin.

“For the temple is a house of God, a place of love and beauty.” What a wonderful Father in Heaven, and Savior to bless us with the ability to commune with them and feel love and peace in this world.

Mama

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Photo Credit-Larry Hanson

She is a wonderful Mama. She is my friend. I’m grateful she is mine.

These are a few of the things that make my Mom the great gal she is.

She grew up with a Mama and a Daddy and one sister. She learned a lot growing up. Her Daddy was a hard worker, but also an alcoholic. He joined AA when she was 16. She learned respect. Her Mama was a saint, and taught her how to love and be kind. Her sister was spunky and a tease. This taught her patience. She was a good student graduating a year early. She was a good worker, having jobs that were important like a telephone operator. If you don’t know what that is ask someone older than 30.

She is motivated and has gotten a lot accomplished and has done her whole life. She raised 6 kids, then went to college and received a degree in early childhood education. She taught pre-school, Head Start, and an after school program for latch key kids called CARES.

She has been a student of history all her life, having lived for 89 years. She was born during the Depression. She remembers when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Because of her, I love history. She loves teaching even now, she is very wise. A funny thing she says after she’s had an opportunity to teach is, “I’m such a good teacher!” I usually laugh and say, “Yes, you are!” She enjoys teaching too. She teaches Family History Classes, lessons at Church, Group lessons at the place she lives.

She is healthy and comes from good stock, as they say. She once fell down 24 cement stairs and didn’t break any bones. She was 84 years old when this happened. She and my Daddy were in Slovenia traveling and having so much fun with my little brother and his wife, and her parents. What a miracle!

She is very spiritual. She reads her scriptures everyday. She prays and wants to do what God would have her do in life. She doesn’t let the challenges in life bring her down. Some people would call that grounded. Her perspective is always eternal. She lost her sweetheart and love, 2 years ago and doesn’t feel sad all the time. She knows she’ll see him again, and that they will be together forever.

She likes to be by herself. When I was young this bothered me. I wanted her to want to spend time with me. I am the only daughter. I thought we should be shopping or something. At this point in our lives, I’m ok with my Mama not wanting to be with me too much. She’s taught me that to be by myself is a good place. She’s taught me that she is who she is and we don’t always have the same feelings or ideas, and that’s ok too.

Family is very important to her. She loves the ones who came before, and she loves the ones who are living now. She has taught me to love all of these people too. For 30 + years my Mom would have Sunday dinner for the whole family at their home. This was amazing to me. The meal alone is expensive. For many years, my Mom didn’t even have a dish washer. She would hand wash all those dishes Monday morning. We still get together, though not always at her place and not every week. Because she taught me to love my ancestors I have been blessed to know I’ll never alone. They are always there, with their example, their story, their ability to live life even when it was hard. I am connected to them and I love them so much.

Yes, she is a wonderful Mama. She is such a blessing and I’m filled with gratitude to God for blessing me with the perfect parents, and today I’m especially grateful for my sweet Mama!

Play Time

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As a child my play time was spent riding my tricycle, then my bicycle, riding down the hill in my red wagon, or playing school with my dolls and stuffed animals. I would line them all up on the living room furniture and teach them the important things in life like the alphabet and how to count. When I got older play time was kick the can in the street or any other neighborhood game, calling boys- who had suddenly become “cute” sometimes hanging up before saying anything, swimming at our neighbors house, or horseback riding with my best friend. We rode horses almost every week. All of these things were so fun.

For many years in my youth I spend at least a few hours a day doing gymnastics. I would consider this play, because it was my favorite thing to do. I would never be an Olympic gymast, or even compete at a state level. I was ok with that, I was having a blast and loving all the time I was able to spend doing gymnastics. I had mastered a round off and several back hand springs, and also a round off-hand springs and then a back tuck. I could do some tricks or stunts on all of the apparatus, but not a lot of tricks. I could do quite a bit of tricks on the trampoline. I could spend hours on a trampoline. It was such fun.

When I started dating my sweetheart, we did sport activities while on dates. It was amazing to me how good he is at everything; tennis, racket ball, skiing, golf, ping pong, and so on. When we would play together I often got frustrated, because I was so bad at all of these things. It was plain to see that he was enjoying himself while playing more than me.

As the years of our marriage have gone by, I have grown more interested in accomplishing projects, like sewing, and working on keeping our memories organized. At this point in my life, this is play. If I ever have a few hours or even a few days, I will spend it scrapbooking, or making something.

Sometimes I send my Darlin off to play a sport with friends while I “play” in the office working on the memories of our lives, or sewing a fun project for our home. It’s amazing how through the years what is considered fun changes. I’m glad it does, and so it should.