Sunday, December 29, 2013

31 Day Challenge from Peter Walsh

I am going to join this challenge from Peter Walsh.  What a great way to start out the new year with a little more organization.



I did most of his projects. I was going to post my progress - but just never did it. I did take one picture of my junk drawer all organized. Here it is:


Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas 2013

This year Brady didn't come home for Christmas because he has a job. I mailed him his presents and we did iPhone facetime with him on Christmas day. 
For Christmas Brady received an iPhone 5, an Apple TV, and external hard drive full of movies. We missed him, but he had a good Christmas in Salt Lake. He spent Christmas eve with some friends and Christmas day at his dad's house. 
 Jason and Sharon spent the night with me on Christmas eve. They brought they cat named baby. 
Jason's started wearing flannel shirts this winter. I sure think he looks cute in them. 
 Jason and Sharon received some heated blankets. Mmmmmm Warm!
 Sharon got some fun finger nail polish and finger nail art. Both of them also received some cologne - which they loved. 

They asked for lots of cat toys and a cat lounger for their baby. (smiles)
 I enjoyed having their cat over for Christmas. It was fun having him there, it was as fun as having little kids there. Who knew I'd enjoy a cat so much?
 Baby the cat, loved my home. I was surprised that he didn't get in the tree or anything bad. He was a really good cat and it was just plain fun watching him explore. 
  Here are some pictures of our Christmas cat.
 Such a pretty baby!
We really enjoy Christmas, but missed Brady a ton. 

Friday, December 13, 2013

Giving Kindle Books For Christmas

Did you know that you can GIVE Kindle ebooks as gifts? Well, you can! Just click the "Give as Gift" button and you can send the ebook of your choice to whatever email you choose. That is some easy Christmas shopping right there. You don't even have to worry about shipping!

Here are some of my favorite books this year:
Kindle book "Blackmoore" here:
Since I loved this book I saw this author has two more books for 99 cents that I just purchased too (I hope they are good, but for 99 cents you can't go wrong): 
"Left to Love" here: *read and loved however there is a book to read before this one called "The Next Door Boys" that I'll read even though I've already read the book after this one. If you read it - I'd start with "The Next Door Boys" first. 
Of course some of my all time favorite too: 
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The gift of reading some great books is the best! Enjoy!!! 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Brady's Minecraft -- Pure Imagination Video

Oh this is so much fun that I had to share.
 This is Brady's (first ever) video editing project for his degree in Computer Science emphasis in Entertainment Arts and Engineering (video game programming) at University of Utah. 

Brady says: I wish I had a lot more time to do more combing and get better clips for it and a few things could maybe be a bit cleaner, but here it is - Minecraft -- Pure Imagination.
 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Andy Williams Christmas YouTube Videos

Ahhhh, Love me some Andy Williams at Christmas Time!!!



Maybe a little "Moon River" thrown in too!

How about a funny one with Jerry Lewis - it's funny!

Such fun YouTube videos and fun memories of days gone by. Enjoy!
 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Homemade Fall Artwork

 My daughter in law, Sharon had this great idea to create some artwork for the walls in their home.

She purchased some blank canvases. 
 Armed with different colors of spray paint, sprayed them in a tie-dye fashion. 
 Of course, Jason being our artist, had to add more color. 
 After they dried, she added leaves to the painted canvases. Then she painted over the leaves and canvas with black spray paint. When she pulled up the leaves, the tie-dye color showed where the leaves were.
They turned out pretty cool and brought a touch of fall into her house. 

Love the finished pictures and the creative idea they had. 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Honoring Veteran's Day

This past month I've been watching all of the series of Army Wives on Netflix. 

It's strange how watching that show has brought me more respect for those who serve. When I don't have someone I actually know serving in the military, I don't think I ever really understood how hard it must be for the families as their soldiers fight for our freedom far away from them.

I've always understood the courage and sacrifice these brave women and men have and give. But really seeing it through the eyes of a TV show has brought a better understanding to me.

I'm thankful for their service. I am thankful that they protect those in need of freedom.

I have always been thankful to live in a free country, to enjoy the freedoms I have. I can't imagine living in a world where war is the normal and a woman has no freedom. 

Today, I honor all the Veterans who have served and who are currently serving this great nation. I pray for your safety and for those you protect and serve. 

It would be wonderful if one day our world is free from war, violence and evil. But, I suspect that day will never come, so I am grateful for those who protect us.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

General Conference Study: Elder Dube


Elder Dube talk was kind of a hard talk for me to listen to.

If you have been a reader of my blog, you probably know that I love to serve to the best of my ability in every calling I have been called to in my lifetime. I've served in the Young Women's presidency, been Primary President 2 times and have been in Primary presidencies several times. I've been a Cub Scout leader (Wolf, Bear and Webelos), I've been a Primary teacher, Primary chorister (my favorite calling), a Relief Society teacher which I've struggled with, and of course a Visiting Teacher. I've always love to serve.

Well...... until this year. I've REALLY, really struggled with being called to the nursery. I know that I tend to be a bit prideful and it has been hard for me to be put in the nursery.

One thing I never realized while serving in a Primary Presidency is how isolating serving in the nursery is. You are stuck in a room for 2 hours with no adult contact other then the other sister I've served with. There is no growing in the gospel. It has been a really hard calling for me and I've struggled.

Now, don't get me wrong. I've done a terrific job and I have served to the best of my ability. In fact the children love me and I love them. It's just hard to be isolated from everyone else.
I am single, live alone as my children are grown, I work alone and I'm alone (which is fine because I am kind of a loner anyway - but it's nice to interact with people on Sunday). With my calling in nursery, I've been alone at church for the past year. It's been a really hard year. On top of that, I've been "doctor sick" several times this past year and I NEVER get sick - but I have been and I am pretty sure it's from serving in the nursery. When I'm sick it effects my livelihood because I don't get sick days - I don't get paid if I don't work because I am self employed.

I also have had the feeling that the new Primary President that put me in the nursery (new to the ward and has no idea who I am) has intended to keep me in there for longer then a year because the nursery is being ran correctly and she has no worries there. However, I can't do it anymore. I've been sick for the past 3 weeks and I'm just tired of being there. I'm struggling. I've asked to be released which gives me such guilt because of feelings of failure in doing my duty and giving my service.

I'm just tired of serving right now. I just don't have much to give without strengthening myself spiritually or something. I need a break.

Then Elder Dube comes out with this talk and I feel double guilt. He said, "In the sight of the Lord, it is not so much what we have done or where we have been but much more where we are willing to go."
Being a member of this church does require a lot from their members. When we were baptized we made a covenant with the Lord "to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that we may be in. It's a lifelong commitment. 

The Lord, through his servants, call us to serve in various callings, which we accept with total commitment. When a release has been extended and a call in a different assignment has been issued, we joyfully accept it, knowing, as our forebearers knew, that "in the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how". 
We should be "anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of our own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness"

Elder Dube said, "We too can look ahead and believe. We can embrace the invitation of our Lord, who with stretched - open hands invites us;

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11: 28-30)

I know that we have to do more and President Monson has extended the invitation for us all to participate in the work of salvation. We are being asked to help with full-time missionaries as the work goes forward.

For me, right now it's hard not to look back at all I've done - but have a willingness to look forward and do more. It's a struggle that I am having right now - but am prayerful that I will overcome this and move forward with a happy and willing heart.

 "May we all unite in a common objective "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses1:39)

There is happiness in serving in the church, I've always loved it. I'm not perfect and I have my struggles too, but I am determined to overcome the challenges I'm having now and that I will have a willingness to move forward in the work. 

General Conference Study: Sister Stephens


I am aware of the LDS women who feel like they need to have the Priesthood to feel equal to LDS men. I am amazed at the protests they have waged against our leaders. It makes me sad.

I have a strong testimony of the "Plan of Salvation" or the "Plan of Happiness". I believe it and know that there is a purpose to this earthy life. What I don't understand with this protest is the fact that these women must not understand the plan.
Women bring souls into the world by carrying and giving birth to Heavenly Father's children and giving them a body. I feel privileged to have been given this trust and I love my womanhood and the part I have in the "Plan". Even though a man does have a part in creating the child, they don't go through the valley of death to bring them to earth. 

However, there HAS TO BE a role for the men with Heavenly Father's children too. They can't give birth. They need a part of the plan. Their part is to help them return back to Heavenly Father by having the authority to perform the needed ordinance on the path back to Heavenly Father.
I believe we each have part of the plan for Heavenly Father's children.

Why do these women want to have every part of the plan and not share this noble trust with our individual roles in the "Plan"? I feel it's very selfish that women want all the responsibility and are not willing to give the men something to do in part of this plan.  

These are my own beliefs and why I have NO problem with letting men have the role of being Priesthood holders. I have no desire to take this role away from them.
Sister Stephens referred to that section of the Proclamation on the Family that states, "All human beings, male and female, are created in the image of God". Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. To achieve this divine destiny, each son and daughter of God needs priesthood ordinances and covenants. 

We need baptism. We need the gift of the Holy Ghost. We need to receive the temple endowment. We need the sealing ordinance, which leads to eternal life, "the greatest of all the gifts of God. 
There exists today a great need for men and women to cultivate respect for each other as sons and daughters of God and reverence for our Father in Heaven and His priesthood - His power and authority.

HE has a plan for us, and when we exercise our faith and trust in HIS plan, our reverence for HIM and HIS priesthood power and authority will be strengthened.   
 Elder Ballard taught: "Our Father in Heaven is generous with HIS power. ALL MEN AND WOMEN have access to this power for help in our own lives. We all need each other. Sons of God needs daughters of God and daughters of God need sons of God. 
 We have different gifts and different strengths. First Corinthians chapter 12 emphasizes the need for sons and daughters of God, each one of us to fulfill our individual roles and responsibilities according to the Lord's plan, that all may benefit. 
Sons of God, do you know who you are? Do you know what you have? Are you worthy to exercise the priesthood and receive the power and blessings of the priesthood? Do you embrace your roles and responsibilities to strengthen homes as fathers, grandfathers, sons, brothers, and uncles? Do you show respect for women, womanhood, and motherhood?

Daughters of God, do we know who we are? Do we know what we have? Are we worthy to receive the power and blessings of the priesthood? Do we receive the gifts given to us with gratitude, grace, and dignity? Do we embrace our roles and responsibilities to strengthen homes as mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts? Do we show respect for men, manhood, and fatherhood?

As covenant sons and daughters, do we have faith in our Heavenly Father and HIS eternal plan for us? Do we believe that we have divine nature and destiny?

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