change

Today, we were released from the Bishopric of the Young Single Adult Ward
where we have served with our heart and soul for three years.
It is customary, for the departing bishopric and their wives to share a few words
and bear a testimony to the members of the ward.

This is what I shared today….

Often, a returned missionary will recite these words when reflecting on their mission….
”they were the best two years of my life!”
Today, I get it.
The last three years were the best three years of my life.

Because of the members of the Crescent View Young Single Adult Ward
I have more hope in the future.
I have increased faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have a greater desire to serve others.
I have a deeper love for the temple.
I have an enthusiasm for family history work.
I have a stronger testimony of the Gospel.

What makes today so difficult for me is this…
I don’t get to express my love to each member of the ward and then go sit down.
I have to leave.

What makes today so easy for me is knowing that three men and their wives
were called through inspiration to love and serve the ward in ways
that we could not.

What makes today so special for me is that I get to share my testimony to the people I love.
I know that the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
is the complete restoration of Christ’s original church.
I know that we have true and living prophets today that teach us and guide us.
I know that though simple obedience to God’s commandments, and through the atonement, we can
return to live with our Heavenly Father.
I know that the Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ.
I know that the Book of Mormon  is full of messages, relevant to the problems we face today.
I know that as we study the scriptures, we will receive answers.
I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ loves each one of us... personally.
He knows us. He is with us. We are never alone.

A British philosopher once said

The only way to make sense out of change is to
plunge into it,
move with it,
and join the dance.
(Alan W. Watts)

So… Let’s go dance!

straightway

Last week, I was riding Trax from home to downtown where I was going to meet my husband for dinner. Along the way, at one of the stops, two individuals boarded the train. One was clearly helping or tutoring the other. She coached him as he stepped onto the car and reassured him along the way. They were both blind. At that same moment, a man that was already on the train, jumped up to help. He spoke to them, told them were handles and seats were, he took them by the arm and guided them. He made sure they were both OK. He did so, WITHOUT HESITATION. His act of kindness and service was immediate.

The most interesting moment of this incident was not the act, but what I learned about this kind stranger as I heard him talk to a woman (also a stranger to him) on the train as we continued the trip north. She was having a hard time holding a job and finding places to live. Again, without hesitation, he tried to help. He encouraged her. He tried to give her hope. He explained to her that he was just released from prison. He was in a halfway house and trying to get his life back in order and that he understood her difficulties.

I couldn’t help but ask myself…. why did I hesitate when two blind children of God stepped onto the train. Why was I not the one to come to their aid and to be the one to ensure their safety and well being? How many other times did I hesitate. How many times did I not act immediately on promptings? How many opportunities have I missed because I put them off?

I was ashamed to admit that there was any.

Matthew 4: 18-22

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him

Dandelions

"A Parable of Dandelions

Once there was a man who enjoyed taking evening walks around his neighborhood. He particularly looked forward to walking past his neighbor’s house. This neighbor kept his lawn perfectly manicured, flowers always in bloom, the trees healthy and shady. It was obvious that the neighbor made every effort to have a beautiful lawn.

But one day as the man was walking past his neighbor’s house, he noticed in the middle of this beautiful lawn a single, enormous, yellow dandelion weed.

It looked so out of place that it surprised him. Why didn’t his neighbor pull it out? Couldn’t he see it? Didn’t he know that the dandelion could cast seeds that could give root to dozens of additional weeds?

This solitary dandelion bothered him beyond description, and he wanted to do something about it. Should he just pluck it out? Or spray it with weed killer? Perhaps if he went under cover of night, he could remove it secretly.

These thoughts totally occupied his mind as he walked toward his own home. He entered his house without even glancing at his own front yard—which was blanketed with hundreds of yellow dandelions."

~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This message in the Priesthood Session of the recent General Conference was shared with me by my faithful Visiting Teacher,,
and I, in turn, shared it with those I visit teach.

I pondered President Uchdorf’s challenge:
”…will you please look inside your hearts and ask the simple question: “Lord, is it I?”
and concluded (not for the first time) that
I am imperfect.
I fall short on some of the most basic gospel principles.
I know that there are many improvements I must make.

But… as I commit to improve,
as I rely on my Savior to help me change,
I will be strengthened. I will be blessed.

You can see all of President Uchtoft’s talk HERE

Choose

Choose good friends!
We tend to become like those whom we admire. Just as in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic account “The Great Stone Face,” we adopt the mannerisms, the attitudes, even the conduct of those whom we admire—and they are usually our friends. Associate with those who, like you, are planning not for temporary convenience, shallow goals, or narrow ambition but rather for those things that matter most—even eternal objectives.
https://www.lds.org/youth/article/how-to-choose-good-friends?lang=eng

Choose wisely!
I believe it is of particular importance in our day, when Satan is raging in the hearts of men in so many new and subtle ways, that our choices and decisions be made carefully, consistent with the goals and objectives by which we profess to live. We need unequivocal commitment to the commandments and strict adherence to sacred covenants.
~Elder Quentin L Cook
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/choose-wisely?lang=eng

Choose eternal life!
…we have only two eternal choices, each with eternal consequences: choose to follow the Savior of the world and thus choose eternal life with our Heavenly Father or choose to follow the world and thus choose to separate ourselves from Heavenly Father eternally. We cannot successfully choose both the safety of righteousness and the dangers of worldliness.
~Randall K Bennett
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/choose-eternal-life?lang=eng

Choose charity!
”charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever”

Do we judge one another? Do we criticize each other for individual choices, thinking we know better, when in fact we rarely understand another’s unique circumstance or individual inspiration? Have we ever said, “She works outside the home.” Or, “Her son didn’t serve a mission.” Or, “She’s too old for a calling.” Or, “She can’t—she’s single.” Such judgments, and so many others like them, rob us of the good part, that pure love of Christ.

We also lose sight of that good part when we compare ourselves to others. Her hair is cuter, my legs are fatter, her children are more talented, or her garden’s more productive—sisters, you know the drill. We just can’t do that. We cannot allow ourselves to feel inadequate by focusing on who we aren’t instead of on who we are! …We simply cannot criticize, gossip, or judge and keep the pure love of Christ.
~Bonnie D Parkin
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/choosing-charity-that-good-part?lang=eng

Choose not to be offended!
When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy,embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense.However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.
~David A Bednar
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/and-nothing-shall-offend-them?lang=eng

Some choices may seem more important than others, but no choice is insignificant.
  ~Thomas S Monson

extended family

We recently laid to rest my husbands aunt Esther.
She was 100 years old at the time of her passing.

The funeral was not a sad occasion. (I have not been to one that was.)
Because we believe in the great Plan of Happiness (the Plan of Salvation), members of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe that death is a temporary separation.
We believe that there is life after death, and that our families can be together again… forever.
It is a wonderful gift, from a loving Heavenly Father, who wants nothing more
than for us to return home to live with him again.

Many surviving family members gathered to pay their respects.
Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Grandchildren.
Many had not been seen in nearly 30 years.
In the few short hours that we had, we tried to catch up on all those years.
We said our goodbyes and resolved to do better… to not let another 30 years go by.

This is not always an easy task. Distance and responsibilities seem to get in the way so easily.
How blessed are we to be able to link ourselves through the proper use of social media.
Somehow, distances are shortened. Gaps are narrowed. Relationships are strengthened.

We are looking forward to reacquainting ourselves with so many important people. FAMILY!

“We ought to encourage our children to know their relatives. We need to talk of them, make effort to correspond with them, visit them, join family organizations, etc.” ~Spencer W Kimball

boasting

I work full time. I serve in my church. I live in a neighborhood. I have friends.
I say this, not to boast, but to point out that I am exposed to all sorts of people. Often.
I hear many things.
Mostly interesting, funny, and uplifting.
Sometimes annoying, inappropriate, or  irritating.
On thing that irritates me is the constant boasting that is exhibited by a select few.
You know the – my kid was accepted to Harvard but chose to go to State College – type.

I often wonder, are these individuals even aware of how they come off to others?
Me?I Besides feeling uncomfortable being around these individuals, I feel SAD.
Sad that they are so insecure, so starved for attention, so unaware of others,
or even unaware of what they are doing. I also feel worried.
Worried, that I too, can easily fall into this category.

It seems to me, that if we direct our gratitude upward. If we acknowledge all of our blessings and successes to the Divine Being,
the person from which they came, then – and only then – will we be following the example of our Savior.
This was reinforced in my mind as I stumbled upon a Conference talk from April 1990…

In our conversations and conduct we can be much more effective if we avoid the demeaning effect of that which could be classified as boasting. We should wisely let others become aware of accomplishments by observations rather than to have us appear to flaunt them before the world. Boasting diminishes credibility and too often alienates friends, co-workers, family members, and even those who may observe us from a distance….

Consideration for the feelings of others should always be important to worthy Latter-day Saints. Rightfully we may be happy about the number of children with which we have been blessed, the missionaries who have served, the temple marriages of our offspring, and the accomplishments of family members; but others who are not so fortunate may have feelings of guilt or inadequacy. They may have been praying long and hard for the same blessings about which we are boasting. These people may feel that they are out of favor with God.

For this reason our appreciation should be sincerely felt and gratitude expressed frequently to our Father in Heaven
- but not too vocally to the world.

We would all do well to take a lesson from the Savior, who repeatedly acknowledged and gave credit to the Father in all things.

~Marvin J Ashton (read his full Conference address  HERE)

I am so grateful for such great, faithful men of God that are not afraid to teach us the things that we need to hear,
things that will draw us closer to our  Father in Heaven and our Savior.
I am grateful for this weekend, for General Conference where I will once again be edified and uplifted.
Were I can become renewed in my desire, and my actions, to be obedient and to follow the example of  Jesus Christ.…
You too, can watch it live…HERE…  [Saturday October 4th 10 AM, 2 PM / Sunday October 5th 10 AM, 2 PM]

Result: 155 days

 

It is 155 days from the start date to the end date, OR in other words less than 22 weeks until our missionary comes home.

I it hard to believe that more than a year has passed.

women’s meeting

some of my favorite quotes:

“As the temple is prepared for people, people need to be prepared for the temple.”   ~Linda K. Burton

“Covenants with god help us to know who we really are. they connect us with him in a personal way.” ~Jean A Stevens

“Remember being a daughter of God is not a distinction you earned or will ever lose.”  ~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“We need to accept that the commandments of God aren’t just a long list of good ideas. They aren’t ‘life hacks’ from an Internet blog, or motivational quotes from a Pinterest board. They are divine counsel, based on eternal truths.”
~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us, it is our sins, that like an umbrella, are keeping them from us.”
~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you.”
~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

change

This morning I was able to participate in the rededication of the Ogden Utah Temple.
The words of the speakers were amazing and touched me in a personal way.
I often do not remember what was spoken, but I always remember how I felt.
Today, however, it is what I felt that helped me remember words.

The temple is the Lords house. It is dedicated to him.
When I heard the speaker tell us that His presence was here,
I FELT it.
I KNEW it.
Even in the simple chapel of the church that was a temporary extension of the temple.

Later in the day, my daughter and I drove up into the mountains.
It was a wet and drizzly drive that gave me a new perspective of the changing leaves.
The trees were enveloped in fog. At times, the visibility ahead was not always clear.
These views caused me to turn my thoughts to the temple.
A sacred place where I learn truths.
A holy place where I feel loved by my Heavenly Father.
A peaceful place where I can ponder the many ways I need to change..

What a blessing the temple is to me.

(Sharing todays quote[s] on photos taken on our drive…)
   

temptation

We have been in our home for eighteen years now.
It’s hard to imagine that that much time has passed.
We are very fond of our home, and especially fond of our neighbors.

Eighteen years ago, when we were putting our yard in,
we laid perfectly green sod and selected the right trees and bushes.
We found the perfect spot to plant each of them.
We watered and cared for it and it flourished.

Over the years, through our own neglect, and even the neglect of others,
an entire lawn was killed off, wild trees and plants took root,
the wrong, evasive plant was placed into the ground,
and weeds crept in from every direction.
Our yard now lacked the beauty that we once imagined.

Ignorance and neglect caused so much damage. The yard was out of control.
It seemed that every time we pulled or plucked, two more invaders returned.

The same can be true for temptation and sin.

If we neglect the commandments, if we ignore our Heavenly Father and forget to pray and study,
we will not be equipped with the tools and the power that we will need
to stand strong and fight against the unwanted invasions (temptations) of the adversary.
Temptation is a weed that will creep in
We must nurture our minds and bodies with the power of Christ
so that we will be deeply rooted in our testimony of His gospel.

Your weakest point will be the point at which Satan tries to tempt you, and will try to win you, and if you have made it weak yourself before you have undertaken to serve the Lord, he will add to that  weakness. Resist him and you will gain in strength. He will tempt you in another point. Resist him and he becomes weaker and you become stronger, until you can say, no matter what your surroundings may be, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve’ (Luke 4:8)”   ~David O McKay

stewardship

I have a friend that needed help.
She didn’t ask for it. But I knew.
I helped her the best I could, in a small and simple way.
I did not solve all of her problems or address all of her concerns,
but I was able to relieve her of one small worry so she could focus on others.
Stewardship:
the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care
I have been very blessed in my life.
As I ponder all of my blessings, I came to the realization
that I have a stewardship to manage these blessings in a way that allows
me to take care of others in their time in need…
simply because that is what my Heavenly Father wants me to do.
That is why he blesses me.
I need to live within my means so that I can feed and clothe the hungry.
I need to eat right and exercise so that I can lift and carry things that need moving.
I need to keep my mind aware and alert so I can listen and share my insights and experiences.

The Lord’s admonition that we are stewards for those in need contains some of the strongest  language in all of scripture: “If any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion … unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.”  We are accountable as stewards over earthly blessings, which the Lord has provided.  ~Quentin L Cook [October Conference 2009]

balance

On Sunday, I fixed Chili for dinner.
I prepared it early in the morning and poured it into my crockpot to simmer while at church.
For those of you who know my naughty dog, Chester, this next sentence will make sense to you…
I put the crockpot on top of the washer in the laundry room just before leaving the house
I was the first one home and promptly attempted to transport the crockpot back into the kitchen.
As I lifted the crock pot [that was filled to the brim] the contents shifted
and before I knew it, scalding hot chili pour out onto my hand.
I set it down to regain balance, and tried once more, successfully.
By now, my hand was stinging from the incredible heat.
I followed first aid protocol and took measures to cool down the wound.
I was fortunate to only have burned a single finger.
I received a very strong example of how important balance is in our lives.
Balance is defined as mental and emotional steadiness; it is to bring into harmony or proportion.
We need balance spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially,and economically.
Over the past several months, I have assessed the balance (or lack thereof) in my own life.
I have often found myself over consumed by work.
I have neglected my physical health.
[This list could get long!]

The wise Job said, “Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity”
(Job 31:6)
Talents, gifts of expression, and precious time are exhausted in swimming against too many tides

Balance in large measure is knowing the things that can be changed, putting them in proper perspective, and recognizing the things that will not change. And balance also lies in attitude. May our attitude be one of achieving balance and wisdom and understanding in all that we do.

~James E Faust

I have recently made some changes. So many more still need to take place,
but I already feel the scales are leveling out and balance is returning to my life

temptation

Not to long ago, we made a startling discovery at work….
WE HAVE MICE!
This is not the first time, mind you.
We thought we had it under control,
we let our guard down and they moved back.
But that is not the worse of it…
they had set up camp in the cupboard under the sink.

If you did not already know this:
Mice are not clean creatures.
They leave evidence of their existence everywhere.
Being the least squeamish person there
I volunteered for clean up duty.
Besides… I would never impose that task upon anyone
if I was not willing to take it upon myself.

I couldn’t help but notice how easily
this invasion occurred while we were not paying attention
or taking the necessary preventative measures.
[keeping food items put away, cleaning up, etc]
We assumed that the previous extermination was successful
and that there would no longer be trouble.

How true is this in our our lives.
If we let our guard down,
if we don’t  pay attention to the simple things
[daily prayer, scripture study, etc]
how easy would it be for tiny temptations
to creep in and invade us.

Train your mind to obey gospel principles and covenants. Stay on the highway of daily personal and family prayer, the avenue of studying the scriptures and the teachings of the prophets, the road of serving in the Church, and be willing to get off the wrong road daily and on the right road leading to eternal life. Your greatest protection against temptation is an active and vibrant testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which binds us to our Heavenly Father. Our greatest example of overcoming temptation is the Savior: “He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them” (D&C 20:22).
~RULON G. CRAVEN (April 1996 General Conference)

Assumption

a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.
It is in our nature to assume. It is very difficult not to… We see, we interpret, we react.
Assumption is necessary for us to function in our daily lives, however, it can also become dangerous.

Termites are silent killers; it takes years before you even notice the damage they've done to a home! Like termites, assumptions slowly eat away at our respect, trust, and love for one another. But we can start healing our relationships by assuming the best of each other.
~Henry Winkler

Communication is KEY.

t-i-m-e

I remember a vacation Evan and I took 15 years ago.
We left our daughters at home and cruised the Caribbean for 7 days.
We had a great time together. We met some wonderful people. We missed our girls!
Halfway into the trip we vowed to never take an extended vacation without them.
We have kept that promise and have had the time of our lives.

We have traveled, served, laughed, prayed, worshiped and cried together.
We have grown in our relationship with each other.
We have bonded with our daughters.
We have strengthened our family.

"In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most"

Healing

Today, on the anniversary of 9-11, Taylor and I continued our tradition of visiting Healing Field in Sandy, Utah.
I will never forget where I was the day this event happened.
I will never forget calling my parents in Canada while they were serving their mission.
I will never forget gasping out loud as the first tower fell
…and again with the second collapse.
I will never forget the power of a Nation, that raised above this tragedy
and came together in such a remarkable way. With pride. With faith. With God.

It is a shame, that while we will never forget what happened our our land
we easily and often forget our God.
May we turn our thoughts to Him daily and enable Him and our Savior
to heal us and make us stronger.
Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.

It is constancy that God would have from us. Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were. We can make Him the center of our thoughts and His Son, Jesus Christ, the pattern for our behavior. We may not only find faith in God in our sorrow. We may also become faithful to Him in times of calm.   ~Thomas S. Monson

Greed

Tonight, my daughter and I left to grab a bite for dinner.
My dog, Chester, wasted no time and ran downstairs into the room where
my daughter is [temporarily] storing her boxes after moving back home.

He managed to locate a bag full of chocolaty cookies.
He carefully pulled the package out of this bag and pulled it into the hallway.
He then went back into the room to find more yummy treasures.
As he did, somehow, the door to the room shut.
Trapping him inside, and worse, separating him from his cookies.
My husband came home shortly after and discovered the dog in his predicament.
Chester was freed from his prison, and never got to eat his treasure.

We make poor and irrational decisions if our decision is motivated by greediness: greed for monetary gain; greed that results in a conflict of interest; desire for power, titles, and recognition of men.

“He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.” (Prov. 15:27.)

Robert D Hales

I’M BACK!

My posts here have been few and far between here lately.
My time has been [well] spent elsewhere…
as I have focused on serving in my Church,
keeping up my missionary’s blog,
and playing with my youngest daughter
[after she moved back home to finish her studies at the U].

Yesterday in church, our Young Single Adult Stake
launched it’s digital mission / blog and I resolved to
reconnect with my own blog more frequently.
I have very few followers, but that is OK.
I can share my life, my beliefs, and my testimony
here for them, and for my posterity.

Today is Labor Day.
It has been tradition for me to host a gathering here at our home.
In fact, I have hosted many holidays here it the past.
My absence has extended itself into that arena as well.
Our backyard is a neglected mess, my children have been gone,
and I lost my desire and will. With the summer ending,
I find myself missing these events.
I made a promise to myself… it won’t happen again.

Sister Rowley

See her, hear her!

just for fun…

in High School… this was one of my favorite songs. This video made it a favorite once again.

Children's Museum

My brother-in-law took his kids on an outing today, His wife is recovering from delivering a baby and is in great need of resting and healing. I love these kids so very much and quickly volunteered myself to help. Here is a glimpse of our day… [it ends rather abruptly, but I don't have the inclination to fix it... after-all, I am an amateur!]

rescue

When Taylor arrived home for a weekend visit, she noticed that several baby quails were in our window well with frantic parents pacing on the ground level. No doubt, a rescue was in order:

Father’s Day Surprise

My brother and his family are on vacation. They are in Washington DC. They paid a visit to someone I know…

81

My fathers parents were gone from this earth by the time I was born.
I never knew them in the flesh.

My fathers adopted sister left this earth when I was 16.
She was my “grandmother” figure from that side of the family.
Strongest memory: Always eating spaghetti dinner at her house.
We still enjoy her incredible spaghetti sauce recipe today.

My mothers father passed away when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter.
We buried him on a snowy March day.
Strongest memory: his sign of affection was a slug in the arm. He loved me very much.

Evans father passed away early at the age of 58, succumbing to his battle with cancer.
There has not been a time over the 18 years he has been gone that he has not been missed.
Strongest memory: His playful nature and absolute, undying love for my daughters.

My grandmother was determined to make it to see Y2K come.
She missed it by 2 years.
Strongest memory: spending my birthday at her bedside with my family, cousins, aunt and uncle.
She passed away the next day.

With the exception of my paternal grandparents, I have had a personal relationship with each of these individuals.
There are so many ancestors that I have not met.
But I have come to know them as I have dabbled in family history.
What a rich and rewarding activity this has been.
Moreover, I have deepened our ties by taking names to the temple.

In June, the single adult ward where Evan & I serve,
participated in our Single Adult Millennial Day (at the temple).
We were encouraged to take family names to the temple and spend the day.
I placed several card in the box set aside for the stake.
At the end of the day… 81 ordinances were performed for our family alone,
81 !!

coming home…

One by one, my daughters will be coming home
and before we know it…
our empty nester home will be full again
This is something I am THRILLED about!

Tay will be the first to return.
She will receive her Associates Degree
from BYU-Idaho in July.
She has started the application process
and plans on attending the U in the fall.
Yes, that is right, Evan has raised another UTE.

Before we know it, our Missionary will be home.
Hump day is just around the corner.

We will have to take advantage of every moment.
Who knows when the next will be empty once again.

becoming the best

It has been said by most that their mom is the best ever.
Those words are no exception to my daughters.
I accept their statements in great humility
not because I am the best, but because I have been influenced by the best.

My mother is the first influence I ever had.
She is the most selfless woman I know.
Always looking outward.

My two daughters… so very different from each other
but equally as important to me.
They have taught me more than I ever would have learned on my own.

Denise became my fist sister when I married her brother.
She was the first Aunt to my daughters
and is full of energy and love.

Tamra, married my brother
and was the first to make me an Aunt.
She has a passion for learning and is one of the smartest people I know.

Emily, my third sister by marriage.
She has taken on the role of motherhood and has not looked back.
She is courageous and nurturing.

Many friends and neighbors… the mothers and the childless.
All of them honoring womanhood with their actions,
caring for their families and for each other.

I have no doubt that all of these women will also claim
that their greatness comes from influences as well.
But, isn’t that something we as women do so very well…
helping others become their best.

Missing / Birthdays

Missed a birthday last month, as my first born spent her first birthday
away from home.

Today is my baby’s birthday and she too will be missed as she leaves again
this week for another semester of school.

 

I am so proud of my daughters and for all that they have given me.
They made me a mother.
They are a great example to me.
They have taught me so many things I can’t even start a list.
They are two of my best friends.

I thank the Lord each day for sending them to me.
They are exactly what I needed!

Conference weekend

Sunday, 4 o'clock pm.
We enjoyed two wonderful days of being spiritually fed,
and I was just pulling dinner out of the oven.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
My parents just arrived when  I noticed the sound of running water.
I mentioned it to my husband.
Something must have struck a chord with him because he
made a mad dash toward the master bedroom.
He yelled something from the back, but I was focused on the Prime Rib Roast.
Then my daughter yelled from the basement.
It soon became very clear that we had a flood on our hands.

Inches of water in the master bathroom were
cascading into pools of water in the furnace room downstairs.
Towels were flying all over the house.
Our feet were soaking wet.
Water was dripping on our heads.
The sound of a wet/dry vac hummed along with the chaos.

We sopped up as much as we could (for the time being)
and decided to settle down for a lukewarm dinner.
We breathed, we enjoyed, we visited.
We said goodbye to my parents and went back to reassess.

The basement was finally drying up
(thank goodness for required floor drains)
but the carpet padding seemed to be soaking up water from nowhere.
We decided the best course of action would be to pull the carpet and pad.
I guess the idea of remodeling may become a reality
a year or two sooner than planned.

So…this is what we did after the last session on Sunday…

How was your conference weekend?

a letter to my missionary

In an attempt to reclaim some balance in my life, a made a very bold move. I approached my boss last week and asked for Friday’s off… all of them! With some salary negotiation, it became official... I now work Monday through Thursday.  More time to serve, clean and play... effective immediately.  

This Friday I got tickets to the sacred gifts exhibit at BYU for Tay and I. They are displaying religious art from Carl Bloch,  Heinrich Hofmann and Frans Schwartz. I came down with a cold but braved it anyway. It was so worth it. Many of the original artwork displayed will be very familiar to any primary attender.
Plans for lunch afterward… we just cannot go all the way to Provo without a stop at Cubbys. We are excited for the Lehi location currently under construction. Taylor managed to contact her friend Raven. She was on campus and we picked her up after inviting her to join us for lunch. They were able to catch up as much as they could in the short time they had.

Before and after lunch, we stopped in the see Grandpa Rowley… First at the H B Lee Library and then at the cemetery on the way back home. A tradition we try to follow every time we are in his neighborhoods!

As I reflect on this day, I am overwhelmed with all that it has represented.

1. I am a valued employee. Enough so, that I am able to make a request and have it honored and validated. I am blessed with a job that I love and work with people I love even more.

2. There are so many churches and faiths dotting the world, and while the LDS church has received the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness, through the restoration at the hands of Joseph Smith, there are still many truths out there. We have more in common with other faiths then we are given credit for, or perhaps, even fail to acknowledge ourselves. This exhibit reminded me of this. These wonderful paintings, depicting our Savior, Jesus Christ in a way that is full of truth and so familiar to many faiths.

3. Lasting friendships are wonderful. Being able to see someone for the first time in a long time, and pickup up as if it was just yesterday. I witnessed it today with Taylor and Raven, and cherish it in my own life with Amy.

4.Our family is forever. I look at the dates on Grandpa Rowley’s plaque and headstone and am blown away by the idea that it has been almost 20 years. While we miss him terribly, we still remember him fondly. He feels so close still at times.I know he is near. The great plan of happiness is a gospel truth that will do just that… provide happiness to those who come to know and accept it.

I am blessed indeed.

I hope and you are receiving the blessings that you stand in need of. We pray for them daily. We are so proud of you and your accomplishments, and especially your growth.

Don’t ever forget that as long as you are sharing your love for the gospel, you will be a successful missionary!

Love.

It's difficult...

Here I sit, killing some time at work. 
Scrolling through my FB page and I see my missionary online.... live.
It takes every amount of restraint I have to leave her alone and let her work.

I am here

It seems like months since I have posted here.
Wait a minute… it HAS been months!
Where have a been?
Some days, even I don’t know that.

Kylee has been out in the mission field for 5 months now.
I can’t believe that she will have only 1 year left next month.
Where has the time gone???
Maybe that explains my brief absence here.
Life is traveling at the speed of light.

So, what has happened here in the last several months?

Evan and I were lost in our big empty home.
Fortunately, Taylor came home and we have LOVED
having her here for the cold, bitter winter.
[Not so cold and not so bitter this year… lets pray for moisture!]
We are not looking forward to her departure in April.

Tay seems to have had a minor breakthrough in her pain management.
She is still in pain daily, but it is less severe then it has been over the past few years.
We are so grateful for modern medicine and wise, caring doctors.

Taylor and I have been enjoying Yoga together this break.
We convinced  Ev to participate once and he was pleasantly surprised by what it had to offer.
[Not enough, however, to continue participation.]

The rest of my story is all of the humdrum routine of life.
Work, home, sleep.
But all of that is good…
I have a great job, I love being home, and sleep… well, enough said!

I am very blessed.
I am glad I am here.