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!

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]

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.

Finally…

Two years later, we finally made it back to Lake Powell. (A crazy year, coupled with bad timing, caused us  to cancel all of last years plans.)  We hit the road Sunday afternoon and enjoyed a leisurely drive, taking in the beauty along the way…



As usual, we camped at the Super 8 in Page… Kylee and friends managed to find a friend. Without delay, I was summoned to remove him from the premises.

Setting aside unwanted guests, we hiked, relaxed, read, napped, swam, played, and laughed for three full days…

Overwhelming.

I walked into church alone today.

Evan was busy with a Ward Conference.
Kylee is a member of a singles ward.
Taylor, has been gone (for three days now).

Our dear friend Gale F. spoke today.
As a result, his wife Joan, was in the congregation.
They are the parents of McKay and Drew…
the two men that are looking after Taylor while she is in Idaho.

I was overcome.

An overwhelming sense of gratitude fell upon me.
Gratitude for great friends, who are great parents.
Gratitude for their sons, who treat my daughters as sisters.

An overwhelming sense of peacefulness was with me.
Peaceful with the spiritual progress both of my daughters are making.
Peaceful with their decisions and where life is taking them.

On overwhelming sense of love overtook me.
Love for my eternal companion, and the new opportunities this stage of life brings us.
Love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the opportunities for growth it brings me.

How I like to fix dinner…

Plan on 4,
feed 8.
No leftovers.

Tonight, for example:

I selected a nice 4 pound fryer.
Seasoned it perfectly and baked for 2 hours.
Real mashed potatoes, cream gravy from the drippings &
fresh fruit to compliment it on the side.

Kylee and I were the first. We ate to our hearts content.
Then the phone call came.

Kylee’s friends were ready to meet up for Taylorsville Days.
After a quick survey of the remaining food,
and a quick call for Taylor to hurry home to eat,
the invitation was extended.

A few minutes later, there was a frenzy around my counter
… just the way I love it!

After cleaning it up (with 6 helpers)
and loading the dishwasher,
I was able to save a plate for Evan.

Perfect!

Father’s

I am so grateful for the many fathers in my life.

First, and foremost, my Heavenly Father.
Then, my own father. The man who raised me and taught me how to fix things.
Dearest to my heart, my husband. The father of my children.

I can take this a step further by including
My brother.
My late grandfathers and father in law.
My two brothers in law.

Even more,
good friends and neighbors.

To all of them,
I wish a Happy Father’s Day.

May you all realize the important roles you play in my life
and the magnitude of your righteous influences upon my children.

Choose the better part…

What an honor it is to know such a remarkable woman.

String

Two nights ago, the doorbell rang.
It was dark outside,
and no one was there.
But this was:

so, she did.

Mind you, it was cold, and she was barefoot.
She followed the string past the neighbors,
across the street,
back across the street,
around the corner,
around to the next street,
and half way down that block.
(Nearly 1/4 mile by my calculations,)

At the end of her task,
she found this:

so she did.

When she arrive home,
this was at the door:

(Also attached was a bag of m&m’s and a name.)

I, being concerned that the neighborhood cats
would clothesline themselves as they
scurried around the neighborhood at night,
set out to gather the string that led Taylor
on this treasure hunt.

As I gathered it, I realized that I was going to
end up with one GIANT ball of yarn.
So, our project began…

We collected a variety of silly jokes.

Created tags.

Tied it to the yarn.

And ended up with a large ball of
SILLY STRING.

Her answer was tucked in at the very end of the line.
”No joke… it would be silly for me to say NO,
so my answer is YES!”

A day in the “Week of Taylor”

Start with multiple toppings
(Chicken, Pepperoni, Ham, Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, Olives, Pineapple,
Mozzarella Cheese, BBQ Sauce, Pizza Sauce, Ranch Dressing)
and many loaves of french bread…

and top it off with awesome friends…

and you’ve got yourself a pizza/movie watching/game playing