Not as Planned

The day was planned for quite some time.  It would be tight but it would work out.  

Morning as usual then start the plan.

1) Go to bank.  

2) Stop by market (I like the sound of that so much better than where I actually went...grocery store) to pick up items for the Corn Casserole I was going to make and take for the dinner at the Stake RSP home scheduled for 6:30.


3) Stop at Western Garden to pick up the 2 gifts, under $10, for the gift exchange at the party.

4) On to my 1:20pm long scheduled, overdue, rather routine Dr. Appointment, dovetailed with having my leg/knee peeked at. 


5) Pick up Rx


6) Come home and quickly put casserole together and bake it 1 hour.  Grab it and leave for the dinner party by 5:30pm.


7) Enjoy festivities and return home for a good nights sleep.


Things were on schedule until #3.  I felt so bad because Western Garden-98953 was having $$ problems and the owner said....I just now decided to mark everything off 50% for the next two weeks.  I bought a couple of cookbooks for my party presents.  Then decided to give them to my sister for her birthday.  I then chose 2 pair of handmade Native American type earrings and decided I'd give those.  I listened to the plight of the owner and my heart went out to her.  picked out a couple of more items and headed to....


#4- I visited to long, I lingered over choices, I dillyed, I dallied.  At store.  Plus I forgot the car clock is off because of something Terry fixed and didn't reset it to the correct time.  I walk in and I'm LATE for my Dr. appointment.  22 minutes late!  I start to apologize sincerely, profusely, somewhat desperate.  I'm never late blah blah blah.  She checks clock and says...sorry.  you are 7 minutes over the allowed 15 minutes.  Let me see if they can still take you.... she rings the back, explains my truancy and hangs up. looks at me and says  ....You will have to wait for awhile...  Even on the best of days don't we all "wait for awhile" at the Dr.'s?


Then Dr. decides to run blood work, even though I'm not fasting.  Not my favorite thing to be jabbed and drained.  Even with a fine needle she explains....Hmmm.  We don't want to give blood do we?  I poke and it starts to bruise.  Hmmm....  Dr. also decides to do knee xray.  talks about other appointments that need to be made.  follow-up appointments etc. etc.


Finally I'm out of there and dash for Rx.  rushed but hey!!, on schedule still.  a bit tighter than planned.  Maybe casserole can squeak by with 45 minutes of baking?


Dash home.  Throw it together. Start the baking.  Terry ready.  Me ready.  GPS set.  Grab Corn dish.  He says....You have car keys?  Me...Yes.  Dash out to car to open trunk and oh, no!!!!  The GPS plug-in cord felt just like my keys hooked over my fingers!!  We are now locked out of house, car, garage.  (please no judgement here.  I am sure I hid a key but I'm not sure where it is)


This is not a pleasant scene.  I am questioned as to why I thought the GPS cord with it's plug-in was the car keys etc. etc.  I try and counter attack with-- when he changed the doorknobs and got new keys why didn't he hide one (although in my heart I knew I was the one that was going to do it)

(In the midst of this brouhaha, as I come back home from next door, Julianna arrives with a plate of yummy cookies, hears the story, visits a bit, opens her car door to leave and there sits her hubby!  Had no clue he was just sitting there with nary a greeting from us!  Sorry Phillip!)


Long story short.  Terry tore the front door trim and bent some things and you could stand outside and see inside. Terry stayed home and fixed the damage as best he could.  True, there is no doorknob tonight but he will do that tomorrow, along with, hopefully, putting up some new trim.

I ended up going by myself to some location in the Yakima hills that was a million miles from nowhere.  I bet it's a gorgeous sight in the daylight. I really love my GPS.  I got a bit lost in spite of it but only momentarily. I had received directions but still needed the GPS. It was well worth the effort to go and not feel totally humiliated by being an hour late! 

Everything was fixed in the loveliest of ways.  Gorgeous!  Beautiful Christmas decorations.  Everywhere.  Nativity collections artfully placed everywhere.  Wherever you sat, wherever you looked, it was magazine perfect. Details. Details.  Finery.  Beautiful pale blue china plates with white snowflakes and glasses and food and then more food and then even more food.  All homemade and delicious!


A warm and gracious couple.  Filled with hospitality and generosity.  
Genuine people. This backdrop of beauty & order was a wonderful setting for them as they shared the children's pictures on the wall and who was oldest to youngest and where they each lived.  You knew the most important thing in their life is their family and the Gospel is at the center of their home.


Tomorrow will go as planned.  (I hope)

PS- Cathy was the hit of the evening with her 3-piece homemade nativity sets and she made each of us one.  Of the 3 women, Cathy had never pierced her ears.  Jane's had closed.  Toni doesn't wear very long earrings.  So my long earrings for pierced ears were not really desirous.  I'd thought I'd help that lady at the store!  Toni ended up with both sets!!  I cornered her in the kitchen, told her I'd take them back, and gave her a book on cupcake making (that was for Dixie's birthday) and she was happy.  tomorrow I'll return the earrings and get another cookbook!

The End. 

The Power of Gratitude

As November, our month of thankfulness/gratitude, comes to an end, I hope you enjoy this video!

http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/gratitude-brings-a-calming-peace?lang=eng

At Home

My sister is a TV fan of HSN (especially jewelry), decorator shows, cooking shows, bridal shows and the Travel channel.  She regularly calls me to tell me what is on and why I should turn it on and check it out.  She is a woman of extraordinary taste!  

I am the Country mouse.  She is the City mouse.  So City called Country and said... you have to check out the Travel Channel Beach Houses show...  Different time zones made that impossible as it was just ending.  Recently they did a re-run of it and I checked it out like a good sister would.  I was stunned!

Beach house.  I'm thinking thatched huts.  Weather worn driftwood.  Wood remnants.  Minute cottages.  The house that was being featured was $27 million dollars!!  Perhaps the 4-1/2 acres of land bordering the ocean upped the price?  The off-camera narrator guide, in telling how comfy this house was, used words like... cozy sitting area to sit and banter in.  The decor was described as whimsical, fairytale-like.  If you needed a week away rental then it was a bargain, with full house and amenities available for only $139,000 for the 7 days.

I am so in the tent for my beach house!  

These places were absolutely magnificent.  Gold fixtures in some.  A huge bathtub with 3-side walls carved out of one boulder.  Skyward ceilings.  Rugs special woven.  Special woven fabrics for windows. Imported marble. Dining rooms to seat lots of guests.  Sikorsky encrusted chandeliers.  Truly there was no end to the opulence.  Also there was no sign of life.  Not one thing indicated people lived in this place.  Maybe it was spiffed up for the Travel channel tour.  

Because I've never lived, rented or visited a true mansion and also because I'm the Country Mouse then it's hard to imagine relaxing and feeling sheltered in such an expanse.  It would be fun to tour it though.


Those big mansions need big items. So many available items for houses are over-sized!   You and I can also have large items to celebrate the Christmas season. Costco really caught me off guard with the 6' Nutcracker ($240)-, 9' Tree ($350), 60" Buck ($100), Santa in a Sleigh ($100) and a 5 pack of 8" globe-shaped ornaments.  After you get all of this finery situated in the house, you can admire how things look, and sip Hot Cocoa Classic from Starbucks.  You know it's worthy because right on the box it states...."made with ethically sourced cocoa".  Are we out of control or is it just my imagination?

Maybe it's just perspective?  My childhood Christmas decorations, on our approximate 5' real tree were large multicolored lights, bright colored glass globes, and icicles/tinsel (did not enjoy picking it apart, strand by strand, as my Mother insisted!). there were 4 small candles that were choir boys and 4 equal sized angels.  (We'd arrange and rearrange them on the TV cabinet)  That was it.  Things were stored in a very small box.

So I'm all uppity about The Hampton's and their mansions and how gigantic Costco decorations are and yet my own worldly self has enough totes to fill a truck with Christmas decorations.  An embarrassing amount!!  (and that's with downsizing.  well, one time we did that deed.) We are ready to decorate for Christmas.  Now.  All over the place!

If I mentally line up my life's worldly possessions- no matter the size, the price, the grandeur or the ordinary...the balance I want to retain is this---when I go to the Temple and sit in the Celestial room, I want to feel at ease and comfortable, relaxed and at home. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let not your hearts be troubled;

for in my Father's house are many mansions,

and I have prepared a place for you;

and where my Father and I am, 

there ye shall be also.

                             --Doctrine & Covenants 98:18

Snopes says no!

 I felt way to sleepy, after our feasting festivities, so this report must be in error!!!

snopes.com: Turkey Causes Sleepiness

Living the Irreplaceable

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

This year our oldest son is spending Thanksgiving with us and we have looked forward to that.  We carefully planned our Thanksgiving menu.  Actually it was me not we.  

For some reason I was filled with this energy to cook.  Becoming daring and cooking old things with a new twist.  Not just corn but Corn Pudding Casserole.  Not just Sweet Potatoes but Sweet Potato Souffle.  Not just whipped cream on the fruit salad but a cooked Famous Fruit Salad Dressing. Not just our regular dressing but a Savory Sausage Stuffing with apples.  Even the pie crust.  Not the usual Crisco one but a recipe given to me, by an outstanding pie-maker, entitled- Oil Pie Crust.

I had fun planning, fun talking to my sister about new recipes, fun visiting with my Ward sisters/friends about what they were cooking.  I had plenty of time to make things.  No rush.  Actually no hustle.  No bustle. Very relaxed.

It's not really about the food.  That is what I decided today.  Thanksgiving is really about tradition so that does include food.  Of course.  What it really is about is who we eat the food with.  I'm really melancholy  today.  I want the impossible.  

I want to be a time traveler and go back to the very last time of the most wonderful season of Thanksgivings ever.  That special year?- The year that my family, my own little group of 5 children plus Terry and myself, shared the last time as an intact group.  

It was the first Thanksgiving for our little son, our last child, was then 8 months old and the last, for our first son, who was in his senior year of high school.  This was a time that I now look back on with nostalgia, longing, remembrance and I get the sniffles just thinking of it.  Those 17 years of Thanksgiving celebrations, when all family members lived full time under the same roof.  Full-time living, not visiting on an as can or as needed basis.

It starts with the birth of the firstborn and then the fading eases in, as that first child exits and goes on to college/career and prepares for his independent life.  There is a certain feeling that can not be recaptured once your children start leaving the nest.

Today I thought of how hectic, busy, frantic, and often primitive hard, our pioneer life was. Living at times so it seemed in survival mode.  But the overall memory is one of togetherness.  It is a priceless time when all are living together year by year.  

That would be my Norman Rockwell moment...any one of those moments of time, in that 17 year time frame, when we are all sitting at the table for a Sunday dinner, or children are making blanket forts, or children are building a tree fort, or children are playing in the creek, or children are enjoying cold cereal and watching Saturday morning cartoons,  or even children are fussing/fighting/horsing around/not minding me at the moment.  Children climbing trees, walking dirt roads, carrying water, chopping firewood after felling trees.  Children eating homemade bread and enjoying it.  Children hugging me and loving me and kissing me. 


Thanksgiving was cold, usually snowy and almost always we had people eat with us.  Sometimes lots of people. Sawhorses and plywood tables laden with lots of homemade food.  Friends from Anchorage that brought their 3 children and stayed for a few days.  The fun of close friends.  

Times of their Dad hooking a long rope on the back of his terra tractor.  The rope was attached to the hood of an old truck.  All children old enough, that number was 6, would pile in the hood and they would go racing over the backyard snowfield, being pulled behind the tractor, yelling and screaming all the way.  Sharp turns would send them whooshing to the side.  They would come in red-cheeked, breathless, loud and excited and very cold.  Warming up in front of the wood burning fire and drinking hot chocolate, they would tell of their great daring feats.

There are many memories like that.  When the family dynamic changes as children leave home, and it's inevitable, healthy, expected and natural, it nonetheless replaces the irreplaceable.  And those years of irreplaceability are the ones that are the most cherished to me.

If fate allowed me to go back and have a retake of my most cherished time...it definitely would be those, all living under the same roof, for whatever period of time that entailed- I'd really drink it all in, realize it would be fleeting, and savor, inhale, broaden my vision, give it my devotion, enlarge my understanding of this priceless time and make it the most worthwhile time possible, allowing nothing to supersede my soon to be irreplaceable years.  I would aim for creating magnificent irreplaceable memories.


So I look at my adult children and one married grandchild- scattered from FL to WA, & rejoice in the fact they have families, & they are happy, productive, good people.  They love us.  We are connected to them.  We love them.  They are now in that extra special time of their own lives.  Living the irreplaceable.

 "Pilgrims and Pioneers."

Traveling/Traditions/Parades/Football

Over The River and Through the Wood
by Lydia Maria Child (1844)
(also known as “A New-England Boy’s Song About Thanksgiving Day”) Over the river, and through the wood,    to Grandfather’s house we go;       the horse knows the way       to carry the sleigh    through the white and drifted snow. Over the river, and through the wood,    to Grandfather’s house away!       We would not stop       for doll or top,    for ’tis Thanksgiving Day. Over the river, and through the wood—    oh, how the wind does blow!       It stings the toes       and bites the nose,    as over the ground we go. Over the river, and through the wood,    with a clear blue winter sky.       The dogs do bark       and the children hark,    as we go jingling by. Over the river, and through the wood,    to have a first-rate play.       Hear the bells ring,       “Ting a ling ding!”    Hurray for Thanksgiving Day! Over the river, and through the wood—    no matter for winds that blow;       or if we get       the sleigh upset    into a bank of snow. Over the river, and through the wood,    to see little John and Ann;       we will kiss them all,       and play snowball    and stay as long as we can. Over the river, and through the wood,    trot fast my dapple gray!       Spring over the ground       like a hunting-hound!    For ’tis Thanksgiving Day. Over the river, and through the wood    and straight through the barnyard gate.       We seem to go       extremely slow—    it is so hard to wait! Over the river, and through the wood—    old Jowler hears our bells;       he shakes his paw       with a loud bow-wow,    and thus the news he tells. Over the river, and through the wood—    when Grandmother sees us come,       she will say, “O, dear,       the children are here,    bring pie for everyone.” Over the river, and through the wood—    now Grandmother’s cap I spy!       Hurrah for the fun!       Is the pudding done?    Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/videos#history-of-the-thanksgiving-holiday

 http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/videos#

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/videos#first-football-broadcast

Don't Quit

We have friends that over the years have endured so many harsh times.  They have gone through so much.   All of us were heartsick when he recently fell through a ceiling, dropped 11 feet, and broke his foot.  He will be having surgery in a few days.  Our love and prayers go out to them.

DON'T QUIT

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must--but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up, though the pace seems slow--

You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have capture the victor's cup.

And he learned too late, when the light slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt--

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

                                                          

                                                                    --Unknown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Come, Ye Disconsolate 
 

1. Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish;
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts; here tell your anguish.
Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot heal.

2. Joy of the desolate, Light of the straying,
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
“Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot cure.”

3. Here see the Bread of Life; see waters flowing
Forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing
Earth has no sorrow but heav’n can remove.

Text: Thomas Moore, 1779–1852. Verse three, Thomas Hastings, 1784–1872
Music: Samuel Webbe, 1740–1816
D&C 136:29

 

Jerusalem

One of the perks of working in Stake RS is attending events and meeting people that you've never had the chance to meet before.  Friday I was at a Single Adult Thanksgiving dinner and I enjoyed becoming acquainted with Sharon & her husband, from 6th Ward. (The same Ward that Abby moved to!)   

She teaches Seminary and I love all things about early morning Seminary (except for the time slot!!) so we really hit it off.  In the course of conversation it turns out that her son, Jarom, had been at the BYU Study Abroad program in Jerusalem as had 2 of my children!  

Our son and daughter went years ago, on separate years, and it was a fantastic experience for them and for us as parents.  They attended when the building was not in place and things were very rustic so to speak.  They had marvelous experiences.  This was long before computers were in every household and the word blog didn't even exist!  

Jarom is of the newer generation and today I want to share his blog of those few months he was living where the Savior lived.  Walking where He walked.  Eating food that He did.  Seeing sites where great events transpired.  Jarom has pictures and his first hand observations on his blog.  It covers from April-August. Posts are brief and pictures are great!!!    Enjoy!!! 

about Jarom.... 

I grew up on an apple farm in Central Washington. I have 3 brothers and great parents! In high school I did track, musicals, and student government. I currently attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, am majoring in Exercise Science and hope to go to dental school!

www.jarominjerusalem.blogspot.com
                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jarom's Jerusalem experience reminded me of the first Ward Choir I sang in, Anchorage 1st Ward.  We sang the song, I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked, as one of the selections.  I'd never heard it before and I remember tears, lots of tears, as I heard this sung for the first time.  

I walked today where Jesus walked,
In days of long ago.
I wandered down each path He knew,
With reverent step and slow.

Those little lanes, they have not changed,
A sweet peace fills the air.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt His presence there.

My pathway led through Bethlehem,
Ah! mem'ries ever sweet
The little hills of Galilee,
That knew those childish feet

The Mount of Olives, hallowed scenes,
That Jesus knew before
I saw the mighty Jordan roll,
As in the days of yore.

I knelt today where Jesus knelt,
Where all alone he prayed.
The Garden of Gethsemane,
My heart felt unafraid.

I picked my heavy burden up,
And with Him by my side
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
Where on the Cross He died!

I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.
 

Whatever Is--Is Best

 WHATEVER IS--IS BEST

I know, as my life grows older,

                  And mine eyes have clearer sight,

                    That under each rank wrong somewhere

      There lies the root of Right;

       That each sorrow has its purpose,

               By the sorrowing oft unguessed;

                 But as sure as the sun brings morning,

               Whatever is--is best.

I know that each sinful action,

                 As sure as the night brings shade,

         Is somewhere, sometime punished,

           Tho' the hour be long delayed.

I know that the soul is aided

                 Sometimes by the heart's unrest,

         And to grow means often to suffer--

          But whatever is--is best.

I know there are no errors,

   In the great Eternal plan,

And all things work together

     For the final good of man.

                          And I know when my soul speeds onward,

      In its grand Eternal quest,

               I shall say as I look back earthward,

             Whatever is--is best.

                                                                

                                                                          by  Ella Wheeler Wilcox

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"As you overcome adversity in your life,

You will become stronger.  

Then you will be better able to help others--

those who are working, in their turn to find a safe harbor

from the storms that rage about them."

                                                               --by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (2002)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin....Come What May and Love It  (2008)

http://lds.org/liahona/2008/11/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng&query=come+may+love

Pan of Ham

Yesterday 11/16 was a Wednesday. The 16th of November in 2009 was a Sunday.  The passing of the Sacrament had just ended.  On the back row, right side of the center section there was some commotion.  I got up and went over to see the senior member of our Ward, obviously in distress, struggling.  We have medics and EMT's in our Ward and they were there rendering aid.  The Ambulance had been summoned.  Our Bishop quietly asked for all to stay seated and he offered a prayer as they were placing Brother Judd A. on the gurney.

I remembered asking for his car keys and they were removed from his pocket and handed to me.  His wife would need to be in her own car for comfort.  I looked at his brown shoes, his brown socks and his suit pants and the fleeting thought of how dapper he always looked, how tall he was for an older person, and that surely he was one of the kindest men I'd ever met, engulfed my mind.

I drove his sweet wife to the hospital and heard her longing that he not have a stroke although she felt that is what had happened.  Arrived and got a wheel chair for her and took her into a private room and stood behind her as the Dr. gave her the news that no one wants to hear and no one is ever prepared to hear, even if they have tried to prepare themselves, that your spouse is not going to live for more than a couple of hours.  Took her into see him and for her to talk to him.  To express her love and request that he wait to leave until at least one of their adult children arrives. 

There were no children living here or I would not have been with her.  I was thankful to be with her until the first children arrived.  Then I came home.  

An assortment of Ward friends, from years and years back arrived to bid him farewell.  Most had experienced a very long association.  Mine was much shorter. When we'd arrived from Alaska they were on one of their missions to Chile.  The Ward was to be divided but interestingly enough the Stake President didn't want to do that until Br. A. was home from his Mission.  I thought that was curious.  So did the Alaskan friend that was to become the first Bishop in our new Ward.  He wrote in the Ward History ....

"He (the Stake President) also shared that he had been prompted not to split the wards until the A.'s returned.  I thought that at the time odd, but as I came to know the A.'s I understood why.  Their example and humble dedicated service uplifted our entire ward and blessed all of our lives."

The impact we make in each others lives is incredible when we have the opportunity to be in one Ward long enough to forge friendships.  A part of our love, friendship and service, when we lose someone in our Ward, is to help with their funeral service.  As RS women we prepare meals and fix things, as lovely as possible, for the grieving family and friends.  

I worked with two amazing counselors, Chelle and Cheryl, on more funerals than you can imagine. I know it sounds strange but we enjoyed rendering the compassionate service associated at funerals.  Chelle recalls...

Nancy, what I remember most is when we were first asked to take care of a funeral meal, we were overwhelmed and had no idea where to begin. It seemed like too much to accomplish in such a short time. And then you put out a request for help, and the response was immediate and stunning. It was as though the women were waiting for an opportunity to help, and when the opportunity arose, they jumped at the chance.

As I write, it occurs to me that when I am overwhelmed and have no idea where to begin, I can ask for help from Heavenly Father. The result may not be immediate, but it will be stunning. He waits to answer prayers, if I will but ask.

The other thing I remember is how the families and friends attending the funeral meal were so appreciative, and sometimes surprised at how happy we were to provide and serve the meal. Thanks upon thanks, compliments and smiles, friendly faces poking in the kitchen door to express gratitude for the service rendered.

I loved serving together with you two!
xo
Chelle

Our Ward RS sisters are amazing in their generosity of cooking and sharing food.  In Dec. 2007 our Bishop's father passed away as did 2 others.  We had a funeral on a Saturday and then the Bishop's father's funeral on a Tuesday and then another one scheduled for Wednesday.  Both of these funerals were very large.  Concern about that Wednesday funeral surfaced in my Counselors and my mind.  The sisters had given not just food but so much work and we were hoping they were holding up for one more funeral.  Then Bishop S. came up and told us....Whatever food is left over, please, just keep it and use it for tomorrows funeral...    We welcomed the food but we had served so much that we knew there wasn't hardly anything left.  We had bought a big cake from Costco and volunteers were ready to cook another meal for the next day.  
 I'll let Cheryl tell what happened....

Nancy-

I think that day will be forever in my memory. A lot of the details surrounding it are vague, but the actual day is crystal clear. We had 3 funerals in such a short amount of time and we were worried that people were getting burnt out with bringing food. The funeral that was happening that day was a large one and people ate and visited and then came back and ate some more. We kept bringing out more and more food to the serving table.

As the day was winding down and clean up was about to start, we thought we should see what leftovers we had that may be able to be used in the next day’s funeral. We pulled the cover off the ham and it was mounded up like we had served nothing out of that pan. I remember our eyes getting big and just looking at each other.

Then we pulled open the fridge and it was full of salads that had not been touched, and a few that even though we had served out of them had a lot left. It was the most amazing thing to realize that when we were worried about how much the sisters had been giving- both time and food, the Lord knew and He took care of it. The email went out letting everyone know that they did not have to bring anything to the funeral for tomorrow.

The more I look back on it, the more I know that we have a Heavenly Father who not only knows us, but watches out for us and helps us after we have done everything we can. I will always remember the look on your face when we pulled off the cover on the ham. Total disbelief and some awe.

We really did have some great times and who would have known a lot of them happened over funeral planning?

Cheryl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A modern day loaves and fishes stories.  What a wonderful miracle to witness!  We never even cut the Costco cake and we sent the family home with all sorts of food for another family dinner after serving them at the funeral.  I will always remember lifting that big Nesco cooker lid and staring in disbelief at the full pan of ham.  Opening up the refrigerator and seeing it stocked from top to bottom with salads, sides and desserts, just made my jaw drop!! 



   

Hot Water

Tuesday can be described as one of those -- best of times and the worst of times day.  I spent a long time eating a platter of crow followed by lots of humble pie.  While wiping the egg off my face, I shot myself in one foot and had the awkwardness of the other foot hanging out my mouth.

I was so wishing that email selections also included categories like....retract or take-back words or changed my mind mid-sending.  Once that little send button is clicked then it's out of my hands and also out of my mouth, in black and white print.  Zooming through a miraculous invisible space and lighting up someone's email with a cheery note that, my thoughts put to words, have arrived in your in-box.  

Today I thought I sent a box of word chocolates. Yummies to comfort and help out in trying stressful times.  Some words that I hoped would soothe or wait!, is solve a better word?  uh-oh!!  backfire.  landmine.  Ouch!! 

So I went against my own little creed rule...advice given when unasked for is almost always offensive.  that will now be amended in permanent ink to...unasked for advice or my personal opinion is ALWAYS offensive! (no exceptions!)

I was aware of a situation between two individuals that I care about.  Two that are friends to me.  I didn't want anyone to suffer anymore.  I felt for both parties.  I wanted to make it all better.  I was feeling that it was escalating.  I was fearful it was going to spiral out of control. I didn't want the aftermath to bring anyone crashing fatally.  

So I, being an acknowledged co-dependent woman, wanting to help everyone to feel good and happy, decided to just say one little thing.  Just one little paragraph for consideration.  Maybe it would help.  It was a risk but I decided it was worth it.  Including this one little summary sentence.

"Surely, there is some sort of solution. If you are at a stalemate, perhaps you need a Solomon?"

 Fireworks!  well, fireworks from just one of the two.  

My husband asked me if I hadn't had some sort of warning system gently tugging or loudly screaming siren-like, to remind me to not do it.  The Monopoly sign did not flash before my eyes...do not pass go/go directly to Jail.

When my victim clearly outlined the line of privacy that I'd crossed and how she felt about my chiming in like a dingaling.  or was "stupid-head" her descriptive word?  yes. that was the word.  I'd violated her confidence, betrayal was linked with my name, from her viewpoint. I felt sick reading her words.

I felt so bad that I'd wounded her.  I'd intended no harm.  I was trying to help the situation.  I apologized.  I tried to explain my viewpoint and felt like my tongue was twisted with Novocain and words were not coming forth.  Is it idiots that are described as blithering?  was I blithering?  

Eventually she forgave me.  I was thankful.  Thankful for repentance and thankful that she forgave.  so did the Lord.

The strange thing is that I still believe what I said was true but really, it wasn't my business to try to fly in and scatter words on a battleground of any sort.  I erred in sharing, when really it wasn't welcome, and my two hoots didn't amount to a hill of beans in their personal dilemma.  two hoots or two cents worth of counsel, aren't worth a plug nickel, when given without invitation.

I have learned to not mope and beat myself up for making a mistake and actually upsetting and hurting someones feelings and making them mad...at me.  Live and re-learn!  Just dusting myself off and getting back up. Mortality is not for the faint of heart. 

What!!! ???  how?  When did this slip in??  this is Bible scripture???....

Whoso keepeth his mouth 

and his tongue 

keepeth his soul from troubles.

                    Prov. 21:23  

Poor/Rich

Who are the poor anyhow?  Am I poor?  Are you poor?  Is it a comparative state of affairs?  If I have more of "everything" than you-- am I rich and are you poor or vice versa?  Is being poor even about things/stuff/objects/money?  Does the way I dress mark me as poor?  My old van?  My education or lack of such?  My grammar or table manners?  And switcheroo on amounts, getting into excess- be it jewels/house size/acceptable brand names on all objects I use or wear or even eat- does that make me rich?

If less is more then how can I be poor?  Is this one of those comparing apples to oranges situation?  Can I have a lot and yet feel and even be poor in many instances and areas of my life?  Can I have less and yet feel richly blessed and content?

Rich or poor, real or imagined, facts or false judgement, we are all playing in the same sandbox with our Church membership.  And we have to learn to play nice!

The trick is to keep the Spirit by not judging each other, don't you think?  

Being poor I can judge you as to how selfish you are because you don't share.  Also being poor I can be filled with envy and jealousy towards you.  I can find fault with you on many levels and gossip like crazy about it.  

On the other hand, with me being rich, then I can judge you that you should have made better decisions.  I worked for what I have and you should also etc. etc.  (just re-read yesterday's entry for the description of this saga!)

Rich or poor...we are all brothers and sisters.  Children of our Father in Heaven.  Each of us endeavoring to do the exact same thing---return to our Father in Heaven by traveling the same mortal route.  We can treat each other kindly, courteously, share, & alleviate suffering.  Rich or poor we all need a helping hand.

I live in a small place and enjoy it and I feel rich even though some might question that choice of words.  We have sufficient for our needs.  Hmmm... where have I heard that phrase before? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 In light of yesterday's post on the "poor", I decided to re-post this June entry--Spot of Beauty.  
http://acandlestick.blogspot.com/2011/06/spot-of-beauty.html    
This particular post got a lot of response from readers.  
It just feels right to share it.  

Being Someone Else

 I remember being shocked when I heard Bishop H. David  Burton make this statement as a part of his address, at the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting,  February 2009

1. Seek out the poor.
Bishops should keep in mind that it is their responsibility
to seek out the poor. It is not enough to assist
only when asked. The bishop should encourage
priesthood and Relief Society leaders, along with
home teachers and visiting teachers, to help identify
those who need assistance.

This was the first I'd heard that the poor should be sought out!  I've thought about this off and on for almost 3 years.  That entire talk focused on helping people.  Not waiting until they are in such desperate need that they have to ask for help.  Identifying those who need assistance and helping them. 

In our lives, at times, we see amongst our members the aftermath when justice has been satisfied.  Some lose their possessions. Others lack money to live what we would call a normal life,  some are stymied, stopped right in their tracks with no apparent way to dig themselves out.   Some make decisions that cause the repercussions of justice to be almost all encompassing.  They suffer and their children suffer.   The poor seem to have a stigma.  Now these poor are not the ones we read about in the ghetto's, the slums, the impoverished nations of the world.  These are people that we go to Church with.  People down on their luck, as the saying goes.

The Savior mentions in Mark 14:7...For ye have the poor with you always.....  When we put this mix of, have/have-not people into a Ward setting, then we have the real testing ground of our faith.  Perhaps this is where we put our faith without works attribute to the test?  If justice has been satisfied, then isn't it up to me to extend mercy?  Justice is the no nonsense carrying out of consequence of actions created by choices.  Do I  choose to keep piling on what I consider more justice?  Do I appoint myself as a judge?  Viewing the natural consequence that has rendered them in a mess do I then judge them.  Do I say...  The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just— (Mosiah 4:17)

Have I been guilty of rubbing the faces of the poor into their misery.  Making sure they suffered enough? .......

What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts.  

(Isa.3:15 [repeated In 2 Nephi13:15])

Shouldn't they have known better?  Why should I help bail them out in even the least way?  Who bails me out?  It's their own fault.  No fool would do what they did.  and on and on.  It's terrible how they live.  Have you seen their place?  They need to pick themselves up by the bootstraps and get to work.  There is no excuse for being lazy.  He was stupid.  He's a fool. Anyone with half a grain of sense knows that you don't do what he did!  and on and on and on.

I have a first-aid salve called Calendula.  It is thick, heavy, not real pleasant smelling Marigold ointment but it works wonders on any wound.  For cuts it is amazing!  It speeds healing, immediately removes the majority of pain, and even reduces scarring. I have shared it with appreciative friends.  Somewhere in my purse, don't I have a small tin of Balm of Gilead, to enable me to give a bit of mercy?  a bit of comfort, encouragement, kindness?  something nice?  something to help the healing and not give a salt rub to an open wound.

When people are suffering from decisions or life circumstances that cause them consequently suffering and pain, do I just feel sorry for them and their lot in life?  Does justice require that I leave things as they are and show no mercy?

 President Packer recently said- "The law of justice can be fully satisfied and mercy can be fully extended, but it takes someone else." 

I want to be and I need to be that merciful "someone else".  

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 D&C 52:40

 40 And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.

1 John 3:17,18

 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/61645/President-Packer-I-speak-most-earnestly-to-the-one-who-is-seeking.html

The Proclamation on the Pantyhose- Part 2

 Meridian Magazine - The Proclamation on the Pantyhose .....
http://ldsmag.com/church/article/8565?ac=1

When I first saw this article I wondered if we have way to much time on our hands or are we splitting hairs or what to spend time even talking about this?!!!  Then I thought back to the time we served in YA Branch and a Temple trip when this subject was brought up.

This was during the time that the girls were wearing "hoodies" to Church along with "flip-flops".  Sometimes they'd slip their footwear off while sitting in a class.  Sometimes they'd go barefooted to the pulpit to bear their testimonies.  They were told it was inappropriate and some responded.  It was bothersome to me.  And to others.

So we entered the Temple on our assigned day, showed recommends, turned right and entered into dressing rooms.  The girls were dressed super casual as if to speed up changing clothes.  A Temple worker (or was it the Temple Presidents wife?)  came over to the Branch President's wife and me and basically said....These young adult women are not dressed appropriately for the Temple.  This is the Lord's house.  They need to wear nylons.  Not wear flip-flops. Not wear hooded sweatshirts. etc. etc.

I felt embarrassed.  also filled with dread that the girls would need to be told and how would they react as they hadn't seemed concerned before about Sunday dress.  (not all of them but most of them).

The message was passed on and they upped their Temple dress standards.  And they all wore nylons.

As a teen of the 50's (surely the best time in the world to be female!!) we dressed to the nines and loved every minute of it from hats to gloves to jewelry to sweaters to crinolines and on and on.  A special rite of passage for all of us was going to the one and only downtown Anchorage department store.  We thought it was huge.  In reality it wasn't but we felt it was uptown.  Northern Commercial.  Stacks of Jantzen sweaters with matching sweater socks.

And then the really big step into the adult world, of everything feminine, was going to the lingerie counter and purchasing our very first plain pink satin garter belt and then dream of all dreams....our first pair of nylons!!  Sigh.  Behind the coiffed, beautifully dressed,  manicured hands, saleswoman- were small stacks of boxes, nestled in a special built, many shelves, display case.  The sales clerk would ask what color we wanted to see.  Running her hand down the inside of our choice, and pulling it up ever so gently up her forearm then we'd see the color.

After we made our mulled over/talked about choice, she would pull the correct box with the size we asked for.  These were nylons.  100% non-stretch nylons.  Beautifully knit in the shape-of-a-leg hosiery.  No leg looked better than wearing that snug taut tailored-to-fit piece of luxury.  We took our purchased small flat box with it's tissue wrapped hosiery and headed home.  Bliss!  We were women!  We learned through practice, to hook the thigh high nylons on our garter belts and to keep our seams straight.  How we loved our nylons!!

The L'Eggs of today, pulled off of a grocery store shelf and tossed in our grocery cart with the uncooked meat and cold cereal, all Lycra filled and stretchy and saggy and baggy are one long seamless shapeless piece of leg covering.   No glamor at all!

well, I'm in the exit lane of my life and this is a memory that my generation enjoyed and had such fun being a part of that era. We felt beautiful, feminine and modest with our gorgeous hosiery and our very high heels!  Yes!  We would have never gone to the Temple with bare legs!  Or Church on Sunday for that matter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two quotes from Church material preparing people to go the Temple.....

Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple   

(booklet given to class attendees)

We have been puzzled and a little saddened at times, when attending the temple, to find that some have come to witness marriages or to attend a session in the temple dressed as though they were going to a picnic or an athletic event.

 "Lesson 6: Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple," Endowed from on High: Temple Preparation Seminar Teacher’s Manual, (2003)

4.  Dress. Plan to dress as you would when attending Sunday meetings. Women should not wear pants to the temple.