5 day countdown to General Conference!!!

this is the week of Preparation for a jam packed weekend of  General Conference.  Here is something from Nic (who sends me a packet before each GC) so you can choose things to get ready for your kiddos. Thanks again, Nic!

April 2014 General Conference Packet Ideas

http://nicksposts.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/april-2014-general-conference-packet-ideas/

I will make a list of items I'd like some personal answers to, have a tablet nearby, listen carefully and make notes of what I feel and think during talks.  Answers come in that way and many others also.  It's not always the specific thing the speaker says but what it makes us think of is the answer we are seeking.  If you arrive with a blank mind and no desire for personal revelation....Gen. Conf. will still be wonderful but this is a vehicle to receive some personal revelation.  Love to hear the Spirit in that way.

Time for my tailgate weekend of food and marathon TV time for 2 full days!!  right in the comfort of my own home.  Love this modern miracle.  don't you?

Get ready!  5 days to go

Filled with good feelings!

My mind started going back to my experiences in the Church as far as callings a few days before the Woman's Conference as I got a letter from a brother out of Anchorage about a History he and another brother are doing about the beginnings of the Church there.  He needed something very simple...what years did I teach Seminary?  Did I sit with him while he reviewed an attempt at Home Study Seminary?  What were some specific experiences I had with any of the classes I taught?

Drawing a blank!  I was stunned at what I couldn't recall!  For so many years I knew every calling I'd had since coming into the Church.  A lot of specifics.  All sorts of names and experiences and of course the years and where and who and on and on.  Also for so many years I'd been prompted to just keep a list of callings- dates called and released.  Those I worked with.  Programs etc. Some specifics that I'd want to remember.  Did I heed that prompting?

NO!  Of course I didn't do it as I knew I'd never forget!  Uh-huh!  Sure.  I'll never forget!

So I started figuring out dates based on life happenings and have pieced the years of teaching together.  I think I have.

By the time I got to the WC I was so filled with my past Church experiences and people involved that it just grew.  I sat there just overcome with emotion of people that have crossed my path, graced my life, shared joy in Church callings.  I felt such great love for a myriad of people.  Deep gratitude.

Of course you were on my list!!

I don't have a FB page but I went to Terry's, that he doesn't use and I sometimes put a note, and started rambling and finally had to make myself stop.  There is most likely some etiquette rule about posting personal emotions and I violated them?  I don't know.  Then I started responding to notes that came in.  Such great memories.

So I do a blog and I've never mentioned it on FB as I'm such a coward.  Probably my co-dependent fear behavior of...if they know me or get to know me?--things will go downhill.  It took a year before I even put my name on the blog!!  And I still have the clothes drying on the line and no picture of me!

Sort of ironic...I want to share my Gospel thoughts on a blog.  I do that by hiding the blog???  My extremely ordinary self always feels a bit less than all others.  Probably just a bit of fever left over from pneumonia causes that brand of a little stinkin' thinkin'?

So my first big outing since Hospital and I was so excited for it!!  I think I used up way to much energy in excitement and didn't make it to Church today but really, I am feeling terrific and so thankful for that fact.

Usually I love watching things at home as it's just so miraculous to me but on the WC I really wanted to go to Church so I invited my friend Myra Faye.  I'd stayed away from her just to make sure I had no germs as she is battling those brain tumors and has a lot of health issues in her life.  She looked great.  Heather was there (her husband and son came to hospital and gave me a blessing.  Then they came to the house and gave Terry a blessing.  She was with them. I appreciate her strong faith) Sherry, brought me daffodils and sweet card while I was down, and her sweet 9 year old daughter were also seatmates.  I sat there and thought of the help they were and how special they are to me.

Then my thoughts reeled back to so many wonderful women that I've shared gospel living/service with and the acts of kindness I've been the recipient of and the sheer fun of serving in callings over the years.  The joy I've felt just filled me.

The longer the Conference went on the more love I felt and the more memories flooded my mind.

Those feelings are still in my mind/heart!! 

IF I had it to do over...I'd keep a journal of callings I've had and things accomplished and joy/challenges.  Dates and places.

That WC really grabbed my heart.

I missed Church and missed the protesters picketing our Chapel!  Signs about garments, blacks, cult and one also saying, we destroyed one of their Churches.  I guess it was a man and a woman.  We aren't even on a main street.  Maybe they were just wanting to reach the members.  I'm thinking this is just the beginning.  I've been thinking of the current LDS Feminist Movement and their desire to receive the Priesthood and go into the Priesthood meeting at the upcoming conference.  (I'm figuring out how I will conduct myself as all of this increases!  I'll blog this week about my feelings.  Actually I might not as this is the week to get ready to celebrate General Conference!!) My friend Carol told the man to go take a bath and get a shave!  They stood out there for the entire 3 hours+.  That is most likely their Church.... To save the world from us!  I love having a testimony.  Isn't it interesting that they are outside protesting and inside members are bearing/sharing testimonies of the fact they know their beliefs are true.

My heart is happy and so filled with love of people presently and in the past that have impacted my life that I'm bubbling over.  I'm just soaking it up!!!

Yes!!!

I am beyond excited for the General Woman's Meeting this afternoon!!!!!!!!

Elder Uchtdorf speaks another truth!!

Just wanted to share a great talk, well, a quote from it.  Here  is the talk.  This is beautiful and motivational.  I want to be better.  I want to be nicer.  I want to do more.  I want to be like the Savior.  I have been the recipient of so much love and care and kindness and have felt so unworthy and yet so thankful.  so greatful!!

 Enjoy every word!!!

 

True Love Requires Action

True love requires action. We can speak of love all day long—we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it—but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” ¹¹

Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” ¹²

Christ knows how to minister to others perfectly. When the Savior stretches out His hands, those He touches are uplifted and become greater, stronger, and better people as a result.

If we are His hands, should we not do the same?

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

Good thought!

The picture below depicts a boy being taught to work!!  Almost novel in today's world, isn't it?  Teaching children to work seems to be one of the biggest challenges that parents have to deal with.  All 5 of our children are hard workers.  Their Dad was a super hard worker and honest to boot.  I'm sure it was his example but also equal part or maybe even more than equal, was earning their own way.


They had to earn their own money for what they wanted...and that included our daughter.  She had travel wanderlust in her soul and she'd do hard physical work to make the most money possible.  She was a waitress, a meat cutter, a charter boat deckhand that filleted halibut larger than her and all sorts of other jobs, in order to travel to Japan, go on a cruise, live on BYU Israel Study abroad for 6 months, backpack through Europe for 6 weeks.

I'm sure I'm missing some of the other adventures she had but she paid her own way.  Maybe it was because we couldn't really afford to grant her desires, except to support her efforts and tell her she could do anything she set her mind to.  This was in the day before the Internet and the fast paced world of today. I think that makes it harder to teach work habits.  She lived a very pioneer super survival minimalist life and knew only her own hard work would make all things possible to her. (well, that is my take on it!!)

Hard work does form children's character.  My friend Tamera has a son on a Mission and she is collecting letters to make a special gift for  him.  I'm going to write about what a hard worker he is.  He is very thorough, self-motivated, handles small details to make a job look great, doesn't shortcut or loaf, has pride in his accomplishments, finishes what he started, works hard and fast as he can.  She and her husband taught him to work.  What specifics did you do, Tamera?  Share.  Please.  Parents want their children to learn to work and value work and all that goes with it but what can be done?

My kiddos used to play hard.  Outdoors.  tree and forts and mud and a little creek were their toys and they made up games.  Maybe that makes a difference?  I know it's a different world now and especially for city dwellers but there must be some modern ways to accomplish teaching children to work. 

Would love to hear how any of you address this issue or is it not a problem in your home? 

*************************

Jeanee was very small (check her wrists) and would wear several layers of clothing to keep warm.  She'd sit on the Halibut to fillet it.  She would come home aching from head to toe (from how physical and hard the work was) endeavor to untangle her windblown gnarled hair, shower, fall into bed and arise super early to go on the next charter.  thought you'd enjoy this picture of her working hard!!  She is still a hard worker.  (as are her brothers also)

Here is what she wrote about being a deck hand....

 We would go out deep sea fishing about 2 hours. There were 12 people on the boat and each person could keep two halibut. When the max was reached we would head back to the boat harbor, hang the big ones to show the passing tourist for pictures then we would fillet them.

real life lesson shared....

(Seems to me this would be a great FHE discussion)

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

Sometimes, not winning can prove more valuable than taking home the gold. American snowboarder Shaun White, favored to win the men’s halfpipe competition at the Olympics, finished fourth, just off the medal stand. But when he didn’t win, White set a great example that all kids can learn from. Here are several lessons we can take away from White’s fourth-place finish by Shannan Younger writer for ChicagoNow’s Tween Us:

1. You don’t always win. Sometimes in life, you do your best and it just isn’t good enough. While it’s heartbreaking, it happens. Keep a broader perspective in mind: You tried your hardest, you accomplished something. That’s enough.
2. Being a good sport matters. Right after his last run, which didn’t go well, White hugged Iouri Podladtchikov. In an interview later, he said, “I’m happy for the guys who did well.” He was gracious and sincere. As hard as it may be, kids can learn to rejoice in the success of others.
3. He didn’t give up. White said, “It just wasn’t my day. I’ll live on to fight another one…. Next time.” One bad day doesn’t mean you’re not good at something. It simply means you had a bad day. Everyone, even Olympians, can have a bad day now and then.
4. He asked for a hug. After the competition, White said to his friend, “Come here, man. I need a hug.” The agony of defeat is never easy, but having friends who support you no matter what makes it much easier. Plus, in a world where men are expected to be so tough, it’s nice to see him asking for a hug in his time of need.

Perhaps the icing on the cake came when White spontaneously leapt over a barricade to high-five Ben Hughes, a young boy and cancer survivor visiting the Olympics thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Before Ben had finished his treatments in 2012, he had found two new inspirations: snowboarding and Shaun White. He loved both. Meeting Shaun White was not part of the original plan, but the snowboarder made it possible after he heard about the boy – and changed the 10-year-old’s life forever. Read the full story by Mike Wise at WashingtonPost.com.

We think it’s fair to say that this famous sports star delivered an Olympic moment on the day he failed to win a medal.

I think we need to step up to the plate!

Energy not quite up to par so we bypassed Stake Conference and felt the loss of missing Church.  Sundays aren't Sunday without Church in my book.  enjoy the association and familiarity of routine.  Listened to a lot of great music and BYU shows with all sorts of goodies!

I'm so eager for the Saturday meeting with girls from 8 and up.  I've really been thinking about the state of the world and immoral acts becoming legalized.  I've thought of the discord/discontent of active LDS women. I also thought once again of President Kimballs acknowledgement of the power of women in the last days.  here

Here is my concern.  It's one thing to just say....I know the Church is true.  We need to put a bit of substance in our testimony, don't you think?  someone that is challenging us or wanting to win us over is not going to simply say...You are wrong.  We need some doctrinal understanding and not just a cut and dried...I just know.

That being said...I just know is fine as far as it's a soul deep conviction and within myself I can back it with Scriptures and Church statements by Authorities.  That I have no doubt about my testimony, the basics of it, is something I want to come across with certainty.


I'm not into arguing/debating etc.  My religion is personal and private in a way but I'm okay to defend it.  I'm still a basic 11th Article of Faith woman.

What is of concern for me right now are the young woman of the Church and the things they are up against...legalized marijuana, legalized gay marriages, LDS women wanting the Priesthood, abuse of technology, no standards in the world on chastity and now pornography and on and on.  I was just reading that girls need to be talked to about perils of pornography so they can avoid it!  How on earth do you do that?  What do you say?  I have no idea.  One thing the article said, is to talk about what they read, as that is sometimes the beginning of future problems with romance type books being a common teen genre.  Music?  Movies? As I said, I have no idea on that particular subject BUT I do think you wonderful women with girls need to figure it out and act on it.

I talked to one of my granddaughters tonight and told her my concerns and to please educate herself doctrinally on issues and fortify her basic beliefs.  We talked a bit about the Family Proclamation.  I told her about the letter from the First Presidency to those women wanting to enter into the Priesthood meeting in a desire to obtain, eventually, the Priesthood for themselves...that has the statement that Doctrinally this goes against the plan.  That is a good one to study also.

To learn to access God through prayer and to also figure out how to receive regular guidance through the Holy Ghost.  A gift at baptism so even an 8 year old can experience it.  two great powers that we can all develop and use.  Shouldn't that be taught and fortified?  I think so.

These precious girls need us to help them gear up to fortify themselves and be ready for anything they encounter.  You sweet Mothers will be inspired to leave nothing to chance.  Figure it out Moms.

As a Grandma I can speak up also.  Am I still feverish and ill, just soap-boxing or what?????  I feel this so passionately to get these girls in battle gear!!!  Hallucinating?  No.  I really feel this way!

I look forward to the Saturday Broadcast.  I have no Granddaughters here but I have my 8 year old BFF, Lydia, and if it all works out we will be together for this historic event. 

Better and Better!!!!

The party has ended and Dave, Sam and Grace have headed home.  We so appreciated him coming to see us even though we were two bumps on log.  Just sort of sat/reclined/napped and enjoyed watching the energy of everyone else.

Today, gorgeous spring day, we had another roaring fire in fireplace.  Strictly recalling lifetime memories of Alaskan coldness with wood stove being our heat source.  Opened the back door to survive the heat!

Grace snuggling by fireplace!!!

 Art time with Uncle Kipper...oil painting today after yesterdays chalk/pencil.

David fixed a hole that was an eyesore!  Terry said his left arm didn't always do what it should and he poked a hole in the ceiling at Christmas while decorating.  Thank you, David!

Ceiling repair!!

Again....eat family dinners or any meal together as when your children grow up they will want to recreate that again.  Be consistent in cooking a few things a million times-- which amounts to the years your child will be at home from birth to high school graduation. Today's sentimental meal was Poor Man's Mush.  (wall paper paste/Norwegian Pudding etc.)  For some reason, after a near lifetime of making it, Terry changed the recipe.  David asked him not to but Terry insisted it would be even better.  The tweaking did not work!  People were polite and pretending it was so good but it wasn't quite the same although David ate two bowls of it!

Grace continued to dance her heart out for us!!  She made an observation that I found astute.  She told her Dad...This house is not to big and not to small and there is room for everyone.   I like to think she was feeling cozy.

David and Grace found his hand-print when he was 5 years old, on our old 1976 Homer fireplace hearth we made. Jeanee had it shipped to us for our big anniversary celebration at McCall.  It was tender for me to see Dave with his daughter, reliving those long ago memories.  Anything you have in your house over a long period of time becomes a part of your child's history if they grow up with it and it will mean a lot to them.  This is just hand poured cement with our hand-prints.  we had gone to the Spit and picked river rock and had a wild FHE doing something with no experience but a fun time.  Somehow or other it needs to be featured.  Terry thought I wanted it plopped into the gravel.  Now I'm nervous it will fall apart!  some creativity is needed.  Soon.

 Our family is spread out over years and years.  Kipper was 13 when David was born.  He used to sneak the baby out of his crib and sleep with him as he wanted him to know he was loved by his older brother.  How time flies.  Here Kip is showing him something on his computer.

Plan on your memory making.  IF I'd known then what I know now-- I would have really plotted and planned!!!  Mine is more or less happenstance.  I'm so glad that there were enough repeat patterns, of some rather commonplace events, that there are some things that survived and make for great rekindling of family love when re-enacted.

Sentimental Evening...

Another great day of moving ahead.  Both of us are really progressing.  I still nap at unexpected times but not for very long.  I feel strength coming into me and I appreciate that fact.  Kindness from others has it's own healing power.

David cooked us a fantastic salmon dinner with his own original recipe.  So good!  Used fresh spinach.  Then he felt the need to build a roaring fire and it was tolerable if I opened the back door!  It felt relaxing and reminded him of his childhood.  that is what counts.

So again...2 sons, 2 grandchildren for a family dinner.  So nice.

I'm thinking of you and hoping you are making enough memories that it will be pleasant for adult children to take a step back in time and feel those feelings again.  Eat dinner together as many times a week as you can.  You won't regret it.

Kipper is a fun Uncle and he and Grace had an art class that turned into a competition that will be judged.  By me!

Chef David

wrapping foil packets

butter pat slicer--Gracie

the seal is opened

Wish I could let you smell/taste this!!

ready to start the art contest

Artists at work!!!

David was missing his childhood!!  HOT fire!

He had wood to last for several fires!

David loves his Dad and vice versa!!

Moving Ahead a bit!!!!

Terry: will have his gall bladder removed on the 17th of April.  Pre-op appointment on the 10th.  Soonest available appointment.  That is fine as he is not hurting and is gaining strength.

Me: x-ray comparison shows my innards are looking good.  another stint at taking it easy, resting when tired etc.  I'm feeling so much better.  just still a bit wiped out!  Will have one more follow up appointment.

I think we can manage our lives again!!

Huge energizer today.  5am.  David, Grace and Sam pretty much of a surprise arrival from Utah!  Had a wonderful family dinner tonight.  I think there is nothing that opens up & draws a family closer, than a home cooked dinner.  Is it nostalgia or what?  All I know is the most fun relaxed times and great conversations occur at a simple pot roast meal with the trimmings. Terry was chef!!  I could feel the love and the energy.  Beautiful!!

Terry is reading how to cook a frozen pie for dessert.  Cherry.  turned out so good!

Kipper-Sam-Terry-Grace-David

Best medicine....Grace our little dancer!!

Sam absorbing after dinner stories from Uncle Kip

What a marvelous day!!  What a beautiful time of year to heal!!!  Couldn't ask for more!!

Did I thank you today for your love, thoughtfulness, prayers, service, food, flowers, cards and everything that you have so generously given????  I didn't???  Well, THANK YOU!!!  Could not have made it without each of you caring and showing us kindness in abundance!!!  xoxoxox

Putt Putt

Well, I don't have the steam I thought I would today but I'm better! 

Tomorrow will tell the tale of x-ray.  I hope it is a real progress report.

I have to come to grips with this feminist movement wanting the Priesthood.  Maybe I'm feverish in that I want to shake them by the shoulders and get in their face and say...Stop It!!!  I'll think on that while I'm sort of down for the count.

Catching Up.....

To go 14 days without even clicking on my blog, now that is a long stretch for me without a peep.   Here is why....

His & Hers Hospital bands--separate hospitals!!

This was taken the day we both got released and were home!  Terry said it was the most unromantic thing he's heard of.  Two people married for such a long time, hospitalized in different hospitals on same day.  What if one of us had died?  He felt it lacked romance if we weren't in same place.  Well, neither of us died (I did feel like I might!!), we are both home mending and healing, so romance is in the air again as far as Terry is concerned.  Silly goose!  Relief and thankfulness is what I'm breathing in!

His Journey:  5 weeks of confusion and pain...tests/canceled tests...conflicting reports...me having 2 less than nice meltdowns with authorities.  Everything leveled out when they did a Sprint Procedure on him and removed gallboulders (according to the surgery).  Now he has an appointment/consult, on Tuesday, with a surgeon- to decide if he keeps, or parts company, with his gall bladder.  He is now able to eat without bringing on an attack.  He was on mostly self-starvation/terrified to eat regime.  Hopefully he will gain back some pounds or remember to wear his belt.  Maybe revert to suspenders.  I was wiped out and he was trying to help me, leaned over bed towards me and his pants fell off.  Couldn't help but laugh. 

blessings.  Terry had 3 different sets of men Administered to him over that time period.  How we love those men.  Bob and his son, John.  Our HT former Bishop Cliff brought our Stake President.  3rd set was Father/Son duo of Fletcher and his son Terry.  Actually I got a comfort blessing each time also.  3rd blessing was in the hospital.  They administered to me and then came to house and administered to Terry before he went into hospital.  Heather was there also.  I appreciated her added faith.

I love this part of the Gospel--healing powers are on the earth through restoration of Priesthood.  I totally believe in that power.  I knew the Lords will would prevail.  And it did. I had complete confidence in all 6 of those men.  I felt they understood the power they had to help us beyond ourselves.

I thought of my Grandson Lance on his Mission and knew he would give me a blessing if he were here along with his Dad, our Greg.

There is something so magnificent when you are to sick to barely think, and then that thinking is skewed to boot, to feel love and kindness and caring from friends.  To know your name is on prayer rolls, that family is praying, that friends are praying and that we all know that the Lord is in charge.  I felt enveloped by the love.  I could feel it.

I'm thankful that I have worked to understand how the Gospel works and how I can have it work in my life.  I didn't doubt that I could be made well IF it was the right thing.  At that point I felt I'd be blessed to survive the happenings.

I'd been diagnosed with bronchitis and was on Rx but I was getting worse.  So weak.  Struggling with-- am I really getting worse etc. etc. and was told with certainty, by that source we all know of...you are extremely sick. go to the hospital.  That propelled me out of bed.  Startled Terry as I went to living room and told Terry I needed to go etc.  Called our son and he took over care of his Dad.

Me?  I called St. Carol the Beneficent.  Do all wards have Saint Carol's?  Our very own Ward Mother Theresa?  She who goes about doing good for everyone who falls under her shadow?  Does your Ward have her twin or is she just solely for our blessing?  She totally took charge and I was so thankful as I was capable of zilch at that point.  She sat there in a small room at emergency for a couple of hours or longer, breathing in all the germs that had been deemed highly contagious.  She refused a mask and declared that she wouldn't get anything.  Must be a part of her Teflon coated respiratory system!

I went to a small nearby hospital, Carol's choice, that actually has a bad reputation.  Little personal horror stories abound.  When I was ready to leave, the last respiratory therapist gave me my last treatment and  boldy stated--they had a bad reputation and she hoped that I would tell others that I had good care.  They did take good care of me.

Admittedly I am not a hospital visitor type.  I think people are in a hospital because they are to sick to stay home.  They need help beyond themselves.  They have germs.  I did find that personnel seem to each have their own interpretation of what ...private room/isolation/highly contagious mean.  droplets precaution was posted on my door Stop sign.  There were gloves and masks available at that point.  Should they all wear masks?  Were they suppose to wash their hands when they entered my room, when they left my room?  I wondered.  Each time a different person would put a clip on my finger to check my oxygen level, I would wonder...how many other fingers have used this?  where have those fingers been?  Remember, I'm not even patient with people coming to Church, knowing full well they are sick but just can't bear to miss partaking of the Sacrament, so you can imagine my evil eye scanning for germ congregations in a hospital!!!

In my somewhat dazed state, I just went on faith and looking up at the multiplicity of powerful hanging antibiotic drip bags scheduled to be unleashed at their appointed time, I did feel protected.

True, I did wonder about these socks which I wore from the get go.  They are so I wouldn't fall when I got up.  They had no slide to them at all.  I would get up, make a quick trip across the room and head back to bed.  Who all got into that bed with me???  Nurses on their rounds stood on my pathway!  I just figured that yellow was a happy color and I'd relax- bugs or no bugs.

Daffodil yellow socks.  Cheery.

I got a kick out of a sign that was taped up...

The cameras are a part of our Falls Prevention Program.

Currently that are not in use.

I realized that I have no idea how today's healthcare system works.  I had never heard of a Hospitalist.  No wonder people go to Emergency rooms.  There are actual Doctors there.  There is no run around or come back tomorrow.  They stay on task and get you taken care of.  My Hospitalist with the Apogee Physicians was a wonderful young MD named Dr. Chen.  He consulted with a pharmacist and laid out a heavy duty Rx program for me.  Between him, marvelous head nurses for each shift, & respiratory therapists that knew their stuff-- I felt in excellent hands.

(Later I wondered if that is what Abby's hubby does...organize Hospitalists?  Will have to check on that.)

There were a few times that I felt in my own world with a myriad of "TV screens" on the ceiling and I would choose what to view.  So I watched Rick Steves on his Spain tour.  Saw Mt. Rushmore with smoke coming from all nostrils and a reader board sign scrolling underneath that read...Our Country has gone to pot.

I thought - I hope this doesn't get real scary.  Then saw a graveyard but it was only Michael Jackson with his dancers.

Opened my eyes and it was gone.  closed my eyes and it was there.  Asked Nurse about it and decided to keep my eyes open!  For the most part I did.  Jolted myself awake when I asked out loud...Terry do you see that?

I started thinking about the wonder of the Gospel and how incredible to belong to The Church.  A Church based totally on kindness, care, service, giving, loving.  A group of compassionate people that do their best to help each other as they stumble on the path of life.  Whether that stumble be lifestyle or poor health.  I could feel the power of that care.  It warmed my heart. Made me feel safe and secure.  What a wonderful feeling.

As things progressed, in what seemed slow motion but was actually lightening speed, we were both back home.

I loved the planning of things nutrition as seasoned RS women do.  Of what to fix to convince Terry he could eat and not suffer pain.  Joan, is the cook of the century, in what works to entice people to eat when they are afraid.  Her chicken noodle dish gave him courage.  

We have been served such superb food.  So appreciated and enjoyed.  Restorative!

Each person helps in their own way and it's all so welcomed and so needed and appreciated. 

A friend told me she was bringing some chocolate over for me to stash.  I self-righteously said...I gave up chocolate.  I'm not eating it anymore.  She questioned how long I was oxygen deprived and hoped my brain damage would equal out and get normal.  That was enough to bring me full circle to my life being on the edge of healing, & normalcy for me.  My gifted comfort food is tucked away in one of those clean drawers.

tucked in the corner.  Okay.  hidden in the corner!

my stash!

Then I read this....

Theobromine, a chemical found in cocoa, may relieve coughs. A study from the Imperial College London found that theobromine was better than codeine (active ingredient in many cough medicines) at reducing coughing. Theobromine may even relieve asthma since it relaxes muscles in the throat.

 (With pneumonia you want to cough but this definitely shows the medicinal value of chocolate!)

Okay.  Way to much trivia but now you are all caught up on our life.  Terry goes in to see if he needs his gall bladder removed.  I go in to have blood work done and my lungs x-rayed.  Will find out future activity etc.  By Thursday we should be all settled in.  

Now...on with life!! 

Go away!! Form your own Church!!!

I so wish they would form their own Church.  Find some disgruntled LDS men that have been ex'd.  Get themselves ordained.  build their own Temples/meeting houses etc. and LEAVE MY OLDTIME RELIGION ALONE!!!

I'm an 11th Article of Faith believer.  Go do what you want.  How you want.  BUT leave my religion as it is.  I love it just the way it is.


This will never end as they won't be satisfied with just spitting on the face of tradition and mocking Priesthood Leadership.

Go do your own thing.  I don't want to change.  The authorities will change what they please and they don't need me bossing them around.  Nor do they need you.  Back off!!!

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/files/Ordain-Women-Memo-from-LDS-Public-Affairs--PDF-/Ordain-Women-Memo-From-LDS-Public-Affairs.pdf

I can't believe how many times I've blogged about this and it just keeps rearing it's ugly head!!!

Still amongst the living!

Just wanted to say hi and I will post tomorrow and bring things up to date on Terry and I and then??? ....enough of that sort of talk and on to all the thoughts tumbling around in my mind!

I've missed you!

We are going to be fine.  Healing and mending in full motion as I write!

Oh, and....Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Merry-go-round rider.

So there I am on my pony, called Life, and going around in circles.  Reaching for the brass ring and missing it over and over and over.  Finally having an explosive outburst and yanking that blasted ring.  You hear of people having road rage with cars careening and speed limits exceeded.  At least they are moving!!!  Merry-go-rounds just endlessly circle, repeating same up and down rhythm as the circling never breaks the cycle, the same song over and over and over.  And over!!!!

Enough!!!!

My behavior ended up less than nice.  I did not conduct myself in the nicest of ways!

Here is what I sent my children....

Dad saw his Dr. yesterday. He is referring him out to a surgeon but the surgeon wants to talk with him, may do an upper GI. He is not your typical gall bladder patient (whatever that means!). They did a blood test yesterday to check his pancreas. His liver is a bit swollen. I'm very impatient and conducted myself less than nice over all the dinking around. slowly (my terminology) things are moving ahead (slow as watching grass grow!) It only took two verbal tantrums on my part to even make that much inching ahead a reality. Anyhow...I will keep you posted.

Have  you seen that Aspen Dental commercial?  That is how I felt!  

I felt like I was saying...your office said my husband needs surgery and he needs to see the Dr.   

and then the receptionist says...surgery? yes!  Dr.? no.  

 I say...he needs to talk to the Dr. about what the tests revealed and talk about whatever this surgery is.  we don't know.  He hasn't seen the Dr. since the first test.  We need to know what is going on.  

she basically says...surgery? Yes!  Dr.? No.  

PingPonging for what seemed forever!!  Merry-go-round melt down!!!

I say...he needs to get in to see the Dr.  we need an appointment.  this has gone on to long.  we don't even know what either of the test results were and now we here surgery is needed/scheduled.  

She says...Surgery? Yes!  Dr.? No.

You get the picture.

Then she says...I can schedule him for the 27th.  

Me...the 27th???  what on earth are you thinking???!!! he needs to see him TODAY!!! 

then it was back to...Surgery? Yes!  Dr.? No.

long story short. 

he forgot to put his hearing aids in and wanted me to go in with him.  I was not fit to be civil to anyone and yet I knew I needed to go.  So we get into the room.  BP taken. and she turns to him and says...Why are you here today?  The little fireworks growing from sparklers in my brain to a 4th of July display start igniting.  Yes, I see you were referred out to a surgeon but why are you here?  me "explaining".  Terry, quietly patting my hand, shaking his head no-no...Uh, honey.  I realize that I'm in way to deep emotionally and so plain old mad, that I say so, in front of the nurse, and tell him I'm leaving the room.  He says--oh, no, honey.  stay.  His eyes, sparkling with relief that I wanted to exit, let me know that he was not sincere in wanting me to stay!  I reminded him he couldn't hear, said good luck!, and theatrically (I'm certain of that!) exited stage left!

I did try to be nice when I came in and asked the receptionist if she was the one I'd been rude to earlier and she smilingly said no, that would be the call center staff.  I was relieved by that fact.

Oh, no sense in telling any more details.  when you err aren't you suppose to repent, let it go, and move on?  Doesn't merit retelling.  I'd barely recovered from the last time that I said I would not leave the clinic until someone told me about his test.  Is that a sit-in?  might I have been ushered out by security?

I received a beautiful note of love from a friend.  I told Terry that it made me so nervous.  Being a co-dependent (ever in recovery!!  one emotion away from crashing) you feel if they really knew me, I mean really knew me, then they wouldn't even like me!

Terry was comforting in a total male way...don't worry.  They see the real you through your blog so no one is fooled.  you have to love the guy for trying to make me feel better!  

So I finally repented last night before bed or I knew I couldn't sleep and I knew that I was much less than what I should have been.  Yes.  I needed to take action.  but the battle gear?  Not needed.  Not necessary.  should have just stuck to my guns, stayed calm and persistent.  Even in being endlessly given the run around, I should have been more patient.

After all it's only been since Feb. 10th!!! 

Still have ill will rumbling in my soul?  Methinks so!! 

And listen, you have a great day!  okay?

by 9am I will have let this totally go.  I will have worked my way through this. My self-imposed deadline.   

 

 

you are patient

and I really appreciate that fact.  It's irritating to follow a blog and then have the blogger be a flake!  I do not pride myself on that fact!  I like M-F and have it be posted early morning.  That being said...sorry I didn't keep my own standards.

I read something about a month ago and I just keep thinking about it.  I just enjoyed the thought so much that I want to share it this morning....

excerpt from 1963 CR by President David O. McKay...

    What that Statue of Liberty has symbolized to the oppressed and downtrodden of Europe, the gospel of Jesus Christ is to the world.

  The Restored gospel, the Church, has reared an Ensign to the nations...and invites the world to peace, to rest, to contentment.

 
Still on de-junk but hit a bit of a roadblock.  Taking care of hubby.  Now why on earth a grown man, capable in so many ways, would make me think he needs any sort of tending is beyond me.  Waiting to hear what they want to do about his gall bladder problem.  Still.  Resistance is low and he ends up with a bad head cold (you mean there are some good ones?)  Germ laden from hacking and such and then he hugs me!!  Acky!!!  I must have breathed deeply as this morning I to feel that cold coming on.  We have this great OTC medicine Sambucol and I'm having confidence it will do it's thing!  I don't think it helped things that Terry left the couch and climbed into bed last night.   I must have inhaled a truckload of invisible gremlins.  Funny how you grow older and get to be a fuss budget of sorts.  As a Mother, when my children were young, especially small enough to snuggle, I never gave any of that sort of thing a thought.  Many a child was made well by me rocking them and holding them close and kissing them.

Have a wonderful day!