Truth!

True!

Memorial Day...

from a past post.... here 

True!

Staycation!!

Just a heads up...I may be sort of more off than on with my blog.  We are going to take a break from our usual daily life and just pretend we are gone.  Whereto?...wherever our minds take us!  A one week staycation is what we gifted ourselves.  I'll be back here in 7 days. The 30th.  New readers...maybe take a peek at some archive things?

Thinking of not looking at FB.  What do they call it...off the grid (or is that wilderness living?) or no devices (we don't own a cell phone so how much more off can you get?)

Back here soon!!!

MyLife...

Recently I posted about not judging.  Actually a couple of them.  Remember this one?  here

Saturday I went to the Temple.  Terry really encourages me to go as he feels the blessings when I attend and feels it in our home.  I feel so blessed when I go.

I saw something that I'd never seen before in the appearance of some patrons.

When I got out of the car, I could see a couple of photographers, and a wedding party that was just moving from the front of the Temple.  I was in hopes that I'd still be able to see them when I got over there and up the steps.  I was in luck!  The bride and groom were so adorable.  He was dressed in a dark suit.  She had on a lace gown.  I love beautiful lace!  this was gorgeous lace....a modest form fitting dress with a flared bottom.  Her bridesmaids were dressed in that skin-flattering blush color and they had fascinators for head pieces. So fun!  Beautiful flowers in the perfect colors for all of the girls.  Was that a purple iris nestled in there?  Bridesmaids dresses were short dresses with no sleeves. Sort of halter top neckline?  Gorgeous bridal gown was also sleeveless and a deep v'd neckline.  They were a group of absolutely beautiful young adults.

I remembered that article and thought to myself...what am I feeling?  It was confusing to me, to have a sleeveless gown for your Temple wedding and your attendants.  Obviously this happens elsewhere and hence that article that I so enjoyed here. I wondered what her Mother felt.  I wondered about the shopping trip.  I wondered about the young women who admired her.  I wondered about other people in her life.  On this subject-I really did think that we all felt the same about sleeves on a Temple wedding dress.

I felt thankful I could see their beauty and also knew this was something that was not any of my business...including wondering how others felt about it!

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The Temple was packed and chairs were in the aisle.  My aisle seat put my line of vision on the first several rows of men.  Sitting side by side were two young men.  One was very fair skinned...blond hair and really, was he growing whiskers yet?  Had he even shaved once in his life?  The other was ruddy complexion with auburn hair.  His full beard was trimmed to about an inch or so.  His hair was pulled back and in a maybe 6"+ pony tail.

When I entered the Celestial Room, the auburn-ed hair young man, was standing alone by the only empty chair in the back.  I wanted to sit there and pray a bit so I headed over.  I told him that I was glad he was in the Temple because the Church needs strong young men.  I also told him that his Mother would be so happy that he was in the Temple.  He had a beautiful smile and I felt protective towards him.

My protective feelings surfaced because of hoping/praying that someday my son, with tattoos, will go to the Temple.  I don't want him judged in any way.

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Well, there you go.  The times they are a changin' and that is the truth.  I thought about this Temple experience on my hour drive home.

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(Below--I didn't post this before.  I wrote it when I posted that not judging etc. post.  then I backed out of sharing.  I want to share it now)

I know of Mothers that strive to protect their inactive children for fear of them being judged and rejected by faithful members of the Church.  It's a harsh reality.  I am familiar with that scenario.  Unfortunate but it is a part of my life and others also. That article by a YSA Bishop really hit home and his observation and counsel is right on target.

One of my son's live in Utah.  He is not active.  He is caught up in some of the lies in Church History  and all of that.  He told me a couple of weeks ago that he mentions me in conversation and tells people that I love him unconditionally and it can be done.  I assume he meant active parents can truly love their inactive/against the Church children.  Lots of struggles, with heartbreak/heartache... with children against Church and parents against children.  

True...I do love him.  also true...I don't want him judged in any way shape or form.  I have to learn to trust Church people more and assume they will love him also.  That does not always happen.  So I'm leery.

He posted a picture on FB, from a family reunion several years ago, and for some reason it really touched me.  I'm not sure if it was the stark contrast of the two of us watching our family, on the lake at McCall, at our family reunion or if it was the simple sentence he wrote.

Unconditional Love...  Nancy Seljestad.... you're the best! Happy Mother's Day!!! I love you. oxoxo

Years ago his sister took a picture of Terry's flexed-arm/hand-holding his Grandfathers wrench.  Dave loved that picture and has one framed and hanging in his home.  He also had it tattooed on his chest, out of love of his Dad and wanting him close and to never forget him.  It is a gigantic tattoo. Yes.  I was stunned.  Yet I'm still Mama Bear to my cub!

Is this creative???

Breaking News: Amid gasps from the crowd, Jean-Michel Basquiat's painting of a skull sold for $110.5 million at auction, a record for an American artist 

read about the painting/the artist/the auction here  There is a sidebar, to the article, that tells why it's so valuable!

perhaps I have absolutely no class...no taste...no creativity BUT, for me--this is ridiculous!  Am I such a simpleton that I just don't see what makes it worthy of such a high price?  Maybe so!  If you love it...not trying to be rude with my opinion!

Elder Uchtdorf's counsel shed light about being happy and being creative.... here  I love his take on women/creativity/happiness.  When I read his words...I feel happy!  Enjoy!

Yes!

Don't you think that both of these memes fit perfect with the posts of the last two days!

Inspired message!!!

I saw this article last night and it goes along with what I posted yesterday.  this one is about adults judging others.  He really nails it...even talks about people judging as to whether someone is wearing their garments or not!  He covers it all!!

Do not miss the opportunity to be enlightened and taught about not judging to quickly..... here

Perhaps the best thing I've ever read on not judging!!!

puzzle piece-found!

I really enjoy teaching my Laurels.  It's not like teaching them every week...1st Sunday is YW Presidency, introducing the monthly theme, and then I get to teach other weeks unless there are other things like Conferences etc.  The girls are suppose to be teaching also.  I'm really weak in that area!  I seem to feel I need to help them get ready to launch out into the real world.  Away from home and family and all that is familiar.  Feeling the need to pack a little bag of tidbits of info to help them traverse beginning adulthood.  I need to let them teach more!

That being said...yesterday I loved the lesson because I saw it register as they learned something they'd not thought of before.  It was a lesson prompted by the Spirit so that made it even more exciting to me.  The months theme is.... Prophets and Revelation.  the theme had no bearing in preparation of what I taught but after it was said and done, it was right with the theme.

sometimes YW are bothered by the fact that some LDS girls really get away with things...they fool everyone...if people only knew what she is really like...she drinks/parties/wears strapless clothes/has a steady boyfriend/swears/short skirts/not even 16 and she is dating!... and on and on.  They think it's unfair that they are never held accountable...no punishment/penalty.  They attend Church/take the sacrament etc. etc.

This escalates to gossip/backbiting/judging/confusion and all sorts of nasty behavior on the good girls part.

Why can't they just mind their own business?  Why do they say this stuff?

Even in telling them it's not right to judge etc., the it isn't fair line comes up.  The bads mingle with the goods and all are treated the same.

The things I mentioned aren't hard core things but enough to agitate others.  Yes, there are some hard core things they see not just with members but school peers also.  And they all seem so HAPPY!!  They don't seem bothered in the least by not CTR-ing.  How can they act that way!

Then one day it really hit me.  Instant gratification!!  Today's teens live in a world of that belief.  NOW.  they want quick actions...reward or punishment.  NOW!

Recently the power went out in our area and our son was here when that happened.  He took out his phone, asked a question and immediately he got the answer of what was going on and heard that 615 places were without power and all sorts of other info. Instantly.

Righteous Rewards or Deserved Punishments...both given from choice of actions will never come swiftly.  The good or the bad.  They both take time and sometimes a lot of time before the harvest of the fruit, be it bitter or sweet.

These girls want instantaneous results.  Not going to happen!  I don't say a prayer and the answer is there at my Amen.  Likewise, I might have a bad habit for a long time, that I choose to indulge and enjoy and hang onto, with no negative result for ages but yes it will come.  A price will be paid.

I've been devouring the Presidents books for RS.  The missing link, the puzzle piece I needed was right in the manual about President Ezra Taft Benson!

First of all...doers of wrong choices will have joy in the moment!  I loved seeing light bulbs go off in minds as the dawning came.  President Benson taught....

In the meantime the wicked think they are getting away with something. The Book of Mormon teaches that the wicked “have joy in their works for a season, [but] by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return” (3 Nephi 27:11).

Of course they are happy and enjoying their misconduct...evil is tasty and addictive in some degree on all levels of sin.  "eat drink and be merry"  "a few stripes"  "call evil good"  etc. etc. BUT the day of reckoning will come!

What President Benson said, just sealed the deal in teaching a truth, if absorbed will help them all of their life!!  It clarified my feelings of finding something beyond "don't judge" and "the Lord looks to the heart" "Mind your own business".  Those were a couple of my favorites in trying to derail fault finding of others conduct and feeling they should be punished/reprimanded/exposed.

Maybe you want to do a FHE?  Or maybe I'm late coming to the dinner table and you already knew how to answer/solve this?  As adults don't we sometimes question-- how can other adults be so blessed when they blah blah blah on this this this and aren't doing such and such and such and such?  Now we know...it's none of our business.  We have to learn to love!!!!  As is!!  We are all enough at this very moment!!  ALL of us.

Uh-oh.  am I blowing bubbles?  Am I on my soapbox?  perhaps.  It was just so exciting to teach the girls.

President Benson was so BOLD & FRANK!  He said it like it was and it was clear! (read full chapter here.  It's just a short one.  enjoy it!!)  This was said in 1988 at April General Conference.

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God loves us; the devil hates us. God wants us to have a fulness of joy as He has. The devil wants us to be miserable as he is. God gives us commandments to bless us. The devil would have us break these commandments to curse us.

Daily, constantly, we choose by our desires, our thoughts, and our actions whether we want to be blessed or cursed, happy or miserable. One of the trials of life is that we do not usually receive immediately the full blessing for righteousness or the full cursing for wickedness. That it will come is certain, but ofttimes there is a waiting period that occurs, as was the case with Job and Joseph.

In the meantime the wicked think they are getting away with something. The Book of Mormon teaches that the wicked “have joy in their works for a season, [but] by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return” (3 Nephi 27:11).

During this testing time the righteous must continue to love God, trust in His promises, be patient, and be assured, as the poet said, that “who does God’s work will get God’s pay.” …

I testify to you that God’s pay is the best pay that this world or any other world knows anything about. And it comes in full abundance only to those who love the Lord and put Him first.

The great test of life is obedience to God.

The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it.

The great commandment of life is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30).

May God bless us to put the first commandment first and, as a result, reap peace in this life and eternal life with a fulness of joy in the life to come.

Happy Monday!

I hope your Mother's Day was wonderful in all aspects!

Yesterday for me was super as I heard from all of my kiddos and if you have children then you know that is important to a Mom.

Maybe some of you looked out the window and saw Popcorn Popping on a tree?  I glanced in the mirror and was shocked to see- a glimpse of my Mother looking at me!  How does this sort of thing happen?  We age and we morph into past generations?  I also saw a little peek of Dixie.  Maybe because.....

 so I no longer feel guilty or hear her nagging me and threatening to take back those silver earrings!  Plus I moved ahead in the improve my appearance campaign and stop being so casual lazy!  I didn't chop my hair.  I polished my nails.  I have small pearl earrings.  Itty bitty dots.  appropriate for the Temple was my thinking.  Anyhow moving ahead.

Yesterday my mind and heart was so full about Mothering and feeling that all women have Mother hearts whether they end up in life actually having children or not, they still Mother many.  That fierce desire to have children, in most women, is like a powerful storm force.  It's an anxiousness that just consumes a woman at a certain time period in her life.  Eventually, believe it or not, that desire to have a baby does subside.  You become rather like a needy newborn yourself.  Dependent at times on others for the simplicity, the necessities of life.  A thankful recipient.

I am well past the pleading prayers and tearfulness of desiring a baby in the house.  I baby my hubby now and am practical enough to realize that even a puppy is a newborn on many levels and never grows out of that phase.  It's not a phase.  It's a dog's lot in life.  I love and enjoy our 2 Grand-pups!

To all things there truly is a season.  Reason in each season needs to be prayerfully thought out.  Years ago, in Homer, I remember a RS lesson in our Branch.  It was about raising children. A beautiful older woman, a convert of not to many years, along with her husband, shared her insight.  She and her husband were successful in their careers and she told that early on they had decided to never have children.  Feeling the children would not receive the care they needed because they wanted to focus on their careers.  She said, at that stage of her retirement years, that she regretted that decision and if she could do it again, she would have children.  She said they are now totally alone...no family beyond the two of them.  No grandchildren.  She encouraged the women to be Mothers.

I'm sure by now they are both long gone but I've always remembered her comments.  She also encouraged the women to not delay having children because sometimes in waiting things don't work out. It was interesting hearing her take on life and remains in my mind even today.  I remember the sadness of her comments.

I admire those that choose to have children.  I also admire those that won't have that opportunity.  We can all still Mother.  We can Mother well past those years of child-bearing and we can Mother-assist child-rearing women.  We can Mother whether someone calls us by that title of not!

Our daughter shared that after her twins were born the nurse brought in papers for her to fill out.  On the blank requesting Mother's Name, she wrote my name.  The nurse told her...oh, no honey.  You're Mother now.

Thought you would enjoy this... The Birth of a Mother...NY Times....here

and wanted to share my roses with you!

(to you...several new readers...thanks for reading my blog.  I aim at M-F posts.  If I miss?  It's not forever and I will return!)

Weekend reading...

  This is interesting and something to really think about!  Relax and absorb and see if you want to incorporate any of this into your life or maybe you will find you already are!  .... 50 ways to live on your own terms....  here 

Bravo!!!

Remember how judgmental I was about Beauty and the Beast?   here

later I read what a Mom that took her children to the movie felt about it.  I really liked this.  She shared great insights in how she taught her children about the movie.

Guess movies and plays and show biz are on my mind because Jeanee and the girls are in NYC to see Anastasia.  Jeanee's long time friend Janet, from her CruiseShipHostess days, is in the play.  I think she is the understudy for the Grandma....also in ensemble scenes.  I look forward to hearing about them going backstage and seeing pictures.

Cassie...Tori...Jeanee

I love this truly 100% honest reaction to having a star give a greeting of kisses and a hug!!

Tori!

What a memory!! (Cassie)




such excitement!!  (With Ramin Karimloo)

Backstage with Janet looking at costumes

Feeling thankful

I'm still enjoying just thinking about what I know to be Gospel Truths.  Still enjoying the fact that I ended up on earth in The Last Days.  When I joined the Church, eons ago, there was always someone that would mention we were in The Last Days.  I took this to mean that the world as we know it might end tomorrow in some big burning.  I would hear people talk about paying your fire insurance and the topic would change to the merits of tithing.  This sort of talk always left me feeling less than uplifted as if a sense of foreboding hung in the air.  It left a scary feeling as people talked. Gloom and doom!

I have come to look on The Last Days with gratitude...amazement and yes, even joy plus fascination and curiosity in watching as things unfold!  I'm so thankful that my earth day assignment is now!  The entirety of the Gospel is here!  It has been restored and it's not going to be wiped out as in other times.  It's here for the duration.  The Last Days signify to me that time is winding down, prophecies being fulfilled as foretold, and I'm here to see so much and do so much.

I find it fascinating to watch, even though there is such evil/darkness around.  I love seeing the Gospel light shine brighter.  We are going to be able to help so many people find peace!  Remember in Isaiah where it tells that people will even say..let's go up to Zion.  for peace.  (bad me for not looking up scripture reference and saying it as is, instead of as felt!)

These words of President Hinckley in April General Conference really touched me.  I loved hearing the words I made bold.

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Do we really comprehend, do we understand the tremendous significance of that which we have? This is the summation of the generations of man, the concluding chapter in the entire panorama of the human experience.

We of this generation are the end harvest of all that has gone before. It is not enough to simply be known as a member of this Church. A solemn obligation rests upon us. Let us face it and work at it. 

We must live as true followers of the Christ, with charity toward all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us.

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I find it amazing to be here at this time in the earth's existence.  Thankful.  For sure!  I like the fact that you & I are strong enough to be born in the end harvest and accomplish our individual responsibilities in this winding up scene!  We can do this!

President Hinckley's quotes are from the RS Manual... here

I blogged a bit about how exciting I find the last days... here

Still birthday-ing!

It just seems like I keep feeling all celebratory!!  The granddaughters graduating from College and then surprise, surprise birthday notes keep coming in on FB!  I find it touching my heart deeply.

I heard from my friend since 6th grade (or is it 7th?)...from my friend that is oldest age wise (83?)...and then an assortment of all ages...cards made with love by 7 year old Brooklyn that sits with me at Church from time to time and then my Laurels and then all ages.  A huge assortment of ages!  I love every single person that remembered me whether it was FaceBook or any other form...I enjoyed it and appreciated it.

I thought a lot about memories that I have with each of the people.  At some time we shared a segment of life...maybe it was a hard time or a sad time or a happy time or an adventure of some sort...somehow or other we were involved in each others lives.  Involved in such a way that, even now, we are connected when we think of that specific shared special time.  There have been shared tears and always laughter enters in.  If I never ever had another birthday greeting for all of the years to come...I could relive these sentiments and feel so loved.  So complete.  So happy.

These associations are the blessing of active Gospel membership.  Somehow or other, with probably one exception, these are people that our lives are intertwined thorough Church association.  We have most likely served together in some Church auxiliary or served each other in some way and that has linked us for always!  We have some sort of specific unique bond and it makes us both happy and grateful to think about it!

I love these friends from past-times and now-times and you know I love you readers too.  You have become my friends too.  We too have a heart connection.

It's been a sweet birthday!  Very sweet!

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I determined to get my ears pierced on Monday.  I went into Yakima to get the deed done!  Did I do it???  NO!  I decided to see if I could find a couple of more new tops.  So...I shopped.  No ear-holes! 

I've now moved it to Wednesday!  I am such a coward.  I had them pierced years and years ago and then one got sore and nasty and I just stopped wearing earrings and they sealed over.  

I'm really trying to pick up my self-care a notch and that is on my list.  I figure if I keep my hair trimmed/styled regularly (not waiting until it's so long I do my pinking-shears butcher job)...get my ears pierced and at least wear earrings...keep my nails polished (which I sort of do that most of the time but I have been known to let pale colors stay on to long and to someone with good vision I'm sure it's pretty grim to look at with chipped polish at times)...get some new clothes (not hundreds of things.  just some new things.  I'm not a shopper.  I've told you before, my sister, Dixie, got that gene and it was on steroids!  She loved shopping!!)  Bless Dixie's sweet memory...she gave me all sorts of her clothes in the hopes I'd go glam.  Never happened plus she looked divine in black and really, it's not my thing, nor is her classic look, so some of sissy's things will go buh-bye.

Usually, just before I go some place, I think in frantic mode...what shall I wear?!  I usually arrive feeling so not together!  The reality being...I'm not together!  everyone else looks so together!  So I'm trying to get my own act together!  I want to be so together that I don't have to think about it.  I don't like that feeling of not feeling comfy in my clothing and appearance.  I want to dress myself, poke earrings in those almost there holes, and not think another minute about me!  My friends are all so savvy!  They always look so good in how they dress.  

My clothes aren't worn out with holes and frays but even with faded vision I can see that a lot of them are dingy and well worn.  to well-worn in some cases.   Even my tennis shoes have stitching popped on the toes.  Now that is pathetic!  Plus...who wears tennis shoes for shoe shoes?  I do.  I need to pick it up a notch.  Maybe several notches!  

So you can see that I used the excuse and easy out and shopped and I didn't do the earring mini-torture today.  I will though.  I will.

Enough on the fashion segment!

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A couple of more pictures of the girls graduation.  I'm still stunned to think of Jeanee sitting for two full programs and hearing those 3000 names read out loud!

Tassel explanation....
Green- college of health and public affairs...Tori- headed to grad school.  Pathologist???  I think.
Yellow- college of sciences-Cassie going to work at NASA & after 2 years will get her Masters?  I think. Maybe be accepted into the Masters program?
At this point they both have plans to get some more education.
I'm talking off the top of my head without clear facts.  sorry about that but it's just so exciting to me to see how hard they have worked for this.  They will be 21 in October.  20 years old.  wow!  I know formal college isn't for every young woman but it's so great when someone has that goal and does it!!

Tori/green tassel...Cassie/yellow tassel

Cassie

Tori

Birthday time!

Yesterday was my birthday and it was very nice.  On Saturday our son fixed a dinner and we played games afterwards.  I heard from all of my children....a daughter-in-law...some grandchildren and got a special necklace from my great-grand-daughter....Plus the YW sang Happy Birthday to me...and love notes from my Laurels...a little 7 year old sat by me and drew me all sorts of love notes...friends gave me cards...and phone calls...most surprising was the sweetest comments from people on Facebook.  I meant to tell my daughter to not put it out there and she had posted it.  I saw it in the afternoon.  I wonder...does FB just put that out there without asking?  It doesn't really matter because I enjoyed hearing from each person.  Friends that love me and friends that I love are right up there in the #1 slot of good feelings!!

I decided to celebrate by buying some new clothes (a couple of tops!) and getting my ears pieced again.  Finally.  My sister was bugging me for ages to get it done.  She even threatened to take back some earrings she gave me if I didn't get them redone.  It's been years!  I decided to make sure I did the deed before her one year death date arrives.

Did I follow through?  Partially.  I did go to the place, forgetting it was a Saturday/no school, slews of 8-10 year old girls holding onto their Mommy's hand.  The little girl in the chair looked terrified as the piercer prepared to shoot the lobe.  I asked the woman if she was the only clerk and she said yes. I said...I'll come back on Monday.  Truthfully, she was so on overload, I don't think she cared what I did.  Monday.  Yep.  I'm a gonna do it!!

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My mind is just jam packed with thoughts.  I'm just so happy on so many levels about so many things.  I want to share what I started about things that are the base for my testimony and I've not done that.  I started it but didn't get back to it.  I will though as it feels so good to have grown in testimony, and understanding of things I've studied for so long.

Figuring out the puzzle pieces of testimony takes a lot of work and erasing of misconceptions and recalculating and I find it the most exciting thing ever! To realize that you feel a certainty, for a bit of understanding something that you have pondered and studied.  simple things but complex.  Wasn't it fantastic when we were all taught about the error of "accessing the atonement"?  You have heard me say that for ages.  my desire to understand and access "the atonement".  Starting to read that one book about the atonement and not being able to get into it.  And then to learn the atonement is not a stand alone thing that we access.  It's not THE Atonement that we access...it is Christs atonement.  it is His atonement.  my life is blessed because of what He did in His atoning sacrifice.  It was like a combination lock that I had twisted and twirled for years, trying to get it to click.  No matter how hard I tried it would never unlock.  Now that understanding is unlocked.  Now I can get off of the wrong ladder and study and grow with relieving myself of feeling I must,  I need, to learn how to access The Atonement.  Does that even make sense?  I'm getting way ahead of myself but really it's been such an amazing thing.  I shared this before about that youth face to face with President Eyring and Elder Holland.  AMAZING!!  I'm still on that high!!  Now I can move forward with my quest!

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I'll simmer down and tell you that two of my granddaughters graduated from College yesterday!  Identical twins of my daughter.  One graduated in the morning and one in the afternoon.  I thought it was so wonderful that they each had their own graduation.  Today I talked to my daughter after they had finished with their open house for them.  She sounded so tired!  I told her how awesome it was that the girls got to attend each others graduation.

She agreed and then said...Momma, there were 1500 students in each graduation!  Each had music and speakers and I listened to 3000 individual names being read off!

I broke out laughing.  I never thought of that!  Who'd of thunk it?

They both graduated with honors!  such a fantastic accomplishment!

Pictures for your enjoyment.....

Tori...Jeanee...Cassie

Cassie's graduation-1500 graduates!

Tori's graduation-1500 graduates!

This is just a test.....

Are you in love with your phone?  There is a test in this New York Times article...take it and find out if you are!

    Take the phone test....here

I do not have a cell phone!  I'm a dinosaur!!  Every person that I know and love has a cell phone...well, adults do.  And practically every teen I know has one.  Even younger kiddos have them.

I see phones everywhere.  When people are visiting you see them lose interest in what is being said in conversation and doing what they must consider the invisible downward glance.  It's an interesting phenomena.

Last summer I remember the workers sorting cherries at the warehouse down the road were on a break.  They streamed out of the building, all decked out in their white head coverings and full length white aprons.  Most were wearing dark long sleeved sweat shirts and dark pants.  They were a large crowd...standing outdoors, heads bowed, arms crooked and hands holding their phones.  I was struck how they looked like penguins with their posture.  (I want to take a picture this year!)

Do you think you are addicted?  How on earth do you rein in your children?  Or is it just not a problem at all?

Shall we talk cellphones and teens at Church?  As a teacher...there are times I've asked them to put the phone away.

Technology is so wonderful and even though I'm not savvy...I do enjoy the benefits so much.

Full disclosure...I do have a little trac phone that I use for traveling.  I don't have the number memorized and right now it has no service.  I do think I need it as my hubby wants to make sure I'm not stranded without a phone and I feel the same way!!

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"Cookie Therapy"

Our life has been filled with ups and downs this last week as far as health issues and Dr. appointments and PT appointments and sleepless nights and pain.  It started to wear a bit thin emotionally around here.  I felt I needed to do something useful to stop feeling useless...as that is how I was feeling.

You know by now that I'm never feeling that I do as much as I should for others.  I'm always measuring myself and finding myself wanting.  I don't drop by homes for a visit or take goodies or any of those deeds that I see others doing...in what seems to me- a constant flow of giving/serving. True, there are private conversations but I'm not a food giver it seems.  Remember my bread give away attempt?  Then I stop making bread for some unexplainable reason.  True also...cooking seems to be a challenging chore and not some relaxing fun event for me at this point in my mortal trek.  Until....cookies!  PeanutButterCookies.  I told my SweetHubby I could share PB cookies!

This sounded like a great idea to him as he knows he will get munchies also!

So... I baked some PB Cookies from my ages old recipe.  Yummy!  And dropped some off and felt a warm fuzzy!  Not for the deed done but in a small way I let them know I was thinking of them.  Hopefully they felt that love.

"Cookie Therapy"--Maybe I've found something I can consistently do?  Please don't laugh.  You know I'm always trying!!

Sometimes when you decide to do something you find something, along the way, that you take as a confirmation you are on the right track...and that is what happened.  Ironic? Coincidence?  or Affirmation????  Did you remember this story, by Elder Stevenson, from Conference?  The article even has a picture of PeanutButter Cookies!!  It showed up the very next day!

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When we’re paralyzed by fear, disappointments, and just the wrongs that happen as a result of mortality, it’s easy to feel justified in focusing on ourselves.

But spiritual power to overcome fear doesn’t come in wallowing, self-pity, and inaction. It comes through action and often looking outside of yourself.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson shared a story of how his wife taught this principle while they were presiding over the Japan Nagoya Mission.

When missionaries would come to them filled with fear and doubts, Sister Stevenson would apply her “cookie therapy.”  She would give the missionaries ingredients to make cookies and the instruction to bake a batch every morning. Then, she told them to deliver the cookies each day to someone who needed them. As simple as the “cookie therapy” was, it worked wonders.

Elder Stevenson said very often, the act of thinking about someone else cured the missionary of his or her fears.

“The warm, golden glow that accompanies service and selflessness has the power to melt away doubts and fears.”

I got a kick out of this picture!  Just like me!

Going back to the optimistic counsel from President Hinckley:
It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is.
It all works out. Don’t worry. …
The Lord will not forsake us.
He will not forsake us.
If we will put our trust in Him,
if we will pray to Him,
if we will live worthy of His blessings,
He will hear our prayers.

God doesn’t want us to fail. Because of Jesus Christ, no failure is final. No fear in this mortal life need paralyze us. Faith can overcome fear. And if we trust that it does, we can move forward knowing that in the end, “it will all work out.”   

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Why It Will All Work Out -- link here

wisdom!

So easy to NOT do this!!  Why, oh why, do I ignore that first prompting???

Truth!!!!

Enjoy today!

All of my fine plans for painting the porch--after sanding the porch...repairing the porch..power washing the old furniture before I painted it...sewing new cushions etc. etc.???--all bundled in a heap and tossed by the wayside!  Bought some gorgeous hanging baskets, put the old furniture back out (as always. as usual.) and will dust it off and call it okay.  Life will be over and I'll never sit on the porch this year if I don't just go with the flow!

I told you they were gorgeous!  Makes me happy to just look at them!!