Circling the Wagons

good Morning! Tomorrow is the big day and we embark on Conference binge!  I'm so looking forward to it.  I should say we, as we both are fans of seeing it as it happens.  Feeling privileged that we have no obligations other than readying ourselves with floor vacuumed and house presentable and food in readiness and a tablet for me if I feel to jot notes down.  Menu has changed from Lasagna to meatloaf.  Something that can just be eaten as it's prepared in advance.  Hubby wants vanilla ice cream also (always the adventurer in flavors!)

I'm expecting to hear lots about reaching out in more service and not judging folks and aligning ourselves more with the teachings of Christ.  Preparing ourselves without being preppers. Being in the world but not of the world.  Strength and power and protection of Gospel and inviting others to join us.  Living last days without fear. And angels and help beyond this sphere.  Oh, yes.  It's all been said over and over but this time there is an eagerness for General Conference.  I hear more people acknowledging they can hardly wait for tomorrow!

I wish they had the Women's talks available to read.  there is one line about service that I just loved.  I'll find it.

Probably, actually certainly is the correct word, for the fact that I feel I really lack in serving others.  I do my best, well, the best I can for Terry and I.  Trying to keep us going but I feel I lack serving helping others.  And...I know I can do something.

I've really been thinking and re-looking at the service the Savior gave.  The lessons I can learn.  Seeing how He made no excuses.  Knowing He would get so tired that He'd have to occasionally retreat to regenerate.  Noting how he didn't judge anyone for anything He just gave help.  He gave all in his power.

When refreshments ran low at the wedding party...He didn't say ...Why didn't you plan better?  Or when He told the story of the Good Samaritan who didn't say...You are in the wrong religion and I hate you. Instead, putting all prejudices aside he gave amazing service.

And the adulteress...by law could have been stoned to death and justice would have been served but instead ...let he who is without sin cast the first stone & go thy way and sin no more. 

The people in Lehi's dream...high in the building, suspended in the air, without a foundation will eventually fall and fail it's inhabitants and yet them laughing and making fun of and pointing fingers at others and judging them by how they are living and being.  Do I judge like that?  Thinking I'm a bit better for some odd reason when I am so extremely ordinary?  Do I disdain in ways?

And then the biggie...withholding kindness and service and rescuing because of judging...you brought this on yourself!  It's a natural consequence of your choices.  Financially or relationship wise or poor judgment or whatever.  You did this to yourself.  It's justice.  It's not for me to assist/aid you. To me this can be family/friends/strangers but it is prevalent in my mind that Christ would have me not judge but help if I can.

And to remember...if I sincerely want to help, and can't, that my heartfelt desires will be noted.  As Peter walking on the water remained upright when focused, laser-visioned, on Christ and sunk when he started looking about at the storms swirling around, so it is with me.

The charge is a simple one...feed/clothe/visit/love.  And do it without judgment of deciding worthiness of recipient.  I'll start with Visiting Teaching!!  and my family and friends and neighbors!

I'm thinking we will be reminded and strengthened by knowing the wagons are being circled Churchwise and we can be protected and strengthened by Stakes and Wards and Temples and that will flow into our homes.

Circling the Wagons

1- "...providing for defense from circumstances that seem overwhelming"

2- "...usually suggests a group of peoples have to work together to protect themselves from some kind

of external danger."

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115:5 Verily I say unto you all: ^aArise and shine forth, that thy ^blight may be a ^cstandard for the ^dnations;

6 And that the ^agathering together upon the land of ^bZion, and upon her ^cstakes, may be for a defense, and for a ^drefuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be ^epoured out without mixture upon the whole earth.

Isa 25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

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“Knowing what we know, and living as we are supposed to live, there really is no place, no excuse, for pessimism and despair. …

“I promise you in the name of the Lord whose servant I am that God will always protect and care for his people. We will have our difficulties the way every generation and people have had difficulties. But with the gospel of Jesus Christ, you have every hope and promise and reassurance. The Lord has power over his Saints and will always prepare places of peace, defense, and safety for his people. When we have faith in God we can hope for a better world—for us personally, and for all mankind.”

President Howard W. Hunter, “An Anchor to the Souls of Men,” Ensign,Oct. 1993, 70.

conference coming!

so much to say but I'm involved right now with Dr. things.  I keep trying to post but life is in the way right now.  I'll be back here hopefully by Thursday.
I've never heard so much excitement from people looking forward to General Conference.  I love it!!

Dinner/Pop/Manuscript

Our celebratory dinner last night, with our first son/first child, was delicious!  Steaks seared/baked in my old cast iron skillet and mushrooms browned to perfection...yumminess overload!  Other things served also but those two items were the winners in my estimation!

We then watched LaLa Land.  What a delightful and interesting and sweet and beautiful movie.  Terry and Kip ended up enjoying it, once the story line got going.  Cleverly written for sure!

One thing about aging, and really being so grown up that you just do what you want when you want to- I told you that we started watching Downton Abby together and we started really getting into more and more.  One day we decided to just wrap things up and finish it off.  We'd been binge watching off and on for days but on this day we just figured we'd do the rest of them and be done.  We figured we probably had two hours left so we started watching at 3pm.  We figured wrong on how much was left...we went to bed at 3am!  Totally irresponsible adults with the luxury of just doing it because we wanted to.  We weren't going to mention it but sharing it here isn't really sharing face to face is it?

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Today I will do an enjoyable short time watching the General Women's Conference as the beginning of General Conference.  We will binge watch all of Saturday and Sunday next week plus the extra's inbetween.  We can sit/stand/recline and help ourselves to Lasagna and salad and some sort of sweet nibbling.  I'm just so looking forward to the entire event tonight and next weekend!  Love it!

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In the late 1960's in Anchorage I was with a friend and we'd gone to some sort of an exercise club we'd joined, had a huge Atlas figure on top of building.  It had machines you could hook up to and jiggle yourself to pieces and real sauna's and all sorts of paraphernalia for helping us lose weight and get healthy. 

We left our session and went to a place for an ice-cold pop (ever healthy!).  She wanted rootbeer and I volunteered to go get our drinks.  When I came back to the car and handed her the foamy topped rootbeer, she looked at my placid dark drink with it's smooth surface and said...What are you drinking???  Happily I replied...Dr. Pepper!!   

Her reaction was as if I was drinking poison!  She informed me that Mormons do not  drink Dr. Pepper/it has caffeine/it violates the Word of Wisdom.  I was stunned/embarrassed/humiliated and confused BUT I did not drink it.  I loved my Dr. Pepper.  So much!!

Remember, I was new to the Church and it was hard to come into a Church that had so many do's and don'ts and rules and expectations of you.  Later of course I came to realize that she was out of line doctrinally and also in correcting me.

I have watched over the years the guilt that people suffer with drinking even Mountain Dew.  I do believe it's not smart for general health to drink pop but that is my own thing.  Will all those guilt-ridden folks feel some relief?  Probably.  I hope so.

Why am I mentioning this?...because of the new ruling at BYU-Utah... Coca-Cola products will now be sold! It's interesting to see the big stir and controversy over the decision.  60 years ago they banned it and now it's back.  One of the comments I read said...Dew what is right.  (article)

It seems to have garnered more comments and attention than this fact--anonymous donors recently paid $35 million dollars to buy the original Printers Manuscript of the Book of Mormon!!  A bargain even at that, as it's estimated current value is $50-$100 million!  This is a very crucial exciting piece of antiquity for The Church to have.  

Just seems like such a contrast and really, I shouldn't be comparing the 2 subjects but still I find it interesting in the attention and reaction to each.

Now of real interest, very important to me, will be the talks given today.   Let's you and I enjoy a dose of goodness in sisterhood!

60 years?! Really???-YES...Really!!

(I will find and share pictures later when that is fixed  for me to do so!)

Weathering the storms of life...together

Yesterday we sat and talked about our family celebration in July celebrating our long-lived marriage.  We talked about a lot of things...

-how thankful we are for each other and how thankful we are that we have weathered all the varied weather in our lives be it stormy or balmy or whatever and we are thankful that we still love each other.
-how amazing it is that two 18 year-olds could get married with no fear of anything and no plans for anything and all they had was wildly passionate love.  We didn't care about anyone else except us.  We loved to be together and like kids we loved to dance and go to movies and spend every minute together.  As long as we had each other we needed no one else!
-how we wanted a baby immediately and within 3 months a baby was on the way.  We adored this child!  We could not get enough of him.  We prepared all sorts of baby things for him.  Neither of us knew a thing about babies except that we loved babies and we wanted one of our own!  What a winner he was!!  and is!
-how wonderful to think we ended up with 5 children.  We thought they would all be the same kind of people like manufactured cookies and we were shocked to learn they were individuals and one of a kind.  We thought love was all that was needed and we'd just live happy ever after like all fairy tales!  Silly kids!  SillyUs not the actually kids!
-how we learned and how we love each of these marvelous people and their families!

We talked about changes we've seen and history we've witnessed in our time together...
-Alaska Statehood.  Fall of the Berlin Wall.  Fall of the Iron Curtain.  Assassination of President Kennedy & his brother Robert Kennedy & Martin Luther King & NYC Twin Towers & school shootings & on and on with horrors that we would never have imagined.  &&& etc.

We talked about our life in the Church.  The Church.  Joining the Church and all the problems that came into our life because of that decision.  Such division and rejection and yet such richness and joy and conviction of truth.  Our Church.  The binding faith that has held us together with the desire and hope of marriage forever!!

We talked about changes and advances for such greatness and goodness and the fact it is also used for evil in this incredible era of technology.  How wonderful to be in touch with the world happenings and to know of places and people that we previously had no knowledge of.

We talked about the last days and signs of the times and Church growth and how much we appreciate having access to all things Churchy on our computers.

We talked about the rush in today's world and how simple our children's lives were and how thankful we are for that isolation and in ways struggles with making a life as ill-prepared and un-prepared pioneers of sort.  We are so thankful for strength gained in our shared life experiences and how strong our children are...what hard workers they are.  Not a lazy one in the bunch!

We talked about thankfulness for our small old single-level home and that we can still hobble along and be independent on major life tasks.  We love where we are in life right now even though we have health issues, as our LifeExpiration date appears to not be, as once thought, indelible but is fading.  We have so much to be thankful for and kind and caring children, and also grandchildren, is a part of that good feeling.

We talked about our wedding and how neither of us remember planning anything.  All I knew was I wanted to be married on a Sunday, in a Church, in a white wedding gown.  We picked the prettiest Church in Anchorage.  It might have been the only Church!  We'd never gone to Church so it sounds rather superficial but really I think, in looking back, that even then I realized it meant a lot to me to have Church/God in my marriage.  I remember feeling young and awkward and wishing there weren't people in the Church for the wedding.  I was wishing it was just Terry and no one else there. My emotions must have shown on my face as I was standing there holding my Daddy's arm to go down the aisle and he looked at me and said...Honey, you don't have to do this if you don't want to.  

Terrified... but I went.  There have been times over the last 60 years that I have remembered that brief conversation and have seriously thought...should I have walked out the back door and not down the aisle?

Yesterday we also talked about things that only the two of us know about...times of great romantic passion that was wonderful in our remembering the specifics of times and places,  and times of great pain and heartache and grief we inflicted on each other... and we both agreed that we are so thankful that our love has endured.  We are grateful for each other.  Thankfully we endured and survived growing out of our teens to young adults to adults and now to aging swans!  

We are in love.  sigh.

Stuff

Sometimes my mind, my thoughts, feels like a logjam!  I think one thing and feel a surge to share that thought and then I don't and then it all piles up and I'm like a dam waiting to burst!!  And then it all breaks lose and washes away.  Unsaid.  Unspoken.

Ever trying.  I'm always trying!!  If carefully planned thought lists of accomplishments were indeed, the deed done, then I'd be amazing in what gets done.  Alas.  I'm a very mortal mortal!!

Always trying to play catch-up in most phases of my life.  In spite of all that I feel okay.

Well, most of the time!

Anyhow....

1- I'm so eager and excited for General Conference and am excited about Saturday and enjoy how General Woman's Conference is truly recognized as a part of next weekends General Conference.

2- I'm trying to get things sorted and organized and have made a lot of headway.  Living in a small place I have lots of crooks and crannies filled to overstuffed.  Still faced with hanging onto everything- just in case it might come in handy for a lesson!

Stuff- I have a friend that is 82 or so and she is moving from a large 2-story basemented home with land and garage and outbuildings and it houses years of things from raising her family there.  She has things that she loves, and enjoys being surrounded by, but aren't really being used.  She takes comfort and it creates a sort of sense of security with her old familiar things around her.  It has been overwhelming and very hard for her and on her to see these things leave her life. Almost a grieving.  Gentle in a way but I'd still term it a harshness.  A grieving but not of a person dying.  Almost like a part of her has left and she didn't want that to happen.

My Mother had things neatly organized in her home that were never used but there was some sort of sense of enjoyment in having them.  While visiting one time, I was putting up sheets and moved things in her linen closet to my liking.  A few days later she asked me where her pillowcases where and why they were moved.  The cases in question were old ones that her Mother had embroidered and she never used them.  She had them to the front.  I had moved them to the back.  I retrieved and handed them to her and she put them-- Here. Where they belong. Front and center.

As I've aged I see that there are folks, at least some of us, that enjoy the presence of our old stuff.  I saw that in my Mother and also my sister.  Dixie was totally aware that she was dying but she was sharp minded right up to her last breath.  I remember her questioning where a kitchen magnet was.  It was gone from her fridge.  She'd had it 20 years.  Who took it???  She wanted it back.  Now.  (I was glad I wasn't the culprit!)

I see that in Terry.  He sold a lot of his tools at retirement but kept a lot.  He will never use those tools again.  Never.  He knows that but he will look at those tools and will wonder where a certain tool is if he doesn't see it right off.  He has his beat-up tool box and his favorite seat on wheels and he enjoys those tools in just knowing they are there!  Our son-in-law got a kick out of Terry when he was here.  The smoke alarm needed changing.  The cover was missing!  He also needed a screwdriver.  In the seat of Terry's walker was the cover and also he has tools in there!  We all three had a laugh.  Ever the mechanic!

My friend Joan has so many cookbooks that she doesn't know the number.  Does she use them and cook endless meals?  No.  But she enjoys reading them and just seeing them and just knowing they are there.

I have fabric that has been culled and yet continues to stay stacked and ready to be used and sewn but instead is just enjoyed in it's neatness.  I have books and books.  Yes, I've culled them also but I have oodles and boodles of books.  I admit...I love my books.  I love the feel of holding a book and marking a book and I've read most of my books but I always have some that are brand new and awaiting me to open and enjoy them.

One of the blessings of my life is being able to live independently in this little house and keep as many familiar, comforting, memory-inviting things, as room allows or as I can tolerate stacked/piled! Stockpiled!

I'm trying to get things in enough order that I can manage to continue caring for the two of us... and life, as we know and enjoy, can keep on for many years to come.

Aren't you glad for your life?  Your own personal life with whatever challenges you face.  Aren't you thankful for the Gospel and it's truths?  The upcoming General Conference sessions that we can enjoy right in our own homes!!  What a miracle that is!  Aren't you glad you are you?  Warts and all?  I am.
Glad for you and glad for me and glad you are in my life.

3- Really.  I'm done visiting for today!  Enjoy today.  I will to!

Whew!!

It was a long night but she and her family survived!  Their home is intact!  They have had no flooding!  They with many other Floridians have no power and they knew that would happen.  Power lines in their neighborhood are underground so they don't have that danger to contend with.  They will go exploring their area and see what all has transpired and take pictures sometime today.

Terry was up for hours last night concerned about the power surge and it's impact on the ocean and consequently them.  It appears from the sketchy information that we have that they were not affected.

When I heard that it had traveled over them and they had survived intact, it just left me rubber legged!  I was in bed at 4am when she contacted me last and just stayed there like a sodden log!  When I finally pulled myself out of bed, an hour ago, my eyes looked goth-like with Sunday mascara smeared.  Plus my hair was standing on end like some punk rocker.  It was enough to startle me awake!!

When I walked out of the bedroom I was greeted by sunlight!!  Bliss!!  We have had fog-like smoke daily so it was most welcome to see sunlight!  It is still smoky but at least we are getting a little break.  Of course the hymn lyrics... There is Sunshine in my Soul...begged to be read!  #227

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Jeanee posted this note on FB

I went exploring down by my favorite place by the river. Its raging right now. Looks more like the ocean than a river. It's still super windy, road erosion on N. Banana Dr., a boat almost blown onto the road, flooding, Calema Windsurf storage unit got slammed and had canoes, kayaks, paddles and life jackets blown all over and through the trees. I saw several injured birds, so sad.
But, looks like everyone made it through intact and now the cleanup and volunteering starts. We have no power and water. Sending love out to those that have flooding and other damage. 💞 my heart goes out to the west coast. I'm just seeing the devastation.

Chapter Book-Afterword

So...things are much better and I cancelled the PityParty and also splashed a dash of icy water in my face to snap me out of my Co-D attitude.

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1st son found a mattress (after trying all sorts) that will alleviate some of his pain!!  He is returning yet another mattress in his quest for seeking sleep and finding a snippet of relief (2 failed back surgeries!).  so the Purple Mattress failed the test for him but he found a Serta from Sears with a remote that much like Goldilocks bed...was the best!  Yes!!

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2nd son has some new Rx and a measure of hope that he can overcome his challenges.  He has a plan in place and will do his plan.

Both of them are optimistic and determined and that is way over half the battle, don't you think???

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Oldest Grandson has a pool now.  above ground but he should still be able to get some use plus his Dad (son #1) is going to show him the Sears Serta and maybe he can get some sleep and relief also from his surgeries after that bike accident a year ago and help in his healing.

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I'm thinking I found something for my Viking that will be entertaining/interesting/fun to share and get him out of constant news/indexing etc.  Yes, he listens to a lot of Church things also.  But he really has no social life and interaction except with me.  I told him about Downton Abbey and he has agreed to give it a try.  This will be a fun experience IF it actually takes place in the really watching it.  It will be something we can visit about etc.  It gives me hope in providing him something beyond health issues and we have the whole kit and caboodle of the series as our Granddaughter Britta got us set up.  Are you as curious as me on how this goes?  It's a mystery all ready!!  

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You gotta love a son that decides that something isn't right and goes and buys a wrist BP cuff to check things out!  BP is fine.  actually great!  I will go see Dr. on Thursday but I'm feeling my own normal and that feels very good!!

Today at Church I had a mini-meltdown when it hit me the bridge was closed and Jeanee was now unable to leave the island, even if she wanted to.  Of course she couldn't travel on the bridge when the wind gusts are high anyhow.  I let loose of those blocked up tears and was comforted by my angel friend Chelle.  

I sat there weeping and she knew just what to say and do as she sat very close, held my hand, put her arm around me.  I felt so loved and cared for.  She knows my love of hymns and she quietly turned to the one that was running through my mind, Master the Tempest is Raging.  She pointed to several pertinent stanza's.  Very comforting and very empowering and a reminder that it really pays to know people so we can rescue them in times of need and also that we can cry and not cause them alarm. 

Tears are so wonderfully healing.

Being the recipient of compassion is also so healing and strenthening.  Such an expression genuine love!

So I'm back in the saddle again!!

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Jeanee is now without power.  Remember she lives on Merritt Island.  They are as prepared as they can be.  Now all of the Floridians are at the whim of Irma and she may be fickle and shift and change.  Jeanee is concerned about a small pond beyond their backyard fence.  Her husband feels it's okay.  Her Daddy is concerned about the coming storm surge.  

Years ago when she was in high school, for some long forgotten reason, I used the term an ominous sense of foreboding, she and her best friend, Jim, laughed themselves silly over that expression.  Today she said that was a perfect description of what is happening right now emotionally.  All of the unknowns!!! 

Also it's very difficult when people make their decisions- to stay or to leave,  and then people criticize and name call.  I support whatever each felt was right for them, except for the crazies that are playing at beaches and on docks.  No one will get by unscathed .  It will impact all.  Even those of us clear across the USA and living here in WA.  Like me!

Prayers ascending.  Not praying for a shifting of Irma to where others are more on target for disaster and making it better for her little family of 4.  Just praying for heavenly help for everyone.

She's on Merritt Island and land fall will hit 2am her time and around 11 pm our time.  

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Praying for the preservation and protection of the two Temples in Florida.

Fort Lauderdale-- Florida Temple

Orlando-- Florida Temple

Chapter Book

Oh, yes.  to much muddling in my mind and all somehow or other related.  Well, in my muddlie-ness, they seem to be connected!  If I don't just sit down and share my thoughts/feelings I feel I might explode!

Chapter 1

Gathered key ingredients for massive acknowledgment of Recovering CO-D person that has relapsed!

Key Ingredients for my huge PityParty....

1-Daughter and her family right on the east coast of Florida!

2-Hubby...health issues

3-Eldest son...health issues

4-Second son...health issues

5-Oldest Grandson...health issues

6-Me...health issues  (go in for pre-op instructions etc. for a quick day surgery, and my BP goes so skyward, that they are concerned I may have a stroke or heart attack on the spot.  Quickly run blood tests and EKG.  Will not release me from Hospital until they have contacted my Dr. and I have to go see her.  This took ALL day!!  Turns out my dabbling in herbal weight loss was not the thing for someone to do on BP Rx.  So delay on going under the knife for a bit while that is watched etc.)

Chapter 2

I can check off list in readiness.  There is enough in those 6 subjects, that are not mine to actually solve and cure and remedy, to drive my Co-D self over the brink of what little sanity I maintain on a regular basis and endeavor to worry and stew myself to near death in my desire to save everyone!!

7-Absolutely sure I'm not living the Gospel in an adequate way.  I lack way to much to make it etc. etc.  and all of that sort of DevilTalk put down whisperings.  But oh, yes, no list is complete until I kick myself to the curb.  Pridefully judging how bad I am and no one really knows me and if they did I'd have no friends and all that sort of nasty talk!

Adding that #7 to the focus list of my miseries and the PityParty of the century is ready to swing into full throttle!!

Chapter 3

Felt as tightly wound as an 8-day clock.  So intensely tight that I felt rigid inside.  Tears were blocked and I was stoic.  The iron woman.  I could visibly feel the tenseness.  I went to bed and tried to sleep.  I was up at 3am in a stew over #1 on my list.  My Daughter and her family.  Wanting so much to rescue her.  To have her just fly home with Scott and girls.  Just to be with us.

Today when we talked, one of several times, we shared gratitude for our Alaskan lives/her Eagle Scout husband that lives by the code Be Prepared/being used to storing food.  Knowing how to survive without running water and undriveable roads that require advance planning.  Making sure her laundry is all done up...that sort of stuff.

So there they sit in a house built hurricane proof of cement blocks and a roof anchored down and windows boarded up and food/water aplenty and 4 cars all fully gassed up.  things gathered and carry-on flight luggage packed and all in van, just in case they evacuate.

Scott monitors the barometer readings and all of his weather sites to keep them safe.  They feel home is safest place and their reasoning makes a lot of sense but it still had me awake at 3am!

Terry is concerned about the storm surge.  I wondered about enough food.  After the hit, things won't just suddenly be normal, with trucks bringing in food etc.  She reminded me that I'd had sent Costco buckets of food and the shelf life still had years to go.  That made me feel better.

Terry also got up at 3am.  I was so super tense and we were both nervous about the BP reading and it was just not a good feeling.  He gave me a blessing and comfort blessings are always wonderful.  I put on Pandora and relaxing music.  Funny the one that was playing was called Healing.  It was almost 30 minutes of sounds and no real music like violins etc. but it was nice.  I sat there and thought about #1-#7 on my list and prayed and endeavored to relax and let tension free through flowing tears.  No tears.  Like a dam blocking the water!

Challenge #1- I just need to trust and support their decision and not add stress by questioning them staying home.  I can stay in close touch and be encouraging and express the confidence that I do have in them being wise.  I did tell her that the Hurricane is female.  Irma.  and females sometimes shift and change direction without warning and to not relax but stay vigilant.  We also talked about conflicting prayers ascending with people on the East coast praying for Irma to veer westward and the West coast folks praying for her shifting Eastward.  Truly only God knows.  We will just pray for everyone!!

Slowly I realized that #2-#5 are also not in my range of available help.  I can love and pray and hope and encourage but I can't fix pain.  Dreadful pain caused by health issues.  I can't fix my Sweetie-Pie or our two sons or our grandson.  I can endeavor to fix my own health and grow stronger.  So out of my 7 challenges...I can work on #6-#7 and make significant changes.

As I contemplated life and pain and the happenings with this largest ever Hurricane and to know my adorable daughter will be impacted, it was devastating.  And the four males that I love will have to figure out how to deal with and survive such pain that I feel it's like they are tortured!  I so wished that I could help them.

Chapter 4

Into my mind popped the thought that our Father in Heaven loved our Savior and us simultaneously. He loves us.  His plan included allowing His Beloved Son to die.  For us.  For me.  For my family.  I was reminded that His Atonement covered any and all afflictions and even this anxiousness, this overwhelming tension that enveloped me and my soul deep sadness was covered.   I needed to let go and let God.  I was out of my realm of power as far as fixing anything but my part is to love and support and sustain my loved ones as they plow through their challenges.  I can do that. I thought a lot about Christ's Atonement and it's constant availability for overcoming sorrow.  

I understood I was very sad and very sorrowful emotionally and Christ's gift to me could even help me in that feeling of the heart and mind.

Slowly the hymn words whispered in my mind...    

Earth has no sorrow that heav'n cannot heal.

"Earth has no sorrow that heav'n cannot cure."

Earth has no sorrow but heav'n can remove.

 Hymn #115  Come, Ye Disconsolate

I looked up the Hymn and the related scriptures and they made me teary.... but comforted and filled with hope and confidence. 

Doctrine and Covenants

136:29 If thou art ^asorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be ^bjoyful.

Hebrews

4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of ^agrace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Stuff

Just got off the phone with my Floridan daughter.  They live on the East coast of Florida.  Near Cape Canaveral.  If you look at the eastern Florida coastline you will see a little triangle jutting out.  That is Merritt Island. That is where she lives.  They are prepared with food/water/car gassed up/plywood ready to cover windows/evacuation plan in mind (Scott's Aunt lives northward).

She is thankful to have her little family of 4 intact and also for Scott and his sensibility in preparedness and safety.  He is MrSafetyFirst.  He doesn't procrastinate in any area of his life and is always in readiness plus the guy is precautionary to the max.  Perhaps being responsible for Cruise ship safety measures aids him?!

IF last years big storm had hit they would have lost their home.  Same thing holds true this year.  Jeanee said that Scott had asked her what she wanted to pack to take if they evacuate.  Her answer?....Nothing. Except my computer.  

She told me...I'll probably grab a couple of sentimental things but the rest is just stuff.  I can always get more stuff.  

I look at all my stuff and think is this my child?!   When does stuff transfer to unwanted and unneeded junk?  Perhaps when you are part pack-rat/squirrel/selective hoarder-of-sorts?  Or when your thoughts can see a use for all items in an object lesson at Church so therefore bits and pieces of this and that are tucked/stacked/piled to overflowing?

This comes to mind especially since yesterday I was sorting through a box of just that sort of thing!  I'm always trying!!  Trying to get dejunked and organized!!  As always!

Wish I could post a picture of my treasures.  I don't call it trash.  I call it treasures!

By the way...IF you had to leave your house and evacuate...how much of your stuff would you take?


(Map of where my daughter is here  Scary!!!)

Beautiful Words...

Yesterday I read of Elder Uchtdorf's and Bishop Gérald Caussé trip to Texas.  I was so touched by Elder Uchtdorf's comments on his FB page.  I thought of how much growth there has been as the Church has progressed.  President Kimball was the first Apostle called from a State other than Utah. Arizona.  and it was a big deal.  And now...one man from Germany and one from France and it's an even bigger deal and one of excitement!

From Elder Uchtdorf's FB yesterday

I have just left the Houston, Texas area, where floods caused by Hurricane Harvey have caused catastrophic loss. Though we all have seen photos and videos of the destruction, there is little that can prepare you for the enormity of the damage caused. It is heart wrenching.

Despite this intense trial, thanks to the Savior and those who follow Him, there is always reason for hope. I forever will be inspired by the selfless humanitarian service I witnessed today.

Members of The ...Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—as well as friends from many other faiths—have come together to “mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:9). What is happening in Texas and Louisiana is exemplary of what the Church does all over the world. Whether it is in Africa, Asia, or South America, our members are there to help. It is the gospel and Christ’s Church in action to serve God and fellowmen.

I want to speak directly to my friends in Houston, but I also hope this message can be helpful to you, wherever you are, if your own spiritual floodwaters are rising and you don’t know where to turn.
The Lord has given us a reassuring message of hope: “Fear not, little flock . . . Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:34, 36).
Hope sustains us through despair. Hope teaches that there is reason to rejoice even when all seems dark around us.

And to all who suffer—to all who feel discouraged and worried—I say with love and deep concern for you, never give in.

Never surrender.

Never allow despair to overcome your spirit.

When we have hope, we acknowledge the difficult path ahead of us, but we move forward in faith, knowing that God will see us through these times of trial.

My friends, embrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel, for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart. I love you and I pray that you may find hope during these difficult times.

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Today I awoke with these words running through my mind...Beautiful words of love.  Coming from God above.  How sweet how dear the words we hear!  They're beautiful words of love.  And then I thought again about the power of the words of Apostles to me and how touched I was by the tenderness of Elder Uchtdorf's kind and caring and encouraging FB comments.

I got up and grabbed my Hymnal.  Hymn #271. Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love.  The 2nd verse really spoke to me.

They're from Apostles good and true, Whose names we all revere,

Who daily teach us what to do In words of love and cheer.

Beautiful words of love Coming from God above,

How sweet, how dear the words we hear!

They're beautiful words of love.

Here you go!!  Enjoy and be sure and peek at verses 4 & 5!

Well, that was interesting.  I can't find it on the Church site to share!  Have yourself a sing-a-long with your own Hymnal!

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(The latest...again---  comfort and power and reassurance and direction and counsel and love!!!)

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled to Houston, Texas, this morning to meet with members and tour areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey. President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency; Bishop Gérald Caussé of the Presiding Bishopric; and Elder J. Devn Cornish of the Seventy attended a Church service with Latter-day Saints from four congregations who were affected by the flooding or assisting in the cleanup efforts.

He continued, "The Church is really not so much the organization. The Church is you, every individual member. That makes the difference. And your work, your service, your love, your kindness is a reflection of what the Church is all about."

Many of the Latter-day Saints in attendance donned Mormon Helping Hands vests and T-shirts as they followed his admonition to continue to move forward and help their friends and neighbors in the cleanup efforts.

"My heart is melting just to see your smiles," Bishop Caussé told the congregation. "We look forward to the future with confidence although the circumstances are difficult, and we know that we'll be blessed as we worship, as we pray ... and as we go forward and help our neighbor who is in need."

Following the meeting, the senior Church leaders visited a nearby command center where the Church's relief efforts are being coordinated.

The Church has sent 16 truckloads of water and supplies to Houston and other communities in Texas.

More assistance will be provided as needed.

President Uchtdorf, Bishop Caussé, Elder Cornish and other leaders visited the Houston Texas Temple to assess the damage caused by floodwaters from a nearby creek. They also visited neighborhoods hard hit by the flooding, where they talked with volunteers helping with cleanup efforts today.

Many Church meetinghouses have also been flooded or damaged by the hurricane. Six buildings have been flooded, and 20 others received minor damage. There are more than 56,000 members in more than 200 congregations in the region.

The homes of nearly 800 Latter-day Saints in Texas were damaged in the floods. More than 2,800 members have been displaced.

President Uchtdorf and other leaders stopped by an American Red Cross warehouse in Houston before returning to Salt Lake City.

Memories...

Grandchildren are so wonderful!  We have 5 granddaughters and one Great-granddaughter.  4 of our Granddaughters and our one Great-grand was at out recent family reunion.  (I'm still trying to get this picture stuff back to working and my camera!)  This is a picture that was taken after they did a song, written by our sweet gr-gr Ava.  she is the little one in the picture below.

Britta-Grace-Ava-Tori-Cassie

It is tricky business to have families stay united when each of our children are so incredibly different and yet we are family.  Love is the answer.  No purer love exists than between a Grandparent and their grandchildren.

The two candid shots below are Cassie and her Poppa.  I looked across the room and saw them deep in conversation and honestly love just exuded.  I hoped I could capture it without notice and breaking the spell.  I love how they turned out.

This reunion was so special for Cassie.  She has now graduated from College and is already employed.  She told her employer that she needed 10 days off right at the beginning of her job and they gave it to her.

Every moment was so special and we just absorbed it all.  We knew it was the end of summers as we've known them.  Every single year of her nearly 21 years she has spent summers with us.  She and her Mother and sister, Tori, fly from Florida to Washington and we play all summer!

That makes this picture all the more precious.  I see the pureness of her love and the adoration of her Grandfather.  Each year when they leave we determine to shed no tears.  This year there was sobbing.  Heart wrenching hugs and loves.  Memories to last forever and no regrets on time well spent but oh, my we will miss those summer days.

Can't you just reach in and take a scoop of her love?  Love my CassieGirl!

Cassie and her Poppa

Love!
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My 20 somethings!  Britta-Tori-Cassie

This past week a new memory was made with Britta.  She moved from Kansas to Utah a year ago.  She recently got a Jeep (her pride and joy) and came to visit us.  She has never been here alone so it was a grand adventure and we had the best time.  She is kind and compassionate and that helps her be successful in Home Healthcare although she is getting into college and music so that type of work will lessen as she finds other employment.  

We ate popcorn/street tacos/cold cereal for some repeat fancy dinners!  

We organized bookcase/fabric closet/dishes/pans.  

We did a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle.  Well, actually I helped sort and she started putting it together as I watched.  She is really good at them!  She took it home to finish!  

We played 5 Crowns and for those of you that play...I got zero points one game!!  That happened to me in 2015 also.  Anyhow...brag brag but it was really fun and exciting!  

She brought a bouquet of flowers when she arrived which was sweet of her to do.  

She played the piano for us and sang.  Loved that.  She had learned a song that her Grandpapa asked her to.  Beautiful!  She forgot her sheet music and actually played by using her phone to read the music!  

And we binge watched show after show of Downton Abbey!  Plus a few Agatha Christie Mysteries including Witness for the Prosecution!! Such a thriller!!

Plus we talked lots and lots about lots and lots of things!!!

We had such an enjoyable time!!!  Marvelous!!  (wish I had pictures!)

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I will really miss the RS manuals as the new program goes into effect in January.  One day it dawned on me that I have no RS connection as far as classes go...I have no clue what the happenings are in there.  At first I had read the RS lessons and kept current and then slowly I just got more and more into my Laurel lessons and less and less with RS lesson manual.  Just a slow floating away and then a dash of cold water when I realized...I don't even have a clue what President is being studied!  I decided to read all of them and started in. I think I'm on my 4th one now.

I'm really enjoying them and you know I'm gah-gah over all things authoritative from General Authorities!  My insides are filled with the same enthusiasm of screaming music concert fans!  all for the Good News!  The Word!  The Spirit fills me and testifies it is true!  Love it!  Anyhow way overboard for my passion of reading Doctrine!  These little quick read books are like a gold mine...they have gleaned several quotes on a single subject for each Chapter and they are true and powerful.  Did I say...I love it!?  Maybe I already mentioned this before?