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!!