....in her heart.- Part 1

December.  Wonderful December!  Our Sunday meetings were what I would call spectacular !  Sincere heartfelt testimonies!  A great lesson in SS, as the year ends, with a quick overview of the first 3 chapters of the Book of Revelation!  Then the piece de resistance  ... a RS experience that was just heavenly!

For at least the last 6 years, the December 1st Sunday lesson time, has been used in some sort of musical format, as a Christmas celebration of the Savior.  Julianna outdid herself in her choice for this year as it was magnificent!!!  Called The Women Who Knew Jesus  by Judith Hoopes Hamilton.  A very different take on a very familiar story.  It featured 6 women (they were outstanding in their presentations!)- Mary's Mother, Joseph's Mother, John's Mother, a shepherd's wife, the inn-keeper's wife, & Mary.  The dialogue was just so real.  You could feel the Spirit so strong.  After each woman did her part, we all sang specific hymns.  It was the sort of program that just grabs your heart, makes you feel tender and teary.

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One of the traits I've always admired about Mary?... her not sharing every single thing she knew about her Son.  She shed no light on the happenings as far as her own spiritual experiences.  She understood who this Child was and who his Father was and what the star, the angels, the shepherds, the adoration taking place and all of those current events, and events to come in the future were, and so much more and yet the scriptures tell us....

Luke- Chapter 2 (see vs. 19)

Heavenly messengers herald the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem....

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all ^athe world should be ^btaxed.

 2 (And this ^ataxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called ^aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 5 To be taxed with Mary his ^aespoused wife, being great with child.

 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 7 And she brought forth her ^afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the ^binn.

 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the ^aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you ^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord.

 12 And this shall be a ^asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14 ^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men.

 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16 And they came with ^ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 18 And all they that heard it ^awondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 19 But Mary kept all these things, and ^apondered them in her heart.

 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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There are women, RS sisters, friends of mine that have pondered things in their hearts, about the challenges their children struggle with.  They love their children, don't complain, make the best of extremely difficult parenting roles (from my perspective) and do all they can to give their children wonderful lives.  

I will share three of their stories tomorrow.  These women know what their children are dealing with and I've always felt, if the rest of us knew what was going on, then maybe we could help in some way.  Maybe by just reaching out and speaking to the children and greeting them and being extra kind? 

 Tomorrow-....in their hearts-Part 2 

A Bit of Mother Pride

April 26th, several years ago, okay many years ago, alright - it was 1960- I gave birth to a baby boy.  He grew to a boy of curiosity, ended up a man of keen mind, logical thinking, and is a design engineer for CAT.  I enjoyed hearing of the progress of his "thumb".  

Today is his birthday!  Happy Birthday, my dear son!!  

I share this blog to remind and encourage all of you young Mothers to watch your children closely for signs of latent abilities and talents and skills lodged within.  Help them become who they really are.  To develop their potential.  You never know what they may end up accomplishing!

Enjoy Greg and I conversing about his design and seeing the completed product at the end!

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Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 8:07 AM

Subject: Pictures of my thumb.

Hi Mom,

Happy 4^th of July! I bet things are going great there with Jeanee, Cassie, and Tori.

Here are some pictures of the thumb I designed. Please show Dad. It is on a test stand that I designed to apply a load 41,000 lbs on the outside tooth. It went 10,000 cycles with out any problems.

Love you guys,

Greg

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July 8th

Greg-

just missing you and wondering how the Nebraska thumb is doing?

love you!

Mom

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July 8th

Hi Mom,

Haven't heard about the thumb yet. Hopefully this week will hear back. Actually no news is good news so things must be going OK.

We really appreciated all the work you guys did in setting up McCall from getting the condo's to bringing activities. Thank you so much,

Love you guys.

Greg

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August 23rd

Hi Mom,

Here is a computer generated picture of my thumb. Looks pretty cool I think.

Still enjoying your blog.  

Greg 

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August 24th
Well....how about them apples?.....

http://acandlestick.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.htm

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November 11th

Hi Mom,

Been very busy here getting ready for the launch. Thanks for your thoughts. I hope everything is well there.

Greg

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November 16th

Morning Mom,

I hope all is well there. Things are ramping up for the big launch. Went to Nebraska yesterday to see the thumb that was installed there. Took some good videos and the marketing department will be loading it into YouTube shortly. When I find out will send you the link.   

Just finished the design for a display unit they will be displaying in the dealer shows in January.

It was a fun project for sure.

Here is one of the pictures we took yesterday in Nebraska of the thumb.

Pretty cool to see it work.

Tell Dad I plan on finally hooking up the generator to natural gas. Wish he could be here to see it run.

Giving a talk on Sunday. Topic of my choosing.

Love you guys,

Greg

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

December 4th

good morning, Kathy!

I know your husband is a John Deere man, and that is okay, but we are CAT people. Our son is a design engineer for CAT and I thought your husband would get a kick out of his latest design/invention. He turned what used to be a two man job and using some sort of a mechanical lift into a one man operation with his stiff link thumb. Please show this video link to Arvel.

Just bragging!

thanks!

Nancy

December 4th
Dear Nancy,

It looks like a practical and straight-forward idea that will make it possible to do a lot of work. No wonder you are proud of him. Arvel enjoyed seeing the CAT doing so much work.

Thanks for thinking of us.

Best wishes,

Kathy

December 4th
Sister S.-

I have the utmost respect for people who solve problems by creating new things, regardless of the color of their tractors. You have every right to be proud of and brag about your son.

Best to you,

Kathy’s husband

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December 4th

Hi Mom,

What did you guys think of the video? Next week they are sending out announcements to all the dealers. It should be exciting.

Have a good day.
Love you two,

Greg

---

From: Greg
Subject: YouTube video of my stiff link thumb.

The new Stiff Link Thumb video is available on YouTube at http://youtu.be/T0tFpYlxZ44.  

Greg

Sunday!!!! December 4th...5pm watch it!!!

 First Presidency Christmas Devotional Broadcast   5PM  KBYU

http://lds.org/church/events/first-presidency-christmas-devotional-broadcast-information?lang=eng

To the Very End.

Sister Elaine Jackson- December 1, 2009- RS Christmas Social

That evening was such a special evening for all of us.  Elaine had made the effort to join us at our RS meeting and participated in all our planned events.  She lived with her brother-in-law Ken & sister-in-law Joan.  It happened to be Joan's birthday that evening and we laughed that she chose RS over other ways to celebrate her day.

Elaine was the senior member of our RS and had a lot of health struggles so we really appreciated that she came to RS that evening as that took a lot of effort and energy.  All of us enjoyed visiting with her that night.  This is she and Heather catching up on things!  

She was known for her love of RS, her diligence in hounding all of us about our VT, her exactness on record keeping and strong testimony.  She had been a Temple worker, RS President and lifelong faithful active Ward member.

Joan and she stayed until things wound down and headed home. Joan shared..."The last thing I said to her after she explained she was tired and going to bed... 'Oh, you party animal. I can't take you out this late anymore'." Elaine laughed and agreed, told Ken & Joan goodnight and headed to her private suite.  She died while getting ready for bed and was found the next morning. To think she died just a couple of hours after this picture was taken.

We were all shocked.  What made it even more startling?...the fact that just a couple of weeks earlier, November 16th, Judd Allsop, our senior HP,  had partaken of the Sacrament, collapsed, was taken to hospital and he passed away a few hours later.

Right up to the very end of their lives they were where they should be, doing what they should be and doing the best they could to be faithful.

I appreciate and admire the effort that those in the aging category put forth.  They are a shining example to all of us.  They have the mindset of enduring and at least do all you can to come to Sacrament meeting.  Stay as long as you can endure the pain.  Attend all events possible.  Do what you can.

Over the last couple of years I've thought about this and observed how as faithful testimony laden members age & health and infirmities start to encroach on their lives, the effort they go to in attending meetings and doing all they can to endure to the end, is a sight to behold.  They never give up.  They never give in.  They may give out at times and be forced to lay low but usually they just protest and keep on fighting to stay in the race.

I want to be like that as I stroll down this path in the exit lane of life.  I want to endure because I know the Gospel is true and I love it.

This is an excellent talk for all of us to learn from.  Here is a little sample....

 "Great priesthood trainers have shown me how to build that strength: it is to form a habit of pushing on through the fatigue and fear that might make you think of quitting. The Lord’s great mentors have shown me that spiritual staying power comes from working past the point when others would have taken a rest."


Preparation in the Priesthood: “I Need Your Help”  by President Henry B. Eyring

ENDURE TO THE END!!

Kindness

The front door is fixed as good as it can be, the key works, elaborate plans for hiding extra keys, and plans to paint in the spring to cover some marring are all in the works.  (actually more than some marring, with the way the light hit it when I looked at it but Terry says you'd never guess it was repaired.  Go figure!)

I managed to get lost.  Again!  I was headed to one place and ended up in the totally opposite direction, all the while basking in the marvel of having my GPS, and the fun of taking a new & unfamiliar to me route.  Why do I do this stuff to myself?  It's amazing I ever get anywhere!  And I was in a time crunch!  

I started to panic when I realized that I typed in north or was it south instead of just plain old Liberty Road.  So Ms.-GPS lets me know I'm at my destination and no joke, I'm in the middle of nowhere and according to my modulated toned GPS I've arrived! And there sits a cement block building and there are row upon row upon row upon row etc.  it seemed miles.  it was miles of fields worth of original scent cow fertilizer.  neatly arranged but nonetheless not my destination.  

Then I notice it's dark, I see the distant hills, nothing familiar, no houses and I'm clueless.  So I decide to hit Home on my GPS and then turned it off and decided to find a familiar sounding road name and just drive.  Then I drive like the wind, realizing I'm late and that is not a good thing.  Then I come on Kathryn's house and Judy and Nan and Jerry and Shannon and am by Chelle's.  I remembered I had my new cell phone and sounding like a kidnapped hysterical victim, I called Chelle.  

She calmed me down and reassured me that where I was going was the right way, I wasn't far, keep calm, there was time, take a deep breath etc. etc.  She is such a good friend but alas, if I keep doing this stuff she will stop answering her phone.  Anyhow, I found the real destination but it was a long journey.  All that careful timing and planning.  Foiled again!!

My big rush was because I had the opportunity to be with a RS sister, Gloria, recovering from recent knee replacement.  Her newly baptized husband was going to the Temple with the youth for baptism's so I stayed with her for a nice long visit.  

Early evening and a cheerful Teri arrives with her hubby to deliver a beautiful healthy, hearty meal plus a loaf of still warm fresh WW bread.  Teri was so gracious and kind and interested in how Gloria was feeling.  Seeing Teri in her apron and laying her wares on the cupboard, just touched my heart to the max.  I just wanted to hug her! (I didn't as I'm trying to restrain myself as I try to be less boisterous in that way!  I'm going to be an arm-patterer or shoulder touch person but it took all restraint to not hug her and tell her she is wonderful and I love her!)

Gloria was hungry and the meal was enjoyed and appreciated.  I told her that she and Mark could have figured out a meal and been independent but it's the love that comes through, when a woman shares a meal she made, for someone that is a bit down or recovering, that just seems to work magic for all...the giver, the receiver, the observer!
  

As Sisters in Zion

  Hymns 309 - Resolutely

1. As sisters in Zion, we’ll all work together;
The blessings of God on our labors we’ll seek.
We’ll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We’ll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

2. The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity’s name.

3. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit’s divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

Text: Emily H. Woodmansee, 1836–1906

Music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938. © 1985 IRI

Galatians 6:2, 9–10

 

Not as Planned

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

Morning as usual then start the plan.

1) Go to bank.  

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


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

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


5) Pick up Rx


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

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


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

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

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


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


Tomorrow will go as planned.  (I hope)

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

The End. 

The Power of Gratitude

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

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