the short list!

Life goes on...

Yesterday I went to the Temple with a friend, that I've mentioned before, Rose.  She is the one that has battled cancer.  Her condensed story would be...diagnosed with cancer/given one year to live/goes through treatment/has final scan etc./takes a week-end getaway with husband to see flowers in Skagit Valley area while awaiting outcome/declared in remission!/husband has massive heart attack/5 stints put in right side of heart/ends up in Virgina Mason/5 hour bypass surgery on left side happening this morning.

So...we are standing in Temple waiting to go into are session and she sees the envelope packet I'm holding and asks where I got it.  It has my name embroidered as well as our Columbia River Temple and it's name.

I told her I didn't know where it was purchased as it was a gift.  The same friend also bought me a lace trimmed hanky with the Nauvoo Temple embroidered in one corner.  It is still in it's original plastic wrap.  I just keep it in the bottom of my Temple bag.  My late friend...Myra Faye.  The gift giver.

Today is the death anniversary of Myra Faye.  I miss her and always at this time of year I reminisce about our friendship.  I met her the first night I arrived from Alaska, in our move to Washington, at a RS activity.

Last week I was thinking that it's been almost 3 years since she passed away.  I was feeling sentimental and remembered her telling me one day.  I want to take you for a ride and show you my most favorite place in all of Yakima.

I decided to go revisit that favorite place.  It's up off of Summitview.  Called Linden Way.  I can't remember for sure but I thought she said it reminded her of her hometown of Chicago?  or maybe just the sheer beauty of it?  or the trees where she lived?  I called her husband Bob and he couldn't remember either except for the fact that it was her most favorite street and they went there every once in awhile.  Especially Christmastime.

Linden Way? Linden Wood? It's a dead-end block-long street with turn of the century houses that are magnificent.  the houses go down both sides of the street and smack-dab at the end is a gigantic house, with some sort of building going on right now.  There are huge trees lining the street on both sides and they sort of seem to form an archway.  These are not cottages!  (although I did notice the first house on the left looked out of place and more ordinary and not kept up like the others.)

I remembered her telling me that the area up there was Historic. One tidbit I read said that the residents wanted the entire neighborhood/Linden way street declared "historical" and not just the individual homes.  There are several homes in that area that are deemed historical. 

Seems to me when Myra Faye took me there, the 22nd St. sign was not posted.  My imaginings?  I see the hand painted sign is still in place.

It's gorgeous or as Myra Faye would say...Glorious!  My friend...here

I miss my friend and I also miss my sister, Dixie.  A year ago I was bustling back and forth to Eagle as she was in the last few weeks of life.  I think the first year is one of the hardest in a loss.  There are just so many habits and connections and traditional behaviors and events of shared celebrations.  So many traditions, large or tiny, that are part of a loving relationship.  Loving means the whole ball of wax.  I still miss her bossy mouth.  and she would say that I'm a bossy mouth also.  Mortal sisters...eternal love.  almost one year.  sigh. Reliving those last few weeks.  Bittersweet.

Life just keeps on a goin', doesn't it?  Today is our son's birthday and also we celebrate his youngest daughters birth.  He is such a fine son.  I love my boys.  They are good to us but that isn't why I love them.  I just love them.  Period.

Memories...of my friends...my precious sister..my 5 children...their spouses...my dozen grands...my two greats...and most especially my HoneyBunchHubby!!!  My Viking that keeps on endeavouring to win the battle of life and get stronger.  He went to Sacrament and that was wonderful to experience being together.

And you.  I love my readers.  My friends.  My heart connection with those invisible strands across the miles.

Waxing sentimental today for sure.  Listening to the CD from that book that I ordered.  The LDS songbook one.  It is terrific!!  The beauty of the book and the story of how it came about are just totally inspiring.  It is exciting to hear new music and read words from the Book of Mormon.  Why haven't I heard more about this before?  Or did I and I didn't listen? Both of these women were totally inspired and what a blessing to hear and read and sing (well, try to!) these sacred words.  Words that I love.  Just like you do.  Order the book and use it!!  Wonderful words to get into your kiddo's brain!!  And yours too!

(I just finished listening to both CD's.  I'd use those for family night!  I've never heard such wonderful piano accompaniment to Sister Perry's songs.  Her songs are of course familiar.  These new ones, the ones from the Book of Mormon are a different sound.  I read the words and they are powerful.  they are scripture.  I'd start with Moroni's Promise (138) and The Standard of Truth (143).  I'd want that in my children's mind for sure.)

Happy thoughts...

3 of my Laurels are Seniors and getting ready to leave home and start that part of their journey of independence, self-discovery and hopefully increased spirituality through greater conversion.  As a gospel teacher you always hope that your students can feel that you really believe and have a conviction of what you are teaching them.

Today I was thinking about them and thinking about my own testimony and how thankful I am for always digging around and trying to understand a concept of doctrine more fully.

Here are some areas that I'm thankful for in my life...

The Restoration! That was the focus in YW Sunday meeting for April.  The Apostasy and Restoration.  I've been reading from the manual featuring President Hinckley (I still miss him!). I liked how he said that the age of Renaissance and the Reformation and the Reformers and even the American Revolutionary War all moved things forward for the Restoration!

It has really impressed me that the Restoration was saved for the very last days.  AND so were we!  Here we are in 2017 and the Restored Church, our Church, has only been back here for 177 years.  We see things just barreling forward on all fronts, just as prophesied.  Darkness/evil increasing and spreading abroad and Light/GospelGoodness also spreading abroad.  All things growing.  the good and the bad.  the wheat and the tares.  

The Restoration didn't come in the middle of things.  The Restoration was saved to come at the end.  In the Last Days.  Just like us!

I love the feeling that God is over all.  Let's just hold to the rod!

Temples!  Who can even imagine the number of Temples being built.  I recently listened to the contractor on how Temples come about and how they are built and he said something so telling.  At least to me it was.  He was telling about the infrastructure and said...me paraphrasing...We don't build Temples to last 100 years.  We build Temples to last through the Millennium. (or did he say "into"?  instead of "through"?)  Anyhow...it's not just for now.  It took me by surprise and I loved hearing him say that (even if I'm paraphrasing what he said!)

I've been reading that RS book about President Hinckley and there is a quote about Temples that I don't remember reading before.  I love it!  Read the entire marvelous Chapter 23 here  Here is the quote that I enjoyed so much....

I know your lives are busy. I know that you have much to do. But I make you a promise that if you will go to the House of the Lord, you will be blessed; life will be better for you. Now, please, please, my beloved brethren and sisters, avail yourselves of the great opportunity to go to the Lord’s house and thereby partake of all of the marvelous blessings that are yours to be received there.³²

I actually resisted copying the entire Chapter. It starts on page 309. What a find on a brief compilation of the worth of our Temples!  At least read it and see if I'm not right!!

On my mind today also...Grace/Atonement-Repentance/Modern Revelation.

The Gospel is just wonderful and I enjoy it so very much.  In my heart...it is true!!!

Negative to Positive

The world seems so chaotic and the news seems so bleak and so many of us get washed over with negativity.  For some it ends up being a part of the very heart of who they are.

With the Gospel on the earth and us in the Gospel...we can certainly work on being positive!

 I really enjoyed this article from the New York Times and hope you do also. The importance of being positive & ideas to help us along the way!  here

coloring books....

coloring books that you might enjoy for your kiddos.... here 

Still singing along!

Nursery Rhymes.  Do Mothers still read nursery rhymes to their kiddos?  Those sing-songy ditties about Jack falling down and breaking his crown and Jill tumbling after?  So many stories of less glory/more gory at face value and yet captivating to the listener in that marvelous rhyming rhythm. Also fun to have those word sets roll off your tongue in lovely cadence.

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

Even at my current age, in my mind's eye, I'm back shivering and snuggling up to my Mother as she scares me with the predictable words of Little Orphant Annie...with howling winds and lights low and goblins that will get you if you don't watch out!  I now understand it was the rhythm and the sound of her voice that captivated me.  Want to read my scary/most favorite poem of my childhood?  Really?  Okay. Imagine this being read to you just before you go to sleep!

LITTLE ORPHANT ANNIE

by: James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916)

INSCRIBED WITH ALL FAITH AND AFFECTION

To all the little children: -- The happy ones; and sad ones;
The sober and the silent ones; the boisterous and glad ones;
The good ones -- Yes, the good ones, too; and all the lovely bad ones.

ITTLE Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay,

An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away,

An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep,

An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep;

An' all us other childern, when the supper-things is done,

We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest fun

A-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about,

An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you

Ef you

Don't

Watch

Out!

 

Wunst they wuz a little boy wouldn't say his prayers,--

An' when he went to bed at night, away up-stairs,

His Mammy heerd him holler, an' his Daddy heerd him bawl,

An' when they turn't the kivvers down, he wuzn't there at all!

An' they seeked him in the rafter-room, an' cubby-hole, an' press,

An' seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an' ever'-wheres, I guess;

But all they ever found wuz thist his pants an' roundabout:--

An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you

Ef you

Don't

Watch

Out!

 

An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin,

An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood-an'-kin;

An' wunst, when they was "company," an' ole folks wuz there,

She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care!

An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide,

They wuz two great big Black Things a-standin' by her side,

An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about!

An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you

Ef you

Don't

Watch

Out!

 

An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue,

An' the lamp-wick sputters, an' the wind goes woo-oo!

An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is gray,

An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away,--

You better mind yer parunts, an' yer teachurs fond an' dear,

An' churish them 'at loves you, an' dry the orphant's tear,

An' he'p the pore an' needy ones 'at clusters all about,

Er the Gobble-uns 'll git you

Ef you

Don't

Watch

Out!

Well, you said you wanted to read it!  talk about rhyme and rhythm!!!  woo-oo!!  Dixie and I would beg Mother to read it again and again!

*********

The rhyming of those old Mother Goose short poems, of mostly ill-fated woe and folklore, about blackbirds snipping off the maids nose and that sort of thing, aren't the stand alone that makes for early and great readers.  It's the rhyming.  The rhythm.  And the maid and her missing nose & Jack's concussion while hill rolling, are overlooked in the splendor of the words doing their magical dance.

As a convert that never attended Primary as a child and as a convert that has never worked in Primary as an adult...my children didn't have that opportunity to learn so many of the marvelous songs, and they all have that rhyming factor,  as a way to learn the gospel and enhance their education by using music!

I've mentioned before my belief in music being the greatest way to teach.  I think one of the reasons I love hymns so much is the rhythm and rhyming are so calming and predictable and is a feel good experience.  Biggest factor though...the Holy Ghost witnessing the words are true. A pure feel good moment!

I've also mentioned when our youngest child was in 6th grade that I put together a group of 6 children and we performed a little show against drugs.  I checked and Brite Music is still in business and I see they have added a new booklet. I'm assuming it must be against pornography.  They only had two when I did it.  One teaching personal safety and guarding your body and the one we did about saying no to drugs.  (as adults they all still remember the lyrics.  Not the dialogue perhaps.  maybe a line or two but the songs?  yes.  they are in their brain.)

The 2nd set of great teaching tools with the great music has 12 values and the stories are wonderful and the music is terrific.  I still remember the gratitude song from that book.

I had actual books but it looks like they are now modern and do whatever is modern!

Momma's, IF I had it to do over, I'd center my teaching using music and less lecturing!  Not just any music but this sort of thing coupled with the Children's Songbook and the book I mentioned yesterday.  Oh, yes...even though I can't sing a solo etc....I'd sing these songs with and to my kiddo's!

Where to order and learn all about Brite Music...here

(You say...You haven't worked in Primary?  I say...Yes.  When I joined the Church I taught one year of CTR-B which was a joy.  preparing children for baptism.  I was like a sponge and eager to learn.  I learned more than them!  then we moved and I was Primary Secretary for a few months.  Then I was a Counselor for a few months and that was it.)

We used the red book- Safe From Drugs

Adorable story characters in short book & powerful songs to teach great life lessons!

Warbling

I love music.  Especially sacred music that washes over my soul.  You know the kind...you hear speakers speaking at Church and you aren't really feeling that special inside or you are just living your daily life and along comes a beautiful sound that just grabs you.  Not with the speaking voice. With the singing voice.  With the music.  I love the Hymnal.  I love the Hymns.  I believe in their power to comfort, to teach, to counsel and also as the answer to questions- when a hymn phrase or even a couple of words pops into my mind on awakening or just out of the blue during the day.  It's so special.  Don't you feel that way also?

The musicality talent of Janice Kapp Perry has blessed my life.  I've done other blogs featuring some of her music. Recently I saw an interview with her that was done last year or maybe even longer ago.  People are so interesting and to hear of their journey is fascinating to me.  She is nearly 80 years old now.  In her younger years she loved sports and was very active. It sounded like her favorite was baseball.  She injured herself when she was 40 and her husband persuaded her to drop the sports and find something else to do.  That is when she started to get into music.  Now the family has a huge company, run by her son, and she continues to write.

She set a couple of goals for herself...to keep things very simple.  very easily understood.  She also thought it would be wonderful to have the Primary sing one of her songs.  A very modest goal. Now of course her music is everywhere the Church is...in Primaries across the globe.  The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has sung her songs.  She said she was a member of the Choir and when it came time to sing her song, she was so overcome with emotion that she just mouthed the words!

She was very humble while being interviewed and I would love to visit with her.  I'm always interested in the thought process of creative people (and that includes all of us because we all have some level of creativity).  Anyhow...Sister Parry said it took her 10 years to figure out how to tap into a formula for her creativity.  She spends a lot of time thinking and then she does what would be considered mundane or just regular daily living, like vacuuming etc. and then words or music will eventually pop into her mind.  She can feel when it's right.

Now this is quite a leap but I'm wondering if Pinterest followers get that same sense of being Spirit- inspired when they hit pay-dirt?  Does obsessive Pinteresting deprive one of personal inspiration?  I personally love that inner feeling of when all the ducks are lined up, except one, and then suddenly that last idea pops into your mind...or just a completely blank slate that slowly comes to life, or even swiftly, in the recesses of your mind...through that still small voice of feeling. Can one feel that same way by perusing others inspiration/insight?  Are the hours spent looking, instead of pondering, for originality just as satisfying?  I don't know.  Remember...I'm so archaic that I don't even have cell phone and because I'm rather drawn into things that take a lot of time, I've had friends tell me...Don't even get started!  So I haven't checked Pinterest out...in a way I feel like the Lone Ranger.  On the other hand...soloing is what I'm used to doing and I absolutely love the feeling, that specific feeling, of knowing I've just hit pay-dirt in whatever project is my task at hand.  I love the process! It works for me and it's a soul deep feel good experience.  And you?

Back to what I really intended to chat about...Music and Sister Perry.  She is very deliberate and patient in what she does and works for years on certain projects.  Now, I never thought about this before, maybe you have, there are not LDS Hymns specific to the Book of Mormon, in our Hymnal.  There are a couple of LDS hymns...Hold to the Rod...Joseph Smiths First Prayer...etc. but not specifics on stories from the Book of Mormon.

She was put in touch with Bonnie Hart Murray- who had written some lyrics about the Book of Mormon and they became a duo.  It ended up that a hymnbook was published and the first part has 18 of Sister Parry's well known songs and how they came about.  The 2nd half of the book has 28 new songs about the Book of Mormon!!  You already knew this?  I'm late to the party? I'm not even sure when this book was published.

Realizing that not everyone plays the piano...2 discs are included with piano music!  I'm so excited.  I ordered my book and can hardly wait to read it.  You can order it from Desseret Book or at less cost on Amazon.

She said the publisher used beautiful illustrations. She also said you actually will be singing scripture!! I can hardly wait to get my song book!

(just had a moment of remembering that she has a sister named Ann Kapp Andersen and she lived/lives in Southeast? Alaska.  Ann also writes music.  I can't remember why but somehow or other, maybe after the Anchorage Woman's Conference, we were in touch and she visited with me about writing lyrics.  Sometimes I've made very cowardly choices and talked myself out of things and have proclaimed my inadequacies because of lack of training/education/experience/confidence etc.  I would not do that now.  I'd go for it.  I don't regret, not pursuing this further in a remorseful way, as I had a lot to learn about life and about myself.  That decision definitely makes my list of wishing I'd given it a try! I have absorbed and learned from my regret of not at least trying!  Sharing this to encourage you to grab every single brass ring that dangles in your face!  You go girl!)