Sunday Blessings-missionaries

Today I am thinking about missionaries.  Last Sunday I spoke at a baptism of a couple who has only been meeting with the missionaries for a few weeks.  I was privileged to go on one of the first lessons with them.  Also, my second son is preparing for his own mission and I am so proud of him.  Thirdly, I am grateful for the missionaries who converted my ancestors and those who persisted with my husband's family.  Theirs is a great story.
My mother-in-law was a devout baptist and when a big mormon family moved in next door she went to convert them.  The missionaries came to talk to her about the LDS church, but it was the day before my father-in-law was being deployed with the Navy and he did not take kindly to them taking up his time that day and told them to leave.  They were persistent and were forcibly removed from the porch by my father-in-law.  After a few weeks they got up the courage to come back and my mother-in-law let them in because she felt bad about the previous incident.  She felt the spirit so strongly and committed to get baptized if her husband agreed to it.  She wrote to him on board the aircraft carrier and he started meeting with the LDS group on board.  He gave her his blessing and also felt the spirit and was baptized when the ship went in to port in Japan.  They went to the temple later and were sealed together and are one of the most committed couples to each other you could ever meet.  They have sent 4 boys on missions and so far 6 grandsons.  Missionaries bring people happiness by bringing them closer to God.

Saturday Quotes-True conversion

Friday Favorites-my favorite yogurt

Well I love mint and chocolate and this is the best I've ever had.  It's also the perfect size for me.

Thursday Tips & Tricks-homemade magnets

I used stickers and some old advertisement magnets.  Some of them I cut out in the exact shape of the character.  My granddaughter loved them.

Pictures and some adhesive would also work.  I've seen some that are cut in the shape of the person in the photo.

Also, I found some round photo magnets in the school locker section.  And then found some inexpensive wooden animals that I just added a magnet to the back.

Wacky Wednesday-Classical joke

Why did Beethoven get rid of his chickens?

Because all they said was "Bach, Bach, Bach."

Tuesday miTunes-Only Time

This song by Enya is relaxing to me and the basic message of the lyrics is that only time will tell how our decisions and choices of today turn out.  For me, I think it gives me courage to do what my heart tells me is right no matter what anyone else says.

Monday Messages-True Love

John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the
girl with the rose.
His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, butwith the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond.
The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like.
When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting - 7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. "You'll recognize me," she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen.
I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened:
A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips. "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her. This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be, grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment.
"I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard,and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?"
The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"
It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. "Tell me whom you love," Houssaye wrote, "And I will tell you who you are."

Sunday Blessings-the things I can see

I remember as a child, thinking about which of my senses was the one I couldn't do without.  I think my eyes would probably be the one I would choose as most important.  As I have recently been driving through Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho and traveled to Florida, I have a great appreciation for all the beautiful things I can see.  The rock formations, the flowers, the rolling hills and blue skies.  I also appreciate being able to read.  I especially love to read the words of God in scripture.  There is great comfort and peace in knowing Him and His Son better.  And I know I will feel great joy when I see them again.  As it says in Moses 6:63, all things bear record of the Son.  The wonders of the earth and nature are organized and could not have come about through coincidence or chance.  I know that they are really all creations for man to enjoy and for us to be assured that there is indeed a God in heaven who loves us.  The only thing more valuable than seeing is in seeing the truth of eternal things.

Saturday Quotes-never miss a sunset

Friday Favorites-Parade of Homes

One of my favorite things to do with my daughters is look at model homes.   The Parade of Homes gives us a map and tells us what the newest models are in the metro area.  We love the decorating ideas and it's free.  I especially like the ones that have cookies.  I'm not saying the cookies could really sell me on the house, but I do tend to like the floor plan better while munching on an Otis Spunkmeyer cookie.  Just saying...

Thursday Tips & Tricks-simplifying socialism ( an interesting lesson)

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism. All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged, and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset, and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less, and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings, and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail, because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no

one will try or want to succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that.

Wacky Wednesday-Help from his son in prison

An old man lived alone. He wanted to dig his potato garden, but it was very
hard work and his only son, who would have helped him, was in prison for
bank robbery. The old man wrote a letter to his son and mentioned his
predicament.

Shortly, he received this reply: "FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, Dad, don't dig up the
entire garden, that's where I buried the money." At 4 a.m. the next
morning, a dozen policemen showed up and dug up the entire garden without
finding any money.

Confused, the old man wrote another note to his son telling him what
happened, and asking him what to do next. His son's reply was, "Now plant
your potatoes, Dad. It's the best I could do from here."

Tuesday miTunes-Over the Rainbow by Iz

I like this rendition of the song.  I think it's because I like the ukelele and it's a simple version.  The song reminds me that there are always better days ahead and we should hold onto our hope that things will be okay.

Monday Messages- The Park Bench

The Park Bench

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, for the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down and said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, with it's petals all worn, not enough rain, or to little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time that weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun as I thanked him for picking the very best one. You're welcome, he smiled, and then ran off to play, unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see the problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine. And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose and breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose. And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand about to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.

Sunday Blessings-Mercy

I am so grateful today for a merciful Savior and Heavenly Father.  Maybe it's just me, but I really learn best from my own experiences.  As I read my journals and other things I have written,  I see that at times I have made poor decisions and acted immaturely.  I cherish the hard things, the joyous things, the blessings and the tender moments documented by my own hand.  Admittedly, I am a little embarrassed at some of the things I wrote in my younger days, but it is still part of who I was and I know the situations, feelings and events leading up to those now "embarrassing" entries.  I have learned to be merciful to myself.
I think that is how mercy works in our lives.  I think our Heavenly Father knows what's in our hearts and what contributing factors worked toward our poor decisions and actions.  Not that they are just excused.  We may have to suffer consequences or repent, but the process is gentle and done with great love.  I know that sometimes repentance and natural consequences seem harsh, especially if the sin was greater.  But I can testify that our Heavenly Father loves us and loves when turn our hearts toward righteousness and rejoices in our lessons learned, our spiritual growth and our humility.  He knows these things will make us happy.  I believe he extends mercy because of His great love for us.

Saturday Quotes-You may be just one person

I have this quote hanging in my house.  It reminds me that I am everything to at least one person.  Until my children get married, I think I am the most important person in their lives.  I think to my husband, I am the most important person in his life and he is the most important person in my life and that is a relationship forever.  

Friday Favorites-yellow things

Some of my favorite things are yellow.  Yellow just makes me think happy thoughts.

Thursday Tips & Tricks- Answers to Riddles

Here's a tip when figuring out riddles-don't think too hard.

The answer to yesterday's riddle is:

NOTHING

Wacky Wednesday-Riddle

Here is a simple riddle.  Only 17% of Stanford University Seniors got the right answer
when asked.
What is greater than God,
More evil than the Devil,
The poor have it,
The rich need it,
If you eat it, you will die?

Think about it...the answer will be in tomorrow's post.

Tuesday miTunes-Puesta Del Sol

So I have a confession about my Tuesday songs.  I can't figure out how to put them on here without doing it as a youtube video.  So I have this song on my personal iTunes, but this video is the only one I could find, so I don't particularly enjoy the pictures they put on here and I don't really know what the words in the video say.  But if you can just listen to the song, you'll see why I love it.  It is so peaceful and relaxing and makes me think of being at a Paris cafe'.  Maybe it's more of a cafe' in Madrid, but it's very similar to me because I haven't been to either one.  See what you think...

Monday Messages-shrinking the earth's population...

If we could shrink the earth's population

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following.  There would be:

57 Asians

21 Europeans

14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south

8 would be Africans

52 would be female

48 would be male

70 would be non-white
30 would be white

70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian

89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual

6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.

80 would live in substandard housing

70 would be unable to read

50 would suffer from malnutrition

(ONE)1 would be near death;

(ONE)1 would be near birth;

(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education;

(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would own a computer.

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.

And, therefore . . .

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.  

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

As you read this and are reminded how life is in the rest of the world, remember just how blessed you really are!

Sunday Blessings-family additions

Well, today I am grateful for the new addition to our family as my son has gotten married.  I have a new daughter and she is so sweet and loving.  I know she will make a good wife and mother.  And the prospect of having more grandchildren is exciting.  (No rush though guys!)
As my immediate family and posterity grows, I am reminded that we are really all one big family to our Heavenly Father.  It is such a joy to see my children growing up and choosing wisely and being successful.  Watching my granddaughter grow is also joyous.  It has been such a blessing to have them live with us while they did an internship and now are looking for a job.  I know they need to move on and have their own home.   It hasn't always been easy, but I have tried to focus on the good things about them living with us.  Luckily, we get along pretty well and they have been helpful and grateful.  And I know when they are gone, I will miss them.  Especially my granddaughter.  She is so spunky and entertaining and sweet (most of the time).
So additions are a welcome blessing and we are so happy that our son has found someone to love and who will love him (and put up with him).

Saturday Quotes-my son

My son is now sealed to his sweetheart and she will be the most important woman in his life (as it should be).  But there is something different for a mother about having a son get married.  I know that couples are usually closer to the girls' family.   And because I want my son to be happy, I will say goodbye and pray that she will love him as much as I do.

Friday Favorites-Boca Grande Beach

Boca Grande is my favorite Florida Beach.  I haven't been to very many, but this one is very peaceful and not too many people.  The waves aren't very big, but walking along the beach is my favorite thing to do at the ocean anyway.

Thursday Tips & Tricks-traveling with toddlers

Finger puppets and a nap...

Wacky Wednesday-Marriage

Tuesday miTunes-Here Comes the Sun (yes, again)

I know I already did this song once about a year ago.  But this is the song I will be dancing to with my son on Saturday at his reception.  He wanted me to pick something and since I know he likes the Beatles and it's one of my favorites, it was the first one I thought of.  I texted him other ideas and said it was up to them, but he said they chose this one in the end.  So now I have been thinking of the words and if I could give my son a piece of advice about the future, I would say that we can always have hope that the sun will shine again and we will make it through the "long, cold lonely winter" moments of life.  I would also say that when I think of the sun coming, I also think of the Son of God coming, which also gives us hope.  That kind of hope and faith helps us get through our tough times, knowing that it will all be worth it in the end.

Monday Messages-The Things Which Matter Most

This Mormon Message by President Monson is simple and short, but so profound and such a great reminder to us all.  I love that he tells us to "Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved."  And he reminds us to give our kids a hug, give our parents a hug.  Tell our dear ones we love them.  I doubt that anyone on their deathbed regrets saying "I love you" too often, but there are many who regret not saying enough.

Sunday Blessings-What are you grateful for?

I am so grateful for all that I have been given.  Not so much the things, although I'm grateful for those too.  But I am grateful for Faith and Hope.  For Knowledge and the ability to learn.  For Love in my life and the ability to forgive.  For friends and family and the beauty of nature.  I sincerely hope that I will be happy wherever this life takes me.

Saturday Quotes-Kindness

Friday Favorites-Chocolate Chip Cookies

I really love chocolate chip cookies.  Of all the cookies in the world, a fresh, warm chocolate chip cookie is my favorite.  

I don't even mind the ones from the tub at Costco.  The important thing is not to overcook them and to eat them while they are still warm.  MMMM... I think I will go make some right now.