More Wisom from Crochet

* FOUNDATIONS: Often a row will seem unremarkable at best and tedious at worst, but the next few rows will reveal that it was a foundation for something beautiful just around the corner. Sometimes the pattern book will instruct you to go over the row again and you think, “I’m doing this again?” Then as you keep going you realize it completed the seemingly plain row before and added texture and dimension and foundation for the next row. Life is like that. The routine, mundane things we do just don’t seem that important yet---but they will if we just keep doing them!

I just can't get this crochet wisdom out of my mind. I thought of another one a couple of days ago and didn't write it down. It's now lost. (That's what happens to 58 year old minds) It made me think of the cute things our babies are saying. If we don't write them down now, they WILL grow up and we WILL forget.

Gospel Lessons I Have Learned from Crochet

I am finally starting a new crochet project! It has been months since I could sit that long due to my bulged disk. It still hurts a little, but I am learning how to cope. So, as I began to crochet this time, my mind reflected on all the lessons I have learned.

* PATIENCE: In my past I have never been known for having much, but I am learning.
* RHYTHM: The rhythm soothes my body and mind. I have time to think and pray. I started crocheting after my first open-heart surgery because I was going out of my mind! I found that the smooth rhythm would help my heart beat stabilize when it was in frib. Occasionally it still does, and it still helps.
* GOOD FOR THE MIND: I love doing the most complicated patterns I can find. I believe they helped my mind after so many mini-strokes threatened to take it away. Brian (who is a computer programmer) looked at my crochet instructions one day and said it looks a lot like computer code.
* OBEDIENCE: I love the precision required. It is like computer code, in that you must be absolutely precise or the pattern will be lost. Every coma, period, chain, double, single or triple crochet, every popcorn stitch etc, etc, etc, must be done with exactness!
* REPENTENCE: I love comparing it to the gospel. If you crochet one round incorrectly the next round becomes distorted. If you keep going like that soon the pattern is random and jumbled and out of shape without much meaning and not very pretty. However, if you "repent" by pulling out the mistakes and starting again, the pattern emerges and it is orderly and beautiful! That is like our lives. If we follow the “Plan of Happiness” our Heavenly Father has provided we can create something meaningful and beautiful out of our lives.
* CORRECT PATTERN: Sometimes I get a pattern off the internet. Too often the pattern has mistakes in it. You can imagine the trouble that causes. I’m grateful to have the restored gospel, with a plan I can trust! Our Father cannot change the pattern because it was "predicated" in Heaven before the foundations of the world, and because it is the pattern that works! But, He has provided our Savior Jesus Christ and because of Him we can back up, repent, and then go on! Also, whenever I have corrected a mistake in project, eventually it turns out beautifully and I can never tell you where the mistake was or even remember making one as I enjoy the perfect finished piece. I love that principle—though our sins be as scarlet, if we repent, they will be white as snow!
* PERSPECTIVE: Sometimes I like to try a pattern that doesn't have a picture, just to see what will emerge. Our lives are like that. We can't see the big picture, but I like to remember that our Heavenly Father can. If we keep following HIS pattern our lives will turn out just fine.
* ENDURE TO THE END: I love the good feeling of completing a project. Occasionally I put one away that I didn't have time to finish or grew bored with. At that point it is simply a waste of time, just knots tied into string, stuffed away in a drawer and of no use. But, if I complete the project, wash it, block it and use it; it is beautiful. It is even more satisfying if I give it to a friend! I have realized that too often for the last ten years since my son died, I have not progressed. I have hid behind my closed door. Lately, having been called to teach Gospel Doctrine and with a new calling at the Draper Temple to be an assistant coordinator, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone. I guess it’s time to share myself more and become what Heavenly Father wants me to be instead of all tied up in knots.
* IT BECOMES EASIER: At first a new pattern is hard. I have to really work at it to get it right, and it doesn’t look like much at first. But, as I try so very hard to read, re-read, check each stitch and really pay attention a beautiful pattern begins to emerge which spurs me on! Then as I become familiar with it, like when doing squares for a tablecloth that repeats, I can get too complacent. I don’t pay attention to detail and then find that I have made stupid mistakes. Life can be like that when we don’t pay attention!
* KNITTING: Knitting is usually more practical. (Remember the ALL the hats and scarves I knit a few years ago for Christmas?) But, you have to pay closer attention because it is sooooo much harder to unpick. Life’s big decisions like marriage and career choices are like that too.
* CROSS STITCH & HARDANGER DRIVES ME CRAZY: I had to give up cross stitch and I never did complete Kathy Samsel’s beautiful hardanger. It is just stress and not worth the price I pay to do it! I have learned that we cannot do or enjoy doing everything, and that’s okay too!

Types and Shadows

Yesterday I listened to many of the Inaugural proceedings as I cleaned my house. I listened to the prayers (and thanked my Heavenly Father that we are privileged to live in a land that STILL prays)! I've heard many this morning who took offense at the closing prayer. It didn't occur to me to do that, it made me smile. It felt sincere. I winced for President Obama as he stumbled over the oath. He must have been nervous. I prayed in my heart that he would be in tune with heaven, that he would feel the prayers of a nation. I don't agree with any of his liberal views and they frankly scare me. I just pray that he will moderate as he realizes the burden of his office.

I marveled at our form of government and I felt the spirit reconfirm to me that this land was born with the hand of providence for the purpose of restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that this land is still in the Lord's hands. I am comforted by the promise that the gospel will not be taken from the earth again, but will endure and blossom during the millennium. I don't know what trials we have to endure before that day, but I sang the song in my heart (which I KNOW to be true) "Victory, victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

I was also struck with the thought that our government, our constitution with it's division of power and the amazing way that power is transferred from President to President and other elected offices by the people, in an orderly and peaceful manner, is a type and a shadow. A type and a shadow always happens in history to foreshadow a coming event, such as Abraham sacrificing his son, foreshadowing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It struck me that perhaps the government of this nation was a foreshadowing of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints; how our church transitions from one prophet to the next (with far less fanfare) and in complete order. And then I thought of how Abraham did not have to sacrifice his son, but how our Father in Heaven literally did; the real event so complete and perfect whereas the type and shadow just that, a shadow. I thought of how each type and shadow builds toward perfection, and then my heart soared as I imagined the culmination of that PERFECT transfer of power one day when Christ will reign on earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Now that is THE inauguration I pray to behold!

Draper Temple

Ron and I had the wonderful opportunity to host a V.I.P. tour of the Draper Temple for our stake on Friday, January 9, 2009. Some of the general authorities as well as stake presidents lead tours of their families and various others through. We were stationed in the stake center, but they graciously let each host couple tag along on one of the many tours.

The temple is of course breathtaking! The celestial room rises five stories! I can't wait to plan at least an hour in there just gazing up. It makes you look up! I hope and pray that Ron and I get called to work in this new temple. We will be released in March from our assignment at the Jordan River Temple.

I just want to bear my testimony again that first, God lives! Jesus is the Christ! That I have had the privelege of feeling the Holy Ghost (who is also a God) bear witness to me of this fact! President Monson is the prophet of the Lord for the whole world! Joseph Smith did restore the gospel of Jesus Christ, in it's fullness, in these latter days! The temple IS the house of the LORD! And, I love my family so much!

I have included a link so that friends and family who live too far away to come to the open house, can have a glimpse inside this beautiful temple. I will definately tend Aubrie, Jules, so you can go when you are home next! For everyone else "please" take this opportunity to take your children and let them experience the beauty and reverance and wonder of the temple! Also, in the beginning film our children's ancestors were mentioned twice! Guernsy Brown on Ron's side and William Draper on mine! Be sure to listen for them.

And, I cannot fail to mention the other most significant thing that happened on January 9th! It was our beautiful and wonderful firstborn grandaughter's 12th birthday! Ron and I take the older kids out for their birthday and Becky hit a new milestone this year. She requested Ihop for lunch! At first it was always McDonalds, then she graduated to Wendys, and now . . . ! Happy birthday sweet girl. We love you so much!

http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/090114tour.html

Holt Family Review of 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Video

I'm so grateful to have a testimony of Jesus Christ! I want to keep Christmas in the way that would make Him happy! In the way that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints keeps Christmas! This video is beautiful, and it's real! Merry Christmas I love you all!

Merry Cowboy Christmas!

Roy Rogers and . . .

Dale Evans on Buttercup!

Come What May And Love It

Elder Wirthlin passed away today. What a wonderful man. I used his talk from conference last month for my visiting teaching message. I love his message because it is something I am only beginning to understand and barely trying to implement in my life. Ron can handle adversity like this. So can Becky. At Becky's wedding breakfast her father paid her the highest compliment when he said to her new husband, "Zak, I want you to know that when things go wrong (and they surely will) I can think of no one I would rather be with than Becky!" He then went on to tell the story of their camping trip on the top of a mountain. They had back-packed in and set up camp barely before it began to rain. And then all night long it rained and it was cold and the water seeped in. Finally about 4:00 a.m. their tent collapsed with the weight of sleet and snow. It was pitch black outside and they could do nothing but wait until dawn to pack up and hike out. So, the two of them laughed and told stories as their teeth chattered and they continued to get wet. Instead of complaining and gripping Becky eased the load. Ron felt bad enough that his daughter was in this miserable situation. I love that she can do that!

I'm trying so hard to be more like Ron and Becky! (He taught her how) what an example they are to me. I'm grateful that he has put up with me all these years when I have not responded as well. In my family growing up everyone's glass was always half empty and I saw Elder Wirthlin's comments literally played out on a daily basis growing up. He said:

"Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?

There is an antidote for times such as these: learn to laugh."

I have observed both Ron and Becky say, "Well, you can't change it anyway, might as well make the best of it!"

I think I am able to understand this whole concept better, because I am learning to be grateful! Several years after Robert died my Relief Society President challenged me to count my blessings! She wouldn't leave me alone until I promised her that I would count five blessings a day. She was so ernest and kind I did it for her and it was pretty easy for about a week. But, the only rule was I could not count the same blessing twice, so it forced me to become more and more specific. I did it for a few months and I could NOT believe how it changed my life. I love the hymn "Count Your Blessings"! It's almost my favorite hymn. It constantly surprises me "What The Lord has done!" And, done, and done, and done, and done! I'd start listing all my blessings but NO ONE has time to read them all!

Thanks Elder Wirthlin for the wonderful Thanksgiving message! And thanks, Ron and Becky for living it!

Hey!!! Hoorah!!! I think I finally did it! I had a good attitude on Thanksgiving day didn't I? I thought the whole thing was pretty funny even while it was happening---maybe even funnier than Ron did. Of course food is pretty important to him, and I didn't really care that much because I didn't have to cook, so I don't know how much it counts, but still---I laughed! I LAUGHED when the day went wrong!

Now if I can only laugh next time . . .

So Thankful!

What a funny Thanksgiving we had this year. So different! I told Ron that this is one we will remember because: tragedy plus time = humor! We didn't have a real tragedy so the day became something to laugh about as it unfolded.

Kids, as you know your Dad is a good sport! All I can say is it's a good thing that Kristi made him such a lovely turkey dinner when he was with her and Julie last month. He kept saying, "It's okay, I had a great turkey meal a few weeks ago!" Thanks, Kristi! And, thanks Jules for the "turkey a-la-king" you made your Dad before he left!

Now, about Thanksgiving: All of our children had dinner at the in-laws this year, so that left Ron and I. I have fed the five-thousand for 36 years (which I love and look forward to many times more) but I decided it was time for a year off, so we planned to go out to dinner and a movie. The movie we wanted to see wasn't there. (We didn't check, we just assumed!) So we saw "The Boy In Stipped Pajamas" which was really well done, but a little sobering and sad for Thanksgiving Day. Okay! So, it was then on to dinner. Except we didn't even think that almost EVERY restaurant in town was closed --- even the fast food! After driving around forever we found one open with a line longer than you could believe. So instead we found a Smith's open, and we figured we'd get something from the deli. Could you believe it was closed? I was grateful though that the workers were home and didn't have to work.

Well, we bought a store brand pizza, brought it home, and baked it (it was the WORST pizza I have eaten in a long time!) I think the taste was even worse than the heartburn it gave me afterward! Then, it was off to a viewing. That's right, a friend of ours died and the family had the viewing on Thanksgiving!

Sometimes you just have to laugh! The evening ended early because we had the temple this morning. We get up at 3:45 a.m. so we try to get a really early night! Before bed we had pumpkin pie (I made some the day before) so the day wasn't a complete loss! Ron really enjoyed his, but after the pizza pie my stomach was rolling a bit. It was a good thing we'd had it earlier for lunch. It was great then.

And I'm still thankful! I'm so thankful that I have my sweetheart to share such a day with! A man who never complains about the food I serve, and can laugh when things don't go as planned! All in all it was a great day!

Remote Control

1955: Roylance in the kitchen, "Fraaank . . . will you please turn down that television!"

"Ronald, go turn down the t.v. . . . no, no not the channel! Who threw the pass? Channel son . . . turn the channel back to 5! That's it boy, now turn it up just a little that's it . . . no, no not that way!"

Now you know why your Dad is so phobic about technology. In 1955 he was the technology!