Happiness/Gratitude

I really like this quote, because I believe it with all my heart!

"Happiness...does not depend on obtaining all the desires of our hearts. In large measure, happiness depends on our ability to feel gratitude for the abundance we already have." Carolyn Wright, Tambuli, Nov 1994, 11

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Ultimate Career

I love this quote by C.S. Lewis!

"The homemaker has the ultimate career. All careers exist for one purpose only and that is to support the ultimate career."

It made me feel so good about myself this morning I cleaned a room that has been waiting for me for awhile! :)

What Did Jesus Look Like?

I've always longed to see the face of Jesus. To know what he looks like, but more to feel and experience his love. On Donna's blog "Connections" she shares descriptions of Jesus Christ from ancient records that have been translated. If you follow the link you can read Donna's full account. But, here is Gamaliel's interview with Joseph and Mary.

"I found Joseph and Mary in the land of Mecca. ...Joseph is a wood-workman. He is very tall. His hair looks as though it might have been dark auburn when young. His eyes are grey, Jesus, He is the picture of his mother, only He has not her smooth, round face. His hair is a little more golden than hers, though it is as much from sunburn as anything else. He is tall. His visage is thin and of a swarthy complexion, though this is from exposure. His eyes are large and soft blue, the lashes are long and his eyebrows are large."

Grandpa

We were so lucky to have our little Philadelphia grandkids here for a week! They had so much fun with their cousins. We miss them so much, and it was so fun to have them home, if just for a brief visit. I just had to post their adorable picture with Grandpa. I have to say that my Ron has to be the greatest Grandpa in the world! He is so awesome, and all of our beautiful grandchildren will agree!

Both Ends Of The Stick

When you pick up one end of a stick, the other end always comes with it. This phrase has been going through my mind constantly the last few days. I believe it is something that Brigham Young said, and it means: we are free to choose anything, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choices. I also think of the scripture in D&C 130:20, 21 which states: "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated . . . And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."

Thank heavens for the atonement. I love our Savior for his sacrifice on our behalf. Only He can unravel the complexities of our life! And for that, and for Him I am so grateful!

From Grandpa's Jungle to Grandma's Kitchen

I Will Tell You In Your Mind and In Your Heart

I read a wonderful article, "Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence" by Elder Holland that I haven't read in a long time. It was a good reminder about personal revelation. We all know the formula for receiving personal revelation taught in Doctrine and Covenants section 8 and 9. Elder Holland quoted it and then added his thoughts: "I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. [I love the combination there of both mind and heart. God will teach us in a reasonable way and in a revelatory way--mind and heart combined, by the Holy Ghost.]"

The message of his talk is this: once we know we have received confirmation from the spirit of the Lord to do something, or that something is right, then, we can always, always count on Satan to come and muddy the waters so to speak. He will try to keep us from acting on that knowledge, by having us question ourselves, did I really feel that . . . etc. etc. etc., or by tempting us away with his endless enticements and arguments tailored precisely for each of us.

It was such a good reminder to me to have the courage to stay the course, to act on that which I know to be true, to command Satan to get behind me, and that Heavenly Father will ALWAYS provide the way to do the things he asks of us.

I love the first scripture verse I ever memorized, and it has been a light in the darkness for me all these years. 1Nephi 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

The Greatest Joy of My Life

Out of respect for their privacy I try not to post much about my children, but I wanted it to be known that the greatest privilege of my life has been to be a mother and now a grandmother! I have the most beautiful grandchildren and wonderful children whom I live for and love with all of my heart! I would give my life for each and everyone of them. I am blessed!

Having Faith In The Coming Days

I just read an article by G.G. Vandagriff, in Meridian Magazine this morning that certainly caught my attention. She wrote:

"In a recent talk broadcast to the stakes in Utah Valley, President Boyd K. Packer and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland had a special message for us. Elder Holland started by talking of the faith of the pioneers to do whatever they were asked. In a stirring narrative of the pioneers who dug out a pathway through the sheer rock passageway in south central Utah in order to fulfill their mission to colonize a particular area, he gave us an example of what he called "rock-ribbed" faith. "When you're called to go, you go."

Elder Holland pleaded with us to nurture our physical and spiritual strength for the trials ahead. "Search your soul and search the heavens," he said. "Remember that strong family ties are the strongest resource of the church." In conclusion, he reminded us that though the world was steeped in wickedness, the forces of righteousness will always prevail. In order to stay within the safety provided by those forces, we need to be willing to conform our will to that of the Father, just as the pioneers did.

When President Packer began to speak, he startled me to the soles of my feet by saying, "From now on it's going to be rougher than the pioneers had it." Though he and Elder Holland had not planned it, their talks built on each other, proving to me that they were inspired by the Spirit to give us the same message. "Easy times are in the past," he said. "Humbly confess to the Lord that you will do things His way. The days of the Hole in the Rock were easy times compared to what faces you."

These were very sobering talks, completely unlike a normal Stake Conference. The message that things are only going to get worse is not one you usually hear from the Brethren."

Wow! It got my attention!

Stacks of Doilies

I was driving by a cemetery today while a funeral was taking place. The tent. The friends and family. All dressed in black, milling around, and I felt sad to see them. Then I saw the pallbearers carrying the casket toward them. The wave of pain hit me harder than it has in a very long time!

I had to come home and crochet furiously. That is how I got through the grief of Robert, and the pain of open-heart surgery for years. It's ridiculous, the stacks of doilies I have.