tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32813207561619789852024-03-05T20:18:00.919-07:00Stephenson Family TiesLiving and Thriving in the desert of Southern Utah!! Surrounded by spectacular red rock and desert landscapes.
Let it be HOT!!!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.comBlogger3303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-72326317082627748482020-02-19T12:07:00.000-07:002020-02-19T12:07:10.553-07:00<br />
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<i>Ordinances make possible our response to God's invitation. </i></div>
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<i>{to follow HIm }We are enabled to formalize and consitute </i></div>
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<i>a living, dynamic relationship through a set of ritual </i></div>
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<i>preformances. We willfully and bodily participate in the forging </i></div>
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<i>of that relationship as a response to a persnal beckoning rather </i></div>
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<i>than an impersonal moral imperative. "</i></div>
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<i>From: The Crucible Of Doubt</i></div>
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<i>by: Givens</i><br />
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"Through baptism, we formally and publicly accept Christ's invitation to be our spiritual Father. Thus we signal our desire to be adopted into His family."<br />
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We have had two consecutive weekends full of beautiful family celebrations.<br />
Beckham and Benjamin were each baptized by their good fathers, surrounded by many friends and family.....and so many small cousins watching their great example.<br />
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Kids these days dont enter into this covenant lightly. They are well informed 8yr olds. Probalby way ahead of where I was when I took the step at 17 years old all those many years ago.<br />
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My official pic at the time of my baptism 1977</div>
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I love it when there is a room full of family and friends doing their very best to lean in towards God. Thats what Im trying to do this year. Lean, lean lean in towards God. (a Michael Jackson move going on in my heart here)<br />
There's nothing quite so heartwarming as being among people who believe and have faith that leening works better than not leaning...no matter how imperfectly.<br />
Logan and Liam spoke at Beckhams baptism...and they did a mavelous job!! Kids these days just blow my mind.<br />
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Grandparents spoke at Ben's baptism...and old people rock and sometimes roll.<br />
I am being constantanly awed and inspiried by the people I find myself in company with. We Stephensons are so blessed.<br />
We love each other and find no striff or contention among us. I know this is a great blessing and even a bit unusual. It seems that we long to be together even. My heart bursts with gratitude in this.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-24039635621209781242020-02-03T09:35:00.002-07:002020-02-03T09:35:59.729-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But the secrets of the river, he saw only one today;</i></div>
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<i>it seized his soul. He saw the water running and running</i></div>
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<i>constantly running, and yet it was always there, was always</i></div>
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<i>and forever the same, and yet new every instant. Who could</i></div>
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<i>grasp this?! Who could fathom this?! He did not grasp or</i></div>
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<i>fathom it, he felt only an inkling stirring, a distant memory,</i></div>
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<i>godly voices.</i></div>
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<i>from: </i><b>Siddhartha</b></div>
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<i>by: Herman Hess</i></div>
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What better way to break a solitary drive up North...to a predicted blizzard..than to stop at a local hot springs, in the middle of nowhere, in the company of a beloved niece and a couple of her boys!!??<br />
It was so fun to soak for a bit and to meet some unique folks from all over and whom where going to all sorts of uniques places from there!! Belgium was the furthest adventurous traveler!! And what a kick it was to watch Brock and Max hop and trot from one pool to another, over ice rimmed puddles in the brisk, wicked wind and cold. I for one could not bring myself to even bring one shoulder out of the warm water. In fact, I was horrifed in knowing that I would eventually have to pull myself out and withstand the cold and make my way to a near by rock where my towel and borrowed cozy robe awaited me. The spring just wasnt quite hot enough to make it pleasant to step out of and into the north winds. But we did it!! And it was so worth it!! And now I can check off this experience on my bucket list!! Yipeee!! Thanks Jeni, for joining me!! Love you so much and your darling family!!<br />
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Do you remember my reference to a predicted blizzard at home??<br />
Well this time the weather man was right.<br />
We woke up this morning to snow caked windows (a first) and drifts all over the yard and its still being added to as I write. Pictures cant capture the sound of the wind or the blinding verticle snow. sigh.<br />
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<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-46627882118152231732019-12-04T09:09:00.000-07:002019-12-04T09:14:03.358-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Reading is a staple of life,</i></div>
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<i>like bread and water.</i></div>
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<i>Or chocolate.</i></div>
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-Rhett MacPheron</div>
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Picking a favorite book from all that I have read this year has proved quite difficult. As you will quickly notice..This was the year of Non Fiction for me. And for the more astute, you may notice that Im a tree hugging, adventure seeking, peace seeking soul.<br />
But...if I use the same criteria for picking my favorite books that I used in selecting movies, then a couple of books rise to the top.<br />
Which book(s) do I think about the most after having read them?<br />
The answer is... THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREES by Peter Wohlleben<br />
This book has literally changed the way I see the world and the trees and forests in it.<br />
I say- God is masterful!!<br />
(God is never mentioned in this book...if I recall correctly..but He is there nevertheless!!)<br />
I thank Peter for opening my eyes even wider to the wonders of this world. Anyone who loves the outdoors should read this book. The trees in your back yard and on city streets or in parks or forests will never look the same!! Love, love LOVE this book!!<br />
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This second book was oh so difficult to put into second place.<br />
TO SHAKE THE SLEEPING SELF by Jedidiah Jenkins<br />
This is another book (like the one afore mentioned) that when you finish reading it...you pick it up and hold it to your heart and utter a prayer of thanksgiving for a fellow human that was so good and talented to write such a book.<br />
Oh how I wished I could have done what he has done...ride a bike, from Cally to Patagonia. If I have a regret in life...its that I didnt go for more adventures or take more risks. Jedidiah is a young man who learned to speak his truths out-loud, and to embrace the world, and even go it alone or with fellow humans was a true inspiration for me!! He writes like a dream and is a very deep thinker! I cant remember ever wanting to actually be someone else before...but I felt this a LOT when I read this book. He has no fear, no judgments, he loves his fellow man and is truthful in his search for himself and for God...its all so inspiring!!<br />
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Lastly...I cant leave this list without adding two more books.<br />
PILGRAM AT TINKER CREEK by Anne Dillard<br />
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Ive been enjoying small quotes from Anne Dillard from her book for years. But now that I've read the book from cover to cover I have a whole new appreciation for this woman and her love of the natural world. This is another fascinating book along the same vein as The Hidden Life of Trees, but I found it even more calming and restful in how she describes what she sees and does outside in her "backyard". Bugs and birds and streams and trees and worms will never be the same in my eyes. Every chapter is a science course in plants, and animals and entomology and weather and anatomy and human psychology ....all so easily learned at her feet. I found it a form of meditation reading/listening to her. This woman can write! She can see...really see! Anne can explain what she sees with great passion and with a deep love for this natural world. Here is another book that will change how you see this magnificent, intricate world in which we live and spin around on. We must open our eyes!!<br />
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And lastly...my <u>very</u> honorable mention...THE UNTETHERED SOUL by Michael A Singer<br />
A beautiful book...about overcoming the ego, and learning to love and let go. Amen<br />
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And my favorite work of Fiction this year- ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doerr<br />
Oh look!! It won the Pulitzer Prize! What a brilliant story of a blind girl during WWII. Be intrigued!!<br />
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<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-11630373513842936762019-12-02T11:40:00.000-07:002019-12-02T11:40:20.085-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">“It's not what a movie is about, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">it's how it is about it.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">― </span><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">Roger Ebert</span></div>
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">For a woman who loves to go to the movies...I sure didnt go to many this year. (Now there's a good goal for 2020!)</span><br />
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">Looking back I see I only have 8 movies that I felt worth mentioning. And picking the favorite was a good, thought provoking experience. </span><br />
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">But if I MUST- my choice for a favorite will be Bohemian Rhapsody. My reasoning ifor this pick is that I think about this movie the most out of the handful I saw this year. I am haunted by Freddie and his life. And yes, I do know that this movie didnt portray his life in its true form. But I do know that he was a gifted and conflicted and talented young soul. I am tormented at times by peoples burdens and choices...Freddie and Michael Jackson to name a few of the many. I love Freddies music...I have many of his classics on my playlists. Rami did an amazing job of playing Freddie! And Im still kinda amazed at how the supporting actors looked so much like the characters they are playing. This is the only movie this year that I watched several times. So that is why its at the top of my short list.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDJr2sylsBEyrHwL21rrFvB1i3yagfuN-mUNWqoOHLUCqChERP_tOrkOa_crzssZ2q2p-5LmOJZh6Gbwj_Gl4VnzoO6lSt4thTTUfeftk4ev85a8uFVZ3TQlyJ2VZb5fytaHq-vMk1UU/s1600/Screenshot_20191202-101527_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1080" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDJr2sylsBEyrHwL21rrFvB1i3yagfuN-mUNWqoOHLUCqChERP_tOrkOa_crzssZ2q2p-5LmOJZh6Gbwj_Gl4VnzoO6lSt4thTTUfeftk4ev85a8uFVZ3TQlyJ2VZb5fytaHq-vMk1UU/s400/Screenshot_20191202-101527_Instagram.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">The other movies Im noting for the year goes as follows:</span><br />
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">2nd- Aladdin- with Will Smith. This was such a pleasant surprise!! I went in with low expectations and came out happy and singing a tune or two. </span><br />
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">3rd- The Ballard of Buster Scruggs- Dark, Dark, Dark...not for the faint of heart. But I think about this one a lot too. Its course and also a work of art. </span><br />
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">4th- The 100 Foot Journey- Warm and delicious!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mCrqJGnk5sHuxXVuoE6elYn2_6wBmhjFZSn8NSmfTB2sIfDfusLacLHadrV-p2hMzU93kvEgmqX9zS-9dgLrPm31G8qflYQBfyfXeqZ5BI72IIcMd43U40-NVv5tUQvd1-7ZJQ1ez9o/s1600/Screenshot_20191202-112019_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1080" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mCrqJGnk5sHuxXVuoE6elYn2_6wBmhjFZSn8NSmfTB2sIfDfusLacLHadrV-p2hMzU93kvEgmqX9zS-9dgLrPm31G8qflYQBfyfXeqZ5BI72IIcMd43U40-NVv5tUQvd1-7ZJQ1ez9o/s640/Screenshot_20191202-112019_Instagram.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">5th- Ford vs Ferrari- very interesting, well acted and beautifully shot! Who knew that camera angles could play such an influential part of a race car movie!!??</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aqGOqZLJl0IEblm3ETwJHdXUaelW6OgBjJGTRaUGjNgKdGbjraajy6DEA9e-_KVXj7pRBkpu347tZAXJ9z1mbN_t76YIEO6ISxRLiL7aSuh-_R4MoyFYSaCejA7odEt2w62TR57lewo/s1600/Screenshot_20191202-112054_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aqGOqZLJl0IEblm3ETwJHdXUaelW6OgBjJGTRaUGjNgKdGbjraajy6DEA9e-_KVXj7pRBkpu347tZAXJ9z1mbN_t76YIEO6ISxRLiL7aSuh-_R4MoyFYSaCejA7odEt2w62TR57lewo/s640/Screenshot_20191202-112054_Instagram.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">6th- Downton Abbey- It was wonderful catching up with old friends!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBbn3eEnXO7Fbn1gsO5_42HEkRvbnlh_DxK04g2NDVbeXpT6zyrirOUfuf87JloTY5MnDOLnB5AIJGVa9LlEVK0wCefbqPKgEHvvxHUlZwYkcYqiNjpIKAzUkoJA__5fnppZWHDuBBjI/s1600/Screenshot_20191202-112140_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1080" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBbn3eEnXO7Fbn1gsO5_42HEkRvbnlh_DxK04g2NDVbeXpT6zyrirOUfuf87JloTY5MnDOLnB5AIJGVa9LlEVK0wCefbqPKgEHvvxHUlZwYkcYqiNjpIKAzUkoJA__5fnppZWHDuBBjI/s400/Screenshot_20191202-112140_Instagram.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">7th- Avengers Endgame- Laugh out-loud fun and adventure!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HXYTS5qn-XhLsi5b3M9tmOjN048aUpH1XNizDMoyV1z9CZYMV9NSWwk3hBh-J-aHypH19EgAh6VFEDkuSiTyZ3LsusZTkvnDA-i3HBADq1VJGLMEj0RcOqIFyDs4hKVWstEgYZdI-8U/s1600/Screenshot_20191202-112551_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="842" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HXYTS5qn-XhLsi5b3M9tmOjN048aUpH1XNizDMoyV1z9CZYMV9NSWwk3hBh-J-aHypH19EgAh6VFEDkuSiTyZ3LsusZTkvnDA-i3HBADq1VJGLMEj0RcOqIFyDs4hKVWstEgYZdI-8U/s640/Screenshot_20191202-112551_Instagram.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">8th- Yesterday- fun, a unique concept and who can go wrong with Beatles music?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJdrvIfDZY4hN5gi4EGigmEc0y716ekQYy1kHRt6LGB561FAt27Eq6fcMerN3we9zGG3XacL-diTdmgW6LXom3N0hd_CQuxJXPjnTfjhB38BPr4Av9Cio7BjZ7mHoFj1N-2nVJH_QKzM/s1600/Screenshot_20191202-112702_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1080" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJdrvIfDZY4hN5gi4EGigmEc0y716ekQYy1kHRt6LGB561FAt27Eq6fcMerN3we9zGG3XacL-diTdmgW6LXom3N0hd_CQuxJXPjnTfjhB38BPr4Av9Cio7BjZ7mHoFj1N-2nVJH_QKzM/s320/Screenshot_20191202-112702_Instagram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">P.S.- It has just now occurred to me that some of these movies may not be strictly 2019 movies. But guess what?! They were for me!! So Im counting them!!</span><br />
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">P.S.S.- And I also realize that 2019 isnt over yet! Knifes Out is definitely on my list to see before the years out!</span><br />
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><span id="goog_1341879707"></span><span id="goog_1341879708"></span><br /></span>
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<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-69665043357546031272019-11-16T09:34:00.000-07:002019-11-16T09:34:14.190-07:00<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">“<i>I am reminded of an image...that living with a terminal </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>disease is like walking on a tightrope over an insanely scary </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>abyss. But that living without disease is also like walking on </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>a tightrope over an insanely scary abyss, only with some fog </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>or cloud cover obscuring the depths a bit more -- sometimes </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">the wind blowing it off a little, sometimes a nice dense cover.”</span> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From: The Bright Hour</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>By: Nina Riggs</i></div>
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<br />
So I think we may have experienced a miracle.<br />
Some may role their eyes at my use of the word miracle....but I really dont know how else to explain what has happened for Bob.<br />
Laying all this out in numbers may be the most helpful in explaining.<br />
Oct 1st- Bobs markers, the bad markers, stood at 4,888. Gulp. This raised more than a few eyebrows at Huntsman.<br />
Nov 15th- Bobs markers stand at 188. That's not a typo. 188. I'll let that sit there a moment.<br />
And sure, I KNOW the the people at Huntsman are carefully administering their very best poison for putting Multiple Myeloma "back to sleep" as they say. We are both confident and sure and grateful in this.<br />
But...to have his numbers plummet so low, so quickly...that is where an admission to a miracle may indeed come into play.<br />
So very many people have been praying for Bob.<br />
So many times have people put Bobs name on the temple prayer roles. <br />
And what about his personal prayers?<br />
And yes...my worldly brain is a nasty thing. I cant begin to reason why these efforts, at this time, are met with a miracle-like answer, while others dont receive one. That is the grand mystery of God and our relationship with Him. But today, this week, and for now on, this will feel like nothing less than a miracle. Amen<br />
Oh how I wish I'd snapped a picture of our darling, incredibly competent PA, Grace, giving Bob a very enthusiastic high five!!<br />
And once again, as I looked around the infusion center at all the full chairs of very ill people, and a staff of very busy nurses and the like, who stop at nothing to make the visit there as pleasant as it possibly can be under such circumstance....I just cant help but feel a sense of holiness and unconditional love all around us. Thats a strange thing to say about a bustling hospital...but there it is...a truth I have discovered. You dont want to be in such a situation. But if you find yourself there, then you are blessed to hang with the likes of these sick ones and their caretakers. They have been through hell and back..and are refined and beautiful for it.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-89263759636936320712019-11-03T19:47:00.002-07:002019-11-03T19:47:59.420-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The thing about football- the most</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>important thing about football- is</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>that it's not just about football.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>-Terry Pratchett</i></div>
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<br />
I really like the game of football. I have memories of watching football on tv with my dad. I think football was the only thing my dad watched on tv. (I like watching football on tv...and watching basketball in the arena.)<br />
Ive been protesting the NFL...with not much conviction of late...because of the bratty, self-righteous players...who are paid millions...for making something thats supposed to be fun into something political. But things seem to have calmed down a bit and Im now back to sometimes watching.<br />
But what Im trying to do now is to get on board with a grand that is now playing football at the ripe young age of ten. And I'll admit, when we've been able to attend some games...its been quite fun!! Ive found it even a bit enlightening....when Im not cringing with worry about him being hurt. Im grateful for this sweet, almost docile child, who puts on a full suit of football attire and goes out on the field and runs and tackles and makes catches and runs plays!! Hes a full hearted player!! His mom is a died-in-the-wool football mom!! His dad is sometimes a linesman and is sure to take work off on game days! Logan gets hit hard sometimes. He gets hurt...and cries quietly under his helmet...but not once has he quit or given up. His parents are emphatically encouraging but not crazed in their support.<br />
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<br />
Aside: when players are down...due to the wind being knocked out of them or being stepped on, or torked in the wrong way...the whole team "takes a knee" while the downed boy is being attended to. During Saturdays game I lost count of how many times they had to take a knee. It is during these times that one cannot help remembering that these are just young boys...playing at being tough...and it is HARD! Yet they do it...and will continue to do this....until they really are tough!!<br />
Logans team didnt win the championship game on Saturday...but they played their very best game of the season...and are holding their heads high!!<br />
Gotta love Football!!<br />
Gotta love our Logan!!!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-48755942800044011112018-04-16T19:42:00.002-06:002018-04-16T19:42:47.614-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
We got through the day. Bob is brave..stoic, and funny under stress. He charms the nurses and even the doctor a little.<br />
Its boring to recap really. Just know that Dr S is hitting this cancer hard. We discovered that the "cocktail" that I have been incorrectly calling it, is really a mild form of chemo.. After 4 rounds of 21 days each of this chemo ...its directly on to the bone marrow transplant. Gulp. Then they let his body rest for a hundred days before they'll do something call Immune Therapy. Whew.<br />
We've come home with a list of side effects to look for...with our fingers crossed that not one of them materializes. The phone has been buzzing with well wishes and texts are flying..all for my good man.<br />
<br />
Today's miracle- Bob is dealing with needles...bravely...even the one they jabbed into his soft, tender, belly.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-32730364642358689462018-04-15T19:55:00.001-06:002018-04-15T19:55:26.660-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I started the day with some nothin' tea.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Nothin' tea is easy to make. First get</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>some hot water, and add nothin'.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From: The Martian</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>By: Andy Weir</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
I dont know if I can do this.<br />
(I know, I know...Im already whining, and Im not the one with cancer. ...its not a good sign)<br />
But I am dreading tomorrow... I'm thinking I'll barely be able to muster the fortitude, courage, faith, and the patience I need walk in that building , that has already become way to familiar, and try to listen to Dr S. tell me all the reasons why giving My Builder poison is a good thing.<br />
These last few weeks have left me plenty of time to stew on things. For Ive often gone though the many scenerios on how and what I would do if I was diagnosised with cancer...but I NEVER played out what I would do if the man I love were to get cancer.<br />
Im scared, and Im mad. ( My Builder seems to not experience either of these emotions.) Plus, I lack a full sense of confidence in the medical community right now...after last weeks' incidents with the radiology department. So how do I do this tomorrow...be a pillar of strength and confidence for the man I love?<br />
I suppose I'll just have to lean on all the love and prayers that I know are being sent heavenward in behalf of Bob.<br />
Notes of encouragement and love keep streaming in to us...and they help greatly...<br />
Like this one from my dear, dear cousin from Mississippi:<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cindy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We've had a rainy, blustery day. In fact, we spent a good half hour trapped in the hallway under a mattress, fearing a tornado...again. Alas, we are safe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Those are nice words: We. Are. Safe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">They're not mine, though. They're everyone's, at some time in life or other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I didn't realize you'd stopped blogging. I didn't realize where life had taken you and your family since I moved away. I didn't realize Bob had cancer. Until today. In the safety of my home, flooded with 5 inches of rain outside, and electricity and conveniences inside, my dad received a call from yours. Lots was said. I didn't hear it. It wasn't my phone call. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">But afterwards, Dad found me and Mom: safe, sitting in comfort, watching radars and storms swirling around our state. He broke the news about Bob. We stared at him. It wasn't real. Just like the storms wreaking havoc, ELSEWHERE. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I don't know what to say. I don't know what to pray for in your behalf. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">But please know, y'all are safe. You're in gentle and loving hands that know clearly what's happening, more clearly than you or any scan or anyone else can. Know, too, that temple prayer rolls are sacred and strengthening to those who humble themselves to use their power. I've felt it and seen it in my life and the lives of my friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Y'all are loved more than you can possibly imagine. Please know that. Please trust me when I say that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I hate you're suffering. I hate Bob is suffering. I hate that you're still enduring winter when you dislike it so much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">But I know: Y'all. Are. Safe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Love, </span></div>
<br />
I'm planting a mustard seed in my heart.<br />
Today's miracles: A cousin eloquent beyond description. Plus sunshine and bees making love to my apricot tree.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-21164215969561325562018-04-13T21:29:00.004-06:002018-04-18T18:02:02.784-06:00<div class="x_m_2887146998022255031p1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031s1" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>"God put us here, on this carnival ride.</i></span></div>
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<i>We close our eyes never knowing</i></div>
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<i>where it'll take us next."</i></div>
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<i>-Carrie Underwood</i></div>
<div class="x_m_2887146998022255031p1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031s1" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh48rqg6QBI5AOtgFgNKulEgeKX3RO9LNvZKn9T-2Kr4kwuuoYha3WRSRNSkWU-caAkDrPfKRljp4TaCkNkPKclCVRpkz3IDEbNKLddSIiiWHfcGQ5L9FsGbO7p-dEKeccw1PHqtRxAo/s1600/Goliath-%25E2%2580%2593-Six-Flags-Great-America-%25E2%2580%2593-Illinois.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh48rqg6QBI5AOtgFgNKulEgeKX3RO9LNvZKn9T-2Kr4kwuuoYha3WRSRNSkWU-caAkDrPfKRljp4TaCkNkPKclCVRpkz3IDEbNKLddSIiiWHfcGQ5L9FsGbO7p-dEKeccw1PHqtRxAo/s400/Goliath-%25E2%2580%2593-Six-Flags-Great-America-%25E2%2580%2593-Illinois.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="x_m_2887146998022255031p1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031s1" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This has got to be a bad dream!!</span></div>
<div class="x_m_2887146998022255031p1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031s1" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s Friday... we’re having a delightful visit with my brother and sister in law who drove up here for the day to share Chinese food and My Builders expertise with landscaping. ( there was to be VERY little talk of the “c” word...it was a silent agreement between us... For all the<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031Apple-converted-space" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>diagnosing has been done, all that’s left is the fight. )</span></div>
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<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031s1" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x_m_2887146998022255031Apple-converted-space" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="x_m_2887146998022255031p1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031s1" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x_m_2887146998022255031Apple-converted-space" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">P.S.S.- We are assured that we have no need to blame our Dr S. He was just reading what the radiologist wrote up.</span></span></div>
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<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031s1" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x_m_2887146998022255031Apple-converted-space" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="x_m_2887146998022255031p1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">
<span class="x_m_2887146998022255031s1" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x_m_2887146998022255031Apple-converted-space" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">P.S.S.S.- maybe I had better start a tally of the miracles and tender mercies we are experiencing here. Brent will be at the top of the list...but more on that later.</span></span></div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-90413710605250084652018-01-16T08:56:00.003-07:002018-01-16T08:58:46.143-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>As to when I shall visit civilization, it will not be soon,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I think. I have not tired of the wilderness; rather I enjoy</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>its beauty and the vagrant life I lead, more keenly all the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>time. I prefer the saddle to the streetcar and star-sprinkled</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>sky to a roof, the obscure and difficult trail, leading into </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the unknown, to any praved highway, and the deep peace</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>of the wild to the discontent bred by cities. Do you blame </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>me then for staying here, where I feel that I belong and am</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>one with the world around me? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From: <b>Heart of the Desert Wild</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Everett Ruess</i></div>
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<br />
You cant know how very thrilled i am to have red rock pics back up on my blog!! It feels almost as good as being out there among the rocks and sand...but in truth NOTHING can feel as good as being out there again!<br />
<br />
Theres no way of knowing just how many times Ive been on the Slots hike in my hiking career. At least a hundred times Im sure. But is had been at least 5 yrs since I've visited the trail. I had my willing, patient companion in Clark...and off we headed to what I thought would be a most familiar trek.<br />
The first bugaboo was discovering that the normal place that we have parked for years was no longer "legal." WHAT????!! How can this be!!?? I tracked down a local and asked what had happened, and why parking was no longer permitted. He kind of rolled his eyes and said that things had kinda gotten out of control...too many cars, fender benders and law suits had made the citizens of the street feel that they needed to put up the signs. ugh<br />
He told me that Snow Canyon had to put up signs too...prohibiting hiking where we have hiked for years. Sigh<br />
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Anyway...the short of it is that he directed me to a place to park and from there is was easy to find the familiar trail and begin the hike.<br />
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Oh how glorious it was to be out there!!<br />
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Newspaper Rock with neighbors....<br />
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<br />
But alas....my aging brain found some places unfamiliar!! How could this be!!!?? I was sure I could have done this hike blindfolded!!<br />
But there was no need for real concern. I do know this hike. I just did it a little differently than 'normal.'<br />
<br />
For this being an "off limits' hike...we sure did see quite a few people enjoying the same scenery as we were and ignoring the same signs we were.<br />
<br />
And may I also mention how heart-breaking is was to see spectacular , million dollar homes not 50 yards from Newspaper rock!? People sitting out on their beautiful patios could easily see the petroglyphs on the rock!! That just doesnt sit well with me...but Im not in charge of the world am I?!<br />
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Thank you Clark for going out there with me!<br />
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Cat tracks!!!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Can I just say ...how blown away I am by modern technology!! I ...little old me, has figured out how to get pictures off my phone for this here blog!! Thats crazy!! Im so grateful!! Im "grateful to Clark too...for his help and support...but this time I did this on my own!! yay for me!!</span><br />
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-21909996062341768662017-12-27T10:08:00.000-07:002017-12-27T10:08:14.542-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b>“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! </b></i></div>
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<i><b>What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”</b></i> </div>
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-Dr Seuss </div>
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<br />
<br />
Christmas is most definitely my least favorite holiday.<br />
And I believe I can explain this with a few short words.<br />
unfulfilled expectations<br />
commercialism,<br />
disappointment<br />
<br />
<br />
No matter how hard I try to change my mindset on Christmas...discontent rears its ugly head.<br />
<br />
When ones <i>love language</i> is so <b>NOT</b> 'gift giving' , Christmas becomes a little dreadful and a burden. When ones <i>love language</i> <b><u>is</u></b> 'spending quality time" or 'acts of service', then you can see that Christmas hasn't gone well for me, (or my family) for many years. <br />
<br />
My dream Christmas, since my family began, is to bag the gifts and go away, board a plane, or pack into cars, and spend the time and money making memories that will last forever. (who remembers what they got for Christmas last year?) To not be buying gifts that will soon be forgotten, or that leave the recipient feeling less than satisfied...or wanting something different, or feeling that's its a lame gift, or that someones elses gift is better...and on and on... Its all nonsense and weighs heavily on my heart when I go to bed after the brouhaha of Christmas.<br />
My simple solution:<br />
Maybe next year will be the year my 'fantasy Christmas' will materialize. <br />
Plane tickets for all instead of socks<br />
Beach house instead of jewelry <br />
Service instead of gift cards<br />
Memories instead of electronics<br />
No regrets or unfulfilled expectation, only joy and great memories.<br />
<br />
PS- my kids are GREAT! This is not their problem or their fault. I was born this way. MyBuilder is the bonified spirit of Christmas in our house. I would have thrown up my hands in defeat years ago if it weren't for him. Bless him!!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-69863132194821774112017-12-09T08:55:00.001-07:002017-12-09T13:43:10.262-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
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<i>They say no</i></div>
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<i> plan survives first contact </i></div>
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<i>with implementation. I'd have to agree.</i></div>
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<i>from: <b>The Martian</b></i></div>
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<i>by: Andy Weir</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
<br />
As I contemplate my daughters plea to begin writing again…I
ponder why it is that I seem to have lost the ability to put into words what’s
going on in my life and in my head. As
you can see, I have attempted several times in the past…and failed to be consistent. Im sure it’s a 100% a head thing. I have been feeling sorry for myself for so
long, that its now extremely difficult
to climb out of my head and the hole I made for myself. I now resolve to begin and to see the light again..and to end
the addiction I have to my phone..ie Instagram and Pinterest, and just do
this…and be grateful to my daughter for the prod.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And because I love my daughter so, and I do so miss writing,
I began a list of things I might be able to write about. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Baby Henry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Annas birth experience<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Pams generously in taking me to California with her<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Clark<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Joe and family<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Robby being a cop<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian and Mericar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Etc, etc, etc<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I wrote ‘climbing/weightlifting/yoga’ and tears came to
my eyes. Im not kidding. I struck a nerve.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So why not write
about that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just writing the word ‘weightlifting’ struck a sensitive
cord. I miss Atticus. I miss that year
spent in the gym with him and his passion.. I miss getting stronger and
learning new and wondrous things about our bodies and what they are capable of doing.
I miss watching him heal others through his knowledge of our bodies and how
they work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I miss being personally challenged beyond what I thought I
was capable of achieving. I miss that boy so much! Losing him was like losing an
adopted child. Seriously. My own kids
may not understand this..but when one spends aprox 10 hours a week with
someone…exposing weaknesses and vulnerabilities, you get close. I felt like I
had become his second mom as well . Spending time with someone who pushes and cajoles you to get you to do things out
of your comfort zone, you build a real bond. This man was a healer and so
gifted and passionate about what he did. When he left there was a gaping hole
in my heart and in my life. A hole that
is only now, after all these months…a year even..is beginning to
heal. (though I still cry when I write
this this morning) I was a part of
something special…and I knew it…every time I walked through his door to the gym
I knew it! I should have known better of course. It was too good to be true I
suppose. My personal, one on one
training for an hour or more each day…was too good to be true. But I was so grateful!! Everyday I knew I was
blessed and lucky to have found him. I
miss it all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So Ive struggled to
find a replacement physical activity. I pray I have found it in “rock’
climbing. Rock is in quotations for I find it slightly humorous that this
refers to climbing on plastic grips secured to walls inside a climate
controlled building, and outfitted with auto-balays. I’ll be mostly self -taught though, with a
small smattering of helpful tips from the young kids that run the place and
with added help and encouragement from Brian And Mericar. There is no Atticus there…or at least I
haven’t met him yet. There is just no
one like that kid. (he was a beautiful mess
and a wonder of a man, and I was greatly blessed to have known him) May the secret desire that he might return
someday drift quietly off into the ceilings of the rock climbing gym. I wish
him well in all that the future holds for a talented guy like him, wherever he
may be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there are My musing for this COLD December morning as I
contemplate the yoga class Ill attend this afternoon…as I wait for my toe to heal…so
that I may once again don the new climbing shoes my dear Builder bought for me
last night. (hes so very supportive and anxious that I do find something to
replace the weight lifting gym and the excitement I had there- bless him!!) My
goal—to get all with way up that dang wall!!
I will be storng again!! <o:p></o:p></div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-38408853125091676892016-09-05T17:31:00.000-06:002016-09-05T17:31:20.265-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>We meditate to discover our own identity, our</i></div>
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<i>right place in the scheme of the universe. </i></div>
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<i>Through meditation we aquire and eventually</i></div>
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<i>acknowledge our connection to an inner power</i></div>
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<i>source that has the ability to transform our outer</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>world. In other words, meditation gives us not</i></div>
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<i>only the light of insight but also the power for</i></div>
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<i>expansive change.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>from:</i> <b>The Artist Way</b></div>
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<br />
I cant put my finger on why it is that hiking inspires me to blog. I miss, miss blogging. I have missed, missed hiking. Weight lifting is a gas...I really love it...but I guess there are no gorgeous vistas to photograph...no down time to just take in the scenery and to breath. Too many sweaty, straining faces at the gym...who wants to see that!!??<br />
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<br />
I am so, SO grateful that Brian and Mericar are in town now...for now we have plans!!! Lots of plans for hiking. I almost feel reborn. Hopeful.<br />
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Today we picked a moderate hike...for we had grands in tow. Anna and David are rock stars! They toted those kiddos on their backs and in their arms most of the time!! Thanks Blacksmith Barbell for the strength training there!!<br />
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It was a beautiful Labor Day Monday. Even My Builder joined us!! I think the grands would follow him anywhere!! Even up a mountain!!<br />
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<br />
William may grow up to be a rock hound. He was always on the hunt to find a precious rock to put in his pocket. I believe the headboard of his bed is lined with such treasures. He is our treasure!<br />
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Did I mention that the morning was glorious!! The clouds...the tint of fall colors on the trees in the distance. It rained last night...and everything smelled amazing...the grass was bent over with the weight and coolness of the moisture! Perfection!!<br />
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This little grand is a talker!! Hiking opens up his mind...even more...and he talked to all of us about anything...things that most four year olds dont articulate. What a boy!! Growing his legs stronger so he can be an even better hiker!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0oscLtnZlTfGUtLIBKvLrd8CUvABu8QUhyphenhyphenZtB29B_GxjcHInORIDOObxUuJt50ejDGbHIn0_uiJhOtDlxaZIMaXA1KycQY_stPozkcxfeBarXuNpxZoq_Hv-aSl751mJ0wEPuBuSixc/s1600/20160905_120749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0oscLtnZlTfGUtLIBKvLrd8CUvABu8QUhyphenhyphenZtB29B_GxjcHInORIDOObxUuJt50ejDGbHIn0_uiJhOtDlxaZIMaXA1KycQY_stPozkcxfeBarXuNpxZoq_Hv-aSl751mJ0wEPuBuSixc/s640/20160905_120749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And look what we found as the hike drew to a close. A lovely "St George" colored caterpillar!! He was a tickling treat!! Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-60349391966869333012016-09-03T21:35:00.000-06:002016-09-03T21:37:31.739-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Mountains are giant, restful, absorbent. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can heave your spirit into a </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mountain and the mountain will keep</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it, folded, and not throw it back as some</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
creeks will. The creeks are the world </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with all its stimulus and beauty; l live</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there. But the mountains are home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from: <b>Pilgrim at Tinker Creek</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by: Annie Dillard</div>
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It was a glorious afternoon, sweating, and huffing and puffing and mostly watching the rear ends of those I love recede before me. But I was out on a trail!!! <br />
Now that Brian and Mericar have moved back to Logan...I hope to hike at least once a week with them before the snow flies!! Today I am sure I hiked about 8 miles round trip. We were on the Bunchgrass Trail..a little east of Tony Grove...up Logan Canyon. We got to the top...or at least we thought it the top...before it began to head down again, with no lake in sight...and thats when I knew it was time for me to head back to my car. I was spent!! BandM continued on...for they had plans to camp somewhere up there in the quaking aspens. I DO NOT sleep on the ground...so it was my cue to turn around and high tail it home.<br />
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Really!?!? Its only Sept 3rd for petes sake and leaves are already beginning to change up here. How will an old lizard like myself deal with this reality!!??<br />
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No more coral dust between my toes either. Up here it seems its going to be alpine dust mixed with cow dung...oh boy. We shared the whole live long trail with lots of cows...all of which were less than happy we were disturbing their fall fattening on the slopes. <br />
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Cows to the left of me,..jokers to the right!!!<br />
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The skies were constantly changing as we trudged along. I trudged...they seemed to glide across the trail...even with their huge packs!!<br />
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see...not one speck of coral dust....<br />
Only brown dust and sweat...<br />
change is good...thats what they say...Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-47469522058045077742016-06-28T09:00:00.000-06:002016-06-29T12:27:59.567-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Throughout your life you're smoldering</i></div>
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<i>gently with a fire that will eventually</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>consume you. Some fear it as mortality, </i></div>
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<i>others embrace it as passion. You have</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>no way of knowing how much fuel you have.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Some people burn like a bonfire and die</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>peacefully at 94. Some people burn like a</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>candle and die before they are 30. When it</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>comes to life, there's no justice or logic when</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> it comes to length, There's only the ability to make</i></div>
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<i>the best of if. -Theo Lister</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Its no small thing to have a cop for a son. No small thing. I may have an inner battle with this for many years to come...for he was to be a NURSE, dagnabit!!...if I was in charge of the world.<br />
And now 14 whole days have passed. They have passed quickly...for hes not actually been on the streets...until today. 14 days ago he was awarded his shiny star and can now carry a gun. In fact..he has to carry a gun 24-7. In and out of uniform. gulp. I've had 14 days for it to sink in. What will it take for it to sink in? <br />
Today he gets in a cop car with a partner and begins to see the streets of Vegas through a policeman's eyes. (but seriously...I dont want to think about this yet. Ha ha...like I dont think about it every waking moment!!) <br />
Today i want to remember the celebration! To remember the overwhelming show of support from dear family. I want to remember the high that I was on watching Rob reach the end of his grueling training...knowing to my toes just how well he has been trained...to take care of himself first and the community next. I will try to remember that all the family and friends that were there will also be praying for Rob as much as me!! What a blessing!!<br />
It was a beautiful day, a proud day, a day I wont soon forget.<br />
I try mightily to not think about whats in store for him in the coming years. I try to remember how happy this makes him. How hard he has worked for this. He and Chelsea have done much together...for he couldn't have done it without her support and encouragement. <br />
God bless you Rob, this week and always!! Please!!!<br />
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Color Guard...opening ceremony<br />
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Waiting for his turn to get his badge...perfect attention!!<br />
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Police Chief pinning on Robs star/badge. <br />
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Its Official!!</div>
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proud Mom and Dad (with prankster brother in the background...way to go Joe!!)<br />
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Before he was even allowed off the stage I snagged a pic!!<br />
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Look at those kiddo...so proud of their daddy!!<br />
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Couldnt be prouder!!<br />
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Joe and Natalie...all the way from Lehi, Utah...Robs next younger brother.<br />
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Clark and Jenna...all the way from Kansas City...taking a break from medical school.<br />
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My brother Joe...or to Rob...Uncle Joe...all the way from Highland, Utah...interrupting a family vacation to join us and congratulate Rob.<br />
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Brian and Mericar...all the way from Coalville, Utah...baby brother.<br />
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Scott and Trisha...all the way from St George, Utah!! Bless them!!<br />
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J.J. Rogers and Kim and Sharon Rogers...all the way from Arizona for the festivities!!<br />
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Lisa and Janessa....Chelsea's mom and sister...all the way from North Salt Lake! <br />
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My dad!! Or to Robby...Grandpa Sharp...all the way from St George, Utah. <br />
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What a great bunch of folks...love them all!! BLESS YOU ALL!! Anna...this is the only pic I have of you!!! SorryCindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-7159665793808742352015-12-27T07:30:00.000-07:002015-12-27T07:30:14.686-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When we ask for God's blessing, we're not</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>asking for more of what we could get for</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>ourselves. We're crying out for the wonderful,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>unlimited goodness that only God has the power</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>to know about or give to us.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from: The Prayer of Jabez</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Bruce Wilkinson</i></div>
<br />
I know Christmas is about Jesus...I know this well. And my journey to know Him and love Him better is a good one. My concerted efforts to study and learn about His life and Gospel has become a beautiful thing for me.<br />
But what is Christmas without family? Family was a little sparse this year...with it being an 'off' year...But there is nothing "off" about having Clark and Jenna and Gideon here and with celebrating with grands. William and Ben's enthusiasm and wonder are the reason for the season as well. <br />
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Im not embarrassed to admit...whenever we go to the DI we find a treasure. This time if was an armful of grandma furry hats!! They made us happy..all those hats and fur collars...that smelled like a grandmas drawer...talcum powder and musty perfume. We think we sport them well, dont you??!</div>
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You gotta love Old Main Hill at the University!! And the sunshine on this day was heaven sent!! It felt like it had been months since the sun had shone around here!! A perfect day for sledding!! PERFECT!!!<br />
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I love these people!!<br />
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I challenged David to a race...he started of strong....but I beat him in the end!! Good times!!!<br />
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Im so grateful for my good, good family. They bring me such joy and happiness, and fun times. <br />
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And words cant express how very proud I am of of these two kids. Medical school is a challenge I cant possibly comprehend...and to have them both so challenged is remarkable to me. Their being able to relax for a time was such a gift ...for I know not what else I could do for them.... God bless them.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-138421036127997362015-12-12T10:34:00.000-07:002015-12-12T10:34:30.454-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And she felt it. Her father's heart beating there</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>inside of him. It felt very certain, very strong,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and very large. Just like Dr. Meescham had </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>said: </i>capacious<i>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from: Flora and Ulysses</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Kate DiCamillo</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<br />
This boy of mine has gone and done it..again.<br />
He has married well...not so very long ago.<br />
And he provides well.<br />
And above all, Joe is a family man. All that he is and does is for his beautiful family.<br />
<br />
Joe is a man of quiet greatness.<br />
Like his mom...he'll never be known as a conversationalist. But he is a rock!! Wherever he goes he quietly makes his mark, and quietly rises to the top. He quietly gains the admiration, respect and love of all who know him. Everyone wants him on their team!!<br />
He has used his natural propensities to grow and develop into a very talented and gifted sales rep and manager. And when I say natural propensities I mean it!! From a very early age this guy had the eye of a classy dresser. (And we all know he didnt learn this from his parents!! ) When I was buying jeans at Target for his brothers and sister...he insisted on paying his portion to 'upgrade' to the best jeans that money could buy. Here is proof positive that kids come to us with their own distinct gifts and personalities!! What we were willing to pay for a piece of denim and a zipper was far less than what was acceptable to him. His passion for appearances is paying off well for him!! Way to go my love!!<br />
I joked with him the other day when we visited his store. I speculated that he could find us a real source of embarrassment as we come traipsing into his store in our outdated, frumpy clothes. He just smiled and said no. (Isnt that sweet of him?) This 'good fruit' did seem to fall a little further out from the tree as far as 'care of raiment' is concerned. <br />
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(he's wearing a tux!!!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The night of the Jos A Banks Christmas party our Joe was given an award. His store and two others made over $500,000 in sales in a years time. Only 3 people out of 200 won!! And to think that he's only been with Jos A Banks for less than 2 years!! He's got a good thing going on!! So very, very proud of him!! And proud of gorgeous Natalie for her support and being such an amazing mom to their beautiful kids!!<br />
<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-65490615634255221382015-12-08T14:28:00.000-07:002015-12-08T14:28:05.133-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>I am out for a bargain; the object should be</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>desirable from the standpoint of its social</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>value, and at the same time should want me,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>considering my overt and hidden assets and </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>potentialities. Two persons thus fall in love</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>when they feel they have found the best </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>objects available on the market, considering</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>the limitations of their own exchange values.</i></div>
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<i>Often, as in buying real estate, the hidden</i></div>
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<i>potentialities which can be developed play</i></div>
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<i>a considerable role in this bargain.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>from: <b>The Art of Loving</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Erik Fromm</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmoOiTMAa0n3AF8FZ44w4moNdj0000dw4Nr0lG37iSCXh8gGW2DDQ-EaasLkNMO5gckwqgaW1QvAAPnkQpfu-LW8wPmoHhHpCBL8dWjAZ2xJtaOG0YPoChfVAD6NcMLl06Ni9h4JraFg/s1600/FB_IMG_1449550876227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmoOiTMAa0n3AF8FZ44w4moNdj0000dw4Nr0lG37iSCXh8gGW2DDQ-EaasLkNMO5gckwqgaW1QvAAPnkQpfu-LW8wPmoHhHpCBL8dWjAZ2xJtaOG0YPoChfVAD6NcMLl06Ni9h4JraFg/s640/FB_IMG_1449550876227.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of we Stephensons
have been talking a lot about marriage around here. We
belong to a spectacular family and extended family. And we have marriages…as our darling nieces
and nephews find loved ones. Marriages are joyous occasions and a cause
for reflection. Last weekend dear Mikele
and Seth were sealed….for time and all eternity. It’s a beautiful thing…for I do believe that
when we bring God into this ‘contract’ we
broaden our chances to have an enduring marriage…we see that our purposes are higher than just outward appearances. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do we realize how unique we Mormons are? Very few
religions teach the truth or even believe that marriages can be
eternal. So few teach that that is what
God intends for us….for our families to be eternal. We aim for the eternities!! At the risk of sounding over the top…we aim
for thrones, principalities and powers in eternal worlds. I think most folks do believe that we are all
made in the image of God who is eternal…so why not us!!??<o:p></o:p></div>
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But I stray from the subject at hand. Pondering marriage. Theories abound about what makes a good
marriage and what qualities are required for the best mate. My thoughts are always drawn back to the
idea of arranged marriages. I realize that this is a strange platform to begin with …for it seems such a foreign concept this day
and age. But the ‘ancient’ practice gets one to thinking about what it is that makes
a marriage successful. What are the
elements of a good marriage? (please
note—this post if for ME!! I have much
to improve on) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>We all want happiness.</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have learned that it is NOT my spouses responsibility to
bring me happiness. I am in charge of my
own happiness. And the only way to find real happiness is to serve one another.
Service in marriage should be easy!! There are so many diverse ways!! When we serve Love grows. We must always be on guard for our acts of selfishness.
Arranged or not…we can always serve. ..and love will grow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Did you know that one
can literally become addicted to the state of unhappiness……..or to happiness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Did you know that our thoughts are real, tangible objects, not
just fluffy, ethereal stuff? Here’s what
I have come to understand. A Dr Pert did some studies, and found that
every thought you have has an unique neuropeptide associated with it, and your
body, in turn, produces that unique neuropeptide
every time you experience that
particular thought, and the emotion associated with it. A neuropeptide is a simple, protein based amino acid and is
produced by your hypothalamus, the “control
center” at the base of our brain. So every time we have a thought, our
hypothalamus ‘translates’ that thought into billions of neuropeptides that are
uniquely associated with the emotion you are experiencing because of that
thought. And then our bloodstream is
flooded with billions of the unique neuropeptides associated with the emotion you have just
been experiencing. My thought,
translated into a neuropeptide, literally becomes a molecular messenger of
emotion. When in my bloodstream, these
neuropeptides are physically assimilated
by your body’s cells. The neuropeptides join
with your cells by inserting themselves into a special receptacle on
each cell’s membrane- like a key fitting into a keyhole. Each neuropeptide receptacle on a cell’s
membrane is specifically designed to fit just that one particular peptide and
no other. So once that peptide finds the right receptacle on the cell membrane,
that amino acid is absorbed into the cell.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over time, this Dr Pert found that our cells develop more
and more unique receptacles on their membranes to capture the neuropeptides to
which they are most often exposed. Dr
Pert also found that over time, our cells begin to <b>crave</b> the neuropeptides to which they are most often exposed (and
have built the unique receptacles to receive.)
In fact, she found that our cells become so accustomed to the unique
peptides to which they are most often exposed that the cells cover their
membranes with nothing but those receptacles for those neuropeptides!! Which in
turn actually shut down other vital functions, and our cells become nothing but vessels to ingest the unique
peptide they most often experience.
This means that our cells start ‘telling’ our hypothalamus to produce
these particular neuropeptides because
they have developed an actual physical need for them. Many, many times I have become addicted to
Pepsi; to the point of breaking the Sabbath to obtain one. This is how these cells feel towards their
neuropeptides!! Its daunting to think
now with this information, that the only way our hypothalamus can produce the
peptides that my cells are now physically addicted to is for me to experience
the emotions that will create them!! And the only way my brain can experience
the emotions necessary to create those neuropeptides is for it to see and
experience a physical reality that will create for those emotions. If I have felt sad these last several years….my
cells are now essentially dictating to me what Im experiencing is indeed sad,
because they are controlling my emotional state. My body may actually be
physically addicted to this emotional state…even though I know these emotions
are painful for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s to building new peptides and receptacles!! And Im guessing service builds amazing, new
neuropeptides too!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzTyPTTnkq5WRCFio3c_S4gXrGC7xuazUAIyevfF9CS-ws9ds55fmV3S_y35XX-cRUdmZLuooxx9xghVuwrmTCFoNqaABFuWsn3eA320onRpb4bqsqUG3-L4etVsuRjpmsEOg5cVL5vo/s1600/20151205_153725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzTyPTTnkq5WRCFio3c_S4gXrGC7xuazUAIyevfF9CS-ws9ds55fmV3S_y35XX-cRUdmZLuooxx9xghVuwrmTCFoNqaABFuWsn3eA320onRpb4bqsqUG3-L4etVsuRjpmsEOg5cVL5vo/s640/20151205_153725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Next there is loyalty in marriage. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Loyalty means to be faithful and true. It means fidelity in all we do. A marriage before God calls us to be both
loyal and true. The world would have us
not worry about such things. Being virtuous and responsible for our
actions is not encouraged. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We should be the best we can be. To ourselves and to our
love. May I quote here: “ <i>We are spinning our own fates, good or evil, and it’s
never to be undone. Every small stroke
of virtue or of vice leaves its never-so-little scar. The drunken Rip Van Winkle, in Jefferson’s
play, excuses himself for every fresh
misdeed by saying, ‘I won’t count this time.’ “ A
psychologist has this to say about our justifying
our actions especially those actions of least resistance, and us believing it doesn’t
really count- “You may not count it, and a kind Heaven may
not count it; but it is being counted nonetheless. Down among our nerve cells and fibers the
molecules are counting it, registering and storing it up to be used against him when
the next temptation comes. (</i>our physical
bodies are such a wonder<i>!!) Nothing we ever do is, in strict scientific
literalness, wiped out. Of course, this
has its good side as well as its bad one.
As we come permanent drunkards-as in Rip's case, by so many separate drinks,(acts
of omission in case of marriage) we become saints(do-gooders)
in the moral sphere, and authorities and experts in the practical and
scientific spheres, by so many separate acts and hours of work (good deeds). Let no youth have any anxiety about the
upshot of his education (or marriage) whatever it may be. If he keeps faithfully busy each hour of the
day, he may safely leave the final result to itself. He can with perfect certainty count on waking
up some fine morning, to find himself one of the competent ones of his
generation, in whatever pursuit he may have singled out. ( a good marriage) Silently, between all the details of his
business (marriage) the power of judging in all that class of matter will have
built itself up within him a possession
that will never pass away. Young people
should know this truth in advance. The ignorance of it has probably engendered
more discouragement and faint-heartedness in youth embarking on arduous endeavors
than all other causes put together.</i> (Psychology
William James Henry Holt 18920<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My dumbed down version:
Marriage is work. Put in the time
and effort…lots of effort…and you will
wake up many a morning and be ever so grateful for and more in love with the one
you love. It will be worth it. It will
bring much joy and satisfaction. Send
good and positive vibes down to those very molecules that make beautiful you!! Be
loyal to thyself and to the one you love.
If your marriage was arranged…you worked at it every day!! There was no
other option!! The same applies today!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP_GKBI05Lwta0iA5xRNQUv7u5DQeFW_a4AaKJyW5kC-tp-YLwQk9dD-0coDGKe8kSmqEcRU7yzy6ZVjGgbb0B35-j9pTqJJ0brIygw9utBJfPJU2JaL133HzPMKY1LB8cfyAxoARGAk/s1600/FB_IMG_1449517157515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP_GKBI05Lwta0iA5xRNQUv7u5DQeFW_a4AaKJyW5kC-tp-YLwQk9dD-0coDGKe8kSmqEcRU7yzy6ZVjGgbb0B35-j9pTqJJ0brIygw9utBJfPJU2JaL133HzPMKY1LB8cfyAxoARGAk/s320/FB_IMG_1449517157515.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Next helpful tip:
<b>Continue the wooing!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just because there’s a ring and a sealing doesn’t mean the
fun can end. Wooing should never cease. Have fun together. Keeping
dating. Remember kind words, and appreciation expressed often, and courteous acts mean so much. It is
always about the small things. Love
feeds on kindnesses and courtesy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And you ladies
remember- Dr Laura is oh so wise when she counsels us to LOVE them, intimately,
feed them and tell them how great they
are. It is that simple!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Next is practicing self-control.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My mother and your mother taught you that ‘if you don’t have anything good to say,
then don’t say anything at all!’ Biting
ones tongue becomes a fine art…if practiced!!
If we refrain from saying hurtful words..we gain much happiness in our
marriages.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So in the end what is it that this old lady wants you to
know? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-we overthink<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-we underthink<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-have faith</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-we need to practice
the Golden Rule<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-we are responsible for our own happiness…even in
marriage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-when we serve…love grows….and grows…and grows.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-work at it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-find out what your lovers <i>Love Language</i> is. Then shower it
upon them!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-be true to yourself<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-remember, God is there to help </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-take Hollywood and
the world out of marriage mores. Bring
God in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Glory in the wonder of it all!!<o:p></o:p></div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-35748528139184753072015-12-04T08:03:00.002-07:002015-12-04T08:03:49.090-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Isola doesnt approve of small talk and believes</div>
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in breaking the ice by stomping on it.</div>
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from: <b>The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel</b>...</div>
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by: Mary Ann Shaffer</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYqlr9r5Irv1us6aIyGVZBL19Df7dflLNv_R9KBA_8VOtFNgqDGFfHk5qoc54ek0AkyUU3PQKiJYdTpwcG1PchKK8JVEPH0K79YQG2RRhv48S7KF4S9rnnb7Di0xJcv3bMx70PmI9lhg/s1600/A4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYqlr9r5Irv1us6aIyGVZBL19Df7dflLNv_R9KBA_8VOtFNgqDGFfHk5qoc54ek0AkyUU3PQKiJYdTpwcG1PchKK8JVEPH0K79YQG2RRhv48S7KF4S9rnnb7Di0xJcv3bMx70PmI9lhg/s400/A4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This seriously could be his head!! He said he was enjoying the back row..for there is more room to do the push-ups!!<br />
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So this is Robs class of fellow recruits. Somewhere in that sea of shaved heads is our Robby. He has completed his first week...the first 2 days. He has been patient enough to talk to me each night about his experiences. First off...I can hear the satisfaction and enjoyment hes having in his voice, as well as the fatigue. The 2nd day was physically demanding to be sure...so demanding that the class of 70 recruits has already been reduced to 65!! But my 'boy' his happy. He's pretty confident that he 'can DO this!!" I am so very relieved that he can stand up to the psychological torment. I know hes plenty strong...but a mommy worries about what I believe to be his tender soul. But he WANTS this bad...so he is indeed <b>going to do this</b>!!!<br />
Chelsea seems to be holding up great too!! She's the domestic goddess and has yummy, warm meals waiting for him when he gets home. Thats a Big deal!! He has mentioned them to me both nights that we've visited!! He's so tired and so hungry after his day!! Rock Stars one and all!!<br />
If you too are interested in following him and his class you can go <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LasVegasMetropolitanPoliceDepartmentRecruiting/" target="_blank">Here</a> and like the pageCindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-4236499547360922292015-12-02T06:36:00.000-07:002015-12-02T06:36:00.078-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Time can play all sorts of tricks on you. In the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>blink of an eye, babies appear in carriages, coffins</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>disappear in the ground, wars are won and lost,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and children transform, like butterflies, into adults.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from: <b>The Invention of Hugo Cabret</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Brian Selznick</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my goofball..with a heart of gold...before entering the academy today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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What do you do when one of your children doesn't do what you tell him to do?! He's 30+ years old for heck sake!! Doesn't he know better by now!!!?? Doesn't mommy always know whats best?! <br />
It probably never really worked that way...I've been delusional for a long time I suppose.<br />
But now...<br />
what this 'boy' of mine has chosen to do for the rest of his life has driven me to distraction and worry.<br />
I can tell that this will be an ongoing process...getting accustomed to his new profession. <br />
But my trip to Vegas Sunday night was well worth the mileage. I was introduced to the fine men and women of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. My breast now swells with pride along with a little less fear and trepidation. Rob is in for a very rough 6 months as he makes his way through the police academy...it looks to be a boot camp on steroids. (boot camp is only 6 week not 6 MONTHS) I get a little weak-kneed thinking about what he'll be put through to come out strong and safe and confident on the other side....but I now do understand that he's in the best of hands. And I know he's as excited as a little kid about the challenges and at becoming one of Las Vegas's finest. I can also feel his butterflies!!! Im asking the world...my friends and family to pray for him and his good, good wife, who supports him whole-heartedly. Its going to be a tough row for the next 6 months...and they both will need all the support they can get. Stay tuned for the metamorphosis of a mother of a newly made cop!! (Feel free to pray for me too!! I'll need it!!!)<br />
PSS- is it politically correct to call the men in blue (or brown) cops? Or is it policeman?<br />
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These are his bags of police goodies...baton, handcuff, belts and things I probably dont want to know about...uniforms, workout clothes, manuals etc etc. Sort of like Christmas...but not. For me each item holds a little foreboding.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-11694482426162910462015-12-01T17:07:00.002-07:002015-12-01T17:07:24.591-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Maybe there is a bigger purpose, a bigger</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>picture that we only contribute a very small</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>piece to. You know, like one of those thousand</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>piece puzzles? There's no way you can tell by </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>looking at one piece of the puzzle what the puzzle </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is going to look like in the end. And we dont have</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the picture on the outside of the puzzle box to guide</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>us. Maybe everyone represents a piece of the puzzle.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We all fit together to create this experience we call</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>life. None of us can see the part we play or the way</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>it all turns out. Maybe the miracle's that what we see</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is just the tip of the iceberg.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from: <b>Making Faces</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Amy Harmon</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">MY THANKSGIVING PRAYER</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of 2015</div>
<br />
Thank you dear Heavenly Father, for these good people who do their very best to take care of one another and to be mindful of each other and who love one another. We are truly blessed with more than plenty. Plenty of food, plenty of talent, plenty of love, plenty of fun and of course, plenty of blessings from Thee. (For look where we can celebrate this day!!!!)<br />
May each of these dear people around this table be blessed with continued peace and prosperity and with continued determination to do their very best and to enjoy their journey. May we each feel love, and give love and be love. <br />
May we be mindful of those what cannot join us at our table this year. Please God, send them our thoughts and prayers. We miss them. We wish our table and our circumstances could hold them all! May we all continue to work towards our hearts' desires and that these desires will be in alignment with what Thou would have us do and to be.<br />
Thank you!! Life is good!!<br />
Amen<br />
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These bags of groceries are maybe just an 1/8th of what we hauled in to feast on!!<br />
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Handsome boy whom I so enjoyed playing card games with!! Notice the homemade egg rolls!! YUM!!! Thanks Mericar!!<br />
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<br />Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-26126065582472932602015-05-13T07:59:00.000-06:002015-05-13T07:59:00.045-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Im like a light-weight electron, lonely and out of </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>place, orbiting a room full of heavy-weight protons.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from: <b>Fizz</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Zui Schrelber</i></div>
<br />
So I've gone and done it. I've turned in my letter of resignation. It was a tough decision to make, for these last 8 months have widened my horizons, opened my heart to a whole new kind of love and have wizened me up a bit. Who knew that being a PE teacher could do all that for you??!! I've made new friends, and I deeply care for and love more than 300 kids and my feelings about public schools have been altered for the better. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Dear Sue,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Im writing you to say thank you. To acknowledge how very
kind and generous you have been to me
throughout this very tumultuous last year of mine. You will always find me
eternally grateful for your support. But
now it appears that coming back to work at Ellis is not in the cards for
me. Admitting this makes me quite sad…. much sadder than I expected in fact. For this truly has been a school year filled
with much joy and satisfaction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Nobody prepared me for falling in love with 300+ kids!! And
who knew that a school is actually a living, breathing, empathizing, generous,
selfless ‘being’, with YOU as their fearless leader and model!!? My eyes have been opened!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I had many a kid attending public schools years ago….and I
suppose I just didn’t pay close attention to its inner workings way back then. Today I’m in awe. I never understood the impact that a GOOD
principal has on a school AND on its community.
You and your dedicated teachers and staff have been a wondrous thing to
behold. It was indeed a privilege to
have rubbed shoulders and to learn from you Sue. But my crazy life and my many feelings of
inadequacy, plus my unknown future have now led me to this difficult decision
to resign. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This has been a very gratifying year in my life. I will look
back at this chapter with the warmest of memories and as a changed woman. I am grateful that you gave me a shot and the
opportunity. So very grateful! I feel
real sorrow when I realize that I wont enjoy the rich blessings of seeing and
interacting with your beautiful children next year, whom I have come to deeply love. (and…if by
some good fortune of mine, I find that I haven’t burned my bridges to
thoroughly, maybe I could come back next year just as a volunteer?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Again,thank you so much Sue.
I pray that you find a more qualified P.E. replacement for this
grateful, “limited in skill”, grandma that I am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">With much love and respect,</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I cant imagine my replacement loving these kids more than I,,,but I am SURE that they will be better coached. Whoever follows in my footsteps will undoubtedly be more skilled in teaching the finer points of basketball, soccer and tether-ball etc, etc, etc. I had no confidence in my ability to do this....but boy did we have fun playing all sorts of games. Sure, I raised 4 boys...but I havent a clue how to teach the proper dribbling of a basketball or even how to call off-sides in soccer. How was I thinking that I could possibly control a soccer game with 5th grade Latino boys and white boys all with various skill levels and with aggression and competitive issues. It aint happening! We just didnt go there at all. I attempted some basketball drills and soccer drills but that was the extent of it. I was a glorified camp director of sorts instead of being the 'coach' they all need. </div>
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Beside all this...Im longing to turn in the whistle and put my Mimi hat back on. It may be a selfish thing to want to spend more time with our grands...at this juncture in life, but thats what Im choosing to do for the next little while. This is my greatest desire. </div>
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There are about 10 days of school left...and we all remember what these days are like. There will be Field Day, Faculty Follies, a choir concert, the community Fun Run, more testing, random field trips and a faculty party...</div>
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and then this chapter of my life will end. I truly gave it my best. I will miss the kids and the people I have worked with. But now I say..."bring on the grands!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYnwwCiOLpU2OFpqFprH5RvFL3T3KFHJVwC_eU84UkkKO7kehur2cwnru4QJfK-RHP-K891W0DXv9zb-UjUwL9WWt2Hng0y2RdQZHqqNWxq-F6BDj0WMqLDxoZl9SxR_l6bMS7sVxaWM/s1600/20150512_115329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYnwwCiOLpU2OFpqFprH5RvFL3T3KFHJVwC_eU84UkkKO7kehur2cwnru4QJfK-RHP-K891W0DXv9zb-UjUwL9WWt2Hng0y2RdQZHqqNWxq-F6BDj0WMqLDxoZl9SxR_l6bMS7sVxaWM/s320/20150512_115329.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dVdaIw2kVLncv0_R8nEFSPl_3VjBOvh01oi5vJ-NZOw3wQocz1ENat2QxS9CSHv-GLVdWaz4G6mycIh8QfOZ_SRQystki9U_AsTFE_EQ0lVzHApsXIw23cjfnuIO0jhXZ2ZZ-WG_1Os/s1600/20150512_114807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dVdaIw2kVLncv0_R8nEFSPl_3VjBOvh01oi5vJ-NZOw3wQocz1ENat2QxS9CSHv-GLVdWaz4G6mycIh8QfOZ_SRQystki9U_AsTFE_EQ0lVzHApsXIw23cjfnuIO0jhXZ2ZZ-WG_1Os/s320/20150512_114807.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmdEEzKGzUDiHHEO_EajBpuH-0BEA6zy8X6ZTTpwhPyI0K7oFZOI_5K-Mm5kJt1nCtJGxMui3DH2w2VxUz6jgbl2hGPSPnnx7XjeyZXEiYctj2DuIUYaMHHOiL9KD41hGXiuaGj2N1e4/s1600/20150512_114706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmdEEzKGzUDiHHEO_EajBpuH-0BEA6zy8X6ZTTpwhPyI0K7oFZOI_5K-Mm5kJt1nCtJGxMui3DH2w2VxUz6jgbl2hGPSPnnx7XjeyZXEiYctj2DuIUYaMHHOiL9KD41hGXiuaGj2N1e4/s320/20150512_114706.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTMlyNAnCPRGQ2jc6jSyj6He1rkJFE9ozXbcxePws9UysbeBgdGeSyxVN7ReME-IMP8t8crfUxyV1JBrzrWmMyz_Tnobopl99q9avQAzaWfmlzEGCFkcz0NuJcAFcaaAmXWaGb89j-f0/s1600/20150512_114751(0).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTMlyNAnCPRGQ2jc6jSyj6He1rkJFE9ozXbcxePws9UysbeBgdGeSyxVN7ReME-IMP8t8crfUxyV1JBrzrWmMyz_Tnobopl99q9avQAzaWfmlzEGCFkcz0NuJcAFcaaAmXWaGb89j-f0/s320/20150512_114751(0).jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExlfvitdIWPXgkTErzdEI2ZUk52v9335ALfqdIuJ_jPBM0zc59XEd5PUvFAL7LIcaKQaxDkLL48tkjWYC9QZMj3qH5tloUaKsQOJOO754vriS3ghCQzpNSYZYINkBAyLjX7-yujguArM/s1600/20150512_115322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExlfvitdIWPXgkTErzdEI2ZUk52v9335ALfqdIuJ_jPBM0zc59XEd5PUvFAL7LIcaKQaxDkLL48tkjWYC9QZMj3qH5tloUaKsQOJOO754vriS3ghCQzpNSYZYINkBAyLjX7-yujguArM/s320/20150512_115322.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st grade toothless smiles are the best!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpda1Ixt8l5aPZSjQV6GwPKXwaYeM5PFZLAkssKYGCfpz0wmpFVKG86Zw0Q6IROsiSVQC9PPNSwWoNxXgmp2kqtMeVIi-o7y56nC7YJiHP1c0OW5Qw9SGE_LlIC7MyPKTnbedQC7ebp8/s1600/20150512_114930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpda1Ixt8l5aPZSjQV6GwPKXwaYeM5PFZLAkssKYGCfpz0wmpFVKG86Zw0Q6IROsiSVQC9PPNSwWoNxXgmp2kqtMeVIi-o7y56nC7YJiHP1c0OW5Qw9SGE_LlIC7MyPKTnbedQC7ebp8/s320/20150512_114930.jpg" width="240" /></a><b><br /></b><br />
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<b>PS-</b> (other random thoughts on this day) Dont you hate it when you spend a significant amount of money on a 'good ' mattress...and then wait the allotted 160 days of 'free trail" and <i>then</i> decide that its not so great a mattress!!!?? Ugh!!</div>
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<b>PSS</b>- dont you just love those 6 perfectly ripe, unbruised avocados that come in those mesh bags at Sams Club!!??? YUM!!!</div>
Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-34339367066863621522015-05-11T21:39:00.000-06:002015-05-11T21:39:23.306-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Here's what I think now: At first you fall in love.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You wake in the morning woozy and your twilight</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>is lit with astral violet light. You spelunk down</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>into each other until you come to possess some</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>inner vision of each other that becomes one thing,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Us Together. And time passes. Like the forming</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>of Earth itself, volcanoes rise and spew lava. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Oceans appear. Rock plates shift. Sea turtles swim</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>half the ocean to lay eggs on the mother island;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>songbirds migrate over continents for berries from </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a tree. You evolve- cosmically and geologically.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You lose each other and and find each other again.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every day. Until love gathers the turtles and the </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>birds of your world and encompasses them too.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from: <b>Driving Mr Albert</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Michael Paterniti</i></div>
<br />
The stars aligned, the rain clouds departed and the sun shone warm and golden and Mothers Day became practically perfect this year. Sure we were missing a few kids..but phone calls were the next best thing to filling in the void.<br />
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I cant remember the last time I've ever been completely taken by surprise. But Saturday night it happened...a joyful, glorious surprise.<br />
Seeing Joe and his whole beautiful family walk into the restaurant where My Builder and I along with Brian and Mericar were enjoying a delicious meal together was a most delightful surprise!! It was the very best kind of surprise!! And then the fun really began....'cause painting primer on a million cabinet doors just wasnt quite fun enough was it Bri and Mericar!!!?? Getting a tiny home ready for their move in date is becoming quite the push. But I'm so, so grateful that I can help..really I am.<br />
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Watching the kids swim at the hotel, going to church on Sunday morning with B&M and Anna and David and the kids and receiving a chocolate candy bar was just the beginning. <br />
Having everyone come to our tiny home was wonderful and a little daunting...would we all squeeze in!!!??. There was art at the kitchen table and nap taking and kid shows to watch and newly planted flowers to yank out of the ground. (dear dear Beckham oh how we LOVE you!!!) There was food to eat and an RC truck to race up and down the road and then the most satisfying springtime walk along the Logan River.<br />
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Life has gotten in the way for Joe...he may not even remember what a great artist he once was..and probably still is...but it looks as though Beckham will be following in his footsteps!!<br />
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I estimate that a 100 rocks were hucked into said river. What is it about bodies of water and boys and rocks?!!<br />
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The frogs sounded as happy as I was that the sun had returned after our 5 days of rain. Croaking chorus'es of frogs were singing to us all along the trail. David was determined to catch one of them to show to all the kids. So he rolled up his pants, hopped the fence and waded in!! (Anna was convinced that he was'going to 'catch' more than a frog from the muddy marsh...like a parasite or something worse. Oh sweet Anna...whose daughter are you anyway?) <br />
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He was a beautiful little reptile...who withstood much mauling by tiny little hands. <br />
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Ben isnt afraid of reptiles, NOT AT ALL...he kept trying to give them a kiss!!<br />
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Brian and David also caught a little garter snake for the kids to see and touch..much to Natalies dismay. <br />
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I gathered some simple wildflowers to brighten my countertop. Oh how I love buttercups. They remind me of my childhood, and living back east. Did you remember that holding a buttercup under your chin can determine whether you like butter or not? If you see a reflection of yellow on the underside of your chinny chin chin you love butter!!!<br />
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(Is Anna walking with Jesus!!!??)<br />
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Oh what a glorious day!!! My kids..and their kids, and their wives and husband, bring me such joy! My pride in them knows no bounds!!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-58663263296536315322015-03-06T07:00:00.000-07:002015-03-06T07:00:00.907-07:00From the Files of Grandma Sharp<span style="font-size: x-small;">My dear mom...our grandma Sharp...left two file cabinet drawers brimming with lessons, talks and thoughts saved since 1977. I thought I would have no problems deep sixing all that paper and effort...for everything can be found on Pintrest these days right!!?? Wrong!! As I began flipping through those files I realized there was a treasure trove of insight seen through my mothers eyes. And I determined right there and then that I would share what I could from the things she saved. We'll call it...FROM THE FILES OF GRANDMA SHARP</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The words given voice inside the mind are</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>not always clear, however, they can be </i></div>
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<i>gentle and elliptical, what the prophets</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>called the "bat gol" the daughter of the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>voice of God, she who speaks in</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>whispers and 'half-seen images.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>from: <b>The Beekeepers Apprentice</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>by: Laurie R King</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
The first lesson I came upon was entitled...<u>What Do You Have to Declare</u>?<br />
<br />
Grandma asked- "How many of us have been through customs after taking an international trip?"<br />
<br />
She answers her own question by reflecting on her experiences with Russian customs in the early 1980's. The Cold War was in full swing...and so we can only imagine how painstaking, thorough and troublesome customs must have been. Who likes having ones luggage rummaged through by strangers..made even worse by it being a grumpy Russian official?? She made the comment that she was grateful that her clothes were clean and that there were no embarrassing items to be ashamed of to be found among her things.<br />
<br />
Wise travelers, who like to expedite the length of time one has to stand in line for customs can make a list of all valuables they carry with them. This helps when the question arises, "what do you have to declare?"<br />
Grandma would have us think about our destination after this earthly trip and what we will have to declare when we reach those pearly gates. <br />
Apostle Paul states that our list wont be written in ink..but with "the spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of the heart." 2 Corinthians 3:3<br />
I think we all know what Grandma Sharps 'list' looked like. We are asked to be full of Christlike love..check. A good heart...check. have Unconditional love...check. Compassion....check. Mercy...check. Courage...check. What do we wish our list to contain? <br />
<br />
Who is our customs official?<br />
<i>"Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it by the gate: for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. </i>2 Nephi 9:41<br />
<br />
Being free from sin is requisite as well. As is having a repentant heart. Grandma Sharp found a wonderful quote from Orson Whitney on the subject of sin. <br />
"Sin is the transgression of divine law as made known through the conscience or by revelation. A man sins when he violates his conscience, going contrary to the light and knowledge. Not the light knowledge that has come to his neighbor but that which had come to himself. He sins when he does the opposite of what he knows to be right."<br />
We need to listen to our own inner conscience. Thats doable right?<br />
Our 'trip' here on earth is more treacherous than it is carefree. But we have been given a gift...an inner light and knowledge. We need to use it. We need to learn from our mistakes. We need to 'go within' and listen to our heart. And follow it. <br />
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"There was an old and very large inch cape rock. It got its name from being located just one inch below the water's surface where it couldnt be seen and it lay dangerously in the path of the mariners returning from sea. Many seamen had lost their ships and their lives because of the rock, especially in times of storm. There was an abbot in the small seashore town of Aberbrothok who devised a solution to this life threatening hazard. With great care and in the face of considerable danger, the abbot fastened a buoy with a large bell on it to the inch cape rock. From then on the bell rang continuously and faithfully with the motion of the waves of the sea. Ralph the Rover was a bit of pirate and he disliked the praises the abbot received from the mariners whose lives he spared. So one day, Ralph the Rover cut the bell from the inch cape rock."<br />
<br />
"Down sank the bell with a gurgling sound,<br />
The bubbles rose and burst around,<br />
Quoth Sir Ralph. "The next who comes to the rock,<br />
Won't bless the abbot of Aberbrothok."<br />
Sir Ralph the Rover sailed away,<br />
He scoured the seas for many a day."<br />
<br />
"On his way back it was night and the sea was high and he thought the moon would be up. In the darkness, he said with great anxiety but only to himself, "I wish I could hear the bell of the inch cape rock." and the rhyme continued:<br />
<br />
Sir Ralph Rover tore his hair,<br />
He cursed himself in deep despair.<br />
The waves rushed in on every side,<br />
The ship sinking beneath the tide."<br />
<br />
(The Inch Cape Rock, Robert Southey)<br />
<br />
Grandma wants us to listen to our inner bell. Sometimes its difficult to listen and do what that inner bell would have us do. And sometimes we wish we could hear it more clearly. <br />
For life is a journey...and in the end we must all pass through those pearly gates..and just as we have to declare our possessions at customs..we will be asked what we can declare to let us pass through to God and his Kingdom. <br />
<br />
<br />
There are 'riches' to declare that help us to pass through to God. Listening to the still small voice, 'the bell,' and acting upon what we know we should be doing will get us there.Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3281320756161978985.post-46089077386779259782015-03-03T09:25:00.000-07:002015-03-03T09:25:00.487-07:00<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
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<b><i>Water is pure after flowing over 21 stones.</i></b></div>
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<b><i>-proverb</i></b></div>
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<div class="MsoTitleCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;">
(My talk for my mothers funeral)</div>
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Our dearest mom, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother
is no longer pounding her forehead wishing for a brain transplant. She is new, she is reborn. She is sharp, smart, alert and better than
ever now. We are so grateful for this
knowledge that all is not lost…just added upon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoTitleCxSpMiddle">
Those of you in this room knew my mom well…for you
are here..to pay honor to her and to my dear dad. You loved her…and undoubtedly you admired
her. You have probably wished, as I have, that you could be
more like her. Not many people we know
were as truly selfless as she. She did
not care one wit for the things of this world.
She had beautiful homes and they were filled with beautiful things that
over a liftetime had been gathered from all around the world…but those “things”
weren’t important to her. She loved the
history behind them..the stories they held….but her joy in them came souly from
sharing the stories about them with anyone interested. Mom was a most humble
servant of God. Serving God and her
fellow man was where she found her peace and contentment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoTitleCxSpMiddle">
All of us learned what true religion is by her quiet example. For true religion is
nothing more than love. …unconditional love…utterly selfless love; a love that
seeks no reciprocation, and no thought
of reward. Her love impelled her to
action…all of her life. That is the love
God expects us to hone and develop.
Pres. Eyring said it perfectly-
“God loves his children. They
have great needs. Everything belongs to
God, so there is not much you can give HIM, after you have given him a
repentant heart. But you can give
kindness to His children. If you were my
earthly friend, you would win my heart by being kind to my children. God loves His children more than any earthly
parent, so think what your kindness to His children means to God.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoTitleCxSpLast">
In the obit I mentioned that her middle name should
have been “volunteer” and that her
mantra in life was…”how can I help.”
Whether it was across the fence with a neighbor or across the world in
Russia…she took EVERY opportunity to help someone- somehow. Im not exaggerating when I estimate that she knitted or crocheted literally 1000’s of
hats and scarfs, blankets and sweaters for
the needy. Her needles were always clicking away…and Joe and I were duty
bound to find homes for the bags and bags of beautiful warm results. She was resourceful and persistent in
finding places for them to go. Mexico, Africa, Russia and who knows where
else these little hats can now be found.
And of course there are a dozens to be found on our own shelves and on the heads
of grands and great grands too. And we
mustn’t forget our beloved pumpkin hats. There is no possible way to calculate
the countless hours of volunteering she has done throughout the world and in
the communities she lived in. From the red cross to emergency preparedness with
emphasis on Earthquake preparedness to using her nursing skills, standing on
sidelines cheering folks on and I could go on and on and on…she just wanted to
help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mom LOVEd to learn!
Nursing was a love and she graduated
with honors from the UofU…and she was filled with awe as she watched the
practice of nursing change thruout the years. Watching the world change filled
her with wonder, especially the
technology aspect. Education was important
to her and to my dad…and I think we’ll
never really know how many young people my folks have helped along the way to a
better education. I have found Letters
of gratitude tucked away all over the
house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mom was always learning. My earliest recollections
of this was, when we were little and living in DC , mom volunteered to be a
docent at the National Zoo. She came
home with THICK note books…not one, but many notebooks full of amazing
information about the animals at the zoo…and she was to learn it…for Im sure
she wanted to be the best docent she could be.
Later in life she took classes in
sign language and became dang good at it…and helped people that needed the translating. Who does that in their 40’s…learn something
completely new!? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Mom LOVEd the great out doors and all things that
God and Nature provided. Im surprised
sometimes that she didn’t turn out to be a bigger hippie than myself. She was a conservationist without the rebel hair,
and peacesigns or the attitude. She taught us quietly and by example to LOVE
this glorious world in which we live.
All of our kids remember and loved the hikes we’d go on with her. There were also the personal trips that each of the grands were
privileged to go with her to places of interest that were personal to each
grand.. Those trips were learning experiences and filled with
good times. When growing up it
wasn’t junk tv we were allowed to
watch….at night we sat down.. sometimes.. and watched shows like Mutual Of
Omaha Wild Kingdom and National Geo and
the likes. Or it was the Olympics. Oh
how we all loved to watch the Olympics together… the appreciation of the spirit
of man and wonder of what the human body can do was instilled
in us early. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Mom loved anything that came in miniature. Her home
is full of all things miniature. And no one could make cuter things from an ity
bity pine cone. But as we all know, her
heart was Huge. I can confidently wager
all I have that none of you in this room have ever heard an unkind word pass
her lips. Im betting that no unkind
thought was ever formulated in her mind either. And I may have stumbled on more proof of this
fact as dad and I have discovered some journals this week, of hers…that neither
of us even knew existed. You’re gonna love these Joe. I don’t know what your
journals look like…but mine are disjointed and a mess…AND sometimes full of
angst…and some venting…But NOT MOMS!!
Her journals are full of peace and
calm and extremely reflective.
Just as mom was. The pages are full of the quiet ways she tried to help
people and of her struggles of inadequacy as she tried to serve in the church…3
times as YW president and 3 times as RS president. She was a wonder and a pile of anxiety about
whether she was doing enough and doing
it well enough. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh mom…you’re “not enough” puts the rest of us
plebes to shame. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She may have been loosing the present…but she
certainly was clear and joyful about her past…she loved remembering her
childhood and could recall things from her past that most of us with healthy
brains couldn’t pull from our own brains even now. She loved remembering the
time she had with her good, adoring brother. She loved remembering her
‘orchard’ in California, that produced the most amazing, delicious peaches. Oh
how she loved canning and eating those peaches…and all the gallons of
applesause she made from the apples they grew.
She loved to entertain…she loved a good dinner party and having people
in their home. She loved living so close
to the temple here in st geroge…and loved serving there…in any way she
could. She loved watching Wheel of
Fortune and Jepordy with dad every night…and was very skilled in coming up with
the answers. Dad was always impressed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But moms greatest joy was her family. Family dinners happened every night as we
grew up…dinners often shared with fascinating people. Family dinners were her pride and joy. Her greatest joy was a table full of
family…grands with their beautiful wives and husband, and greats on down. Her
grandchildren brought her such joy and pride…the good kind of pride. Her great
grands filled her with wonder…mostly that she could be so blessed to have so
many. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The blessings of Moms life and her passing are disguised in our sadness today,
this week, and for a while…but there is no doubt that moms wishes have been
fulfilled…by a loving God and her adoring family. This is our gift and blessing this day. The plan of Salvation is real. Thank
God for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027567769858255527noreply@blogger.com1