Stephenson Family Ties

2012-02-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

Every experience God gives us, every person

He puts in our lives is the perfect

preparation for the future that only He can see.

from: The Hiding Place

by: Corrie ten Boom

News from the Ventura California Mission via Elder Brian.

This weeks letter from Brian was down-right chatty!!!
What a pleasant unexpected surprise.

He confided that he's been having more problems with his feet. He visited a doctor and was diagnosed with 'almost' having flat feet!!! He's now the proud owner of a pair of insoles that he hopes will also remedy his chronic shin splits. Keeping my fingers crossed.

He confesses that studying and reading from the Doctrine and Covenants is hard for him. He needs to know that I feel exactly the same way!! (most times when I read from the D&C I feel like God is an angry God...which I know in my heart He is not.)
Brian in "into" the Book of Mormon, just like me!! (or the New Testament)
He also reports that he loves studying the Preach My Gospel manual and has made it all the way through...from cover to cover again!! Its such a great resource for him and for me.
It looks as though Bri is turning into somewhat of a reader. He also told us that for his evening reading he's wading through a book entitled The Cleansing of America. I havent read this one. I'll have to look into it. He described it as "crazy stuff."

I have always known Brians deep attachment to the Temples. He longs to attend more often than time allows as he serves his mission

Brian and his companion have been teaching 4 less active families lately. It seems they have the opportunity to do this quite often in their area.

This week he also shared with us about some special experiences hes had with fasting. First he fasted for personal strength and guidance; another for a young mother who was just diagnosed with cancer. Brain has been touched often by witnesses from the Holy Ghost that the work he's doing for these last many months is exactly what he should be doing.

I Love my Boy!! I miss him so very much!! People tell me that the time will fly from here on out....well, I've done this before, and I can tell you, it doesnt fly it creeps. (Just like waiting for Baby Ben here...tick tock, tick tock....and still no baby!!!!)

2012-02-01T05:46:00.023-07:00

is for LOVE -Day 1

But behold, all things have been done in the

wisdom of Him who knoweth all things.

Adam fell that men might be; and men

are, that they might have joy.

There are 14 days until Valentines Day. My plethura of time for reading has found me lighting upon some great and interesting thoughts... and since I dont believe in coincidence...I thought I'd share some really heady stuff...ideas that are difficult to understand...at least in the way that Truman Madsen writes. I wish I could instigate conversation on these ideas.

How to Be Loved and Beloved

*"In the midst of the stresses of youth there is a secret:
how to find and express romantic love.
It is exciting.
It is consuming.
But it is also uncommon. Few know it at its actual source and still fewer are able to communicate it, even in poetry or music.
Meanwhile we give our immoral support to stars who throw dust in our eyes.

You all know the initials of the handsome man who pays millions in alimony. He is a superb actor, and for widely screened reasons he is big box office. Not matter whom he is married to this week, he says he cannot perform on stage or camera without a "powerful love interest" in his leading lady, an interest which, apparently, goes all the way. In sacred books this sort of "interest" is not described as love. But if we are disposed to stone Mr. ____, let us learn at least this much from him:

Even make-believe love, even diseased and perverted love, is a powerful force."

Truman's post script or later expounding on this thought:

"This person is only a symbol of three different rip-tides felt in youth. (or us!)

First, the notion that love is lust and that "it is all;" " nothing but seething glands."

Second, the notion, traceable in part to the Puritan tradition, that it is really a very nasty business.

And third, the notion, for which religion has too often been responsible, that love and marriage are of the Fall and even of the Devil and that the really religious person avoids them in their romantic modes. These attitudes are not always explicitly voiced. But they are "in the air" and they drench us, and they mislead us."

*Truman Madsen- Four Essays on Love

Is that just as clear as soup!!??

Ivan Aivazovsky, Between the Waves, 1898

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2012-02-01T05:31:00.001-07:00

yarn bombing in paris

2012-01-31T17:34:00.000-07:00

Lucky thought of a question that Short Sammy's story had lodged

into one of her brain crevices. She figured she had so many

crevices and wrinkles, almost all of them filled with questions and

anxious thoughts, that if you were to take her brain and flatten it out

it would cover a huge space, like maybe a king-sized bed.

from: The Higher Power of Lucky

by: Susan Patron

Today was another day for reading, waiting, sipping tea, reading, waiting, speculating on just how much Anna has let baby Ben 'drop,' reading, hiking up to the Taggert Student Center to hunt for the ever illusive slice of homemade cinnamon bread. More reading, more waiting.

Highlights of the day:

Hearing baby Ben's heart beat strong and vigorous and full of life.

Seeing is believing-- Anna has most definitely dropped BB in the last 24 hrs! Ready are we! In position is he!! (there have be a few other tell-tale signs, unspoken here, but known by all that have passed this way before them) Lets get this show on the road!!

My Amazon book order arrived today!! Yay!!! another book to entertain me!!

As I sat in the cafe' of the Student Center and enjoyed some people watching, I wondered to myself, "how did I look when I was plowing my way through these very hall all those years ago?" Did I hold my head up high with at least a smattering of confidence; where I could look others in the eye and smile or nod? Or did I shuffle through looking at my feet not wishing to be noticed? Im fairly confident that by the time I graced Utah State, I did indeed posses enough self - esteem to appreciate my surroundings and fellow students, enough to even go out of my way to look for connections with them. I loved my years in college!!! At times I even miss them.

The sun has been shinning brightly in a blue sky today. It in no way resembles a typical Logan winter in any way, shape or form. Anna says its a tender mercy from God just for me. I'll take it!!! And Im grateful!!

Each night we go to bed later than we planned, thinking that this will be the night. For some reason we have been conditioned that labor begins in the nocturnal hours. I do indeed go to bed hoping that this will be the night that our sleep will be disturbed by those gnawing, rhythmic aches deep within, signaling the beginning of the end of a long and enlightening 9 months. That this could be the night that we meet Benjamin.
The "exist strategy" has been planned. We each have our responsibilities and duties to get Anna to the birthing center in a timely fashion and in complete comfort and peace.

Anna has prepared, practiced, studied and put her all into being prepared for the birth experience she has envisioned for herself, David and baby Ben. I have loved answering her questions about bathing, breast feeding, and sleeping schedules. We've enjoyed discussions about parenting styles now labeled with such titles as, "attachment parenting" and "parent directed care." We keep telling her that her natural instincts will kick in and to not worry about things that have no need of worrying. She's going to be a fantastic mom!! She has been surrounded by wonderful examples of women who love being mothers; she has life experiences that she learned on her mission. And now she also has the added blessing of Davids confidence and encouragement as well.

MAYBE TONIGHT!!???

.PS- if you are scratching your head about the photo for this post....a few friends have endearingly nic-named David and Anna as Thing One and Thing Two!! You'd get it completely if you have had a chance to see them together. te he

2012-01-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

"Starting a novel is opening a door on a misty landscape; you can still

see very little but you can smell the earth and feel the wind blowing.

from: Under the Net

by: Iris Murdoch

I relish reading books that arent just about the plot and some intrigue and titillating nonsense....
I prefer reading for the beauty and mastery of their words...the descriptions... the metaphors.
Once again I have stumbled upon another little known gem of a book...Under the Net. Published in 1954 as her debut novel...and now her most famous. I think it was to be a political and philosophical tome...but it never bogged down as such.
This is a story of a young man living in London, who translates books from French to English and who is barely getting buy...who is swept along from one incident to another at an alarmingly swift rate, trying to keep afloat. Its laugh out-loud funny which I didnt at all expect to find this in its pages.
In the end its a story of a man who learns through a series of life's lessons to forget himself (at least a little) and to think of others and how they too see the world.
This was a delightful read!! Wholly unexpected!!
**** 3/4 Stars

2012-01-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

2012-01-31T04:12:00.001-07:00

2012-01-30T03:54:00.001-07:00

...she must have been remarkably beautiful....having

added a few pounds, having acquired the seams and

crinkles of seasoning experience, she possessed the

deeper beauty of the beautified; the sweet humility

and the tenderness that time can teach, the appealing

glow of care and character that, in their last years

on this earth, no doubt marked the faces of those

who were later canonized as saints.

from: Odd Thomas

by: Dean Koontz

Happy Birthday Sharon!!
Mom of #21 and all-around super woman!!
Hope you have a wonderful day and year!
Love you!!!

2012-01-30T01:00:00.023-07:00

MIMI MONDAY:

There has been time for contemplation while we wait here for baby Ben to arrive. Resting my hand on Anna's belly, feeling Ben move around...brings back dear memories. Its been a while.
20 years to be exact. sigh
One gets to thinking what you want for these beautiful children that make our life so good.

May you not sweat the small stuff.
May you always lend a hand to those in need; lift a heavy load.
May your dreams come true.
May you love and honor your parents and they you.
May you enjoy lifes' journey.
May you make righteous choices.
May you see truth and act.
May you be brave and strong.
May you find joy in simple things.
May you learn to love without conditions.
May you appreciate work.
May you dance without restraint.
May you be creative.
May you find joy in learning.

Sabbath Reflections

2012-01-29T05:25:00.004-07:00

The word gospel comes from the classic evengelium, "the joyful news," "the glad tidings."

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have
tribulation: be be of good cheer: I have overcome the world." John 16:33

We are commanded to be joyful because he has borne our sorrows. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief so that we need not be. Our own sins and limitations are the things that make us sad. If we remain gloomy after what He did for us, it is because we do not accept what He did for us. If we suffer, we deserve to suffer because there is no need for it if we only believe Him.

But shouldnt we pay the price for our own sins? Isnt it only right and proper that we do so, and does it not weaken our character to be given something we do not deserve?

In answer to this we might imagine the human race to be in the position of a mountain climber on a precarious ledge. The man has been climbing mountains all his life; he has never yet (or else he wouldnt be alive) found himself in a position from which his will and his wit have not been able to extricate him. But now at last he is in such a position. Whose fault is it? Strictly speaking the climber is wholly responsible for getting himself in a "jam," for he took the risk. Yet it is only by taking such risk- some of which seemed greater even than this one- that he has become the able climber that he is; his very virtues have led him into a death trap. It was inevitable that his courage and enterprise should someday lead him to overreach himself and turn to his destruction. ....because the 'hero' does not sit at home and vegetate, because he has godlike aspiratins, he is doomed to death. His very virtues emcompass his destruction, for he has one fatal weakness--he is human.
History has taught us....that man is simply not up to the task of assuring himself a good life on earth, let alone in eternity. And so after all our planning and toil we find ourselves clinging exhausted to the face of the cliff, forced to admit at last in one terrible flash of insight and despair that our strength is hopelessly inadequate to getting us home again.
Then at this moment a helping hand is reached down to us. Now the question is, should we refuse the hand for fear of weakening our character? Will we still, in spite of what we know, insist that we can go it alone- that our own intelligence will be enough to save us? Should we protest that the appearance of the hand at such a time and place is illogical and highly improbable, or debate whether the owner of the hand has strength enough to give us aid? Take the advice of the Greeks, who knew far more about the problems and ambitions of men than we ever will: man can never save himself. Grasp the helping hand while you have the chance, and ask questions afterwards.

"Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen
state, and ever would be save they should rely on this
Redeemer. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for
sin, to answer the ends of the law; and unto none else
can the ends of the law be answered." `1 Nephi 10:6

Our elder brother, Jesus Christ, has proposed that he should help us to rise above ourselves, and this does not weaken our characters since our part of the bargain requires that we take no credit for the achievement, standing upon new heights not as haughty conquerors but with broken hearts and contrite spirits. We claim no unearned glory for ourselves, but we are the richer for the part we have been allowed to play in our own salvation.

No man knows a thousand years of pain. As soon as one realizes his position fully, he is ready to be saved from it. As soon as our climber grasps the seriousness of his situation, in one clear-sighted instant and repents of his rashness and folly, then he is ready to receive the proferred hand- his pride gives way to himility, and he joyfully accepts salvation. No need to have him clinging to the rock indefinitely; he has learned his lesson!! God does not play cat and mouse with us; our sufferings are not drawn out; they are but for a little moment, says the scriptures, to those who are ready to accept deliverance.

Amen and amen!!
*exerpt from: THe WOrld and the PRophets by Hugh Nibley

2012-01-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

20 Fortnights Plus 3 Days....

The more I examine the universe and study

the details of its architecture the more

evidence I find that the universe in some

sense must have known we were coming.

from: A Short History of Nearly Everything

quote by: Freeman Dyson

by: Bill Bryson

Watching ankles swell and recede.
Applying pressure on key spots...fingers and feet...more specifically...thumbs and arches.
Brisk walk up Old Main hill.
Sewing curtains for the nursery...three trips to Joann's
Experimenting with an old and rusty skill to knit.
Eating!! and Eating....at least three trips to Smiths
Home made ice cream...or Bull Tracks from Cashe Valley Creamery...a favorite evening treat.
Constant chatter on rabbit food.
Much sighing..."they bring 10% more oxygen to the brain mom."
Zoey....at home enjoying the company of my folks...wondering if she's wearing out her welcome.
Snow, rain, sunshine, COLD!!!
Intermittent fits of energy...raising our hopes...then nothing.
13 episodes of Drop Dead Diva. So fun!!! So sad that its almost over. Thank you Netflix!
Phone calls from family and friends and curious well wishers.
My Builder threatening to head home for a few days.
1 and a 1/2 tons of rabbit food milled, reserved and ready for pick-up.
198 emails sent to rabbit rescues!
Packed and repacked and ready to rumble.
Sleeping on the nursery floor, on a cozy piece of memory foam.

COME ON BABY BEN!!!

2012-01-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

I don't know how you feel about old age...

but in my case I didn't even see it coming.

It hit me from the rear. ~Phyllis Diller

Happy, Happy Birthday Scott!!
Love you!!!

.

2012-01-28T09:35:00.001-07:00

is for Knowledge.....

"It seems hard to sneak a look at God's cards.

But that He plays dice and uses 'telepathic' methods

....is something that I cannot believe for a single moment."

quote by: Albert Einstein

from: A Short History of Nearly Everything

by: Bill Bryson

You know you've found a good book when you find yourself talking to people about it. Not just in recommending it...but sharing what you've learned!!!
Here is a book that succeeds marvelously in explaining complicated sciences in fairly easy and interesting ways. Bill Bryon is a clever and talented writer. He's written many books...and Im going to go find them and read them!!! I think its saying something when a writer can grab your attention when hes writing about quirky scientists and their discoveries. My imagination was peeked when he wrote about and explained the vastness of space and the in numerable universe out there. Bryson has a wonderful sense of humor and a great writing style. Learning new things is great fun with Bill Bryson!!!
The book begins with the birth of our universe and the creation of the Earth. He touches on evolution and the discovery of the elements on the periodic table. We speculate along with the many bright scientific minds of the 1800's who were trying to determine the age of the Earth. And who knew how many atoms can sit on a pin head or what a super-nova is? You will after reading A Short History of Nearly Everything!

Just a Very Few Things I Learned From Reading this Book:
-dimes have a half-life of 30 yrs.
-God is DEFINITELY in the details!!!
-lead and chlorofluorocarbons --BAD, Nasty stuff!!
- the Earth is 4,550 million years old...plus or minus 70 million years.
-an accelerator can whip particles into "such a state of liveliness that a single electron can do 47 thousand laps around a 4 mile tunnel in a second." GASP!!
-there are 15 million, yes I said million...hogs in Iowa.
-the Earth is 8000 miles in diameter...for some reason I thought it was a bigger number.
- Yellowstone is due to blow....and I mean BLOW!!! (its sitting on top of a super volcano)

I truly cant recall a text book or any other book for that matter that has caught my imagination and that has been more comprehensive about this world we live in. Why cant textbook writers take a lesson from Bill Bryson and add some personality, wit and the wisdom to throw in lesser known facts of our history to make it all the more interesting...its beyond me!!!???
This book should be required reading in high school. To heck with The Yearling and the other drivel that is required these days. Every kid, young or old, should read these 478 pages!!! If such a thing were to happen...who knows how many kids might "turn on" to one of the many sciences, or at least have their eyes opened to wonder and magnificence of this planet on which we live. There are unspoken lessons in this book on WHY to be green without the dry, whining lecturing on recycling or ozone etc, etc....you'll find the logical reasoning here without the preaching. Here is a book that can spark a real interest in paleontology, meteorology, chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology or even physics without causing one to sweat or break out in hives.

Five Stars for me!!! *****

2012-01-28T01:05:00.001-07:00

What is the eternal and ultimate problem of a free society? It is the problem of the individual who thinks that one man cannot possibly make a difference in the destiny of that society.
It is the problem of the individual who doesnt really understand the nature of a free society or what is required to make it work.
It is the problem of the individual who has no comprehension of the multiplying power of single but sovereign units.
It is the problem of the individual who regards the act of pulling a single lever in a voting booth in numerical terms rather than historical terms.
It is the problem of the individual who has not real awareness of the millions of bricks that had to be put into place, one by one, over may centuries, in order for him to dwell in the penthouse of freedom. Nor does he see any special obligation to those who continue building the structure or to those who will have to live in it after him, for better or worse.
It is the problem of the individual who recognizes no direct relationship between himself and the decisions made by government in his name. Therefore, he feels no special obligation to dig hard for the information necessary to an understanding of the issues leading to those decisions.
In short, freedom's main problem is the problem of the individual who takes himself lightly historically.
-Norman Cousins

-Work of Ukrainian artist Pavel Guzenko.

2012-01-27T01:01:00.007-07:00

May You Have an Impossibly Cool Weekend Friends!!!

2012-01-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

“Through the thick and the thin of this, and through

the occasional tears of it all, I know deep down

inside I am doing God’s work. I know that my

motherhood is an eternal partnership with Him.”

Happy Happy Birthday dear Christy!!

Love You and Im so proud of you and all you are accomplishing with that darling gaggle of girls you've been blessed with!!! May you have a wonderful day celebrating with your good family!!!

.

2012-01-26T05:53:00.006-07:00

I realize that long hours of reading are not for every one '

but I have never ceased to be grateful that they are for me.

— Victor P. Hass

Iman Maleki

Jan Mehl

Jesse Steele Reading - John White Alexander

2012-01-26T04:14:00.001-07:00

Afghan refugee

WILD WEDNESDAY

2012-01-25T05:27:00.001-07:00

A tired-looking Javan Fish Owl, 5th December 1973.

caddisfly larva, posterior claws (30X)

2012-01-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

A baby is God's opinion that life should go on. Never will a time come

when the most marvelous recent invention is as marvelous as a newborn

baby. The finest of our precision watches, the most super-colossal of our

supercargo planes don't compare with a newborn baby in the number and

ingenuity of coils and springs, in the flow and change of chemical solutions,

in timing devises and interrelated parts that are irreplaceable.”

Carl Sandburg

Baby Beckam...doing so well!!

Its hard to leave town today before having a chance to snuggle with this little man. I long for a deep whiff of that little crease in his neck....to take it with me. I havent been able to whisper sweet nothings into his wee ear...

oh well...Im sure his parents are taking care of all that for me.

See you later alligator...

2012-01-24T04:32:00.000-07:00

Lady Violet: You are quite wonderful, the way you see room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal.
Cousin Isobel: I take that as a compliment.
Lady Violet: I must have said it wrong.

Lady Violet: I'm not a romantic ... but even I will concede that the heart does not exist solely for the purpose of pumping blood.

My new obsession and delight....DOWNTON ABBEY!! Love these period shows!! This is a great one!! My Builder will sit and watch it with me too!! Life is good!!!

2012-01-23T05:35:00.004-07:00

MIMI MONDAY

"I am fifty, and have only now figured out why you are supposed

to have babies when you are young; so that by the time your

child is in his teens, one of you is stable some of the time,

and you the mother are not racked with Backpain and Alzheimer's.

My son has grown tall and muscular. I have grown wider, stiff,

and achy. I trip a lot and hit my head on cabinets I forgot

were there. I get into the shower with my glasses on. And whereas

I always had a slim waist, I suddenly have 2 stomachs- a regular

tummy and another one below that, which I call the sub-continent.

This older body is both amazingly healthy and a big disappointment."

from: Plan B

from: Anne Lamott

Mimi was kept on her toes this week. The first half of the week I single-handily enjoyed the company of Logan and Liam. There were crumbs on my floor and PP&J in the grout at the bar, Nickleodeon was on speed dial on the tv, and I've been hav'in fun!!! All the while baby Beckham was getting stronger at the hospital and their mommy was trying to get her feet back under her worrying about Beckham and wishing her mom would hurry and get here to help and comfort. And Joe was playing master juggler...with work, a baby in the NICU, and 2 active boys to help keep happy. I am so grateful that I could help in some small way.

What I know:

*Baby Beckham is stronger every day...which means hes closer to coming home.

*I havent unpacked...because every phone call with Anna's name glowing on the phone screen could mean Im back in the car heading north for another blessed arrival of another beautiful boy.

*When My Builder arrives home...he's the go-to Popa for all the babies!! Oh how they love their Popa!!

* I am so very, very blessed and lucky!!

* The modern marvels of modern medicine will never cease to amaze.

Sabbath Musings

2012-01-22T03:31:00.001-07:00

The Holy Spirit...penetrates the pores of the most solid substances,

pierces the human system to its most inward recesses, and discerns

the thoughts and intents of the heart. It has power to move through

space with an inconceivable velocity, far exceeding the tardy motions

of electricity, or of physical light. It comprehends the past, present,

and future, in all their fullness. Its inherent properties embrace all the

attributes of intelligence and affection. It is endowed with knowledge,

wisdom, truth, love, charity, justice and mercy in all their ramifications.

In short, it is the attributes of the eternal power and Godhead.

from: Discourses of the Holy Ghost

by: Parley P. Pratt

2012-01-21T04:09:00.002-07:00

Winter Beauty by Dante121

peru cornersof the world

Tibet

2012-01-20T17:20:00.001-07:00

The average man dont like trouble and danger.

from: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

by: Mark Twain

Its rather unorthodox for Mormons to light a candle...
but I suppose Im a little famous for being a tad unorthodox...
...'Cause I lit a candle yesterday for our little Beckham.
I like it there glowing on my kitchen counter...reminding me every time I go by that Beckham needs my vigilant prayers...to have a prayer always in my heart. And even though we Mormons also be believe that angels have wings...I find it fortuitous that the candle I found in the Latiano section of the grocery store was a guardian angel.
Im also throwing an extra prayer in there for baby Ben who is due to arrive sometime next week too!!

Update on Beckham Ryan:
The first few days...he gained weight..which wasnt a good thing...believe it or not....it was fluid...unwanted fluid. Now he's just a little below his birth-weight. Thats a good thing.

Tonight Beckham gets his first bath. Hes strong!! The nurses complain that he's always yanking the tubes away from his face and gripping them so tightly that its a challenge to pry them from his fingers. Thats a really GOOD thing!!

I got to hold his hand for a while...so stink'in precious. I was brought to tears of gratitude for the amazing care little Beckham receives here in the NICU. His forced air flow has been cut way back-- he started at a 10, he's now down to a 3!! When he cant be held and snuggled by his mommy...they wrap him up in warm bean bags!! The weight of them is comforting and secure...genius!!! His good mommy has been providing him with delicious, nutritious breast milk...which he has been enjoying for the last 2 days via a feeding tube. Tonight the feeding tube comes out and mommy and babe get their first go at the real thing!! Cross your fingers that it goes well.

There really isnt any bad news to report...except that sweet mommy just wants him HOME!!! Wants to cuddle when she wants to....and wishes that she didnt have to leave Logan and Liam to spend time at the hospital.
It seems apparent that if he continues to improve at the rate he has been, that mommy's wishes may come true...soon!!!
Thank you dear friends for all your prayers and calls and good wishes. I have felt them and so have Joe and Natalie!! You are the best!!!

2012-01-20T05:15:00.001-07:00

May your weekend be Melodic and Warm Friends!!!

2012-01-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Laughter is timeless, imagination has no

age, and dreams are forever.

-Tinkerbell

Connie Reeves
Kerrville, Texas

At 101 years old, Connie was still riding her horse every day. She taught over 36,000 girls to ride at a girls summer camp over a span of 70 years. She was a huge inspiration to many people. Her health was great and her mind was sharp. I asked her what her secret to longevity was. She said, “Well Honey, you just don’t let that rocking chair take over…you get up and go even if you don’t want to.”

I think I wont be getting me a rock'in chair!!!

.

2012-01-19T06:45:00.001-07:00

Books may not change our suffering, books may not protect us from evil,

books may not tell us what is good or what is beautiful, and they will

certainly not shield us from the common fate of the grave. But books grant

us myriad possibilities: the possibility of change, the possibility of illumination.to

— Alberto Manguel

Ernest Hemingway’s 1923 passport. Hello, handsome!

Jessie Marion King

Neil Moffatt

2012-01-19T06:43:00.018-07:00

"Instead of going to Paris to attend lectures,

go to the public library, and you won't come

out for twenty years, if you really wish to learn."

— Leo Tolstoy

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.....That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."

This is my second reading of this book. Book Club picked it for this month's readingbook.
Im now thinking it should be read by every small business owner or aspiring entrepreneur. Although it is a great novel, it carries a powerful lesson in what makes people 'tick' and teaches some important lessons through a terrific storyline.

This is a story about the power of transformation. Arent all of us in need of some changes? I know I am!!!

Review from amazon:
No review can do justice to Douglas effortless skill in bringing spirituality face to face with practical everyday affairs.

THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION is a story of the conversion and faith journey of a troubled young man. In order to be at peace with himself about the negative effects his poor decisions and actions have on a beloved surgeon, Robert Merrick begins a series of philanthropic deeds. He follows in the path of Jesus Christ, the perfect model of philanthropy, and in the paths of others before him, including the surgeon whose death may have been prevented if it were not for the reckless actions of Merrick. He becomes consumed with the task of helping others--sacrificing his time, effort, and money in order to do so. Merrick asks that stories of his good deeds are not spread in order that he may be rewarded in a more meaningful way than glory. Christ teaches people to be humble and not seek glory on earth but in heaven. The messages of Christ appear frequently throughout the book.

As a result of Merrick's philanthropic deeds and newly developed spiritual life, he gains a more "powerful personality," the goal of all his efforts. His life is turned around and he greatly affects the lives of many others. His actions are emulated by those around him. One many can truly help to change the world.

This book shows that humanity on the whole is good if humanity is able to overcome worldly temptations. THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION helped me on my faith journey and I believe that it would have the same effect on other readers. I recommend this book to all Christians as it provides the messages of Christ in a clear and modern way.

It presents many important messages about Christianity without sacrificing entertainment.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS READING:
There are writers who are artists....Lloyd Douglas is an artist!!
Faith plus action equal results!!
You can read a story about the power of God and scripture yet never-or hardly ever see the word God on any page- and feel His power and goodness.

.

2012-01-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Chip Cookie Crust
Based on a recipe from an issue of Bon Appétit, many moons ago

1 pound semisweet chocolate chip cookie dough
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 large egg yolks
2 1/3 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon dark rum
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 medium bananas, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
1 cup chilled whipping cream

I made this before Christmas...it was divine!!
Im not counting calories...no way!!
DIVINE!!!
Enjoy!!!
found HERE

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2012-01-18T05:22:00.001-07:00

A Romani bear-trainer rests under a tree.

artist isaac cordal

Bamiyan, Afghanistan steve McCurry

Coming to America, 1951 Louis stettner

2012-01-17T12:50:00.002-07:00

2012-01-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

Now I know, a refuge never grows

from a chin in the hand and a thoughtful pose

Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose.

~Indigo Girls

HAPPY BELATED Birthday handsome men!!!
I was lucky enough to be there for the celebration...
Air-headed enough to not get my birthday wishes posted.

Incandescent inauguration for another year!!!

Martin Luther King Day

2012-01-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

"Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But, conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because one’s conscience tells one that it is right"– . -Martin Luther King, Jr.,

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"

"Our lives begin to end the day that we become silent about things that matter."

.

2012-01-16T21:30:00.002-07:00

The world will give you that once in a while,

a brief timeout; the boxing bell rings and

you go to your corner, where somebody dabs

mercy on your beat- up life.

from: The Secret Life of Bees

by: Sue Monk Kidd

Beckham is HERE!! Hes 6 weeks early...and he's doing fantastic!! My visit was cut short in Salt Lake, as soon as I learned Natalie was in labor. (I was more than happy to jump on a shuttle and leave the cold!!!) I was thrilled to learn that Beckham is the biggest of Joe and Natalie's babies!! He weighed in at 6 lbs 6 ozs!! Way to go Natalie!!! 18 1/2 inches long! Mommy says he looks just like Logan when he was born!! I say he's adorable...and rosy pink in color with fuzzy dark hair and and its my guess is he wont be long in the NICU!!! How grateful we are for the many important and bounteous blessing we enjoy in this good family!! Logan was quite anxious to meet his new brother...but in reality he was a little hesitant to touch him...the tubes and wires and whistles put him off a bit; but he was happy to sing him a song through the opening in the incubator!! What sweet dear boys we've been blessed with!!
Happy Day!!!
Congratulations Natalie and Joe, Logan and Liam!! A perfect new brother has joined you in the fun!!!!

.

2012-01-16T06:05:00.001-07:00

Portraits of Maldives

Pakistan girl by galibert olivier

Myanmar girl blowing bubbles

Mimi Monday

2012-01-16T05:34:00.002-07:00

Girls arent beautiful, they're pretty.

Beautiful is too heavy a word to assign

to a girl. Women are beautiful

because their faces show that they have

lost something and picked up something else.

- Henry Rollins

36 weeks!!

I never take enough pictures!! I didnt even get a pic of the hostess with the mostest!! Dear Lauren threw a darling shower for Anna!! I thank her from the bottom of my heart!! Thank you dear friends and family that came to celebrate with Anna!! Baby Benjamin is going to be the best dressed tot on the planet!! "So Cute!" was the phrase of the day!! 2 weeks to go!!!

Sabbath Reflections

2012-01-15T02:16:00.001-07:00

Every morning when I wake

dear Lord a little prayer I make

O please to keep thy lovely eye

on all poor creatures born to die

And every evening at sundown I ask

blessing on the town

for whether we last the night or no

Im sure is always touch and go

-Dylan Thomas

2012-01-13T04:12:00.001-07:00

HAVE AN EXCITING WEEKEND FRIENDS!!!

Majella Sue

WILD WEDNESDAY

2012-01-11T05:14:00.001-07:00

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Two brothers 3 (by Tambako the Jaguar)

Two black vultures

What I Learned Last Week

2012-01-10T06:24:00.011-07:00

Sometimes I didnt even feel like getting out of bed.

I took to wearing my days-of-the-week

panties out of order. It could be Monday and

I'd have on underwear saying Thursday. I just didnt care.

from: The Secret Life of Bees

by: Sue Monk Kidd

Warm Moccicin here...
musing about the week..

It was my turn to teach in Young Womens at Church Sunday. I want to be a better teacher, just like I want to be a better writer, wife and grandmother. For me teaching doesnt come easy. Its a painful and a sickening experience for me to get up in front of people. Here's hoping for miracles this year as I work towards my goal of being braver and honing my skills at teaching.

Some weeks I dont seem to learn much. Sometimes its a week about persevering and enduring. That was what this week was about. Even hiking felt different this week. It might have had something to do with my bangs hanging in my eyes.

Watching grandbabies and attending book club were the highlights of the week. Once again it was hiking that kept me sane and as ALWAYS, it gifted me another great experience. This week it was a magnificent American Bald eagle!! There he was, perched on a low, leafless branch that was overhanging a small reservoir tranquilly glistening in the morning sun. He was but 5 ft away from us!! He left me speechless and wanting more of his company when he took flight and winged away. Magnificent really doesnt really begin to describe him. What we saw was better than any dime store postcard!!!

Reality set in this week...we could be welcoming 2 new baby boys any day now to our growing family. 2 baby boys that we cant wait to meet...though we do hope and pray that baby boy Beckham waits and is patient a little longer before he arrives. He needs to "cook" for a few more weeks!!

There is no Presidential candidate for me to be excited about...not a one!!! d&#%@ it!!!

Anna lives too far away...and 2 years feels too long to have a son so disconnected from his life at home. whine. He's happy. Anna is blissful...so why do I even complain.

Last year at this time we were wading through snow and ice and bracing winds in Zion National Park. This year we sported tank tops and sunscreen and caught the Big Horn sheep basking in the warm sun on the precipices of the canyon. We will pay for this warm, dry winter this next summer...but Im enjoying every day of it now!!!

.

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Eric Lafforgue

Afar girl laughing, Danakil, Ethiopia

Ingrid Bergman, 1940s

Martin Munkacsi

photos by Anna Riwkin-Brick Macmillan, 1966

2012-01-09T20:25:00.001-07:00

MIMI MONDAY

I distinctly object to tears. Tears are

scientifically described as a secretion. I can

understand that a secretion may be healthy or

unhealthy, but I cannot see the interest of a

secretion from a sentimental point of view.

from: Lady in White

by: Wilkie Collins

Mimi took a few on the nose last night. One blow actually drew blood...as Liam and I bonked head to nose. OUCH!!!
The other was more figurative. Liam drew blood by accident...his head is quite a bit harder than my nose. The tears that resulted...for who doesnt cry when ones nose gets bonked...were quickly dried as I sat and commiserated on my toilet seat with toilet paper stuck up there to curb the flow . Who can feel bad for long when sweet Liam came looking for me to tell me he was sorry and imparted a tender kiss. This random kind act by this adored grandson brought even more tears for I was really just sitting there feeling quite sorry for myself and none of it due to physical pain. The reason for this self pity you might ask......It's all about changes!!! Nothing ever stays the same does it?
My bloody nose may have stopped oozing quickly...But I can see now that my heart will always need first aide while we wade through life with our kiddies and their kiddies.
Its such a blessing being a grandma...

But I feel the dam bursting...so much is changing for our family...
And my heart bleeds as did my nose last night.

.

2012-01-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

Preach My Gospel Lesson 1: God is our Loving Heavenly Father, and the Gospel Blesses Families - "God is our Heavenly Father. We are His children. He has a body of flesh and bone that is glorified and perfected. He loves us. He weeps with us when we suffer and rejoices when we do what is right. He wants to communicate with us, and we can communicate with Him through sincere prayer..."

Monday brings pictures from California!!! Love my boy!! Miss him like crazy!!!

Sabbath Reflections

2012-01-08T06:20:00.011-07:00

...when the familiar music filled her head, the

past conquered for a brief while, and she felt

herself ache with the ecstasy of completion,

as though a missing limb had been recovered.

from: A Fine Balance

by: Rohinton Mistry

2012-01-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

"Deeper. Dig deeper," Miss Sadie said in her rich voice.

"The ground should not merely cover the seed. It must embrace it."

from: Moon Over Manifest

by: Claire Vanderpool

Soo...here it goes...
New Years Resolutions...
A lot of them are the same ol same ol....
and some of them you wont find in this post...
but these are the ones Im willing to share..to go out on a limb with so to speak...
there is no order of priority either...
(why does this feel so exposing?....)

Its like jumping into one of those frigid pools of ice water on the Subway hike.....
"do I have to mommy!?"

1. be more creative...using my hands and mind and different mediums...one being this new site that a friend showed me....Project 365 I plan to "show" what I create. Gulp

2. Find a group of folks that have the same desire as I do...to bike down the coast of California; that wont cost me an arm and a leg to join.

3. try to learn some Italian. Turns out the local library would like to help. They have these groovy little MP3 players with language lessons already downloaded on them...all I need are earbuds and Im set!!! So cool!!!

4. Finish my Personal Progress requirements

5. cut out most of the white sugar from my diet. gulp

6. read more

7. take more time with my appearance. Im old but Im not giving up!!

8. learn a musical instrument...and be able to play a few Christmas songs by next year.

9. clean at least one window a day in my house of dirty windows! I hate dirty windows!!!

10. acknowledge the goodness of My Builder every day.

There are more...but this is enough for my public disclosure. How about sharing a few of yours with me?

.

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on the seashore, half listening to a friend arguing violently about something which merely bored me. Unconsciously to myself, I looked at a film of sand I had picked up on my hand, when I suddenly saw the exquisite beauty of every little grain of it; instead of being dull, I saw that each particle was made up on a perfect geometrical pattern, with sharp angles, from each of which a brilliant shaft of light was reflected, while each tiny crystal shone like a rainbow…the rays crossed and recrossed, making exquisite patterns of such beauty that they left me breathless…Then, suddenly, my consciousness was lighted up from within and I saw in a vivid way how the whole universe was made up of particles of material which, no matter how dull and lifeless they might seem, were nevertheless filled with this intense and vital beauty. For a second or two the whole world appeared as a blaze of glory. When it died down, it left me with something I have never forgotten and which constantly reminds me of the beauty locked up in every minute speck of material around us

—	Aldous Huxley

2012-01-06T05:09:00.002-07:00

Dont Be Afraid to take a plunge this weekend good Friends!!

Enjoy!!!

2012-01-05T01:56:00.001-07:00

the lesson of the moth

i was talking to a moth
the other evening
he was trying to break into
an electric light bulb
and fry himself on the wires

why do you fellows
pull this stunt i asked him
because it is the conventional
thing for moths or why
if that had been an uncovered
candle instead of an electric
light bulb you would
now be a small unsightly cinder
have you no sense

plenty of it he answered
but at times we get tired
of using it
we get bored with the routine
and crave beauty
and excitement
fire is beautiful
and we know that if we get
too close it will kill us
but what does that matter
it is better to be happy
for a moment
and be burned up with beauty
than to live a long time
and be bored all the while
so we wad all our life up
into one little roll
and then we shoot the roll
that is what life is for
is is better to be a part of beauty
for one instant and then cease to
exist than to exist forever
and never be a part of beauty
our attitude toward life
is come easy go easy
we are like human beings
used to be before they became
too civilized to enjoy themselves

and before i could argue him
out of his philosophy
he went and immolated himself
on a patent cigar lighter
i do not agree with him
myself i would rather have
half the happiness and twice
the longevity

but at the same time i wish
there was something i wanted
as badly as he wanted to fry himself
archy

-Don Marquis

(Archy was a literary cockroach who typed one letter at a time by landing on the keys--no capital letters- and Mehitabel was a cat who served as a foil for Archy's commentary on human behavior.)

“lite bike” by Lee White

.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2012-01-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

"Benvenuto Cellini (Florencia, 1500-1571

Antonio Javier Caparo

Auguste Rodin

2012-01-04T04:55:00.001-07:00

Afghan man carries a goat on his back while riding a bicycle.

village Shacun, near the town Dali China

Gypsy girl from the area of Wadi Al-Seer, Amman Jordan

2012-01-03T07:17:00.009-07:00

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:

We are besieged by financial troubles,
which I greatly resent for I consider
money one of the least important things
in life. Yet the want of it can certainly be distracting.
from: The Many Lives and Secret Sorrow of Josephine B
by: Sandra Gulland

Herding silver foxes with their lush winter coats, and watching herds of Big Horn in Zion, is Great fun!!!
Just adding to the endless list of the great virtues of hiking!

Dean Koontz...whom I've never read before...is a genius at descriptive imagining!!

" Hard luck seemed to seep out of the ground itself,

as though the devil's rooms in Hades were directly

beneath these streets, his sleeping loft so near the

surface that his fetid breath, expelled with every

snore, percolated through the soil."

Wish I could say it that way.

If I live to be 102 and am still hiking, I'll NEVER travel every trail and canyon of Zion. NEVER!!

Still working up the nerve to share some of my New Year's Resolutions. I heard on the radio this morning as I was driving to my hike that if you have a goal...in your head...you stand a 30% chance of attaining it. If you have a goal and you write it down...you have a 50% chance of attaining it. BUT....If you have a goal and you write it down AND TELL SOMEONE about it....you have an 80% chance of reaching your goal!!! You'd think I'd be all over the 'sharing."....hummmm....
Stand by.

.

2012-01-03T06:20:00.003-07:00

“One should never underestimate the power of books. — Paul Auster

2012-01-02T19:29:00.000-07:00

"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You’ll look ten years younger. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I love you’. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world."

— Ann Landers

2012-01-02T17:10:00.010-07:00

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed,

and some few to be chewed and digested; that is,

some books are to be read only in parts; other to be

read, but not curiously; and some few to be read

wholly, and with diligence and attention.

from: Of Studies

by: Sir Francis Bacon

“You might not find meaning in disaster, but you might, with effort, make something useful of it.” -book jacket

If you are looking for a fabulous book, find A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas. It’s a quick-read, but not a “light” read by any sense of the word. It’s a touching true story that weighs heavy on the heart and touches honestly on many tough subjects. When I turned the last page...I said to myself...."gulp....could I ever be that courageous?" The cover has an endorsement from Stephen King that kind of sums it up, “The best memoir I have ever read. This book is a punch to the heart. Read it.”

Five stars for me!! ***** ( I will read this one again!)

When people confess to not being able to turn away from a train wreck...or when we catch ourselves slowing down when we see a terrible accident along the freeway...and then wonder why we do this to ourselves...dont we then wonder, "what is it we hope to see"..........

This is how I would describe this book experience for me. I was completely and totally hooked by this book- mostly due to the way that Dean Koontz writes. The first three paragraphs on the very first page of the book sucked me in and showed no mercy!! I LOVE the way Dean writes!!! LOVE!!!

But....his subject matter is so dark....maybe not quite Stephen King dark...but dark enough that I wont continue the series. One of my Laurels turned me on to this book and author...he's one of her favorites!! She's a voracious reader...like me...but she's a murder mystery lover... which I never really have been. As a matter of fact, its been quite some time since I've picked up a book that is considered a New York Times best seller. I can understand why these types of books sell in airports and train stations...once your in to its pages it doesnt matter how many miles you have to go...you wont mind...for Odd Thomas will keep you guessing and enthralled to the very last page!!

I'd give this book 5 stars...but for its "darkness." How about ****1/2 and no profanity either!!

This was December's book club choice. We preferred something light for the holiday season. Weeeelllllll....not so sure this could be qualified as light reading...but it was very insightful and Im sure I've written down half the quoted selections for my own files!!
review from Fulghum's website:

"In Words I Wish I Wrote, Fulghum reveals the works of writers who have inspired him. The quotations in this book reflect the most important ideas underlying his living and thinking. This is his evidence that, as he’s gone about finding his way, he’s had great company. Each thematic chapter begins with Fulghum’s own insightful, introductory words, followed by inspiring passages drawn from a diverse group of sources, from Jerry Garcia to Albert Camus, Dylan Thomas to Franz Kafka, Marcel Proust to Beatrix Potter. At the end of each chapter, Fulghum comments on where he was introduced to their words and why he returns to them and how they may change you.

***** stars for me!!

.

2012-01-02T06:37:00.012-07:00

MIMI MONDAY:

When you're down and troubled

and you need a helping hand,

and nothing, whoa nothing is going right.

Close your eyes and think of me

and soon I will be there

to brighten up even your darkest nights.

An old African proverb says- it takes a village to raise a child.
I say, if not a village, at least it takes a whole bunch of family.
My refrigerator is now plastered with a brand new batch of family photos that came for Christmas. Our family is multiplying faster than the tadpoles in a mountain pool!!
I dare say its almost impossible my wee little ones to visualize the branches of your family tree as they span out around sweet little YOU. The protective, sheltering network of branches that surround you is a stunning sight to behold... And wonder of wonders, it'll never stop growing!!
Picture little, talented, adorable you at the center, tucked nicely in the cleft of this marvelous tree, wrapped up in the love of your immediate family, your mom and your dad, your brothers and sisters. Then try and think about all the people that they love. That would be your grandparents...including ME...and your uncles and aunts and all the cousins. And there are the great-grandparents that know and love you too of course!! Then think about the people they love too. Your world is fluttering brilliantly with people that love you and care about you. And make no mistake...they REALLY LOVE you!!! You are in their thoughts and in their prayers every day and night. All of us are now so easily interconnected...through prayer, email, phone calls and conversations and of course our modern fun of Facebook.
When you've ticked off your mom 'cause you wrecked her sewing machine trying to sew leaves to your socks...or when your brother is fuming 'cause you stole his girlfriend, or your dad wants to ground you for a month 'cause you spray painted the wheel wells of his car with green paint, or your sister is scream'in irate 'cause you let your gerbil loose in her room.....Love and understanding and a listening ear can always be found among the many branches of our family tree!! ALWAYS!! "Though your sins be as scarlet" you will find love and acceptance and a cheering section!! Some of us will offer you Oreos with plenty of cold milk, others will tell you a story, or fix your computer, some will knit you a warm hat and scarf, others will offer encouraging words and cheer, and some will have wise counsel or cash. Doors are always open, there is always room at someones table, there will always be something delicious to share. THis YOU can count on!! Thats how Mimi sleeps at night. 'Cause I've experienced this first hand myself. Your Family Rocks little ones!! Just Rocks and ROlls and SUpports!!!

Sing it James!!! and then Sing it again!!!

If the sky above you

should turn dark and full of clouds

and that old north wind should begin to blow

Keep your head together and call my name out loud now

and soon I'll be knocking upon your door.

You just call out my name and you know where ever I am

I'll come running to see you again.

Winter, spring, summer or fall

all you got to do is call

and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?

People can be so cold.

They'll hurt you and desert you.

Well they'll take your soul if you let them.

Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

2012-01-02T04:21:00.001-07:00

A man's character is like his house. If he tears

boards off his house and burns them to keep himself

warm and comfortable, his house soon becomes a ruin.

from: Little Britches

by: Ralph Moody

It is Better to Give.... Sabbath Musings

2012-01-01T07:12:00.003-07:00

photo by:richardashworth
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the earth's surface at 1,292 feet BELOW sea level. Rivers flow into it,but nothing flows out. It is surrounded by steep, rocky cliffs 2,500-4,000 ft high. Its deepest point is 1,3000 feet, and possibly covers the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Its close neighbors include Jericho, Masada and En Gedi. From caves along its western shore came the Ded Sea Scrolls, and its coastline is dotted with tourist hotels, spas, and parched beaches. The salt and mineral content is so thick, a person can float without touching bottom in water only a foot deep. It has 12 minerals found in no other lake or sea in the world. And no lake matches its 35% salinity!!

The Sea of Galilee is the lowest fresh water lake in the world at 575 feet below sea level. It is fed by underground streams and the Jordan River flows into it at the north and flows out at the south. It is vulnerable to sudden and violent storms but its serenity is unmatched, and is rich in aquatic life. It has served untold thousands-villagers, fishermen, traders, merchants, and settlers. Jesus recruited four of his apostles here; he walked on the water, calmed the sea, fed the 5000, taught the Sermon on the Mount from a hill that overlooked the sea, and other miracles. And Galilee is vital as the main sourse for modern Israel's fresh water supply-the whole country benifits.

*The Dead Sea is like a selfish man hoarding, taking all, giving back nothing. Its reward? Briny, poisonous death. No life can survive inits waters or shores-it takes and gives nothing.

*The Sea of Galilee is like a giving man, returning generousl form what is given, sharing everything for the benefit of others. Its reward? Fresh, cooling waters teeming with life, its shores giving rest to the weary traveler and tired birds.

Be it a body of water or the body of man, he who hoards is dead, but he who gives with pure intent has life everlasting.

borrowed from: Paul B Skousens' Mormon Reader

Reposting from 4/27/08

2011-12-31T18:15:00.003-07:00

2011-12-31T07:16:00.001-07:00

We are the children of our landscape;

it dictates behavior and even thought in the measure

to which we are responsive to it.

- Lawrence Durrell

Its almost to the point that I shouldnt even bother taking my dumb, malfunctioning camera with me on hikes anymore. Why should I when I have the talented and very creative Cheryl with me??!! All of these spectacular shots are hers!! I take no credit. (except I was the eagle eye that spotted the first batch of Big Horn Sheep on the rocks.)
Thursday we took a little known hike in Zion with a group of friends. We went to Many Pools. We decided to climb to the very top. It was worth it. It's ALWAYS worth it in Zion. 1700 ft up. Deep in the wash there was snow. In the sunshine it was at least 55 degrees!! PERFECTION!! I know I say that a lot...when it comes to hiking and Zion...but its just true!!! Plain and simple perfection.

.

2011-12-30T05:25:00.023-07:00

Happy Trails to You Friends!!

The most important thing in life is to stop
saying "I wish" and start saying "I will."
Consider nothing impossible, then treat
possibilities as probabilities.
from: David Copperfield
by: Charles Dickens

A very Happy Birthday wish to my first born!!

2011-12-29T05:51:00.001-07:00

Long Horn Tribe, China

A young Welsh boy march 1936

Murphy's Law

2011-12-29T01:51:00.000-07:00

If anything can go wrong, it will
If anything cant go wrong, it still will.
Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.
Everything takes longer than you expect.
Whatever you set out to do, something else must be done first.
You cant do just one thing--there are always consequences.
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.
Mother Nature is a bitch.
It's impossible to make anything foolproof, because fools are so ingenious.
Always lie low--you cant fall off the floor.
Never lose heart--they might want to cut it out.
You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, and that's sufficient.
-Paul Dickson

Not so WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2011-12-28T05:53:00.001-07:00

The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe.

Lawrence Kutner

HAPPY, HaPpY BiRThDaY to the Boy who has My HeArT!!!

And....a HAPPY Birthday to a dear Nephew as well!!

We Love you J.J.!!

Hope you have a great day.

2011-12-28T01:10:00.000-07:00

Book-love, I say again, lasts throughout life, it never

flags or fails, but, like Beauty itself, is a joy forever.

— - Holbrook Jackson

Walter Firle (1859 – 1929, German) I AM A CHILD

James Seward

James Shannon, Jungle Tales, 1895

Jim Daly

John Michael Carter

2011-12-27T04:38:00.016-07:00

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,

with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.

-Willy Wonka

What I Learned This Week:

My Indian name is Warm Moccasin!!! I've always wanted to be named by an American Indian. Its been on my bucket list for quite some time. And here I've received the perfect name...and it didnt require me to sweat in a hogan..or even to get sand between my toes. Of course its all just for fun and giggles...but I've already grown quite attached to my new name!!
WARM: for all that implies. Its a no brainer.
MOCCASIN: feet, foot fetish, walks, hikes, supple, decorative, natural, quiet, tree-hugging me-- loves this!!!
Way to go silly website!! I dont know how the internet does what it does...but its got me pegged. Should I be afraid?

My list of New Years Resolutions is growing. Do I share? Well, maybe a few.

There is such a thing as a Blanket octopus and a Rock Fish. And the resemblance is remarkable!!! Oh the wonders of this beautiful world in which we live and play!! (My Builder and I watched Disney's Oceans this week.)

The new Sherlock Holmes movie is fantastic!! Going with Clark...perfect!!! Looking forward to Mission Impossible III this week with My Builder.

There truly are limitless trails to discover and hike in St George!! Love this about us!!!

I LOVE bright colored crazy socks that dont come in matching sets. And I have now learned that most of my kids cant handle the pressure of wearing something that doesnt match. (They got that trait from their dad!!) Im not in the least bit fastidious as they all are!! Whew!! Dodged that troublesome quirk.

Benjamin Franklin was a marvel...and I've only just begun reading the first 40 pages of his Completed Autobiography. Its going to be a good one!!! Thanks dad!!

.Have a wonderful week friends...and tell me what you have learned!!!

.

2011-12-27T04:10:00.001-07:00

Isn't it only through laughter we can stay human?

from: Shogun

by: James Clavell

Elder Brian finally was able to visit the Reagan Library ....he's been in Simi Valley for 4 1/2 months now, and thinks he's being transferred out this week..so he was happy to have the chance to visit this historic place. Looks like great fun!!!
Brian looks so great!!
I am so grateful.
Work is hard there in the Valley...but he perseveres!!
LOVE HIM!!
And love to all of you who were so generous and kind in remembering him this Christmas season!! He is very appreciative and so are we!! Bless you all!!!

.

.

2011-12-27T03:24:00.000-07:00

The only thing better than a goat

in a sweater vest is FOUR goats in sweater vests.

2011-12-26T11:53:00.003-07:00

Yuta Onoda

2011-12-26T09:47:00.002-07:00

MIMI MONDAY....

Without a mirror to frighten me back to reality,

i could experience feeling beautiful. Obviously

I wasnt, but I felt beautiful. The people accepted

me as I was. They made me feel included, and

unique, and wonderful. I was learning how it

felt to be in a state of unconditional acceptance.

from: Mutant Message Down Under

by: Marlo Morgan

MIMI mightily missed the madness and mayhem that is much attributed to this merry season. My house was as muffled as a mute mouse at midnight yesterday morning. Christmas minus little mites is not quite Christmas. The whimsy of a child acted Nativity was no where to be found. Much of Christmas has to do with as many moppets making merry and messes around the mini or massive Christmas tree. (This year ours was a minor specimen.- nither majestic or motley.)
Of course we cant mind or complain too much, meting out the memories these wee mites bring...we must take our turn in imparting the masses of joy. We must not meddle or moan very loudly for the masses of family up north need their turn in the merriment and mirth that this season brings. We will magnanimously measure a portion to those we love that live miles away in the numbing clime. For we will all mutually agree that we have the most magnificent, impressive muggles on the map!!
We enjoyed more sleep....yep...that's it....more napping.
We were amused and mullified by the angelic, intimate voices leaving sublime messages about their mucho motor vehicles and miniature cars and shoes that were found beneath the Christmas tree this year.
Mimi's warm heart is madly in love and full with much gratitude this year...and I am making an effort to be mature....as I contemplate the impressive list of things I have to be thankful for this year. My complaints are menial.
As you might guess though, anticipating a memorable, merry Christmas is at the top of the menu of tasty morsels next year. Mimi will have 2 new miracle bambinos to meet their first Christmas's...and...a winsome, charming returned missionary to impart much pampering to..with all things home made. And undoubtedly there will be a few unexpected marvels waiting for us next year too.

2011-12-26T04:59:00.001-07:00

Love is not so much a matter of romance

as it is a matter of anxious concern for

the well being of one's companion.

from: Jane Eyre

by: Charlotte Bronte

Several years ago, Gary Chapman wrote a book entitled The Five Love Language: The Secret to Love That Lasts. This book introduced thousands of couples to the idea that each individual gives and receives love in different ways, or languages. Although most of us “speak” all the languages, there is normally one specific language that meets our deepest emotional need. Chapman argues that the key to a successful relationship is identifying each other’s love language then tailoring the ways that you show love.

This same principle can also be translated to the ways that we demonstrate our love to our children. Just like adults, children show and receive love differently.

Here are the five love languages as identified by Gary Chapman:

 Words of Affirmation: Complimenting and praising our children is fundamentally important to their feeling of self-worth. We must be careful to affirm and praise them for who they are, not what they do. Like everyone, children are going to make mistakes and need to know that we will love them regardless. Words such as, “You have such a strong work ethic” or “I love the way you show kindness to others” are much more effective than empty praises like “Great job!”

 Physical Touch: Children need affection in order to grow into emotionally-healthy adults. Hugging and kissing your child appropriately is an important indicator of love. When we show our child affection, this demonstrates that they are worthy of our love. Likewise, many children also show their love through the affection shown to peers and adults.

 Quality Time: This is probably the most important love language for most children. When we make time to spend with our children, we validate their importance in our lives. One of our most precious treasures is time…and when we choose to spend it with our children, we are therefore showing them that they are our most precious treasure. Make time to spend with your child and everybody wins!

 Gifts: Small tokens of love are important to a child; not necessarily just for birthdays or holidays, but at random times throughout the year. We must walk a fine line as parents, however, because we don’t want our children feel entitled to receiving “things”. Nor should we feel guilty because they do not have everything friends or neighbors have. We can’t buy their love, but we can demonstrate our love through small tokens of thoughtfulness. On the flip side, children who love to make crafts or cards for others are demonstrating the love language of gift-giving!

 Acts of Service: Though sometimes children overlook acts of service as simply “what parents should do”, these acts speak love all the same. Making dinner, taking him to soccer practice, and doing her laundry are all acts of love…whether they recognize it or not.

It’s important to recognize the way that your child gives and receives love. One way to pinpoint your child’s love language is to observe how he/she expresses love to you and others. Most often, the way that we express love to others is the love language that we speak most fluently. Listen to your child’s requests and complaints. If he is always asking to play a game with you or he complains about not having enough time together, he’s probably demonstrating his need for quality time. If she constantly showers you with kisses and loves to get them in return, her love language is probably physical touch. Keep in mind that your child’s love language could very well be completely different from yours and make a commitment to try to show them love in his/her own language.

2011-12-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts.

No matter how we may dread the rush, the long

Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and

given - when Christmas Day comes there is still

the same warm feeling we had as children,

the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.

Joan Winmill Brown

A VERY quiet CHristmas this year!! We missed the kiddies and the excitement and the mess on the living room floor...but there were some upsides to this special day too.

Christmas day dinner! So glad to have the folks and Clark and Mark with us this year. Dad brought the delicious ham and Ethel brought the tasty Jello salad...and we had a feast!!

Hope Everyone had a Lovely, Peaceful, Memorable Christmas this year!!

.

2011-12-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Old age is fifteen years older than I am.

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Happy Birthday to our Favorite Carpenter!!

We Love you!!!

We miss you!!!

Its time for a visit!!

.

2011-12-24T05:29:00.000-07:00

Old age has its pleasures, which, though different,

are not less than the pleasures of youth.

-Somerset Maughan

Happy, Happy Birthday Spencer!!

You are a lucky and blessed man,

and we are blessed to know and love you!!

2011-12-23T06:24:00.002-07:00

The first forty years of life give us the text;

the next thirty supply the commentary on it.

~Arthur Schopenhauer

Happy Happy Birthday to my dear cousin...whom I miss!!

She is wise and intelligent and very lovely- plus funny!!!

Some people have it all!! te he!!

I hope you have a great birthday sweet Lynley!!!

YOU ARE LOVED!!!

ps- wish you were blogging again; I miss your commentary!!

2011-12-23T05:28:00.001-07:00

Have a Dreamy Weekend Friends!!

Squirrels by Brian Wildsmith ~ Oxford University Press, 1974

2011-12-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

2011-12-22T07:39:00.002-07:00

None of us comes to this earth to gain our worth;

we bring it with us!

-Sheri Dew

is for Individual Worth....

Watching our favorite Christmas classic will do it...
Working with the Young Women will do it..
Walking with people from all over the country, from all walks of life will bring it too.

Some of us need a reminder of other people's worth, and sometimes we need to be reminded of our own worth. The former requires living the Golden Rule. (it seems like nobody ever talks about the Golden Rule anymore. Why is that?! Soon there may be a whole generation that doesnt know what it is....To Do Unto Others As You Would Have Done Unto You.)
Both requires a knowledge of who you are, what is our purpose, and where the heck are we going!?
I think knowing that each of us is a beloved child of God, made in His image, naturally has us step up to the plate.
Practicing the Golden Rule and learning just who you are in the grand scheme of things, are both difficult lessons to learn. Even now I am repenting for what I wrote about some unnamed guests we had a few weeks ago. I had no right to judge them so harshly. God loves them as much as He loves me. I will attempt to never do that again.

Teaching sensitive Young Women of their individual worth is my main focus in life right now. And its no easy task. Life for teenagers is fairly brutal these days. Maybe it has been for eons of time...I dont know. I do know that if given a chance to go back and do teenagedom again....I wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole!! For some reason the stakes seem higher these days for our youth.

My Christmas wish this year is that all of us could KNOW and remember and believe what the below quote is saying to each of us...especially to the women of the world, about our power, influence and possibilities in this life. This is what an apostle of the Lord has to say about our worth!

"Every [person] who stands for truth and righteousness diminishes the influence of evil. Every woman who strengthens and protect her family is doing the work of God. Every woman who lives as a woman of God becomes a beacon for others to follow and plants seeds of righteous influence that will be harvested for decades to come." -M. Russell Ballard

I want "my girls" to know that they each mean the world to me. That I will love them no matter what. That I love them when its easy to love them and I love them when its not so easy. And I love them because- they each have unique talents and gifts from God to share with the world. I love them for the challenge it is to learning who they are and envisioning their possibilities. I love them because I have been blessed with "spiritual eyes" to see that they truly are children of our Heavenly Father who loves them with perfect love. I love them because Im supposed to...a blessing that comes with the 'calling.' My heart has been opened to receive them and to try and give them what they need. I love them because I serve them.

My wish making continues...
that none of us have to stand percariously on the edge of certain death,on a cold, deserted bridge, before we learn of our great worth. That we can all come to know of our worth to others and of our own great worth to God and ourselves. And that we may all take some time to learn of our purposes here and to embrace our gifts and talents which we have been gifted, and go and do!! Remembering our Heavenly Heritage will take us a long way towards a healthy self esteem dont ya think!!!?

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;

and before thou camest forth out of the womb

I sanctified thee...

Jeremiah 1:5

I know I treat people differently and am kinder to myself when I remember that I was loved and cherished before I even came here to live and learn. And knowing that you were there with me makes it sweeter still!!!

Remember, The worth of souls is great in the sight of God!!!
And your dear soul counts!!!

If you'd like to hear a silly song on the Golden Rule, go Here.

.

2011-12-22T06:45:00.001-07:00

...it is often said that great books must pass the test

of time. This is quite true. But it is not the passage

of time that makes the books great. They were great when they were

written. An enduring interest in a book merely confirms it greatness.

- Mortimer J. Adler

Of the two...
The Crystal Cave is by far the best read of the last month!
The Art of Racing in the Rain was ok...an interesting precept...a story told from a dog's point of view. But it wasnt very well written...and there was too much about race car driving for my liking. We had an interesting discussion at book club about it....but even that was kind of half-hearted. 2 1/2 stars from me.
The Crystal Cave on the other hand...
Is well crafted, full of vivid characters and scenery!
Its the story of the boy and then the man behind the magician -Merlin of Old.
Loved reading it as a teenager.
Enjoyed it again as an adult.
There must be countless numbers of books about Merlin, King Arthur and Old Britain...
These may be the very best!!!
Im on to book 2 of the trilogy!
4 1/2 stars for book 1!!!

.

2011-12-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

WILD WEDNESDAY

2011-12-21T05:49:00.001-07:00

"A male kudu in Kruger Park, South Africa

An untitled image by Gregory Colbert

2011-12-20T17:25:00.000-07:00

Books

2011-12-20T08:58:00.002-07:00

BOOKS IM READING NOW

{click on the image to go to my Amazon book store}

"Every man who knows how to read has

it in his power to magnify himself, to

multiply the ways in which he exists."

— Aldous Huxley

BOOKS READ IN 2012

A Three Dog Life by Abagil Thomas *****

Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd Douglas *****

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson *****
The World and the Prophets by Hugh Nibley *****
Under the Net by Iris Murdoch ****3/4

BOOKS READ IN 2011
Dont Leap with the Sheep by S. Michael Wilcox *****
My Hope for Peace by Jehan Sadat ****

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute ****

Blue Willow by Gates (JF) ****

What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell ****

Last of the Mohicans by Cooper ** (if you count reading 198 pages)

House of Learning by Richard & Kathleen Walker ***1/2
As I Lay Dying William Faulkner **1/2
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone J.K. Rowling ***
Animal Dialogues Craig Childs *****
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire JK Rowling ****
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban JK Rowling ***
A Chance to See Egypt by Sandra Scofield **1/2
Dracula by Bram Stoker ****
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron ***1/2
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett ****
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddon ***1/2
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool ****
Book of Mormon *****
Little Britches by Ralph Moody ****
Discourses on the Holy Ghost Compiled by N.B. Lundwall ****
Bunnicula by James Howe JF ****
Plan B by Anne Lamott ***** (some profanity)
A Fine Balance **1/2
Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly *****
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry *** (profanity)
The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B by Sandra Gulland ****1/2
Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson *****
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Neffenegger ***
Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe by Sandra Gulland ****
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein **1/2
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart ****1/2
Words I Wish I Wrote By Robert Fulghum *****
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz ***** (but too dark for me)

Books on My Bedside stand...waiting to be read
Any Human Heart -Boyd
Call It Sleep -Roth
Return to Paris -Rossant
All New People -Lamott
The Girl Who Chased the Moon
Physics and Philosophy -Heisenberg
Operating Instructions -Lamott
Oliver Twist
The History of Love - Krauss
The Moon In the Mango Tree
A Discovery of Witches -Harkness

Redeeming Love
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian -Alexie
Before I Go to Sleep -Watson
Every Last One -Quindlen
The Dry Grass of August -Mayhew
We're Not Leaving (nf) Luft
Between Shades of Gray -Sepetys
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County -Baker

Publish Post

Books Read in 2010
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig *****
Savvy by Irgid Law ****
Walking On Water by Madeleine L'Engle****
Little Bee by Chris Cleave ***
The Handmaid and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg ****
Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell ****
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown *****
The Road by Cormac McCarthy *****
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger *****
Digging to America by Anne Tyler (after 40+ pages...DUD!!)
Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy ***
Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell ****
Hidden Empire by Orson Scott Card ***
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull ***
Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine ***
The Help by Kathryn Stockett *****
The Real America by Glenn Beck *****
A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell ***1/2
Christmas Jars by Jason F Wright ****
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer ***3/4
All The Little Live Things by Wallace Stegner ****
Book of Mormon *****
Far From Cactus Flat by Lyman Hafen ****1/2
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley ****
Where Rivers Change Direction by Mark Spragg *****
Blade Runner by Phillip Dick ***The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweilerby E.L.Konigsburg ***Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley ****Precious Jeopardy by Lloyd Douglas *****

...I learned the comfort that can be
taken from the pages of a book, and
all the friendship that can be found
in a story.
from: The Book That Changed My Life
by: Chris Bohjalin

Its been a wonderful year for me and books!!
Here's to hoping that 2010's bedside stack of books brings as much satisfaction.
I pledge to be even more discriminating
I will look to others for recommendations.
I have people.
I have a LONG 'to read' list.
Im excited to begin a new tally for 2010.
And Im 'publishing' last years list for posterity.
And again, I send out many thanks to Cathy for recommending what is possibly my favorite read of the year- The Book Thief
But wait....
thats too restricting to isolate just one book...
there were many delightful, intelligent, escapist reads this last year!!
Bless all talented, gifted authors!!!
And may 2010 bring more treasures!!
Happy Reading Friends!!!!
The 1st book on next years list-- THE WHISTLING SEASON by Ivan Doig (I've already read the first few pages...I cant wait to really dive in!!!)

# Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott ***
# Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott ****
# The Enoch Letters by Neal A Maxwell ****
# All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir *****
# Dont Bite Me, Im Santa Claus by Tom Plummer *****
# The Book Thief by Markus Zusak *****
# The Book of Mormon (again) *****
# The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ****
# Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho ****
# These Is My Words by Susan E Turner *****
# Harvest Home by Thomas Tyron
# The Big Fisherman by Lloyd C Douglas *****
# The Book That Changed My Life edited by Coady ****
# Yearning For the Living God by F. Enzio Busche *****
# The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan ***
# The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold ****
# The Virgin Queen's Daughter by Ella March Chase ****
# Nick of Time by Ted Bell ****
# Jumping Off Places by Laura Stratton Friel *****
# The Princess Bride by William Goldman ****
# Refuge by Terry Tempst Williams ****
# Collect Stories by Wallace Stegner *****
# The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis NF ****
# Two Old Women by Velma Wallis ****
# Chocolat by Joanne Harris ***
# Shosha by Isaac Bashevis Singer **
# Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster *****
# Pioneer Voices of Zion Canyon by Jean M. Smith-Carros ***
# The Peacegiver by James L. Ferrell *****
# She Touched the World by Sally and Robert Alexander ***
# Laddie by Gene Stratton-Porter *****
# The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne ****
# Blink by Malcolm Gladwell *****
# Bird Lake Moon by Henkes **
# Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale ***
# 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson ****
# Crispin by Avi ****
# Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levin **e
# Chains by Laurie Anderson *****
# Body Surfing by Anita Shreve ***
# The Shack by Wm Paul Young *****
# Missing May by Cynthia Rylant *****
# The Day They Gave Babies Away by Dale Eunson **
# Geology Underfoot In Southern Utah by Richard Orndorff ****
# The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch ***
# Half Broken Things by Morag Jos *

2011-12-20T06:54:00.000-07:00

The gods do not visit you to

remind you what you know already.

from: The Crystal Cave

by: Mary Stewart

Waka Waka Kenya 2011 from Rebecca Shumway on Vimeo.

Becca is one of the talented people that went with Clark to Africa this last summer. I've been hearing all along how gifted she is with a camera and video. Well now we have proof!!!
Its only three minute long...wishing it were longer...but what an amazing adventure these kids had!!
Clark still gets that far away look in his eyes when asked to recall his trip there. I know he wants to go back...soon! This will forever be a highlight of his life...Im sure of it!!

Enjoy!!

.

2011-12-20T06:47:00.001-07:00

Berlin, Germany, December 1962.

easter island - chile

2011-12-20T05:58:00.010-07:00

I hate when people ask what a book is about. People who read for plot,

people who suck out the story like the cream filling in an Oreo, should

stick to comic strips and soap operas… . Every book worth a damn is

about emotions and love and death and pain. It’s about words.

It’s about a man dealing with life. Okay?

— — J. R. Moehringer

Felix Augustin Milius

Hugo Kauffmann

Vittorio Reggianini

2011-12-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

An Early Christmas Present

2011-12-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

Self-control is strength.

Right thought is mastery.

Calmness is power.

from: As a Man Thinketh

by: James Allen

Email brought me a gift this morning. I was yearning for photos of my missionary son. And now I have both photos and news of his happiness and joy in serving the Savior and his fellowman in sunny California!! (I think Bri enjoys looking like some sort of secret agent in his suit and dark glasses. Its a common theme in his photos.)
Knowing that all ones chicks are healthy, relatively happy and functioning as reasonable adults is a wonderful thing.
Joy and Peace to you All this Christmas season!!!

.

Mimi Monday

2011-12-19T12:41:00.004-07:00

Love was action. It came to you. It was not chance.

from: Bel Canto

by: Ann Patchett

I miss these curls!!

I wonder if they are still there under that crew cut?

There is something about this boys' eyes that melt me to the core!

The giggles from this girl should be recorded for a Hollywood movie!! Its enchanting to hear.

He has every sport in his grasp...now he's learning to juggle!! No kidding

Are 7 month old babies supposed to pulling themselves up to a standing position? And he's now sporting 2 teeth!

she's moving closer!!! That means we'll see her more often!! Yea!! Oh my the eyes on this one!!

I look at this chronology of my grandchildren...and I am once again awed. My Builder and I have been grandparents for a very short time...4 1/2 yrs. (Lucie makes it look like we have been at it longer than we have...as we have welcomed her to the ranks only just last summer.) I can hardly believe what can happen exponentially in so few years. And to wonder about and contemplate the 2 new little boys that will be arriving the first of the new year.... wonder of wonders.
Mimi's heart expands and is so full of gratitude for each one of these precious children and their wonderful parents!!

2011-12-19T07:05:00.002-07:00

"Mother,is it sinful to cook on Sunday?" She looked

up and said, "Why no,of course not. God made us

so that our bodies need food on Sunday the same as

any other day. Since He has just loaned us these

bodies for the time we are here on earth, it is our

responsibility to take the best care we can of them..."

from: Little Britches

by: Ralph Moody

I made two pots of soup for Sunday Dinner!
Its soup weather!!
My family likes soup.
I like leftover soup.
I like bread with soup
Homemade bread makes it even yummier!
You're not going to find much to NOT like about these soups!
I promise!!

Cauliflower Soup

but dont tell my kids...

they liked it anyway.

recipe found HERE

Turkey-Butternut Tortilla Soup with Zesty Lime Sour Cream

I couldnt resist the picture!! I just had to try this pot of soup too!! This amazing culinary delight's recipe can be found HERE!! Mine was quite spicy...go lighter on the jalapeno or cumin if you dont like a SPICY soup. The spicy sour cream was a surprising treat!!

2011-12-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

Magical Florence!

What I Learned Last Week

2011-12-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

Certainty is missing the point entirely.

Faith includes noticing the mess, the

emptiness and discomfort, and letting it

be there until some light returns. Faith

also means reaching deeply within, for the

sense one was born with, the sense,

for example, to go for a walk.

from: Plan B

by: Anne Lamott

Last week in Sunday School I learned that the "Ancient of Days" doesnt refer to Joan Rivers; but when used in the scriptures, it is referring to Adam; Adam who lived in the Garden with Eve for a time. Interesting

I had it re-confirmed that fasting for two meals does indeed quicken the mind, opens the channels to heaven, brings comfort, inspiration, peace and ideas!! What a wonderful, powerful principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Im told that Im addicted to hiking. I am also addicted to sugar. Sugar has got to go...or at least come in lesser quantities...hiking on the other hand is here to stay!!

If you let a 3 yr old help you decorate your Christmas tree- expect all the best ornaments to be down around your knee caps. Also...when said three year old expresses his strong opinion of not enjoying Celine Dion singing Christmas songs- "Mimi, turn that off!" ...I'd better respect him...though its a bit un-nerving that he doesnt like my Celine!!

BYU can play basketball!! Sadly, they can play with out my dear nephews...who sit on the sidelines injured. Hold your heads high Cougars!! You gave Baylor a run for their money!!

Tips, glorious tips saved my cheese this week!! Thank you generous guests! Thank you!!

In the summer the herbal tea bags find their way to back of the pantry shelves and I forget about them. In the winter I hunt for alternative to soda for refreshment and warmth. Never have I enjoyed a warm cup of herbal tea as much as I have this season!! Celestial Seasons is the bomb!!

Lastly, but certainly not leastly, the out pouring of love, support and encouragement for Robby this week has been overwhelming! Robby being accepted to nursing school is joyous news indeed. We have been swamped with many, many family members calling to offer advise, and even going so far as wondering if a support fund of some type could be set up that all the family could contribute to for school if they'd like; there has been a humbling and VERY generous offer of a basement to live in so that rent wont have to be paid for the time they are in school. Brothers and sister call to see what is happening and what they might do to help. My heart is full to the brim with gratitude for the love and support he feels and the My Builder and I feel, for the all the outpouring of encouragement, it is humbling indeed.
I guess thats what family is for...I pray you all know that we would do the same when the need arises. Oh how I love and praise my extended family. One is never alone, not with a family like ours!! Bless you all!!! We have no idea yet of the outcome here...there is still so much to be worked out for Rob and his dear family...but Im sure he can feel the prayers of those that love him...and they will help him decide what to do, and how to do it. Just know that we so appreciate the cheering section that we call family!!! LOVE you!!!

.