Sabbath Musings

Im not a celebrity. Im not the child of a celebrity.  I have

never been married to, never been abused by, and never

provided a kidney for transplantation into any celebrity.

Furthermore, I have no desire to be a celebrity.

from: Odd Thomas

by: Dean Koontz

maryjean: secretary extraordinaire! me, Karin

It looks as though I still have new skills to hone.. Whoopee for me!! It seems that Heavenly Father wont let cobwebs form in this aging mind.  I have more stretching, growing and discomfort in store for me. Not only has looking for jobs here in Logan caused some anxiety, it now looks as though my mind will get some sharpening as I go to church each Sunday too.  I have received a new calling (job, responsibility, stewardship) in church.  They (the bishopric) just asked me to serve as the Primary Secretary.  Thats another new challenge for me!
(We have been successful in lying low  for a few months. I think the members here have been wondering if we are for real, or just flighty, transient dodgers!! Well no more!!
Im not sure yet what is involved with this new responsibility. I assume its  things like roll taking, scheduling, keeping track of pertinent dates, ie  -keeping track of 8 yr olds and baptism dates, birthdays cards, going to meetings of course, plus oodles of paper work.
I do know that the secretary I was privileged to served with  when I was Young Women's President was invaluable to me and our organization.  She kept me informed, dealt with the Stake and the information they sent out at regular intervals. She  was also full of creative ideas, and was a spiritual giant!! She kept me on my toes!!!
May I rise to the occasion, I pray.
  What better way to become acquainted and involved in this new ward of ours. Working and serving the younger children, 3-11 yr olds, could and should be quite enjoyable. (May I banish the memory of the 11 yr old boys reducing me to tears my very first time serving  in a Primary capacity, about 28 yrs ago.)  I now have thicker skin, more experience with children, and a much better sense of humor!! How can I now take what kids say and do so personally, which is what I must have done back then?  Raising my own kids, and having been through teenage-hood must have by now broken me down to a state of gooey putty! Plus...now Im a Mimi!! Silly Putty is a good thing and I like me that way!!
Please let  me know what you think it takes to be a good secretary!! Im open to suggestions!
Do I need a steno pad
or the know how to make great coffee?  te he
or maybe
a great big notebook and some computer skills,
a willing heart, and remembering that our church is a record keeping church will suffice.
Wish me luck friends!!

Sabbath Reflections

It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning

no matter what sort of heartbreak is happening.

from: Secret Life of Bees

by: Sure Monk Kidd

DANG!!!---I just finally got the Young Women's Theme memorized!  (Im a slow learner)
And even though I will never be comfortable standing in front of people, as in conducting meetings,
I will deeply miss 'my girls.'  And I deeply regret leaving behind the ladies I have been so fortunate to work with this last year and a half and some change.  I told the bishop that this was the first calling that kept me completely out of my comfort zone.  Never was I at ease in this calling.  But boy did I come to love these girls.  I can see now that my contact list on my phone is going to become boring beyond belief.  So will my calender of events.  sigh

Here is what I'll miss about these girls I've been so privileged to work with:

Lizzy L.- I will miss her generous and loving hugs...no matter where we are, I get a hug and her sincere kindness to every one.
Emily F.- I will miss her gypsy style...we are kindred spirits that way; which fits in perfectly with her ability to read others spirits, to detect goodness in everyone.
Bridger K.- I will miss the mischievous twinkle in her eye and her vivaciousness for life; she's a true extrovert, which I find admirable!!
Wilson W.- I will miss her 'take control' attitude; and her willing spirit to be part of the 'team.'
Kiera W.- I will miss her spirituality and goodness and exceptional leadership abilities. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for her.
Toshi B.- I will miss her brilliant mind and her great wit.  She too will go far and do much in this world.
Abby M.- I will miss her beautiful smile and and her quiet participation.  Things are more fun when she's around.
Ashley W.- I have loved her bookishness and her humor and watching her gain much confidence since I've known her.  She's lov'in be'in 16!!
Tiana S.- I will miss her beautiful face and her amazing voice and all the talents she has generously shared. I have enjoyed her sparkle too!!
Aleia A.- I have so enjoyed watching Aleia grow in courage and confidence as a class president; and her artistic abilities have often stuck me speechless.
Grace B.- I will miss her small frame with a huge heart and a can-do spirit that  never quits!!  I think its also safe to say that she is cool as a cucumber under any situation.
Caroline B.- I will miss her greatly, for she was the one to reach out to me from in very beginning, to try and make me feel at home and accepted.  And she does this for everyone!! I will miss her friendliness and smile.
Summer S.- I will miss her fire for life and the awe I feel when Im around her for her sense of responsibility to those under her care or stewardship.
Aspen E.- I will miss her sweet face and her thoughtfulness to others and her dear sensitive spirit; plus she knows how to have a good time!!
Lisa C.- I will always be in awe of Lisa's leadership abilities, her complete goodness and never wanting or even being tempted to stray. And this beautiful lady has more creativity in her little finger than I will ever possess!
Erica E.- I will miss her talkativeness and her enthusiasm and that captivating light in her eyes.
Savannah S.- I will miss her meekness and strength...and yes, they do go together-perfectly in this talented young lady!!
Lydia M.- She's the newest member of the group...and so I dont know her as well, but what I do know is that she's musically gifted, that she loves her family and that she reserves her smiles too much!!

So this is the end of the line for me here in the Bloomington 7th Ward.  Its hard to write these words...as you can well imagine.  It seems that now our journey is taking us elsewhere....  I leave with a heavy heart but so much the better for the experiences I've had with these amazing young ladies...and their leaders and teachers.  I thank God for the faith I have in His plan; for my testimony of a loving, fully involved Father in Heaven and of His Son, Jesus Christ. With these blessing in my hip pocket...or more exactly, in my heart, I can lift my chin and get through this change.  I am so grateful for this knowledge for it  helps me be strong and optimistic.
Northward ho we go!!
Anyone have snowboots they arent using?
ugh

.

 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

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.




.

Its is an easy mistake to think that non-talkers are non-feelers.

from: Angle of Repose

by: Wallace Stegner

MY YOUNG WOMEN REFLECTIONS:

Im told that Im too spontaneous....
which I believe is a nice way of saying that I dont plan ahead enough...
which seems to cause a couple of my highly organized counselors to cringe and even stress...


Im told that the girls love me...
Its been a whole year,and some change...and I dont think they even really know me...
I need to remedy this..
somehow....


Im not often found standing up in front...
I'm repelled by limelight...
I hide on back rows...
This requires the girls to take over and run the show...and they are amazing!!!


Whenever I do muster up the courage to stand and expound as a 'wise' leader...
I babble and fumble like an idiot, and immediately regret that I even tried...
I lack the gene for public speaking...
The gap between what's in my heart and and what spews from my mouth is frightening indeed.
Once...I stood and tried to say something motivational or inspirational...and you know what I said?.....
something ridicules about the presidential race and how people of the world still havent a clue about Mormons being Christians...and that we need to be better educators of our friends and neighbors...
how random is that!!!?
Left field material!!
I was horrified when I sat down...
some kind of stupid  crept out and went off about nothing!!
It'll be MONTHS before I get up again and attempt to wax philosophical..or wise...humph!!!
Im better seen and not heard.


I do love these girls!
but they probably dont realize just how much...
and once again...that would be my grown-up fault...
And I need to come up with a grown up remedy...


I probably dont take things seriously enough...
I can picture people thinking that of me....
I am guilty.
My motto- "dont sweat the small stuff...AND ITS ALL SMALL STUFF!!!"


I need to get thinking-


In a year from now, what will I regret?
*not holding fewer meetings...
*not that I dont do cutesy...
*that I didnt go looking for lost lambs....
because I was a lost lamb at that age.
*not spending more one on one time with each girl...
maybe then I would find it easier to tell them how I feel and what I know.


I know these are serious times to be a sweet young thing in jr high and high school. Its hard to be a young woman who stands for all the good and moral virtues in life. Its a wicked world we live in. But I find these girls to be the bright spot in life! They are strong and wise, confident and friendly; they are smart and kind and very talented!!!
As I bumble along..they are patient, and tolerant and forgiving. And I love them all  for being this way.
What I do know is that God is patient and long suffering and kind...
and I'll just keep on trying....

Sabbath Reflections

Men are easy, he said, fingers tapping on his mahogany

desk. "A man's plumbing is like his mind; simple, very

few surprises. You ladies, on the other hand....

well, God put a lot of thought into making you.

from: Kite Runner

by: Khaled Hosseini

Its been a little over a year now since I was put in as Young Womens President.
I've had two volleyball seasons, and Im coming up on my second annual Young Womens In Excellence program. Its 'mine to attend' but Im never really in charge...the girls are at the helm. I just advise and encourage the 16-18 yr old girls (who are my main responsibility) to run with it! Im sure this years program will be excellent!
These young adult girls are amazing!! They are busy, highly energetic, and fill their lives to the brim with worthwhile, exciting things. Having them stop what they are doing and come to church on Wed nights is next to impossible.  I have decided to stop fighting it.  It is what it is.  These girls arent sitting home doing their nails and watching Greys Anatomy.  They are in bands, and plays and student councils, and on soccer teams.  They are members of the honor society and have families that need their help, and are filling out college applications.  They have homework!!!...and dances with boys  to get dressed up for.  So....I've come up with a new plan.  Plan B- which I love!!!  And what is Plan B you ask?  We are meeting at my house once a week for breakfast!!! Here I can have their undivided attention for an hour..before school even begins.  Genius!!  And there's FOOD!! Food always brings out the crowds!!  (I have 4 beautiful girls!!!)  We can plan activities and giggle and catch up on each other before the 'slackers' are even out of bed!!! I believe it may have been My Builder who came up with innovative idea...after seeing me struggle with getting the older girls together every Wed night.  hhhmmmm....I wonder if leftovers were a motivation???

This week's breakfast was: whole wheat pancakes, with blueberry syrup and raspberries, whipped cream-homemade whipped cream...hashbrowns and ham. With OJ and pineapple juice punch.

We talked about: confrontation in the classroom...debating about abortion, the "N" word, and divorce. Heavy stuff for an english class.  We talked about Nerd Day and Duct Tape Day, and how the wave lengths of microwaves are too big to cause any damage to our cells...thus...cell phones are NOT causing cancer!!! We shared ideas on possible service projects for the months of Nov and Dec and who we should get to speak at our YW in Excellence program.  We also talked about the letter of reference I need to write for one of the girls, to recommend her for the National Honor Society.  Its due tomorrow.

Conclusion:  I am blessed to have these YW in my home and am honored to developed true and lasting relationships with each of them.  I am humbled by the responsibility to teach them something.  And so grateful for them in meeting me half way to make it work!!  The world is in good hands with women such as these!!

Stake Picnic

....Know When to Fold 'Em!!!

I was wandering around as usual, in

my unpleasantly populated subconscious..

from: I Capture the Castle

by: Dodie Smith

me -the scaredy cat!

I had never heard of an adventure activity called a trust fall before I went to girls camp.

I suppose boy scouts know what it is...probably social workers and psycho therapists know...

I didnt know.

And I almost missed the whole experience up there in the woods of Beaver Mtn with our girls.

At that time I went back to the camp site to help tear down some tents in an attempt to assist our trusty, valiant, priesthood leader. Turns out I wasnt too helpful- so he sent me back to be with the girls.

I arrived just in time to see the tail end of what the staff was calling a 'trust fall experience.'

I stood back and watched girl after girl climb the 7ft. Tower, (at least if felt like 7 feet!!!!) turn their backs to their peers and call

out, “ I trust you with my life!!” The girls below call back, “we will catch you ______.”(using her name.) The girl above then then shouts out, “ Falling!” She crosses her arms across her chest tightly, and clenches her butt cheeks so she becomes ridged as a board and she tips backwards into capable , waiting arms. It worked every single time!! Girl after girl fell backwards into the outstretched arms. It was a beautiful thing to behold.

Suddenly I found myself being persuaded to make the climb and fall. I went up the ladder with confidence. I've done plenty of scary things in my life. It didnt even look scary. Until I reached the platform. I found that as I turned my back on those girls, with my heels hanging over the edge and crossing my arms tightly across my chest and contemplating falling...

I froze

I freaked

My heart throbbed in anxiety.

My voice squeaked

Those dear girls beckoned to me.

They shouted encouraging words.

I tried and tried to muster up the courage-

I was terrified.

It didnt help knowing that almost all of these girls had done this!!

The pressure was intense.

I REALLY wanted to be able to accomplish this task.

I have no idea how long I stood up there balancing on the balls of my feet, sweating like I'd been hiking Angels Landing.

I took lots of deep breaths..believing that this would be the moment I'd let go and fall.

I have faith!!

I've gotta have more faith!!!

and...

I fell back....

and I fell apart.

I folded as I fell. (I dont know what I thought folding would accomplish.)

I broke through the waiting arms- because I folded. I fell through to the ground.
I wasnt physically hurt. Though I did almost hurt a few girls in the process.

Sigh

As I said..no physical damage done.

I almost did it- but almost isnt quite good enough.

I fell, but I didnt complete. I caved.

What does this say about me?

Im still trying to decide.

My pride is hurt. (You know that saying about Pride before the fall...)

My self-esteem suffers.

Do my girls think less of me?

What do I do with this new found chicken side of me!!!

I try and envision myself going back and giving it another try...

I still dont think I could do it...not any better!

Strange.

It seems that Mutants have something in their lives

called gravy. They know truth, but it is buried

under thickening and spices of convenience, materialism,

insecurity, and fear. They also have something in their

lives called frosting. It seems to represent how they

spend almost all the seconds of their existence in

doing superficial, artificial, temporary, pleasant-tasting,

nice appearing projects and spend very few actual seconds

of their lives developing their eternal beingness.

from: A Mutant Message Down Under

by: Marlo Morgan

What Girls Camp Taught Me!!

-Plan to have things go not as planned...and thats ok!!
-Have B. Kanenwisher on your team!!!
- The greater the number of sugary snacks the greater the contentment.
- Busy hands and busy bodies make for perfect camping activities
- Grown-ups need to be quiet...for the most part.
- Oreos with a familiar minty taste are to be avoided. gak...toothpaste
-Have B. Kanenwisher on your team!!
- Banana Boats are the perfect camping dessert!! Campfire+tinfoil+banana+ marshmallows + chocolate chips+ a few moments in the fire = perfection!!!
-Rain does not necessarily ruin a camping experience...see above note about B.Kanenwisher.
-Giggling ringing in the pines is a joyous thing.
-I love thunder and lightening storms!!
-Good, true friends dont grow on trees, but they do grow at girls camp!
- A 35below sleeping bag suits me just fine.
-A air mattress and a 3 inch thick piece of foam is gravy!!
-Campfires attract bugs!! who'd a thunk!!??
-Rain on a roof top is soothing...rain on a tent fly is disconcerting.
-Blue skies,  towering white cumulus clouds, meadows with deer and yellow flowers...bliss!!!
-laughter is the best medicine.
-Getting "out of the world" and away from the worlds pressures and into the trees and fresh mountain air for a few days clears ones head, heart and soul. The important things in life become clearer!!
-Girls can shoot guns...darn well I might add.
-we can survive without cell phone coverage.
-differences can be embraced and cherished.
-We all can do hard things. Some of us just not as gracefully as others. *see future post on the "trust fall."
-16 girls and 5 leaders can easily FILL a 20 ft. flatbed trailer with STUFF! (and we didnt even have to haul up our food!!!)
-zip lining will never loose its thrill. 9this is the second longest line in Utah!)
-hiking at 8000 feet feels a little different than it does 'down here.' (I was sucking some air!)
-when in doubt, stay on the trail.
-have B.Kanenwisher on your team!!
-when you trust someone, you can do and accomplish most anything.
-porta potties are a blessing in the mountains.
-dirty fingernails are not the end of the world, they are a badge of honor! It says YOUR CAMPING!!
-The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and these girls KNOW IT!! And they live it!!!

Right now I'd like all my troubles to

stand in front of me in a straight line,

and one by one I'd give each a black eye.

from: The Goose Girl

by: Shannon Hale

I really dont want to go to girls camp!  And when I say this...im not being trite or cute or whiny. I dont want to go. I have fear and dread in my heart.  Anxiety.  I m not a camper.  I LOVE my girls.  Im just not a camper. I dont want to be cold, or sleep anywhere but on a mattress up off the ground,  with sheets and clock radio near my head. I dont want to go to bed dreading the middle of the night RUN to the out house, 'cause I gotta pee!! I dont want the dirt and the smoke and the bugs.
  To add to discomfort of this camping experience...I now realize that Im not a willing spender of camp funds either. And to make matters even worse... on a larger scale...I have a serious complex about spending church money....period!!!  I hate that I have become such a tight wad. I can no longer enjoy even taking the girls out for an ice cream cone.
 I dont want to do cutsy things, for they cost money. And to spend the money we spend on girls camp things...ugh!!!
But...I do know that the time and expense is well worth it and even justified in the end!!! Its for the girls. Its for the memories!! Its just me that cant actually go to the store and spend the money. I break out in a sweat!!  I get a knot in my stomach.  I just cant do it.  Im always asking---"Is what Im  spending going to be useful, memorable or  meaningful?" The answer seems obvious to  me..no way--not  in the long run!
  I dont want a church job that requires spending money!  How strange is that? I bet you've never heard that complaint before!!!
Im truly not crafty. Crafty brings the witch out in me. Crafty makes me cranky.  I bust my butt  on something thats not even very cute and I know its just going to collect dust on a bookshelf in a young womans bedroom and eventually  be thrown away. Why do I do this to myself!!!??
I want a vacation. And its not going to happen.
A vacation is  not practical.
So... I just dont want to go to girls camp.
ALSO:
I dont ever want to loose  a group of hiking guides and hikers...ever, ever again. (they werent lost!!! That doesnt happen under our watch...but they were out of contact with home base for Hours longer than they should have been!! It was getting dark!! good heavens!!!
Im wondering if the kids should travel this weekend.  Maybe they should stay put?  I hate that!!  I want to see them. I want I want I want.
I want to curl up and have next week pass me by with out a camping experience.
I want to know that Clark is good and what he is up to. I want to be able to watch him-. To see through his eyes.  Instead..there's no wyfi!!
I want Brian not to have to worry about his face and his acne-  'cause I worry when he's concerned about something.
 I want a crystal ball D%^$# it!!
When this many things go wrong in a week...or a day...I WANT A PEPSI!!!


I need Callgon to take me away.

It is good to look to the past to gain an appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead. It is good to reflect upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this world but out of whose dreams and early plans so well nurtured has come a great harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for each of us. For each of us is a pioneer in his own life, often in his own family and many of us pioneer daily in seeking to do God’s will and lift and serve those around us. 

-Gordon B. Hinckley

May the tale of the great migration of the Mormon people be here remembered and spoken of with love. May all who come here be filled with a spirit of reverence as they recall the experiences of their forbearers. May a spirit of solemnity rest upon them.

-Gordon B. Hinckley




For my Builder and I the Trek is over.  We left the company of youth and adults this afternoon, for the comforts of home.  They have another day out in the wilderness.  I am once again grateful for the experience; and even more grateful for the briefness of  it.  We played games.  We were witness to true comararadare and togetherness.  We didnt have to sleep in the dust, or worry about snakes and scorpions.  We didnt have to push and pull the handcarts.  We were there to help them relax and to have them enjoy one-anothers company.  The weather was perfect.  The activities were met with hearty approval.  
For me: its on to thinking and planning for girls camp!!!  There will be no avoiding sleeping in a tent for that experience!!! yeeehaw!!!

We've Got a Ticket to RIde!!!

There are only two kinds of people in the end:

those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and

those to whom God say, in the end, "Thy will

be done."  All that are in Hell, choose it. Without

that self-choice there could be no Hell.  No soul

that seriously and constantly desires joy will

miss it. Those that seek find. Those who knock it is opened.

from: The Great Divorce

by: C.S. Lewis

My weekend begins early!
It begins TODAY!!!
My Builder and I head north this afternoon...for another happy occasion!
Cousin Lynley is graduating from USU tomorrow!! With a Masters in English!!!  Be impressed!! A Masters in English!! And even though we dont talk much..(thank heavens for facebook) she needs to know how proud we are of her...for truly this is a BIG DEAL!!! I need to share the love, the hugs and my admiration!! Im sad to think that her time in Utah is now over...Mississippi is a long way to go....and who knows when we'll meet again...sigh. Now I just have to be grateful that we got to know her better while she was here.
SO...
I am once again headed to the northern regions..leaving my fears behind that I might encounter another snow storm!! It is May...I should be safe right!!!??

Other Good Things That This Week Brought to Us:

While wiping the sleep from our eyes our postman promptly delivers the mail. This week brought a delightful letter from our dear Elder Justus!! (Im still trying to decide if I should share it with ya'll)   Hes so happy serving in Concepcion Chile!!  Thank heavens Justus will always be Justus!!

We hiked 7 miles with a favorite guest.  Awesome Chasm was AWESOME..as always!!! But  gathering coral dust between my toes this day was painful!!!! And now I have some concerns.  Yesterday while hiking... my feet hurt!! So did my hips and a knee!!! Eeeeegads!!!! This is a first..and prayerfully a last!!  Its got to be a fluke!!  For how can I worry when the cactus's are showing off again with their phosphorescent glow...when the sky is bluer than the Mediterranean Sea and when the wind cools our back and the conversations fuel our steps. Im convinced that my aches and pains of that day were a freak incident...not to reoccur any time soon!!!

We had a wonderful turnout for our Young Womens activity last night!! And we didnt even have to feed them to get them there!!! They care as much as I do about our program for sacrament meeting on Sunday!! Bless their darling toes! They shine, they delight, and have more talent in their little toes than I do in my whole body! I have no right...but I bust with pride that they are "my girls." How blessed I am to be with them each week.

Its a wonder that a few hours in the salon chair can bring such joy and contentment.  Its amazing what covering some grays and adding some blonde can do for ones appearances.  Why do I go so long between colorings?!!!  Its such an easy "fix" with such abundant rewards to my confidence in growing old.

Sharing chips and salsa poolside in the warm sun with a couple of dear friends...priceless.  We cant solve the troubles of the world...but we sure try!!  Women NEED women!!!

Basking in the afterglow of Womens Conference...remembering things that were taught...and being able to share them with others...
Remembering the sweet feel of the Holy Ghost burning in my breast and testifying to me over and over that my Savior  lives and loves me.  ....its more precious than rubies!!! Sharing these few days with my mom and a couple of dear friends...the Best!!!!

Ignoring the terror I feel in taking on 2 wee children for 6 days next week!  My stunningly handsome grandsons are moving in with us next week.  I've decided to embrace the experience. The stroller, car seat and the parks and I are going to become very well acquainted.
Just keep swimming
                                  just keep moving
             just keep swimming
                                                          just keep moving
and praying for good night rests!!!
If we can do this we can do anything!!
Oh how we love these boys!!
Pray for us!!!

I've felt proud this week...oh so proud of our military and covert operations!!  God Bless America!!

So as I prepare for a road trip with my Builder...
I go knowing that the time spent there will also be helping My Builder and David to further advance their business ventures... another  good thing! We'll get to hang with Anna and David. We'll become reacquainted with long lost relatives and party with them at Maddox's!!! We might crash a bridal shower for a dear niece!  I'll be able to hug my brother and his family!
What bounteous blessing I enjoy!!  Its been a good week!!!

Live Long and Prosper Friends!!

Man did not weave the web of life, he is

merely a strand in it. Whatever he does

to the web, he does to himself.

from: Mutant Message Down Under

by: Marlo Morgan

quoting: Chief Seattle

The girls pulled off another great activity this week. Though Im sure the boys were skeptical when the quilting frame went up, that any good could come from 'crafting'.... Why is it that the simple things always turn out to be the most fulfilling and enjoyable?  We threw out some fleece and set up a small quilt and lots of pages to color and behold!!!  A good time....lots of chatter...and  service for others!!! These young people are AMAZING!

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine

flows into trees. The winds will blow their

own freshness into you, and the storms their energy,

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

~John Muir

We took the Young Women on a hike the other day!   We had fun...and we had a surprise!  Here it was the end of March...and we found this stately guy sunbathing on a rock in the evening waning light.  Never have I seen a tortoise this early in the spring!!  Hopefully its an omen for a long hot summer!!   By the size of this guy, I would estimate he's been sunning himself on the rocks of Southern Utah for at least 50 years!!!  He's seen a lot of changes in  his environment!!  A lot more people and bikers must walk on by his part of the reserve!! How grateful I am for the sharp eyed teenager that spied him out there!!
(thanks cheryl for the pic)

New Beginnings

My dear young sisters—you who stand for truth and righteousness,

 you who seek goodness, you who have entered the waters of baptism

 and walk in the ways of the Lord—our Father in Heaven has promised

 that you will “mount up with wings as eagles; [you] shall run, and not be

 weary; and [you] shall walk, and not faint.”  You “shall not be deceived.”

God will bless and prosper you.  “The gates of hell shall not prevail 

against you; … and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness

 from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.”

from: Your Happily Ever After

by: Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose.” 

no...i didnt forget to wash my face...Im Cinderella...cant you tell!!!???

These are the two new girls that will be Beehives, and make our group all the more bright and wonderful.

"Sisters, those words are true! They are not made up in a fairy tale! Isn’t it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of “once upon a time,” complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”

-Uchtdorf

It was an evening of fairy tales and princesses.  It was the night to welcome our new princesses who turn 12 years old this year and will then join us in this inspired program to help young women grow and develop in the gospel.  We had a lot of fun!  A lot of hard work was done by a very willing and talented youth committee. And yes...they even had me do some very inadequate public speaking...ugh...I hate this part of the 'job.' The rest of my "job"....I love!!! Who wouldnt...working with these amazing, beautiful girls and these amazing leaders!!!