Part of my talk on forgiveness.

I was assigned the topic of forgiveness by the stake presidency to give in relief society at our ward conferences. It is always interesting to me that often we are assigned a subject that we, ourselves, need or if we are not assigned a subject we will know what we most need to speak on. As I began writing this talk I was amazed at how I was impressed what to write. It was a wonderful reminder to me of the miracle of forgiveness and how we should all be sensitive to others in our family as well as acquaintances. I just want to share part of the talk.

"The commandment to forgive is universal. Ultimately we both must and can forgive all who have trespassed against us, but I do not suggest that forgiveness is always quick or easy. Forgiveness is a change of heart, and sometimes a great deal of healing must take place before forgiveness can occur.

Over the years I have learned two very important things about forgiveness. One, that forgiveness for even the most grievous injuries is possible and two, that it can take a long time. I don’t think we can let other people set timetables for any individual, you yourself know if there is more work to be done.

Consider this wonderful one-sentence letter from a child to God: “Dear God, I am doing the best I can. Frank” I believe that is all God wants. Just progress toward the goal. No one who has felt the sweetness of being forgiven or of forgiving another can possibly want to cling to feelings of resentment one second longer than absolutely necessary, but remember that forgiveness is a gift. It comes through the grace of Christ.

I want to share a personal experience that I had many years ago. I was serving as the Young Women’s President and also as the editor for our monthly ward bulletin. I had also been asked to serve as the assistant Stake Camp Director. One day I walked to the mail box to retrieve the mail. Among the bills, I saw an envelope with my name typed on it. No return address was on the envelope and so I was intrigued about the contents. I quickly opened it. As I read the letter, my heart began to race and I had to sit down. Someone had sent me an anonymous letter accusing me of being to quote “the ward and stake parasite who clings and sucks up to leaders to get callings of importance.” I was devastated. I remember thinking if anyone really knew me they would know that for me to be in the forefront was way out of my desire and comfort zone.

For the next weeks and months that followed, I found myself looking around in every meeting wondering who was judging me. I needed the Lord's help to rid me of these haunting and negative feelings.

Years after that regrettable incident, I harbor no ill feelings for the letter’s author. I know that they simple didn’t know me very well. But the letter taught me that loving others includes striving to understand and be sensitive to them. All of us are individuals with varied life experiences. Some of us marry in this life; others remain single. Some have many children; others have none or few. Some endure divorce. Some pray daily for wayward children. Some struggle with chronic illness or disabilities.

Alma’s counsel to his son Corianton can guide us in our efforts to become more sensitive: “See that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually” (Alma 41:14)

Andrew's sixth birthday celebration

This is what we woke up to the morning of our women’s conference.

If I were praying, which I was, for a light storm instead of what the weatherman predicted, this would be my blessing and answer to prayer.  A very light amount of snow, temperatures not freezing, no wind and the roads very accessible.  I’m very happy!

 

Neal left early this morning for a meeting at the University of Phoenix so I hustled out and cleared the driveway.  The snow was full of water, but very easy to shovel.  Forever more I will think of Tucker and his comment about the cleaned driveway!  This picture is just for you, my son!

Friday evening preparation for our Stake Women’s Conference tomorrow.

Emily’s husband, John, on the left and Neal came over with us to give us any help they could in the setting up process.  We do have someone in the stake assigned to set up tables and chairs and even take them all down.  How nice to get to the stake center and have all the tables and chairs out.  We put all the table cloths on, centerpieces, napkins, cups and utensils.  We also realized that there weren’t enough tables set up so we had John and Neal get six more tables out along with 48 more chairs.  With the help of our husbands, it only took a couple of hours to get everything ready.  We will go over to the stake center this morning at 10:00 to get all the food set out, water on the tables, ice in the cups, etc. 

 

Busy weekend ahead of me.

We are having our first Stake Women's Conference under the new Stake Relief Society Presidency and it is a little bit intimidating. We are planning on 250 people attending. We are serving them lunch at 11:30 and then our meeting will begin at 12:30. Neill Marriott will be our guest speaker and Neal's sisters, Nila, Natalie and Nanette will sing two songs accompanied by Nita. I so appreciate their willingness to give of their time and come sing.

Tonight we will be setting up the cultural hall in preparation for the luncheon. 34 round tables and three long serving tables. I'm going to take some pictures and can post them later.

We are supposed to have a huge snow storm this weekend and I'm praying that the storm will stay away until after the conference so that the sisters will come. The storm seems to be all around us right now so I'm hoping and praying that the pattern will continue through tomorrow until noon and then after that, let it snow, let it snow!

Saturday night we have our bridge club and then Sunday I have to be at a ward conference at 9:00 a.m. then to a care center to sing and then back to a relief society to speak. I think when Sunday evening comes I will have a great big smile on my face!

A talk given in Sacrament meeting

The subject matter was rejoice and give thanks.  I won’t record the whole talk but wanted to record this small part of my talk.  A memory I shall long remember.  Thank you Maren for creating this memory.

President Hinckley has said, “Enjoying the journey of life is often a matter of attitude.”

Some years ago our family decided to do a family ‘ropes course’. A ropes course is a series of events that involve overcoming challenges of height, individual problem solving and group problem solving. It also serves a purpose of helping each individual focus on a final goal at each event and not dwelling on your feelings of inadequacy or fear. Some events are done in twos, and some in groups.

One of the events I want to share with you was one that involved two people. The facilitator gave us the option to step forward and volunteer and then chose someone to do the event with. Our daughter stepped forward and said she would like to do it with me.

Now, I like my feet planted firmly on the ground and I don’t like things that aren’t solidly attached. For example, Ferris wheels terrify me because they swing all the time.

With a lot of reservation, I stepped forward and we began the process of being harnessed for safety. Just as we were to begin, Maren looked at me and said, “Mom, we can do this together! Enjoy the journey!”

Maren and I are the same height and weight. I had already determined that there was no way we could possibly do this and Maren had determined that we would. Quite a contrast.

The first pole to reach was fairly easy. It was about 7 feet above the ground but we could climb a rope ladder and then climb on the horizontal log. Our next step above us was a large net that we could climb to get us to the log about 8 feet above. We had to support each other as we stood to reach the net, swing our legs up into the net and then pull our bodies up onto another log. Maren got herself on the net. I tried but realized I didn’t have the strength to pull myself up. Maren reached down and grabbed me and literally pulled me up on the net. We climbed the net to the top and then had to swing our legs up over the pole to position ourselves for the next tier. Again I needed Maren’s help.

We sat on the log for a moment to catch our breath. I was ready to call it good but Maren’s positive and determined outlook would not allow me to give in. She wanted to finish and finish with me.

There were three or four more challenges as we worked our way to the very top log where we stood together, holding hands and crying tears of accomplishment and excitement. We rejoiced in our completion of a hard journey. We had been tethered together in determination, purpose and trust. I put my trust in Maren and she sustained me.

In the Old Testament one of the words translated as “hope” literally means “a cord” or a rope or tether. When we tether ourselves to someone we expect the same destiny.

I have looked back at this experience with awe and gratitude for a daughter who wouldn’t give up, who loved me enough to stay with me all the way and get us both to our goal.

I learned many important principles from this experience. One of them was that all of the time we were doing this event, we had a safety harness. But I became so intent on the problem and the journey that I forgot about the harness. I didn’t need to worry falling or getting hurt. Isn’t that sometimes like our journey through life? We get so caught up in the problems or challenges that face us that we forget we are tethered and harnessed to our Father in Heaven. He is there to help us, to pull us up, to lift us up.

Busy and fun President’s Day Monday – The best part? I didn’t have to work!

First things first.  I dropped Bella off at the Groomers on the way to Emmi’s final basketball game.  On the way I got a call from Mindy telling me she was coming and then a call from Lyndsy telling me that she was coming to Emmi’s game too. 

This is a picture of Bella before and after.

Neal and Jeff having their Apollo Burger and fries. Neal had just come from a viewing, thus the suit and tie.  Jeff was on his lunch hour.

 

Lyndsy and River having their Cafe Rio lunch.

The line up and introduction of players and starting of the basketball game.  Sadly, Emmi only got to play the last 2 1/2 minutes of the game, but we were all glad to be there and support her for the time she was in. 

Posters that Maddie and Grayson made for Emmi.  I loved it.  Way to support your cousin!

 

Mindy enjoying her lunch and very happy about her new job at the U of U! 

 

Mindy and I had a good laugh over the inside of Lyndsy’s purse.  I swear, the child should go on Let’s Make a Deal.  I think she could pull just about anything out of there. 

After the game Neal and I drove up to Park City to check out the Tommy Bahama sale.  I bought a bag, a hat and we also bought something for Jamie for her birthday!  No, I’m not going to take a picture of it and put in on the blog.  I’ve learned my lesson!  No previews! 

Busy and fun Saturday!

Jeff and Mallory had a daddy daughter date planned for this Saturday so he brought in Hayley and Andrew so they could go to River’s birthday party.  I had to put this picture of Jeff and Bella.  We all know that Jeff is not a great lover of dogs and yet his wife and mother-in-law love them.  Jeff tolerates them.  He is a good sport.  When he came in with the kids, they all sat down for just a minute to visit and Jeff hadn’t hit the chair when Bella made a running leap onto Jeff’s lap!  We all laughed.  As you can see from the picture below, she jumped up and nestled right down to stay until she was made to move. 

The following pictures are all of River’s 5th birthday party.  Happy Birthday River!

River is in to dinosaurs.  Darling cake, Lyndsy.  She mention that she didn’t make enough cake and had to make more batter and mix more colors.  Apparently, it was quite a long and lengthy project.  The finished product was well worth it.  All the kids wanted to eat the head. 

Do you notice that Jaden is almost as tall as I am?! 

    

Brock was in the playful posing mood. 

 

Another Utah fan in the family.  Sigh . . . . .

 

Neal being silly.  Lyndsy had a treat/prize bag for all the kids to take home and in the bag was a pair of sunglasses.  Neal sporting them.

Fun Friday Evening!

We invited Midge and Jim over for bridge and dessert.  I asked Neal what he wanted and he asked for Lemon Pie.  That is his absolute favorite dessert in all the world.  Chocolate doughnuts from Dunford Bakery are a close second, but the pie takes first place.  We love these friends and so enjoy spending time with them.  We played bridge until 1 a.m. and then had to call it quits.  I guess we are getting too old for the all nighters like our family used to do at Bear Lake. 

   

Oh yes, I had another treatment from Lyndsy.  Aren’t I looking younger and younger?!  It’s OK, you don’t have to comment.  I just have to say that Lyndsy is the best and I love her!  Thank you Lyndsy for making the effort to hide a few a my years. 

The Snow Moon

I was watching the news last night and the weatherman mentioned the beautiful full snow moon hanging in our Eastern skies.  I looked up at our half moon shaped window and there right in the middle of it was this beautiful moon.  When I come home from work on a wintery night, if I don’t have a meeting to attend, I get snuggled in for the night and don’t  go outside until the next morning.  I probably would have missed this beautiful sight of nature had I not been watching the news while cross stitching.  I was hoping to get a picture of the moon this morning but the skies are blanketed with clouds. 

 

I also have to add the Mindy called me last night with some very exciting news.  She applied for a job at the University of Utah.  She has been through two interviews and they called her yesterday and told her they wanted her to come work for them.  She was excited about the new adventure.  She says the pay is right where she wanted it and she will be working 30 hours a week.  Plus her insurance premiums will be less and her kids can go to college at half tuition!  What a bonus in this day and age.  Congratulations, Mindy, I am so proud of you!!  Oh, does this mean you get a faculty dispensation on tickets for your hubby and your father-in-law? 

This is posted for Jeff H. and Lynda Ann – can you guess who this is?

Look closely . . . . .

Another old picture that someone found and mailed to me.  It’s to laugh!  Have you figured it out yet? 

Emmi’s basketball team made it to the finals

Emmi got in the game and immediately got a rebound and made a basket.  Fun to watch her.  She has another game Wednesday night.  I won’t be able to go because I have meetings so good luck Emmi. 

 

Can you believe how much taller she is than me?  Well, I know, everyone is taller than me!

What a wonderful day!

Valentine’s Day was all that I could have wanted.  Neal surprised me at work with this absolutely beautiful bouquet of red roses.  There was a bit of envy among the workers.  I also think it reminded the gentlemen I work with that they should be thinking of something for their wives if they hadn’t. 

Neal out did himself this year.  When I got home there were two packages waiting for me.  One from Talbots (my favorite clothing store in the whole world) and one from Cummings Chocolates (my favorite candy store in the whole world).  

Dark chocolate covered almonds and marzipan.  Perfect assortment!

My new blouse from Talbots.  It kind of looks red but it is definitely a gorgeous rose color.  Neal always thinks that Maren and I should love red.  But he has learned through the years that we just don’t wear red.

 

These next pictures are my Valentine’s from Abby.  She apparently took money from her savings and bought me a box of chocolates and a candle.  She also made the care bear that had a card attached to it.  The card was made at her primary activity.  I loved everything, Abby, thank you!

This picture is one that Andrew made me for Valentine’s during Sacrament Meeting.  I love the bee and the three colored sun!  Lynda Ann spoke (and I might add did a beautiful job).  She invited us out to hear her and then over to their house for a waffle dinner.