Sunday Message

I've been not only reading the Book of Mormon this year, but I've been taking notes on every single verse of the chapters.  It is amazing how much more I'm learning.  Taking notes makes me concentrate on what I'm actually reading.  I'm not just reading words.  It has been such an incredible experience.  I believe in this day and age we need to build our testimonies by seeking every opportunity to learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband said:  "It is important to remember the powerful counsel found in Deuteronomy, "Keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of they life:  but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons." (and daughters).  Generations are affected by the choices we make.  Share your testimony with your family; encourage them to remember how they felt when they recognized the Spirit in their lives and to record those feelings in journals and personal histories so that their own words may, when needed, bring to their remembrance how good the Lord has been to them."

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know it is true!  I am so grateful to a mother who taught the gospel by word and example and who loved me, and guided me throughout my life.

Projects I've wanted done for years!

I finally haired a handy man (Ron Stanfield's brother Chris) to come and do three projects for me that I've wanted done for years.  I've wanted a nice shoe rack underneath my clothes, an added shelf above my dresses and a bookcase for downstairs to hold my journals and scrapbooks.  It took Chris a couple weeks to finish everything and install them.  I am so thrilled.  The cost was $1300.00 and worth every penny!!  This is my shoe storage area.  Each section holds two to three pair of shoes.

 This is my extra shelf above my clothes.  Best thing ever!  Totally increases space available.
 This is the bookcase downstairs that I wanted built in below the video shelf above.  Chris did an amazing job and it turned out perfect.  I already have it 3/4 the way full with more to stuff in there.

Update on Annie

Since the last time I posted, Lynda Ann went back to the hospital and had to have another blood patch done.  We are hoping this will take.  She had three shots directed at the hole in her spinal cord.  The shots are through her neck.  She was sent home that evening with instructions to stay down for two weeks.  Her two weeks will be up this Thursday coming but my visit with her yesterday (Saturday) was not encouraging.  It is looking more and more like she is going to have to surgery.  she has a bulging disk that is causing the tear in her spinal cord.  We will know by the end of this week what the neuro surgeons will want to do.  This is a picture of her second procedure.  You can see the bruises.

Annie don't be mad at me for posting this picture but I just had to show those two silly dogs sound asleep on top of you!  Funniest thing ever.  You can barely tell that the black spot is Charlie.  If you look close you can see his eyes peeking through his black hair.  The puppy in front is Maggie.  Funny puppies.  

A few more pictures of our trip.

Here are a few more pictures from our trip.  This was the back of the Lexis when we finished shopping in Vegas.

 We discovered a new store call Vineyard Vines.  They have fun clothes.  Judy bought a darling top.  I bought a sweatshirt type top.

 This was a picture of Neal at The Bear Paws restaurant.  It is always crowded and always delicious!

A Week in St. George

Ron and Judy invited Neal and I to spend a week with them in St. George.  We left Sunday evening about 6, making a couple stops on the way down.  We arrived about 11:00 and settled in for the night.  We had some typical Spring Wasatch Mountain Spring Weather to deal with.  Rain, wind, cold, and sunshine.  We were able to do everything we wanted.  We golfed a couple days, made a trip to Las Vegas and Primm on one of the rainy days and even sat out on the patio in our swimming suits and read while basking in the rays.  We walked to golf course a couple of times, played lots of bridge, watched a couple movies and went to the famous Bear Paws for breakfast.  The week was full of fun, laughter, shopping and good food.  We love spending time with the Stanfield's and look forward to many more fun adventures.  We came home late Saturday evening in preparation for Sunday and Neal getting ready for his classes on Monday.

 Walking the golf course.

 Our usual stop at the In N Out burger place in Las Vegas after a full day of shopping.

 Shopping bags just from Primm.  By the time we were finished at the Vegas Outlets the back was full!

 A beautiful view of the St. George Temple coming in to St. George from Vegas.  What a welcome sight!

Lynda Ann Visits the Emergency Room

Annie called me last week and said that she was in the emergency room with a horrible headache and neck ache.  She said when she stood up the pain was horrible and when she laid down the pain would go away.  The doctors ran extensive tests trying to find out just what the problem was.  They said she had all the symptoms of a person who had a spinal tap.  Only Annie didn't have one.  They sent her home late that night and told her to rest and drink lots of caffeine and see if she didn't feel better by the following Monday.  Monday morning she went to work but as the day progressed the pain became increasing and the nausea hit.  They admitted her and ran more tests of her spine and found that fluid was leaking from her spine.  Somehow she had punctured a small hole in the spine.  They did a procedure where they draw blood from her and then inject it into the spine and it closes up the leak.  Don't know the name of the procedure but you get the idea.  She was able to come home the next day and has been told she needs to be careful for the next 6 months.  No lifting anything over 10 pounds and no over doing.  So grateful for modern medicine and doctors who are there to assist us when needed.

Pictures from Maren

I wish the kids would all send me more pictures but, I'll take whatever they send me and be happy about it.  Maren sent me this picture of the boys with the $2.00 Valentines.  Great picture!

She also send me this picture of Taylor.  And told me that Taylor raced downhill at Snowbird for a Steve Young sponsored money raiser.  After Taylor raced that night they did a video of her from previous interviews and of her skiing, biking etc.  It was really well done.  They chose Taylor to help raise money for the Wasatch Adaptive Sports big fundraiser for the year.  After Taylors video was shown the audience gave her a standing ovation.  Maren said she was crying and then Taylor spoke.  She mentioned the climate of the day was meeting and shaking hands with Steve Young!
We are so proud of you, Taylor, and love you.

Emmi Has A Birthday and Joins the Navy!

Exciting times for Emmi.  She celebrated her 22nd birthday and also made a commitment with the Navy which will be official some time in June.  Right now she is working at the county part time helping with collecting fees, sorting through returned mail and going out on inspections with some of our inspectors.  We are excited to see where these new commitments take her.  Tucker thought it was funny that she joined the navy and doesn't like sea food.  She seems to be more of a land meat food person.  Congratulations Emmi.  We are proud of you and are excited about what the future holds for you.

We love you, Emmi Girl!

Making Bread

Not long ago, Lynda Ann and I spent a Saturday in Midway visiting and making bread.  We had a linger-longer in our ward and I wanted to take home made bread.  Lila Mae has a bread mixer so that is why we ended up there.  Much faster to make bread using a mixer rather than doing the whole thing by hand.  We ended up with 6 loaves and I talked Lila Mae into helping me make cinnamon rolls.  What a delicious day!  We had such fun visiting with Lila Mae and Susan.  Lots of members of my ward were very excited to have some home made bread.   The cinnamon rolls barely made it to the table!

 Every thing turned out perfect and tasted delicious!  Thanks to my sister.

A Message from Jeffry R. Holland

I read this quote and it was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits.  I hope all who read this will find the same solace in his words that I did.

"To all mothers everywhere, past, present, or future I say thank you, thank you for giving birth, (for adopting) for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ.  To Mother Eve, to Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel, to Mary of Nazareth, and to a Mother in Heaven, I say, thank you for your crucial role in fulfilling the purposes of eternity.  To all mothers in every circumstance including (step-mothers) those who struggle - and all will - I say Be peaceful, believe in God and yourself.  You are doing better than you think you are."

I needed to read that and I needed to add my own "adopting" and "step-mother" to his quote.

That is my message for this Sabbath Day to all my girls.  Do the best you can, be peaceful and believe in God and yourself.

Love,
Mom

The Cannery

Neal and I had an opportunity to go to the dry pack cannery and clean machines.  Something neither one of us have ever done before.  It was quite an experience!  The cannery had been processing white beans all day and our job was to clean up all the spilled beans and then spray down the conveyor belt, the hopper and the floors.  After everything was done the floor supervisor came up and told us that the last step was to spray all the machinery with a white foam that was a disinfectant.  I sprayed and Neal came along behind me and wiped the foam.  At one point I accidently turned on the sprayer when Neal was in front of me and got him right in the face!  We had a good laugh over that.  Wish I would have snapped a picture but forgot.

I had two pictures but for some odd reason the other one won't upload.  But, I think this picture pretty much captures what we were doing and yes, we did have to wear the funny hats!  We had a fun time and were more than happy to be of service.  

Finished Project

This particular project worked up incredibly fast.  Seemed like I just started it and I was taking the last stitch in it.  I need to get it to the cleaners, have it blocked and then to the framing place to be framed.  I have to say that this falls in the category of "my favorites".  I love the simplicity of this one and the message that goes along with it.

This will be a fun one to have framed and hanging in our home.
Here is my next project, well projects.  I haven't totally decided what I want to do yet.

Any votes?  Any comments?  Any wants?  I'm thinking I may do the . . . . .