Final Verses of the Book of Mormon

I'm in the final verses of the Book of Mormon.  I haven't kept track of how many times I have read the Book of Mormon because to me, it doesn't matter.  It's what I gain every time I read it and how much more I learn from the teachings and stories.

One of my favorite books is 3rd Nephi.  It is a well-loved story.  After Christ's resurrection, He came to minister to and teach His faithful disciples living on the American continent.  After spending some time with them, sharing truths and praying, He told the people He had to leave but that He would be back the next day.  As He looked back on the people around him, Jesus saw that they were in tears.  They wanted Him to stay with them a little longer.  It brings me to tears knowing that any of us who might have been there would have longed for him to stay just a bit longer.  Just to be in his presence.  

The scriptures tell us that Jesus said:  "Behold my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.  Have ye any that are sick among you?  Bring them hither.  Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner?  Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy."

And as we read we are told that Jesus healed everyone.  Jesus heals broken hearts, broken families, broken bodies.  There is no wound beyond the healing power of Jesus Christ.  There is no person beyond the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  

The Temple

 Mallory has set up a time in March for Lynda Ann, Mallory and me to do a temple session at the Provo City Center Temple.  I feel incredibly blessed to be with my beautiful daughter and granddaughter in this special place.  Having a personal connection with my Savior is something I am deeply grateful for.  It is a source of strength and comfort that I can tap into at any time.  But when I am in the temple, I feel a connection and clarity that is so real.  Our Father in Heaven desires to give His love and peace to all His children.  He wants to see us succeed and grow.  I find true and profound peace there, especially when I face individual and family challenges.  As a mother and grandmother there is no greater gift than having strong children and grandchildren who know their purpose and willingly follow Christ by making and keeping covenants with Him.

I was reading and came across this statement that jumped out at me.  To quote:  "Get recognition from people because of the life you live, not because of the things you have.  Remember, it is better to have stories to tell than stuff to show."  Wow.  How profound that is.

Maybe we should all try and make our lives more simple:  Less stuff.  More light (the gospel).  More stories.  

Celebrating Neal's Birthday

Neal has a birthday in December and Mindy L. (my walking partner) has a birthday in January.  We usually go out to dinner to celebrate the two special days.  It took us until the end of February to find an evening that we could get together and go out to dinner.  We went to PF Chang at Fashion Place.  The food was delicious and the waitress was especially nice to us when she found out that we were celebrating two birthdays.  After our dinner we ordered two pieces of their chocolate cake.  The waitress brought a flare to our table along with the two pieces of cake.  The extra surprise came when she gave us our check and we saw that she had not charged us for the two pieces of cake.  We thought that was especially thoughtful of her so Ken and Neal gave her a very healthy tip to tell her thanks.  

Little Purple Pansies

 I do love Spring.  In Utah we have a fun transition from winter to spring.  Any time after January we can expect sunny days and stormy days and very winter days and temperatures that can vary from the 60's one day to the 30's and 40's the next bringing wind and snow.  This morning is an absolutely gorgeous Sabbath day with sunshine, warm temperature and beautiful blue skies.  Mr. Olympus is covered half way down the face with snow.  

As I was leaving the building at MBK (serving the elderly who reside there) I notice a bunch of yellow and purple pansies poking their beautiful little heads out of the moist soil and into the warm sunshine.  It just made me happy all over and think of the primary song that I learn as a little girl.

Little purple pansies

Touched with yellow gold

Growing in one corner of the garden old

We are very tiny, but must try, try, try

Just one spot to gladden, you and I.

Valentine's Day

 Always has been one my favorite little holidays and always will be because of my mother who always made it a special day for Annette and I.  This year Neal brought home two gorgeous bundles of roses.  One a dark pink and the other yellow.  Neal hasn't figured out that my favorite rose is a light pink but it is the thought that counts, right?  They are beautiful.  We have a bouquet in our bedroom and one downstairs.  Susan also gave me a bouquet of tulips, pink and white, that are in full bloom and gorgeous.  Ron and Judy invited us to their home for dinner and bridge on Valentine evening so I called Mallory to see if she would come up and watch Sprout for an hour or two, which she did, and for which we were most grateful.  She had a lot going on but still made time to help me out.  Thanks to Mallory and Brinkley, Neal and I were able to enjoy our evening with Ron and Judy.

I've added two pictures here because they are so cute.  This first one is Sprout waiting at the door for Neal to come in after the temple.  He knows Neal by Papa and when he hears the garage door open he knows that Papa will be coming through the door any minute.  Believe me, a puppies excited greeting just about tops everything.

This picture is Sprout waiting at the front entrance hall for his morning walk.  All you have to say is, "Do you want to go for a walk?" and he is right at the front door waiting.

Again this year I sent out Valentine's with the traditional $2.00 bill in them.  Not sure my grandchildren are going to let that tradition die out.  As long as I'm able they will get their special Valentine every year.  Cute picture of Lexi and Peyton with their Valentine.  And an added piece of great news is that Lexi got accepted in Long Beach State to continue her dancing career.

Cute Peyton with her Valentine.  Love the pictures and love these girls!!

Special Day for Neal and Boston

 Maren and Greg asked Neal if he would be willing to ordain Boston as a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.  Of course, Neal was thrilled to be given that opportunity.  We drove out to Herriman Sunday morning where we met with a member of the Bishopric, Greg's parents, Dan and Sylvia, Brock, Taylor and Maren and Greg.  Boston was asked to introduce each person in the room and how they were related.  I remember thinking how neat it was for Boston to have both sets of grandparents there.  And I thought pretty supportive of his sister, Taylor, to drive up from Orem to be there as well.  The other bonus was that Brock was able to stand in the circle as Boston was ordained.  All in all a beautiful morning and blessing.

So proud of you Mr. Boston for all your good choices.  What a handsome young man you are!!  Love you.