Believe What You Want

 If you'll remember, last year I wrote about an incident that happened early in the morning while Mindy L. and I were walking.  There was a horrible accident on 9th East and Fort Union.  A car ran a red light, and was hit by a pick up truck.  The impact caused the car to spin through the intersection directing it to the drive through at Jimmy Johns.  Mindy and I were walking along Fort Union and were just about to cross through the drive through, just like we always did every morning.  Had we been just a minute faster we would have been hit by the car and seriously injured or even killed.  We both commented on how we had and always said our prayers before leaving for our walk.  

Last week, we were walking early in the morning and we were coming by Cottonwood High School.  We had stopped a few minutes before that to check the time and decided we should head back.  As we neared the intersection of 13th and 5600 we heard a loud crash and saw car parts flying through the air.  We also saw a car spin around in the intersection and ended up coming across the corner of the intersection that we would have been standing on to cross at that moment had we not stopped to check the time.  The car ended up against the fire hydrant.  Both cars involved were totaled.  We were amazed that yet again we had just barely missed being a walking casualty from a car accident.  Again our discussion turned to the fact that we had both said our prayers that morning before leaving the house and that we certainly were protected.  I believe this with all my heart.

Jamie's sign above our back door that says A.S.A.P. and underneath, "Always Say A Prayer" entered my mind that morning.  I thought about the song 

    "Er you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?  

    In the name of Christ our Savior, did you sue for loving favor as a shield today."

and the song ends with:

    "Don't forget to pray."

Sunday Thoughts - Lengthy Hardships

 It's good to teach gospel doctrine because I have to read and study.  This year we are studying the Old Testament and if you want a challenge in your life, try reading and teaching the Old Testament.  But that isn't what I want to write about.  I've thought a lot about the past  couple years and what our family has had to deal with.  It has not been easy.  I think the last part of 2020 and all of 2021 has thrown many challenges at all of us.  Maybe the hardest we've had to experience for a long time.  Hardships like health issues, car issues, broken dreams, even financial stress, and pretty much everything in between.  As heavy and overwhelming as our trials felt and through some really hard days and months, I've always believed and held true to my faith that the Lord will ease our burdens as we stand firm as a witness of Him then, now and forever.  We can muster the strength we need in times of trial by calling on the Lord like the people of Alma in the Book of Mormon.  He may not always immediately relieve our burdens, but He will strengthen us with His Spirit, and He can even send people who can help us.  

Elder Bednar said:  "The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.  I testify and promise the Savior will help us to bear up our burdens with ease as we are yoked with Him through sacred covenants and receive the enabling power of His Atonement in our lives, we increasingly will seek to understand and live according to His will.  We also will pray for the strength to learn from, change, or accept our circumstances rather than praying relentlessly for God to change our circumstances according to our will.  We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon."

Lunch and Shopping

Hayley had a birthday the first of November and we have been trying to get together ever since then.  We finally were able to pull a get together off last Monday, thanks to Martin Luther King Day.  Mallory was spending the weekend in Stansbury so she brought Hayley in.  Hayley's choice to lunch was Red Robin.  Mallory and Hayley along with Neal and I had a delicious lunch at Red Robin.  From there, we went to the mall and did some shopping.  It was fun to hear about a book that Hayley is writing and to hear Mallory talk about how much she loves school.  She is taking some hard classes.  French, Linguistics, Writing and a religion class.  It was fun to be with the two girls and hear about their interests and what they are doing.  A very happy belated birthday dear Hayley.

A Sunday with Mallory

 Mallory called and told Annie and I that she had been asked to speak in sacrament meeting in her singles ward.  So Lynda Ann and I decided to drive to Provo on Sunday to hear Mallory speak.  Lynda Ann worked Saturday night, so she came to my house to sleep until noon, then get ready and the two of us leave for Provo at 12:30.  Mallory's sacrament meeting was at 1:30.  We made it to Provo in good time, picked up Mallory and off to church.  Annie and I sat close to the front and in the center of the congregation.  It might have been a little awkward having her mom and grandmother mixed in with a bunch of single adults, but that didn't stop the two of us from going, obviously.  Mallory is a fantastic speaker.  She is confident and clear and has a beautiful testimony of the Savior and His plan.  She focused her talk on a conference talk by Anthony D. Perkins about the Lord carrying our burdens.  She spoke about her love for her family and for her mother.  She is a beautiful daughter and granddaughter and I'm proud to be her grandmother!  (I sneaked a picture of her.  Shouldn't take pictures in sacrament meeting but it hadn't started yet so I guess it was okay? :-)

After Sacrament Meeting we went to the Black Bear for lunch, then said our goodbyes to Mallory and headed home.  Annie needed to get some sleep before going back to work that night.  It was a beautiful day in so many ways.  

Thanks Mallory for inviting us.  

My Surprise

 Last Saturday a package was delivered to me from California.  It was from Jamie and she said it was for my birthday and Christmas.  I was so happy and so excited.  I love it and can't wait for Neal to get it hung above the sink.  This note came with it.

Jamie put the grandchildren in birth order.  And she picked great pictures of each one of them.  Thanks millions, Jamie, I LOVE it.  Instead of saying 'this Gam is fabulous.'  It should say, 'this Gam is blessed!'

California Stitching Project

I've finished Abby's California Mission Counted Cross Stitch project as far as I can go.  I'll have to wait until she gets home and I can highlight the places that she served and put the dates of her mission and then get it framed with her missionary badge, if she chooses that.  I also started my next project.  I've never done a project on black linen and believe me, it is a challenge.  It is almost impossible to see the threads and very, very easy to get off a thread.  I've only just started and already have done more unpicking than usual.  

Don't worry.  Abby's isn't pressed.  That will happen when everything is completely done on it.

s.  

 

Utah Puzzle

 Neal was given this puzzle of Utah Football.  Ron Stanfield gave it to him and of course, we had to put it together.  It was only 500 pieces and went together in a day.  The last puzzle for the year before school starts again after the holidays. 

Hamilton

 Neal and I were given tickets (well one ticket) for our Christmas present from Ron and Judy for the Broadway Show, Hamilton.  We bought the other ticket.  The seats were on the 7th row of the main floor.  They were amazing and well worth the $165.00 per seat.  We met at Little American for dinner and then walked down to the theater.  We ran into Dan and Jill Thurber, which was a bonus.  The show was amazing!  I had purchased the CD's so that Neal and I could listen to some of the songs and be a little more familiar with the words and the story.  

I took this picture as we were walking to the theater.  This is the Gallivan Center and was all lit up with Christmas Lights.  

Here we are in the theater.  I asked a girl in front of us to take our picture and then we took a picture for them.  

Sneaked this picture of the stage.

The program.  

We had hoped to take a picture out front but the line was way too long so I just took a picture of the program.

Thinking of Abby

 Abby was away from home this year serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Spanish Speaking mission.  I've been thinking about what Christmas would have been like for her as a missionary away from home.  She probably got up at 6:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, just like she does every other day.  But instead of jumping out of bed to see what Santa left, she quietly knelt next to her bed to give thanks for God's gift of His Son.  Instead of opening presents and celebrating a new clothes or other wanted items, she probably open the scriptures to receive the gift of God's word.  Instead of spending the day surrounded by family and friends, she probably spent a few hours with some kind family she and her companion had recently met.  Knowing Annie, Abby had a few presents from home to open, but nothing like she would be used to.  Abby and her companion will probably spend at least some of Christmas day doing what they do every day - offering people the greatest gift of all, an invitation to come unto Christ, receive His word, and enter the covenant path that leads to eternal life.  For most, it is the first time in their lives the focus of the season really is more on Jesus Christ than on presents, food, or even family.  God's missionaries are one of His greatest gifts to the world.  I totally missed my little namesake missionary this year, and I know her mom, dad and siblings did as well, but it's okay - as long as Abby knows that her decision to set aside time in her life to serve Jesus Christ is the greatest gift she could have given her parents, siblings and Gam, and Pa and the world!

Christmas 2021

 Neal and I left for St. George the morning after our family Christmas party so I didn't get a chance to take pictures and record the special and well thought out gifts from our children.

Jeff and Annie gave me my very favorite Bath and Body products along with a box of quilting clips.  Yes, quilting clips.  Now when I'm binding a quilt I don't have to use pins and stick myself a dozen times, I can use the quilting clips.  I'm hoping Annie or I have a quilt that we want to put together soon so I can try them out.  

This was a gift from Lila Mae.  The Ideals books are something we grew up with.  Mother would get them every months.  I sure wish we would have saved them.  Now they just do them on special holidays like Easter or Christmas.  Also love the perfume and the tab choir Christmas recording.

I think this is what you would call the widow's mite.  It made me tear up that my little namesake missionary thought of me at Christmas and bought me this darling salt and pepper shaker.  She certainly doesn't have the money or the time to be out shopping for something for me.  LOVE it!

This gift was from Maren, Greg and family.  They are wood coasters.  I love them and because they are so gorgeous, I doubt I will let anyone put their glass on top of them.  What a great gift.  Maren does find very unique gifts.

I grew up on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.  Susan gave me this and signed the card from Susan and Grandma Ross.  Touched me deeply.  Brought back such great memories of sitting on mothers lap while she read me these stories.

Susan also gave me a couple baby blankets that she had crocheted around.  I will put them neatly in my cedar chest for baby shower gifts.

Susan also gave me a Talbots gift card and a Beans & Brews.  She knows I love shopping at Talbots and she knows I love driving through B&B on a cold morning to get hot chocolate on my way to work.

And she gave me a set of dish towels.  She did all the embroidery work and it is beautiful.

Every Christmas and/or birthday Jeffery gives me an action movie.  He surprised me this year with this one.  I've never seen it and I'm anxious to watch it some time this next week.  I LOVE that he does that for me every year.  I'm always curious to see what he will come up with.

Mallory surprised me with this BYU Cougars blanket.  It is great to cuddle under on a cold evening.  We had a picture taken of the two of us with the blanket but it didn't turn out for some reason.  Anyway, I love the blanket and love that another granddaughter is going to BYU!  Go Mallory and go cougars!  

This was a gift to Jeannine from Jeannine.  I saw this while we were shopping in St. George and had to have it.  

Another special find.  I don't have any Christmas pillows so was delighted to find the two I did.

Neal surprised me with this bright yellow jacket, pink golf glove and a gift certificate for a hair cut from David.  I also gave Neal a new suit.  I'll take a picture of him when we get it from the tailors.

Mindy gave me this phone cover.  We had been to lunch together and I saw hers and like it so she bought me one.  Very thoughtful.  She and Robert also gave Neal and I the traditional Market Street gift certificate for $100.00.  She knows that we love to eat there and knows that it is the best gift ever.

Lyndsy gave Neal and I four bags of M&M's.  She knows her dad loves chocolate.  He will put these on this desk and nibble on them daily as he works on the computer.

It's a fun tradition for our family to get together one evening just before Christmas and have a traditional dinner and then gather in the front room to pass out the Christmas book and the presents.  For me, it brings a sweet Christmas spirit.  Through the season there are so many wonderful talks, each with beautiful Christmas messages.  

Christmas always brings some level of stress, but I always look forward to our children gathering at our home because it helps me feel calm, and my perspective of what Christmas is all about, changes.  It becomes more focused on the Savior and His beautiful life and humble beginnings.  Also, nothing beats the Tabernacle Choir singing the carols.

In one of Michelle D. Craig's talks she mentioned that we should invite someone to your kitchen table.  This year we invited Blanca.  A lady in our ward who would be alone on Christmas.  She came to our family gathering.  We loved having her with us.

Michelle Craig ends her talk by saying, "Don't let the music in you go unsung, the hug ungiven or the forgiveness unoffered."

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.

Emmi In Greece

 We've been getting lots of pictures and texts from Emmi the last couple days.  The carrier has come in to port at Chania.  She has had a couple days off the ship and then had to report back on for duty and will then have a couple more days off the carrier to do more touring of the part of the country.  

Emmi said that Chania is pretty cool.  They've been walking around all evening and checking stuff out.  She said it has been raining the entire time and probably won't let up, but that it is still really cool to see this part of the world.

To quote Emmi "Another blustery day!"

Emmi said the city is built on top of the ruins of the older cities.  All the old places in Europe are like that.  So you can just walk along and see ancient stuff and newer stuff built right beside it.

Emmi mention that food there is such a big deal.  There aren't many fast food places.  Anyway none where they are.  But food takes a long time and it's like an event.

Emmi said they have bowls behind the stone coffins.  

Below is a picture of a single shot of espresso.  She got a hot chocolate that she said might be the richest she's ever had.  Not sure if she means most expensive or rich in flavor.  

More pictures that she sent but with no explanation.  You will have to use your imagination.

She ended by telling us that she was back to the ship safely.  Took them an hour to get to the bus, leave, get to the carrier, badge in and sign in.  She mentioned that it can take longer if they have to use liberty boats instead of busses and if it's the last day or the late times.  

Shopping at Tuachan

 Today was a fun day of just running errands and then stopping at the Tuachan Gift Shop.  It is always fun to got to their after Christmas Sale.  They have very unique merchandise and we always manage to find some unique Christmas item that we have to buy.  This year was no exception.  The crazy thing is that both Judy and Ron and Neal and I had commented on the fact that we had really cleaned out our Christmas stuff this year and thrown or given lots of old stuff away and that we didn't need anymore.  However, we both found more Christmas items for next year.  

Neal and I saw this darling decoration and just couldn't resist.  At first the lady told us that the wood tree that the decorations hung on was not for sale.  Neal and I debated and then decided that maybe we could take pictures and measurements and maybe we could get Annie to make the tree for us.  The lady showed me a rod iron hanger but I didn't like it.  A few minutes later she came back and said she would sell us the wooden tree.  Not sure why she changed her mind, just glad she did.  The tree really adds to the darling Santa faces.  Neal bought a couple carvings and we also bought Mallory's birthday present.  but because Mallory keeps close tabs of my blog, I won't picture it yet :-)

Ron and Judy also found this Santa Moose that they fell in love with.  It was expensive but because it was the after Christmas sale they got it for half off.  A good deal, for sure.  They also bought a couple other things.  We had a good time shopping.

Family Christmas Party

 It was a small group again this year.  Maren's family came down with COVID.  Tucker's family spent their money for the holidays on Hawaii.  Lynda Ann was missing two.  Emmi on the aircraft carrier and Abby on her mission.  I think the only family that had everyone was Mindy's.  I fix ham and funeral potatoes along with veggies.  Lynda Ann brought the layered jello salad.  The table was set with the Christmas dishes and everything looked very festive.  We started at 6 p.m.  Had a delicious dinner and then gathered in the front room where Neal recited the Christmas story from Luke.  Then we passed out the Christmas stockings for the adults and for the grandchildren.  We also gave them their Christmas book and a CD to go with it.  Everyone went home except the Gertsons who stayed and played Telestrations.  They hung in there until about 10:30 and then headed home.  Mallory had worked a 48 hour shift with a 30 minute cat nap somewhere in the middle.  She was exhausted.  

The Christmas book for 2021

Every year Neal writes a Christmas message in the front of the Christmas Book that we give each family.

The Christmas plates that Maren has given us each years.

There are a few more pictures but I can't get them to load on my computer.  All in all it was a fun little party but we sure missed everyone who wasn't there!  Let's hope that 2022 is a much better year for getting together.  Hope all had a Merry Christmas.