Everyone is Okay...

Have your ever received a phone call that started with "Everyone is okay, but..." I received such a call last week while having lunch after a session at the temple. Apparently K and her friend H had a little mishap. Into each other! A hummer will always win when it collides with a jaguar. But, the kids were all okay, and things can be replaced. Kids, not so much.

Both were stopped at a stop light when it happened. Now, I am not really sure how two stationary vehicles can collide, but that is what they tell me. When I asked K's passenger T what happened, thinking okay he is a boy, he was paying attention he said, "the universe shrank."

G was out of town working, where there is no cell service to his phone, and I was an hour away. So H's mom JJ calmed everyone and took care of things until I got home. Thank goodness she was around, because she is usually hard to get a hold of. So that was the excitement at our house this week. I hope we don't have any more of that kind of excitement for a really long time.

Good Things:
1. Safe kids
2. JJ
3. insurance (even if it goes up)

"I knew it was bad when I looked at the hood and the jaguar was gone."

passenger in K's car

Moms

I have been blessed in my life to have three Moms. My real Mom, who raised me to adulthood, and continues to do what she can to finish raising me. My mother in law who welcomed me into G's family and treated me just like all the other kids. And my Mom who adopted my kids as another grandma when we moved here. I am not sure if I adopted her first, or if she adopted me first. My kids know her as Gramma Rita. She passed away last night.

I first got to know Rita as her visiting teacher. She quickly stepped in as my Mom away from home. Although I was her visiting teacher, she helped me far more than I ever helped her. She helped me through many crisis' including miscarriages, and an ectopic pregnancy. She even built shelves for me when I needed more space in the old house. When the kids were little she would come pick them up and take them to the movies, or out for ice cream. Lucky for D, he got to have Gramma Rita as his first grade teacher. With the love of a Gramma, she kept him challenged, and bought numerous books for "her library" so he would have something to read. It is clear to me that I wasn't just assigned to visit teach her, but that Heavenly Father had a greater plan. Clearly I needed Rita in my life.

She battled cancer probably about nine years ago and won that battle. However, it came back several years later, and although she fought hard, she just couldn't win the war. She was such a good person. I don't understand why she had to go through it and suffer the way she did. But I trust that there was a reason. I hope we were all able to learn whatever it was we needed to learn. I know she is needed elsewhere, and that she is comfortable, happy, and proud of her family she left behind.

I have learned so many things from Rita. Here are just a few: You don't have to be related to have a Mom or Gramma. You can always say something nice about someone. Life may not
be what you had planned or expected, but there is always something to smile about.
My life will continue, and so will Rita's, hers on the other side of the veil. However, my life is better because I have known Gramma Rita. Her absence will leave a hole in my heart, but maybe someday it will be filled with adopted Grandkids, and I will think of her.

Good Things:
1. Knowledge of the plan of salvation
2. A Friend who become my Mom away from home
3. Gramma Rita

Oops, I forgot the GOOD THINGS!

1. Rain
2. Kids who take finals seriously, but not too serious.
3. 2 boys who can just go with the flow.

Off to a great start!

Well, the measurable goals are going well, and we are 20 days in. Doesn't it take just 21 days to become a habit? Time will tell.
I just have to tell you all miracles happen, and our friends were all baptized last week. What a wonderful few days it was. Mom J started on Friday with a very private baptism. It isn't everyone who gets to have one daughter speak, and the others sing. Although the water was very cold, our hearts were warmed by the spirit. Then on Saturday, Sisters H and S were baptized. What an event. About 120 people were there. When G went to baptize them, the two sisters were crying and hugging each other, they were so excited. Sister H was baptized first, and once again, they were hugging and crying, and then Sister S. It was truly amazing to feel of the happiness they felt over their decision. Great talks were given on baptism and the Holy Ghost. Even now, I get teary eyed remembering. It started the year off perfectly with the new young men and women theme: 1 Timothy 4:12 " Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity." This family, and especially the girls, have been surrounded by examples of the believers, and that was evidenced by those who attended the baptism. We can never underestimate our example, whether it is good or not. And I will do better!

Goals

On Sunday in Relief Society the teacher was saying she isn't very good at setting goals, so I said "A goal not written down is only a wish." Which hopefully she understood that I only know that because I too am really not good at all at setting goals. That I have and have had many wishes in my life. So... I am going to write down my goals for all to see. Maybe I will be able to keep them, and maybe you can help me (or shame me) into keeping them. So, here they are: Take the challenge from Sister Dalton in the January New Era to the young women - Read my scriptures for 5 minutes a day, Say my prayers everyday, and smile. I know, to some of you this probably sounds ridiculous. But I know myself, and need to start small. This is very do- able, and I really should end the year with this accomplished. So far so good. Now, I am setting one more goal that will be more difficult, and even harder to know if I have really given it my best shot. ..I am going to practice being a kinder, less sarcastic, more uplifting person. I know, hard to believe, but a very very good friend of mine (yes, you know who you are!) has got me thinking of all the sarcasm and teasing that I give her, and maybe just maybe, I should repent and be a better friend. And so, that is what I will do. ( reminders are welcome.) Now all the world knows of my New Year's Resolution and it is now more than a wish!
Good Things:
1. Friends who inspire you to do better.
2. Getting back to basics.
3. Friends who know your weaknesses, and are still your friends.

Happy New Year!

Good Things:
1. A new start
2. A break from the everyday hurry
3. Relaxing with games and snacks

Merry Christmas

This time of year has always been one of my favorites. I love the Christmas spirit, and the joy it brings to everyone to think of others as they shop for that special something. Even if it is only for a minute before their thoughts go back to themselves. I love Christmas stories, and the tears they bring when I read them. So today, I want to share a personal story we have experience for almost a year, but really had a Christmas Miracle ending just this week.
The girls have been sharing the gospel with two of their friends that are sisters for over a year now. They starting with coming to young women activities, then one moved on to coming for home evening and giving us a topic to teach each week. That progressed to coming to church first as one girl then as 3 girls and a Mom (Dad is in Iraq working as an engineer.) Then they watched 4 hours of general conference, all the girls came to girls camp, and have become very active for the last about 5 months. Add to that regular FHE's with the elders. The youngest (12) sister E was baptized in September. But the others weren't quit ready. The two older girls started attending seminary, a real sacrifice because they have early school classes, so they attend at 6 am! Sister H also went to a dance competition at BYU-I and knew when she saw the temple she wanted to be baptized. Upon talking with sister S, she also decided she wanted to be baptized. But Dad asked them to wait so he could talk to them at Christmas.
Meanwhile Dad was coming home on Saturday. They went to the airport to pick him up, and no Dad got off the plane. As you can imagine, the girls were quit upset. Not to mention poor Mom. He doesn't have a cell phone with him, but they finally get a call saying he missed his flight in Amsterdam. And will be at the airport at 11 on Sunday. His flight is coming through Seattle, and you all know what happened in Seattle. Snowstorms... nothing going in or out. The Mom recieved a text while in sacrament meeting that he is delayed again. The youngest is crying, but goes to Sunday School. About 40 minutes later Mom got a call saying he was able to get out, his flight will be in at 1. Safe arrival of Dad!
Monday night the Elders had planned a FHE centered on Christ so Dad would understand that we are Christians. Sister H called to say they are coming, but no Dad. He doesn't want to be preached to, and is overwhelmed with everything after having a fairly intense conversation with sister H. She should be on a debate team! He said they could be baptized, but he isn't really interested. We are kind of disappointed that he didn't come, because the family is so excited to share the peace and happiness that they have found with him. So we answer some of his questions he has typed and sent over with family, come up with a date for baptism of sisters, ( Mom wants to make sure he really is truly alright with it and not just giving in before she commits, ) discuss how Dad was prayed home as his flight was the only one that left, and call it a night. Dad is picked up and then we all go to friends for a Christmas get together of food, crafts for the kids, singing, and visiting. I think most everyone there was LDS.
Tuesday morning Mom calls to say Dad has asked about the values of our church, and a 2 hour discussion ensued. He thinks it sounds like a good thing. He thinks that sister H would be in a good environment if she went to BYU.
Here is the true miracle in it all. It wasn't just a coincidence. All of these things took place for a reason. I know that the whole family was praying for him to get home. Sister E said the closing prayer in Sunday school and asked that he would get home. At FHE they all admitted that they were praying for him to get home. Mom said the closing prayer at FHE and prayed that Dad would understand. I know so many others are praying for them, and that his name was on the temple prayer roll. What a miracle that we have a Heavenly Father who hears, cares and answers our prayers. I just keep thinking "Sweet is the peace the gospel brings!"

Merry Christmas I hope this is a season of Miracles for you and your family!

Good Things:
1. Faith
2. Miracle for my family to witness
3. Prayer