Reflection

I can really relate to Nephi's statement that I don't know the meaning of all things, but I do know that God loves His children. 
It is such a blessing to see how much preparation and planning goes into the stories in the scriptures.  We are given a glimpse of the hand of our Father in Heaven in simple and in profound ways.  Nothing ever surprises our Heavenly Father, or takes him off guard.  He has preparations underway before we even know there is a problem. 
I can see His hand in my life.  What is impossible to see in the moment, can sometimes be seen clearly in retrospect.  I can see the reasons for the yes's and no's to my prayers and can say 'Thank you'. 
I only hope that I can continue to remember this as I face the challenges of tomorrow and be a witness to others that Heavenly Father knows each one of us and loves us.  If we will follow His commandments and worship Him, He will keep His promises.
He knows the beginning and the end and we can trust Him.  He only wants what is best for us.  Everything that He asks of us, is for our own benefit.  When we truly believe that, commandments seem more like the gifts they really are!

Life Is Good!

January was a terrifice month for me.  I had some great opportunities come my way and so many prayers were answered.  I feel like my insides are smiling bigger than my outsides and my heart is full of love for everyone!   I know I should feel this way all of the time, but when special moments come they are particularly strong!  I want everyone to be happy too!
This month I have been focusing on our Savior's last message before his death.  Love one another as I have loved you.  This is a step above the Golden Rule of 'do unto others as ye would have others do unto you'.  His love is a perfect love, accepting us with all our faults and sins.  Inviting us to join Him, to be like Him and to share with Him all that He has.  It does not excuse our sins, without repentance.  We must work hard to be like Him, but His love gives us hope and faith and strength to surpass all of our weaknesses.  If we could only see ourselves as He sees us, we could do anything! 
If we could only love others and see them as He sees them, our world would be a perfect place. 
My world is a better place when I try to be more like Him!

THE ONLY THING THAT IS CONSTANT IN LIFE IS CHANGE

I am asking myself what lies ahead in the new year. 
I am comfortable with my life and happy to begin each new day. 
I am grateful to be married to a man who is honourable and has integrity.  He is wonderful in reminding me that he loves me and he is more tolerant of my imperfections than I am of his; for he never complains and ashamedly, I do.  I love him too!
     It's a crime that I did not make a list of the ways I would like to
    improve this year when writing out my goals.  I once again made
    a 'to do' list, not a 'to be' one. 
I am grateful to be a mother.  Whether near or far, my children are my treasures and my heart is happy when they are happy and sad when they are sad.  I love each of them so much!
I am grateful to be a grandmother.  My grandchildren remind me of the importance of living each day, loving each moment, and laughing as often as possible.
I am grateful for my parents and my brother and sisters.  I am grateful for their examples and love.
I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The gospel has given me direction and purpose in life, with wonderful hopes and dreams of returning home to our Father in Heaven one day.  Like Alma in the Book of Mormon, "I swear unto you, that insasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land."  Alma 36:1
Every year, every season, every month, week and day gives us a new beginning.  Everything passes with time, the good and the bad.  The hard and the easy.  I hope this year, I can be more positive and enjoy the good while it lasts, endure the bad with faith, hope and charity and press forward with love and encouragement for all I meet! 

Happy New Year!

It's Been a Wonderful Year!

I like ending the year with holiday celebrations.  We have many reasons to celebrate. 
Our family is growing and we have been able to visit everyone a little bit here and a little bit there throughout the year!  I am so grateful to be a part of my children's lives.  Their joys are still my joys and their sorrows are still my sorrows.  They may all be bigger than me, but I can still see them growing in so many ways.  I guess by my grey hairs, they can see me changing too...
Life is wonderful, not always easy - but wonderful!
What a comfort to know that through covenants made and kept we will always be together! 
I look forward to the day when peace will fill the whole earth and everyone will feel what I feel and know what I know about our Savior, Jesus Christ.  His love is real.  He lived and died following Heavenly Father's plan so that we could all return home to God again someday.  He has shown us the path and is ever near to help us on our daily journey, if we but ask!
Everyone should be as happy as me!
Merry Christmas!

Holiday pressure!

The holidays are coming! The holidays are coming! 

I am not ready yet!  Should I be? 

No pressure here!

I have projects started and shopping lists all over the house.  Will I be ready in time? 

I keep changing my mind.  Rewriting lists.  Will I be ready in time?

I wanted to be done early, so I wouldn't feel the holiday pressure - but the pressure just started early!

I don't think this is the way it was meant to be!  Maybe I will be ready to face this next week, when there will be less pressure!  I'll try again Monday.

We all travel through time!

We got a chance to make one of our whirlwind trips to see family this month!  It amazes me how fast time flies...  how much children have grown...  how much people have changed...  how easily we all catch up with one another and how well we still seem to get along together!  So much is different and so much feels the same!  Time is usually my enemy, but time can also be a friend!  What good memories we have to share!
My biggest frustration is my ability to use a camera.  Either it's not in my hand at the right time, or the delay on it feels like 'forever' and I cannot get the shot I want!  So please continue to share your photos with me, because very few of mine will ever be share worthy!
I keep reminding myself that I do not make road trips for photography's sake!  I go to let the people I love, know that I care! 
Thanks for making us feel welcome!  Long distance hugs all around!

Busy like a bee?

I said something to Karyn this month about living a balanced life...  she called me on it!  I am always working on family history...  ALWAYS!!!  Mike used to say, 'You love dead people more than me...' 
'NOT TRUE!'  But they need me more than you do! 
My children are all grown up!  They are so awesome!  I love them to pieces!  ... but I seem to have a strong need to be needed.  My children do not need me like they used to.  This is good, right?
Or am I just making excuses? 
I really love searching and sourcing and adding to my genealogy.  Most of it has been handed down to me.  Very little of it came with documentation and I want to pass it to the next generation documented to the best of my ability. 
People I have never known in life, have become important to me.  I firmly believe that as I learn about them, they take an interest in me and my family.  Are these the angels who watch over my loved ones...  maybe I am doing this for selfish reasons??? 
So I guess I have to admit, I am unbalanced.  That doesn't sound right...
I believe in living a balanced life, but I have a passion.  Take in that my children are grown, my husband works long hours, I still read, sleep, eat, exercise and knit or crochet and serve at church.  So, I have given myself permission to indulge in family history.  It is the right time in my life to do so!  I do not think my balance is wrong, just different than most!  I fill my spare time with research and believe me, I have a lot of spare time!
If you are worried that all work and no play, make me a dull girl - give me a call - we'll go do something fun!  In the meantime I will continue to indulge.
 - I hope that someday, you will also have the blessing of indulging yourself!