Walking Around the Mall - not the Christmas Tree

Dorothy and I walked the Red Cliffs Mall for 2 and a half miles this morning.

It was great; she's fun to walk and talk with.

We don't walk fast enough to get my heart rate up, but we at least MOVED.

And, that is something we were both grateful for - our MOBILITY.

Dorothy is 86, but she never looks or acts like it.  She's very mobile and alert and alive.

We both mentioned that we were so grateful to be able to WALK....

I'm very grateful for that great blessing on this December morning!

This Wonderful Season!

It's a joy to ride around and look at homes all lit up in honor of the Christ child's birth.

I'm so very grateful for this happy season of the year.

Living in St George Utah

We recently went up north to watch our grandson in a play.

DELIGHTFUL!

But, it was cold and cloudy with a chance of inversion.  That's a joke because of course there was inversion in that valley.

It makes me so appreciate the mostly sunny days of St George.

I'm so grateful to be living here!

Heaven on earth - well, in the winter, at least.

Our Thoughtful Son, Justin

Provo in the winter is not my favorite place to be.

So, when we heard that Eli was in a Christmas play, I realized that we would, once again, have to make that trip in the WINTER.  BRRRRRR...

But, when we arrived, Justin had put in a heater in the room AND while we went to the play, he closed the door, so when we returned, it was all cozy and comfy.  NOT COLD AT ALL.

What a thoughtful sweetheart.

And, I am grateful.

After the play, Best Christmas Pageant Ever...and it definitely was the Best Play Ever!  HA AH....Eli did so great, we were very proud of this kid who will be getting his driver's permit soon!

Eli plays the part of Ralph Herdman in the meanest family in the world...good thing he is a great actor because there's nothing mean about this kind kid!

Relief Society

I LOVE the ladies in our ward; they are so very good and so committed to the gospel.

They are generous, helpful, always performing service for others.

They inspire me to no end.....

And, I am THANKFUL to be a part of this sisterhood.

Aren't they just beautiful?  They are blessings in my life, for sure.

An Abundance of Food

News Report:

Millions starving in various countries.  The UN is asked to provide money to help the situation.

While I eat nuts, popcorn; essentially anything I want.

And, I am beyond grateful.

HEARING!

Last night, Jenni and I went to the Messiah.

OH MY GOODNESS!

I was literally swept away by its majesty, its beauty, its inspiration.

IT THRILLED ME.

We were sitting near the front right behind several deaf people.  A man and a woman were signing the words to the music.

I watched in awe as they went along with the words.....

Why would a deaf person go to a concert?

I don't know, but it was so inspiring to see that.

And, it made me so incredibly grateful for hearing...for music, for talented people, for this community that is large enough to support an orchestra and choir.

And, I was so very grateful!

A New Day!

Here's another day to try again.

To live again....

To give thanks again....

To be happy again....

To love again....in spite of challenges.

To do service to others....

To live gratefully.

And, I am grateful.

A Saviour

In my life, I've been kicked in the stomach a lot.

I'm not sure why it is, but I have A LOT of family challenges that sink me under.

I don't have a resilient personality, and I take everything to heart and take it personally.

So, when something happens:

I fall apart.

I lose heart.

I lose perspective.

I am in despair.

And, it is very hard.

I'm trying harder to focus on the Atonement and tell myself, Christ already suffered for this; don't take it on yourself and make no use of HIS suffering this for you.

It's a challenge for me because of the nature of my personality...

So, when two challenges in one week presented themselves, I am trying to remain positive, hopeful, encouraged, and GRATEFUL for what I do have.

Over the Top Blessings

Life is such a challenge sometimes.

But, here's the thing.

Right now, I am so very grateful for:

Eyesight,

Mobility,

Hearing,

Income,

Health,

Use of Limbs,

Family,

Home,

Income,

Cars,

Teeth,

Medical insurance,

Food,

Allen,

Five children, 16 grandchildren and spouses,

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON!

Oh, I am so very thankful.

Health and Mobility

Some weeks, I exercise twice a week at the senior center....

It's challenging and invigorating and FUN!.

But, the thing is, I am ABLE to do so.

I see so many older people limping, hobbling, and it makes me so grateful for my good health at this point in my life.

Yesterday I donated blood at a blood drive and I feel thankful to be able to do that...little as it is.

I feel so grateful for my life right now and especially for my health.

Thank you, Heavenly Father!

Modern Miracles

EYE Surgery....yesterday.

I haven't taken off the patch yet, so I don't know if I can see better or not.

But, I'm so grateful for amazing, miraculous modern day medicines and miracles.

Ah, yes.  So grateful!

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC!

Singing in the stake choir yesterday - what a thrill!

Going to an Abba Concert on Friday evening - what a thrill!

Looking  forward to a concert by The Piano Guys later this week - what a thrill!

And, I'm so grateful to be able to HEAR music!

It's a religious experience.

And, I'm so grateful!

Letters From Bridger

I know he just started.

I know that NEW is always exciting and invigorating.

I know that hard things are coming his way.  I get all that.

But, for this week, I will relish in the wonderful letter that Bridger sent to the fam and friends.

It was so delightful and inspiring.  I'm still smiling ear to ear for his great email.

And, I am beyond grateful.

My Incredible Heritage in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

Holy, holy cow!  This is just such an incredible book.  While  much of it, I knew, there are so many things I didn't know.

There are so many things to sorrow over.  The early Saints faced so much tragedy and sorrow.  The doubted the church, Jospeh Smith, their leaders, the revelations.  They faced cold, hunger, starvation, persecution.  Joseph Smith himself had such a tortured life.  It's amazing that he continued to suffer so much.

I can only say, the church must be true, for those Early Saints to have suffered so much.

And, my own family was part of that early history.

Oh, I am so very thankful.  I give honor and respect to them.

Missionary #4!

And, he's off...into the wild blue yonder called MEXICO CITY MTC.

For six weeks he will be in Mexico, then return to Slat Lake City, West Mission.

I'm so proud of him because this is a decision he has had to reach by himself.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this outstanding young man.

Our Home-Grown Pomegranates

HOLY COW!

Talk about delicious....

And, healthy.....

And a tasty snack....

That would be the pomegranates from our bushes out front.

YUM YUM YUM.

And, I am grateful.

Mi Familia

Problems; yes, there are many.

Sorrow: yes, there are some.

Struggles;  Oh, yes, for sure.

Financial Woes:  For sure.

But, I'm so grateful for these people that make me happy on a regular basis.

I'm so grateful for the goodness of God to my family and me.

Weekend with Family

Being with my siblings brings so much joy.  We were all together in the Provo City Center Temple, as we did sealings.

Over and over I kept thinking of dad and mom.  I give such great thanks to them for the wonderful home life we had growing up.

I am forever grateful for their amazing goodness and love.

Great Day With Friends and Family

SATurDAY....

Spectacular scenery....

Great people....

Rain coming down, but we are cozy in the Jeep.

And, I am grateful.

WALKING!

The old man hobbled out of the senior center....

The fat lady waddled down the aisle...

And SHE was in a wheelchair.

It was such A MOMENT for me, to think that even though, we sometimes, shuffle, waddle, hobble, move slowly, we at least

WALK.

And, I am so grateful for that movement ability!.

RAIN!

I awoke in the night to the glorious sound of RAIN.

Soft, light, but RAIN.

And, I am so grateful.

In a desert, rain is needed so very badly.

So, RAIN RAIN RAIN.

And, I'll continue to give thanks.

Music On the Green

It was a complete accident that we happened to hear the music.

The Dixie State Orchestra was playing on the green by the library.

We had gone to hear a lecture at the tabernacle, but it was canceled, when we heard the music coming from close by.

Loving orchestras and bands, I insisted on walking over to see what was happening.

And, there it was.  WONDERFUL MUSIC.

SO, we stayed and listened.

Over and over, I kept thinking about my dad, who created Sunday night community concerts at Ross Park in Pocatello, Idaho.

I loved listening to the music on those gorgeous summer evenings.

And, that is just the way it was last night;

Perfect weather, good friends, and fantastic Music.

Oh, it was JOYFUL>

And, I am thankful.

Sunshiney Days

I love the sunshine here in St George.

Most days are so sunny, cherry, bright, and beautiful.

I am so very grateful for that kind of weather.

For the Savior

Every week I take the Sacrament....

And, I  promise to

REMEMBER HIM.

I fall far short of that.

But, I am so very grateful for his Atoning Sacrifice.

What he did for me, a sinner, an ingrate at times, a whiner, a sluggard in doing HIS work......

I know the Church is true.

I know HE is my Savior.

OH, it is wonderful.

And, I am grateful.

Janessa and Her Help

She came over work last night;

She was tired and hungry.

But, she helped mr clean out our pantry.

To get a proper perspective, I should definitely have taken a BEFORE picture, but here's the AFTER, after she cleaned out lots of overdue foods.  She was merciless.  Now, I have to be VERY VIGILANT.

And, I am so very grateful for her help......

Insight Into the Scriptures

They are complicated....

There are a lot of characters.....

The geography is so challenging.....

I don't remember names, places, events.

So, I'm grateful to have helps when reading the Book of Mormon and Old Testament.

MONEY!

I'm so grateful that we have income.

Over and over I am grateful for it.

It's a blessing.

LAUGHTER!

We'd seen it before, and who knows, in 10 years, we may see it again,

But what great laughs we had last night in Cedar City, watching The Foreigner.

It's a play that makes me a tad uncomfortable because it is about the Ku Klux Klan in a round about way, but it's presented in such a way that it is just absolutely CLEVER and FUNNY.

I appreciate writers who can write and elicit good old-fashioned laughter; clean, no sex, just good FUN and hearty laughs.  It felt so good to just laugh and be surrounded by others who were also having such a good laugh.

And, I'm grateful.

Beautiful Mornings

Early morning walks.....

Cooler weather....

It's a so good.

And, I am grateful.

The Scriptures

IT's been a good experience to read the Book of Mormon by myself.

And, Allen and I read the New Testament together at night.

It's good.

And I am grateful.

SLEEP

Our dear daughter is a sleep doctor....

She never divulges anything personal, but she does tell some stories of people who suffer from sleep disorders.

It's nothing to laugh at, but indeed, can be a very serious problem; in rare cases even life-threatening.

So, when I hear her stories, it makes me so grateful that I am able to SLEEP.

Brent and Jenni's Safety After Harrowing Experience

It was a very long hike.

Plus, it was hot....

They didn't have a lot of water.

No other people were anywhere near.

And, it was at a very high altitude when it all happened, although they were on their way down after successfully achieving the summit.

Brent was standing next to a large tree - with knees locked - when he felt faint, and he tumbled right over headlong into the dirt on a steep hill.

Jenni watched in horror from a few feet away, as he started to slide downhill before a bramble stopped his rolling further.

Such a frightening moment for both of them, although Brent was unconscious at the moment.

I'm so grateful that nothing worse happened and they are home SAFE.

This picture was taken just a few hours before Brent's fall and unconsciousness.
The peak is in Death Valley and is a 7 mile hike to the top.
Very inspiring, for sure.

Oh, Heavenly Father, I am so very grateful for their return.......

So Many Things

Happy life at this exact moment.

Health

Eyesight

Mobility

Food

Car

Home

Good weather

Family

Great friends

Gospel

Scriptures

Atonement

I feel so grateful today.

Insights Into the Scriptures

Every Thursday evening, President Mike Thompson teaches a religion class.

This year, he is focusing on First and Second Nephi from the Book of Mormon...

He is the absolute BEST teacher, and

I love his teaching style.  He zeroes in on just a few key verses and explores those by asking people to focus and see what the scripture contains.

It's a unique style of teaching; more like the church wants us to do now.

Last night, he talked about conversion; he concluded that it is an ongoing process, but it involves covenants, study, prayer, and of course, being tested.  He used Saria from the Book of Mormon as an example of a person who becomes converted to her husband's being a visionary man, but it was a process, and happened only after the trial of sending her sons back to Jerusalem.

I'm learning a lot and....

And, I am grateful.

Going to the Temple with Bridger

Great day in San Diego, and I am grateful.

Ease and Availability of Food

Yesterday, I did something I've never done before.

Shoppped, ordered on-line, and had the food delivered.

Man, that is so slick.

It was so easy and uncomplicated.

First time is free, so I did it to try it out.

I don't know if I will keep doing it, but I am so thankful that I can easily get milk; no cow-piling for me; eggs, no gathering from under the hen's nest for me; bread, apples, banana, whatever.

It's just so simple, and I am so very grateful.

SAFE TRIP HOME!

Quick trip - again -

to Imperial Beach.

And, I'm always grateful to be HOME.

I love HOME

And, as so thankful for our lovely place of abode.

Learning New Things

I really enjoy learning.....

About specific topics, which I PICK!  HA HA!

Right now, I'm taking a weekly class form our Stake President about First and Second Nephi.

He has so much insight on just even one little teeny scripture.

It's so fun to absorb all the information.

I love the Book of Mormon and I'm so grateful to learn even more about.

Living in a Modern Age

Allen and I went to a very dumb movie recently.  It took place 20,000 years ago.

BUT, it showed how difficult getting food was.

The movie made me realize, again, how grateful I am to live in this day and age.

I'm not good at killing animals for food or cooking over a fire.

So, I feel very grateful for living NOW!

HEALTH!

I can never say it enough, but I am exceedingly grateful

for

GOOD HEALTH!

An Early Morning Bike Ride

FINALLY...

the weather is not in the 90's in the early mornings!

At last, I can take out my bike, even tho I was huffing and puffing the entire ride - except downhill.

Okay, so bring on the FALL....

For which i am very grateful!

Sunny Days

I love the sunshine,

so, ST GEORGE is the perfect place for us.

Many sunny days, for which I am exceedingly grateful.

Fast Sundays

I love to hear people share their stories

And, to bear their testimonies.

I think about the church ALL OVER THE ENTIRE WORLD, and people are bearing their testimonies of:

The Book of Mormon,

The Prophets,

The Gospel, and mostly

The Savior.

It's so inspiring,

And, I am grateful!

Good Teeth

 I mean, sure, I have cavities, and all that, but basically I inherited good teeth, for which I am so grateful.  They aren't the prettiest, the straightest, the whitest, but they WORK, and I'm glad of that!

Allen has poor teeth.

Yesterday, he had two teeth extracted to the tune of $3600.  There is still more tooth work to be done.

Which means a lot more money.

It makes me very grateful for my teeth, and it should remind me to take better care of them!

An Income

It just shows up in my bank account every month.

M.O.N.E.Y.

Which we have worked hard to earn.

And, I am very grateful.

Church Calling

Allen and I were called to be the ward family history consultants with Ron and Kathy Olson.

For me, it was an answer to a prayer because I am getting very stressed about teaching or being in front of people....it's getting worse and worse.

So, with this calling, it's very one-on-one and I like that. It's flexible with our travel schedule, which is good.

And, we get to help people with something significant and what I love.

I'm so very grateful.

The Scriptures

Our ward was challenged to read the Book of Mormon in six months...

From April conference to October conference.

I've been doing this and am enjoying it immensely because I'm using the
BOOK OF MORMON for FAMILIES.

It explains so many things, has maps, pictures, charts, etc.

While I've enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon many times, reading it in this shorter amount of time, has helped me understand more than I normally do.

And, I am grateful.

My Father and His Love of Music and Country

Recently, I attended a concert in the tabernacle.

It was a men's barbershop group and it was really wonderful.

I sat in the balcony and the seat next to me was empty, so I talked to my dad all night, as if he were sitting there.  If anyone had realized what I had been doing, they would have thought I was crazy.

I told him several times how much I appreciated his love of music and his patriotism.

I told him the group of four that were singing, were not nearly as good as his quartette had been.

It was a pleasant evening, and it was good to be there.

But, it was even more special as I imagined my dear father sitting next to me.

Oh, I am grateful!

My Oldest Granddaughter!

Happy Birthday to Janessa!

Oh, she's a good one.

She's a good young lady.

She's always kind and thoughtful to us...

And, I am grateful.

Living Close to Brent and Jenni

It's such an amazing blessing to live close to family...

I am so very grateful.

TEMPLE NEARBY!

It's a blessing to have temple so close.

To just be able to say;

I think I'll go to the temple today.

Such a blessing and I am grateful.

TIME!

Sometimes when I read my journals from years ago, as a young mother or mother of teen-agers, I am overwhelmed as I look at all that I had going on in my life.

Meetings, speeches, kids' activities, church responsibilities, job, errands, etc.  It appalls me about that life style.

I was ALWAYS in a hurry; rushing, rushing....

Reading those journals makes me feel very sad as I don't think I had my priorities straight at all.

Now I do feel overwhelmed sometimes.

But, over all, I have TIME.

And, I am so very grateful

THE RAIN

It's a desert.

So, there is not much rain.

But it rained last night.

For a long time.

And, it's wonderful.....the air is fresh, the temperature went down just a little, and water was flowing down one street closing it off.  PERFECT!

And, I am grateful.

Music and Laughter

It's probably one of my all-time favorite musicals.....

And, to see it LIVE with our neighbor and dear friend was a JOY.

Oh, Brooke Bang, you made that play so FUN and memorable.

Joining us were the Conders, and the Allams, and it was just DeLiGhTfUl!

And, I am thankful for a dad who introduced me to music in the home, and musicals.

Oh, I love good music and laughter and friends.

I'm grateful.

Feeling Grateful

I have so many things to be grateful for.

Health, an income, a paid for home, two paid for cars, a hard-working husband, good friends, a wonderful neighborhood, scriptures, church, and marvelous family.

I am so very grateful.

Gee/Hackworth Renion Salt Lake City 2018

Bridger's Willingness to Serve a Mission

I'm still surprised, but so happy.

Bridger is going on a mission!

It's wonderful.

He's such a great kid, and it will be a blessing for him for the rest of his life.

He has been called to the Salt Lake City mission, Spanish speaking.

He goes to the Mexico MTC in October.

And, I am grateful.

The Women in Our Ward

Last night was Relief Society.

The room was filled with wonderful, good, inspiring women.

I am overwhelmed at the kind of strong women in our ward.

Good to the bone, strong in the Gospel, faithful in serving others.

Oh, how I love them.

And, I am grateful.

Books

I love books.

Reading is something that I love to do every day.

From scriptures,

To Nonfiction,

To a Good fiction book.

There are so many good writers and it's so fun to read their creations....or listen on audio books.

So, I've thankful for books.

Air Conditioning

It is blistering HOT HOT HOT

Here in St. George.

I often think about the pioneers and wonder how they made it through the scorching summer heat.

As for me, it is unbelievable and almost unbearable; to just even step outside is withering.

So, I give great thanks to the men and women who invented air conditioners.

What a great blessing.

And I am grateful.

MY HUSBAND

We don't always agree....

We sometimes argue.....

We are so different in many ways.

But, I feel so comfortable with him.

He totally knows me ( he gets it wrong sometimes!)

But, it's a great blessing to have him by my side.

And, I am very grateful.

My Darling Daughters

Pain,,,,

Pain in every joint.

My hands, my knees, my fingers, my elbows.

Deep pain.

Inability to even walk without intense pain.

I called on my daughter for HELP.

She gave it.

ANd, this morning, I woke up almost pain free.

It's a miracle...to me, at least.

One day, my knee started to hurt.  Then both knees...I mean...really hurt.

My hands were unable to type, play the piano, etc.

My elbows hurt and were so tender.  It was all such a mystery that it would come about so quickly.

So, I called DR FISHER...what is it, I cried out.

She asked me a few pertinent questions and she figure out it was a new antibiotic that I had recently started taking, so I immediately stopped taking it.

Pain stopped.

Truly unbelievable.

And, I am SO GRATEFUL for her diagnoses.

Then Kristi called.  She gave some helpful advice also.

Man, I love those two girls.

ANd, I am grateful.

The IRONY of it ALL!

My last post was expressing gratitude about having air conditioning.

HA HA HA HA HA

When we returned from a quick trip to provo, Utah, our AC went out!

And, it's very hot!

But, I'm grateful that we have had it successfully for all these years we have lived here.

I still have much to be grateful for and I am.

AIR CONDITIONING!

Man, oh man,

IT IS HOT OUTSIDE.

So many times, I ask Allen how people can work outside in this sweltering heat.

Even more, I wonder how the pioneers could withstand the heat....they were SO amazing.

And, I am beyond grateful for air conditioning.  It is truly a life saver.

Thank you to the inventor of that wonderful gadget/apparatus.

Safe Travels and Feeling Good

We have been busy.

Virginia.

California....twice.

I'm so grateful to have returned home...safe and sound.

I love home.  I love being in my home.

Today, and most days, I am also grateful to feel well.

I visited with two people yesterday; both have health problems that are ongoing.

It made me realize how grateful I continue to be for health at this point in my life.

I am truly grateful.

AMERICA!

Grateful for all who serve....

Oh, yes, thank you for your sacrifices.

I also remember my family who lived and loved me.

Missing you, dad and mom.

I'm grateful for you both!

JANESSA!

Janessa and I went to the temple....what a great blessing to share with my wonderful granddaughter.

Oh, I'm very thankful.

HEALTH!

I just can't seem to say it enough; but when my friends and many relatives all around me, suffer from really challenging health issues, I need to let Heaven know - I am flooded with gratitude for my good health!

I can still move, use my body and joints, and it's a wonderful gift....

It's such a great blessing, for which I continue to be grateful.

A Beautiful Sabbath

I walked outside today in our beautiful yard,

and it was so fresh and colorful and cheery.

It fills my heart with gratitude.

And, I am so grateful.

The Many Good THINGS I Am Blessed With

feeling down...not so good.

So, I just need to look UP....

To see the good all around me.

To realize the many wonderful blessings I HAVE.

And, for those many things,

I AM GRATEFUL.

Atonement

There is too much sorrow in my family/life right now.

I need to know how to TRULY and FULLY make use of the Atonement, so that I don't suffer - since Christ has already done the suffering; a process that I can't really understand.

I will TRY today to put my problems in the hand of GOD.

I will TRY to use that power

And, I will be grateful for the atonement.

Allens Job at RICKS COLLEGE

I just watched a documentary on the pharmaceutical industry.

IT was shocking, horrendous, and infuriating.  It was about price gouging of these drug makers.

The documentary told of how the companies raised the prices of life-saving medicines because THEY COULD.

They had no thought for the hardships it puts on families who need the medications just to survive.

I was just stunned at some of the prices.

BUT, the overall effect it had on me was to be grateful, once again, for the great blessing of Allen working at Ricks.

He never made a lot of money, but we have a pension and a really good health care plan and their prices are fair....

Oh, it makes me so grateful!

LIFE!

Recently, I was thinking about our children.

 It was right before bedtime, and I was going to say my prayers.

Each child went through my mind, and I realized that every one of our children has some very challenging situations.

Unemployment
Mental health issues of a young child
Effects of a very nasty divorce
Unhappy marriage
Emotional Distance Issues

At any rate, I thought how I needed to to ask for help for all of these children.  But, it seemed so never ending; same prayer over and over with the same situations surfacing time and again.

So, I'm just going to say here, as I hope I said that night.

I'm thankful for life right now.  Of course, it is a challenge, but life is still good.

Our children are honorable and good.  They are independent and strong.  They work hard at their jobs.

For all this, I'm so very grateful.

Slow Mornings

Some mornings I get up and get going...strong...

But, some days, I just like a leisurely start.

Since I'm retired, I can work in a few of those every once in awhile.

And, I am grateful for slow mornings.

Family Visits

Crystal Cave south of St George; it's an old gypsum mine....
notice clear up in the left corner and you will see Mile & Sayre.

After a day of exploring....so fun with these great young men!

When the Hackworth Boys come to VISIT!  I love this!

Family - oh, I'm so grateful.

WORKING JOINTS

Every Thursday, I head to aerobics and Yoga at the Senior Center.

It's not really exhausting, as a good workout should be, but I can do it.  And, my body moves and works.

Today, one of the senior ladies told the instructor she is not able to do some of the arm exercise because of a bad shoulder.  I realized that my shoulders and arms work just fine, so far.

And, I was so very grateful.

FAMILY and FRIENDS

I love family.

Allen and I are both so fortunate to have good families.

And, I am grateful.

From My Grandsons

Miles; Medicine

Sayre:  Gift of Holy Ghost

Eli:  Awesome grandkids

Oscar: toilet paper

Calder:  Playing a game

It's so fun to have grandkids around...

And, I am thankful.

LDS General Conference

Conference was absolutely wonderful.

Some of the speakers were talking JUST TO ME.  NO ONE ELSE WAS THERE.

It was so inspiring and uplifting and

JOYFUL!

I'm so grateful for such wonderful examples of leadership and goodness.

Good Health

Yearly exam...check.

Breast exam.....check.

Blood test....check.

Mental health exam...check.

Prolia shot for osteoporosis...check.

Weight....YIKES.

But, all looks pretty good.

And, I am thankful.

The View Outside My Window

During the spring and early summer, there are lots of lovely flowers in our courtyard.

It makes my heart happy.

I'm so grateful for the beautiful world Heavenly Father created.

Spending Time with Family

Eli was in the middle school play; Into the Woods.

He was a villager.  I was so proud of him for trying out and for being reliable.

For me, the best part was seeing the sheer JOY of him with his castmates as he performed and was part of something so important.

Yes, I'm so thankful for this young man and his wonderful family.  I felt the JOY of this significant event.












I am thankful!

FAMILY

SHOES by the FRONT DOOR...

During Thanksgiving.

I loved this picture so much.

It's a great reminder of how significant family it.

And, I'm thankful.

Also, I'm thankful for the great picture that Justin took.

HOME!

We just returned from a short weekend trip to Provo, Utah.

It was quick, fun, short, and good.

Eli and Amy during Intermission of INTO THE WOODS....it was so delightful and fun!

BUT, Oh, how I love coming to our lovely home.

It's clean, and inviting.

And, I am so very grateful.

The Women in Our Ward

Such a great ward; so many good and wonderful women.

I mean, truly GOOD.

And, I am grateful.

A Working Back

So many people in my age category have lower back problems.

So far, I don't,

And, I am very grateful.

Avoiding the Flu

(So far, at least)......


It's been a terrible year for the flu this year.  Children and adults have died.  So incredibly tragic.

I'm feeling very blessed that neither Allen nor I have had the flu.

And, I feel so grateful.

EYESIGHT!

Elder Robinson is blind.

He gets around quite well.  He wants so badly to be a good missionary, but it's difficult because he can't see.

Today, he was trying to put water in his thermos, and it splattered all over the floor, which he wasn't aware of.  I quietly cleaned it up after he had left.

BUt, as I stood watching him, I was overcome with gratitude for my eyesight.

OH< I AM SO THANKFUL!

Knowing How to Use a Computer!

Over and over again, I meet people my age who know nothing or very little about computers.

I am so very grateful that Allen encouraged me to learn about computers and that Ed Kirkpatrick taught the teachers how to use computers.

It has been a great blessing in my life and I'm forever grateful for that.

Right now, virtually all family history is computer-driven.  So many people who come into the center don't know what to do; they want to learn, and that is good.  They want to use the mouse, the keypad, etc., so they can go home and do it, but it's just not easy to learn and to remember.

Family history is actually quite complicated, I realize as I help people.

But I'm grateful that I understand a little bit.

It's good!

Having Had a JOB!

I just came across this photo which I took from a post on Facebook while we were serving our mission at the Employment Center.

It reminded me how grateful I am to have an income.

I'm grateful Allen hell a steady job for 32 years.

I'm grateful I had a job and have a small pension.

The GIFT of WORK....how great it is and I am grateful.

Allen's Family!

They spent a few days with us...it was FUN, FUN, FUN!

I love these ladies so much, as well as their wonderful spouses.

And, I am grateful that I was able to marry into such a GRAND family!

HEALTH

I say it over and over.

Right now, Allen and I are quite healthy.

I have a very bad ankle from arthritis, but I can manage.

And, we both can get around; our eyesight works, our bodies work.

And, I am beyond grateful.

Allen

It's Valentine's Day.

And, I'm grateful for Allen.

Marriage is hard.

It's a challenge, struggle, and hard.

But, I've got a good one.

And, I am grateful.

A NEW CHURCH CALLING!

I have been a Primary teacher for a lot of years in our ward.

I've had a few other jobs sprinkled in between, but basically, I've been in Primary.

Lately, it has been a struggle for me.

On fact, it has been a HUGE challenge.

I've had nightmares, I've been stressed; it's been difficult.

So, I asked to be released because we are going to be gone a lot in the coming months.

The Bishop released me officially on Sunday, and called Allen and me to be the

FAMILY HISTORY CONSULTANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't stop smiling.  I'm so happy because this is a perfect fit for us.  Still making a contribution, BUT not having a job that ties us down for every weekend.  It was an answer to a silent prayer.  I didn't have any nightmares last night and it was so good.  I've been smiling all week; I didn't realize how stressful it has been for me.

I am so very grateful!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for being so kind to us!

THUMBS and FINGERS

Last night, while working at the family history center, I was trying to unstable some documents.

As I sat there trying to unary the little devils, I realized what a great blessing to have thumbs!

And, fingers.  They could do this tiny, intricate job of undoing this pesky teeny staples.

And, I was so very grateful that my fingers WORKED!

They might look old and wrinkled, but they WORK!
And, I am very grateful.

The Family I Grew Up In

I say it over and over,

But, I'm so grateful for the wonderful family I was blessed to be a part of.

So many times at the family history center, I hear stories of sad lives, sad families, broken families, non-speaking relatives........

And, I realize again what a blessing it is to have come from a marvelous family!

Thanksgiving 2013; some mighty cute little granddaughters.

January 2018 in Provo, Utah for the ordination of Eli to be a teacher.  He's such a good, good kid!

Exercise CLass

YOGA day is Thursday.

It's great, and I'm getting better balancing myself on my left foot; need a way to go for my right foot.

And, I am thankful that I am able to do exercises.

REPENTANCE

Last night, I was so impatient with a fellow missionary at the family history center.

She was asking for my help, but I was not feeling very charitable towards her because I thought she should be figuring out the stuff on her own.

I was so humbled when I left because, while she wouldn't know my feelings, I knew God would.

So, I knelt down and asked for mighty forgiveness.

And, I'm grateful I will get another chance to fix my act.....I just hope I remember the awful feelings I felt, so that I can truly be kinder.

My Wonderful Mother

I was blessed to have an extraordinary woman as my mother.

I wish so badly she were here so that I could tell her of my great love and admiration for her.

She was such a good, kind, thoughtful woman.

And,

TALENTED!

My goodness, she was talented.

This is a statement from an article written by Tiffany Lewis for the Deseret News;

My grandmother learned to paint late in life, after all her children had grown and left home. She painted mostly from photographs of her beloved Yellowstone National Park. She painted until her hand could no longer hold a paintbrush steady. Then she turned to making intricate stockings and ornaments for all her grandchildren. Her handiwork is something all our family cherishes.

Oh, dear Heavenly Father; thank you for the gift of an amazing woman for my dear mother.

Family Time

Eli is ordained a teacher, January 28, 2018

So wonderful to be with family.

And, I'm grateful.

A Wonderful Trip

....but I'm also grateful to be home.

We went on a cruise around the Panama Canal.

It was relaxing, warm, enjoyable and we met some wonderful people.

But, the truth is, I'm very much a homebody.

So, I'm grateful to be home.

GOOD HEALTH

I probably say this several times month, but it is such a great blessing.

And, I am continually grateful and want to take advantage of this great blessing.

Oh, yes, it is good to be healthy.