Dearest Friends in the World.....

 Loretta and Wilda and Dorothy and Gigi and Donna and Elaine.

I am so thankful for these dear ladies in my life.  They each bring me great joy for different reasons.

Thank you, Heavenly Father!

Friends, Family, and Birthday Wishes

 I cannot express THANKS enough for the wonderful well wishes from friends and family on my birthday!  And into the weekend.  SO MUCH FUN, and I am grateful.

The calls started early, came late, and the goodies arrived all day long.  It was such a happy and memorable birthday.  Oh, I'm grateful.

Calls:

I called Travis to beat him from calling me.

Bill and Donna Simmons

Kaey and Shauna Gee

Having and Libby Gee

Preston and Janice Gee

Texts, Cards and emails from:  Shauna, Donna and Bill, Wendy Dupras, Rebecca Pister, Crystal, Stephanie and Gardner, Martha Smith, Beverly Murdock, Linda Ricks (Rexburg), Kristi - all through the day, Amy, Dorothy Huntington, Kaelyn Owens, all children BUT Jordan, who called a couple of days later with great apologies, Loretta and Mike Allam, Oscar Hackworth, Gavin and Libby, Janice and Preston, Carisa, Bobby Anderson.

Visits and Gifts: Don and Lisa Sjogren,gift card to Cafe Rio; Preston and Janice, gift card to Cliffside Dining; Loretta and Mike, set of colored pens for tangling; Plate of cookies from Gigi Kern; plate of purchased cookies from Wendy Dupras; cake balls from Peggy Hrabar; iPod and lovely metal flower from Allen; flowers from Stephanie and Gardner; little rock/picture or recipe holder from dear friend Gigi, plus the plate of cookies; Mancala game and something else from Justin and Amy; visits from Justin's family and Jeremy and his boys.  

Posts on Instagram from both daughters, and responses from many friends;  So incredibly thoughtful.

Just leaving or entering Fiesta Fun to go bowling.  

Just heading to the car to go bowl.  Such fun.

Pictures of birthday thoughtfulness from friends.  
Reminds how important it is to acknowledge birthday for others.

Home-made cookie from Gigi; so delicious.  Should I tell people that I'm trying to cut out sugar?

Cookies from Wendy Dupras; professional, or at least made by a 15 year old girl.

Cookie pop from Peggy Hrabar; incredibly delicious.

Much more than I ever deserve.

Adorable little stand for picture or recipe.  Love this on my desk.

The Five Hackworth Cousins; unfortunately, Eli had left earlier that morning to get to work.  
What a delightful group of young men.

First picture of the returned missionary with us.  Man, did I ever HUG that young man!

Should have combed my hair, at least.

The Bowling is Over; time to head home for a steak lunch by Allen.

Bowling can't quite compete with the game on the phone!  HA!

THIS PICTURE has my heart.  I love this.

My heart is filled to overflowing with the love and attention I received during the birthday week.
I'm so very grateful to everyone and to my Heavenly Father for the rich blessings that come from having a marvelous and wonderful family.  
Thank you!  Over and over and again and again!

Prayer and Miracles

 

I've had experience over the last several months where God has answered my fasting and Prayers.

But last week was such a dramatic and powerful experience, that I don't want to forget it.

WEDNESDAY:  Take three dollars to Mike Allam for a bet I lost.  Wallet on the front seat of the car from which I took the three dollar bills.

THURSDAY: Luncheon at Sheryl's.  Very fun.  Had purse with me.

FRIDAY:  Allen asks me to stop after exercising and get bananas, and I realize I didn't take wallet, which I rarely forget because I want to have it when I go driving.  At some point on this day, I look in purser for wallet; NOT THERE!  Allen and I search everywhere.  And, I do mean everywhere.  Even in garbage.  Could I have accidentally thrown it away, while holding junk mail, I wonder?  We search every drawer, cupboard, and deep search the car.  Call Sheryl to ask her to look if it happened to fall out of my purse while I was in her home for the luncheon.  She looks; no wallet.

SATURDAY:  Distraught, concerned, filled with angst, anger at myself, etc.  We search ever more.  NO WALLET.  Allen tells me to cancel cards, apply for new driver's license, etc.  I say, ONE MORE DAY.  But, I do check credit card balances; no activity, thankfully.

And, I'm praying fervently, pleading, begging, beseeching, knowing that my request is so minuscule to the many requests of people for health, food, jobs, etc.  But, I keep praying.

SUNDAY:  8:30.  Phone rings; it is Sheryl.  She has found the WALLET - OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY.  When we go to pick it up, she says:  I've come out here before today, and I NEVER EVEN SAW IT UNTIL THIS MORNING on my way to church.

I immediately get down on my knees and thank Heavenly Father for this miracle.

I still am in awe of this great blessing.

I AM SO THANKFUL!

A Beautiful Day in St George

 Exercised,

bought some crackers at Harmon's,

Listened to the Psalms as I drove around running errands,

Paid off my three dollar debt to Mike Allam for Baylor beating Gonzaga,

Walked around the yard admiring Allen's creations and planting and beautifying,

Put some eggs in the Instant Pot for a luncheon tomorrow,

And, felt such gratitude in my heart for the goodness of G-d in all this.

I'm am so grateful.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all of this goodness in my life.