Eli Living in the Same Town...

 Breakfast with Eli after Christmas.  What a great young man. 

And, I'm thankful.

The Saviour!

 

And, I am so grateful.

Grandchildren!

 It's been a very LONG time since a grandchild sent me a note....

So, when this came in the mail the other day, I was so thrilled!!!!!

Thanks, Calder, you made my day!

And, I am thankful for you!

ALLEN

 Today I walked with Dorothy.

She has been widowed nearly one year.

This morning, she told me that being alone is HELL!

I'm so grateful that Allen is still alive!

Having Brent and Jenni Live Nearby

 

One of life's greatest blessings is having Jenni and Brent live about a mile away.  I'm so very grateful.

OUR WARD

 We had a Christmas party this morning.  

So many people had helped and there was a great short program featuring on Christ.

It made me so grateful for the good people on our neighborhood and ward.

Good Neighbors

 Trent Coombs brought over these gingerbread cookies recently.

Allen set them up by the teeny tree, and took this picture.   (Allen actually put those little eyes on the cookies.)

They look too delicious to eat. 

But, this makes me thankful for such good people in our neighborhood.

Time with Allen

 This morning, I read a paper that Allen had written about his jobs over his lifetime.  It was very interesting and entertaining.  

Then, while eating breakfast (a green smoothie), he told me more about the jobs.  He got emotional as he told me about the people at the newspaper who put great faith in him.  It was a tender, poignant moment, and I was grateful we have this time inner lives together.  It's a great blessing.

And, I am grateful.

The Gift of Family

 

This just made my heart happy when I saw it.  What a marvelous couple.  And Baby Bri.

PEACE!

 Many places right now, there is war.

But, not in my little corner of my world.

I often wonder how I got so blessed to live in America.  

In this day and age.

And, to be born in a Mormon household.

Such incredibly great blessings.

And, I am so grateful.

THANKSGIVING DAY

 I'm very thankful for this day.

I try to be thankful on most days, but This day brings it all into focus.

I'm grateful for our family, dear friends, a home, a good husband, children who care about us, cars that work, food on our table each day, and health.

I'm so grateful for a Savior and a promise of eternal life, if I CAN ENDURE.

This is not to say that I don't have challenges; I do.

But, I am grateful for this life right now.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the many blessings which I have.

Sacrament Meeting

 I am often so inspired in Sacrament Meeting.

Yesterday, I was just so thrilled during the Sacrament because I realized that ALL OVER THE WORLD, the same thing was happening with young men passing the Sacrament.  

And, then the speakers and special musical number were so very inspiring.

I am grateful.

My Three Brothers

 Each of my brothers has gone through various trials.....

But, they remain VERY TRUE to the covenants they have made.  

I have been so blessed to have them in my life.

And, I am grateful.

Five for Five

 1.  Health

2.  Mobility, eyesight, hearing

3.  Plenty of good, healthy food

4.  Sunshine

5.  Ability to read well

And, I am thankful.

Still Working on FIVE

 1.  Hot and running water

2.  Being born in a marvelous family

3.  Having a regular income

4.  Laughter - it's so fun to laugh

5.  Friends - like Dorothy.

I am grateful.

Five More Things

 1.  Good friends, Mike and Loretta.

2.  Being able to go to the gym when I want and exercise.

3.  Books on tape.

4.  Book of Mormon

5.  St George life.

I'm very grateful.

Another Five List

 1. the sound of Allen laughing in the morning.  He was watching an old Honeymooners video and just laughing so hard at six in the morning.  It just made me happy.

2.  The ability to buy any food we want.  Prices are skyrocketing, but we can still afford food.

3.  A body that works...I exercised this morning and while I don't like to do it, I'm grateful that I still can.

4.  My life as it is right now.  I'm very happy.  I have struggles - stomach, grandchildren, eyesight, but I am basically quite happy with life right now.

5.  My office.  Man, I love this little niche of my own.  

And, I am so grateful.

Five Things to Be Thankful For...

 Regan Zufult suggested we write five things we are grateful for:

1.  Megan Thancker came to sit with us in church.

2.  The people in our ward.  I absolutely love the good people in our ward; they are amazing.

3.  Allen and his commitment to his calling.

4.  My life as it is right now.

5.  The savior......I cannot give thanks enough for HIM.

When I arrived in the chapel today, my heart swelled with love for the members of our ward.  I cannot describe how much i felt love and appreciation for the good Saints in our neighborhood and ward.  They are just so good, so righteous, so willing to help others.  It was just a fleeting moment of joy, but it was a powerful moment of realization of how blessed I feel.

And, I am thankful.

A Living Prophet

 

WOW!  

This is powerful stuff.

I am so grateful.

The Phone Call

 She called...she talked...she talked some more....

She needed validation because she is going through a divorce that is very difficult.  

She is trying hard to make it work; trying to figure out where she stands in all this and to make sure that she takes care of herself.

But, as she talked, she talked about the family she grew up in.....

DYSFUNCTIONAL - which she has mentioned before.

So, it made me so grateful for my own siblings and family.  So far, my siblings and I speak to each other.  Our children speak to each other, but even in this, we have hard situations.

The family in America is changing.

BUT, OH, I'm so grateful for the family I have and hold dear.

Bonnie Rawson

 One day, a few months ago, a lady who worked out at the gym, came up and introduced herself to me.

Many days, I would go to the gym, do my thing and leave.  I rarely talked to anyone, but the lady at the front desk.

So, when this lady came up to and said she had been coming for a long time and had noticed me, so she wanted to befriend me.  

This has turned into a great friendship.  I appreciate her so much.  She is totally inspiring because she is so faithful about going to the gym - in spite of many health situations she has had over the years.  Including a recent back surgery.  

But, there she is, working thru the pain, inspiring me and others.

AND, I am so very grateful.

The Good Life

 Amen to this....

And, I am grateful!

My Life

 I get so careless about writing in this journal and I forget to GIVE THANKS, but my heart is so filled with gratitude on a daily basis....

Here's recent photo of a grateful moment:

The Mysterious Cycle of LIFE and Death

 Earlier this year, we had some of the most delicious peaches EVER!  They were SOOOOO good.

Interestingly, they were very small!  But, still tasty.

And, now, just weeks later, the tree is totally dead.  Allen has no idea why it died, but he took it down yesterday.  It's so significant of the cycle of life.  Everything dies; some sooner than they should, others long-lived.  We can never tell when it is our turn, BUT, we are assured of life with our Father in Heaven.  

I just learned about a marvelous family that left the church....i'm still so heartbroken that it is hard to explain my feelings.  BUT, it makes my resolve stronger to hold on to the END!

For my membership in the Church, I am so very grateful.

HEALTH!

 I"ve said it before; I'll say it again...I'm so thankful for my HEALTH!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

 As more and more of my family draw away from the church, my sorrow deepens.

But, I cannot let that affect my own strong testimony.  

I LOVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please, Heavenly Father, fill my heart with LOVE. 

I am thankful to you and Your Son for the Many blessings I have received over the years.

PRAYER

 I believe in prayer...

I believe that prayer can change things.

In the last while, I have felt some prayers are being answered and I am so very grateful.  

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for these answers to prayers.

SO Many Good Things.....

 Life, scriptures,

Saviour,

Home

Family

Friends

Eyesight, Hearing, Mobility, 

Brain Function

Two of the Five

 Terrible picture; fabulous, good people.

Love them.  And, am so grateful.

RAIN!

 After months of having no rain, it has rained a bit the last couple of days.

Everyone is rejoicing!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this gift of much-needed moisture!

Family Time and Friend Time - July 2022 - Idaho

 

The Miracles in My Life

 We dodged a dangerous bullet.

And, I am so grateful when we realized what COULD have happened.

we were driving home from Panguitch and our new trailer laded with our new RAZR kept jerking whenever Allen turned or went over a bump.  We could not figure out what was going on!

One time I looked back in the road to see what we had gone over..nothing was there.

When we finally arrived home, Allen looked and realized the lock and pin had come out of the hitch.  It was truly a miracle that the trailer did not come unhitched and crash into another car or into oncoming traffic or whatever.  

I want to always be able to recognize the miracles in my life and that was definitely one of them.

And, I am THANKFUL!

HEALTH!

 Went for a doctor visit; I'm pretty healthy.

The PA said I was healthier than most of his patients.  But, the thing is, healthy people don't go see a doctor, so that doesn't really mean a lot, I guess.

However, U still have my hearing, my eyesight, my mobility, use of hands and arms, can still drive, do art work, crochet.  

I'm feeling very grateful.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

 

Here we are in Ivins, Utah attending church at the Grace Place.  It was, by far, the friendliest church meeting I have ever attended.

It was a good sermon about Peter....

BUT, I love having the Priesthood and the Sacrament.  And, feeling the Spirit of the Holy Ghost and the wonderful members of our ward and the feelings I get whenever I go to church.  

And, I'm so thankful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

Grateful for TODAY!

 OH, I hope I will always be grateful for the gift of today.

My Daughters

 When it came to the daughter department, I was so very blessed.

And, I am beyond grateful for both of them.

Learning and Growing

 Recently on a Sunday morning, I was in the biggest FUNK.  I can't really describe all the issues that were bothering me.

I had said something to a grandson that I totally regret...I can't get it out of my mind.  I feel so terrible about it.

Three young women of our acquaintance are dealing with extremely serious health issues and it is so heartbreaking.  I want to help, but I feel helpless about it.  What can I do?

And, family issues were in that thread also.

By the end of the day, I had overcome some of my feelings and was trying to rely on the Saviour and his Atonement to get me sorted out.

So, all those feelings and trying to work thru them, made me realize how grateful I am for The Plan of Salvation, the Saviour, the Gospel, and my own life.

Life is hard, but it is also GOOD, and I am

VERY GRATEFUL.

(Just as i was finishing writing this, I got a text from one of our children.  It was so very sad and overwhelming to me.  I'm stunned, saddened, grief stricken and heartbroken.  WHY, WHY, WHY is life such a challenge?  My heart aches for this family, for their life-long struggle with this issue.  I must be able to use the Atonement.....and also to not worry about what others may think.  Help me, and them, oh dear God.)

HEALTH and LIFE!

 Kristi and Bobby...

Both very sick with covid.

But, I am grateful they are getting better and that we don't have it.

Also, on Monday night,

I HAD ANOTHER FALL....

right on the back of my head on cement!....

It was terrible - another trip to the emergency room...no blood this time.  And, I didn't lose consciousness.

And, I didn't have a brain bleed.

I am so thankful I didn't break anything or have any long-lasting repercussions.

AND< I AM SO THANKFUL!

My LIFE and Good Friends

 

April 28, 2022

A beautiful day for a ride in the wide open country.  

I'm so very grateful.

The Savior, Redeemer, Atonement, Resurrection and Beautiful Music

 What a glorious Easter.  

Very low key.  Nothing spectacular happened, but it was a weekend filled with music, friends, and Gospel teachings. and great feelings of LOVE.

I felt great deep feelings of love for the Saviour.  

I felt great appreciation for the music I listened to.

I felt great love and appreciation for the speakers in CHURCH.

Easter Sunday; just turned 78.  IT was a wonderful day, and I am so thankful.

A Great Birthday Celebration!

 78!  That is old!  

We splurged on a fancy, expensive dinner and went to George's Corner Cafe.  Rib Eye steak is hiding under there somewhere.

 78!  That is old!  

But, there are still people who remember, and I am so grateful.

Kristi texted me at 5 a.m.  And, that's how the day started.  Of course, Travis called....

Texts: Suzette Coombs, Tiffany Reynolds, Bridger, Sayre, Oscar. Carisa, Alyson, Preston & Janice, Kaelyn Owens, Wendy Dupres

Calls: Stock & Mo, Sean & family, Jordan and Charlie and Jessica, Jeremy, Kaey & Shauna, Gardner & Stephanie, Daniel, Janessa

Visits: Mike Allam, Don & Lisa Sjogren

Cards: Linda Ricks ( of course), Kristi, Gavin & Libby

And, last night, look what Jenni brought:

Perfect way to end a very perfect day.  I am so grateful for my VERY MANY BLESSINGS!

But, I'm still old!

HEALTH!

 Man, so many people our age are suffering.  Of course, a lot are in excellent health also.  

But, right now, I am in pretty good health and I am ever so grateful

Thank you Heavenly Father.

Joseph Smith and the Restored Gospel

 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized on this day in 1830.  I'm so thankful for that restoration of Christ's original church.

I'm grateful for Joseph Smith who weathered so many trials, but never denied that he had seen God and Jesus.  He stayed so strong in spite of all that was done to him by friend and foe.

And, today, I'm so very grateful.

A Living Prophet

 

A Plethora of Items, People, and Things

 Not in any order of IMPoRTANCE:

LDS General Conference

Our Car

Allen

Our children and grandchildren

Lovely home and yard

An income

Friends

Great Ward and Neighborhood

Computers

Sunshine

Atonement

Modern Technology and Conveniences

Family Search

Extended Family

Health

Eyesight 

Mobility

 

My heart is filled with gratitude.  Thank you Heavenly Father!

2017 Adventure in Paris!

 Now, that was a grand adventure.  I'm so thankful for my husband, daughters and granddaughter.

THINGS!

 Watching the news makes me so painfully aware of the insignificance of THINGS/STUFF in our lives.  

We see the haunting images of the wonderful people of the Ukraine and how they are fleeing their homes with a suitcase - or less.  Their children carry one beloved stuffed pet and that is the extent of the THINGS they are able to talk with them as they escape from their beloved homeland.  It is heart wrenching and so very sad to watch.  I cannot express my hatred for PUTIN and what he is doing to that country and to the world.

So, today, as I was leaving the gym, I thought about leaving with a back pack or suitcase...what would I consider the most valuable and what would I carry with me?

But, it also made me realize that I have so many belongings that make my life easier, better, and lovely.

I began to think about THINGS and what I have and enjoy:

Car, pick-up, computer, laptop, phone, watch, desk, art supplies, games, fridge, stove, oven, home, beds, much clothing, books, more books, scrap books, pictures, shoes, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, credit card, money, furniture, yard, scriptures, electricity, hot water, games to play, crossword puzzle books, dishes, hanging pictures on our walls, plaques, clocks, watch, blanket, bedding, television, memorabilia, socks, underwear, pens, pencils, writing tablets, tea warmer, blender, instant pot, cooking utensils, outdoor furniture, outdoor decor, purse, suitcases, jewelry, swim suit, printer, keyboard (piano), cd player, food, more food, eye glasses, etc.

I am so grateful for all the THINGS that make up my life.  I honestly do not know what I would cram into a small suitcase if I were forced to leave St George and start a new life somewhere.

Oh, I have so much gratitude in my heart for my life and the richness that surrounds me.

THANK YOU, Dear Heavenly Father.  

And, I continue to plead for the beautiful people of the Ukraine.

THE Many Good People in Our Lives

 Oh, I'm so grateful for good friends and family members.

I feel so very blessed.

PEACE!

 Russia just invaded UKRAINE; a former member of the USSR.  It's just horrible and totally unprovoked.

And, the bottom line is; the innocent will be the ones to die.  

They are not the ones who asked for this war.  But they will be the ones to suffer.....

Homes and buildings destroyed; lives upended, starvation, hunger, innocent children left to wonder what happened to their peaceful lives....

IT IS SO VERY UGLY.  

And, so are the men who start these wards from their lofty towers in their snug places while the vulnerable suffer.

So, while my heart aches for the ukrainians, I give great thanks for the peace in my own life.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for peace in this little corner of the world.

An Angel I Met

 Bill and Donna came to visit us.  She wanted us to meet her friend.

We went to dinner at Paula's.  And, that is where I met an angel.

Her name is Carol Staheli.  Immediately I felt such a kinship; she had the most pleasant countenance ever.

And, then I heard her story.

Three marriages.

Two babies born and die within one day.

Two handicapped children that are still living but who cause her great sorrow because of their lives.

One daughter - a Saint - died suddenly at age 42 of an embolism.   

And, now, a fourth marriage....to someone who has never treated her so well.  She is filled with joy and delighted us as she showed us her home.  Every little thing brought her joy; a clothes dryer! a dishwasher! an eating counter! Empty cupboards!  Room for food storage!  A view to die for!  Front and back patios to enjoy the evenings and mornings!  

She was so happy to be in her home, which her husband said was just tiny compared to homes he has lived in.  

Oh, she was a jewel.  She radiated goodness and patience and faith and happiness.

I was so grateful to have met her.  

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for the gift of people and meeting new people and feeling JOY at the lives they share.

The Gospel

 Here's what Brad Wilcox recently said about leaving the church:

You will miss these things in your wanderings:

G = Godhead

O =  Only true church

S =  Spirit of Holy Ghost

P = Priesthood

E = Everyone is included

L = Living Prophets

I really liked this.  

And, I'm so thankful for this spelling it out....get it...spelling it out.  

Libraries and Amazon Kindle and Libby

 So very many books to read ....

So much money to buy.....

That's where a library comes in.  RENT FREE BOOKS.

But now, it's even better - I haven't been to my library for many months.

However, I continue to check books out and read them or listen to them.

And, it's all thanks to a program called Libby.  Which is awesome.  But, also, I can borrow them and read or listen to them through my Kindle Reader.

I love that.  I'm reading or listening, but I've never held the actual book in my hand; just my Kindle Cloud Reader, or my Phone, or my iPod.

I'm so grateful for modern technology and inventions.

A big shout out to people who think BIG and make our lives better.

GOOD FRIENDS

 I fell.

Emergency Room - 7 stitches.

Told Dorothy and Loretta.

Both came over to say hello and brought a little something.

Such great friends.

And, I am grateful.

HEATED SEATS

 We don't live in frigid cold temperatures.  But, it's mildly cold.

And, ON those mornings when I drive into town, I am so very grateful for Heated seats.  It's really a luxury, I know, but I'm thankful.

GOOD TEETH!

 Oh, I've been plenty unhappy about the shape and position of my teeth.

But, I have good teeth.  They are still in my head and still functioning.  So that is all good and I am grateful.

Allen just learned that he will have a tooth extracted AND have to have it replaced.

There goes SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS!  

YIKES.

So, it makes me grateful to my parents for the good teeth they passed on to me!

I am thankful.

A New Year of Gratitudes

 Allen took some wonderful pictures of families on Sunday.  The boys in the family had been ordained as a Teacher in the Aaronic priesthood.  So, Allen took the families outside and took their pictures.  Which he then spent quite a bit of time cropping, editing, etc.

ONE family wrote to say they couldn't open the ZIP file.  So, Allen fixed that.  The father wrote back a one word response.  THANKS.

It has made me realize how often people take things for granted.  And, among those people is ME!

I look back on my life and realize that I have not always been a grateful person.  Oh, I may have remembered to say thanks, but oftentimes, probably NOT!  

I do not like those memories of being UNGRATEFUL.

My goal - among others - this year is to be more grateful; to family members, to friends, to GOD especially.

I have so many things to be grateful for; and I am.

Now, I just need to remember this post and to express my gratitude continually.