World of Washburns

2012-01-10T21:00:00.000-08:00

New Primary class:
My co-teacher, Amy, and I are teaching 7 10-year-olds from
the Book of Mormon this year. After being with one class for 3 years, I wondered how starting with a new group would be. It will be fantastic! They’re bright, good readers, fun, and not so busy talking to one another that they don’t listen. So I’m looking forward to learning right along with Payton, Alex, Gracie, Elizabeth, Colton, Dylan, Jared, and Amy, too.

New Address:
Shane has a new address. He’s in Provo now, studying at BYU. Talking with him about his classes and activities brings back good memories of my own. Last Friday, he hiked up to the top of the Y on Y mountain. Dan and I did that back in the day. Class registration took place when he was still on his mission and unable to take care of it himself, so a kind and helpful young guy, Seth Taylor, registered for him back in early Nov. Shane talked with several professors and a counselor to make a few adjustments to his schedule, because he’s serious about making the most of this important part of his life. I am very grateful he’s there doing what he’s doing, but at the same time, I miss him like crazy, and I’m going through the dreaded empy nest feelings all over again. But today was better than yesterday, so I think I’ll make it.

New Trip:
We had the pleasure of staying with my sister Julie when we went down to UT. She has a big family dinner every fast Sunday, and we were lucky enough to be there for it. Yum, turkey and all the trimmings, followed by a hearty breakfast the next morning. It was very fun to see her sons and daughters and grandchildren! Amy’s baby, 8-month-old Jones, just about stole my heart right away. Cute cute families! Looks like we might get to se our Arizona grandchildren soon, too. Looking for tickets tomorrow. It’ll be sort of a mini reunion, with a couple of my sisters and a brother there at the same time.

New concern:
My left ear! Had an ear infection over Christmas, which the doc says has cleared up, but my hearing still isn’t back to normal. Hope it comes back, pronto. My cervical lymph nodes, those under the jaw line and in the neck, got really really big for awhile, but reduced a bit as the infection abated. Interestingly, my WBC dropped from 63K to 25K while the nodes were at their biggest. I’m wondering if those stubborn lymphocytes were hiding out in the lymp nodes for awhile. Now that the nodes have gone down a bit, I’m curious to see where the WBC is. Are they circulating in the bloodstream again? Most likely I’ll find out at my appointment on the 18th, and I’ll get the results of the FISH test, which tells me what percentage of my cells have the unfortunate 17p deletion. Hoping for good news while preparing for possible bad news.

Do You See What I See?

2011-12-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

Shane's joyful homecoming.

Halloween party held after Thanksgiving.

Christian's just hanging out.

First ever Thanksgiving for McKay & McKenna.

Shauna shows how to make chocolate turkeys.

Jason, Sage, & Shane playing Bausack.

Early Christmas party.

I see Love.

So Grateful for Shane's Homecoming and the Holidays

2011-12-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping to find a way to get pics posted later, but I can't wait any longer to rhapsodize about last week's joyful events. First of all, our youngest son, Shane, arrived home from the NY NY South mission. So many people said the two years had gone by quickly, but not to me, his anxiously waiting mother. He has learned so much, and he is willing to share! His sacrament meeting talk was on how the mission strengthened his testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He admits he left with some trepidation, aware that he had a testimony, but being able to gain confidence in that testimony as he served among the Spanish people of New York. In the beginning, he thought he had to accomplish things in his own strength, but he learned to trust in the Lord's strength instead of his own. He kept several journals of his experiences, so he knows the exact date that Mosiah 4:2 filled his mind with a new understanding of this. "And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying" O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins , and our hearts may be purified, for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men." I think at that moment, he knew Jesus, instead of just knowing about Jesus, and it was a transforming moment in his life. He had 13 companions in all, and the last 3 were somewhat difficult for various reasons. But he still learned from each of them, cares about them, and tried to be helpful to them. He started working today with his friend, Sage, and will be with us until he leaves for BYU in early January.

We had a large welcoming committee to greet him and spend time with each other last week. Ethan and Missy and family arrived on Tuesday. Big thanks go out to Missy for doing so much to help us get ready for all our guests. She scrubbed two neglected showers, and alerted us that the shower heads needed to be soaked in LimeAway. She also shopped for us multiple times, and helped prepare meals. Whew, where would I be without my right-hand girls! Neil and Penny and the 11-month-old twins arrived Wednesday before noon. I had so much on mmy mind that many desires fell by the wayside. I could just kick myself for not begging someone to take pictures of the little guys while they were here! We didn't get pics when we were there last May, either. Doh! The babies go to bed at 6PM, so Penny stayed home finishing up our dinner preparations and tidying the kitchen while we all flocked to the airport. She and Missy and Brooklyn and Lilly made posters, and Missy bought balloons, to take with us to give Shane a big welcome. Sarah Arnold showed Brianna how to form long, skinny balloons into heart shapes to carry out our Valentine's Day decorating theme. And Joan W. made a heart-shaped cake. Shane was greeted by lots of Washburns, Darringtons, Jason and Brianna, Kirt Naylor, and Sage and Bret. Yay Shane! And thank goodness Missy remembered to make the Spanish rice I forgot, to go along with the Tex-Mex chicken cobbler Penny worked on.

On Thursday, we had a nice Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn't the paper tableware that we'll remember, but the company we kept. It was simple -- turkey, stuffing, mashed sweet and white potatoes, green beans, cranberries, homemade rolls, and Brianna's mini cheesecakes. Jason supplied the games, and the rest of the day is a blur to my tired but happy mind. Oh, we love his game, Bausack! And Sage reigned supreme.... this time.

Shopping and shopping came next, then Halloween. We figured since we don't get together for most holidays, we'd celebrate several of them at once. Greg arrived in a 12-passenger van with his 3 children, and his special friend, Shauna, and her 4 children, Friday evening. Woohoo, the decibel level rose even higher now with 9 more added to our number! Another simple dinner of ham, bewitched stuffed potatoes, more green beans, and treats of Bug Juice, gummy pumpkins and spiders for dessert. Penny brought lots of yarn, and attached one end to the treats, then wound them around the furniture in the game room to form a giant spiderweb. Each child had to follow his own long piece of yarn to find his treat. They also shot Silly String at Spiderman, used a pumpkin for a bowling ball, and had to figure out how to eat doughnuts suspended from a string.

On Saturday, everybody but the oldies and the youngies went off to romp around at a Bounce place. Word is that it was a whole lot of fun! Christian got stuck up 9 or 10 feet high on the sticky wall, but Greg was able to pull him down to terra firma after a few tries. By the time everyone was back in the afternoon, we had 13 adults and 12 children in our just under 1800 square foot home. Off to the playroom with you, children, while the grown-ups play a couple of rounds of the white elephant gift exchange game. Good gifts were brought by all, but I think the favorite was the tiny one-soda-pop-can-sized refrigerator that Jason and Brianna supplied, and Colin stole. Then Neil lit off a string of firecrackers which somehow caused gifts for all the children to be scattered around on the front lawn. He said something about seeing an unidentified flying object in the skky, and just naturally lighting them off to divert it away from our property. Whatever happened, the kids were happy to have gifts to open! Jason then led teams in a game to see who could build the highest tower from a set amount of spaghetti and marshmallows. Colin and Macey won that one.

And then, I had a stroke of genius. Let's all go to a Chinese buffet for dinner!!!! Ah so, and so we did, everyone except Neil and Penny and McKay and McKenna. They needed some peace and quiet by this time. Shane's talk was wonderful on Sunday, even after all our shenanigans. My prayers were answered and everyone had good traveling weather. Bonds were strengthened and memories made. We missed Kimball, but he called several times to let us know his heart was with us. And we are all living happily ever after.

On This Date, and CLL

2011-12-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

Dec. 2nd is always a day of remembrance for me. Four years ago, when the day started, I was on top of the world. By day's end though, a change had blown in like a hurricane. Jordan called from China that evening with the news that something was very wrong. He had fainted while teaching his English class, and Brianna had made him go to the doctor. There they had learned that all of his blood counts were dangerously low. I asked him to read his CBC to me. So he got a copy of it, and called me back. When I heard it, my heart was immediately seized with great fear. So began the saddest chapter of our lives. Interestingly, some are closer to the Lord now as a result of Jordan's ordeal, and others seem about the same as before.

I thought I might as well report on my own CLL saga today, too, sort of lumping all the health-related topics together in one post. First, a brief history. My younger brother, Jim, my dad, and my Grandma Jennie all had CLL before me. But inexplicably, it never even occurred to me that I might have it as well, even when I became symptomatic.. I guess that's called either denial, or stupidity. In my defense, I didn't really know much about CLL because I didn't have computer access when my loved ones were dealing with itt, and it wasn't uppermost in my mind when I finally gained a few computer skills. In June of 2004, I had a case of strep throat, and my cervical lymph nodes became quite enlarged. The strep didn't respond to the first course of antibiotics, so I had another round of a second kind. But even when I was well again, the lymph nodes remained swollen. In Feb. of 2005, I sought medical help in overcoming a realy bad cold, which turned out to be pneumonia.. A smart PA asked me if I had a family history of any bad diseases. I answered, "Yes, CLL." He asked me to follow up with Dr. Lisa. She did a few blood tests, and called me on Valentine's Day with the great news that I only had mononucleosis. Much better than CLL! Over the next few months, I felt better, but now the axillary lymph nodes were enlarging, too. What could it mean? Another horrible cold sent me scurrying back to the doc in Feb. of 2006. This time, one test led to another, and I was officially and correctly diagnosed with CLL AKA chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which I'm certain had been there all along, not mono. I was able to avoid treatment until March through August of 2007. I chose PCR, Pentostatin, Cytoxan, and Rituxan. After treatment the lymph nodes were no longer palpable, and I felt grrrreat! .... until I had a bone marrow biopsy and learned that I still had 30% atypical infiltrates in my bone marrow. Still, I was better, and that was very good. Sept., Oct., Nov., wonderful months! Dec. 2nd, sad.

Over the past year, my white blood cell count has been steadily climbing, and both cervical and axillary (neck and armpit) lymph nodes are bulking up once again, my fatigue level is greater, and I know treatment is right around the corner for me. I'm not sure what it will be this time, but I have begun reading up on the options in an effort to be prepared to make informed decisions. Not my favorite reading material, but necessary nonetheless.
Note: I apologize if the format of this post, or any other one, is messed up. I hope it's decipherable.

Those Who Love and Other Books

2011-11-11T16:22:00.000-08:00

I've recently read some truly excellent books. It took me quite awhile to get through Those Who Love: A Biographical Novel of Abigail and John Adams by Irving Stone (it's over 600 pages in length), but I just finished it this afternoon. Scurrying over to Wikipedia to check on a few facts, I was surprised to find that today is actually Abigail's birthday! If only my magic wand worked, I would certainly wave it over every woman, young and not so young, so that she'd curl up with this well-researched book, and get acquainted with Abigail, a highly principled, intelligent, devoted-to-God-family-and-country, thoroughly admirable woman. Our struggle to gain independence from Great Britain was transformed from cold, historical data to a vivid, suspense-filled story by Stone's talents. A fascinating, inspiring read!

I'll Watch the Moon by Ann Tatlock is a novel set in the 1940's. Even though the characters are purely fictional, their lives are convincingly enough entwined with actual historical events that I was both enlightened and entertained as I read the book. Always a softie for child protagonists, I was easily won over by this story told from the viewpoint of a nine-year-old girl.

For great family reading, do not miss Ralph Moody's Little Britches series. I'm only on the third of eight books, but I am totally in love with the Moody family. As a reviewer noted, their "money and prospects may be in short supply, but not their faith and resourcefulness." Every member of the family pulls together to keep themselves afloat in very difficult circumstances. Ralph freely admits his mistakes, and shows how his parents wisely guide him along the path toward honest, honorable manhood. Reading aloud with little ones, you'll want to skim over some of the words the rough and tumble cowboys use.

Now for lots of laughs, there's nobody like Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia. She's a spirited southern lady who always finds a way to solve any problem that confronts her. I can almost taste her sidekick Lillian's fried chicken, biscuits, and pound ccake as I speed-read through each book. It's easy to get caught up in Miss Julia's world, and hard to push back from her dining room table and leave her gracious home when the last page is turned. For best effect, I recommend reading the series in order.
MISS JULIA SPEAKS HER MIND
MISS JULIA TAKES OVER
MISS JULIA THROWS A WEDDING
MISS JULIA HITS THE ROAD
MISS JULIA MEETS HER MATCH
MISS JULIA'S SCHOOL OF BEAUTY
MISS JULIA STANDS HER GROUND
MISS JULIA STRIKES BACK
MISS JULIA PAINTS THE TOWN
MISS JULIA DELIVERS THE GOODS
MISS JULIA RENEWS HER VOWS
MISS JULIA ROCKS THE CRADLE

Autumn Birthday Dinner

2011-10-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

Here we are celebrating the October birthdays of Colin and JoLyn. The menu included dinner in a pumpkin, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin biscuits, broccoli, pumpkin roll cupcakes, and caramel apple sundaes.

Shane: On the Hurricane

2011-09-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

Elder Shane Washburn is serving in New York, specifically in Richmond Hill on Long Island. So I admit to feeling a little panicky as I listened to last week's news reports on the rapidly approaching hurricane Irene. Soon emails started pouring into my inbox from the missionary moms group I joined when Shane was in the MTC, and before too long I was reminded and reassured that our sons and daughters were in the very best hands possible (the Lord's) and that all would be well with them. After this, I watched the news with interest rather than with fear. But was I ever eager for Shane's Monday morning email, although I knew it might be delayed. Much to my joy, it arrived at about the usual time. This is how he started his email:

"Well, Dear Family,

Here I am, alive and well. I survived the storm, just barely. I was afraid it was going to wake me up during the night as I slept, but luckily it didn't disturb my sleeping pattern in any way at all."

He wrote that they had been instructed to remain in their apartment beginning at 5PM on Saturday until they were given the all clear, which came at 5:30PM on Sunday. They spent the afternoon looking for ways to help get people prepared to ride out the storm, but everyone they contacted was already prepared. He said that an Area Seventy, Elder Jeffery Olsen, had prophesied a few months ago that a hurricane would come to New York before the end of this year. He and his padmates stocked up on bottled water and canned soup, and borrowed a TV with Church videos from the church, and waited for the hurricane to come ashore. They were a little disappointed by the storm. When he ventured out, he said that the damage was minimal, just a couple of downed trees, 1 or 2 crushed cars, and a couple of blocked roads. All else seemed fine in his area. I expect he'll have more to say about helping with clean-up next week.

I posted part of his letter to the other missionary moms, some of whom were still anxiously awaiting word from their sons. Julie Bazzle, a nearby member of the group whose son is also in the NYNY South Mission, looked up her son's email from July 8th. She quoted from his letter:

"Wow... *so an Area Seventy pretty much prophesied that a hurricane will hit east New York around the end of next month.* It was nuts!" Those were his words. So we asked him what he was doing to prepare for it. (Never answered that question). By the way, I kept thinking they were given this knowledge for a reason. Sometimes I was worried that he was not going to heed the warning. So, praying one night that if this was to be, that my son would prepare and listen to their leaders, I got the distinct impression to send both of my missionaries flashlights and batteries. Although because of my New York missionary's wording (east New York) I did not think about VA getting hit. But I sent my D.C. missionary son one also. And yesterday, his email said, "Mom, I pretty much consider it a miracle that you sent me a flashlight last month, as we were without power along with thousands of others here in Virginia."

It was very cool to read Julie's email, and to have yet another example of the Holy Spirit''s guidance. For now, I do not know why some are spared and others are taken, but I am very grateful that Shane is safe. He will be flying home from NY on Nov. 23rd, the day before Thanksgiving, and I am so happily anticipating that wonderful day, and hoping other friends and family members will be able to spend some time with us that week as well. Another family, though, will not be able to have a joyous reunion with their daughter in this lifetime. A young sister missionary in the Utica NY Mission, Vanessa Bentley from Tucson, AZ, was killed in a car accident this week. Our prayers are with her loved ones, and with her companion, too. Always, always, during mortality, there will be joy and sorrow, good and bad, life and death. Through it all, we grow, one way or another. Our task is to grow closer to God, to become more like Him, and to learn to trust Him completely. We can't do it without The Holy Spirit's help. So we have to tune out the world, and tune into heavenly things, like love, service, repentance, forgiving (a hard one for me sometimes, and so on.. Can we do it? Yes we can!

One Last Fling Before the School Bells Ring

2011-08-18T04:28:00.000-07:00

Actually, our Colorado grandkids' school is already in session. And I don't even know when the AZ kids begin. But our Washington grandkids start next week, and we were oh so happy to have them come for a visit while they were still unencumbered by their studies. :) Missy went to AZ to help her grandparents celebrate their 50th anniversary, and Ethan shepherded Brooklyn, Lilly, and Zaid over the mountains and through the turns to their grandma&pa's house, you know. We got to know Zaid better than we ever have before, and what a good-natured, fun-loving little adventurer he is! He wasn't at all shy, needed no warming up period before he would interact with us, and was always ready to laugh and play. It makes me grin just remembering how his little voice sounds. He went to bed both nights as easy as pie, too. His one difficulty that most likely only time and patience will mend is that he is a roamer. It's pretty hard for his Papa to enjoy picnicking in a large park or other outings because little Zaid is always looking for a chance to make a quick getaway in order to go exploring on his own! He just barely turned two, so self-guided park and playground tours are not an option. I felt bad for Ethan having to be on guard duty so much of the time, but he managed to handle it all quite well. Brianna tried putting Zaid in my lap at the park a couple of times to give Ethan a breather, but Zaid showed us he can squeeeeeeal and wiggle like a little piggy when he wants to. Once he got down to the sand and shallow water of the pond, he was a much happier little piggy. Eagle Island State Park just happened to be overflowing with guests that day. So much so that we couldn't find a site with both a table and a grill. So we spread out on a grassy spot with a grill, and cooked up hamburgers, hotdogs, and corn on the cob. Brianna was eager to do the grilling honors, and she did a great job with it. She brought watermelon, and I tried my hand at making Missy's fabulous strawberry lemonade. Everyone said they liked it, but I think hers is better. Dan and I each thought the other had brought the buns, so Colin kindly saved the day by hopping on his motorcycle and bringing back the necessary breadstuffs. The water was the main attraction though. We brought along the big inflatable whale again, and Brooklyn and Lilly thoroughly enjoyed playing with him. We sold our good old trampoline this year because it didn't get enough use to justify the space it took up in the backyard, and much to my relief, the ball and cars have filled the void wonderfully this summer.

Ethan took the children to the neighborhood park while I went to a couple of wedding receptions on Friday night. And Lilly especially wanted to go for frozen yogurt, so we did that on Saturday after we rested up from our big park/picnic/swimming outing. Brooklyn is always my little bookworm, so she and I had some reading fun at night. Little Lilly tried to listen, but sleep overtook her before we finished the first chapter. Both girls liked making pizza toast - toasting the bread, sprinkling on mozzarella cheese, next spreading pizza sauce, adding even more cheese, then popping it all into the oven for a little more crisping and melting. Brooklyn wanted it on Sunday, too, so we did it all over again just for her. She's the oldest, and I want to give her a little extra consideration when I can, because being the oldest is sometimes a bit of a hardship. Just ask my sister Becky. I remember my Grandma Jennie telling me that once when our parents were taking all seven of us on an outing to someplace or other, that Becky told them she had a stomachache. So they left her with grandma. As soon as our car pulled away, Becky said, "I'm not really sic, Grandma, I just needed to get those kids out of my hair." I imagine we also fell into the trap of piling too much responsibility on Ethan's shoulders when he was a little boy. I hope that playing in Grandma Miriam's huge yard gave him the chance to just be a carefree child for awhile, without having to worry about looking after his little brothers. As much as I can, I want to find ways to let each child know that they are special, unique, appreciated, and loved, just the way they are.

Brooklyn's Baptism

2011-08-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

I'm honored to have been asked to talk at Brooklyn's baptism on her special day, Aug. 6, 2011. I didn't write anything down, so here's my best recollection of what I said.

Well, Brooklyn, Grandpa Dan and I just finished spending a wonderful week with you and some of your cousins. The fun started last week at Riverside Park in La Grande, OR, at a birthday picnic for your Mom and Zaid, where we picked you up and brought you home with us for a few days. I think you found out that Grandma can do lots of things, but that I need to call on others for help sometimes, too. For instance, remember when I was making rolls, or actually pigs in blankets? After I oiled the cookie sheets, I couldn't find the lid to the bottle of olivve oil. You were playing a computer game with Tori and Juli and Christian, but I needed help, so I called you to come find it for me. I certainly didn't want to spill that big bottle of oil all over the place! I needed your keen eyesight again when I was making cupcakes. Two bottles, one for almond extract and the other of red food coloring, felt exactly alike. Ah sure, I would've sniffed them to tell which was which if no one had been around, but then I might have tinted the end of my nose red, and that wouldn't have been too cool. So I asked you (or was it Tori?) and I used each of them at the proper time in my recipe.

Over the years, I've made a few rules to help make it easier for me to try and keep my house safe and clean. You know that I always remind people to eat in the kitchen, or in the dining room, or outside on the patio. Someone forgot that rule, and Uncle Greg had to vacuum up a crumbled up granola bar he found in the fairy room when he was helping me get ready for my Primary class's cupcake party.

Another rule I want everybody to follow is for people to drink all of whatever's in their cup. Too often I've been clearing or wiping the table or the counter, and suddenly, kerplunk, there's a bump and a splash, and somebody's leftover juice is spilling all over my hand, onto the table, and down onto to the floor. Oh no! If we just follow a few simple rules, things stay much cleaner!

Heavenly Father has given us a few rules, or commandments, too, that will help us keep our lives safe and clean so that we can live with Him again someday. I think He misses us and wants us with Him, pretty much like Grandpa and I miss you. Baptism is the gateway into His kingdom. We make promises to Him when we're baptized, and He makes promises to us. I have to ask your Dad to read some verses from the Book of Mormon for me, because even though I grabbed this big volume of the book of Mormon to read, (which is only 1 of 6 volumes) the page I need is missing. So Ethan, will you please read Mosiah 18 : 8 through 10?

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

Did you hear the promises we make? We'll help other people, and keep the commandments. And what does He promise to us? That He will pour out His Spirit upon us even more than before, which your Grandma Vickkie will talk about, and that we'll come forth in the first resurrection. That's really really good. When the people Alma was teaching heard this, they clapped their hands for joy! That's how I felt when I heard you wanted to be baptized, too!

Now, as we've established, Grandma Bonnie can't see well at all, so I often need to ask for help. But our Father in Heaven can see everything. He can see the past, the present, the future. He can see into our hearts and into our minds, while we can only see one another's face. He is all-seeing, all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful. When you need help with anything, anything at all, you can call to Him for help, Brooklyn, just the way I called to you for help last week. I pray that you will keep His commandments, that we will all keep them. But because He is all-wise, He knows that sometimes we might make mistakes, or be tricked or tempted into getting off the straight and narrow path that leads to true happiness. He's given us repentance so that we can get back on track if we lose our way. Through His love for us, and the Savior's atonement, obedience, and repentance, we can be safe, clean, and happy forever. I love you, Brooklyn, and I am so happy that you are being baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. I was baptized when I was about your age. The gospel has helped me have a happy life. I know its true, and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Ladybug Ball

2011-08-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

The Ladybug Ball capped off a week of supercharged fun with 4 of our 11 grandkids, Brooklyn, Tori, Juli, and Christian. On Monday, we took our first trip of many to come to Sandy Point at Lucky Peak State Park. Here we'd thought Pineview Reservoir in UT was great, while all along we had an even better swimming hole only 10 to 15 miles from our front door! Colin and Macey made a special pizza delivery to our patio that evening for dinner. On Tuesday, Greg took the kidlets to the movies while I hosted a cupcake party for our Primary class. Our cutest in the world co-teacher, Kylie, is flying out to teach English in Korea, and we wanted to give her a sweet send-off. I always, always gets stressed right before any dinner or party we put together, so I'm grateful for the help Dan and Greg gave me in getting ready for this one. It was a fun success! That evening, Grandpa Dan took us to the Greenbelt for a hike. We found his favorite tree there. On Wednesday, we did more cupcakes with the grandkids, and Greg took them to enjoy the many delights of Settlers Park and then to the pool, both in Meridian. Then we all gathered for a meal at Pizza Hut, where Macey was our hostess with the mostest. NO wonder she keeps getting promoted there.

On Thursday, our friend Ally came over and got the kids ready for the main event, the Ladybug Ball. She didn't even know she could choriograph, but she did it, and she also outfitted the girls in very cute costumes, picked roses from her own garden to put in their hair, and was kind and patient throughit all. She's 12-years-old. and she's just so amazingly kind, compassionate, and aware of what needs to be done, and then she does it. I am so lucky I got to know this great Primary class of girls (and boys).

So, we started off with a light summery supper of ladybug skewers attached to a honeydew melon leaf, topped by a peach flower, straight from the kitchen of Brianna and Jason. Pigs in a blanket and Mr. Crazy Hairdo salad-on-a-stick took us from the sublime to the not so sublime. Later, after the big show, we served up blackberry cobbler and vanilla ice cream.

But the show, the show! It was sho' 'nuff worth the drive. We sprung the big surprise on the kids first off, a jumbo inflatable ball they could roll around in. Kudos to Greg for blowing it up! He also blew up the big orka whale they played with and rode on at Sandy Point. The ball almost upstaged the show, but order was restored at last, because, you know, the show must go on! First number featured Grandma Bonnie and the little ones singing a catchy repeating song called Out in the Woods.. Second up was Miss Brooklyn energetically clogging to the zippy I Want Candy. Jason then wowed us with his juggling prowess. Next up, it was Allie's turn to somersault her way into our hall of fame with her gymnastics. She's good! Brianna's yoga moves, poses, whatever they're called, defied gravity, leaving us wondering how she does it! And then, the cutest act of the evening, a rare visit from the fairies. Fairies are quite remarkable, you know, they learned this new fairy dance, Fly to Your Heart, in just one day.

Afterward, Christian put on a little warrior flute dance for us, and Greg was a verry, very good sport by being a willing target for the kids' water bombs. Aunt Jamie made the colorful sponges for just such an occasion. Hey, Colin was supposed to be a target, too, but he forgot and joined in throwing them at his brother instead. So that's a wrap up of the fabulous week we're just finishing up today. Tomorrow we'll be happily attending Brooklyn's baptism.

You Know How I Feel

2011-07-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

I had a birthday, shout hurray!

Yep I turned 60 yesterday!

One year older and wiser too,

Birthday wishes came true!

It's so great to loveand be loved. Thank you, thank you all!

Memorable Toast

2011-07-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

Our good friends, Rick and JoLyn, paid us 2 visits this month, on their way to and from Utah. We devoured the killer coconut brownies too quickly to snap a picture, but here's part of our patriotic breakfast, all-American toast.

Spread the toast with cream cheese, then raspberry or strawberry jam. Then add a field of blueberries in the upper lefthand corner with a few stars of cream cheese on top, and red and white stripes of sliced bananas and jam. Yum! I also served red, white, and blue boiled eggs, and little meat sticks (sausages might work better) with a toothpick inserted in one end to resemble fireworks.

And why is there a hanger on the table? Well, I didn't realize it was there until Julie mentioned it. But, it just may be a reminder of Benjamin Franklin's statement, "We must all hang together, gentlemen...else, we shall most assuredly hang separately". This was in reference to the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Brave patriots, our founding forefathers!

Don't Give Up, and Don't Compare

2011-06-15T11:11:00.000-07:00

Far too often, I fall short of my goals and desires. I like to remember this story when that happens. I searched for it today so I'd get it right, and found it on another blog. Thank you so very much, Judy and Lloyd, for posting this.

“Many years ago, when I was somewhere between nine and eleven, I participated in a community summer recreation program in the town where I grew up. I remember in particular a diving competition for the different age groups held at the community swimming pool. Some of the wealthier kids in our area had their own pools with diving boards, and they were pretty good amateur divers. But there was one kid my age from the less affluent part of town who didn’t have his own pool. What he had was raw courage. While the rest of us did our crisp little swan dives, back dives, and jackknives, being ever so careful to arch our backs and point our toes, this young man attempted back flips, one-and-a-halfs, doubles, and so on. But, oh, he was sloppy. He seldom kept his feet together, he never pointed his toes, and he usually missed his vertical entry. The rest of us observed with smug satisfaction as the judges held up their scorecards that he consistently got lower marks than we did with our safe and simple dives, and we congratulated ourselves that we were actually the better divers. “He is all heart and no finesse,” we told ourselves. “After all, we keep our feet together and point our toes.”“

The announcement of the winners was a great shock to us, for the brave young lad with the flips had apparently beaten us all. However, I had kept rough track of the scores in my head, and I knew with the arrogance of limited information that the math didn’t add up. I had consistently outscored the boy with the flips. And so, certain that an injustice was being perpetrated, I stormed the scorer’s table and demanded and explanation. “Degree of difficulty,” the scorer replied matter-of-factly as he looked me in the eye. “Sure, you had better form, but he did harder dives. When you factor in the degree of difficulty, he beat you hands down, kid.” Until that moment I hadn’t known that some dives were awarded “extra credit” because of their greater difficulty. . . “

Whenever I am tempted to feel superior to other Saints, the parable of the divers comes to my mind, and I repent. At least at a swim meet, we can usually tell which dives are the most difficult. But here in mortality, we cannot always tell who is carrying what burdens: limited intelligence, chemical depression, compulsive behaviors, learning disabilities, dysfunctional or abusive family background, poor health, physical or psychological handicaps— no one chooses these things. So I must not judge my brothers and sisters. I am thankful for my blessings but not smug about them, for I never want to hear the Scorer say to me, “Sure, you had better form, but she had a harder life. When you factor in degree of difficulty, she beat you hands down.”“So,

Enduring to the end doesn’t have much to do with suffering in silence, overcoming all life’s obstacles, or even achieving the LDS ideal (“pointing our toes” and “keeping our feet together”). It just means not giving up. It means keeping — to the best of our abilities— the commitments we made to Christ when we entered into the marriage of the gospel. It means not divorcing the Savior or cheating on him by letting some other love become more important in our lives. It means not rejecting the blessings of the atonement that he showered upon us when we entered his church and kingdom.
(Stephen E. Robinson, Following Christ: The Parable of the Divers and More Good News [Salt Lake city: Deseret Book, 1995], 34-38.)

http://judyandlloyd.blogspot.com/2008/11/35-lloyd-parable-of-divers-story.html

Early One Morning

2011-05-10T03:14:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, very early in the morning, his spirit took flight.
I pray our love reaches you, sweet Jordan, wherever you are. Over the rainbow, swinging on a star, perched on a cloud, no matter where you are, I hope you feel it constantly with you. I can report that things are better than they have been here. You know many good things have happened over the last few months, and more are in the works. I just want you to know that physically present or not, you are always a part of what we do. Did you watch the balloons we released floating up, up, up to you near the end of March? Did you see the video tribute of your life that Missy put together? And your lilacs that we planted in the backyard, they're almost ready to blossom! We love having lots of reminders of you all around us!
I haven't slept tonight, just as I didn't sleep that night three years ago. When I went to bed, this particular song kept running through my mind, so I came down to find it on YouTube. Here it is, a song I learned when I was taking voice lessons, the year before you were born, I think. This is a more melancholy arrangement than the one I learned, and the pathos I hear in the instrumental accompaniment, more than in the lyrics, makes a fitting soundtrack for these quiet hours of remembering.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcCfAfDWAug
So good night now, my son. I'll see you some bright morning to come.

Denver Weekend

2011-05-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

We're back from a cool weekend getaway, and we're feeling pretty blessed. Since Neil's and {Penny's lost church records were located, with the assistance of my FL brother-in-law, Bishop Dwain Saxon, their ward has welcomed them with open arms, helped them with the baby twins, and been an all-round support to them. I believe the ward played a role in making it possible for us to witness Neil giving each of the babies a name and a blessing on Sunday, May 1st. McKay and McKenna are chubby, healthy four-month-olds now, and they couldn't be any sweetter or cuter! Holding them seemed to bring heaven a little bit closer. And having representatives from both the Reynolds and Washburn families there for this long hoped for and dreamed of family occasion, did too. It feels good to be unified with them at such an important time. I hope that we're able to assemble with them again for additional blessings.

We had a great stay with Greg and the children, Tori, Juli, and Christian. We shared stories, prayers, fun, games, movies, another Easter egg hunt, and thoughts on the resurrection, a picnic following the babies' blessings, a meal at Cafe Rio, and lots of hugs and laughter. Oh,, we didn't eglect work either. The children helped pick up their clothes and toys, looked for missing shoes, swept the kitchen, and Juli was very eager to help Dan and me make orange-glazed bunny rolls. She's only six, but she is serious about wanting to learn to cook. She says she wishes we lived really close, so that she could come over every week and help cook. :P The rolls were well received, but I made them yesterday again, when I found out that Rick and JoLyn were on their way for a short visit, and they turned out even better. Greg's flour may have been a little out of date or something, because yesterday's batch not only tasted better, but it was also softer and fluffier. I wish I could share pics of the folks, the food and the fun with you, but I can't. Here's the recipe for the yummy bunnies though. Just remember to use butter instead of shortening, and that this recipe makes about 24 bunnies, not the 12 it claims to make. If you try it and get 30 or more, we'll know that the bunnies are just over populating.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Orange-Glazed-Bunny-Rolls

Easter Weekend

2011-04-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Today there's thunder, and hail, and the wind chimes are just a-chimin', but this past weekend the weather was nice. Ethan and Missy and the three Adorables came a-visitin'. They started off Saturday with an outing to a fun play center, which was followed by an excursion to Jason and Brianna's house. Brooklyn and Lilly painted Brianna's fingernails, and mine too, and everyone admired Brianna's bright and cheerful decorating choices. She's bold, painting some of the living room walls orange, and they really pop. (Haha, I got to use a decorating term I'm always hearing or reading.) They joined us next at Flying Pie Pizza on State Street, and Colin and Macey rode over on their motorcycle as well. Then we all piled into or onto our vehicles and went to Aspen Leaf Frozen Yogurt, a new business in town that Jason and Brianna recently discovered. They have 20 flavors of yogurt and 75 toppings. mmmmmmm, wonderful! After that, we trekked back to the parking lot for a few pictures. I enjoyed posing in my new Easter Bonnie costume. Dan stayed far, far away, not wanting to be seen with me thus attired, but he actually called from work today and asked me to email him the picture, so it must not have been too too bad. My friend Joyce made a purple vest and a green bow tie with pink polka dots for me to wear over pink pants and hoodie, all finished off with a pair of white gloves, a set of bunny ears and a fluffy tail. The little ones also wore bunny ears and tails for the Easter egg hunt, which was next on our list of fun things to do. Well, after they dyed a few colorful Easter eggs, that is. Then we invaded Colin and Macey's place for 15 or 20 minutes, just checking out how they were settling into their new apartment. Chic and cozy, I'd say. This has to be a record We then dined at our third restaurant of the day! Missy tried out fish tacos, and was underwhelmed with them just as I had been when I tried them for the first, and probably the last, time. I ordered something really crazy (must have been influence by my bunny impersonation earlier in the day), fried dill pickles. They were interesting, but I won't be ordering them a second time. Still, it's fun to assuage one's curiosity from time to time, although it goes to show that you just can't believe all the hype all the time. Dan and Ethan and the kids stuck with the tried and true. Where's that sense of adventure guys are purported to possess? :) Last of all, we (well, I guess I mean THEY) watched Toy Story 3. I snoozed.. It was a long and happy day.

We heard talks by Elders Ballard and Uchtdorf at stake conference the next morning, had a nice Easter hamm dinner, and Ethan and Missy picked up and packed up and drove away till next time. Thank you for coming, dear family! If you enjoyed it half as much as we did, it was worth your long drive. I made an Easter dish garden which I wanted to talk about with the kids, but things were so fast-paced that I never fit it in. Maybe next time. I found instructions for the garden online. When I first started working on it, I asked Colin to guess what it was. He guessed a hobbit house, which was sort of a fun surprise to me as I hadn't thought of the similarities until then. I was quite pleased with it before long, as I made little improvements on it here and there. I used a terra cotta 12-inch shallow dish for the container, and used potting soil to cover a 4-inch pot which I turned on its side for the garden tomb or sepulchre. On the small pot, I placed soil and wheat grass that I'd grown in separate pots, planted little Johnny jump-ups on one side, and placed rocks to simulate steps going up a hillside. My bunny vest- and-bow tie-making friend, Joyce, gave me a tiny frog, duck, and dove to add to the garden scene. I thought about the resurrection a lot, while I tried to figure out how to explain it in a way that would help a child feel the wonder of it, surpassing all the bunnies and ducks and candy the world has to offer. I am so grateful for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, opening the way for us all to receive this enormous blessing. If anyone wants to hear more about adding more meaning to the Easter celebration, let me know. I'll be happy to share some things I've come across and thought of this year.

A Truly Beautiful and Joyous Wedding

2011-03-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

Two strong families came together on March 25th, to show their love and support for the creation of the new, strong, young family of Colin and Macey Washburn. It was one of the most joyous and blessed events I've ever been privileged to be part of. So many wonderful people joined forces, sharing their collective wisdom and talents, to see that it all came to pass. Thank you all so much! You know who you are, and you know we love you! Right? Right. It was fun to stand in the reception line and shake hands with so many friends of Colin's and Macey's, too. It may have been hard on the feet, but it was certainly easy on the heart. I loved every minute of it!

Greg is the last to leave for home, which means he's the one who's been drafted into posting-pictures-on-the-blog duty. Thanks, Greg. And thank you again, all you friends and family for everything from the bells, to the chocolate-dipped strawberries, pictures, videos, help with shopping for food and for clothing, for your advice and/or suggestions, for rides and flights, and so much more. And that's just the Washburn side of it. I know Macey's friends and family have a long list of kindnesses of their own for which we're all grateful. And now for a few of those pics. See if you can spot Shane anywhere. He was there, arrayed in full cardboard.

Moving Day

2011-03-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

Pretty exciting happenings around here! It has been so much fun watching Colin and Macey preparing for their upcoming marriage. Today, they're moving furniture and other belongings into the apartment they'll soon be sharing. We're just so hhappy for them! Macey is absolutely adorable, and her family thinks just as highly of Colin. Having most of our family arriving to celebrate this momentous occasion, only adds to the joy. Sometimes it seems incongruous to feel so wonderful when I know there are so many people who are suffering. But I have to remind myself that during my time of greatest trial, life still went on for others, and that was as it should be. I know I will never be completely oblivious to the trials of others, though. All those affected by the earthquake, and tsunami, and the looming nuclear disaster in Japan are in my thoughts and prayers. When I enter the temple tonight, and next Friday, I will be conscious of the fact that others are in less desirable places, such as clinics, hospitals, etc., and I will be praying for them. Rejoice when you can, and pray always.

So, here's a good laugh Greg sent me recently. It's an account of a road trip we took from our home to visit my sister Becky. He wrote:
"Anyways, I am thinking it is story time right about now. Today I shall tell you about an incident that occurred on a family vacation when I was at the tender age of 13 years old. We were driving from Washington State to Los Angeles and we elected to take many of the scenic coastal byways through Oregon and California. In the back of our minivan we had a little bed set up where we would rotate who got to lie down and take a little nap as we drove. Somewhere in northern California, it was once again my turn to lie down and relax. I was pretty tired by this time as we had been on the road the entire previous day. It didn't take long for my eyes to grow heavy as I was hypnotized by the drone of the tires on asphalt. As the minivan swayed back and forth, I could feel myself slipping deeper and deeper into sleep, and I began to dream. :) In my dream, there was a very warm and soothing mist that danced back and forth across my face. I snuggled my pillow tighter as I enjoyed this luxurious sensation. My mind began to wonder and question from where came this spa-like treatment? Finally it was too much, and I awoke. To my surprise, the side of my face was indeed moist!! I sat up quickly and this is when everything became all too clear.....there was my mother, dumping a cupful of my 3 year old brothers urine out the window, which was then misting me through the open side vent :/ Lets just say I didn't attempt to get any more sleep hehe :) "
It's an account all right, but not a true one. He wasn't 13, and his brother wasn't 3. Aside from being a little off on their ages, I have to admit that it is pretty near to the truth. Hmmm, I look forward to hearing what stories our sons will be swapping this time next weekend.

Valentine from Heaven

2011-02-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

Since Jordan died, I've found myself wishing, and even praying, that I'd dream about him, so that I could hear his voice and feel his personality again for awhile. Not being much of a night-dreamer, it's not too surprising that it hasn't happened. But last night as I went off to bed, I asked Dan to set the alarm clock for 6AM, so that I'd have a little extra time to put a few finishing touches on my Primary lesson. then I changed my mind and upped that to 5AM. I am so glad he didn't hear me and set it for 6 as I'd originally asked. Because, this morning, I dreamed of Jordan! I dreamed I was sitting on the loveseat, talking on the phone with Carol Cornwall, a friend of long ago that I recently reconected with, and just as she was telling me some really interesting news, the front door opened, and in came Jordan, just as if he'd been doing it every day without any interruption. My heart swelled with joy, I let the phone fall from my hand onto the loveseat without signing off or anything, and cried, "Jordan! Where have you been?!" He answered just as calm as you please, saying,, "Oh, I've been around for about a month and a half," as he walked across the room to look at something or pick up the mail or something. It was all so natural and so low-key. Low-key for him, but exhilarating for me! I ran across the room and threw my arms around his waist, hugging him from behind. I gave a long, loud, wordless, shout of joy. Dan hurried into the living room to see what was going on, and then, then I woke up. It was the best dream I have ever had, that's for sure. I checked the time, and it was 3 minutes before 6AM. Oh! if I'd risen earlier, I might have missed my wonderful valentine from heaven.

Dan was such a huge help to me yesterday as we prepared for our family Valentine's Day dinner. He made radish roses, halved and scooped out, and filled the twice-baked potatoes, helped with flattening and rolling up the chicken and cranberry filling, divided the Nutella mousse into the cups, etc. Not used to being so involved, he asked, "Why are you so needy today?" I told him that I'm always needy, but that in recent years Colin or Shane or Brianna were around to be my assistants. Now our household has dwindled down to the point that he's my one and only right hand man. And he came through with flying colors. A good meal, and a good time, was had by all. :D

Today's Primary lesson went well, too. Skylar, Makhyla, Andrew, and Nathan were elsewhere, but Kylie and I had a great class on dodging temptation with Ally, Connor, Doug, Lauren, Madison, Phoebe, Marinda, and Allie. Primary can truly bless lives. I know, because it has blessed mine.

Chocolate Mousse on the Loose

2011-02-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Last year at this time, it was all about red velvet cupcakes. But this year, it's chocolate mousse and chocolate dipped strawberries, heart-shaped cherry chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, cheese zombies, chicken rolls with cranberry filling, twice baked potatoes, a yet-to-be-determined salad and vegetables, and dodge ball that are on my mind. You can tell I'm slightly carb deprived, huh. But it's been worth it, because I'm down about 30 pounds in the last couple of months. Yay me! A wedding is a great motivator. We started a new tradition in January, something my sister Julie's done for years, getting together for an extended family dinner once a month. That doesn't meanit lasts a long time, it just means that Brianna and Jason, and Colin and Macey join us for a special meal so that we can catch up on what's going on in each other's lives. We had Thanksgiving dinner together, and Christmas dinner (Greg and the kids were here for that one). Then Brianna and Jason hosted the four of us for dinner at their cute house, which led us to setting up our shiny new tradition. I love searching out new recipes to try, and I love our special guests, so it's a win win. I made the chocolate mousse last June when we had everyone over for an after-cruise dinner (everyone except Macey, she wasn't on the scene then). It was a success, so it's making another appearance for our Valentine dinner, but this time I'm serving it in some cute little heart-shaped teacups found on Amazon.com. Teacup-sized servings will leave plenty to share with my good friend,, Pam, who's just now beginning a grueling journey to defeat a very aggressive form of breast cancer. Surgery was last Friday, first chemo is this Friday. Sending lots of prayers and love out for Pam and Ally, her 11-year-old niece she's raised since infancy, who's in my Primary class.
Speaking of Primary class, that's where the heart-shaped cherry chocolate chip cookies and dodge ball come in to play. I'll see if my new cookie cutters permit me to shape the cookies like I'm hoping they will, to hand out as one of our rare treats in Primary. I don't think it's wise to give treats on a regular basis. But for Valentine's Day, yes, it's a go! Before treats though, we'll be talking about the 40 days Christ spent in the wilderness, fasting and communing with Heavenly Father, and then how Satan came and tried to tempt Him multiple times, and how He recognized and resisted every one of them. . There's nothing like a nice reverent game of dodge ball to simulate the barrage of temptations the adversary constantly throws at us, and to show how necessary it is to be on guard against his wiles at all times, with a strong defense in place to dodge them. Three generations on earth have taught me how very important it is to have a clear understanding of these things, and how hard it is when that understanding is lacking. I am praying the Holy Ghost teaches each child how to resist Satan's temptations, and permanently impresses it in their hearts and minds, this very Sunday.

"For of such is the kingdom of heaven"

2010-12-31T18:38:00.000-08:00

Eight-year-old Tori surprised Dan and me with a very special note she wrote for us of her own accord during her visit last week. It's such a heart-melter that I had to share it. After all, "if any thing is virtuous, or lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" it should be passed along in order to make our lives, and maybe even the world, more beautiful.

Christmas Babies! and Christmas Fun

2010-12-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

Greg, along with Tori, Juli, and Christian, arrived on Wednesday to celebrate Christmas with us. While Dan and Colin were still working on Thursday, the four of us betook ourselves to the movies to see Tangled. We gave it 5 stars. Then Greg and the munchkins spent a couple of hours at Planet Kid for some active fun after the previous day's looong drive from Denver. Santa surprised us all by coming a day early, on Friday! Hey, but we're all good sports, we just went with it, and enjoyed it to the max. It's been a regular fashion show ever since, what with the cool costumes Aunt Julie and cousin Liz made for the kids. We've got everything from a dinosaur, to a flamenco dancer, a fancy pettiskirted or kimono clad girl, and a fairy, to a super hero apt to show up for meals. Right now, Christian is doing gymnastics for Colin and Macey, while Grandpa, Greg, and the girls, and Jason and Brianna are playing board games in the next room. I'm telling you, these little ones rarely stop moving!

We had a yummy fiesta for dinner today, and I think the star was the appetizer, penguins in the snow, that I asked Brianna and Jason to make. Such cute little guys, and tasty too.

But the biggest surprised of all came from Neil and Penny! Their little twins, due in Feb., but expected to arrive in late January, were born today! I guess they just didn't want to miss Christmas this year. Their little son, McKay Lancaster was born at 4:51PM, weighing in at 4 lb 10 oz. And his sister, McKenna Tecla was born 8 minutes later, and weighed 4 lb. 9 oz. Prayers for a safe delivery were answered, and happy tears of gratitude shed. Dan and I now have 11 grandblessings to love.

It was wonderful to be able to talk to Shane, in faraway Queens New York this morning, too. This old year has been a very happy one, with much happiness expected to come ringing and winging in with the new. Many thanks to a kind Heavenly Father are in order, and to our loving and caring family and friends!

Love Waits

2010-11-30T11:07:00.000-08:00

I read a very uplifting email today, and a very uplifting post. Our world needs a lot more uplifts, right? So I'll share a bit of both. The post is by Dr. Terry Hamblin, England's world-renowned CLL expert. Although he's undergoing a very uncomfortable chemo regimen in a second bout with abdominal cancer, he makes time to answer all kinds of questions on the CLLC Friends forum. From his answers there and other ritings, it's obvious that he is a good, caring, thoughtful and intelligent man. I think you'll agree when you read this:
"Last week was a particularly bad week for side effects and they were beginning to get me down. At one point I found myself very angry at the whole situation. I know that anger is part of the experience of most patients with cancer, but I have always been able to approach my illness pretty rationally. My angry thoughts were, "Why has this happened to me?" "What did I ever do to deserve this?" "It's not fair!" "Why does God let this happen to me?" Yesterday's sermon certainly helped me. Like Israel I was facing massive problems. Mine mightn't be nine feet tall like Goliath, but it seemed too big for me to tackle. But whereas to the Israelite army Goliath seemed unfaceable, to David he was an uncircumcised Philistine defying God. David not only had a proper view of Goliath, he had a proper view of God: not a leader who had gone missing, but The LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel. David was also able to look at himself clearly. He knew that he had been anointed secretly by Samuel; he knew he had killed the bear and the lion when protecting his father's sheep; and he knew the hand of God in placing him precisely where he was to do the will of God.
"Instead of complaining of our lot, we need to be aware that God is working his purposes out in us. If we were only given tasks that we could easily accomplish on our own, then we would easily claim the credit. But we are faced with tasks that overwhelm us and frighten us and come close to defeating us. Why? So that we realize that we need the Almighty Lord to accomplish them. When we feel alone and deserted, then we need to turn to God - not blaming him for leaving us, but confessing that it is we who have stopped looking at him. Psalm 10 begins: Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? But it ends: The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.

"The story of David and Goliath is well known. It was not the triumph of a littl'un over a big'un as it is popularly portrayed. It was the triumph over an upstart by the Almighty God who fights evil with good, lawlessness with justice, hate with love and haste with patience. If there is a God, say some, let him wipe out poverty in Africa, sort out the cholera in Haiti, deal with the North Koreans, round up the drug-dealers, punish the pedophiles, stop the people trafficking, and rid the world of prostitution, pornography, murder, robbery, political corruption and fraud. But God looks at robbers and murderers, prostitutes and pedophiles, drug dealers and even politicians and sees people who might be redeemed by the blood of his son, if they only had a second chance. So he waits."

Often, love is called upon to wait. charity, which is the pure love of Christ, is patient, and it suffereth long. God waits for His purposes to be fulfilled. And to be like Him, we must sometimes waitt ... and wait ... and wait, too. My thanks to Dr. Terry for humbly sharing his wise reflections on his blog.
http://mutated-unmuated.blogspot.com/

I'll post the email I mentioned later.

Happiness and Gratitude Abound

2010-11-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

My gratitude cup has been filling up more and more of late. It's not overflowing, but it's pretty close. For the last few months, we've had the privilege of seeing our son Colin and a lovely young lady become friends, and then sweethearts, and now, they're engaged to be married. Macey comes from a strong and happy family, and that's what we anticipate they'll create for themselves, too!

Yesterday was the anniversary of the start of Shane's mission. That means we're halfway to the point of being able to hug him and have him with us again! I sent him pictures of our newly decorated home (yes, JoLyn's been here again), and this is how he began this week's letter:
"Wow, geez. It looks like you put work in on that house. Things look a lot different... including different names for everything... almost makes it seem like it is a new house. Well, it may not be a new house, but it is a different one, which I guess does indeed make it a new house. I hope you are enjoying it and avoiding bumping into things since it has all been rearranged. Things have been going really well here. We had transfers earlier this week, and it already feels like that was forever ago. My new companion is Elder Mathusek. He hails from New Jersey. His house is about 30 minutes away from where we are serving here in Queens. He has about five months left in the mission. He is a great guy who is very dedicated to the work and knows how to make friends with the members and investigators. I am looking forward to working with him for the next while."
He gives us some specifics about several families they're teaching , and then he concludes with:
"This week has been really good. I have learned a lot about loving other people and valuing the times I am able to share with others. The mission is an incredibly unique experience that I have been given to help me be happy. I am learning how to love others and how to show it. I am feeling the sweet sensations of sensational sweetness. Things are good here. I am happy. I hope all is well with the family and people are safe and enjoy the things they are doing. Our Heavenly Father still exists and still loves us. The church is still true, and I hope you know I love you, because I do." I'm grateful that I do know that, and I know he knows I/we love him so so much, too.

As I mentioned, my amazing, seemingly tireless friened, JoLyn, paid us a long and productive visit just recently. She was here for 10 days, but it went by in a flash. She gave almost the whole house a fun makeover. We love it! Brianna went carpet shopping with us, and we had lunch together at a little favorite bistro of hers. She was so eager to see how everything was shaping up, that we invited her and Jason over for lunch before we were completely finished. I'll show her the changes next week when they're here for Thanksgiving dinner, which she claims, by the way, will be ruined unless we have pumpkin swirl cheesecake on the menu. :)

So, you can see that happiness and gratitude do indeed abound. And we wish a blessed and happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Real by Macey

A Party Like No Other!

2010-09-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to stumble into a month-long party today, and I'm excited about it! I'd already decided to take a break from blogging, and to tell everyone I'd be away for awhile. But now I'll be away attending party after party after party after party! And you can come too, if you like. I hope you do like!
This has always been a big party month in our family. Dan was born in September, as were three of our seven sons, as well as our first grandson. Happy birthday to Shane on the 3rd, Dan on the 10th, Ethan, Greg, and Jaxon on the 30th! In the words of Marie Antoinette, "Let them eat cake!"

But I've just learned that starting today, there's a huge month-long family proclamation celebration going on all over blog land. You can join the party at Jocelyn Christiansen's blog. Find it at http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2010/09/are-truths-of-family-proclamation-new.html

I confess I don't know how to post the link properly, but I'll ask Colin or Brianna if one of them can do it for me. Until then though, you can probably copy and paste and get there. So long for now. You'll be in my heart and prayers.

Honey Bunches of oxoxo's

2010-08-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

Little did either of us know that morning 37 years ago, what our life would be like today. It hasn't been a cake walk; it hasn't always been sweet. But we are changed and we are better for having spendt these years together. And yes, we love and are more grateful for each other than we were way back then. Who knows if there are limits to these feelings. Perhaps they continue to grow throughout the eternities. Stay tuned, and we'll find out. Happy anniversary from Bonnie to Dan.

Miracle, or Lucky Break?

2010-08-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

Well, they feel like miracles to me, but I suppose others might call it luckk. I guess the difference is how invested you are in the issue, and how much divine guidance you've sought? I feel extremely grateful to Heavenly Father for what I see as two life-changing blessings, or miracles, I believe He's had a hand in during the last few weeks. One of my beloved sons is at the center of the first huge blessing. Greg was almost persuaded to marry Mae, over-ruling his reservations for lack of hard evidence, focusing on her talents instead. But often, we've learned, warnings precede evidence. Fortunately, the evidence arrived just in time to prevent additional hardship and heartache for him and the children. He found her unconscious on his garage floor, suffering from the unpleasant side effects of huffing propellents. What if she'd managed to keep it hidden until they were married? The kids have had to learn about divorce; thank goodness they've been spared the need to learn any more about addictions! Their mom's brother has unfortunately exposed them to that already. We're so grateful Greg was more than forewarned, he was given proof that this match was not one made in heaven.
The second big blessing is just for me. For four weeks I've had a lot of pain which has made the very act of walking difficult. It started the day after my birthday. What was my body trying to tell me? "Hey, Bonnie, you're getting old!" "Gee thanks, body, I know that. Now be good and work the way you should." My body probably put up some kind of defense, but I couldn't hear it for the pain. Finally, just yesterday, I followed the advice of a few smart people, and started searching for a chiropractor who could help me out. I needed someone who was located pretty close to my home, and I knew I'd feel more comfortable consulting with a woman. I chose someone who met both criteria, and made an appointment for today. This morning I found her website and read the following Q&A there, which sort of calmed my mounting fears.
"Are you going to hurt me? We take great care to provide effective, yet gentle treatments, with your uniquesituation in mind. There are many modern techniques that do not rely on great forceto restore normal joint motion.Do I have to have x-rays? Often x-rays are used to help diagnose Chiropractic conditions. We do not requireevery patient have x-rays before treatment. However, in certain traumatic cases,we may recommend x-rays before you receive treatment. This is for your protection,as we would not want to make your problems worse by incompletely diagnosing yourcondition.Will you rush me in and out? We work with you individually. We listen to your concerns and always try to answeryour questions. We avoid rushing or hurrying to the next patient. We offer lunch,evening and Saturday appointments.How much is this going to cost me? We contract with many major insurance companies and will submit claims for you.We also have payment plans available. We will tell you the cost before we do anything.By combining Chiropractic care with proper home exercises, your treatment time isoften shortened, saving you money.How many times do I have to return? We recommend the treatment program suited to your specific needs. By combining Chiropracticcare with proper, specific home exercises, your treatment and healing times are considerablyshortened. We offer Acute Pain Relief, Corrective Care and Preventive Programs. Thechoice is always up to you.What if I don't get better? We enjoy a good working relationship with many other health care providers in thearea. If you do not respond to our treatment within a reasonable amount of time,we will make referral recommendations to the appropriate specialist."
She understood what was going on very quickly, explained it to me, and showed me what to do to set things right, and said that she is willing to make housecalls. Possibly a past injury (maybe that time I fell down the stairs) damaged my right gluteus medius muscle, causing it to stop doing its job properly, and now some other muscles are working too hard to pick up the slack, becoming angry and inflamed. She taught me a specific exercise to do, and she's coming over Thursday to make certain I'm doing it cdorrectly. Now I can get better, I'll be able to walk on the beach, or just around the block, and I won't have to bug my friends about giving me rides to her office. Both of these blessings have one main recipient, with many others receiving benefits, too, a happy ripple effect.

Our Week in Eden

2010-08-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

There were plenty of fun activities, and good eats, even a restaurant called Eats of Eden that I missed out on this time and would like to go back for, but the highlight of the trip was, tada, spending time with nine very special sweet and lively Washburn children that we don't get to see very often. Colin has promised he'll post some pictures of them (soon). The three of us, Dan, Colin, and I, shared a cabin with Greg's and Neil's families. Of the three cabins we've rented thusfar, this was my favorite by a longshot. It was modern and well furnished and in good repair, with a wonderful deck surrounded by scrub oaks and wildflowers, which were not only attractive to us but to various welcome winged creatures. I heard my first hummingbird ever out on the deck. And there were butterflies and bees too. We spied a few hornets that we made sure to steer clear of. I think they were making a home for themselves in the ski lift swing on the deck, so when the sun woke them up for the day, we vacated the swing until sunset. I spent a few happy hours there reading Miss Hickory, my favorite book from my childhood, to Tori, who is a very good listener and observer of nature. I sent Little House in the Big Woods on CD to Tori, Juli, and Christian so they could enjoy it during their long drive from Denver to Eden/Liberty, Utah and back.. Dan and I listened to The Hunger Games while there. I think it's the first book we've ever read together. Colin heard little snatches of it and is reading it now too. The protagonist is a very strong and competent 16-year-old girl. I asked Dan if he knew girls could be so strong, and he replied, "Yes, .... in a book." From now on, I'll be packing a good book to take along on vacation. We've found that it's important to have some quiet time interspersed with the busy, active times.
Greg brought along his girlfriend, Mae, and we appreciated the cooking and cleaning she did! I told her she made it seem like we'd hired a caterer for the reunion. It's clear she's a very talented and capable young woman, but we pray they will take their time before making any serious long-term plans. Once bitten, twice shy, and we know they've both sustained more than one set of toothmarks. OUCH! Guard your hearts, my friends, guard your hearts! I certainly shall. Greg's little ones buzzed about Mae like bees around clover. She seemed to dote on them, putting the girls' hair in French braids and giving Christian his favorite do, a Mohawk. So cute. ( pictures, Colin, pictures!)

Tuesday: Hike to a waterfall; a wiener roast and smores in North Fork Park; swimming in Pineview reservoir.

Wednesday: We met up with Kimball's and Ethan's families for exploring and picnicking at the cool dinosaur park in Ogden. Then we all went back to the cabin for a baby shower for Neil and Penny, and a pulled pork dinner prepared by Mae, followed by a high-spirited talent show!

Thursday: A visit to Carver's Cove Petting Farm for Greg's gang, and a trip to Les Schwab for a brake job on our car for Dan and me. Can you guess who had more fun.

Friday: Ethan and Missy invited us to meet them at a park in Kaysville for a yummy hamburger and fruit picnic, and lots of cousin time on the playground.

Saturday: Kaden's baptism! A luncheon in Jessica's brother's backyard. Then it was time for a few last pictures and saying goodbye all around.

Afterward, we had nice visits with Alan and Linda Washburn, and Julie and Lonnie Baird, including Liz and Amy and their cute little girls, also Joe, Shonn, Zach and Caleb; and Seth even took a little time to favor us with some banjo picking. And we finally got our paws on one of the famous In and Out Burgers. Colin was a huge help in cleaning the cabin and packing up for the trip home. Once back in Boise, we met Ethan and Missy and family at the cemetery and had a family prayer at Jordan's grave. It was our way of including him in our week of family togetherness. Our missionary, Shane, was remembered in our prayers. We are so grateful all went well, everyone stayed safe, and that most of us would even like to reunite again next year. Now that's what I call a success!

We Have Enjoyed Many Things, and Hope to Be Able to Enjoy All Things This Week

2010-07-26T00:10:00.003-07:00

For openers, my birthday was great, made so by kind and caring friends. I won't mention everything, but Erin and Cindy brought a lime cheesecake; Ali and Pam brought balloons and the best chocolate pie I have ever inhaled, um tasted; Kylie and Marie brought flowers, lotion, and candy, Karen helped me with important pre-trip errands, as did JoLyn from afar; Jamie made a cute shirt and shorts set for me; and Gail and Hank left my check for their carpet cleaning job on my counter with "happy birthday Bonnie" written on it! I was spoiled royally! Then Dan, a man of uncommon good sense, let me choose my own gift, a Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker, which will keep the party going year round if we let it. So far I've made strawberry ice cream and Nutella gelato, with coconut, peach, lemon custard, and many more to follow. Next, a friend, Joan, asked me if I'd like to walk with her several mornings a week, and I quickly agreed. I've been praying for someone to walk with for awhile now. On one of said walks, she asked if I'd like to attend the temple with her the next morning. Yes! Another prayer answered. She goes most Saturday mornings at six AM, just perfect for me. I was glad to be able to go before our family reunion begins this week. Bummer news though, I may be forced to give up the walks. My left hip is killing me. Blind AND lame is a bit much, don't you think? I hate going to doctors more than anyone I know. Well, maybe make that second to Dan. But this is pretty nearly insufferable, and will make things difficult for me when I'm tramping ( more like limping) around with the grandchildren.. I'm praying it resolves without medical intervention.

Thanks to Colin, we also had the pleasure of meeting some nice young people last weekend. A former missionary companion of Colin's, his wife, and his brother stayed with us for a couple of nights. They were like comedians, had me laughing almost every time they opened their mouths. Good luck to you Mikey and Kim, and Joey Geurts! You are so cool! The first locking and break dancers I've ever met.

Marie and I had a little party for our Primary class last Thursday. We linked a good assortment of party games with stories from the Old Testamant, and served our idea of bible era foods - grape juice, homemade round loaves of bread, honey butter, cheese and olives, honey almonds, and, fruit kebabs. With that over, we are now bound for a whole lot of family fun, a baby shower, and a baptism in Utah. Neil and Penny are expecting twins next February! And Kade just turned eight! Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we'll see ya soon.

RHS 10 Year Class Reunion

2010-07-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

The Royal High School class of 2000 is holding a reunion today. Jared Sprague, a friend and classmate of Jordan's, put together this memorial for him. Thank you, Jared.

Reliving the Fourth

2010-07-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

My patriotic spirits ran especially high in July of 2006. I was reading David McCullough's excellent book about our founding father, John Adams, and as far as I knew, all was well in my little corner of the world. On the evening of the Fourth, I settled into my new patio swing, determined to finish the book before the dawn's early light. Colin and Shane were out with their friends, Dan was tinkering around on the computer in the family room, and Jordan was out in the game room, the pleasant sound of his music occasionally drifting through the open sliding glass door to my appreciative ears. From time to time, he'd wander out onto the patio and sit beside me on the swing for awhile, describing the colors of the distant neighborhood fireworks we heard going off all around us, or just talking. The night was beautiful, quiet now, peaceful and still. The air was warm, perfectly comfortable, a deep sense of contentment surrounded me, and I felt no need for sleep.. So on the patio I stayed, all night. At sunrise, Jordan came out for another chat, describing the shyest shades of pink, peache, and violet, transforming into bright bold stripes and swirls of red, orange, and [purple. This is a gift I will always treasure. It was the last Fourth of July I was ever able to spend with my son Jordan, and in a few weeks, he would be leaving to begin his life with Brianna in China. He felt he had to keep it a secret from us, afraid we would somehow prevent him from going. His unexpected departure, though hard to bear at the time, turned out to be a very good move, a blessing, for all concerned. For Jordan, because he made many friends there and got to learn about another culture, and most of all, because he and Brianna were married and had almost a year and a half of living on their own together there. I have never seen a young couple who were so in love as they were, and who enjoyed each other's company so much. Their marriage also made it possible for Brianna to become a legal resident of this country, and she says she greatly prefers living here to living in China. She was an angel of mercy to him during his last five months upon this earth. Whether He gets credit for it or not, I believe Heavenly Father's hand was in the details. After Jordan was taken from us, it was an immense comfort to be able to assist her as she gradually regained her footing and made her way along a new path. We cried together, we laughed together, in a way we were even sort of reborn together. In many ways, we are no longer the people we were on that July Fourth. The question is, are we better than we were then? I hope so, but ulltimately, I await my Father's judgment on that matter.

This Fourth finds me again reading a book about the Revolutionary War. It's called Stories of Georgia, and it's by Joel Chandler Harris, bettr known for his Uncle Remus stories. Last year we were in Denver, having dinner and doing fireworks with Greg and his three little kittens, and Penny and Neil. Two years ago, Brianna and I went walking through the neighborhood just to have something to do. It was a dark time despite the rockets' red glare. The year before that, Dan and Shane and I drove the 10 or 15 miles to Eagle Island State Park and watched the big fireworks display out there. We talked about bringing Jordan and Brianna there with us next summer. At that time, the summer of 2007, they were already applying for a visa for Brianna, and looking to enroll at Boise State University in the fall of 2008. Just goes to show, you never know what the next year will bring. So, make sure to have a happy Independence Day this year, July 4th, 2010, and let your children, well everyone in your family, know how much you love them!

Welcome Aboard

2010-06-21T02:14:00.000-07:00

Aw, who needs pictures anyway? Seems I'm not a very good photographer, so we'll just proceed without them. For starters, Dan and I flew to Seattle, then met up with a group of folks rounded up by Julie and Lonnie for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure, then traveled by chartered bus to a port in Vancouver B.C. for embarcation. No dragging our luggage along with us from bus to ship, the cruise line takes care of all that for the pasengers, delivering it right to our stateroom. With 1 crew member for every 3 passengers, the service is outstanding. Fresh towels daily, chocolates and a list of the next day's activities left for us nightly, and a very polite and friendly room steward assigned to look after us for the entire week, left no doubt that we weren't in Boise anymore. We were realy and truly sailing on a luxury ocean liner, complete with 5 or 6 formal dining rooms, a casual buffet, several swimming pools and other sports and fitness facilities, spa, casino, night clubs, theater, shops, entertainers, and a naturalist to educate us and point out the wildlife we'd be encountering throughout our journey. We particularly enjoyed learning from him about humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, seals, sea lions, puffins and other birds, bears, and glaciers too. We've always been drawn to nature shows on the Discovery and National Geographic channels, but to actually be there in person to see and hear it firsthand is more of a thrill than we had even expected. Think about this: a sailing university! What a concept. I bet we'd see more kids enrolling in college and staying on board long enough to earn a degree if such a program existed. Several of us were brainstorming ideas on careers we could pursue in order to sail the world as we earned our daily bread. Pretty cushy work place that would be.
We picked up a few mementos in Ketchikan, our first port of call, which we were told is usually very rainy. But on the day we were there the skies were clear and the temperature was mild. We were eager for our second port of call in Juneau, where we visited with Dan's brother Robyn and his wife Candy and family for a couple of hours. Neither of us knew the other was booking a cruise to Alaska at the time we were making our plans back in March. We only found out in May, and made arrangements then to meet in Juneau. We ran into them again briefly the following day at our third port of call in Skagway. Dan and I thought our fare of $226 for the two of us on the Yukon Railroad to White Pass was almost as steep as the terrain we traversed, but when we considered that Rob shelled out over a thousand dollars for the same trip for his family, we felt we hadn't done too badly after all. It really was a blessing to have two of my sisters, Jenny and Julie, and brother-in-law Lonnie aboard the ship with us, and then to be able to see Robyn and Candy, too, was just that much more frosting on the big old blessing cake.

I especially delighted in our two days in Glacier Bay and College Fjord. The diversity of the Lord's creations upon this planet is astounding.. I want to know more, to hear more, to feel more, and that means I have to travel more. And Dan wants to, too! He definitely didn't expect to enjoy this trip as much as he did. But on the second day, when he started talking about ways we could tighten our belts and increase our savings so that we could take another cruise to Alaska, I knew he was hooked. Going on to Anchorage, and hurriedly taking in a few of its offerings like the tram at the Alyeska ski resort, the Wildlife Conservancy, the Native Heritage center, the downtown open air market where we found our best souvenir, a reindeer pelt, and listening to our chartered bus driver's descriptions of life in the Last Frontier,, the forget-me-not state, further convinced us to start planning a return trip to the wild and beautiful land of Alaska right away. Hey friends, pinch those pennies and come with us. You know it's true: The more the merrier.

Glacier Bay Holiday

2010-06-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

Dan and I, along with Jenny, Julie and Lonnie, and the rest of our group had a wonderful, wonderful time in Alaska last week. I'm waiting for help with pictures of our trip before I post much about it, but I don't have to wait to share this video of a calving glacier in Glacier Bay. It was shot a couple of weeks before our arrival,, but Julie told me it looks exactly like the ones we saw from our ship in the same place on June 10th. Depending on their size, the huge chunks of ice sound like either gunshots or thunder as they break away from the main glacier. Listening to the excitement of the crowd gathered on deck to witness the calving reminded me of a Fourth of July fireworks show. Only this time it was an awesome iceworks display.

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Y'all Be Good Now

2010-06-04T23:33:00.000-07:00

And if you are really really good, I'll bring you back a treat. Dan and I head out tomorrow for a fun vacation, leaving Colin and a couple of his friends to hold down the fort in our absence. Heigh ho, we're ready to go!

My Brother's War with CLL

2010-06-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

It was intense. He was diagnosed when he was still in his twenties. He fought long and hard because he had so much of life ahead of him. His fighting spirit was certainly not transmitted to me. I couldn't endure what he went through. He died 8 years ago today. His daughter, Lisa, wrote the following account.
Little Lovables

A Week's Worth

2010-05-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Friday: Annual PCP appointment. All good except white blood count. Apparently am out of remission. Darn. Just means closer monitoring for now. Normal range roughly 4.5 - 10.5 or so. My WBC was 16.2. Didn't need treatment before till it was around 60-70. All is calm, all is bright.
Saturday: Rain rain rain.
Sunday: Rick and JoLyn arrived. One of Shane's good friends, Stewart Wayment, soon to depart for his mission in Peru, unexpectedly arrived and was happily welcomed.
Monday: JoLyn's legendary organizing skills were put to good use in Brianna's vacated bedroom. Then Dan and Rick went exploring while JoLyn and I shopped up a whirlwind. Ready for the Alaskan cruise, with brand-new luggage even. JoLyn improved my recent haircut. Mammogram at four o'clock.
Tuesday: Funny call from Greg, describing many fun and hilarious activities with the kids meeting his talented girlfriend, Mae, for the first time. She's a singer-songwriter, guitar-playing, seamstress, cake decorating wonder!
Wednesday: Lovely sterling silver necklace Mother's Day gift arrives in the mail from The Vintage Pearl, hand-stamped with the names of my favorite seven sons. Also Neil's birthday.
Thursday: Lively book club tonight.

Young Joseph

2010-05-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

When JoLyn and Lisa were shopping in TriCities a few weeks ago, they came upon a picture of Shane in the LDS bookstore. It's called "I Saw a Light" and the artist is John McNaughton. JoLyn bought it, knowing I would want it, and added it to my tab. She showed it to Rick and asked him who it looked like. "Shane Washburn," was his immediate reply. I phoned my trusty describer, Julie, and asked her to find it online and let me know if she agreed with them. She did and she did. Julie then located another picture by the same artist called "Let Him Ask of God." I now have that one waiting for me at our local bookstore. They're both perfect for a room we'll be redecorating in a sort of early New York/Joseph Smith era theme over the next few months. It's so awesome that the Joseph of the pictures looks like our very own Shane, whose middle name is Joseph, and who's serving a mission in New York at this very time, and, who just completed his first six months in the mission field!

To celebrate, I'll copy and paste part of an email he sent on May 3rd, wherein he shared a persona linsight with us. I consider it a great blessing when we get to learn from our children. He wrote:
My companion has a saying he likes to say every once in a while which is, "You are who you want to be." I suppose much of the
time, I get stuck in a pattern of thought that if I live and float and try to make
good decisions with the things that are presented to me, then things will work out
and I will be good, and good things will happen, and I will float slowly down a river
of goodness. But I have been realizing more and more that what my companion says
is completely true. If we want to become something, we have to work so we can achieve it.
I forget where, but I read a scripture that said that all the blessings we get, and
everything we attain to depends on our efforts. It basically said that we are what
we choose to be through our actions and efforts. My Branch President also told me
that if a person is thirsty, he buys water and drinks the water. If you want a baptism,
or if you want to achieve some characteristic, you go and you start the steps
to develop that particular attribute you want. The "go-gettiveness" is what separates
the awesome people from the good/all right people. There are tons of people that have
the same knowledge, but unless they act, they learn nothing. Elder Crump was telling
me about one of his brothers who returned from his mission. Before the mission he
was kind of lazy and didn't really have anything he was good at. After the mission
he came back, and whenever he saw something he thought was cool he would plan to
start learning how to do the cool stuff, like learning to use a yo-yo
or playing guitar. He acted on all the things he wanted to and as he acted on those
impulses he gained the knowledge to do those things and he developed more talents.
If you want something, you go and you do it. If repentance is making a change in
ourselves, and we are not supposed to procrastinate the day of our repentance, we
learn that we need to, as soon as we see something we would like to change, to start
working on it immediately. If we have a hobby we want to do, or a relationship
we want to build, or a career we want to pursue, the only way to achieve those things
is to seek for them and to act.

I think our youngest is growing up into a fine young man. Which reminds me, Neil used to have a nickname for Colin or Shane when they were small fry. He called whoever it was young Jonah. I think Greg got in on that too. They liked to play with and sometimes even tease their little brothers back in the day. Whether we call him young Jonah, or young Joseph, this stalwart young man is a youngster no more.

Thumbs Up

2010-05-13T15:47:00.000-07:00

Thumbs up for my 2010 Mother's Day! Roses and lilies, a yummy steak dinner, phone calls from some very special men, extraordinarily pretty cards, and a surprise gift still on its way. What a great big bouquet of blessings. Thank you, dear family.

Thumbs up on the creative writing skills of Shannon Hale! I enjoyed Princess Academy and plan to read The Goose Girl this summer. But, well, I can't recommend her book, The Actor and the Housewife. When a character has to wrestle that much with whether she's being faithful and true to her husband, the answer in my mind is a resounding no, no, no! Becky Jack, the Mormon housewife, is portrayed as having such a big, big heart and enlightened mind that she can love her husband completely and still talk on the phone almost every day at times, and sometimes all night, go on vacations, and be huggy-wuggy with her "best friend" Felix, the fabulously rich, talented, and handsome actor. He was sort of like a fairy godmother. Need any little old thing? Well, call Felix, or maybe that should be Fixix. Parts of the story were fun, but a lot of it seemed to be a creepy rationalization for emotional adultery at the very least, and maybe much, much more. Although if anyone suggested such a thing in the book, it was only because they were narrow-minded and judgmental. Sorry, this one's a thums down. Anyone else read it? What'd you think? It has mixed reviews on amazon.com, with 4 and 5 star ratings making up a little over 50% of them. Our book club discussion on this one is sure to be lively. Nice clip of Shannon Hale here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gppPUxebM18

And last, thumbs up on a few quotes from a great wife and mother, Marjorie Pay Hinckley!

"Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the environment surrounding them. Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth."

"The family is eternal. Love must be nurtured. It must be spoken. We must put away our pride, our haughtiness, our shyness, our misunderstandings, and with humility say, "I love you. Is there something I can do to help you?" You can never be completely happy under any other circumstances."

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

"Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst."

"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead."

"We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young, and hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old... We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth."

"As we got closer to marriage, I felt completely confident that Gordon loved me. But I also knew somehow that I would never come first with him. I knew I was going to be second in his life and that the Lord was going to be first. And that was okay. It seemed to me that if you understood the gospel and the purpose of our being here, you would want a husband who put the Lord first."

"The grand and the simple. They are equally wonderful."

"There are some years in our lives that we would not want to live again. But even these years will pass away, and the lessons learned will be a future blessing."

"The thing about growing old is that when you wake up with a new pain, you can just about count on it becoming a permanent part of your life!"

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed some-one's garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said, "We are here in mortality, and the only way to go is through; there isn't any around!" I would add, the only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."

"Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for an relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling."

"I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

"With intellectual curiosity the world will always be full of magic and wonder."

The Thoughts in My Head Go Round and Round

2010-05-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

Round and round,
Round and round....
It doesn't take much to get me singing, and that sounds like a fine song title to me. :) It's true though, a lot's been going on around here, mostly in the windmills of my mind.
First up, Primary. I'm still loving it. I love the children, love the leaders and Marie, my co-teacher, and I love looking for ways to keep the children engaged with the lessons. I'm not so hot with visual aids, and since Brianna's been gone there's been a real dearth of them in our class. But on Saturday, Julie sent me a link for an Old Testament era man, and Dan and Colin printed, colored, and glued them onto craft sticks so that we could have Joseph and his 11 brothers there with us on Sunday. The brothers had to do a repentance dance after they sold Joseph to the merchant men and lied to their Father concerning his whereabouts. I resisted the urge to use music from the Dreamcoat, and found a more appropriate Janice Kapp Perry song instead. When in doubt leave it out, I always say. But we're talking about getting together to watch the Dreamcoat DVD, Marie, Ally, Madison, Marinda, Nate, Doug, Andrew, Makhyla, and I. The BSU LDS Institute is putting on The Ark in a few weeks, so perhaps we'll encourage our class to go to that too. I saw it years ago in UT, with Kimball and Jessica (and Michael McLean), and it was wonderful! I'm looking forward to seeing it again, this time with Dan, who is not looking forward to seeing it in the slightest. ;) A good friend with a great voice, Evan Darrington, who graduated with Shane, is in it, and I love to hear him sing.
Second, most everyone's heard of the law of the harvest, right? But what about the law of recompense? I just learned of it today during my scripture time. I was studying Mosiah 19 with the help of http://www.gospeldoctrine.comm/, when I came across this:
( The greatest difference between the death of Abinadi and the death of Noah can be found in the following scripture, those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them; and they that die not in me, wo unto them, for their death is bitter (DC 42:46-7). Thus, the justice of God renders Noah his due reward. “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him (Proverbs 26:27). God has promised to ‘recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man’ (D&C 1:10). ‘I will visit upon you the evil of your doings’ (Jeremiah 23:2), he promised; ‘and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations' (Ezekiel 7:3). ‘It is a righteous thing with God,' Paul wrote, ‘to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you’ (2 Thessalonians1:6). Kings and kingdoms, the great and the small, all are subject to the law of recompense by a just God who either in this life or the world to come balances all accounts (see Jeremiah 25:14; Jeremiah 50:29; Ezekiel 7:9).” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 268)

I'm 58 years old, and I keep learning new things all the time! I looked up other scriptures on the term "recompense", and I've about decided that the law of the harvest and the law of recompense are the same law. When Shane and I opined about it in today's missionary emails, he wrote that it was a "comfortingly threatening" law. Good description, Shanestar!

Third, books, books, and more books. I just finished Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy. I enjoyed it, but probably won't recommend it to either of the book clubs. I like cooking, and I come from Irish stock, so it was fun to read about Irish caterers. the ending was great, the plot was a hearty stew of likeable folks, but overall, it was just ok for me. Another book I thought I'd loathe was More Than You Know by Beth Gutcheon. It's a ghost story, of all things. I don't like ghosts or vampires, no matter how popular they become, so it was a surprise to end up really enjoying this book, a cautionary tale if I've ever met one. One passage struck me especially, the one where a young, headstrong girl, Claris, announces her engagement, and refuses to let her parents discuss any of their concerns with her. Usually, in fiction and in our imagination, true love wins the day. But not in this case. Not in this case at all! Next up on my reading list is The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. And no, it's not a new career field I'm considering. If I find anything objectionable in it, I won't even bother to finish it. But Shane did say that it sounds like a good choice, what with my stash of guns and past shooting classes. :)

Wayne Dyer Is Wrong About CLL

2010-04-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

I just paid a visit to the CLL Christian Friends site I belong to, and Randy, a fellow CLLer, posted the following comment today. He found it in Parade magazine.
Dr. Wayne Dyer's Diagnosis
Q How is motivational guru Dr. Wayne Dyer doing since being diagnosed with cancer?--Joe De Laigle, Newport News, Va.
A "I don't think of it as cancer," Dyer, 69, says. "It's chronic lymphocytic leukemia, not life-threatening, and it's been a great blessing in my life. We're all infinite spiritual beings having a temporary human experience. Find that within yourself."
What an idiot.
*end of Randy's post*

I know that there are indolent forms of CLL, ones that never progress to become symptomatic. But I saw my own father and brother lose their lives to CLL, as well as many of my CLL friends on the aforementioned forum. So while I hope Mr. Dyer's CLL remains inactive, I know that not everyone is so fortunate. That is all.
Note: For up-to-date, accurate information on CLL, visit
http://clltopics.org/index.php

The Winds of Change

2010-04-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

I feel the winds of change blowing my way. And they feel good! This time last year our youngest was a month away from high school graduation. Now he's on a mission, and doing so great. I remember feeling sad as we walked across the parking lot to Shane's graduation a year ago, and Dan saying that we just needed to plan things for us to do together, and shift our focus just a little bit. And so we have. We've gone out together more during this past year than the previous few years combined. We're going on a little business trip this weekend, on an Alaskan cruise in June, and we're spending a week with several of our sons and their families in a cabin in Eden, UT, in July. If all goes well, we'll see the other sons and their fams, too, while we're looking for adventure in the Beehive state.. I want to go to Pine View Reservoir, and Goblin Valley, and lots more while we're there. Suggestions welcome! Ah, but just to be in Eden sounds blissful. My friend told me about a cool dinosaur park near Ogden, and my sister mentioned a fun museum for kids near there, too, the Treehouse Museum, I think.

These are a few of the things I'll be thinking of while I weed my already too weedy garden. I can hardly believe how quickly the weeds take off and get away from me every year! But I am ready to do battle, starting today. Dan and I couldn't resist buying a few beddding plants on Saturday, just basil and tomatoes, but others will soon follow. Brianna invited the three of us over for dinner recently, and it was a sweet experience to have her show me around her new little home. She showed me every room, every picture on the wall, made tea for us after dinner in her authentic Chinese tea service. She and Jason joined forces to serve up a very tasty meal, and it was altogether a very peaceful and pleasant evening....except when the cat jumped up on the table in front of me. Yuck, cats in the kitchen!

I used to be a huge fan of cats. I remember thinking my Daddy was meaner than mean when he spirited some new kittens away from us when we were children. But my adult years convinced me he was right! Not for everyone, surely, but for me, a person who can't detect and thus prevent some of their wily ways. I know Neil and Penny have a lot of fun with their cats, and it's cute to hear Neil describe their antics. Oh, but I recall a cat poking his head into a bowl of food I was feeding Kimball when he was a baby, and I was appalled. It was peas and carrots, for goodness sake, nothing a cat should be remotely interested in. On another occasion, my busy mother-in-law was thawing some steaks on her kitchen counter, and I heard one of her cats jump up on the counter to help itself to a gourmet meal. The splat the steak made on the kitchen floor when it jumped back down still makes me shudder. Forget those sneaky cats though, the winds of change are ruffling the pages on another book, and rustling the weeds in my would-be garden. Which to choose? I'll postpone the choice for one more moment while I thank JoLyn and Lisa for helping to update my wardrobe last week. JoLyn shopped for me in WA, and Lisa brought her findings bby on her way to UT. Then she waited while I had my own little fashion show, all the while supplying good descriptions and recommendations. I ended up keeping 9 of the 15 items JoLyn selected for me to try on.. Thanks for making my life easier and more fun, and giving me a taste of the Royal treatment again! I miss you guys so much! We like Boise a lot, but it's not quite Royal City. I guess it's another of those changes I'm talking about.

Happy Transplant Day to Terry!

2010-04-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Terry and Elaine,
We're following your transplant story from your blog, and our love and prayers are constantly with you. What a wonderful day this is! Some call it a new birthday, the first day of a life without CLL/SLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia / small cell lymphocytic lymphoma). Kudos to both of you, a caring and courageous couple, who've spent your days doing good to so many. May all the good come back to you now, a hundred times over!
Love,
The Washburn Family

More Angels

2010-04-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

That's how I feel about those who show up for book club, after I've spent the afternoon slaving over straightening up and setting up for the event. At one point, I thought to myself, "I am never doing this again!" But to my profound relief, everything went fabulously, and I know I'll be happy to take my turn at hosting again ... in a few more months.

I jumped on the candy buffet bandwagon, although admittedly mine was a mini version of the grand spreads found at wedding receptions. We had dried blueberries and cherries for a little healthier choice, lemon heads, peach rings and Ttwizzlers for sugarsugar, peanuts and chocolate-covered almonds for the nuts among us, chocolate-covered pomegranantes for the sophisticated (like me), and gummi frogs were the piece de resistance. Only readers of the book, Dark Angel, will know why frogs were given this honor.

Book clubs seem to be proliferating lately. Why do you think that is? I think it's because of the surprising insights we gain from fellow readers. someone invariably picks up things we overlooked entirely, or interprets events in a way we hadn't considered, adding to our appreciation of the author and the story, and of one another. There's also the unforseen turns discussions take that make every gathering unique. It wasn't much of a surprise that this book led us to discuss our personal feelings on polygamy, whether we felt we would participate in it, etc., but no one expected to receive advice on whether to pay the extra fee for an expedited passsport, or to discuss the question of one's post-resurrection gender. At book club, you never know what you'll eat, hear, say, or learn. So far for me, it's all been good.

Dark Angel

2010-04-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

I belong to two book clubs, both quite different from one another, and both a pleasure to be part of. One is made up of women of a similar age, and of course that's somewhat of a unifying factor. The second one just formed a few months ago. Most of the women are quite a bit younger than I am, and they really know how to carry on a lively discussion. .Staci, who told us she reads about a book a day, recently revealed to us, upon close questioning, that she earned two bachelor's degrees, one in psychology and one in history. She recommended Dark Angel by Robert Kirby, a book I'd never heard of, for this month's read. And what a wild read it is! Amid all the cussin'', shootin', lyin' and spyin, and downright irreverent humor, Kirby spins an engaging story that teaches a powerful lesson about the worth of every soul. He lays open the hearts and motivations of the characters to us, exposing them as they really are. Some of them are good, some are silly, some are confused and hurting, angry and vengeful, cruel and evil, and others are full of love and integrity. Wouldn't it come in handy to be able to get a peek into someone's heart in real life at times? What was even more fascinating than that though, was the way it made me look into my own heart. I caught glimpses of myself at various stages of my life in several of the characters. How the author managed to do that, I cannot even guess. I gained insight into myself as a child, as a mother with a young family, then a woman with teens, and beyond, right up to the present. I have to wait till Thursday night to find out if the others experienced anything like this. Were they only entertained, or did they learn something about what makes us who and what we are? I can't remember taking a book so personally before. Maybe it just came along at the right time for me. The craziest thing of all is that I feel a little more like I imagine Heavenly Father must feel when He looks down upon His Children. He sees what is really happening, and why it's happening that way. He sees the whole story. We never do. We're in the dark so much of the time. Actions that look meaningless and pointless to us, He understands completely. He knows the right and the wrong of every situation. Probably never even intending to, Mr. Robert Kirby's book left me with a strong message that my Father KNOWS. He knows it all! And I absolutely love knowing that.

Wherein I Interview Prophets

2010-04-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's easy to tell brevity hasn't been my forte in sharing conference highlights thusfar. But wait till you see this! They're not even highlights, they're sparks. I ask a question, and then let a prophet reply!
Q: Elder Packer, there's much to worry about in the world right now. Is there cause for hope?
A: "We can and in due time certainly will influence all of humanity. It will be known who we are and why we are. It might seem hopeless; it is monumentally difficult; but it is not only possible but certain that we will win the battle against Satan."

Q: Hurray! How do you recommend we proceed?
A: "While the priesthood is presently all over the world, we call on every elder and high priest, every holder of the priesthood to stand, like Gideon’s small but powerful force of 300, in his own place. We now must awaken in every elder and high priest, in every quorum and group, and in the father of every home the power of the priesthood of the Almighty. We need everyone. The tired or worn out or lazy and even those who are bound down with guilt must be restored through repentance and forgiveness. Too many of our priesthood brethren are living below their privileges and the Lord’s expectations. We must go forward, confident of the supernal power of the priesthood. It is a source of strength and encouragement to know who we are and what we have and what we must do in the work of the Almighty."

Q: Thank you, Elder Packer. Your words are of value to men and women alike.
Now, Elder Eyring, you told us about a time when your little son was lost, and how grateful you were for those who rescued him then, and later in life too. So teaching and rescuing children is what we should all be doing?
A: "Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family."
Q: Are there others who can help in the teaching of our children?
A: "The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked. In those precious years the Lord helps families by calling Primary workers to help strengthen children spiritually."
Q: Thank you for showing us how even more rescuers are placed along the path to guide and protect the rising generation. What are our chances for success?
A: "I promise each of you, as you follow inspired direction in this, the true Church of Jesus Christ, that our youth and we who help and love them can be delivered safely to our home with Heavenly Father and the Savior to live in families and in joy forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
Q: Amen! That's a promise I hope to see fulfilled!
Elder Ballard, you spoke in great detail to mothers and daughters. I know your words are true, because I have a great mom who taught her five daughters (and two sons) by word and example. And happily, after a few bumps along the way, all of us remain faithful to them. By the way, her birthday is tomorrow, April 10th, although she's no longer with us. Would you care to add anything more about the family in general?
A: "I conclude my counsel with this prophetic summary from President Joseph F. Smith: “Our [family] associations are not exclusively intended for this life, for time, as we distinguish it from eternity. We live for time and for eternity. We form associations and relations for time and all eternity. . . . Who are there besides the Latter-daySaints who contemplate the thought that beyond the grave we will continue in the family organization? the father, the mother, the children recognizing each other. . . ? this family organization being a unit in the great and perfect organization of God’s work, and all destined to continue throughout time and eternity?”
Q: Actually, I know others besides the LDS who believe in continued family life, but they don't understand that it can't happen without faithful obedience, and making and keeping temple covenants. Even some members don't seem to understand that parents are parents forever, and an eternal family is made up of many generations, not just their immediate family. Don't they realize their children will grow up and have their own families too, and they will still be a part of the whole? I don't know how it works, this thing called exaltation, but I will trust that it does work, and that Father will show us how in His own due time. I do have a theory or two though. Ask me later. But now, let's get back to our interview.
Elder Bednar, I believe you have some inspired teaching to help us with our families?
A: "I pray for the guidance of the Holy Ghost as I describe a spiritual early warning system that can help parents in Zion to be watchful and discerning concerning their children. This early warning system applies to children of all ages and contains three basic components: (1) reading and talking about the Book of Mormon with your children, (2) bearing testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children, and (3) inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon. Parents who do these things faithfully will be blessed to recognize early signals of spiritual growth in or challenges with their children and be better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help those children."
Q: I'm not sure I understand. Can you elaborate a little more?
A: "As parents and gospel instructors, you and I are not in the business of distributing fish; rather, our work is to help our children learn “to fish” and to become spiritually steadfast. This vital objective is best accomplished as we encourage our children to act in accordance with correct principles —as we help them to learn by doing. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” (John 7:17). Such learning requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception. Inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon builds on reading and talking about the Book of Mormon and bearing testimony spontaneously in the home.
Imagine, for example, a family home evening in which children are invited and expected to come prepared to ask questions about what they are reading and learning in the Book of Mormon —or about an issue that recently was emphasized in a gospel discussion or spontaneous testimony in the home. And imagine further that the children ask questions the parents are not prepared adequately to answer. Some parents might be apprehensive about such an unstructured approach to home evening. But the best family home evenings are not necessarily the product of preprepared, purchased, or downloaded packets of outlines and visual aids. What a glorious opportunity for family members to search the scriptures together and to be tutored by the Holy Ghost."

Q: Thank you, Elder Bednar. I hope I'm able to talk with a few more apostles later. But I think I've probably overstayed my welcome. Now it's time to bake banana nut bread. Dan requested it this morning, and I think I should have some ready and waiting for him when he comes home. Don't you? Mmmmmmm

Boy Do I Ever Need Marshmallows!

2010-04-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

In the 1960s, a professor at Stanford University began a modest experiment testing the willpower of four-year-old children. He placed before them a large marshmallow and then told them they could eat it right away or, if they waited for 15 minutes, they could have two marshmallows. He then left the children alone and watched what happened behind a two-way mirror. Some of the children ate the marshmallow immediately; some could wait only a few minutes before giving in to temptation. Only 30 percent were able to wait. It was a mildly interesting experiment, and the professor moved on to other areas of research, for, in his own words, “there are only so many things you can do with kids trying not to eat marshmallows.” But as time went on, he kept track of the children and began to notice an interesting correlation: the children who could not wait struggled later in life and had more behavioral problems, while those who waited tended to be more positive and better motivated, have higher grades and incomes, and have healthier relationships. What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait — to be patient— was a key character trait that might predict later success in life.
Me: Do you think as a 4-year-old, you would have waited the 15 minutes? For a marshmallow, I think I would have. But if it had been chocolate, I'm not nearly so sure. Chocolate and marshmalows aside, what I really need is a big portion of patience. And Elder Uchtdorf has some welcome help for me. Here's a little bit more of it:
patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace. ...
Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well! Impatience, on the other hand, is a symptom of selfishness. It is a trait of the self-absorbed. It arises from the all-too-prevalent condition called “center of the universe” syndrome, which leads people to believe that the world revolves around them and that all others are just supporting cast in the grand theater of mortality in which only they have the starring role. ...
I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain. Brigham Young taught that when something came up which he could not comprehend fully, he would pray to the Lord, “Give me patience to wait until I can understand it for myself.”5 And then Brigham would continue to pray until he could comprehend it. We must learn that in the Lord’s plan, our understanding comes “line upon line, precept upon precept.” In short, knowledge and understanding come at the price of patience. Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we can’t see the Lord’s hand in our lives until long after trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness. ...
And again, there's much more. If you could use more patience in your life, read more about it here:
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-20,00.html

Scripture Power!

2010-04-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

On October 6, in the year 1536, a pitiful figure was led from a dungeon in Vilvorde Castle near Brussels, Belgium. For nearly a year and a half, the man had suffered isolation in a dark, damp cell. Now outside the castle wall, the prisoner was fastened to a post. He had time to utter aloud his final prayer, “Lord! open the king of England’s eyes,” and then he was strangled. Immediately, his body was burned at the stake. Who was this man, and what was the offense for which the authorities had condemned him? His name was William Tyndale, and his crime was to have translated and published the Bible in English. Tyndale, born in England about the time Columbus sailed to the new world, became a member of the Catholic clergy. He was fluent in eight languages, including Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. Tyndale was a devoted student of the Bible, and the pervasive ignorance of the scriptures that he observed in both priests and lay people troubled him deeply. In a heated exchange with a cleric who argued against putting scripture in the hands of the common man, Tyndale vowed, “If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough, shall know more of the Scripture than thou dost!” He sought the approval of church authorities to prepare a translation of the Bible in English so that all could read and apply the word of God. It was denied—the prevailing view being that direct access to the scriptures by any but the clergy threatened the authority of the church and was tantamount to casting “pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6). Tyndale nevertheless undertook the challenging work of translation. In 1524 he traveled to Germany, under an assumed name, where he lived much of the time in hiding, under constant threat of arrest. With the help of committed friends, Tyndale was able to publish English translations of the New Testament and later the Old Testament. The Bibles were smuggled into England, where they were in great demand and much prized by those who could get them. They were shared widely but in secret. The authorities burned all the copies they could find. Nevertheless, within three years of Tyndale’s death, God did indeed open King Henry VIII’s eyes, and with publication of what was called the “Great Bible,” the scriptures in English began to be publicly available. Tyndale’s work became the foundation for almost all future English translations of the Bible, most notably the King James Version. ...
The scriptures enlarge our memory by helping us always to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life. And they expand our memory in another sense. ... None of us was present to see the Red Sea part and cross with Moses between walls of water to the other side. We were not there to hear the Sermon on the Mount, to see Lazarus raised from the dead, to see the suffering Savior in Gethsemane and on the cross, and we did not with Mary hear the two angels testify at the empty tomb that Jesus was risen from the dead. You and I did not go forward one by one with the multitude in the land Bountiful at the resurrected Savior’s invitation to feel the prints of the nails and bathe His feet with our tears. We did not kneel beside Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove and gaze there upon the Father and the Son. Yet we know all these things and much, much more because we have the scriptural record to enlarge our memory, to teach us what we did not know. And as these things penetrate our minds and hearts, our faith in God and His Beloved Son takes root. ...
In Tyndale’s day, scriptural ignorance abounded because people lacked access to the Bible, especially in a language they could understand. Today the Bible and other scripture are readily at hand, yet there is a growing scriptural illiteracy because people will not open the books. The Scriptures Are the Standard for Distinguishing Truth and Error. God uses scripture to unmask erroneous thinking, false traditions, and sin with its devastating effects. He is a tender parent who would spare us needless suffering and grief and at the same time help us realize our divine potential. ...
). Faith will not come from the study of ancient texts as a purely academic pursuit. It will not come from archaeological digs and discoveries. It will not come from scientific experiments. It will not even come from witnessing miracles. These things may serve to confirm faith, or at times to challenge it, but they do not create faith. Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls, Spirit to spirit, as we hear or read the word of God. And faith matures as we continue to feast upon the word.

Oh! Elder Todd Christofferson said so many more wonderful things, but I hope you will read them for yourself. He touches on atheism as well. They can be found right here:
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-12,00.html

Let's Hear It for Good Women!

2010-04-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

We all know some. We all want to be one. But how can we tell if someone is, or more importantly if we are, one? My heart cheered along with our Sister Julie' B. Beck's wise counsel in the first session of general conference, on just that subject. A few highlights:

A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important.
A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently. The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. Qualifying for the Lord’s Spirit begins with a desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness. Keeping the commandments, repenting, and renewing covenants made at baptism lead to the blessing of always having the Lord’s Spirit with us. Making and keeping temple covenants also adds spiritual strength and power to a woman’s life. Many answers to difficult questions are found by reading the scriptures because the scriptures are an aid to revelation. Insight found in scripture accumulates over time, so it is important to spend some time in the scriptures every day. Daily prayer is also essential to having the Lord’s Spirit with us. ...
Through Relief Society, sisters can receive answers to their questions and be blessed by the combined spiritual power of all the sisters. Relief Society validates the true and eternal nature of daughters of God. It is a sacred trust, a guiding light, and a system of watchcare that teaches and inspires women to be strong and immovable. Its motto, “Charity never faileth,” is embodied in all good women. ...
The second general Relief Society president, Eliza R. Snow, said this to the sisters:
“We want to be ladies in very deed, not according to the term of the word as the world judges, but fit companions of the Gods and Holy Ones. In an organized capacity we can assist each other in not only doing good but in refining ourselves, and whether few or many come forward and help to prosecute this great work, they will be those that will fill honorable positions in the Kingdom of God. . . . Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.”" ...
When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. ...

As someone else wrote, Sister Beck is a "fabulous and fearless leader!" And I'll add that she's also a very good woman, and I am personally grateful for her clear and inspired guidance. May it bless the lives of each of us.

Read all of her words right here:
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-3,00.html

No Scar?

2010-04-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?
No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?
--by Amy Carmichael

Gethsemane

2010-04-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

Still Learning How the Atonement Blesses Me

2010-04-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Almost four years ago, someone I love, without malice aforethought, introduced me to pain as I'd never known it. I'd relied on the atonement of Jesus Christ many times before to cleanse and heal me from sins I'd repented of, but, this time, no matter what I tried or who I asked, I couldn't figure out how to access His atonement to gain relief from the crushing pain. I prayed. I went to the scriptures. I talked with friends. I even asked about it in the gospel doctrine class. Nothing. My knowledge of the atonement had grown enough that I knew that it covered not only sins and transgressions, but all our afflictions, infirmities, embarrassments, disappointments, heartaches, fears, worries, everything! So why was its peace and comfort eluding me when I was pleading for it?

Eventually, I moved on. I came to the conclusion that there was nothing I could do to change the situation, that the Savior loved this person as much or even more than I did, and that I had to leave it in His hands. But still, I carried the memory of what I perceived as my unmet need in the back of my mind until this very day. Today, I learned that I was the one who was blocking the atonement's power to heal my shattered heart. I did right in letting go of my heavy burden, and turning it over to God, but I believe I'd done it unwittingly, not fully realizing what I was doing. I just hadn't been strong enough to handle it anymore. So I had been compelled to let go, without actually choosing to do it. I mistakenly expected the Lord to come and take the weight of pain from me. But I believe He was waiting for me to be the one to hand it to Him. Wow, there are none so blind as those who will not see! But I see more clearly now. Even though I've continued to hand my burdens to Him, I have a keener view of why, and how, and when, to do it, due in part to this morning's scripture study of Matthew 25-26, assisted by one of my favorite sites, http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/
Neal A. Maxwell
"Such love of the Lord requires that we become trustingly patient as experiences come to us that God deems for our good. We must, on this side of the veil, wait out the inexplicable things, maintaining serenity as the storms beat upon us and as the winds of derision howl. We must be willing to submit ourselves "to all things that the Lord seeth fit to inflict" upon us. (Mosiah 3:19) This is the unconditional submittal of the soul that lies at the very center of the first great commandment; there can be no holding back. Only as we thus come close to the living Lord can we honestly say, in the midst of the fiery trials of life, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matt. 26:39) (Notwithstanding My Weakness, 39)

Baptism at Sea

2010-03-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, Shane sent us a very unusual story of a baptism at sea, and this week, we got the pictures to go with it. Reading it almost makes me shiver sympathetically. Brrrrrr.

When we drove to the ocean baptism site, the sun was hidden behind clouds, the wind was blowing, and a storm was coming in. It was freezing, and the ocean was gray and turbulent. We forgot to bring baptismal clothes for Jodi, so Elder Doxey lent her his white pants and shirt, and 2 or 3 T shirts. We went to the beach, had an incredibly brief talk and prayer, and walked into the ocean. It took Jodi 5 or so minutes to come in. By the time she was in, I was numb. We had to enter the ocean too, Elder Doxey and I, the witnesses, to be close enough to hear the words Elder Rudaz said, and to see if she was totally immersed. Jodi started freaking out, and was about to cry because she can't swim, and she was afraid of drowning, and it was freezing. So, he quickly baptized her, and they ran out. However, he tried to do it in a wave, and waves move, so she was not immersed. We caught up with them and told them that it would have to be done again. She agreed to go back into the ocean and to be baptized again,, and we would go out farther in the ocean. So we went out, he baptized her again, and it wasn't complete immersion again. Oh, and it took us about 10 minutes to calm her fears of drowning. She got baptized a few more times, all without complete immersion. Then, finally, Elder Rudaz couldn't say the baptismal prayer in English anymore, so he started yelling the words in Spanish super fast, and baptized her. He finally got her immersed all the way, but, he had put his left arm to the square, so we had to do it again. He tried 2 more times, and at last, it worked. She was baptized about 7 times in the freezing, gray, turbulent ocean! Such a baptism I've never seen, and I hope I never see again. It was awesome, but crazy, and Elder Doxey witnessed in the ocean in his regular missionary suit.
Shane wrote that a baptismal font was about 15 minutes away, but Jodi specifically wanted to be baptized in the ocean.

This request of hers gives me a tiny insight into why all our requests made of our Heavenly Father are not answered as we'd like. Father knows best. And now, Shane knows something of stormy ocean baptisms, too. They did have permission though, so no rule-breaking was involved.

Man VS. Tree

2010-03-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.
- Jack Handey

Update on the Quorum of the Seven Brothers

2010-03-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

That's the name Jordan, the fifth brother, gave to the band of seven brothers he's part of. Since we just sort of reconnected with some long lost cousins from Atlanta, GA, and I invited them to drop by my blog, I figure this is a good time to update the doings of this notorious, glorious group, aka our sons.
1. Ethan lives in Washington, is married to Missy, and has three children, Brooklyn, Lilly, and Zaid. He's a very busy physician's assistant, and loves to talk national and international politics.

2. Kimball lives in Arizona and is married to Jessica. They also has three children,, Jaxon, Kade, and Sophia. Kimball is an entrepreneur, creating gorgeous hardscapes for those with a lot of disposable income. He likes to play basketball, and follow football.

3. Greg lives in Colorado. He has thre children too, Tori, Juli, and Christian. He's a great provider, (works for Purina), and has come in for some hard knocks over the past few years, but we think things are looking up. He is crazy about soccer, whether watching or playing it.

4. Neil lives in Colorado too, is married to Penny, and also works at Purina. They've been such a godsend for Greg and the children. He's into computer games and four-wheeling, both of which are out of my familiarity zone, but seem to keep him happily occupied.

5. Jordan awaits us in heaven, but is sorely missed in the meantime. I guess that's something we'll never get used to. He was so happy here, and I hope he's as happy or even happier there. We attended Brianna's marraige on his birthday this week, and then left flowers for him at the cemetery.

6. Colin is here with us in Boise. He's working at a company called Anything Wireless, playing in a band, busy with his ward activities, and a joy to have around. We're hoping he decides to get back into the college scene soon, while he's still so energetic, and unattached. He bought a motorcycle today, and will host a party around the fire pit tonight.

7. Shane is serving a Spanish-speaking mission among the people of New York, inviting anyone who's ready to come unto Christ, and apparently eating lots of potatoes, and enduring record snowstorms and windstorms. Nov. 2011 feels like a long time to wait before we hug him again, but weekly emails and two phone calls a year (at Mother's Day and Christmas) will have to suffice.

Dan and I, the lucky parents of these seven, pray for them constantly, and love them mightily.

March Magic

2010-03-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

For the second year in a row, March has brought us a lucky visit from Ethan, Brooklyn, and Lilly. Pure fun, and high energy, too! When the girls bounced out of bed Saturday morning, Brianna was ready with an invitation to walk to the farmers market with her. The night before, they were so excited by the wonders of the new fairy room that they'd barely eaten anything other than a few marshmallows. We'd broken out the fire pit for the first wiener and s'more roast of the season, and I'd made potato salad and cole slaw, but although they stopped long enough to roast a hot dog each, they never got around to actually eating them. They were too busy to pay much attention at all to food.. So I asked Brianna to see if she could tempt them with some juicy strawberries or something that contained more nutritive value than marshmallows while they were there. They came home laden with strawberries, bananas, watermelon, apples, pears, asparagus, a few honey sticks, and a bag of Strawberries and Cream popcorn. Brianna washed the strawberries, while Brooklyn carried out three cups of water and a blanket, which Lilly and Brianna spread on the trampoline, whereupon they had a breakfast-picnic of berries and popcorn in the sunny backyard. Staying close to home, making sand castles in the little park type space by our house, laughing at Ethan's and Colin's kite-flying antics, and watching movies, Saturday was kind of a time for winding down after the exciting but exhausting Disneyland vacation their family had just returned from.

The other March magic? We finally met Brianna's fiance` yesterday. He spent several hours with us, just visiting, helping Brianna move her belongings, teaming up with Ethan to solve the nation's healthcare crisis, picking up a cute little dining set they bought from Craig's List, and so forth. That's how we came to find out that we really like him, which is very good, because it would be even harder to see our beautiful, kind Brianna go if we didn't. Not until this past Thursday had she given me the go-ahead to call all the brothers to let them know she was getting married on March 16th, Jordan's birthday. Not having known she was even dating, they were pretty surprised. One of them, the most tender-hearted of the bunch, got pretty choked up, wishing her happiness, understanding that her upcoming marriage was right and good, but feeling sad that Jordan had to miss out on the bright future they'd planned together. It was tough last night when I briefly became overwhelmed with the feeling that Jordan really got a bum deal. We're certain that Jordan would want Brianna to take this step in her life, too, but it is bittersweet nevertheless. One of her worries was that people would think she no longer loves Jordan. I assured her that that was not the case, that everyone would be happy for her and Jason. And so we are. We pray for them to have a long and wonderful marriage. And we pray that our Jordan will have compensatory blessings of joy far beyond our mortal comprehension, from our wise and loving Father in heaven.

Just Plain Old Happy

2010-03-01T12:03:00.000-08:00

No, that's a clumsy way to describe feeling happy. I've got to do better than that. It's just that for some unknown reason, whenever March comes along, my spirits lift. Higher and higher, they soar kind of like the kites that grace March's breezy blue skies. Getting Shane's missionary letter and a couple of pictures of him to boot, only made the first day of March all the happier.

I wrote to him that I was studying Jacob chapter 5 today, and that it wasn't one of my favorite chapters to study. Learn something new every day! I studied it, and found it fascinating! Everybody, seriously, go to gospeldoctrine.com and check out the commentary on that awesome chapter. Pick a time when things are quiet though. It's 77 meaty verses long.

Shane has recently written about two people whose circumstances are anything but happy.. Last week, he wrote about an investigator named Ashlee, and this week he wrote about Pedro. Ashlee's mom used Ashlee's identity to borrow a large sum of money which she is not paying back. AShlee can't get money for schooling because her credit is messed up with this debt in her name. Pedro has no job, no money, speaks no English, has no place to live. Some people are letting him stay with them, but they force him to drink with them in the evenings against his will. When Shane and his companion, Elder Rudaz, went to visit him, they said they hadn't seen him for a few days and had no idea where he could be. Wow. And it's been snowing like crazy there on Long Island. At least we know about these people and can pray for them now. So here I am with a request. Please pray for Ashlee and Pedro, the people of Chile, Haiti, and everyone who is in need. It also feels as if we should be profusely thanking our Father in heaven for our blessings. The gospel, safe and comfortable homes, people we love and who love us in return, - we are blessed beyond measure. And I believe even more blessings are on the way.

Does Competition Belong in Primary?

2010-02-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

It's definitely something to think about, seriously. It often makes me feel uneasy when the children get so loud and excited in the games and contests they play during song practice and sharing time. But it wasn't until I read this from Sofia's site that I finaly accepted, once and for all, that it's the competition that is causing the problem.
"Personal opinion: I never (yes…never) had competitions in Primary. I never did teams or boys vs. girls. I always had the primary work as a family of friends, getting as many points as we could all together. The world has too many divisions. I’m for being unified and working together. But to each his own, just food for thought."

Interesting, huh. She's got me thinking. I've never felt the Spirit when the noise level is off the charts.. But I usually do when peace and quiet reign. Those are my favorite Primary moments.
http://sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com/

What to Do When Misunderstandings Happen

2010-02-21T04:38:00.000-08:00

Chances are good, I'd put it at about 100
%, that each of us is bound to have misunderstandings with our friends and family over the course of a lifetime. So what to do. Shun them? Kick them out of our life forever? Well, those are certainly a couple of options, but I believe there's a better way, one that won't cause us to run the risk of someday becoming a hermit. Yes it can hurt to be maligned and misunderstood, but remember that it's not fatal, it is completely survivable, and overcomable. Although it does take practice, which life will gladly provide. So when we mess up the first few times, keep trying, we'll get better at handling differences if we really want to.

Do go to the scriptures and prophets for inspiration. The spirit they bring changes hearts and perspectives faster than anything else I've found.
Do pray.
Do seek counsel from a few close friends if wanted, and then keep quiet about it.
Don't slam the door. Keep it open. Bake up a batch of banana nut muffins and be ready to talk things over if the other party is willing. If not, then wait. Wait as long as it takes for things to be resolved.
Don't contact them if they've asked you not to. Don't push it. Birthday cards, etc. may be ok, but be careful.
(Note: This applies to misunderstandings, not to every crime or major sin. Nor does it rule out professional counseling.)

So far, I am trusting this is the way to peace. Personal peace, for sure, and perhaps, eventually, to peace with another. If my ideas are less than convincing, then please read the next two quotes that blessed me, and that I hope will bless you too.

Howard W. Hunter
“How are we supposed to act when we are offended, misunderstood, unfairly or unkindly treated, or sinned against? What are we supposed to do if we are hurt by those we love, or are passed over for promotion, or are falsely accused, or have our motives unfairly assailed?“Do we fight back? Do we send in an ever-larger battalion? Do we revert to an eyefor an eye and a tooth for a tooth, or, as Tevye says in Fiddler on the Roof, do we come to the realization that this finally leaves us blind and toothless?” (Conference Report, Oct. 1992)

Gordon B. Hinckley
“It is not always easy to live by these doctrines when our very natures impel us to fight back…Most of us have not reached that stage of compassion and love and forgiveness.It is not easy. It requires a self-discipline almost greater than we are capable of. But as we try, we come to know that there is a resource of healing, that there is a mighty power of healing in Christ, and that if we are to be his true servants, we must not only exercise that healing power in behalf of others, but, perhaps more important, inwardly.
“I would that the healing power of Christ might spread over the earth and be diffused through our society and into our homes, that it might cure men's hearts of the evil and adverse elements of greed and hate and conflict. I believe it could happen. I believe it must happen. If the lamb is to lie down with the lion, then peace must overcome conflict; healing must mend injury.” (Faith, The Essence of True Religion, p. 35)

Returning Good for Evil

2010-02-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

I am really looking forward to book club tomorrow night, where we'll be discussing The Kite Runner. I'd heard good things about Khaled Hosseini's first novel a couple of years ago, and I'd put it on my to read list, but had it not been chosen for this month's selection, I might never have moved it to the top of the list. Boy howdy, does it ever contain clear and memorable examples of all kinds of behavior, ranging from the telestial, to terrestrial, and on up to the celestial! Someone from the group asked me today how I liked the book, and I said I loved it. She went on to bemoan the dozen or so bad words and one particular terrible act of cruelty found within its pages, without mentioning the overall story of love, courage, forgiveness, and redemption it so powerfully imparts. As I said, there are definitely good guys and bad guys here, but it's the good that has stamped the strongest impression on my mind, almost dazzling me with its example of returning good for evil, filling me with the hope that I'll be able to do likewise. Jesus said, "...love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you...." But it's not often that we get to see this in practice, because these kinds of things are pretty personal, and also, they're most likely quite rare.

Here's one example from the book: Amir, the protagonist, describes an injustice he did at age 13.
"Then I took a couple of the envelopes of cash from the pile of gifts and my watch, and tiptoed out. I paused before Baba's study and listened in. He'd been in there all morning, making phone calls. ... I went downstairs, crossed the yard, and entered Ali and Hassan's living quarters by the loquat tree. I lifted Hassan's mattress and planted my new watch and a handful of Afghani bills under it.
"I waited another thirty minutes. Then I knocked on Baba's door and told what I hoped would be the last in a long line of shameful lies."

Here's what happens when Baba, Amir's father, gathers Amir, and Ali and Hassan in his study to make inquiries. Amir says:
"They'd both been crying; I could tell from their red, puffed-up eyes. They stood before Baba, hand in hand, and I wondered how and when I'd become capable of causing this kind of pain.
"Baba came right out and asked. "Did you steal that money? Did you steal Amir's watch, Hassan?"
Hassan's reply was a single word, delivered in a thin, raspy voice: "Yes."
I flinched, like I'd been slapped. My heart sank and I almost blurted out the truth. Then I understood: This was Hassan's final sacrifice for me. If he'd said no, Baba would have believed him because we all knew Hassan never lied. And if Baba believed him, then I'd be the accused; I would have to explain and I would be revealed for what I really was. Baba would never, ever forgive me. ..."

Talk about taking on someone else's sins, Hassan, out of love, willingly does it for Amir. The story spans three decades of Amir's llife, a rocky journey indeed. But you won't be disappointed in the end. Or will you? All I know for sure is that I wasn't.

Laugh or Cry Cupcakes: We Laughed

2010-02-14T17:11:00.000-08:00

So I decided to make Red Velvet cupcakes for the family for Valentine's Day. I started at about, oh, maybe 1 a.m. It's so hard to get the batter into the paper liners neatly, and to divide it equally among them is next to impossible for me to do too. But not to worry, somehow love saw me through, and I took the extra time to do the very best job I could do with it. Too bad no one was awake to take pictures of the whole tedious, painstaking process for me. After they cooled I made the rich and fluffy cream cheese frosting. But then I remembered how the boys usually do the frosting for me, I am baaad at it. Oh well, my motto is carry through, so let's just get it done, I think to myself. The recipe said to pipe it on, but I don't know how to pipe. I'll have to settle for globbing it on. The more frosting the better, right?

It's about 3 a.m. now, so after I do a taste test, (yum), I shove them into the fridge and go to bed, falling asleep with the happy knowledge that I've done Valentine's Day up right. I'd mailed valentines to all the kids, and made cupcakes for those here at home.

Here's where the story takes a sad twist. When I took them out of the refrigerator this afternoon, I felt juice running all over the platter they were sitting on. I dashed over to the sink to drain off this unwanted, unknown liquid that was about to ruin my valentine surprise. Several cupcakes fell into the ssink, but most of the others seemed to be ok. I then scurried back over to the fridge to see if I could figure out what this liquid was. Grape juice, oh no, not grape juice. Dan came downstairs soon after and said there was grape juice everywhere. I'd wiped up the shelf, but it was on the other shelves as well, plus on the counter, down the front of the dishwasher, and on the floor. He cleaned it up for me! Thank you, sweetheart, this makes up for no chocolates. (We did share a Midnight Truffle Blizzard after stake conference last night.)

So everything's fine. Seven cupcakes were salvaged. The mess is no more. And in our cottage there is joy, because there's love at home.

Harry Hurray!

2010-02-13T20:08:00.000-08:00

I don't think many other people post about finishing the Harry Potter series. Does this mean my life is meaningless and shallow? Naw, I'm sure it means something, but not that. Anyway, with grandsons Jaxon and Kade, and sons Kimball and Shane as my main encouragement, I finished the entire seven book series today! It's true I'm not a fan of the sappy Twilight books, but I found I am a fan of the exciting, action-packed, suspense-filled, jewel-encrusted Harry Potter story. I wonder what experiences of J. K. Rowling's enabled her to write these sentences, that mirror one of my own hard-won life lessons:
"Harry kept quiet. He did not want to express the doubts and uncertainties about Dumbledore that had riddled him for months now. He had made his choice while he dug Dobby's grave, he had decided to continue along the winding, dangerous path indicated for him by Albus Dumbledore, to accept that he had not been told everything that he wanted to know, but simply to trust. He had no desire to doubt again; he did not want to hear anything that would deflect him from his purpose."

I ordered book seven from the library immediately after I'd read book six, and as Colin was walking through the room I asked him how he'd endured having to wait a year or more between the release of each book back when he and Shane were caught up in the series. In a quavery old man's voice, he said, "Back in my day, we didn't have the next book, we had to be patient." Funny sonny.

We topped the day off by attending the Saturday night session of stake conference together, Dan and I. Having him beside me at church is a rare occurrence indeed, and one that I deeply appreciate. With valentine's day coming up tomorrow, the theme was love. I liked this quote our stake president included in his remarks from a talk called "Love All," by Elder David B. Haight, printed in the Nov. 1982 edition of the Ensign:
“The full and essential nature of love we may not understand,” wrote Elder John A.Widtsoe. “But there are tests by which it may be recognized. “Love is always founded in truth. … Lies and deceit, or any other violation of the moral law, are proofs of love’s absence. Love perishes in the midst of untruth. …Thus, … [he] who falsifies to his loved one, or offers (him or) her any act contrary to truth,does not really love (him or) her. “Further, love does not offend or hurt or injure the loved one. … Cruelty is as absent from love … as truth is from untruth. …“Love is a positive active force. It helps the loved one. If there is need, love tries to supply it. If there is weakness, love supplants it with strength. … Love that does not help is a faked or transient love.“Good as these tests are, there is a greater one. True love sacrifices for the loved one. … That is the final test. Christ gave of Himself, gave His life, for us, and thereby proclaimed the reality of his love for his mortal brethren and sisters.”

See, I told you I'm not shallow, not all the time, anyway. I have learned to love not just because, but also despite. And that's something I'll never finish working on, because I know that love can be eternal.

More Than a Sigh of Relief, It's a Wild Whoop of Joy

2010-02-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Over and over, louder and louder, you keep telling yourself it's ok, everything's going to be just fine. But still, there's a persistent little voice that just won't stop whispering the what ifs in your mind. How great it is to hear the oncologist confirm what you already knew. Everything really is fine! Another whole year before I have to see him again! Woooo-hoooo!!!

I guess this means I'd better get back on the healthy eating & exercising bandwagon. I'm going to be sticking around awhile longer. I want to make red velvet cupcakes for Valentine's Day. Hmmm, let's see if I can figure out how to make a healthy version of this current obsession.

Rich

2010-02-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

We never forget some of the funny things our little ones say, even lo these many years later, and it's always a welcome surprise when something we're doing or thinking in the here and now triggers one of those precious memories. When Greg was about three and a half years old, around this same time of year, I remember him asking me if spring was just around the corner. I said that it was getting closer, but not quite that close yet. He wondered, then, if "it might be around three corners ."

This morning, feeling grateful to have happily emerged from a difficult few days, I smiled to myself at a memory of Jordan from when he was about four years old. When we got home from visiting teaching a lady who' had kindly shown us her doll collection, he thoughtfully observed, "Connie is rich in dolls." I have a couple of Chinese dolls Brianna brought back from China, and a southern belle Barbie doll Dan gave me one year for Christmas, and four recently acquired fairy dolls. So, I'm Not exactly rich in dolls, like Connie was, nor do I aspire to be, but I am aware that I am wildly, fabulously rich in blessings and in truth. In my own humble home, I have felt the very power and spirit of God, the ruler of heaven and of earth. I have personally felt the unmistakable effects of Jesus Christ's atonement. Through it, my bruised and broken heart is being made whole. Fear, hurt, anger, despair, they've each been removed when I put my trust in Himm. Nothing tastes, looks, sounds, feels, or is anywhere near as valuable to me as the everlastingly true gospel of Jesus Christ. I will accept no counterfeits.

"Carry Through"

2010-01-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

Humility coupled with meekness, or teachableness, is not as common as it ought to be. When we received the following letter from Shane in the MTC, I clearly recognized both these qualities in him, and my heart melted like a marshmallow over an open flame. At the young age of 19, he wants to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit. Music to a mother's ears indeed.

Before going to the RC (referral center), he got a feeling that he should bring his study journal, so he did. "I usually don't bring that, I bring the scriptures and PMG (Preach My Gospel). While I was there, I felt that someone was going to ask a question that I could answer with some notes I had taken, so I opened my little study journal and found some I'd taken awhile ago. The scripture I saw there was Ezekiel 37: 19-22, which is about the stick of Judah and the stick of Ephraim, which basically means the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Then my companion got on the phone with someone, and I thought, "Hey, I should take that call instead of Elder Glover." Then I thought, "No, that's his call, he wouldn't like it if I took his call from him." So I carried on with my business.
"No one I called after that answered, and it just so happened that when Elder Glover got off the phone he said that the guy he had talked to had told him he would not read the Book of Mormon because it was not the word of God, that Revelation was the last book in the Bible, that no more word could be added on, and the Bible was the only word of God. I had the answers to all those questions or comments in my mind, and right in front of me in the scriptures. Elder Glover hadn't known how to answer. I could have said Revelation wasn't the last book in the Bible chronologically, that the verse about not adding on meant that men couldn't add on, but God could if He wanted to, that there was a prophecy that foretold of the separation of two books of scripture that would be united, that Lehi and Nephi were descendants of Ephraim, and that they began the record now known as the Book of Mormon. I know that when we receive promptings of the Spirit we need to carry through with them all through every step. If we falter part way through, we don't fulfill our duty. I prepared to help that guy, but I didn't carry through, and he didn't get what he needed."

He's so right. Carry through just became my new motto. Two small words that can make a big difference.

Off to New York

2010-01-18T04:23:00.000-08:00

I just finished talking to Shane at the SLC airport. He's boarding the plane for NYC right now. Our talk was so good, but it was over so quickly! He sounded adorable. And I'm going to be able to get a visual on him too. Uncle Lonnie's brother, Scott, who's a branch president there, looked him up yesterday in the MTC and said hi to him for us. I don't think Scott took the opportunity to give him a hug though. Imagine that! Please, kind Father in heaven, bless and protect him and bring our Shane safely back home to us in Nov. of 2011, and may we all have plenty of wonderful, testimony-building experiences between now and then.

MTC Highlights

2010-01-17T22:48:00.000-08:00

Shane's emails from the MTC have been an absolute joy to receive. He freely, unself-consciously writes of promptings of the Holy Spirit, and bears his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, things he rarely if ever did before. When I passed along a warning from a friend to him that the missionfield can be somewhat of a letdown after the MTC, he wrote : "Well, I certainly believe Lisa about the mission field being a let down, but I refuse to let that bother me. I don't expect to go out and automatically have an awesome experience. The most I expect to be able to do is to bear my testimony in spanish, and hope that people will understand me. I know things will work out, but I know I won't go out and immediately everyone in New York will want to be baptized by me. That won't happen until month two."

Our sons have always been easy-going, able to get along with pretty much anyone. If they don't, you can bet that it's not from lack of trying. Case in point, Shane wrote: My companion and I were having some trouble getting along. It seemed that no matter what we talked about, we would argue about the stupidest things. After a little while I tried to stop them, but he would usually try to carry it on for a little while longer. While I was in the dorm room taking my turn at taking care of Elder Burnham who'd had shoulder surgery, my comp, Elder Glover was in class. So I made his bed, ironed his shirts, and shined his shoes. Since then we've got along well. Charity never faileth, I suppose."

After he'd been in the MTC for about a week, I came up with a litttle theme for the next two years. SW. It's his initials, and, to me, it also stands for stripling warrior. So I sent him stripling warrior figures, some to keep and some to give away to his roommmates if he wants to, a stripling warrior tie tack, gummy soldiers, and a camo fleece throw to snuggle up with after a long day of doing battle for the Lord. This is Shane week, his first week in NY, so I'll post a couple more MTC highlights later. Please join us in praying for Elder Shane Washburn, and for all of our missionaries.

Concert in the Garage

2010-01-13T15:50:00.000-08:00

Dan and I have been enjoying a free concert several times a week for the past couple of months or so. And, we've only received one note in our mailbox, and one knock on the door from neighbors whose tastes are less refined than ours. Colin and some of his friends have started a band. They have one performance under their belt, and another one's schedduled for Jan. 30th. We're not such oldtimers that we haven't really enjoyed the noise, er music, and it's easy to tell where Colin's hangin' out too. Greg captured their first live performance on video, so maybe someday Colin will post some of it for me. Till then, if interested, you can find them on Facebook and MySpace. Just look for The Ancible and you'll hear some pretty sweet ear candy.

Looking Both Ways, Then UP

2010-01-08T03:19:00.000-08:00

So the new year is already a week old, and I'm still looking back, getting an idea of where I've been, so that I can look ahead and decide the best route to take to get to where I want to go. It's a lot of work! Enjoyable work, but demanding work, too. Here's what I've figured out thusfar.

The year 2006 was a tough one for me. The CLL diagnosis came in March. My sweet Jordan broke my heart in July (temporarily) when he left for China without confiding in us beforehand. He later told me he regretted doing it that way. (I told you he was sweet.) The emotional pain was horrible for me back then though, something I hope other parents are spared. Sometimes, ignorance (of pain, for instance) truly is bliss! Of course other things happened that year, both good and bad, but that was the one big defining event of the year for me. .

In 2007, I fearfully started chemotherapy treatments, but was relieved that it wasn't as hard as I'd thought it'd be. Yay, score 1 for 2007! The whole year was going along well, until that night, the night of Dec. 2nd. The world changed that night, and will never, ever be the same. It was Jordan again. This time he was calling from China, with alarmming news. I don't talk a lot about it, and post about it even less, but all that happened after that phone call is still very much with me. Surely, the scalding tears must have left a visible path, which they often retrace. Things intensified a thousandfold in 2008. Jordan was ill. Certain family members rallied in his support, others defected. One even went so far as to say that she didn't care if he lived or died. He died.

Relationships became more meaningful, stronger. Others fell apart. When I began to long for death too, I knew I had to get myself some help. I did. I made it through 2008 alive, and that was saying something! A new calling as a Primary teacher was extended to me in 2009. It helped me find focus and purpose. Thank you, Bishop. I love the children. I love teaching them. I love the gospel, and I care about whether they know and love it or not, too. While some family members have made it clear that my presence and influence are not wwelcome in their sphere, my heart sings with joy that in this small place, once a weekk, I am still wanted and needed. I'm grateful to be needed here at home, too, but I have to have something in addition to that for a sense of personal fulfillment. So, where to go from here, in 2010.

I want to grow stronger, physically and spiritually, this year. There's a lot of room for improvement in both areas, believe me! More exercise, better nutrition, recording spiritual insights and promptings, more focused prayer, truly treasuring the scriptures, developing more charity, and becoming a little more like the Savior, these are the goals I am working on. Lofty, lovely goals that I am ever so eager to tackle, but only as I look up, up to the One who can help me achieve them.

Fun with a Son and His Little Ones

2010-01-05T00:02:00.000-08:00

They came, they saw, they conquered. Well, maybe not exactly in that order, they'd had our hearts wrapped around their little fingers since birth. But oh, how we enjoyed the visit of Greg, Victoria, Julianna, and Christian. Colin agreed to post a few pictures (the camera wasn't always at hand), but I'll go ahead and write a few of my memories.

My little Primary friend, ten-year-old Ally, came over and played with the children on three different days, helping them with homemade salt dough creations, figuring out the first few steps of castle construction (Greg finished up), re-tidying the play areas, teaching Tori and Juli a cool cheer for when they modeled the cheerleading outfits made by their great aunt Jamie, acting as big sister to them at Carl Junior's and Wahooz (formerly known as Boondocks), and watching them take flight with their fairy wings my friend, JoLyn, made for us during the midst of her own holiday preparations.

You see, I owe big thank yous to several people. Julie went out on that busy Saturday before Christmas and found some extra gifts to send to Greg for me. On short notice, Penny, Neil's wife, made and delivered to Greg a cute little Christmas tree, and a funny one made of cans of soup, too. Many people helped out by sending Christmas cards and gifts to my friend, Rebecca. She wrote a happy note of gratitude on the forum we belong to, and said that we had helped her forget about cancer for awhile and made her fearful, 8-year-old son smile.

And you know that cheer Ally taught the girls? It worked! The Boise State Broncos won the Fiesta Bowl tonight!

Happy Happenings

2009-12-30T12:02:00.000-08:00

Our son, Greg, arrived yesterday with three cute little kids in tow. The grandkidlets don't visit very often, so it is a super-duper treat when they do! Last night when they went to bed, they left a little gift for the fairies, a bell, and this morning they found that the fairies had left them their own fairy wings, as well as a cool castle to put together. Alas, our photographer, Brianna, is off on an adventure of her own, so posting pics may be a challenge. Happily, she's on her way to China to visit her family before the start of the next semester. She's been away for two years, so it is time for a good visit for sure. Let's see, it'd been 19 months since Tori, Juli, and Christian were last here, so we're loving having them around. Jaxon, Kade, and Sophia seldom make it out this way either, so we are grandkid poor much of the time. Brooklyn and Lilly used to get to visit fairly often,but there visits are less frequent with their Dad hard at work now, so, woe is us, we miss them and little Zaid, too! :) I know how my own parents probably felt years ago when their children grew up and left home, making visits back home with the little ones a rare occurrence. But, three of the nine are here now, so let's party on! Happy New Year's, everyone. I'll try to do some resolutions in a few days, but first things first!

Christmas Chef or Christmas Elf

2009-12-23T13:43:00.000-08:00

Brianna and I celebrated the end of her grueling semester by kicking back in our new-to-us leather recliners and watching Julie & Julia on our new and improved Black Friday TV. Do not worry, we are not materialistic at Christmastime! No, we spend all our excess cash atThanksgiving and practice strict frugality thereafter. So, following the movie, Brianna became obsessed with the prospect of making Boeuf Bourguignon. We found Julia Child's recipe online, and straightway noticed that it called for three cups of red wine. We googled substitutions, but it was ultimately a forum friend that provided the winning one. We shall be using home-grown, homemade grape juice from the Royal Slope in WA, brought to us by our friend, JoLyn, and fortified by a hefty splash of balsamic vinegar. The meal will be prepared this very day.

That's not the vbest part of the story though. The best part is a remark innocently made by Chef Brianna. When I came downstairs the morning after our substitution search, she suggested that if we were going to omit the red wine from the recipe, she thought that we should change the recipe's name from Boeuf Bourguignon to Boeuf Brigham Young. Say it just so and the two names are very, very similar. Oh my goodness, I am still laughing like an elf over her play on words, and English isn't even her native tongue!
As for other holiday fare, I made four chocolate cherry fruitcakes last week, and cranberry jam this morning. I'll be making cranberry gumdrops when the grandchildren are here after Christmas. (Added 1/06/10: loathed the gumdrops, don't ever make them.) I think the jam would have benefited from a little more sugar, so I don't expect anyone to be as impressed with it as I am. I plan to serve it on scones. I'll whip up a batch of cranberry butter with it and then perhaps it will find a more appreciative audience. Since today is Joseph Smith's birthday, a batch of gingerbread would be nice, but no, I'll commemorate his birthday by listening to that wonderful rendition of Praise to the Man on YouTube instead.

Our family tradition is that we try something new every year, rarely doing the same thing twice. I used to feel a little uncomfortable when class members were asked to share their family traditions, until I realized that's what ours is. People ask, do you open gifts Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. I answer, either way works for us, we've done both. Do you send Christmas cards or a Christmas letter? Sometimes neither (like this year). Last year we sent our family Christmas tree picture, and at other times I write a newsy letter recapping the year's activities. Around here, just about anything goes. As long as we're with those we love and are loved by in return, we're as happy as can be. And now, to one and all, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!

A Christmas Story from Rebecca

2009-12-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

The following is by my friend, Rebecca. Can you tell that she's special?

A while back, someone asked a question about knitting for a Halloween project. I had just gotten interested in knitting and had gotten excited about learning how to knit socks. Since my hands aren't that dextrous at this point, I got some thick, chunky yarn and made a pair of socks. Well, I had my knitting in my bag that I took to school, and one of my students saw it and asked about it. I told him I had learned to knit socks (more like slippers, but whatever) and showed them the one sock I had completed. Surprisingly, these 13-15 year old boys and girls were fascinated and asked if I could make them some socks. That would be about a dozen pairs, so I hemmed and hawed and finally said maybe for Christmas, but I wasn't guaranteeing anything. I guess the Lord really wanted it to happen, because I managed to whip up socks all over the place while watching TV, sitting around feeling yucky from chemo, etc. Can't do much active work, but I found I could make a bunch of stupid socks! Well, on Monday I was at school for a half-day and then am out the rest of the week,so I brought them in to my kids. I was amazed at the whole thing. Every one of them hugged me (even the big, tough older boys), thanked me, and had to put them on. One kid who is extremely withdrawn and angry actually sort of hugged me (he did the "leaning thing") and asked how I knew that blue was his favorite color. (I didn't know) They all left my room in high spirits to go to their next class. Then the complaints started coming in from other teachers. My kids were wearing their socks without any shoes because they liked them so much they wanted to show them off! Other students, ones I didn't even know, stopped by my classroom to ask if I could make THEM socks! My misfit, difficult, emotionally disabled students were the stars for the day. They skated down the halls and put their feet on their desks and showed off how much their teacher loved them. I was originally kind of bummed because I haven't been able to do much due to health issues. Heavenly Father was able to take what little I could do and turn it into a major blessing for my students.

Please Help, If You Can

2009-12-12T20:44:00.000-08:00

Her name is Rebecca. I met her a few years ago on a forum we both joined. She has just learned that cancer has returned for the third time. The past 15 years have found her facing one major trial after another, anyone of which would have knocked most people flat. Well, now that she will be undergoing a biopsy of her bone and starting chemotherapy once again, she is very, very flat, and she needs a lift.

Please email me at bonniebeyond@gmail.com if you would be willing to send her a Christmas card, or even a gift, to help her feel God's love more strongly through the kindness of His children. Currently, the signal is pretty weak.

Thank you,
Bonnie

Glory to God

2009-12-08T15:08:00.000-08:00

The heavens declareth the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. (PS. 19: 1)

Faerie Filosofy

2009-11-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

Our friends, Rick & JoLyn, favored us with a visit this week. JoLyn brought her magic wand and transformed Shane's room into an enchanted faerieland forest. She flitted from place to place gathering Flower Flurries, Thumbelina fairies, Stardust window panels, and other treasures for the room. Um, I'm not very good at flitting, but I did follow her lead faithfully. She'd found almost everything before she even arrived anyway. Rick used his magical skills to capture the power of electricity. We thank them for their friendship and their work, and extend an invitation to faraway fairies to come play and stay awhile in our forest. We'll make fairy berry pies for you. It's not pictured yet, but the fairies have a little hideout in a corner of the room made of lovely comfy acorn baskets just their size.

Rime of the Crow Eater

2009-11-26T06:23:00.000-08:00

Rime of the Crow Eater
by Eugene Field

Into the market place there came
(One autumn morning murky)
An old and battered veteran
To choose a proper turkey.
His coat tails and his shrunken shanks
Had cockle burrs stuck to 'em,
And his whiskers looked as if the wind
Of winter had blown through 'em.
And still as through those whiskers white
The breezes rudely fluttered,
The old man from a cracker-box
This strange recital uttered:
'Twice two long years," says he, "I've sot
Around the Grand Pacific,
And all that twice two years the feed
Has simply been terrific."
"For twice two years I've eaten crow
In widely various weathers;
Not only meat and skin and bones,
But also claws and feathers"
"The crow it is a dismal bird,
And deeply I abhor it;
For twice two years I've lived on crow,
Though never clamoring for it.
'What have we on the bill to-day?'
I'd question of the waiter;
'Turk fer the rest, *but you
Gets crow an' cold pertater'
"They gave me crow in every style
And every foreign name, sir
Alas ! no matter how disguised,
Crow always is the same, sir!
"Though it be christened a la mode,
Still is its flavor queer, sir;
No rhetoric can mitigate
Its consequences here, sir !
"In vain I fled from John B. Drake
To other restauraters;
In vain I sought for victuals else
Than crow and cold pertaters !"
"They fed me crow and only crow
Until I thought I'd die, sir;
I got so full of crow at last
I half opined I'd fly, sir !
"For, as I said a spell ago,
In fair and stormy weathers,
I ate not only the skin and bones
I ate also the feathers !
"The crow it is a noxious bird
To stomachs such as mine is;
But, heaven be praised! there is no ill
But some time has finis!
"Once, as I chewed the bitter cud
Of gloomy introspections,
A cheery voice broke in upon
The thread of my reflections.
"I looked up and saw the face
Of Captain John R. Tanner!
I heard salvation in his voice
I saw it in his manner
"At once dispelled were gnawing griefs
And apprehensions gloomy;
Of all the spectacles on earth,
This was the most precious to me !"
'John ! John !' I wailed, 'give piteous ear
Unto my tale of woe, sir;
For twice two years I've eaten crow,
And eaten only crow, sir !
'What wonder is it that I cry,
"O temp or a! O mores!"
Since gnawing crow has worn away
My DENTES INCISORES
'The bird of which you speak,' says John,
'It, too, has been my living;
But, Bailey, you and I shall gorge
On turkey, come Thanksgiving
' 'See here; I have a subtle soup
Corked up in this decanter,
With which I'll prove "similia
Similibus curanturT
* 'I shall inject this subtle soup
Into our common foe, sir;
Then shall we get the turkey-bird,
And they shall get the crow, sir !
* 'But never mind particulars
Just wait and watch the sequel !
Oh, we shall lead them such a dance
As never had an equal' "
'Twas even as John Tanner said,
And you will not deny it
If you observe, Thanksgiving Day,
My changed and sumptuous diet !
"Times are more prosperous than they were-
Once more we've peace and plenty;
Turkey shall be my dainty feast
Next week, Deo volente!
"For twice two years I've lived on crow
Through ever changeful weathers
Those twice two cycles fed on skins,
Bones, inwards, claws and feathers."
"But fickle fate has brought me joy,
And, feeling blithe and perky,
I've come into the market place
To fetch a bouncing turkey.
"No senile, starveling bird will do
But one that's young and tender;
One that is whiskerless and plump,
And of the female gender"
"I'll carve it next Thanksgiving Day,
And pour the oyster sauce on
'Twill be a goodly change from crow"
Quoth grand old Bailey Dawson-

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Thanksgiving!

2009-11-24T16:34:00.000-08:00

My big fat 19-pound turkey sits in golden splendor, fresh from the oven. He's the ultimate early bird. We made pumpkin biscuits this morning. Pumpkin whoopie pies are on tap for tomorrow. Dan's been bringing home gallons and gallons of apple cider. And turkey (with homemade noodles) soup and turkey sandwiches galore will be consumed over the next few days. But, on Thanksgiving, we're dining out. That's the reason for jumping the turkey-shooting gun and roasting up our fine feathered friend today. The holidays are within us - (we just sampled the turkey, and he is delicioso!)

Not only that, but we got our first email from Shane-of-the-MTC this afternoon too! He claims he's gained 8 pounds since last week, but I know there's no way that could be true. That scale just weighs heavier than ours. Remind me never, ever to weigh at the MTC! Everyone's scurrying around wildly here, gearing up for some full out fun! ... interspersed with a few naps. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

The Empty Sea

2009-11-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

Kimball was the first of Shane's brothers to enter the MTC, when Shane was only four years old. He was with us during all six trips to the MTC with each boy in turn. I think it was three years ago, when we took Colin down to begin his mission, that Shane told us that he always thought we were going to the empty sea on the earlier trips when he heard us mention the MTC. That's where he is tonight, safe and sound, ready to go forth and serve, he's in the MTC. He's the last of our missionary sons, but the first one to depart from his own hometown. As of last June, families no longer go inside the MTC with the new arrivals. Since the church will pay for airfare to SLC, we said our goodbyes at the Boise airport rather than making the ten- to twelve-hour round trip drive to Provo. His good friend, Stewart Wayment, greeted him there, and then drove down to Provo where they picked up another friend, Evan Darrington,, to have lunch together at the BYU Creamery.

Privileged is the best word to describe how I've felt during these last few weeks with Shane. I was with him yesterday when he received a beautiful patriarchal blessing from our new stake patriarch, Brother Buhler. Shane told me that for the first time, he felt that God knew him as an individual, not just as one of the group of His many many children. When that realization sinks into your heart, that you really are known and loved by the Lord, the love of God can really burst into full bloom, bringing about amazing growth and enlightenment! I remember when it happened to me. I suddenly felt God's love for me, an obscure and ordinary person. And I knew since He loved me no matter who I was, or wasn't, I wasn't really just obscure and ordinary at all, and that He loved ALL of His children. I also knew that if He loved everyone else, so should I! I began to sense that each individual is precious. I believe that I witnessed Shane coming to this understanding in recent weeks as well.
Remarkably, gratefully, the channel of revelation from the Lord we'd felt earlier in the day, remained opened as President Porter set Shane apart as a missionary in the New York New York South Mission later that evening. After so many evidences of friendship and concernfrom our ward and others, Shane told me that he never realized that so many people cared about him. I wish everyone could feel that way, but it may be that many have not yet felt it, maybe because it has not yet been adequately shown to them. I hope I can begin to help them know it by the way I speak to and treat them though.

A hearty thank you to Ethan and Missy for coming to Shane's farewell. We thoroughly enjoyed your visit. His talk alone was worth the drive, wasn't it? Thanks to his friends for coming, too. Thanks to each of you, Cindy, Karen, Phil, and Kirt, for the temple trips. Shane was able to go there about 8 times over the last three and a half weeks to bless and serve in sealings, baptisms, endowments, and initiatories. He even went one time on his own. As I said, thanks to the influence of the Spirit, and of many good and caring people, and to Shane's own righteous choices and desires, he is prepared to serve the Lord, nowe and forever. May it ever be thus, is my humble and ongoing prayer for him, and for all of our sons and their families.

Tea and Crumpets

2009-11-09T22:31:00.001-08:00

Believe it or not, I am actually sitting here at the computer (alas, not in the drawing room), with a cup of tea (licorice spice tea) and a plate of crumpets. Will wonders ever cease? I hope not! I've been delving into the bygone days when fairies roamed the land freely, and somehow, it awakened a desire to try tea and crumpets for myself. The crumpets are a bit of a disappointment, not nearly as tasty as I imagined, but then, perhaps my technique left something to be desired. The recipe made a yeasty, pancakey type batter, and the finished product is a chubby little pancake sort of thing, not terribly impressive but greatly improved by a generous application of butter and strawberry jam. Hmm, I just took another sip and another bite, and I think they're growing on me (or maybe I'm the one doing all the growing)! Scandalous though it may be, I may just try a whole wheat version of crumpets. After all, I'm planning to serve them to Greg and the children when they come visiting next month, and I'm aiming for healthy as well as delicious fare. Drat it all! I just put the teabag on my plate, and accidentally picked it up and popped it into my mouth, thinking it was a crumpet. Yucko, blindness can be hard on the tastebuds!

Ahem, as I was saying, when Greg arrives, I'll have a little fairylland awaiting them. Shane's room is going to become a forest/fairy themed space where fairy houses are constructed, fairy tales are told, and the wee folk are made to feel at home. Shane's not exactly delighted, but that's ok, the fairies are kind. When he's back home, they'll gladly relocate. In the meantime, magic is in the works.

Licorice Spice Tea

2009-11-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

How a former non-tea drinker, me, became a fan! All those lovely herbal tea names always sounded so enticing - peppermint, chamomile, lemon ginger, etc., - but they tasted weak, watery, flavorless to me. So I swore off them and never looked back. Until, that is, I attended a book club last week where the hostess offered an array of items, including vegetables, cookies, pumpkin crisp and ice cream, apple cider, hot cocoa, and three kinds of tea. When she added that licorice spice tea was her favorite, I decided the courteous thing to do would be to choose it. What a surprise! It is uniquely delicious, and according to a post on the CLLC Friends forum, posted by Penny, it just may figure into a strategy of protection against the H1N1 virus, as well. I can't vouch for it, but I think it sounds fairly sensible. I checked Snopes though, and they convincingly dispute its authenticity, but quote a doc who says something to the effect of go for it if it makes you feel better, but be advised that some of the recommendations are not evidenced-based. So, see what you think:
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic
of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in
spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation
is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order
to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections,
some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can
be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face
(unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt).
*H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate
and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way,
gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu
has on an infected one.. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful
preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean the nostrils at least once every day with warm salt
water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas
to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both
nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing
down viral population..*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other
citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that
it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids such as teas, etc. as you can. *Drinking warm liquids
has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating
viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or
do any harm.

The homeless pumpkin

2009-10-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

"Oh, pitiful pumpkin, outside you must sleep."
"Why?" you ask. "Because of the company you keep."

In the Temple

2009-10-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

Dan and I received our endowments in the Salt Lake temple; Ethan, Kimball, and Greg in the Seattle temple; Neil, Jordan, Colin, and Shane all received theirs in the Boise temple. Shane may have felt a bit of apprehension yesterday, but for me, it was a time of pure joy. Thank you to our friends who were able to be with us. I am imagining how wonderful it would be to gather our whole family in a temple somewhere someday. I won't stop hoping, it can happen if everyone shares that joyful vision.

"As the pioneers had the larger vision in their daily challenge for survival, so also we need to have a greater vision and understanding of our eternal destiny. Our challenges are more subtle but equally hard. Maintaining our spiritual strength is also a daily challenge. The greatest source of that spiritual strength comes, as it did in their time, from our temples."

"I urge all who have not yet received these greatest of all blessings within the walls of the temple to do whatever may be necessary to qualify to receive them. To those who have received these blessings, I invite you to prepare yourselves to savor again the experience of being within the sacred premises of the holy temples of God and have the visions of life eternal open again to your hearts, minds, and souls."

(James E. Faust, in"Eternity Lies before Us," Ensign, May 1997, 20)

Gladsome Tidings

2009-10-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

1. We will be in the temple tomorrow with Shane.
2. His last Sunday at church here for two whole years will be on Nov. 15th. He will be speaking then, and all who would like to join us are warmly invited to do so. Let us know, and we'll treat you to a hearty dinner, too.
3. Our good friends, the Farrers, are planning to visit us for Thanksgiving. JoLyn will help me (what am I saying, she'll do it) transform Shane's room into our temporary guest room.
4. Greg, Tori, Juli, and Christian are going to spend the week after Christmas with us, and we'll be able to ring in the New Year together.
It's wonderful to have good things to look forward to, isn't it? It keeps me smiling.

Beautiful Bread

2009-10-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

Bread

Wheat is a stream of gold

a living river

a golden, whispering,

dusty stream

how many sacks of flour?

how many loaves of bread?

in what far-off lands?

Up it thrusts

boldly piercing the hard earth

to unfold as a field

over the prairie province.

(from "A Cup of Sky)

I know precious little of presentation. Ah, but I do know how to savor the feel, the aroma, the taste of ffreshly baked whole wheat bread.

Who Loves Hummus?

2009-10-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

I do. And I made it for the first time last night! It'd been on my want-to-make list for some time, but I'd been unable to locate one of its key ingredients, tahini, so my desire was cruelly thwarted. As Brianna and I meandered our way along the bulk bin aisle of Fred Meyers last Saturday evening, we chanced upon the tahini that had eluded me for so long, and thus it was that my dream became a reality. Next on my wannt-to-make list is baba ghanoush. With both eggplant and tahini on hand, I have everything I need to make that as well, and will do so in a few days. For the life of me, I can't make a decent pie crust, or pipe decorative swirls of anything onto anything, but as long as I can make the things I crave, I consider myself astonishingly accomplished in the kitchen. I have a teeny suspicion that I may be the only one, however, who holds that view..

My friend, JoLyn, is reading an excellent book most mornings over the phone to me, Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels. It's jampacked with really essential information on nutrition, and how our food choices impact our health for good or ill. I wish I'd known this stuff decades ago! But much of the interplay between nutrients and anti-nutrients and their effects upon the body weren't even known then. It is an eye-opening mind expanding read for sure.

I still slack off sometimes and give way to temptation like, say, Papa Murphy's though. I thought I was too tired to cook last night, before I had a nap and regained enough energy to make the hummus, so I asked Shane to bring home a pizza. When the girl at the counter called out his order and he went up to retrieve it, she said something to him that he didn't quite understand. So he replied with, "ok." She said something else that he missed, and he answered, "All right." Next she said, "What's wrong?" He said, "I don't know," and quickly left. Hearing him relate this confusing conversation made us all burst into laughter. He told us, though, that it's random experiences like this that sometimes make him wonder what kind of missionary he'll be. We all think he'll be a fine missionary, but we also assured him that it was ok to ask people to repeat what they've said if you don't understand them. What a cutie he is. Sharing his thoughts and concerns with us makes him all the more endearing. It's harder to feel close to those who hide their thoughts and feelings. It's sad, too, when you begin to get the impression that you no longer truly know your own loved ones. Is it really so difficult to be open and transparent with others? I know it is possible to do that, and yet to still keep your own personal matters private. Some prefer walls. I favor less rigid boundaries.
-1 pound this week

MissionCallReceived!

2009-10-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

Shane is the fourth grandson of my parents to serve in this very same mission. This must mean something! Both his brother, Kimball, and cousins, Jason and Dustin, will be filling him in on the New York New York South Mission! He'll be entering the MTC on Nov. 18th to study Spanish and everything else missionaries study. Go Shane, go, we are happy for you!

Countdown

2009-10-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

Will it be tomorrow? Or the next day? Most likely it will be but two more days. Then Shane will have that all-important letter in hand, letting him know where he'll be spending the next two years of his life, in service to God and His children, away from home. At the moment, he and Colin are out doing a little coupon toy shopping for me. I'm chuckling at the thought of their first attempt at navigating the aisles of Toys R Us looking for the hot Disney Princess deals of the day, a task he'll surely be spared as a missionary.

In my other countdown, last week's total weight loss was three pounds. . That mmakes seven in four weeks. Onward and downward is my cry! I think I'm going to be able to wear some of the winter clothes that I haven't worn for a couple of years. Now that's frugality for ya.

Blog Scare

2009-10-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

I know this is the month of spooky Halloween, but is google celebating early, or was it the prank of a malevolent hacker? When I came to my blog this morning, my blog was not here! My heart dropped. Fourteen months of pictures and thoughts, over 100 posts' worth, were, poof, just gone. I checked my email, and found that a friend had eamiled about 10 hours earlier to tell me of its disappearance. Then, suddenly, before I could take any action at all, it was back. Very good, but very weird. Well, hope remains that any of our grandchildren who may ever be interested will still be able to read the thoughts of Grandma Bonnie, and perhaps come to know me as a person, not just a name in a rarely read book. Hi, grandkids!

This is general conference morning. I always look forward to these two weekends of the year and make every effort to listen to all the sessions. Instead of taking notes as usual, I'm going to just write down what I'm prompted to do or to change, as the brethren speak. I guess I never give up hope that this imperfect Bonnie will improve herself with the ever-patient assistance of our kind and loving Lord. What is it the scripture says? - Keep kickin till the end? Come heck or high water (and I've seen plenty of both), I plan on doing just that.

Hello Othello!

2009-09-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Ethan and Missy were thronged by guests this weekend, eager to attend Zaid's blessing, and Dan and Shane and I were among them. We were in Othello for only about 20 hours, but that was long enough to hold a bit of heaven in my arms, to read stories to Brooklyn and Lilly, to visit with Dan's sisters, to meet and greet Missy's side of the family, and probably to leave Ethan and Missy exhausted for a full week or more. They provided three tasty meals in a row for various members of the family, and sent us on our way at last with a bag of zucchini from their bountiful garden. Thanks, guys, it was great! -1 pound this week!

Those who were in the blessing circle

Iris, Dan, and Janet

New Email Addy

2009-09-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Yup, my old hot mail account was giving me a lot of trouble. I received emails ok, but couldn't send any out. They just got stuck in my outbox and wouldn't budge for the world. So after a couple of weeks of trying to figure it out, I gave up and got a new account. It's better than hotmail alone, but not as good as the outlook Jordan got me started with five years ago when I first gained computer access. If he were here, I know he would've wrangled it back into submission for me, but he's not, and I miss him so much! Not for his computer prowess, but for himself, the whole delightfully unique package that is Jordan McKay Washburn! But don't let me get started down that painful path, let me give you my new address. It's bonniebeyond@gmail.com Got it? bonniebeyond@gmail.com !

-2 pounds this week! It's going great!

My Glowing Fire

2009-09-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

Meet our new fire pit, Dan's birthday gift from me, his fire-crazed wife. I just love it! I think he likes it too, just not as much as I do. Now we need to find a steady source of smallish sized firewood, because this little goodie is going to get a lot of use. I'd forgotten how great a simple hot dog can taste cooked over an open fire. So good that nutrition concerns are completely, albeit temporarily, set aside. We grilled vegetables too, and finished off with, what else, smores. Oh, and I made the hot dog buns, and they were whole wheat, so we didn't do too badly after all.

Your Future's as Bright As Your Faith

2009-09-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

I'm going to go out on a limb and make a prediction. Shane will receive his mission call on Oct. 7th. There, we'll know if I'm a credible prognosticator in only three weeks. If I were the one doing the calling, where would I send him? I don't know. For Colin, I had a strong desire that he stay within the U.S., and he did. For Shane, I must be trusting the Lord more an leaning on my own understanding less, because no preferences have surfaced. Actually, it may be because I know that anywhere he goes will be too far away for me. I'd rather him go than stay home though, so I won't be trying to wrestle control over any of it from the Lord. Not that that's possible, but that doesn't keep us from trying sometimes, does it.

My new eating plan is going great! I feel more energetic than I have in a very long time. I think I lost 2 pounds in the first week, but my scale played a trick on me yesterday ()our weighing day). The day before that and today, it said I'd lost 2 pounds, but the day of, it registered only a 1 pound loss. That's ok, I'll have that scale eating out of my hand in no time. I'm eating lots of vegetables and whole grains, and a modicum of meat and fruit. I love grinding my own wheat, and then turning around and baking up a batch of fragrant, delicious, 100% whole wheat bread. The fam is loving it too. I like knowing that they're getting more fiber and nutrients than they had been getting in our former storebought brand.

Now about sugar. I spent some time this morning reading up on lots of sugar replacements - mainly stevia and agave, but also the artificial sweeteners. The latter is out. If I want to use something other than honey and sugar, I'm leaning toward stevia and grade B maple syrup. But, right now, I think I'll just limit all sweets of any kind and not worry about starting anything new. I'll keep studying up on nutrition as I go along, and make changes when I'm convinced it'd be worthwhile. I really really like how I'm feeling now though - like I'm on the right trrack. Just stay away from me, swine flu, pneumonia, and too many leukemic cells, and I'll be fine! Both my faith and my future are bright bright bright! And I pray so hard that yours are too.

September Surprise

2009-09-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

September has got to be one of the very best months of the year. Strung upon its golden chain of days like sparkling charms, are the birthdays of Dan, and three of our sons, Ethan, Greg, and Shane, and of our first grandchild, Jaxon. With all the cake and ice cream this calls for, one might think it's a terrible time to begin a whole new way of eating. But I say, along with my super secret society of supporters, that it's a great time to start a fresh approach to nourishment. I'm blending elements from several books together to come up with what I hope works best for me. I will let you know how it goes! Wish me luck.

Shane had the worst birthday of his life last week, but in typical Washburn fashion, he was able to laugh about it. He spent the day driving from one clinic to another, getting his mission medical papers filled out. At one clinic, he received an MMR and a TDAP vaccination, and was sent to another for a hepatitis immunization. . There was some confusion on which vaccine to give him, and he was given the wrong one, B instead of A! The first clinic called him and told him of the other clinic's error, and instructed him to return, assuring him that he'd receive the correct vaccine free of charge. But when he arrived at the second clinic for the second time that day, they wouldn't give him the vaccine, and said they didn't know anything about it being given for free, either. In the midst of all this running between clinics, he also went to his dentist's office to get a form filled out, but the office was closed. We called the dentist, a friend, and he told Shane to come right over to his home and he'd fill it out for him, which he did.

Next morning, the first clinic called to say Shane could pick up his papers. When I told the nurse that he'd been unable to get the vaccine the evening before, she called the clinic in a bit of a huff, I suspect, and they called us right away to apologize for the previous day's events. As it turns out, Shane won't be able to get the correct vaccine for 4-6 weeks, but he can still turn his papers in without it. And, ta-da, he turned them in yesterday at church. Now he's working on getting an appointment for an interview with the stake president. Go Shane go! No, don't go! Yes, do go, but your Mom is going to miss you soooo much.

We didn't get to do the shopping we'd planned to do what with all the hither-and-thithering, so Shane's birthday dinner and cake were delayed until Saturday. Finally, we got it altogether, and he was semi-properly honored. His gift is still pending, because I thought it best if he chose it himself. It'll be a camera to take with him on his mission. And thus we see that September's surprises begin to unfold. He may even have his mission call before the end of the month, and I may have lost a few pounds to boot!

Zach, and Nick, and So Many Others Needd Our Prayers

2009-09-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Zach McCulloch is 19 years old. He has been battling rhabdomyosarcoma for three and a half years. His care has just been changed from curative to palliative, meaning nothing is being done to stop the disease, only to alleviate symptoms. His father, Kevin, writes with such hope that another treatment plan will come along. I can't tell him, but I don't think it will.

Nick Raitt is 20 years old. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma about two and a half years ago, just before his high school graduation. Like Zach, he has relapsed, and will begin a year of treatment next week, including chemo and six weeks of radiation.

Treatment is tough! Ending treatment is even tougher! I remember being where Zach's and Nick's families are now. They are clinging to hope just the way I did. Hope can be a warm blanket that shields us for a time from the bitter, cold reality of losing a child. There are so many desperate struggles for life going on that we know nothing of. Oh, dear Father in heaven, teach us to cherish one another while we can! Heal those who are sick. But if not, then please wrap them in that soft, fleecy blanket of hope. Comfort them, dry their tears, mend their broken hearts, we humbly pray. Give them patience for those who do not/cannot understand their extreme pain, and who inadvertently hurt them with words that are meant in kindness but are like daggers to the hart.

Stacie, a CLL friend, was diagnosed at age 33, when her oldest daughter was 12 and her twin daughters were 11. That was 13 years ago. She has had many close calls, and seems to be entering another one, which could very well be her last. I pray that she can spend many more years with her family here on earth! Her first grandchild, Colton, is only a year old, and she is blessed to have a close relationship with him. And yet, through it all, Zach, Nick, Stacie, and many, many others are thankful for every blessing, enjoying each moment of life they have, and doing little to no complaining at all. Now really, in light of their courageous example in the face of real adversity, and for so many other reasons, I think the majority of us can afford to up the gratitude factor quite a bit, as well! Let us focus less on ourselves, and more on reaching out, and showing love and respect to all who need it! .. and isn't that not just ourselves but everyone?

Nearly Speechless in Seattle

2009-08-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

UW's Red Square

Baby Love

Ethan Receiving an Award

Fellow Graduate Dressed for Success

Rachel, the Pike Place Pig

Shane's Turn

Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Ferry Princesses

Snoqualmie Falls

Happy 36th Anniversary!

2009-08-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Yay, today's our anniversary, and Dan has the whole week off! Let's see what fun we can cook up in addition to going to Seattle this week for Ethan's graduation, and an all-around good time! We're not the mushy, sentimental type, but here's a little something we'll share in honor of our big day.

1. How old were you when you met? He was 19; I was 20.
2. Was it love at first sight? No.
3. Where did you go on your first date? To the Marriott Center for a basketball game between BYU and UTEP.
4. Do you remember what you were wearing? I wore purple bell bottoms and a white and purple sweater. Neither of us remember what he wore.
5. First kiss? On the cheek in the BYU library about a month later.
6. How long from your first date to your wedding day? Eighteen months.
7. Where were you married? In the Salt Lake temple.
8. Where was your first home together? An apartment in Seaside, CA.
9. How long were you married before your first child was born? 13 months.
10. What foods does he dislike? Garlic, onions, zucchini, tofu.
11. What are his favorite foods? French toast, spaghetti, sunflower seeds, porkchops, and fried chicken.
12. Foods she dislikes: shrimp, lobster, Miracle Whip, jalapenos.
13. Her favorite foods:: Bruschetta, potatoes, brown rice, chocolate, oranges, watermelon.
14. Who's the most stubborn? He is. She is. He is. She is. He is. She is. It's a tie!
15. Most generous? Tied again.
16. Do you both like to read? Yes.
17. The same authors? No.
18. Do you agree on money and politics? Yes and yes.
19. Do you have a special song? We did when we were dating - Sealed With A Kiss by Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Like Brian Hyland's version better now though.
20. Would you do it all over again? In a heartbeat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlVnP141-kY&feature=related

Tho we gotta say goodbye for the summerr
Darling I promise you this
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
Guess it's gonna be a cold lonely summer
But I'll fill the emptiness
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
I'll see you in the sunlight
I'll hear your voice everywhere
I'll run to tenderly hold you
But darling you won't be there
I don't wanna say goodbye for the summer
Knowing the love we'll miss
Oh let us make a pledge to meet in September
And seal it with a kiss
Guess it's gonna be a cold lonely summer
But I'll fill the emptiness
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
Sealed with a kiss
Sealed with a kiss

If I Were a Rich Man

2009-08-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Interesting proposition though that may be to contemplate, if I were a rich man, well I just wouldn't recognize myself! It is definitely a blast to have some mad money to spend once in awhile though. Last week, due to the dispersal of a few remaining funds from my mom's estate, I was able to go on a spending spree. Wheeeeee! Somewhere out there, the U.S. Postal Service is in possession of several packages laden with goodies bound for my address. Books, games, a few toys, Corelle dinnerware, red gingham acrylic tumblers, and elegant red acrylic goblets to coordinate with the dinnerware are headed my way! This week I plan to order a Wonder mill Whisper Mill The worlds best grain machine and a food dehydrator, and I'm searching for a good deal on a fire pit for Dan's rapidly approaching birthday.

On top of all this shopping, I've just finished, and begun another, wonderful book. Martha Spence Haywood's journal, written from 1850 to 1856 and titled Not By Bread Alone, was a real heart- and-eye-opener for me. Most surprisingly, some of the very ancestors and their acquaintances I've been reading about were mentioned by name, and Martha knew one of them, Benjamin F. Johnson, quite well. Benjamin was the first husband of Flora Clarinda Gleason Johnson Washburn. Clarinda divorced him and married Abraham Daniel Washburn, the first Washburn to join the church, having been taught by Parley P. Pratt in New York. Not too surprisingly, the reason for the divorce varies depending on whether you're a Washburn or a Johnson descendant. Martha often alluded to vexing differences of opinion with family members and others, without going into great detail. Ever quick to turn her trials over to the Lord, she wrote that it was her belief that they were designed to refine and fit her for exaltation. Her patience and uncomplaining nature inspire me. I learned a lot from reading Martha's words that I want to emulate, and I hope to meet her someday and sit down with her for a friendly chat. I stumbled across a talk by Elder Cook, one thought from which I'm putting at the end of this entry, because it made me think of Martha.

The other book I'm reading is about another non-complainer, Jean-Dominique Bauby. A massive stroke left him paralyzed, except for his left eyelid, completely dependent upon others for life itself. The paralysis caused him to suffer locked-in syndrome. With a mind as active and observant as ever, his wit and candor are intriguing. His remarkable book is called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

I am grateful for the people who strongly impacted the quality of my life last week, and I can't say thank you to any of them. Sister Haywood, Mr. Bauby, and especially my sweet, wise mother, in their own individual ways, truly enriched me, not just for last week, but for always.

Elder Gene R. Cook:
"I bear testimony that often, in the midst of suffering trials, afflictions, and discouragement, those very circumstances tutor us in developing increasing love and trust in God. Consequently, what a great blessing those trials are!"

Trudging Along the Oregon Trail

2009-08-08T15:59:00.000-07:00

We set out this morning to watch the reenactment of the river crossing near Glenns Ferry at Three Island State Park. We found that the Oregon Trail still holds disappointment for some of its travelers when we became stuck in a three to four mile traffic jam and missed the whole thing. The park's website says,

Upon reaching the Three Island ford, the emigrants had a difficult decision to make. Should they risk the dangerous crossing of the Snake, or endure the dry, rocky route along the south bank of the river? About half of the emigrants chose to attempt the crossing by using the gravel bars that extended across the river. Not all were successful; many casualties are recounted in pioneer diaries. The rewards of a successful crossing were a shorter route, more potable water and better feed for the stock. The Three Island ford was used by pioneer travelers until 1869, when Gus Glenn constructed a ferry about two miles upstream."

The Glenns Ferry community has sponsored a crossing reenactment for 24 years. Unfortunately, this year's event was the last. Our trip wasn't wasted because Dan said he like the looks of the area and that we'll go back to explore when its less crowded. We picked up the Oregon Trail again near Boise though, hiked a little, admired the well-watered sage brush (thanks to an extra wet spring and summer), and finished off by picnicking on a round of Jack's mini sirloin burgers.

New Baby, New Calling, and New Puzzlement

2009-08-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

Announcing the birth of our new little grandson, Zaid Andrews Washburn! You can see pics at Ethan's and Missy's blog! Welcome to the world, little Zaid. We now have five granddaughters and four grandsons, each a treasured part of the world of Washburns. We are blessed, and pray that we can be a blessing to each of them too!

Shane was ordained to the office of an elder in the Melchizedek priesthood by Colin on July 12th. I could tell that he was feeling a little uncertain about where he fit in in the ward since his graduation. Now he knows where he belongs, for the time being. I'm so happy that our wonderful ward leaders extended a call to him, seting him apart as a priest quorum adviser last Sunday!

I've been trying to solve a mystery of the Washburn family since we returned from last week's reunion. Why did Dan's great Grandfather Parley Pratt Washburn's family leave the church? It seems to have caused problems for succeeding generations, which really is no surprise, is it? As I've found snippets of information here and there on the web, I've felt such a love for them, and a desire to help turn the tide back to the way of his father, Abraham. But then I find myself thinking that if faithful Abraham and Flora Clarinda's own son somehow decided to become a dissenter from the church, is it any wonder that my own family faces similar struggles, or that prayer and study are needed now more than ever?

Easy, Breezy, and Fun!

2009-07-31T21:52:00.000-07:00

We're back from our jaunt to Utah, and I'm delighted to say that none of my fears were realized, but all of my hopes were.! Staying with my sister Julie and family is always a treat for us (maybe not for them), but they somehow give the distinct impression that they like us as much as we like (love) them. Thank you, you big, beautiful Baird family! I want the recipe for Julie's zucchini soup, which tasted like potato soup, deftly hiding the macerated zucchini within its rich and creamy depths. We got to meet the newest addition to their family, little Zonie Rebecca Jackson, too! Born on July 19th, and named after her great great grandmother, she is amazingly strong, one of the features by which her honored ancestor is remembered. Baby Zonie's head and back didn't seem to need the support one would expect of a neonate, and her little feet felt ready to carry her through the active lifestyle of running, hiking, and biking that her parents pursue. Julie and I found time for a little shopping, and we topped it all off by a French toast breakfast prepared by Seth this morning, and enjoyed while listening to the happy bluegrass banjo-picking sounds of Yonder Mountains String Band. Lonnie continues to take his chemo kickin' and keep on tickin'! On chemo weeks, he tires quickly, but rises early and goes to work as usual. With just one more round of chemo to go, we pray for his platelets to rebound and for the cancer to disappear forever!

Well, I knew that part of the trip would be great, but I was worried about how the rest of it would go. It went swimmingly! Kimball came up with the idea of having Dan and me ride down to Fish Lake, about a three-hour drive, with his family, and what a golden opportunity to get better acquainted with Jaxon, Kade, and Sophia that turned out to be! The boys regaled us with story and song, with two-and-a-half-year-old Sophia joining in on her favorite parts. They are so very relaxed and well-behaved, knowledgeable, and just plain fun to be with. Our niece Christine, Kimball's first cousin, and the children's first cousin once removed, took some pictures that I can hardly wait to receive and share here. She's still vacationing in Utah though, and won't be back home to Texas for a few days, so it may be awhile before the pictures find their way to me.

The reunion itself was inspiring. It has ignited the idea of holding a Tyrus Washburn gathering next year, possibly at a park in Provo or Monroe. This reunion was for the descendants of Jesse and Christiane Olsen Washburn, but their son, Dan's dad, Tyrus's posterity made up over half of those in attendance. I think Tyrus had eight siblings, and one of them was even present, his 95-year-old brother Clayton, and his wife Lenny. (I'm just guessing at the spelling of Lenny's name.) Dan's brother Alan's family reunion was being held in conjunction with Jesse's, and consequently, they had a great turnout. We were happy to be able to visit with five out of Alan and Linda's nine children. Jonathan batted around the idea of the Ty Washburn reunion; Kaye busily solicited contributions to a Ty and Miriam Washburn family history book; little great nieces passed around their own books for collecting their relatives' autographs; major water fights were waged; Cindy's new little one, Graham, was introduced; conversation, hugs and laughter were shared. I am so glad I didn't listen to my worries as I've sometimes done in the past, and that Dan and I made the sacrifice to be a part of it all. For those unable to attend, we love you bunches, and hope to see you next time!