Saturday, August 2, 2008
Is It Christmas?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Using the Internet for Good
I have had a lot of time to read in the past couple of weeks. While reading this month's Ensign I really studied Elder Ballard's article entitled Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet. I read it once and thought, "hey, did I just read what I thought I read?" So I read it again. He said, "Ours is the world of cyberspace, cell phones that capture video, video and music downloads, social networks, text messaging and blogs, handhelds and podcasts. This is the world of the future...How will you use these marvelous inventions? More to the point, how will you use them to further the work of the Lord?" He went on to say, "Make sure that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind increase your opportunities, and feed your soul." But what struck me so significantly that I thought my name was printed in front of it was, "Now, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration."
What a wonderful opportunity and responsibility I have to bear testimony in my words and actions. Isn't it amazing that someone across the world can pull up a blogsite and read how we feel and see what is going on in our everyday lives. I hope always that the things I post will be uplifting and a good representation of where my heart really is--the truths I believe, the people I love and my desire to be a better person.
What a wonderful opportunity and responsibility I have to bear testimony in my words and actions. Isn't it amazing that someone across the world can pull up a blogsite and read how we feel and see what is going on in our everyday lives. I hope always that the things I post will be uplifting and a good representation of where my heart really is--the truths I believe, the people I love and my desire to be a better person.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
47 Questions
Sorry--I just now noticed that I was tagged a very long time ago.
1. Were you named after anyone? Yes, my maternal grandmother, Anna Mae Lee and they called her Anna Lee.
2. When was the last time you cried? Two days ago when I found out the Margaret was in the hospital.
3. Do you like your handwriting? Most of the time.
4. What is your favorite lunchmeat? Smoked turkey
5. Do you have kids? You better believe it! Ten.
6. If you were another person would you be friends with yourself? Most of the time but I would probably have a few things to say to myself about myself if you know what I mean.
7. Do you use sarcasm alot? I am ashamed to say yes, yes I do.
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes, two of the only removable things I have that haven't been removed.
9.Would you bungee jump? Maybe off the couch.
10. What is your favorite cereal? Fiber One
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes, I have to. My feet won't come out if I don't.
12. Do you think you are strong? When I am in the right frame of mind I can deal with almost anything. As for physically--I used to be.
13. What is your favorite ice cream? Moose tracks. That sounds disgusting when I write it. Perhaps next time I want to eat it I should consider what moose tracks really are!
14. What is the first thing you notice about people? Their spirit and if they are happy.
15. Red or pink? Is this as in favorite color or what my eyes look like after a long night?
16. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My tendancy to slide into the "glass half empty syndrome."
17. Who do you miss the most? My dad and my mom.
18. Do you want everyone to send this back to you? For the life of me I don't know what this means. Send what back?
19. What color shoes are you wearing? None, its the Indian in me, I hate wearing shoes if I don't have to.
20. What was the last thing you ate? How embarassing. I ate two Oreo Cakesters. I know I know, now I will hear about this from some vigilant person. Do you read blogs Kathleen?
21. What are you listening to right now? Silence. The hum of the computer, the grandfather clock chiming, the air conditioner clicking on. Thank heavens for air conditioning. I am such a wimp.
22. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Definitely blue so I could make a perfect blue sky for everyone no matter where they are or what their circumstances might be.
23. Favorite smells. Jim's pillow. The air on an early morning walk. Baby's hair washed in baby bath. My kids. They each have their own smell and I love it.
24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Jim, saying good night from Las Vegas.
25. Do you like the person who sent this to you. Yes, and I love her too.
26. Favorite sports to watch. BYU football and Heber's soccer games.
27. Hair color? Hmmmm. Brown highlighted with blonde and menaced with some gray.
28. Eye color. Blue
29. Do you wear contacts? I should. People on the road would be a lot safer.
30. Favorite food. Lettuce wraps from Pei Wei.
31. Scary movies or Happy endings? Definitely not scary. I am a WIMP. Can't sleep after one. Not necessarily happy endings, they are nice but I like drama.
32. Last movie you watched? You mean in its entirety without sleeping? College Road Trip with the boys tonight.
33. What color shirt are you wearing? Orange and wow is this a first.
34. Summer or winter? Until this year winter. I have loved working in the yard this year. Go figure.
35. Hugs or kisses? Definitely hugs. I don't like slobber.
36. Favorite dessert? Well, lets see. Anything chocolate or frosted or glazed or anything.
37. Most likely to respond? Alaina, she has an unfair advantage. She works all night so she generally sees all the posts first. Its also unfair because she doesn't get to sleep! Probably in time all the girls.
38. Least likely to respond. My dog Leska. Her sight is weakening and with her arthritis she just can't seem to hit the darn computer keys.
39. What book are you reading right now? The Holy Secret and Stolen Innocence. Yikes.
40. What is on your mouse pad? Emma and Parker.
41. What did you watch on TV last night? Well considering I was up until 3--Monk, Ace of Cakes, Oprah, Mythbusters.......
42. Favorite sound? Wind through the aspen trees in the mountains, laughter, Jim's voice.
43. Rolling stones or Beatles? Hmmmm. Rocks down a hill or bugs? How about neither. I'm not that old!
44. What is the farthest you have been from home? New Zealand
45. Do you have a special talent? I love to write.
46. Where were you born? Fullerton, California
47. If you could go anywhere where would it be? Israel again but this time with all my children. It was the most incredible experience and I would love to experience it with them.
I tag Carol, Danielle, Breeana and Kristi R. (please disregard if you have been tagged already)
1. Were you named after anyone? Yes, my maternal grandmother, Anna Mae Lee and they called her Anna Lee.
2. When was the last time you cried? Two days ago when I found out the Margaret was in the hospital.
3. Do you like your handwriting? Most of the time.
4. What is your favorite lunchmeat? Smoked turkey
5. Do you have kids? You better believe it! Ten.
6. If you were another person would you be friends with yourself? Most of the time but I would probably have a few things to say to myself about myself if you know what I mean.
7. Do you use sarcasm alot? I am ashamed to say yes, yes I do.
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes, two of the only removable things I have that haven't been removed.
9.Would you bungee jump? Maybe off the couch.
10. What is your favorite cereal? Fiber One
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes, I have to. My feet won't come out if I don't.
12. Do you think you are strong? When I am in the right frame of mind I can deal with almost anything. As for physically--I used to be.
13. What is your favorite ice cream? Moose tracks. That sounds disgusting when I write it. Perhaps next time I want to eat it I should consider what moose tracks really are!
14. What is the first thing you notice about people? Their spirit and if they are happy.
15. Red or pink? Is this as in favorite color or what my eyes look like after a long night?
16. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My tendancy to slide into the "glass half empty syndrome."
17. Who do you miss the most? My dad and my mom.
18. Do you want everyone to send this back to you? For the life of me I don't know what this means. Send what back?
19. What color shoes are you wearing? None, its the Indian in me, I hate wearing shoes if I don't have to.
20. What was the last thing you ate? How embarassing. I ate two Oreo Cakesters. I know I know, now I will hear about this from some vigilant person. Do you read blogs Kathleen?
21. What are you listening to right now? Silence. The hum of the computer, the grandfather clock chiming, the air conditioner clicking on. Thank heavens for air conditioning. I am such a wimp.
22. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Definitely blue so I could make a perfect blue sky for everyone no matter where they are or what their circumstances might be.
23. Favorite smells. Jim's pillow. The air on an early morning walk. Baby's hair washed in baby bath. My kids. They each have their own smell and I love it.
24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Jim, saying good night from Las Vegas.
25. Do you like the person who sent this to you. Yes, and I love her too.
26. Favorite sports to watch. BYU football and Heber's soccer games.
27. Hair color? Hmmmm. Brown highlighted with blonde and menaced with some gray.
28. Eye color. Blue
29. Do you wear contacts? I should. People on the road would be a lot safer.
30. Favorite food. Lettuce wraps from Pei Wei.
31. Scary movies or Happy endings? Definitely not scary. I am a WIMP. Can't sleep after one. Not necessarily happy endings, they are nice but I like drama.
32. Last movie you watched? You mean in its entirety without sleeping? College Road Trip with the boys tonight.
33. What color shirt are you wearing? Orange and wow is this a first.
34. Summer or winter? Until this year winter. I have loved working in the yard this year. Go figure.
35. Hugs or kisses? Definitely hugs. I don't like slobber.
36. Favorite dessert? Well, lets see. Anything chocolate or frosted or glazed or anything.
37. Most likely to respond? Alaina, she has an unfair advantage. She works all night so she generally sees all the posts first. Its also unfair because she doesn't get to sleep! Probably in time all the girls.
38. Least likely to respond. My dog Leska. Her sight is weakening and with her arthritis she just can't seem to hit the darn computer keys.
39. What book are you reading right now? The Holy Secret and Stolen Innocence. Yikes.
40. What is on your mouse pad? Emma and Parker.
41. What did you watch on TV last night? Well considering I was up until 3--Monk, Ace of Cakes, Oprah, Mythbusters.......
42. Favorite sound? Wind through the aspen trees in the mountains, laughter, Jim's voice.
43. Rolling stones or Beatles? Hmmmm. Rocks down a hill or bugs? How about neither. I'm not that old!
44. What is the farthest you have been from home? New Zealand
45. Do you have a special talent? I love to write.
46. Where were you born? Fullerton, California
47. If you could go anywhere where would it be? Israel again but this time with all my children. It was the most incredible experience and I would love to experience it with them.
I tag Carol, Danielle, Breeana and Kristi R. (please disregard if you have been tagged already)
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Fulfilled
Yesterday I was out working in the yard and I had this amazing feeling wash over me. Its probably a good thing that I was facing away from the street pulling weeds because tears were streaming down my face. I have such gratitude. I realized that if this were my last day on earth I could say, in all honesty, that every dream I have ever had has come true.
I have a wonderful companion and best friend. He loves me for exactly who I am and tells me on a regular basis that I am just what he needs. I have the most incredible children who are my dearest friends. All I really ever wanted to be was a mother--thank you children for making this dream come true. I have traveled to many places and seen many beautiful things but nothing matches the beauty of my home overflowing with my children and grandchildren.
Yes, I am a woman fulfilled.
I have a wonderful companion and best friend. He loves me for exactly who I am and tells me on a regular basis that I am just what he needs. I have the most incredible children who are my dearest friends. All I really ever wanted to be was a mother--thank you children for making this dream come true. I have traveled to many places and seen many beautiful things but nothing matches the beauty of my home overflowing with my children and grandchildren.
Yes, I am a woman fulfilled.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
My Long-Distance Friend
Not very often does a Mom get to participate in her son's mission. While Josh was gone a very sweet lady wrote me a note telling me how her life had been forever changed when a tall, blonde young man knocked on her door. We began to write to each other and she eventually came to Salt Lake City to be sealed to her husband. She stayed with us for a "fortnight" and it was wonderful. We had the opportunity to watch as Josh was proxy for her husband and she was sealed to the love of her life for time and all eternity.
This year at Christmas we were blessed to have her return and spend an 'American Holiday' with us. She taught us how to make authentic shortbread and enjoyed every single thing we did. I have never had a more gracious guest (and I have had a lot.) I can still picture her sitting at the small table in the apartment kitchen doing crosswords.
Margaret came into my life at a time when I was missing having thought provoking conversations with my own mother. She has provided a loving 'Nana' for all my children, not just Josh, who brought to us this special, eternal friend. Our friendship was 'reborn' of missionary effort and a desire for the same things. C.S. Lewis said "Are not all lifelong friendships born at the moment when at last you meet another human being who has some inkling of that something which you were born desiringk and which, beneath the flux of other desires and in all the momentary silences between the louder passions, night and day, year by year, from childhood to old age, you are looking for, watching for, listening for?"
This is my forever friend Margaret, a beacon of positive light in my life. Thank you Margaret, thank you. I love you forever and always.
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