Prepare my heart to stand with Thee

We sang a song in Sacrament Meeting today that I just loved. I know I've sung it before because the tune was familiar, but I haven't sung it for a while. I loved the message and the melody. It's #41 "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" - my favorite lines are at the beginning "Let Zion in her beauty rise; her light begins to shine... and at the end, "Dear Lord, prepare my heart to stand with thee on Zion's mount and never more to part." There's just something about the song that seems to connect with Prop 8 and what's happening in the world as we prepare for the Savior's return. It's like a cheer for today's saints, to rally us, keep us motivated, and keep us going in the right direction. Here's the link so you can read and/or listen to it and see what you think:

http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=41&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=41&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

A Lot of Legwork

We've been even busier than usual around here lately, trying to fix up our house before we put it on the market early next year. Sometimes we work together on a project and sometimes we divide and conquer. Last night was one of those times. Roger mowed the leaves in the front yard for 2 1/2 hours and I painted around the baseboards, door frames, and ceiling of Meg's old bedroom. Somehow he walked in at the exact moment I was brushing the last stroke - kind of cool, huh? It was perfect because he cleaned the brush for me :) At 10:05 pm we began our official FHE, probably about the same time those of you in the West were starting yours.

Just in case all the singing and dancing I suggested yesterday doesn't keep you going, here's a tip I just read in a magazine - A Stanford University study found that if you use a pedometer, you're likely to walk 2183 more steps per day. They think it's because pedometers give immediate feedback so people can respond immediately. 2000 steps = 1 mile.

You probably won't do all that walking in your pantyhose, but in case you do, here are more magazine tips on what to do with the pantyhose you wear out:

1 - LOCATE LOST ITEMS. If you lost a contact, earring, or other small item, slip a pantyhose leg over the vacuum nozzle, secure it with a rubber band and voila!
2 - BUFF SHOES. Rub pantyhose over shoes to boost their shine.
3 - STORE WRAPPING PAPER - To prevent partially used rolls from tearing, slip them into the legs of the hose. In fact, you can put a couple in each leg and drape them over a hanger or nail.
4 - SCRUB A TUB. Cut the foot section off the hose, slip it over a sponge, and tie a knot and use it as a nonabrasive scouring pad. (I suggest you wash the hose first :)
5 - LIFT A DEODORANT STAIN. Rub scrunched-up pantyhose over the spot to instantly remove the mark.

Singing and Dancing Along the Way

During our auxiliary training last Saturday, our Stake President read from Alma 34:36: "...the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell..." What I heard when he read that verse was a question about the state of my heart. Is it righteous? Do I make it a place where he can dwell?

I've been thinking a lot about the importance of my state of mind. Am I negative, critical, and pessimistic? or am I optimistic, hopeful, and complimentary? The Spirit is helping me recognize that truly "as a [wo]man thinketh, so is [s]he." As I am reviewing the Gen Conf talks, this truth seems to be taught in every message. Elder Christofferson said:

"Much of the work to be done in establishing Zion consists in our individual efforts to become "the pure in heart" (D&C 97:21)."

Speaking of the early pioneers Elder Packer said:

"If you can understand a people so long-suffering, so tolerant, so forgiving, so Christian after what they had suffered, you will have unlocked the key to what a Latter-day Saint is."

I think it's a battle between the natural man and the spiritual. And I know that if we work at it, our spiritual nature will triumph, because Pres. Monson said:

"In the private sanctuary of one's own conscience lies that spirit, that determination to cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential."

Our stake president pointed out that even when the handcart pioneers were in very adverse conditions, they still sang and danced along the way. When we choose to find joy in the journey rather than worry, murmur, and/or focus on the negative, we are following their example and we create a place in our hearts where he can and will dwell. What could be better than that?!

Pres. Hinckley's wisdom

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just ordinary people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. . . ."

"Life is like an old-time rail journey--delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

This is one my all-time favorite quotes from Pres. Hinckley, given at BYU in 1973, 35 years ago. It's a great ride, isn't it?

Tag - I'm it

Well, I haven't played tag since we lived in Albuquerque. One night we for FHE we had the VanVleets over and played missionary tag, which was a whole lot of fun. Everyone had a good time until Jolene fell off one of the tiers in our backyard. She survived, but I think it was kind of painful. Anyway, apparently Amy tagged me so here goes my first game of blog tag. Let me know if I'm playing the game the right way, ok?

4 Random things I love about my husband:
1) the activities he's introduced me to throughout our life together - hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and more
2)the wonderful dad and fun grandpa he is
3) the flirty comments he throws out just to see me blush (copied from Amy)
4) his insights on important matters

4 Jobs I've had:
1)cherry, apple, strawberry, pear, etc picker in Utah's orchards
2)BYU department secretary
3)substitute teacher
4)BYU telephone operator and tour guide

4 Movies I've watched more than once:
1) Emma
2) Pride and Prejudice (the 6 hour version)
3) Terminal (for some reason I love that movie!)
4) The Slipper and the Rose

4 TV shows I Watch"
1) I don't even know what's on TV because we have to pay to see anything - sorry
2) I used to watch the Cosby Show
3) and before that I watched Mork and Mindy (remember that, Ryan?)
4) and even before that I watched Bonanza :)

4 Places I've been.
1) Hawaii
2) Brasil
3) Cape Cod
4) Yellowstone National Park

4 Favorite Foods
1) anything chocolate, especially dark
2) popcorn
3) peanut butter and bananas on toasted homemade wheat bread
4) homemade granola (Cheryl's recipe)

4 places I would like to visit.
1) Hawaii
2) Colonial Williamsburg, VA
3) Brasil
4) Ft. Benning, Georgia

4 Things I look forward in this coming year.
1) hopefully moving closer to where my family lives
2) graduating from BYU with Megan
3) being together with all my children and grandchildren at the Family Reunion David's family is planning
4) NO surgeries for Roger :)

Yes to Yoga

A couple of months ago, Cheryl recommended yoga as a way for me to increase flexibility, core strength, and better posture. I checked out some books and a video from the library and thought it looked appealing. While I was helping with the elections last week another worker invited me to go to a yoga class held in a nearby church. I wanted to go but I was feeling quite insecure because I wouldn't know anyone and I didn't know much about yoga so I might get embarrassed. I almost chickened out this morning but I called Cheryl for moral support and just went. I loved it! The teacher was terrific in every way, and the other 8 women in the class were very welcoming. Some are older than me and some younger. The teacher began and ended with a prayer and the music was Christian-based, all of which contributed to a wonderful experience - YEA!!!

On my morning run I listened to Elder Neal L. Anderson's Gen Conf message. Here are 3 of my favorite quotes:

"Faith is not only a feeling; it is a decision."

"...we each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As we do, we prepare our spiritual home storage for moments of personal difficulty."

“You don’t know everything, but you know enough!”

The gospel is true! :)

Where in the world is Topance?

Does anyone know how to find Topance, Idaho? I'm working on family history and haven't been able to find any records of the place where my dad was born. Apparently Topance existed in 1915, because that's where Dad says he was born. I suspect Topance became Chesterfield, but I haven't been able to find out about that either. And to keep it interesting, the county boundaries changed in 1919. At the time he was born Chesterfield was in Bannock County, but four years later it was in Caribou County. I am also struggling to find out where he was baptized. His life history says it was in the Topance River, but I can't find it either. Apparently there's a Topance Creek and there are a few rivers in the area, but none with that name. So, if any of you can enlighten me or have any documentation for my Dad, please let me know.

Don't quit and you will make it.

I love listening to the General Conference talks on my mp3 player while I jog. Some of what I listen to sticks with me throughout the day. One of my favorite talks from last GC is by Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge. He bears such a powerful testimony and I love how he delivers it. I've listened enough times that even when I read it I can hear how he said it. Here is one of my favorite quotes:

"Nothing in this life is of greater worth than the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the source of joy, peace, knowledge, strength, love, and every other good thing. With the Atonement, it is the power by which we may be changed and made strong where we are weak. With the priesthood, it is the power by which marriages and families are sealed together eternally. It is the power by which the Lord makes Himself manifest unto those who believe in Him. Every good thing depends on getting and keeping the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Everything depends on that."

A week ago I spoke about the gift of the Holy Ghost at the baptism of a woman who's been attending church since last February. As I prepared and as I gave my talk, I was filled with gratitude for this tremendous gift given to each of us, this gift that we have access to 24/7, as long as we are obedient. I testify with Elder Corbridge that this gift is key in finding joy every day and eternally.

Here are some more powerful quotes from his talk:

"...the Lord said, 'I am the way.' He said, 'Follow me.'"

"Don't think you can't. We might think we can't really follow Him because the standard of His life is so astonishingly high as to seem unreachable. We might think it is too hard, too high, too much, beyond our capacity, at least for now. Don't ever believe that. While the standard of the Lord is the highest, don't ever think it is only reachable by a select few who are most able."

"In this singular instance life's experience misleads us. In life we learn that the highest achievements in any human endeavor are always the most difficult and, therefore, achievable only by a select few who are most able. The higher the standard, the fewer can reach it."

"But that is not the case here, because, unlike every other experience in this life, this is not a human endeavor. It is, rather, the work of God. There is nothing else like it. Not anywhere. Not ever."

"No institution, plan, program, or system ever conceived by men has access to the redeeming and transforming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, while the Lord's invitation to follow Him is the highest of all, it is also achievable by everyone, not because we are able, but because He is, and because He can make us able too."

"The Lord's way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel."

"Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don't quit, and you will make it."

"There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the Way. Every other way, any other way, whatever other way is foolishness."

Isn't that amazing?! Well, you might think I've about quoted the whole talk, but there's actually a lot more. You can read or listen to it at: http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-12,00.html

Have a great day :)

My debate

I've been debating with myself for a while about blogging. I used to send an email to my children almost every morning, but this blog is open to everyone, so I'm not sure whether I can put the same kind of ho-hum stuff in it. That internal debate has kept me from sending emails or posting blogs for a few months now. So maybe I just need to try this and then decide. Cheryl taught me how to add photos, which are always fun to share. So here goes...

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my father who turned 93 on Nov. 7th. One of the greatest blessings in life is to have a rich family heritage. I was raised by two of the best people on earth. They have loved each other for 63 years! They raised 9 children in an atmosphere of love and encouragement. They taught us by their examples and their words. I love them and appreciate all the sacrifices they have made for me. One of the best gifts they have given me is a knowledge and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is a picture of Dad and Mom last August, on the day he returned home after four months of recovering in hospitals and care centers. Many people didn't think he'd return home again, but Mom's faith was unwavering. Together they made it happen. I love them with all my heart.



In October, Roger and I went to the boat show in Annapolis, Maryland. We went last year and enjoyed it so much that we decided to go again. We saw more boats than you can imagine and went to several classes about sailing. Most of the classes were very interesting, even to me. We camped out the first night at a campground that we discovered last year. It was so warm that Roger slept on top of his sleeping bag!





Roger found a beautiful sunset hike at a nearby park. At then end of the second day we drove to a hotel in Philadelphia so we could tour the city the next day. We had a wonderful time, being in areas where so much of our American heritage was written and determined.



Can't you just picture the delegates sitting in this room, working out the details of the Declaration of Independence? This room is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, and is also where the Constitutional Convention met to draft, debate and then sign The United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. It was great to listen to what happened from the tour guides and to feel the spirit of independence, courage, determination, and self-sacrifice that was required of these men and their families. We had a great time!



Make it a great day and a wonderful week!