Trip to Logan

When I first decided to venture into the world of blogging, I really didn't know exactly what I had in mind, other than trying to discover what blogging was all about, hense the original name of this blog:  Random Thoughts. I decided to ocasionally post a few random thoughts just to see what transpired.   Then in October of 2007 Elder Henry B Eyring gave a talk in General Conference that really hit me hard as something that I should be doing.

 (You can read the talk here: http://lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/o-remember-remember?lang=eng&query=O+Remember,+Remember   or watch a short video based on the talk here:  http://lds.org/pages/o-remember-remember?lang=eng&query=henry+b+eyring) 

The talk basically tells about how Elder Eyring decided one day when his children were small that he should be recording each day the ways he observed the Lord blessing the lives of his family.  He wrote down a few lines every day, never missing a day.  His gratitude for his blessings grew, as did his testimony.  He made copies of the record for his children, which strengthened their gratitude and testimonies.  

It has been over four years since I first heard this talk, but I am often reminded of it, and my desire and intent to do the same.  My own father has been a wonderful example to me and others of keeping a daily journal or record of his life, and also of writing and sharing his experiences and thoughts with his family on a regular weekly basis, and has often encouraged us to do the same.  Both he and my mother have written their own life stories and continue to add to them and to write regularly to their children.

 At some point I realized that this blog would perhaps be a good venue for recording the daily blessings or tender mercies that  I recognize in my life.  It was at then that I changed the name of this blog from "Random Thoughts" to "Random Thoughts and Tender Mercies".
 
(another wonderful General Conference talk given by Elder Bednar on Tender Mercies can be read here:
http://lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-tender-mercies-of-the-lord?lang=eng&query=tender+mercies)
 
Anyway, even with all of the wonderful examples of friends and family members who regularly post inspiring thoughts and experiences on their blogs, I'm still not a regular blogger, and I am still procrastinating on my intent or goal of recognizing and recording the blessings of the Lord in my life.  So, though it may still take some time for me to develop this habit, I can only begin if I begin.
 
This afternoon my daughter #1 and I drove to Logan to visit daughter #2 and attend Parent's Day in her Student/Singles Ward.  (Dad had other comittments and could not come) The weather this weekend, though not terrible, has been forcast all week to be windy with rain and snow.  For those of you who may not be aware, though I do enjoy driving and traveling, I do not enjoy driving in rain or snow, especially in canyons, in the dark, or in traffic where the other drivers are more confident and driving much faster than I am.  This trip to Logan could have met any or all of these conditions.  On the way to Logan the weather was clear except for a bit of rain through the Mantua and Sardine Canyon areas.  So far, so good.  In every single one of the meetings we attended, the students/single adults who offered the prayers thanked the Lord that the parents and families who had come to visit were able to do so, and asked that we would all be able to travel and return to our homes in safety.  I was very grateful for their prayers.  Additionally, since the meetings began at 1:30 pm, by the end of the meeting block and linger longer, at this time of year it would normally be approaching dusk.  But, since Daylight Savings Time began last Sunday  (I know, I know, I've been grumping about it all week . . . it's way to early to start Daylight Savings Time when I have to get up in the morning  while it's still dark), even though it was raining when we left Logan there was still plenty of daylight time left.  We did hit a bit of snow in the Canyon, but just before we hit Ogden it stopped raining, and we did have a safe and uneventful trip home, in the daylight.  We enjoyed the meetings and music and testimonies and lunch, a nice (although short) visit with daughter #2 and her roommate, and arrived safely home in the daylight.  Simple, I know, but blessings indeed.

Creation and Compassion

I finally picked up and read a wonderful little book that my dear Hubby gave me for my birthday: "The Remarkable Soul of a Woman" by Dieter F Uchtdorf. It took me about 15 minutes, or less to read, but is full of short gems from the wonderful talks we have heard from our wonderful Elder Uchtdorf. He always makes me feel better! He knows what we need to be happy! I plan to keep this book on my nightstand with my scriptures, and hopefully I'll remember to pick it up when I start feeling down and gloomy.



Here are just a couple of my very favorite snippets:



"Heavenly Father . . . is a God of creation and compassion. Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father's perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate."



"In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of greater importance."



Ever since Elder Uchtdorf gave the first advice, I believe it was in a General Relief Society Broadcast, I have been trying to conciously be more creative and more compassionate. Hopefully I'm succeeding a little bit?

Nanowrimo

November is over. Fifty Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty One words in Thirty Days. Still needs lots more work, but We'll see what it looks like tomorrow.

Little Children

"Yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children. . . . And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; . . ." ----Moroni 8:8, 17I miss having little children in the house. I love my children, who are my friends, and I love the wonderful people that they are becoming. But I do miss the days when they were small and I had them home with me all of the time. I know that I don’t remember all of the sameness of long days of cleaning and dishes and diapers and fighting and whining, and crying and missing adult conversation and reading the same stories again and again when I was almost asleep. I do miss their cute huggableness, the teaching moments, the singing (they all did love to sing at one time!), the piano lessons, the swimming lessons, the picnics with pinkabutter samiches and toe toe pits and yummy aide. I miss them loving to clean and wash dishes and fold clothes and plant gardens. I miss plinko and Patasha, the adventures of Mother Goose and Dream Dollhouse, and Go Dog Go and the “B” Book and the adventures of Ping. I miss joy school and primary and nursery, and bedtime and stories. I miss tiny newborn freshness sleeping in tired arms. I even miss the legos and the barbies and the green blob. There is absolutely nothing in this world like little children. Where did they go?

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Randall

10. I love Randall for his enthusiasm about things he cares about---making cookies with the girl he just met at the ward dance, new babies and children (especially his own), a new KitchenAid or juicer for his wife, art and creating things, playing soccer, refereeing soccer, REAL SL Soccer,----etc.

9. Because he’s cute and good looking and makes me tingle!

8. Because he doesn’t worry too much about what others think . . . he knows his strengths (and he’s hip and cool!)

7. He’s smart, he loves to read and learn, remembers almost everything important, can figure out solutions to puzzles and problems that stymie other people.

6. He works hard and values a job well done.

5. He’s loyal and honest with family, friends, country, customers, and all he comes in contact with.

4. He is faithful to me and to his family. He provides for our needs and often goes without himself. He shares!

3. He is faithful to the Lord and he honors his Priesthood.

2. He serves his God and his fellow men.

1. Number one reason I love Randall—he is a true example of charity; he is always kind and longsuffering . . . he accepts people for who they are and finds the good in everyone.

California Anniversary

To my wonderful children:

A week ago we were "slightly" sunburned and hanging out with Russell. And now we're back at home with two of our lovely daughters who are getting ready for school to start next week, saddened that Lydia has left us once again for Logan, but excited to see Bill and Ashley again this weekend.

So thank you all so much for your contributions to our wonderful California Anniversary Trip!! It was very nice, very much fun, wonderful to see Russell and his nice house and the Beautiful UCLA campus (even though we were having so much fun we kind of stood him up quite a bit); and it was wonderful of Jonathan to let us use his lovely car. The whale watching trip was very very nice, a bit cool with the ocean breeze, but very beautiful and relaxing. We saw a multitude of frolicking dolphins, and 5 (?) whales, including a baby blue with its Momma. The sadness was that we didn't have a decent camera to take lots of wonderful pictures to share. And Disneyland was wonderful too . . . seeing and riding all of the rides and attractions I have heard about my whole life. Even though I did have to hang onto Dad for dear life with my eyes closed for a couple of them . . The other sadness was that we didn't have all of our childrens there to share it with us . . and to ride the real roller coasters with Dad since I am such a wimp. . .. though it was nice to just be together as a couple. Friday night we met up with Randall’s sister Danette and her family since they were also in the area and Russell took us to a fashionable cupcake shop in Beverely Hills, then on Saturday he fixed us a pancake breakfast and showed us around a bit before we had to fly back home. So thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Sometimes my soul is sad

Sometimes my soul is sad. I feel so strongly a struggle right now in my life, and in the world, a struggle, not just a struggle but an outright war between good and evil and right and wrong. It makes my soul sad. There are good days, but I feel the struggle almost every single day. I try not to be discouraged and to keep cheefully pressing forward, but sometimes it seems very hard to not be discouraged. So, I don't mean to put a damper on anyone's day, but just felt like I wanted to share my feelings, and if you happen to read this, to ask our support and faith and prayers for me and for our country and especially for the the young people and for those who strive to follow our Savior Jesus Christ.