Shopping Success

So, for the past several weeks I have occasionally been dragging DD4 out on the search for new jeans. Now DD4 is a bit different than many young ladies in that she greatly dislikes shopping of most kinds, especially clothes shopping. Normally we both avoid  shopping for clothes for her untill it is absolutely necessary, but it has gotten to the point where she literally has had no jeans, slacks, shorts, or pants of any kind (except for pajamas) without major rips and holes. For the first few weeks of summer it wasn't such a big deal, but she has two major events coming up where she will be away from home for days at a time, in public, amongst friends and strangers rather than enjoying her summer quietly at home with family.

So, every week or few days lately we've gone out in search of jeans that will be acceptable in size, style, color, fit, and comfort for DD4. The search has been rather futile. The budget is tight, the requirements are high, and patience and tempers are short. The jeans that meet the size, style, color and comfort requirements do not fit the budget. The jeans that meet the budget requirements do not fit the requirements of size, style, color and comfort. Last week we finally purchased one pair of jeans at the thrift store that was merely acceptable. However, for a several day stay away from home and laundry facilities, one pair is not sufficient.

Last night we had another shopping trip that ended in short tempers, frayed nerves, almost tears, and no new jeans. The time was up and the stores were all closing, so we returned home empty handed. The first trip begins tomorrow, so tonight was the last ditch effort. We returned to a store where we had shopped several weeks ago and found a style, size, color, and fit that worked. But the price had been too high. Tonight we hit the jackpot! They were on sale, clearance sale! And, we purchased three, yes three pairs of jeans for less than it we would have paid for one pair of the jeans we were looking at last night!

Hallelujah!  Hip Hip Hooray! I'm cheering loudly for all to hear (or at least read.)

Success.  :)

Family, Fireworks, Faith, and Priesthood

It's been a good weekend filled with concerts in the park and fireworks to celebrate the birthday of our city.   DD4 and I started out at the first concert on Thursday night, (the symphony, one of my favorites) on Friday night we added DD1 and DD2 and some fireworks, then on Saturday we included DH, DS1 and his friend, and DD3, along with assorted friends and inlaws, a few munchies, visiting, dancing to the music and even more awsome fireworks.   My favorite kind of weekend, in spite of traffic and late night bedtimes.

Today was also good, sitting in church, soaking up the spirit and the testimonies after watching some very awesome young men bless and pass the sacrament.  One of the young men blessed the sacrament for his very first time, and did so clearly and carefully without a stumble.  He has some disabilities, but still did an awesome job, and it was so wonderful to see beaming and so proud of his accomplishment.  We have many wonderful, faithful youth in our ward, with strong testimonies.

I also loved the great testimonies that were borne, testifying that faith can grow and flourish, as long as we continue to nurture it.  One sister compared it to her new back lawn, planted with little tiny plugs of grass seedlings, being faithfully watered three times a day, now starting to grown and spread and hopefully to grow to a new, lush lawn.  Reading, praying, and living the commandments;  that's what grows our faith and brings us true happiness.

Then With Joy Each Heart will Swell

Come ye children of the Lord, Let us sing with one accord.
Let us raise a joyful strain To our Lord who soon will reign
On this earth when it shall be Leansed from all iniquity,
When all men from sin will cease And will live in love and peace.

Oh, how joyful it will be When our Savior we shall see!
When in splendor he'll descend, Then all wickedness will end.
Oh, what songs we then will sing  To our Savior, Lord, and King!
Oh, what love will then bear sway  When our fears shall flee away!

All arrayed in spotless white, We will dwell mid truth and light.
We will sing the songs of praise; We will shout in joyous lays.
Earth shall then be cleansed from sin.  Every living thing there-in
Shall in love and beautry dwell, Then with Joy each heart will swell.

--James H Wallis

This was our intermediate congregational hymn today in Sacrament Meeting.  It was an awesome meeting with two wonderful ladies from our ward speaking on how they had prepared themselves to attend the temple for the first time to recieve their endowments.  I'm thinking that this hymn was chosen as it talks of being arrayed in spotless white, as we are in the temple, and it speaks of that wonderful peace and love that we can feel in the temple, the house of the Lord.   I love these thoughts, but I also I love these words for the of our hope and anticipation of the second coming of our Savior.    "Oh how joyful it will be When our Savior we shall see!"  Can you imagine the Joy that will swell the hearts of those who will be privileged to be here at that time?  Can you imagine the Joy that will sell our hearts when we are privileged to return home to His presense?

Heaven is Here

I just finished reading an amazing book:  Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson.  Her story, her faith, and her courage are amazing.  If you are looking for an inspirational read, look no farther. You should also check out her blog:  http://nieniedialogues.com/

Siblings

Here we are in all of our glory . . . my siblings and I.  For almost 50 years we have been family . . . (some have been around for a year or two longer than that) . . . with a 13 year spread between oldest and youngest.  There have been good times and trying times, work and play and laughter and yes, squabbles too.  At times we have been scattered from east to west, even from England to the Philippine Islands, but yesterday we were blessed to all
be together for a dear nephew's wedding.  I'm grateful for my siblings.  I love and look up to each one of them and are grateful for all they do for me and for my family. 

And here are the two that started it all almost 63 years ago:  (Along with one of the many great-grandchildren) 

Yes, I am certainly blessed to be a part of this family!

Help us, Lord, to win the Fight

Thought for the day:

O Thou Rock of Our Salvation
LDS Hymnns  258

We a war 'gainst sin are waging
We're contending for the right
Ev'ry day the battle's raging
Help us, Lord, to win the fight.

Gather round the standard bearer
Gather round in strength of youth.
Every day the prospect's fairer
While we're battling for the truth.

--Joseph L. Townsend
   1849 - 1942



"Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. . . . yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation."

2 Nephi 4: 28, 30

New Calling

Today I was sustained and then later set apart as Stake Primary Secretary.  DH and the girls were all there to support me and DH was even asked to set me apart.  This is the 2^nd time around for me for this calling.  I guess I didn’t get it quite right the first time around.  J  Anyway, every time is different. 


We'll get off to a roaring start by attending the stake Pinewood Derby this coming Wed night and then on Thursday night we will have our first presidency meeting.  I do know the new primary president, but am not acquainted with her new counselors, so I look forward to getting to know them and work  with them

Next week is the 13^th ward conference, so I will be privileged to attend that before attending our own ward primary.  So far I have not been released from my calling as a Primary Teacher, but then I do have DD1 to fill in and teach if I can’t be there, for now at least.  I love teaching primary, so hope to be able to continue for as long as I can, at least for now. 


I'm grateful for callings to serve in the church, even though I know it means more meetings and more time spent with planning and paperwork etc.  I love serving in stake callings and getting to meet new people and visit the wards in the stake.  I love the children of the church and those faithful members who teach and love the children.  New callings are definitely a blessing!