House in order, Positive feedback, Missionaries

The day started out with a prophetic comment made by Aaron last night after dinner. He observed how the house needed to be in order and picked up then implied that someone would be coming today to look at the house and interested to buy it. Candice and I looked at him as if he was only saying that to get us all to shape up, and the house too. He was just kidding really. Then after breakfast he announced there was someone coming at 2:30 this afternoon. We thought he was crying wolf and said, "yeah right."

But he was serious when he got a call from someone to see the house, so we divided up the chores and then got to work! Well, sort of...I just had to make my room more presentable. I really had the intent to surprise myself and do that anyway, so it was not a big deal feeling that I could be compliant no matter what. I appreciated the reminder and have the house look good and it feels good too. The girls did their rooms too, so we all got involved and then I disappeared to do errands at the zero hour of 2:30 p.m. Who knows if someone actually came, it doesn't matter now. Nevertheless the house deserved to be in order. I even did some of my "whites" laundry, towels, garments etc.

One bonus in all of this, which I really appreciated was Aaron cleared the other side of the garage so I could park inside. He did that last winter too and it made it nice so I didn't have to scrape off my car when it snowed and froze up the windows.

That reminds me of my other (Utah) son, Hank was so sweet the other night as I said goodbye after K2's concert and rode home with him, Lori and Karoline. When we got to their house he followed me to my car.

Hank came around to the driver's side of the car and told me to just get inside and be warm, while he scraped the windows. I mentally thought before I opened the door, where was the ice scraper? I reached for it and handed it to him. As he did that I started the car and heater; and I was so grateful and said a short prayer of thanks for such a fine son! I cannot remember how long it had been and used to be to have someone care enough about my well being like that to clear off the windows for me. I know Aaron had done that for me last year before I was privileged to park inside the garage and I appreciated it just like I did for Hank to do that same thing. But you all know what I mean. I felt cherished and loved, really. I almost forgot what that felt like. It was such a small gesture but carried a lot of gratitude into my heart. Thank you my sons, all of you for your unselfishness and how you take care of your families, and ME!! I love you.

I talked to Beth today briefly to see how they are all doing. She just got back from Reno to see her grandmother who is in a nursing home and declining fast. She mentioned she was able to see her sister Becky who came in from Atlanta. I also may be picking up Matt, Beth and boys come in on Thursday late at the airport. I love to do that for my family, to be called upon to meet them and drive them home. My Mom and Dad used to do that when I would fly into California, I know the anticipation I had in seeing my parents again and treasure those times even more now.

Positive feedback

As a follow up from yesterday's results about the family generational work--I want to share here. One of my clients called me to tell me something very satisfying. She wanted me to know one of her daughters whose been somewhat estranged from her told her she wanted to come home for Christmas. She was excited to see her two sisters who were coming also from out of state. She herself is from out of state and wanted to be with her family, since this would have been her first Christmas without them otherwise. She said she wanted to be a part of the traditions she had remembered growing up. My client had before told me how this daughter had a hard time forgiving some issues she had held onto and had almost given up that she would ever hear what she did today from this daughter. I too was so pleased to know how the family constellation work had been beneficial and cleared the negative feelings that had prevailed. It was now as if those things never happened. I know this work that I do has value and can help so many people in the process. It made my day to hear positive feedback with this work.

Missionaries give service

Our ward had the annual Christmas dinner/program. We had turkey, mashed potatoes/gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, Jello salads and pies. It was very well organized and everyone got the food at one of three tables. That way our food was warm and there was plenty of it!! There was a great spirit present and we all enjoyed ourselves. The entertainment was well planned and I noticed that hardly anyone wanted to leave early. The one in charge of the entertainment is in the Young Men's presidency and new in the ward, Bro Alejandro Gomez. I knew him when I worked at Nature's Sunshine years ago. He is a convert and very gifted. He sings, plays the piano and other instruments, his wife and five children all participated and played the guitar, mandolin, bells, castanets. He also had someone he knew outside the ward come and play the harp for us. It added a very sweet spirit when the harpist played 'Still, Still, Still" and "What Child is This?". They passed out pages of songs bound in red paper and stapled like a book on the side,a gift for each family from theirs and we did a sing-along. He also asked two missionaries to do a musical number. One played the piano while the other sang, "Mary, Did You Know?" I was touched when the missionaries did their number. I watched them and felt I was having a dejavue seeing my own sons do that on their missions. The one that played the piano resembled Michael. And the other one reminded me of the other three, Hank, Aaron and Matt rolled into one missionary!

I felt like they were back in the mission field singing and I was there to see them. Crazy thought, nevertheless I was touched and grateful that my five missionaries,Tana included had mission experience teaching the gospel and sharing the message. The missionary mentioned also that they had a new convert who was baptized this morning and was at their table. The Bishop attended the baptism where the missionary sang that song, and was impressed to invite them to our ward dinner and sing for all of us. It was so sweet and I drank in every bit of the sweetness of the missionary spirit....I even thought of the song "Called to Serve" which I can never get through singing it without breaking down and cry instead of singing it...holy cow!!

Yes, I felt the hand of God touch me today in all areas mentioned. Thank you all for contributing to my joy in so many ways just being who you are and the blessing it is to be your mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend. My heart is full. God bless you all. I am so blessed. My patriarchal blessing promised me that my children would be my greatest joy and you are.