I have no title for this blog today--

I attended a funeral for a former next door neighbor,Caroline Muhlstein. She was the mother of eight children, who for many years helped care for her Down's Syndrome sister-in-law, Vickie and left behind her husband, Grant of over forty years.

It was a heart wrenching, emotional filled meeting. The outstanding thread of the overall speakers was her great love for her family, her love of singing, and how she loved chocolate. She totally dedicated her life to raising a righteous posterity.

It almost seems so unfair for her to be taken, yet she had suffered with Alzheimer's disease the last five years. My heart goes out to them for their loss and understand the healing that must occur for them to bear through it all.

The family expressed their love for her for all that a mother did in the way she taught them to be good citizens, mothers and fathers to their own children. Each one expressed their gratitude of the mother that taught them the gospel and blessed them as they grew up. Her memory will be carried through her posterity, and her words of advice were how to manage an unruly child was to "just love them."

Even though she was my neighbor I didn't know all the other little personal things shared by her children. I knew her as being very quiet and shy, well groomed and always wore a smile on her face. She was a very selfless individual and went to great lengths to nurture each one of her children and was a loving companion to her husband. She was like Mary in the scriptures who sat at the feet of the Savior and learned how to teach her children truth.

I saw a family that worked together through the trials that came to them and who found joy in one another, the parents were bonded together forever by the sealing power of the holy priesthood that blessed their eternal union. They shared a very special romance in their relationship. The two had such a Love At Home kind of family.

R-E-S-I-S-T-A-N-C-E VS SURRENDER=AGENCY

A kite cannot fly without the opposing wind to hold it up. It is the resistance that hold it up to fly. It really just adds up to physics. A chick cannot survive without pecking its own way out of the egg shell that protects it to hatch. It would die otherwise.

I gave this concept some deep thought the other day and wanted to comment about how we as humans resist and oppose sometimes what we need or should do and good for us. It is my perception that when there is a problem that arises and has a negative consequence I just turn it around and make it a positive result.

This application goes for the issues we face individually in everyday situations. Many times we believe a situation is much worse that reality. Imagination can be non-constructive and run away from truth. I have found that finding a positive to counter the negative is much more bearable than the resistance put into it. It is called surrendering your own will to accept it.

Refiners fire process of gold in liquid form--

Resistance vs surrender(in the sense of yielding, not giving in or giving up) equals agency and acceptance. How much easier it is to support something and look at the experience with a changed view. Many times what is resisted is something that cannot be reversed, like the loss of a loved one. The last stage of grief is acceptance, with denial, bargaining, or anger in between.

When resistance is turned to acceptance, it facilitates the surrender toward acceptance and in time finding a positive attitude. How blessed we are to have
situations give us inner fortitude and refine us many times over.




"Pure gold fears no fire.""

Opposition in All things. . .

Tonight was Stake Relief Society Enrichment night at my ward building. I had to make special effort to attend since I was juggling grandkids for the next four days. But,I will talk about "Grand-motherhood" another time. Okay?

You know, I really, really appreciate taking a few parcels of time to keep up this blog. It gives me the opportunity to reflect and enjoy the moments that stand out in my day and give me a message to share at the same time. It goes without saying as well, the bonding that is left for my posterity when they may get around to reading this now or later...?

The speaker for the women's meeting I attended was Vivian McConkie Adams. She is obviously the daughter of Bruce R. and Vivian McConkie. I took special note of the announcement that she was coming and kept the time open so I could drink from the fountain of knowledge at the feet of an apostle's daughter.

It felt several times during her lecture, that Elder McConkie was standing there sharing his testimony and wisdom through his daughter. It was an amazing experience. She spoke on Adam and Eve and their role along with their role as likened to us as women, our companions, and in the eternal plan.

If there is only one pearl of knowledge that I could share here, it would be that without the Fall none of us would be here. Adam and Eve were given the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth, but could not without the opposition that entered in to allow the plan to be fulfilled. There would be no life without death.

This subject would be better served in a live discussion to gain all the jewels of this theme. I wrote nine pages of notes in my journal that I take to my meetings. It felt like I was drinking from a well of the most delicious cool clear pure water ever and privileged to drink it by the gallon full.

My bucket was truly filled with the sweet spirit of the Holy Ghost, and of my gratitude for the Savior and his great sacrifice for us all.

Institute Class--Book of Mormon

Wednesday morning is Institute in my stake. Sister Mary Ellen Edmunds teaches it. She also teaches our Gospel Doctrine class. She has a sense of humor and adds a lot of her personality to her classes. She brings it to current day issues and compares the Book of Mormon people to our day. Her background was that she was the Missionary Training Center trainer when Tana was in the MTC. Tana knew her from there and Tanise knows her from her association at BYU.

I like the theme Mary Ellen presents each week. She uses the Gospel Doctrine manual and so there is a syllabus to follow more or less. She is a busy lady and travels a lot to do conferences and workshops. She is a very sought after speaker, instructor. We are fortunate to have her in our ward/stake. I also have the privilege to be her visiting teacher.

Wendy's Chili Recipe

I "Googled" this and found it online; and cut and pasted it here.


By: Misty Bryant
Feb 7, 2002

My best friends brother-n-law worked for Wendy's fast food chain for several years, she gave me this recipe when she found out how much I love their chili. I was surprised to see how simple it was! Yummy to my Tummy!

SERVES 12 (change servings and units)
Change to: Servings US Metric Close

Ingredients

* 1 onion, chopped
* 1 bell pepper, chopped (can substitute /a can of chopped Ortega green chilies)
* 1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
* 4 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
* 1 (14 ounce) can ranch style beans
* 1 (14 ounce) can pinto beans
* 1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans
* 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel Mexican diced tomatoes
* 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package McCormick mild chili seasoning
* 2 lbs ground chuck

Directions

1.
Brown Ground Chuck. Add all canned items, including juice, into large pot.
2.

Cook until onion and pepper are tender.
3.

Serves 12
This recipe is delicious. Aaron really likes Wendy's Chili. I made some for dinner tonight. I just added four garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of cumin. It makes up very tasty. I drained two cans of beans and did not need to thicken the chili to serve. The tomatoes and sauce make the consistency just right. Try it!

It is always nice to have recipes of this type. I found a recipe book with about 1000 recipes from well known restaurants. I found the recipe for the lime-cilantro salad dressing like the one at Cafe Rio. It is delicious. If anyone is interested in it, let me know. That salad dressing recipe is the reason I bought the recipe book from Barnes & Noble a couple of years ago. It was worth buying. The book is about three inches thick!

Anna

Faith precedes the miralce, after the trial of our faith,

Amazing how just a tiny yellow mustard seed can grow into a great tree!




Mosiah 8:18-- Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.

A mustard seed grows into a mighty tree-->


Love, like a seed grows much like this seed into a mighty tree, rooted and in time and eternity stands strong forever. It is lasting and eternal. The hand of God is in our lives to allow us to know HIM and experience His great love for US, love for others and the beauty of His creations.

Tell me, shouldn't we ALL be in awe of this incredible miracle? I AM!

Hope Springs Eternal--

Painting by artist, William-Adolpe Bougereau


I am encouraged at the beautiful experiences I am (enjoying) having right now. I ponder upon these and see the hand of the Lord in my life, and answers to my prayers daily.

A short time ago, around the end of December, I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants. The verse, "Be thou humble, and the Lord thy God shall take thee by the hand and give thee answers to thy prayers." My heart was touched and the Spirit let me know it was true! The answers to my prayers are being heard. Imagine my delight and faith renewed!

I felt a peace come over me that everything I have prayed for was going to be answered and that God hears and answers my prayers. My cup runneth over.

A little bit of heaven today as I went to Hank & Lori's for dinner with them and their children. We had a wonderful meal, Chicken Cordon Bleu was the main and of course Lori's delicious rice pilaf had become one of my favorites. I don't usually care for rice, but hers has flavor! Makes a difference.

Anyway, after dinner we gathered in the living room and read scriptures. I remember reading those same verses in I Nephi 4, where Nephi was commanded to kill Laban. I appreciate being included and spending that time with them. Lynn and Linda were there too and always bring a sweet spirit with them.

Last year this time Hank was in Virginia. It is just a memory now. Life goes on, right? I am most grateful to keep up this blog and share with my family, friends and note the tender mercies that are all around me each day.




Winter is winding down, and I welcome a New Spring with all its beauty and renewed promises of (eternal )life as the new season awakens, and springs forth after a dormant season of winter.

Mosiah 5:15

15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

Our prophets, and leaders admonish us to be "steadfast and immovable." I feel the blessings of this admonition in my own life. Even though I struggle at times with how time seems on the one hand to fly by so quickly and yet so slowly at others.

I know I am blessed at whatever I am about and doing. I count my blessings each day for (my) righteous posterity, who all embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love that I live in this time and season. My growth and progression has a firm foundation in Jesus Christ, my Savior. I find great joy in serving each week in the temple.

Interestingly, this evening I stood at a post to greet the patrons as they came down the stairs from the Celestial Room. Each person seemed to have a glow about them who perhaps had just been in an endowment session, and partaken of the Spirit as they passed through the veil and into the Celestial Room.

I was thinking of the late hour and how I wanted to just go home, really. Then I knew God was listening to my thoughts, as I was given a tender mercy, which are never random!

I quickly repented of that thought as a good sister who serves in the General Relief Society Presidency recognized me. She came up to me and gave me an embrace as our cheeks touched. I felt her goodness as she spoke into my ear, "Thank you for being here to serve in the temple." She looked at my name and smiled. I felt important to her and close to the Savior through her kind gesture. It felt like God knew I needed to feel his love, through one of his chosen servants.

Incidentally, a few months ago this same sister was in initiatory with me and another sister as we worked together and we administered to her. We had a spiritual feast, and we felt the spirit which was carried to our hearts; I know she remembered that and recognized me from that brief encounter.

I bear witness that I know that at these times our prayers are answered through another person, and this was one of those times.

Then, all of a sudden I knew that I could endure to the end of my shift and not wish it away for anything in the world, literally. I went home late, but it didn't matter, I forgot myself. I was there to serve my Savior and know He approved of my renewed attitude.



I had actually made a request to help on another day besides Saturday. It could just be a temporary one but I am going to make it work for as long as I am able to manage both shifts.

God Sends Us His love and Angels to Our Aid

"I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." II Nephi 1:15.


Last week I came across a talk by former General Relief Society Counselor, Kathleen H. Hughes.

The above scripture describes the love we can feel in the arms of our Savior.
She states:

I am certain that each of you has felt, at one time or another, encircled in Christ's arms;. . . there are times when you are fearful, when the stress and busyness of life seem to overwhelm you, when you feel adrift from the Spirit. Perhaps you even feel abandoned. The best antidote is my memory of the moments when Christ's peace has come to strengthen me.

I bear testimony that the sweetness of the Spirit of Christ's love can bless me and bring me the peace and reassurance that he cares and loves me. Those times when I know without doubt that God lives and sustains me in my times of need with the arms of his love encircled about me. It brings me peace when I ask for understanding. It enlightens my mind when I ask to know truth. I draw strength and courage to go forward when challenges are in my path.

"Our children need to hear us "talk of Christ,. . . rejoice in Christ, and preach in Christ so that they may know to what source they can look for the peace that "passeth all understanding." Phillipians 4:7, II Nephi

Editorial: I Stand All Amazed. . . sometimes

It seems like it takes a 2" X 4" or 2" X 6" to get the attention of some people to understand what I say sometimes. It comes from the gift of wisdom. I refer to suggestions I give of new ideas that seem to take time to sink into and engage the brain into action. I am learning new things all the time and use them to improve myself and my health.

I used to be sick all the time while my children were young, then I had my tonsils out when I was 38 years old. I must say I have enjoyed good health ever since. I know I learned a lot of new things of how to best take care of my health and still do.

Now, this problem or resistance is not limited to men either. My mother used to have an expression that I now understand and know a few times I may have done the same thing to her as I was growing up, of course. It was, "nadie me hagan caso." It basically means "No one pays attention to what I say." So it seems at times.

One thing I do recall about her, was that when she said something I listened!! This was over the years of things that she counseled me and became very helpful. When I followed her advice, I always benefited. I learned so quickly from my mother, I guess I am a fast learner and that of what she said, she knew from experience and came from her grandmother, who raised her.

I spoke at her funeral and told about how if we followed her advice you could not go wrong. God bless my mother. I loved her for her wisdom and what she taught me. How I miss her.

We can learn easy or we can learn the hard way. It is really up to us, to take the counsel and appreciate it while it is there to be received.

I noticed that when I am given an opportunity to help others, and when they choose to cast it away or not listen to take the information and use it for their good, it is taken away. I realize that many times I am given promptings from the Holy Ghost and free agency is involved for anyone to take it or leave it. Use it or lose it, what else can be said?

Aaron quoted this scripture to me the other day:

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.




And that is all I want to say about that.

There are Eagles and More Eagles. . .

Best Day Ever. . .Another Eagle has Landed

Today was a great day. Our sacrament meeting consisted of mostly sing hymns with speakers introducing a song and their feelings about each song. The meeting was very uplifiting (I thought) and added to the spirit through music. We did that once before in our Lindon Third Ward. I liked that one too.

It was my Relief Society lesson today. It was on Missionary work. I had a lot of extra things and even wore a missionary tag, "Sister McIntire" which was Tana's from her mission. I had not seen it for a couple of years and was thinking how I wanted to wear it while I taught my lesson. I went to my closet and went to an old jewelry box on the shelf. I opened it, and lifted the top of it and found it under some jewelry piled at the bottom. I was so impressed by that and could not deny I had help to find it. I don't think I could have done that on my own. It made my day!

I presented the message and the sisters seems to love what was taught. I cannot take the credit. The opening prayer was very helpful too in that respect.

My closing remarks was to encourage the women to "feast upon the scriptures." I learned that just a snack of the scriptures is not enough. So many good things come of feasting and all the promptings of the Spirit that are derived from obedience to this principle. I have come to love the scriptures even more and thirst after them each morning and it has become the first thing I do each day. I love the influence in my day and hunger for that first off before I do anything. This is a habit that literally makes my day.

This evening Aaron, Aislyn and I went to K2s Eagle Scout Court of Honor. There was another young man who received his today also in the ward. Hank had a gentleman come with a live Golden Eagle for the program. It was incredible and inspiring. We all learned a lot about Eagles. They have a life partner and it was said they are good husbands and fathers and take care of them. Amazing analogy for the Eagle and some people. I hope K2 will remember and recognize the good things an Eagle does in his life to emulate 'the way of the Eagle.'



The presentation given about Eagles was very impressive. I want to do some research and share about Eagles. They have 7000 feathers and excellent eye sight which is 6xs that of humans and can see a rabbit five miles away. Interesting.

Valentine for Mom(s)

I was driving to Orem to go to the Distribution Center for my lesson tomorrow. I heard a song on the radio that reminded me so much of my own mother and mother-in-law.


The message was so tender and gave a feeling of nostalgia as I remembered those kind acts of love and devotion of what mothers do for their children.

If for some reason the link doesn't open, here is the YouTube version address:

www.songza.com/z/v89p1h--It is a tribute by Jimmy Dean, called I.O.U. to Mom.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Welcome Home, Aaron--

As you know, Aaron has been in the hospital for almost a week. He came home today! I went to visit him for a couple of hours while he had lunch. It was a regular diet an he wanted to see if it stayed down. It did so he was able to feel comfortable enough to go home. Candice went to pick him up late afternoon. He is resting and hopes for the best. Me too.

I spent a couple of hours with him yesterday in the afternoon. He needed some clean garments to shower etc, so I had a chance to take them down and be with him. I stayed and we watched a PG movie, "The Ultimate Gift". It was a nice story about service to others.

Candice went to bring him home about dinner time. The Dr Rx'd some Probiotics!
He was able to keep his food down yesterday so he felt better about coming home. He didn't want to be a burden on Candice so he waited to make sure. Aislyn and I went to get him a bouquet of balloons for the homecoming in the afternoon while Candice went to pick him up. We bought red, white and pink with a nice red heart design on a Mylar balloon. Kind of "Valentine" theme.

We are all glad to have him back home.

"Abraham Lincoln, God's Humble Instrument," A Mormon author's look at Lincoln

A Mormon author's look at Lincoln
By Sharon Haddock
Mormon Times
Published: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

In his book, "Abraham Lincoln, God's Humble Instrument," Ron L. Andersen describes a 14-year-old boy who didn't find any of the existing churches in the mid-1800s to his liking, so he didn't join any of them. He relied instead on the God of his prayers for answers.

He didn't smoke, swear, chew tobacco, drink or despise minorities.

He lost people dear to him, including his mother and two young sons.

He was called "peculiar-some."

He enjoyed a good wrestle, liked playing with children, laughed easily and often.

He believed the Founding Fathers designed the Constitution with divine guidance and that America was founded for a wise purpose, a purpose in which he felt he would play a significant role.

He had a hunger for learning and truth but not a great business head. Instead of amassing wealth, he more often gave his money away to those he felt needed his help.

Sound familiar?

Abraham Lincoln and Joseph Smith had more in common than most people realize.

Andersen, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the similarities between the 16th president of the United States and the founder of the LDS Church are almost uncanny.

Andersen's research about Lincoln, whose bicentennial birth date is celebrated Feb. 12, began three years ago, when he read a book on the president's speeches.

"I was really impressed with the spiritual nature of his words," Andersen said. "I actually didn't intend to write a book. I really just suddenly and unintentionally found myself working on one. I'd wake at 4:30 in the morning and begin writing."

Andersen was struck with the parallels he found to Smith and to Mormonism. In fact, he found enough ties that he intends to build them into a second book, one that will include details about interaction between Lincoln and Brigham Young.

"There are three things I discovered about Lincoln. We all know he was Honest Abe," Andersen said. "What struck me was the magnitude of his integrity, the depth of his honesty. I was also struck by his deep faith in God. During his presidency he issued nine proclamations calling Americans to fasting and prayer."



Andersen said Lincoln took on a sort of prophet's role in that he was concerned about the nation's sin and told Americans they had forgotten God and the Civil War was in consequence of their mistakes.

"The one thing that drove Lincoln to the presidency was his concern for the Constitution," he added. "He went on a six-year campaign following Sen. Steven Douglas around and talking about the threat to the Constitution."

Andersen said while Douglas refused at that time to debate, Lincoln followed up almost every Douglas speech with a rebuttal that rebuked efforts to change the Constitution, particularly to drop the phrase "All men are created equal."

"Lincoln put the Constitution back on the pedestal where it should be," Andersen said.

__AD__His first book project, a richly detailed account of Lincoln's journey from a poor farmhouse to the White House, is based on extensive research in Springfield, Ill., the Washington, D.C., national archives and more than 40 written sources.

Patty Sullivan, a past business associate and ardent Lincoln fan, said Andersen recognizes Lincoln's spiritual side, which is too often played down or ignored by other writers.

"I've never seen anyone immerse himself in the life of someone like Andersen did with Lincoln," Sullivan said.

The book includes anecdotes, both famous and lesser known -- when asked if he was planning to go to heaven or hell, he said he was going to Congress -- and stories that paint a picture of a man deeply troubled by injustice.

Lincoln would turn away clients who refused to tell him the truth. As a lawyer, he often returned a portion of fees when he felt they were too high.

It chronicles his battle against slavery and his fight to keep the United States united rather than divided. The story of attempted secession/rebellion against the ideals of the Constitution and the subsequent Civil War is enlightening.

A first-time author, Andersen, who is the manager of field operations for LDS Employment Resource Services, is pleased to have found a publisher willing to take a chance on his book -- currently scheduled for release this April. It's immediately available from the Web site www.discoverlincoln.net.

Andersen, who helped found the Lincoln Leadership Society, has had a number of speaking engagements leading up to the bicentennial celebration. He says his book is "written from a nondenominational viewpoint," though there are elements that will be of particular interest to Mormons.

"Latter-day Saints will find Lincoln's religious beliefs and his reliance upon God throughout his life and especially during the Civil War to be compelling," Andersen said.

The book will be available in April at Amazon.com, Deseret Book and Barnes and Noble bookstores.

This article was particularly interesting about President Lincoln. Today is the 200th anniversary of his birth. Anna

More on Abraham Lincoln

* The clutter in Lincoln's law office was notorious, and a continual source of irritation to his partner, William Herndon. On his desk, Lincoln kept one envelope marked "When you can't find it anywhere else, look into this."

* At 6 feet, 4 inches, Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president.

* There are no direct decendents of Lincoln despite the fact that Abe had four sons.

* Lincoln was the first president to wear a beard

* Abraham Lincoln was the first major leader in our history to favor extending the vote to women. In 1836 - a full 12 years before the first woman's rights convention had even convened - State legislator Lincoln gave an Illinois newspaper a statement endorsing "female suffrage."

* Lincoln was the only president to receive a US patent - for a device used to lift boats over shoals.






* Frederick Douglass, the celebrated abolitionist and former slave, was invited by then President Lincoln to the inaugural reception in 1865, but when Douglass tried to enter, policemen man-handled him and forced him back out. Making his way in again, he managed to catch Lincoln's eye. "Here comes my friend Douglass," the President exclaimed, and leaving a circle of guests, took Douglass by the hand and began to chat with him.

* Lincoln wore a size 14 shoe


* The contents of Lincoln's pockets on the night of the assassination weren't revealed until February 12, 1976. They contained two pairs of spectacles, a chamois lens cleaner, an ivory and silver pocket knife, a large white Irish linen handkerchief (slightly used) with "A. Lincoln" embroidered in red, a gold quartz watch fob without a watch, a new silk-lined leather wallet containing a pencil, a Confederate five dollar bill and news clippings of unrest in the Confederate Army, emancipation in Missouri, the Union party platform of 1864, and an article on the presidency by John Bright.

A Cold, Fever, Sore Throat?

It seems like it is the cold, fever and sore throat season. My "Guy" friend, told me of a remedy he came across that helps him get over a cold in record time.

He said that honey, in hot water and cinnamon makes a great tea for a cold remedy. It boosts the immune system. I knew that cinnamon was good, but it is excellent to boost the immune system. How about that? It works!

A sore throat can be helped with honey and lemon like a warm lemonade. Saute' sliced onions and eat them. They make the soreness and sore throat go away too.

There Is A Difference Between a Snack and a Feast

I hope no one gets the impression that I had neglected reading the scriptures. I came to understand the difference of just a snack of scriptures and a feasting on them!

There is a difference! Believe me. The things that I noticed happen yesterday and over the last few weeks tell me the comparison. I would read in the past just to get it over with to say that it was done. Now that I have taken a longer time to ponder them and keep reading just out of desire to not stop, I see the quality of my day and mood over the other perfunctory effort to do my "duty." Shame on me.


A Feast for the eyes--Click on this picture for full effect

I am grateful for the time I can spend to feast upon them now. I also find a greater desire to read them more than once a day, just to have the "fix" over again. My dreams seem to be more vivid as well, as a side note too, which pleases me.

An Extra Measure of Blessings--A Reminder

Several times today I had some promptings that flowed to my mind that were of benefit to myself and others. These (promptings) seemed to come out of the blue yet, I know they were given to me in my mind at the right time, place and to the benefit of another person.

I had two more instances of a suggestion for someone to search out information from their pharmacist about some medication they had, and to find a simpler way to get a used engine from a place I knew about when my car was repaired and then find someone to install it for a lot less than expected. It was just those kinds of things that I experienced today. The scriptures have played an important role in becoming my own personal Urim and Thummim as promised to me.

Then I remembered a promise that was made to me recently that as I read the Book of Mormon and feasted upon the words in them I would be blessed to know many things. I was also told that the scriptures would become as my own personal "urim and thummin." What a wonderful promise!

Could these promptings that flowed to my mind be from just reading and feasting upon my scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon? I know that the words given to me in my mind happen more than a few times today, that by this evening I noticed how consistent these were in relationship to my obedience to follow the counsel given to me earlier.

It makes sense to me that anyone else would also receive the same blessing too as they read the Book of Mormon daily and feast upon the words, and read more than just a chapter or a few scriptures each day.


I am comforted to know this and bear testimony of its influence in my daily life. I felt a closeness of the Holy Ghost and acted upon those inclinations and personal revelation. It kept happening as I went from one activity to another. I knew when to call Candice and see if she needed some help was able to know beforehand that I would be excused from jury duty to be helpful for her and Aaron today. That was fulfilled with such exactness.


I recognize the hand of God in my life, which brings me great joy.




I have a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true, the word of God, and translated by Joseph Smith. That he is the prophet of the restoration and his mission was to bring us the blessings restoring the priesthood power again upon the earth.

A Birthday Party, A Time to Laugh, & Remember

Just now home from Tara's birthday party. We had fun, we laughed and cried. It was really a great tribute to her and knowing what her family thinks and cares about her and things she's accomplished in her life. I really had a good time.

I stopped by to see Aaron in Provo on my way to Tara's this afternoon. He is doing much better and an improvement from the last four weeks. I have not had a chance to get on the internet until I came home a short time ago.

Aaron is able to keep from vomiting anymore. He had a plasma transfusion to build up his thin blood today. He takes a blood thinners for blood clot prevention. He looked a lot better this afternoon than he has in the last week or so. Pobrecito, Mijo. He is making progress and able to drink clear liquids, like juices, water, broth or jello.

He is in isolation to prevent anyone getting what he has going on in his system. I think it may be a parasite, but the drs are not saying anything like that since it is highly contagious if no precaution is taken. No children visitosr, so his little ones have to stay home. His lab work will be completed for results on Sunday sometime, I think. So he will know more later.

Little Dude

Love those shades!!




Hey Cowboy, Parker--

Family Fast for Aaron Today

Just by way of update on Aaron's health condition. As many of you are aware, he has been very sick for about a month now. His condition mocked the flu, but not the flu. I wonder too if it actually had nothing to do with his lupus either.

He has been poked a gazillion times for blood work, examined, scanned,been in ER for several times, not to mention to many doctors of different expertise. Last night was the last straw.

So Aaron and Candice made another attempt about 8:30 p.m. to go to UVRMC emergency room and not leave until someone listened to them. Well, their persistence paid off! The doctor found, after another CT scan about 1:30 this morning, that he has an inflamed case of colitis.

Yes, colitis. Evidently the antibiotics have contributed to this and that is why he could not hold even water down. The only thing keep down and that even came up some of the time was Power Ade. Go figure. It was probably the little bit of minerals added to the drink that made it bearable.

Well, he is also in the hospital. The Dr decided he needed to be admitted and will be there for a few days until he improves. Heavenly day.

So please know how grateful I am for the priesthood and its ability to heal our bodies both spiritually and physically. Brother, Hank came and administered to him on Friday afternoon, and it really helped. Thank you Bp. Hank for your house call! And for Lori, for her loving support of him, Aaron & Candice.

It is a blessing to be here where I am and be of assistance in any way possible. It is what moms do. And Thank YOU all for your prayers and fasting for him.

I love you ALL forever! Mom :)

Super Heroes, Who is YOURS?

A father and a son



Bestafar, A Patriarch of his family




Little feet Walking in Dad's footsteps


Mr. Incredible, a little super-hero



Aaron with son, Joel



Somebody's Moms


Fatherly tenderness



Generations past influence the present, future generations



A little boy and his hero, "DAD"



My Hero, my Dad, Carlos