Giving Thanks

"Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

grat·i·tude   /ˈgrætɪˌtud, -ˌtyud/ [grat-i-tood, -tyood] noun the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

I cherish this lovely card that was made
and sent by a friend with its powerful message

I have been pondering this word, this attitude lately.  I find that when I feel grateful to someone or for something, my heart is full of joy.  I feel more inclined to think kind things of others and see the best in them and my thoughts are more in sync with doing something kind for someone else.  I often say, "Thank you!" But all too often, I fail to send a  "thank you," I intend to get that thank you note written and sent to the person who gave an especially inspiring talk at church on Sunday, to the kind neighbors who came to clear the snow from our driveway and walk when my husband was not feeling well, to that thoughtful person who mowed our lawn one afternoon while we were at yet another doctor's appointment, to each of the loving friends who filled our freezer with ready made meals before Ray's last cancer procedure, to the dear friend who just calls to see how my day has been, for the wonderful vegetables left on the doorstep, for the fresh loaves of bread, for the loving children and their wonderful spouses who drop everything to come and be with us during such a stressful time in our lives and  come again to help to repair the roof and  fix the leaky plumbing in the bathroom and get it ready to be retiled, etc. etc.  How can I tell you how grateful I am to each one of you for your thoughtfulness, your love, your concern, your kindness. 

I love you dearly and my heart is full and grateful for each one of you.  Thank you so very much.

I Know the Scriptures Are True

"Empower your child by giving him/her a choice and a chance. Let them learn to make their own decisions, when appropriate, and learn to trust their feelings."

~Doc Childre and Sara Paddison

Ashton and Hunter, after church

 C and B invited us up to Ashton and Hunter's Primary Program October 23rd and it is my favorite Sunday of the year.  One day, afew months ago,  Britt called us on the phone and two year old Hunter sang from memory, "Praise to the Man" Wow! We were so impressed and it still makes my heart glad just to think about him singing that beautiful, but lengthy hymn.  The children sang many beautiful songs during the program, my favorite is, "If I Listen With My Heart," by Sally DeFord. 

"If I had been a little child when Jesus lived on earth,

I would have liked to walk with him and listen to his words.

But as I search the scriptures, I can hear his words of peace,

And if I listen with my heart, I hear the Savior's voice."

MaCaleb is growing fast and starting to get chubby cheeks!

Ashton had a part in the program and he got up and spoke clearly and confidently about the prophet Moses.  Then he sat down.  Hunter, who was also up sitting by his brother and his mom, started to cry.  Well, it turned out that he also had the part memorized and expected that he would also have the opportunity to give his part just like his big brother did.  Hunter is not offically Primary age yet, but goes to the 3-year old class because Britt teaches it.  So both little boys knew all the songs and their part well.  So, after the program, Cory took Hunter up to the podium and let him say his part - and he knew it by heart and did not even hesitate.  It was a beautiful program and we were so pleased to be there.

Then on October 30, A & W invited us to join them in Enoch for Charlie and James' Primary Program. It was another delightful Sunday. Charlie got up and delivered his part loud and clear and sang all the songs, it was so fun to watch him. James said his part, "I like to go to Primary," and he knew all the songs, but he said he was "singing them in his head." Anyway it was a lovely Primary program and we so enjoyed it. Afterward, we went over to A & W to visit and have dinner.

Charlie, er, I mean Batman to the rescue

 Gigi had brought Halloween costumes for the boys, so they were excited to try them on.

James as "Thomas" and Arianne

 Will made a scrumptious dinner of meatloaf, scalloped potatoes and vegetables, and followed it up with caramel apples!  We were royally spoiled!

Gr Sandy and Nathanial

 Nathanial has really grown and is crawling everywhere and standing up whenever he can. He likes to go "walk-about" whenever someone is willing to hold on and go with him.  He will be walking soon!

 Anyway, I love watching the children and hearing them sing those beautiful songs.  The spirit is always strong as they sing and share their knowledge of the gospel and their love for the Savior. It was many years ago, when I was eight years old, our Primary was asked to sing in Stake Conference.  We sang, "I Wonder When He Comes Again," and "I Am a Child of God."  It was while we were singing that the spirit first bore witness to me that the Savior lives and loves us.  That was the beginning of my testimony.   I too, " know the Scriptures are true!"

Tender Mercies

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. ~Maori Proverb

A few weeks ago, as I was headed down the road to meet Ray at yet another Dr. appointment, my heart was heavy and as I went over the hill, I came upon this magnificent field of sunflowers just west of our city office building. It was the ray of sunshine that I needed at that very moment and reminded me of those wonderful tender mercies that are sent our way by a loving Father in Heaven. I didn't have my camera with me that day, but I did today - and the autumn colors were magnificent this morning as I drove down the hill to church with yet another heavy heart, I looked up and felt Heavenly Father's love for me radiating on all the hill sides. It is a most beautiful time of year and we are surrounded by the beauty of His creations.

Brittany, Macaleb and Ashton

 Another tender mercy is this handsome new grandson ~ Macaleb Warren

 Just behind our home lies a beautiful mountain range and it is only a few miles to drive up the canyon to enjoy the beauty there.  It is one of my favorite places and I like to go there whenever my heart needs a lift. 

 Last week-end Ray and I took a little drive up to what is called "The Devil's Kitchen,"  it looks like a minature Bryce Canyon, tucked away near Mt. Nebo.

And this huge field of pumpkins just made me smile ~ it reminded me of the bounteous blessings we enjoy every single day, and like the myriads of pumpkins, there are so many I could never count them all. 

Singing in the Rain - Sawyer Brown in Concert

"A thing long expected

takes the form of the unexpected when at last it comes."

~ Mark Twain.

Arriving early, to get good seats, we waited for two hours for the concert to begin and the weather was lovely. . . then right before 8 o'clock, the wind began to blow and it sprinkled a little, and we waited a little longer, then it really began to rain . . . everyone who had blankets shared them with those who didn't . . . and we waited a little longer. 
 Finally, it slowed to a sprinkle again, so they mopped the stage, uncovered the speakers and instruments and 1 1/2 hours past show time - Sawyer Brown was on stage! "My home town's coming in sight, if you think I'm happy your right
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight. . ."   And what a great performance!  Mark Miller dances as he sings and they all put on a great show! 

Their music is so much fun!  The audience, clad in blankets, jackets, and trashbags found the music well worth the wait and danced, clapped and sang along.

 Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard stealing the show

Mark Miller was literally singing in the rain, he towel dried the microphone many times and as the rain was coming in from the south, you can see in the photo above how wet the back of his shirt was. We went home drenched, but still singing!

Cruise to Eternity - Bears in Camp

"Life wouldn't be memorable, without a little excitement along the way." ~ Me

My cute Beehives ~ they keep me laughing!  I love them, they are so much FUN!

Our YW Girls Camp was at Payson Lakes this year. We had 26 beautiful YW, plus leaders and priesthood~ Our theme was "Cruise to Eternity".  We had a beautiful campsite not far from the lake, with plenty of shade, lots of tables and room to cook, and all the tent sites were a little on the sloping side.

The girls made some great t-shirts.  With colored permanent markers, you draw dots or designs and drip alcohol over it - it makes the colors bleed and gives a fun designed, tie-dye look.

We had a "Captains Dinner" and everyone dressed up ~ it was strictly a black and white tie affair ~ the girls' ensembles were made from trashbags and duct tape ~ they came up with some ingenous designs and even made some tuxes for the priesthood leaders!

 

 Early the first morning, two of my little Beehives went down to the WC and came back screaming.  They had just seen a bear across the parking lot, scattering garbage everywhere.  We had followed the camp hosts many warnings, and had put all of our food away, taken treats, toothpaste, deodorant, etc and locked them all in the Scout Trailer in the parking lot, etc . . . but the camp host later told us that he had forgotten to come back and lock the garbage down and the bears were having a great time . . .but not to worry, someone would come  up with dogs and chase that bear away. . .

So, we went on a beautiful 5 mile hike - the wildflowers were lovely and the weather pretty near perfect.

 Later that day, we cooled off in the lake. While we were at the lake a lady from the campground next to ours told us she had just seen a bear in our camp!

After that, things started happening fairly quickly.  The camp host came and asked us about the bear, then said we had two choices, we could pack up and go home ~ or pack up and move up to Blackhawk, if there was room for us up there.  The girls did NOT want to go home, ("We're having TOO much fun!") so the host drove up to Blackhawk, procured us a new site and when he came back we were, as instructed, packed up and ready to go.  Thank goodness for our great Priesthood leaders who were there to help us ~ Apparently it was in the news several nights running!  Apparently, we had not one bear, but two . . .

 

 Our new site was much smaller, but we stilll had a great time.  We had a spirit filled "Faith Walk," made necklaces, played games, had some great food, funny skits and finished our last night with a wonderful testimony meeting. I so love these YW ~ they are so much fun to be around, and are filled with love, laughter and life!  This IS and has always been, my FAVORITE calling, I love to be serving in YW. 

A Few Days in the Garden of Eden ~ 3

". . . We call upon [people] everywhere to put family first and to identify specific ways to strengthen their individual families.. .  In today’s world, where Satan’s aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families. . . Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins can make a powerful difference in the lives of children. Remember that the expression of love and encouragement from an extended family member will often provide the right influence and help a child at a critical time.. . ." ~ Russell M Ballard October 2005

Grace and Sadie ~ a cute Spaniel that adopted us while we were in Eden

 Some went golfing, some went house hunting, others stayed and played games and soaked in the hot tub . . . lots of laughter, games, friendly competition, great food ,  plenty of fun, lasting memories . . . that's what vacation is all about.

Ethan making a great catch and Charlie coming to help

Charlie and Sandy

A little more geocaching at the park ~ Cori, Charlie, Grant, James, Grace and Ashton

Under the Troll Bridge ~ Brittany,Jesse,  James, Ashton, Charlie and Grace

Collecting ammo ~ Ashton, Charlie, James and Grace

Splash! ~ James

A splash war across the stream ~ Ashton and Charlie getting a little wet

 A little Dance Revolution going on ~ Megan, Brittany, Ray and Jesse

Cori, Arianne, Brittany and Megan

A Few Days in the Garden of Eden ~2

"You don't choose your family.
They are God's gift to you,
as you are to them."
~Desmond Tutu

Ethan

 Our family outings the last few years have included geocaching~ it is fun for all of us and we get to hike and see some great places and the call of "buried treasure" keeps the kids hiking onward and upward!  We found three hidden caches on this trail near Pineview Reservoir.

Brittany, Hunter and Ashton

The wildflowers were breath taking !

Grace, Hunter and Ashton ~ happy hikers

The hike overlooks Pineview Reservoir

Cori ~Aha! We FOUND it! 

Geocaching is lot of fun ~Especially when you actually  find the treasure!

Ashton

Eden and Jesse

All tuckered out

Ashton and Grace

We spent another day at the lake - we had intended going to Pineview, but because of cooler temperatures and threatening storms at Pinewview, we ended up back down at Willard Bay, which was a good choice - the weather there was beautiful, the temperature perfect and the water, GREAT!

Cori and Randy



Grant

Megan and Joshua ~ he wasn't too sure about that cold water

Tickle Bugs . . . Ashton and Grace waking up Papa Ray

Ashton and Grace ~ "Well, we said we were hungry and wanted a BIG Breakfast, hmmm . . "