Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love

 "Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, 

the things you are,

 the things you never want to lose."

~ from The Wonder Years

I have been going through old slides, converting them into jpeg files and it has been such a delight to remember wonderful people who have had such a positive impact on my life and to recall experiences that have helped form my faith, and build my testimony and help me to become who I am today.

 Ricks College 1970-72

Bowen 11 Room-mates -
Tony Fowler, Teri Hillyard, Judy Bartlett, Clair, Marilyn Hone, Sandy Rockwood  and Vicki Taylor

New Freedom Singers -  SpringTour 1972 We sang throughout the MidWest, Arkansas, Texas and Arizona

Singing of our love for our country, our God and family, as part of the New Freedom Singers, we toured the United States, welcomed President Nixon at the Idaho Falls Airport, won the Homecoming Songfest, received the "Best Large Group Award 1972" and sang with gratitude for this great country that we live in, for the gospel, for those who have fought to retain those freedoms and for the joy of living. 

"In the morning of my life,  I shall look to the sunrise

At a moment in my life, when the world is new.

And the blessing I shall ask, only God can grant me,

To be brave and strong and true,

And to fill the world with love my whole life through." 

Valerie Rohner, Sandy Rockwood, Mike Nef, Cheryl Gunter and Jim Blaylock -
"I'd LIke to Teach the World to Sing in Perfect Harmony"

"In the evening of my life, I shall look to the sunset.

At a moment of my life, when the night is due.

And the question I will ask, only I can answer,

Was I brave, and strong and true?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?"

BYU 1972-73

Regency 101

Debbie Searle, Mary Alice Jensen, Sandy Rockwood, Kathy Sanderson, Colleen Hammon
at Judy Eliason's missionary farewell

I had the BEST room-mates! How grateful I am for wonderful room mates who influenced my life for the good.  Our daily prayers, family home evening and scripture study began lifelong habits that have strengthened my testimony, faith and love of our Savior.  We experienced daily faith promoting experiences that have had a profound affect on my life. And our Family Home Evening family - was the best - these young men honored their covenants and were such a great example to me.

Larry  Burton, Dave Wright, Steve Jenks ~ some of our FHE "brothers"

An Older Woman Ahead of You

An Older Woman Ahead of You

“There is an older woman up there ahead of you

That you ought to know

She looks somewhat like you

She has your eyes, your nose, your chin;

And whether she loves you 

or hates you, 

respects you or despises you

Whether she is angry or comfortable

Whether she is miserable or happy

Depends on you

For you have made her

She is you grown older.”

Sometime before the new year I was contemplating my life and things that I knew I needed to work on - so many things - where do I start? Many times I have thought at this age and time of my life I would be the faithful, gracious, kind, loving, courageous woman I wanted to become when I  copied this poem into my journal while serving my mission . . . and find myself so falling short of where I wanted to be forty years later.  I was talking to Heavenly Father about my shortcomings and what I thought I needed to work on~ so many things, it is sometimes overwhelming.

A few weeks later, sitting with some friends, one of them said she had been thinking a lot about being "Gracious" and asked us what we thought that meant.  We all chimed in and then the discussion changed.  A few weeks after that we were all together again and Paula told us that being gracious was still weighing on her mind and it was something she was working on, then she turned to me and said, "Sandy, I think of you as being someone who is gracious."  Well, after I pulled myself up off the floor, I remembered a prayer a few weeks prior to that and realized that Heavenly Father, was answering a prayer, just letting me know that I am at least headed in the right direction, even if I still have a long ways to go . . .

Christmas Joys ~ 2013

*

Let us 
remember 
that the Christmas 
heart is a giving heart, 
a wide open heart that thinks
 of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus 
stands as the most significant event in all history, 
because it has meant the pouring  into a sick world the 
healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of 
hearts for almost two thousand years...Underneath all the bulging 
bundles is this 
beating 
Christmas heart.
 - George Matthew Adams

Christmas was a joy this year.  Cori found a cabin with ten bedrooms that was big enough to fit all 32 of us, so we all got together in Duck Creek and enjoyed a few days of laughter, love, great food and lots of fun.

Danielle, Ally, Eden, Megan, Joshua and Mason

Aunt Megan had lots of crafts and fun things planned for the kids to do. We went sledding, played games with the children until time for bed.  Had a nightly devotional, tucked the kiddoes into bed, then stayed up until the wee hours playing games, laughing and talking.

Our lovely Christmas tree ~ with a sweet sign from Grace reminding all of us to remember the true meaning of Christmas is to love each other and be kind to everyone.

Looks like Santa tracked us down!

Christmas Eve ~ soft Christmas music, the lovely glow of the tree, the warmth of a fire, the gleeful teasing and laughter of  adult children playing games in the next room, my sweetheart sitting next to me and all the little ones, so excited for what's coming all tucked into bed . . . lovin' it!

 The Dads decided that they needed an alarm to let them know when the first child was out of bed on Christmas morn . . . it worked!

Joshua's stocking is almost as big as he is . . .

A view from the top . . . on Christmas morning

Brittany and Nadia

 It was these three babies first Christmas ~ Nadia, Anders and Jeffrey Jack (JJ)

Ethan and Anders

Grammie Sandy and JJ

Jesse, Kourtni, Eden, Damien, Ally, Ethan, Charlie and Joshua getting ready for the launch

 Grandpa Ray made rocket launchers for every family for Christmas ~ and they were a great hit!

Ally, Ethan and Joshua - "Where did it go?"

 Christmas Day was sunny and just right for rocket launching - all systems were GO!

James, Ally, Grace, Joshua and Cory

 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 launch!

Ally, Kourtnie, Damien, Grace, Charlie, Ray, Grant, Cori

Joshua's snow ball maker -you better run, Grammie Sandy!

Everyone pitched in and helped plan the menus, shopping, cooking, activities, cleaning and all that goes with a big get together.  We had such a great time together.  We love being together as a family. Cori made the comment, "I love being with you guys, you are my best friends!"  That was honey to my heart . . . I kept telling the children when they were little and arguing - someday you will be good friends!  It is such a joy to see that is true.   The 18 cousins have so much fun playing together. The older grandchildren, Jacob and Sydni are so great to include and play with the little ones and the children all adore them! Several of us made the comment that this was the best Christmas ever!  We stayed at the cabin until the day after Christmas, when we packed up and headed down to the condo in St George for a few days.

My heart is so full of gratitude for my dear companion and best friend, Raymond and six amazing children and their wonderful sweethearts, and eighteen beautiful grandchildren.  You add so much joy to my heart and I am so grateful for all of you. Most of all I am grateful for our Savior, whose love and light shines as a beacon to us all.