Tribute to a beloved friend

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, impossible to forget."

Judy ~we love you and we will miss you!

Judy and I at Ardis'

My dear friend, Judy, finally finished her three year battle with cancer, and has gone to have a joyous reunion in eternity with her loved ones there, but she has left a legacy of love and service that will live on here with her family and friends forever.

Lunch at Bull Pepper's in Payson, November 2011

Delivering comfort pillows to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center

Preparing for Heather's reception

Festival of Trees prep November 2011

Doggie socks for the Gift Shop at Festival of Trees

Flower Power - Hair ribbons for the Women & Children's Center

Ornaments for our Festival of Trees 2011

Making tee-shirt dresses for little girls in Ghana

Delivering tee-shirt dresses to Village of Hope founders

Tying a Quilt for the Humanity Center

Making Nativity Scenes at Super Saturday

One of our many wonderful potluch lunches at Judy's home

Decorating our tree for the Festival of Trees 2010
"Judy loved the Savior and lived her testimony of the gospel each and every day. She is one of the most amazing women I have ever met. She is such a great example of Christlike living.  Judy loved life to the fullest. She was interesting to talk to and so much fun to be around. I will cherish the memories of her friendship, her love, her laughter, her beautiful voice as she sang the hymns she so loved. I watched as she served and attended our We CAN events  or YW even when she didn't feel well, but she didn't want to miss a lesson or weekly activity and she always shared her love and testimony of the gospel. in everything she did. What a great woman! What a dear friend, I will miss you greatly, but cherish these past few years of friendship and beautiful memories."  ~Love You and Miss You!, Sandy

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!"