Late again.

Oh, I am so bad at this. But as the year comes to an end, I recognize so many miracles. Number one is the miracle of family. What would I do without them. Our children and grandchildren are my joy and my strength. As we add new members to our family, that joy only increases. This week I was able to visit the burial places of my parents and 3 brothers. I am so grateful for the knowledge that we can be together again, that is a miracle! I was also able to visit several living relatives and enjoy their association. There is a reason that we came to earth in family units!
Technology has been, and is such a miracle. I can not even describe my gratitude for the internet and the communication it allows. Every family who has had a serviceman deployed overseas knows what a blessing this is. And then there is the miracle of the IPOD shuffle. I received one for Christmas, (thanks Bekka and Michael!) and was able to download General Conference on that tiny little device. All the way across the desert to California I was able to listen to Conference and the songs from the Childrens Song book. It was glorious! I cherish friends that support and encourage us daily. I could go on and on. Even though I don't post them every day, I do have miracles daily in my life. And as a new year begins, I know there will be more and more yet to come.

4 AM!!!

Who would think that being up at 4 AM would constitute a miracle? Certianly not me. I am not a morning person, especially a 4 o'clock in the morning person, but I have been awake for 2 hours now, unable to sleep, so why not blog???
I did survive working every day last week, and now on to a less exhausting schedule. Forrest survived the 1st school play of the year-thank goodness. Now on to # two in three weeks. Just a note for those of you who were involved with Les Mis how ever many years ago that was-he is thinking of a re-do in the spring. We should have a reunion- but I told him he will not be able to top that performance. You guys were awesome!
It amazes me how time has moved on. This early morning I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with the changes in my life, and very sentimental. All of my children have been married (at one point or another), which makes me certifiably old. We should be empty nesters, but gratefully are not. In fact, our house is fuller (or should that be more full?) now than when we were raising our children. Sometimes I feel that we are busting at the seams! But how wonderful it is to have so many people to keep me going daily. I think that our Bishop is becoming concerned about the number of people here, tonight he dropped off a Turkey at our house! He said they ended up with an extra one, and interrupted me when I tried to protest. In all honesty, I was grateful. Not so much for the turkey, but for the show of support for us. That means more than any bird could ever mean. I haven't had a chance to tell Forrest about it yet-Gout here he comes! :)
I seem really wordy this morning. Maybe 4AM is a good time for me. I keep having random thoughts-like have you ever contemplated a light house? (NOw where did that come from)../ A light house has two purposes. It sends light out over the ocean to keep ships from crashing into the shore, but it is also there as a beacon to those who are lost. Like our Heavenly Fathers love for us. He sends out warnings, but He also has a beacon to help us when we are lost. How grateful I am for those beacons as I see how they have guided those I love. I think I am on the verge of becoming phylisophical (do you really expect me to spell that right at this time of the morning?????) so on that note, Good night all, and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Another Day

Another week is at the end. TGIF. If I survive through tomorrow, it will be a miracle. This morning I told Forrest that I know why I don't work full time. Two days in a row of 9:30-6:30, with two more looming on the horizon, I am ready for a rest! But life will go on. My hat is off to Mom's who work all day, then come home and take care of family! cudoos to you!

Oh my

On Friday Forrest lost something that is not his and is very important. So being the good supportive wife that I am :), I went through the house searching everywhere he had been the evening before. I remembered him sitting on the couch, so of course the couch had to be searched. I stuck my hand down the back as far as I could and pulled out little treasures belonging to the girls, but not the item in question. So of course, the couch had to be up ended and the bottom pulled off to see if it had fallen all the way down. Of course it had not, but what I did find is what I want to write about today.
I found many things that had been collecting there for years. The green bead lizard key chain that Gina lost years ago. Toys that had just disappeared. Pictures of our children when they were younger. And of course the various unmentionable food items that you do not want to know about.
As I was pulling these items out, several thoughts occured to me. How grateful I am that through all these years we have had enough food to feed our family that the scraps dropped down the couch were not missed. Pictures tell stories of happiness in our home (at least some of the time.) The toys told of children playing, and laughter.
Our home has never been perfect, but it has seen much joy, and for that I am grateful.
Thanks couch for reminding me of times past.

Technology

How did we ever survive before E-Mail? Tonight I sat down, turned on my computer, logged into my E-mail, and there waiting for me was a letter from my cousin in Austrailia. What a miracle it is that we can write a letter, push a button, and within minutes it will be anywhere in the world that we send it. As time goes on, I realize how important family is. And I have lost touch with so many of them. I am so grateful for technology that helps me to keep in touch.

Friday

Today there are 2 miracles I would like to mention. For the first one, read the comment left on my previous post re:snow. Thank, you are a miracle in our life!
The second miracle: as I was getting dressed this morning in red (if you don't know why I wear red every friday, leave me a comment and I will send an e-mail) it struck me once again how grateful I am for the miracle of Michael returning safely from his service in Iraq. The more time goes by, and the more we learn about his time there, (mostly from others, he still will not tell us much,) I realize what a blessing it was that his entire unit came home. They fulfilled their mission there with great honor! How could a mother not be grateful for that!

Snow

I always have trouble when the snow starts to fly. I much prefer sitting on a beach! But as I sat and watched the snow fall today, I once again was grateful that it is white! Just think how horrible it would be if snow was purple or some other color.
White is such a peaceful calming color, the color of purity, of newness. Yes, I am grateful snow is white.

Election Day

Do we all understand what a miracle it is to be able to vote? My son spent a year in Iraq to help preserve their right to vote. Through out history men and women have sacrificed all for what we have and so often take for granted. Our system is not perfect-none is, but I have a hope deep within me that it is better than most, and that most people do want what is best. It is that "what is best" that causes confusion. What I think is best is probably not what you think is best. We each come into this life with different opinions, different ways of thinking. It is how we learn to co-exist that defines who we are. Do we hold resentment, do we "get even", or ignore another way because it is not our way. I sincerely hope that as this election comes to an end, we can all band together behind who ever wins, whether it is the candidate I voted for or the one you voted for. We need to be united in our prayers that who ever is in the White House will honestly strive to do what is right-for all of us.
Oh, if only we had complete foresight and could see exactly which road to follow, but we don't. So we do the best we can, we weigh the choices as best we can, and take a leap of faith as we mark our ballots.
God bless us one and all, and God Bless America!

Goodbye

Yesterday we attended the services that laid our friend to rest. As I was standing at the graveside, I was overcome with gratitude for the plan of salvation. Such sweet words were spoken by his son reminding us of the purpose of this life, and of the life to come. The Bishop spoke such sweet words of healing and love. How incredible it is to know that we are watched over by a loving Heavenly Father who knows us as no one else does. So on this soggy Sabath morning I feel to Thank my Heavenly Father for his love and mercy to us his children.

A Friend

A friend of ours passed away a few days ago, and since then I have been thinking of the miracle of life, how precious it is, and how fleeting. I suddenly want to hold my family closer, to say 'I love you" louder, to try to remember every little thing that makes them all precious to me. I look at those around me and wonder what life would be like without them there. What would it be like to not have children call me just to say hello, or to tell me about their day.
As these past two days have gone by and we have talked about this friend that is now gone, it almost seemed to be a dream. You know those kind of dreams where you know it is not real, but you just can't seem to wake up? Only waking up will make no difference. What a blessing the gospel of Jesus Christ is, and the knowledge that life does not end with this life. Years ago I heard a song, and for a long time the only words I could remember where "Earth is not our goal". Many times in the past I have had to hang on to that thought. Earth is not our goal, and what comes after will be glorious.

Many Miracles

As I sit to write of the miracles yesterday, my heart is still touched and tears still come. It was just about this time yesterday morning when we received a call to come and pick the girls up at school-there had been a bus accident. At that time we had no idea if it was their bus or not-all we knew was that the girls were ok. As the day went on and more information came out, the miracles mounted.
Miracle #1: there were only 5 children on the bus, rather than the bus the girls rode on which was full of children.
Miracle #2: the required 5 point harness seat belt that every child wore! Every child was kept securely in place, shaken up and bruised, but safe!
Miracle #3: the fuel tanker truck involved had just unloaded and was empty.
Miracle #4: the car directly behind the bus carried 2 local EMT's who immidiatly sprang into action.
Miracle #5: you only have to look at the pictures from the accident to realize the miriacle it is that the driver and teacher aide survived. Both are in the hospital still, but alive and expected to fully recover!
Thank you for all the concerned phone calls we received checking on the girls. Friends and family are definatly another Miracle that we have!

Much to be grateful for on the rollercoaster!

As I sat here realizing that I have once again missed opportunities to recognize miracles in my life I received this e-mail. It may be long, but it says it all.
I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .


FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.


FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE


FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

Today

Today was a miracle. The entire day. Michael got married. What mixed feelings that brings. He is the youngest of our children. It was strange to sit there and realize that he is no longer my little boy. When did he grow up. I thought I had let go of him when he went to Iraq. But this is different. I felt this way when each of our daughters got married. I had to let go and entrust them to some one else. It is not easy, but this is the way it is meant to be. Be happy Bekka and Michael!

Missed again.

I am not very good at posting here, I will try to do better. It seems that daily the miracles I see evolve around my grandchildren.. I just returned from spending a couple of days with Tawny Nick, and the king of the house Cooper. Even though we don't see him very often, he ran right up and gave me a hug. That is the miracle I am grateful for tonight. What a precious boy he is. I am still smiling from his hugs.

Yes, it is still today

As I sat here at my computer "surfing"-(boy does that mean something different than it did when we lived in California!) I found my miracle. Well, maybe not mine, but one that I can share in. The miracle of words and how they lift my soul. Of love that never faileth. Copy and paste this link to your browser to go to another blog, and you will see what I mean. This blog is maintained by the sister of a woman severly injured in a plane crash in August. Her words are beautiful, and her love for her sister warms my soul. Enjoy.
http://blog.cjanerun.com/

Family

I am continually reminded how fortunate we are to have a wonderful family. Not everyone has a family that will support them, and love them as they are. I am so grateful for my family, and the strength they are to me!

Late

I have been remiss in remembering the miracles in my life. It seems that some days I have to really think about it. Yesterday we had to get our Temple Recommends renewed. As I was visiting with a member of the Stake Presidency, I mentioned a concern I have had off and on for awhile. He paused, then answered all my concern in such a gentle manner, no rebuff, just answers. I sat in that office and thought, this is such a miracle. The Lord does know what he is doing when he calls our leaders.

These are our greatest Miracles!

Friends

Today's miracle is friendship. You never know when you might lose a friend. Last night a friend of Lyssa's was killed in an Auto accident. I am sure when he got in his car, those watching had no idea they would never see him again.. So often we lose touch with friends, only to hear years later that they have passed away. We need to treasure each moment. "Love like there is no tomorrow". Who is to know what will come?

Yesterday

Yesterday's Miracle is technology. At work technology allowed us to have training via coomputer--what a wonder that is. And technology allows us to keep in touch. How is a voice sent through the air?? This wonderful technology allowed me to keep in touch with my son while he was serving in Iraq. What a miracle that was. I am always amazed at new developments. Surely men are inspired as they strive to improve our lives!

22 September 2008

Today's Miracles seem many. Sometimes I think it is a Miracle to just make it through the day in one piece! But as I sit at my desk looking at the view out my window I see a Miracle. To live here, in the LIGHT of the Temple, is a Miracle.