Three little girls

* Today I am thankful for the enthusiasm of youth. If we are to stay young at heart we must learn from children and embrace their joy in simple things.

* Tom is working on the fence over by the hill today. Wish I was going to help him.

* I am taking Mom and Suzanne to the Festival of Trees. One of my favorite things of the Christmas Season. So many generous people to watch.

* I can't get the Miller family off my mind. They keep getting the flew over and over. Jason and Kim are struggling with their backs. It feels like they are getting flooded with hard things right now. I am praying for them!!! I love the initiatory part of the temple because we get to hear repeated blessings concerning our bodies. I think they bring positive promises that will come true. Kim and Jason are going to get better!

* "For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their callings, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies."

D&C 84:33

Abbie

*It is Thanksgiving and I am so thankful! As I set the table I imagined each person that was coming and how much I loved them. I pictured both Kelly and Jamie with their troupe happily getting ready. I remember my Dad always calling to see if we were coming. Now I understand his need to gather his family.
* I love Tom, our life is so good right now. He is building a fence for the horses over by the hill. Last night when he was finished, and I had finished decorating for Christmas we both showered, and went on a date together. He loves his chili relano at Don Pedro's. I loved sitting in the booth with him and riding home in our warm car.
* Jason's back is still so hurt. He and Kim are both struggling with this. They are on in my thoughts, wish there was something I could do.
* Sweet Abbie, always full of adventure and wonder. She makes me happy.
* "All the things we say, the prayers we offer, the blessings that are given, the feelings we experience-both good and bad- accumulate in our homes and are felt by those who come there. We add something to the sum each day." Ann Madison

Jamie and Matt and Matt

* Jamie has always had something for Matts. She has a special touch with them. They light up her eyes. Thank you Jamie for all you have done for our Matt. He loves you! So do I!

* Everything is white and beautiful this morning.

* Four days to get ready and excited for Thanksgiving. I got two big fat turkeys yesterday. Wonder if they are goggling to each other in the fridge?

* Tom and I are trying to eat better. We are both on cholesterol medicine now and his blood sugar is coming down.

* I am studying Truman Madison's book The Temple, Where Heaven Meets Earth. It is a Thanksgiving Feast!

* The Jerusalem Center is a House of Learning, (One of the requirements for the Temple) it has "Shalom" or peace there. President Hunter dedicated it for all to feel the Spirit of the Lord." T. Madison

Handsome Love

*What a great picture. I love those two!!! Just thinking about getting to spend some time with Jamie and her family makes me happy. How lucky are we!

* The sun is bright today. Sam is begging for our walk.

* I just finished the book Sacred Walls and I learned so much. I am thankful for early mornings when I can study. My Book of Mormon is fast becoming my dearest physical possession.

* I am excited today for the thoughts of Thanksgiving and family. How I wish we could transport Jamie and Kelly's family here. They each will have their own great family Thanksgiving, I just hate to miss out on all the talking and fixing and eating and then cleaning up together. Someday travel and our wishes to be together will be easier. Like a click of the finger. Well Maybe.

* I cleaned out my closet and all my drawers, don't' know why I always put that off so long.

* "I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ and lay hold upon every good gift." Moroni 10:30

Lucy

* I love this gorgeous child. She is so filled and brimming over with life!
* I had my cholesterol checked and it was a meer 303. I have spent so much time worrying about Tom's diabetes that I have been blind to my own health. I promise I am not going to watch the way he eats. I am a wife not a mother. I love him. Yesterday we went together to the health clinic and learned how to better eat, so the sky is the limit from here.
*I am excited just thinking about Thanksgiving. I hope Terry and Devon will come join us.
* "Come unto me. . and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief." Ether 4:13

Enduring

* There is a storm brewing.

* I walked by a silky white mink this morning. He had a black end to his tail. Hope he call survive the coming winter.

* I met Julie Young at the store the other day. She seemed happy, but she opened up and shared that she had just done through breast cancer, and was in need of a kidney, but because of her cancer they couldn't give her a kidney for 3 years. . . so long to endure! She will probably go on dialysis. She also mentioned a struggling son and she has diabetes. I need to call her today! Maybe I need to organize a fund raiser. Julie has always been a dear friend to me. What a heavy load she is caring.

*"In one who is wholly coveted, desire for things contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has actually died, and substituted therefor is a love of God with a fixed and controlling determination to keep his commandments." Marion G. Romney

Meshing Tree

*Tom wrote the letters for the little boys and they did the wood burning and painting.
* We called it the Meshing Tree because the branches actually have grown together at intersections instead of simply crossing.
* I met a dear lady at the temple yesterday that had, had a stroke. She could barely walk and the left side of her body didn't work. Yet she was there trying to serve. She taught me about humility.
* Last night I ran home so cold. I cuddled up under a blanket on the heater vent and stayed there will I was cooked. I slept so good.
* The oats in the field are beautiful. I want to gather an armful today.
* I am thankful for an entire day in Wallsburg.
* " But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always and not faint. . ." 2 Nephi 32: 9

Fall is gone

* There is snow on the ground and everything is mighty nippy.
* These are the rasberries that Matt and I planted with hope that they would bloom before they froze. I think next year they just might bloom in the summer.
* Today I am thankful for this little electric heater that warms me each morning as I study.
*We finally connected with Matt and worked on his budget, again.
* "Those enlightened have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come. "Hebrews

Steps

* I studied this morning about Adam-Ondi-Ahman. Linda is painting the most beautiful picture of this place,for the Kansas Temple. Yesterday I mixed paint and watched her create the most heavenly sunset. It reminds me of being there once with Kelly and once with Mom.
* I hope Kim is feeling better, now she has had the stomach flew.
* We are going to the temple today and meet with Matt.
* Love the boys that made these steps.
* Adam (man of holiness) Ahman (Father in Heaven) After Adam and Eve left the garden they migrated 80 miles north to a place called Adam-Ondi-Ahman. The voice of the Lord could be heard wherever they went.

Houses

*I love how Kelly's girls love to play house. "I am the Mom, I will take care of all my babies." Millie and Maizie line their babies up on the steps and talk to them and take care of them. When I was at Kelly's, Millie and I washed all her babies. She loved it.

*I remember the girls painting their own little houses for their fairy house.

* Today I am starting to mix paint for the Brigham City Temple Baptistery. My Dad would have loved to see a temple being built in his home town.

* I am baking Pumpkin Nut Bread this morning and it smells good.

* I am thankful for the crispness of the air and the homeness of home.

* Where is Matt?

* "A child needs a mother more than all the things money can buy." President Benson

Stepping Stone

*The kids thought when they stepped on this stone, it allowed them to enter a magic world. I like it because it is the name of Kim's Gratitude Journal, something I love to read. I am thankful for computers that can help us stay connected.

* I love the changing of the seasons.

* I love the Sabbath. I am learning to feel peace.

* I cut Annabell's hair yesterday and it brought back memories of cutting Jim's thick black hair. Benjamin locked us out of the house. Nicole came on our Saturday night date to get Pizza. We are trying to get her to come to church with us.

* I am working on a cottage in the woods for the Festival of Trees, so much fun!

* Still haven't heard from Matt.

* "If we are to find peace we must find it win in ourselves." Ferrell

Tires

* What a great day it was when we went to the tire store to find some tires for swings. I like to peek through this tree hole and imagine little bodies there.
* Took Mom to the Draper Temple yesterday for Sean Clark's wedding. We got to see the temple mural and check out the butterfly behind the chair. Mom seemed fragile. I must be careful not to wear her out.
* I am sorry about a conversation on the phone with Matt, wish I could take my words back. He lost his phone and now there is no connection with him. He is driving without a licence which makes my stomach turn over. Thinking of him makes me sad.
* Tom is my refuge from any storm. I love him!
*"Knowest thou not, that thou art a spark of Deity, struck from the fire of His eternal blaze." John Taylor

The Key

* This is the rusty key that opens the front door to the Messing Tree and my heart.
* Yesterday I spent time in the temple with Tom. We met Sister Rogers, Ted Van Buren's Sister. I love her. She is my soul mate.
* Kim's back is feeling better, tomorrow she does for a MRI. I pray for her.
* Maybe Jamie found an apartment for us. My fingers are crossed.
* I had a good talk on the phone with Matt.
* Dear Kelly sent us a CD with music that brings back so many memories. I do have brilliant children! Wish I could attend their school.
* I am thankful for this thanksgiving month.
*"Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness." D & C 128:19

* Today I am thankful for my family!!! A visit from the Millers on Sunday night was such a welcome treat! I am praying for Kim's, and Jason's backs to feel better. Dang those backs!
* The Clarks had such a wonderful Halloween Dinner last night. Complete with floating heads in a boiling brew, tasty poppers, yummy french dip sandwiches, and great costumes. I loved Trick or Treating with Katy and the Birthday Man Shawn. Thank you Clarks for letting us be part of you.
* Jamie and Kelly's kids left messages on our phone. Tom and I stood in the kitchen for the longest time just listening to the voices we love. Oh my heart!
* Matt has hurt his ankle, he seems forlorn at the moment. I long for him to find happiness.
* I had my computer cleaned and now I can't even figure out how to post pictures anymore. Unbelievable, but I can still be grateful, and that I am . I love life and my dear family!!
* Last night Tom and I layed in bed and read in Mormon Doctrine about polygamy, a thought spurred by Bret. Tom has taken such an interest in The Mormon Doctrine. He has almost studied the whole thing. I love when he stops and reads out loud to me. Our nights are so much more interesting!
*"Keeping the Sabbath is a perpetual covenant. A physical sign for a spiritual law."