Treasures

* This picture has been the book mark in my scriptures for a long time. Each time I see it I feel a softness to my day. I love these three! A touch of Bret, Kim and Kelly. I am thankful for the pictures my daughters take of our grandchildren. I must learn how to down load them to my computer.
* Yesterday was Katy's Birthday. Tom and I walked into her gymnastic class. I picked her out of 100 children in 10 seconds. Floppy white pigtails, head held high and arms just perfect, toes pointed, and a look of joyful determination on her face. We found the perfect little cowboy hat for her and her horse. There is a quiet, deep something that seeps from Katy's eyes. I love her!
* The dawn is almost here I must go see the sunrise.
* I am substituting at the temple on this Tuesday, a quiet gift with no responsibilities.
* I get to see Matt today, I hope.
* "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things to wonderful for me to know. . .My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you". Job 42: 2-5

Time together

* This picture reminds me of the time spent out in the garage making bird houses for Christmas. I also think of the time we made the large bird house that is out on the back porch. Tom always strives to make anything he does just perfect. I just watch and wait.

* I am thankful for this home of protection on a cool fall morning.

* Glen Shepherd saw a cougar on my walking path.

* Last night we waded through the mess of making Choke Cherry Jam. Wonder what it tastes like this morning?

* Yesterday was dear McKinnley's Birthday, today sweet Katy's. I love them both. Wish I could fly to them for a Birthday Hug!

* "The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's alter" Elder Maxwell

Yearnings

* This was a kiss the night before Tom left on his mission. Our hearts were yearning to be together. How lucky I am today to wake up next to him.
* We have weaned the baby horses away from their mothers. The mothers all stand in the closest corner of the pasture out front and call to their babies. The babies cried all night. The mothers have been nursing all summer and their ribs are showing, it is time, but it is oh so hard.
* It rain during the night and I awoke to the most glorious sunrise. Life is grand.
* I went to Sarah Richard Samuelson's art show last night. I was so inspired by her. Two children and she finds time to paint bright red tulips. I need to get disciplined because my heart longs to paint.
* Yearning, this is what the Lord can do for us. "He put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her unto him in the ark." Genesis 8:9 Noah and the dove.

Grandma Larsen

*This picture has a feel of Grandma Larsen. She was such a dear lady who wore hats with big flowers on them. I loved her charming house and her tender spirit. I would like to be her friend in heaven.
* We had such a great time with Kim's family Monday night as we went to Max's game. Little Jayne was everywhere and Kim was right behind her, keeping her out of the parking lot. Dinner was a bee hive of excitement, everyone talking and telling of their first day of school. I hope Max has a better day tomorrow. Thank you Kim for sharing your life, you and J. are the best parents a child could ever have.

* We pounded 70 fence posts to make a new fence for other pasture out front. I hope Tom's body will survive.

* Where is Matt?

* ". . ye have not, because ye ask not." James 4:3

Always enough

* Tonight we are going to watch Max play football and have pizza with the kids. It is their first day of school. I can't wait to hear their excitement.
* I am heading out for my walk on Flat Bench, I am thankful for my good sturdy shoes.
* Yesterday Tom and I rode up Little Valley, the first time this year. It felt so good to ride behind him and hold on tight.
* I want to check on Benjamin and Pat today.
* The Cosmos are blooming. I made a wild flower arrangment yesterday. I would love to paint it. * Pondering comes before the vision.

Man without the Woman

* I love this picture of a couple alone creating a secret place.
* Tom said tonight he needed a Wallsburg best friend. I wish I could be that.
* We ate Mexican food in Heber, bought chocolate covered peanuts at Walgreen's, and checked out 2 Red Boxes. One was too scary for me. Tom came to bed cold and kind of afraid. It was good to warm him with the hair dryer and rub his shoulder. I love him!
* Cleaned Nickie's and Lorie's bedroom with them . . . Oh my!
* Found Snoopy non laytex bandages for Benjamin.
* Changed the water by the light of a big full moon. Fall is in the air.
* Sam is such a dear dog. He follows us everywhere.
* "bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh"

Grandma Schipper

* I always think of Grandma Schipper when I see a tea pot. There is a wonderful glow around this one. I have her sliver tea pot, the one thing Mom wanted to make sure I got from her. I treasure it.
* Today at ward conference I was called out of the audience to bear my testimony, sure glad I have one.
* President Nielsen asked us to read the Book Of Mormon before January. Hope Tom and I can read in bed at night.
* I want to go to the temple once a week with Tom.
* I am grateful for this sabbath day and as Kim says, "It's still Summer."
* Just finished reading Spiritual Lightening, one to re-read often.
* The watermellon on the back porch was divine.
*We cannot underestimate the healing power that our loving expressions and our warm smile can impart. They have their own healing power. Many have spoken of looking into the eyes of a prophet, or being smiled on by him, and feeling as though they had received a blessing. They had. "The Lord make his face shine upon thee. . ." Numbers 6 24-26

What loving care went into this beautiful hair

* This picture speaks of a mother who tenderly, and patiently created something gorgeous with her daughter's hair. I remember the day Jamie did Kelly's girls hair for a family wedding. Each girl's countenance changed as she saw us all watch in wonder as she became gorgeous. What a gift Jamie shares with all of us. How nice it is to feel pretty.

* I went to Nicole, Jenny, and Tyler's race today. They all beamed as they crossed the finish line. What a great family adventure to share together. Jenny took 3rd place in her age group. Tyler's long legs make him into the perfect runner. Nicole has such confidence in her spirit and her children are catching it. She meets each child on their own ground and then encourages them on. Her family is so blessed because of her. I am!

* I made salt dough for Primary something I haven't done for a long time.

* J.W. melts my heart.

* I swam at Mom's today and felt so free. She had been to Gardener's Village with Eileen and she was so excited to tell me all about it.

* I am hungry for a spinach salad. . .tomorrow.

* "Strengthen your sisters in all your conversation, in all your prayer, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings." D & C 108:7 In this way we find the fullness our hearts long for. We find the very reason to live!

*

Savoring

* I must savor this moment in time, not look to the past or the future for joy, but feel it's happiness right now.
* Save simple petals of summer to smell in February.
* Yesterday we worked hard on othe yard. We were both weary. So much to care for. What a good feeling to have the strength.
* We had our Book Club barbecue, good friends each struggling.
* I long to go on a mission but I must be satisfied with: Nicole, Mary Dee, Lori Ann, Alex, Colby, Anna Bell, Edward, Ben, Samuel. How lucky I am to have them for my friends. They have been working here to go school shopping. I wonder how that will work?
* I can smell fall in the air at night.
* ". . . holiness is wholeness, because it is the more excellent way."

Covenants

* White roses, simple, honest, pure, fit for a bride.
* Tonight is our Book Club Barbecue, I saw Becky in the temple yesterday, I am anxious to see everyone.
* I put the first real tomatoes of the year in our salad. Yum.
* I am thankful for the strength I have to relish this new day. Dion spoke to me yesterday of sleeping out on her deck each night. She says we should not look to the future to feel joy, but that joy comes in celebrating the now, right now is my reward, this very moment. I want to sleep outside.
* In the covenant path we find a steady supply of gifts and helps: love begets love, compassion begets compassion, virtue begets virtue, service begets joy.
*
*

My Best Day So Far

* Sunday I called Kelly and broke into tears, just because I miss her. She seems to be able to feel my spirit. There was nothing wrong except she is so far away.
* Today was the most wonderful day. At the temple I helped 3 new brides to be with their initiatory. They were so young and excited and the spirit filled my heart for about a months worth. I hope the day will never come that I can't work in the temple.
* Last night we were putting the hay in the barn and there was this giant storm that just kept circling Wallsburg. It wasn't until we were all finished that the rain came down hard. What a tender mercy.
* We just finished changing the water and I went to Walhala Shines. There were 500 birds nesting in the trees for the night. There are birds everywhere. Maybe this is the year of the birds.
* I am happy to be alive!
*Women need to be nurturers. Our children need to hear us "talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ" so that they may know to what source they can look for the peace that passeth all understanding. Philippians 4: 7

Tyler

* Tyler is here. He has such a tender spirit. I love him. He and Tom managed to get the skunk that was in the trap over to the pond. He fixed my hose, and has come up with a million inventions. His brain is always in gear. I love the time alone with him. I want to wake him up for a walk.

* All the hay is cut, and we are trying to hurry and get it bailed and in the barn before the rain storm this evening.

* I finished the book Cutting For Stone about surgeons that live in Ethiopia. It brought back many memories of being there.

* "It seems as though a change is needed at the very fountain of my heart, out of which all thought and emotion rise. This is the place when we suddenly see the heavens open as we feel the full impact of the love of our Heavenly Father, which fills us with indescribable joy.

* I am grateful for a brand new day, to start over fresh.
* We are bailing the last hay for the season. The crop is pretty skimpy, we should have water more in early spring.
* The wild flowers are blooming.
* I slept so good last night.
* Maralee sounds sad I wounder what is up in her life? I always grateful for her generous heart.
* Forgiveness may be defined as the choice to no longer allow the memory of the abuse to continue to abuse." Marie Fortune

Home

* Tom is my home.

* I love his generous heart at Laguna.

* I love feeling safe wherever we are together.

* I love driving down our dirt road and watching him call to Sam and get so excited.

* I love sitting on the back swing with him.

* He who loveth God, loveth his brother also. 1 John 4:21

Laguna 2010

* We really truly made it to California.

* The weather was perfect.

* The waves were just right for the kids.

* Tom was a happy camper, and seemed to enjoy everything.

* I so loved watching all the little bodies in the sand and the hot tub.

* Jace kept coming up and holding my hand, it melted my heart!

* The couples all seemed to be in love.

* Our bed felt so good last night!

* I am thankful for my good life. I love Wallsburg, and Tom!

Waiting

* Tomorrow we fly to California. My body feels so tired but I know it is really only emotional weariness because my every thought is Matt. When I awake at night my first thought is of him and then sleep is miles away. I wish there was a way to put your brain in a box and keep it quiet. Is it possible to shush the troubles away and make them better. Isn't that what mothers do when her child falls down? Tom sleeps soundly unaffected.

* I could take my lead from Sam. He is my ever present friend. He waits for me each morning. He walks wherever I go, runs along the 4 wheeler, lays beneath me in the swing. His eyes are kind, he simply loves me, he is always there.

* I want to look into Kelly's eyes.

* Grandma was so confused yesterday.

* The air is cool outside my window.

* I am thankful for tomorrow.

* Be not afraid, only believe.

Rain

* It has been so hot! Everything is turning brown, but it is 1:30 in the morning and Tom and I just woke up to the most wonderful rain storm. I think of the people in Africa standing around a well with a bucket in their hands waiting and hoping. I am so thankful for rain.
* I got the greatest pictures of Jamie's boys today. They are shirtless, brown and so beautiful. I am longing to see them!
* Kelly's kids pictures were in the second envelope. My favorite ones from her blog. Kade with celery in this mouth, Maizie with a swim ticket around her wrist. Who would have ever thunk I''d be a grandma so proud of her grandchildren's pictures? I remember those weird people on airplanes showing off their family.
* Oh Matt!
* "It is required of us that despite age, infirmity, exhaustion, and feelings of inadequacy, we do the work he has given us to do, to the last breath of our lives." Howard W. Hunter

Tenderizing

* Today my heart feels tender for many reasons. I am sitting in the bedroom listing to Tom snore. I am glad he can sleep so soundly. I am glad I get to jump in bed with him each night. He is a good bed partner.
* I feel tender towards Kelly and her dear family. They have chosen not to come to Laguna because they are helping Shannon and her four children. I am proud of them. I know their children will be fine, they are such good children.
* I feel tender toward Margie Moo, my new phone name for Mom. She is weak, and I hate to leave her in that home alone. Wish she could relax and move into her room up here.
* I slept so good last night.
* "The function of wounds is to tenderize our souls, again to conform us to the image of Christ." Catherine Thomas

Fear

* I love new Mondays to begin again.

* Tom and I gave the kids one night stay at Laguna for their Birthdays. I fear we have put too much pressure on them. My heart has been sad as we wait to see just who is going and who is not. I wish they knew it doesn't matter to us. I guess the hardest part is that the parents will feel like they are letting their kids down. Children can learn good lessons from feeling some of their parents concerns and learning that each family has to decide together what is best for them. Tom and I each wish we had the money to just pay for everyone,but then I would have to look at Tom's face and see the worry. The thoughts of Kelly driving all that way turns my stomach over. Heaven is going to be great and there better not be any money.

* I am painting again today at Linda's

* Sam is at the door waiting for his piece of bread and our walk.

* There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth our fear. . . He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

* Today I am grateful for the Sabbath, the Sacrament, and Testimonies.

* Abbie was baptised, such a sweetheart. Jason is powerful. Max gave the dearest prayer and Abbie and sweetest testimony.

* Kim made these magnificent waffles with fresh berries, whipped cream, and Magelby's syrup. I ate way too many.

* I wish Matt would call. I am afraid for him.

* Kelly is weary from camp, and life at the moment. Wish I could give her a hug.

* The sky was beautiful tonight. Pinks and oranges and soft blues. The air was filled with moisture. Everything is so dry. The fish all died in the pond. It looks like death over there.

* "I want to see men and women breathe the Holy Ghost in every breath of their lives, living constantly in the light of God's countenance." Brigham Young