Bathed in Light

* Today is Halloween, and I am imaging each of the grandchildren in their costumes clutching their bags and heading out on their mighty mission. What excitement. Will Shawn's hat stay on his head? Will Kade be able to see through those thick glass? Will Lucy work the baby and the witch thing together? Will little Grady be able to keep up with his two older brothers? I can feel electricity in the air. Beware!

* We went to Olive Garden with David and Lisa and Jim and Judy last night. I love them.

*We raked the first half of all the leaves yesterday.

* Tom is beginning his cough again. . . dang!

* The sky is beautiful this morning.

*Paul Butters saw the cougar yesterday, hope I don't see him!

* "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." Thessalonians 2:7

Savor Too Little

This October morning is brisk. My thoughts are drawn to several years ago about this time. It was a slushy, rainy day. As I looked out my window I saw a little fawn curled up on my front porch to get out of the weather. I watched him, thinking that any moment he would jump up and run. He looked so alone and cold. I inched out on the porch and soon I was stoking him. He didn't move. With old towels I began to rub him dry. I even retrieved the hair dryer (our favorite household gadget to get warm under the sheets). He seemed to love it all. I could see a thank you in his eyes. I too said thank you for the experience of being so close to one of the animals that are always in our fields. I put a plate of grain by him, covered him with a dry blanket and went to bed. In the morning he was dead, a quiet sadness. I couldn't get him off my mind, and to my utter amazement the next day another fragile young deer did the same thing. Could it be the same deer? No it wasn't. I repeated the task of getting him dry and using the hair dryer on him. His eyes were so soft and watery. I decided that these two little deer were probably twins, born too early. They did not have the strength to make it through the winter. This young deer could probably smell his brother who had slept in the exact same corner on my porch. How nice for me to have shared those last hours up close to them. I know there are tender lessons about death for me to learn from this. Wallsburg never ceases to amaze me.
* I am reminded of the two separate nights Matt sat up with Sam (the first Sam) and little Archie (also a Black Lab).The dogs had both been hit by a car. These dogs and Matt cried and cried together. At the time I was so amazed at the love and patience Matt had as he held them through the entire night. He taught me an enduring lesson about love.
* "Appreciate the ordinary. We do too much and savor too little. We mistake activities for happiness."

Pure Honey

* Today was a one of those happy rewards day, pure honey. I turned around in the temple and there was Kim. Fresh from getting baptised for Gertrude Alice Rayworth Bowden, born in 1874 in Littleton Devenshire, England. Kim might just be the answer to my Patriarchal Blessing which tells me to do geneology. It has always haunted me. Kim takes the challenge of her stake to find a family member and do their temple work. With her busy life with five children, she finds a name.Then today October 28, 2010 she completes all the work, from baptism to sealing. Just seeing her made me cry. Sharing initiatory with her and Gertrude made me cry. And here I am in the middle of the night still crying. Gertrude get ready because we will be looking you up in heaven. For sure we are kindred spirits.
* Then to top that off sweet Emilee appears with her Young Women to do baptisms. Was this Christmas or what! Thank you Thank you!
* "When I stop speeding through life, I find the joy in each day's doing, in the life that can not be bought, but only discovered, created, savored, and lived."

Simply Beautiful

* This morning I can see the snow on the hills. It rained all night and sounded so calming. I love the change of the seasons and the reason to cozy up in the fall.
* The boys have been here deer hunting. It has felt like an amazing "boys" trip. I love them here. Tyler and I played Domino's and Chinese Checkers. Matt looks good, he shot a deer last night at dusk, a big four point. They spent the rest of the night cleaning it out and hanging it up. I wish Bret had been here, he and Tyler had just left a few hours before. I was sad when I saw that beautiful animal dead, and I know Tyler would have felt the same way too. Bret is generous and kind and buff. He has been working out with Matt.
*Kim's trek blog brought memories flooding. I love her goodness.
* Kelly is still sick, I can't get her off my mind. How can I help so far away?
* Jamie's voice on the phone last night was so filled with life. She is looking forward to a kids Halloween party on Tuesday. Wish I could peek in.
* I love Tom!
*". . .the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul." Alma 19:6

Delphaniums

* I love these purple blue blooms that come up by them selves each spring. They remind me of Velma Ford. She gave me a start from her garden. President Ford is looking so old. I love him!
* Kelly is still sick. It has been way too long. Wish I could trade her places and give her a rest.
* Bret, Matt, and Tyler are here deer hunting. We had a fun night last night cooking steaks and watching the baseball game. At 5:30 this morning they were making sandwiches and heading out. Hope they have fun and don't get discouraged by the lack of bucks. It always feels so nice to have family share these walls. Matt is looking so good. Bret and Matt joke and seems to be catching up on the years they didn't spend together. Nothing brings me more joy.
*A storm is coming at noon. I am heading out to dig up the geraniums. Tonight may be cozy.
*2 Nephi: 33:13 ". . . I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust:Farewell until that great day shall come."

Enlightened

*Yesterday was President Bateman's last day as Temple President. He is the most gentle white haired man with a powerful testimony. Our prayer meeting with him taught me more than I have learned in the last 10 years. He spoke from Isaiah. As I sat up front I could watch all the workers eyes and feel the most incredible love for him. What a blessing this last year has been for me. Thank you!
*I sat in the Celetrial Room and watched an older couple bow their head while they hung on so tight to each other. The husband whispered a prayer and the wife cried. They prayed for the longest time. It felt like I was holding my breath. A similar experienced was repeated with a young couple just a few minutes later. My eyes are seeing different.
*"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. . ." Hebrews 11:2

To stay at home

*Today I am staying home, I get to make chicken soup, cuts some fresh flowers, mop my floor and change our sheets. This feels good.
* We had such a good time with the Millers, Clarks, Matt and Kevin on Saturday as we sent to Salt Lake for Dinner at Pistil Pete's. I loved sitting in the back seat of the car and talking with Kim. Matt looked good. Bret is still amazing.
* I have been working on the San Salvador Temple again. So much scraping and re-mixing.
"Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you. . "

* It was so nice to be with Bret's family. Tyler swam in a meet and cut 15 seconds off his time. Katy preformed all of her gymnastic tricks and the kids ran around the track. Shawn gave warm hugs and Jenny told us about school. I love these children! Nicole is amazing. Bret is still working miracles with Matt. They found a skooter, I know that must feel like new life to Matt. Can't wait to see it and the new office.
* I worked on the San Salvador murals again. For the third time we are scrapping paint off because it won't dry.
* Found some pink ruffly tulips to plant
* The days are still beautiful
* "Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good. . ." D&C 35:24 Sister Daines

Peace

*Roland's homemade bean soup
* Looking forward to going to Tyler's swim meet today
* Dale McCallester whistling while he drives his lawn mower up and down the street, dragging every ones garbage cans back to their house after the garbage man has emptied them. He has a gorgeous deep voice and he always wants to bear his testimony.
* I have mom's geraniums to plant and put in the garage.
*Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

Embellishment

*The earth is embleshed with unbeleivable beauty everywhere. The flowers are still blooming. The geraniums are vibrant. The Cosmos are delicate, and the nasturtiums are so bright. The weather is heaven.
* Kelly is feeling a little bit better. Oh a family needs a Mom.
*I feel such peace right now. I love Tom!
*Kathy Gerber is dieing and I want to learn from her how to do that.
* "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth our of the womb I sanctified thee. . ." Jeremiah 1:5