The Hand of God

I've returned to the talk brought to me this week...quoting Pres. Eyring....

I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.

More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.

What a valuable exercise.

My assignment for March is to study this talk, read DC 20:75-79 and record ways that you can remember the Savior. I know that as I remember the Savior more I will think, act, and speak differently, I will recognise the Holy Ghost more in my life and the lives of my children.

I know that God reaches out to us constantly and we often miss his gentle touch, and the direction he lends us. I have witnessed his hand in watching over family members, strengthening them through trials, and blessing them so much.

CHEESE

I love photos. I take way too many....but I will not stop. I love receiving them from my family....and I never get enough....The past week has been a heavy one on my heart with the passing and burial of Aunt May. Family gathered ( which is always such a support and reminds us of many past memories), and Aunt May received a grand farewell. I visited the cemetery today for my own final goodbye, and was reminded of what a choice privilege I had to spend time with this grand lady. She's buried not far from my parents, and while cemetery visiting isn't something that I do often, it was a quiet reflective time.

I served at the Temple yesterday, and it was such an uplifting time. It was wonderful to see so many friends at the Temple and to do the eternal work for many that have left this world. I had some visits after the Temple with some friends and family....then headed to bed early !

Church today was as beautiful as the sunshine outside. A perfect day. Sacrament talks were about following the prophet. This is something that is very dear to my heart. It is one of my favorite things about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so comforting to know that God has once again called prophets to the earth. Thomas S. Monson speaks for the Lord today. Our speakers today were inspiring. The musical number, Feed My Sheep was so wonderful. Thank you Hodder family and Noah Worth for inviting the Spirit to our meeting. The rest of church was great too....I'm a happy Latter-day Saint!!

Bill cooked a great dinner, and surprised me with a yummy ice cream sundae. I am blessed.

Now the rest of my memories are photos....which in writing this....I'm reminded that my spectacular Visiting teachers also visited this week. Not only did they bring a grand message but part three of my 12 gifts for Christ. In March I will be pondering the importance of Remembering the Savior. With my March assignment I was given the talk; "O Remember, Remember" by President Henry B.Eyring ( November 2007 Ensign).
Now....right from the beginning....the title I knew that this was written to me...I will be studying it lots... I like this opening thought that Bro.Eyring shared

When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. Let me tell you how that got started. I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father-in-law, who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door of my house. He was carrying a load of pipes over his shoulder, walking very fast and dressed in his work clothes. I knew that he had been building a system to pump water from a stream below us up to our property.

He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness to go on with his work. I took a few steps toward the house, thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.”

I went inside. I didn’t go to bed. Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. Grandpa didn’t have to do what he was doing for us. He could have had someone else do it or not have done it at all. But he was serving us, his family, in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ always do. I knew that was true. And so I wrote it down, so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it.

Thanks Monica and Samantha for watching over me.

Okay...photos.....

                         

CHEERS TO LIFE AND GRAND SMOOTHIES

                      

                        

                            

                         

OH MY SWEET OLIVIA

                      

  JUST HANGING OUT IN MY DOILIES

                           

                          VISIT TO BRIDGEWATER...DON'T SEE THESE TWO ENOUGH

                        

                         

                       

                             
                            LOVING OUR VALENTINES

                       

LOVING HER VALENTINE DADDY

VALENTINE DINNER WITH MY HONEY

                           

                             

                            

                             

SPECIAL MEMORY FROM AUNT MAY

                        

                            

                             

                     
                     

OH HOW I LOVE DRAWINGS FROM GEORGIA

                           
                   HAPPY 69TH BIRTHDAY JULIE
                                                                     YUMMY CAKE BILL

                                WHAT ...ANOTHER SNOW DAY

                               

 OH HOW I MISS SEEING THESE FAB FIVE....PHOTOS FROM A VISIT WITH LAURA

                             

                         

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

I CUT OUT SOME PHOTOS

GRATEFUL FOR MEMORIES

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Where are the brakes???

I started this post the week of Feb.5-6....it's now Feb 17th....the opening statement speaks to my simple life....and now I'd add the roller coaster flew off the track...I decided today just to post the photos that captured that week...

I've been on roller coasters slower than this, past week.( Does that even make sense??) Yes, it's been a week of weeks. High on the list was a card making gathering that I had offered to host. I have to confess that the event was lots of fun...but oh my, I stress so much preparing for such events.

Earlier in the week  it was me and my buddy Olivia working through the routine things of the house. Tuesday was our quilt group time and Wednesday was yet another snow storm. Thursday, I had a lovely invite to visit a quilting retreat being held at Sharon's house. I hadn't been able to attend the full retreat, but certainly enjoyed my time on Thursday. Friday was the card night, Saturday...dinner out....Sunday,church and a sad visit with Aunt May ( she took a turn today and didn't know me)....Sunday was also my 63rd Birthday......Oh that sounds so very old......

                             

Tuesday quilting

                        

                         

                         

                         

                         
                                      Too tired to eat

                           

                         

                         

Treat for card night

                           

                           Visiting the quilting retreat

                         

                   

                           

                             

                 So much fun.....love learning knew ideas

               Friday Night with the card makers

                             

                        

                     

                                               

Missing our demonstrator

         

                           

Saturday Dinner with Sharon and Bert

and to end the weekend.....more Birthday Cake

What a week! 

Farewell Aunt May

Farewell my precious Aunt May. This blog post is my memory post to you. My sweet aunt ended her journey here on earth on Tuesday, Feb. 11th. Despite the great sadness of knowing that she is gone,(that has left my heart oh so empty) I am ever so grateful that she has been called home, to reunite with many dearly missed love ones. I have a deep belief that such a reunion has occurred, and that she is once again in the presence of our Heavenly Father and her departed family members. That belief, or better knowledge, lifts my heart, and renews my hope that we will once again meet.

Aunt May was the first person to know of my arrival ( well, except my mother and a few hospital people) 63 years ago, on Feb. 9th 1951. She visited my mother who had been hospitalized because of her high blood pressure. ( Yes I'm a preemie) Dad was home sick with the flu, and those same hospital people had neglected to call and tell him that I had arrived. So Aunt May, we've been friends for a loooong time.

Throughout my life Aunt May and Uncle Harold were constants, very close to my mom and dad, and never far from a good game of cards. Things of course changed with the passing of Uncle Harold, and the dynamics of that relationship were stepped up....with Mom and Dad caring lots for Aunt May's needs. Mom and May would talk each day, and if something needed fixing Dad was there. Aunt May used to tell me how she'd say what a nuisance she was, and Dad would tell her to stop using that word.

Fourteen years ago, my mother died ( Dad had died two years previous) and Aunt May and I grieved deeply for mom and for her..sister,Mary. From that time on things changed once again. While still striving to bevery independent ( now 86yrs old), we began a journey of support as needed; going to appointments together, grocery shopping, trips to Zellers, sometimes just out for drives and a few other adventures.
May was a strong woman; determined not to inconvenience anyone. She continued in her home until just after her 100th birthday. She cooked for herself,kept an organized house,stayed in touch with family....remembering many birthdays....and very faithfully read her bible. As the years added up she missed the independence of walking, needing a walker and later a wheelchair. She missed attending church, and was very sad when her home church St.Mathias was closed.

She entered Arborstone Nursing home in November of 2012. People there couldn't help but love her. She was so appreciative of all that they did for her ( confiding in me that the male care givers were her favorites) We had many special visits and chats over the next year and a half. When I'd enter her room she made me feel like royalty, telling me how happy that she was that I had come. Times were tough for her;her body was shutting down;and her world growing smaller. But she always seemed to look for the good in every situation.

Aunt May, you were a true follower of the Savior. Honest, obedient, caring, and looking for the good in everyone. You trusted in the plan of your Father in Heaven, and you were very ready to return to your Heavenly Home. Heaven did indeed receive another angel on Tuesday. God bless you, and thank you for all that you taught me and for your unconditional love. I will miss you. Give my Mom and Dad a big hug for me, and tell them that I'm trying to be the best that I can be.

                                  One Hundred years old

101 years old...she had had a mild stroke a few days before this birthday

Still ready to celebrate

My heart goes out to her family, my cousins, who living far from their Mom, ( except Ralph) didn't have the convenience of daily/weekly visits. They came as often as life allowed them too, and saw to her needs as much as possible. The boys were always ready to do any fixing up that she needed, and the girls spoiled her with gifts, and cooking when they visited. She was very very proud of each of you. She loved her weekly calls, and beautiful cards, letters, and photos.She loved you all, and your families.