A Prophecy has been Fulfilled

Tonight I was called into the Stake Presidency's Office and was called to Serve in the Special Needs Mutual, teaching the Young Women the Book of Mormon.

A Prophecy?  Why yes it is!  On November 6, 1975 I received my Patriarchal Blessing.  In the very last paragraph I was told: "You will be desirous of teaching, not only in the organizations of the Church but among some of the handicapped and disadvantaged of our Father's children.  You will touch their lives for good and help them to achieve greater accomplishments than they would otherwise be able to do.  These activities will bring much joy and satisfaction to you, as you see the uplifting influence that you have upon their lives."  So, there you have it!

When I received my blessing I'm not going to lie...that part kind of scared me.  I didn't know how that could be.  I thought maybe I would have handicapped children.  Some time after we moved to Hooper I learned that there was a Special Needs Mutual for the Handicapped Children.  At that time I thought, I will serve there someday.  I didn't want to tell anyone because I didn't want to influence them to call me.  I wanted it to be by revelation from God and I know that it was.  President Christiansen told me that while praying to fill that position my name kept surfacing.  I just smiled and told him that I had been anticipating that call for many years.  He asked me to share my story and I bet it made him happy to know that they had got it right.  Of course they did, anytime we follow the promptings of the "Spirit" we will get it right.

I am excited for this calling now.  I can look back and see that I have been prepared for it.  I'm not afraid in anyway.  I feel blessed to be working with these special daughters of God.  I know my blessing said that I will be a blessing in their lives but I believe it will be the other way around.  I am so excited to teach them about the Book of Mormon and to interact with them each week.

I wouldn't have guessed that I would enjoy something like this but that just goes to show that God knows us best.  I have thought back over the years and have realized that the "special" children of God have touched my heart and I have had a great love for them.  My heart is Happy!

1 wig, 2 wig, 3 wig, 4........

Kathy and I had fun playing today.  We went to lunch (of course) and then went and tried on wigs. We just thought it would be fun to change up our looks and maybe even buy a wig for fun.  It was so much fun trying on the different wigs and watching our looks change.

They didn't even feel that weird on and I hate having anything on my head....the wigs weren't bad at all.  They felt fine....the hair on these wigs were nice....I enjoyed running my fingers through it.

The blonde wigs didn't change my looks that much and so I started trying on the darker one....I liked how it changed my look.  I'm not sure if my wrinkles showed any more or not....I had a lady tell me that my dark hair made my wrinkles stand out...that's when I went a little lighter.  I don't think I am going to care anymore...I have wrinkles...so what....I'm older with thin skin...it happens. (really I care but can only do so much)

The red was a joke....maybe if they would have had blue or purple I might have been tempted...well actually no....I wouldn't have been tempted.  I liked the cut but not the hair.  I tried it in brown and it looked better..

Kathy looks good in all colors....she's just cute....that's why!  Dang this was fun!  I suggest it to anyone that wants to do something a little different.  Dressing up is fun at all ages....well for me and Kathy it is.

The last wigs I tried on where the same style but different colors.  These wigs were also more affordable.  I was thinking of getting the blonde since it was so similar to my own hair and then because of that reason....I ended up getting the darker one.  I can't even believe I brought a wig home. I had no intentions of getting one.  I knew Kathy would and she was going for the blonde right up to the end and chose a long black one instead.  We are planning on going out in our wigs soon....see if anyone even notices.  Oh my heck.....I think we are funny.  I posted a picture on facebook with the top picture (dark hair...no bangs) and got a lot of positive comments...that wig was too expensive though or I might have gone back and got it.

Having fun and enjoying life more is still and will forever be my New Years Resolution.....this time of life is fun because I am choosing fun over anything.  I think I will take my wig to Hawaii next time...then I won't have to worry about the frizzies.....my hair will be good every day!  I just might need to go get a blonde one for that.  Oh who knew life could be so darn much fun?

God Speaks to Us Through Others

Today Crystal brought me over cookies and a sweet note.  I asked her why and she said she didn't know...only that I kept popping into her head.  My eyes filled with tears and I'm not sure why...I told her I didn't know what was wrong.  I have been very emotional lately but for no good reason.....out of the blue I just tear up.  I don't feel sad or stressed or anything and I told her that.  She just smiled and told me God knew and that's why she came over.  After she mentioned that I recalled a few more things that have happened that have stuck out to me.

Just this morning a dear friend told me that when she grew up she wanted to be like me.  Funny...I want to be more like her.  Another friend messaged me...."I love you Dawn, you are so cute".    Another friend text me: "Are you okay?" and then listened to some of my concerns.  The list goes on and on.....really these are just a few of the nice things...every day this kind of niceness is happening to me and it means so much and I realize that Heavenly Father is talking to me through my friends.  He does know what is happening....I still don't but I know that whatever it is He cares about me and is speaking to me through others.  I am thankful to the "others" for taking the time to do these little, simple asks of kindness.  It made me remember the time Bryce (my nephew) called and told me that he really appreciated all that I do for him and his family including his original family.  I was struggling at that time and Heavenly Father used Bryce so I would recognize it was HIM.  I bet there were others telling me nice things that I wasn't recognizing. That is the only time I ever remember Bryce calling me and he even had to try a few times before he finally got me. (He was following the spirit...I know)  I know that God has used me in that way too....I remember the day well, and when I was trying to talk myself out of acknowledging a friend from Facebook  I was reminded of Bryce taking the time and me recognizing God's hand in it so I also followed the prompting and it felt good.  I even made sure the gal knew I had had a similar experience and that is why God sent me....He is so aware of us.

I am so glad that God has my back.  He knows when things are hard and he sends others to help.  He strengthens me continually and I am so Thankful.  My testimony is growing so much because I am being tested....again.....I hate Satan!  The one good thing though from having Satan bug me so much is knowing that I must really be worth his effort.  I must have something wonderful that he can't stand....I might help bring others to Christ and God and that just must bug him right back.  I bet he hates me too.....I don't care!  When I finally realize his efforts it is easier to be stronger.  I usually don't care about winning that much but when it is between me and Satan I do care and I will win!  Plus, God and Jesus have my back and with them I can't lose.   I love God....I love Jesus....I want to follow them and eventually be like them! 

I love Sundays....

I love Sundays more and more all the time.  I enjoy going to Church and partaking of the Sacrament and being inspired and uplifted.  But I really like having the kids and grands come on Sundays...it's my favorite time...having everyone together.

Kam was so cute and brought dress up clothes for her cousins to dress up in....thank goodness I have bigger ones for Ivy.  Ivy just doesn't fit in the little ones anymore...she's tall.  The little cousins love each other so much and really enjoy playing together at my house.  I love seeing them grow closer each week.  I love that they enjoy each other so much.  They always have such a great time.

I enjoy sitting around the table and visiting with the older kids.  It's so fun seeing them grow up into such great people.  I really do have terrific kids.  I love the kids my kids have chosen to spend their lives with.  Each person fits in well and I love them as if they were given to me from the start.  We are blessed that is for sure.

The grand sons crack me up.  Parker loves hiding in the stuffed toys basket with all the toys.  Zaden decided to join him this week and I again just laughed and laughed.  Oh my heck I love these little people so much.  They bring so much joy to life and they truly make my heart happy.

I love being a wife, a mom and a gramma.....nothing is better.....it's what I was born to be!

Finally .... Birthday Dinner for Kevin & Julie

We have had a heck of a time trying to schedule a birthday dinner for these two.  When we normally would have been taking them for dinner around Kevin's birthday these two ended up taking Larry, Me, Lynette, and Rich instead for our birthdays.  Kevin and Julie take us parents to dinner twice a year since Larry & Lynette's birthdays are close and Rich and mine are.  I like that but was feeling super guilty because we weren't finding a time to take them for theirs.  Finally though it happened.  We went to Tepanyaki's since Julie had never been there.  It was good as always.  Actually the company was good and watching the cook prepare the food was good but for the first time ever I didn't care for my meal.  I tried Halibut and it was kind of dry.....I won't order that again.  The steak and chicken always turn out wonderful so I will stick with those.

I love these two kids.  They are very thoughtful and kind.  They enjoy a busy life.  They schedule their lives in advance so they are able to get in the things that they want.  I really admire that they set a date to attend the temple at least once a month.  So proud of them and love them to pieces!

Sunshine

Today I am feeling very blessed and sweet memories of kindness are flooding my mind.

The other day when I was with Lorrilee celebrating her birthday and our friendship she told me that when I came through her door I was like "Sunshine" filling her room.  That reminded me that my mom had said something similar when I visited her while she was in rehab.  My mom has told me many times before that I was a breath of "Sunshine".  My friends from school (the younger ones) asked me if I had a middle name....or should they just call me "Sunshine".  I want to express how having that said about me makes me feel.  It makes me feel like I am doing something right.  It makes me feel loved and wanted.  It makes me feel special.  It makes me cry just a little with tears of joy.

I received a text from Karie Kennedy speaking for my cute younger friends from HS saying "You have blessed our lives....your happy spirit is contagious..."

Another friend send me this..."You like to compare yourself to others.....want to be enough....but you are much more....don't compare.....there is none.....You are More!"

Then I get comments on FB about how my "Light" is spread to many.....many more than I will ever know.  All this kindness makes my heart burst with happiness.  I love being seen this way!  Even TJ was talking to Trichelle and their friends saying how he appreciated me for accepting them the way they are and not criticizing or judging them.

I was at my friends house last night with Kimi, Jared and Larry.  My friend has been sick and has had a lot of challenges and needed a blessing.  I volunteered my sweet hubby.  While we were there Kimi said: "I am so cute....look how cute I am".  She had just performed her Orchestra Concert and was feeling great about herself.  My friend and I laughed and wished that we too could be so confident and happy with ourselves.  I wonder why we don't see ourselves as others do?  Teresa and I talked about it for a minute.  Others see the good in us....our "Sunshine" and focus on that.  They know the weakness is there also but that's not where their eyes look.....the eyes see and focus on the good.  We, however know the weakness oh so well and that is where our own eyes seem to look and stay.  Why is it so hard to accept our goodness and our own "Sunshine"?   I wonder if somewhere along in life we are told we shouldn't....that if we do we our prideful.....or vain.....or wrong.  I wish that didn't happen.  Because of others love and kindness I am getting a glimpse at who I really am....through the eyes of others.....and my eyes are actually seeing it too.  I like what I see....I like how it makes me feel....I know that I am loved.....that I am special.....that I "Shine"....that I am more....much more than I have given myself credit for.

I believe we are all very similar and that this experience isn't unique just to me.  We are all special....and wonderful....and awesome......and enough.....and cute.....and loved!  Loved by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ....loved by our family and friends.  What more could we ask for?

Zaden

I get to see this little guy on most Thursdays.  He goes to the day care in the morning and I usually get to pick him up for a little bit since Trichelle has a night class on Thursdays.  I say usually because there are weeks that TJ get's there before me to pick him up.  I think TJ enjoys this little one about as much as us.  Last quarter Zaden and I enjoyed spending our Mondays together and I will will just say I enjoy the time I get with the grands.

It's so fun watching their little personalities develop.  I love listening to them express themselves.  I just love everything about these little ones.  They are all so amazing and wonderful!

Have I ever mentioned that I love being a Gramma. (wink)