Relief Society Birthday...I Walk by Faith

Wow talk about being uplifted spiritually today.  I love Janice Kapp Perry and her music.  Listening to her speak and singing her songs brought the spirit strongly to everyone that attended.  The Stake Center was packed....it was beautiful with lovely decorations everywhere.  The Stake RS went all out and it was greatly appreciated by everyone including Janice and her cute husband, Doug.

I loved listening to Janice talk about how she pushed herself beyond her comfort zone to accomplish the things that she has.  Her hubby has been supportive and also helped her to know that she was capable of doing so much more.  It made me realize that life doesn't come easy for anyone.  We all have our challenges and fears but with Faith we can overcome them.  I also liked a story she shared about President Kimball's wife, Camilla learning to oil paint in her later years. So awesome that we can Walk by Faith at any age and we will be blessed.  I was thinking how I have had to Walk by Faith recently even in serving in my new calling with the Special Needs.  I don't know anyone and just have to pretend not to be nervous or uncomfortable.  Actually this week Bishop Stauffer and his sweet wife were there and so I do know them.  However, I have never felt that Janet liked me and really I was looking forward to working with her so that hopefully that will change.  I was excited to see them and went over to say Hi and I felt that they weren't nearly as excited to see me...if they even cared at all.  So I took a deep breath and presented the lesson with Faith and pretended that I wasn't nervous.  I got through it and felt good and feel more confident for next time.  I even went over and talked to Janet after and she smiled and we talked a little.  I felt much better instantly.

Of course Music was discussed.  The power of music and what music can do for our souls.  It can either build us up or pull us down depending on what the music is.  The lyrics are powerful and stick in our brains so it is important to have uplifting ones in there.  I know that for me when my thoughts stray I sing a primary song or a church hymn to chase away the bad thoughts.  It works and I often have to keep repeating the process until the thought stays away.  It also made me wonder why bad lyrics or thoughts don't have to be thought about to have them enter...they just show up....uninvited.  I don't understand that but I am thankful for the songs of Janice Kapp Perry that I have learned and love to sing and that bring peace to my soul and mind.

Later today I get to go to the Temple with Larry and some of the Ward members.  How truly blessed I feel for this day and the Spirit that I am being filled with....I love feeling the Spirit of our Heavenly Father....I crave it......and want it with me always.

99 Birthdays

Not many people celebrate 99 birthdays but Lorell has.  What an incredible lady Lorell is.  She still lives alone and can take care of herself.  Her legs are giving out but that is the only thing.  Lorell's mind is sharp and has a lot of knowledge stored up in it.  I admire my sweet friend.  I can't imagine living to celebrate 99 years but if I do I hope I can be in as good of health as Lorell.  I love this lady. I love that she still sings in the Ward Choir and that she is a good visiting teacher to me.  She always is checking on me and my family.  She loves me and tells me all the time.  I love Lorell too!

My New Group of Young Women

I taught my first lesson to these sweet young women tonight.  I taught the first two chapters in the Book of Mormon and I was pleasantly surprised at how much these girls already know.  I would ask questions and there was always someone who could tell me the answer.  I was pretty impressed.  I think it will be fun to work with these "special needs" young women.  I feel a special love for them already.   For the lesson I had a box of Book of Mormons wrapped up in a gift.  The girls mentioned it right off.  I told them that we would open this "gift" later and we talked about how great gifts are.  At the end of the lesson I had one of the girls open it and each girl got a Book of Mormon to write her testimony in.  They were told that they should find someone to give this "gift" to.  It was a great night.

Looking at the calendar for the next little bit and I am not scheduled to teach again.  I think I mostly just get to hang out and get to know the girls better.  I know when I do teach again I will be prepared to ask more questions because these girls will answer them.  When I went to bed I kept replaying in my mind the lesson and adding questions that I should have asked.  I don't really care for the "replay" in my mind....I wish I could push a "stop" button.

I shared the story of my Patriarchal Blessing with these gals......this is Prophecy happening!  Since this calling I have reflected on my life and can see how I have been being prepared.  I have worked in the Young Women for most of the last 25 years....a bit of that time has also been in RS which has also been a help in my preparation.  OH... and it looks like I might be going to Girls Camp after all. (woot~woot)

Spring has Sprung

The Sun is out and so are the weeds and mosquito's but the kids are loving it! They have been waiting to play outside and the weather is finally nice enough for them to.  I love watching them enjoy the fresh air!

Grandparents with the Great Grands

Girl Fun

On Wednesday Kathy, Mal and I met for lunch again at the our same place at the same time. (Applebee's at 3:00 pm)  Kathy was having a Birthday and we needed to celebrate.  I look at these ladies and don't see age creeping up on them at all.  They are so beautiful inside and out!  I also look at them and wonder why I wasn't told to wear gray or bring in my glasses.

Actually Mallory gave Kathy glasses for her birthday, (Mal had the same kind) and the gray just happened.  I compromised and made my own glasses, and then I borrowed Kathy's new birthday glasses and helped Mal make Kathy look silly.

I know we are getting older but it's hard for me to see it in us.  I feel young and we act young and I don't think we look too bad either. (our kids would probably set us straight)  I enjoy these wonderful friends.  We are celebrating again in a few weeks. We decided to go to lunch at least a couple of times for each of our birthdays.  I like that....Birthday Month is better than Birthday Day.  Woo Hoo for more birthdays!

On Friday the Fun Bunch from HS got together.  Karie had a few days off and her and I were going to go to lunch and decided to throw it out for everyone.  I am really glad we did.  In fact that is a good way to do it....set a day and time and just do it.  It's hard to try to accommodate everyone and their schedules.  It was a great day to go since Karie just had a birthday the day before. (Karie & Kathy have the same birthday)

Karie has cancer and is continually fighting it.  She is doing well right now.  The meds seem to be working. Karie never complains and is such a great example to me and I know the others as well.  Karie and Gina keep fighting and winning and I hope they continue to come out on top.

I refer this group as the Fun Bunch because we all enjoy getting crazy.  Crazy is fun....it is!  They all like that I bring my camera.  They all want to make fun memories together.  I like that....I like that a lot!

I enjoy my life.....because I have many wonderful friends.  I know I am blessed.  I thank Heavenly Father every single day for my wonderful friends and family! Girl's just want to have FuN!

Today I Bowled Well

"Work" went well today.  I acted like I knew what I was doing and that I was in control of the ball.  I improved each game which usually doesn't happen.....in fact, I'm not sure it has ever happened.  The first game was a 167, the second a 181 and the third a 193 which gives me a total of 541.  That is good for me and I will admit it's more fun when the pins fall down.

*Ivy told her mom years ago that Gramma (me) had two jobs.  Trichelle was puzzled and asked her what my jobs were.  Ivy said: "she watches us kids and she bowls". There you have it from the mouth of babes.  Ivy also mentioned that Trichelle didn't have any jobs even though she is going to school and is a mom..... I guess those things don't count like bowling does.