Be Positive Anyway

I can't believe how a little bit of negativity can be so powerful.  I have heard a bit lately and I will say that it lingers in my head and isn't good.  I saw this quote after thinking about it and realize this is exactly right.  I need to evict those thoughts and not let them linger and take the place of the positive I try to fill my mind with.

I think it's interesting that sometimes the more you help and are their for others the more they expect and take you for granted. (only true for a few) I have a younger friend that has confided in me and asked for advice. When she was willing to listen it was easy knowing what to say.  I swear I was God's instrument and spoke to her for Him.  My thoughts and words surprised me and I knew where they had come from. It was a cool experience.  However, my sweet friend continued to error and got really down on herself.  I tried building her up only to be slammed.  I didn't feel I deserved any of that and she even apologized a few times but would turn right around a do it again.  I started pulling away and not responding to her babble.  Even though I knew she was just reacting and that it really wasn't about me it still hurt.

Yesterday it got ugly. (only her actions and words....somehow I was able to remain calm...I never got defensive...hmmmm sounds like the "spirit" was with me)  She was throwing around her negative and mean remarks but they turned from being about her miserable life to me.  If I tried to respond it was like throwing gas on a fire and so I told her I loved her and that she could choose what kind of day and life she wanted.  She started bashing the Church and me.  I testified that the Church was true and perfect but the members aren't and so we shouldn't judge the Church by the members.  (she was focusing on the negative anyway) She told me that I was "Such a Mormon".  I told her Thank You. She said that Mormon's always pull away from her when she tries discussing how controlling the church is.  I told her maybe it was because she was so negative and that the things she was saying just aren't true.  I guess that hurt her feelings.  I'm not going to lie.....this little exchange today bugged me.  I know this gal needs a friend but I also don't think it's right to allow someone to be so rude to you.  I would tell anyone else to let her go.....I can't quite do that.  I'm just hoping she really won't message me again.  I have a few CD's I want to send her and I will just pray my guts out for her.  I love her and she really is a much better person than she gives herself credit for.  This whole thing is so sad to me and I wish I didn't let it bother me.

We really do need to be more thoughtful of our actions and how they might affect someone else.  If we are unkind we need to be big enough to apologize.  I also think that we need to fill our minds and lives with positive things.  The positive chases away the negative.  It's hard to be angry or down with a smile on your face.  It's hard to be unhappy if we are thinking positive thoughts and doing things to make others happy.

I believe that once we allow negative in our lives it (the negative) gets greedy and pushes for more room and quickly fills that space with more negative.  When that happens if you can't get ahead of it get some help.  Pray harder, read the scriptures, go to the Temple, serve more, sing happy songs, surround yourself with good people, walk outside and breathe in the fresh air, look up and smile, look for the sunshine.  If those things don't turn things around go to the Doctor....don't allow yourself to wallow in the muck...it's  a miserable place to be.

a girls got to do what a girls got to do!

I needed a pedicure after going to Kauai.  The sand and ocean make a mess of one's toes.  I text Kathy to see if she wanted to go with me and of course she was delighted. (I text her from Kauai)  She had her first pedicure with me a few months ago and was ready for another one.  The gal's at the place talked her into a manicure as well.  I had my fingers done on Saturday so I declined but thought for $10 Kathy should have the experience if she wanted.  I think she liked it!  Oh my it feels good to get pampered every now and then.

I forgot to take pics (surprise) until we were done with our pedicures. (we were talking a lot) So, while Kathy got a manicure I sat in the massage chair and got a shot of her and my lovely toes!

Since it was lunch time we decided to go to lunch before going home.  I love their bread sticks.....yummmy! (we were at Pizza Factory) I love that Kathy saw them right away as a prop for her head. haha  She is so creative and silly.  We had a great time together...so much in fact that when I went to drop her off I ended up going inside to see a few of her things.  Plus, Kathy is going to help me make ornaments for Christmas this year.  I give my kids each an ornament every year that kind of goes along with what we did for that Christmas.  I'm excited to make these.  I will post later when they are made.

I appreciate my friends.  They all build me up...well that is not true...just today I had one messaging me on face book that was putting me down (ouch) but most build me up and inspire me to be better.  Even the one that wasn't nice still inspired me to be better....I like being called "You're So Mormon". (I think she meant to insult me but it didn't)  My friends make my life better....they just do!

I "Mustache" You

The Youth and their Parents were invited to a Fireside for "Standards Night".  It was a great fireside. Brother Webb (I think) spoke about how the commandments actually help us to be free.  The things that satan temps us with will eventually control us and we lose our free agency to our addictions. So if we want free agency we need to keep the commandments. Simple as that! Funny how the world thinks it's so different...good ol satan always lying...but seems to convince so many.  Another interesting thing Brother Webb said was that the consequence came before the commandments.  Heavenly Father gave us commandments to protect us and because they are good for our well being.

I didn't know the refreshments were mustache cookies but Kellie is a true friend and had my back. She let me know and then was kind enough to get in a few pictures with me...so I could make a memory! (it takes pictures to do that these days)  It was the end of a great day. Larry being release, Ivy's Primary Program (in the Spanish Branch), and birthday dinner for Zaden's birthday.

Time Out or Up

This picture was taken a few years ago but is perfect for this day!  Larry was released as the Bishop of the Shannondoah Ward and Bishop Gurney was called as the new Bishop!  I couldn't help but sing "Oh Happy Day".  Bishop Ropelato was a wonderful Bishop....the best in my opinion.  He was a spiritual giant that also knew how to have a good time. "Most" people loved him...but of course there were a few that thought they knew better.  I didn't care for those people....they caused my hubby too much stress that he didn't deserve.

Larry was a sensitive Bishop.  He teared up or cried almost every Sunday.  I knew him before those tears and I quite liked seeing them.  He is a humble man.  He followed the Spirit and did receive direct revelation from our Heavenly Father.  I loved watching him and I could tell when he was receiving revelation....it was an awesome experience for me.  I think most of the ward also knew and appreciated him for being worthy to receive revelation and to recognize it!  This truly is the Church of Jesus Christ...and Jesus does run it!

These last 5 years were the hardest of my entire life!  I'm not sure why....well I know a few reasons why. You can stop reading if you would rather not hear me complain. I try not to but this is real and it's my life and page so I'm going to say.  People can be so dumb sometimes.  They involve Bishops in things they don't need to.  They call the Bishop for other members phone numbers.  They threaten to hurt Bishops sometimes.  They text him instead of asking others who could also help.  They talk behind his back to others that tell.  They take up his time and take him away from his own family.  They cause physical problems....Larry would get hives.  I saw my hubby with hives as big as a dinner plate all over his body.  His lips have swelled up so big he was unrecognizable.  He couldn't sleep....he seldom slept an entire night.

Because of all the things Larry was dealing with because of the Ward Members I didn't feel like I could tell him my stuff....I didn't want to add to his already full plate.  We learned to keep our thoughts to ourselves.  We're both good at keeping confidences! (wink)  I don't think that is really a good thing for couples but we got through it!

I know Larry is a better person because of this calling.  I didn't think I was until I ran into another Bishop that was also being released.  He told me I was...and that got me thinking.  I realized that he was right.  I talked to Heavenly Father more than ever with real intent.  I needed Heavenly Father more since I didn't feel like I really could talk to Larry.  I was blessed with more friends that enjoy getting together and having fun.  My friends were a direct blessing from Heavenly Father and helped my life become meaningful.  I kind of feel like my friends need me almost as much as I need them....thank YOU Heavenly Father!  My testimony is stronger....I have a better understanding of how much Jesus loves us.....I still know it's so much more but what I do know is enough for me!  I saw how much Bishop Ropelato loved just our ward and it was incredible.  I'm a happier person now than 5 years ago and so that is a blessing to me and my family!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is True!  It's complete and perfect!  I testify of that. I also Testify that Jesus is the Christ...our older brother.  He knows us and loves us more than we can even comprehend.  I testify that God lives and love us each individually and unconditionally!  I know that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel and that him and all the other prophets are true and have only guided us towards Heavenly Father and Mother. (that's so cool)  I testify that the scriptures talk to us. They are Gods voice and have the answer to our prayers in them.  I testify that God also speaks to us through others.....I'm starting to hear.  I know that this life is not the end....life is eternal and so our families!  I'm thankful for prayers.....I'm thankful for others prayers...God listens and answers.

I hope this feeling and knowledge lasts....I hope I will continue to rely on Heavenly Father.  Life is better when I let him guide me.

Kauai

I love having a time share in Kauai.  I know that we wouldn't be able to go there if we didn't.  This way we use it or lose it....we prefer to use it! We also use Sky Miles so our Airfare isn't anything. (only way to go) This year we scheduled our trip to be over our 33rd Wedding Anniversary.  It was pretty perfect!  

We left very early Nov 1 to the Airport to head to Kauai.  The nice thing about leaving early was we arrived early in the afternoon and could enjoy the wonderful scenery right off.  We drove around a little and went to the grocery store before trying to check in....we were still a bit early.  We were able to check in and I was thrilled with our room.  It's the best location of rooms we have ever had.  Our view was of the Ocean~so peaceful!  We listened to the ocean whenever we were in our room.  We decided that since this vacation was to relax and since we had such a great room we would enjoy it more than we normally enjoy a room.  We hung around the room a lot and watched movies and read and seriously just relaxed.  I enjoyed seeing my hubby relax....that was probably my favorite part of this vacation.  (I can't remember the last time I saw him relax)

I posted the picture of our view on Facebook and learned that Steve and Jill Lamb were coming to Kauai the very next day also celebrating their Anniversary. We thought it would be nice if we met up with them for a lunch or dinner.  They liked that idea and called us after they arrived.  They were there to relax too but still had a few things planned that they wanted to do.  We ended up seeing them 3 days and had a great time visiting with them all.  

We went for walks and ate shaved ice and we tried paddle boarding this time.  We ate out once a day and enjoyed little snacks at night.  We kept things simple which was a great thing.

With the Lambs we went paddle boarding again.  Larry and I planned on sharing a board but OOPS he forgot!  I was sitting on the beach and knew he wasn't coming back so I could take a turn.  I razzed him but actually thought it was funny.  The bright side was I wasn't salty.  He took me out for dinner the next night trying to make up for being forgetful....I seriously was fine with it.  The ocean wasn't as fun as the river or at least that's what Larry said.  (I was the watcher of everyone's stuff)

A few days later we went kayaking up a river and hiked to a waterfall with the Lambs.  Larry and I have done that a few other times on other vacations and this was the worst trail of all the times we have gone.  It was so muddy and slippery.  I was stiff that night from being so tense for the whole hike.  It was pretty though and so it was worth it.  I enjoy kayaking with Larry...it's one of our favorite things to do.

Larry and I went Miniature Golfing one day.  We went years ago when this place was first built and planted and the few years have made a huge difference in all the plants.  It was so pretty.  The last time we golfed here was with the Winters about 3 years ago and I was stinking it up because I didn't know the little mark on the putter meant anything.  This time I did much better and was staying neck and neck with Larry until the last few holes.....which I blew!  Oh well sometimes I would rather have Larry win~he is a better winner than loser.  We had fun!

 I loved this vacation.  Our Ward was told on Sunday that our Bishopric was being changed the following week and it was nice being away from all the talk and speculation.  It was nice coming home and having that change made. (That's why Larry was able to relax...he had taken care of all the issues that he could before we left)  Life can be so wonderful....if we take the time and let it be!

I'm Happy!

Yippee....another year has come and gone and we are still together and happy!  In fact I could say we are at one of our highest points of happy!  I guess all the trials and hard times really are worth it as we work through trials and grow closer. (I'd like to just try it on our own from here on out)  I'm happy for this guy of mine!  I'm happy that he took a chance and asked me to marry him.  I'm really happy I said "yes".  I'm happy that we haven't let our struggles divide us for very long.  I'm happy that we really haven't had any major ordeals and that early on we committed to work things out instead of throwing in the towel.  I'm thankful that we are both much better today than when we married.  I'm thankful for the way Larry has treated me and taken care of me and our kids.  I'm thankful that Larry is easy to please.....small things matter to him....he likes my texts....I like his too!

I'm thankful for all the fun adventures we have had together.  This guy has shown me so many parts of this beautiful world I would never dreamed of seeing.  He's taken me to places like: Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Israel, Meso America, Hawaii, and all over the United States.  It's been fun being his travel companion. I'm thankful that Larry has dreams and makes them come true as well as making my small dreams come true as well!  I'm happy that he even takes me Disneyland every now and then because I love it...he's that cool!

I'm happy that Larry loves the Lord and follows Him.  I'm happy that he feels the "Spirit of God".  I'm happy that he makes good choices and isn't tempted easily.  I'm thankful that he listens to me even if sometimes I have to talk loud so he will. (kind of kidding....but sometimes it does take a few times of saying something before he really gets it)  I'm happy that he doesn't point out my faults and imperfections....I know them and I don't need anyone reminding me or making sure I didn't miss any.

I'm just happy for the 33 years we have shared and look forward to forever with this kind, caring, respectful, funny, tender, sensitive, hard working guy of mine. (he really is this great!)

Zaden is Five...

I can't believe this little character is 5.  What a blessing this little guy has been to our family.  He is such a fun kid.  He loves catsup and bread.  He usually has a matchbox car in each of his hands.  He loves coming to grandma's to play any time he can.  He loves playing video games and on the computer and i pad.  He's a smartie when it comes to electronics.  He is silly and stubborn.  He makes us all smile.  I love hearing him express himself.  He is enjoying preschool.  He's a fun kid and loves his family and cousins.  We all love him too!