It's Birthday Time Again

I know I say it all the time but I am thankful for Birthdays and the chance I get to celebrate them with my friends.  Kellie is having a birthday at the end of this week and it gives us the opportunity to go out and talk.  I think we get to busy to make it happen much more through the year.  So I am thankful for our birthdays.  For Birthdays we Make get together's Happen!

I love our time together.  I love that Kellie and I can open up and be completely honest with each other.  I love that Kellie trusts me enough to share her feelings and thoughts with me.  She knows I understand and would never judge.  Heck...I think I always feel the exact same way. (I trust her completely)   I love that Kellie and I are dear friends now.  We have had a lot in common over the years but this is our time....so thankful for that!  This girl is such a blessing.  She is much too hard on herself in my opinion...if only we could see ourselves through each others eyes or better yet our Saviors.  We wouldn't doubt our own goodness.

Kellie loves me.  She expressed her love for me today and my eyes filled with tears because I know she does.  I hope my friend "knows" that I love her too.   I am thankful she was brave enough to express her feelings.  I am so thankful for kindred spirits who understand each others souls and hearts.  I love that Kellie loves me for who I am and how I am....we should all love that way! ♥

Father's Day

Today we honor our Fathers.  I am especially thankful for our Heavenly Father.  He loves us more than we can even imagine.  He helps us more than we realize and He wants us back more than we want to make it back.  I liked how Elder Kopischke claimed that our Heavenly Mother would be with us petitioning with our Father for each of us....as will Jesus.  Saying it like that might make Heavenly Father sound hard and judgmental however I don't believe He is at all....I totally believe He is kind, loving and very forgiving.  It just helps us realize that we are loved by our Heavenly family so much. 

I love the father's that have influenced my life.  I love my dear, sweet dad.  It's the only picture we got today and I guess it's ok because the two most important dads in my life are in it.  I'm thankful for Larry's dad who taught him to work hard.  I love the daddies of my grands who love their little ones.  I mostly love Larry for being the daddy to our children.  He is a wonderful dad that has taught them to work hard so they can play hard.  He is such a good provider and so unselfish.  He lives for his family and works hard for each of us.  He is a kind, loving, funny dad.  The kids know that they can ask their dad for anything and he will help them out.  He has become better over the years as we all do and is almost flawless....I truly mean that.  I am glad that together we have a wonderful family and that we haven't ruined any of our kids too much.  We are very blessed and we know it!

THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER!!!

The Church is Growing here in Hooper

Historical Moment.....Our Stake was split today.  We had 13 wards in our Stake which is a lot for a Stake President to handle.  This day has been anticipated for many years.  It was really neat seeing it happen.  We remain in the original Hooper UT Stake.  A new Hooper UT Pioneer Trails Stake was formed.  It is east of us.

It was interesting how the people in the original stake were released and then called again to serve in the new stake. (those with stake callings)  The new stake got all their Presidencies called which left the original stake with some empty spots.

I love knowing that this is truly the Church of Jesus Christ and that He is the one at the head.  It is by revelation that the leaders are called.  I know that to be true.  A few interviews and Presidents are called.  I know that one of President's (President Jones...our President) knew he would be the next president on Friday because he told us that he had gone to the Temple and even knew who his counselors would be.  One of the counselors was out of town and so he was interviewed over the phone using "face time".  (you can't run or hide from the Lord...He knows where you are and what you are doing always.....not saying President Tenney was running or hiding)

President Allred (New President of the new stake) told a really good story that answered a prayer of mine.  He told of how he was asked to interpret a wedding sealing of a Japanese gal.  He felt very unprepared but accepted the challenge.  Before the sealing he was praying that he would be able to do what he had been asked to do.  When it came time for the sealing the Sealer gave the card with the sealing in Japanese to the parents that needed it and President Allred didn't have to do it.  He felt like he had let the Lord down because he wasn't prepared.  When he went home he went to his room and prayed...the answer came to his mind...."you could have done it if you would have needed to...you can do anything with my help"...or something very close to that.  Anyway....We can do anything that the Lord asks of us if we are prepared...and even if we are not if we have faith that He will help us.

I have been thinking and praying a lot lately.  Things happen sometimes that just don't make sense.  I honestly think the "spirit" is telling me things and then they don't happen.  Thank Goodness they don't because they would hurt me and be really hard to accept...however....because of the prompting....I am able to really do some soul searching.  Would I be willing to do the Lords Will? Would I stay strong?  Would I still remain happy?  I have thought and thought and have answered those questions in my mind.  I think I would be able to do the Lords will because I believe in Him.  If it is His will He would carry me through.  I believe strongly that the more we accept God's Will and do the things we are prompted to do the more God will lead us...and we will let Him because we recognize His will and help.
I truly believe that God speaks to us through the scriptures and others.  If we open up the scriptures and read it's as if he is talking directly to us. Often I pray and a friend will say exactly what I was praying about...they answer my prayer without even knowing it.  Some times I think He prepares us for something and then doesn't require us to actually follow through simply because we would be willing to.  Example.....Larry and I were willing and prepared to lose our Jared....we both surrendered to the Lords Will....then for some reason we didn't have to.  Thank Goodness!  I think that kind of thing happens a lot in life.  Being prepared is a wonderful thing...maybe that's why it's the Boy Scout Motto. ☺

Following the promptings of the Lord isn't always easy.  It scares us even especially if it involves others which it usually does.  For some reason (I know why) I am to share my testimony often.  It makes me uncomfortable because I think others judge me or talk about me in a negative way..then I remember if I want the Lord to bless me and answer my prayers I have to be willing to act on His promptings and sharing my testimony is a prompting I recognize. I think Heavenly Father is a funny guy and likes to play games...I said "I won't bare my testimony" and He say's "You wanna bet?"  He wins more than me these days and I am glad because I know I am blessed for doing it.  It's between me and Him...and I think He laughs!

I love Heavenly Father and Mother.  I know they love us more than we will ever be able to comprehend in this life.  I love Jesus Christ and the gift he has given us to live again with them all.  I love His example of service and love.  I love that no matter how badly He was treated He continued to do the Lords will by moving forward.  He never sought revenge but continued doing good and being himself.  I respect and admire Joseph Smith so much for having the courage to restore this gospel.  He wasn't liked by all either but did what he knew was required of him....he followed the promptings of the Lord.  I love and honor the Prophets of today.  I love their kind spirits and how they teach with love and kindness.  I want to be like them all....line upon line....step by step....slowly it happens.

Weekly Tidbits

*Kimleighel and Jared started cross country this week.  I love that it gets them up and going.  I know it will be so good for them in so many ways.  They also started summer seminary that is once a week.  That too will be so good for them.  Good things happening this summer.

* Kimleighel went to girls camp this week.

*Jared twisted his ankle at cross country and can't walk very good so his running is put on hold.

*I baked more cookies again.  Kelsi and Braxton have an open house this week in Jerome and MaryLou liked my cookies,  so I am baking. Barbie came to help me one day. (I baked Monday and Wednesday) I enjoyed our talk time and was able to give her lots of cookies because I had enough already for the open house. Proud to say I only tried a few (seriously like 3) normal cookies....I refrained from making my usual big one.

*took dinner to a neighbor. Kathy Orrock helped me out.  I made chicken roll ups, mashed potatoes and gravy.  Kathy brought a salad and dessert.

*my friend, Susan got home from her mission and for some reason I was so giddy and excited.  I went over twice to visit her. (once I went with Larry)

*I took Jared and gramps to lunch to Tony's Burger.  It was Gramps birthday on the 10th and I thought he might enjoy lunch with us...I think he did.

*My good friend Sue stopped by just to visit!  That doesn't happen often and it was so nice seeing her and visiting.  I wish we did that more often.

*Kelsi and I went to Homemaking together.  It was on Visiting Teaching.  I have a strong testimony of visiting teaching.  I maybe should have went with Larry to the Temple so that I could talk to him and keep him awake.  He called me to tell me he was okay after jerking his head and waking up on his drive to the temple.  I'm just very thankful for the "Angels Among Us".

*I find all kinds of excuses to get to Girls Camps.  I decided that I would pick Kimi up on Thursday and bring her home so that we wouldn't be stressed leaving for Jerome on Friday.  I ended up going up in the afternoon which put me there in time for skits.  I love seeing how creative the girls can be.  I stayed until late so that we didn't miss Testimony Meeting.  I love sitting around a fire, watching the flames flicker and jump and hear young girls Bare Testimony of Jesus Christ and His Church.  I also love that around this setting often times someone will take more than one turn.  That happened a few times but was really sweet.....the girls were feeling the spirit.  I was proud of my shy girl for speaking up and baring her Testimony.

*We had Book Club and went to Breakfast.  I saw Bruce (a long time friend) and said Hi to him.  He ended up buying our breakfast.  What a nice guy!  I love my book club but didn't bring home a book to read.  I need a book to read...I miss reading real books.  I like my Kindle but I really like books where you turn pages and can see how far into the book you are and how much you still get to read.  I enjoy sharing my books and others but it's hard with the electronic books. I love my book club...it's so wonderful having Susan back with us again.

Jerome

Friday afternoon we (Larry, me, Kimleighel and Jared) headed up to Jerome Idaho for Kelsi and Braxton's Open House.  It's a boring ride....not much to look at.  We took the Conference CD's and that helped a lot. Jerome is a small town but still bigger than Hooper.  The Open House was low key and nice.  At first we had a line like we did in Hooper but that lasted for about 3 visitors.  Kelsi's parents were off visiting with friends and so Larry and I went and sat at a table.  A gal that grew up in Hooper actually lives in Idaho now and worked with Mary Lou.  It was really nice that she came because we were able to visit with her and her daughter.  Her and Larry had a good time remembering when.....

The evening was nice and the clean up was quick.  We went to Pizza Hut on the way back to our Hotel.  The kids were hungry and I just wanted something that wasn't sugar. (crazy for me...but sometimes I do like something else)

Instead of hurrying right home we went into Twin Falls.  We stopped at Shoshone Falls and visited with Kelsi's family.  It was really pretty.  When we drove past the Twin Falls Temple on our ways to the falls I took a few pictures while passing.  We enjoyed lunch together and then we headed for home.  We wanted to get back for our Stake Conference.  Funny how priorities change the older you get. 

Say What?

I can not believe that my first born grand is 9 years old already!  Seriously it happens so fast.  I have enjoyed this little one and watching her grow.  I have missed our time together since she has started school.  I can't believe she is going into 4th grade...I remember being that age.  I do love and cherish the little time we do get. (true for all the grands and my kids)

Ivy is smart.  The girl remembers the things she is taught and totally understands.  She is above her age in learning.  Ivy is fun and likes to be busy.  She loves playing with all her cousins and is such a great example to them all.  She is so kind and includes everyone.  Ivy is loving and still likes to climb on my lap so that I can hold her.  Ivy Marie is beautiful inside and out!  I love this little....that isn't so little!

Fun with Ivy

I love celebrating birthdays!  I had a great time celebrating Ivy today.  Ivy got to spend the night and I was looking forward to watching movies and sleeping on the couch.  Ivy decided that she wanted to watch Net Flex with Kimi in Jaydan's room and so I thought why not?  I think it's great and important for my kids to also have a special relationship with my grands.  Ivy slept with Kimi too.  I got to enjoy her in the morning after sending Kimi to girls camp and Jared to cross country.

I made Ivy her favorite breakfast....big pancakes.  Then we got ready and went shopping.  I asked Ivy what she wanted.....clothes, shoes....toy?  She told me a toy.  She likes a lot of things and had a hard time deciding but finally ended up with a Ever After High Doll.....the daughter of the Mad Hatter.  When Ivy saw that doll she got so excited that I told her that was the one....she didn't get that excited over anything else.

We went to lunch at Chili's because Ivy thought her mom (Martha) was working.  She was right and so Martha served us even though we weren't in her area.  I love Martha and she is a great 2nd mom to Ivy.  We shared a meal that Ivy chose.  Then we went to the Mall and looked around.  I think Ivy was hoping for more gifts and was maybe even a bit disappointed but I reminded her that we had got her gift and that was all I could do.

We were planning on going home for a bit to swim before she went with Julie and Kevin to the splash pad with Kamryn and Zaden but we didn't have time since we stopped by my friends house (Susan's) real quick (and it really was...maybe 15 min) to say hi since she just got home from her mission.

I had a great time with my sweet grand. I love our time!  I love making fun memories.

*Hopefully they will remember the good times...I thought my kids would too and I know they do but they also remember and tell me about the things I didn't do.  I have to remind myself I did my best under my circumstances.