Hello my dear family!
First, I would like to make just one request. My request is simply that if it will not terrible inconvenience everyone else that we make the blog private for just our family. For those who want to post and those who just want to read and keep updated. A lot of my stories, happenings in life, and spiritual growth revolve around K.C.'s job, stories which I'd love to share, but if it's open for just anyone to read it could possibly "jeopardize" our safety, and it'd be so much easier and comprehensible if I could use certain terms. I can manage if making it so causes difficulty or great inconvenience for everyone else.
It's been one amazingly fun month for the Asvitt household. K.C. has had the entire month off of work for vacation and has 1 1/2 wks left off. We bought plane tickets to fly back east this month. K.C.s dad and my daddy knew we were coming, but our moms did not. It was such a wonderful moment when we saw the surprise on their faces. We stayed about a week with each family. The girls got to meet and spend some time with their grandparents and now all I hear about now is Mama Pa, Auntie Rat, Gungle Ris, Mame, Papa, Auntie Re Re, and Gungle rice. Zelda is constantly talking about all the "new" family she has met and when we say prayers before she goes to bed she says "I la lu. __" to everyone she now knows.
Zelda is talking a little better every day now. She is so very smart. She's already problem solving (not actual math yet, but you know). Greta speaks almost as well as Zelda and is a meany. Greta is deff. the bully out of those two. She is also very smart and causing just as much trouble(for me lol) with her problem solving as Zelda is.
K.C. and I have joined a gym and I am also taking yoga. I'm really loveing it. Sometimes it's hard to get out the door, but so worth it. I've already lost about 5 lbs only 15-20 more to go till I've reached what my doc. says is my healthiest weight. As for me I am doing quite good. I didn't know going on vacation with toddlers, would be harder than staying home with them. I now realize my vacation would have been more relaxing if we had stayed home, but we would have missed out on lots of fun and memories.
The last bit news. K.C. and I are trying for baby # 3. We thought we had gotten pregnant on last months birth control, and I was like we better not be because I don't want another baby just yet, and when "the seahorse" (as the brat calls it) came I totally broke down and was devastated that I wasn't. That, and many dreams of being pregnant, and much thought fasting and prayer, and what we discern as promptings, K.C. and feel like it's time. So...we'll keep you updated.
My spiritual thought isn't directly from the scriptures (but could be if I looked for references), or a church lesson, but something I have finally learned. Forgiveness and repentance. Most of you know that when K.C. and I got engaged my SIL said some terrible things to her family about me, and tried to break K.C. and I up. However, at my bridal shower she apologized, and even at the reception (for those you there you might remember). I have been carrying a big huge weight of anger on my shoulders for the past 4 yrs now (he proposed of Val. Day). I thought that with her apology I had forgiven her, I told her yes I did forgive her, but every time I thought of my engagement I could feel the anger brewing and the resentment. This last month after having spent some quality time with her, we were able to set those issues aside. Finally, after 4 years my shoulders do not feel heavy. When I think of my engagement I don't feel anger or resentment just a bit of sadness.
Growing up I always thought forgiveness was as simple as saying, "I forgive you," but that is not always the case. I now know that sometimes it takes a lot of work. I have spent the last 4 years praying that Heavenly Father would help me to soften my heart, so that I could accept her words and acts of remorse and apology and finally forgive her. It took a lot of work, meditation, prayer, study, and Heavenly Fathers hand to soften my heart and make my trip east at this time possible, so that I might forgive her. I have learned how closely repentance and forgiveness are tied together.
I'm sure for all of you this is an elementary thought and lesson, but I have finally learned it, and for now at least, until my next big test in repentance and forgiveness, my burden feels light.
I know my Savior lives and loves us. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and teaching me something tonight.
XOXOXO ~ Clara Marie
Sunday, February 28, 2010
February Newsletter - Shelli
I feel like most of my business is broadcast online everyday, so anything that I tell you all, you'll have already read it. Maybe this is a bad thing, but then again, maybe it isn't. It just means that my newsletter, which would be short anyway because I don't have any kids to update on, will be even shorter.
Here's the rundown: I've been moving out of the house where I lived for the past year or so for three months. It's taken a long time. Mostly because I lived with people who were scarily just like me (read: procrastinator, avoider of all things hated and general lack of ambition) and so it took WAY longer than it ever should. In fact, it is February 23, and while there is no electricity or water - the kitchen has still not been cleaned and Becca and Roberta may or may not have finally rolled out to drive most of the stuff to California. Notice the may not have had. Since, as of 10 p.m. last night, they had not. (UPDATE: I was just texted by Becca who said they slept in the cold house last night, on the floor....oh heavens.)
My new place is... well, not exactly what I was wanting. It's old. It's college housing. Every time I turn onto 820 North, I wonder what I was thinking when I signed the contract? The best news is that my contract goes until August and then I can leave. I wish I had the money to buy my own place. That would save a lot of grief. And it would be AWESOME. Alas, I am destined to live in college housing for a while.
I haven't finished stats. I DID do four quizzes last night and ordered my second test... which means, that I am ABOUT half way done. So while I might be celebrating already, it's probably a little too soon. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't. The fact that I'm working on stats is cause for celebration. I've been attending class with my friend Jake. To say that I am more dedicated than he is - well, it's not saying much - but it is saying something about his lack of dedication. :)
I am trying to get my finances in order so I can do a lot of traveling this summer. I know there is the reunion in Huntington Beach, CA this year, and since it is a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - I don't know if I will be able to make it or not. ESPECIALLY if my trip to London pans out. Which I'm thinking it will...because I'm determined to make it. I also really want to see my friend Jessica who lives in Naples, FL. I guess we will see how much I get for a tax refund....
Initially this money was going to go towards a newer car. But I have decided to put that on hold. Next you talk to me, I might be pedaling around on a DI bike, or something, because Louise has finally decided she doesn't like me - but until that time, I'll be driving her into the ground. And hopefully not shelling all my hard earned cash into fixing little things like alternators and tires and alignments and things like such as.
What else? I think that's about it. You see? Pretty painless. And not too exciting.
OH - and...
Moses 5
10 And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
11 And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
Here's the rundown: I've been moving out of the house where I lived for the past year or so for three months. It's taken a long time. Mostly because I lived with people who were scarily just like me (read: procrastinator, avoider of all things hated and general lack of ambition) and so it took WAY longer than it ever should. In fact, it is February 23, and while there is no electricity or water - the kitchen has still not been cleaned and Becca and Roberta may or may not have finally rolled out to drive most of the stuff to California. Notice the may not have had. Since, as of 10 p.m. last night, they had not. (UPDATE: I was just texted by Becca who said they slept in the cold house last night, on the floor....oh heavens.)
My new place is... well, not exactly what I was wanting. It's old. It's college housing. Every time I turn onto 820 North, I wonder what I was thinking when I signed the contract? The best news is that my contract goes until August and then I can leave. I wish I had the money to buy my own place. That would save a lot of grief. And it would be AWESOME. Alas, I am destined to live in college housing for a while.
I haven't finished stats. I DID do four quizzes last night and ordered my second test... which means, that I am ABOUT half way done. So while I might be celebrating already, it's probably a little too soon. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't. The fact that I'm working on stats is cause for celebration. I've been attending class with my friend Jake. To say that I am more dedicated than he is - well, it's not saying much - but it is saying something about his lack of dedication. :)
I am trying to get my finances in order so I can do a lot of traveling this summer. I know there is the reunion in Huntington Beach, CA this year, and since it is a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - I don't know if I will be able to make it or not. ESPECIALLY if my trip to London pans out. Which I'm thinking it will...because I'm determined to make it. I also really want to see my friend Jessica who lives in Naples, FL. I guess we will see how much I get for a tax refund....
Initially this money was going to go towards a newer car. But I have decided to put that on hold. Next you talk to me, I might be pedaling around on a DI bike, or something, because Louise has finally decided she doesn't like me - but until that time, I'll be driving her into the ground. And hopefully not shelling all my hard earned cash into fixing little things like alternators and tires and alignments and things like such as.
What else? I think that's about it. You see? Pretty painless. And not too exciting.
OH - and...
Moses 5
10 And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
11 And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
Newsletter 1 - From Steve
Dear family,
Since I work 3rd shift from 9:30pm to 5:30am this is the time that I do all of my email social interacting. I have been trying to think of some things to say and how to put them so as not to cause any unjust worrying on your part. I have read Sandra's and Allen and mom emails at this point and it makes me glad to hear and read the words you have chosen to write in regards to the scriptures that you have chosen for they have been encouraging words like "seeking in order to find" and
"pitching your tents" towards righteousness.
My scriptures are taken from Moroni 10:20 -21 20 "Wherefore, there must
be faith and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if
there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have
charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye
be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if
ye have no hope." These verses aren't really favorite verses but more of
a least favorite. I am my own worst critic and I can't help it. These
verses sadden me because they tell me where I am not going. Do we have
faith. I like to think I do but how strong is it. Do we have hope, I
don't think I do because I have no charity. I'm sorry mom but I hate
people. Charity is my weakness. It is identified as having the pure love
of Christ. We are to love all of our fellow man as he does regardless of
who they are. We are to have a love for them based solely on the fact
that they too are children of our Heavenly Father. Here is an example
taken from the Book of Mormon of what I believe it is to have true
charity. These are the 4 sons of Mosiah seeking permission from their
father to serve a mission to the Lamanites. Mosiah 28: 3-4 "Now they
were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for
they could not BEAR that ANY HUMAN SOUL should perish; yea, even the
very THOUGHTS that any soul should endure endless torment did CAUSE THEM
TO QUAKE and tremble. And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon
them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in
his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless THEY SUFFERED MUCH
ANGUISH OF SOUL because of their iniquities, suffering much and FEARING
THAT THEY should be cast off forever." This is what it means to have
charity and this is what the pure love of Christ is all about. They
cared for the enemy of the Nephite people that they feared for their
souls. Do we care enough for our fellow man that the thought of any
being lost would cause us to have much anguish of soul. This is not me
because I can't stand people even the people of my ward. If it wasn't
for church I would not even associate myself with 90 percent of the ward
members. So this saddens me and I do not know how to overcome it. This
has weighed on my mind for several years now which is why I am grateful
to you my family and the scriptures you have chosen to share.
Family matters, Diane has been called back into the
young women as second councilor. She doesn't seem too happy about it but
she will do it because I know her and she will do it well. She is knee
deep into taxes right now and is busy all the time. I am still second
councilor in the bishopric (how long oh Lord must I be) and striving to
maintain a good attitude about it. Striving to not think of church as
just being another job one in which I don't get paid to do, but to seek
spirituality so I can be positive in all things. Brenda is in school
studying to be a Respiratory Therapist and working at wal mart at the
same time so she is very busy and she is one that I am real concerned
over. She does keep us entertained with her stories during clinical at
the hospitals such as the story of seeing her first naked man and how it
was not a pleasant experience. We get constant updates on how much snot
she sucks out of peoples lungs and she drew blood from a guy the other
day for the first time. With all of these gross things she tells us
(mostly over dinner) she is wondering if she chose the right field, but
she is moving forward with it. She is entertaining.
Christopher turns 19 this year and we are looking forward to see what he may or may not do this year. As of now he too goes to school for some kind of business
degree that he will be working towards and I hope he endures and
finishes it over the next several years. He has no girl friend (thank
God) at this time so he does have some kind of plan in his mind on what
he wants to do. He too is also working while going to school so he is
busy man. I believe he will serve a mission sometime in August maybe so
we have that to look forward to. He is a good kid...one that has matured
a lot in a year's time and I am very pleased with what he is doing at
this time. I still hate it where I live and wish that I had that courage
to give it all up and move to where I want to be and start all over, but
I fear too much. I would love to live in Idaho, that would be great.
So any way family know that I love you all and can't wait to see you some
of you this year. Mom Dad we will be there in May sometime during the
month for vacation. Diane wants to hit up the library and I of course
want to hit up the golf courses. Dad would very much like to go to park
city to play or to some other course that has been forever since we have
been there. I am planning on spending some time in Yellow Stone so Allen
if you can come and teach me to fly fish I think that would be great to.
We like to camp in the park because it is cheaper and we like to sleep
in tents. We have access to running water and bathrooms but no showers
or hot water unless you make it yourself and sponge bath in your tent
which we have done before and it is not to bad to do that. I have
Thanksgiving week off this year (first ever) and would like to have it
with family if anyone is interested in doing that. I will come to
wherever you guys want to hold it. We have not had thanksgiving together
since we were kids and I would very much like to try and get together
with all of you. Dennis come join myself and family in yellow stone if
you can. We are planning on being there in the latter part of May. It's
a good time of year to do so because it's not too crowded and there is
still snow around and can get quite cold at night. But we have a lot of
fun. Best wishes to all.
Since I work 3rd shift from 9:30pm to 5:30am this is the time that I do all of my email social interacting. I have been trying to think of some things to say and how to put them so as not to cause any unjust worrying on your part. I have read Sandra's and Allen and mom emails at this point and it makes me glad to hear and read the words you have chosen to write in regards to the scriptures that you have chosen for they have been encouraging words like "seeking in order to find" and
"pitching your tents" towards righteousness.
My scriptures are taken from Moroni 10:20 -21 20 "Wherefore, there must
be faith and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if
there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have
charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye
be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if
ye have no hope." These verses aren't really favorite verses but more of
a least favorite. I am my own worst critic and I can't help it. These
verses sadden me because they tell me where I am not going. Do we have
faith. I like to think I do but how strong is it. Do we have hope, I
don't think I do because I have no charity. I'm sorry mom but I hate
people. Charity is my weakness. It is identified as having the pure love
of Christ. We are to love all of our fellow man as he does regardless of
who they are. We are to have a love for them based solely on the fact
that they too are children of our Heavenly Father. Here is an example
taken from the Book of Mormon of what I believe it is to have true
charity. These are the 4 sons of Mosiah seeking permission from their
father to serve a mission to the Lamanites. Mosiah 28: 3-4 "Now they
were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for
they could not BEAR that ANY HUMAN SOUL should perish; yea, even the
very THOUGHTS that any soul should endure endless torment did CAUSE THEM
TO QUAKE and tremble. And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon
them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in
his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless THEY SUFFERED MUCH
ANGUISH OF SOUL because of their iniquities, suffering much and FEARING
THAT THEY should be cast off forever." This is what it means to have
charity and this is what the pure love of Christ is all about. They
cared for the enemy of the Nephite people that they feared for their
souls. Do we care enough for our fellow man that the thought of any
being lost would cause us to have much anguish of soul. This is not me
because I can't stand people even the people of my ward. If it wasn't
for church I would not even associate myself with 90 percent of the ward
members. So this saddens me and I do not know how to overcome it. This
has weighed on my mind for several years now which is why I am grateful
to you my family and the scriptures you have chosen to share.
Family matters, Diane has been called back into the
young women as second councilor. She doesn't seem too happy about it but
she will do it because I know her and she will do it well. She is knee
deep into taxes right now and is busy all the time. I am still second
councilor in the bishopric (how long oh Lord must I be) and striving to
maintain a good attitude about it. Striving to not think of church as
just being another job one in which I don't get paid to do, but to seek
spirituality so I can be positive in all things. Brenda is in school
studying to be a Respiratory Therapist and working at wal mart at the
same time so she is very busy and she is one that I am real concerned
over. She does keep us entertained with her stories during clinical at
the hospitals such as the story of seeing her first naked man and how it
was not a pleasant experience. We get constant updates on how much snot
she sucks out of peoples lungs and she drew blood from a guy the other
day for the first time. With all of these gross things she tells us
(mostly over dinner) she is wondering if she chose the right field, but
she is moving forward with it. She is entertaining.
Christopher turns 19 this year and we are looking forward to see what he may or may not do this year. As of now he too goes to school for some kind of business
degree that he will be working towards and I hope he endures and
finishes it over the next several years. He has no girl friend (thank
God) at this time so he does have some kind of plan in his mind on what
he wants to do. He too is also working while going to school so he is
busy man. I believe he will serve a mission sometime in August maybe so
we have that to look forward to. He is a good kid...one that has matured
a lot in a year's time and I am very pleased with what he is doing at
this time. I still hate it where I live and wish that I had that courage
to give it all up and move to where I want to be and start all over, but
I fear too much. I would love to live in Idaho, that would be great.
So any way family know that I love you all and can't wait to see you some
of you this year. Mom Dad we will be there in May sometime during the
month for vacation. Diane wants to hit up the library and I of course
want to hit up the golf courses. Dad would very much like to go to park
city to play or to some other course that has been forever since we have
been there. I am planning on spending some time in Yellow Stone so Allen
if you can come and teach me to fly fish I think that would be great to.
We like to camp in the park because it is cheaper and we like to sleep
in tents. We have access to running water and bathrooms but no showers
or hot water unless you make it yourself and sponge bath in your tent
which we have done before and it is not to bad to do that. I have
Thanksgiving week off this year (first ever) and would like to have it
with family if anyone is interested in doing that. I will come to
wherever you guys want to hold it. We have not had thanksgiving together
since we were kids and I would very much like to try and get together
with all of you. Dennis come join myself and family in yellow stone if
you can. We are planning on being there in the latter part of May. It's
a good time of year to do so because it's not too crowded and there is
still snow around and can get quite cold at night. But we have a lot of
fun. Best wishes to all.
Newsletter 1 - From Sandra
Dear Family
My thought is not a scripture but a quote that was used in sacrament meeting today. It goes Casual spirituality causes spiritual casualties. This hit home to me. I don't like to admit or think that I might be casual in my church responsibilities but I think that I might be at times. We have family prayer and do all the important things but not regularly. This tells me that I need improvement. And maybe we all do so re-evaluate yourselves and think if you are being casual in scripture study in prayer in family home evening or in church or temple attendance, then you need to do better. I know I need to do better.
On to my life. There isn't much to tell you, but here goes it in a nut shell.
Grant is busy in his stake calling as stake clerk. He attends all ward conferences in the stake and meeting every Thursday night. We seem to go to church without him a lot. He loves to play basketball but it hurts everytime he does. Getting old is ruff. He is looking for a break in all the snow we have had so he can start a new project here at home. This being adding on to the garage going upword to make more storage for us. We have been spending alot of money and time in watching basketball this season. It should end soon. It has been a long and fun season for the most part.
I have been put into the Relief Society Presidency as 2nd counselor. Not too exciting as my creative imagination is gone. I am over the enrichment side for the most part and I don't have a clue how to first get excited about it myself and second how to plan a good meeting so people will want to come. I work everyday school is in session which during the last two weeks has not been a lot. We have many snow days and are now having to make some up at the end of the year. The snow was nice at first but now it is just dirty and inconvenient.
I also am taking care of the grand child when I am not working and Amy is. She is fun and growing fast. She is into everything and is non stop motion until she goes to sleep.
Brad is ready for his basketball season to end. He is looking forward to football. I think he likes it better. For now he just wants to get fattened up cause basketball just made him loose weight which I guess isn't good for football. He is in college and going to high school. He is working towards honors and will graduate next year. He does pretty good for the most part except when it comes to writing papers and then he puts them off and we end up being up til after midnight finishing it the night before it is due.
Mackenzie had a good basketball season. She played on the 7th grade team. She had fun and learned some good skills. Her season ended in 3rd place. She wants to get better during the summer to be better then the other girl who played her position for next year.
Mark is not up to much. He needs to do a lot of things, but can't figure out why he should do them. Pray for him. He is lost and needs to find his way. He loves basketball but feels limited with knee injuries that hurt but he plays anyway.
Amy is working hard to be a good mom and raise Kelsie. She wants to meet Justin Williams who was a contestant on American Idol. He had cancer when he was serving a mission and got better from that. If anyone knows how to have her meet him let us know. We are all doing pretty well and we are very close as a family because we are so squished into our little house. Kelsie entertains us all with her dancing and funny words she trys to say. She adds a smile in our day.
Stay stong family and know that we love you all.
Love the Armstrong's
Newsletter 1 - From Allen
The Savior said in 3 Nehpi 14: 7-8 “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.”
It has come to my understanding and lessons that I have learned this pass year that if we were to receive inspired guidance just for asking all the time, you and I would become weak and even more dependent on Father in Heaven. You see our personal growth (which is one of the reasons why we came to earth) will come when we struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit. I have struggled with the spirit to feel the impressions, feeling, and ideas of what I need to do, and how I need to do it all my life. I
The spirit comes to me more as a feeling than it does as a sound. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than a physical voice. President Packer said “We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes.”
As we receive more guidance and direction, and acknowledge that we received it as personal revelation, the more our testimonies grow, and the stronger we become. Never has this been more true to me then during this past 6 months than any other time in my life.
My family is doing fine. Each of the older kids are busy with school, we have only had a few problems with Gabe. Gabe is our care free child who doesn’t care of the results of his actions, weather good or bad. I have tried everything including push up and sit up when he gets in trouble. I knew that punishment was not working when he had to do 90 each in one day.
Tanner just turned 13, my first teenager. He went on a snow cave camping trip this weekend. He wanted me to go, I unfortunately had plans that needed to be done. Isn’t that’s what leader are for anyway, to keep the fathers home while the kids freeze all night.
Dylan my 8 years old is growing like a weed. She is as mature as Gabe (almost two years older) but that’s not saying much as Gabe is Gabe. I just have to say “You got to just love the GABE!” I realized how fast Dylan was growing when I saw some picture of her that a friend took. She look to old so little anymore. It made me worry about the future, I guess I need to get the old shoot gun out a polish it up a bit.
Brynn and Tess my two youngest are the biggest trouble makers in the house. It seems that whatever they touch it breaks. I guess that’s the curse of the 5 and 2 year old.Newsletter 1 - From MOM
Scripture Thought…Genesis 13:12-13 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
Mosiah 2:6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple……
My thought on this is to ask each of us…where are we pitching our tents and what is the first thing we would see each day as we walked out the door…Sodom or the temple? I look at Sodom as being the worldly ways that we live in today…I see the temple as Christ and family….I think that if we looked at the worldly ways long enough that we would become so used to it that we would probably slip into that mode of living. I think that if we looked at the temple that our choices would be to live the way that the Lord would want us to. Not sure if this makes sense to you, but it comes to me that we in this day and age are faced with many outside temptations. And little by little we accept it as a way of life……Satan creeps into our lives, our sons and daughters too, and if we are not strong in obedience and keeping the commandments we will loose our feelings for those things that really matter. So, I ask us all…, which way will we pitch our tents…..to face Sodom or to face the temple? Just remember….remember who you are and what you are and then choose the right…………act accordingly.
Okay, lets see what is happening around this cold place. I guess after seeing how much snow and fluffy white stuff some of you have been getting, I should not complain, as it could be a whole lot worse…oh spring and warmth where are you……? I would guess that the big news here is that your father has decided, finally and at last, to come to the gym to work out for an hour 4-5 days a week. He is not as devoted as I am at a full 5 days, yet, but there is hope in that he is coming which is more than it used to be with not coming at all. He takes his newspaper along with him so that he can sit and read while waiting for me to get out of swimming. He and Bernell both do that. Then after sitting and reading he gets up to walk and looks like he is 100 plus years old with the old shuffle steps and moaning coming from him. Then he comes home, grabs his Pepsi and his blanket and settles down into his chair and promptly falls asleep. You would think that one hour work out was tough…..Now if it was golf going on, you can bet he would move around like some young kid….I on the other hand get up at 6:20am and head out to go swimming. I have found that I am much faster dressing if I leave the bra off and so I try that off and on. I really don’t want to scare people with the extra bulges but it really is faster getting undressed and dressed. Besides I have a coat on for coverage. Now, let me tell you about the many miles that I have been able to swim…..well, kicking and using arms for paddles as I do use a belt that keeps me afloat….we are almost within reach of the 100 mile swim mark….Yesssssss! I will have it within the next week. I get a certificate for accomplishing it. Yessssss! Now, there is a secret to how we have accomplished this…its call using your ‘marbles.’ We found that we could not keep count as to how many laps we were doing because we talk so much and we don’t multitask very well, and we were doing more or less than we should…so we bought marbles to keep count with and that way we could talk about what ever topic we wanted to without missing our count. It works for us!! The only thing is that we have had different people come along and take a marble or two out and hide them from us, or they like to trade the little plastic tubs around so that we get mixed up as to how many laps we have done, or just lately we had a fellow add three more marbles in so that we would loose count and do more laps…honestly what we go through trying to be honest in our laps. Bernell says that the only thing about our body loss is that our lips are getting thinner because they are getting the most work out with all our talking….not the body. Oh well, it is fun and a great way to start the day. Since getting food poisoning and getting dehydrated and recouping from that, which was not fun at all, nothing to much has happened. I know that dad misses being able to work and he gets a bit on edge. Our Saturdays at the temple will be coming to an end as they are going to do a reconstruction of the temple that will take a couple of years to accomplish. Not sure when they will start doing this and we will work there until they say stop! I have to say that I have had some really nice experiences working in the temple. It is one of the most wonderful places to give service at our age. I love the feeling of being out of the worldly ways for those hours spent there. I love the whole workings of the temple. I love the people who work with us and lets just say that it is a wonderful calling to have and be a part of. Last night I had the chance to talk with one of our new patron escorts as we were waiting for the Matron to come and give the little lecture ….she had just lost a daughter in October who was 17 years old to leukemia. They were wanting to do her temple work in October of this year. She was expressing her feelings of loosing this child. I mentioned the feelings we have had living with the loss of Brad. After talking to her about our experience and feelings, she told me that she was so glad that she had come to the temple and could talk with me about the death of a child. I guess that we can be of help to others if we remember the things that we have learned throughout our different experiences and then be grateful for the gospel lessons learned…..well, it was a good feeling and a good talk that I had with her. The spirit was there as it always is if we will just let it guide us in what we say and do.
Well, my loves, I am hoping to hear from each of you. I would so like to know what is going on in your lives and with my grandchildren. I love the pictures that I have gotten from you. Take care and remember to live each day the best that you can. Stay strong no matter the trials that come your way. The Lord will see you through, so have faith, hope and love for Him and the gospel teachings.
Love you dearly
Mom and Dad……..
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Mosiah 2:6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple……
My thought on this is to ask each of us…where are we pitching our tents and what is the first thing we would see each day as we walked out the door…Sodom or the temple? I look at Sodom as being the worldly ways that we live in today…I see the temple as Christ and family….I think that if we looked at the worldly ways long enough that we would become so used to it that we would probably slip into that mode of living. I think that if we looked at the temple that our choices would be to live the way that the Lord would want us to. Not sure if this makes sense to you, but it comes to me that we in this day and age are faced with many outside temptations. And little by little we accept it as a way of life……Satan creeps into our lives, our sons and daughters too, and if we are not strong in obedience and keeping the commandments we will loose our feelings for those things that really matter. So, I ask us all…, which way will we pitch our tents…..to face Sodom or to face the temple? Just remember….remember who you are and what you are and then choose the right…………act accordingly.
Okay, lets see what is happening around this cold place. I guess after seeing how much snow and fluffy white stuff some of you have been getting, I should not complain, as it could be a whole lot worse…oh spring and warmth where are you……? I would guess that the big news here is that your father has decided, finally and at last, to come to the gym to work out for an hour 4-5 days a week. He is not as devoted as I am at a full 5 days, yet, but there is hope in that he is coming which is more than it used to be with not coming at all. He takes his newspaper along with him so that he can sit and read while waiting for me to get out of swimming. He and Bernell both do that. Then after sitting and reading he gets up to walk and looks like he is 100 plus years old with the old shuffle steps and moaning coming from him. Then he comes home, grabs his Pepsi and his blanket and settles down into his chair and promptly falls asleep. You would think that one hour work out was tough…..Now if it was golf going on, you can bet he would move around like some young kid….I on the other hand get up at 6:20am and head out to go swimming. I have found that I am much faster dressing if I leave the bra off and so I try that off and on. I really don’t want to scare people with the extra bulges but it really is faster getting undressed and dressed. Besides I have a coat on for coverage. Now, let me tell you about the many miles that I have been able to swim…..well, kicking and using arms for paddles as I do use a belt that keeps me afloat….we are almost within reach of the 100 mile swim mark….Yesssssss! I will have it within the next week. I get a certificate for accomplishing it. Yessssss! Now, there is a secret to how we have accomplished this…its call using your ‘marbles.’ We found that we could not keep count as to how many laps we were doing because we talk so much and we don’t multitask very well, and we were doing more or less than we should…so we bought marbles to keep count with and that way we could talk about what ever topic we wanted to without missing our count. It works for us!! The only thing is that we have had different people come along and take a marble or two out and hide them from us, or they like to trade the little plastic tubs around so that we get mixed up as to how many laps we have done, or just lately we had a fellow add three more marbles in so that we would loose count and do more laps…honestly what we go through trying to be honest in our laps. Bernell says that the only thing about our body loss is that our lips are getting thinner because they are getting the most work out with all our talking….not the body. Oh well, it is fun and a great way to start the day. Since getting food poisoning and getting dehydrated and recouping from that, which was not fun at all, nothing to much has happened. I know that dad misses being able to work and he gets a bit on edge. Our Saturdays at the temple will be coming to an end as they are going to do a reconstruction of the temple that will take a couple of years to accomplish. Not sure when they will start doing this and we will work there until they say stop! I have to say that I have had some really nice experiences working in the temple. It is one of the most wonderful places to give service at our age. I love the feeling of being out of the worldly ways for those hours spent there. I love the whole workings of the temple. I love the people who work with us and lets just say that it is a wonderful calling to have and be a part of. Last night I had the chance to talk with one of our new patron escorts as we were waiting for the Matron to come and give the little lecture ….she had just lost a daughter in October who was 17 years old to leukemia. They were wanting to do her temple work in October of this year. She was expressing her feelings of loosing this child. I mentioned the feelings we have had living with the loss of Brad. After talking to her about our experience and feelings, she told me that she was so glad that she had come to the temple and could talk with me about the death of a child. I guess that we can be of help to others if we remember the things that we have learned throughout our different experiences and then be grateful for the gospel lessons learned…..well, it was a good feeling and a good talk that I had with her. The spirit was there as it always is if we will just let it guide us in what we say and do.
Well, my loves, I am hoping to hear from each of you. I would so like to know what is going on in your lives and with my grandchildren. I love the pictures that I have gotten from you. Take care and remember to live each day the best that you can. Stay strong no matter the trials that come your way. The Lord will see you through, so have faith, hope and love for Him and the gospel teachings.
Love you dearly
Mom and Dad……..
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
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