The Miracle Of The Lilac Bush~

OUR LILAC BUSH AND FLOWERS

This is the story of our Lilac Bush miracle. This story began the last part of September of 2008. This is a repost with a picture that I took of the tree this week. 

 I was feeling sad that my Lilac Bush was dying. We had planted this bush in 2007. It was not growing well and had never produced blossoms.  It is the only bush that I had requested to be planted in our backyard. I have always loved Lilac Bushes. My Grandmother's yard had more than one Lilac Bush and I loved the fragrance of the blossoms. These bushes bring back sweet memories of  my childhood and my grandmother.  
When Willie our beloved cat of 18 years passed a way in the spring; we buried him next to the Lilac Bush with a few other flowers surrounding it. When our dear little dog, Dollie was ran over by a truck, we were devastated. We buried her next to Willie on August 15, 2008. At that point the bush was not thriving at all. By end of September the bush looked like it was dying; the leaves were turning brown and falling off the bush. One day when I was outside looking at the bush, I said a silent prayer that this bush could be saved in remembrance of our two pets that we had buried there. We had been watering the plants and bushes on a routine basis; but I promised then to water them daily.
Lilac bushes do not bloom in the fall; they only bloom in the spring and rarely in the summer. The first few days of October the Lilac Bush started to look alive again and about a week later it had blossoms on it
As I have told people of this miracle, they were amazed. I had some friends over to show them this miracle bush.They too marveled at this. I know that Heavenly Father answered my simple prayer and we were blessed to have this Lilac Bush bloom at an unusual time. I feel like this was a sign that our sweet pets were doing well. I have always believed in miracles; those sweet tender mercies from the Lord.



Sammy

My Hubby and our Sammy



Christ - The Center Of Our Home~

This is a favorite scripture of mine as found in D&C 88:119, "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God. This is how I wanted and tried to pattern my home. I desired to have a Christ-centered home.

Of course, with six active children I can't say that our home was always prepared for the Savior to visit. However, we did try to do the kinds of activities that would invite the spirit into our home.
Today we are besieged with Babylon. Satan is strong and is battling for our families. He will do all in his power to bring about the destruction of the family unit. We all know that he is on a rampage. We must be ever watchful because he enters unannounced through the media of TV programs, music, books, magazines etc. that we allow into our homes.
I would say to begin the process of developing a Christ centered home one must be working towards being a Christ centered person.
Here are just a few quotes from a BYU Education Week class on the Savior taught by Robert Millet: "We need to live the part we believe". What we think of Christ is what we will be." "What we say, and how we live will determine our lives". "Christ is our master, the captain of our soul." "Turn your lives unto God." "Put your trust in Christ." I also love this scripture as found in 2 Nephi 25:26: "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins". This is good instruction for us and for our family.
One of my favorite quotes is from President Ezra Taft Benson: "The world would take people out of the slums. Christ would take the slums out of people, and then they would take themselves out of the slums.The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” (Ensign, November 1985).
In order to become a Christ centered person one must be humble and willing to be taught. The Savior has said in D&C 88: 64: " Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive, knock, and it shall be opened unto you." It is important that we ask our Heavenly Father in the name of Christ for direction in becoming a true disciple of our Savior.
The following is a short list of things to do to draw closer to Christ:
1. Daily sincere prayers offered morning and night or whenever inclined and wherever you are. Ask for the gifts of the Spirit as found in D&C 46:11-33 and also for increased Faith, Hope, and Charity.
2. Daily scripture study with emphasis on pondering how the scriptures can apply to your life. Become a life-long student of the Book of Mormon. The scriptures should become your training manual for your own life and those in your family.
3. Daily service given to family, friends, neighbors and others you may come in contact with. There is always someone that could use your service each day. Pray to know who you might touch with your prayers, love or hands-on service. I love the quote by Bonnie D. Parkin in a BYU Devotional in 2007: "Never suppress a generous thought".
4. Attend the temple frequently. Go to the temple prepared to ask for revelation for your life, your family, your callings or other needs. Bask in the peace of the temple to help you cope with your day to day struggles.
5. Follow the current Prophets and 12 Apostles by listening to or reading their messages of faith and hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As you continue to grow and mature in your testimony you will become more anxiously engaged in helping your family members to “come unto Christ”.
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles expressed the following: "I am sure you can identify the fundamental principles that center your home on the Savior. The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular practices it will be difficult to find the desired and much -needed peace and refuge from the world.....
One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds. (Ensign, May 2013. pg. 29).
Those who enter a Christ-centered home will feel the spirit and the peace that prevails within those walls. It takes diligent work to keep the spirit in your home. There will be moments when peace is diminished or has fully fled. Such times are a part of learning to become a Christ centered family. However, always remember that you can reach the Savior in prayer at any time to seek the spirit’s abundant return to the atmosphere of your home.
That atmosphere will be more conducive to the residing of the spirit when you closely and carefully manage what you allow within your home. It is especially beneficial to display pictures of the Savior, the living prophet, temples of the Lord and of course, those precious pictures of the family. Fill your home with items that represent your centered beliefs and the sacred desires of your heart.
In that same article Elder Scott stated: "As you center your home on the Savior, it will naturally become a refuge not only to your own family but also to friends who live in more difficult circumstances. They will be drawn to the serenity they feel there. Welcome such friends into your home. They will blossom in the Christ-centered environment, become friends with your children's friends. Be a worthy example to them."
Even now I continue to desire that when my children, grandchildren and others enter our home they will feel the spirit. I want my home to reflect our testimony of our Savior, and know that he is the center of our home.

Mother's Day Wishes To All Of My Friends and Loved Ones~

I believe that I am a child of our Heavenly Father· If I have a Father in Heaven then I must have Mother in Heaven. I love that thought. I hope she knows how much I love her too.
 I have a very loving earthly Mother. She passed away in 2006. I miss her so much and sometimes I feel that she is near when I am in need of comfort. I do feel sad that I can't just call her up and talk to her whenever I need too. I do know that I will see her again someday.

My Sweet Mom and Dad~

I didn't have a sister but I do now have 3 daughters and 3 daughter in laws that help fill that desire in many ways. I love all of these special young women in my life. I also have two precious granddaughter in laws. I feel deeply blessed by them all. They have given me 31 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren along with 3 more that I inherited through marriage.

Top Left - My daughter, Christina; daughter in law, Amber; daughter in law, Amanda; great granddaughter, Jessica -

Bottom Left - My daughter, Jenni; great granddaughter, Dana; daughter in law, Mary, and daughter, Tiffani~

I also have several extended family sisters in laws that I love with all my heart. I also have many treasured friends  that I have associated with and loved through the years. I love all of the friends that I have made while being a blogger and on Face book. A few of them I have met personally. I hope that someday I can meet more of you. I have enjoyed my friendship with you all. You have been great examples to me of love, faith, hope, patience, kindness, tolerance and many  more Christ like attributes. You have lifted me when I am down and increased my faith by your examples. May you all know how much you mean to me and how you touch my heart on a daily basis.


I am wishing you all a very Happy Mother's Day filled to the brim with joy. This is a wonderful day that is set aside for you to be pampered and loved.

Love and Hugs to you all~

Here is a video of my grandson, William singing in his school class;

 it's too sweet not to share~

The Simple Woman's Daybook~

FOR TODAY - May 8th, 2013

Outside my window...is a gray cloudy day with a sprinkle of rain. I always laugh at our dog Sammy. If the weather is bad, he backs up from the door and doesn't want to go out. I need to get a video of this because it is very funny.
I am thinking...that I need to finish these thoughts and then come up with something to post on our family blog to my daughters, daughter in laws and granddaughter in laws for Mother's Day.
I am thankful...that I have had a few weeks without always coughing. It is so rare that I am not coughing that it is just so very pleasant. I have a dry hacking cough that is so irritating. I have been afflicted with this for years. It is a combination of allergies and reflux. I have been working on my weight issues so that will probably help a little.  My husband says that he has lost the hearing in his right ear due to me hacking away in the car. This makes me sad.  

In the kitchen..we are going to have left over Turkey Tacos tonight.
I am wearing...black Levi's with a multicolored blouse and blue slippers.
I am creating...a pedigree chart on the LDS new Family Tree site for our family and our ancestors. 
I am going..this evening to a soccer game that our grandson, Jonathan is playing in. We are also going to a wedding reception for a girl in our ward. .
I am wondering...if I will ever get caught up on all of the different projects that I have. I swear I will need to live until I am hundred to get everything done on my list.
I am reading...I am still reading "21 Days Closer to Christ" by Emily Freeman and Simon Dewey. There is a 21 day challenge. I think instead of 21 days it is going to take me 21 months.The pictures by Simon Dewey in the book are breath taking. I love her writings. I actually have two more of her books I haven't read yet.

I am almost through with  "To The Rescue", the Autobiography of our present day Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I still marvel at what a wonderful man he is. He is so real and has such a compassionate heart for all people. He is so Christlike in everything he does. He is always serving and lifting others.
Here are a few quotes of his: "Kneel down to pray, step up to serve, and reach out to rescue". "Our homes are to be more than sanctuaries; they should also be places where God's spirit can dwell, where the storm stops at the door, where love reigns and peace dwells." "Never postpone a prompting." "No...sincere, prayerful effort will go unanswered: that is the very consititution of the philosopy of faith. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it...He who notes the Sparrow's fall will, in His own way, achnowledge us." " May you love and serve God. May you also love your fellowman. May you have peace within your hearts and contentment within your souls."

I am almost through with The Book of Mormon. When I have completed it; I will start reading it all over again. I marvel at how I learn many new things each time I read this powerful book of scriptures.

I am hoping...to start doing some spring cleaning of my home. It really needs what I call a good deep cleaning. I will probably have to divide up the cleaning into tasks that only take a couple of hours a day instead of a full day of housework. It will take at least a month to get it all done.

I am looking forward to...going to an award ceremony for my grandson, Jackson on Saturday. He won an art contest and placed 3rd in the State competition. Afterwards we are heading up to Sugar City Idaho for our grandson, Ethan's birthday and Ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday.

I am learning....to let go of some of my daily worries. I can't solve all the problems that come under my radar. I just have to turn the worries over to the Lord. I can't solve them without His help. I pray for the wisdom to hear and know what to do with some of the struggles I am having right now in my family. Sometimes, I feel depressed about it all. At those moments I just pray and I do feel peace and that Heavenly Father and the Savior know the deep feelings of my heart. I love each of the members of our family and I really want "No Empty Chairs" in Heaven.

One of my guilty pleasures.... is Popcorn. I love to make Popcorn. I think it is a hereditary kind of thing. My mother always made a lot of popcorn, especially when I had friends over. She and my Aunt Della told me that my grandfather loved to make popcorn too.
Around the house....it is very quiet today. My husband went into his work today. He normally works at home. I really miss him; it seems too quiet. Our poor Sammy is so sad when he isn't here. He jumps up on the back of the couch and just waits all day for him to come home. Sammy is very depressed today; he so loves my hubby.

I am pondering....upon Mother's Day. I have been feeling a little down. When Mother's Day comes I really find myself missing my Mom. I hope she is near and knows how much I love and miss her. It is so hard to lose a parent and the hurt never really goes away. She is always in my thoughts. There are so many moments when I am in a pickle and just wish I could call her on the phone and tell her my struggles. She was a wise, loving and giving mother.

A favorite quote for today....

Something new about me...is that I love Tomato Soup and Cheese on Bread in the Oven. Mind you that is what my mother called a toasted cheese sandwich. This is one of my comfort foods. We haven't had Tomato Soup for a while until recently. I can tell when I am a little bit down because I want to have my comfort foods. Of course, I always have chocolate as my number one comfort food.

A pet peeve....is there is never enough time each day to complete what I think is important.

I have been practising the piano more and I hate when I don't have enough time in the day to do that. I know priorities are the problem; which is also irritating. I am just not getting it all together.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Thursday, a visit to my Aunt Della and I will be taking her to the doctor. She has been in Rehabilitation Care Center for about two months. She was getting ready to go back to her assisted living place on this last Monday; but she developed a bursitis in her shoulder. This will impede her progress. I feel so sad for her and she has been in a lot of pain. She will be 100 years old in September and has such a memory. I sometimes question why after that many years someone has to endure more pain in their lives. I know that it is just life; but I feel sad for her. I really love her so much and she has inspired me in so many ways.

Friday will be a routine day. I will be making up a schedule for temple training on Saturday. I have two new sisters to train and one that is fairly new and then two that are close to being finished.

Saturday will be the Temple, the award program for our Grandson, Jackson and then driving up to Sugar City for our Grandson Ethan's 12th birthday.

Sunday will be church and then our Grandson's Ethan's Ordination to the Priesthood. We will then be driving home.

A peek into my day...

Our Sammy ~

 

 Be sure to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself!

Courage For Such A Time As This~

I love to read and usually have a novel and a couple of other books of various topics that I am working on. Through the years I have identified often with the characters of the books and learned great lessons from their life experiences. I have loved reading about historical woman and have quickly gained a new understanding of the trials they have faced and the courage they exhibited throughout life.

I have found courageous woman in the scriptures. To name some in the Old Testament would be: Mother Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Hanna, Naomi, Ruth, and many others. In the New Testament we find; Anna, Elisabeth, Mary the mother of the Savior, Mary, Martha and again so many other valiant woman. In the Book of Mormon we find Sariah, Nephi's Wife, Mothers of the 2060 Stripling Warriors, Queen Lamoni, and Abish; these were woman of great faith. Our pioneer heritage is full of stories of pioneer woman during the days of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ such as; Emma, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith; Joseph Smith's Mother, Lucy; Mary, the wife of Hyrum Smith. The list seems endless with so many that sacrificed so much. They left homes, family and loved ones and passed through searing fires of adversity to re-settle in the Salt Lake Valley where they could experience religious freedom. There are several of my own ancestors among those valiant and courageous woman.

I once read the Book entitled: Mary Fielding Smith. She crossed the plains with her children after her husband, Hyrum Smith, died a Martyr at Carthage jail. Her story was so compelling that for years when I would get into a tough spot I would say to myself; "if Mary Fielding Smith can do it; I can do".

As a Hospice Home Health Nurse I served many patients who quickly became friends and though their lives had a limited time remaining, they fully lived each day with courage.
One night I sat in a Hospital room with a very dear friend who was dying and leaving her six children and a wonderful husband. I heard her talking to an unseen person, telling them she couldn't leave her children and begged to have more time with them. My heart broke as I listened to just her side of the conversation. I knew then that she had loving family members from the spirit world preparing her to enter into that next phase of her existence. How I loved her for her courageous fight.

Even more precious are the stories of my own family and children. Our oldest daughter nearly lost her two week old baby due to a heart condition. Later she experienced the loss of a late term still born son. She suffered through a brief period of depression. Today she is a strong and faithful woman that came through these experiences with great a testimony of faith.
Our younger daughter also has faced a tubal pregnancy, severe digestive problems that required surgery. She has experienced considerable pain and discomfort but through it all, she has gained a new insight in to her own growing faith.

Our son and daughter in law nearly lost an infant daughter. They could do little more than watch and wait as this sweet little one suffered endless pain, discomfort and trauma. Not knowing if she would live or die; they remained strong and true to their faith. They fasted and prayed as healing blessings were given, and in time, this little angel pulled through. The affliction left her blind and developmentally challenged yet she displays her own strength of faith each day with amazing gifts and musical talents. It is humbling to observe our children face this struggle with continued faith and courage, knowing someday through the Grace of Christ, she will be whole again. For now, she brings great joy into our lives.

We have been on the sidelines praying diligently for our children who have faced job losses, career changes, work injustices, independent children and, financial reversals. I pray constantly for them to have the courage to face these obstacles with hope and faith sufficient to endure it all.

Today I live among many whose lives express courage and fortitude. So many of my friends are experiencing life’s battles, one is fighting cancer and recently completed a stem cell transplant that will take 100 days to learn for sure if it has beat the cancer. She faces this challenge with faith, hope and a knowledge that God is in charge and through Him, all will be well.

Some of my friends have wayward children and grandchildren, marriage difficulties, financial concerns, work struggles and the list goes on. I notice how they continue faithfully to love the Lord, follow His counsel and continue to endure their tailored life experiences. In turn, their examples help me to walk my own path of faith more firmly.

In my daily experiences, I observe incredible woman of faith who have risen up to face their strongest challenges with great faith, hope and courage in a loving Savior who stands ready to encircle us in his arms with the love and peace we need.
I believe that like Esther of old, we are here for such a time as this.
"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14.
Enjoy this video on courage~ The Question Is; How Have You Shown Courage?

Just Believe~

 This young girl, Jackie Evancho is amazing. The words to the song are inspiring. Enjoy!



Before I lay me down to rest
I ask the Lord one small request
I know I have all I could need
But this prayer is not for me
Too many people on this day
Don't have a peaceful place to stay
Let all fighting cease that your children may see peace
Wipe their tears of sorrow away

(chorus)
To believe in a day
When hunger and war will pass away
To have the hope amidst despair
That every sparrow's counted
That you hear each cry and listen to each prayer

Let me try always to believe
That we can hear the hearts that grieve
Please help us not ignore
The anguished cries of the poor
Or their pain will never leave

(chorus )
To believe in a day
When hunger and war will pass away
To have the hope amidst despair
That every sparrow's counted
That you hear their cries and listen to each prayer

(spoken prayer)
Father, as you see, I'm just a child
And there's so much to understand
But if Your Grace should surround me
Then I'll do the best I can
I promise, I'll do the very best I can

(chorus plus)
To believe in a day
When hunger and war will pass away
To have the hope amidst despair
That every sparrow's counted
That you hear each cry and listen to each
Prayer {Hear each cry and listen to each prayer}
Help us do Your will oh Father
In the name of all that's true
And we'll see in one another
The loving image of You

This is a time to believe and know that we have a loving Heavenly Father

who loves us all and hears and answers each prayer~

In The Midst Of A Gloomy Day -"Be Of Good Cheer"~

 

Last evening I had an interesting conversation with one of my daughters. She has had several issues with her health in recent years. She realizes that through these trials, her testimony of the Savior has grown. However, she mentioned she occasionally wonders if she’s being punished for some past mistake or poor decision. Rest assured that this young woman has a righteous heart; but like all of us, sometimes question why we have to go through so many difficulties in life. I reminded her that God does not deal in the negative. God loves us and wants the best for us. He is fully invested in our happiness. Nevertheless we are here on earth to learn and grow from chastenings and challenges as well as accolades and achievements that we might learn of Christ and come closer to Him. There is purpose in our moments of misery. It seemed easy enough to tell her this, but in the reality of life, I don't always walk the talk. I too have my own moments of "why this; why me, why now".

Just this morning I awoke with a feeling of sadness. Most of my children live great distances from me and I miss seeing each of them. I have several grandchildren that I am not able to be near or to enjoy. Each of my children has his or her share of problems and difficulties – which causes me to worry. In addition, I find our Inner City Mission daunting at times. The people we serve struggle with complex problems that are not easy to change. Life is challenging for us all. When I look at others I recognize that everyone is subject to the difficult trials of life. That is a fact we share in common. Those experiencing those rare moments of peace realize that doesn’t last very long. Our purpose is to experience all that life might offer and to learn from each adventure.

 This morning began with snow and drizzling rain; I felt a cloud envelop my soul. As the morning progressed the news became intense with the report of bombings at the Boston Marathon. There were a few killed and several injured. When such violent situations happen; my heart goes out to those families that are affected. We are living in a world of turmoil; peace has been taken from our earth. Such events multiply our anxieties. We can't run or hide from them because they are foretold and part of the last days.

 As I turned to my daily study of the Book of Mormon I opened the study workbook and found the following thoughts by Elder Neil A. Maxwell from a talk He gave in October Conference, 1982 entitled; "Be of Good Cheer". "We are living in a time in which we shall see things both wonderful and awful. There is no way that we can be a part of the last days and have it otherwise. Even so, we are instructed by our Lord Exemplar, Jesus Christ, to "be of good cheer." (D&C 61:36; D&C 78:18.)"

 "The Savior again said , "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).

"Jesus calls up on us to have deliberate trust in God's unfolding purposes, not only for all humankind, but for us individually, and we are to be of good cheer in the unfolding process."

"We likewise live in a time when the love of many will wax cold. (See D&C 45:27). Fear will therefore increase. Why? Because when men fear, it is because we are not perfect in love. (See 1 John. 4:18.) The less love, the more fear-as well as the more war! As with Paul, however, we may be perplexed, but we are not in despair. (See 2 Cor. 4:18.) For if we are prepared spiritually, we need not fear. (See D&C 38:30)."

"To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter, to be true even when we feel forsaken -all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate, divine tutorials which God gives us-because He loves us. (See Mosiah 3:19.) These learning experiences must not be misread as divine indifference. Instead, such tutorials are a part of divine unfolding."

 To myself and my daughter I will say: In the mist of the gloominess trust in Heavenly Father and His plan for us. President Brigham Young once said: "Learn to be "righteous in the dark." There will be dark days as Elder Neil A. Maxwell also said; "These are our days. This is our time on earth! These are our tasks to be done. And in these days, being of good cheer is part of being valiant in the testimony of Jesus. (See D&C 76:79; D&C 121:29)."

 May we all "Be of Good Cheer" because our Redeemer has overcome the world."