? Five Minute Saturday!

 I do not want to ever forget the last wonderful two weeks!
There was once a book that I read that was called: "A Day Late, A Dollar Short And It's OK". So I was thinking about doing a blog called Five Minute Friday and I didn't get too it. I was wondering if it was OK  today to do Five Minute Saturday instead.
I just arrived home last night from Idaho Falls after spending 5 days with three of my precious Grandchildren, Christian 12, Taylor Jo, 10 and Averi 9 years old. I had such a good time with all of them. The great part of the visit was that the upstairs TV wouldn't work; so we spent a lot of time just talking, laughing and just enjoying the chit chat of talking with pre-teen children. Averi, who is nine years old is blind and she had Therapists come in each day and help her to get ready for school. They were teaching her how to dress herself, put her lunch in her backpack and make her bed. They are also working with her on eating.She had had a very hard time with eating due to the trauma of having a trach and feeding tubes for 5 months when she was in the PICU at Primary Children's Hospital. She is now holding the spoon full of food and they were working on teaching her to scoop the food out.  The miracle was when I was feeding her and I left her for a few moments and she scooped out her own food and ate it. This is a huge step for her. It was liking watching your 1 year learn how to walk. We all clapped for her and she was excited about it too.
The week before I was in Idaho, I was up in Spokane Washington caring for my youngest daughter who just had surgery and her sweet family. Her children are Michael 11, Sarah 10, Kaitlyn 7 and William 5. Again these are so awesome grandchildren and I had such a good time with them too. They were still in school so I didn't have them as much; but I did take care of William and that boy is in constant motion. He is so smart and he kept coming up with the darn est thoughts. Anyway, when he is around you can't stop smiling.
Each of these sweet grandchildren I find that they are intelligent, creative, talented and they are forming other great qualities. It was a joy to care for them all.
I am home now and ready for a long nap. 

 This pictures are not included in the Five time -

Sarah 10, Michael 11, William 5, Kaitlyn 7

Christian 12 - Preparing Averi's food

Taylor Jo 10

Averi 9, Feeding herself

Averi

Got five minutes? Here’s a great way to spend them.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat without editing your voice.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Pony up the comment love for the five minuter who linked up before you.

I love reading what you write – it’s five minute art that lasts a lifetime. And it gives me a chance to give one of you a little somethin’ somethin’ from DaySpring, who I love more than cotton candy!

Coincidence or Providence?

 I often hear individuals talk about running into a dear friend they have not seen for a long time. They renew their friendship and their lives are blessed. Is this just a coincidence; I think not! My husband and I moved back to Utah 5 years ago after many years of living in three other states. A short while after being here I found out that one of my dearest friends was moving back to Utah. We hadn't communicated very much through the years; usually just a Christmas card.We are now just a few miles away. We have renewed our friendship and our lives have been deeply blessed. She has been there for me and I have been there for her during some difficult challenges that we have both faced. 
I have had moments when I know beyond doubt that my prayers were heard and a Tender Mercies Of the Lord was given.
We all receive these  but sometimes we do not recognize them as such. Since thinking about tender mercies; I have become more aware of these moments in my life. 
Here is a sweet story told by Gerald Lund in his book Divine Signatures - The Confirming Hand of God on pg. 195-97
"Ellen Breakell lived in Preston, England. She and her husband Alexander Neibaur, were some of the first converts in England when Heber C. Kimball came in 1837. As the call came for the Saints to immigrate to America, the Neibaurs responded and came with the first company, arriving in Nauvoo in 1841.
After they arrived in Nauvoo that fall, Brother Neibaur set up a dental practice. When the church was enduring a new wave of persecution in 1845 and Brigham Young called on the Saints to prepare to leave the following spring and head west, the Neibaurs responded again. They sold all they had to finance an outfit-wagon, livestock, food, and equipment - to go west. They went to Winter Quarters and stayed there for more than a year while the first pioneer companies went west. The next spring 1848, the Neibaurs once again sold everything they had in order to continue west. This left no money for trail-worthy boots or shoes, so Ellen crossed the plains with her feet wrapped in rags. 
They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in the fall of 1848. conditions in the Valley were very difficult and for the next eight years there was still little money for anything other than necessities. Not until 1856 did Ellen save enough money to send off to a mail-order house for a pair of high button shoes .
  

and she knit herself a pair of stockings. One can only imagine what a joy it must have been for her - and women will probably appreciate that more than us men.
Though it is not specified exactly when the shoes arrived, it was not long before the October General Conference of that year. That proved to be a momentous conference. On Sunday, October 5, Brigham Young stood up and announced that they had just learned there were two more handcart companies out on the plains and that the Saints had to go rescue them. Brigham called for wagons, teams, food, blankets, and clothing, including shoes, from the Saints to be sent with the rescue wagons. In an inspiring example of covenant and sacrifice. Ellen gave her new pair of shoes and the stockings to the rescue effort. 
After all of those years of going without, Ellen sent off her shoes with the rescuers. Here, in her granddaughter's words, is what followed:

"Customarily, the Saints in the Valley lined the streets to welcome the weary companies as they entered Salt Lake. You can imagine as Ellen stood on the street that day to greet the beleaguered handcart pioneers, was she watching faces, or was she watching feet to see whose footstep she had lightened? Much to her surprise, when she recognized her shoes, she also realized that the woman wearing those shoes was a dear friend of hers from England who had joined the Church after Ellen had left her native country. Through her sacrifice,she had unknowingly helped to rescue the life of her dear friend."

Through the years I have had many wonderful friends and treasure our friendships. Many of these friends I feel were my friends in the pre-existence. They are my sisters and our meeting and becoming friends was not a coincidence. They have all brought great blessings into my life.
I know this was not a  coincidence but Providence.


Iam so grateful for the gift of friends and tender mercies from the Lord.

 

A Prophet's Telephone Call To Me !

President Gordan B. and Sister Margorie Pay Hinckley

 I received a surprise telephone call on March 27th, 2001. The story of this call was recorded in my personal journal.  I haven’t really talked about this call except for when I have felt the spirit direct me to do so. It was a sacred moment to me and I will always treasure those few minutes when I was able to talk with a Prophet of the Lord. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ; we believe  in  A Living Prophet Today.

 Our beloved Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away on January 27th 2008. It now seems to be a more appropriate time to write about this  event in my life.  It was around 8 am on March 27th 2001 that I received this memorable telephone call. The person on the line introduced himself and asked if I was Sister LeAnn Williams.  After answering, Yes; The person on the line then said that President Hinckley wanted to talk with me. President Gordon B. Hinckley was then the Prophet of the Church of  Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of the individuals that I shared this with have asked if I really thought at first that it was the Prophet. I totally knew through the spirit that it was. When President Hinckley came on the line he asked me how I was doing. At that point I was almost too overwhelmed to speak.  I told him I was doing well which I was; who wouldn't be. He then told me that he had just recently been on a trip and had stopped to refuel their plane on the Island of  Aruba. While there he decided to meet with the missionaries that were serving in that area. At that time my daughter Jenni-Marie was serving as a missionary for the church in Venezuela and assigned to work in the city of Aruba. He told me that he had met Sister Williams and her companion and visited with them. He said that she was doing well on her mission and enjoying the work. He reassured me that although she was on this small Island that she was safe and I should not be concerned for her welfare. I then asked him if he knew whose granddaughter she was and he replied, no.  I then explained that she was LaMar Williams’ granddaughter. My father in law LaMar Williams had worked under President Hinckley in the Missionary department for over 30 years. He was happy to know that and he was a little emotional in his response. The conversation was brief but very meaningful to me.  I could hardly believe that the President of our church whose membership at that time was over 11 million members would call me up to reassure me that my daughter was doing well. I didn’t for even  a second think I was the only one singled out for a call. But, I did feel blessed that he would take a few minutes of his time and actually make this reassuring call to me.

After this call ended I started to cry. You could say I was totally blown away.I was just so surprised and my emotions were so indescribable.  Of course the first person I wanted to share this with was my dear husband. He was driving to work at the time and was on the freeway. I told him to pull over and then I related my telephone conversation. He was as excited as I was.

The rest of the day I basked in the spirit. I didn’t want the world to come crushing in on me. I spent time marveling at the blessing this was. I recorded it in my journal. I shared it with my parents, brothers and children. After that I have only shared  this experience on a few occasions.

Later on while reading the book; "Margorie Pay Hinckley - Letters", I found that she would often go on trips with President Hinckley and whenever they had a meeting with a small group of missionaries; she would talk with them and find out information on their parents. When she arrived home she would call some of the parents. I just loved the thought that Pres. Hinckley would follow up on this practice that his wife had started.

At April conference that year, President Hinckley mentioned that he had stopped in Aruba and said he had visited with the missionaries. He stated that there were two young women that were beautiful and happy.

One of those beautiful young women was our Jenni-Marie. Just think about the fact that Our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ know our names. I know this to be true. I smile at the thought that for just a moment in time the Prophet knew my daughter’s name and mine. 
This was a wonderful event in my life that I will always feel loved and blessed to have talked with the Prophet. 

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 2011

FOR TODAY- May 13th 2011

Take a moment and drop by and enjoy other Simple woman Daybook entries here: http://thesimplewoman'sdaybook.blogspot.com/

Outside my window… there is sunshine in my soul today! Sun is shining, sunbeams are flitting about and it is a very beautiful spring day.

I am thinking... It has been a while since I have done a Daybook Entry. I always enjoy reading other Daybook entries.
I am thankful for...that my daughter is out of surgery and should go home this afternoon. I am flying up on Sunday to Spokane to stay a few days and help her with my adorable grandchildren. The following week I will be going to Idaho to take care of three more of my sweet grandchildren; it's a busy month. 
 I am looking forward this weekend to being instructed on what we will be doing as newly called Part-time Inner City Missionaries. We have waited for this call for about 3 months. Our papers got lost; but then found so off we go on a new experience. There have been a couple of Tender Mercies on this experience.
From the learning rooms...I need to finish reading in the Book of Mormon: Mosiah 1-6 before our training starts tomorrow. This is the wonderful writings about King Benjamin’s message to his people.
From the kitchen…I have no plans for dinner. I think it might be pick up a pizza night at Papa Murphy’s. I love their light Artichoke Chicken Pizza.
I am wearing...a light green bathroom and white slippers. The room is very warm so I need to get dressed for the day.
I am creating...a notebook to take to our meetings tomorrow and I am going to work on a new method of studying my scriptures. I may need to get some new scriptures soon; my present ones have been over used and I need to start anew.
I am going...to be in prayer mode most of the day. My dearest husband has had over 3 months worth of work stress. He is working at home today and he has some deadlines to meet and he is struggling with finding some answers that he needs in about an hour. The people who can answer his questions have all gone to lunch. I mentioned to him that he needed to open his mind to the spirit while on the conference call. He replied that he hoped his guardian angel today was a Business Analyst; he is concerned it might be a repairman.
I am reading...”Divine Signatures” by Gerald Lund. I highly recommend this one. The book is basically about looking into your life and finding the moments when you know that the Lord has answered your prayers and you have received a tender Mercy. I have a post on the subject of Tender Mercies of The Lord.
I am also reading “Messiah” by Toni Sorenson. It is a novel about the Savior’s visit to the America’s as recorded in the Book of Mormon.
I am hoping...today to catch up on my journal and perhaps work on my Aunt Della’s history. She broke her hip several weeks ago and is now recovering at a rehab center. She has lost a lot of weight so I am worried about her. She is 97 years old and I want to complete her history before she passes. She is like a second mother to me so I am having a hard time thinking about losing her.
I am hearing...cars going by and birds chirping outside and my husband busy typing away on his computer and of course I am doing that too.
Around the house...I am anxious to get our patio furniture out so I can sit outside and read a good book and watch our dogs chase each other around.
One of my favorite things...is to curl up in a chair and read my novel and now I can do that outside. Yeah!!
A few plans for the rest of the week: I won’t be working in the temple on Saturday’s for the next too week; so that is sad. This weekend will basically be learning about our new calling and packing for my trip to Spokane.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


Our Precious Great Granddaughter - Jadyn



Labourers In His Vineyard -

I know at times that I feel tired and wonder if all that I labor to do is of any worth. Sometimes, I get so busy with everyday concerns that I neglect the better things. I wonder sometimes if I am going in the right direction. Am I giving my all to my husband, family and the gospel of Jesus Christ? Am I serving my fellowmen the way the Savior would have me do? Am I enduring to the end?
 Luke 10: 2; Jesus taught the following:  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.  

Doctrine and Covenants 33: 3; For behold, the field is white already to harvest; and it is the eleventh hour, and the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard.

This is our day, are we worthy of his hire? Are we prepared to serve him with all of our heart, might, mind and strength? This is the last time he will send labourers into his vineyard.
During a recent Temple preparation meeting one of the sisters told a parable that I would like to share. 

The Parable of the Stake President

A Stake President had been released after 10 years of service. He had faithfully served through the years in several leadership positions such as Scout Master, Young Men's President, High Priest Group Leader and a Bishop. His life had been one of service.
After his release he said to his wife; "I think I would like to take a fishing trip." This was something he had always loved to do; but hadn't been able to do very often. He soon went out and bought himself a new boat and trailer.
General Conference was scheduled for the next week end; so he rationalized that this would be the best time to go. He told his wife that he would listen to the conference sessions on the radio while fishing. He also stated that he would relax on the Sabbath day and enjoy listening to the sessions and enjoy his surroundings. He asked his wife if she would like to go with him; which she declined.
He got up early on Friday and headed out to his favorite fishing spot. When he arrived he set up his camp, took his boat down to the lake and started fishing. He really enjoyed the evening and the next morning he again left his camp to go down and fish. He was having so much fun that he continued to fish all day both Saturday and Sunday. He was so busy relaxing as he fished that he didn't take the time to listen to the conference sessions on his radio. He thought to himself he could always read the conference messages later. 
As he prepared to go home on Monday he was feeling so good and had really enjoyed this break away from his usual everyday life.
The drive back towards his home was pleasant and he enjoyed the scenery.
As he came over the hill towards his home; he looked down and all he could see was a gigantic hole in the ground and the only home standing was his own. He raced forward to his home and there taped to  the door was a note that said: Sorry, we couldn't wait any longer; we had to leave; signed Enoch.

We all chuckled of course, but there is a message there. We must endure to the end and never give up doing good works. I have pondered on this message and know that I want to be a good labourer in the kingdom of God.

Just a side note; my husband and I have received a call to be part -time Intercity Missionaries. We are excited to have this opportunity and look forward serving in this area. I will keep you updated on our experiences while serving in this calling.

Here is a link for an article that I submitted to the Mormon Women site; entitled A Mormon Grandmother's Thoughts -
http://mormonwoman.org/2011/05/10/motherhood-matters-day-9-learning-from-other-mothers/

A Tribute To All The Special Mother's In My Life~

Motherhood is
The purest joy the heart can feel,

The strongest bond that love can seal,

The deepest truth that life can teach,

The greatest height the the soul can reach.
-Flora S. Horne

My Mother

My Mother was one of the kindest most giving woman that I know. She did so many wonderful things for me through the years that even now I am sad that I didn't appreciate her like I should have. Some of the unique things that she did was to repaint my bedroom furniture everytime I went to camp. She made almost all of my school clothes and prom dresses throught the years.

She made my Wedding Dress and a beautiful white dress to wear after the temple. She came to help me with everyone of my six children when they were born.

While growning up she was always there for me. She held me when I cried, she listened to all my heartbreaks, she attended all of the functions that involved me. The list would or should be endless. I loved her so much and miss her always. I don't think there is a day that goes by that I don't miss my Mom. When I have a sad moment; I often wish she was here to call.
Thanks you Mother for being the sweetest Mom of all!

My Mother Nyal

I loved my husbands mother very much. I always called her Mom. I first met her when I was a Junior in High School. Roger took me over to their home to meet her. She was recovering from surgery at that time and was lying on her bed. She had a large cast from her mid back down to her hips. She looked so uncomfortable. I felt so sad to see her under these circumstances. She had poor health for years, but through blessings and prayers she was able to serve three missions with her dear husband. One as the Mission President over the Baton Rouge, Louisana mission. They also served a mission to Nigeria and an Intercity mission with the Vietmense branch in Salt Lake City. She also faithfully served as an ordiance worker in the Salt Lake Temple.

She always treated me with the upmost kindess, that was her nature. I have so many loving memories of her. I loved to visit with her as she would share so many thoughtful and wise thoughts. She was a delight to be around and was always busy serving others. She was a great example to me of a faithful sister in the gospel.

              HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO OUR SIX DAUGHTERS
Three of our daughters are our daughter in laws, but we don't use that term because to us they are all our daughters. We hope you all have a wonderful day. I am sure your husbands will treat you as the royal daughters of God that you are. May your children surround you with love on this sweet day. We are grateful for the good mothers you are and for the great example you are as righteous mothers of Zion. This isn't an easy world to raise children in and we appreciate that you are raising your children, "our grandchildren" to love their Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We also wish a Happy Mother's day to our Granddaughter in law, Jessica who is married to our Grandson Jed. She has blessed our lives in so many ways.

They have had our first great granddaugher. Jessica is such a sweet mother and they have another little one due in October.


Mary with the boys

Amanda with her children

Amber with her children

Christina with her family

Jenni-Marie with her children

Tiffani with her children


Jessica with baby Jadyn

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF MY BLOGGING FRIENDS

May your families spoil you.

May you know how much you have enriched my life
 by the many interesting thoughts
you have expressed in your writings.

It has been a joy to read and love you all.

As I always say -" Blessings to you!"

I Am A Grandma and Great Grandma!

Here I am in February 2010 holding my very first little great grand baby, Jadyn. What a sweet gift from heaven. At that time I felt so thrilled to be holding her. What is more precious than a new little one who has just left Heavenly Father and all of her "pre-earth life" friends. Has she been waiting for her turn on earth for a long time. Perhaps her spirit could even be older and wiser than mine. Did she choose to come to her family or did they choose to have her in their family? All I know of course is that she is mine in a very unique way. She belongs to our family. She will forever be part of our posterity. I will hope to see her as she progresses through her own earth life experiences.
I find that being a grandmother and great grandmother just feels right somehow. I have earned these moments. This is my time to just sit back relax and enjoy every single second that I have with each and every one of my them. I don't have to be the mother anymore. I have paid the price to be a grandmother. Of course, I will be worried here and there, but that is all part of the package of experiences.
I remember well the minute I first became a mother. It as so exhilarating. I was holding in my arms a true gift better than any other present ever received. These brand new little ones were mine. Each child that blessed our home would be our own children forever. Each would take their place in our family. These treasured moments between my dear husband and I were sacred and sweet.
 We were so happy as we welcomed into our home each of our 6 children. We knew that this was a huge responsibility to care for them. We knew that they were cherished gifts from a very loving Heavenly Father. I still could tell you details of each of their births and the feelings of that day. I remember that with our first little one that I was petrified to give him a bath. He was so slippery. My dear Mother was with me and she talked me through it. I in turn have been with my children when they have brought home a new little one for the first time and it is has been my turn to talk them through it.
As a mother you just feel such a responsibility. You want to do everything right. However, as time marches on you see that won't always hold true.
You desire to be a perfect mother or father, but we all will make mistakes and goodness knows I made plenty. I just know that the most important ingredient is to love these little ones with all your heart. I reflect back on all the experiences of being a parent and feel that I did the best I knew how. I love each and everyone of my beloved children with a deep and constant love that will weather any storm. I feel so pleased with all that they are accomplishing as they become part of the circle of generations.
Now I sit and ponder on this new generational line. Thirty adored grandchildren have blessed our lives. I am enthralled with each one of them. I see their potential and I am at wonderment at how intelligent they all are.
These children are a chosen generation. They will be part of the final days of this earth. They will fight valiantly for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I desire that there be "No Empty Chairs" at our table in the Celestial Kingdom; that is our family motto. We will constantly pray for, love and tenderly care for each of these special spirits that have blessed the homes of our children and grandchildren. 
I have held in reserve all the memories that have touched my soul through the years of raising children. The experiences have been varied and unique to each child.
I am happy now to just be a grandma and make all those cookies, and  give all those hugs and loves to my cherished gifts from Heaven. 



Our Cherished Grandsons



Our Precious Granddaughters



Our adored Great Grand baby Jadyn


Enjoy other Motherhood articles on  A Wise Woman Builds Her Home




Enjoy other inspirational writings on Woman of Noble Character

Worry!

Often when I tell someone that I have 6 married children, 30 grandchildren and one great grandchild; they sometimes are amazed. I usually reply that they are all blessings in my life; but I admit that it gives me many more children to worry about.

While raising our children, I read so many books on how to raise children. Many of them contradicted one another. One thought that rings true in most of the books is that each of your children will have unique personalities and will cause different worries. Therefore the larger the family the more variety of personalities and concerns.

As my husband and I visit our families we note that all of our children have at least one or perhaps two children that are very much like them in personality.

For those children that caused our greatest worries; we smile at each other and know exactly what is going to happen. We haven't been wrong yet. It seems deserving somehow.

Yesterday, I had to smile at a face book entry between my son and his daughter. My granddaughter wrote; "Cause I'm all about him him him him him, and he's all about me me me me me, and we don't give a dang dang dang dang dang about nobody-e-e-e :)" My son replied; "Now that we got that straight...get you room clean clean clean.....LOL". I commented; " Oh granddaughter, when your dear Dad said; "clean, clean your room" is like music to my ears. He finally gets it; if you know what I mean. Love to you all.

So dear children when you see your parents smiling it because of Worry!!

WORRY

Is there an imaginary cutoff period when

Offspring become accountable

For their own actions?

Is there some wonderful moment when

Parents can become detached spectators in

The lives of their children and shrug,

"It's their life", and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties,

I stood in a hospital corridor

Waiting for doctors to put a few stitches

In my son's head and I asked,

'When do you stop worrying?'

The nurse said,

'When they get out of the accident stage..'

My Parents just smiled faintly

And said nothing.

When I was in my thirties,

I sat on a little chair in a classroom

And heard how one of my children

Talked incessantly, disrupted the class,

And was headed for a career

Making license plates.

As if to read my mind, a teacher said,

'Don't worry, they all go through this stage

And then you can sit back,

Relax and enjoy them.'

My Parents just smiled faintly

And said nothing.

When I was in my forties,

I spent a lifetime waiting

For the phone to ring,

The cars to come home,

The front door to open.

A friend said,

'They're trying to find themselves.

'Don't worry!

In a few years, they'll be adults.

'They'll be off on their own

They'll be out of your hair'

My Parents just smiled faintly

And said nothing.

By the time I was 50,

I was so tired of being vulnerable.

I was still worrying over my children,

But there was a new wrinkle..

Even though they were on their own

I continued to anguish over their failures,

Be tormented by their frustrations and

Absorbed in their disappointments..

And there was nothing I could do about it.

My Parents just smiled faintly

And said nothing.

My friends said that

When my kids got married

I could stop worrying

And lead my own life.

I wanted to believe that,

But I was haunted by My Parents' warm smiles

And their occasional,

'You look pale. Are you all right' ?

'Call me the minute you get home'.

Are you depressed about something?

My friends said that

When I became a Grandparent

That I would get to enjoy

The happy little voices yelling

Grandma! Grandpa!

And now I find that I worry

Just as much about the little ones

As my big ones.

How does anyone cope
With all this Worry?

Can it be that parents are sentenced

To a lifetime of worry?

Is concern for one another

Handed down like a torch

To blaze the trail of human frailties

And the fears of the unknown?

Is concern a curse or is it

A virtue that elevates us

To the highest form of earthly creation?

Recently, one of my own children

Became quite irritable, saying to me,

'Where were you?

I've been calling for 3 days,

And no one answered

I was worried.'

I smiled a warm smile.

The torch has been passed.

- Anne Margaret Eley 

Our children and grandchildren are our greatest blessings and our greatest life learning experiences. While raising children lessons are learned and the circle of life continues. I love the thoughts of enjoy the moments, or enjoy the journey. I am enjoying the moments with my family and enjoying my journey as a Mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Drop by on the Wise Woman Builds Her Home 

 for more thoughts on being a Mother -