The Simple Woman's Daybook - I Received A Tender Mercy Today~

FOR TODAY - May 29, 2013

Outside my window...the sky is gray and we are expecting a rainstorm from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. We will be traveling this afternoon up to Heber City for our Grandson's High School Graduation. I am praying that we won't have to travel in a rainstorm. At least it isn't snowing, that's good.
I am thinking...that I may not be able to complete this Daybook entry before we have to leave for Heber City.  
I am thankful... for a good report today on my mammogram. Two weeks ago I went in to have my yearly mammogram screening. I received a letter a couple of days later that they saw a small area of concern on the mammogram and wanted me to come in and have another one. I was going out of town at that time so I scheduled it for today. I had tried not to worry about it; but the last couple of days my paranoid thoughts came flowing into my mind. I had a similar scare many years ago over some small tumors that were found on my chest x-ray. At that time I had a lymph node biopsy. While in the recovery room my physician visited with me and explained that I had either Hodgkin's Disease or Sarcoidosis. Being a nurse at that time I knew that Hodgkin's Disease wasn't a good diagnosis. That night I planned my funeral and worried about how my husband and our little son would do without me. Luckily, the report came back with a diagnosis of Sarcoidosis; which was more treatable. I received a priesthood blessing and I have never had a problem with it since then.
Through life experiences I have gained great faith in the knowledge that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me. I do have great faith in the Priesthood and it's power to heal.
This time instead of worrying about it too much, I decided to try not to think about it until I found out what it was.  Many of our fears in life are fears of the unknown. We can't help but be concerned when we have these kinds of experiences. Finally last night I decided that if I had a tumor I  would ask my family to fast and pray for me. I would then have a priesthood blessing given to me by my husband and my son, or sons. If it was God's will; I would be healed. I can say without reservation I have the faith to be healed. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for us all. Part of our life experiences is to follow His will for us.
So today I had the repeat mammogram and the area of concern was still there. The Radiologist wanted me to have an Ultrasound. I had to wait for about 1 1/2 hours due to a mix up on my record number. There were three different number. Meanwhile, my husband who was waiting for me was told that I had something show up on the mammogram and they were doing other tests. He was told that he would be invited back when the Radiologist had read the report on the ultrasound. He was finally invited back with me while they did the ultrasound. He was so upset and began to cry because he had been so worried about me.  After the Ultrasound was completed the technician told us that the Radiologist felt it is a cyst and I was told to come back in 6 months for another ultrasound to see if there were any  changes. I do have gratitude today for this good report.
Remember all of you wonderful women out there that it is important to have a yearly mammogram.

I am wearing...brown slacks, light green blouse and beige sandals.
I am going...to my Grandson, Jackson's High School Graduation this afternoon.
I am wondering... how I should dress. In my day we dressed up when attending a graduation program. However, this generation is so casual that I probably won't have to wear a dress.
I am still  reading..."To The Rescue". This book is so inspiring. I haven't been able to find a minute to read lately. If I could read this marvelous book for a couple of hours I could finish it. I have such a strong testimony that President Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet for our day. This book has increased that testimony of him. His sweet wife, Frances Monson passed away recently and my husband and I watched her funeral rebroadcast on Sunday. It was so touching. She was a wonderful woman and I am so sad for him. The pictures of our dear prophet at the funeral were heartbreaking. He looks so sad and she will be missed greatly by him. They had been married for 65 years.
 

 

I have started to read the Book # 5 in a series entitled; "Light and Truth" by Darryl Harris. Again, I haven't been able to read this book either.

 

The only book that I read on a daily basis is "The Book of Mormon" and I am very close to finishing it. As I have stated before; once I finish this book I will start reading it again.This book of history is of a people who fled from Jerusalem in 600 BC and came to this promised land. This book is so compelling that every time I read it I learn new things. I also receive at times revelation for my own life within it's pages. It is a book very relevant for our day. I would say it is the best self-help book and is diffidently a wonderful child rearing manual.

I am hoping....that our drive to Heber will not be in the rain. I hate driving up the canyon to Heber in bad weather. There are a lot of curves that make me nervous.

I am looking forward to...to attending the graduation and being with the family.

I am learning....more patience. I am learning to pace myself more and not think I can do 10 things when in realism I can only do 5 of the things listed on my schedule each day. 

One of my guilty pleasures... is to take a nap once in a while. I haven't done that for a very long time.
Around the house....yesterday was a busy one. We had to get our home in shape for a appraisal and inspection. We are trying to decide if we are going to stay in this home or downsize. Basically, I can't even imagine moving again. We have moved a total of 21 times in the last 45 years. When I look at a moving box I get nauseated. Yes, not a good reaction.
I am pondering....on how to do my daily journaling. Right now I am writing in a journal.I have several volumes of journals both hand written and typed. I think I should read them all because I have forgotten so many things over the years. I need to refresh my memory.

A favorite quote for today....

 

 

Something new about me...I love the color blue. I would love someday to have a light blue and white country kitchen.
A pet Peeve....is waiting for a physician or test appointment. My impatience is very apparent  when I have to wait.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Jackson's graduation, working on Family History, working in the Temple on Saturday and going to church on Sunday.

A peek into my day.... Here is a peek into my trip last week to Prescott, Arizona to see my daughter Jenni and Michael and our grandchildren. I will be doing update post of family activities for May.

Unique Rock formations~

A beautiful sunset~

 

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!

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!