What's In YOUR Cart?

Many, many years ago a sister I admired in our ward was at the grocery store and we bumped into each other.  After saying hello, she perused the contents of my cart and said: "Oh, I just love looking in the carts of people and seeing what they are buying and wondering why they are buying those things.  So many people waste their money on junk."  In my more fragile self-esteem earlier years, I wondered what she saw in my cart that gave her concern, if she thought I wasn't a good shopper or if I was buying something that I shouldn't.   Ever since then I have been more conscious of the fact (and I do it myself) that people check out what is in your shopping cart at the grocery store.  Nowadays with just two of us to cook for we eat pretty healthy and my shopping cart is usually filled with lots of fresh produce and other healthy things and very little that might raise an eyebrow.  But today I needed to run to the grocery store to buy some snacks for our family reunion.  I felt very self-conscious as this was the entire content of my shopping cart!   Fortunately, I didn't run into any one I knew (except MaryAnn and family who helped me know what to get!), but then again after speaking in stake conference there are probably some people who know who I am but I don't know them!  Yikes!  Next time I'll wear this badge:

Thoughts For A Sunday Afternoon!

Speaking of the rising generation in my last post, a young man (who shall remain anonymous) was released from his mission yesterday by Dan.   His mother shared with us part of his last letter home.   "Wow" is all I can say!!!!     The "noble and great ones" are coming down!!





Hello!

This mission is sure to have an impact that stretches into eternity. I am often asked on the streets if I am a student, or if I am here on vacation, or if perhaps I am doing some sightseeing. To each of these questions I always respond with, "No. I am a missionary of Jesus Christ. I am here to serve." Know that there has been nothing in my life up to this point that has brought forth greater satisfaction than being able to declare that. I have been lost in the cause of the Master, spending each and every day preaching the truths that unveil a happier life. I have walked, biked, climbed, driven, and walked some more telling every creature the good news. In the process I have developed a deep love for _________, the ______________ language, my fellow man, my family, and for the Lord. What a blessing it has been! And what a blessing it will continue to be. Although I don't like to accept it, my time is coming to a close. Yet, I look forward with conviction that an ever brighter future awaits. There is much to be done in other parts of the vineyard. My service here may end, but my service elsewhere is about to begin. I could have spent the past two years doing any number of the above assumed inquiries--continued school, studied abroad, toured the world--but instead I chose to follow Christ and "go about doing good." What a testimony it is to me that the weak and simple, a boy from California, could be of use in the Lord's great work. I testify that what I have done is pleasing unto God and that the witness of the Savior I have born is true. He lives. And He has chosen a prophet to guide His church today.

Phew! That felt so good! I only get to testify as a missionary a few more days so I am making them count!
I love you all! See you soon!
Elder ________________

Girl's Camp 2010!

Dan was asked to speak at our Girl's Camp to kick off their testimony meeting.  They also invited us to join them for dinner.    We left Friday afternoon at 3:00 for the 2 hour drive up into the mountains.

Here we are just ready to leave:

We had actually had rain the night before and as we proceeded up into the mountains there were lots of unpredictable looking clouds:

And as we got higher, there was even still lots of snow!

We made it down an almost 5 mile dirt road to Camp Ritchie where there was lots of sunshine and very few clouds.  Everyone thanked us for bringing the sun because they had rain during the night and all morning.

It is in a scenic location in the Sierras right on a lake!

The dinner was fun and they surprised Dan by singing Happy Birthday and presenting him with a cake and candles to blow out:

After "Elbows Off The Table" and lots of others singing, mail call and daily awards, it was time to head down to the campfire area:

Always lots of skits at Girls Camp!

To start off the testimony meeting all of the girls stood and recited Joshua 1:9 and then all the leaders went up and sang a beautiful song to the girls:

After a great message by Dan and about 40-50 testimonies, they finally ended the campfire and we were able to make it home and in bed:

Girl's Camp is surely different from when I went many years ago.  As one person explained it in this analogy, they used to have the camp fun be the ping pong balls in a jar and then they would fill the jar with marbles of spirituality in whatever room was left in the jar.  But now the spirituality is the ping pong balls and the fun is the marbles.   It was very evident in the testimonies of the girls that this was true.  We've been going to Girl's Camp for many years on testimony night.  It seemed earlier the girls spoke "Thank"timonies and talked about their friends and how much they loved everyone. (Which is good!)   But last night most of the girls bore real testimonies and shared amazing experiences that they have had while studying the scriptures or praying. 

We have a great stake, great leaders and great youth! 

Hurray for the rising generation!!

Comfortable At Grandma's!

After a fun time playing with the hose on a hot afternoon, I loved seeing my grandkids relaxing on towels in the family room!

 

Thoughts For A Sunday Afternoon!

This one really made me think about the motives behind all I do:

"There is a vast difference between being good and doing good. Imagine how free we would be if we were able to express our true feelings through our actions rather than restraining our actions

to hide our true feelings?

We should all be striving for a disposition to do no evil, but to do good continually. This isn't a resolve or a discipline; it is a disposition. We do things because we want to, not jut because we know we should. Enos had this experience: (Enos 1:3-6, 9, 11). In other words, Enos had such love for his fellowman that he was now praying for his enemies and even had genuine concern for them. This was not because he thought he should or that he had been commanded, but because he wanted to. He had received a mighty change. His disposition was such that he felt a desire for the welfare of his brethren. He didn't say: "The Lord commanded me to worry about my brethren." He had a disposition to do good rather

than just a discipline of doing good.

Sometimes we overlook the fact that a spiritual transformation or metamorphosis must take place within us. It comes about through grace and by the Spirit of God, although it does not come until we have truly repented and proven ourselves worthy. We can be guilty of being so careful to live the letter of the law that we don't develop our inner spiritual nature and fine-tune our spiritual communication to the point that we may receive sanctification and purification. My conclusion is that we will not be saved by works if those works are not born of a disposition to do good, as opposed to an obligation to do good."

pp. 62-64 Spiritual Plateaus by Glenn L. Pace

Special Blogs to Follow!

I've posted links to two blogs from people in our ward on my sidebar.  I will be following them closely over the next few weeks and thought someone else who looks on my sidebar might want to as well.  The Murdock Family just had their 8 year old son diagnosed with cancer.  He was literally perfectly fine a couple of weeks ago.  Now he is on a heavy chemo regimen with bone marrow transplant, surgery and other scary things in his future.  He is the oldest of five boys.  The youngest is in my Sunbeam class.  They are a wonderful family with a lot of faith!   The Ellison Family has a 12 year old son with a rare liver disorder.  He will probably need a liver transplant.  Right now this young man and his Mom and Dad (and his doctor!) are participating in RAAM=Race Across America, the annual transcontinental bicycle race from the west to east coast of the USA. Athletes from around the world participate in this feat of endurance.   They are doing it to raise awareness of the need for organ donation and their team's name is Team Donate Life.  It is a grueling race that they have been training for for a long time.  The Mom has already been in the hospital for dehydration and they just started the race yesterday!  I will be cheering both families on and thought you might want to join me!

Blogging Friends Save The Day!

I learn a lot from reading all the blogs!  I'm especially thankful today for all the practical advice.  On Monday I needed to take dinner to a family with four very young boys, and I also needed to provide some really delicious refreshments for 20 people at a concert for Family Home Evening. 

I decided to try this recipe for Family Favorite Lasagna from Katie for the young family...

(I knew it would be a success because I took Katie's advice and made a double batch which I tried out on my own grandchildren the day before and they loved it!)

...and this recipe for Mint Brownies from Heidi for the oldsters:

(I knew it would be a success because it has chocolate and mint and more chocolate on top!)

Now everyone thinks I'm amazing cook!  But in reality it's beacause I have amazing blogging friends!

THANKS!!

Making Me Happy... Again!

Has anyone noticed that I LOVE flowers???   They make me feel happy!!!

More Roses have been blooming:

The Gerbera Daisies:

The Asiatic Lilies:

And now the Hyrdrangeas!

Thoughts For A Sunday Evening!

Are you "active" in the Church?

 "Some say “I didn’t learn anything today” or “No one was friendly to me” or “I was offended” or “The Church is not filling my needs.” All those answers are self-centered, and all retard spiritual growth.

In contrast, a wise friend wrote:
"Years ago I changed my attitude about going to Church.  No longer do I go to Church for my sake, but to think of others.  I make a point of saying hello to people who sit alone, to welcome visitors...to volunteer for an assignment.  In short, I go to Church each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and making a positive difference in people's lives.  Consequently, my attendance at Church meetings is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

April 2009 General Conference

And then after Church it's great to see some grandchildren!

Sometimes Hannah and Joshua like to "check something out" of Grandma's toy or book library.  This week they borrowed some old cell phones.  Have fun!

Decoration or Dear Friend?

There was an article in the paper today that said something about decorating with books!  I was excited to read it because I sort of have books as a decorating theme throughout my home.  Maybe I would get some good ideas!    But instead the article was about how books these days are only good for using as decorations:  "Like it or not, books really do harken back to an older time.  They add texture to a room; they add a sense of age to the room. Is this it, the epilogue?  As the Kindle, iPad and other e-readers become increasing popular in the digital age, dog-eared books are no longer simply a tool for transporting literary works.  They've become a decoration." 

So I guess I have filled my home with antiques

But to me they will always be dear friends and like dear friends, they are always welcome in my home!

Our Memorial Day 2010!

He planted!

I picked!

He cleaned and organized in his home office!

I worked in my home office!

He took me to the Davis Arboretum.

I took pictures!

(Just for the record, he took some of them too)

From the Redwood forest...

...to flowering cactus...

...and some wildlife too!

Then he took me here:

And I took him to a shady spot along the Sacramento River--the train was an added bonus!

And then we both had a yummy dinner here!

A very memorable day!