Me and My Daddy!

I got home from work today and a friend had dropped off a gift for me... I opened the card and here is what it said:

Every little girl deserves a wonderful father to love and protect her. I have no doubt that your daddy was such a man, who has created many wonderful memories for you. I hope this little gift will always bring these memories to heart and mind.

When I got home from Utah (the funeral) this was on my front porch... The note says, "Remembering a good Texan and a great man! We love you!

My sweet sister in law made this beautiful watch for me... she made a watch to remind me that this is only for "time", not "eternity".... I WILL see him again!
I wish that I had of taken pictures of the flowers that my friends sent! :(

I really appreciate you all for your sweet words, texts, emails, cards, hugs, etc.... I love you all! Friends are so wonderful!!! THANK YOU!!! I LOVE YOU!

*Lehi's Dream*

This year in Institute I am teaching Book of Mormon. I know you all know the story of Lehi's dream but I want to share a few things that MIGHT be new to you...

Did you know that Father Smith (Joseph Smith Sr.) had a dream VERY similar to that of Lehi's? He had this dream when Joseph the prophet was 6 years old! Let me share this with you... this was taken from from Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother. I am now going to quote Lucy Mack Smith's account of the dream that Father Joseph had in 1811. Watch for similarities between it and Lehi's dream!

"I thought," said he, "I was traveling in an open, desolate field, which appeared to be very barren. As I was thus traveling, the thought suddenly came into my mind that I had better stop and reflect upon what I was doing, before I went any farther. So I asked myself, 'What motive can I have in traveling here, and what place can this be?' My guide, who was by my side, as before, said, 'This is the desolate world; but travel on.' The road was so broad and barren that I wondered why I should travel in it; for, said I to myself, 'Broad is the road, and wide is the gate that leads to death, and many there be that walk therein; but narrow is the way, and strait is the gate that leads to everlasting life, and few there be that go in thereat.' Traveling a short distance further, I came to a narrow path. This path I entered, and, when I had traveled a little way in it, I beheld a beautiful stream of water, which ran from the east to the west. Of this stream, I could see neither the source nor yet the mouth; but as far as my eyes could extend I could see a rope, running along the bank of it, about as high as a man could reach, and beyond me was a low, but very pleasant valley, in which stood a tree such as I had never seen before. It was exceedingly handsome, insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder and admiration. Its beautiful branches spread themselves somewhat like an umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, in shape much like a chestnut bur, and as white as snow, or, is possible, whiter. I gazed upon the same with considerable interest, and as I was doing so, the burs or shells commenced opening and shedding their particles, or the fruit which they contained, which was of dazzling whiteness. I drew near and began to eat of it, and I found it delicious beyond description. As I was eating, I said in my heart, 'I cannot eat this alone, I must bring my wife and seven children, and we all commenced eating and praising God for this blessing. We were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be expressed. While thus engaged, I beheld a spacious building standing opposite the valley which we were in, and it appeared to reach to the very heavens. It was full of doors and windows, and they were all filled with people, who were very finely dressed. When these people observed us in the low valley, under the tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us, and treated us with all manner of disrespect and contempt. But their contumely we utterly disregarded. I presently turned to my guide and inquired of him the meaning of the fruit that was so delicious. He told me it as the pure love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of all those who love him, and keep his commandments. He then commanded me to go and bring the rest of my children. I told him that we were all there. 'No," he replied, 'look yonder, you have two more, and you must bring them also.' Upon raising my eyes, I saw two small children, standing some distance off. I immediately went to them, and brought them to the tree; upon which they commenced eating with the rest, and we all rejoiced together. The move we ate, the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon our knees and scooped i up, eating it by double handfuls. After feasting in this manner a short time, I asked my guide what was the meaning of the spacious building which I saw. He replied, 'It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall. The people in the doors and windows are the inhabitants thereof, who scorn and despise the Saints of God because of their humility.' I soon awoke, clapping my hands together for joy."

I love how Father Joseph says that they got down on their knees and were eating "The Love of God" by double handfuls!!!

Also, look at v. 20 (ch 8) The phrase "stait and narrow path" is an interesting one. Note the spelling of "strait." It is not "straight." "Strait" means "narrow" or "restricted." So, in effect, we have the phrase "narrow and narrow path." It has also been suggested that the phrase can mean "narrow and narrowing" path.

Let me tell you a great story that is a perfect example of this... A good man had gotten way off the path for a time in his life. Through repentance and much effort, he regained his membership in the Church and was doing very well, having served a mission with his wife and done much good.

However, one day he went to see his bishop, he expressed grave concern about his chances for gaining celestial exaltation, whereas, he had been very confident about his chances for several years now. His concern boiled down to this: He was now noticing flaws and imperfections in his daily living which he had not even noticed before this time in his life. I guess his bishop startled him when he said, "Rejoice!"

As they chatted, his bishop explained that the fact that he was now noticing things heretofore un-noticed by him in his life was evidence that he was now much closer to the Spirit than before. he was drawing closer and closer to God, and the "light" was shining much brighter on the path so that he was noticing and worrying about littler things in his life. It was a sign that he was doing much better! When he realized this, he paused, then smiled, breathed a big sigh of relief and left the office very happy. Such is the power of travel along the "narrow and narrowing" path!

I feel as we start out on the "narrow and narrowing path", it is okay to lean on another's testimony but as the path gets more narrow we have to eventually stand alone... hence having our own strong testimony, living our lives better each day... line upon line...

My prayer is that we all continue to pray, read, study, learn and grow... attend the temple, serve others... and come closer to our Father in Heaven! I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has given us every opportunity to repent and come unto him!

Frustrated.

I used to love to blog. It was my journal, but can I just say that there HAS to be an easier way!!!! I have tried to upload pics TWICE and it wont let me move them to the order I WANT them in!!!! I am frustrated. I am quiting for now. I will try again later....

Any suggestions? What am I doing wrong??? Do I need to do some kind of an upgrade to my blogspot???!!! HELP.

Beach Day

It is such a bummer when the summer comes to an end. School starts here on Wednesday. So, yesterday we went to the beach. I love the beach... the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, the sand between my toes, the mist in the air, the sound of the waves, and the joy on my children's faces! Here are a few pics from yesterday... Tanning and sharing headphones...

PS I cut my hair... short and sassy once again!

AND, Sunday night Dallin got his Patriarchal Blessing! It was a very sweet moment... For those of you who might not be LDS I looked "Patriarchal Blessing" up on Wikipedia and this is what is said: "In the Latter-Day Saint movement, a Patriarchal Blessing is a blessing or ordinance given by a Patriarch to a church member. Patriarchal Blessings are modeled after the blessing given by Abraham to each of his sons prior to his death."

Help with a talk???

I was asked to speak at Youth Conference. The Scripture that is the theme for this year is 1 Timothy 4:12, "...be thou an example of the believers in word and conversation....." The topic I have been given is, "Using your electronic communications to be an example of the believers".

I feel that the electronic communications that our youth use the MOST, are...

1) their phones (TEXTING)...

2.) Facebook/My Space... 3.) Twitter... So, my question for you is this... how would you address this topic in a talk for youth conference??!!!

"Using Your electronic communications to be an example of the believers"

I would LOVE any suggestions!!!

Friday Night

Upstairs bonus room on a Friday night.... Yes, they are 18, 19, 20, and 21 years old! Oh, and Chad man!

Hack Hack Hack..... and you thought hacking was only due to coughing

Shaila is at work.

I am at play....

I bet she wishes I would go JUST away......... (Or at least forget her passwords!)

Calling all, Shaila friends.. Lets help a girl out here. If we don't help her out, her stomach is going to sue her teeth for neglect!

As you know she is working now, getting off at 5. Its hard to come home and get dinner going.. SO. lets surprise her and send some quick recipes and meal ideas! If you don't have a quick dinner idea, then send her a little encouragement to her as she enters back in the work force...
LOVE... ME

I would help her out... BUT.... she didnt like my last idea for a BBQ

Well, its been over an hour and it still isnt showing up on google reader..... what fun is it to hack, if it wont post!!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Starting Work

It has been wonderful to be blessed enough that I have been able to stay home to raise my boys! But, with the economy the way it is Brad and I both thought it would be nice if I could find a part time job to help out with finances. I looked at a few places around Christmas time but no one was willing to let me have the Sabbath off, so I remained unemployed. A friend of mine who works for an optometrist part time called me a week or so ago and told me that the other gal she works with gave her 2 week notice, so Kathy was wondering if I would be interested. YES!!! I had to make a resume and go in for an interview. I was a little nervous because of my age and not having worked in years! I knew there were a couple of cute young gals interested too... Anyway, long story short, I got the job!!!

I started on Saturday. Kathy trained me... I greet the patient, make copies of their ID and Insurance card, enter the info on the computer and start them a file. I take them back and check their eyes on several different machines... (This is NOT our office, but this is what the machines look like) I then write the results from the machines and put it on their chart. I then take the patient into the exam room...

It was really fun. I need to go buy scrubs now!!!

Thought Question...

Are you trading what you want MOST for what you want in the moment?

Update on Daddy

I just called mom to check on things and mom was in tears. Dad has been REALLY nauseated for a week or so now. He is on "the strongest anti-nausea" meds, the next step would be IV (says the Dr.) He has been throwing up every day, he even threw up his ensure this morning. He can't lay flat, last night they stayed up till 12:30 with him propped up on the couch. My brother just came home from work and is taking them to the ER to get dad hydrated. It is so hard being so far away and feeling so helpless. I am SO grateful that my brother lives so close and has a wonderful job so that he can be there for them night and/or day! Thank you, Dirk, I love you!

Poor mom, they have come to the conclusion that it might be time to call in Hospice. He needs a hospital bed. They have not wanted to call Hospice for a couple of reasons...
1) They do not want to feel like they are giving up
2) They have my brother and his family close AND they have plenty of wonderful people that can and will help from church
3) Mom really doesn't like people that she doesn't know in and out of the house.

Say a prayer... pray for my sweet mom...
Thank you dear friends/family... LOVE YOU!

UPDATE ~ Utah time 3:55 pm
Just heard from Dirk, they are at the ER and they are giving him fluids and nausea meds thru IV, he is already feeling better! They are also going to do an Xray to make sure there is no blockage! They said they can give him nausea meds to take home that he can put under his tongue so that it will go right into the blood stream and he will not throw them up!

Dirk said that on the way to the ER dad saw Beto's (he loves their breakfast burritos) and he teased and said, "Hey, do you think we have time to stop at Beto's?" They knew he was teasing, he has been nauseated and cant keep anything down, but he is still his cute little joking self!!!

The ER in American Fork is wonderful... they are on top of things! THANK YOU!!!
PS A nurses aid just came in and asked him if there was anything they could get him... he said he would love a large chocolate shake. Guess who is now eating a large chocolate shake? He is too cute!

A trip to Utah

I am way behind on posts... but I really NEED to get some pictures posted from my little trip to visit mom and dad. I drove up there the day after graduation with my mother in law, June 11 (Devin's Bday) and was able to stay thru Father's Day!!! Here are a few fun pics from the trip... My cute daddy sitting on the couch Okay, time for a rest... While I was there my sister in law and my cute neices worked in mom and dad's back yard. We dug around all the fruit trees and put some cement rounds and nice dirt and some bark around them. It will make it much easier for my sweet nephew to mow and it will be better for the trees too! Here are a couple of pics that mom took of us... Here is dad, coming out to see what we had done! While I was there dad was scheduled to have his biliary tube replaced. He has this done about every 3 months. Here is a picture of him in the recovery room. Also while I was there Brad, Dallin and Chad went up to the Bergquist's family reunion. They didnt take many pictures, but here are a few. All of my boys love little babies! Their oldest cousin had twins and this was the first time that the had seen them! Here is a picture of the group that was there this year... a pretty small group this year! After the reunion, Brad and the boys came back down to my parents house for a few days. Here are some pics of my brother's oldest son, Jack. Dallin and Grandpa My parents have a huge tree on their side yard and we all enjoy going and sitting out under it... My brother's youngest... she is darling, and boy does she have a personality! Then for FHE on Monday evening we had a BBQ. Brad got dad's grill out and guess what??!!! THERE WERE TONS OF WASPS NESTS in it!!! YIKES! I took a few pics of Bradly boy getting rid of the nests and wasps, it was actually fun to watch him swing the fly swatter and jump so not to get stung, lol... glad he didnt get stung, that might not have been so funny! Chad shucking the corn... Taking a break... WHERE'S THE BEEF??? Oh, yummy, almost done! I do have to say, Bradly boy makes the BEST burgers around, he seems to season them just right! Opps, something funny! Right out the nose! Derek and Devin have been giving grandpa his hair cuts but unfortunately they werent there! So, Brad stepped up to the plate... Grandma noticed little trees growing in the rain gutter, so Dallin got a ladder and got them out! LOL, this is the funniest site ever... the rest of the crew watching "the show"! Of course Brad and the boys always find time to play a little golf! And a little bike ride... A very tender picture ~ grandpa doing his home teaching. Yep, his companion AND the people he teaches comes over so he can fulfill his calling! There is some really wonderful people in their ward! Dallin, Grandpa, and Chad It was a very fun trip up to visit family! We had some good times! I plan on going back next month! I love you mom and dad... see ya soon!