Yesterday was such a nice day. Matt and I were invited to go to Cindy and Byron's for a flag ceremony, a few patriotic thoughts and breakfast. They did everything in front of the barn and the morning weather was beautiful. It was nice to have a cool morning since we were outside for a couple hours. Grandma Naylor was there and she had the Watkins crew visiting from Arizona. It was so nice to see Marian's family because they have been living in Iowa for the last several years and they haven't made it to many family things lately.
After breakfast, Matt and I went back to Grandma's so we could continue visiting with the out-of-towners. We were there for a few hours and then determined that we should head home so I could make something to take to the BBQ we had later in the day.
I made fruit pizza for the BBQ and we headed over to Laurie and Jeremy's to hang out with the Severinsen family. There was lots of visiting, lots of tasty food and some fireworks. The boys (including Matt) played with all the little kids out back and some of the women (including me) pulled out Carcassone and played it in the backyard. It was the first time that I've ever played it, and I really enjoyed playing. I am thinking that Matt and I will have to add that one to our repertoire.
We stayed until about 9:30 and left just as they were starting the fireworks show. I know that we missed out on a great show, but we were going into a work day and get up around 4:30. We didn't want to be total zombies for the folowing day. (I actually would have stayed if Matt hadn't wanted to go, but he doesn't deal with a lack of sleep as well as I do. So, my love for him trumps watching fireworks.)
I am so very grateful to live in this amazing country where I can enjoy so many freedoms. I think I'm even more grateful for America after traveling to China and seeing such a difference. Happy Birthday America!! And a special thank you to all of our military men and women that fight for us to keep our freedoms. I am so grateful for your sacrifices.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
A Little Too Real
Have you ever had a dream that was just a little too real? I just woke up from one of those. I can't seem to shake the feeling from the dream either. Without going into a ton of detail about the dream, I died. I'm not even sure what caused it, but I was a dead spirit stuck between the world that I knew and the next life. I was stuck. I could, however, interact with a couple living people. I was trying to figure out how to join the spirit and body back together, but to no avail.
I have had dreams where I died before, but this one just seemed so real. It was taking place in the present of my life. We were still looking to buy a home, still working, still trying to adopt, and I was still planning to go to China. As I went through the dream, I was feeling so bad that my death would cause so much upset in the life of my sweet Matt. Was he going to still be able to get into the kind of house he wanted? Was he ever going to be a dad? Would he be able to get a refund on the China money(as if that would be his biggest concern)?
Funny how our dreams can reflect our fears and concerns sometimes. At other times they are linked to something that happened that day , something from what you watched before bed, or maybe even what you were reading. I'm not really sure which of those, if any, played into my dream. Maybe it had something to do with the book I was reading when I fell asleep. The Greek gods and demigods were battling the Titans. I guess this could play into it. But my dream wasn't a battle. I just died.
Who knows what triggered it. I am just so grateful to wake up this morning. Hopefully the way I feel eases up a bit so I can go on with my day more comfortably. I don't like those dreams that really shake you up.
I heard something recently about the dreaming that you do right before you wake and how that can be a learning opportunity from God. I can't remember if it was said in General Conference or if I heard it somewhere else. (So if you know, please tell me.) The gist of the message was that when you fill your mind with worldly things, you will dream about worldly things. Have you ever been playing a game on the computer and then gone to bed and still thought about the game? That's what he was talking about. I think he was saying that when we allow our minds to be filled with godly things, then we can have better opportunity to learn of godly things. It makes sense to me. I am not sure if I'm ready to give up reading before bed though. Maybe reading battle sequences right before bed isn't the best.......
I have had dreams where I died before, but this one just seemed so real. It was taking place in the present of my life. We were still looking to buy a home, still working, still trying to adopt, and I was still planning to go to China. As I went through the dream, I was feeling so bad that my death would cause so much upset in the life of my sweet Matt. Was he going to still be able to get into the kind of house he wanted? Was he ever going to be a dad? Would he be able to get a refund on the China money(as if that would be his biggest concern)?
Funny how our dreams can reflect our fears and concerns sometimes. At other times they are linked to something that happened that day , something from what you watched before bed, or maybe even what you were reading. I'm not really sure which of those, if any, played into my dream. Maybe it had something to do with the book I was reading when I fell asleep. The Greek gods and demigods were battling the Titans. I guess this could play into it. But my dream wasn't a battle. I just died.
Who knows what triggered it. I am just so grateful to wake up this morning. Hopefully the way I feel eases up a bit so I can go on with my day more comfortably. I don't like those dreams that really shake you up.
I heard something recently about the dreaming that you do right before you wake and how that can be a learning opportunity from God. I can't remember if it was said in General Conference or if I heard it somewhere else. (So if you know, please tell me.) The gist of the message was that when you fill your mind with worldly things, you will dream about worldly things. Have you ever been playing a game on the computer and then gone to bed and still thought about the game? That's what he was talking about. I think he was saying that when we allow our minds to be filled with godly things, then we can have better opportunity to learn of godly things. It makes sense to me. I am not sure if I'm ready to give up reading before bed though. Maybe reading battle sequences right before bed isn't the best.......
Monday, November 21, 2011
#8 The Plan of Salvation
Originally written 11/21/11
Today I am so grateful for the plan of our Heavenly Father that allows us to have a knowledge of our life before and after this life. With the loss of my Dad and the losses that have followed, I have gained a greater understanding and testimony of this great principle. How grateful that i am to know that I will be able to be with my Dad again and live with him through eternity. What a great blessing.
Some of the losses that I've learned from recently:
Losing my Dad: This was the one that has changed my life the most. I love my Dad so much and will miss having him close by. He's no longer a phone call away, but I know that I can find peace and feel his presence when I go to the temple and I can feel the peace of the Holy Ghost when I'm really struggling and missing Dad.
Losing Robert: My sweet Aunt Nanette (I think she's technically a second cousin) lost her husband Robert from the same thing that took my Dad. Hardening of the arteries. And neither of them even knew there was a problem. This makes me realize how we should never take our health for granted. We never even supposed that we would have another death in the family so shortly after my Dad. My thoughts and prayers continue to go with my family and Robert's as well.
A Co-worker's brother: This was a very sad one. He committed suicide. This reminds me how important the people around us are and how sometimes we have to look for people that are hurting. It's not always obvious when there are challenges. We have to be aware of those around us and be looking for signs that they might need something we can give them. Never take anyone in your life for granted. They might not always be there.
Brother Kent Thatcher: He was in the bishopric of my singles ward through about six years. What a happy, kind and loving man. He fought the battle with pancreatic cancer for 8 months before he passed. The funeral was beautiful and all of his children spoke about the plan of salvation. So grateful that we have that knowledge that families can be sealed forever.
Little Andre: Sweet little Andre was only here for four days and touched many lives in so many different ways. This loss helps to remind us how brief life really can be. It also reminds us that we are not in charge and that doctors can't solve everything. God is in charge and whatever He decides it what goes.
So many losses in such a short period of time. So much grief and sorrow. So many tears of sadness have been shed and even continue to be shed. There will be many happy reunions in the next life and we just have to figure out how to keep pressing forward in this one. I will miss my Dad until the day that I see him again, but I make it through knowing that I WILL see him again. He is not gone forever. He's just a little farther than he was before.
Today I am so grateful for the plan of our Heavenly Father that allows us to have a knowledge of our life before and after this life. With the loss of my Dad and the losses that have followed, I have gained a greater understanding and testimony of this great principle. How grateful that i am to know that I will be able to be with my Dad again and live with him through eternity. What a great blessing.
Some of the losses that I've learned from recently:
Losing my Dad: This was the one that has changed my life the most. I love my Dad so much and will miss having him close by. He's no longer a phone call away, but I know that I can find peace and feel his presence when I go to the temple and I can feel the peace of the Holy Ghost when I'm really struggling and missing Dad.
Losing Robert: My sweet Aunt Nanette (I think she's technically a second cousin) lost her husband Robert from the same thing that took my Dad. Hardening of the arteries. And neither of them even knew there was a problem. This makes me realize how we should never take our health for granted. We never even supposed that we would have another death in the family so shortly after my Dad. My thoughts and prayers continue to go with my family and Robert's as well.
A Co-worker's brother: This was a very sad one. He committed suicide. This reminds me how important the people around us are and how sometimes we have to look for people that are hurting. It's not always obvious when there are challenges. We have to be aware of those around us and be looking for signs that they might need something we can give them. Never take anyone in your life for granted. They might not always be there.
Brother Kent Thatcher: He was in the bishopric of my singles ward through about six years. What a happy, kind and loving man. He fought the battle with pancreatic cancer for 8 months before he passed. The funeral was beautiful and all of his children spoke about the plan of salvation. So grateful that we have that knowledge that families can be sealed forever.
Little Andre: Sweet little Andre was only here for four days and touched many lives in so many different ways. This loss helps to remind us how brief life really can be. It also reminds us that we are not in charge and that doctors can't solve everything. God is in charge and whatever He decides it what goes.
So many losses in such a short period of time. So much grief and sorrow. So many tears of sadness have been shed and even continue to be shed. There will be many happy reunions in the next life and we just have to figure out how to keep pressing forward in this one. I will miss my Dad until the day that I see him again, but I make it through knowing that I WILL see him again. He is not gone forever. He's just a little farther than he was before.
Music
Originally written 11/21/11
I will begin by making a disclaimer here: This is a long post. I wrote it mostly for me, so don't feel that you have to read the whole thing. It's probably not that interesting anyway.
The blessing of music in my life has been one of the things I'm most grateful for. Music can match any mood, whether to bring you further down or raise you higher up. Singing is a great outlet for me to share the emotions that are inside of me. I also love how an uplifting song can bring my soul out of the depths of despair too.
I'm so grateful that I have been blessed with a musical ability. It has changed my life so many times over. When I was a little girl, I have heard stories about how I would go around singing all the time. My Aunt Diane tells of how she would stick me on the coffee table and have me sing "Meet Me in St. Louis" for her mom. I was not shy back then. I also remember walking through the grocery store with my mom. I would be singing the jingles of all the products I could think of. I had ulterior motives to this. I wasn't just singing because I loved to sing. No, I was singing jingles because I was certain that my talent would be discovered and that I would be the next little face for Oscar Mayer . Silly? Maybe. But at least I was shooting for the stars, right?
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to sing with many different groups and for many different reasons. In high school, I had an experience that would change the way I felt about my talent. I auditioned for the A Capella group (300 students). I had a pretty good relationship with the choir director because I had been in his mixed choir and also the bell choir. I was upset to find out that I hadn't made the A Capella and asked him about it. He simply told me that I had no singing ability. All the confidence I had gained were lost then and there. I didn't want to sing around other people anymore. I still loved to sing, but questioned my ability. Had people been lying to me all those years? Was I like one of those people that auditions for American Idol being totally clueless that they are horrendous? Needless to say, I was devastated.
I would still do group choirs and ward choir from that point on, but I never tried to do anything solo because I had no talent. I didn't want people to know, so I just hid behind others. Then I met Teresa. She was an angel. Teresa directed a choir that I joined. She was also the director of "The Sound of Music" that I had the privilege to be in. Teresa brought out that spark in me again. She helped me to see what I was capable of and pushed me to the limits and beyond. I will never forget when I told her that I couldn't do something and she told me that I was more amazing than I knew and that God had blessed me with something great. She helped me to see that there are endless possibilities with God as our partner. I had always known that, but had failed to believe it was true for ME. Well, I think you know what I mean.
So, what am I doing now with music, you may wonder? I am currently singing with a group called Because We Also Sing, which is a mixed chorus just for the Christmas season. In the spring, I will sing with We Also sing, which is a women's chorus. Both choirs are under the direction of Merrilee Webb and she is amazing. She teaches at Dixie in St. George and comes up on the weekend so she can direct the choir. My life has been changed by the music and by the experience of singing with these great choirs. I have also learned a lot through the spirit that the music brings.
I can't believe how long it took me to get back into singing this time around, but I am so grateful that I have an outlet for my music once again. I will end by sharing some of the words to a beautiful song called "The Melody Within", which was written by Kurt Bestor for the movie Rigoletto.
Music boxes have within,melodies they carry with them,
Once they open music fills the air.
Every person you have known,has a song all their own,
Once they open up you'll hear whats there.
It's not easy you must listen with your heart for what lies hidden.
There was a melody, locked deep inside of me
But now its free, it found a place embraced by harmony, sweet harmony,
Love more than anything teaches our hearts to sing,
Only love, could break the spell,
Now I know, very well,
The love within myself.
It's true that each person has a melody inside of them. I'm so grateful that mine is finally getting out again. Music truly is a wonderful and powerful thing. I can allow it to drag me down by listening to music that is negative, or I can be raised up by music that is positive and uplifting. I choose the second of the two.
4/11/12 So, singing with Because We Also Sing for Christmas was lots of fun and I'm glad that i did it because Merrilee said that she will probably not be doing the mixed chorus again.
We are now back into We Also Sing rehearsals and have a concert at the Tabernacle 5/11/12. I'm pretty excited for that concert and I love that we also do a recording prior to the concert as well.
Something else exciting: The day after our concert, I'm going to China. With Merrilee and her choir from Dixie State College. I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!!! There will be more to follow about that.
I will begin by making a disclaimer here: This is a long post. I wrote it mostly for me, so don't feel that you have to read the whole thing. It's probably not that interesting anyway.
The blessing of music in my life has been one of the things I'm most grateful for. Music can match any mood, whether to bring you further down or raise you higher up. Singing is a great outlet for me to share the emotions that are inside of me. I also love how an uplifting song can bring my soul out of the depths of despair too.
I'm so grateful that I have been blessed with a musical ability. It has changed my life so many times over. When I was a little girl, I have heard stories about how I would go around singing all the time. My Aunt Diane tells of how she would stick me on the coffee table and have me sing "Meet Me in St. Louis" for her mom. I was not shy back then. I also remember walking through the grocery store with my mom. I would be singing the jingles of all the products I could think of. I had ulterior motives to this. I wasn't just singing because I loved to sing. No, I was singing jingles because I was certain that my talent would be discovered and that I would be the next little face for Oscar Mayer . Silly? Maybe. But at least I was shooting for the stars, right?
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to sing with many different groups and for many different reasons. In high school, I had an experience that would change the way I felt about my talent. I auditioned for the A Capella group (300 students). I had a pretty good relationship with the choir director because I had been in his mixed choir and also the bell choir. I was upset to find out that I hadn't made the A Capella and asked him about it. He simply told me that I had no singing ability. All the confidence I had gained were lost then and there. I didn't want to sing around other people anymore. I still loved to sing, but questioned my ability. Had people been lying to me all those years? Was I like one of those people that auditions for American Idol being totally clueless that they are horrendous? Needless to say, I was devastated.
I would still do group choirs and ward choir from that point on, but I never tried to do anything solo because I had no talent. I didn't want people to know, so I just hid behind others. Then I met Teresa. She was an angel. Teresa directed a choir that I joined. She was also the director of "The Sound of Music" that I had the privilege to be in. Teresa brought out that spark in me again. She helped me to see what I was capable of and pushed me to the limits and beyond. I will never forget when I told her that I couldn't do something and she told me that I was more amazing than I knew and that God had blessed me with something great. She helped me to see that there are endless possibilities with God as our partner. I had always known that, but had failed to believe it was true for ME. Well, I think you know what I mean.
So, what am I doing now with music, you may wonder? I am currently singing with a group called Because We Also Sing, which is a mixed chorus just for the Christmas season. In the spring, I will sing with We Also sing, which is a women's chorus. Both choirs are under the direction of Merrilee Webb and she is amazing. She teaches at Dixie in St. George and comes up on the weekend so she can direct the choir. My life has been changed by the music and by the experience of singing with these great choirs. I have also learned a lot through the spirit that the music brings.
I can't believe how long it took me to get back into singing this time around, but I am so grateful that I have an outlet for my music once again. I will end by sharing some of the words to a beautiful song called "The Melody Within", which was written by Kurt Bestor for the movie Rigoletto.
Music boxes have within,melodies they carry with them,
Once they open music fills the air.
Every person you have known,has a song all their own,
Once they open up you'll hear whats there.
It's not easy you must listen with your heart for what lies hidden.
There was a melody, locked deep inside of me
But now its free, it found a place embraced by harmony, sweet harmony,
Love more than anything teaches our hearts to sing,
Only love, could break the spell,
Now I know, very well,
The love within myself.
It's true that each person has a melody inside of them. I'm so grateful that mine is finally getting out again. Music truly is a wonderful and powerful thing. I can allow it to drag me down by listening to music that is negative, or I can be raised up by music that is positive and uplifting. I choose the second of the two.
4/11/12 So, singing with Because We Also Sing for Christmas was lots of fun and I'm glad that i did it because Merrilee said that she will probably not be doing the mixed chorus again.
We are now back into We Also Sing rehearsals and have a concert at the Tabernacle 5/11/12. I'm pretty excited for that concert and I love that we also do a recording prior to the concert as well.
Something else exciting: The day after our concert, I'm going to China. With Merrilee and her choir from Dixie State College. I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!!! There will be more to follow about that.
Friday, November 18, 2011
#14 The Kindness of a Stranger
I wrote this on 11/14 and never posted it, so I figured I may as well post it.
When I left work at the hospital today, I came upon a very flat tire. Darn it! I only have 30 minutes between jobs and I was already running behind in leaving. So, I sat in the parking lot in my skirt and WHITE sweater and started loosening the lug nuts and doing the "change your tire" thing.
One man saw me and came over to offer help. I thought "yay" until he told me he couldn't really use his arm due to a shoulder injury(we ARE at the hospital after all). He must have told another man about the tire issue on his way in to the hospital because a really nice gentleman came and offered assistance. He had that tire changed so much faster than I would have. I COULD have and WOULD have done it because I know how to change tires, but today I am grateful for other people that go out of their way to give seemingly small acts of service that make all the difference. Thanks John!!!
Follow up: The following day, Matt took the car in to get the tire fixed/replaced and found out that the tire was in bad condition. They told him it would have blown on the freeway and could have caused an accident if I had been driving around on it any more than I had. Thank heavens for small miracles. I'm so grateful that it was just flat in the parking lot and that nothing terrible happened. I'd rather be 15 minutes late for work than have a horrible accident.
When I left work at the hospital today, I came upon a very flat tire. Darn it! I only have 30 minutes between jobs and I was already running behind in leaving. So, I sat in the parking lot in my skirt and WHITE sweater and started loosening the lug nuts and doing the "change your tire" thing.
One man saw me and came over to offer help. I thought "yay" until he told me he couldn't really use his arm due to a shoulder injury(we ARE at the hospital after all). He must have told another man about the tire issue on his way in to the hospital because a really nice gentleman came and offered assistance. He had that tire changed so much faster than I would have. I COULD have and WOULD have done it because I know how to change tires, but today I am grateful for other people that go out of their way to give seemingly small acts of service that make all the difference. Thanks John!!!
Follow up: The following day, Matt took the car in to get the tire fixed/replaced and found out that the tire was in bad condition. They told him it would have blown on the freeway and could have caused an accident if I had been driving around on it any more than I had. Thank heavens for small miracles. I'm so grateful that it was just flat in the parking lot and that nothing terrible happened. I'd rather be 15 minutes late for work than have a horrible accident.
Friday, November 4, 2011
#4 Eye Makeup Remover
Seriously, I know this may sound lame, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new eye makeup remover. I can take off all of my eye makeup (including mascara and eyeliner) in 10-20 seconds without tugging or rubbing. It's amazing! Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. I can't believe I didn't find this before becoming a MK consultant. Anyone who enjoys wearing makeup should try this stuff out. And a bottle lasts FOREVER too, so it's worth the $.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
#3 A Warm and Cozy Bed
Well, I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. I love having a nice cozy bed to crawl into at the end of a long day when I'm exhausted. Even more so now that the weather is getting cold so fast. I'm not ready for the winter to be upon us, but at least I have a warm and cozy bed to fall into.
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