1 week ago ...A Challenge for Everyone

FROM MOM: FOR SOME REASON, BLOGGER WOULDN'T LET ME UPLOAD FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. IT'S WORKING NOW! SO 3 LETTERS IN A ROW:

Kjære Familie,
This was a good week! Wasnt Conference amazing? I havent seen the last session yet, but am going to after emailing :)


So, last Pday we relaxed. Dad, did you get the postcard? I hope so!
Anyways, that night we went and visited Dennis. It was so funny what he said. After he was baptized, Michael - the Kongsberg elders new convert - got baptized. But he had to be baptized a few times because he didnt go completely under. But Dennis didnt know that. So he just heard continuing splashes! He said to us, "I thought Michael might have been swimming!" Hahaha! He told us that after church he slept and had a dream that Michael was swimming in the font! We were all dieing laughing, tears in our eyes. Oh it was so funny. We LOVE Dennis! We gave him a Triple with notes from us written inside. And we think he felt somewhat impelled to give us something, so he went inside and gave us a pack of cookies! haha, see why we love him? :)
On Tuesday we had District Meeting! It was about chapter 6 in Preach my Gospel - speaking of, looks like you will all be studying a lot more out of PMG! M. Russel Ballards talk was SO good!!! Anyways, chapter 6 is one of my favorite chapters. We all got assigned to a specific Christ-like attribute a few days earlier, and I got assigned Patience. I loved teaching that, and studying more about it. I used a quote dad gave me, "Never be discouraged. If I were stuck in the lowest pits of Nova Scotia with the Rocky mountains piled on top of me, I would hang on, excersize faith, and keep up the good work and I would end up on top." Or something like that, by Joseph Smith. Patience is something we will always be working towards, and is ESSENTIAL for eternal life! Later that day we visited a lady in the ward Sister Trydal and I accidentally contacted a week or so ago hahaha Then a little later we went to a member families house for dinner! There son told me that I am getting the Drammen dialect!!! So that was way exciting! But I am a little sad I am losing the Kristiansand tonal fall :( But it is also good that I dont sound completely mixed up with a lot of different influences :) Drammen tonal fall is good! Also, Sister Finnerud gave us a freshly baked loaf of bread!!! It was delicious!!! It was the closest thing that I have tasted to Moms bread since Ive been in Norway :) It was a goal last week in our zone to give out 80 Book Of Mormons! By the end of the week, the zone had given out 46, and Sister Trydal and I had given out 12 of those!!! On tuesday we gave out 5!


Wednesday was a good day! We taught a lady from India that is also getting visits by some Jehovahs Witnesses.She told us that she thinks she will just stick to the others that are teaching her and my heart broke. BUT, we got a return appointment :) So that made me happy!!! We met with Betty, a new investigator and had to explain baptism to her. She had been baptized twice and doesnt completely understand the authority yet. So that was a little bit awkward...We had taught her The Plan of Salvation, so this time we will teach her the Restoration :) That night we ate with a recently married couple, the Stulens. They both served in the Ogden Utah mission and got married 10 days after she got home!!!! It was so koselig eating with them! Then we had Ward Council, the first of each month the misisonaries come and we share about our investigators :) This ward is SO organized, just how it should be! I love it. That is why the ward has a 100% retention rate! Because they take so good care of new converts and investigators!!! That night we contacted and then called people. I got asked on a date by an investigator and it was so awkward. It was horrid. haha he is a really nice investigator though!


Then on Thursday we had weekly planning, like usual! One of our investigators fell of the face of the earth!!! So we got permission to look for her on facebook, Sister Trydal logged in to hers, and miraculously found her! We sent a message, but last time we checked, havent gotten anything back from her :( We will keep trying!!! Then the elders had a baptism and President and Sister Evans were there! That night we gave out two Book Of Mormons. One of the men that took one was muslim and asked us if we would meet with him to discuss. He would bring his book and give it to us. Our conversation changed into where we are from, and i told him I was from America and he told me that I wasnt and to never say that! We was trying to say that he didnt believe me because of my Norwegian, but I thought that he just didnt like America! So I just said to him, "YES! I am from America!" Hahaha one time someone ask me why I am from America. I said that I was born there and they said, "WHY!?" My goodness! Hahaha! I LOVE AMERICA! ;) Anyways, this man was writing down my name and thought that the beginning of the churchs name was my name, "Jesu Kristi." He ended up figuring it out hahaha :) Anyways, well see what happens with the. He tried making an appointment, but he will call back another day maybe.
On Friday we met with Betty, a new convert, at the church. Then later, ate dinner and had a family home evening with the Lystads, a part member family. We are teaching the children :) Then we taught Melissa, who is getting baptized THIS WEEK!!! And later that night taught John. We found a super cool Mormon Message of a jamaican bishop that lives in england that is a convert. It was great showing that to him! Before John, we went banking. There was one man that we talked to that flat out LAUGHED at Sister Trydal after she bore her testimony. I was SO furious! I told him that we werent there to force him to believe what we believe, but to share something that means a lot to us. He said we could discuss if we wanted to...and told us that "God is in your heads." Oh it just broke my heart and did not make me so happy. Isnt that so sad?


Anyways, Saturday was a good day too!! Friday night I took a half dose of Niquill that Sister Evans gave me, and on Saturday morning when I woke up, I had more energy than I have had in a LONG time!!! I think it is because I slept the entire night, deeply. Anyways, we knocked on some doors for 2 or so hours. A man answered one of the doors and it was SO sad. He likes believing that there is a beginning and an end. He enjoys his time now more. I am SO thankful to know that life doesnt have an end or a beginning. We dont need to worry about anything, because we have a loving Heavenly Father that takes care of us, and will never stop! So after we banked in that area, we went to Bettys neighborhood. A couple days earlier when we started the Book Of MOrmon goal in our zone, sister trydal and I packed our backpacks with some Book of Mormons, and I thought it owuld be good to bring another language. I asked sister trydal and she said Swedish! So I had that in my backpack. We had been asked to share the "Miracle Story" for a sisters call we have each month. So earlier when we were contacting and banking I asked sister trydal what we should share. She said, "That time we gae out a Swedish Book Of Mormon and they became a new investigator!" I htought for a minute, and realized that is what she was saying would happen this day :) So, we prayed! As we were banking in Bettys area, we were about to go to the church, it was about time to go! But as we were walking away, I saw a yellow house behind us. We decided to go there, got a "come back" at another house, and then went to the yellow house. The lady there told us to come back next week, and as we were walking away, Sister Trydal said that she was Swedish!!!!!!!!!!! OHH I was so just...UHHH!! Haha I really wanted to give out that Swedish Book Of Mormon. So we prayed, and felt like we should go back!!! I dont like awkwardness, Sister Trydal doesnt like awkwardness, and this was going to be awkward. But the Lord blessed us, and when we went up the stairs to her door, she was already outside! It wasnt awkward and it went well!! The only scary thing was her huge barking dog that we thought was going to kill us! haha I think it was a doberman, those scary dogs that used to live behind our house? Anyways, WHAT A MIRACLE!!! We will meet with her next week hopefully and she will become a new investigator!!! The Lord answers prayers! Specific questions bring specific answers. To add to this miracle, as we were walking to the church, we saw Betty (the new investigator)! She had to cancel her appointment earlier that day, because she was in Oslo, and would be travelling back that day too. But the Lord is so aware of each second of time! He really truly is in the details of our lives!!! Then we had a Relief Society lunch and watched the Womens Conference. HOLY COW! It was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so funny, because when the Sister had the 8-10 or so year olds stand up and sing, there was just ONE there hahahaha But it really was just amazing. Then we watched the first session, at 6 pm, when you were all watching it in the morning!!! I love watching live conference, i feel so connected to you all! Singing the same song at the same time too! What an amazing session!!!! I recieved so much personal inspiration, I am so thankful for the Prophet and Apostles and leaders of the church. Afterwards, Dennis said to me, "I believe it. I know its true." :) AND, there was a drunk man that came in and started talking and mumbling, then came and shook sister trydals hand and said, "JEG HAR MI BOKA! JEG HAR MI BOKA!" to her!!! hahahaha After the meeting he tried hugging sister trydal too. Oh it was ridiculous haha! I felt like that night Satan was just throwing all wickedness into my eyes. There was a completely limp drunk girl carried into a car at a busstop we were waiting at, etc. Anyways, we had to walk home from sentrum and after jogging, speedwalking, etc., we got home at 8:59 :) Thats a good ending to a day!
Sunday was also amazing! I didnt take any medicine the night before, and I woke up 3 or so times in the night. Not so fun. We brought Melissa a baptism dress before the 2nd session of conference (we watched it at 2, the one you all saw Saturday night), and then after the session, we ate dinner at the Høgsaas families house with all the missionaries! Then we watched the Sunday morning session Live at the church! Dennis and DEBBY were there!!! Oh we LOVE Debby! We gave her a container full of comfort scriptures and things a week or so ago, and she just loves it. She had to call a person or two yesterday that she was super scared to call. But she pulled a paper out of the container and read the scripture about not being afraid of what to say, because it will come out of our mouths. Then right away she got the courage and called! Members asked her if she was a member last night and she said, "Not yet!" :) I LOVE HER!!!


Also, Sister Johnson talked to David last night, and I was able to talk to him earlier this week. The man that was baptized in Kristiansand towards the beginning of my mission! He is not doing well. I feel the way that Alma and Lehi felt for their people...just heartbroken. He is not active and is confused. He needs friends and comfort. When I talked to him on the phone I just started crying. The scriptures, "how great is one soul in the eyes of God" and "I pray for you by day and my eyes water my pillow for you by night" came to my head this morning. Thats how I feel. Oh I just lvoe him so much! It is so special to be able to feel a SLIVER of what Heavenly Father feels for us when we are lost. Can you imagine how sorrowful He feels? But then how JOYFUL He feels when we do what is right and find the way? I would love for you all to pray for David, I know it will help. I also want to invite you all (all of you, my family, and all of the people that read this from the blog) to do something this week. This is to members, non members, etc. Do ONE thing out of your comfort zone this week to touch someones life. Give someone comfort, smile to a stranger, buy someone lunch, give an old person a compliment. Like it was said in conferance, we might forget what we did that was nice yesterday, but the recipitant might remember it for eternity.


I know that this is Christs church. I know that He loves us. That Heavenly Father loves us. And that we can change someones life with a smile.
Wasnt David A. Bednars talk AMAZING!? I am amazed by the conference and cant wait to watch the rest today!!!!! :)
Well, I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!! Have a great week!!!!!! :)
LOVE, Søster Chapman :)




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Running The Country

There are a lot of great causes. A LOT. Don't you wish you were made of money so you could support every good cause? I do. But here's one you're going to love:


The Wilcox Family is taking a stand! Or rather, they're walking-the-walk ... wait! no! They're actually running-the-run ... literally, from sea-to-shining-sea! The Wilcoxes believe in a GMO free world and are proving it over the next few months.


Want to donate? Every little bit is appreciated! Or check out their website RunningTheCountry.comto track the run and maybe join up with them for a few miles.

I just finished reading Brett's book, WE'RE MONSANTO Feeding The World LIE AFTER LIEand WOW. Ok. I'm a bit of a health nut and this was crazy-eye-opening.


So whether you pick up the book, donate a few bucks, or join them on their run ... this is a cause we can all get behind!


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Christmas Skype Call!

Oh my WORD! We loved love loved our very SHORT time with Sierra at 6am on Christmas morning! It was a bit chaotic trying to connect everyone over facetime, then hold the phones up so Sierra could see them, but it was such a sweet, tender time. We love her!


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lessons on life

I'm with my parents for a few days in Texas. The day I arrived my parents took me into their back yard ... a very pleasant day, so it was a nice little stroll. I've visited a few times, but had no idea there was a little nook behind the garage. This is where they took me. I was stunned to see a dwarf satsuma mandarin orange tree, heavy laden with oranges in many stages of ripeness! I had no idea it was even in their yard.


Dad explained to me how much like life this is. They purchased and planted the tree 3 years ago - this is the first year it has yielded fruit. This little tree has been tucked safely away and pretty much no one but Mom and Dad know it's there. They've cared for it, pruned it, checked on it, gone forward without seeing any fruit. Then this year it's producing like crazy! But the only ones who know that are my parents. And it fills them with joy. Satisfaction. Gratitude. And maybe some pride. This fruit tree isn't out there for the world to praise. It doesn't matter that no one else knows that it's finally doing what it was meant to do. It DOES matter to Mom and Dad that their efforts are paying off. As Dad shared with me: There's much in our lives that go unknown, unobserved, unacknowledged. When we're doing things with just the purpose of getting those results - and not to be "honored of men" - the secret joy of success is sweet. As sweet as a beautifully sun-ripened satsuma orange.



One more lesson: A couple of long, thin, but very sharp-thorned shooters were a bit of a distraction as we examined the juicy fruit. I mean, we had to be careful as we reached in to touch the fruit because a prick from one of THOSE thorns would really hurt! Dad went out to cut the shooters off when half-way through the project he realized that those shooters may actually be nature's way of protecting the fruit. Often the very things in my life that seem painful are actually things that are protecting me in one way or another. This gives me new perspective on things that may at first appear to be trials or adversity. Something I'm going to remember forever.

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Tender Mercies

I love the little things that happen that are proof that Heavenly Father cares about each of us.


Maybe you're like me and sometimes feel a little sheepish asking for things that could appear to be inconsequential - and actually are - when compared to really big things. But I ask anyway. And I love the reward ... little prayers being answered mean to me that He is aware of me. That feels good. This week I've been wondering about proceeding with a certain project. This morning an email popped up in my inbox from someone asking specifically about that project - someone I hadn't heard from in months. That was an answer for me, that I should proceed. Two big things here: Heavenly Father heard my prayer. It was answered through a person who was in-tune enough to follow a prompting to ask me about it. Wow. I hope sometimes I can be that person for others who need answers.

PS - that wreath .. made from dollar store materials. Total cost: $4

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Mom, Interrupted

10 years ago Lana Viehweg's beautiful life ended, leaving behind a loving husband and nine tender-hearted children.


To honor their mother, her children are now hoping to share Lana's story with the world. Please take a moment to read a synopsis of Mom, Interrupted and purchase a copy if you'd like. Guaranteed to tug at your heart-strings, this true story is at once beautiful and sad.

I read this a couple of years ago, and to participate in honoring Lana I'm starting in on it again tonight. I'd love to hear what you think when you read it, so drop me a line and I'll pass it on to the family.

Go Here to read the synopsis and to order the book.


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Healthy No-Bakes. It's True!

I love healthy eating. And I LOVE dark chocolate. So I tweaked a no-bake-cookies recipe and came up with this:


In saucepan melt together:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup sugar (yes - I believe in sugar. If you're going to have sweets, have sweets!)
1/2 cup dark cocoa powder

Bring to a boil, and boil for one minute then turn heat off. Add:
1 tsp pure vanilla
1 full cup chunky all-natural peanut butter
Stir till pb is completely melted then add:
3 1/3 cups flaked oats
Mix thoroughly and drop by spoonful onto foil.

Refrigerate. YUM.
These have a delightful coconut flavor. You'll love them!

You're welcome.


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faith

This was written by my "little brother", Michael. We're just 15-months apart in age and we literally grew up together. When we were teenagers, Michael was my very best friend. I love this guy. Just so you know who's writing, below is first, a picture of us as little kids (Michael's on the far right, I'm on the far left) and a picture of us now (we're standing in the middle).



Now, pull out a tissue and enjoy:

THE PRAYER OF FAITH

He watched with wonder, the kind only a child can have, as his ladybug crawled in and out of his fingers and over his hand. Suddenly, without warning - - - she was gone! He searched and searched, but his Ladybug was nowhere to be found. Then he remembered. His chubby little 3 year old legs took him over to his swing set. He knelt down beside it; folding his arms he rested them on a swing - and prayed. When he opened his eyes there she was, waiting to crawl back onto his hand.

He was a Freshman at college, a newly ordained Elder. A phone call came asking that he and his Home Teaching Companion administer to a young woman who was ill. They rushed to her Dorm, but then doubt and fear surfaced. He was shaking - could he do it? Then he remembered. He excused himself, went into another room and prayed, then returned and pronounced the Lord’s blessing upon her. He had found his Ladybug.

He was alone in the Hospital room with his Father. All of his family had been called to travel great distances to see their Dad one more time, as he was near death. He felt prompted to pronounce a blessing, promising his father full recovery - - - No. He shouldn’t take that upon himself, he must wait for a brother to arrive, and also ask his Mother who should seal the anointing. The next morning, as he and his brothers gave their father yet another blessing, he was able to pronounce the Lord’s promise upon their Father - - - full recovery. He had found his Ladybug.

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things I've learned from my daughter

Whenever I start to doubt my success as a mother, I take just a moment to reflect on the amazing adults my children have become. It may have nothing at all to do with my mothering, but it does help me forget my mistakes as I find myself learning and growing from their examples. I just returned from spending a few months near my grown daughter. The list of important, truly important things I learned from her would fill a book. Things like: "my family is my world"; "my home is sacred", "I can make peace by being the first to ask forgiveness", "make time to play each day" ... and on and on. She is wise beyond her 20-something years!


Today, though I want to focus on just one little temporal thing I learned from her. It's simple, really. And probably most people do it. It was just really neat to see it in action and watch the results. Each week she'd create a simple dinner menu. And then and this is the trick! stick to it. Brooke is a meticulous budgeter. One would think they paid no attention to grocery budget by the amazing meals she serves, but it's really because of her habit of careful planning. So this is our first week home. We've been gone for several months so there was really no food in the house. I did as Brooke taught by example and created a menu, then shopped for that menu rather than hunger-shopping. As a result, this was our dinner last night:


I call it "Spaghetti Squash Fall Festival". Served warm, it's seasoned with salt, pepper, curry powder and chili powder with just a small swirl of olive oil. I added fresh chopped scallions and 2 nice sized tomatoes. Then shavings of Romano Cheese. Which brings me to another very practical thing I learned from Brooke: Buy a big triangle of hard cheese (parmesan, romano, etc) and add a few shavings created from a potato pealer. This is WAY less expensive than buying grated cheese. Plus, it looks a lot fancier. I served some homemade bread with this which brought the total cost of this Meal-For-3 to $3.17. BAM

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words

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.


This one verse in James, which has struck me as important in the past, has taken on different meaning for me recently. I think on it several times a day. I remember in the past thinking that one can know he/she has mastered oneself - and perfected all other aspects, when only good comes out of his/her mouth. I've understood this scripture to mean that the words we speak are indicative of how imperfect or how perfect we are. But this time, I've come to understand it differently. I'm wondering if it can work in reverse. In other words, if I can perfect my words, will everything else follow? My thoughts, my heart, my actions? Because perfecting my words seems much less monumental and daunting than perfecting everything else! And it's so measurable! There's no justifying or gray areas with words. They either uplift or downgrade; they are truth or lies; they are profane or pure; they are light-minded or sober. So as I thought on this, I determined to work on it. WOW. I've learned SO much about myself this last week!
1: I've learned that "word" means not only what I speak, but also what I write.
2: I've learned that there's a whole lot more that we say that is offensive than just swear words.
I determined to stop and think before EVERYTHING I say. This has caused me to be pretty quiet this week. I honestly had no idea that I spoke so offensively until I started on this trek. There have been so many times that I opened my mouth only to quickly shut it before words escaped. As I've prayed for help in this, I've been so grateful to see that there are words I start to say that, although true, do not uplift. Words that embarass. Words that are light-minded. There have been so many times this week when I've had entire conversations in my head trying to figure out the best way to get a point across without offending. It's been an entertaining and enlightening experience! At the end of a couple of these days I've felt really, really good as I've reported my actions in prayer. But most of the days I've had to repent and ask for forgiveness and for help to do better the next day. Actually, most of the days I've been blessed to recognize my error just after I let words slip out of my mouth and I've been blessed to be able to start the repentance process right then. But the times when I've done well have really paid off. I've seen clearly the results of speaking only uplifting words.

I love how Heavenly Father works with us, and how all of Heaven seems to join forces to bring about good. I'm so grateful I was working on my "words" for a few days before coming home. And I hope that as I continue this quest that my "very nature will be changed" as I use the Atonement to speak only holy, uplifting, positive words.



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Must-Have-App

I'm currently visiting my parents in Texas (YAY!). Anyone else feel like a kid again when you're with your parents? Even with my husband and daughter with me it's different. I feel so .... I don't know ... maybe protected when I'm in my parents' home. I love it here.

Anyway, while visiting with my Mom she showed me an app on her iPad that she really enjoys. LDS Bible Videos.


This is an app that all Christians will love. Your denomination doesn't matter ... simply and beautifully the short videos convey the Spirit of the Bible. Being Sunday, I wanted to share this with you. I know you'll love it. Oh. PS: It's free.


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grateful

First, a big UGH because now that I've upgraded to IOS 7, my blogger app on my iPad isn't working and I've had a post in the drafts section for 2 days.  It's used up so much of my time trying to get it to work.  So now I'm on my husband's laptop and copying the whole thing.  I wouldn't care if it was a silly recipe or decorating post.  But this one means something to me.  So here it is:

The past couple of days I've been thinking about an LDS General Conference talk.

I know I'm really an infant when it comes to understanding the Atonement.  And I really enjoy thinking about it and reading about it and trying to understand it.  In reading and thinking about this particular talk, it's taken me around to thinking about my life and life in general.

Like about how all of us make sacrifices in our lives for people we love and sometimes for people we don't love.  But none of us, really none of us, totally sacrifice our lives.  But it was different for the Savior.  From this conference talk:  He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience."  (Henry B. Eyring)  And another quote:  "Christ's voluntary suffering during life was in addition to the suffering in the garden and on the cross."  (Kent F. Richards)

Those are such powerful thoughts for me!  I don't often think on His suffering throughout His life.  He sacrificed His entire life for us!  Because of this, "it will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior's promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us."  (Henry B. Eyring)

I love thinking about this.  It helps me feel grateful.  Especially during times when I'm sinking into a little sadness or self-pity.  Life is so good, and I'm really, really grateful for the Savior's sacrifices for me and for all the people I love who continually sacrifice for me. 

relief

So, we've been packing and selling and trashing and cramming and cleaning for the past while - preparing for our move back to Nevada. (ridiculous how much one can collect over a few short months) So our darling apartment has felt gloomy and disorganized and downright sad. Well, last night was our first night out of the apartment. We've moved in to my daughter's family's basement for a few nights before beginning our trek home. This is an unfinished basement ... with feelings of creepy-crawlies. So imagine the great welcoming it was for me when I finished up cleaning the apartment and walked into the basement to set my suitcase and found this:


and this:


Brooke and Steven transformed their basement into a home for us. A home complete with a softly lit lamp and essential oils burning in the diffuser.


They even placed rugs in all the right spots. My tired bones and my weary mind is ever-so-grateful!


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car conversations

There is a lot I'm going to miss about our New York months. One of those is my time with 4-year-old Gage in our car, just the two of us.


Not quite a daily occurrence, but several times a week, Gage would climb into the back of the car, proudly strap himself into his car seat, and off we'd go to our apartment.


Our conversations would go something like this:
Gage: Grandma, how many chocolate balls can I have when I get to your house?
Me: 4 Sweetie.
Gage: Ok, but call me Super Gage today.
Me: Ok Super Gage. What do you want to do at my house?
Gage: I want to eat chocolate balls and draw super heroes and ... Grandma, why do super heroes save the world?
Me: Cuz they're good guys.
Gage: I'm a good guy too. I protect people.
Me: Is that why you're Super Gage today?
Gage: I'm Super Gage. I protect my sister, but I don't protect bad guys. But Grandma, Henderson is close so I can visit you whenever I want.
Me: Well, Super Gage, it's not as close as our apartment is so you can't come over every day, so let's facetime ok?
Gage: Ok. I will. But what if Daddy and Mommy are skyping you and I'm in bed? Then I won't be able to facetime you. I have to stay in bed at night and I can't get up to facetime. So I can't facetime you all the time. Sorry Grandma, but I can't.
Me: It's ok Gage. I mean, Super Gage. It's ok - we'll just facetime during the day and not at night ok?
Gage: Ok, but Heaven's really close.
Me: Yes it is. But I'm not going to Heaven - I'm just going to Henderson.
Gage: But when are you going to Heaven Grandma? Because that's closer than Henderson.
Me: Not sure Super Gage. But when I leave I'll miss you.
Gage: It's ok Grandma. You won't have to cry because I'll facetime you and if you cry I'll be sad.


It's never been quiet when Gage and I ride in the car. And I'm never quite sure the direction the conversation will go, but I'm pretty sure that super heroes will be part of every conversation.
I'll miss you Gage-Man.


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delicious autumn

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
- George Eliot


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impending separation

my worst quality:
I am a huge wimp when it comes to separation. I can't stand it. It makes me physically sick. And it doesn't matter how exciting the future is, what great event or thing is coming up - when I have to say goodbye to someone or something I don't do well. Probably because I am so blessed. If I had a crummy "here and now" or stinky relationships, leaving would feel good. So, goodbye summer, goodbye sweet ones, goodbye New York. I'll miss you.





























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I'm no Meg Ryan

but days like today I fancy myself Kathleen Kelly in "You've Got Mail", all foggy headed with a cold in bed. Somehow, the image in my head:

image

isn't quite reality:

and the romantic bouquet of daisies (which should have been accented by sharpened pencils) is actually a pile of used tissues with a couple of apple cores mixed in.

(don't apples feel good going down your throat when your head is full of gunk?)

Anyway, not much productive happens in my life when I'm all foggy-headed, but it all seems a little happier when I'm Kathleen Kelly and can't help but look cute with those darling PJs and beautifully messy hair.

Kathleen Kelly: "When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does." 

 I think I'll go read a book now.

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Temple Worship

I am a Mormon.  I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We worship on Sundays in our local church buildings, but also have Temples for special worship. This video describes what takes place inside of our temples.  I'm excited to share it with you!  

cozy

Oh THUNDER, I love you! It makes me want to jump into a fluffy bed and sing "My Favorite Things".


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Or roast chestnuts on an open fire (I've never done this - I've not even ever tasted them .... but it sounds so cozy and romantic.


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Or just curl up on the couch with a really, really good book. And maybe some soup.


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Easterners get a bad rap

... so here's some well-deserved praise:

School traffic everywhere is a bit of an inconvenience. We're only in our 2nd week of school, here in Upstate New York ... just a few days of driving during school traffic for me so far. It could be absolutely frustrating, but so far, without fail, someone stops and let me in before I can barely blink an eye.


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You don't see that everywhere. It's common courtesy, and it's abundant here. THANK YOU to the kind strangers in New York who get nothing in return, who think more of helping a stranger than of beating the clock.

Then there's the kind old gentleman at the post office the other day. If you're like me, when you know there's going to be a line, and someone else is walking at about your pace in the same direction, you pick up speed - trying to not seem obvious - to secure the closer place in line. Well, I pulled into the PO parking lot, got out of the car with a couple of small packages and saw an older gentleman approach the door just inches ahead of me. No, he didn't rush in. He opened the door and waited for me to enter before him.


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This he did twice more as we approached the line. I told him to please step in front of me since he had actually arrived first, and this he did. Bit by bit the line dwindled. When it was his turn to go, he stepped back and with a flourish of his hand and a slight bow he motioned for me to go ahead of him. "Did you really think I'd go before you?!?", he asked with a twinkle. THANK YOU kind gentleman for the smile I carried with me all day.

And there are more experiences where these came from. In just a couple of months time I've come to love the strangers of New York. They're kind and generous and their accents crack me up. And while we're touting praises to New York, let me just mention that I LOVE the rain here! Except for that one time for about 25 seconds when I was driving and couldn't see anything.


It's refreshing and clean and it sounds pretty. But oops - after the last rainstorm I set my shoes out to dry .. they were just about dry last night.


Another week and I should be able to wear them again


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