Greetings to everyone out in the wonderful, magical world of Blogland! I'm happy to report that a lot has been accomplished in the time that I've been away. When I say this, please know that I'm not bragging, but just very humbled and very thankful for the abundance of blessings I have received.
First and foremost, I've made much progress in my quest to be back on the straight and narrow path. Heavenly Father has blessed me and strengthened me so much. I'm back in full membership at church and I haven't missed a Sunday since I started back on February 4th 2012. I have a calling in Relief Society as pianist and on May 16th I was able to go on the Stake temple trip to Birmingham Alabama. These are blessings i don't take lightly. It's true that the feelings we have when our hearts are truly changed are amazing. Regardless what the world says, I know beyond any doubt that we have a Father in Heaven who knows each of us, loves us without end, and we have a Savior who loves us also. These kinds of love are beyond a mortal's comprehension. To think that someone like me who stumbles and fails is still loved by Him. I more fully understand what it means when they say that our Savior understands how we feel. I finally grasp the meaning of every pain, both physical or otherwise, every sadness, every period of loneliness, rejection, and all other suffering...Christ knows for He has felt all of these things that I have felt and also every emotion that YOU have felt. He truly does understand how we feel. I'm so deeply thankful for the Atonement and the loving sacrifice our Savior made for us.
I had the privilege of hearing Elder Dallin H Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak at our Stake Conference in April. How amazing to be that close to an apostle of God. I even got to shake his hand. I loved him before, but even more after being in his presence....his smile, his love for us, his sense of humor, and those eyes that seem to look right into your soul.
Life has been so good! I finally have a handle on my diabetes and I've learned a new way to live. This is another blessing.
I've enjoyed spending time with my wonderful family. We recently went out to dinner and what a joy it was to be in their company.
Hannah went to the prom and she has gotten more beautiful (if that's possible) with each passing day.
Funny how time has flown by....it seems just yesterday she was the little chubby cheeked little girl playing with her horse figures and riding her bike. I hope Hannah will always know that I love her very deeply and I wish for her everything good and beautiful this life has to offer.
Guess this is all for now. Life is good on this day!
Wow, another month has begun...March. The old saying "in like a lion, out like a lamb" will be the way this March is. The weather has been so crazy so far and it's only the 6th day of the new month. We have had storms, cold weather, hot weather...sort of like Forrest and his box of chocolates "you never know what you're gonna get."
Three occasions this month...the "ides of March" and my two favorites..the birthdays of my adored daughter Laura and her daughter Kennedy. Laura is my firstborn and my only daughter...how I love her! And Kennedy is my granddaughter with the dark red curls who is more adorable than words can describe.
I wish I could go back and start motherhood all over again. I didn't do the best job of being a Mom; I was young, inexperienced, and I made a lot of mistakes. I am so thankful for my children..Laura, Timmy, & Ryan. They are such amazing people...all so different,but all so wonderful. Being a woman and a mother is such a blessing!
I'm still working on my personal agenda of trying to become the spiritual person I should be. I know that I've made progress but I still have some work to do. It's a day by day thing. I made mistakes that take time to overcome but I've learned to never take things for granted. Some promises we make in this life, especially the ones we make to our Father in Heaven, must be taken seriously and kept sacred. Without my Heavenly Father, I would be nothing, I would have nothing. He has blessed me so richly and I am humbled by His love and patience with me.
I will say goodnight for now to all of you in Blogland. Sweet dreams...angels on your pillows.
Hello .... it's me, your wide-awake blogger! It's 3:55 am and once again I can't seem to fall asleep. Perhaps it's because I took a long afternoon nap after church (yes, don't faint, I went to church again) or maybe my mind is overloaded.
Today was a good day though! I went to church and felt the Spirit there. It was so nice to be in the company of family members and friends who always welcome me so warmly. I met some new people...there are new people coming all the time and of course the ones who are there all the time.
My efforts to find my way back to the spiritual part of my life that's been missing is coming along nicely. Am I where I need to be? Not yet but I'm getting closer every day. I'll be the first to acknowledge I'm stubborn, hard-headed (thanks Mom) and sometimes believe I can do things on my own; in time I realize I can't do it all on my own.....in fact, I can't do anything without guidance from my Heavenly Father. I've been blessed so much more than I feel I deserve. I take for granted that I was born to loving parents who made sure I had the things I needed if not all the things I wanted. My Mother made sure I went to church and learned the Gospel. I may not have all the answers, but I know I am a daughter of God and if I do the things I've been taught to do, I'll live with Him again.
There are millions of people in the world who wander aimlessly trying to find answers to the problems in their lives. I'm ashamed that there have been times I've taken for granted the knowledge of truth. I know I fall short everyday of being the person I should be. But, I am making a conscious effort to improve myself...and no, it's not easy, but then nothing worthwhile ever is. I'm thankful that our Father in Heaven is a loving Father, who knows us, loves us, and is there for us anytime we seek Him. I'm also very thankful that He is an understanding Father who is always willing to forgive us for being less than perfect if we but ask and make the changes we need to.
Life is good...looking for a new job and sort of making a new start. At this time I am very thankful for the bounty of blessings my family and I have been given.
A final thought for this post.....Congratulations NY Giants for winning the Super Bowl!!! Eli is "da man!"
Goodnight/good morning....make this day a good one! As my landlord says, "our day is not complete unless we've helped someone."
Hellooooo.
Tonight's entry will be short and sweet. I have commited myself to start over (again) with my life. I hope you have smelling salts on hand because today I did something that I haven't done since July 2011...I went to church! Yep, that's the rumble you heard about 9:30 this morning, but I have to say, it was a good thing. For the past few weeks, I've been feeling very isolated and alone...spiritually. We feed our bodies when they're hungry but so many times we neglect the soul. I haven't always been the kind of person I should be, but I have deep religious beliefs. I know that I'm here on this earth for a purpose, but I allowed myself to get sidetracked, out of touch, spiritually lost in a way. But thanks to loving family and friends, I was welcomed back with open arms. In case you haven't read my blog before, I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...aka...Mormon. I really don't like to refer to my church as "Mormon" because there are so many misinformed people out there who judge because of what they've heard over the years. YES, we are Christians, YES we believe in God and His son Jesus Christ...hence the correct name. I've always found peace and comfort being an active member, but I'm also human and I let myself get caught up in worldly things. It's my desire to get back where I need to be....there's nothing quite as wonderful as knowing that He is with me and He loves me. And, not just me, our Heavenly Father loves all of His children...even when we're aren't very lovable; real, unconditional, eternal love.
Today was a long day but a good day. I'm thankful for the support and love from some very dear people...Sharon, Craig, Roxanne, and Bishop Cain. We give up on ourselves many times but thankfully there are people who are there for us, to help us spiritually and in many other ways. I am humble tonight, I am blessed tonight.
It's dark and quiet..just the lights blinking on the computer. The hum of the computer and.....a snoring cat! It's like the universe is against me tonight/this morning, whatever it is. The snoring cat is mocking me..saying ha ha I can sleep but you can't, so I'm trying to stop fighting it, maybe I'm supposed to be awake for a reason. Don't they say everything happens for a reason? "They" probably get enough sleep. In some ways it is nice; I can sit here and try and clear my head...I heard that! Yes, even my head is filled with stuff occasionally. Thinking that even though I'm a rebel child, a hardheaded woman, the Lord still loves me and blesses me. I take Him for granted sometimes, but I hope He knows that I am thankful for the times I've been blessed, rescued, helped in ways that could only be attributed to a higher power.
Ok, I think I will try to sleep now...to sleep, per chance to dream?
Good morning everyone! It's 2:16 in the morning and my constant companion of the night is here with me.....his name is "insomnia." Webster's describes insomnia as "chronic inability to sleep" and that is a fitting description. There are other words for it but I don't think I'll put them up. Not sleeping well has become an unwelcome part of my life as of late; tonight's reason...the neighborhood dogs are barking.
My new life (the unemployed life) is moving along pretty well. I'm checking into working at home, some good prospects are being checked out. All things considered, I'm doing ok.
Yes, the dog is still barking. I just want to go over there and ask him what his problem is and what can I do to shut him up.
What is that sound? Listen....it's the sound of a dog not barking. Maybe I can try this thing called sleep again. Everyone have a safe and peaceful night. Peace is a wonderful thing...
yes..I spoke too soon...dog is barking again...
Happy New Year!
Well, another year has come and gone; another Thanksgiving, another Christmas and...another grandson! We welcomed Jax Creede on Sunday, January 8th. He wasn't expected until Feb. 4th so this was a pleasant surprise. He's beautiful and he smiles alot. He had a few problems that required him to be on oxygen for awhile, then after he went home, he wasn't gaining weight or maintaining his body temp. so he has been back to the hospital, but all is well now.
My sister, brother-in-law, and I spent Christmas evening with Ryan, Erica, her parents, brother, grandparents and of course Hudson and Rylan. It was such a wonderful, special evening when it's easy to feel the love of family. We so enjoyed the hospitality, the food, and being together.
Christmas didn't seem much like Christmas this year; too many issues going through my mind..health, work, confusion. I had become very unhappy in my job; I felt out of place for the first time in 6 years. So at this time I am going to be working from home and finding out what I really want to do with my life. I hope to find a job that will have people who appreciate what I have to offer, things like how much effort I put in to do a good job. We will see...but it was time for a change.
Otherwise, life is moving along nicely. I'm thankful for loyal friends who been there to lift me up when I was down, who let me vent my frustrations and fears.
As always I am deeply thankful for my family,for their love, consideration, and generosity.
Let's all pray that this year will be successful for us all. Will write more tomorrow.
this handsome guy is Lionel...he belongs to a friend of mine who lives in England. An appropriate photo for Halloween don't you think??
