CONFERENCE MARATHON MARCH/APRIL 2015

I was feeling extremely blessed knowing that my birthday landed on Women's Conference evening. This was the first time that I was able to bring both my girls to this special occasion. I love being able to attend with other women from our stake as you definitely feel a special spirit there. At the last minute, Kate really didn't want to go, but I insisted.

During the talks, Kate kept wiping her eyes. I asked her if she was okay and she said that they were "tears of joy." She was so happy to hear the messages. And they were profound! The Relief Society also had popcorn for the treats and it was so much fun to have something different than ice cream and brownies. Everyone loved it!

The next weekend was the marathon of conference. We got all ready to start celebrating and the feed from lds.org was ... delayed, slow, stopped. Anything that you could think of. For all 5 sessions! SO, we have made it a priority to re-watch, re-listen, and re-read these important messages. I will definitely be paying close attention to these.

What did you take out of these sessions of conference?
President Monson did not open or close the sessions, which was different.
Alas, we also are getting 3 new temples.
The importance of sustaining the Prophet. There are always those that oppose, but perhaps we aren't always aware of the opposition.
For me, the themes were strengthening home and family above anything else.

My favorite talk was The Music of the Gospel by Elder Wilford W. Andersen of the Seventy. He starts by sharing a story in a Navajo hospital where an elderly man asked if the doctor could dance. Realizing that this man probably believed in healing through song and dance, the doctor asked if he knew how to dance. The elderly man said yes. The doctor then asked if he could teach him. He said yes, but he could not teach him to hear the music.

He then likened the music to the gospel.

"The challenge for all of us who seek to teach the gospel is to expand the curriculum beyond just the dance steps. Our children’s happiness depends on their ability to hear and love the beautiful music of the gospel. How do we do it?

First, we must keep our own lives attuned to the correct spiritual frequency. Second, when we can hear the music ourselves, we must try our best to perform it in our homes.

So if the basses in your family choir are too loud and overbearing, or if the string section in your family orchestra is a little too shrill or a little bit sharp, or if those impetuous piccolos are out of tune or out of control, be patient. If you’re not hearing the music of the gospel in your home, please remember these two words: keep practicing."

We will definitely work on studying the messages. Did you have a favorite talk? Please share!

Because of the hectic school and work schedule, I did not get pictures taken. Yes, we did have fruit, treats, and the tent. And we worked hard on listening as much as we could during the weekend.

FANCY THANKSGIVING IN UTAH

Thanksgiving was extra special this year! Britney and Erin were married in April, so we decided to make the trip down to Utah so that we could all be together! Erin had to work all day, so he missed the actual dinner.

Amy did such a great job coordinating everything! I brought traditional Blessing Mix (which I also left with the Jensens as well.)

She had us write 4 things that we are most thankful for. Then we did a quick switcheroo and had to guess whose card we had. It was a really fun game! The funniest part was when we heard Dawson's card. It had bacon on it (he's on team bacon). And then it said, "Fancy people." He said he was thankful for fancy people so that they could show us how to be fancy (like when we were drinking out of champagne glasses.) We all had a wonderful laugh.

Of course, most of us were thankful for our family, friends, our homes, testimonies, and the gospel.

And then we ate the most wonderful Thanksgiving dinner in my memory! Turkey was perfect; gravy was delicious; mash potatoes were creamy; rainbow jello was dreamy; rolls were fantastic! There was no fighting at the table; just pleasant conversation with family. The only thing we were missing was Jerry and Erin.

After a quick afternoon nap, we took some Thanksgiving prop pictures. It was really quite entertaining!!! Thanks Amy for the great idea!

Grandma and Jony!

Amy also had a basket of activities for the kids to do while we were finishing dinner and then also cleaning.

Then the Jolleys took us on one of the trails that they love about Farmington. I have to admit that this town is really quaint and beautiful! 

The princess chair

                                        

The hallowed out tree

The younger boys chose to stay back, but this was just TOO cool!!! I'm going to insist that they come next time!

Kissing for the camera on a selfie

And then, on a whim, we decided to stay one more day. I went shopping with Amy and Britney and got a couple things checked off of the Christmas list! (We also did a great deal of shopping on Amazon!!!) Brandon and the kids stayed home and played! Brandon got them all playing Plants vs. Zombies, including Grandma Kathy. We drove back to Poky on Friday afternoon.

Saturday, we went to the movies for Frozen! Kate always loves her pictures, so we took a quick selfie before the movie. It was SO good! A must see if you have children!

So grateful for many, many things this year! Our family has been healthy and safe, and we are so blessed to be able to live in a great ward. We are grateful for the Savior and the sacrifice that he made for each of us! We hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Love the Jolleys!

MAKE IT COUNT

12.14.2012

Around 9:30 am
Newtown, Connecticut
Sandy Hook Elementary
1 armed gunman
20 beautiful children
7 brave adults
11 days till Christmas

As I have reflected over the events in Connecticut over the last week, I have been reminded how important it is to make it count. "What will you choose to do, with the time God has given you? Every day you have a choice. Make it count." Unmeasured Strength by Lauren Manning 

This tragedy touched many of us in different ways. I was at work and looked online about 2:00 pm MST.  There it was plastered all over MSN's home page. And then came that deep pit of agony for children and parents and community. I know that each of you had felt different yet similar things. And in that moment, we wondered what we could do to bear a burden, lighten a load, and reach across our country to say, "I care about you" and "You are in my thoughts and prayers."

Our life here on earth is temporary and we never know when our time to return will be. Everyday and every moment can be special! Do we make the most of these moments? What's stopping us from doing so?  I hope that we will take an opportunity to pretend like each day is our last and live with no regrets.

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "We're spending Christmas at God's house."
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

THANKSGIVING TURKEY

It was right before Thanksgiving, when we got a picture text from Will Bohney. They had made these thankful turkeys for family home evening. (I'm going to steal your idea and do that next year by the way!)

The joke goes something like this. Anya thought that it was one of the kid's turkeys ... for days! If you notice on the top right hand corner, it says 'Dad.' We had a good chuckle about that.

We have so much to be grateful for this year. Among those are wonderful family and wonderful friends. We were missing Jason & Robyn and their kiddos along with the Warths and the Bohneys. I think that it has been helping us remember that we might not always have time together, and that we shouldn't let moments pass so quickly.

Love you all!!! Brandon, Zoey, Faith, Dawson, and Kate

NEVER FORGET

10 years ago.

We remember. Events that others remember. The attack on Pearl Harbor. Assassination of John F. Kennedy. Fall of the Berlin Wall. Events that changed history.

In 2001, we were happily married and living with Brandon's parents. Faith was almost 1 year. I was working at ISU Library part time, and Brandon was going to school full time.

The morning for me started off very routinely. Getting dressed and ready for work, I was watching A Baby Story on the TV. And then I got a call from a dear friend, Kristy, asking if I was watching the TV ... the news ... the horror unfolding. I really didn't know what she was talking about.

Brandon was at the ISU library waiting to get in the building to study for the day. He hears other students talking about a plane crashing into a tower. He didn't realize the impact that this would have. Class schedule that day included history. His teacher said that this was history in the making and sent the class home to watch the news.

We watched the news for days on end, soaking in the new information and really praying. It was all so hard to wrap your head around this tragic event. It truly affected everyone's life.

World Trade Center

Pentagon

Flight 93

The famous picture

For the husband who told his wife I love you one last time before his plane went down in a field, for the wife who stopped in the stairs to call her husband to say I will love you forever, for the mothers and fathers who kissed their kids goodbye the morning they died, for the policemen who rushed in with the firemen to help get others out only to die themselves, for the soldiers who fought back and lost their lives. Today, tomorrow, ten years from now, we will remember♥

GRACE'S DRAMATIC ENTRANCE

Tuesday night I went over to help Anya. She was having a rough day because she hadn't felt Grace move anytime after 2:00 pm. We made the decision, for peace of mind, to head to the hospital. Her husband, Tyler, was at work and she didn't want to upset him too. This was at 9:00 pm.

Once hooked up to the monitors, Grace was moving like crazy, but Anya still couldn't feel her. The nurses noticed that she was having regular contractions, and though most likely braxton hicks because she couldn't feel them, and needed to be checked. (around 10:30 pm)

Talked to Tyler, but since we knew that we were going to be leaving in a half an hour, we asked him to pick up Bryleigh and put her to bed. It was all cool. He was cool, we were cool.

Only dilated to a 1 (around 11:00 pm), the nurse and resident, continued the history (around 11:30) and thought that the itching without rash most likely wasn't pupps, but something else instead. They asked to do a blood panel to find out if they could tell why she was itching. (blood taken around midnight)

1:15 and we are still talking about how we wished that they would just hurry and discharge us. 1:30, resident says that they need to run one more panel on her blood work because nothing was definite from first panel. This might give us more answers, may or may not need more blood to do this.

2:01. Nurse comes walking in and pulls open curtain. "You're going to have a birth day today." Anya, "Seriously?" She says, "Yes. Within the hour."

2:02. Call Tyler. Tell Tyler that he has to hurry his butt up there so that they can have the baby. His response? "Whatever." (He thought that we were joking and going to be pulling into the driveway in the next minute.) I tell him that we are serious and make him believe that this is happening ... tonight ... within the hour.

Madness in the room. Doctor, resident, 3 nurses, 1 anesthesiologist, 1 operating nurse, Anya and me. We find out that Anya had HELLP syndrome, a variant of pre-eclampsia, and stands for the main findings: Hemolytic anemia, Elevate Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count. It can be very serious of not caught early.

Tyler arrives. Gets dressed. 5 minutes later, they take Anya to the operating room. 2:38 am.

Arrive home right before 3:00 am. 3:05 am, Grace comes into this world. Weighed in at 6 Lbs. 13 Oz. 20 inches long.

The girls!!!

I know that there was a reason that Anya did not feel Grace that day and why we were prompted to head to the hospital. Miracles do happen. Tender mercies remind us that the Lord knows us and He loves us. Happy birthday Grace!

ACCIDENT AND TENDER MERCIES

My mom has been training for a Century Bike Race - 100 miles - and was doing a pre-race race ...

On Saturday, right before we went to see Wicked, I missed a bunch of calls on my phone. I knew that it could not be good, since all my family knew that I was in Boise for the weekend.

Saturday morning, while Tracy brought Dawson to his soccer game (he made his first goal ever) she received a call from my Dad that my Mom was in a bicycle accident during her race over in Rupert/Burley area. It was bad. What made it worse was that we were not there.

My dad and mom on their bike!

The story of what happened:

It was windy that day. When it is windy, bike riders 'draft' where they go in a single line and take turns at the front. This is an example of streaming.

That was what they were doing this morning. One of the riders put on the brakes. The next rider braked. My Mom didn't have the time to brake. 15 miles an hour --- tire to tire --- you get the idea. She went down hard right on her knee. The riders around her got help. She went to Minidoka Hospital in Rupert.

Could you imagine something worse than being in a rural hospital? That sounds scary. A few x-rays later, they found out her knee was shattered ... and a broken thumb.

4 1/2 hour surgery later, she was a proud new owner of a 16 inch incision, 2 plates, 14 screws, and a bone graft in her left knee. She also had to have 2 pins/screws in her thumb. The surgery was just the beginning. She is non-weight bearing for 3 months (a walker) and in crutches for 3 months after that.

The tender mercies of the Lord:

I have been touched on how many tender mercies that we are constantly given. This accident was no exception.

First, the people that surrounded her were her friend Lisa, who is an RN, a very tall big man, who is an RN, and an EMT. Because of their knowledge, they did everything right.

Second, one of my Dad's friends and fellow riders showed up late. He had managed to make it to their group and needed to rest before going on. The second the accident happened, he called my dad. My Dad didn't answer, so he was able to bike like I'm sure he never had before and reach my Dad to tell him that my Mom was in an accident. Otherwise, it may have been hours longer before he found her.

Third, when my Mom met the surgeon, she felt peace overwhelm her. After the surgery, she found out that the surgeon's specialty is trauma orthopedic surgery. He has great experience and was on rotation from Cassia Regional Medical Center in Burley.

Fourth, the anesthesiologist was on rotation from Pocatello and is a long time friend of my Mom and was able to help my Dad give her a blessing.

I do not believe that any of this was a coincidence. My Mom had the best care possible. All of the staff were LDS and that was a comfort to her. There were so many that stopped to see my parents and see how they were doing who did not even know them. They gave the family of their friends in Pocatello. Sometimes the Lord has something that he wants us to learn.

My Mom continues to amaze me. She is getting around slowly, but surely and doing more and more each day. As an independent person, and is asking for help and letting others help and serve her. We have both been following this blog and it gives us courage to do hard things. That is my Mom's new mantra: "I can do hard things."

GRANDMA JENSEN JENSEN

BarDee Jensen Jensen, my grandma.

I always remember going to visit them at their home in Preston, Idaho in the summertime to help with harvesting corn. They grew the best corn ever (Delmonte) and I always looked forward to cousin and eating corn-on-the-cob.

Every year for Christmas, we would receive brand new money in an envelope.

My grandma passed away April 29, 2011. The funeral was May 3, 2011.

Here is her obituary:
BarDee J. Jensen
PRESTON - BarDee Jensen Jensen, 86, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2011 at Heritage Home in Preston, Idaho. She was born on June 56, 1924 in Glendale, Idaho to Oleen Alder Jensen and Ellen Clayton Porter. She married Keith Eugene Jensen on June 25, 1942 in the Logan LDS Temple.

She enjoyed working with her husband at the Premium Oil Co until he retired in 1998. She loved to visit the people at the service station. It was always full of friends. She also worked at Mereda's Vogue and Petersen's Drapery. Together Mom and Dad planted, harvested, and sold sweet corn. BarDee loved to work with her hands and crocheted afghans, doilies, and quilts, and always shared her raspberries with others. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served as Relief Society President, in the Young Women's and the Sunday School. One of her favorite callings was being a primary teacher. Mom loved her family and was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

BarDee is survived by her children, Gail (John) Barr, James (Bonnie) Jensen, both of Preston, ID; Charmaine (Jerry) Harwood, of Paris, ID; Kelly (Cindy) Jensen, of Pocatello, ID; Phillip (Michelle) Jensen of Logan, UT; 21 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, and seven great-great granchildren, one brother, Glen Jensen of Brigham City, UT; five sisters Evelyn Brady of St George, UT; Lucille Hall, of Salt Lake City, UT; Colleen Hyer, Lewiston, UT; Helen Lombardi, St George, UT; Sharon Buttars, of Franklin, ID. She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers David and Cecil Jensen, and a grandson Tyler Hemsley.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 12 noon in the Preston 1st Ward LDS chapel, 213 South 200 East in Preston, with Bishop Brent Dodge conducting. A viewing will be held Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home's new location, 1005 South 800 East, in Preston and Tuesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be in the Preston Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Heritage Home and the staff there, as well as Access Hospice and Thelma Roley and Jeneil Blanch for the care they gave to BarDee.


Because it's hard to read, I am going to re-type it all for when I print out my blog.

In Loving Memory of
BarDee Jensen Jensen
Born: June 5, 1924
Glendale, Idaho

Passed Away: April 29, 2011
Preston, Idaho

PRESTON FIRST WARD CHAPEL
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - 12:00 noon
President Lynn Bingham, Legacy 2nd Brand, conducting

PALL BEARERS
Lance Hemsley
Johnathan Jensen
Chad Jensen
Jeremy Jensen
Jeff Jensen
Robert Jensen

HONORARY PALL BEARERS
Brian Jensen
Matthew Jensen
Jase Jensen

Compassionate Service by the Preston First Ward Relief Society.

SERVICE

Family Prayer .................. Phillip Jensen, son

Prelude & Postlude ......... Bonnie Slaughter, friend

Musical Number ............. Cindy Jensen, daughter-in-law
"Heirloom"
Zoey Michelle Jolly, granddaughter, accompanist

Invocation ....................... Tara Parker, granddaughter

Life Sketch ...................... Charmaine Harwood & Gail Barr, daughters

Speaker ........................... James Jensen, son

Musical Number ............ Johnathan Jensen, grandson
"Remember Me"
Jamie Talbot, granddaughter, accompanist

Speaker ........................... Kelly Jensen, son

Remarks ......................... President Lynn Bingham, Branch President

Musical Number ........... Channing & Laken Hemsley, great grandchildren
"O My Father"
Brett Ward, great graddaughter, accompanist

Benediction ................... Heather Johnstun, granddaughter

******************************

Dedication of Grave ..... John Barr, son-in-law

On the back of the program is the Posterity of Keith and BarDee Jensen.
5 Children
21 Grandchildren
49 Great Grandchildren
7 Great Great Grandchildren

Gail (John) Barr
ShaMe'
Camie
Kellie (Michael) Oxx
Tristan
Jordan
Alijah
Chelsea (Justin) Kofoed
Ashton
Jacob
Zachary
Lance (Laurie) Hemsley
Channing (Britney)
Hudson
Brystol
Brett (Ronnie) Ward
Riley
Sawyer
Laken
Tyler (Debbie) Hemsley
Chase
Coltin
Shy
Chance

James (Bonnie) Jensen
Johnathan (Lynette) Jensen
Conner
Alexandra
Nathan
Brittyn
Chad (Colleen) Jensen
Saxton
Tayson
Kaislyn
Jamie (Casey) Talbot
Ethan
Kyla
Halle
Caleb
Heather (Jared) Johnstun
Taegen
Jade

Charmaine (Jerry) Harwood
Tara (Flint) Parker
Chance
McKaylee
Marlan
Jordan
Debra (Austin) Harwood
Skyler
Trenica
Michael (Mic)

Kelly (Cindy) Jensen
Zoey Michelle (Brandon) Jolley
Faith
Dawson
Kate
Tracy (Brian) Atkinson
Christian
Conner
Jordan
Robyn (Jason) Royce
Hallee
Jadyn
Colt
Bristol
Laura (Jason) Peterson

Phillip (Michelle) Jensen
Jeremy (Erin) Jensen
Zachary
Jeff
Robert (Mindy) Jensen
Jazlyn
Jately
Braxton
Echo
Brian
Jace (Whitney) Jensen
Lucinda
Matthew
Carson
Annjolina


The funeral was very nice and I enjoyed laughing and thinking about her.

Charmaine mentioned things about her childhood. One story was of her and her sisters walking to the outhouse. Every time, the rooster would come and pace back and forth and back and forth between the outhouse. They would have to run as fast as they could all the way back to the house.

Gail talked about all those who cared for her and about the funny things Grandma did while at the Heritage Home. One story was of her constantly leaving her room and crawling as fast as she could. It always took the staff awhile before they could find her.

Jim talked about the care that she received and how much his mother was loved by so many. He also talked about a story and parable of a ship that was set to sail. Slowly, ever so slowly, the ship begins to fade out of our view and past the horizon. And on the other side of the horizon, the ship is seen.

My Dad talked about the plan of salvation. He talked about riding his bike and how life has uphills, some potholes, and wind along the way ... but that only makes us stronger. Very touching talk.

The Bishop was the concluding speaker, and perhaps my favorite. He talked about how his unique calling is to help prepare his members for their 'final exam.' Today is Grandma's graduation ceremony and how sweet that is. She is cheering and jumping for joy. Because of his talk, I will always try to remind myself that funerals are a graduation ceremony of this life and there is so much more to come in the next life.

The gospel and the plan of salvation are such a blessing in my life and something that I am ever grateful for. I have a testimony that Grandma is now with my Grandpa and that they are happy and living in heaven. Happy graduation Grandma! Can't wait to see you again!

I AM THANKFUL #30

In case you missed it, I am thankful for:
family
priesthood
freedom
modern medicine
transportation
two eyes, two ears, hands, and legs
general conference
babies
good books
laughter & Dawson
music
four seasons
Faith
visiting teaching
three sisters
Kate
my job
temples
good advice
friends
faith promoting blogs
food
teachers
snowstorms
shelter
Atonement
trials
the spirit of Christmas
modern conveniences
AND

I am thankful for goodly parents. My parents always made sure that we had what we needed. We never went without. They sacrificed so that I could be in band, which was a highlight of my growing up. I took piano lessons. We had a piano in our home. They taught me the gospel and made sure that I knew that church was important. Now, as I am grown and have a family of my own, they try hard to let me learn how to be a parent. They probably bite their tongue quite a bit, but for this I am grateful. My Mom watches Kate for me on Mondays, which is a huge help for us. My Dad is always willing to help with blessings or to teach one of my own how to ride their bike.



Thank you Mom and Dad for loving me and teaching me all that I know!

I AM THANKFUL #29

I am thankful for modern conveniences. I don't know if I could have made it as a pioneer woman.

Things like flushing toilets,


microwaves (what did people ever do without them),


and the good old washer and dryer.


I am thankful and grateful for all of the modern conveniences that we have.

I AM THANKFUL #28

I am thankful for the spirit of Christmas. It is such a wonderful time of year that we try to give of ourselves. Neighbors scrap walkways and help dig their cars out. Many doors are knocked with anonymous gifts, treats, and jars filled with coins.

I love the spirit of Christmas and especially all of the great stories that bring tears to your eyes and warm your heart. These stories help us remember that not everything in this world is bad and that we too, can give.

Here are two great stories. The first is "Christmas Shoes", one of my favorite Christmas songs that makes me cry my eyes out everytime. The second is a story that I found online about changing lives during a difficult Christmas. It was a story that I had never heard before, but one that touched me. I hope that you enjoy both!

Story written by Annie

I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gift. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them.

I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, “Are you sure I don’t have enough money” She replied a bit impatiently, “You know that you don’t have enough money for it." The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle. The boy continued to hold the doll.

After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for. He said, “It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it.” I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said “No, Santa can’t go where my sister is…I have to give the doll to my Momma to take to her”. I asked him where his sister was.

He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said, “She has gone to be with Jesus”. My Daddy says that Momma is going to have to go be with her. My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said, “I told my Daddy to tell Momma not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store”. Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he’d had taken at the front of the store. He said “I want my Momma to take this with her so she don’t ever forget me. I love my Momma so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me. But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister.”

I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a handfull of bills. I asked the little boy, “Shall we count that money one more time?” He grew excited and said “Yes, I just know it has to be enough”. So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it.

Of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, “Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money.” Then the boy said, “I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Momma can take it with her to give to my sister. And he heard my prayer. I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Momma a white rose, but I didn’t ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Momma. She loves white roses so very very much”.

In a few minutes, the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on rather to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story.

Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected. Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store.

I left there in tears, my life changed forever. The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces.

“We make a living by what we get; We make a life by what we give.”

I AM THANKFUL #27

I am thankful for our trials. This is something that I am not always grateful for, but who would want to be the same person 5 years down the road. There are so many things that help mold and change us and make us a better person. I love the way that C.S. Lewis puts it in 'Mere Christianity.'

God's work in our lives can be painful, but His ultimate goal is to transform us into something better.

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.

But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards.

You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but he is building up a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.

C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity

I AM THANKFUL #26

I am thankful for the knowledge of the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.


The knowledge that Jesus came to this earth to teach and live the gospel helps me everyday through the bad days and the good ones.


I continue to learn from his teachings and am so blessed to have this knowledge.


He not only lived for us, he died for us so that we may all live again. His resurrection is one of the most touching of all the stories in the Book of Mormon for me.


How grateful I am for my older brother!