Saturday + Sunday= Wonderful

As I posted my title ( sometimes a hard decision ) I thought....yes it was wonderful. I could complain about a few things....but they really don't matter in the scheme of things. I still dressed spring like, despite the blah weather !! ....ooops...that sounds a bit like a complaint about the dreary weather.

It is quiet once again in my day, I could get used to more quiet moments....and I want to write about my Sunday, so far. I've been a little confused today....For some reason I thought that it was May, and today was fast Sunday. That certainly is ridiculous, since Laura would be here if it was May. Whatever...I began the day fasting, and until I read the program at church and realized that we had speakers....I was in that mode.

Okay...confusion aside, Sacrament was really good today. Katherine C spoke first, and that girl could just stand there and smile and you'd feel good. The theme for today was following the Savior...and she chose to interpret this message through a Primary song. It was beautiful and spoke to all ages, especially the children. Greg W. spoke next and that man is one wise man. I liked when he said if we study our scriptures, Ensigns, lesson manuals, etc. our testimony will remain in tact. That is so true. If only we could do the simple things that we are asked to do. he also emphasized the need to attend our meetings, the Temple, sustaining our Bishopric, Loving each other, HT/VT, priesthood, and endurance.....these all draw us closer to being Christ like
We had a spectacular musical number from Helene Farland, and Christy Hodder...flute and violin with Chris on the piano....warranted applause !!! ( I did it in my heart!
David E. spoke last....using phrases like describing himself past his best before date....His focus was on the word JOY.....if we seek Joy we will be as the Savior.....I liked when he said that his visits to the Temple always upgraded him...that babies enter the world crying because they don't want to leave Heaven....and not to worry we all fall short....just seek JOY.

Gosh I write silly notes....but the essence is that each talk spoke to my spirit and I was edified. I then had to teach Sunday school...The Law of Consecration. I totally feel inadequate to teach this class, but the Lord holds me up there and I teach. There was lots of participation today, so that felt good. While we are not asked to live this Law fully we should be living in such a way that it will not be difficult to live when we are asked.....here are four points that came from the lesson

Realize that everything that we have belongs to the Lord
Make the sacrifices the Lord requires now
Develop Christ like love for others
Strive to consecrate all aspects of our lives to the Lord

That's a good to-do list...and I felt good teaching this lesson after all.
Relief Society ended the morning and I love being in that room with these wonderful women.
Tricia M. taught today and she is so adorable when she teaches...so down to earth!!! Great lesson on
finding the sunshine in our trials!!!

I left church and had a sweet visit with Aunt May, always appreciated by her, and always uplifted by her humility

Today is good....I'm grateful to get of the treadmills of my life and just fill my spiritual glasses....they are full. Thank you

PEACE is available

                                

I have found some quiet today, and I feel impressed to write a few words.
Of course Saturdays are such a gift to me, as I usually can be found at the Temple. I love serving in this Holy House. Within the walls of our Temples one can find a pure peace and be renewed with hope, and the love of the Savior. Today was just that. I attended two endowment sessions and it was such an enlightening time. One of those sessions was extra special as I served with my cousin Bill. How I love seeing him there and hearing his sweet Newfoundland accent offering prayers to the Lord. I must always add that the People at the Temple are ALL so kind and loving. It is truly the happiest place on earth....and such a beautiful glimpse into Heaven.

I have also been still feeling the reflections of last week's General Conference. We are truly blessed to once again having prophets, apostles, seers and revelators on the earth once again. While this world wide conference only comes twice during the year, it feeds the soul with goodness to get one through the next six months. Here are some special things that I noted....thank goodness that this can all be reread, listened to....online ( lds.org) and in our monthly Ensign.
-two new Temples announced.....Cedar City Utah and Rio de Janerio
-65,634 missionaries in the field, with 20,000 to come, 6000 presently being processes...way to go youth and older couples!!!!
-58 new missions

- loved Boyd. K. Packers poem on aging....gave me some perspective

-Elaine S.Dalton....What ere thou art
                                Act well thou part
   she spoke to me and who I am as a woman

-Craig A. Cardon...the Lord recognizes our righteous Efforts

-Russell M.Ballard....the vision of  the many creations of the Lord....galaxies more than we can truly fathom

-Henry B.Eyring.....calling on the Lord/ drawing closer to Him

-Richard G.Scott....Having Christ Centered Homes....one of many who referenced the good and bad of technology...what if we read a scripture verse every time that we texted

-Quinton L.Cook....Doctrines of Peace....very powerful

-Stanley G.Ellis....we are not spiritual orphans

-David Bednar....LAW OF CHASTITY...this talk was so powerful....should be read over and over again.....creation our most divine attribute

-Russell M Nelson....Catch the wave....missionary service

-Jeffrey R.Holland....God always has to work with imperfect people....Deal with it.
 be patient, kind forgiving. Don't be afraid to ask for help!!! Belief is a precious thing. Belief is    always the first step.

-Dallin H. Oakes.....Rescue and Serve

-E. Falabella....In order to contend you need 2 people. I will not be one of them
 a child who sings is a happy child
Temple....live the scriptures...love the Book of Mormon and the Savior

-D.Todd Christofferson...Christ the REDEEMER. We, in following Christ serve to redeem others for him.

-Pres. Utchtdorf....darkness and light...How to find the light
      1. start where you are
      2. turn your heart toward the Lord
      3. walk in the light
  Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light
 I am the light of the world
 Darkness cannot succeed
Such an amazing, spiritual man of God....loved this talk!

-Neil Anderson.....We are witnesses of Daniels prophecy. The stone shall roll forth. The Savior invites us to Come and See

-Rosemary Wixom......How we speak to children....Disconnect to reconnect.
( strong voice  about Technology)  25 words or less....what would you write
Loved this talk so much.....every parent/adult needs to read this.

-L.Whitney Clayton...awesome talk....WATCH AND LEARN...such powerful direction on marriage
 Commandments are not a buffet. Quality of our marriage is a gift from us to him.

-L.Tom Perry...VERY VERY strong words and warning. Strong words about the 10 commandments !!!!Wickedness NEVER was happiness!!!
God and his commandments and his promised blessings are unchanging.
Stand Morally Strong

-Pres.Thomas S.Monson....OBEDIENCE
  story of the fire in Vivian park...lessons learned
To obey is better than sacrifice
Obedience is first law in Heaven
Truth and light received as we keep the commandments
This man is a prophet of God

These are but a few notes of the most uplifting and spiritual conference. So many spoke to ME...yet they are for all in the world. While millions viewed these....how I wish that many more could receive this wisdom and truth.

I will close by bearing my witness that the Lord is teaching us through many wonderful leaders in the church. These are the last days. The church has been restored as the Savior would have it. The Temple is our link to eternal life with our Heavenly parents. Jesus Christ walked on this earth and gave of his life so that we could live. He is our Savior and our Redeemer. I am so deeply grateful for his Atonement for Me and you. I believe that we are led by living prophets and apostles once again. How deeply grateful I am for this knowledge and testimony. Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration, the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, we are a blessed people. God lives and loves me.

 

 

I should not forget to add that after a sweet three hour nap...my sweet husband took me out tonight for Chinese. It was delicious and they gave us soooooo much....Sunday cooking all done!!

Thanks Bill....appreciate all of your thoughtfulness and patience with me.

SCREAMMMMMMMMMMM

There that feels better. I have been feeling the need to scream so even writing it in the title felt good. See I'm not high-maintenance!! Okay...why a scream....just feeling surrounded by too much to do....and no desire to start anything. I just feel a need for boring...no plans....no unfinished....
But I'm not even sure that that is the issue. What is wrong with me???
Lately I've been like a maniac making cards, working on sewing projects, and as satisfying as these things have been....I sometimes wish that I had none of these crafts....What is wrong with me??

What do I really want these days ( do I really know) I want to be walking more, I want to loose all of my weight, I want to clear out the junk in my house, I want to improve my garden.....
What's wrong with me.....none of those things are happening or probably will.

That was my vent for tonight. I think that I really needed that. I'm feeling a bit lonely tonight. My best girlfriend is away, and she often perks me up. I just stopped and called her, and I feel better. Friends are an important part of our journey and I'm grateful for those special ones in my life.

Time to talk about the past week....you might go pick up a good book because my days have been pretty dull. No reflection on my sweet Olivia. We do see lots of each other, and I am grateful to have these days with her. She is a cute little girl, always so happy, even this week when she's had yet another cold. As much as I don't like to see these precious children ( my grandchildren) grow up too quickly....I will be happy to hear more language from Miss O....it will happen before we know it.
I've also had some quick face times with my fab five...and can you believe it Jessica and Sarah had their first babysitting job!!!!! Real earn $$$ job! They sure were excited and by all accounts did a good job! I also got to have a fun evening with Keah, Finley and Emmy while Michael attends a soccer referee clinic. This week we watched Finding Nemo and it was enjoyed by all.Photos to follow... As it ended Finley said Nanny now can we watch Little Mermaid....she loves that one!!
These girls are also loving 25-30 piece puzzles and they do them very well. I presented them with a new one this week and after they both did it, Finley returned to do it at least five more times. She would have kept doing it but it was time to leave. She said I want to stay here!!!
Emmy loves to draw and she is so focused on her creations. Keah and I had fun making cards so it was indeed a good time.
So I've spoken about each of my children's families....so don't worry I will not leave out Laura. I love this lady!! She impresses me with her diligence to improve her health....and I've nicknamed her roadrunner. She impresses me even more with her writing skills, and I appreciate her blogging efforts..they lift me up. I love her calls, even the ones in my dreams!!She ignores the time zones completely!! I am excited to have her and Jeremy visit in a few weeks.

Okay....I feel a need to stop.....so photos....

someone loves to read

love seeing photos of these guys...miss them

pure happiness

and she keeps reading

my handsome Jacob!!!!

still reading

Goofy and Mickey!!!

Emmy laughing during Nemo

still laughing...a bit blurred

really enjoying Nemo and Nanny`s treats

 

very  intent movie watcher

and then a few minutes of Little Mermaid

(also a craft time)

love these two little girls and their curls

Finley and THE puzzle

Emmy`s Nemo ocean

( on princess paper)

our happy artist!!!

so cute!!

more puzzle time ( not this week)

building towers

Oh how I miss this girl!!!!!

Olivia time with Aunt Lynn

a quote that I really like from Conference

( conference was awesome)

Aunt Lynn gave her a popsicle...and she loved it!!

Love the smile on Nanny`s face...Olivia was

very entertaining today

another great quote

Laura sent me this photo....love her!!

some cards that I made this week!!!

love these little 3x3 cards

 

organizing my card sets

 

So that`s all for this post. Sorry about the venting....I try not to do that ....it just seemed to take over my writing process tonight. I am a very blessed lady. I know it and I do feel it.

I am impatient with my life and some people in my life but that will never help.

Another great quote from this week.....

`The task ahead of you is NEVER greater than the strength within you`.`

It`s my self-doubts that makes this a hard one to always believe.

This is truly a journey....a long one sometimes...but an adventure indeed!!

TRADITIONS

Traditions are a very good thing. They bond us, strengthen us, renew us, and so much more. So without going into much detail here is the annual Haas-Durnford Easter Brunch......

It all began with Mary and Jack

 

 

lots of catching up

 

smiles for me...thanks

 

the fill in chef this year!!

the pastries

sharing the newest baby

dig in folks

the littles

more littles

family

random table photos

sweet Madelyn

Our hosts

View from the party room

love trying to herd these cuties together

come on Olivia!!!

Charlotte just keeps on smiling...what a sweetie

they gave up on her...she loves her basket more

checking out the decorations

what a doll

Finley in some expressive dance!!!

love these smiles...and the people too!!

another attempt at a group shot....please sit Miss O

getting there

Lets get the egg hunt going directs Miss O

I claim all the purples...matches my basket

hunting in their cute boots

always ready to share!!!

love this family

so much!!!

no time for photos Mom...I see another egg

yummy smiles....as Emmy keeps looking

almost all of us....miss you Eric

making jokes....oh those boys

good one Glenn

such a sweet couple

proud grandma....we missed Michaela today

where's my basket and which aunt is this!!

great family shot!!!

Mommy finally gets her baby back

 

Thanks for the memories.

 

It was a grand Easter brunch. Thanks Julie and Bill. They are so good to keep this tradition well and alive despite the challenges of Bill's recent knee replacement. We did miss many family members, and we all spoke of you....missing this year....

Eric, Nancy,Ben,Jackie and kiddies,Andy, Tina and girls,Emily,Sara,Suzie,Annie and their families,Michaela,Andrew,Bill, Brandon, Laura and Jeremy,Kathy, Jeff and my Fab five,Matt and Elizabeth

Beverly,Jill,Michael and their families

and of course our Mom and Dad

 

What a great reunion we shall all have someday

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!

all because of the greatest gift of Easter

So very grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ

 

PS...just a few more random shots....I did take a few photos!!