Friday, July 30, 2010

A Call For Help...

I need help. A LOT of it...

I am talking about help for hungry children and hungry adults.

Last year, I was deeply impacted by a commercial done by the Utah Food Bank. Click here to watch it. It moved to tears but also to action. We ended up in a U-Haul in the Harmons parking lot for three days. And oh what a three days it was. It was humbling to see so many give so freely, even when they too were struggling to get by.

I am a firm believer in the motto, "Think global, act local." Yes there is need all over this world. But we must start in our 'own backyards', if you will. Start with the community in which you live. And then extend that helping hand to our neighbors.

And so I have decided to embark upon a mission to help the hungry. It is my goal to collect as many backpacks, as much food, and as much money as possible, to donate to two organizations. Everything that is collected will be divided evenly between the Utah Food Bank and The Backpack Mission.

The Food Bank is pretty obvious as to what it does. The other helps the children in the Appalachian Mountains, in Kentucky. It is an absolutely incredible organization called the Backpack Mission Ministry. It was started by a woman named Diane Durham. I have only spoken to her on the phone, but I will just state that her goodness was almost tangible, even in a phone conversation. She began her amazing work in 2006. It came to her awareness that there were children in this area that would leave school on Friday and not eat again until they returned to school on Monday morning for the school breakfast program. The poverty that plagues this area is heartbreaking. And so this saintly woman restarted the backpack program. They give backpacks to these children and fill them with food for the weekend.

When she began this program, they were helping 68 children. At the end of last year that number had grown to a staggering 700 children that they were providing food to each weekend. She told me that with the phone calls she has received this Summer, that number has already greatly increased for this upcoming school year.

And so, I have felt prompted and directed to help. I know I can't do it alone. And so I am asking you as my friends, family, and readers of this blog for you assistance. If you want to join this cause, message me here on the blog, on FaceBook, by email, however. Together we can and will make a difference. As Diane told me yesterday, "it is amazing what we can do when we all hold hands."

The first endeavor is to collect new backpacks. I figure it is a perfect time, as it is 'back to school' time. So lets get out there and collect as many as we can. Tell your friends, family, neighbors, Churches, whoever will listen! We just need to get the word out...

Check out this amazing organization.
Here is the link:

http://backpackmission.com

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Flash!

This is what I saw from my back deck tonight...

What? Not impressed? Wait about two minutes and then...

Followed by a little less impressive, but nevertheless awesome...


I am constantly in awe of this world we live in. God's creations and power are endless, and never cease to amaze and humble me. How great Thou art...

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Slow Fade


It was my gallbladder post the other day that got me thinking about this. That and reading the Bible. Weird combination to provoke a comparison, I know. But bear with me and hopefully you will see what I'm sayin'...

The thought I had was about being a 'slow fade.' There are so many things that come about because of slowly fading away or apart from someone or something. Like my gallbladder, it didn't just all the sudden stop functioning properly one day. What about the transmission in your car going out? Or two people who fall out of love?...no these things occur slowly. It's not a situation where you just wake up one day and BAM! there goes the ole appendix. No, it slowly became diseased. And that couple who fall out of love, there were the things like the break-down of communication or the spending less and less time together, or the loss of trust. All those things combined lead up to the break-up. For each and any situation, there were most likely signs along the way. But did you notice? Or did you just attribute it to indigestion or a random stomach ache every now and again? Or as just being what happens when you're both so busy?

So it is with our spirituality...it is a slow fade when we wander away from the fold of God. It's not like we just wake up one day and declare that we no longer believe or that we no longer feel the need to keep His commandments. No, there was a slow fade. And we very well might not have noticed it as it was first going on. It was the not reading the Scriptures everyday. And that lead to not praying every day. Which then lead to infrequent Church attendance. Which lead to______. You get my point.

I believe this is one of the adversary's best tools...'slowly lulling us away.' Away from our commitments, our convictions, our covenants, and ultimately our Father.

I am thankful for reality checks. Kind of like a gallbladder attack, they can be quite painful, but it is a way, to get your attention that something is wrong. So I know it sounds crazy, but I am thankful for things like guilt. Why? Because it brings me to awareness. It calls me to action. And most importantly, it lets me know that I am not 'past feeling.' It lets me know I am still connected to Him and He sends me warning signs to prevent that separation.

I will be honest and say, I have felt this force in my life before. It is scary. It is scary on the day we wake up and realize how far we have strayed. But so thankfully, there is ALWAYS a way back.

Watch out for those warning signs in your life, whether they be spiritual or emotional or physical. Look, listen, and heed...

Sally

Sally, I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you today. I can't believe it's been 4 years...

The other day, I got the best compliment ever--one of the ladies in the ward asked what calling I had now, and I told her I was still the Sunday School teacher...and then she compared me to you.
I was humbled and honored. It made me cry.

So thank you. Thank you for teaching our class, though we wern't the easiest to teach. Thank you for always sharing your powerful testimony with us. It was you, that kept me coming to Church each Sunday.

I think of you often and thank God for allowing our paths to cross. I thank Him for knowing you. As I told you shortly before you passed...because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
So I will keep teaching, and do my best and try my hardest to live up to the compliment I was given. If I can be half the teacher you were, I will consider myself successful...

Friday, July 23, 2010

How Great Thou Art

Tomorrow is Pioneer Day...

I can't even speak about the pioneers without great emotion and tears coming to my eyes. I have such tender feelings towards those Saints and their sacrifices. What they did, allows me to live my religion freely and fully, and for that I am thankful beyond words.

Here is a little video I put together to honor those great souls. The pictures are from a variety of sources, but the music is from my dear friends Heartbound:



I am in awe of the faithfulness and faith of those who crossed the plains. They suffered and sacrificed more than we could ever know, and yet without ceasing they praised and worshiped their God. The following words were spoken by a brother in the Martin Handcart Company:

"We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism?…

“I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it.
“I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.
“Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company."

With those humbling words in mind, I saw it fitting to put these images to How Great Thou Art. For with all the suffering these Saints endured, they still praised their God, acknowledged His power and glory, never doubting His constant love and awareness of them.


In conclusion, consider these words from President Hinckley, "Should we be surprised if we are called upon to endure a little criticism, to make some small sacrifice for our faith, when our forbears paid so great a price for theirs?”

Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Bladder of Gall...

5 years ago today, I had a Cholecystectomy...
(Thats just fancy talk for taking out your gallbladder)

Here she is right before she was sucked out:
Pretty awesome huh?! (And notice the fat that surrounds the organs...thats one plus to bein' a big girl is that your internal organs are padded and protected pretty well.) Which also brings me to another point...I am thinking about suing my doctor for malpractice. Why you might ask? Because I am pretty sure that when he removed the ole gallbladder, he accidentally removed my metabolism as well. I'm no doctor and I'm not well versed with anatomy, so I can't say for sure if they are located next to one another in the human body, but all I know is that I have gained a lot of weight and either my metabolism died or it got sucked out with the gallbladder. I'm going with the 'it got sucked out' story as it sounds much more exciting...

So gallbladder of mine, I say to you...Thanks for your 22 years of good service. Oh wait, let's make that 21 because that last year you wern't so pleasant to be around.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Rain and Jesus...


Today there was a brief little rain, thunder, and lightening episode...

It made me think about how much I love the rain. I love the smell. I love to dance in it. I love to watch it roll down my window. I love the way that it just kind of cleanses everything. I love the way it makes everything shine...

Somehow my thoughts turned to the Living Water. Jesus. He is like the rain. Through Him, we too are able to become clean. His atonement provides us with baptism and the Sacrament, in which we are cleansed. And when our souls ache and the tears begin to fall, it is He who helps dry them. It is this same source that allows us to shine. Through the power of His atonement and the purifying power that comes along with it, we are refined and that light begins to burn brighter and brighter within us until we radiate and shine...

And that light that we radiate, it has a ripple effect, just like a raindrop as it touches a puddle...
Spread His light and love wherever you go...

Hangin' With Wy...

What did you do tonight?...

Me? What did I do tonight?

Oh I just met Wynonna Judd...

Yeah that is right. You see and read it correctly...I met Wynonna tonight. And no, I can't believe it either. I am still in shock. I had to get a picture so that if in the morning I wake up and wonder if it was just another drunken dream, I can look at the picture proof and all of the Mt Dew cans and know that yes it did really happen and no I was not intoxicated or imagining things.

Here is my photographic proof:

Proof #1~ I was there, and only drinking the Dew...

Proof #2~ Wynonna was there in person and not just on my above pictured shirt...

And most important Proof#3~I was there and so was Wynonna and we actually met...
(And no, this is not PhotoShopped. For if it was I would not
be looking like I am 46 months pregnant and would not have
32 chins. All of that aside, I don't care that I look like I just
walked out of the world-championship-sumo-wrestling
arena...I don't care cause I am standin' next to Wy!)

In conclusion, the Black Eyed Peas had it right tonight...they had a feelin' that it was gonna be a good good night...and a good good night it was!

Oh, and I must give a shout out and thanks to our usher friend. I never did get his name, I just know that he is a sixth grade teacher and an awesome guy...Thank you new usher friend for the posters and the coasters. That was so kind of you. I will treasure them. Thanks for bein' so good to us and allowing us a generous ten questions...

Monday, July 19, 2010

I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world...(Thomas Edison)


I am thankful. So thankful. For the influence of such good people in my life...

I came across this quote not too long ago, and it spoke the words of my heart and life better than I could have ever said it. And it has come to mind more times than I can count...

"My choice of friends has helped keep me straight.
I have had friends who expected me to be good,
and I have tried not to disappoint them."

~Camilla Eyring Kimball


But there is one important thing I would like to add to this...and that is those friends of which I speak of, not only expect me to be good, but they show me how. They set incredible examples. And this, this makes all the difference.

This is a gift I have been given that the gratitude which I feel for it, is beyond words. Those friends, those people, have come into my life when I needed them most. And thankfully many of them have stuck around and continue to offer support and encouragement. They continue to live exemplary and inspiring lives that help me keep going when at times I begin to stumble or falter or become weary.

To these friends, I say thank you. For leading and guiding and being willing to walk with me as I learn from your example. Thank you for the countless ways you bless my life. Thank you for teaching and loving me. Most of all, thank you for being you...

~~~
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.
It is then burst into flame by an encounter
with another human being.
We should all be thankful for those people
who rekindle the inner spirit."
~Albert Schweitzer
~
~~~

Sunday, July 18, 2010

It doesn't matter, it really doesn't matter...

Today in Sunday School, the lesson was on anger...

It went well and the kids were receptive. But I think their favorite part (second to the treats of course) was the wands I made them.

Yeah, that's right, I got crafty and made some delightful little wands for them. (I'm pretty much like the ghetto Martha Stewart...yeah, I'm that good. just wait til you feast your eyes upon the pic of the wands!)

What are the wands for, might you be wondering?...

They were 'anger wands.' I challenged them for the week, that any time someone upset them, or made them angery, or whatever, I told them to wave their wand and in a sing-songy (and preferably a higher pitched tone or even a British accented Mary Poppins voice) say:

"It doesn't matter! It really doesn't matter!"

There are so many things that are 'mole hills' as they say, and we seem to have a tendency to turn them in Kilimanjaros. We make a big deal of simple things, we overreact, we waste time and energy on things that really don't matter when we stop and think about them and put em in their proper perspective.

So I challenge us all to take on this attitude for the small things that really aren't as big of a deal as we sometimes make them. So next time I get all road-raged, or the next time I am running late and can't find my keys, or the next time I spill on myself and ruin my shirt...I will sport my best Mary Poppins voice, wave my imaginary wand and sing-songily declare: "It doesn't matter! It really doesn't matter!" You try it too...I think it's gonna be good!

Ghetto Chic Wands...
(I'm pretty sure Cinderella's Fairy Godmother
is gonna be wanting one of these bad boys!)

Saturday, July 17, 2010

A Hot Date...

So it's Saturday night...

I've got a hot date...

With not just one, but two men...

Their names...

Ben and Jerry...

The plan...
Yeah, its as good as it sounds...
Maybe even better...

Thursday, July 15, 2010

All The Rage...

Yesterday was spent in the pools of Raging Waters. It was a blast.

I must say that I laughed though, when I looked at the wristbands they give you when you rent a tube:










Yeah, that's right, it says 'Single."

I'm branded wherever I go.
Even the girl at the CupCake Shop
asked why I was wearing such
a bracelet and asked if I bought
it at the store...
I told her to shut her pretty little mouth
and started singin' a little Beyonce...

Now during this day long adventure, I tackled the feat that I said I never would...I went on the "Waimea". Now for those of you who don't know what that is, here is what the explanation on their website says:
Calling all thrill seekers...Get ready to break the speed limit! Dare to take a vertical plunge from the top of a 70–foot high tower then travel more than 30 mph down a 244 foot–long head–first slide to the bottom. Can you make it over the "hump?"

Now when they say 'hump' what they really mean is mini mountain peak. Seriously. Now let me just get it out there that no, it was not the 70 foot tower part that made me steer clear of this bad boy. It is the fact that if you are not fortunate enough to make it up and over the 'hump' you slide back down into the little dip/gully area that precedes the 'hump.' Then you must shamefully throw yourself out the side of the gully and barrel out and take a climb down a ladder to the bottom. Now I, being a large and in charge gal, did not want to chance the fact I would not be able to launch my lardness up and over the hump. But yesterday all that changed...at the urging (and also the bribery as he said that it was the way I could repay him for a photo he took earlier in the day) of my brother, as well as the encouragement of some little tykes that were probably only 7 (who had ridden this 'a million times and never gotten stuck, so the told me), I decided why not.

And so there I went...down the tube going at least 69mph (I think it is fair to say that the excess poundage I am carrying supplied the 39 faster than normal mph). Up and over the hump. No problemo.

Here is a lovely photo from the day...

So next time you are at the Rage, try the hump, I mean the Waimea. If I can do it, anyone can...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Happy Birthday Deb!





Happy Birthday to one of the kindest
and most loving souls I've ever met...

You radiate light and give love to
all you meet. You are such a blessing
in the lives of all around you.

I hope you have a day as amazing as you are!





And here is one of the
delectable cupcakes
that was also part
of our celebration of
your big day...

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Sir Paul

Since I can remember I have been in love with old-man-musicians. Cases in point: Kenny Rogers, Don Henley, and Sir Paul McCartney. And ever since I can remember this love fest, I can also remember praying that the Beatles would have a reunion tour...

Well tonight, the seeing the Beatles dream came 1/4 of the way true (and I must add that it is most certainly the best looking quarter). Here is what I got to feast my eyes upon and listen to for 21/2 hours or so:
Yeah, that's right...Paul McCartney.

Hands down it is the best show I have ever been to. And trust me, I have been to a lot of concerts in my day. I've seen Elton John and Billy Joel, Cher, The Eagles (sorry Don, will you still love me?), Tina Turner (sorry birth mom, will you still love me?), Garth Brooks, some of the greats...The list could go on and on. For the longest time, Tina topped that list. But tonight that changed. My lover Paul rocked non-stop for a good 21/2 hours and was incredible! AMAZING.

So I have only two words to you Paul, love of my life...MARRY ME!

Here is a little bonus pic. He is playing a ukulele that was from the personal collection of George Harrison that he gave to Paul as a gift:

SO COOL!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Happy Anniversary

30 years ago today, my folks got hitched...

30 years seems like such a long time. And then I stop to think that I am 27...(wow, does time fly!)

So I say to you Mom and Dad, Happy Anniversary. Just think that the love story you began here is one that is going to last forever...

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Helping Hands


I read an article from the Associated Press last night that broke my heart.(I know it is shocking to think that I started crying while reading yet another news piece.) But this really got me. It was about Haiti and that 6 months post-earthquake you still have thousands upon thousands of people who are homeless, hungry, and hopeless.


The immediate feeling of my heart is that I want to get on a plane and go help these people. And then the thought comes to me, that there are people all around me in my own community, in my own state, that are in need as well.

It is more than my mind can process to think that this is going on in the world. The suffering...The lacking...The need...

The headlines are covered with the latest NBA news of who is signing with what team and for what astronomical dollar amount. Frankly, it is disgusting. It sickens me to think that we are paying guys tens of millions of dollars a season to bounce a basketball. It is no different in any other sport. Millions of dollars are tossed around and used to purchase fancy sports cars and palatial homes and unnecessary odds and ends like $500 thousand dollar jewelry.

It just doesn't seem right to me. It doesn't seem right that this kind of money and spending can go on and there are homeless shelters and food pantries and schools that are all having to close their doors because there just isn't enough funding.

There is need all around us. There are countless opportunities to give and serve and bless lives. And no, we all don't have large amounts of money to donate, but we can donate our time. Time to causes like Habitat For Humanity.
www.habitat.org Or to the local Food Bank.

So no, we might not be able to help everyone, but we can help someone. Start in your own community. I love the saying, "Think global, act local." As we act locally, we make this world a bit better one community at a time, which in turn makes this world a better place.

You can make a difference, all you have to do is act...


Saturday, July 10, 2010

A Gem Is On The Way...

All I am going to say is that I received a most wonderful gift from my G-Ma and G-Pa today, so be on the look out for a gem of a post to be coming your way in the near future as I put this magnificent gift to use...
And I will say that the gift will put the prize I won at Bunko to some good use! (Thanks again Sisterr Hansen for such a fun and delightful evening...)

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Jolly Good Day

Today was an unbelievably delightful day...

A wonderful morning with Kris...

A superb lunch at Applebees with the best of company...



And to top the night of with Bunko...

(And yes, there were more than four of us at Bunko,
but
the rest of the ladies refused to be blogged...)
So thank you Danielle, DeVille and Nitram
for being
photographed and adding to the
documenting of
my life, blog style.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Hooray for Howard!

Today we had a celebration at Sizzler...My friend Kim passed a test that is required for teaching. From what I hear, it is a beast of a test. She took it and passed...and there is no better place to celebrate an accomplishment like that, than at the Siz. (which makes me think of the 'Sev' which makes me want a Slurpee and a chocolate donut...) Anyway, it was a lovely little get together with lovely company and super lovely Malibu Chicken...
And so I say to you Howard...I am so very proud of you and so happy for you! Hip Hip Hooray!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

There Is A God


This morning I read an article that brought me to tears. It was about an elderly woman who had the cops called on her, because she had her husband's and sister's corpses stored in her home. Now before you flip out, listen to the reasoning...

This sweet 90 year old woman had the remains of her loved ones stored in her home because she fears that death just might be the end. She isn't sure that there is a God, and fears that this life is all there is.

I can't express how this broke my heart. It saddened me thinking of this dear old woman who has lost her two best friends, and couldn't bear to say goodbye. It is my presumption, but I am guessing that she is alone in this world, and that maybe by having them near her it eased some of that loneliness.

I know what it is like to lose someone you love dearly. That separation is agonizing. But I have something that this sweet woman doesn't...I have faith and hope that there is something more. I have faith and hope that there is a loving God who is the Father of us all, who sent us here for a purpose. I have faith and hope that this life is not the end and that there is something glorious that awaits us when we leave this frail existence.

As I read the article, it made me realize once again how blessed my life is because of my beliefs. They haven't made my life bliss or a road on easy street, but they have definitely made it much more manageable. Nothing completely takes the sting of death away for those that are left behind. But I must say that belief in God and His promises, makes that temporary goodbye, a bit more bearable. It gives hope to life, that after we have lived our own lives, there will be a glorious reunion with those who have gone on before...

And so I say to Jean and all other of you who doubt God...I pray with my whole soul that you will come to know as I do, that yes there is a God. A God who is the loving Father of us all. And that He does have a plan for each of us. This life is not the end. Glorious things await us. We will be reunited with our loved ones who preceded us in death. Of that I am sure, for it is this belief that gives purpose to each day of my life. I know I will see my dad again as well as the loving face of my Father. I will go on living and loving that God who I know lives and loves me, and when the time comes for me to leave mortality I am sure of the fact that I will return to that place which we all came from and there will be loving arms to greet me.

Seek Him, and you will surely find Him...

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Independence Day



To get you in the spirit of the 4th of July...
Here is a little video I made with a song I really enjoy, entitled
"We Are America" by my dear friends Heartbound.
I hope you enjoy...

As for me and my plans this lovely 4th of July, I am sitting here enjoying my day, lovin' the Lord and the Land of the Free...

For your viewing pleasure, here is a little pic of me and Mr.MeatBall enjoying Independence Day. Nothing says America like hot dogs (it is his Halloween costume that I bought him, and unfortunately he isn't too fond of it, yet in this picture it looks like he is smiling and loving it...). Even though you can't see it, I am sporting my red, white, and navy blue Atlanta Braves jersey (it is the home of the Brave, right?!)

Happy Independence Day
~~~
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Happy Birthday Lorrie!

Happy Birthday Lorrie Lorrie Lorrie! Thank you for teaching me 'how to be like Jesus.' You inspire me with the unconditional love you give to everyone and with your eternally positive attitude. Thank you for being my friend and for showing me how to enjoy the simple things in life...

I chose this picture of her with Jo Dee Messina, because it
was very possibly one of the most humorous nights of my life.
We took her to Wendover to see the concert. She loved
every minute of it. But the over-the-top, could barely contain her
excitement was when Jo Dee sang "I Be Alright",
which is a Heartbound song!
(Now yes, I know the actual title is "I'm Alright" and Jo Dee is
the original artist on the song.
But there was NO, I repeat NO convincing
her of that fact.)
To her, it was a Heartbound song,
and she proceeded to tell me after the concert,
"Yeah, Jo Dee, her did a good job,
but I like the way that Heartbound sing it better."
Oh how I love this girl!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Chunky Brewster

It all started on an elevator a couple of weeks ago...
I got on and once I was standing inside, it began to beep. The beep that states 'Help! I've got too much weight on me and there is no way I can take you fatties up even one floor, someones gotta get off!" Yep, that kind of beep. Luckily it was just a false alarm, and some man's hand being in the door was to blame. (Don't worry, his hand wasn't shut in the door, he was just holding it open...)

Fast forward a few days. I am on another elevator with my G~Pa (who was with me during the first beeping experience). I get on, and what happens?...you guessed it, more bloody beeping! My G~Pa looks at me, laughs and tells me that I might have to get off and take the stairs.

So I believe that it is all a sign. A giant, beeping, super-sized sign that it is time for me to trade in my cupcakes for cardio... What?! That is just crazy talk right there.What am I saying?!? Forget all that treadmill talk... I am going to hold onto my cupcakes for dear life. (In fact I will clutch one in each hand as to make it a well balanced diet.) And I'll just take my chances at another beepin' elevator!