2013

Yesterday was the eve of New Year's eve.  The bishop talked to our combined group and because it hit the spot - what with New Year's resolutions on my mind, I am writing down the basic message.

 Since he was speaking to 2 singles wards, he related that there are not many scriptures that talk about Jesus' life when He was their age.

 But we turned to Luke 2 :52. 
 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

For such a small scripture, it took on new meaning.  Wisdom (Intelligence)
                                                                           Stature (Physically)
                                                                            Favor with God (Spiritually)
                                                                            Favor with Man (Socially)

Then he held up a sketch of an equal sided square, with one of these characteristics  along each side.
He encouraged us to remember the equality. (You don't want a trapezoid or a triangle!)  Each side makes for "well rounded".  In between each category, he had assigned kids to come up and explain what they had done, or what they were anticipating doing for the new year.  It was a meaningful talk for them (and me!) especially the "social"  part.  (It's hard being college age.)

He reinforced that if we strive to better our lives in each of these categories, no matter what, our happiness will increase.  

The Day That the Lights Went Out in Chandler

The email I was writing in mid sentence poofed away at noon yesterday.
The lights didn't even flicker - just a "click" and out.  Dark.
The Christmas music that brought life from upstairs died..
Silence and dark; not a good combination.

So, this is what I learned when I helplessly stepped outside the front door in wonder:

That I was so thankful for fresh air. . . and the brightness of the sun.
I learned about myself when I realized thet my first instinct was to rap on my neighbor's door.  (I never rap on her door unless I need something; but today I needed a friend.)
I learned her name was Phyllis (not Doris . . . . ooops!)
That she was born on Christmas day in 1956.
That her handicapped son is 6'4".
That other neighbors needed a friend too, as they peeked around their corners one by one  to make polite conversation about "no power".
The neighbor next to Phyllis is Korean. She stood out with us for a minute, even though she spoke in broken English.
That my eastern Indian neighbor on the west goes to LA Fitness.  (She declied my invitation to go walking.)
That more people on the street were actually home.  I really thought I was the only one home in the neighborhood during the day.
A new neighbor, Adam, lives across the street with his 2 cute little girls (that are with him every other week end). They were the unfamiliar girls that walked Hairy the day before.  (Now I know who they belong to, and he knows who owns the hairy dog they brought home to show him.)
That the outage was a good excuse for some much needed neighborhood connecting.

 I learned that I feel safer now.


   

Disneyland 2012

This is proof that our recent trip to Disneyland is the happiest place on earth.  We watched the weather before we left for days, in hopes of sun.    When we expressed our wimpy concern for the rainy weather predicted, it was surprising how many people would rather go in the rain .   Less crowds.  So . . . we donned our ponchos, our weathered shoes, extra socks, umbrellas enough to go around,  and ran (splashed) like  crazy kids.   Splash Mountain will never be the same!

(everyone looked the same from the back!)

Some people have a drinking problem.  I have always had a "blinking" problem.

It was nice to know I was in good company:

Did you know that cartoons have a blinking problem?

We did have an awesome time!  The weather was beautiful, just wet.   We'd do it again tomorrow!

ABC Christmas Advent

1. A --Angels (Luke 2:1-9)
2. B --Bethlehem (Luke 2:10-15)
3. C --Christ (2 Nephi 25:23, 26)
4. D --Deeds (1 John 3:18, 23-34)
5. E --Everlasting (John 3:16-17)
6. F --Family (Luke 2:16-17)
7. G-- Gold (Matthew 2:1-11)
8. H --Herod (Matthew 2:12-16)
9. I --Israel (Matthew 2:19-21)
10. J --Joseph (Matthew 1:19-24)
11. K --King (D&C 128:23)
12. L --Lord (D&C 19:1; Isaiah 26:4)
13. M --Mary (Luke 1:27-38; 46-48)
14. N --Nazareth (Matthew 2:22-23)
15. O --Obedient (John 8:29; Hebrews 5:8-9)
16. P --Peace (Luke 2:14; Isaiah 9:6)
17. Q --Quickly (D&C 49-28)
18. R --Redeemer (Job 19:25; Mormon 9:11-13)
19. S --Steadfastness (2 Nephi 26:8; 31:20)
20. T --Teach (Matthew 28:18-20)
21. U --Unshaken faith (2 Nephi 31:19)
22. V --Voice (Alma 5:38; Helaman 12:23)
23. W --Willing (Mosiah 26: 17-18)
24. Y --Young (D&C 43:20)
25. Z --Zion (1 Nephi 13:37)