In case the holidays get away from us, at least the TV in our bedroom will be decked. . .
. . . and we'll have a "signal"!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
(snippety - snip!)
Since Randy and I were first married, I have cut his hair. No, this is not something I'm proud of, but he has not been picky. He could have looked like Clark Kent all these years, but no. With the $ we'd save on hair cuts, he would sacrifice. What a guy!
I also remember his sister Diane (beauty school graduate) coming over and teaching me all I needed to know about guy's haircuts. The kitchen floor in the house on Juniper Street was the setting - even before kids.
Lately my friend has been calling me to trim her bangs and to cut her husband's hair. I don't mind about the bangs, I just pretend I know what I'm doing (snippety snip!) But I'm a little fearful about becoming her husbands hairdresser, since the last time I cut it, he kind of looked like Randy and I wasn't sure he wanted to look like Randy.
Some day I intend to write up a detailed description of my one fabulous hair cutting technique, in hopes that if my friend continues to ask me, I'll be able to teach her how tofish cut, so she can provide. But it also occurs to me that Diane must have felt the same way, so many years ago. That's when she sat me down and taught me how to fish cut.
I also remember his sister Diane (beauty school graduate) coming over and teaching me all I needed to know about guy's haircuts. The kitchen floor in the house on Juniper Street was the setting - even before kids.
Lately my friend has been calling me to trim her bangs and to cut her husband's hair. I don't mind about the bangs, I just pretend I know what I'm doing (snippety snip!) But I'm a little fearful about becoming her husbands hairdresser, since the last time I cut it, he kind of looked like Randy and I wasn't sure he wanted to look like Randy.
Some day I intend to write up a detailed description of my one fabulous hair cutting technique, in hopes that if my friend continues to ask me, I'll be able to teach her how to
Thursday, November 8, 2012
"Be More Specific"
We are studying Preach My Gospel in Institute these days. Last Wednesday, we had a discussion about the Holy Ghost, which caused me to recall Jim's story:
Last Christmas season, Dad went home teaching with Brother Hale. It was evening and the sky was getting dark. As Dad stepped out the front door of one of their families, there was a hidden step that caused him to stumble. As a result, he fell, hitting his head on the steps on his way down, and landing in the grass. He began to bleed a little and luckily they were able to dab it off. Then Brother Hale helped Dad up and they shuffled to the car, to bring Dad home.
Jim noticed the car drive in, and stopped to greet them. When Brother Hale hopped out, he informed Jim of the fall and they could both see that Dad was still a little shaken. Jim had a list of things to do (considering the season, and all) but he helped Dad inside and they visited as he and Mom helped patch him up. It turned out that Dad was shaken, but not because of the fall ,as much as he couldn't hear. His hearing aid had fallen out during the ordeal. When Jim understood that, the things on his list were not the priority anymore.
He quickly drove back to the house. No one was home. So he began looking. . . for a tiny little hearing aid, the size of a small button, with a tiny little microscopic wire. It had to be there. It had to have fallen out in the yard because of the impact. By this time it was dark as Jim searched everywhere. After thinking it was hopeless, he offered a little prayer. It went something like this:
"Dear Heavenly Father, help me find my Dad's hearing aid". Remaining still, there came a prompting.
"Be more specific."
Again, Jim prayed, "Dear Heavenly Father. Help me find my Dad's hearing aid so he can hear." More looking and listening . . . then another prompting.
"Be more specific."
"Dear Heavenly Father. Help me find my Dad's hearing aid so he can hear and have a good Christmas."
It was then, it seemed that time stopped, and he got a glimpse of the fall from a heavenly rerun movie that played back in his head. His eyes were led to the steps where he could replay, as if he were there, exactly which step he slid on and which direction he fell. He said he could see an outline of Dad's image still pressed into the grass. Putting all those details together, as he still continued to look, his eyes were led to the bush that grew alongside the steps. And then, as if nothing else were in the way, all he could see was the tiny little wire from the hearing aid that without Heavenly help, might just look like any other of the many branches webbed inside the bush.
He had been given Heavenly direction. A sweet validation of the reality of how close we are to Heaven. The Holy Ghost was his messenger that night. I think about the "Be more specific" a lot. As Jim was obedient in pleading with specifics, answers were given to him specifically. It's a great lesson. With faith and obedience first, the Holy Ghost will help us see the answers more clearly.
Last Christmas season, Dad went home teaching with Brother Hale. It was evening and the sky was getting dark. As Dad stepped out the front door of one of their families, there was a hidden step that caused him to stumble. As a result, he fell, hitting his head on the steps on his way down, and landing in the grass. He began to bleed a little and luckily they were able to dab it off. Then Brother Hale helped Dad up and they shuffled to the car, to bring Dad home.
Jim noticed the car drive in, and stopped to greet them. When Brother Hale hopped out, he informed Jim of the fall and they could both see that Dad was still a little shaken. Jim had a list of things to do (considering the season, and all) but he helped Dad inside and they visited as he and Mom helped patch him up. It turned out that Dad was shaken, but not because of the fall ,as much as he couldn't hear. His hearing aid had fallen out during the ordeal. When Jim understood that, the things on his list were not the priority anymore.
He quickly drove back to the house. No one was home. So he began looking. . . for a tiny little hearing aid, the size of a small button, with a tiny little microscopic wire. It had to be there. It had to have fallen out in the yard because of the impact. By this time it was dark as Jim searched everywhere. After thinking it was hopeless, he offered a little prayer. It went something like this:
"Dear Heavenly Father, help me find my Dad's hearing aid". Remaining still, there came a prompting.
"Be more specific."
Again, Jim prayed, "Dear Heavenly Father. Help me find my Dad's hearing aid so he can hear." More looking and listening . . . then another prompting.
"Be more specific."
"Dear Heavenly Father. Help me find my Dad's hearing aid so he can hear and have a good Christmas."
It was then, it seemed that time stopped, and he got a glimpse of the fall from a heavenly rerun movie that played back in his head. His eyes were led to the steps where he could replay, as if he were there, exactly which step he slid on and which direction he fell. He said he could see an outline of Dad's image still pressed into the grass. Putting all those details together, as he still continued to look, his eyes were led to the bush that grew alongside the steps. And then, as if nothing else were in the way, all he could see was the tiny little wire from the hearing aid that without Heavenly help, might just look like any other of the many branches webbed inside the bush.
He had been given Heavenly direction. A sweet validation of the reality of how close we are to Heaven. The Holy Ghost was his messenger that night. I think about the "Be more specific" a lot. As Jim was obedient in pleading with specifics, answers were given to him specifically. It's a great lesson. With faith and obedience first, the Holy Ghost will help us see the answers more clearly.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
You Are Like a Pumpkin
This is a thought from my visiting teachers this month. Pass it along:
You
are like a pumpkin.
God
lifts you up, takes you in
And
washes all the dirt off you.
He
opens you up, Reaches deep into your heart
And
scoops out all the yucky stuff . . .
Including
the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.
Then
He carves you a new SMILING face
And
puts HIS LIGHT inside you
To
SHINE for all the world to see.
Monday, October 29, 2012
In Motion
My usual routine, when I get in the car, is not in the driver's manual. I gloss over a few important "take off" steps until after the car is moving. I'm frequently in a hurry so I steer with one hand, and fasten the seat belt with the other, while the car is rolling down the street. (I wouldn't know if my neighbors are friendly or not, and I don't wave, because I am preoccupied.)
Then I reach for my purse and feel around to check for my cell, gum, or list with one hand, while keeping an eye on the road and steering with the other. I know. It's not safe.
The other day, I had almost finished my little "in motion" routine, when I needed my sunglasses. I turned onto Ray road, which is where I usually settle down and focus on the drive. But the sun was blinding. Again, I found myself fishing along the bottom of my purse for my shades with one hand. I was relieved to find them and quickly placed them on my nose.
Within seconds, I knew something was wrong. I thought they were smudged as I cocked my head from side to side, up, down, and around, trying to see more clearly But for the most part they shielded me from the sun. That was important. I arrived at the bank and pulled in a parking space. I lifted the glasses off my nose to tuck them n my purse. Looking at them in my hand will forever bring a smile to my face. There they were - one lens in and one lens out!
I thought of the people I passed, who must have wondered about me. (The woman with the one eyed sunglasses, rotating her head all around with complete seriousness.) It did teach me a lesson, though. Just because everything is in your purse doesn't mean you should wait until you get in the car to organize every needful thing. I will do better.
And I'll be more compassionate.
Then I reach for my purse and feel around to check for my cell, gum, or list with one hand, while keeping an eye on the road and steering with the other. I know. It's not safe.
The other day, I had almost finished my little "in motion" routine, when I needed my sunglasses. I turned onto Ray road, which is where I usually settle down and focus on the drive. But the sun was blinding. Again, I found myself fishing along the bottom of my purse for my shades with one hand. I was relieved to find them and quickly placed them on my nose.
Within seconds, I knew something was wrong. I thought they were smudged as I cocked my head from side to side, up, down, and around, trying to see more clearly But for the most part they shielded me from the sun. That was important. I arrived at the bank and pulled in a parking space. I lifted the glasses off my nose to tuck them n my purse. Looking at them in my hand will forever bring a smile to my face. There they were - one lens in and one lens out!
I thought of the people I passed, who must have wondered about me. (The woman with the one eyed sunglasses, rotating her head all around with complete seriousness.) It did teach me a lesson, though. Just because everything is in your purse doesn't mean you should wait until you get in the car to organize every needful thing. I will do better.
And I'll be more compassionate.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Fall Break
A couple of months ago, we started talking up a trip to Nebraska. It was a pleasant surprise when each of our children and their families fell in line, one by one to meet there. In Kearney. At Julianne and Brenden's. We see them every 3 or 4 months, so we were due (we're always due!) Plus, it was still 100 degrees here, and high 60's there; a no brainer! Each one brought jackets and cameras and kids . . . and air mattresses. We loved every minute of being together and Julianne and Brenden completely gave up their routine to make it a wonderful memory.
Filled with Peter's birthday party,
"take 2" cupcakes ("take 1" 's were darker!))
lots of princesses,
relaxing,
playing and sharing,
and more playing.
But the best part was being together!
THANK YOU, Julianne and Brenden!
For the love we felt in your beautiful home. And the beauty there that makes us grateful for God's creations!
We love you!
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