Speaking of weather?

We woke up to find it snowing this morning.  It has continued to snow off and on throughout the day.  Our garden has not yet frozen, the leaves are still green on the trees, and it was in the 80's last week.  It has been a fun surprise but I think I want to enjoy Autumn first.

Autumn also brings the Primary children's program.  I am the pianist.  It is not because I have great ability or talent.  I am willing when they become desperate enough.  My ward reached that point 2 years ago.  I have really grown to enjoy weekly singing time in primary but when the program comes and I have to  get to play in Sacrament meeting it is a bit terrifying.  Our program is in 10 days.

This year has been a year full of songs that are great.  We have been practicing all the songs suggested in the guide from church headquaters.  We added Search, Ponder and Pray.  Then Holding Hands Around the World.  Okay, I can do that.  A few weeks ago I say a copy of the program with all the children's parts (60+) and a song we had not practice at all - all year - I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus.  I thought they just didn't know and would drop it when I pointed it out.  No.  They were adding it.  Then a week ago I found out they also added I hope They Call Me on a Mission and  Scripture Power.  I felt a little panic.  No! Why?  Don't they realize how hard and scary that is for me?  The children don't even know the songs we have been practicing very well.  How will I get all this practicing done?  The whole program is going to be my playing with the children.  Don't we need to hear from the children?  I don't even want to try.  Maybe I'll just mess up so badly they will fire me!  There is just not time for all these songs and all the parts for the children they have handed out.  What are they thinking?

Then comes General Conference. It is full of inspiration and peace.  I realize that those who exercise faith in performing missionary work, in having children when they don't know how it will all work out, how they will get through difficult times or circumstances etc, needs to apply to me too.  Where is my faith?  I raised my hand to sustain this primary presidency.  I don't want their job.  They were called of God.  I was called as pianist through priesthood authority.  I promised to give my all in building the kingdom of God.  If I have to play a few more primary songs with beautiful messages, if I have to be a bit more diligent in practicing and preparing, if I make mistakes along the way, He can help me to accomplish that which He has called me to do.  I don't have to understands the whys and hows.  I don't have to be perfect.  I have to give my all.  If this is my test of faith to simply accept additional assignments on the piano I certainly do not want to fail.  Sometimes my hardest trials are the small ones right before me that I seem so anxious to shirk from.  How can I expect to grow if at the first sign of challenge, the small need to trust those Heavenly Father has called (and this includes me) to be the right person for the job at this time, I murmur?  I can allow others and myself to do the best they can and to be content.

In 2 weeks it will be over and forgotten.  Maybe if I continue forward with faith not doubt (or fear) I will have contributed to the sweet spirit of the primary program and that spirit will have taught those in attendance. Maybe I will have also been taught a lesson in faith.

PS The Outline for 2012 is now available.  I think in 2 weeks I might start practice the new song As a Child of God. 

When it rains. . .

I feel so very grateful for recent inspiring information that has sung truth to my soul.  I feel like there are so many things I would like to share but I do not know where to begin.  My thoughts are drawn to the magnificent and different roles of men and women.  We each have a purpose unique to our gender that carries great responsibility and power.  We are expected to embrace those gifts, challenges, responsibilities and build up righteous families where children are welcomed and loved.  They are taught what God feels like from their mothers.  Am I creating an environment that allows the spirit to teach us (both myself and my children) of God's love and goodness?  My dear husband as man, father, is to teach who God is and what righteous dominion looks like.  I want to build on these basic foundations of gender responsibilities. 

I have been blessed with 8 beautiful children.  I have never worked outside the home.  I have never been asked to help in providing for my family.  As I recently visited with some amazing women about these different roles I am coming to realize that I am not selfish for not joining my husband in earning money.  That is his responsibility.  My job is at home as nurturer.  He has the challenge of providing, protecting, and presiding in the home.  He is better able to do that knowing that I trust him to do his best in meeting our needs.  I must express gratitude for all of his efforts.  My stewardship becomes being content at home, being content with what he is able to provide, and using those resources wisely to create a home where he is honored, cared for, and appreciated.  He trusts me to teach our children. He provides a safe environment and I bring beauty to that environment by bringing order.  My job to keep house, care for children, train them to be the kind of people that I want to be around is plenty demanding and rewarding.

Staying home does not mean I am lazy, uneducated, unskilled.  It simply means that I have put my faith in God and his plan for me.  It simply means that I must always seek his will first.  It means that exercising faith in my situation has required not having a career to fall back on - just in case.  I do realize that many are led to formal education and career but I also realize that there are great things, even more important things that we as women are called to do.  We are  given the education, learning experiences, and inspiration that we need and will need to succeed in fulfilling our roles as women.

At General Conference we were one again reminded of the vital roles of men and women, especially as we seek to be disciples of God.  I am grateful for living prophets who continue to remind us, teach us, and clarify so that we may become more of that which God created us to be.  Here is Elder Anderson on the blessing of children and Sister Dalton on the importance of fathers.  I also found this video honoring our roles of men and women with the words of Neil A. Maxwell.

prepare to be inspired

General Conference begins on Saturday.  Each spring and fall I look forward to these 2 days of inspiration and guidance given with love through the Lord's chosen leaders.  I have now found a great post on ways we can each prepare to get the most from this special experience.  Please visit this blog.  I know it is late notice but we just do the best we can and just think how prepared we can be in April when we do this again.  I'm so grateful for living prophets today guiding the church of Jesus Christ.

This post has some fun stuff too

Proclamation blog posts

I really enjoyed the focus on the family proclamation this last week.  A couple of my favorite/memorable posts were these two: Alex Boye and Tarzan and Forgiveness.  I am so very grateful to know of the plan of happiness given to us by our loving Heavenly Father.  Family is so important.  We must do every thing to strengthen family relationships and build on the firm foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are finishing up our memorization of The Living Christ testimony from the apostles.  It has been a very good experience to spend time with the words found in this document and have them put in the minds of our family.  It has been a year long project.   I am hoping to move on to The Family, a proclamation to the World next.    There is so much in the words of our modern day prophets and apostles.

I so very much enjoyed the General Relief Society Meeting.  When people live righteously, seek to do the Lord's work, and then share with me I feel inspired, fed by the spirit, and ready to do more and to be more.  When we seek we find.  The Lord is good.

Over the river and through the woods to visit the grandchildren

Look who I spent a few days with. . . 

My 3 Grandchildren!

It was sure fun to take pictures with these sweet babes.

 We also found a few projects to keep the men busy.  Natalie lives in a log cabin.  It wasn't obvious before. In adding board and batten to her kitchen we decided to widen the doorway.  We found a very solid wall built a long time ago when it was a one room log cabin.  The chimney is next to the door way.  We also uncovered that to expose some beautiful brickwork.  This remodel was done with the help of a chain saw (and provided some additional firewood).

Unfortunately that was the last picture I got of the project.  I'll be waiting on pictures from Natalie as she is finishing up the painting.  It is amazing what a difference this project is making in the feel of her home.

 Then there was horse back riding and a small cattle push.  

 Tall One enjoying a cowboy slouch.  I guess he forgot his very big belt buckle that encourages sitting up straighter. 

 Sunshine's first time riding alone out in the open.  He and Ike tried riding double the day before and were thrown from this horse.  I have to admire Sunshine's willingness to get back on and do it all himself.

 Love the usefulness of bailing twine.  It keeps the hat on when a big wind comes up.

 Doodle with Dad did not get a long enough ride.  We will do better next time.  Maybe wear jeans and boots rather than a skirt and bare feet.

Those of us that stayed behind played outside and made cookies.  Of course, we got more pictures.

 Playing with the hat eventually led to teaching J how to have a grass fight.

 This reminds me of classic cowboy pictures that always have the big blue sky with clouds floating by.

 Aunt Doodle enjoying little T.

 Now that they have babies sleep on their backs they are not as good at tummy time.  In fact, they just don't enjoy it much at all.

Granny saved them from the grass and their tummies.

 I think this smolder will be seen in year to come as little Nell communicates her doubts about what you are doing, saying, or thinking.

 but she is truly always a princess.

 but maybe not a cowgirl . . . yet.

 J bringing flowers to his mama, teaching her how to wear them

 and Aunt Doodle assists.

Uncle Sunshine and T

  Brother/sister time.

Thank you for a wonderful time in a beautiful place, again.  We love visiting you and your homes.  Thank you for many great meals, comfortable places to sleep and the best company I could ever ask for.

gold in the garden

The corn has done great this year, again.  And this year it tastes pretty good.  We are enjoying lots of corn at nearly every meal.  Mr. O. I think could eat just corn.  One a day is enough for me.  We did get some frozen, some given away, and some shared with the chickens.

 We freeze the corn by first shucking corn fresh picked that day.  That is the boys job and I prefer they do it outside near the compost pile.  They like working outside best anyway.  Then it is dropped in boiling water for blanching.  Once the water is back up to boiling, the corn is blanched.  Remove and put in cold water.  (over cooked corn never tastes good)

 Then we cut it off the cob.  I like a sharp serrated knife.  Be careful not to cut too deep or you get part of the cob.  It will taste tough.  If you don't want to do all the corn invite all the children and their friends in for a snack.

 Bag in freezer bags with amounts that will serve your family or meet the needs of a favorite recipe, date, and freeze.  Easy peasy.

BBQ and Work

Although this is good work it is not what I am talking about.

 We have lived in our home for 11 years.  Sorry to say we do not know our neighbors very well.  I am finally making a little more effort.  We planned a street bbq inviting people from both sides of the street just the length of our block.  Everyone thought it was a great idea though we only got 3 of the families (and one of those is our own grandparents) it was still a lot of fun.

One of the neighbors likes to do some photography.  He brought his camera over and taught us how to do jumping pictures.  We did an amazing job (or he did ;-)).  It was a really fun way to take pictures.  This was fun that did take some work, some planning, and a willing heart.

Events sound like fun and I often think I should plan more but when I do I worry, I dread, and I can't wait until it is over.  Well it is over and it wasn't bad. I think there were a few awkward silences but for the most part we had a nice time and will be happy to get together again.  For me, the internal battle and getting out of my comfort zone was work.

The next night, after spending the day on the mountain getting firewood (more work), we got to go to a concert that premiered "The Work".  It is a Nashville Tribute to the missionaries and it was a lot of fun.  It occurs to me that when we say 'the work' in an lds community we understand that this work is the work of bring souls unto Christ.  The formal version being missionaries working full time testifying of Jesus Christ and his gospel restored.

I have two full time missionaries, giving all they have to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This music touched me and blessed my day as I celebrate the joy that sharing the gospel, sharing the love of God with others brings all of us.  I have their cds The Trek and Joseph Smith and we have enjoyed them as a whole family.  Good music performed by professionals who do this as a loved hobby, a way to testify of the gospel of Jesus Christ and share those things that are most important to them.  Please support them and the good things they are doing.