Grandma G

Having found a love letter from Grandpa to Grandma I thought I would share.  The best thing a husband can do for his children is to love their mother.  I seek to be worthy of that love and devotion that comes when a good man loves his wife.  Grandpa died shortly after writing this letter to his beloved.  I don't believe they had any reason to suspect that he would soon die.   I was five years old when Grandpa died.  Grandma continued on to finish raising her family and living for nearly 40 years as she awaited that reunion which she also looked forward to.  Grandma died in 2007 just a week after spending time in my home.  I treasure the many memories I have of her and the few precious ones of my grandpa.

My Dear Beloved Marjorie,

                One day, each of us will be called home.  If you outlive me, do not grieve excessively.  Have faith be happy, cheerful, and confident.  We both know the gospel is true and that life beyond the grave is an obvious reality.  Each day of my life I thank God for the deep abiding love we have for each other.  This love has been our most precious possession, life’s most soul-satisfying, most rewarding experience – made far richer and more meaningful through the testimonies we have shared with each other of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

                Together we have met life’s challenges and reared our children to love the Lord and keep his commandments.  (Four) have been through the temple.  (Two) have their footsteps firmly planted along the same path.

                On that beautiful February morn, those many years ago, dressed in the beautiful white robes of the Holy Priesthood, and with hearts bursting with love and gratitude and joy, we clasped hands across the sacred altar and were sealed for time and all eternity – forever.

                That love – those indescribably sacred vows – have been and are the cornerstone of our happiness together.  Together we have lived and toiled and sacrificed and dedicated our lives to the fulfillment of the eternal blessing promised us at that altar.  The Lord has proven many times that HE loves us and has approved our way of life and the name in which we have raised our children.

                My beloved Marjorie, do not weep for long. Stay close to the Lord, keep busy, be grateful for your blessings, and above all for the love we bear for each other – made infinitely more precious, more noble and more enduring by the precious truths of the gospel and the love we both bear for our Savior, without whose great sacrifice for us, all this joy would not have been possible.

                And so until that great and glorious day of reunion when I shall again clasp you to my bosom, together with the six precious spirits whom we are privileged to call our sons and daughters, as well as those dear ones who have joined our family in recent years or may join it in the future, God be with you till we meet again.

                Chin up, keep smiling, and remember – Our love is eternal.

Affectionately your husband,

Grace turns all to good

We are all hurting.  We all receive trials tailored to help us grow, to challenge us, to allow us to turn to God and allow him to show us the way through, to heal.  He helps us see the beauty, the joy that can be ours even in the midst of the difficult.  Man is that he might have joy.  Often the joy comes when we accept the difficult, make the climb, and view the vista at the summit knowing we have not walked alone.  We have been helped each step of the way and as we leaned on Jesus Christ we were/are enabled to continue, to endure, to taste joy along the way and then finally reach the point where we can look back and see how all the switchbacks were still helping us make progress and were necessary steps to arrive where we need to be.  As we walk through the mortal journey let our walk be with God, let his light illuminate the path that we might not stumble, let a grateful heart show us the many tender mercies that bless each day.  Let us look around to see who else we might help along the way.  

Thank you Natalie for sharing this with me.

This is my absolute favorite white chili. It always turns out great and everyone loves it

Ghost Chili

Added by kiki00star on October 15, 2009 in Chili, Soups

Prep Time 5 Minutes Cook Time 45 Minutes

Servings 8

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

• 1 pound Chicken Breast, Cubed
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
• 1-½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
• 2 cans (15.5 Oz) Great Northern Beans, Rinsed And Drained
• 1 can (14.5 Oz) Chicken Broth
• 2 cans (4 Oz.) Chopped Green Chilies
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• ½ teaspoons Black Pepper
• ¼ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• ½ cups Whipping Cream

Preparation Instructions

Heat oil in a large pot. Saute chicken, onion, and garlic powder until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies, and seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and cream.

If you like your chili very mild, reduce the amount of chilies to 1 can, or rinse and drain the chilies well.

To make a less rich, healthier version, use 2 cups sour cream and 1/4 cup milk.

Thank you, Dad

 Sister Dalton spoke in General conference  to fathers about raising daughters.  Dads have a very important role in teaching girls how they should be treated, honored, and respected and what to look for in a future husband.  The best way to do so is to love their mother.

Listening to the important message shared with so many ideas about what should be a priority for men as they lead their family and provide for their family and make time for their family, I felt a great desire to thank my own father for being a good man.

My Dad was the youngest of 4 children.  He was ten years younger than his next older sibling and spent much of his childhood feeling more like an only child.  His father gave up smoking when my dad at age 4 picked up a cigarette (thank you grandpa for your desire to set a better example too).  He was raised in the church in California.  I believe he loved being a teenager in the 50's.

He loves hot rods, being cool, and the Rose Parade.  His family moved a lot.  I think he attended 5 different high schools.  He used that to his advantage as he learned to take an interest in people and enjoys making new friends and helping them feel comfortable and appreciated.  He continues to reach out to others and especially enjoys meeting people from other countries or cultures.  I believe it was in these years that he developed a love for hot peppers.  He tried to convince me to eat them by promising that they would put hair on my chest.  Definitely not motivating to a young girl.  He said the same thing about eating the crust on my bread. He does have a very hairy chest so he was pretty convincing.

He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Denmark and loved his mission.  While on his mission his parents moved to Utah.  He came home and met a charming, beautiful red head who became my mother.  They were married in the Salt Lake temple 47 years ago.

I was their first child.  It was not an easy delivery and he exclaimed when he heard he had a daughter "All that work just for a girl!"  Little did he know that the work had just begun.  As an honorable man and priesthood holder he provided for our family.  He wanted the best for us and worked very hard.  He put in long hours building businesses and building our family.  I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters that followed me in to our family.  I have fond memories of holidays spent together, family vacations, Saturday's with Dad cutting the lawn.  Stories of him taking pride in cleaning bathrooms as a boy hoping to motivate me to take pride in housework and a job well done.

Some of the best things he did for me were to tell me when I looked good, shared his interest in interior design, complimented me on my accomplishments, proudly introduced me to his friends, attended church as a family every week.  Some special times were when we would discuss a gospel topic and I knew that he had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was always worthy and willing to give me priesthood blessings.

He has continued that example as he has done his best to raise a righteous family in partnership with my mother.  They have worked together, been patient with one another, faced big health and financial challenges together and expressed gratitude for one another.  He has continued to love my mother as they have now served two missions together, one to Denmark and one to Nauvoo, IL.

There is safety and comfort in knowing that your parents love one another and that they love you.  That gift means so much to every child.  I am so grateful to my Dad for the man he is.  I am grateful for the blessing he continues to be in my life.  Even now as an adult I appreciate my dad's approval.  I am grateful when I please him and I want to live in such a way that he can be proud of me.  Thank you, Dad, for always loving the Lord, loving Mom, and living the gospel.

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