Donna Day

Wednesday, usually one day a month, we have "Donna Day." It's the day my friend goes to the doctor and we do her errands. She is the navigator and I am the driver. She makes lots of funnies, we usually have some type of lunch and we spend the whole day together. Brynn and Oakley have visited her and she adores them. I thought it might be time for you to meet Donna. Here she is with two of her adorable grandchildren.

sharpest tools

"One of the adversary's sharpest tools is to convince us that we are no longer worthy to pray. No matter who you are or what you have done, you can always pray. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil." ~Boyd K. Packer, "Prayer and Promptings," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 43-46

As a kid, I used to hate when the opening song in Sunday School started with "Ere you left your room this morning did you think to pray?" I never had. I did pretty well with the canned prayers at night, but the really heartfelt faith kind of prayers -- not there too often. I guess I needed to have a little opposition in my life to find out that I really do need my Heavenly Father every hour and I need constant secret prayer. As my heart has turned to heaven I have seen the hand of the Lord daily in my life. Just this last week as I was with our sweet Parker, I was reminded clearly that God lives and is in His heaven. He loves us and wants to bless us. His Son Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father. Jesus extends his loving hand constantly and loves us perfectly. He will plead our case with our loving Father. Satan may have sharp tools, but they will never be able to pick the lock to heaven's door. That key is prayer and I am so grateful for it.

for the love

Happy Valentines Day! It's the time of year when Mel and I celebrate the first time he asked me out. It was a monumental occasion and took much courage on his part. I am so glad that he did. Recently I studied the talk by President Henry B. Eyring, "Our Perfect Example." I've found that this has helped our love to grow so I'd like to share it with you.

1- Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion.

2- Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small.

3- Pray for the love to make your companion's joy your own.

4- Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion.

My Melvi has been doing this for a long time. He is so patient, loving and accepting of me. I love him more than however long ago that was that he first asked me out.

friend

A friend is more concerned about helping people than getting credit. A friend cares. A friend loves. A friend listens. And a friend reaches out. ~Thomas S. Monson

Mutual - Dude! This is fun, can we do it again?

We've been visiting week night mutual activities as part of our ward conference visits. I love being with these youth. They are so full of life and goodness. I wouldn't have believed that kids would like ballroom dancing, but this activity was planned by the Priests (16-18 year old boys) and despite the resistance from a couple of the girls, they all seemed to have fun learning ettiquette and smooth dance steps. I would call it a successful activity. Direct quote from one of the resisters: Dude! This is fun, can we do it again?

I'm Trying to be Like Jesus

"Live so that others will want to know Christ because they know you." I love this saying, but have not been a very good example of it. Please forgive me of katty comments and naughty, sarcastic thoughts that I've shared with you. I am trying to be better. This is prompted by an amazing talk in our last church conference by President Henry B. Eyring called "Our Perfect Example." He said "Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others. It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him." Will you please help me be better?

flu or flew?

Various types of flu are going around. Hope these two don't get bird flu.

What are the possibilities? Yes, the answer is yes, it is dead. And while we're on the subject of birds, can we talk about Mary? HHHHH!!! She is an answer to prayers, she eats scorpions, but also a testimony of opposition in all things. She eats everything! Our garden is pecked to the root before it gets 1/2 inch high.

This is pretty much all we see of her this weekend however, because Bruce makes sure that she is taking good care of Cooley's scorpions. This is Mary, just before she flew.

So flu or flew? Which will it be?