Thoughts

I heard a great talk at church today and thought I'd share some things I really liked.  The topic was gratitude which of course I need to show more of.   Our High Councilman started talking about how in the church we hear that "Charity never faileth" and as a people we think than never failing would mean succeeding because that is the modern meaning for the words.  So with that in mind we could say Charity succeeds.  He then quoted a couple scriptures which put a different light on the word fail.  In each scripture fail meant run out.  So with that in mind if you put them together it means, Charity never runs out.  I like that a lot. 

He then went on to talk about how temporal things have limits.  You can enjoy one car and having 2 cars but you couldn't really enjoy 15 cars.  That's how it is with worldly things.  If you get too much, you can't/don't enjoy it.  Spiritual things, however, do not work that way.  You can never have too much love and you can never run out of love.

Also, Gratitude is something within.  It is a spiritual gift from God.  I haven't thought too much about it being a gift but it really is.  The world has a pessimistic tone in general and it is very easy to join the pessimism but to have a thankful heart and recognize it is really a gift.  To be able to look at life and love it for what it is and all of the wonderful experiences we are able to have while here really is a gift from God.  Life really is great and I have so much to be thankful for!!!!

St. Patrick's Day Potato

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!                                                                                                            Ok, I tried to put a picture on here but since I'm on a mac and don't know what I'm doing you can click the link below if you'd like to see it.  Usually I can figure out things on here but mac + blog = I don't know, confusing I guess.

 Potato Picture

 So, in the St. Patrick's Day package from Lee there were lots of fun/exciting things.  Amongst them was a St. Patrick's Day Potato.  I have never heard of such a thing and lets be honest, it looked gross.  As I kept looking through the box I quickly forgot about the potato, so much fun stuff!  Well today Lee asked me if I've ever had one before and proceeded to tell me that he wasn't so sure about them at first but he likes them.  I trust Lee so I just have to try it even if it looks nasty plus if he asks me tomorrow if I tried it I can't say no.  Then he’d know that I’m chicken!

I decided to try it tonight.  I got it out and stared at it for a few minutes, then I opened it and stared at it for a few minutes.  While staring at it I was trying to decide if I'm supposed to just pick it up at take a bite or if I should get a knife and cut it open.  I just don't know!! I chose to cut it, which I think was a good idea.  After cutting it I could see the inside and knew more of what to expect.  In the end I did eat it.  The first couple bites I didn’t know how I felt about it.  I was still skeptical but then I liked it.  Very different but it was good.  I liked the nuts in it.   THE END

It's March!

Well, I have felt like February was going by very slowly but now as I think about it, January and February went by very quickly.  Those were my first 2 months teaching alone as Melissa was on maternity leave and I loved it!  Now that she's back and we have gotten more new students, we're working on splitting our class in half.  That is my adventure for March; set up my classroom.  I don't know how time can seem like it's going so slow and yet pass so fast.  It's crazy.  I think that March is going to go quickly.  I feel like it will but maybe that's what I'm trying to convince myself.  I am so happy with how things have gone so far and I look forward to lots of good times ahead.
BRING ON MARCH!

Invictus

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.



This poem is by William Ernest Henley.  This is one of my Dad's favorite poems and I remember him reciting it for me when I was younger.  I just watched the movie for the first time since I saw it when it was in theatres.  I loved it then and I love it now!  Great movie and great poem!

Quote to Start the Year

I haven't done a quote of the week on here recently so I figure it's about time.  Today’s quote certainly applies to the last year for me.  My family has had a lot of trials and sudden things happen in the past year starting in January and spread all throughout the entire year.  We have been able to hang on and get through the deaths and illnesses and are sure ready to start a fresh new year.  This quote is by President Monson talking about missionary work but it is certainly applicable to life in general.  He said, “The Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.”  I love this, it is certainly true.

My Rula

Well, I guess it's time to write something about my Grandma Rula.  It does not feel like she is gone, except when I am home and the house is quiet. It has been absolutely wonderful living with her this last few months.  Rula is certainly one of a kind and I love her.  Some of my favorite memories with her are: Camping at Rucker Lake with her and Grandpa, getting massages of course, hearing her holler "yyoooohhhhooooo", playing Skip-Bo with her and having to cheat in her favor in order for her to win some games, and of course spending time with her just watching all her OLD movies (Shirley Temple ones in particular). Grandma lived a long wonderful life and went quickly which has been a shock to us but it's exactly how she wanted it so for that I'm thankful.  Oh boy is she happy now and I can't express in words how blessed I have been to have her for a Grandma and particularly for the opportunity to spend so much time with her lately.  I love my Rula!

This picture was taken at her 90th birthday party a few months ago and she was as healthy as can be. I joked with her that she would live forever because she was too healthy.

Brownie Adair

My friend Brownie, and pretty much Grandma, passed away just over a week ago and I feel like I should write something about her.  I know that at this point she would yell at me and tell me not to put her picture or anything on here.  It is for that exact reason that I am doing it, and she wouldn't expect anything less.  There needs to be something that she would give me a hard time about and vice versa.  That’s how our relationship is; she always called me her little idiot.  Some would say that doesn’t sound very nice but coming from Brownie, it is certainly a term of endearment to me. She had 3 named idiots and I'm proud to be one of them. I miss her already and laugh at the most random memories I have with her.  Things from going to Oregon with her to go down the Granny rapids for her 80^th birthday to calling her as a kid from a hotel just to tell her that I was in the bathroom on the phone, I still don’t know why they would put a phone by the toilet.  She thought that was the funniest thing.  I could continue with so many other funny stories but I’ll stop here.  I think that’s enough for here.  I wish I could have seen the reunion with her and Byron. I can only imagine the celebration.  I love my Brownie and will miss her.