Oh, President Hinckley!

My daughter just called to tell me of the news! President Hinckley had just died an hour ago. I was immediately strickened with great sadness. My heart feels very heavy and I feel sort of out of body. I'm going to miss him so very much. He affected my life so immensely, and so profoundly that I cannot even begin to write them down. He has affected all of us, all of this entire planet.

From, temples to bringing the church out of obscurity to 60 minutes. From the conference center to the earthquake proofing of the tabernacle to building up the Mormon Tab Choir! All the travel he did to all the Saints throughout the world. The humanitarian movement and the Perpetual Education Fund.

I am so sure he had made his calling and election made sure.

He is now where is sweetheart is and in the arms of His love.

What a man! What a man! How we will miss your great optimism!! Farewell!

Wow, I got tagged!

Well, so this is fun! This is the first time I have ever gotten tagged in this world of blogs, by my fun daughter, Lara. It is about everything you ever wanted to know about my relationship with my husband, well, at least, I think so.

What's his name? Michael Farel Preston.

How long have you been together? Well, our 36th anniversary is June 10th and we were together for 1 1/2 years before that so approximately 37 years.

How long did you date? We met in January and dated until May and then were engaged until the following June, with the exception of a months breakup in January.

How old is he? He is 56 years and 364 days old! So 57 years old tomorrow!!

Who eats more? Hands down, he does!! He is amazing at what he can put away, and then a few minutes after all that, he can go in and have a bunch of m and m's and hardly notice it!!

Who said I love you first? He did! A month into our dating. It surprised me, I was not even thinking like that!

Who is taller? Well, he is, which I love!!! He is almost 6'4" and I am a mere 5'7", hee hee.

Who is smarter? Hmmmmm, well mostly him, but I hold my end up pretty good. He knows and pays attention a little to a lot of things, which I don't.

Who does the laundry? I mostly do it! He does when I haven't gotten to his work clothes, which is rare, but grateful he does it without complaint that I didn't!

Who does the dishes? There again, I mostly do, but he will do it on Sunday's or when he sees I can't get to it.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does, he likes to be by the lamp and the alarm!

Who pays the bills? I do! Always have. He doesn't like to do it, he made him anxious, however, he is very excited about this Dave Ramsey program he got us into. So I'm happy he is starting to get involved, because I want the partnership!!

Who mows the lawn? In our early years, I did. But since we had so many boys they did, and now he does!! Oh, but we do share it with the neighborhood boys so he can weed those weeks.

Who cooks dinner? Mostly me. Sorry, it's a fact. But he helps me some nights by picking up things for us to eat, or popping in a lasagna or starting some chicken. I'm grateful he is not a picky eater, makes my life easier. I taught him what I know, but we neither one of us are crazy about cooking.

Who drives when you are together? It was always him for years! But he was scary to me, so eventually he let me without a fight or attack on his ego. Besides he drives all day every day and gets tired of it. But when we drive long distances, he does, he has tremendous stamina, then I do the city driving because I'm better in unknown places where he gets anxious.

Who is more stubborn? Clearly, he is (bullheaded) where I am just stubborn, and believe me there is a difference.

Who kissed who first? He kissed me first. Although, I was very glad he did.

Who asked out who first? He asked me out first. To a fireside that turned into "Scrooge" the movie.

Who proposed? Well, he did of course, does it go the other way sometimes?

Who has more siblings? I do, I have 4 brothers and 1 sister making 6 in my family plus I have 2 step siblings. He has 2 sisters and 1 brother with 1 sister who passed away at 2 years of age :(.

Who wears the pants in the family? At first glance you would say me. But if you look under the surface he did. But now after much counseling and help in communication we are becoming a partnership, it is becoming a "we" instead of "I". And I am very pleased, because it makes a big difference to a healthy marriage.



So I'm supposed to tag someone else in turn, and to be honest I don't know who really reads this blog other than a few. So, Shana, Chris, Sundy and anyone else who possibly reads this do it and send me a copy of your answers. Have fun!!!

Greatness?

My study this morning was the BYU magazine article for January on being True to the Faith. Within this article was a quote from a recent issue of Fortune magazine where it indicated "we will achieve greatness only through an enormous amount of hard work over many years....the good news is that our lack of a natural gift is irrelevant---talent has little or nothing to do with greatness....Nobody is great without work!! "What it takes to be great, Fortune, Vol. 154, NO 9 (Oct. 30, 2006.)"

Wow, what a wonderful quote, keeping in perspective nothing great comes from natural talent, when greatness comes, it comes through long, hard work! (That explains motherhood, but I have yet to achieve greatness by any means!) And along with this, President Hinckley, further explains that with this must be carried its motto, "honesty is the best policy." In matters of honesty, there are no shortcuts...There is only the simple, honest truth spoken in total candor. And I think there is nothing more honest than good, hard work!!

Can you tell, I love his insights?

Staying on the mark!

So, Lara mentioned that this blog is introspective, I very much suppose that it is, so here is some more introspection. If you are not in the mood, just leave it, but if you are here you go.
Teaching yoga I find a lot of people starving, starving for rest, starving for de-stressing, for that tension release that we hold in our bodies. Starving for connection with their heart to Heavenly Father's Spirit, starving for their emptiness to be filled. So in noticing this and then some mentioning "meditation" to me, I have had a great deal of time to think or ponder of this very subject. Now, mind you, I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt we all have to find our way here on this earth, or in this school we have been sent to, and I know we have to discover things for ourselves, especially the knowledge of "The Gospel is True!" BUT, I am simply amazed how much time is spent looking in the wrong place or looking around it. The "it" being the gospel of Jesus Christ. His Atonement, His life, His ministry, His example. I catch myself even doing the very same thing at times. But those empty feelings are never filled. They are only filled by studying the scriptures, going to the Temple, having meaningful daily prayer, serving each other, and striving for virtuous thoughts unceasingly. Virtue doesn't just fall under moral, but follows under positive, uplifting thoughts as well.

I am simply amazed how many of those I rub shoulders with do NOT recognize the atonement working in their lives and to further explain, how many don't allow the atonement to work in OTHERS lives.

But getting back to meditation, Pres. Hinckley encourages pondering on the things of the Lord, I don't think he mean't to ponder of the negative of the world or of oneself, because of how one feels when doing so, Pres. Hinckley wants us to be hopeful and optimistic and have no critics among us. But to merely apply His atoning sacrifice as we ALL have had part in that incredible act done for us!

Looking up definitions on humanism has made me realize that we can fall very easily into that trap, which is: Humanism believes that the individual attains the good life by harmoniously combining personal satisfactions and continuous self-development with significant work and other activities that contributes to the welfare of the community.
Now, I find a couple of things wrong here which can prove to be dangerous, 1) Where is Heavenly Father in this,
2) It is narcissistic, very self-absorbed, I only need me attitude.
So to me, it is very tricky how we "meditate" and how easy it is to get "off the mark" and headed in the wrong direction away from the true source, our Father in Heaven.
How I would love for all to grasp these principles quickly and clearly, but that is just NOT reality, and not how even Heavenly Father wants it. He wants each of us to "come to Him, willingly". All he wants is our will. However, getting off track is precisely wants the adversary wants to we lose sight of our mission, our purpose.
So the next best thing is patience in learning and patience is teaching! Doesn't that mean long suffering? Yep, it sure does.
Guess I better get to nurturing that as well, but be careful to stay on the mark.

So to summarize this blog, it takes careful thought to ponder on the correct and right things and President Hinckley has given us counsel on that, but to meditate on the philosophies of men, well, that turns into something more dangerous.
Yep, President Hinckley I'm watching you and listening very carefully, it is with deep gratitude that I do this.

This blog just isn't funny!

Lara to be honest I don't know how you guys blog so much! Where do you find the time???? Maybe you are just overflowing with the words and have many funny experiences happening to you that you must hurry and write them down lest you forget! I can admit my days are so full of neat, exciting, meaningful experiences, especially teaching this generation of college students, but I find myself being the comic relief in class, they are so serious, or so stressed, or so fatigued! So hence, it is not funny writing about myself, it is quite boring. In fact, probably quite narcissistic!

So I rack my brain as to what I need to do to make this blog more interesting when my days are clean the house, hurry go to class, come home make lunch and visit with your dad and your brother who comes over frequently, get caught up on bills, updating security on the computer, write another fitness blog, do my new homework, go teach another class, pray, read, study or listen to a talk, keep up with the Presidential campaigns, catch up on my calling, help my friends in some way, maybe watch American Idol (stupid), plan another Dave Ramsey meeting with Dad, etc. etc. I need children to keep my day funny!! Ahhhh, but none are around, so I remember when you guys were kids and start laughing or I read others experiences with their kids and laugh. To be quite honest I feel very grandchild deprived, I need to LAUGH!! But regardless, I am so grateful for what I have and what my life is, it could be something else!

Birthday best!!

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday celebration this year, even over the surprise 50th I received 5 years ago! Okay, so now,you know how fast that 5 years went by. But, this is how it started!! A knock came on the door Saturday morning and a fella with a beautiful vase of gorgeous flowers in hand asked for me!! Oh, my, who would send me flowers, I had no idea???? But when I read the card it was BRAYDEN, DAXTON, Shana and Jake!!! (Shana is very thoughtful!) What a sweet, sweet surprise and I read the card which is always the best part! So I called those guys and they were as darling as ever!! Thank you again guys, you are the best! Then I that night we went out to dinner and before we left everyone brought me a gift that was so thought out! That means so much! Lara/Joel and girls are so aware how I need a little book to keep my tiny pictures of the kids in in my purse without hurting them, (they are in there guys) and a cool smelling candle so my house smells good all the time!! Then Jon and Rachael gave me a framed word art "Our House is just a little house but God knows where we live!", (It's hung, guys!) Nate knew I wanted a new hoodie for class, and brought me a dark gray hoodie! But the thing that is the best is the cards, they all wrote heartfelt things that I love, (I keep them forever guys) My husband, was thinking as well, wow, he gave me a bluetooth ear piece so when I drive long distances it will stay on my ear as I keep my hands free talking to them while getting to my place of destination safely!!

I do have the best family ever! The only thing missing to make it complete was Dave and Sundy!! Next time!

Love you all very much!

Broken bones, no fun! But kisses make them better.

Last night I was beginning a whopper of a cold and was laying by the fire, dozing when the phone rang and Grampa answered. It was Chloe, she wanted to tell us she had just broken her arm and she was in the Doctor's office getting a cast. I felt so bad for her, but if you know Chloe, she has a very high tolerance of pain and doesn't hardly say anything when it hurts. She is a very brave and strong little girl. So I asked her how it happened and she carefully explained she was standing on the couch and fell off on the side and her arm curled under her. She went around feeling like it hurt and told her Mom when she came home, "I think I need to go to the Doctor, Mommy!" Off they went and sure enough the X-ray that Chloe told me about showed indeed she broke it at the wrist on the radius bone. She was going to wear a "white" cast for a while until the Doctor did something else for her. I told her to sign my name on it!! "Be sure to put Mamah on there!!

The fact that Chloe wanted to call us to tell us was a heart warming feeling. She loves us and trusts us to feel for her and she KNOWS we love her.

Chloe, we will pray you will heal fast, life is always going to be filled with bumps and bruises and I'm so glad we are part of helping you along the way. Grampa and I love you!!

Why adversity is so helpful!

A New Year is upon us and what a renewed feeling it is!! Out with the old in with the new! We have so much to look forward too, just as Pres. Hinckley says! The sun is shining and it always brings me great joy I KNOW my Savior Lives and I KNOW my Father lives. It leads me to the thoughts on which I have been pondering for some time and that is of good times/bad times. Adversity/comfort, rough starts/great finishes!! The refiner's fire, the rough stone rolling, the fuller's soap spoken of in the scriptures and by Joseph Smith.
We always start out not so good, having a lot to learn, being awkward in so many things, especially the way we see things! In such an immature and very narrow, limited way. Those of you who believe you see things clearly all of the time are simply fooling yourselves or need a little pride adjustment, because the plain truth is, this is an eternal process. Adversity is preparation for greatness. Notice the word preparation, it doesn't say "arrive" or "is". These thoughts come because there are so many searching for the truth but aren't really finding it. For me, it is only found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He keeps us centered, focused, and staying on the mark.

Jesus was acquainted with grief, he didn't have an easy life. BUT He is the one who shows us the way how to do this life!

All of us have rough starts and not just because of our problems but because we sin.

There again, He shows us how to do it. To recognize our part, to deal with it and then to change it through His atonement. With such patience and understanding.

Our lives would be a waste if it was easy, we would never grow. We volunteered in the pre existance to be "a Savior on Mount Zion!" He sends us, His brave and valiant spirits to this earth to be sent to families to break a chain. He can help us find ways to bless others and ourselves and to improve, to become like Him.

When problems come, don't run away from God, run to Him!

I hope I'm making some sense. But I am so grateful for the hard things, that cause me to reflect towards Him, to search Him out, to learn to think and be like Him more, to push me to improve and excel no matter what my limitations are even though I might be kicking and screaming through the process. For that I am grateful for His eternal patience and love for me.