General Conference is Coming!

I just wanted to write and invite and tell you of an upcoming event this weekend, that impacts my whole year. It happens twice a year, where the leaders of our Church meet in Salt Lake City, and instruct the members of our church for two days. It is a wonderful experience and very uplifting. I always feel like it fills me up to keep going for the next six months--messages which teach me to live more like the Savior, and to prioritize the most important things, and to focus on the things that truly matter. For the next six months, I try to read and study those messages, and apply them in my life. They are such a help and a strength to me. I want you to know that these leaders are truly men of God, and that we all will be blessed if we heed what they say. I am including a link where you can also listen and learn from these inspired leaders. I invite you to do it--I know that your lives can't help but be blessed by the messages they will give. Have a great weekend!

So many sobering things

This has been a challenging time for our Church unit called a ward. In the last week and a half, we've had 3 funerals. We lost a very dear friend, named Kent Pomeroy. Spence has been his home teacher (visited with him at least once each month) for over 12 years. He has become a very close friend. He had many serious health problems, including cancer and heart problems. Yet, he was one of the most determined people--a fighter to the end, and had SO MUCH faith. He was such an example to me and to so many others. He did prolotherapy (I can't explain it, but he did a lot to alleviate peoples' pain). His concern was always to help others. Ever since I had my health problems, he has been one of my most constant caring friends. Every time Spence would go to visit him, he would ask Spence how I was doing--his thoughts were always for others. He wanted to get well, so he could continue helping his many patients. I feel a real void in his loss, and pray that I can learn something from his unselfishness and caring that will make me a better person. Another death was that of a 7-month-old baby who died--who had a viral infection, and just suddenly was gone. That is so hard on a young family, and it is hard to imagine even in these times of so much advanced technology, that we still can lose a little child like that. His grandmother is a member of our ward--all of these situations give us the opportunity to be there in times of sadness--to "mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort." That is really how we show our love for others--to be with them in times of joy and of sorrow. We have another friend,who just had an accident, and is in ICU. It is a very scary situation, and our thoughts and hearts are with him and his family. life is so very fragile, and can change so quickly. I pray for all these people who are going through such hard times--pray that they may be buoyed up by their faith in Heavenly Father, and helped by loving people who surround them. I am so thankful to know that we do have a Father in Heaven who loves us, and who is there for us always, especially in these tough times. What comfort that knowledge gives.

How does YOUR broom stand?

`I just found out the coolest thing today...and consequently have been playing with it all day long...plus letting other people know about it. I went to work out at the cancer center today, and found out some pretty interesting stuff while I was there. (Spence says that's where I find out all the "latest and greatest" stuff!). Right now is the Equinox (I don't really know what that means or how long it lasts), but during this time, the planets are aligned in such a position that if you stand your broom upright, it will stay standing! It is the weirdest but coolest thing. I came right home, and stood my broom up. All day I have been wanting to go to the store, and take the brooms in the broom aisle, and stand them up, and then wait to see what other people would do when they saw that! I don't know if you can do it with other things besides brooms, but I DO know that my broom stands! Well, this is later on today...and Brady, my son, tells me it is not the Equinox...but whatever it is, my broom has stood all day!! Most people who have tried it have made it work. Look at the magical broom that I have! What a fun moment!! :)

Spring Break

I think it's time for another post...even though my life is pretty unexciting. Right now I am in the middle of a huge mess in my house--trying to organize my sewing closet, and years and years of pictures--both are huge undertakings, and I am a little bit crazy to be working on them both. But I AM making some progress so that's good.

It's been spring break for my high school freshman, Brady. It has been a beautiful Arizona spring week, and neither one of us has worked too hard. He has enjoyed the break, and it has been nice not to have such early mornings. But we'll be back to it on Monday--all good things must come to an end.

This Sunday we get to hear my nephew, Kevin Jones, report on his mission. He just returned from the Southern California mission, and he looks great--we got to see him at the airport when he first arrived.I'm going to put a picture in of him coming in , and his family being there to greet him. I'm also including a picture of him at baggage with all the members of his family--so cool! He has served for 2 years, and has been very diligent and hard working. He is a very good young man. It is a very happy occasion when a young man returns from his mission. It is not an easy thing for anyone to do--to give up your normal activities for two years to go out and try to teach people about the Gospel...but many do it, and it is such a blessing in their lives. When our son, Brian, returned from his mission, he was a much more mature person--could look people in the eye, and talk easily with other people. So, it is a great blessing for those they teach, but it is also a great blessing for the missionaries themselves. I hope that my 3 grandsons will all be able and willing to serve missions when they turn 19. It is a great goal, and a great accomplishment. Well, I am going back to my sewing closet--no rest for the wicked (or the weary!) Have a good weekend, and tell someone you know that you love them. I need to do that too! :)