I am so grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost! I love conference time! I love the crispness in the air of the fall, the crunch of apples, and the cool morning breeze in the front door of my home. I love the change in seasons that brings with it the hope of change in the world. I am so abundantly blessed!
This week has been a whirlwind of motion for which I am grateful. I find myself at the crossroads with my kids often. I have tried hard to be there when they need to chat. Listening, asking, testifying. I am grateful for the calling of Mother and I love being their friend!
Tomorrow is the primary program, and my cute Sophia has worried about it for weeks! She wakes up everyday, and gives me the countdown of how many more days until the "real deal!" I am grateful for her beautiful testimony! Her part is "The First Presidency and Twelve Apostles are Prophets. I love to listen to the Prophets because they know what is really going on in the world, and teach us in a way we can understand." What a beautiful proclamation! I love her!
I love getting calls from Liesl to check in. I love to hear her challenges and opportunities, listening as she solves her own problems! What a blessing it is to be her mom!
A couple times this week Samuel has missed dinner with the family, and I have found myself sitting with him later to have something to eat. We have had long talks about his mission, goals, and dreams. He has a cute girl that follows him around right now. This week, the two of them won tickets to a play out at Tuachan. She hounded him to get the night set so they could go. Then on the afternoon arranged, her best friend got her mission call in the mail, and decided to open it at 9:00 p.m. - right in the middle of they play. Her family was all in Cedar watching her sister play soccer, so she was at our home, she often is here, wanting to be on the "Harr team" as she calls us. She was found weeping after Sam left to go with another girl from our ward to the play she wanted to go to. She is good to be loyal to her friend, but it wasn't someone Samuel knew, and he had these tickets, so we helped him find another date to go. She was devastated! She stayed here at our house hours after Sam had gone, until time to go to the mission opening party. I don't mind having her around. She has brought some good changes to Sam. I pray they are not too close. It is the second time in two weeks he has gone out with someone else. I know it is hard on her. She has brought Sam out of his quiet shell. She was on exec council last year at Dixie. She graduated last year, so this year she is at the college, and I believe she finds herself a bit lost without the soccer team and the exec council activities to keep her busy. She is working at Costco, which is difficult, i.e. tonight was Women's Conference, but she had to work until 9:45. She is super cute, and we embrace her!
After the dinner dishes have been done, and Brad was off to stake meetings three nights this week, I have had the privilege of taking the littles for a bike ride. When I went with just them, we left from home, with our headlights, and rode the path along the river. Friday night B was finally able to go with us and we went for the Green Valley loop. What a beautiful place we live! I loved the time at the rear, watching as they each followed their great Dad down that fun trail! Stephen and Sara both got new bikes recently, and they love to be on their bikes! In fact, this afternoon, Stephen rode his bike to the Primary program practice, and on the way home, he crashed and broke the derailer on this bike. A friend picked he and his bike up and brought him home, but he is distrought because he wants his bike back! He must have asked 50 times this afternoon if the shop had called saying his bike was fixed yet! Ryan at Red Rock Bike shop loves our family! He laughed at Stephen upset about his broken bike, and said "I see an up and coming Chandler in the works!" I am so blessed that my kids love to be on their bikes outside! As I watched Brad ride the Green Valley loop last night, I whispered prayers of gratitude that he came home from work - a bit late, and said not to put the hamburgers on the grill yet, he wanted to ride the loop before it got too dark! I grabbed the headlights because I had a feeling that I should - and yes, especially Stephen and Sophia were glad to have them the last half hour! He is such a blessing! I love following him! He was so cute coaching our littles over those challenges, helping them find the confidence to ride the difficult parts, and helping them be safe! Thank you Heavenly Father!
Tonight in conference, the messages were just for me! I have been battling the position of being a victim for a bit with the attacks that have been rolling in. I loved the message from President Uchtdorf! He is a hero! I want to be glad and grateful for the abundant blessings I have been given! I see the miracles all around me, and celebrate the goodness of life! I recognize that others don't see the way I do - I loved Sister Jones story of the rescue in the ocean! I do see creative solutions, which I know are promptings from the Holy Spirit as solutions and gifts to me.
Even in the mist of the confrontation at the church with RR, I stated, "I am a daughter of God, and I am not going to let you attack me like this!" It was not pretty, and I sat on the lawn outside after she left for more than an hour crying. I am sure that she doesn't know anything about the wishes of the Stake Presidency for her, and the insight I was given when I met with President Jensen. He promised to try to help bring change there, but she would never meet with him. She was too busy. I am sorry to force it to an end on one hand, but on the other hand, she left a note for me on the door today that says she is leaving for the next 6 weeks, and won't be back until November. She doesn't know if we will be released, but she wanted to say good-bye. I am sorry to leave it on a rough note. I didn't attend the Presidency meeting this week because I felt she was going to rehash all the problems on the last year, and I didn't need to hear them and be attacked by her again and again. I am sorry for the mess, and wish things were differently. I wish she would see that it is not wrong for me to be committed to follow the direction of the General YW Presidency. She takes their direction, and says "I will file that away in case we need it." No, we should be studying that, teaching that, modeling that! We should be engaged with the YW on the youth council, encouraging their input and fostering their leadership skills as they learn the Gospel and build foundations for their lives! RR doesn't see any of that as important! She expects us to follow her as "The President" and to jump on board to whatever direction she receives as guidance and go with it, even when it is contrary to the direction from our Stake leaders! Anyway, that chapter is near it's end. I will be grateful to close that door.
I want to link arms with righteous women who aren't mocking me because I have talents and abilities, but who are also talented and willing to give their whole life to our Savior! I love Him and want to serve Him. I am so grateful for the blessings He has given me. Even this night, there is a strong possibility that I am expecting again. Many will mock, and say I am too old. I see it is a priviledge and blessing that He would trust me with His little ones! What a gift each tender heart is! I love being a Mom, loving, caring for them! I am so very blessed! I am so grateful for dear Bradley! He is so patient, willing and able! I love his determination and confidence to stand in his own way and follow the guidance for him from above! Thank you Heavenly Father! I love you!
The white shirts for my boys just clicked done. Right now Brad only has five short sleeve shirts that fit him nicely, and he seems to go through them quickly! I hope to order some new ones for him soon, but in the meantime, every few days, I find myself scrubbing white shirts. What a blessing that my husband and sons will wear white, clean, uniforms of the Priesthood of God! I am so blessed! Thank you Father!
This week has been a whirlwind of motion for which I am grateful. I find myself at the crossroads with my kids often. I have tried hard to be there when they need to chat. Listening, asking, testifying. I am grateful for the calling of Mother and I love being their friend!
Tomorrow is the primary program, and my cute Sophia has worried about it for weeks! She wakes up everyday, and gives me the countdown of how many more days until the "real deal!" I am grateful for her beautiful testimony! Her part is "The First Presidency and Twelve Apostles are Prophets. I love to listen to the Prophets because they know what is really going on in the world, and teach us in a way we can understand." What a beautiful proclamation! I love her!
I love getting calls from Liesl to check in. I love to hear her challenges and opportunities, listening as she solves her own problems! What a blessing it is to be her mom!
A couple times this week Samuel has missed dinner with the family, and I have found myself sitting with him later to have something to eat. We have had long talks about his mission, goals, and dreams. He has a cute girl that follows him around right now. This week, the two of them won tickets to a play out at Tuachan. She hounded him to get the night set so they could go. Then on the afternoon arranged, her best friend got her mission call in the mail, and decided to open it at 9:00 p.m. - right in the middle of they play. Her family was all in Cedar watching her sister play soccer, so she was at our home, she often is here, wanting to be on the "Harr team" as she calls us. She was found weeping after Sam left to go with another girl from our ward to the play she wanted to go to. She is good to be loyal to her friend, but it wasn't someone Samuel knew, and he had these tickets, so we helped him find another date to go. She was devastated! She stayed here at our house hours after Sam had gone, until time to go to the mission opening party. I don't mind having her around. She has brought some good changes to Sam. I pray they are not too close. It is the second time in two weeks he has gone out with someone else. I know it is hard on her. She has brought Sam out of his quiet shell. She was on exec council last year at Dixie. She graduated last year, so this year she is at the college, and I believe she finds herself a bit lost without the soccer team and the exec council activities to keep her busy. She is working at Costco, which is difficult, i.e. tonight was Women's Conference, but she had to work until 9:45. She is super cute, and we embrace her!
After the dinner dishes have been done, and Brad was off to stake meetings three nights this week, I have had the privilege of taking the littles for a bike ride. When I went with just them, we left from home, with our headlights, and rode the path along the river. Friday night B was finally able to go with us and we went for the Green Valley loop. What a beautiful place we live! I loved the time at the rear, watching as they each followed their great Dad down that fun trail! Stephen and Sara both got new bikes recently, and they love to be on their bikes! In fact, this afternoon, Stephen rode his bike to the Primary program practice, and on the way home, he crashed and broke the derailer on this bike. A friend picked he and his bike up and brought him home, but he is distrought because he wants his bike back! He must have asked 50 times this afternoon if the shop had called saying his bike was fixed yet! Ryan at Red Rock Bike shop loves our family! He laughed at Stephen upset about his broken bike, and said "I see an up and coming Chandler in the works!" I am so blessed that my kids love to be on their bikes outside! As I watched Brad ride the Green Valley loop last night, I whispered prayers of gratitude that he came home from work - a bit late, and said not to put the hamburgers on the grill yet, he wanted to ride the loop before it got too dark! I grabbed the headlights because I had a feeling that I should - and yes, especially Stephen and Sophia were glad to have them the last half hour! He is such a blessing! I love following him! He was so cute coaching our littles over those challenges, helping them find the confidence to ride the difficult parts, and helping them be safe! Thank you Heavenly Father!Tonight in conference, the messages were just for me! I have been battling the position of being a victim for a bit with the attacks that have been rolling in. I loved the message from President Uchtdorf! He is a hero! I want to be glad and grateful for the abundant blessings I have been given! I see the miracles all around me, and celebrate the goodness of life! I recognize that others don't see the way I do - I loved Sister Jones story of the rescue in the ocean! I do see creative solutions, which I know are promptings from the Holy Spirit as solutions and gifts to me.
Even in the mist of the confrontation at the church with RR, I stated, "I am a daughter of God, and I am not going to let you attack me like this!" It was not pretty, and I sat on the lawn outside after she left for more than an hour crying. I am sure that she doesn't know anything about the wishes of the Stake Presidency for her, and the insight I was given when I met with President Jensen. He promised to try to help bring change there, but she would never meet with him. She was too busy. I am sorry to force it to an end on one hand, but on the other hand, she left a note for me on the door today that says she is leaving for the next 6 weeks, and won't be back until November. She doesn't know if we will be released, but she wanted to say good-bye. I am sorry to leave it on a rough note. I didn't attend the Presidency meeting this week because I felt she was going to rehash all the problems on the last year, and I didn't need to hear them and be attacked by her again and again. I am sorry for the mess, and wish things were differently. I wish she would see that it is not wrong for me to be committed to follow the direction of the General YW Presidency. She takes their direction, and says "I will file that away in case we need it." No, we should be studying that, teaching that, modeling that! We should be engaged with the YW on the youth council, encouraging their input and fostering their leadership skills as they learn the Gospel and build foundations for their lives! RR doesn't see any of that as important! She expects us to follow her as "The President" and to jump on board to whatever direction she receives as guidance and go with it, even when it is contrary to the direction from our Stake leaders! Anyway, that chapter is near it's end. I will be grateful to close that door.
I want to link arms with righteous women who aren't mocking me because I have talents and abilities, but who are also talented and willing to give their whole life to our Savior! I love Him and want to serve Him. I am so grateful for the blessings He has given me. Even this night, there is a strong possibility that I am expecting again. Many will mock, and say I am too old. I see it is a priviledge and blessing that He would trust me with His little ones! What a gift each tender heart is! I love being a Mom, loving, caring for them! I am so very blessed! I am so grateful for dear Bradley! He is so patient, willing and able! I love his determination and confidence to stand in his own way and follow the guidance for him from above! Thank you Heavenly Father! I love you!
The white shirts for my boys just clicked done. Right now Brad only has five short sleeve shirts that fit him nicely, and he seems to go through them quickly! I hope to order some new ones for him soon, but in the meantime, every few days, I find myself scrubbing white shirts. What a blessing that my husband and sons will wear white, clean, uniforms of the Priesthood of God! I am so blessed! Thank you Father!