It has been a. beautiful Christmas time! Today is Wednesday morning. I am in SLC in our beautiful cottage. We are here to help my sister Katie with her son's wedding, Jay will be married on Friday. Sophia and I rode up with Sara last night. Sara is working for an accounting firm and has year-end assignments that must be done before the end of the year. She is single, and dating a lot. She has one year to graduate and is trying to refine what the final classes she is going to take are. She is 20 years old. She claims that she will finish school and then consider a mission, but we do not feel that will be true. She will be so much older than other sister missionaries, I do not think she will go. That is fine, but she is struggling and wonders what the path for her is, she doesn't want to hear the words of the Prophet who says "Join the Lord's Battalion." "It is the most important thing happening right now on the face of the earth." So, I can't force her. I just have to stand back and let her choose. I love her and care about her, but she wants to find her way.
Yesterday we were talking to Jim Andrus, he is our partner on our River Ranch property. Jim was talking about his kids, and how "You can see it!" When they choose to follow the Lord, then their lives prosper! When they don't, they struggle! Yes, we can see it! We know! We, Brad and I together, testify it is true! We strive every day to follow His light! In every step! One of our favorite sayings for a while now has been "Every move matters!" We printed that on Chess boards a few years ago. It is true! Every move matters!
This morning I am thinking about my ancestors. This cottage, sits just across the street from the cottage my Farmor lived in for the last years of her life. I love being here! I know some around me get tired of me talking about her. I see that she always tried to walk in the light! She left her homeland at 19. She married a man who was a good man, much older than her. She cared for his family and was always active in the church as far as I know. She wrote her testimony of the Relief Society magazines and it was published in the church magazine! She lived a blessed life. She watched her sisters leave the church. She watched her kids grow up and make choices that were not good but she kept loving and serving them!
I do not know what positions she held in the church. I know that she attended the Swedish branch for lots of years. I am sure she attended the family ward when her family was with her. When I went with her, we went to the Swedish Branch that met downtown.
Anyway, this morning, I am thinking about what I should put on these walls. I think I should frame some things from my heritage to decorate these walls.
I remember Grandma Orla's home had her paintings on the walls. She was a beautiful artist and painted landscape scenes. I have a sacred grove painting of hers.
Grandma Mary had one wood plack on her wall that had two horses facing each other. It read: "Be careful of the words you speak, keep them soft and sweet. You never know from day to day, which ones you'll have to eat."
I do not know why it had horses on it, but it hung in her kitchen. The other art I remember on her walls was pictures she had painted. I do not remember any pictures of the temple or the Savior on her walls.
Now we are told to have pictures of the temple and the Savior in every room. I love those kinds of art! They give purpose and meaning to my life!
This morning I am thinking of sayings that I heard them say:
Grandma Mary always said "Oh Happy Day!" And she had the quote mentioned above in her kitchen.
Grandma Orla I remember saying often: "Every dog has his day." I did not like it. I could not understand what she was trying to say by it, other than right now is not your turn, but you will get one.
I do not remember Grandma Silva well enough to remember any sayings that she used.
Farmor shared lots of sayings:
"Every problem under the sun has a remedy or none. If there is one, hurry up and find it, if there is none, never mind it." This was on a piece of paper on her fridge.
"Go spread to the charity sweet charity bread, for giving is living the angel said: "Oh must I keep giving again and again, my peevish and willful answer rang?" "Oh no said the angel piercing through: "Just give 'till the Lord stops giving to you."
Brad's parents:
Grandma called Brad "my peanut." That was his nickname.
Dream big - go big or go home. Make sure your dreams aren't too small.
Decisions Determine Destiny
If you don't have time to do it right, WHEN.... do you have time to do it over?
Integrity is not situational
If ye keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the Land.
The Greatest Adventure is what lies ahead.
Think Celestial