humility

I was reading in Alma 32 and came across some scriptures that really hit me in regards to Dennis and I's work situation. Alma is talking to the poor, whose afflictions had humbled them. He tells them that those that are compelled to be humble are blessed, but those that are humble without circumstances that compell them to be humble will be more blessed. I was humbled again as I realized we were some of those that were compelled to be humble, but I know that we will be blessed in some form anyway. So, for all you who are reading this, be humble without being compelled to do so and you will be blessed even more.
Reading the scriptures has brought me peace and hope the last few weeks. It is interesting because we were asked to speak in church 3 weeks ago and they asked us to speak on Alma 22:18 but I just couldn't get very much out of that particular scripture. So I read previous verses hoping to get what I should and I came across verse 16 which talks about hope. It then references to Ether 12:4 which talks about hope being the anchor of the soul and I just felt like I should talk about Hope. So I called the Bishopric member and ask him if that would be OK. As it turned out I had a lot of people come and tell me how much that talk had helped them and for 2 weeks after people were referring to it in lessons, etc. Little did I know that 2 weeks after I would really need my own talk on Hope. It has helped-- as has all your prayers and thoughts for us. If you have a chance read Alma 22:16 and Ether 12:4. They are some of my favorites now.
Love you all, Maureen

et al...

Recently I have been preoccupied with other matters that have required my, almost total, attention. The most important matter being, without a job after a number of years, not totally blissful, but nonetheless gainful. Maureen confessed that she had been praying that I would find another avenue to get me out of the sun and physical labor but not to this extreme. As with a lot of prayers, the answer may not be to our liking but in the grander scheme of the plan it is what the master will is and not our will. And so I have to trust in "his will"and know that "he is." That is a truth, that is a constant and that will never change.... One other thing that I know will never change is the support, the faith and the prayers of family members both immediate and extended! It is not only humbling but it is love beyond measure and a uniting bond that cannot be broken. Now all the things that we "talk" about in priesthood, relief society, sunday school and sacrament about being true followers of Christ are being witnessed first hand by myself and Maureen. I have been the recipient of your faith and prayers. It is not a position that I am comfortable being in and the opposite end of the spectrum that I would prefer but I have felt the influence of all of your heartfelt prayers!! Maureen and I know that we will come out of this perhaps not "smelling like a rose" but more importantly with a knowledge that through the exercise of faith and prayers we've gained something even greater, a testimony of "family" and maybe.............. just maybe.................. a glimps of the eternities. We..........I............thank you all!!

...And Then Some...

I hadn't had a chance to take some pics of the front yard with the shrubs and plants in but I finished that part of it this morning. So here are some pics...

It was fairly cool this morning, 89 degrees so I thought I'd go out and get a good like in before it got too hot!!! Anyway, in between the plants and shrubs will be finely crushed rock almost resembling a course sand type material and then grass underneath the tree. There will be some large flat rocks on the left of the driveway creating a walkway to the sidewalk approach to the house. Finally, a paved sitting area between the tree and the house. And then....

Progress

The project is coming along and the picture is getting clearer on what I want to do. The focal point obviously is the tree. The garden area surrounding the tree will draw attention to the grass and the sitting area behind the grass when it's completed. The problem is that it is now July 8th, the temperature is over 110 degrees and so working out in the heat is getting really difficult...at best! Thankfully, Derek and Shaun came down over the last weekend and they provided some much needed help but our work day consisted of starting at 5 am and quitting at 9 am. Then we would go into the house to get out of the sun. We did this on Thur. night, Fri. morning and then on Sat. morning, also squeezing in a piano move over to Megan's house. There are new plants and shrubs planted around the brick wall and along the side with rocks placed within the planting areas. I haven't taken pics of what's been done but it is starting to come together...slowly!! One other obstacle to overcome besides the extreme heat is the fact that we are even trying to plant in the middle of a fiery furnace season and keep them all alive!!!

This weekend we also celebrated Shaun's and Kaile's birthdays. Kaile really likes her backpack!!
What a character!! Megan might be concerned about perhaps buckling when trying to govern Kaile's growing fascination with certain "movies" , ha! When it comes to grandpa, I just sit there and laugh because it is soooo funny watching her walk right in, open the ottoman, grab the 'Enchanted' dvd,(even when we try to hide its location in the movie line-up), open the case, take the dvd out (properly,... I might add), turn on the player and insert the dvd and then sit on the couch saying in her little voice, cmon, cmon! as she looks at you expecting you to sit right next to her! I'm really no help at all...I am an absolute push over!!!, plain and simple...a toasted marshmellow....not silly putty in her hands but mostly silly!!! I love our grandchildren, don't look to me for any disciplining...I did that a generation ago!! Nope...I'm the spoiler, the button that busted on the shirt from being proud (are we allowed to use that word???) I'm slipping the candy underneath the table when mom and dad aren't looking and I'm winking when their backs are turned!!! Can't wait to see our other grandchildren in the upcoming months. But until then, we are looking forward to Bear Lake to be with family and to enjoy memorable times together, whether it be late at night in a tent with the airmattress flatter than a pancack, slapping yourself silly around the campfire because of the mosquitoes or getting into the water in the early morning to get the boat fired-up! The memory is to be able to sit back and enjoy each and every moment, savor the quality time with each other as those times seem to be getting scarcer and scarcer as family dynamics change each year!!! To be able to catch up with all the new additions to the extended family will be a truly joyous occassion! Until next time....D!