Decisions

Today our Stake President spoke to us about the theme for 2010. It's going to be "Showing the Savior we love Him, by keeping his commandments". I love the way President Sohn presents the theme...he is such a humble man and always makes me want to be better.

Steve and I are doing some checking into doing a service mission from our home. Steve is going to need some surgery and we need to get our ducks in a row before we commit to going somewhere "else" but we both feel that we need to do something. It's really good to be involved in church service for so many reasons. There is always someone to serve, some place to help, or something to do. I admire Steve and his example to me...he helps me be better and I want so much to make my family proud of me....even if that's sweeping up in the church building...I want them to know that I will serve wherever Heavenly Father wants me. This has been a humbling experience for us. We have gone to the temple, fasted and prayed...and so far...have not received a direct answer (which is strange in itself)....I believe we're learning patience and that there is something for us but that maybe some of the health problems need to be taken care of first. Heavenly Father always knows best.

Christmas Come and Gone

Well, Christmas has come and gone....part of me is glad...and part of me is sad. I notice that as the years go by and the kids and grand kids ask for money or gift cards....that the real reason for giving seems to have disappeared. It was always so much fun to shop and search and finally find that perfect gift. Yes, sometimes it bombed....but sometimes it was the greatest gift in the world. I miss those days. I think commercialism has completely taken over and it's very hard to remember what the season is about. However....I had one of those moments this year. I have reconnected with my cousin on Face Book and through our exchanges, she realized that she had some wonderful things that had belonged to my great grandparents and grandparents. She sent me (as a surprise) the most beautiful wall hanging with pictures of these dear people and little trinkets that belonged to them. There are a couple of small rings that were my great grandmother's, doilies that were my grandma's....a button hook for shoes that was my great grandmother's...a watch, a trinket from an necklace and she managed to put these on the quilt. It was probably the most meaningful gift that I've ever been given. She's not LDS, but she knows that I'm really into family history and have become sentimental in my old age. These dear people (some I knew when I was very young, some I never knew but have always felt a conection to) just mean so much to me. It was a wonderful gift. One I will never, never forget or ever be able to thank her enough for.

We had all the kids (minus Erin & her kids) for Christmas Day dinner...our usual Mexican food. It was such fun...so hectic, so crazy and loud and so fun. My heart broke for Erin this year. First years being alone are very hard...especially during the holidays. I think she had a tougher time than she thought. I wanted to be there to hold her and tell her that it will all be ok!! I know it will.

Christmas Eve we went to Steve Jr's house...most of our kids were with their in-laws that night...so we had a lovely evening with Steve, Lisa, Ashley (our oldest granddaughter) and her husband and two kids, and the 3 other girls. Alicia, Rick and the 3 kids were there, as was Lisa's Dad....and Steve Jr's Mom and Stepdad. I always love it that we can all be together and get along so well. The kids don't even think about it any more...although in his prayer, Steve thanked Heavenly Father for our family relationships. I hope we're teaching not only a children, but our grandchildren a good lesson in getting along! It's made everything so much nicer for the kids. Bonnie was always better to my two kids than their own father and stepmom ever was. I will always be grateful to Bonnie for being so good to them.