Tuesday, January 24, 2012

One More Elder Holland Memory

One more memory from the Elder Holland visit to our Stake.  As the Stake Presidency met with him prior to the first session, Elder Holland asked that they kneel in prayer.  Pres Lee said that Pres Frederickson just had his hip replaced and couldn't kneel.  Elder Holland said, "That's OK.  In the the group I am in, about half of us can't kneel."  I still chuckle when I think of that.  So, anyone out there who can't kneel (Denise, etc) you are in good company.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Thoughts on Elder Holland's Visit to Spokane

Here are a few of my impressions on Elder Holland's visit to Spokane last weekend:

1. He was concerned that people are receiving personal direction from the Spirit. The last thing he did was to have each member of the Stake Presidency answer what personal inspiration they had received. He said he was not referring to anything he said or did. It was what the Spirit said to them.
2. He was focused while he was here. Perhaps as focused as anyone I have ever met. It made me think that I am too light minded some of the time. I don’t mean that he wasn’t very cordial kind and gracious, because he was. He wasn’t pushy or anything like that. But it felt to me like it was as though he felt strongly the importance of what he was doing here. Like it was critical that he listen to the promptings of the Spirit and not miss anything. It was almost like life or death.

3. He was not interested in any sort of new programs or anything different that our stake might be doing and by the way, our stake presidency does everything they can not to create new programs. In fact, he expressed concern at one very minor thing that was done that was different than the basic program of the church.   In fact, the impression I had was that we should use our creativity (and we have many very creative people in our ward and stake). We should use our creativity to help people. We should use it within the structure of the Church to make people’s lives better. Let those creative juices flow toward coming up with ways to bring someone back, to reach our children, to share the Gospel, help someone get employment, etc
4. When we left he specifically asked the Stake Presidency to communicate to you how much he loves us in a very interesting way. I think I remember he said. We (meaning he and Elder Bussey) know they (meaning you) love us, but I want them to know that we love them and have appreciated being able to be here.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Favorite Christmas Things...add yours to our list!!!

1. Favorite Christmas movie...A Christmas Carol (with George C Scott)
2. Favorite Song (popular)...Grown up Christmas Wish by Amy Grant...honorable mention...Chipmunks singing Christmas,Christmas time is here...
3. Favorite Christmas Carol...Silent Night
4. Favorite sweet treat...Williamsburg Pecan Bars
5. Favorite savory treat...shrimp 
6. Favorite game to play...our draw and describe game
7. Favorite Christmas Dinner...ham, MFPs, fruit salad, Green  Salad and various desserts.
8. Favorite tradition...opening one present on Christmas Eve and reading the Christmas story from the Bible...Also leaving cookies for Santa and oats and sugar cubes for the reindeer. 
9. Favorite gift...the rocking chair from Dad when I was expecting Rachel.

Well, that pretty well sums me up and nothing surprising there.
MOMO

Sunday, November 20, 2011


Thanksgiving Pictures, Comments, Images, Graphics
Thanksgiving Pictures Comments - Photobucket

THINGS WE ARE THANKFUL FOR.

1.  Our relationship...we love and enjoy each other so much.
2.  Our children and their desire to do what the Lord would have them do.
3.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  We know He lives!  Our lives are touched each day by our Heavenly Father.
4.  Living in a free country.  Our fathers fought in WWII and we each have brothers who are veterans.  We are grateful for our freedom. We do not take this blessing lightly.  One of great things we have been able to do was visit Washington DC and see Arlington Cemetery, the WWII memorial, the VietNam wall and other great monuments...it was a wonderful visit.  Again, we were reminded that freedom is not free and others have given the ultimate sacrifice for us..
5.  The blessings of the Temple.  We are so grateful to have a temple in Spokane.  Recently, we met in the Temple with dear friends while we watched as an adopted baby was sealed to his parents.  What a beautiful day.  Families are Forever!!!
6.  Humor...we laugh much each day...I love to laugh until I am almost in tears and then what a feeling of joy and happiness.  Dad and I laugh all the time...we do enjoy each other's silliness.
7.  Our dear little grandchildren...Ella, Macy, Piper, Zach, Nick and Ibaby.  The times spent with these little ones are our greatest joy...and they make us laugh much as they grow and develop.
8.  Health.  After having one of my knees replaced this year I am glad to doing better and having much less pain....so much easier to walk and get around.  Denny is outside shoveling right now...strong and busy and always doing good.
9.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  So grateful to be members of the true church.  I am so grateful for all the chances I have to serve.  Always glad to have Sunday come around when I am able to go, renew my covenants and get spiritually recharged.  We are grateful to be a part of the great work which is the Restoration of Jesus Christ.
10. Grateful for good friends who are like family to us and ready to help us whenever we need it.
11. We have a warm home which protects us on cold days like today.
12.  Dad is grateful for Fantasy Football which brings him entertainment each day.  I am still winning with my team...which he put together for me.
13.  Grateful for great ancestors who came before us and led the way.
14.  Technology which allows to talk to each other almost everyday...allows us to see pictures of our little grandsons who we have not met yet.  We see Macy giggling, Ella dancing and Piper riding her bike and feel like we are right there.  Air planes which bring us to our families or them to us.
15.  That we are friends with our children and their spouses...you are our favorite people in the world.
16.  Our jobs...we are blessed to be working and enjoying our jobs...they are not anything flashy but we help make the world go round. 
17.  I love this time of year...Thanksgiving and then right into Christmas...the sights, the music, the colors, the aromas, the lights...all of it.  Dad is very enthusiastic about getting decorations up and then down....he out in the garage trying to make all the tubs get in.
18.  Basketball...NCAA...especially Gonzaga :) but also BYU, WSU and other teams...although NOT St. Mary's or Loyola Marymount.  Actually most sports and glad to be to watch it on our nice, big TV.
19.  This wonderful computer, a gift from each of you, which allows us to communicate, learn and see each other.
20.  Our lives...we are grateful to be alive now and share our lives with you.  We love you.


Momo and Papster.