And We're Off!

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." ~Susan Heller [can I hear a big 'amen?!]

We're on our way to Denver for the Mason family reunion. Mark's parents are the only ones still in that area, but since they don't travel much anymore, all of us [not even sure how many there are at this point, but it's a lot] are heading there to be together for a few days. People are coming from Chicago, Dallas, Austin, several points in Missouri, several Utah locations and probably more that I've lost track of. At any rate, it will be a fun time of getting together with our buddies Seth & Sarah, Mark & Amber, Rosie & Jarom, and so many others. Of course, Chris, Natalie and the kiddoes are going, as well as Chris, Tara and their boys. Math won't be there -- he's not only working but in school at this point and we will miss him. [and he's the designated care-taker of Vida, Maya's fish!]

We'll be back Sunday night with lots of good stories about how great everyone looks, how Casa Bonita is still the same [or better!] after all these years, and what a wonderful time we had with family.

Because that's all that really matters.

Keep your Face to the Sun

"A happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn't let them get her down." ~Beverly Sills

I suspect we all have cares. Everyone has worries and issues that are very painful. But my goal is to not let mine get me down.

Helen Keller is someone I find amazing and her outlooks are almost consistently upbeat. "Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow." ~Helen Keller

Good advice. And Happy Wednesday to you!

Yard Work

I've been reading blogs and seeing what everyone else got done this weekend, and our weekend was a little quiet in comparison. We did [OK, to be fair, Mark did!] get a lot done on Saturday for sure. Our front yard has a little flower bed/box thing right in front of the house. It's been custom done with a limestone surround and as long as we've lived here [3 1/2 years now] it's been this overgrown mess of bushes. For me, the only thing I even liked in that flower box was the crazy rose bush in the corner. It's in full flower pretty much the whole year. Mark cuts it way back every now and again, and even that doesn't slow it down. And I'm a fan of that rose bush. I love the thing. I have always hated the rest of the bushes in that box but love that rose bush.

So Saturday, Mark put on his work clothes and went out to tackle the front flower box. He literally dug up every single bush in that flower bed [and there were many - I don't even know how many there were. That was part of the problem - the original owners way over-planted for that space and it was a jungle for the past little while. Too much foliage!]. He transplanted probably 5 or 6 of them in the back yard [where he did all the work last year] but the rest of what was in front is gone for good. Then we made our 3 [count 'em, three!] obligatory trips to Home Depot [OK, one trip was to Lowe's but I count it as all the same place] and came away with 6 new rose bushes in a variety of colors, lots of soil in which to plant these rose bushes, and mulch to make it pretty once he was done with it all.

And it looks beautiful. My biggest regret is that we didn't take 'before and after' pictures. I can do 'after' but you wouldn't understand what a change it is so I won't. But take my word for it -- it looks great and I am loving it.

Now I can't wait till some of the new rose bushes get crazy like the old one.

**picture is a close-up of one bloom on the crazy rose bush

As God Sees Us

I had to laugh when I read this because I have often commented that others must see me in a much different light than I see myself. ["Who is that old lady in the mirror? Ack!"]

For example: this week, 3 or 4 different people have commented that I must be doing 'something different'. When I ask what they mean, each has said that they can see the elliptical time showing up on my legs, arms, wherever. I like that. But do I see it? No. I still see the flabby legs, the saggy arms and the face that is falling to depths unheard of up to this point in my life.

That thought always leads me to what Heavenly Father sees -- we know that He doesn't see what's on the outside as important. He looks into the heart. [I Samuel 16:7]. That's what really matters to Him.

Being human, of course the physical part matters. [all that elliptical time is paying off! yay!] But more, it matters that I look like Him. That His image can be found in my countenance. [Alma 5:14] That I am like Him. That others will recognize Him through me.

My hope is that as others look at me, they will recognize that I am someone who loves Him. Even more, I hope that He will accept my meager efforts and understand what is in my heart.

Because my greatest desire is to be like Him. To be recognized as someone who loves Him and follows Him. Because I do love Him and am trying to follow His example and be a reflection of His love in my life.

Gas Prices = A Gold Mine for Someone

I drive a very fuel-efficient Honda Civic -- and since the places I generally go are in my neighborhood, I fill up much less frequently than many people.

However -- I am watching the gas prices with fear and trembling. I filled up on May 19, only a few days ago. The cost? $3.65 a gallon. I was pretty outraged. But I drove by the same station yesterday [May 22] and the price is now [gasp!] $3.79 a gallon. My little car, that used to cost me around $25 for a fill-up, now runs over $40 to fill that same little tank. My sympathies to those of you with families and larger cars.

To me, that's outrageous. The worst part is that there's not one thing I can do about it. And I know that our prices are significantly lower than in other places.

What's it costing you where you are at for a gallon of gas, anyhow? I'm thinking it's time to bust out the bicycle!

Up or Down?

I give Mark a lot of credit because, to be honest, he's very good about remembering to put the seat back down on the toilet when he's done. But there have been times, generally in the middle of the night, when I have found myself in this position.

I didn't laugh then but this sure cracked me up today.

Kids are the Best

One of our Primary boys [just turned 10] spent the past week in the Dell Children's Hospital here in Austin. He was diagnosed with a severe bone infection (osteomyelitis) in his foot and had to come home with an IV, through which his parents will administer antibiotic treatments 5x a day for the next month or so. I hear these treatments last about an hour each time. Needless to say, their lives changed pretty quickly and dramatically.

He is doing well but there will be no more school for him this year, no sports, and lots of care needed. He has 2 younger brothers [one is 8 and the other is 3] and I feel for all of them. So I decided to address it with the children in Primary.

I had the 8 year old tell the Sr. Primary about what had happened to his brother, describe a little bit of what he's gone through and will continue to deal with, and then I talked with the children about remembering both the boy and his family in their prayers. When it came time for the closing prayer, one sweet little 7 year old boy offered the most loving, tender prayer I've heard in a long time. He was specific about asking for blessings for the boy and his family and it was clear he had listened and heard as we talked about it. I know Heavenly Father had to be touched to be approached by a loving little boy who cared so much about one of his Primary friends.

Later, at our presidency meeting, my secretary told us that her son [age 10] had come home and talked about it too. At dinner time, he came down and announced that he was going to fast "because he needs me to fast for him more than I need to eat dinner." And he did. They remembered him in their family prayers later on as well.

Once again, I'm overwhelmed by these children. These are such strong, valiant children who really want to do good and to be good. And they are doing so much good.

I'm proud to be even a small part of their lives. Can you imagine how Heavenly Father must feel?

*picture via flickr

Primary

This week I've had some good visits with Primary teachers and it has filled me with gratitude for the guidance I know I receive in this calling. There have been several people express to me how grateful they are for the love that the Primary children feel from us as they attend our Primary and someone else let me know how they appreciated the inspiration that led us to place them with their class. Yet another told me of the love they have for their calling and for the children they teach.

Hearing these things means the world to me, and it inspires me to try harder to make sure I let people know how much I appreciate the things they are doing. The things I've heard made my day and I need to make sure that I do the same for others.

I felt it again on Sunday as I conducted in Primary -- I looked out at the children and their teachers and just had a wave of gratitude for all of them wash over me. I love the children dearly and I expected that with this calling, but I have to admit that I was surprised that I feel the same love for their teachers.

They are all precious to me and I'm so thankful for the little boosts that I've gotten lately. It makes it much easier to keep on going.

Which is exactly what I plan to do -- only better.

Typical Week

How accurate is this? I love it. Although I love Sundays so much that it does carry over to Monday -- so for me, Monday is still a pretty good day.

I have plenty on the schedule this week -- a dentist appointment, a Primary presidency meeting [despite what you might think, these are a blast], several piano lessons to teach, a trip to Costco, [whooppee! But I have to admit I do love my Costco time], and always exercise. I'm proud to announce that I'm now up to 46 minutes on the elliptical 5 days a week. I think there needs to be a pedicure scheduled in there somewhere too.

What's on your schedule this week?

Pres. Monson's Talent

This is classic -- don't miss it!