Cleaning the Cabin

I worked my self hard yesterday cleaning this messy cabin.  It was probably the most messy I have ever seen it.  Boston and Landon were here all week last week with Craig and they were sure messy.  I wasn’t to happy with the the mess they left for me to clean.  I spend the entire day cleaning and washing towels and sheets and putting clutter away.  Stacy arrived about 8pm last night.  I barely got it all done before her little family the first to arrive.  I still have lots of laundry to do today but knocking it out.  Natasha and her family will be arriving later this afternoon.  Then let the fun begin!!   With 8 grandkids running around 12 and under it will be loud and chaotic, now the work begins keeping up with it all -there will be more family coming in by the weekend- we will have a cabin full by Sunday to celebrate the 4th of July!! 

Saydee at the MtC

Tuesday we had lunch with Saydee and said our final good byes for 18 months now while she serves her mission in Everett Washington.  We had to head back to the lake on our way back we stopped in Logan canyon for stake girls camp.  Fun to visit with friends in the ward and stake.  The guest speaker they had was telling her story Of sexual abuse from the time she was a young girl/ she was introduced to the gospel at 12.  Her story was just to close to mine life story in many was.  I had to leave it was it was to close to my heart and I felt what she what she was saying was not very appropriate so I sure hope she pulled it around in a positive way.  We left to head home - I had lots to do to get ready for our family arriving for the 4th of July weekend.  Buck sent us our first email from our Saydee today -  Well guys I have made it to the mtc! Crazy that Im almost 2 weeks in. I'm doing good and life is good. Crazy anecdote, to those who were at my farewell and saw the other sister who spoke with me from my home ward....SHES NOW MY COMPANION!!! How crazy is that? It's been super hard to call her sister Butikofer and not Katelyn but we are making progress. 

Now for a little spiritual thought, last night we had a devotional and it was amazing. We talked about Christs character and you guys listen to this 

"He turns out when we would turn in"

               - elder bednar

This then made me think...he loves when we would hate, he runs when we would hide, he jumps when we would stand still. Christ is amazing and i know he loves ALL OF US and will always turn out to love and serve us!!! 

1. Me and my comp, sister butikofer

2.my district and the provo temple

3.me and karlee(my sister) rooster and maverik 4life

4.last goodbye and the mtc, love love love my family❤❤❤Send sent us picture - Saying good byes - is hard !! 

Preparing To Teach

1 Kings 17–19

“If the Lord Be God, Follow Him”

When you read the scriptures, you are exercising faith, which prepares your heart and mind to hear the “still small voice” of the Spirit (1 Kings 19:12

I read this lesson a couple weeks ago but it is not sticking with me so I have got to put the homework time in to start studying again this week-  I have had alot of family events and spending time with Stacy and her family while in town - I have not had much study time.  Got to buckle down today and start my preparation-  it is going to be another family filled week and weekend with the 4th of July weekend.  

Happy Birthday Ashtyn

Monday June 27th -Our little Ashtyn just celebrated her 6th birthday- they came to our place last night about 8:30 pm to go swimming.   We all had a fun time swimming.  Ashtyn loved it!   She is so sweet!  We sang happy birthday and had yummy cheese cake that she pick out at Costco with sprinkles and her name on it-  she had to tell me all about picking her cake out.  So glad they were able to come swimming and visit us on her special day.  Happy 6th Birthday!!

swimming at the Pool with Grammy

  

My Walk To The Temple

I took the time today to walk to the Draper temple this morning.  As I walked there I listened to several Confernce talks that really spoke to my heart-  it has been a beautiful summer day.  I love walking around the temple grounds the fliers beds are always so beautiful.  It is very calming to my soul.  I love looking at all the different plants and wanting to have my own flower garden.  Having lots of beautiful flowers surround me is Heaven to me-  I wanted to take the time to share  messages from the talks that gave me direction to follow -  our relief society lesson today in my Bear lake ward was a talk by- Steady in the Storms 

By President Henry B. Eyring

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Theme- When the storms in life come, you can be steady because you are standing on the rock of your faith in Jesus Christ.  - we live in increasingly perilous times. My prayer is that I might help you stand steady in the storms we face, with a peaceful heart…. The place to begin is to remember that we are each a beloved child of God and that He has inspired servants. Those servants of God have foreseen the times in which we live. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

Anyone with eyes to see the signs of the times and ears to hear the words of prophets knows that is true. The perils of greatest danger come to us from the forces of wickedness. Those forces are increasing. And so it will become more difficult, not easier, to honor the covenants we must make and keep to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Well I feel the firey dart of Satans influence - just by what happened this week with Shannon - contention and unkind words to one another causes a storm disrupting our peace in life - dividing us as family - as friends, as a community and as a nation.  Satan’s influence is on the loose full force and I can see it and feel it.  The Supreme Court  on Friday overturn the law of Roe vs Way which legalized abortion laws in 1973 for all states.  It has been a debate for over 50 years-  well the other political party is turning it into aCatastrophic change for women’s rights to her own body to choose what she feel best when keeping an unborn child or ending its life.  I’m pro life for the unborn child-  Scott and Jackie - my half brother that lives in Florida - came out swinging their distaste for my comenta about pro-life are the baby no matter what the women’s circumstances are and choices she makes to an abort the baby. There really are those very few cases of the mothers life is really in jeopardy it is more of a choice because of the circumstances which created the child and the mother dies. It want the baby not consider other options-  it is easier to rid the child from her life.  - so our National country in an uproar of this issue-  many speaking out to cause more contentions-Political leaders stirring the conversationBy flaming the fire for their strong point of view. It’s crazy to watch.   President Erying goes in to say - For those of us who are concerned for ourselves and for those we love, there is hope in the promise God has made of a place of safety in the storms ahead… he is telling us the storms are coming in full force and it is going to be difficult to withstand those firey darts of Satan influence unless we stand in holy places and put our faith in Jesus Christ -  It has been repeatedly described by living prophets. For example, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, an inspired and loving father told his sons how to strengthen themselves to stand steady in the storms ahead of them: “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, … whereon if men build they cannot fall.”   This scripture has so much more meaning to me as I have felt Satan influence of discord which disrupts my Happiness - thru sin I feel a sadness over come me…. The misery and endless woe of which he spoke are the terrible effects of sins should we not fully repent of them. The growing storms are the temptations and the increasing attacks of Satan. It has never been more important than it is now to understand how to build on that sure foundation…. So what do I do to build in the sure foundations ?  How to I fight against the firey darts of Satan ?    King Benjamin’s prophetic words are applicable to us in our day. He knew from his own experience the terrors of war. He had defended his people in combat, relying on the power of God. He saw clearly the terrible powers of Lucifer to tempt, to try to overcome, and to discourage God’s children.

Sabbath Day

I’m attending church today with the Burbidge family again this week.  I have stayed in town all week at our Draper home and spending time with our Stacy girl while she is in town.  Craig has

been at the lake since last Tuesday thru Thursday with Landon- Trisha and Buck meet halfway to pass Boston on so he could spend some time at the lake with Craig and Landon.  They love having cousin time together at the lake. I have enjoyed spending time at our Draper home and calm my spirits.   Friday morning Stacy and I attended the Draper temple.  We were able to each take a family name and act in their behalf in an endowment session.  It felt so good to be in temple.  I needed this time to heal my soul, ask forgiveness and direction with my relationships in our family.  I love all my girls and praying for each of them to succeed in their efforts as a mother in Zion.  We are living in trying times.  I felt peace and comfort being in the house of the Lord.  Praying for the insight I need to follow.  We had a girls night out to gather with my girls while Stacy is in town.  We met at Trisha’s home and did take out- so Saydee could be with us as she has been in her mission training all week long and    

Sharlena is limited with her hurt knee- Aubrey is driving for her-  it was fun to have pizza -and visit with one another.  We invited Shannon- she never responded so didn't think she would show up.   She actually showed up two hours later than we scheduled -  she brought Ashtyn.  She looked so pretty dressed in her fancy red dress.  I was so glad she came.  I left so I didn’t hinder her interacting with her sisters.  Stacy needed to pick up her kids so I told her I would pick them up.  I had some healing time to visit with Anita about our drama.  She was insightful and gave me some good advice.  I picked up Farrah and Enzo from her home and headed to my home- it was a full day.  Stacy said Shannon pinned her in Trisha’s kitchen taking about the drama and that I was the crazy women-  so odd we both have a very different outcome-  we differently are not seeing eye to eye.  Saturday Stacy left about 2pm to attend  the Towner family their big 4th of July party.  We took a walk and visited the morning away.   When they left I had the rest of the day to my self.  It was nice to have some quite time.  I spent time watching the family videos I have made over the past few years that have been saved in Facebook.  Fun memories of our family gatherings. I watched the funeral video of my mother and missing her too! Wished I could have seen the fun side of her more.  There was always drama in her life that caused contention.  I did try to be a good daughter to her.  It was fun to see her comments on Facebook of the many videos I shared -mostly for her to see and be involved in our lives with the distant apart- only seeing her once a year.  I missed spending time with her.  Things were getting better the past 6 years- getting the whole dating scam events behind us she was coming to to her senses.  She knows she messed up and just threw her money away to the scammers.  Tommy was her golden child and I get it he was always there to help her since John Wallace died in 1991- that has been 31 years ago.  She just became one sided when it came to her other children in the end.  Tommy rules and she wouldn’t leave his side- everything was Tommy and that became annoying.  I was glad he was able to take care of  her in the end.  The last year of her life was rough she had lots of health issues to deal with.  Pray things will be different in the next life and that she and I can heal from the challenges we faced in this life. Pray for a better relationship in the future.  So with this drama with Shannon it reminds me of the challenges I had to deal with my own mother. Shannon is like my mother in her many ways and can be very feisty.  At the temple I had the prompting to just love them both despite our differences when we don’t see to eye.  I need to be the peace maker.  So all I can do is repent and go forward.  I went shopping for an hour and bought a fun bright orange skirt and shoes to match.  Came back home and worked on some family videos of the cousin retreat and made Aubrey a graduation video of the pictures I have of her.  They turned out so fun to watch.  I cherish these times together as family.  We need each other in our lives.  I was up late working on it.  Stacy arrived home late from their Towner outing.  I woke up this morning hurting all over so felt I needed to get out and walk.  I walked to the Draper temple and back.  I love seeing the beautiful flowers at the temple grounds. I listened to several conference talks which spoke to my heart.  I got ready for church and attended sacrament.  Trisha said the opening prayer - So proud of her- she prayed from the heart.  She has become such an amazing women.  She is serving in the young women's as 1st counselor.  She does a great job and is so talented in so many ways.  After church came home had some lunch, visited with Stacy- when I received a text from Shannon -   “ All I can say is you pulled a GAGA on me the others day calling me Sick over and over saying I need mental help in front of all your neighbors that where out side to see and hear it all !!. 

So tell me how you feel when your mother loses her shit on you ? 

When in actuality I was calmer than you want to believe weather  you believe that or not.  I was just trying to get too my Daughter at that point who was hiding in my car for the second time .. 

That was my first priority so if you where trying to hold me or my face out of love or whatever it wasn’t the right time for that … Nor did it feel that way more like you where trying to restrain me from moving  when my first concerns and priorities at that moment where to get to Ashtyn outside in my car in a neighborhood she’s unfamiliar with and could have run off on me so I’m sorry that’s where I was at mentally. 

But At the same time All I saw was you Emotionally coming unhinged and the best thing for me was to leave !!… So that’s what I did  for you me and Definitely Ashtyn who definitely didn’t need to hear or see any of that .. 

Mom that’s why There’s Always 2 perspectives 2 sides to every story everyone has very different perceptions of how things Happen in life thus making things difficult to understand at times .. 

I didn’t know how to respond , but laugh - guess we both pulled a Gaga-  but she was for sure more dramatic -  screaming at me don’t touch my face as she left and got into her car to leave-  it shocked me by her behavior-  that’s when I did lose patience with her and called her a mentally ill.  None of the neighbors saw me I was in the house and she was the one yelling as she got into her car- I said good bye saying she was mentally ill- because it appeared that way to me by her reaction to me so sudden- and reminded me of my mother's behavior when I closed the garage door-  Well she is going to remember I called her mentally ill -  which I shouldn’t have said.     

All I can do is try to do better and end the crazy conflict.  We both just became cross treaded so to speak -  to me it is funny now !!   I wasn’t going to text her back - I just drove out to her home to end this now!! I love her and want the best for her.  I don’t want to be at odds with my daughter- I need Shannon in my life.   Well when I arrived she had gone shopping.  So I stayed for two hours spending  time with little Ashtyn. -  I texted Shannon when I left - “ Just leaving your house I have been playing with Ashtyn for two hours -We played with the baby bunnies, dress up, colored , tick tac tow - went to the store and got a drink and chips - we had fun.   See you tomorrow sometime -I love you and all I can say is I’m sorry -guess we both pulled a Gaga - will try to do better - I need my best fiend !❤️💕

Shannon has this little farm Of bunnies, chickens and ducks running around in her back yard.  They have 8 new baby bunnies.  So they have about 20 rabbits maybe more-  Ashtyn is so cute with them all. The boys were all so sweet - Alec came and gave me a hug and Michael-  Michael went to the store with me to get a drink and treat for Ashtyn.  Shannon’s back yard is quite the sight carrying for her critters. She is using their old broken down Van as a pet shed. It is funny to see.  Alec said to me “my mom looks like a crazy women with all the stuff going on out here.” I had a good laugh!! It was fun to visit.  Pray thing will smooth out. 

Trying To Chipper Up

Well I lost a day yesterday, trying to process what happened?  Still trying to wrap my brain around it all.  Yesterday was a hard day for both Craig and I.  It was Craig's mother's birthday July 22nd and missing her.  Craig called to let me know that the older man in our ward Brother Bennion just died.  He is the man who Craig was helping with the young men a month ago and saying he wanted to make a wager that Craig was going to be the next Bishop.  Craig called crying and very emotional.  We both are feeling so sad.  He told me to let it go and give it some time with Shannon and that he will talk to her.  She just has so much anger inside and she has got to release it and let go on the past pain she is still carrying inside her.  She is going down a different path now and I can see all the things she is listening too is leading her away from the gospel, she is anti-church and is speaking badly about how can we believe in a this prophet who is leading us now.  She is just confused about the basic teachings of faith and the importance of baptism in our lives and doesn't want her children to be apart of any of it.  So she is not supportive when it comes to any church related event in our family either.  So now I have to deal with this.  Her anti-church and religion, it has been bad enough dealing and trying to reason with attending family events and support our family.  She has been so removed and now the religion change adds even more contention to our relationship.  She is so caught up in all the world events and the challenges there that we have no control over but is causing fear.  Can't get her out of her home.  She won't go to church or any large group of people in fear of those who are vaccinated.  She has to protect her health, but it has become where it is limiting her life style and interacting with others.  Now she is so anger at me again.  I have failed her as her mother and it's all my fault.  She is not taking any accountability for her actions.   Just more isolation from her family and love ones.  I so miss the fun loving Shannon,  I get small glimpses from time to time.   I need the Lords help to figure out how to manage our relationship.  I know we are both hurting and we do need each other.  I love her dearly and just want her to be happy.  Life can be better if she would just let it somehow.  She is in the Lords hands for now I just don't know what I can do to help her anymore.  She has completely drain me..  Just pray for the insight I need,  I want to enjoy my time with Stacy while she is in town and not let it cloud this time with her in sorrow.  I have to let it go and Chipper up. Time will heal all wounds.  Pray her heart will soften and she will realize how much we really do love her.  I don't want contention from her.   I'm going to the hang out at the pool today with Stacy and Natasha and their kids for the afternoon and enjoy their company.  These two younger daughters bring great joy into my life and so glad I have them as a support to carry me.  Stacy and I stayed up late visiting and I so needed the time of understanding and just talking.  We both needed some girl time together and that is really rare.  I cherish this time together as mother and daughter.  Put on a Happy smile today and enjoy this day! 

Another Emotional Blow-up

Tuesday -  Landon texted Craig asking if he could come back up to the lake with us.  Craig told him he could come up with him.  He needed to get back up for young men's on Tuesday nights.  He was going to drive out and pick him up- Well Shannon has not talked to me or responded to me since the 8th of May- a short text wishing me Mother’s Day-  I have called and text several times and no response.  She has been festering over our last conversation which did not end well.  It sounded like I was attacking her as a mother- in not caring for Michael who is 23 years old and should be taking care of himself.  Her response after our conversation - when she hung up on me.    I had too really go !!. I had to take Alec to work ... Let’s please not Repeat OLD Patterns that don’t help you or me and definitely not Michael .  We have all grown so much in better ways . Sometimes I 🙋🏻‍♀️ too just need a listening ear from time to time someone to hear me out- not fixing things or judge just listening … I had too really go !!. I had to take Alec to work ... 

Shannon is very difficult at times and so stubborn - it’s her way or the highway.  I know she has suffered much over the years from physical pain and emotional pain.  Our family blow up in 2014 had ripped our family apart- siblings taking sides and destroying any unity in our family.  I have watched my girls just divide and split apart and Shannon being a huge source of contention for us all.  She is missing in action so speak with her kids and interacting with us as a family unit.  She will not respond nor will make any commitments at all to anyone in the family. She just doesn’t respond to our family text group but will send these crazy video texts messages that have nothing to do with our family event planning.  It has been very frustrating for me as  her mother to try to plan anything with her.  I have to have the patience of Job and not let myself get angry with her -which doesn’t help any situation. I have had to just let go and expect nothing from her- just take what I can get.  Well I thought she would calm down from our last conversation- well that hasn’t happened.  I sent her a text a few days after our last conversation-  I’m not repeating old feelings or fears - I’m just saying Michael needs help - he is suffering from depression !! You would know that more than any one- I’m not able to help him but willing to get the help in any way I can because I deeply love all of you- something needs to be done - what is the plan ?  Make a plan and try to channel him in the right direction -  medically he is suffering and help is Available it’s finding those right channels to work with- two days later texted her again - Thinking about our conversation on Friday - I’m so sorry that I came across attacking you - I love you with all my heart and I’m so proud of you and glad you are my daughter to love and care for - sorry I messed up again and came across Confrontational was not my intent at all - I had just called to check on you guys- Dad and I have been worried about MICHAEL all week for some odd reason he has strongly been on our minds not knowing anything and then having this young teen in our ward try to commit suicide last weekend just really shook us up.  I do feel that we should try to get Michael some counseling- that was my last communication in May 13th-  Shannon has not responded to me at all since then -  She just showed up today with Landon- dropping him off to go to the lake with Craig.  He needed to go up for young men's and I wanted to stay in town to spend time with Stacy and her little family. Well today ended up being a total waste of time - my heart broken and I have not been able to function all day.  Shannon was here for 6 hours and very contentious.  I tried to reason with her.   She was attacking us as parents, our religion, her sisters and that she doesn’t give a rat’s ass attending any of the family events in her own words.  So why do I even try to include her.  It is very frustrating  to us all- her lack of response.  I never see her if I don’t take the time to just go visit her and show up at her house.   So today was a surprise- she was stopping by.  I  was so happy she came to see us and Stacy while she is in town.  It had been over 6 weeks since she last spoke to me.   I told her I was sorry and had sent a text to her apologizing  but it’s not enough.  In the six hours she was tearing me apart- she sure as hell could say her peace -but heaven forbid -I am able to share my points of view in our 6 hour conversation I kept trying to redirect her.  She would get heated and get up to leave and I would tell her to calm down- don’t leave angry-  I’m sorry what more can I do or say ?  I let her get it off her chest and say what she has been pinning up toward me and her dad.  As she was leaving following her up the stairs I put my hands gently on her face and said I love you and just want you to be apart of our lives.   She started screaming at me “don’t touch my face - don’t touch my face - you are in my private space- left angry getting in the car - you can’t touch my face- and screaming at me-  I had it from her verbal abuse to me -  I was trying to show kindness and listening to her and letting her unload all the unkind words she could about me as a mother -  As she was yelling back at me getting in her car -I told her she was mentally ill and needs help - I can’t help her and shut the garage door.  I had enough !  And came in and cried for over an hour.  I texted Ryan and asked him to call me -  Ryan - shan was here for 6 hours - as you already no things did not end well -  she was in attack mode the entire time - all I can say is I’m sorry -  I feel so bad for little Ashtyn to have to subjective to that- breaks my heart - I was so excited they were here to visit.  I don’t know what to do? Shannon has so much Hostility buildup inside for both of her parents/ all I can say is I have tried my very best over the years -I know we’ve made mistakes and I’m sorry about that -but that’s because we love and care so much!  I was trying to tell her I love her and need her in our lives holding her face trying to get her to calm down and she freaks out at me- screaming at me.   Don’t touch my face !!  I don’t know what happened! - Ryan replied back after midnight - Hi Debbie, yes Shannon came home extremely upset. I was hoping you both could work things out but it seems a little more time is needed. I do know you mean well and what’s been said was only under the best intentions but I think right now its best if everyone just cools down. I replied back -- Well I can’t sleep - I don’t know what in the world happened?  Something is terribly wrong ?  Shannon is not thinking right ?  I’m not her enemy and she is acting like I am -  I told her I’m sorry I offended her and that’s not good enough -  she proceeds to attack her father, and me  -our religion, her sisters, she doesn’t want to have anything to do with them, nor even try and everything we hold dear to our hearts- I told her we just want to see her and spend time with her and she keeps pushing us away- she is so caught up in all the craziness of this world that she is so clouded as to what really matters most- her family ! Not just your family but her extended family too -  we need you and miss you.  With the loss of both our mothers these past few months we realize how short our life here is and how much we need each other.   You can’t have a conversation with out her getting upset and it is her way only- she is not willing to listen to our point of view.  I don’t know what she expects us to do? isolating herself from us is not the answer.  I’m not going to change my religion and life style at this point in my life - our Faith makes us better people - I’m shocked she has gone so far into things that I’m trying to be a listening ear and understand.  I have spent hours and hours being a listening ear and when I try to share my point of view it is not allowed-  she gets contentious- she says we are not listening to her - we are listening and trying to be there for her.  She attacks your parents and I know she is pushing them away like she is doing us too -  I told her she can’t live her life in fear and live in an isolated box.  Yes we live in a very challenging world ! God has not left us alone- I strongly believe that he has given us the tools and the resources that we need to accomplish our mission here in this life.  Life can be happy and joyful.  I just want to have a relationship with our daughter and our sweet little granddaughter- it would be nice just to talk about each other- things in our lives and what we can do to strengthen one another and let go of all this craziness in the world.   Shannon has so much hatred stored up against her parents right now I don’t know what to do Ryan.  She says Craig won’t listen to her and speaks very unkind of her father which is very hurtful and offensive to me as well - we have done nothing but try to love her and care for her and want the very best for her in this life.  We have sacrificed our time in many many hours in her behalf as a child and as an adult - and I’m sure the love you have for Ashtyn -you can Comprehend that is the same love we have for our own daughter.  Shannon has forgotten so much.    She left yelling at me- and exposing little Ashtyn to that -  I’m heart broken -  I am always having to say I’m sorry to Shannon and not once does she ever apologize for her behavior.  Can you ask her that question?  

Well I’m sure we both had a terrible day following this blowup -  I don’t know what hit me!!   I had to take a sleeping pill and slept till 10 am - got up and thought I would go to the temple but couldn’t seem to get myself going. I went outside and cleaned out our stinky garbage can.  It is a hot day !  I had to come in and cool off- I was so sleepy I had to lay back down and I slept till 7pm-  my day was a waste of my time and energy trying to recover from this emotional explosion.  Shannon’s behavior reminded me of the temperamental behavior of my own mother and how mean and irrational she would get in an anger rage.  The anger takes over.  Shannon sent a long text message to Stacy last night saying I was yelling at her - it’s all my fault and screaming at her - she is mentally ill - this is all such a lopsided point of view of what really happened. She didn’t tell her about the six hours of condemning her mother and I sat there and took it. She didn’t tell her she was screaming at me not to touch her face when she was leaving and acting like a crazy woman. That’s when I told her she was mentally ill and I didn’t know how to help her anymore- so I guess now I’ll get the cold shoulder for who knows how many more months. Our summer last year was really stressful and I was hoping to have a good summer and now I have a daughter who is so anger at me !!  I don’t know what to do. My heart is just aching all day today.  

Saydee’s Speaking in Sacrament / Fathers Day

We arrived on time after driving 2 hrs and 45 minutes from the lake.  It was a rush getting us all showered and out the door on time by 9 am in the morning.  We had the Towner family, Boston, Michael and Landon there with us.   I got up at 6:30 am to gets us all up and going.   It is so special to gather as family on this special day. Stacy and Chad came up the day Shar and Trisha were leaving.  We were able to spend the three days with her family.  We were stuck inside with all the high winds.  The younger  Towner cousins, Jude, Yael, Enzo and Farrah had fun playing with Landon and Boston who stayed a few extra days with us.  We brought Landon and Boston back with us to attend church.  It was special to have Landon with us.  We had to find him some church clothes.  He has not been back to church since he was baptized three years ago.  We bought him a new suit then- but he has grown so tall now.  He is able to wear Craig's shirt and shoes.  He dressed up so handsome a young teenager now 14 years old.  He is still good at playing video games with his younger cousins and hanging out with them.     

Landon and Boston-  

Our Saydee did such a great job speaking.  We are so very proud of her.  We all gathered at the Burbidge family for a lovely luncheon with the Burbidge family and our family we had a lot of family there.  Trisha had everything so nice.  It was special to be together for Father’s Day as well.  

Craig with our girls- Stacy, Craig, Sharlena, Trisha and Natasha.  Shannon missing in actions again.

She is still on the outs with us and has not talked to me or her dad for over a month now.  She won't respond to any of our texts messages.  She never responded to our group family text either.  Ryan finally later in the day responded and said sorry they missed the event Shan wasn't feeling well.

Saydee is set apart as a missionary !! She starts her training tomorrow at home for a week.  

It was a very spiritual moment for us as grandparents to share in the setting apart of Saydee as a missionary.  I had a hard time fighting back the tears.  So happy for her, that she has chosen this experience in her life that will be life changing in many ways.  She is sacrificing her time for 18 months to serve the Lord and share the gospel light with others.  The message of Jesus Christ brings joy and happiness in our lives!!  I know the Book of Mormon is a true book from God and is his words speaking to us in our time to give us strength and courage to withstand the days that lie ahead.  We live in an ever changing world that need the word of God.  I'm striving to let God prevail in my life daily.  I'm striving to make time for him day each so I can feel the holy spirit in my life as a guiding influence for good in the lives of others.   We have wonderful daughters and so very blessed as parents.  We are missing our Shannon!  She is miss out on so much as a family unit.  Wish she could be here with us in these times of sharing our life journey together as a family unit.  

Bear Lake Cousin Retreat

Our cousin retreat outing at the lake.   All the older cousins came to the lake for three days-  they wanted to spend time with Cole just arriving home and Saydee leaving on Monday for her mission. This was the only time we could get them all together.  Tuesday was really cold, Wednesday was warmer but really windy all day.  They did play Pickleballs.  Poor Aubrey had an asthma attack and we had to take her to the insta- care for a treatment.  She was able to get an inhaler and doing much better- she had been up all night not able to breath well.  She was finally able to get some rest-   Thursday was a beautiful day!! It felt like summer is finally here.  We were able to put the boat in and all the kids had a turn water skiing and surfing. They all had a great time.  Craig and I enjoyed riding in the boat with them all and spending time with them the past three days.  We had fun playing games, watching movies and just visiting with one another.  Trisha cooked us all such yummy meals.  It was a fun retreat. In the picture is Michael 23 yrs old, Cole 21 yrs old just home from his mission, Austin 16 yrs old, Landon 14 years old, next to Aubrey 18 years old, Saydee 19yrs old and Boston 12yrs old.  front Karlee 17 yrs old, Jude 11 yrs old. and Jacob 12 yrs.  They all had a great time spending time together as cousins.

 

Our Karlee J Burbidge 17 yrs old and going into her senior year.

 

Our Austin 16 yrs old - upper pictures are Landon on the wake board and Michael surfing. We all had a fun afternoon boating on this warm summer day.  It was our only day of good weather.  Friday and Saturday the wind blew all day and got cold again.  So grateful for a nice summer day with our older grandkids.  

Towner Family Arrived

The Everyone left and a new Shift arrived - Stacy and her little family arrived late yesterday afternoon.  Micheal, Landon, and Boston stayed for a few days longer. Boston wanted to stay to play with his Towner cousins.  It has been very windy all day today.  So blessed we got a great summer day in yesterday for boating-  we are all staying until late Saturday.  We have to head down there thr Salt lake Valley to attend our Saydee bugs mission farewell.  It is also Father’s Day and will be nice to gather as family and Honor the fathers in our family.  We are so blessed a grandparents!! 

Boston at his piano recital last Saturday.  He did a great job playing his piece he had practiced and memorized.  Fun spending time with our grandchildren. 

Towner Family Arrived

The Towner family arrived to our Draper home about 4pm after we all were able to take an afternoon nap.  We had fun going through grandma LaVon’s things that I have saved for the Towner family.  Stacy and Farrah pick out some pretty rings- My girl’s fingers are all so small- they are going to have to have them sized down to fit.  I’m having fun wearing what I have picked out.  The weather has cooled down over 30 degrees today from yesterday.  It was the high of a 102 degrees on Sunday- it was so warm it was hot to even sit out on the porch during the evening and very windy.  The cold front was blowing in. Well this morning it is lightly raining and so much cooler only in the 40’s right now the high maybe 60 for the day.  It will feel nice to have it cool off a bit.  For June that is too hot to be in the 100’s already.   We had planned on going up to the lake today for a cousin retreat for three days - but we pushed it back to tomorrow - the weather will be improving each day as the cold front passes- by Thursday the forecast is going to be 85 at the lake which will be really nice-  it will be hot again in  the Salt lake valley in the high 90’s-  We all are coming back in town for the weekend for our Saydee’s Mission farewell- she is speaking on Sunday and we will all be gathering at the Burbidge family afterwards for lunch and visit as family and celebrate Father's Day.  It’s going to be a busy week with the family having fun at the lake and then coming back to town-  Stacy and her family are planning on staying until after the 4th of July.  It will be a nice long visit for them. Her kids are anxious to play with all their cousins.   Natasha just called  and is at the airport getting her two boys on a plane to meet their dad Bridger in Montana she needs me to go sit with the girls until she can get home around 10am-  so I have got to hurry out the door now-  Craig and I plan to head up to Lake this afternoon and get up to the lake before all the other family arrive tomorrow for our cousin three day retreat.  Our stake left for trek this morning.  It is going to be cooler for them this year.  I was going and helping with music but with all our family activities this week I was not able attend.  I’m actually glad I didn’t go this time around. Attending 4 years ago was enough for me- I can check that off my bucket list.  I really wanted to spend time with our family- we have a fun filled week ahead of us.  Stacy and Chad celebrated their wedding anniversary yesterday June 12th they married in 2007 - hard to believe it has been 15 years.  It will be fun to have them here for several weeks.  

Cole Speaking

Cole is speaking in his home ward this morning.  We had to get up early 6:40am to arrive on time at 9:00am -  we didn’t sleep well waiting for Stacy and her family to arrive from Lake Powell.  They texted at 4:30 am and said they were going to crash at the Towner’s.   So excited to have them in town. I spent the day yesterday running errands getting ready for them to arrive.  Nice to be in church today with all our family gathering to here Cole speak.   Sacrament theme message - learning to listen to the Holy Spirit - what gifts of the spirit do I have?  Do I listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit does speak to our heart and minds to serve others-  I feel the spirit when I read the scriptures-  the spirit will guide our lives in the paths our Heavenly Father would have us to follow.  The Spirit is in the details of our lives-  we each have our own spiritual gifts- don’t give up !! no matter what- there many  are ways to accomplish things thru the help of Heavenly Father.  The Lord works according to our desires to inspire us-  our lesson to learn - is to learn how to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives and then act upon them.   Cole did such a great job on his talk.  He is a great speaker, loved hearing some of his mission stories.  After sacrament we all went to the Noriega home for a yummy brunch and to visit with family members.  Stacy and Chad made it to hear Cole speak after arriving in town at 5am.  So fun to see them- they are staying for about a month and will spend some time at our Draper home and our Bear lake home while they are in town.  We all had to come home and take a nap.  Craig and I didn’t sleep well thinking they would be arriving at 4am and worrying about them driving in the wee morning hours.  Stacy just text me and said they will soon be coming to our Draper home-  we are excited to spend time with them.  It is a hot day in the high 90’s - the weather is so up and down! A cold front coming in tomorrow.  It will be nice to have it cool off while we are in town for a few days.  We plan to head up to the lake as family for three days and then come back down for our Saydee’s mission farewell next Sunday on the 19th,  Which is Father's Day too.  

Cole’s Home

Cole arrived home this morning at 9:20am from his mission serving two years in Alaska.  We all meet him at the airport coming off his plane-  Craig parked in the economy parking which was out in the boondocks so we missed seeing him walking down the airport terminal.  But we did make it inside to greet him and give him hugs- fun to visit with him and give him a big hug.  It has gone by really fast for us as grandparents .  Our Cole is a very special young man-  

Craig left from the airport to head back to the lake.  I stayed down and road back with the Burbidge family.  I needed to get some things done at our Draper home.  We came down on Monday, celebrated our anniversary on Tuesday- Wednesday was another full day. Trisha colored my hair for a Mother’s Day gift which was really nice.  I enjoyed being pampered.  It' always feels good to have her do my hair.  She always does such a great job!  We drove out to Sharlena’s last night and brought them dinner from Burger King and played Pickelball a couple of hours on Barbara’s -Dave’s mother - new picklball court.  I had fun playing with Dave and Aubrey.  Cole is speaking at 9am Sunday morning his home coming.  Craig is coming back down sometime Saturday.   Stacy and her little family is going to be arriving Saturday evening from Lake Powell and staying for the month.  I need to get some things done here before they arrive.  It will be nice to have a few more days at our Draper home.  We really don’t spend much time here.  It is nice to have a couple of more days in town to run errands and see the grandkids. I’m really enjoying our Draper home and so glad I have it.  It gives me a break from the lake and enjoy some time in the city.  I like both environments .I get time in the city and time in the country. I enjoy being able to see our family and grandkids when we are in town- we had fun Monday night playing Pickleball with Trisha and Buck and their family on their new pickleball Court -that they put in their backyard. We went to see Natasha’s new home that they bought just a block over from the home they’re in now.  It a beautiful home. She’s going to have lots of fun fixing it up -they need to paint and re-carpet so they’ll be slowly making their way over to their new address. It’s nice that it’s only a few blocks away and they don’t have to move in a hurry they can move things in little by little as they’re ready to. It’s a really big home and I’m sure she’s going to  be pretty much be starting over on a lot of things. It’s a big house to furnish. I really do love it - it has some fun chandeliers and a traditional taste inside. The family room is like a giant ballroom It will be fun to decorate. They have lots of work ahead of them. Bridger has landscapers over there cleaning up the yard- they have a beautiful swimming pool area, the yard does need a lot of work right now. Makes me tired looking at all the projects they have going on at the same time. Well I need to get to work on my project so I want to wash the windows they are really dirty, clear the table off the pin-pon table from all the miscellaneous stuff that’s left over from Lavon’s home and get things nice and clean for our Stacy and her family to arrive Saturday. It will be nice to have a few days to tinker around in our Draper home and enjoy my time here.  

June 7th Our 45th Wedding Anniversary

Today is our 45th wedding anniversary.  We attended an endowment session at the Draper temple this morning with our Saydee and her parents- Trish & Buck. It was Saydee's second time back to the temple.  It was so special to be there with our oldest granddaughter and on our anniversary.  We are so very blessed !

I Love my dear hubby with all my heart we have a very blessed marriage💕

Sabbath Fast Day

Another month has come-  May was a very busy month for us as a family.  Brother and Sister Menlove are home from their mission from Poland-they came and visited with us yesterday afternoon.  They shared all the pictures they took from their service mission on the Polland border-where the Ukrainian refugees are coming in from the attacks of Russia. It’s God’s miracles working through other people that are just showing up there to help anyway they can. Very touching to hear their stories. They are such dear friends in our ward- we love them so much. I taught Gospel doctrine today. I always feel a little insecure just before teaching feeling like I don’t know if I can do this. I pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten my mind and pray that I may teach by the spirit to those in our class. It’s always a sigh of relief when our class time comes to a close- Looking at the clock today thinking we have a whole 45 minutes -I am thinking - we might run out of time-I don’t have enough lesson material prepared. Yes- that’s not the case- the time goes by quickly and we run out of time with more than enough information presented!!  I asked sister Holman and her husband and brother and sister Green to help with parts of the lesson-it went really well they made a great contribution in presenting the lesson material.  Sisters Turnbow sent me this text message after church today - Hi! Thank you for the awesome lesson today. You are always inspiring and I love your spirit so much. Have a wonderful rest of your sabbath.  I did go and do 5 initiatories in Logan yesterday. It was wonderful. Hope your daughter is progressing,  even on a slow road to recovery, progress is blessed.-   I so appreciated her sweet text-It gives me the courage and strength to continue teaching even when I feel inadequate. I am really enjoying my study time of the old testament - I’m learning so much-leaps and bounds and I love the “come follow me”program of daily striving to 

Immersing myself in my scriptures.  I’m learning more about our Savior's plan here on earth.   April conference 1988 this talk was attached to our lesson material - “With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible” By Elder Russell M. Nelson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - thirty years later he is sustained as our prophet - Jan 2018- this talk was very inspiring to me and went along with our lesson today -  . Amidst circumstances seemingly impossible, I have also experienced the joyous relief that comes when one’s understanding is deepened by scriptural insight…. Luke : 7 ​For with God nothing shall be ​​​impossible- 

If any tasks ever deserved the label impossible, those which seem to qualify. But, in fact, our Lord had spoken: “With men this is impossible; but with god all things are possible. To teach His people, the Lord employs the unlikely.

A century and a half later, the burdening baton of that opportunity has now been passed to us. We are children of the noble birthright, who must carry on in spite of our foredetermined status to be broadly outnumbered and widely opposed. Challenges lie ahead for the Church and for each member divinely charged toward self-improvement and service.

How is it possible to achieve the “impossible”? This is a question he asked -and then counseled to Learn and obey the teachings of God. From the holy scriptures, heaven-sent lift will be found for heaven-sent duties. To so achieve, at least three basic scriptural themes loom repeatedly as requirements.   - Faith-  The Lord personally taught this truth to his disciples: “If ye have faith,” he said, “nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matt. 17:20).

Faith is nurtured through knowledge of God. It comes from prayer and feasting upon the words of Christ through diligent study of the scriptures.

He then counseled - to keep my Focus on the eternal things that lie ahead -  By mental adjustment, fuse your focus. Something wonderful happens. Your vision and Gods are now the same. You have developed an “eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5; see also Moroni. 8:15). With that perspective, look upward—above and beyond mundane things about you. The Lord said, “Look unto me in every thought” (D&C 6:36). That special vision will also help clarify your wishes when they may be a bit fuzzy and out of focus with God’s hopes for your divine destiny. Indeed, the precise challenge you regard now as “impossible” may be the very refinement you need, in His eye. -as our focus is fixed on eternity.-With celestial sight, trials impossible to change become possible to endure-  Strength and Courage- a third theme in the scriptures requisite for significant accomplishment is difficult to summarize in one word, so I shall link two to describe it—strength and courage. Repeatedly, scriptures yoke these attributes of character together, especially when difficult challenges are to be conquered (see Deut. 31: 6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake.  You who may be momentarily disheartened, remember, life is not meant to be easy. Trials must be borne and grief endured along the way. As you remember that “with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37), know that He is your Father. You are a son or daughter created in His image, entitled through your worthiness to receive revelation to help with your righteous endeavors. You may take upon you the holy name of the Lord. You can qualify to speak in the sacred name of God (see D&C 1:20). It matters not that giants of tribulation torment you. Your prayerful access to help is just as real as when David battled his Goliath (see 1 Sam. 17). 

Foster your faith. Fuse your focus with an eye single to the glory of God. “Be strong and courageous” (2 Chr. 32:7), and you will be given power and protection from on high. “For I will go before your face,” the Lord declared. “I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88).

The great latter-day work of which we are a part shall be accomplished. Prophecies of the ages shall be fulfilled. “For with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27), I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. -  I’m apart I’d this mordern day Israel -I have been learning about in the Old Testament- they had their challenges to overcome - needing to increase my faith in God - learning to be obedient in all things- change my focus to become one with the Lord -  I need to have courage to endure and the Lord will bless me with the strength as needed in my life journey-  I loved this talk and it spoke to my heart as we live in trouble times -  I reviewed his last talk given in April General conference this spring   his counsel now as a prophet of god- 

The Power of Spiritual Momentum- April 2022 President Russell M Nelson- 

With frightening speed, a testimony that is not nourished daily “by the good word of God” can crumble. Thus, the antidote to Satan’s scheme is clear: we need daily experiences worshipping the Lord and studying His gospel. I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum…. We have never needed positive spiritual momentum more than we do now, to counteract the speed with which evil and the darker signs of the times are intensifying. Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward amid the fear and uncertainty created by pandemics, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and armed hostilities. Spiritual momentum can help us withstand the relentless, wicked attacks of the adversary and thwart his efforts to erode our personal spiritual foundation.   He gives counsel for 5 things I can do to increase my spiritual momentum and stay on the covenant path to withstand these trouble times-  

First: Get on the covenant path and stay there.  He shares his experience from a dream he recently had -

Not long ago, I had a vivid dream in which I met a large group of people. They asked me many questions, the most frequent of which was about the covenant path and why it is so important? 

In my dream, I explained that we enter the covenant path by being baptized and making our first covenant with God. Each time we partake of the sacrament, we promise again to take the name of the Savior upon us, to remember Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, God assures us that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us.  Later we make additional covenants in the temple, where we receive even greater promises. Ordinances and covenants give us access to godly power. The covenant path is the only path that leads to exaltation and eternal life…. In my dream, a woman then asked how someone who has broken his or her covenants can get back on that path. My answer to her question leads to my second suggestion:

#2 - Discover the joy of daily repentance. We can repent daily which keeps us in the covenant path-  Repenting is the key to progress. Pure faith keeps us moving forward on the covenant path.-Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent. He promised that though “the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed … my kindness shall not depart from thee.”  I’m going to strive this week to repent daily - in my actions Walking the covenant path, coupled with daily repentance, fuels positive spiritual momentum

.#3- My third suggestion: Learn about God and how He works.  One of our greatest challenges today is distinguishing between the truths of God and the counterfeits of Satan. That is why the Lord warned us to “pray always, … that [we] may conquer Satan, and … escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.” I need to pray always for the gift of discernment-  With frightening speed, a testimony that is not nourished daily “by the good word of God” can crumble. Thus, the antidote to Satan’s scheme is clear: we need daily experiences worshipping the Lord and studying His gospel. I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum.  Daily giving some of my time to feed my relationship with God -  will keep me on the covenant path and help me to see web what is not truth. We are so bombarded with all kinds of information in our world of the internet.  I have to pick and chose how I will spend my time with the info shared online-  asking myself first -is it feeding my soul and relationship with God? This needs to be a daily task as the prophet has counseled. 

 #4 Suggestion number 4: Seek and expect miracles.   This really stood out to me and went right along with our lesson material I taught today - as we use our Faith in God - we can have miracles happen - when it is unlikely -  in the Book of Mormon -Moroni assured us that “God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.” Every book of scripture demonstrates how willing the Lord is to intervene in the lives of those who believe in Him. He parted the Red Sea for Moses, helped Nephi retrieve the brass plates, and restored His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Each of these miracles took time and may not have been exactly what those individuals originally requested from the Lord. In the same way, the Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, “doubting nothing.” Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith. I promise that you can experience for yourself that Jesus Christ “giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Few things will accelerate your spiritual momentum more than realizing the Lord is helping you to move a mountain in your life.  I was impressed by his counsel to do the work needed to increase our faith in God and ask foe Miracles -  I know I have been greatly blessed as I asked for a blessing of healing from my hubby when I went to California and that blessing was granted.  I was amazed when I notice my the very next day my nausea was gone away and I felt renewed strength in my body. I just have to ask for the blessings. President Nelson says that we can expect miracles in your life if we are faithful and striving to live the covenant path.  #5 - Suggestion number 5: End conflict in your personal life.- This message spoke very powerful to my heart -I need to end any conflicts that I  have in my own personal life.  I repeat my call to end the conflicts in your life. Exercise the humility, courage, and strength required both to forgive and to seek forgiveness. The Savior has promised that “if [we] forgive men their trespasses, [our] heavenly Father will also forgive [us].”I invite you to seek an end to a personal conflict that has weighed you down. Could there be a more fitting act of gratitude to Jesus Christ for His Atonement? If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you. As you do so, I promise personal peace and a burst of spiritual momentum… since I heard his message to end the personal conflicts I have strived to forgive my sister-in-law Shelly when Craig‘s mother passed away how she was so offensive to Craig and I. I have stride to be kind and loving to her which I feel has opened up our relationship even more. I have tried to reach out and make them more a part of my own life. Both of Craig’s sisters - his older sister Chris and his younger sister Shelly. I sent them each a nice message on Mother’s Day to let them know how much I appreciated them in our lives. Which I felt they really appreciate it. I also reached out to my sister-in-law in Texas and my brother. Things did not end well with the passing of my own mother and my relationship with them it’s still challenging in many ways but I’m just letting go of it and trying to be loving and kind that’s all I can do. I don’t agree with how my mother treated her children.  I feel she was unfair and definitely favored my adopted younger brother over her own birth children. I don’t understand all her reasoning and like it or not it was her choice in how she treated us. She’s in heaven now and I pray for the best- that someday we will be united in love and peace.  I love the closing remarks of our prophet and his counsel - My dear brothers and sisters, with all the pleadings of my heart, I urge you to get on the covenant path and stay there. Experience the joy of repenting daily. Learn about God and how He works. Seek and expect miracles. Strive to end conflict in your life.

As you act on these pursuits, I promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. And I promise you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families-God lives! Jesus is the Christ! He lives! He loves us and will help us. Of this I testify in the sacred name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, A couple weeks ago I had a conversation with our Shannon that did not end well and she is not speaking to me -I have called and text her many times and I know that she is back in this rut of being mad at her mom and dad. She shuts us out -which is so sad to me.  I did not mean to offend her by my words -so now I have got to try to mend things - I pray that her heart can be softened towards her parents and that I can be a listening ear and be able to understand her feelings -pray that we can find common ground in our disagreements. I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me in mending our relationship. I was defending Michael  our oldest grandson- he is in a challenging season in his life and I know that he feels so lost  and in a dark place we’re so concerned about him as his grandparents. He goes through these bouts of depression. He had a bad spell for days and no one in his family checked on him. I was shocked when Shannon told me this and I know that I attacked her as a mother. I told her I would never let someone in my home go for days without being checked on which I still don’t comprehend how she could be so consumed in her own life. Anyone in my home I would’ve reached out long before. I told her she needed to do whatever she could as a mother to try to get some help for Michael. Well I hurt her feelings it was unintentional. She is on the defense again and is easily offended. So I have got to figure out how to mend our relationship- I pray for the guidance that I need to speak words of healing to her soul and heart ❤️ 

Preparing For My Up Coming Lesson

When you read the scriptures, you are exercising faith, which prepares your heart and mind to hear the “still small voice” of the Spirit (1 Kings 19:12).

June 27–July 3 - 1 Kings 17–19

“If the Lord Be God, Follow Him”. Our theme for this lesson -  

I will be teaching on the 4th of July weekend and we will have family here for the summer season - I need to prepare my mind and heart ahead of time in order to teach this up coming lesson -  I have lots of reading in my Old Testament reading schedule to keep up with and and take the time daily with our busy summer schedule entertaining our family. Fitting in my reading time is challenging for me, so trying to get ahead start on my up coming lesson.  Feeding my mind with my scripture study time.   

June 1st

Summer is slowly coming the weather is starting to warm up- it was in the high 50’s all day.  I worked in the yard and finished planting my pots for the summer.  I love having pretty summer flowers pots filled with bright colors- we drove to Montpellier on Tuesday to have lunch at the little Mexican place there - we then stopped by the Local grocery store for a few groceries- everything has gone up in price.  It does cost more now for gas and groceries- these smaller towns do feel the pinch- at the store they had marked down their memorial mums to 99 cents a $4 savings so bought 12 of them.  I already bought 12 before memorial and paid $14 for three of them- they did really well last summer and lasted most of the summer-   So see how they do this year.  They are fun and add instant color to my flower pots- I can plant them in my garden area and they will come up each year- Craig and I worked hard Monday and Tuesday with the tiller we borrowed and got the highway side raked and leveled the best we could do.  It looks so much better. Now I want to plant wild flower seed and put perennials in this area over time it will look so much better as it fills in and not just have wild grass and weeds growing.  I look at the area out our bedroom window and want it to look pretty- I love variety of perennials- it is a working progress-  today I’m back out digging in the dirt- weeding the raspberry patch and working on  the highway side.  It is suppose to be in the 60’s today- it is Sunny and is going to be a beautiful day-  I Love being outside.