49 Things

I'm celebrating my 49th birthday today.  Celebrating is probably too strong of a word as I'm sitting at work with not much to do and then I'll be off to officiate some Jr. High volleyball and finally heading out the door on my way to Idaho/Utah for the week.  Anyway, I thought I'd list 49 things that I'm grateful for. 
1.  My parents.  Without them I wouldn't exist.
2.  My husband.  He's my rock.
3.  My children.  They are my friends and keep me amused.
4.  My grandchildren.  Definate amusement here and lots of love.
5.  My friends.  I have some of the most amazing people who I'm lucky enough to call my friends.
6.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I would be lost without it in my life.
7.  My home.  I love the house I live in as it is filled with years of memories.
8.  My health.  What more needs to be said?
9.  My siblings.  We don't do a lot together, but we're there when it's needed.
10. Seminary.  I love the direction the scriptures take me.
11. Eleven wonderful seminary students.  I love these youth!
12. Motorcycle rides with my sweetie.  What a good way to relax.
13. A trustworthy vehicle.  Enough said.
14. My testimony.  I pray it will always be built upon the rock.
15. My jobs.  I love that I can work at things I love and get paid to do them and it isn't full time.
16. The green.  I love the green of the trees and grass.
17. A wood fire in the house. 
18. A comfy bed.
19. Computers and internet.  A great way to stay connected.
20. Cell phones.  I don't use my much, but I love that my husband/kids have them.
21. Priesthood.  Where would we be without that magnificent power?
22. The temple. A place of love and beauty.
23. Food.  I love to eat!
24. Vacations.  Spending time with loved ones far and near is the best!
25. Two very wonderful men who married my two oldest daughters.
I'm half way there...
26. Wonderful neighbors.
27. Caring, wonderful teachers at school.  They are so great!
28. A job for my husband.  My earning power is pretty limited.
29. The opportunity to be a stay at home mom.
30. A living prophet.
31. General conference
32. The atonement.  Need I explain this one?
33. The smell of autumn leaves as well as the color.  I love the changing seasons.
34. A fresh blanket of snow...which will be here too soon.
35. Fresh produce, especially cucumbers.
36. The smell of fresh baked bread.
37. Random kindnesses by anyone.
38. A clean house.
39. The plan of salvation.  It gives me purpose and direction.
40. Covenants made in the temple.
41. A supportive family.
42. The newness of Spring!
43. My husband's taste in clothing as he buys most of mine.
44. The ability to listen to the Spirit.
45. My memories of my childhood.  I had it good.
46. My increased patience as I've gotten older.
47. Children who give their parents a run.  i.e. Adam.  He's so darn cute.
48. The ability to exercise faith and pray.
Last and certainly not the least in any way.
49. If you put 2 and 2 together from my last post, you're absolutely right and I couldn't be happier!

So there you have it!  Happy birthday to me. 

A Special Day

Today is a special day.  What an understatement that is!  After much fasting and much prayer and much patience, prayers were answered.  I cannot begin to explain the feelings of my heart.  I think I know what it feels like to have your heart full.  I love these guys.

Brett left before I got my camera out so he's not in this pic.

 Yes, it is a special day.  More than that, with the rain falling and cool temperatures, it is a most beautiful day!

The Wait is Always Worth it

Sometimes things happen in our lives that we have no control over.  A flood of emotions follows whether they be happy, sad, frustration or anger.  That's the only part we do have control over...how we're going to react. 

Sometimes we worry about our loved ones. About the decisions they've made or the path they're following.  We again have no control except to pray and fast for them and continually love them. 

Sometimes we have a spiritual confirmation that everything will be alright in the end.  I've had that experience more than once and it is a HUGE comfort. 

Let me say that by keeping our faith in the Lord and trusting that everything will be alright takes a lot of patience and more often than not, a lot of our time; perhaps even years.

Then there are the times when we can be happy because our loved ones are making good choices. We continue to pray for them and love them as well just because we want them to continue making good choices.


The Lord is in control, of this I'm sure.  He hears and answers prayers.  The wait to have those prayers answered is always worth it.

Choices

My seminary students and I studied the Fall of Adam today.  We had a great time with treats and pretend laws.  The point was very clear that we have the right to choose.  That was what we fought for in the pre-existence...our agency.

What would it be like to be free to choose and not really have any choices?  There were some great ideas for object lessons.  You may eat anything you want from the table before you...except that the table is empty.  Way to go in keeping that law!  You may choose any treat you want from the table...but why didn't you choose the one I had hidden in my pocket?  You may take any treat from the table except that one that I don't want you to take.  I'll give you $20 for doing the "correct" thing all day.  Except no one knows what that correct thing is.  I certainly am thankful we don't have to live that way. 

Adam and Eve were given two commands in the garden.  They couldn't keep both.  They had to make a choice.  Thus, AGENCY!  A choice with a consequence.  What a grand plan.  I'm so thankful for it.

Seminary 2011-2012

Here are the beautiful faces that attend seminary each morning.  I think we're going to have a lot of fun together!  I LOVE these youth!

Back to School

 Where did the summer go?  June wasn't all that fast even though it was really busy.  But July and August flew by.  I suppose in part because of the preparations for Sammi and Jeff's impending marriage.  At any rate, school is back in session and Andrew is now a sophomore!  He's been at soccer for a full month already and their season is about half over even though school just started on Tuesday. 

I attended his game on Tuesday as it was at home.  Andrew got quite a bit of playing time in which was nice to see.  Tonight we'll go to Mosinee to watch another of his games.  He likes playing but admits he isn't the best or fastest guy out there.  I like that he sees that.  As long as he's having fun.

 I do have several of my seminary students on the team and some of them are very good at soccer. 

I began seminary on Tuesday and so far we're having a good time.  What a challenge to learn all the books in the Old Testament.  It isn't required, but it will make finding scriptures a lot easier.  We're using the Primary song about the books of the Old Testament and that's helping.  We had a fun time this morning playing a game together as well.  Will post the photo of my students as soon as my computer cooperates and lets me copy it.  Let's hope the next 35 weeks of school go as fast as the summer did!