God's Hand : 2013

Mission Calls!

Kate called to the England Birmingham Mission. July 2013 - January 2015

Madie called to the Armenian Yeravan Mission. February 2014 - Aug. 2015

Every day I see God's hand in my family. I feel so blessed: 4 great kids and spouses, 13 wonderful grandchildren, sisters, brother and sisters in law. nieces, nephews, a great heritage. Here are pictures of a few of those blessings.

Erick, Kelli, Me, Jodi, Lori - on Jodi and Pat's sealing day

Christian - It would appear he's my favorite - well , maybe my favorite 20 year old grandson. I just loved this picture of him

Erick ran in honor of his dad

I'm not sure what's so funny but I love that we're happy

The Radman Family

My sisters, Vicki and Dianne

Dave and Louise

Jodi and Erick

All 13 Grandkids - and they really are GRAND!

These kids keep me happy - and entertained

God's Hand in San Antonio Visit

A most wonderful week in San Antonio! Joyce Sprouse invited me to come visit and see old friends and places where we have such wonderful memories!

Joyce and Larry Rachel Castillo. My counselor in the Stake YW in the 80's

Day trips to Boerne and Gruene TX

A wonderful visit with Sally Neuberger.

Erick gave her this little figurine when he was about 5 years old and she has displayed it all these years. He thought she was a special lady - She is!

San Antonio Temple. So beautiful. I loved the stained glass windows. God's hand in this temple and being able to see my old bishop - Kim Beckstead, and Topper Burton, the stake counselor over the stake YW.

My Dear Old Friends whom I love. Joyce hosted a beautiful luncheon gathering old friends

Diane Kimball, Joyce Sprouse, Me, Helen Burton, Valerie James, Cindy Hill, Sally Neuberger, Carolyn Huntsman… back row - Lynette Williams, Nanette Richardson. Joyce hosted a beautiful luncheon to gather old friends. Cindy Hill later commented: "It was a magical experience." The uniting of hearts after many years.

5 to Survive (Rick Hawks)

As I was preparing for a RS ''Time Out for You'' presentation I came upon Rick Hawks' blog. I've worked with him in clinical circles through the years and have gleaned from his wisdom. This hit home for me:

5 To Survive, by Rick Hawks:
This is how I do hard things:

RESOURCE ONE: EXERCISE. It's always been a good one for me... I usually go toGold's Gym. Nothing special just a little swimming, running and biking. I've never won a race... and have no interest in winning.
"Nutritious meals, regular exercise, and appropriate sleep are necessary for a strong body, just as consistent scripture study and prayer strengthen the mind and spirit” (That We May Touch Heaven, Ensign, Nov. 1990, 46).

RESOURCE TWO: STUDY THE BOOK OF MORMON AND PRAY. For me reading the Book of Mormon while I run on the treadmill or bike works great. My Book of Mormon is large font. (I"m getting old now.) The covers fell off a year or two ago. The pages are worn. I'm in the Isaiah chapters right now and again Isaiah and I have not connected :( I'm anxious to get to Alma. To go along with my Book Of Mormon reading, I kneel in prayer doing my best to visit with our Heavenly Father. I go to the temple and Church as I've found these activities often strengthen my spirit. Like you, I never do as good as I want in going to the temple, reading every day, etc etc --- But I do my best.

“Spiritual development is tied very closely to a knowledge of the scriptures, where the doctrines are found." Boyd K. Packer (Jay E. Jensen, Why We Ask People to Read the Book of Mormon, New Era, Aug 2005)

RESOURCE THREE: READ OTHER STUFF AND THINK. Satan's War on Free Agency by Greg Wright. It has a ton of great thoughts. For me taking time to think and ponder new thoughts is a resource and strengthens my mind. Now, I'm involved with Greg's book learning -What Satan doesn't want you to know about the War in Heaven.
As I study and personalize new thoughts I want to share them with you - my family and friends!

"Learning to love learning is vital to our ongoing spiritual and personal development" (David Bednar,Learning To Love Learning, Ensign, Feb 2010)

RESOURCE FOUR: SERVICE .Since about 1978 I've been involved with volunteer services through various Foundations. I've always believed with God's help, I could make a difference. Well after many years and learning experiences- I think the Lord has blessed us with a message and a delivery system that works -Voices for Virtue. I spend time each week in volunteering.

"Service to others is one of the most important characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is willing to bear other people’s burdens and to comfort those who need comfort (Mosiah18:8–9). Often Heavenly Father will meet the needs of others through you." For The Strength Of Youth

RESOURCE FIVE: GROW A GARDEN. This I've done since a child. Gardening began alongside my dad.When I need an hour of therapy. I'll go to my garden. Some weeks, I spend a lot of time in the garden. There is just something about pulling weeds, planting seeds and watching them grow that is healing for me.
By the way - Gardening is a great example of how an activity might be a resource to one -but a stress to another. For megardening is a resource. For you it may not be. Remember aresource is personal, it has to work for YOU!

"There are blessings in being close to the soil, in raising your own food even if it is only a garden in your yard and a fruit tree or two." (Ezra Taft Benson, Prepare for the Days of Tribulations, Ensign, Nov 1980)

FIVE TO SURVIVE
I try to have at least....

one resource to strengthen each - my Mind, Physical Body and Spirit Body.

(See: Anatomy of a Soul)

and a total of five resources.

(See: Five to Survive)

Like you....

somedays I do better than others at having and using my resources.

my resources change-sometimes from week to week.

When I don't have enough resources I "catch"

what Jeffrey Holland calls

"Depletion Depression." (Like A Broken Vessel, Conference Talk Oct 2013)

CHALLENGE
Follow the impression you had for YOUR LIFE, as you read this blog.

So the impression I had for my life as I read this is that this is pretty much a reminder of what I tell myself about every day that I need to be doing better and on a regular basis:
1. Exercise daily and eat nutritiously. (I am half good at exercise and fail miserable at eating right.)
2. Study the Book of Mormon and Pray (like he said: I never do as good as I want in going to the temple, reading every day, etc etc)
3. Read other stuff. (I've been thinking a lot about that lately. I have a million good books to read - why don't I read more?!)
4. Service. (another guilt thing. I need to look for more ways to serve. I have had many people serve ME this week!)
5. Grow a Garden. (Well, this wouldn't be my #5 - I don't love gardening but I do love to be out in nature. That feeds my soul)

Yard Help

I've been lamenting for days, weeks - ok, really, for months about my yard and the work involved. Lately it's been about the tree suckers that I haven't stayed on top of and have sprouted up all through the ground cover in the back yard where trees were cut down this summer. And the trees - or lack thereof, have been my other lamentations: do I plant new trees? what kind and when?

Well I've gotten help the past few days on all of those issues. Met with Diane, an expert at J&L Garden and Nursery yesterday. She suggested planting some tall shrubs and bushes in the bare spaces; then proceeded to suggest other plants and flowers for the rest of the back yard! And told me what to do with the stumps - "Brush and Stump killer". She also suggested I don't do any of this now, but wait until Spring! Yippee! One huge burden off my shoulders. I felt great pressure to do it now for some reason, maybe because I knew trees were cheaper in the fall.

Lovely tree stump - one of dozens

Lovely tree suckers growing in the ground cover

Then - my boy Erick devoted his whole day to helping me with the yard: cleaning out planting areas (the overgrown tomato plants, ground cover areas, ) cutting down all of the tree shoots, trimming the vines around the pathways, stacking the wood, cleaning out the shed and getting things ready and in order for Winter. And much more. We worked together and got almost all of it done! He stayed with me to the end. I still have some things left but I feel SO much better about everything now; the rest seems manageable.
When we were cleaning out the shed and wondering what to do with some of the things and even what they were, Erick made the comment, "lets just wait until Dad comes back to decide what to do with it." So that became our mantra whenever we didn't know what to do with something.

Speaking of Doug - I truly believe he has been a part of this yard business and putting people in my path to help me. One of my inner thoughts has been 'if only Erick could/would take Doug's place in the things Doug was so good at - yard work, repair work. If only he had the desire, the know-how, the time and the willingness to just come and do - well, that would solve all my problems. I wouldn't have to call on a neighbor or an in-law, or other family to help. Oh well, I'll take what I can get and today I'm very happy for the help. I see the Lord's hand in my life today - as well as Doug's hand. :)

Lord's Hand in Earthly Yard Angels

If I took pictures of every time someone helps in some way with my yard there would not be room for anything else. I've been so blessed by good neighbors and family who continue to give service relating to my yard.