We were invited to a friends surprise birthday party last nite. We made arrangements with another neighbor to borrow a "kid" goat for a gag gift. We lucked out in that the lady that owned the goat was willing to bring him to us and then pick
him up about 1/2 hour later. obviously it was a hit.

Today we went to another neighbors' surprise birthday party, and we took some old silk flowers and sprayed them with black spray paint. wrapped them in tissue and took them. I was surprised ...she thought they were pretty . SHe plans to keep them and use them in an arrangement.

I think the whole neighborhood is getting older. So I hope Marie and Tricia et al. are watching out for each other. the ageing thing isn't quite what everyone thinks it is. ( It is n't bad and gives one alot of excuses for not doing something) Like last nite, I heard that one can
always say, " oh, I can't do that, I am over 40 and I won't be able to get up. Duh~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!! What an excuse. Oh well,

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. I am so grateful for
THe Gospel !!
1. husband
2. children
3 grand children
4. extended family (including and not to be forgotten , my Parents and LeGrands' parents)
5. friends
6. my health
7. home
8. cars
9. washers and dryers
10. dish washers
11. this country
12. being able to serve a mission.
and many , many more things that would take all day to write.


happy Thanksgiving to all.
10.

Ok! I've been tagged. So here goes.

7 things I can do.

create flower arrangements
work on the computer
gently rock babies with my tremoring hand
water aerobics (love this_ )
I am a good friend
clean & laundry ( I love to fold hot towels)



7 things I can't do

play the piano very well (working on this)
drive a car long distances ( medicine makes me too sleepy)
keep up on my house now( it gets cluttery)
give up sugar (I know it is bad for me, working on it)
quote scripture as well as I would like
figure out my geneology fast enough
cook with pizaz - I am not creative

7 things I eat

yogart
cottage cheese and fruit
mexican food from Gallup as often as I can
salads (almost any kind_) ( not patato salad)
chicken
sub way sandwiches
this is not an eat necessarily but I love Light lemonade from Sonic

7 things I say

"It'll wash"
"My tremors are back"
"I forgot to take my pills"
"Hello" ( I am on the phone alot)
" I'll be right back, I have to go to the bathroom"
"I am so tired"
" this is fun"

I have been spending time at Tricia's in the evening. One of the blessings of this is that I got to help the girls with baths. They wanted to borrow my color tablets for the bath(craola makes them) they put in about 4 tablets, it turned it(the water_) a very dark purple. it actually looked dirty.

It all started with a full moon and a wish that the moon would be something

We have a new granddaughter...
Maesyn Marie Gibbens
Nov 15, 2008
6 Lbs. 3 Oz.
19"

and of course she is beautiful.



This is mom hanging out. Dad and Mom hanging out.



Here she is!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Sisters coming to meet the newest family member (with Grandma and Grandpa)

The faithful do not murmur in affliction, but are thankful for God’s goodness.

I was in Relief Society today as lesson 19 was given. Considering the times we are in, financial, spiritual, country (global ) the lesson was so much a picture of our time. None of us chose the storm we will have to endure ( at least not in this life we didn't ), but we all will have a storm. For some it will be losing their homes, cars, wife, husband, child.

The real test is how we handle it. We can choose to count our blessings or we can murmur that the Lord doesn't love us or answer our prayers.

John Taylor, the third President of the Church, said: “I heard the Prophet Joseph say, in speaking to the Twelve on one occasion: ‘You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God, and (said he) God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God.’ … Joseph Smith never had many months of peace after he received the truth, and finally he was murdered in Carthage jail."

While we were serving in Vermont, we had a man come just as we were closing up. He took the tour and then told us the story of his family. He and his wife had 1 child and moved to a city in the mid-west, so he could go to school. He was called to serve as Bishop of their ward. Soon they had another child. Two months later the Mom had an aneurysm and was left without any memory of him as her husband or of their 2 children. She now is in a brain center where he picks her up every Friday and takes her out(reintroduces himself) and on Sundays he picks her up for church and dinner at home. IT is like meeting her all over again each week. Her Mother came and helped him with the kids after and then she passed away. He now juggles his schedule so he can get them to school and meet them when they are out of school.

I struggled not to cry for him when he was telling the story. He did not seem bitter or sad. It fact he said the greatest thing that happened was that he was left in as Bishop for a time after all this happened.

This has to be one of the best examples of commitment and devotion that I have ever seen. Do you think this man wanted this to happen? No!! But it is certain that the Lord's hand was in his life as they moved to this place , where one of the best brain centers in the country just happens to be.

“The power of the Gospel will enable us to stand and bear with patience the great affliction that is falling upon us on all sides. … The harder the persecution the greater the gifts of God upon his church. Yea, all things shall work together for good to them who are willing to lay down their lives for Christ’s sake.”9

I know that many of you have struggles, trials and uncertainties .. You are all in our prayers . Just know that you are being refined like Gold so you can return to the presence of our Father.

We are preparing to report to the High Council tomorrow @ 6:25 am. Then we speak in church @ 9:00 am. I am amazed at how it all piles up. We have home evening on Monday nite here.

We are looking forward to each of these experiences, but the speed at which they come is amazing. Will include pictures later