Catch Up!

Wow! I recently noticed that I have not written much since school started.

 Homeschooling two of the boys is keeping me busy, but it's very enjoyable (most days). :-)We've done a lot of cool field trips, the library has become our second home, and we are in the Midwest on our Road Trip U.S.A. We have also launched into space and are learning about the stars this week, we are painting Monet pieces, and doing Homeschool P.E at the Rec. center with other home-schooling families. We are covering a lot more, but I won't bore you with the details. Oh one more thing...we started our Meals on Wheels route. We deliver lunch meals(once a week) to 7 seniors that are home bound living in our community.It's already so rewarding; just seeing the smiles on their faces when you walk in their home is priceless. The boys like sorting the food and putting it in the bag, and saying real loud as we knock - "Meals on Wheels".

 

A few trials have been mixed into our life, but none we can't handle with the Lord's help. I am so eternally grateful for the precious gift of the Savior and the Holy Ghost. Their influence in my life help me make sense of the unfathomable in my life. The Lord is ever reassuring me that I will re-marry, that I will have my eternal best friend, that I will have the desires of my heart. I think he is doing this because I might not remarry for many years. I might have to raise these children without a husband by my side. I shudder to think that is my lot. I also have to believe and be OK that he trusts me with this lot. Two days ago my sister, a friend, and I (we are all single) went to Gardner Village to have a Girls Night Out. We had some very poignant conversations. The friend and I were talking about our dateless woes and how no one seems to be interested in dating us, except for men that are 20 years older than us. Just a precursor - we are both on single dating websites- probably not the best place to look for an eternal companion. We also go to singles firesides, and singles institutes, and various other singles activities on occasion. The realization I came to as we talked was that when it's the right "one", the union will be all about the most important things we cherish like light, truth, virtue, and wisdom. The scripture that came to my mind when I said that was in Doctrine and Covenants 88:40. "For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy has compassion on mercy and claimeth not her own..." The attraction from these qualities will lead us to the right "one". I am not settling for less - so the weeding out process is in constant motion and I no longer pity for myself that I haven't been on a date in 4-1/2 years.

 

Moving on to some other catch up info.... Isaac is finishing up his season of flag football. It's been a learning experience for both of us. Sigh! Next weekend we will be in California for my aunt's bap-tism. I got a "new" used van. I love having a CD player, electric windows and locks, and tinted windows. I know it's sad that I have never in my life had a car with those features, but now I do and I am loving it.:-) I have to admit I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye when I said goodbye to my old van. Gone are the stories from that beloved van. In a way it symbolized my life - lots of knicks, bumps, dents, mechanical problems, but it kept on going. I was saying goodbye to a part of my past. It served me well until it was time to let go. As I left it in the salvage yard I thought of how it would still be useful to those who needed parts for their cars. I remember before going to the salvage yard I prayed I'd get at least $200-$300 dollars for it. I needed the money for our AZ trip during Thanksgiving break. I am taking the boys to see their dad. Anyways! When we got there the man quoted us for $400, he hadn't even seen the van yet.  He got his clipboard and we went outside. My dad said, "And now he will start subtracting from $400". My dad noticed how big his eyes got when he saw the van. If anyone has seen the beloved van that I talk about you'll know why his eyes got big. I was still thinking OK I just need at least $200. Well after his assessment we walked back in the office, he opened the register and handed me $400! I was shocked and pleased. My prayers were answered and I even got more than what I hoped for and asked for. The Lord is like that He always gives more. I also realized the guy saw that the van was worth more than the outward appearance.  So it is with the way the Lord sees us - who we are inside is worth so much more to Him.

Until next time...

Gardner Village

His face matches my jacket! :-)
I like older men but not this old.

Contemplating his next move

Andrew will be a bandit for Halloween

HeeHaw Farms field trip

HeeHaw Farms

Cousins visiting from Layton and Illinois

Hannahlihn and Josh

Josh on his dulcimer

Adam Jill and Sarah
Visiting us from Illinois

Memoirs

I have always loved reading books particularly those of a non-fiction nature.
I love reading true stories because of the principles and lessons taught.
Recently I've discovered how much I LOVE reading memoirs. A memoir is "a
record of events based on the writer's personal knowledge". I have  read four
memoirs recently. I love reading how other REAL people have overcome difficulties
and tragedies in their personal lives. I love how they share what they've learned in a very
intimate way. One day I might even write a memoir of my own because my life has
been full of tragedy (not just from the divorce), and I have gained a wealth of knowledge
because of it.

Hilary Weeks wrote a song about this concept and it's called "Beautiful Heartbreak". 
Here are the words to the chorus of the song :
"Every fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through
Was the price that I paid to see this view
And now that I'm here I would never trade
The grace that I feel and the faith that I find
Through the bittersweet tears and the sleepless nights
I used to pray he'd take it all away
But instead it became
A BEAUTIFUL HEARTBREAK"

The following are the inspiring memoirs I've read:

 

If you think your life has been hard, immerse yourself in one of these

memoirs and you will be in good company!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family, Friends, and Fun - Pictures

I just wanted to have a post this time to share pictures of family, friends, and fun.

Sundance 9/2/12

Andrew
Sundance 9/2/12

Isaac & I
Sundance 9/2/12

Sundance 9/2/12

Sundance 9/2/12
 

Beautiful scenery
A wonderful scenic walk

Stop and smell the forest...you can get high off the mountain air.

Beautiful! It proved to be a relaxing time after our Sunday dinner.

Kata

Birthday celebration at Olive Garden.
A single mom friend I met at Aspen Grove.
There were like 9 ladies there to celebrate her birthday. It was so fun.

Molly our hero from Tennessee

Josh and Andrew having fun with Clarke cousins at the "hobo" Zoo.

Mason - training to be a Marine like his dad.
 Look at what a natural he is holding the gun.

Man down...

Cub Scout Day Camp! My missionary trainer's son and my son.
"Buds"

Josh and his cute SB friend. He was so hot he decided to pour water on himself. 

Dear sweet A. and her adorable little guy

BYU Education Week Highlights

Education Week rocked! I am so glad I registered to attend. I was only able to do the morning session
hours because of Josh's medical needs, but it allowed me to attend 3 classes a day. It was enough to fill my spiritual bucket. I thirsted so much for spiritual enlightenment that I was gulping at the fountain of living waters.

 One such speaker Jennifer Brinkerhoff Platt, through the spirit, opened my eyes to many truths about Satan's lies. When we believe Satan's lies we see ourselves the way he wants us to - useless, forgotten, fearful, isolated. When we believe God's truths and follow his truths we see ourselves as we really are - wonderful, good, precious, full of faith, useful- the way he sees us.
"Satan is the spoiler, the demon, the adversary, the enemy of righteousness, and he loves to stir people up to misery". "Satan's plan of attack focuses on : 1. Our relationship with divinity.
 2. Our relationship with others. 3. Our relationship with ourselves." We can conquer this enemy by staying on the Lord's side, by obedience, and holding tight to the Word of God. We need to counteract Satan's lies with God's truths. For instance, one of Satan's lies I have been believing is that I need to isolate myself from the dating scene to protect myself from hurt. S. Platt said, "Satan hates us. He wants to isolate us." In the recent past I have received two priesthood blessings from two different brethren who both spoke God's truths to me. In these blessings they were prompted to tell me to get out and date- to stop hiding out. That the Lord does have someone in mind for me, but I have to do my part. I am finally doing something about that. It's taken me two years to shake off the lies Satan's been feeding me about isolating myself. Sure I could still get my heart broken, but the Lord wants me to have Faith in Him and faith in myself that I will be able to discern who I should be with.

 Mary Ellen Edmunds offered some comic relief as well as spiritual insights. Terry Olsen's class was marvelous- it was about being realistic about marriage and parenting without giving up our ideals.
I could write tons about what I've learned, but it might bore you because what I needed to hear isn't necessarily what you need to hear. We all have our unique challenges and the Spirit speaks to our condition.

How wonderful it is to be ever learning. Education week...experience it for yourself next year. It was cool that I got to visit with and see a few familiar faces. Gwen Dodge, Christine Packer (my beehive advisor from cali) - love her, Shauna Castagna and Pam Castagna (wonderful relatives), and a few people from my ward. I hope to see you there next year. Bye for now!