Everyone comes wih Baggage!

It is very late, I have been sewing all day and here I am past midnight and almost too tired to share much tonight. I found this quote the other day and love it! So true, everyone does come with baggage, it is called life and experiences. The trick is to find the right people who will love you enough to not only help you unpack, but share the load while you do! Thanks for doing that for me. Good night dear friends!



I found this article about Emotional Baggage, interesting!
At some point in your life, you have had to deal with emotional hurt or tragedy. It doesn't matter who you are, how rich you are, the color of your skin, or the geographical area that you live in. At some point, we all get hurt, in the emotional sense. When this happens, an imaginary suitcase opens in our minds - or possibly in our hearts - and we start mentally packing that hurt into that suitcase.

As we age, each time we are hurt, we add more to that suitcase, and may even need additional luggage as time moves along. Overtime, that baggage can get very heavy, and it can actually prevent us from really getting the most out of our future relationships, as well as life in general. So, at some point, you should really ask yourself if your past is actually determining your future.

How does the past determine the future? It can actually happen in a wide variety of ways. For example, if we have been lied to or cheated on by someone that we loved and trusted, we most often develop trust issues. We tend to pack that hurt up, and carry it right along with us into the next relationship. When we do this, it harms that next relationship right from the beginning, and the relationship won't even be given the chance to reach its highest potential.
To get the most out of your life, and your relationships, start by mentally opening that suitcase and unpacking it. Examine each hurt, and instead of looking at all of the negatives associated with it, instead try to see how something positive came out of it. For example, if you were hurt in your last relationship, but you are now with a wonderful new person, you should realize that if the previous relationship had not ended, you wouldn't be with the person you are now with. If you were fired from a job, but now have a better job, you may not be working in that new position if you had not been fired. For every negative, there is almost always a positive, if you look for it.
Now, take a look at the present. Is there anything that you are not going after with full force? Maybe it is a job, a relationship, or a business deal. What is stopping you? Is it something from your past? If so, what is it from your past that is stopping you from moving forward? Once you realize what past event is stopping you from moving ahead now, you can deal with that past issue in your mind, do away with it, and get the ball rolling.
Again, we all get hurt at some point in our lives. The question is, are you going to allow that hurt to keep reverberating throughout your life? Let it go, and you will be amazed at how much happier you are, how much better you feel, in the physical sense, and how much more opportunity comes your way in the present, and in the future. Are you ready to unpack your emotional baggage?
To read all of the article you can go Here:

The parable of the Two Lamps

 I heard this story in church today, I have heard it before but loved the simple message that it brought.

The Parable of Two Lamps by James E. Talmage

Among the material things of the past—things that I treasure for sweet memory’s sake and because of pleasant association in bygone days—is a lamp. …

The lamp of which I speak, the student lamp of my school and college days, was one of the best of its kind. I had bought it with hard-earned savings; it was counted among my most cherished possessions. …

One summer evening I sat musing studiously and withal restfully in the open air outside the door of the room in which I lodged and studied. A stranger approached. I noticed that he carried a satchel. He was affable and entertaining. I brought another chair from within, and we chatted together till the twilight had deepened into dusk, the dusk into darkness.

Then he said: “You are a student and doubtless have much work to do of nights. What kind of lamp do you use?” And without waiting for a reply, he continued, “I have a superior kind of lamp I should like to show you, a lamp designed and constructed according to the latest achievements of applied science, far surpassing anything heretofore produced as a means of artificial lighting.”

I replied with confidence, and I confess, not without some exultation: “My friend, I have a lamp, one that has been tested and proved. It has been to me a companion through many a long night. It is an Argand lamp, and one of the best. I have trimmed and cleaned it today; it is ready for the lighting. Step inside; I will show you my lamp; then you may tell me whether yours can possibly be better.”

We entered my study room, and with a feeling which I assume is akin to that of the athlete about to enter a contest with one whom he regards as a pitiably inferior opponent, I put the match to my well-trimmed Argand.

My visitor was voluble in his praise. It was the best lamp of its kind, he said. He averred that he had never seen a lamp in better trim. He turned the wick up and down and pronounced the adjustment perfect. He declared that never before had he realized how satisfactory a student lamp could be.

I liked the man; he seemed to me wise, and he assuredly was ingratiating. “Love me, love my lamp,” I thought, mentally paraphrasing a common expression of the period.

“Now,” said he, “with your permission I’ll light my lamp.” He took from his satchel a lamp then known as the “Rochester.” It had a chimney which, compared with mine, was as a factory smokestack alongside a house flue. Its hollow wick was wide enough to admit my four fingers. Its light made bright the remotest corner of my room. In its brilliant blaze my own little Argand wick burned a weak, pale yellow. Until that moment of convincing demonstration, I had never known the dim obscurity in which I had lived and labored, studied and struggled.

“I’ll buy your lamp,” said I; “you need neither explain nor argue further.” I took my new acquisition to the laboratory that same night and determined its capacity. It turned at over 48 candlepower—fully four times the intensity of my student lamp.

Two days after purchasing, I met the lamp peddler on the street about noontime. To my inquiry he replied that business was good; the demand for his lamps was greater than the factory supply. “But,” said I, “you are not working today?” His rejoinder was a lesson. “Do you think that I would be so foolish as to go around trying to sell lamps in the daytime? Would you have bought one if I had lighted it for you when the sun was shining? I chose the time to show the superiority of my lamp over yours, and you were eager to own the better one I offered, were you not?”

Such is the story. Now consider the application of a part, a very small part, thereof.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” [Matt. 5:16].

The man who would sell me a lamp did not disparage mine. He placed his greater light alongside my feebler flame, and I hasted to obtain the better.

I think what I love the most about this story is that he got to know the man to whom he was selling to first, and he became his friend, sincerely cared about him. Plus, he praised the lamp that the man already had, he did not try to be little his lamp, and then he simply shared his light! I think that is what Christ meant in the scripture Matt 5 :16 when He counseled us to share our light and good works with others.

 I was a full time missionary for our church ( The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ),30 some years ago.  People asked me back then...why I would leave my family for a couple of years to serve a mission? The answer was simple, I felt like I had been blessed my whole life because of my relationship with the Savior, it has made all the difference in the world to me and my family. I was excited to share that with others (who may not have had the opportunity to know Jesus Christ or understand what it would feel like to follow Him).
 I am  proud to be a Mormon, although most of my life I have been judged harshly because of it. I am always amazed how people judge something hard, especially if they no nothing about it. But I have many friends of all different beliefs. I think they know that I am very respectful of what they believe, and as long as we can love and respect each other then life is good. But I did have a lady once asked me why I am so happy? And right when I started to open my mouth she said " and don't tell me it has to do with God or anything like that". I closed my mouth, because she really didn't want to know what made me happy and I couldn't lie, it had everything to do with God and His Son Jesus Christ, but that is not what she wanted to hear.
 I do think that many of us need to share our light with those in the world who are so caught up in the world that they can't see anything except what they own or what problems they have. It doesn't take having the TV on the news for 5 minutes, to realize there are a lot of people out there, really struggling in the darkness and don't know how to find peace or hope of any kind. For those of us who do believe, may we all be more willing and ready to share that light with others. That is the challenge I got today in church and I am grateful for it!

To learn more about what I believe you can go HERE:
Good night dear friends!

Miracles happen every day!

Loved this article my Jason Wright, hope you enjoy it. Good night dear friends!

---

July 10, 2012
Stranded RV presents unusual late-night miracle!
 
I like to think of the sun as an old-school deliveryman. Each day he delivers a gift. Sometimes you open it in the morning and discover the contents immediately. Other days you don't know what it looks like until just before your eyes fall closed and you drift into the warm waiting place for the next day's gift.
Those days are my favorite.
Last week I drove five other friends on a beautiful 90-minute trip to Petersburg, W.Va. We were headed to present a fireside on missionary work.
The hours leading up to the program were nothing special. It was a perfectly fine day, just like the day before and the day after. There were no hints of an experience that would become foundational to my understanding of the art of service.
After the program, we stopped for a long dinner at a Chinese buffet and lounged in the sweet spirit of the night. After, we drove back to the car-pool point and said our goodbyes in a gravel parking lot at the edge of the freeway. Three left immediately for other commitments, and the other three of us took our time parting ways.
Then, without warning, the day's gift was finally opened.
We were startled by footsteps crunching through the gravel and coming from the direction of the freeway ramp. A man's voice cut through the thick 10 p.m. air. "Does anyone have jumper cables for my RV?"
I didn't have time to consider whether I did or not. Josh Golden, one of the two remaining with me, was halfway to his car. He returned with cables and led us to the stranded RV at the top of the exit.
The young man and his sweet girlfriend were returning from having purchased the old RV hundreds of miles away in southern Virginia earlier that day. They were 30 miles from home when the battery died and their journey came to an abrupt halt at the exit that would take them down the rural two-lane highway to their hometown in West Virginia.
I pulled my vehicle up to face theirs and while we waited for the batteries to shake hands, the couple detailed how many passed by in the night and ignored the flashing hazard lights and their calls for help.
It didn't take long to determine that their battery needed more than a charge, it needed a memorial service and a replacement.
The other friend still hanging around for the adventure, Stephen Funk, suggested we drive them to the nearest Walmart. Never mind that he wakes at 5 a.m. to commute 90 miles to the Washington, D.C., metro area for work each day. Never mind that the couple protested in awe of his generous offer. They learned that night what I've always known: Never say "no" to the Funk.
We loaded into my SUV and made the 15-mile trek to the nearest Walmart. We learned their names, Alexor, Joelle and Gi-Gi the RV. We talked about our respective religions, families and interests. The charismatic couple couldn't have been more gracious.
In the store, we picked up sparklers to celebrate with in the event Gi-Gi fired up with her new battery. At the register, Alexor removed a coffee can full of cash to pay for the battery and Funk and I felt the spirit of service pull out our own wallets. While they were distracted counting money, we were already signing the receipt and carrying the battery away from the register.
Back at the dark exit ramp, with the new battery wedged into place, Gi-Gi's tired engine honored Lazarus and roared to life. It was nearly midnight, and the grateful couple said their goodbyes and rumbled away. Before their taillights disappeared into the dark, Gi-Gi honked her own thankful goodbye.
Though the night soon ended, days later the teaching moment ticks on.
I've considered how often I speak about the Seventeen Second Miracle concept in schools around the country. I talk about how lives can be changed in just a few seconds if our eyes are simply open to opportunities to serve. The more I teach the concept, the more I learn how easy it is to have my eyes constantly searching for life's convenient service moments.
A door needs to be opened. A friend needs a patient ear. A co-worker needs a few dollars for lunch.
But what about when the opportunities are more involved and require greater sacrifice? Do my eyes squint so I might miss them? Do I avoid the big miracles and make myself feel better by performing every small one that comes my way?
Most days begin with a humble promise that if heaven puts an opportunity to serve in my path, I'll take it. Many of you do the same. But on a dark and dusty highway ramp, I learned that all too often I'm seeing the small ones, though also important, and reacting too slow when the moments are bigger than my to-do list.
The irony is not lost on me. On a night we traveled away from home to teach about missionary work, my friends taught with action.
Yes, each day the sun delivers a gift. Sometimes you open it in the morning and discover the contents immediately. Other days you don't know what it looks like until you're standing in the night saying goodbye to friends and feeling good about all you've done that day.
Those days are my favorite.
Read more of Jason's writings HERE:

Life is a journey!

Finding Peace

Jeff and I have 5 friends that are really going through some tough challenges right now. We pray for them, send cards of encouragement and hope, but realize ...as it is for all of us, that they have to find their own PEACE. I wish it was something that you could send in a letter or package. Something you could drop off at their door, but it isn't.
 Finding Peace in the midst of a huge trial in your life is hard to do. The fear sets in and seems to take over almost all of your rational thoughts, it is all consuming and it seems to darken any light that is in your world at that time. So where and how do we find Peace? Many people have asked me that when they have just started to face their abuse, or when they are first diagnosed with Cancer.
I am more than willing to share where I believe the PEACE comes from. In the Bible in John 14 :18 the Savior promises us that He will not leave us comfortless, and I know personally that He keeps that promise! I was reading an article about this very subject today and I will share bits of it with you.
In the book of Isaiah in the Bible we read where the Savior was " a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" ( Isaiah 53:3 ). I personally realized also that the Savior truly understood what I was going through and would know how to help me. I can't deny the PEACE I have received from Him on many dark and lonely nights, when the rest of the world seemed to be asleep. That is when I seemed to struggle the most, when Jeff was asleep, when I couldn't call my kids or friends, and when I was alone with my thoughts; that was a very fearful and scary time. But when I would get on my knees and pray for peace, for confirmation that I really wasn't alone, that my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really were there willing and ready to help me, it was then... that the PEACE came. I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that the Lord would take care of me and my family. I knew He knew, and understood my worries and that no matter what...what was suppose to be ...would be.
I also knew that if cancer was going to be the way that I died, then some how...some way...Jeff and my family would be taken care of. That brought me great PEACE and it brought me closer to Jesus Christ than I have ever been. I can not deny that I have struggled many times in my life, but I have never been alone ( unless I chose to be ). I know personally that just like the Savior said in John 14:27, that He would give us PEACE, and not the type of peace that the world knows. But the type of PEACE that calms your heart, that pushes out fear and that let's you sleep at night. The type of PEACE that you are grateful for each day! Yes, I have found PEACE many times, but they all have been from the same source...Jesus Christ and for that I am eternally grateful!
Good night dear friends!

To read the full article you can go HERE:

"In the most difficult circumstances of life, there is often only one source of peace. The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, extends His grace with the invitation, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28)."  ~Donald L. Hallstrom, 

"Our families need the peace of God in their lives, and if we

can't or won't invite the Lord into our lives, then our families

become a reflection of our own turmoil. Women are asked to be nurturers to

their families, but we must also be firm; we must be the hard rock footings

on which our homes can stand. Our families need us to speak peace to them." ~Kathleen H. Hughes

I finally reached my GOAL!

 Today I received my life time membership at Weight Watchers! I got a gold little key to put on my key chain and a congratulations on staying at my goal for 6 weeks. Plus, I no longer have to pay as I continue to keep my goal weight I know that isn't huge mile marker but....in my mind it really was. I felt empowered to do some things I haven't done in a while. I felt good that I stayed committed to it, I liked the feeling when someone notices it and tells me how nice I look. I like the way my clothes fit and I like probably the most, the good thoughts about myself that comes from it, especially since they seem to push out the bad thoughts more and more each day. I feel healthier and as a cancer survivor, that is huge to me, to make healthy choices. I actually have always been a pretty healthy eater but...now I am more conscience about the amounts and value of the food. So for me to receive my lifer status was big today, and I feel happy and very grateful that I was able to reach my goal.

So thank you Shirley and everyone else who has inspired me, encouraged me along the way! I couldn't have done it without you!

"Success is not a race, be patient.
Success leads to success.
Success is always a work in progress.
Success doesn't come to you--you go to it.
Success is a journey, not a destination. Focus on the process.
Some people dream about success... while others wake up and work hard at it.
Success is achieved and maintained by those who try-and keep trying.
Everyday is a good day to SUCCEED!
If at first you don't succeed-try, try again"

" I wake up every day with the realization that this is it, that there's only one shot at this life and I can either enjoy the ride and live it to its fullest and to my highest potential or I can stay the way I am."

Quilts!

From the time I was young, I always loved quilts. I can always remember sleeping under them at my Grandmothers house. I even remember Grandma and my Aunt Ina working on quilts together, they really enjoyed it.  My other grandmother as she got older went legally blind, but still she would ask us to pick up material for her and then a blanket for the backs. She would cut ( with scissors only ) and Hand Stitch each one. Then she would add on the back and some decorative stitch on the front. These quilts gave her something to do on those long days and nights when she couldn't do anything else. She couldn't read, watching the TV was getting harder and she couldn't garden any more ( one of her big loves ) and so she quilted. There is something healing in the art of quilting, both for the quilter and those who it was made for.

Quilts are also very comforting and safe to be under!  That is why I keep quilting!

How grateful I am to teach at the Quilt Shop!

HERE IS A QUILT PAINTED ON AN OLD BARN IN WEST VIRGINIA

THIS QUILT WAS DESIGNED FOR A DEAR FRIEND WHO WAS GOING THROUGH A GREAT LOSS IN HER LIFE

THIS QUILT WAS DESIGNED FOR OUR FIRST GRANDSON!

 

THIS ONE WAS DESIGNED FOR A DEAR FRIEND!

THIS QUILT WAS DESIGNED FOR A SAMPLE IN THE QUILT SHOP, BUT LAUREN HAS TAGGED THIS ONE!

THIS QUILT IS ANOTHER ONE I DESIGNED FOR THE QUILT SHOP LAST YEAR, IT'S 3-D!

One Stitch at a Time

By Ruth Y. Nott

Friendships are made one stitch at a time.

A feeling of comfort so hard to define,

Like a fine old quilt is soft and warm,

Friendships enfold and then conform.

Friendships surround, yet set us free

So each person can be what she must be.

Together they grow and soon both find

That friendships are made one stitch at a time!

Now the house is too quiet!

Well, my heart is hurting tonight. This Motherhood and Grand-motherhood stuff, is definitely NOT for sissies! One minute you are heart broken because all of your kids have grown up and moved away. The house almost echos because of it's emptiness. Then our heart finally gets used to it and then Jeff and I really started enjoying our Empty Nester's status. Just as we started getting to know each other again and enjoying that free time, one child moves back in. Glad to have them back but a bit hard to adjust again. Then your older and married kids, buy a home and need to stay with us for a few weeks until they can move in. 

The house is no longer EMPTY or SILENT, matter of fact with two little ones running around, you can hardly think. Still having the girls here was wonderful, chaotic but wonderful. I loved getting up every morning to their little sweet faces and hugs. I loved kissing them good night and so today they finally got their home. I spent the whole day there and by evening Jeff came up, so we could at least help them get a bit of order to their mess. We got beds up, some of the stuff in the girl's room organized and their kitchen up. Got the kitchen stuff put away and most of the linens. It was fun to see them finally have their first home and what a beautiful home it is!  But still I am already sad when I came home to such a silent house! My poor heart can't take this! :)

Then we got this photo from Aunt Lauren today with her little Kai! She is the only one in the family who hadn't met Kai yet. Since she was finishing up her semester at college, we had her get a ride to California so that she could see her brother, sister-in-law and meet her new little nephew!

He is growing up so fast, and we are already having a hard time that we can't see and hold him more often.

Nana is missing this sweet face and hope that some how we can still stay in close touch... so he knows how much Nana and Poppa miss him! But for now we will let Aunt Lauren get her time with our little Kai!
Yes, even though Jeff and I are excited to have a bit more time for ourselves, we have to admit...these little ones have taken a strong hold on our hearts, and we feel blessed. Blessed to have a family that is so crazy about each other, that is what type of family...I always dreamed of!
Good night dear friends!


“There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained”    Winston Churchill 

 “Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.”   ~ Mary H. Waldrip

  "A happy family is but an earlier heaven."   ~ John Bowring

Miracles

 Tonight at church we had a Fireside in which Steve Bramwell ( former U. W. physician ) and his wife Linda told the miracles that have effected their lives. I took notes, but found an article about the crash in the Seattle Times and so I have added that link.
Basically 22 years ago they were in an air plane crash and he was seriously injured, you can read more from part of the article below or go to the link to read it all.
The highlights of inspiration for me were these points..
--We all will have moments that matter in our lives, the point is we have to be in the right frame of mind to see them.
--We have learned at our age, if we wake up without any aches or pains...we must be dead!
--Where we want to go and where the Lord end's up taking your in your life, may be two separate places, His choice is better.
--I had help near the end, I knew I was no longer in control of the plane, had I been we probably would have landed in a different place and died.
--Miracles are real and there are many through out our lives happening each day, though we may not recognize them.
--We realized that God is an active part of our lives
--My answers to why this happened, didn't come immediately but they did come and they taught us great lessons
--We now realize that God knows best
--We seem to know grow more when we are under stress and strain.
--Obedience to God's commandments can be a huge blessing in our lives
--After the accident our priorities changed quite a bit
At the end they both said "May the moments in your life, be moments with God, because He is in control!
What a neat meeting. What a neat testimony to having faith and hope. Just what I needed tonight. Hope you enjoyed it too! Good night dear friends!


 “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein

Miracles fell like flakes of snow as Bramwell sat strapped in his pilot seat, hurled about 50 feet from where his twin-engine plane had crashed.
His face was shattered, his ribs and teeth broken, his lungs pierced.
Amazingly, his wife, Linda, walked away from the crash, down a hill to a road where she ran into Weyerhaeuser crews working in the area. Within two hours Bramwell was air-lifted to Harborview Medical Center.
He looks back now at the crash, and knows all odds were against survival.
His plane spun crazily out of control as it dropped 5,000 feet, blown from the sky by a monstrous downdraft.
"The odds of surviving the stall were 10,000-to-1," Bramwell said. "Then my wife came up to try to help me and saw through a hole in the clouds the side of a mountain we were headed for. I never would have seen it."
After 20 minutes of full-powered flying through clouds and mountain tops, the six-passenger Piper Navajo ran out of gas. Bramwell was gliding the plane as it broke through the clouds over a forest near Enumclaw.
He went for a clear-cut area. The plane slid through a freshly cut area, stopping as it hit a stump. Luckily, it missed larger trees and stopped before it cartwheeled down a steep ridge.
"Most people who crash in the mountains in the snow aren't found for quite a while," Bramwell said. "The Weyerhaeuser people weren't supposed to be working there that day. We were the recipients of a miracle."
Bramwell had to start over. He set goals, many known only to him. Surgically, his face was rebuilt, new palates, eye sockets, sinus cavities. He left the hospital with 13 plates in his head.
"I remember walking out of intensive care after two weeks and realizing how good it was to smell fresh air," he said. "I've tried to appreciate things more. You do that when you have a second chance."
Bramwell set a goal of making it to last year's Rose Bowl. Although the process was painful, he said being in Southern California around the team was therapeutic. Then he wanted to be back at work for spring practice.
For weeks, he couldn't stand up long enough to perform the most simple operation.
"Fatigue and focus, those were my concerns," he said. "Could I concentrate long enough at the task at hand?"
He practiced surgery like he had catching passes as a kid. Then he assisted in operations. Finally he was ready.
"There was never a doubt in my mind he could do it," Brunell said of the operation. "I was very glad he was there."
So were a lot of others, including the doc himself.
Got the information HERE:

What I should have said!

I was talking to a co worker the other day and I said ( after seeing yet another beautiful quilt that she had just designed and made ) that I really envied her. Now, on more than one occasion, I have said something in the wrong context. After looking up the word and reading the synonyms, I realized that is not what I meant at all. I am not jealous, and I do not want to take away something that she has. I don't begrudge her, because I know she has worked a long time to get where she is. And I am not unhappy or resentful because of her talents.
I thought more about this conversation I had with my friend after reading an article about the parable in the scripture Matthew chapter 20. The article pointed out some neat observations and so I am going to share them with you. Now many of you know the story, it is where the householder "went out early in the morning to hire labourers." After employing the first group at 6:00 in the morning, he returned at 9:00 a. m., at 12:00 noon, and at 3:00 in the afternoon, hiring more workers as the urgency of the harvest increased. The scripture says he came back a final time, "about the eleventh hour" (approximately 5:00 p.m.), and hired a concluding number. Then just an hour later, all the workers gathered to received their day's wage. Surprisingly, all received the same wage in spite of the different hours of labor. Immediately, those hired first were angry, saying, "These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day." When reading this parable, perhaps you, as well as those workers have felt there was an injustice being done here.
Then the author goes on to, go over some of the things we might not have seen when we first read the parable, such as...
1st... It is important to understand that no one has been treated unfairly here. The first workers agreed to the full wage of the day, and they received it. As for the last workers to be hired, probably were the most discouraged, for not being able to be picked to work except for an hour. Still they accepted it without even knowing the wage, probably knowing that anything is better than nothing. How blessed they must have felt when they got a full day's wages. What compassion the householder had on them.
Then he goes on to talk about ..that there will be times when someone else will get an unexpected blessing  and it is important for us not to be upset or hurt and certainly not to feel envious---"So lesson number one from the Lord's vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live."
Last he reminds us that" this parable ---like all parables--- is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God's goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Savior's concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there."
To read the whole article you can go HERE:




So, what I should have said to my talented friend was ..."I really admire your talent and could only hope to learn how to do that some day, you do an amazing job! " Why is it, I always think too late... of what I SHOULD HAVE SAID? Oh well, it was a great lesson learned! Good night dear friends!


“Use those talents you have. You will make it. You will give joy to the world. Take this tip from nature: The woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except those who sang best.” ~Bernard Meltzer

Words to live by!

All these words mean a lot to me, they daily remind me who I need to be, what I need to do and what I can become! Yes, these truly are... Words to live by:

What matters most...

 How well you lived. 

How well you loved. 

How well you let go!

 

Words to remember when life is tough...

"You never know how STRONG you are

until being STRONG is the only

choice you have"

Words that heal...

I am sorry, I love you, I need you, I forgive you!

Words that make you happy...

Thanks, please, Momma, Nana, Miss you!

Words to remember when things go wrong...

"If plan A  fails, 

remember that you have 25 

letters left!"

Words hopefully that you will never say to your kids:

"Sometimes courage skips a generation!"

"Whatever you are, be a good one."  ~ Abraham Lincoln

Residual?

I was talking to Jeff the other night on our walk about some struggles I am still having with my self image. Even though I have lost 19 pounds with Weight Watchers and have kept that off for 5 weeks during my maintenance, still because I am no longer losing, I am struggling with what I see in the mirror. I talked to my Weight Watchers teacher about it, and she gave me some ideas on how to work on that. But I think that Jeff said it the best when he said " Lynn, you have come so far from your past and childhood, but still I think it is only natural to have some left over RESIDUAL... that you will have to keep working on from time to time." After looking up the word...

What does Residual mean?

Something left after other parts have been taken away

 I believe it is so true, these photos that I took while back in West Virginia prove that...

 This is a photo of my home where I lived from the time I was born till the age of 10.
 

 The good memories... that was my Aunt Ina's home, we lived with her. She was really like a Mother to me, she protected me as much as she could. I spent a lot of time in the attic apartment where she lived. My grandmother Johnson lived right across the street a few doors down and her home was a safe place for me.
Bad memories... That was the home where my other grandparents came and visited a lot. My grandfather picked me up from this home. There was also a lot of racial conflict at the time 1960's and so there were riots and a lot of things like that going on, especially at night.

 This is a photo of the building that used to be my Elementary School



 
Good memories...my best friend Kathy and I had a lot of fun together
Bad memories... I didn't do well at school and because of my abuse, paying attention to school was the last thing on my mind. So it was a place of huge stress! I seemed to survive in Art and Gym and that was about it. It also had a lot of racial problems in the school between the kids too, so daily I seemed to be in a fight before, during or after school.

  Ritter park, a park near our home.

 
Good memories...Jeff and I spent a lot of time here on our dates! We came here as college students and hung out and played tennis. After Jeff and I were married and Amy was born. We had her Birthday party here.
Bad memories...this is the park where we had my Grandfather's family reunions some time, not fun!

 This is a Root Beer and Hot dog place that we went to, it is a Drive In.

Good memories...it was always fun and I remembered how good the Root beer was. I especially remember how fun it was being in the car together as a family and doing something fun.

Bad memories...none really other than it was in West Virginia!
So I guess it it true, life is full of thoughts, memories, fears and concerns. I am grateful that I have lost the extra weight, and I do sometimes look in the morning and see a healthier Lynn and one who looks more accepting. Still there are days that I look in the mirror and see someone opposite of that. So, I guess that means I still have some residual left and so I will continue to work on that each day! Life is hard but I do personally know, it is worth it! Thanks for going down MEMORY LANE with me tonight! :)

"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. " Charles Dudley Warner

Christmas starts in July!

 Yes, I know it is only July 17th, but I have been working for weeks on my Christmas project for work. I am going to start the 12 Days of Christmas kick off tomorrow and I am so excited. I just loved going today and setting up the shop with my little Christmas area, which will also include my Christmas clock that chimes Christmas songs each hour!  Last year I did the 12 days of Christmas in a row ( except for Sundays ) and even though that was fun, it about killed me physically and mentally...that was a ton of work. So this year we got a bit wiser and decided if I taught 2 each month ...starting in July, then we would be able to have all 12 done by Christmas.
I know it sounds early but...for those of us who like to make homemade Christmas gifts, July is the perfect time, just 6 months till Christmas. Can't write a lot tonight because...I have got to go and sew some more, Santa's workshop is a busy place you know. Will have all my projects up and in my blog at the end of each month at   www.mandieandmedesigns.com

So good night dear friends!
The Story of Christmas Stockings
One version of the legend says that long ago a poor old man without money for the weddings of his three beautiful daughters was approaching death. He worried about their futures.

Saint Nicholas was passing through town, heard about this situation, and wanted to help, but knew the man would not accept charity.

So that evening after everyone was sleeping, he peered through the window and saw the girls' stockings hanging on the mantelpiece to dry. He crept down the chimney and dropped 3 bags of gold coins into the stockings.

The father and daughters awoke the next morning, amazed and joyful. And so, the girls were married and lived happily ever after.

In Europe, this legend fueled the custom of hanging Christmas stockings. Children would hang their stockings or put out shoes for St. Nick to fill with gifts. As time went on, specially decorated Christmas stockings were put out and the custom lives on.

	"Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."  ~Oren Arnold
	Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.  ~ Calvin Coolidge
	"Christmas is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." Dale Evans

Starting over!

   Starting over, well it seems like some times that is what you do in life...start over or start again! I sorta feel like that is what I am doing again with my body. I have been going the past couple of years to a spine specialist and as many of you know...she is amazing! She has helped me get back to living quite a bit these past two years. She had actually graduated me ( so to speak ) because I was getting so much better, then...I was in a car accident and got rear ended. Now my back and neck started hurting every day again and I am back to my chiropractor who is ...amazing also.
   I have worried so many times in my life, when one doctor or healer is no longer available for whatever reason, like they moved or had a baby or whatever, my concern has always been what we I do now, who will know how to help me. One time when I was telling Jeff, what am I going to do? Who will I go to? He just smiled and said " Sweetheart, you have always been taken care of. You always have the right person or Doctor come along at the right time, this won't be any different, you will be fine!"
   I need to remember that Starting Over is just a part of life and the key is to have faith that you will be lead to the right person at the right time. That is just all part of the learning process. But today I felt like we are beginning again and for that... I am grateful.
Thanks for always being there dear friends.
Good night!
 
"So it's like starting over again, but I look forward to the challenge. "
Lee Majors

"There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk."
Jean-Paul Sartre

Kindness matters

 I just love articles like this. Kindness does matter. Obviously this little girl was taught that in her home! Way to go Mary, you are making a big difference in the world at such a young age!

 Middle school er creates program to reward acts of kindness

July 9, 2012
Mary Krieger wanted to see students rewarded for doing good, not only punished for their bad behavior. The middle school er started a program to reward acts of kindness and even funded it with her own money.
The program takes place at West Middle School. When teachers notice a student performing a random act of kindness, they are entitled to reward them with random prizes and $10 gift cards. The idea is to give students an incentive to be kind and they will be kind.
Krieger did not have a lot of money to fund the program. She told her parents to put any birthday money she was given into the fund. She also asked friends and family to make small donations of $5-$10, which ended up totaling around $600.
"We don’t really have much money, but even at that I can already look around and see that already I have too much stuff that I don’t really need," said Krieger. "I wanted to try to give back and give to someone else."
Mary took the idea and money and proposed it to her school principal, who loved the idea. Her only request was to remain anonymous. She did not want anyone to know it was her behind the program.
Added Mary, "When I did get to see the change, it was probably the best feeling that I ever had. Because that was one of the things I wanted for my birthday, and I would actually get to see the difference and see the kids with the smiles on their faces. It just put a smile on my face."
Mary will attend High School next year and hopes the program will remain at West Middle.
Found the article HERE:


 
"We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. " ~C. S. Lewis
 

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."  ~Aesop

  "No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. " ~Buddha

marriage

I loved this quote, so true!
 "Let the wife make her husband glad to come home and let him make her sorry to see him leave"  ~ Martin Luther
 It takes a lot of work to have a happy marriage. It has been 30 years for us, and every day we learn something new. We have had so many ups and downs but I think that is the journey of it all.

Today I sewed most of the day, no not any more tissue covers, but stuff for work. Then I started cleaning some, I realized at 2:00 pm I still had my jammies on ( but at least they were cute jammies:). Then later we headed off to a wedding reception and then ended up with our Date Night. Jeff and I have some dear friends who just got diagnosed with Cancer stage 4 this past week. Even though it was a diagnosis with just the wife, we all know that it is a disease that effects all of our loved ones. Jeff and I have seemed to held each other a bit tighter this week, forgiven each other quicker and prayed each day for them; and also a prayer of gratitude that we still have each other. Yes, life is nothing to take for granted.
Good night dear friends!

For more of Lauren's photography go HERE:

"Love is what makes two people sit in the middle of a bench, even if there is plenty of room at both ends"

"If you do it right, it will last forever"

Making more tissue holders

This is the next book I want to get. I am giving a lesson about this very thing tomorrow night at a Girl's Camp, and making 100 tissue holders for it!  This seems to always be the topic that I am asked to speak on why? Probably because I have felt all of these feeling more than once in my life and each time I found Hope in the Savior. So grateful for that knowledge and the lessons learned!.

Here is Angie, helping me unwrap all the 100 packages of tissues. We practiced her counting at the same time, see you could say it is a little Sweat Shop in my house OR ...you could say what a great Nana I am, to help her with  her counting!!!!

Good night dear friends!

“Jesus suffered deeply because He loves us deeply! He wants us to repent and be converted so that He can fully heal us.

“When sore trials come upon us, it’s time to deepen our faith in God, to work hard, and to serve others. Then He will heal our broken hearts. He will bestow upon us personal peace and comfort. Those great gifts will not be destroyed, even by death.” ~Russell M. Nelson

53 and still counting!

Today was my 53rd birthday! It was a beautiful day in the 80s and just gorgeous all the way around! Couldn't have ordered a better day. The girls got up and helped Amy make me a great healthy breakfast then I headed off to work. I love my job, I love the women I teach and the ones I work with. I feel blessed to have a job like this. Then I headed to Weight Watchers for my weigh in... I hit my 16 weeks mark today, that was great present. Next Amy made dinner for us, and then we went out to Yogurt Land for a small treat and then Jeff and I finished up my birthday with our 2 mile walk. What a wonderful birthday!

So, what really made it so special was all the phone calls, emails, Facebook messages, visits and cards, hugs and kisses! How could one person have so many special people in their lives, I am truly blessed. So here is my quote for each of you dear friends and family!

And here is the quote that I need to remember each day!

Good night dear friends!

Life is too short to...

Wanted to write something profound tonight, but I am hurting pretty bad with my back. So I thought I would share this happy thought with you instead.  Good night dear friends!

What cancer CANNOT do!

When my sister-in-law and I were back in West Virginia, we decided to visit some of the places around my home when I was a child. The first place was a little red brick church that we attended. It is now (as you can tell by the sign) a whole different church but at the time, I had some fond memories made in that sweet little red brick church. It was there every Sunday that I went with my family to worship, and it was there that things that I was taught at home were emphasized.

 The reason I showed this photo to you tonight was because I think it is vital to have FAITH in your life. I am grateful to have been taught as a child that I had a Heavenly Father who loved me and a Savior Jesus Christ who through His sacrifice, made it possible for all of us to be resurrected and lived again after this life with our family and friends. Knowing that even as a child, made a huge difference on the choices that I made...ones that I believe literally saved my life.  Having a Faith and a Hope, is vital in surviving this life and all the trials that come with it.

In the last 3 weeks we have had 3 friends of ours, diagnosed with Cancer. It has been hard to hear the news to watch the fear in their eyes and the sadness that it has brought with it. I am glad though as I have talked to them, to hear that they have great faith, even though it seems to be tested lately. That is what is going to hold them through this. Just like my faith was strengthened in this little red brick church and my home, it is important I believe... to teach our kids at a young age, so they will have what they need to not only survive but thrive in life!

I know that I have put this poem on my blog on more than one occasion but I think it is important to remember what Cancer Cannot do, that is empowering when you not only read it but believe it!

 My prayers go out to my dear friends and their families. May we all never take a moment, a day, a smile, a hug or a loved one for granted. Life is too precious to do so.  So with that, I would like to tell each of you how much you mean to me in my life! I hope you know that! Thanks for all the love and support you have shown me and my family. It has made a huge difference in our lives! Good night dear friends!

What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited....
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.
Author Unknown

"That is eternal life! It fulfills the deepest longings of the human soul---the natural yearning for endless association with beloved members of one's family"  ~ Russell M. Nelson

 "True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost."- Charles Caleb Colton
 

Waiting!

   I love Sundays, maybe because they have always been our family day. No matter if we have had a non- stop and busy week, we always knew we would be together on Sunday. I have to say, I do realize I get more homesick for my kids who live away from home, on Sundays too.
    I think though the best thing about Sundays is I get my spiritual batteries recharged. I feel like we are focused on what really matters in life, and that makes the coming week a lot easier to handle and prepare for.
   One principle that I learned today was about Waiting, particularly about Waiting on the Lord. It was an article that I was reading which talked about how important it is to wait upon the Lord. The scripture that was mentioned was Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings on eagles;they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint"
Still, it seems as if we all think of waiting as a time of anxiety and anticipation. Some times we get frustrated and impatient when we have to wait. I think many times we all might feel that way, but especially when things are hard and painful. During those trials, time seems to stand still, is that the type of waiting that Isaiah was talking about? The Hebrew word translated as wait also means "hope for" and "anticipate"
   When you think of it that way, then it makes more sense. If you believe that you are a child of God, that He is literally our Heavenly Father who loves us, then we can know that everything that happens...happens for a reason. Some of the greatest lessons I have learned in my life...have come from some of the hardest things I ever had to do; and many times after waiting for what seemed a long time before I understood their meaning or purpose. But I had a strong faith and hope that things would work out. There were many times I had to wait to know why I went through some of the hard lessons that I did. When I think of waiting and hoping for the Lord to help me become equal to the test is a whole lot better, than blaming others for my problems or always asking the Lord " Why me?" over and over again. I think changing our attitude and learning to wait upon the Lord, truly believing He will never leave us alone or let us down, is a whole lot better and a more positive way to live also.
    I have to admit, when I have waited and gone to my Heavenly Father during my darkest times, He has renewed my strength, I can never deny that, and I am eternally grateful because of it.
Good night dear friends!

  "Never was a faithful prayer lost. Some prayers have a longer voyage than others, but then they return with their richer lading at last, so that the praying soul is a gainer by waiting for an answer."  ~ William Gurnall


  “God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and he can't if you don't dream. In short, he can't if you don't believe.”
~Jeffrey R. Holland
You can read the whole article HERE:

Quality control!

Today at work, I was helping a lady purchase some fabric for her grandchildren. She was having so much fun picking out what she thought each one would like. She also had a new granddaughter on the way, and was purchasing stuff to make her a quilt too! At one point, we didn't have one of the types of fabrics that she wanted ( because as a quilt shop, cotton is usually what we carry ), I suggested that she maybe try one of the chain fabric stores. You should have seen her face," I am not going to go through that much work only to have cheap material" she said and then finished with "I want the these quilts and things I make for my grandchildren to last forever, for their kids and their kids". I just smiled and that is exactly what I thought.
When I was a new quilter, I thought it wouldn't hurt to use cheaper fabric, after all that would keep the cost down. But after I did and spent all that work on it, I was sad that I didn't use a much better fabric. Quality is important! And after working at the quilt shop, I can definitely see and feel the difference in a better quality of fabric. Only the best for my grand babies too!

I remember when I was battling cancer for the first time, when all the decisions were having to be made and I was so scared. It dawned on me that I had to decide if I wanted quality of life, verses some of the other choices. NONE which were guaranteed, but it was something I really had to study out and pray about. Now I am not saying one is right or wrong, but I do think there is a right or wrong for each of us. Not every treatment is right for everyone. You need to know your body well enough, to understand what it needs, that is important. Many women have said to me " well, this is just what I had to do because my Oncologist didn't give me a choice". I am not trying to start trouble, but please remember EVERYONE HAS A CHOICE! Don't get so scared that you can't think or make a decision. Try to at least get to the place where you can study, get second opinions, more information so....you can make the right choice for you, the one that will give you the right Quality of life that you want. Remember it is your body!
Nothing has a guarantee! But, we are suppose to try and figure out what is best for us. Remember YOU are an individual, statistics are scary things when it comes to talking about your health. I believe that our bodies are a gift from God, and it is our responsibility to take care of the them the best way that we can.
So no matter how busy and crazy life gets... remember Quality is important, in your health care choices, with your family, type of friends you have and the life that you want to live,  plus in fabric! :).
 We need to be grateful for each day we wake up and get to keep living, so make sure you have a good quality life and then you will have chosen wisely!
Good night dear friend, it is early to say that but..I am heading out on a date with my husband!

A Happy Aunt Lynn

I have found a lot of happiness in being Aunt Lynn to not only my nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, but all the other children that I have come to know and love. I don't know what it is about these sweet children, but I feel a great love for them, a concern for their welfare. I become attached quite easily and can't seem to get my fill of these little ones in my arms.
This little guy and his family got to spend the 4th of July with us yesterday. We were aching a bit because we didn't have any family with us. Lee and I had a great time with this cute guy, isn't he the sweetest?  I feel grateful that I able to be Aunt Lynn to so many. I wish I could make a double of myself, so I had more time to split up between them all!
Since that isn't possible, I just try to keep in touch and spend at least a little bit of time with this little kids who I love so much. It truly has been a blessing in my life.
And for a person like me, whose heart is missing their own family, I am grateful to have so many friends that seem like they could be ours too!
Good night dear friends!


"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin 

 "Everyone is a friend, until they prove otherwise."