Thicker Than Water

This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with my Uncle Milton and Aunt Thelma in Pennsylvania. I went a few days earlier than I needed to be there, just to have some time with them. I wasn't sure exactly what might be able to do, but one of my dreams was fulfilled when we visited the area of New Jersey where the Hoffmires had lived in the 1700s. It was a great experience to see the church where their babies had been christened and their daughters had married, especially being with someone else who was as interested about such things as I am. I learned a lot about my family this summer. Those living and those who have gone on before.

Striving to Move Forward

It happened again. This week there was a question that I was pondering, not certain with whom to discuss the topic. I usually remember such things during that quiet time between arriving at church and the beginning of Sacrament meeting. I didn't think much about it until I noted that our bishop was one of our speakers today. Sure enough he addressed my concern as clearly as if we had been in a personal interview. I suppose his remarks also answered the questions of others present at the meeting, but I know that he was inspired to also answer my prayers.

His remarks talked about how we can evaluate where we are and where we need to go in order to keep moving forward in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love how our bishop knows his flock. He assured us that if we would work to internalize what we believe and know to be true that we will see our own progress.

Bishop challenged us to Make God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost so real in our lives that we couldn't imagine life without them.

He told us there were three things we could do to expedite this process:

• Study: Know your religion.
• Service: Don't wait to be asked. Be kind. Attend the temple.
• Prayer: Talk to our Heavenly Father and ask for insight and help to refine ourselves and overcome weaknesses.

With all of this we especially need a vision of what we want to become.

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a joy to know that my Heavenly Father loves me.

The Yellow Pad Method of Getting Things Done

A few years ago when my only occupation was genealogy research, I came up with an organization method that worked well for getting the task done. I used yellow pads to keep a research log and notes and tucked the information that I found in the back of the pad for safe keeping. The yellow pages were useful to help me find my notes among the other papers that research has a tendency to collect.

Eventually the yellow pads invaded other parts of my life. They were very useful to keep lists, take notes and such. I keep one with an errands list. Tucked in the back of the pad are the necessary receipts, coupons and such needed to run said errands.

After reading Getting Things Done by David Allen I tried to use the electronic method. It works for my son, but since I don't have an iPhone and don't always have connection on my iPod touch, I just didn't find that it worked well for me. Keeping the paper files diligently labeled with my Brother's labeler has been very successful for me though. My computer case has a pocket designed for keeping files, so it's handy for keeping project files close at hand. But the day to day stuff wasn't happening as efficiently as I had hoped. One day I grabbed a yellow pad. On the left I noted my appointments for a certain time of day. On the right I made of list of the other things that needed to be done. As people talked to me about their needs I made a third list at the bottom of the page. It worked just as well as when I used the method for researching...I was prepared for my appointments, got things done in a sensible method and felt like I wasn't putting out fires all day. When I would run into someone who needed something, I could take a quick look at my list and see how it fit, made myself a note, and the day went much better. I've done this for about a week and have found other benefits. I prefer carrying it to my planner . It only has paper, not important cards, receipts, and identification. When I need to take notes, I'm set. It's yellow, so when I set it down, I can find it easily, especially when I'm working at another person's desk. At the end of the day I have all of the information and notes that I need to complete my paperwork. I love when I've finished everything on a page. I rip it off the pad and joyfully throw it away. Notes that need to be filed away quickly find their place in my file system.

Who would have thought that I could actually find order in this busy life!

So That's What It Looks Like!

It was July 11th, 2006. That was the day that Wasatch Junior High suffered a devastating fire and that was also the last day that I remember seeing my laundry room floor. The reason that I remember the exact date is that Wasatch Junior High just recently reopened for the new school year. The day of the fire Rob called me and I was on the ladder painting the laundry room. So that day, I know that I could see the floor. Since then, it seems as though there were always piles of laundry. Recently it seemed that I had to climb a mountain of dirty clothes, just to get to the washer. But persistence has paid off. Keeping the washing machine full and running every chance possible, I finally found it--the laundry room floor! Tonight after making sure that everyone was busy getting homework done, I found a good Hallmark channel movie and started folding. I also matched the socks. Once kids had homework completed they were attracted to the tv. Then during the commercials the clean, folded laundry was put away. Now to tackle the very large pile of ironing!

Getting Things Done

A few days before the reception, I found a book on the kitchen table entitled, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. I thought it was left there for me by my Dad, always trying to find ways to settle down his rather type A daughter. (Although I hope I've mellowed and been downgraded to an A- in recent years.) Nope, it wasn't my Dad's doing. It was actually a book that Scott was reading. He had told me about his way of getting things done and here was the book.

Somehow I found the time to read some of it that weekend and then took it with me when we went to Zion National Park for a few days. Here were the missing pieces to my getting organized dilemma that Covey and others hadn't been able to solve. This is productivity for a modern age. Organization for geeks.

So I bought a labeller and a huge box of file folders and began the quest to get my life in order. Yes, I'm still a paper/pencil type person, although much of my life is electronic. That's why this art works for me. I've been sleeping a bit better since, now that I have a way to capture all of those things that I want to, have to, and need to get done.

My office is still a little overwhelming, but now that I have a plan I know that it'll get done.

Oh, and I'd better buy my own copy of the book, so Scott can have his back!

The Celebration is Over (but the best is to come!)

March, April, May and June we planned. Then June 23rd I flew to Pennsylvania where Dennis joined me on June 26th. It was June 27th when we joined Michaela at the Manhattan Temple. It was an incredible day! I've wanted to visit that temple since the Cathcarts were missionaries there. Not only is it beautiful, but the spirit was awesome! After a short vacation in Washington, D.C., Dennis and I joined the Layton family with Scott and Michaela for their wedding day, July 2nd, at the Washington, D.C. temple. That was another incredible day!

The very next day we celebrated with a lovely catered dinner in New Jersey at the Layton's home. It was a wonderful evening, too! The food was wonderful. Michaela has a terrific family that we have come to love. The Laytons also have great friends who added much to the festivities.

After a few more days visiting family in Pennsylvania, Dennis and I flew home to get ready for the Utah reception on July 19th. Family flew in and came to visit from all over. It was another fun evening that included family, friends, music, food, dancing and lots of hugs and kisses. How glorious it is to celebrate the beginning of an eternal relationship between two very wonderful children of God!

Family has gone home. The house is quiet again. But the deep love still abides knowing that our family has one more beautiful member. Love you, Michaela!

Another Wedding!

We're so excited around here. Seems that when we go out of town our children get engaged. Oh well, that's fine with me. She's a wonderful girl that we're looking forward to having as a part of our family.

Yippee!

Pictures of our Adventure to Brazil

Our Prophet Has Died

Tonight President Gordon B. Hinckley died at home with his family at the age of 97. It's really not a surprise, especially at his age, but still shocking news. He kept going until Friday when he didn't go into work. I am joyful that he is now with his eternal sweetheart, but how I'll miss him!

When President Hinckley became the 15th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints our family consisted of seven children. So much has happened! Just a week after our youngest was born, President Hinckley spoke at the Salt Lake Boy Scouts of America Scout-A-Rama at the Utah State Fair Park. One of the scouters that I worked with, Tom, knew how things would go that morning, so he led the children and I to a place where we would see President Hinckley as he climbed into the car when he left. It was exciting, overwhelming, to be just a few feet from the prophet of God! He waved at us.

Our family was present at the Sunday morning conference when President Hinckley received the message that the U.S. had bombed Afghanistan. He was very sad that other means could not resolve the issues of the day. We all left that conference session very solemn.

I have loved how we have been invited via satellite to so many temple dedications over the years from Palmyra, Nauvoo, Winter's Quarters, and Bountiful. These experiences helped us to share spiritual moments with our family. Recently he attended our stake conference and many others via satellite. In fact, when I miss him, all I need to do is visit lds.org and click on the archives and will find many videos of his conference and other addresses.

I have also loved his sweet encouragement to "work a little harder and 'be' a little better." His guidance has helped me to keep focused on what is most important in life, living the gospel and caring for my family.

It has been President Hinckley who has let us know that even though the world is in turmoil around us we will find peace in the gospel.

In his honor the youth of the Church are dressing up for school tomorrow. I plan to do the same. I also plan to work a little harder and be a little better each an every day. How grateful I am for a prophet!

An Important Day

It wasn't until I was seated in room A410 in the Harris Fine Arts Center that I understood what I was privileged in witnessing. Before me was my daughter auditioning for the violin studio of the School of Music of Brigham Young University. When it hit me what might happen as a result of that moment, I was overcome with emotion and had to fight to keep from weeping. I often cry when she plays because it is so beautiful, but in a flash at that moment, I saw her life from the time she was that happy baby, to an energetic toddler, to a curious student and a young woman. In my mind, I saw her as a young girl who took up the violin to express so many things she found deep inside. She started lessons much later than some of our other children as our family was quite overwhelmed financially when she was little. I wasn't available to oversee her practicing, as I had her older brothers and sisters, but she didn't need me. She was always quite diligent to practice on her own. In fact, even after getting home late from a long, busy day, she is known to spend time with her violin before she settles down to sleep.

Although she was nervous she did quite well playing the pieces that she had memorized and sharing with the two professors the answers to their questions. So many years and so many hours of practice coming to fruition right before my eyes.

We won't know for a few weeks the results of those ten minutes, but I do know that she belongs at Brigham Young University.