Random Thoughts - Happy New Year

1. Compliment three people everyday.
2. Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
3. Be the first to say hello.
4. Live beneath your means.
5. Treat everyone like you would want to be treated.
6. Never give up on anybody; miracles happen.
7. Never deprive someone of hope; it may be all they have.
8. Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
9. Be tough-minded, but tenderhearted.
10. Be kinder than necessary.
11. Keep your promises.
12. Learn to show cheerfulness, even when you don't feel like it.
13. Remember that overnight success usually takes about 15 years.
14. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

Merry Christmas to All of You

I hope each one of us can reflect on the reason we celebrate Christmas - the birth of our Savior. I was reading "Shining Moments" in the Church News this last Saturday about a talk given by Elder Bednar. He said that at this time of year people often ask, "Are you ready for Christmas?" He added, "I don't think the question is, 'Are you ready for Christmas?' The question is 'Are you and I ready for Christ?' . . . "The Father's gift to us was His Son. The gift from the Son to us is His Atonement. Perhaps the only thing that we could give Them is a growing conviction, a deepening conversion of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and what it means in our lives. Perhaps the only thing we could give would be a more diligent desire and commensurate study, to not just know about the Atonement, but to know Him who brought the Atonement and to more fully understand the blessings of the Atonement in our lives."
Elder Bednar closed by saying in this Christmas season there isn't anything he loves more than declaring his witness — even a special witness — of Jesus Christ. "He lived, He walked the earth. He taught His doctrine. He organized His Church. He is the Son of God. I witness that He was crucified, and more important, that He is resurrected, that He lives, that He speaks, that He stands at the head of His Church in this very day." I want to add my witness to that of Elder Bedar and wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Here's a fun card:

http://www.123greetings.com/events/christmas/merry_christmas/christmas58.html

Good News! - Update on Yesterday's Surgery

I went to my follow-up appointment today. Apparently my doctor has been dancing the jig all day and telling everyone about my surgery yesterday. He's very happy with the results. And, of course, so am I. I even got a hug from Dr. Palmer at my appointment! I was awake again for this surgery much to my dismay, but I was kept comfortable. It was good I suppose to hear his good comments during the surgery. Before I went to surgery my "phonation" holding the ahhhhhhhhh and eeeeeeeeee was 5 1/2 seconds. During surgery it was at 13. That's a terrific improvement. I am again on 3-day voice restriction and then having to be a little careful after that. But I am glad I will have a better voice!

Tomorrow I go in for another scan test for my parathyroid problem. I go back to my Endocrinologist in January (I was there on Dec. 12) for the results of that and my blood tests. He says there is now a CT Scan they can do if they don't see the bad parathyroid in this scan. We'll see about that. I don't want osteoporosis or other bad things, but I'm not so sure I want them messing around in my neck again. That's what caused this whole vocal cord problem!

Enough about medical - everyone have a Merry Christmas!! Oh, and Happy Birthday Amy and Happy Anniversary Teri and Jeff!!

Garage has been Started!

Here are a few pictures I took yesterday morning of the progress on the new garage construction. The contractor finished a little bit more during the day but this will give you an idea. The addition on the other side is almost ready for the inspector again. Then I think the next step is insulation and sheetrock. I'll have to get some pictures of the inside soon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. We have much to be thankful for. Enjoy your day!

Halloween Pictures

I wanted to post some Halloween pictures of my 7 cuties. Austin, Cameron, Benjamin, Jessica, Aaron and Samantha all came to our Ward's Trunk or Treat last Tuesday, October 28. They had a fun time. We got to see our Karlee on Halloween night. Mark also dressed up in costume, but I am not going to include that one. I've emailed the pictures to him and hopefully he will update his blog, too.

Slideshow Added

I've added a slideshow of the pictures from our Church History Tour a year ago. I believe that if you click on the slideshow itself, it will take you into the album to view the pictures from there. Captions have been added to each picture in the Picasa web album. I figured it was time to share! I hope you enjoy.

Update on Vocal Cord Surgery

I went to the doctor today for a follow-up to my surgery yesterday. He was not happy with the results and asked for a second chance. He was thinking he wanted to go back in and add another prosthesis to the other side but changed his mind. I will have more surgery next Wednesday. He is going to go in and take the prosthesis out that he just put in yesterday. Then he is going to take some fat out of my stomach (there's plenty there for that - I'll let him have as much as he wants) and inject that into my vocal cords to puff them up. The vocal cords should then be better able to close completely and I should be able to talk better. I will be put out completely for this one thank goodness. And he said he would ask for a different anesthesiologist. I was totally awake for this surgery yesterday. The anestheiologist was supposed to keep me asleep until the very end when I needed to respond to the surgeon, but I think he gave me just barely enough to take some of the edge off. I did feel pain when the doctor couldn't deaden a certain area. And at one point I was unable to breathe for awhile. The prosthesis was a little too big so he had to take it back out and carve some more of it away. But it was cutting off my airway. That was pretty scary. That's always been a nightmare of mine that I would wake up during the middle of surgery on the operating table. But being completely awake during the whole thing - I don't think I care to repeat that experience.

Inspiring Videos

I thought we had a very uplifting and wonderful conference weekend. I felt the Spirit very strongly in many of the messages that were shared. I was on YouTube today and saw a couple of songs/videos that touched me and I thought were pretty good. So, I'm going to share the links with you. I hope you enjoy them like I did. The first one is His Hands and lasts about 6 minutes. The second one is Never a Better Hero and also lasts about 6 minutes. The last one is a live performance of Celine Dion and Josh Groban singing The Prayer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di_QyPqlM64

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxpECovmdyY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK9nt1NF7Nw

Hold Fast

In connection with our study of the Book of Mormon in Sunday School this year, I have found that I also enjoy reading the Sunday lessons by Ted L. Gibbons from ldsliving.com. A few weeks ago I was reading Lesson 34 which covers Helaman 6-12 and some of what he said made an impression on me. I wanted to share the story he told of an experience he had:

In order for us to “hold fast” to the word of God, we must hear it. Do you want to hear it that badly? Many years ago I wrote a story about my own experience with this principle. Here is a part of it.

SHE COULDN’T SIT STILL. The mention of a living prophet had aroused in her a great enthusiasm. As I continued the lesson, the woman was up again and again, her hands flying as she asked for clarification and elaboration. She wanted to know everything she could about David O. McKay and his calling.

“He’s a prophet,” I repeated. “Like Jeremiah or Moses or Peter.” The concept was powerful, and she wanted desperately to understand.

“How does a man get to be a prophet?” she asked?

I spoke then of years of preparation, and talked to her of obedience and faithfulness and study and prayer and service -- those qualities that enabled a man to fulfill such a calling.
“But the most important requirement is that he be called by God,” I explained, “because he receives revelation from the Lord and delivers it to the people. He speaks to us the words and the will of God.”

“How?”

“Pardon me?”

“How does he speak to you?” she asked. “I mean, how does he let you know what the Lord says and what he expects? When he has a message, how does he deliver it?”

This was a missionary’s dream. In nineteen months of proselyting and teaching I had never seen anyone so excited about the restoration of the gospel and the idea of a living prophet. She seemed aflame with a need to know the present word of God.

“Every six months, the Church holds a General Conference,” I said. “People attend from all over the world, and President McKay speaks, usually three or four times, during the three days of the conference.”

I could see in her eyes a great desire to sit and listen to the living words of a living prophet.

“But, does everyone attend?” she asked. Then, thinking of herself, she added, “What about those who can’t come to conference?”

I smiled. This woman was a joy to teach. “The Church publishes a magazine called the Improvement Era,” I responded. “A month or two after conference, the entire proceedings of the conference are published in one of the issues. Everyone who wants to can get a copy and read the talks.”

But there was more, and speaking of the magazine had reminded me. “That isn’t all.” I was nearly as excited as she was now.

“Every month President McKay writes the editorial in the Improvement Era. Every month we get a written message from the Prophet of God.”

“That’s wonderful!” she exclaimed, and I agreed. In my mind the faucets were running, the baptismal font already filling. She said she had one more question. I didn’t mind. After nineteen months as a missionary, I could answer any question about living prophets that an investigator could ask. Any question, that is, except this one. As she spoke, I saw the plug being pulled, the water draining from the font.

Her eyes shining with delight and anticipation, she asked, “What did he say last month?” (From The Talking Cat, pp. 3,4, by Ted L. Gibbons)

I could not answer her question. I knew that President McKay had been writing the editorials for the Improvement Era during most of the years of my life. But I had never read a single one of them.


I hope that all of us will take advantage of listening to General Conference this next weekend, then read the Ensign and “hold fast” to the word of God!

Pam

The Only Thing I'll Say on the Subject

I thought this was a cute email I received this morning and thought I would share it:

Is there an age cut-off for playing TAG?

I am: a wife, bishop's wife, mother, grandmother, boss, co-worker, friend.
I think: too much about things I have no control over.
I know: that the Gospel is true and that my Heavenly Father and Savior love me.
I want: to go on a vacation.
I have: a lot to do this weekend.
I dislike: eating a lot of vegetables.
I miss: having David around and being able to talk to him, also talking to mom and dad.
I fear: anything bad happening to those I love.
I feel: grateful for the many blessings I have.
I hear: the jackhammer and construction going on, secretaries typing, phones ringing, and attorneys talking on the phone.
I smell: nothing at the moment.
I crave: chocolate and candy all the time!
I cry: when things build up too much and my cup runneth o'er.
I usually: like to play one game of spider solitaire and Mahjongg when I get home from work.
I search: for reasons why I do the things I do.
I regret: that I have no regrets.
I love: being a wife, mother and grandmother to such a wonderful family.
I care: about helping others and making others happy.
I always: defend the underdog.
I worry: that I'm not good enough.
I am not: very good at losing weight, exercising, or eating the way I should.
I remember: to take my medication every day.
I believe: that with God, nothing is impossible.
I dance: only in my dreams.
I sing: to myself since my vocal cords don't work (at Church and in the car).
I don't always: read my scriptures like I'm supposed to, do my dishes every day, or make my bed every day (I do this most of the time).
I argue: only when I have to.
I write: a lot of lists. I should put my efforts more into keeping a journal.
I win: sometimes.
I lose: most games I play.
I wish: my house was clean, all my paperwork was filed, that I had the energy necessary to accomplish something, the addition was finished, we had pictures on our walls, that I didn't have to have surgery again, that I was at home instead of work, and I was taking a nap. I know, never satisfied.
I listen: to a CD of David's three favorite songs a lot.
I don't understand: why people have to stop in the middle of a store aisle or in front of an escalator or elevator. It's a pet peeve of mine.
I can usually be found: reading a good book, watching a favorite show on tv, working on one of my word find puzzles, thinking about my family, working on laundry.
I am scared: about this surgery I will be having on my vocal cord and that I might have to have Danny put to sleep soon.
I need: to be better about setting goals and accomplishing the things I need to do.
I forget: I'm not as young as I used to be.
I am happy: because I think I have the greatest family (husband, children, grandchildren).

September 11

Bagpipe Concert

Last night we went as a family to the Layton Amphitheater to see a Wasatch & District Scottish Pipe Band concert. We really enjoyed ourselves and had a nice night out. The musicians are very talented. The MC mentioned that they had won awards at competitions. One of the drummers is Richard Pack, who is one of Glenn's counselors in the Bishopric. Even the grandchildren seemed to enjoy it. Here are some of the pictures we took.

The kids had a fun time during Intermission. It brought back memories of rolling down the hill at Grandpa and Grandma Smith's house in Pocatello.

Richard is the one on the left in the picture below.

... and the one in the middle

He even posed for us in this one.

Weekend in St. George

Even though today is our actual anniversary, we celebrated by going to St. George on Friday for the weekend. This is the only picture I took while we were there, but the mountains at Tuacahn are breath-taking. We went to The Sound of Music on Friday. We had the dinner before the show, which is always good. The show was awesome and we really enjoyed it! We had other plans for Saturday which fell through so we had a nice visit with Glenn's Aunt Rose (she's actually a great-aunt) for a little while and enjoyed some time just relaxing. We obtained last-minute tickets through the motel for Les Miserable, but went to Applebee's for dinner. That show was great as well! The weekend was a nice get-away for us - it was just way too short. We may take another weekend sometime in September to go down again and see Big River.

Construction Update...

I decided to take some pictures of the house addition and where the new garage will be so you can see the progress. It's getting there. Glenn is working on the electrical inside the apartment right now.

Cameron posing in front of the fountain in the Rose garden. Trench for the footings and foundation is in the background.

Austin and Cameron by the fountain.

Where the new garage will be.

Glenn and Mark got the fence back up this last week. Danny is loving his newfound freedom.

That's all for now!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Son! We love you and are so proud of you. Have a great day!