Something to Ponder -- Dr Bob Mooreland (pastor in Seattle, WA)

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

Why Did Jesus Fold the napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed separate from the grave clothes.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see.. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!    Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it..

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the
wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it
beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table,
because.......... 

 The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!' 

WARNING: Long Winded Attack

As I watched the news ( I know, I keep saying I am through but masochism seems to hit every day) and I am reminded of the day that the first planes took off to bomb Iraq. Mariah & I were down in Snow Flake at a store. As the cashier and I were standing there chatting and laughing the radio was playing music. Rye said that it was kind of weird and creepy at how we stopped talking and laughing so suddenly and then she realized the whole store had gone silent. She listened to the radio with us but had no idea how hard all of us who had grown into adulthood during the Viet Nam mess.

As we left I saw people just walking around talking, laughing, just going on with life like nothing had happened. It was so strange to me. It creeped out poor Mariah to see the change in her usually very chatty mother. As we drove home, I tried to explain it all to her. She understood pretty well. I don't remember if I told her my fear that it would last long enough to see her brother being dragged into it.

It was at the time that I learned that life goes on. You can and must let normalcy be a part of your life. We are going to any event we can that includes music, to sooth our souls. We are going on with our projects to organize our home. We will get more lights up, have a little "fun" at other's expense . . . don't worry . . . it's all harmless and will give the "victims" a good laugh. Look to the future making note of the fine, wonderful, giving people surrounding us. Try to be one of them. Let the children with their joy of life, full of optimism, lead us.

What a day yesterday was!!!  Up and out clipping the attach bush (pyrachantha) before the sun was up, tearing out very old tomato vines and just getting the garden ready for my winter garden (two months late but, oh well).  Jon was busy as a little bee (like how I slipped that in there?) as well.  Loved getting so much done.

Then the boys were dropped off after they went to the infamous Jason L's baptism.  They were so excited.  I guess he is one of the nicest little boys and lives on their old street so the boys have really missed him.

 I had the wonderful job of sending them to 5 minutes of time out to practice being reverence as soon as they were changed into their play clothes.  Over all, they co-operated so it was over soon.  then it was time to stuff our faces and BUILD!

Gabriel got to put on a movie and they took turns coming into the dining room to build one of the many kids clinic kits that have accumulated when my hip was hurting too much to sit on the floor and build them in the store.  Came so close to getting them all done and it was just a sweet fun afternoon that didn't leave me drained.  Loved it!!!

Then it was off to two wedding receptions.  Such cute couples who have formed new eternal families that I see good things coming from.

When I have felt discouraged and hopeless, especially this summer, I have had to sit back and count my blessings.  It's easy to forget how  important good health is to someone who is antsy and hates to sit still for very long.  The last 6 months just about took me out physically.  Everything else can follow so easily.

I am so grateful to Nikki and her staff and all they are teaching me, the encouragement they given me and patience they have shown.  I am grateful for a husband that has been patient with my cantankerous side that has been all too present lately.  For my young grandchildren who actualy have tried to be helpful and understanding when tired ole" Granny- Nanny has not been able to keep up her old pace and REALLY hasn't wanted to get down on the floor to play because it hurt so badly to sit there or get back up.  Picture a 40-50# child trying to help me up . . . too sweet!

With all the help I have gotten with the Friday lunches the last couple of weeks, I have been so much better this weekend, which led to so much fun.

I started this post and got shlurpy and long winded (what a surprise . . hahahaha) so sent over to my blog (huishherd.blogspot.com)

In a nutshell:
1--Lots of great help at the institute before, during and after the Friday lunch. You kids are helping me reclaim my life. You'll never know ( I hope you'll never know) how much it means to me and how much it is helping me recover my health.
2--Had a great time at the social at the Marv & Sandra's Friday night. They have some fun neighbors. 

3--Got lots done before the sun was even up and as it was rising on Saturday morning.
4--Got lots of kid clinic kits built with three funny little boys, who were well behaved and didn't fight the whole afternoon.
5--Slept well for the third night in a row (we're talking record here) and now ready for a wonderful Sunday with friends and family.

Life is so good when we just open our eyes and allow ourselves to see.  I am not out of the woods yet, physically, but I have hope and have made some wonderful new friends who can teach me so much.  It's a great day, week, month, year . .  and yes, life.

FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE

This is Kathy's senior picture.
When my daughters saw it,
 they said me she was a lot prettier
 than I was.  I couldn't agree more.

The title may sound a little dramatic, but that is what I have often done, fought to preserve my life.  A life in which I could contribute to others and my surroundings.  Today I was reminded why I have fought that fight.

I have had the dearest friend since I was ten years old.  Today I found out that she died suddenly a few weeks ago.  She will always be remembered and treasured as a person of great generosity in every way; by her friends, several generations of her family and all who knew her.

She was also very heavy and was frustrated by the restrictions that caused her, especially after a couple of accidents that left her knees in bad shape, further restricting her activities.

So now I am recommitted to continue to fight for my life. I want to take back the health I have been blessed with and rebuild it, reclaim my place in making a difference in my own small way, in my own small world.  Be prepared to reach out and be of service to others, be a kinder and more understanding person.  Build a stronger determination to make right choices, to set a better example.

I am hoping to have the strength to ignore the sore muscles, the pinched nerves, aching joints and knots in my back, from "stem to stern" and have the patience to work slowly and carefully to reach my goals.  I hope I have the courage to become more like Kathy.

I remember having a conversation with my oldest brother once about time.  He shared some thoughts that Elder Boyd Packard had in  talk.  As eternal beings whose existence had not revolved around the time we have here on Earth, the minutes, hours, days and years that seem to control our lives during our mortal experience are very foreign. Our lives turn into a swirl of confusion. I couldn't agree more.

When I started my physical therapy this summer I could fit it right in with no problem.  Now . . . not so easy. Once again I am having to set my priorities, daily at times, to get these much needed exercises in.  Adding water aerobics has made it even harder.  Isn't it sad when taking care of one's health feels selfish?  It shouldn't and right now I HAVE to do this.  

So much more of life ahead . . . it needs to good, by my standards, my husband's, children and grand kiddies but most of all, Heavenly Father's.

I am so blessed to have the strong body I received when I was born and the means to help it heal itself.  Every month I look at the cost and decide it is pretty dumb to not use it to achieve this goal.  Just guessing, but I think it'll will be a monthly if not daily decision!

Life's Black Holes

A few years ago when Jon “retired” from DPS, we had no idea where we should turn or go.  Pretty scary time for us.  Just before the big day, he was offered to come and work for the state forestry (or something like that) and he spent the next few years working with a wonderful friend, who he sure misses since working with.

Stepping out and into the black hole last summer was so unnerving.  We were sure it was the right thing to do, but we also felt like our lives would take longer to settle in and we would know what to expect.  We were right, about all of it.  As time passed, things got harder and seemingly less hopeful.  When they asked me to do the Friday $1 lunches, I was so excited but not sure at all how we would manage just the gas to drive back and forth once or twice a week.  Out into the black hole we stepped once again, it got harder and harder until “things” finally started to fall together, slowly but not steadily.

It was a relief to discover just how creative we can still be.  To think back to our honeymoon years to remember how we stretched a buck until it squealed (yes, they were pretty fun memories . . . . looking back showed just how weird we must have (and may still) seem to others.

As we look back we realized how full of black holes our lives have been.  Each has been a different growing experience.  Some, of course, have been harder than others.  Each has had its own lessons to be learned and often involved closing doors while windows opened.  Since windows are off the floor, we have had to “rise” to the occasion.

Fortunately, we have commitment to the gospel, to each other, to follow the Savior’s teachings.  Though some have been an individual struggle, we have been blessed to have each other or been able to find others who could give us the support, love and guidance we needed to help us find the strength needed.

I am so thankful for the blessings in my life.