Thank you for calling me!

Ok, this 365 days of thanks isn't just about thanking people. It's also about what I am thankful and grateful for. This is a thank you to someone in particular, but she knows who she is and details should be left out. I have had some pretty trying times the last while. And I'll leave it at that. There have been some pretty ugly things in my direction. Some of the ugliness has been things I have heard about myself. I am NOT giving details, so if you have comments please keep them positive. Or I may delete them. And don't assume you know what I am talking about.

I have often thought when I have heard particular things about me that do not begin to resemble me or what I think or how I choose to conduct myself or even what I have said, why doesn't this person just call me and ask? Why would this person spread such things about me? There is something I really believe and it goes like this. What YOU think of me is none of my business. So, if someone is a hater toward me, I don't really care on the surface. I am not going to go running around to every person who listens to all the gossip and try to correct it. It hurts. I'm only human, but I KNOW my divine worth, and someone's petty words and opinions will not change that.

Here's how I live my life. If I have a problem big enough that I feel I want to talk about it, I go talk to the person I have the problem with. Is it easy? Not always. But if it's important enough, I put on my big girl boots, say a prayer, take a deep breath, and go for it. Here's the thing. Relationships are the only thing that matters. Even casual ones are worth caring about. My mom killed herself over bad relationships. I refuse to be so small that I will let someone think that an issue is so much larger than a relationship. And sometimes, even the people I have shared that thought with, have disregarded it. No matter. Everything is for our good.

So tonight I got a phone call from someone I consider a friend. Even more so now, after the call. She had some concerns about something that involves me. She shared her concerns and I assured her I would do everything I could do to help be a contributor to solving the problem. I did not get on the phone or email or facebook and start talking to everyone I know about what happened. I've kept it to myself. Well, I'm sharing here, but in a very general way, of course. You know nothing from reading it. Haha.

The point is, my request to all no matter what side of something you may be on, is to deal one on one with people. There is a lot of ugliness in our community right now. It is what it is and I am not going to comment on where it's coming from, etc. But a lot of healing could happen if a) people would go to each other and b) if the one who is receiving the person with the complaint would at least be considerate, and c) use real leadership skills to brain storm, problem solve, and be workable and d) if everyone who is NOT a part of the problem, would mind their own business.

If the problem has nothing to do with you, STAY OUT OF IT, and KEEP YOUR BIG MOUTH SHUT. You have no right to an opinion of a problem between two people. I don't usually talk like this. It is COMPLETELY against my nature. I have known I was a peacemaker since I was 5 years old. It is second nature to me. So, I just don't get it when people can do nothing but gossip, slander, bad mouth and generally contribute to the worsening of any and all situations.

So here are some thoughts from some good books.

***But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36

***And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 1 Timothy 5: 13.

Why not this instead?

***Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings. Doctrine and Covenants 108: 7.

Not this.

***For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man. Matthew 15: 19-20

And finally, in the end it does not matter. I am right with my God and I will rejoice in my reward.

***Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5: 11-12.

Enough said. Thank you dear friend for calling me! I love you.

Day 10, Thank you Mr Pittman

A long time ago, when I was in high school, a friend mentioned to me that I should try out for our high school girl's choir. Choir? Ok. I did not have anything prepared. I did not even know what to do. I'd never been in a choir. She said I could just sing happy birthday. So, I was really nervous but I went to the choir director and made an appointment and tried out. I made it! Wow. I made it. And it got back to me through my friend that he told the choir that an alto with a beautiful voice was joining the choir. That made me feel so good.

 I was in the Chansons, girl's choir for two years and then tried out for Varsity and made Varsity Choir. I have more memories of high school in choir than anything else. I have memories of choir trips to New York, Washington DC, and Savannah, Georgia. Fun times. Great friends, beautiful music, a wonderful choir director who introduced me to things I had not been exposed to musically. He taught us how to sight read. He taught me how to direct a choir. When I led our Chansons in competition, I was awarded a superior. I've led a couple of church choirs since then and always love that. And I've sung in many church choirs as well. I think my favorite one was singing in the Atlanta Regional Mormon Choir. I ran across this really cool virtual choir tonight. It literally brought tears to my eyes.

Chansons (top second from right)

Varsity Choir (second row third from right)

Here's the story for the background, and the video below it is the actual performance of a 2000+ youtube video virtual choir. So awesome! Thank you Mr Pittman for nurturing a love of good music!!!

Day 9--Thank you Mom!

This is not actually my mom. My mom dropped from my life when I was five, briefly returned when I was 18 and then I lost her permanently when I was 19. This is my mother-in-law and her name is Janet. She has been my mom since I married the Bish at age 21. She is a saint. No really. She is.

If she looks like Mrs Clause, minus a few pounds, it's because she is. She is home baked cookies and hugs and kisses and compassion all wrapped up in a grandma package. She is the most selfless person I have ever met. And my dear husband takes a close second. He gets it from her. And I hope some day, more of it will rub off on me. She epitomizes the phrase unconditional love. I am sure they could put her as an synonym under unconditional love in the dictionary.

You have to be careful about what you ask our grandma to do, because most of the time, she will say yes. Even if she's tired or has other things to do. Sometimes she says no. And then she usually calls back and says yes. She loves almost every one. She doesn't speak unkindly of anyone. When she gets angry, the way you usually know it, is because she raises her voice slightly and says, "I'm serious!"

We giggle when she talks to other drivers on the road telling them their driving mistakes. And we smile when she tells us a story we've heard before. In a moment of levity a few weeks ago, the RM and I decided that should we find ourselves unable to enter the pearly gates, we'd be all right, because grandma would get us in. I can hear her now, "Listen! This is my daughter. This is my grandson. You have to let them in!" And I am pretty sure Peter would say, "Janet Norton? Well, any relation of Janet's must belong here."

I love my mother-in-law. She's one of the greatest blessings in my world. Thank you mom for taking me in as your own.

Day 8--Thank you Family!

I just love my family. I am so grateful they are strong and independent. I am thankful that they support me when I go to things that are meant to make me a better person. And I am ever so much more thankful when I come home, and they have usually made the place better than when I left, and they are very happy to see me. I am so thankful, that when I cry, Olivia brings me tissues. I am grateful for Noah's sense of humor. I am thankful for Emily's happy, bubbly personality, and for Jefferson's willingness to help.

I am most grateful in the last few months that they are just plain there for me; including my two college boys and my missionary son. Lifting me when others knock me down, believing in me when others disregard my strengths and talents, and encouraging me to do right no matter what; to rise above all that is small and to be the best that I can be as often as possible. To put a smile on my face even when it seems impossible. To see the joy when I can't make sense out of things.

My older children are some of my best friends. Each of my children are my greatest joy. I am so blessed.

"A sentence from Psalm 101 has been both challenging and convicting for me: 'I will walk in my house with blameless heart' (Psalm 101-2, NIV). When God speaks to me about being more loving, this verse reminds me to make application in my family first—and then to others. It forces me to ask, 'Am I more spiritual, more loving, or more fun somewhere else? Who gets my best—my family or others?'"

-- Jean Fleming, A Mother’s Heart

Day 7--Thank you Carl Bloch and BYU

I just realized that I LOVE angels! How I did not notice that, I don't know, but the last few art exhibits I've been to, the angel pictures or paintings are what have really grabbed me. This exhibit was no different.

I am at a seminar in SLC, and my wonderful doctor told me about the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU. I really appreciate good art, and so I was happy to know that I could catch it on it's last weekend. I had no tickets and all the free tickets were gone, so on a whim, I rented a car and buzzed down to Provo.

I was so happy that the daughter of a friend of mine who does some work for me and I help her sometimes, wanted to meet me there and introduce me to her husband and darling baby boy. That just happened to be what ended up getting me in. Amy stood in line to rent my ipad while I stood in standby, checked my bag, and queried the crowd for a free ticket for me. Thank you so much Amy!

I was able to get in and it was wonderful. I kept coming back to this painting. It touched me very deeply and I am so grateful that there were angels to comfort our dear Savior in His hour of need. I am sure He could not have fully understood what He was taking upon Himself until He actually did. I am so grateful He did.

I know that in our very hour of need, we also have angels to come to our rescue. I am so grateful to BYU for providing this for so many people to enjoy. I am so grateful for the inspiration of Carl Bloch and how it has blessed my life in church magazines, lessons, and articles for so many years. And how this print will be hanging in my home as a reminder of God's tender mercies.

Thank you Ms Hales

My kids have played tennis over the years in high school. In Duncan, Az. when you play tennis, there's a lot of wind and sometimes heat. The last two years have been fairly mild.

Tuesday evening we have a tennis "banquet" of sorts. All the tennis players and their families met at the courts and we grilled hot dogs and hamburgers (actually our superintendent grilled them) and enjoyed food, company, and good times on the courts.

I really love those kinds of moments. Because it is those moments of camaraderie and friendship that we can just enjoy each other's company and celebrate the kids. Ms Hales did a good job of celebrating their unique personalities and talents with their awards. I just want her to know I appreciate her efforts with my son and the other students of Duncan High School. She's not just a tennis coach. She's also the business teacher and FBLA sponsor.

Thanks for all  you do Ms Hales.

Thanks for COOL weather

It's funny that every year, my big wish is that we can wait until May 1 to turn on the a/c. I mean electric bills are crazy in Arizona in the Summer. Our summer typically begins early to mid April. Spring is a misnomer in my mind. We get about 6 weeks out of it tops. And then it runs clear through until October. There are 3 season is Arizona.

But last year, for some odd reason, even though we had a few of our typical hot days early on, the temperature did not go up and stay up until almost June. It was WONDERFUL! And this year in April, it looked like it was going to heat up and what do you know, it's May and I've only had the a/c on a couple of times for a couple of hours. I am very happy about that. Especially since we have needed new a/c in half the house for five years now.

Thankfully the half with most of the bedrooms is not affected.

I went for a walk today at 10am!!! It wasn't even 80 degrees. I can hardly believe that. But, I'm just thankful. I'll take this cooler weather for as long as it lasts.