Dumbest Thing

Yes, I've been fighting a cold; however, that's not the reason I've lost my voice.

The acoustics in my bathroom are really fabulous, and if she's going to sing the national anthem at a sporting event someday, a girl has to practice somewhere! And I've been driving a lot lately, playing with my sisters in Provo & Bountiful. With the nice weather my windows are down more. So, naturally one has to sing more.

I'm wondering why Mom spoiled the boys with her gorgeous voice, and left me with this thing. I'm doing the best I can with it. Be grateful you're not in my carpool! =oP

Isn't it about...Time?

I may have just witnessed the sweetest little Family Home Evening ever.

My littlest niece (in this family)--Aimee--conducted the meeting. Elise led the family in the scriptures they're memorizing, and then each person chose one to recite from memory. Every single one of them did it! (Jackson, Elise, and little Aimee! Not Leo, I guess.) Knowing Paul & JaNel, the scriptures chosen are philosophy-of-life scriptures, and what they not only hope their children will put to memory, but what they believe would change their corner of the world if they could all live. (I assume this, I suppose, because I think that when I hear these scriptures.)

Paul read a story from the Friend, our church's children's magazine, and then introduced the idea of having a "That Was Nice!" jar, where each of them will notice others doing nice things and write it (or tell a person who can write) and put it into the jar to be read at the next Family Home Evening. Their little faces beamed when they read what Paul had already submitted to the jar about them. (It made me want to use one and focus on the positive more with my second graders.)

I got to be the music lady. I taught them songs and recorded them on their piano so they can practice singing when I'm not there. My sweet nieces always come to sit by me when I play, and I love singing with them. (Jackson and I have also been working on "Fur...insert umlauts... Elise", which Elise thinks is especially perfect.)

As if it weren't nice enough already, we ended with Jackson's treat of choice, milk-dunked Oreos.

I can't tell you how sweet it is to have a family like this to call my own! I sure love those guys.

He Lives!

The sweet words of the hymn I love written by President Gordon Hinckley, and which I got to sing this Easter Sunday:

What is this thing that men call death,/ This quiet passing in the night?/ 'Tis not the end but genesis/ Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch Thou my aching heart/ And calm my troubled, haunting fears./ Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,/ Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change,/ With recompense for victr'y won./ The gift of Him who loved all men,/ The Son of God, the Holy One.

I love this humble, remarkable man of God. I believe he is a Prophet. Yet I know he is a man, so it is surprising to me that it is surprising to me that he feels the way I do sometimes, too. It is somehow very comforting to know.

I know my Savior lives. I know He lives! I know we would be astounded beyond description at the depth and immensity of the Love He has for us. I love the glimpses of it I have felt in my life and am so grateful that He reminds me of it. I know there is more to be felt, and that is what keeps me thirsting for His goodness in my life.

One of my favorite scriptures: "But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld His glory and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of His love." (2 Nephi 1:15) What an incredible, fulfilling, excitingly, deeply joyful feeling!

Tribute to Brothers-in-law

A good friend told me the other day, "I really like Jared." I responded jokingly with a sarcastic, "Why?" But inwardly, a million reasons to love my brother-in-law ran through my mind. The biggest? I'll summarize it with a mental snapshot I took last night:

I went to their institute class in Provo with VoNique & Jared. When I'd gotten there from WJ it had already started, so I sat in the back. What I saw was far from unusual, but I couldn't help but smile. Their shoulders were leaning on each other. Both were listening intently, but their heads were ever so slightly cocked toward each other. Jared, like always, had his hand on VoNique.

My favorite is when Jared hugs me goodbye. I don't know if he knows it, but I always laugh to myself. It's more like a long distance hand pat. I love it, because I know his best hugs are saved for my little sister.

This morning as I was driving, I thought about them, and my brothers-in-law Paul, & Jim. They are each so different, but have such wonderful qualities in common. They are stalwart, kind, full of faith, dedicated fathers (and father-to-someday-be!), self-motivated and hardworking. I love that they each make me laugh. But mostly? I love and admire them for how they love my sisters and take care of their hearts. That is the best thing a sister could ask for!

You got me.

Holy cow, what have I done? I'm a blogger. No, I'm not. I have a blog spot. There is a difference. VoNique, Christine, you got me. I moved to Utah. And I have a blog spot. Amazing, the persuasion skills you exhibit. (Never thought I was one to give into peer pressure! You must not be peers...who are you?)