A Dusting of the Cobwebs: A Gift for Christmas...

A Dusting of the Cobwebs....

welcome to my blog!
...allow me a brief introduction...

In a reacent conversation with my daughter, her questions were why I, and her Dad were so quiet about our lifes? Meaning writing or telling about our own personal historys.

I didn't think there was anything important to write about. As I was just a normal person, getting up in the morning and getting the day started, getting kids off to school, or meeting schedules of the whole family, cleaning house, and landry. Keeping little ones busy, and changing diapers, comming home fixing dinner, helping with homework, putting kids to bed, watch some news, go to bed. And then do it all over again the next day. Then some days was teaching lessons in Primary, RS, MIA, Sundayschool, cub scouts, or helping at schools, ect. Family home evening, Visiting teaching, and even some Home teaching and being the family schaefer. most of the time we had one car, 6 kids, one working husband. Oh yes, the multi years of music lessons, and baseball teams, coaching, and even one major jumproap champion, for one daughter.

We had trials too. some were very hard, just thinking about a single memory of losing our son, brings tears. But we are told that this life is to meet trials, and how we handle them will be for our own eternal growth.

A very wise Stake President, President Alred, once said "We are here to be schooled in the principles of eternity. We will work by the sweat of our brow, to work our way through this life... But remember we are here to be schooled in the principles of eternity."

So, I welcome you to my blog. Please feel free to stay and go as you please, and wander where you wish. And, as always, feel comfortable in sharing those stories that you may feel are just "an every day" thing as well...

Dec 20, 2008

A Gift for Christmas...

I never knew Orchids would bloom in the middle of winter...

I have had this orchid plant for about 5 or 6 years. The only time it has bloomed was when I bought it from the store. I did everything I had learned about orchids, but nothing had ever happened, except it didn't die. I thought the leaves were simple enough and pretty, that I kept it on my kitchen counter, and just enjoyed it as it was.

You know sometimes I think that Heavenly Father knows when we need a special gift.

This whole year has been difficult and hard for us, extremes, that we have not been use to. This Christmas season has been unreal for me. Not having a Christmas, as we have found ourselves not having enough money, and having to make what little we do have, stretch for five more months, has been extremely hard in keeping the warmth of Christmas inside. We never have had enough to have a large, or fancy Christmas, as other family's do. But it seemed to be filling and rewarding.

I am so use to the abundance of Christmas music, planning personal gifts, both for my family, and a few friends and neighbors. The warmth and smell of Christmas, even the baking of goodies. The Christmas lights inside and out. The Christmas tree, in all its glory. All the little things, like trading personal cut snowflakes, and tapeing them on the window. And tapeing the Christmas cards up for all to see how beautiful they are. I love the snowflakes from my family...they are so special.

I try to do some sort of service project this time of the year, in years past I have often felt like I was floating above the ground, while planning and working at it.

All my children are grown with family of their own, They are the light of my life.
But this year they are branching out in new areas of life, and I don't hear about them as often as I use to.

Feeling down and abandoned all month, and wishing this month was over so I wouldn't have to suffer with the sadden emotions, that somehow often stick in my throat.

I turned and was surprised to see a funny stick, vine thing coming out from my Orchid plant.

I have watched it over several days. It was in no hurry... Three buds formed, and the first one has gotten bigger, Two days ago, it slowly started opening. It is so beautiful. A deep pink, purple in color has left me admiring the creativeness of the delicate blossom. I wonder if he thinks I am funny, often bending down to look inside this flower, before it has finished opening.

This little flower has brightened my day. I think Heavenly Father knew I needed something to keep me going... How elts can you explain Orchids blooming in the middle of a snowy winter...

Perhaps a gift for Christmas...

Update...The orchid plant has bloomed all three blossoms for Christmas Day, very unusual...