December Angels...

Do you believe in Angels? Well I do...
There are Angels flying all around our ward. One December afternoon a family of Angels showed up on our porch singing Christmas carols, and caring gifts of a Turkey and stuffing, can goods, and cranberries, So we could have a Christmas dinner. Their kindness to us, ended up feeding three hungry families for Christmas this year.

Another Angel came and took over the cooking for all of us on Christmas day. Leaving me to spend alot of time off my feet. A great help for me, as my other hip is needing to be replaced and I am often in alot of pain.

More Angels showed up, by leaving a bottle of sparkling apple cider, with a card attached to it. How ever the names on the outside of the envelope was not ours. Thinking I could open the card, and see who it was from, I could call them and let them know they had delivered the bottle to the wrong address. I opened the card, but there were no names of who sent it. Only money in bills.

I called our Bishop, who lives next door, and explained what had happened and how I felt this needed to get to the folks it was intended for. After a few minuets he came to our home, I felt bad because it was late in the evening on Christmas eve, and I know he had family at home.

He seemed to know who the names were and told us a little about them and then I realised I had been her visiting teacher about a year ago.
While we were talking the doorbell rang and to our surprise, our Relief Society President stood on our porch, with a bottle in her hand, our names were on it, in the same handwriting as the other bottle. Sweetness filled the air, and puzzle pieces begin to fall in place. The contents of the card seemed to be from holly hands. The warmth of Two beautiful Angles stood before me...

Because of this wonderful mix up, Friendships have been straightened. I will keep in contact with my friend Ann, Perhaps I might be of some help, even if its just a hug now and then. We both commented on what a wonderful Christmas blessing it had been.

Other Angels live in Yuma Ariz, in the winter. Receiving a Christmas card from my brother and his wife, I was surprised to find a check inside, with a note that it might help with our health bills. I was so touched, they thought of us...and I know its needed more by them now. I don't think I can cash this beautiful gift. Just knowing how much they love me is enough...

Angels come in many shapes and sizes, but the warmth of their arms is unbelievable.... I hope someday when I grow up, I want to be a Angel, and give of my heart, as Angels do...

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...

Interesting Thought...

A Quote taken from the blog called "Stone roads"


Interesting Quote

"The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."
Cicero – in 55 BC

“So, What have we learned in 2000 years? Evidently nothing.”
Me – in 2008 AD

Be Thankful...

"Joy is not found in the waiting rooms of our dream of tomorrows.
True joy must be found in the crowded, complex, painful, challenging, cluttered rooms of "right now." Sister Jaroldeen Edwards.

Take the time to enjoy the things around you that bring beauty into your eyes. Don't be in such a hurry that you pass things by that the Lord has created to brighten and uplift your day. Spend a little time to be grateful for blessings that make our lives a little better. Do something to make someone elts feel happier today... :)

First hot rolls....

Today was the Family Home Evening for the 50+ Singles in our Stake. Lynn and I have been working with the Single program for almost four years. Maralee, and Claud Parkinson who have been our leaders, were released this last month. Maralee has been making the rolls each month for the dinner. I volunteered to make them for the seniors, because it means so much to them.

After being taught by Maralee, and useing her recipe, I made two pans full. Each pan the size of half sheet cake, and holds 32 rolls.

This evening was centered around Thanksgiving. We were expecting about 40 people or a few more. We ended up with 62 people and 10 take outs, to the home bounds. We ran out of rolls, and Bro.Brown went and bought more.

It made me feel good as the folks felt that Maralee had made the rolls, and they were a big hit. I gave myself a small pat on the back, I had been compared to Maralee, and she is a Queen of Cooks, and a great teacher.

Fall...

I fell today, and it was not a good thing. I saw a black fuzzy jumping spider walking on my vaulted celling. Normally they don't botter me, but since I have moved to Utah the jumping spiders are larger, and more furrier than I have seen before, and they continue to grow. My concern also was for my birds. I didn't want them to get bit or scared.

I tried to reach the spider with my broom. He seeing a broom was after him, let himself down on a web string. Some how I lost my balance and started to fall. I grabbed the rocking chair that was close to me, but it couldn't hold my weight and it toppled with me to the floor. No one could hear me, and I couldn't get up from the floor. It may have been a good thing, because it forced me to sit still for a while. The bad thing is I landed on my left hip and leg. The one I had surgery on just 6 months ago.

I am puzzled as to why I lost my balance so easy...I had no sense of falling till I was in the middle of falling and then it was too late to do anything. I was not standing on anything, just reaching up with a broom, like you would normally do.

As I sat on the floor I watch Mr. Spider crawling all over a wooden kitchen chair that was holding my VCR, and some vidio tapes. Wondering where he was, and how was he going to get off these funny things... He was latter escorted outside by Lynn when he came in from tilling Fall leafs into the garden soil...

This is the third fall I have had since I have lived in Utah. One was while I was showering. The other was while I was sitting on the bathtub side. both were before I had hip surgery. But I don't know why I seem to be losing my sense of balance...

Halloween...

I Love the fall time of the year. Changes all around me, such as the turning of the leaves from green to orange, red, brown, and yellow. It seems that Mother nature has taken the time to paint fall time beautiful, the last glimpse of radiant color before the beauty of winter times begins.

I Love Halloween, Its the beginning of the Holidays. Mostly filled with beautiful keepsakes displayed within our homes. A time for making our family happy, watching smiling faces. A feeling of warmth and love.

These are some of my decorations for Halloween this year. 2 points for each spider you can find.

This is the first time I have put more than one photo on my blog at a time. I found it interesting that no matter how many times I try to make them perfect, the Computer puts them the way he wants them to go anyway..... I give up... Just enjoy. :)

Update: There are 8 spiders. Your close Mike....