I AM NOT HIGH MAINTENANCE

I asked Phil if he would bring me a drink of water. He looked at me like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"What? I just want a glass of water."

He raised one eyebrow. Then he want to the sink.

"Wait," I said. "I want half filtered water and half cold water from the fridge."

"A-ha!" he said, "I thought so. You are as bad as your sister."

Now my sister is not bad, she's just particular. She brings her own water into restaurants and asks for an empty glass. If they bring it with ice she asks them to dump it out, "because you don't have filtered water so I bring my own."

I don't do that. I just want water that's not all the way cold because it's not real summer here in Utah yet. It's just almost summer. When it gets to be real summer I will want mostly cold water with just one fourth regular water. If it gets to be scorching summer I'll want all cold water.

"In fact," Phil said, interrupting my thoughts, "you are just like Goldilocks."

"I'm not like Goldilocks."

"Yes you are," he said. "Your level of comfort is about this big." He demonstrated a tiny space between his thumb and forefinger. "Everything--water, the temperature in the car, the amount of covers on your bed--everything has to be "just right."

I'll bet the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears was written by a husband.

MORNING SONG

The words for this song (I Feel My Savior's Love) were running through my head this morning when I woke up. The words are so appropriate for what has been happening in my life. It was very comforting.

Hold on Tight--by Liz Lemon Swindle

(That's what I'm doing, holding on tight.)

I love morning songs. I hope you have some too. Go to the link and listen to the words. They very well might change your life.

I FEEL MY SAVIOR'S LOVE

I feel my Savior’s love,

In all the world around me

His Spirit warms my soul

Through everything I see

He knows I will follow Him,

Give all my life to Him

I feel my Savior's love

The love He freely gives me.

by Liz Lemon Swindle

I feel my Savior’s love
Its gentleness enfolds me
And when I kneel to pray
My heart is filled with peace
He knows I will follow Him
Give all my life to Him
I feel my Savior’s love
The love He freely gives me.

by Liz Lemon Swindle

I feel my Savior’s love
And know that He will bless me
I offer Him my heart;
My shepherd He will be
He knows I will follow Him,
Give all my life to Him
I feel my Savior’s love,
The love He freely gives me.
Mother by Liz Lemon Swindle


I’ll share my Savior’s love
By serving others freely,
In serving I am blessed,
In giving I receive
He knows I will follow Him,
Give all my life to Him
I feel my Savior’s love,
The love He freely gives me.

Maybe in the morning I'll have another morning song. Maybe you'll have one. Listen for it. Morning songs are gifts and sometimes I'm so preoccupied I forget to stop and see if there's one there. I'm glad I listened this morning.

STAKE CONFERNECE--long, but please read anyway

Note: If you went to Annette's site to see her apron she gives a web site to check out but says she is going to make another apron and will post "how to's" then. I'll let you know when she does that.

The Provo, Utah Tabernacle.

At Stake Conference today our Stake Relief Society Presidency was released and a new one was sustained. I will miss them, even though I no longer have a Relief Society calling.

I remember when we went from having Enrichment every month to having it only four times a year. Instead of Enrichment we were to start mini-classes. (They call them Enrichment Activities but our ward calls them mini classes.) I cried on Staci Peter's shoulder more than once. (Staci was the Stake 2nd counselor) She kept saying, "You can do this," and I learned--under her encouragement--and did. And then it got easy. How I love her. I love all those women.

The outgoing President--Sister Jeannie Welch--gave her testimony and it was a wonderful talk. She is an amazing woman. I tried to take some notes but I was in the dark--they dimmed the lights in the chapel where I was watching the live broadcast (from the historic Tabernacle in downtown Provo) and so I didn't get much and it's hard to read but here are a couple my notes--very disjointed--and probably not totally accurate:

Consecration--dedicate our time to the Lord. We can come to know that our offering is accepted of the Lord. The best way to know is to make and keep sacred covenants. She thanked us for doing that, making and keeping sacred covenants. She related a story about a tractor, pulling a bunch of kids on a flat bed wagon. The wagon was too heavy and started pulling the tractor and many children fell off, some jumped off, and one boy broke his leg. Her children were safe because they held on to each other. She told us to be like that. We will be safe as we stand with and associate with good people. "Hang on" to them.

I am thankful for the good people I have met by blogging. I will probably never meet most of you in person but you have strengthened me with your goodness, your dedication to doing what is right, your common sense. I am grateful for your willingness to continue on when times are tough. You sometimes make me laugh and sometimes I cry with you. I love you, even if I don't know you at all. Some of you never comment but I love you anyway. I love that you come and read my words--inadequate as they are.

I hope one day to be as good as my Stake leaders are. Sister Welch is an amazing woman. Every time she says something from the pulpit or in a class it is profound and, for me, it has been life changing, .

Staci has been my mentor, my comforter, my go-to-girl. Besides that she says she is shy but she hides it well--a good lesson for all of us. We may have problems or weaknesses but we can still willingly serve. Staci has been a delight. I have come to rely on her good advice and her strength and her abundant love.

The other counselor and the secretary are equally wonderful. You wouldn't believe some of the delicious food they have prepared for refreshments after Stake meetings. You know how us Mormon's are, we can hardly have a non-Sunday meeting without some kind of refreshment.

I will miss them but will see them at the weekly evening scripture class, taught by Jeannie's husband. If you are in our Stake this is a great class. We don't always make it and last time I fell asleep but every time I woke up Brother Welch was looking at me kindly. I shall always remember that he looked at me with kindness. A lesser man might have been disappointed but I really felt his love and I am grateful.

He is an amazing teacher, has knowledge that normal people just don't have. He tells us things like what "that" word meant at the time it was written in the scriptures, what the customs were, what life was like--he brings a special depth to the scriptures.

Well, I have rambled long enough. Now I will go read my scriptures and have prayer and maybe even try to decipher today's notes.

I hope you are all happy and if you are not happy I hope you will have comfort. Ask for it. Trials end. I know this. I've been waiting for a long time for some of my trials to be turned into blessings and I know they will. After the trial of our faith come the blessing.

May you know that your Heavenly Father is watching over you this night and always. Have faith. Be courageous. Serve others. And if you can, do as Jeannie asked us to do: Make and keep sacred covenants. Let's hang on to each other and be strong together.

Love,

Lynne

WEEPING OVER YOU

Today was a good day for weeping. We saw a young couple sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Temple and then learned that Gilmore Girl's husband's grandpa and his second wife were sealed in the same temple at almost the same time. It was a tender time for me. The bride said something comforting to me after the ceremony. It brought tears to my eyes. And I already had tears for the young couple who have made such an important step in their lives.

His Mom is so happy. I adore her, she is in one of my critique groups and I am happy to have her in my life on more than one level.

I am somber tonight. Weepy for what is and what isn't. I guess I'll have prayer and go to bed and hope tomorrow the sun will be shining.

And it will. Temperature is supposed to be 104. Yikes.

THREE POST CHRISTMAS ANGELS

A little bit of a trauma today, starting with a phone call. Nothing I can do and it was upsetting. I get so upset. Then three angels appeared to give me some comfort.

My Nephew and his wife, from Hawaii, are in town and they stopped over. We had limited time but he talked good sense. I wish we could have a couple of good hours with them without the distraction of kiddies. Not that I don't like the kiddies, mind you, the kiddies are great but I really needed to hear more of the things they had to say and there were interruptions. Good experiences that look like bad ones on the surface but they are smart enough to realize the true value. And good things they are doing/have done to stay sane in this insane world. I need more of their wisdom. I may write one of the analogies he received from a teacher some time as I think it may help others.

Right in the middle of their visit I got a call from a friend of mine, she's ninety-four years old, asking me to lunch after the New Year. She said she missed me at church--claimed she's too short to see me--and wanted to know if I was all right. She once said, "Your daughter reminds me of myself when I was her age," and she is the most wonderful ninety-four-year-old on the planet. So, I'm thinking that my daughter will be a wonderful ninety-four-year-old some day.

One of our sons asked us to dinner. It was scrumptious. Everything at their house is so good and they ask us to dinner often. Again, good talk and good wisdom. A calming influence. Time to unwind and let go of the "grabbies" that had a tight hold on my heart and mind and stomach.

And then there is Phil. The stable one in this marriage. I should nickname him The Gyroscope. He is always strong, doesn't let problems tip him, so unlike, me who goes wobbling off into space, screaming like a wounded wombat. So I guess it's four angels--or four angel twosomes.

There is a reason the Holy Ghost is called the comforter. He sends comfort through those with wisdom. The good food didn't hurt, either.

I haven't read blogs for what seems like a week and am too tired to do so now. I owe email replys to wonderful people and am too tired to do that, also. I hope everyone is loving life and taking wonderful photos and dealing well with whatever "stuff" comes their way and that when "stuff" does come their way I hope the angels will appear.

OLD FRIENDS AND NEW FRIENDS

Photo submitted to the KSL Photo Contest, in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Karen Silvester.

Old friends and new friends, friends in need and friends who come to you when you are in need. Our best friend is the Savior. Through the Holy Ghost he sends friends to the phone and to your door with soup and flowers and apples and to the Internet with words of laughter and encouragement and love. And when the day is darkest, and you are on your knees in pleading prayer, he sends help. Maybe we don't recognize it but help is on its way.

If tonight you are sad or lonely turn to the scriptures and to prayer. And when you have the thought to call a friend, do so. You may be the answer to someone else's prayer for help and comfort. Or maybe just to brighten their day or to go to lunch or just to say, "cute shoes," when they are having shoe-buying remorse.

May you all feel the comfort of the Savior's love and of your Father in Heaven, this day and always. You are loved.

May God bless you.

Lynne

THE ABC'S OF GRATITUDE--H THROUGH K

H--Holy Ghost. I am so grateful that I know He exists, that I know He will never fail. I have had so many "whisperings" that have been warnings, comfort, witnesses of truth, uneasiness at falseness, and even tiny little things like, "go check the soup" two minutes before it was going to boil over. His whispering once saved Gilmore Girl's life. His whispering once saved The Brown Dot from freezing cold in the middle of the night--maybe saved his life, too. He is involved in my life daily and I am grateful I have this knowledge.

I--Ice Cream. I'm grateful I don't like it much. One of the few calorie laden things I don't want to eat. Let's hear it for not wanting to eat ice cream!

J--Jesus. I don't understand how it was done but I know He atoned for my sins and the sins of every human being. As I love my parents--who are gone--how grateful I am for the knowledge that I will be reunited with them--as I love my husband and children, probably more than any of them will ever know, I know, without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus loves more than I ever can. He loves all, not just the good, the pretty, the smart, the ones with good fashion sense. He not only loves me--and everyone else--but he experienced all my fears, pains, disappointments, tragedies, sorrows, etc. He KNOWS how I feel and he is there to give me comfort and acceptance. What a great gift he offers. I'm takin' it, I can tell you.

K--Kids. Not the goat kind. The human kind. Without them this world would be so empty. I am grateful that Heavenly Father let me raise five of them. Each one was/is different. Each one is cherished by Phil and me. I love the sound of children's voices--well, except when they are screaming. Their sing-song-ing up and down voices, how unique that sound is. Some lisp and we are just a little bit sorry when they learn to speak properly. They say hilarious things, do hilarious things, love without motives, forgive almost instantly and throw themselves into life with joy. I wish I had the confidence I had when I was a little child. All children are born with confidence and then they learn fear. So, I'm grateful for kids and for their confidence and pure love and hope this world always has a plethora of them.

Also, it seem to me that when children are born with handicaps that they don't seem to feel sorry for themselves. Adults rant and rail if something happens to them to diminish their abilities but kids seem to take it in their stride. They must have special spirits to be given disabilities and to make the most of what they can do.

A friend of mine saw a child at a doctor's office that had the most debilitating handicap imaginable. He was cheerful and happy. I doubt that he will grow up to be bitter and sad. I think he will grow up to be a great human being and my friend will never forget him. She is a better person for observing his attitude and I am also, for simply hearing about him.

WORDS OF COMFORT

Monroe McKay is a circuit court judge. He is #3 on my "I love that man," list. Right after Phil and my daddy. (Calm down children, you know I love you and your spouses--you are in a whole different category, which we shall discuss some day.)

Years ago, Monroe~I should probably call him Judge McKay but I'm not going to~gave the Mother's Day talk that saved every mother in the ward from the "guilt's." We put aside the "I am a lousy mother," self talk and actually felt we were adequate and maybe even more than adequate. We were fine. We were good or even great.

He has a way about him that makes you believe every word he says and since he is one of those totally honest human beings, you know you are safe believing every word.

Monroe knows how much I loved his original Mother's Day talk because I have been nagging him to have it written and published. Every mother in ALL THE WORLD should have a copy. I have nagged him about 756 times, or every time I see him at church. ~I try to vary my mode of nagging so he isn't bored. I'm considerate, that way.

This year he again gave a talk on Mother's Day in Sacrament meeting. It was, of course, wonderful. His grandson recorded it and Monroe made sure I will receive a copy. (Chris Clark also gave a talk. He was also wonderful. He too made us feel adequate, fine, good and even great and I believe him also because he is another of those totally honest people. He's darn funny, to boot. Check out his blog.) It was a great Mother's Day for me and I have heard from lots of other mothers, young and old who felt the same way.

Anyway, on Sunday Monroe told me that he is going to make an addendum to his talk and give it to me. He told me some of the things he is going to add. They are comforting. Now, I am not in any way eloquent. Monroe is. I wrote what he said down as fast as my little fingers could write but my interpretation of what he said is inadequate so translate it, as you read, into wonderful words.

From Monroe: When you don't get the outcome you want (concerning your children and the hopes you had for them) you can rejoice in what you do get.

Love is the key to your children knowing they are safe to return home, even if they know you do not approve of their behavior. They know you love them and will welcome them home. ~Love it the key.~

Monroe graduated from college eight years behind his class mates and also graduated from law school eight years behind his class mates. If your child is a slow starter just wait. They will figure out what is best for them.

He talked to us until Sacrament Meeting started and I hung on every word--I can't put it all here, nor could I write it fast enough.

Monroe is married the the most patient, loving, giving woman on planet earth. She has enriched my life in ways too numerous to mention. If I could be 50% like she is I would really be a wonderful human being. Between the two of them they are a force to be reckoned with. In a good way. I have never seen her sad. She is simply a happy person, no matter what.

These things Monroe said sound simple, especially the first one but go back and read it and then rejoice.

And rejoice over yourself too. You are more than adequate. You are fine--really fine.

PS I love the word, "fine." The British know how to use that word. We, as Americans, are so used to the exaggeration that many good words are no longer used. Things are not "fine" any more, they are "awesome." Niagara Falls is awesome but a mountain stream, that chuckles and burbles through the forest and falls down, through a few boulders, here and there, making small waterfalls is fine. I would rather sit by the small mountain steam ten thousand times than sit by Niagara Falls even once.

Be glad to be fine. It's not only adequate but, well, fine.

THE MORNING SONGS

In another six minutes it will be Christmas. I hope everyone has a lovely day. I have been thinking of Mary, tonight, giving birth to a child far from home, with perhaps no one but Joseph to help. I remembered the births of each of my five children. Each one so wanted, loved, fussed over, worried over and finally we realized we had to cut the apron strings and let them become who they wanted to be. I love them with all my heart. Merry Christmas, my children.

Mary had to do that too--let Jesus go, let him be who he was going to be. Jesus knew who he was from such a young age. He said he was "about my Father's business." Bless Mary's heart, a woman so in love with her child and seeing him grow up sooner than any other child, leaving her--so to speak--to become who he was destined to be. She will always be honored by mothers, I think who understand a bit of what she went through. A bit.

Okay, a different topic.

This morning I woke up with a song sending words and melody into the day. I had rather a disturbing night. My troublesome knee kept waking me.When I wasn't awake, trying to get comfortable, I was sleeping with a worrying set of dreams rambling around. All kinds of weird things. Big things and odd little things. I dreamed Costco no longer carried printer paper and Phil was upset. I told him it would be okay because I had at least four reams printed on only one side and we could just turn it over. In my dream he wasn't any more pleased about it than he would be in real life.

I woke up disturbed, thinking of the big things that aren't exactly to my liking. But there was a gift for me this morning. I listened. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," was strumming through my head. The line, "Let nothing you dismay," kept returning until I finally got it. I wasn't to be dismayed. Then, over and over again came the words, "Oh, good tidings of comfort and joy." I knew I wasn't to be dismayed. I was to be comforted and to have joy. This song, those lyrics, have gone through my head all day.

And so I have been comforted and have had joy, even though it has been a hectic, I'm-not-going-to-get-it-all-done kind of a day. Even though I didn't get any advance preparations done for tomorrow's dinner. Even though I didn't get all my to-do list done and I'm beyond tired. It's been a lovely day.

I hope you will listen for the morning songs. There is always a message there for me, always. Except once when the song was, "I saw Momma kissing Santa Claus." This was not in December, it was months and months ago. I am still puzzling over it because, honestly every other morning song has a message.

I wish for you a nice morning song on Christmas. And it is Christmas now. I wish you a wonderful day and a knowledge you are watched over, cared about, and loved.

Merry Christmas.