tender mercies

Last Thursday my friend lost her battle. I was paralyzed when I heard the news. Her battle was so short...this was her second battle. My thoughts turned to her family; husband, daughter and son. What can one do to help them at this horrible time?

Then I thought of my own daughter at school. She had not heard the news. I knew it was only a matter of time before she heard. With technology today word spreads so quickly. This was not the kind of thing you text her. This was her friend's mom and at 15 it is hard to grasp the reality of the situation.

I had a game plan. Wait until lunch time and then I could tell her. I only had to wait until 10:30 that morning. Surely she wouldn't find out before then. At about 9:30ish I got a text. Oh, no!! How could this be? Yes, it had happened.

A loving, caring person text my daughter to see how she was coping with the news. Problem...she didn't know! Well, she soon did. Tears streaming down my daughters face, she walked into seminary. There was no better place for her at this moment.

As she sat in her seat coping with emotion and the devastating news, the class got ready to begin. The spirit promptly began whispering to my daughter that she needed to share this story. She sat there and at first resisted and ignored the promptings. It wasn't long before she could ignore those promptings any longer. She raised her hand and asked if she could share something. Of course, replied the teacher.

My daughter shared the beautiful story of a loving mom and family. Her brief second battle and how quickly she lost. Leaving her sweet family behind to grieve, mourn and trying to move on. This family is not of our faith. Our faith believes in eternal families and that we will be reunited again someday. This story brought the class to a discussion on the plan of salvation, some gospel principles and how fortunate we are to have the knowledge we have.

How grateful I am for a seminary teacher who let my daughter share and who helped her come to terms with a sad event. She couldn't have been in a better place. At the end of that class, the teacher told my daughter that he had prayed that day that someone would have something to share that could start a class discussion. The spirit is amazing! Prayers were answered on both sides!

There are tender mercies occurring around us each day. Are we aware? Do we listen to the promptings, so that those tender mercies can happen? I am thankful for the gospel in my life. As hard as this situation is...my faith, knowledge of eternal families and love of the gospel gives such great comfort. Not only for me, but also for my children.

~friends~

Life is so delicate, fragile and precious. We never know when our path will take a twist and turn. Recently I found out that a friend and her family had received horrible news. News that changes your life. Today I found out that my friend is losing her battle. As I absorb this and think of her family...she has 2 teenage kids. My heart breaks for them and what they are enduring. Then, I reflect on when did I last see her? I should have done a better job at keeping in touch, I certainly didn't do my best at being a friend. I let life get in the way.

As I ponder the "I should have," "I could have," and the "why didn't I," I get ashamed at my lack of being a "TRUE" friend. It is so easy to let LIFE take over and push things to the side. Laundry will always be there, the dirty floor will still be there and most definitely the grimy bathrooms will still be waiting. But, friends are not always there. Boy, did I miss out on some great memories and times.

In January I picked "I Can do Hard Things" to focus on this year. And let me tell you, I have had plenty of "hard things" to tackle and overcome. Amazing how life works that way. I have had physical, emotional, spiritual and character building opportunities. I am grateful for each of them, as I have grown and learned through doing them.

Now as the year is quickly coming to an end, I have decided that I need to do a few more "hard things." I need to serve more, I need to put aside the "To Do" list and talk to a friend, I need to make more contact with family and friends near and far. The thing is, if I don't make an effort than who will? Someone has to take the first step and I missed opportunities with my friend. I don't want that to happen with anyone else.

When you look at the big picture what really matters and what can you take with you? The clean house is not a priority and it can't go with you. Family, friends and relationships are what matters. I need to set the example for my kids to follow. I hope to be more thoughtful, observant, caring and considerate. So that my family and friends will know that I am there for them.

First day of School

Kenzie

Sophomore year of college

Jensen

Sophomore year of High School

Alec

5th grade

The summer flew by!
Jensen and Alec started school on the same day.
Lucky Kenzie got to start 2 weeks later.
Boy have they grown up!
Everyone was excited for the big day!
So far it is a great school year.
They are liking their classes and
making new friends.
Yeah for school!!

Lawn Boy

Oh, boy is Scott excited!

We now have a Lawn Boy in the making.

Living in Arizona requires year long lawn care.

I know that some weeks Scott is not too excited to

spend a Saturday caring for our large yard.

Now he has a buddy to help him and they

get to bond at the same time.

You go boys!

Journal

A while ago I went into Alec's room after he had gone to school.

Propped up on his bed was his journal.

It contained a freshly written entry and was left open.

I did as any mother would do...read the entry.

This was not a loving entry.

Alec explained how he was a good kid, how he had waited

for a year and a half for a certain video game and how

we still were not allowing him to get it.

He was even willing to use his own money.

It is great that he can express himself and point out all the

reasons why he should be able to get the video game.

I love it when kids can reason and fight their own defense.

The hard part is being the parent and making the hard decisions

and sticking to them.

She Did It!!

Wednesday was a "BIG" day!

Jensen got her permit to drive!!

Congrats!!

It was a tough road for Jens.

On Tuesday she failed the test and was

completely heart-broken.

She studied real hard and went back

on Wednesday for a 2nd time.

This time it was complete success.

Here's to another driver in the house!

Way to go Jensen!!

It's Here!!

It is finally here.....

FALL in AZ!!!

Oh, how I wished it looked like this.

But, I will settle for this.

At last the temperatures have cooled.

Driving with the windows down, sunroof open, music blasting

and kids singing along.

This is what we have longed for and how

lovely it is.

I love having the doors open and the fresh air coming in,

being able to go running outside without dieing of heat

and the beautiful thought that the AC will be done running

in a short time.

Arizona is glorious this time of year!

So Worth the Wait!