Miracles

The past few days I have been comforted by music.

Not just any music but 

Spiritually Uplifting Music.

I love William Joseph.

Not just because he is family but because 

I LOVE HIS MUSIC!

This month he came out with a CD 

"Be Still"

I have been listening to it endlessly...

and it has lifted me.

http://william-joseph.com

At our stake Relief Society Birthday Party

they sang the song, "Miracles" by Sally DeFord.

It is beautiful and a reminder

that when we are at our lowest moments by serving others we

can be lifted.

The words are copied below.

http://www.defordmusic.com/miracles.htm

Miracles

Amid the countless blessings the Lord has given me

The light of truth and goodness; the Holy Spirit's peace

I see the many sorrows that his children must endure

So much hurt I long to heal. How can I change the world? 

Chorus:

There are hands I cannot hold

Hearts I cannot comfort

Tears that only miracles can stay

So let me love and serve and teach

Those who come within my reach

For miracles begin that way 

The Savior walked in Galilee, unknown in many lands

Yet touching every nation by the labors of his hands

Giving light to all the world by teaching but the few

He is my example in the work that I must do 

(Repeat chorus) 

I will bear the burden of my neighbor in his need

I will share my Savior's love in every kindly deed

He will magnify my efforts, and I'll understand at last

That by these small and simple things are great things brought to pass. 

(Repeat chorus) 

Deep breath...

Life is Good

and 

Music has lifted me.

LONG Week

One week ago, my neighbor, friend, and all round amazing lady passed away.

Lona was hit while riding her bike.

Kirk and I were at the hospital when she arrived.

The doctors said that she died at the site of the accident.

Standing in the ER room with the love of her life,  Dennis and Lona's still body

touched my spirit in a way I can not explain.

I was numb, how...why... I had no tears...

nothing... I could not accept what I was seeing.

I asked that STUPID question, "Dennis how are you?"

His answer was perfectly honest "Shitty".

 I didn't cry for several days nor could I sleep. One very late night as I watched one of the videos of her amazing talent of carving birds.

 I had my crash moment...I FELL APART...I sobbed.

March 15, 2012

Was her funeral.

again, there were no tears.

But a thought came to my mind as I stood at the cemetery.

From the time she and Dennis moved to the "lane", I always felt like Lona was my friend.

She always made me feel important and welcomed in her home and her studio.

As I listened to others at the cemetery I realized that I was not the only one that felt that way.

She made everyone she was around feel just like I felt.

WOW, what a quality to have.

Lona had a love of life and lived it to the fullest.

Her talents were beyond belief.

It has been a long week.

But, my testimony has been strengthened about the work of the Comforter.

I was just her neighbor and yet I have felt that amazing peace.

We do not understand all the events that happen on our journey here on earth.

Sorrow is a building block to make us stronger

and maybe sometimes a tragedy forces us to re-evaluate our life and priorities.

To be kinder, to make everyone you meet feel special, to say I LOVE YOU a little more, to hold your kiss a second longer, to look at your self and smile and know that you can make an impact in someone's life with out even knowing it.

Kind of like what Lona did for me.

Lona, I will miss you.

I will miss seeing your smile, I will miss your energy your ability to run & bike no matter the weather. Your love of our river was seen in each time you went out swimming, jet skiing & canoeing. I would see you start a carving project and still be in awe of what would be the finished result, and YOU LIVED like nobody I have met before.

Today, I cherish my belief in families and eternity.

Today, I cherish life.

• 
  Visit Lona's website http://www.icarvum.com/ of a reminder of what the world has lost and what heaven gained.

The Greatest Generation

I have loved indexing census, WWI draft cards, death and birth certificate for several years.
 At www.familyseach.org anyone who wants to participate can join in.
In just a few days the 1940 Census will be available to see, and with lots of help it can be available to all via the internet.
If you would like to participate in this EVENT join in! You can go to www. familyseach.org or to www.the1940census.com.  I CAN HARDLY WAIT!

""The 1940 U.S. Federal Census is the largest, most comprehensive, and most recent record set available that records the names of those who were living in the United States at the time the census was taken.
132 million people were living in the 48 Continental United States in 1940."

"Tens of millions of people living in the United States in 1940 are still living today, making this a record set that connects people with recent family records.
Many of these individuals are part of what has been called the greatest generation."
These are people who:

• Survived the Great Depression
• Fought in the Second World War
• Innovated technology (TV, Microwave)
• Sacrificed in the name of freedom
• Practiced thrift and compassion
• Understood hard work and industry

"The people in the 1940 census deserve to have their records preserved and made available online.""
https://www.the1940census.com/

Amazing Article

Stephen H. Webb

Professor of Religion &Philosophy

Graduating at the top of his class, Prof. Webb was one of two students selected to give the 1983 Wabash commencement speech. After earning his Ph.D. with distinction from the University of Chicago in 1989, he returned to Wabash to teach in the religion and philosophy departments. He is the author of 11 books on topics such as the musical philosophy of Bob Dylan, theological critiques of the theory of evolution, the importance of the doctrine of providence in American history, the role of religion in public education, and the history of vegetarianism. His book The Divine Voice, an analysis of the role of sound in Christian history, was named the Religious Communication Association’s Book of the Year for 2005. He has published over 50 journal and national magazine articles (including First Things, Books & Culture, and Touchstone) and over 80 book reviews.

Nope, I had never heard of him.

until I read his article in

"First Things"

The title of the Artice:

Mormonism Obsessed with Christ

Stephen H. Webb

Let me give you just the first few lines and then you can decide if you would like to read it too.

"I too used to think of Mormonism as little more than an exotic and abnormal addition to Christianity. When I taught Mormon history to my students, I emphasized its remarkable spirit of endurance, its organizational savvy, and the sheer scope of its religious imagination. Yet I regret to say that I did not try to hide my condescension.

I have come to repent of this view, and not just because I came to my senses about how wrong it is to be rude toward somebody else’s faith. I changed my mind because I came to realize just how deeply Christ-centered Mormonism is. "

Article | First Things

Hope you will leave a comment on what you think of it.

In Like A Lion

March has came in with a sparkling show.

March Is Here

and I am a little bit Irish...

no, really I am.*

I have loved learning more about my Irish heritage.

My son, Derek has a real love for the Celtic ring called the "Claddagh", 

pronounced “cla” as in “class” and “ddagh” pronounced “da” as in “dad".

 He even had it drawn on his arm.
(He wanted to see my face when he showed me his "tattoo"
I liked the drawing, glad it was just an ink pen)

When he gave me my Christmas gift it made me almost cry, because I know how much the symbolism of the  Claddagh means to him

and that he would share it with me.

 The Claddagh design is used on the traditional wedding ring of the Irish.

The Claddagh is often placed on betrothal bands to represent holding a lover's heart in one's hands. "With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love."

Claddagh Symbolism:

 The crown symbolizes loyalty.

The hands symbolize friendship.

The heart symbolizes love.

http://marriage.about.com/cs/rings/a/claddaghring.htm

*my mother was a Berryhill. Her family was part of the Scotch-Irish who came to America between 1685 - 1720. Living in Lancaster Co., PA,  to Mecklenburg, N.C.