Thankful Thursday: For my Husbands view of my JCPenney Card!

This is the Maurices Card. This one is gone in a good way! I gave it to Elyse while she was struggling through college. She is now doing AWESOME so... This card is now GONE!

The Sears card is GONE!

Our conversation the other night was about getting rid of all our credit cards and going CASH ONLY! Mr. Clark came out with this bold statement: "Honey, I think shopping at J. C. Penneys is a "HOBBY" for you" LOL :)

I seriously had to laugh. Do you think he knows me???? It has been a disadvantage to have worked there and know how to get a good deal. I have always maintained that there will be a J. C.PENNEY'S in HEAVEN."

SHOPPING BRINGS ME JOY! Does this mean I need "SHOPPING ANONYMOUS???" No I think it means I'll be changing my "HOBBY"

Tune in to see what happens to the "JCPENNEY CARD"

Just a Thought:

No pain that we suffer,

no trial that we experience is wasted.

It ministers to our education

to the development of such qualities as

Patience, Faith, Fortitude and Humility.

All that we suffer

all that we endure,

especially when we endure it patiently,

builds up our

Character,

Purifies our hearts,

Expands our souls,

and makes us

Tender and Charitable,

more worthy to be called

children of God...

and it is through

sorrow and suffering,

toil and tribulation,

that we gain the education

that we come here to

acquire

and

which makes us more like

Our Father and Mother

in Heaven

by : Orson F. Whitney

in Spencer W. Kimball book

Faith Proceeds the Miracle pg. 98

Thankful Tuesday: For Good Friends, Laughter, Exercise & Prayers!

GOOD FRIENDS get you through the hard times! Thankful for my friend Nita. We can laugh! And when things seem GRIM for both of us. LAUGHTER seems to be the best medicine! For EXERCISE too! Because I can sweat off STRESS (and my workout friends help me solve the worlds problems). And For PRAYERS. I am so blessed to have people surround me that when I'm worried and concerned they concentrate their efforts in prayer. We all need that HIGHER POWER in our lives to comfort and bless us in time of sadness, worry, and illness and suffering. THANKS TO ALL. LIFE IS BETTER BECAUSE YOU ARE IN IT! XO

Lovin' my Kids

Just had a conversation with my Daughter in Law Laura. Surgery is over. "IT WILL BE A WAITING GAME NOW" to see if Terr gets any pain relief. Doctor said, "he may notice it in a week. But it may take six months to a year if anything at all. " I talked to Terr. He is in a lot of pain. They split his elbow open and he has a 6" incision??? He say's it feels like a 12" incision. (because they did 12" worth of work on his nerves) Also incision on his wrist. He is about to go home. It's hard to be so far away right now... Love my Daughter in law for being beside our Son. I know how much stress it is to handle this alone. Lovin' My Daughter Elyse for being there to watch the girls. She is such a great support to Terrence and his little family. Ty is on the phone talking to Terr. It's so awesome to see the support they are to each other. XO to MY KIDS! I MISS YOU ALL MORE THAN EVER ON DAY'S THAT I KNOW YOU NEED ME!!! TEARS

To Terrence: HOLD ON! HAVE FAITH! PRAYERS FOR YOU!

PLEASE KEEP OUR SON TERRENCE IN YOUR PRAYERS! Terrence is having surgery Monday morning to attemp to releave the pain he is suffering from the nerve damage after being electricuted in October. There is a 10 percent chance that it will help. Please remember him in your prayers. He needs to be among the 10 percent! Terrence is 26 yr. old father of 2 little girls. He is being couragous to find anything that will make a difference in his suffering. XO

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Seek Learning by Faith

To Sue: This is the subject of what Elder David Bednar spoke about. USING PRAYER & THEN ACTING IN FAITH click on this link: LDS.org - Ensign Article - Seek Learning by Faith

Thankful Thursday: For SUNNY DAYS

The end of a BEAUTIFUL DAY-Outside my back door, looking at the Interstate 35

We are anticipating another storm. Oh and the sunny days have been AMAZING. So thankful! I am feeling much better. I was a little skeptical about starting my exercise regiment back up but thank goodness for good friends who push me! I probably would have laid in bed all week and WORRIED about HOW SICK I WAS... Any way Its amazing what the SUNSHINE and FRIENDS do for your heart! (ya, chest pains again)

Yesterday and Today I have been cleaning the dreaded clothes closet! Besides the fact that Mr. Clark has taken over the entire closet and I moved most of my things to the guest bedroom (I have one section to my self. ) Between his work uniforms, business attire, Church attire and play clothes, he is consuming the space! Yes, I am missing the his and her closet of our beautiful home in Louisiana :( Wish I could have taken it with me!! THE WHOLE HOUSE THAT IS!

THE BIGGEST NEWS. We are becoming WIRELESS! Yep, I donated all of the WIRE hangers to the recycling center and we are now PLASTIC (except for my Grandma Great hangers. The crocheted ones.) Maybe pics later???

Thankful Tuesday: Phone Calls

THANKFUL today for My Honey who simply called me this morning to see if I was OK? And THANKFUL for our conversation which included CONCERN and LOVE. I am THANKFUL that he shows me. He is always giving and not by any means big gifts, but with cards, candy bars, tickets to a girls day out, Even a small thing like a box of Hot Tamales or piece of Hubba Bubba Bubble gum. I love when he pops it out of his pocket with big eyes and says SURPRISE. I know he thought of me that day. I love that he tries to get me to LAUGH.  FOR THIS I AM THANKFUL. I believe IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MEAN THE MOST!

ksl.com - Paul Cardall celebrates life with special concert (Gallery Viewer)

ksl.com - Paul Cardall celebrates life with special concert (Gallery Viewer)

ksl.com - Paul Cardall celebrates life with special concert

I am missing Pauls concert :( but now I have one more reason to follow Paul. He talked with my friends son McKay (12), who also suffers from this same heart disease. on ksl.com. This link doesn't show it. It gives a brief conversation they had together. I will post it when it airs. ksl.com - Paul Cardall celebrates life with special concert A CELEBRATION OF LIFE. If you have followed Paul's Story you would know how close he came to death. SUCH AN INSPIRING PERSON! I know he will mentour McKay and give him MUCH HOPE for the FUTURE.

In My Next Life...

Wait a minute. This is my life at the moment! I am a BEAR! If I truly was a bear everyone would expect me to GROWL! Mr. Clark calls me MOOOdy! Maybe I should be a cow!! Hope it's nothing to do with lifes changes... For now I will attempt to act like a good bear and hibernate!

This poem just suits me the last few days. I've not been feeling well. I think when you don't feel well it is even easier to GROWL.

You can tell my friends know me!Lovin' my friend who sent this bear poem to me!

Lovin' my friend who allowed me to hang out with her today. So I could get out of my Grrrr growly mood! Hopefully tomorrow I will be all better! I will spare you all the 10 reasons I'm Grrrrrr GROWLY!

UPDATE:

OK I JUST READ TODAY'S NIE.... I HAVE NO REASON TO GROWL. I have NO problems, I am not suffering as she has suffered. I am blessed with a wonderful life. I couldn't walk a minute in her shoes. PRAYERS FOR HER TODAY!

My Valentine Treasure

His name is faint it is from: DESTIN

I almost missed this one. I wasn't feeling well and had made the decision not to go to church on Sunday. But having the husband I have (he was already at church) I know the extra effort he makes no matter how he feels to go to work each day and church each week. So I decided I better exercise faith that I will feel well enough to make it 3 hours. So I went. I was late, church had started. I sat down in the pew and Destin (who has severe cerebral palsy) stands up reaches over and gives me this Valentine. I cried. I will treasure it forever. I know it came from his heart. And I needed it. Destin is one of those angels on earth!

To My VALENTINE!

Don't need any fancy reminders, I get them everyday! The world is a beautiful place because you're beside me to see it! XO

FLASH BACK FRIDAY TOO

I haven't saved everything. But this always seems to pop up in my scraps of memoirs! It was made by Terrence in Elementary. It is a treasured valentine! I MISS THE DAY'S! I MISS MY KIDS. I LOVE THEM SO SO SO MUCH

Elder Parente Celebrates 12 months!

The cookie is suppose to be a HALF of a HEART! Lame but its all I could think of!! LOL

For Missionaries this is the HALF WAY mark. Elders serve for 2 years. HAPPY HUMP DAY!

THANKFUL THURSDAY: SURVIVAL MODE!

I have learned today that when flying in an airplane the first thing they tell you is to LOOK for the exit sign nearest you. (you have to visually check them out so in the event you have to use them your brain will go into auto mode) Because in the event of a CRASH chances are you won't be able to get to the front door. I like to think I always have a PLAN A, and if that doesn't work a PLAN B and then last but not least a PLAN C. I just had this talk with my son Tyrel a few weeks ago. It was about a different subject but he was telling me "we always had a back up plan, if plan A didn't work, we resorted to plan B and if that didn't work we had a plan for that plan...Never leaving any idol time." (ya... he was talking about missionary work)I think that it has been the way I have survived a few crisis's(In AUTO MODE). Maybe the benefit of being a little pessimistic. Planning for THE WORSE and EXPECTING THE BEST. Then there are times when the unexpected happens and keeps happening and you can't do anything to change it. I have learned from close friends the importance of trying to find something NORMAL in everyday to SURVIVE it. NORMAL is always changing. My normal is amazingly quiet these day's. SURVIVAL MODE COMES IN SPURTS. Not so welcome when the crisis occurs but GRATEFUL we have a SURVIVAL MODE!

My Stove:

My Stove is missing the SHINING and POLISHING of ELDER BARTH!!! I had to do it myself today! Ahhhhhhhh and the boys bathroom and the floors and the dishes!

THANKFUL TUESDAY: For WINTER AND SNOW

My friend Robin O took these pictures. Beautiful scenes of Winter in Kansas.

If we didn't have WINTER we wouldn't appreciate SPRING. I remember in Louisiana I often got confused about the seasons because it was ALWAYS so beautiful and GREEN. Now I appreciate SNOW. Just a beauty unimaginable. I LOVE ALL THE SEASONS but I'm always ready to welcome the next season! At the end of Winter I love the anticipation of little buds blossoming from the trees and new growth popping up through the ground. I love PLANTING and I think its getting the time to start the little seedlings! And I'm kinda feeling a CRAFT DAY COMIN' ON TOO!! The Snow has INSPIRED me to BAKE and SIT and PONDER about NEW FUN IDEAS! It's been unusually QUIET at my house. I feel like I can actually haul out the Fun! Love day's like today. SO TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR WINTER!

SNOW DAY!

6 inches of Snow and still coming down! Pics in a bit! Soups on. Bread is raising. Driveway is shoveled! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THE SNOW~!~

Elder Holley and Elder Parente built this snowman.

Elder David Bednar, An Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ

Today I heard the words of ONE of the LIVING 12 Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. I felt his LOVE and TESTIMONY of Jesus Christ, who atoned for our sins, for our heartaches, and I learned again today that through the atonement we can gain Strength to battle the storms of life. These men are true discliples that are given the keys and authority to go about the world in his name.. I feel blessed to have been able to be in his midst. To shake his hand was a chance of a life time. I am so thankful to have to comfort and assurance that God has given us Prophets and Apostles to guide our lives.

YES I believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely APOSTLES, PROPHETS, PASTORS, TEACHERS, EVANGELISTS, and so forth. "

I Know that these APOSTLES testify of Christ TODAY! Of God's love for each one of us and the Power of the Holy Ghost that allows me to discern these things. I KNOW IT'S TRUE. Because of the spirit I felt today I will never be the same. I will stand as his witness of God In all THINGS and in all PLACES.

*NOTE: While at the Lenexa, Ks Mission Conference we were able to see Elder Barth (who left our home 2 days before and is in MO now) and also Elder Phelps who is in Mo. now. Elder Dean also who is in Mo Now. It's a rare thing to ever see these boys again so it was pretty fun! Also We were able to meet Elyse's friend who she knew from Utah State. Elder Royer who is from Blanding, Utah

Flash Back Friday Too:

Those were the day's when kids were happy being kids. When life was simple. When comforting them was as easy as a band aid! Wish I could take their heartache and worries

of today away! Guess we wouldn't grow if we didn't have challenges to overcome. LOVE, LOVE these cutie pu-tooties!! Wish I was there for each of them right this second to hug and kiss on!

THANKFUL THURSDAY! Day's that are Productive

Today I've been busy getting ready for Elder Parente to arrive. Yes, two garbage bags full of stuff that accumates from the Elders that they don't want to take with them to the next area. I appreciate this only because of the EFFORT the Sisters made in Louisiana (while we lived there)to GET RID OF YEARS of STUFF left by others. Because of their example, now with every new missionary staying at our house I will get rid of STUFF. So I'm glad it's done. I'm ready for the NEXT ADVENTURE. I love day's like this. When things seem so productive! Didn't think I'd enjoy being HOME-- EVERYDAY, and ENJOY the Warmth and Comfort of my HOME. So today I am thankful that I can stay out of the work force for now. LOVE PEACE AND QUIET! Never have I not functioned through the day with out the TV or RADIO on . I CAN DO IT!!! AHHHhhhhhh a new experience. I feel BLESSED that I can survive the sometimes mundane and other productive day's all alone.

WELCOME ELDER PARENTE

This is our new SON! Staying with us for a while. Can't wait for the fun this Elder will bring!

WELCOME!!!

Goodbye, Elder Barth! (Mr. Donald the Duck) We will REMEMBER YOU!

Elder Barth got the TRANSFER. He is going to Liberty, Missouri . He has been in our home for 4 Months. We will miss his enthusiasm and personality. He works hard when he puts his mind to it, and is a great organizer. The missionaries following him will be that much more ahead because of his efforts. I will miss his occassional O.C.D'ness for being CLEAN! I'm sure it's a rare trait. He will make some girl a great husband! We will miss You! WE WISH HIM GREAT NEXT 6 Months! Work Hard! XO

THANKFUL TUESDAY: for TODAYS DISTRACTION! AND ANTICIPA-A-A-A_TION!

This is BITTER/SWEET because today we find out if the "ELDERS" are getting Transferred to a different area. It is Bitter because its hard to say good bye to boy's that are like SONS. They have heard the phrases from me, "YOU ARE GROUNDED"(which really means you are in BIG TROUBLE--not), "GRRRRRRRR", "THANK YOU FOR CLEANING UP YOUR MESS, "PICK UP", " REMEMBER TO LOCK THE DOOR", and they have also got the EVIL GLARE! DON'T FORGET me making a BIG BOX the size of the room with my hands and saying, DO NOT COME NEAR MY BOX" that's when I'm beyond GRUMPY! Oh and we can't forget when I threatened Elder Holley to tie him up in barb wire and drag him down a dirt road on my horse... (that was after I watched to many episodes of "CHEYENNE"!) Etc. We've had A LOT OF LAUGHS!

I appreciate their patience with me!

It is Sweet because you want them to move on and have more experiences in different areas.

Today at lunch Mr. Clark said, you haven't taught the Elders how to make bread... It's true. So today like scrunch time to send them away. We had a a "HOW TO MAKE BREAD" lesson!

WE WISH THEM THE BEST!