Monday to Friday Fun!

The Service: Elder Barth shoveling our driveway! He's the worker!

This was Monday. Elder Barth is having a bouncy good time! Notice NO COAT and little blades of green grass! and you also can't tell he is 2 feet off the ground!

Today, (Friday) It's a SNOW DAY! This is the fun of air trekkers in the Deep snow.

Flash Back Friday Too: The Piano

This is Me and My Mom. Just the beginning of a tradition with a PIANO. Not only did all of us listen to her play but we also gathered around the PIANO and Sang. The story of this particular piano was that they decided to make a "MUSIC ROOM" and in order for the Piano to fit in the music room. Dad had to cut a hole in the wall to make a new door because they couldn't get it around the corner to fit. Years later Mom sold the piano and then bought a new Piano. ** Note the spinning wheel next to this piano was made by my Grandfather Pike.

Then Mom and Dad purchased this piano. The story is when my mother had cancer her request was that this piano be given to my Brother Kent. After Mom passed away my brother Kent was persistent that it wasn't going to his house. He made a zillion excuses. One being that he worked grave yard and he wasn't going to get woke up by his girls practicing. I'm sure it would have been a treasure to his daughters too. But he insisted that I get it. I knew my Mother wouldn't be happy and I didn't want to disobey her wishes. It wasn't up to me. Kent made sure it went home with me.

So when I got this piano it became very important to me to use it in a way that my Mom wouldn't be disappointed that I ended up with the piano. So I started lessons with Clark's Aunt Arlene. She also taught my children and it was apparent that my son Terrence had a natural ability. So between Elyse learning and Terrence Learning it already was a blessing to our family.

Now as time goes on I know that my Mom would be OK with me having it. Number 2 reason, while living in Louisiana, Laura my Daughter in Law was able to practice on it. #3 While there, the Sister Missionaries would stop by and practice songs that they sang in Church. Also, #4 - not that I could play all that well by any means but I had the calling of playing piano for the primary children.

Then when we moved to Kansas. #5-The Sister Missionary that lived with us (Sister Albaugh) got permission to take piano lessons from another Sister in our Branch. #6- Seminary (Bible Study) was also held in my home so even the seminary students had the opportunity to play. #7-Now We have the Elders and they love practicing hymns too.

I often think now, Mom would be thrilled that so many have had the opportunity to play her piano. I think she might be OK with it now.

In time, I will pass the piano down to my daughter and there is more history in the making. I know she will treasure Mom's piano like I treasure it.

Thankful Thursday: HARD TIMES

Well today is a combination of a weeks thoughts and emotions. I have seen heartbreak of others watching those they love, suffer heartache. I've seen brotherly love. Families stand together to help each other. I've seen people around them that care have "sleepless nights" I LOVE BLOGGING... the most important reason today is READING the experiences of others. It helps me realize that we are all going through similar emotions, although different experiences. And knowing that we are not alone helps us get through day to day issues. My latest -- I have followed Paul Cardall's blog for the past 1 1/2 years. If you want to know if you have trials? Read his story. His second chance at life is so inspiring. I kept him in my prayers. A stranger sort of. I only knew him through his music. And his father used to be a news anchor for my favorite news channel. Pleading seriously with God to spare his life especially after his brother was killed. Today his wife Lynette told her story. Wow. I love to hear how she felt with their TRIALS. Just her comments about just wishing she had "normal" trials like the washing machine breaking down or worrying about a past due bill. It's so true. When we are experiencing trials it is like, "oh I wish I had the problems I had last week, when the little things seemed so "BIG" I can relate to this as so many of us can. And this week I am THANKFUL again. For those people in my life that help me to see that we can make it through even the "hard" times. And THANKFUL for the things that we learn along the way.

Missing Clarks Mom-- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I miss LAUGHING and CHATTING and WORKING and PLAYING and CRYING with DeAnn. I miss Mr. Clark teasing her. I knew she understood what I go through! One thing about it. If you can tell how your man will treat you by the way he treats his mother I KNOW I'M LOVED" Mr. Clark TRULY loves his mother. I love my mother in law. She not only was mom but also my good friend. BIRTHDAY WISHES GO TO HEAVEN!

THANKFUL TUESDAY: CROCUS'S

My crocus's are popping through the ground.... YIPPEE IT MEANS SPRING IS INEVITABLE!! I love, love, love SPRING. It will be here TOMORROW!

MONDAY RANTINGS: It matters to me

Yesterday in Sunday School we had quite the debate. I stand firm to the SIMPLE TRUTHS. The unanswered questions (that aren't made known to us in the scriptures or by prophets.) I don't like guessing or worrying about it. ** This person of strong opinions is emerging.... not sure if thats so good? I've never been so BOLD. But my opinion is --- I might as well be BOLD in proclaiming something I believe so STRONGLY! I DO love the simple truths we have available to us in these modern days through additional scripture and Prophets on the earth today. SIMPLE TRUTHS. Things that were lost in the Holy Bible while in translation are now restored with the additional scriptures we have which are found in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. These scriptures go hand in hand with the OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. They TESTIFY OF CHRIST. THESE ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE ARE TRUE There is so much confusion in religions about the "FALL OF ADAM" Fall meaning (they left Gods presence)This weeks lesson is found in LDS Living Magazine (click on it to read the article it's awesome!)makes it so clear that because we came here to the earth and have FREE AGENCY or ABILITY TO MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES. Adam and Eve had CHOICES. Why wouldn't they? That is the purpose coming to EARTH. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (aka the Mormons) I believe That GOD KNEW THAT SATAN WOULD TEST EVE. But she (Eve)also had FREE AGENCY. AND THEREFORE HE (GOD) WAS PREPARED WITH A GREATER PLAN. Because of their choices he( God) knew we must have a SAVIOR. Which puts into place the ATONEMENT. Jesus Christ paid for Adam and Eves Transgression when he died for everyone. And in addition to this (Concerning Adam and Eve) 2 Nephi 2 vs. 25 " Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy. "Also **We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adams Transgressions. (Article Faith #2) It matters to me...

THIS IS NOW...

Minus Alaina and Great Grandchildren

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMPS! XO