We may not have snow here but it still gets cold. And I love how singing can warm the heart and cheer the soul, especially when it's Christmas music! We started a tradition of going caroling for several years in a row, but then travel plans have, from time to time, kept us from it. This year we were able to go again and I'm so glad we did!
This year I am trying something new. As a lover of the Old Testament and in memory of Jewish tradition, which is the only tribe to have kept it's Israelite identity throughout history, I want to prepare a Christmas Eve dinner of foods Jesus would have eaten. I have done a bit of research about Jewish foods and I think I have come up with an acceptable menu with the understanding that with our different cooking methods and the passing of time it may not be entirely authentic. 
We simply cannot pass up an opportunity to share Grandpa's professional reading talents, good books and a few props with our Grandchildren!
I love Christmas. My house keeps some of it all year. But putting up a tree and doing all the work of decorating with only two of us here and no little ones, well, it's just not the same.
Tonight David and I had the opportunity to attend the annual Tulare High School Choirs' Candlelight Concert. There were 9 of our LDS youth in the choir and it was beautiful! Three of these young people are my former Seminary students and it was such a pleasure to hear them sing in praise of the season. 
he'd ever traveled, Gus Pike said, the Spice Island". He said you could "smell 'er on the sea".
). YUM! Those spice brothers create a delicious family of flavor!
It's been such a very busy week there's hardly been a moment to breathe. It's been a good week, just busy. We've shopped, written and mailed letters, prepared for and held our Primary activity, taken pictures of the activity which are now printed and ready to go on our bulletin board, spent some time doing a temple session, attended and spoke at a baptism, and took Chandler and Jacob to a High School play, which was quite fun.
"Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care
In hopes of the presents Santa will bear.
But let's not forget it's the Savior's birthday
And we, too, have gifts for Him on this day!
'This stocking of white, let it hang next to mine
To remind me to give at this Christmas time.
For the Savior taught this truth plainly,
'If you do it for these, you do it for me.'
'So let me write down the gift I can give
To help another, or even forgive.
As I follow His steps, and do as He does
My gift will be accepted by the Savior above."
walk Lilly to school and then around the park beside the school 6 times (because it adds up to 3 miles), and then home.
Well, our kids did it! They grew up and then they moved out on their own! But we all want our children to take wing and fly, as long as it isn't too far or for too long. Couldn't there just be a rule that says they must stay within a 10 mile radius?
Thanksgiving Day has come and gone from this year's calender of events but as the shoppping, cooking and storing the food of the feast is done, I've begun a bit of a sentimental journey. And I, along with the ever famous and beloved Bob Hope, must sing, "Thanks for the memories".
k, a long time ago, when my Grandma and Grandpa Shipp stepped up and let us live in their house; my Dad and Richard, and me. Those bittersweet years were made so much brighter by the warmth of caring grandparents.
f where we lived and what would have meaning for us.
In answer to this last Priesthood blessing, I was not given instant relief from complete drug withdrawal but after two sleepless nights, I called the Master Herbalist and was told about a little herb called Valerian. When the root is taken in dried form it calms nerves without causing drowsiness, but the fresh extract will help you sleep. You also can't overdose with Valerian, it's completely safe. WOW! It has been an amazing help. Between the two, and Tylenol I am truly never going to have to use Hydrocodone again, and I couldn't be happier!!!
The chief EMT there is Mike Barton, who carries a pager and is on call, even on Sunday morning. They say it is not unusual to see a group of men get up from their seats and leave church to go help folks who have been in an accident such as mine. They, along with other members of the community who give so freely of their time and talents to go out and save lives, no matter the weather, the time, or the inconvenience, are unsung heroes for many. That stretch of highway, Buckhorn Pass, is notorious for accidents because of the long, unbroken scene of countryside that is almost mesmerizing. 
They have seen it many times and they come prepared to do whatever it takes to pull people from a wrecked vehicle, retrieve their belongings - even helping to clean them up, and then send them on their way, often never knowing if they live or die. But these men and women do indeed make a huge difference in the lives of those they assist. 
My heart is full and will forever have a soft place for the citizens of Iron County. It's a beautiful area of the world, with smalltown community; where everyone knows everyone, and they genuinely care about one another, even those who, like me, are just passers-by.
There has to have been many, many people responsible for helping me, from rescue, to lab, to hygiene, to surgery, to cleaning my room, to recovery, etc.. I cannot possibly adequately thank all who have been so very kind to me. All I can really do is to say thank you and hope my small words will somehow convey the depth of my gratitude.
experienced each of our lives as though it was himself. I now have a profoundly different appreciation for the Savior! Taking the Sacrament will never be the same.
With the halo on I was unable to get into a car so when I was taken to Dr. Bauman's office to see if I was ready have it removed I went by hospital bus. As I rode along I thought about whether I should think on the positive side or if I should be prepared to handle disappointment appropriately. I prayed and asked Heavenly Father what I should do and as soon as I finished my prayer I looked out the window and saw a car with an advertisement covering the back window and right there in big letters it said, "EXPECT A MIRACLE"! And sure enough, the halo came off that day.
I spent 3 days in Intensive Care and then 7 more days, at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. On May 27th, our anniversary, I was moved to Healthsouth in Sandy. I was there until July 3rd, three days after they removed the halo and replaced it with a hard collar. Independance Day!
e coffee shop where we ordered smoothies and sat outside enjoying our hillside view of the Oquirrh Mountains. It turned out to be delightful and I was able to explain just a bit to a little girl about this halo. It was not the fiasco I anticipated at all.
Before the accident, when we were at the Church Distribution Center, I saw a CD by the Tabernacle Choir. The title, as I read it, was "Heavensong, Music of Comfort, Healing and Hope". David bought me this soon after the accident when I was in Intensive Care. It eased my pain and helped me sleep better. Later I read the title as it really reads on the cover, "Heavensong, Music of Contemplation and Light".
This last May 16th we had a car accident. I was the driver. My first and greatest gratitude is that no other cars were involved, that David's injuries weren't worse than they were - a fractured rib and a cut on his hand that required stitches, and that Mark walked away with minor cuts and bruises. Thankfully my own were the worst. I don't know that I could calm the guilt otherwise.
After about 45 minutes I couldn't find any more air. I knew it was gone and that I had done all I could do. It was at this point that I stopped fighting. The only thing left was to "let go and let God". So I breathed my last breath. I felt calm and peaceful and I knew all would be well whether I lived or died and I was okay with that. And things went dark.
the!" and, realizing that this was now possible, I started breathing again. I was placed on a hard, smooth board and I was glad not to be on the ground in the dirt anymore.
Take Joseph and Potiphar's wife. Nowhere in the account were there witnesses yet, Moses knew of Joseph's faithfulness, as well as the intents in the heart of the unfaithful woman.
Somebody loves us! A very sneaky somebody. These showed up anonymously on our front door! Thank you to whoever did this!
From Pancakes to pulling weeds to playing games we had a great time with Paige!
