Familial Research and Development

Yes. Yes they are. She was speaking of the home remodeling progress. But as I was saying my prayers this morning it dawned on me that although the remodeling job is important to me, a much greater dream is coming true. A fulfillment of eternal value. She's part of it. To see my posterity hold to the iron rod, the word of God and to each other-that is my fondest dream. Yes. My dreams are coming true. Little bit by little bit. The rest is just frosting!

As a tween (that being somewhere between a teenager and a kid) there were mornings I did the 'normal' kid thing. I'd get up, take care of bodily needs, clothe, eat and then find something to do to play. Well.... One of the 'bodily needs' that my parents were trying to teach me (I guess) was the need to brush my hair, do something with it (take responsibility for it) and make myself presentable (for others to look at). I just didn't do anything about it. My bad. Their bad? They would try to 'shame' me into taking responsibility rather than teach me into it. I didn't brush my hair. Okay. So help me develop the habit by: 1) Teach me that others have to look at me and though I only see out through my eyes so I don't have to see what I look like, doesn't mean that's so pleasant for others if I don't brush my hair. 2) Like putting clean clothes on, brushing your hair is done regularly, first thing in the morning. 3) Provide for me implement...

Dove donated blood at the ARC center today. I got there to pick him up just as he was through with his treat and was ready to go. I love perfect timing. I was naughty (again). I hadn't made dinner. I was too busy crafting a card to give to the ladies I visit teach. I enjoy doing that-being crafty-visiting teaching. As I was feeling guilty about not being a very good wife, I noticed on the Arctic Circle billboard, "$5 Buck Bag of Burgers Triple Berry Shakes" I can afford that much. So we splurged and got burgers, a triple berry shake to share and an order of fries to share. Where's all this leading? Nowhere in particular-just down memory lane. My dad used to drive 20 miles south to Ventura and buy, from a mom & pop hamburger stand 20 cent hamburgers. AND this place had a gallon jug of banana peppers on the counter-have all you want with your burgers. For some reason that used to taste so good. I thought that was a great deal. Then a couple years later I was in Salt...

I believe that if you set specifications on a request, you have set limits to that request. I said my prayers. I asked to help me be more patient with my husband. Is that what I got? No. Asking for such a thing I know means that I will be given an 'opportunity' for growth. I figured growth with my husband is a good thing-and one that I am still working at. Is that what happened? NO! After he left for work this morning I haven't seen or spoken with him; haven't interacted with him; and nothing has gone 'wrong' that I can blame on him. On my way home from work I was going to stop and pick up a new table cloth, but couldn't find a close/easy parking spot so decided I didn't have time to waste. I did stop at the bank and made a deposit-this was time I knew I had, the wait was not long. Then I stopped at the store. I had promised to take half a dinner to a family and was assigned a salad and a dessert. I shopped quickly and got to the check stand. I did NOT h...

They moved them. I'm sure they did. We were just here last night and... and... they were just right there, weren't they? Maybe I was just distracted with the company I was with this morning so I just missed them. Maybe I was distracted because I was hungry. But really, I'm sure they just moved them... We wandered for nearly an hour and were almost back where we begun so I had to ask someone. I certainly didn't want to sound stupid, you know. You don't speak Swedish and everything is titled with a Swedish name. So I experiment with a slight risk. I walk up to an employee in a yellow with blue shirt and say, "I'm speaking in IKEA. I'm looking for a set of six, two of each, (my hands are demonstrating the sizes) and, komplement, and..." Before I finish my sentence she says, "There right over here and do you want it in white or black?" If you speak IKEA to a person who understands IKEA, you won't sound crazy, you risk little to nothing an...

Oh well it will grow back, right?! I was burning some of the grapevine clippings in the burn barrel. It was still wet from the winter and from yesterdays snow/rain. I've always associated grapevines with Jesus. Something about treading the wine press alone, righteous wrath (The Grapes of Wrath), turning water into wine at a wedding (love alliteration) and so on. Being so wet there was a lot of white smoke, little flame and not much heat. Until I thought of trimming the branches off the Christmas tree and putting them in. Man did that ever get things going (hence the singed hair). He was hung on a pole, from a tree. Christmas is man's puny excuse to celebrate His birth. Interesting, it took the Christmas tree to get the grapevines burning. Then once the grapevines (only the ones in the barrel, I have lots more where those came from) burned down I could see what was in the bottom of the barrel... wait for it... wait for it... As I was turning the compost pile so I could be nearby...