Heart to Heart

Recently I read a thought that went like this:

     "You will end up real disappointed if you think people will do for you as you do for them.  Not everyone has the same heart as you."

I have to admit this statement rubbed me wrong.  It sounded so arrogant or something.  

So I reworded it and this is what I came up with: 

"You will never be disappointed if you do for people as you would have them do for you.  For your heart will be in the right place."

Pluck, Cluck & Toot

I plucked two short black whiskers from the left side of my face and one longer white one from my chin.


Phone conversation between Jacquie and myself:

Me:  "What are you doing?"
Jacquie:  "I am trying to order 'chicken' on line for the Ute Stampede."
Me:  "Chicken for the Ute Stampede?  Why do you need chicken for the Ute Stampede?"
Jacquie:  "To get in."
Me:  "Oh, you mean tickets!!!"

I blow my nose and I toot.  I get up from the couch and the same thing happens!

The aging process is sometimes quite hilarious!!

Reflections

At the age of eight my family left the fertile Salt Lake Valley, the Wells relations and the Methodist church to travel to the dry, dusty oil field of Rangely, Colorado. Home of two grocery stores, five bars and no Methodist church! It was not long before my father frequented those bars, one in particular.  It was also not long before I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  When life got dark, mostly due to the choices of my father, I questioned the purpose of life.  My world was filled with light and revelation from that still small voice of the Holy Ghost. In very simple form I knew the plan of Salvation and  I knew my Savior lives!

Years later when my father came up missing in action I was filled with sorrow and anxiety for the welfare of his soul.  My anxieties and fears were calmed by that same still small voice.  I realized I did not have to be my father's savior he had one and I knew my Savior lives!

Exactly fifteen years ago my father lay in a bed, at our Sutherland home, passing from this mortal existence to the spirit world.  His philosophy was 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust.'  No belief in a God, Savior or hereafter.  I sat in that room and witnessed the great love the Savior had for this man, even though this man denied His being and I knew my Savior lives!

How grateful I am for that testimony.  How grateful I am for my earthly father.  Some of his choices caused my roots to sink deep for spiritual water.  I will forever be indebted to him and to Him.  I am aware that his choices caused him a great deal of guilt.  A heavy burden to live with.  I forgave him long ago.  I hope he is able to forgive himself.  And most of all I hope he knows that His Savior lives and loves him dearly!

Food for Thought

The elderly woman's life was winding down.  It was just a matter of time really before her mortal remains returned to mother earth and her spirit to that God who gave her life.  I paid the dear sister a visit and for lack of conversation I inquired of her on the condition of her children, who lived relatively close by.  With sadness in her being she shook her head and slowly said:  "I do not see much of them.  They have very busy lives."  The subject then changed to the weather, news, etc.

I have often reflected on this scenario, but recently it has taken a new twist for me.

Could this experience  not be a type for me in my personal life?  I have a Heavenly Father who provides for me, cares for me and loves me more than any one else does.  He is always there for me.  But sadly, many times He does not see or hear from me because I choose to busy my life with other things.  Too busy to talk to Him through personal prayer.  Too busy to listen to Him by feasting on His word.  Does He sadly shake His head when someone inquires of Him, "How is your daughter doing".  Does he reply with:  "I do not see or hear much from  her, she has chosen other things over me."

The elderly woman is no longer here.  Even if her family wanted to pay her a visit they would be unable to do so.  Unlike the elderly woman He is always there for us to visit with.  With arms outstretched He waits for us to un-busy our lives and pay Him a visit.

Signed, sealed, delivered and returned to sender!

The two little boys informed the Instructional Assistant that  'said child' had 'flipped them off' at the lunch table.  The 'said child' was sent to the office where I questioned (to myself) his accountability.  Two days later the two little boys informed the Instructional Assistant that  'said child' called them 'bad names.'  My suggestion was to separate the two little boys.  I think they were on to something.

One month later an entirely different Instructional Assistant brought the two little boys to the office.  A mother complained they were shouting obscenities at her.  The boys missed their morning recess and spent the time in the office.

The next day, after a visit from another mother, it was all surmised that the mother who complained had made up the obscenity story in order to get one of the boys in trouble.  Let's just say family history at play.

I am 100% certain the two little boys did not shout obscenities at the adult.  I am also 100% certain the two little boys totally fabricated the stories about 'said child.'

Karma is an interesting thing is it not?  No matter the age we all experience it at one point or another.  Paybacks can either 'bite us in the butt' or 'fill our well'.  It all depends on what we choose to send out.  Personally, I have experienced both consequences.  Obviously depending on what I  have chosen to send out!!

Happy day everyone!

Imagine That!

Can someone please explain to me why children become  hyper active in the evening and I become hypo-inactive (if that is such a word.)

Well, Mr. B and Mrs. B outsmarted them this time!!

While playing a game of Crazy Eights with Max (age 10) and Isaac (age 6)   Mr. and Mrs. B started to wind down.  Not so with the boys.  They began to wind up and the silliness side of them kicked in.  Realizing they were not into card playing I subtly suggested (okay I admit it was really more of a demand) that we walk over to the track and do a lap.  They thought that was a great idea.  We walked, they ran and walked and walked and ran.  When we returned home I subtly suggested that the boys do tricks on the trampoline while Mr. and Mrs. B cheered them on.  They love an audience!  So we watched until 8:45 as they flipped, turned and bounced.  At 9:00 pm both boys were tired and ready for bed.

Imagine that!! 

P.S. Isaac wins the longest tongue award!

Paul Harvey and The Rest of the Story!

Yesterday I shared my story of Mrs. Mal Singh Sidhu-Brar.  After my Temple excursion I came home and Google Searched this woman.  Which took me to Family Search.  There I could see her spread sheet and other information.  There was also an email address.  I sent an email to this person thanking them for allowing me to do her work.  I never heard back from them....that is until today.  I must share with you this email I received.  

"Thanks for your email. Sidhu is my mother's maiden name. Brar is my sister's husband's name. Some descendants of Sidhu Rao Bhatti, where Sidhu and Brar names begin, go by Sidhu, Brar or Sidhu Brar. These Punjabi women are tall, sturdy, healthy and have large families. They help with the farm work, milk buffalos, cows and feed the oxen, camels and goats. They grew most of their food on their farm. An average size of the farm was about 40 acres. They grew wheat, corn, split-peas, cotton, alfalfa, sugarcane, Jute, and vegetables. They made their own brown sugar, mustard oil, and cotton cloth. The spin-wheel was common. They slept on home-made cots, made their own butter, buttermilk, yogurt, mustard greens and cooked them. They made bread from their own wheat and corn. I enjoyed this kind of farm life for 19 years before I came to USA in 1954. Thanks for doing the work

for one my relatives."

I LOVED hearing about her life, which I suppose should light a fire under me to do my own ancestors and discover their lives.  Gotta love the Gospel!

 

From Delta to India With Love

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a Temple session in the Provo Temple.  I did an Endowment session for and in behalf of Mrs. Mal Singh Sidhu-Brar.  This sister was born about 1798 in Punjab, India.  She married Mal Singh Sidhu-Brar when she was around 20 years of age.  She died in the same city in which she was born around 1850.  As I did the session I could not help but picture in my mind this beautiful dark-skinned, dark-haired, brown-eyed woman with the traditional clothing and red dot on her forehead.  I wondered what her time on earth had entailed.  I wondered what joys and sorrows had she experienced.  I also wondered if she had now accepted the gospel as it was taught to her on the other side of the veil. I did not even have this sister’s first name.  Her husband’s name was Mal Singh Sidhu-Brar and she was referred to as Mrs. Mal Singh Sidhu-Brar.  I have to admit this somewhat bothered me!   But I knew the Lord knew her by name and I knew of His great love for her.  I recognized His desire to bless her with the saving ordinances of the gospel. Throughout the session the following scripture kept piercing my mind:  “This gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (D&C 133:37).  Whether on this side of the veil or on the other side it shall be preached.  
When it came time for the prayer circle an older black gentleman came forward to participate. When I went through the veil the man who took me through was Asian.   And once again my thoughts turned to the scripture:  “This gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” I went home with an increased awareness of the great plan of happiness for all of His children.  How blessed we are to live in a day and age when the gospel has been restored.  To partake of the blessings of the saving ordinances individually and in behalf of   others.   As our beloved Prophet stated:

The Coming of Age

There is something magical that happens with the aging process.  In fact, it can be quite wonderful.  For example,  Easter morning found Mr. B out watering flower beds.  Mrs. B saw this taking place and did not give it much thought.  Until....time to hide the Easter Eggs in the yard for the 6 little munchkins coming our way! Mr. B and Mrs. B filled the eggs and Mr. B #1 and Mr. B #4  hid the eggs....in the flower beds, grass, anywhere they could think of.  Six 'eggcited' children were turned lose on the playing field.  After retrieving all the plastic eggs  we came inside to check out our loot. (Did I mention quite a few eggs were hidden in flower beds, wet and muddy flower beds?)

Today I am cleaning up dirt.  Yes, the water and dirt made mud.  The mud came into the house via shoes, it dried out  and today I am vacuuming and mopping up dirt, oh and let's not forget the Doritos Chips that are squished on the floor.

At age 30 I would have been cussing Mr. B for watering flower beds right before the big hunt.  At age 30 I would have picked up on it the minute I saw it happening!   At age 60 something I find it quite funny on both our parts.  I am very grateful in planning the re-modeling of this house, with its open floor plan,  I made it child proof.   For both the young and the mindless!

'Weather' or not Global Warming Exists

     It is 81 degrees outside.  I have been busy raking, mowing and watering  the lawn and loving every minute of it.   I have to remind myself:  "Yes, Claudia you are still in school.  No, Claudia it is not summertime yet."  No the air conditioner has not been turned on yet, but I do have the ceiling fan running and the lights off.  I am so grateful to know there is absolutely no such thing as Global Warming (is this word considered foul language?)   To all of my Republican friends I apologize for the use of such a nasty word!  I would hate to see what the weather would be like if there were such a thing as Global Warming.  So would the Polar Bears.

      I am also grateful to know who is really charge of our little universe and oh so many others.

     Doctrine and Covenants 117:6  " For have I not the fowls of heaven, and also the fish of the sea, and the beasts of the mountains? Have I not made the earth? Do I not hold the destinies of all the armies of the nations of the earth?

     He has a plan... for me, for you and for all of His creations.  Now I just need to learn to follow that plan!  Easier for some than others.  I fall into the 'other' category.  But just for today I will try a little harder.

The Aging Process

     How vividly I recall the day Scott and I attended a wedding reception up in Oak City.  I do not remember whose reception we were attending, but this I do remember....I realized I was aging!!!  The groom looked like an extremely young man.  His father (or was it her father?) was very handsome.  I knew then and there I was aging.  

     Well, this past weekend we traveled up to Bountiful for the wedding reception of Scott's nephews daughter.  I am here to say the bride and groom looked like children.  The parents of both said children looked too young for me also, but I did think the Grandparents of the bride looked fabulous!!  Jerry is a nice looking man and Paige is beautiful.  I was wishing they had been in the line.  Oh, they have been....about 7 times!!

Now You See It, Now You Don't

The walls came down when we moved into our current home.  When you walk in the front door you are instantly in our gathering room...living room, dining room and kitchen.  Yes, you see it all.  When Scott and I are  home alone it can be relatively clean, but when the family gathers look out!!!  I love it because it serves its purpose of all being together in one space.  I also love the light it lets in.  The living room window faces west and the french doors and kitchen window are on the east side.  Which means when the sun comes up and the sun goes down we have an abundance of natural light, which I thrive on.  But....it does have a drawback.  At the perfect time of morning or evening I can see absolutely every speck of dust, dirt and cat dander on my wood floors and furniture.  My children will tell you that is something that can drive me crazy!!!  Okay, crazier!!!  But I have learned if I tilt the shutters just a certain way the dust, dirt and dander  magically disappear!!  It is absolutely wonderful!!

Seeking psychics or God?

One afternoon some time ago...some long time ago, in fact it has been so long I  hope I have not already blogged about this!  At my age I tend to forget what I have and have not blogged about!

Back to the story....One afternoon some time ago I flipped on the television and lo and behold Dr. Phil was on.  Now I have not watched this man for years! I left it on for five minutes to check it out.  Five minutes was all I needed.  He had a Psychic on the show.  After turning off the t.v. I did have some questions for Him about this and how it all works.  I pondered my questions for a few days and then lo and behold I received my answer.

Yes, as I was searching my scriptures for Isaiah 9 I came upon Isaiah 8: 19 which states: 

     "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?"

My question was answered in a profound way.  I have found this to happen more oft than not.  I knew in my heart and my mind the answers to my questions.  I believe He loves an inquiring mind and He will answer those questions in His own due time and way.   I will seek unto my God and leave the Psychics for Dr. Phil!