Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. ---Alma 37:37

When I first read the Book of Mormon I remember reading this verse and deciding that I wanted to committ it to memory. The idea of counseling with my Heavely Father sounded inviting rather than dictatorial. I am reminded that he is only interested in my best interest and will indeed watch over me in my sleep. And, when I wake up it's best if I see "the glass half full" and offer gratitude to Him.

As we read the Book of Mormon I wonder just what scripture will sing out to us and want to be memorized. Last night I read Mosiah 7:33---But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

For the first time the idea struck me that He may not just be speaking of Limhi's people who were in bondage, but of what I am being held bondage by...an idea, attitude, pride, grudge, habit and so forth. The scriptures are teaching me and I feel to "let thy heart be full of thanks unto God."

Warmest blessings to you as the Book of Mormon blesses your life. Mom xox

AUGUST 2005

Picture coarse white sand, blue sky, clear blue icy cold lake, amazing stars at night, kids running and screaming going up and down the slide, Joe inching his way across the timbers of the beams in the ceiling of the main floor, yummy food prepared by the girls, french toast prepared by Doug, a swamped boat due to a sudden wind storm, grandma Loie laying on the hammock outside, the player piano banging out tunes both young and old, sunkissed faces, monopoly games five nights in a row, Claire fussing off and on, the kids with their Grammy gathered around the big circular table coloring in the coloring books, the boys fishing and playing golf, fireworks down by the water late at night, raspberry milkshakes, the neighbor's tractor pulling Doug's boat out of the water, the adults madly bailing buckets of water out of the boat near the shore line...boat listing to it's side...as waves keep spilling in more water than we can get out, Abby suggesting that we pray and Doug offering the simple prayer of faith that no less then calms the storm so that we can get the boat upright and floating. If you can conjure up these images in your mind you have a pretty good idea of what our week was like just two and a half hours north of here. I loved it. I'm glad to be home. There is no joy for me like spending time with family.

Cristie and I are in our second day of education week here at BYU. Right now I'm in what was one of my favorite hangouts when I was a student...the library. I don't mean to imply that I spent hours studying and researching here. I knew good places with soft chairs to sleep in and it was a quiet place to study or read for pleasure.

The library is a much different place from when we were students here. Computers all over the place, students working or e-mailing at them with earbuds connected to their iPods. Here on the second floor it's very quiet with the fall semester starting next week and the education week masses mostly up above on campus.

We attended some very educational and inspiring classes yesterday on the media, gospel topics and mental illness. One we selected was a bust...How to live out your later years with "zest." The guy was trying too hard to be entertaining, at least for us. In looking around the room, it appeared we were the only ones not entertained!

I love being on campus, especially this time of year. Most of the time I spent here was in the winter and spring months. The grounds are beautiful and well cared for, the scenery unmatched.

Looking forward to Bear Lake next week, but I'm savoring my time here at BYU.

And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeember, for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.
--Enos 1:27

We are all moving through mortality on different timetables. I go though my day doing very ordinary things; laundry, gas in the car, make some granola, feed kids and birds...the list goes on and on. But every now and then I am reminded that even though my life is essentially made up of a string of ho-hum activities; I, like Enos, am bound to find a place of rest. I suppose what I am trying to say is that in spite of the ups and downs of my very ordinary life...in this mortal probation; I am thankful for the ride. I am mindful of the abundance found profusely in our lives and I choose to see the glass half full. So, today may we each be mindful of the soulful things that we can do that will help us "see his face with pleasure."
Warmest blessings to you, me xox

I must confess...I am sore after doing 20 pushups on Sunday. Guess I'm getting old!

Katie, Katie, you Beautiful Lady!

Happy Birthday Aunt Lady. I hope it is a fantastic day for you

It sure was nice to see you. I can't wait 'til Bear Lake!

"It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge." - Phyllis Diller-

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads. You do great things for us. I'm so very thankful!

Melissa, I love to read whatever you write...another talent that you have dearie!
Jerry caught an early flight home and it's soooo nice to have him here. Sis has a friend over for the night and things are gradually winding down here. My roses have been fabulous this year. I just keep bringing them in and enjoying the color and fragrance.
Ed and Val are looking forward to the arrival of their little girl, but the doc wan't to induce and they are a little nervous about it. You know, the ol" "apple falls out of the tree when it's ripe." Say a little prayer for them as they need inspiration on this one.
I send you my love and highest regards. mom xoxol

If ever you wonder what your weaknesses are, just ask your kids.


In fact, most of the time you don't even need to ask. They will let you know.

Last Saturday the entire Sam Carter family ventured out to Costco (daring, I know). After paying for our groceries, we decided that we would stay for lunch. Sam and the kids had pizza, I opted for a diet coke (nothing sounded really appealing).

As we sat there eating, Eddie asked me why it was that I refused to buy "Sunny-D" for the kids. I explained that it is really just junk-food disguised as orange juice. I haughtily added that I don't like to spend money on junkfood.

Eddie looked at my cup, and then looked at me with a genuinely puzzled expression. "Well, you buy Coke for yourself and that's junkfood too."

What could I say? Sam laughed, and I just sat there with my TV face on, wondering how I didn't catch my own blatant hypocrisy. The boy was absolutely right. And I told him so.

I've decided to quit drinking soda. It's really not good for me anyway. I only bring this up, because my nature is to unscrupulously consume without limitation. (I'm really immature in most matters of self-discipline) and so, I'm asking for some support. Please hold me accountable. Ask me how it's going, and send me raised eyebrows as I'm about to order my drink at the restraunt. I know it's not that big of a deal. But it's that difficult for me to quit a silly little habit.

I don't think, in moderation, that it's bad. I haven't decided that soda is the drink of the devil or anything. I just reviewed my mental pros and cons list, and decided that it shouldn't be something that I need anymore.

On a slightly different subject:

I listened to a portion of an interview on the radio yesterday. It was an author (can't remember his name) discussing his book (can't remember the title). But it was a book about the Ten Commandments (the views of, in America or something) and sounded very interesting. I missed most of it, but towards the end of the interview, the author was asked what commandment was most difficult for him.

I thought it would be funny for him to answer "Thou shalt not kill" as a joke.

It actually was his answer! He explained that he had some history serving in the military. Spent some time in Bosnia, I think. How that experience has led to the struggle of that particular commandment because of having taken people's lives while seeing others desperate for their own, needing to resort to violence themselves.

He also suggested that the worship of idols, is ultimately just the worship of self. And that to worship God is the only way to not worship yourself. It was interesting to think about.

I haven't decided what my most difficult commandment is yet. Maybe I should ask Eddie, he's sure to know ;)

It was sure nice to see people writing. I love to read what you all have to say!

Happy Day.

GASP! Oh my heck! Imagine my shock to find out someone still remembers to write something here. Well, I'll just have to add my 2 cents...knowing just what it's worth.
We loved, loved, loved Chicago with Kate, Dan and the little boys. I'm with Liz...we just didn't spend enough time there with the boys. But, shop, walk, eat, shop, walk, stand, try-on, eat a little more, shop, look at, laugh, rush to beat the light, look at more stuff. Well, it's what girls love to do...not to mention "truth or dare."
The beat goes on here at home. Your dad is out of town for the whole week. We had telephone problems this morning, but they are now resolved. The disposal didn't work but I took an allen wrench to the blasted thing and it's humming along now. I had to buy some watermelon and gobble it down as soon as I got home. For whatever reason I have had a major hankering for watermelon.
Cold day and finally a blue sky. Life is good here for me. I just started reviewing "Preach My Gospel" and I am filled with the spirit everytime I open it up. What an amazing resourse for our family.
I love my family...write soon. mom xoxo

HAPPY 30 YEARS YOUNG SAM!

Our ward had a "country western" party last night, featuring homemade chili, cowboy and cowgirl outfits and line dancing. The activities committee had asked Cristie and I to sing a few songs, so we hastily practiced a few of our old standby's ("Blow up your TV", "I've Just Seen a Face", and "You Are My Sunshine") Saturday morning. While we were practicing, Melissa called and asked what we were doing that night. Sam and Melissa ended up going to the party with us, and as an afterthought, Sam and I drove back to his house to pick up his mandolin so he could provide some instrumentation to the songs.

His contribution was fabulous. He got an ovation after every lick and added a new dimension to those tired old songs. The ward didn't seem to mind our singing, but Sam was truly the hit of the evening.

We're going on the road!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY!

Ed and I saw "Million Dollar Baby" last night. I found it to be a powerful, emotional film. While watching, I was not surprised that Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman won oscars for their performances.

It was very well acted, directed, written and shot. I certainly think it deserved an Academy Award for best picture. It was such a treat to see a movie where character was actually developed and the focus was on people and not on action, special effects or even plot. Parts of it were hard to watch.

Still thinking of my all time favorite movies, I think "Dead Poet's Society" deserves a spot in my top ten.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREL!

She is in Arizona working with Kyle.

712-4887 for birthday greetings.

Anybody see coverage of the "Gates" in Central Park the last few weeks? Cristie and I saw a piece about them on a Sunday morning news show. As with most things in New York, they were very controversial; art or ego...and why the Hare Krishna orange? What think ye?

On the way to Sacramento today I read an editorial in Newsweek by Anna Quindlen in support of the overhangs of the walkways in Central Park. Her closing lines: "Our town has been a widow. For a few weeks she took off her weeds and put on a party dress."

Today my mother would be 70 years young! She loved to celebrate her birthday so drink a coke, eat a dessert, clean a bathroom, iron a shirt, or shoot a bird (wink..wink) in her honor....she was quite a gal.

If this has become a site "for healthy living", shouldn't we include posts on exercise, yoga, laughter, immunizations, seat belts, sanitation, good sleep habits and, perish the thought, beneficial medications, or is healthy living just eating raw stuff?

I've given this top ten all time favorite movies some thought. The movies I've listed below are in no particular order. I list them either because I found them most enjoyable, or they were influential in my life at the time, or both.

1. Dances With Wolves

2. Witness

3. Ben Hur

4. The Graduate

5. A Man Called Horse

6. Remains of the Day

7. A River Runs Through It

8. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

9. The Sting (could be bumped if I think more)

10. It's a Wonderful Life