50th Wedding Reunion

On Monday, June 2, Bob and I will celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary...yes, 50 years ago we were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in a marriage that will last forever. Fifty years may seem like a long time, but looking back it seems only yesterday that we became man and wife and it definitely will never be long enough.

As we see those around us who are not able to reach this milestone, it creates feelings of both gratitude that we still have each other and insecurities about what the future might hold...that temporary separation that is inevitable.  Each of us would prefer to be the one to lead the way into the next life.  I'm sure I will be the one left behind. It's the only kind thing to do but I hate that thought!

However, what joy it brings to know that our marriage will not end at death.  That separation will only be temporary.  If it were not for our understanding of the restored gospel and the authority it brought for us to be sealed not only on earth but in heaven, we wouldn't have that assurance.  How grateful I am also for the Spirit of the Holy Ghost that reveals to us individually that these things are true and we can count on them.

As a celebration of this event all our family (except currently serving missionaries, Jake & Paxton) will be gathering, starting tomorrow.  By Thursday night we will all be here in Arizona and the family has planned three days of celebration.  We started planning it, but gratefully, as their gift to us, our children took it over, followed an outline of activities that I thought might be fun and took it from there.  Now I'm not sure just what we will be doing in detail but am so excited about doing it with all our loved ones.  It is always a party when we gather so I have no doubt we will have a good time.

In anticipation I pray for health, safety and weather...all could affect the experience but not dampen the spirit, I'm sure.  I am so grateful for these beautiful children who are so generous with their time and talents and have made such an effort to make this next week special.  Thank you to each one for your contribution!

I am most grateful for this man I married 50 years ago.  Little did we know what we were getting ourselves into, but we are grateful for the experiences we have shared and for the way it has bonded our hearts together.  I love this guy more than I can say.  I admire him so...his vision and his courage to pursue that vision is amazing to me.  It has made for an interesting life! He loves the Lord and loves his family...the two best qualities in my estimation.  He is a dear and sweet partner, friend and companion and the love of my life!

Happy Anniversary, Bob!

Why In The World Are We Going to Ghana?

May 28, 2014
Today is a very important day. Bob has driven to SLC to meet with Elder Bob Gay who is over the Perpetual Education Fund. They are presenting to him their planned project in Ghana with the hope to eventually work together to facilitate some programs.

I can see that Bob could be a real asset to Elder Gay and he is willing to volunteer his services. If that is what we are to do, I pray that this will be a positive step. All we want to do is what The Lord wants us to do but we are willing to give our time and resources of money and energy to building the kingdom and realize that we may not have many serviceable years left. We pray hard for the health to continue as long as possible.

All Bob has ever wanted was to work for the Church. Early in life he became a seminary supervisor and teacher. That is what brought us to Arizona. My brother, Ron, encouraged him to develop a career independent of the Church, not relying on it for income, with the thought that he would then be useful to the church and in a position to donate his service. He took that advice and has not been sorry, he has spent his career learning business principles and practices that are now a real asset to others who are starting or building businesses.  He has been able to help so many students his children and many others with their businesses and he plans to continue to do that.

We served a mission at BYU Idaho which fit his skill sets perfectly and now he wants to be able to use his experience to help build a program in Ghana to teach students how to help local businesses succeed. We are going by faith. We aren't exactly sure how this will all be done. There is a plan but we must get to know the people and their needs and how we can serve them. The long range goal is to develop a pilot program that could eventually be implemented in other countries.

It is hard to leave our family, the comforts of home and the safety of feeling just a little in control of our lives. That giving up control and walking into the unknown is tough, but we have faith that the Lord will guide our efforts and, hopefully, help them to bear fruit. It begins today. My prayer is that Bob, Corey Smith and Steve McGarry will know how to present their plan and that Elder Gay can have the vision of how it fits into the needs of the Church. It won't all happen today but will be a process, or not. I leave it in the hands of The Lord.

Ghana

In just over a month we are headed to Ghana for 10 weeks.  I'm anxious to learn something more about keeping a blog since I feel that might be the best way to keep a journal and be able to share our experience with family and some friends.  My blog is private and I've yet to decide if I will open it, but I may.  That way, those who are interested can see what we are doing and those who are not, are not bothered by e-mails, pictures, etc.  I haven't been a great picture taker recently.  Others do such a better job of that, but I will need to take pictures in Ghana to help record and remember this experience.

I must admit I'm a little nervous about this venture.  I keep saying, "It will be interesting, maybe not comfortable, but interesting."  The motivation is to bless the lives of those sweet saints in Africa who have such limited resources compared to all we enjoy. I hope I can be patient with the inconveniences and culture changes and make a heartfelt loving contribution. We are stepping into the dark, not knowing exactly what we can accomplish but this is the Lord's work and we will trust him to show us the way.

Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day and a day filled with gratitude for me. I am at a good stage of life. I am enjoying all the rewards of motherhood without the day to day grind that all the young mothers are experiencing. I don't feel the need to be pampered since my sweet husband has learned through the years to do that on a daily basis. My children are thoughtful and connect with me and rightfully are involved with their own  celebration. Some are pampered more than others but all are loved and cared for. I feel like the most blessed mother on the face of the earth.

I realize I have grown into this enjoyment of Mother's Day. I believe it's a process most mothers have to go through. Somehow young mothers think they should be "Queen for a day" on Mother's Day and should not need to be a mother at all that day, and ,of course, that's seldom going to happen. I decided one Mother's Day to try that day to be the best mother I could be, not expect anything, then be thrilled and surprised by any little act of kindness and receive it with gratitude as opposed to feeling I deserved it. Wow what a difference attitude makes!  Ever since that time, I have enjoyed Mother's Day. It's such a blessing to be a mother and when the fruits of your labors are as sweet as mine, gratitude is the only acceptable emotion. I am blessed among women and I know it!