Mission Call

For those of you who know my younger sister, Morgen, you know she has been planning/working/saving for a mission for our church for a few years now.

Morgen called me a couple days ago to share her happy news of her official mission call! She will be in the Richmond, Virginia mission. Morgen will be reporting to the MTC {Missionary Training Center} in Provo, Utah on August 5th. She will serve her mission for a year and a half.

Of course, Morgen is thrilled...but this is my blog so I will share my feelings. haha
I'm sooooo proud of my little sister! She has worked really hard to get to this point. I'm pleased to see her dream come true and that it's finally reality for her and that she is setting a good example to my children and the other nieces and nephew. This is the first person on my side of the family to go a mission, so this is very exciting for all of us.
















Morgen...YOU GO, GIRL!

These days...

Since the summer heat is upon us- we have enjoyed swimming in the cool pool a few times. Believe it or not but the water in the pool is still a bit chilly, especially when one first jumps in. And if the wind is blowing outside it makes for a shorter pool experience since it's not fun swimming while cold. Even though Phoenix has record breaking highs and sweltering summer days- a swimming experience CAN be too cold!

We are glad we have a drive-in near our home to enjoy. :) Unfortunately, the prices have gone up - just like everywhere/everything else. But it's still cheaper then taking the whole family to an indoor theater. Now that it's summer we can go pretty much any night of the week and not wait until the weekends. {It makes for a very late night.} We took the kiddos to see "UP" the other night. That was a super good movie!

We also bought the Summer Movie Tickets again this year. {A local theater chain does this every summer.} It's 7$ per person and you get 10 weekly movie tickets- a fantastic deal! We chose to go every Friday morning. Last week was 'Space Chimps'. The kiddos love going to the theater- especially for the soda and popcorn! We don't let out children drink much soda.

The front living room curtains that I have been working on are nearly completed. They are all up on rods and they look complete...but they aren't. Since I had a baby shower and birthday party here at our place I just pinned some of the hems for a quick finished look! haha {Very ingenious if you ask me.} I have about 20 minutes of sewing left to do on some seams. I'm pretty proud of myself- they look great... not to mention they keep out the hot sun better then what was up before. I'll post pictures later.

As you may know...we are huge game people. Warren has bought a few new games for us to play and it's been fun times. They are: Drakon, Mummy Rummy and Carcassonne.
We really like them all.

I'm still plucking away at writing my novel. I was contacted by another LDS writer who lives here in the valley. He is wanting to start up a monthly LDS writing group. So far there are 3 of us interested...but we are hoping to get a couple more on board. I'm anxious for us to get started. This will motivate me to fine-tune my writing as well as presenting new material each month in order for people to read it. I need some motivation right now.

I've been working on genealogy lately and have had some neat experiences. Today I was able to take some of those names to the temple to do baptisms with my son, {his first time going now that he's 12}, some youth from our ward and Warren. We had a wonderful time and I'm on cloud 9 right now. :) Doing temple work is such a great feeling to me!

My mom is coming to visit us next week! I saw her in November but Warren and the
children haven't seen her {Nana} in over 2 years. She is staying with us for a week then she will be going to stay with one of my other sisters and her family for a week in northern Arizona. We are looking forward to hanging out with her. ;)

The end of this month our family will be heading to Utah for a family reunion. There are lots of fun things planned... one being that us adults and 2 of our youth get to go to the temple together- which I am especially excited about. Our short people are anxious to see all their cousins.
Not to mention lots of picture taking opportunities too! {My scrapbooking heart is beating wildly}

That's about it these days. I'm keeping pretty busy but wishing I was laying in bed reading or something! I hope to get a few lazy days in this summer...but getting it without complaints from my short people being agonizingly- bored- out- of- their- minds will be a miracle.

Sunday Brunch

In just a few short hours my oldest, Conner, will be ordained a Deacon in our church.
What a blessing!
Today happens to be his 12th birthday as well {the age he can be ordained}.
I think it's neat he {and we} can celebrate two wonderful things on the same day.

I'm contemplating many things as my mind is wrapping around the fact that I have a 12 year old son who can receive the holy priesthood. Wow.

Some of my thoughts right now....

I'm glad that the church has been a strong influence in our lives. It's always been important to me and my husband to have that foundation. I couldn't have gotten this far in my life as an individual, spouse or parent without the church's influence. I feel indebted to my Father in heaven and am most thankful for having the church in my life and in my families lives.

I have such a strong testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is indeed the actual church of Christ. He is the head of it. This knowledge, as well as a short lifetime of trying to live by its standards and teachings, has brought me much peace and happiness.

I do not credit only myself for my amazing son...he has had lots of positive influences in his life so far, but I am proud to call myself his mother! I am also very proud and pleased he is such a great son who tries hard to do what is right. {most of the time}

I pray Conner will continue on this path of righteousness throughout his life. I pray for his success, happiness and continued desire to serve the Lord in this life. I know he's headed in the right direction.

It's such a joy to see my children choosing righteousness and goodness!

Summer Break?

Gosh, I've been busy!

I thought as soon as summer break hit the 'lazy days' would follow....NOT.

I've been sewing new curtains for my front living room and that's taking longer then I'd expected. {It always does.}
I got some of them done in time for the baby shower I hosted here Thursday night- that was nice. I'm hoping that I have the rest of the curtains finished by Sunday for my son's surprise birthday party.

Something cool happened tonight. My family went to the church for a new member baptism. There we met a new missionary, Elder Bell. As he was speaking I thought he looked so familiar...and sure enough I figured it out...

Years ago, when Warren and I were newlyweds, we lived in Spokane, Washington and this missionaries family was in our ward. Little {not so little anymore} Jared Bell was about 4 or 5 years old when I last saw him and his family. I even babysat him a couple times and had his older sister, Jessica, in my primary class!

Wow, what a small world. Not to mention it makes me feel OLD seeing that missionary before my eyes. Time sure flies.

CAN'T WAIT!

Oh, man I'm biting my nails in anticipation of hearing from my sister soon!

Morgen is my 2nd to youngest sister and she has been working hard on getting ready to serve a mission for our church- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has done so the past few years and has finally submitted her papers to church headquarters.
We find out in the next few weeks on where she will be serving in the world and the date she reports to the MTC {Missionary Training Center} in Provo, Utah.

It will be great to see her achieve this goal and dream of serving a mission, as well as seeing her wear the official missionary badge with "Sister Miller" written on it.
Morgen will be the first of anyone on my side of extended family to serve a full-time mission for our church. {I served a mini-mission}
All of us are so proud of her! I know I can't wait!

My plan is to fly to Washington when she is able to go through the temple for the first time- which I am so excited about!

What an awesome time in her life!!

HAPPY am I

I've been working on doing some genealogy for my step-dad's parents. I haven't been the kind to be 'into genealogy'. {except for the actual temple work which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to do}

I had a spiritual experience awhile back with this set of grandparents. I have been actively moving forward with steps needed to be taken- but slacking at other times. I am so happy today to share that their temple work will be completed the next time Warren and I go to the temple!
What a joyous thing!

Free book contest!

Jerry Borrowman's newest book, One Last Chance, is an historical novel that tells the story of an orphan named Artie Call. For a chance to win a free copy post a link here.

Synopsis:

Artie Call can’t get a break. Orphaned during the Depression, he steals food to survive. When mischief lands him in juvenile court, he’s offered a home by fellow ward member David Boone, but then suffers under Boone’s unkind and unyielding treatment. And after Artie helps the victim of a robbery gone bad, he’s abandoned by Boone and sentenced to juvenile hall.

Then his luck and his life suddenly change. Mary Wilkerson, the feisty widow who was robbed, sees potential in Artie and takes him into her custody. Ray McCandless, the wise yet firm chauffeur, teaches Artie about cars, life, and the connections between the two. Under their care, Artie develops the desire and the ability to leave his past behind and grasp the hope in his future, which shines like Mary’s luxurious Dusenberg. But when cornered by old enemies, will he defend his honor with his life?

Jerry Borrowman masterfully combines emotion, morality, suspense, and humor in this tender coming-of-age story. Readers will struggle and rejoice with Artie as he discovers the value of integrity, the sweetness of family ties, and the reality of the American dream. And they will never forget the triumph that unfolds when a good boy with bad problems is given one last chance.

Sunday Brunch

You say: 'It's impossible'
God says: All things are possible
{Luke 18:27}

You say: 'I'm too tired'
God says: I will give you rest
{Matthew 11:28-30}

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'
God says: I love you
{John 3:1 6 & John 3:34}

You say: 'I can't go on'
God says: My grace is sufficient
{II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15}

You say: 'I can't figure things out'
God says: I will direct your steps
{Proverbs 3:5- 6}

You say: 'I can't do it'
God says: You can do all things
{Philippians 4:13}

You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able
{II Corinthians 9:8}

You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it
{Roman 8:28 }

You say: 'I can't forgive my self'
God says: I forgive you
{I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1}

You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs
{Philippians 4:19}

You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
{II Timothy 1:7}

You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
{I Peter 5:7}

You say: 'I'm not smart enough'
God says: I give you wisdom
{I Corinthians 1:30}

You say: 'I feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
{Hebrews 13:5}

The Pinewood Paddle Massacre

The below story was featured in the Ensign, a church magazine, about my husbands great-grandmother, Jayne Frost. I thought I'd share it. It's great! {Our only daughter is named Emmalese Jayne after this grandmother.} Enjoy the story...

In my little neck of the woods in northern Arizona, Mrs. Frost was somebody you just grew up knowing. Her physical appearance was quietly intimidating, her personality was as vivid as that of a cartoon character, and her reputation as education’s last stronghold had been passed down through at least two generations. One would expect a teacher to command respect from the children of a small town, but when Jayne Frost walked the aisles of Nick’s Market, even the mothers stopped their lollygagging and tended to business.

If the truth were known (and it usually was in several versions around our town), our moms had probably felt the whack of Mrs. Frost’s paddle on many unfortunate, misguided occasions.

If it’s possible for one woman to mold the character of a whole town, piece by piece, then surely she did.

No one left Mrs. Frost’s eighth-grade class sketchy on math, sentence diagramming, or “The Cremation of Sam Magee.” Likewise, she left no question in our heads as to the meaning of honesty, industry, charity, or any other virtue we were inclined to misinterpret. And, if we didn’t get the message on Monday through Friday, she stood before us like a human italic letter as the teacher of our Sunday School class. Perhaps it wasn’t what she taught, but how that has placed her voice in the conscience of two generations.

My day of reckoning came early in the year. The pinewood paddle still had summer dust on it when she took it off the wall to reinforce her point. “You are all on the honor system here. I will not allow you to mock your education by cheating. It is dishonest; it wastes your time and mine—and I’m too old to waste time. You may begin the test,” came the decree.

With the reverence of a pallbearer, she took her seat behind a gigantic oak desk. While we sweated, she immersed herself in the poetry book of her choosing, grinning while she read to expose a wide gap between her two front teeth. Eddie Seaton always said she used a two-by-four for a toothpick, which was as near blasphemy as we got in our little town.

I was only halfway down the first page and running low on steam when my friend Sara shoved a piece of sweaty paper into my hand. Egads! This had better be darned important. A quick glance toward the oak desk confirmed the transaction had gone unnoticed—the grin was still in place. Carefully, I unfolded the worn note. Somebody must have gotten kissed at recess. Still grinning? Yes, still grinning.

My eyes read the scrawlings on the paper, and my blood ran cold. Feeling much the same way as if I’d found the body of my worst enemy propped in my closet—shocked, but morbidly delighted—l realized that the secret note contained answers to the test straight from the teacher’s manual. Once again checking the grin, my heart throbbing in the ends of my fingertips, I began filling out my test. Sara and I were the first ones done and sat quietly until the bell rang. Mrs. Frost shut her book with a chuckle as if to punctuate the end of the grin, and we were all excused.

The longest weekend of my life followed. Friday night I woke up with the ultimate in nightmares. Mrs. Frost’s face was on all of my stuffed animals; it had replaced the faces of John, Paul, George, and Ringo on my bedroom wall; and worst of all, when I looked into the mirror, there was a big gap between my front teeth. Not wanting a rerun, I decided that the safest choice of a sinner is to stay awake. And, not wanting to be miserable alone, I crept out the window to Sara’s house where I found her in much the same condition. “I thought you were Mrs. Frost coming to take me away in the night,” she gasped.

“I doubt she’d throw pebbles at your window.”

“You’re right, she’d command the walls to part and just walk on in.”

Things got steadily worse. Saturday morning, Mrs. Frost phoned to ask me to help her out with her Sunday School lesson. She had to ask twice since my tongue was paralyzed the first time around. I thought I even heard her begin to chuckle as she hung up. No, it couldn’t be. She only wanted me to read and explain a scripture to the class. The next ring was Sara. She, too, had received an assignment. “Oooooh, we may as well reserve a cemetery plot right now. Face it, life is over.”

I laughed until I found that the scriptures we were to read were on honesty.

Our plan to ditch Sunday School and hide in the alley behind Myrtle’s Flower Shop was set aside as an obvious admission of guilt. So there we sat, face-to-face with our would-be accuser. Judgment Day seemed weak in comparison. But somehow, Mrs. Frost seemed softer on Sundays. Oh, she still taught with the same fervency, but she looked at us with a different kind of look. Sometimes I even thought she was about to cry.

We counted how many times she looked at us during the lesson—three for me, five for Sara. Both of us managed to hit the doorway on the “A” part of “Amen.” “Girls”—she paused until we turned around—”thanks for helping me with the lesson. I can always count on the two of you to come through.”

Neither of us had much to say on the way home. “Did you see that?” Sara whispered. “I think she did have tears in her eyes when she thanked us. What are we gonna do?”

“What choice do we have? We either die of guilt or the pinewood paddle.”

Everybody cheered when the bell rang on Monday afternoon, signaling freedom, but the sound held dread for the two of us. Before we could stop hyperventilating, the room was cleared and we were alone: Mrs. Frost and the sinners. Sara said she’d do the talking, because I jabber uncontrollably when threatened with death and other nerve-wracking events.

“We cheated on the test Friday,” I blurted out, “we felt like dirt, we’re so sorry, we’ll never do anything like that again for the rest of our lives, that is, if we’re allowed to live the rest of …”

Sara stepped on my foot. “Please forgive us.” Mrs. Frost was slow to answer. Finally, she spoke in her Sunday voice, which relieved us both since we knew the commandment about murder came before the one about honesty.

“I’m so glad you came to me with this, girls. That took courage and shows a great deal of integrity. But you have made a sad mistake and must suffer the consequences.”

With that she picked up our test copies (which just happened to be paper-clipped together on top of the stack) and dropped them in the army-green trash can by the side of her desk. “Not only will you lose the scores from these papers, but also the opportunity to learn from taking the test on your own. And, of course, the punishment for cheating in this classroom is a paddling.”

She reached for the pinewood paddle. The horror stories of a generation of blistered bottoms flashed across our memories. Mrs. Frost escorted us to opposite sides of the big oak desk. Staring across at Sara was like looking in the mirror at my own guilty, terrified face. “Now both of you close your eyes and keep them closed. What’s about to happen is not a pretty sight.”
She commanded us to bend way over the desk. We did. I wondered if Sara’s legs were shaking as badly as mine. Bobby McKinney always said it hurt worse if you tensed up. Would she spank me first or Sara?

WHAP! It was Sara. Sara gave kind of a delayed little whimper which made me start to sniffle. Sara started to cry. I wanted to look, but dared not. I tried to relax for my swat.

WHAP! Sara again, and that one sounded just wicked. Sara was sobbing by then. I joined in, out of sympathy or anxiety, I knew not.

WHAP! Another to Sara. This was unmerciful. We both were wailing. I could take no more. “Please stop, Mrs. Frost! Sara, are you all right?”

Simultaneously, we both looked up at each other across the big oak desk. Red faced and soggy, Sara answered, “What do you mean, am I all right? You’re the one getting hit.”

As we stared at each other in confusion, WHAP! Mrs. Jayne Frost took one last swing and unloaded her padded desk chair of a decade’s worth of dust. There she stood—paddle grasped in hand, hands resting on hips that were made for the job.

How many of these mock massacres had taken place in the last thirty years? We would never know, for at that moment we joined a silent society of loyal admirers who guarded her secrets well. And then, speaking as she moved toward the door, Jayne Frost penned this line upon our memories forever: “I guess you might say this paddling was a lot like the knowledge you could have gained by taking the test on your own—neither one of you got it in the end.”

With that, she replaced the paddle upon the hook and left the room.

By Lanie J. McMullin

Today

Today I'm being just pure lazy!
Ahhh, it feels good. I watched a movie, did one load of laundry and that's about it. haha

For dinner tonight I am going to make a new recipe. I'm getting tired of the same 'ole rotation we have and need to change things up a bit. This is called 'living on the wild side' for a stay- at- home mom! teehee
If it's a success, as I think it will be, then I will post the recipe later.

Later tonight I'm going to go to a friends house, who is hosting a Dr. Mom party, to learn more about what Essential Oils can do for one's body. There are so many natural remedies out there and I'd love to know more about how to use them instead of turning to traditional medications. After all, God made the natural stuff first! I'm really excited to learn more.

These days I've been helping a friend who's about to have her 4th baby. Any day now! Her hubby is out of town for work- I feel for her. {He'll drive back for the birth, of course.} The last few weeks of pregnancy aren't easy at all. Especially when you have other little ones to care for.
After this baby is born I'm going to host a baby shower for them here at my place. I'm trying to come up with some unique ideas... {good luck, right?!}

Anyway, I need to get off this computer...it's starting to become work. I need to get back to being LAZY. ;)

Sunday Brunch

My heart is so full. I went to the temple yesterday and had an amazing experience. I left there feeling hope, love and happiness!

I have to say that I am a firm believer that Sunday school lessons, reading scriptures, praying and partaking the sacrament are all wonderful, as well as essential, ways to grow spiritually but there is non to compare to the learning and growth one can receive by attending The House of the Lord- the temple. I believe this with all my heart. Why? Because I am living proof of its refining fire.

The only thing that comes to mind to share today is what I told a good friend recently. The more spiritual experiences you provide for yourself, and for your children, the stronger your testimony, and your children's testimony, will grow. It's as simple as that.
Our minds {knowledge and thoughts} connect with our hearts once we experience and feel. Once that wonderful connection happens we in turn want to change for the better.

Cheers to having temples and the magnificent blessings of its holy power!!

Just a thought

I know when I am feeling less then happy or feel low the best thing I have found is to go serve someone else. The times I look outside of my own being- see what another needs and act- I end up feeling better.
It makes my heart happy when I know I've made some one's day. Sometimes all I do is smile at someone. Other times I go and physically help someone in need or write them a note or give them a call.

This is not a new concept, of course, {the scriptures are full of examples of such} but I thought I'd share that it really does work. {When I choose to put it in practice that is!}

Sunday Brunch

Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.
Mark 9:24

To those who believe but wish their belief to be strengthened, I urge you to walk in faith and trust in God. Spiritual knowledge always requires an exercise of faith. We acquire a testimony of the principles of the gospel by obediently trying to live them. Said the Savior, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” {John 7:17}

A testimony of the efficacy of prayer comes through humble and sincere prayer.
A testimony of tithing comes by paying tithing.
Do not let your private doubts separate you from the divine source of knowledge. Prayerfully go forward, humbly seeking eternal light, and your unbelief will be dispelled. I testify that if you continue in the purposeful process of searching for and accepting spiritual light, truth, and knowledge, it will surely come. By going forward in faith, you will find that your faith will increase. Like a good seed, if it is not cast out by your unbelief, it will swell within your breast. {Alma 32:28}

I believe that every person’s individual testimony of Jesus as the Christ comes as a spiritual gift. No one can successfully dispute or challenge it because it is so personal a gift to the one to whom it has been given. It will be as an ever-recharging spiritual energizer to keep our spiritual light running to show us the way to eternal happiness. But I testify that it can be more—much, much more. By covenanting with “God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days,” our “hearts are changed through faith on [Christ’s] name.” Thus we may be “born of him and … become his sons and his daughters.”

-President James E. Faust- November 2003

May Desktop

I used my favorite Easter picture for this months calendar on my desktop. I think my children are wonderful!

Curious? Swine Flu Symptoms...

So far, experts don't know if this swine influenza A virus will become a pandemic strain of flu. It could or we just continue to see sporadic cases for a few weeks or months until it stops.
We do know that swine flu symptoms are just like seasonal flu symptoms.

Swine Flu Symptoms

According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

fever, which is usually high
cough
runny nose or stuffy nose
sore throat
body aches
headache
chills
fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
diarrhea and vomiting (sometimes)

Signs of a more serious swine flu infection might include pneumonia and respiratory failure.
If your child has symptoms of swine flu, you should avoid other people and call your pediatrician who might do a rapid flu test to see if he has an influenza A infection. Further testing can then be done at the CDC to see if it is a swine flu infection.