Let You Light Shine

I love enjoying the talents that others share. Like listening to the music of the missionaries at firesides. I'm glad they have the chance to offer those gifts while here. Other missionaries put their gifts on hold-hoping that academic/athletic scholarships and opportunities will still be waiting for them at home. These original pastel drawings are from one of the elders that has returned home and is using his artistic ability to help pay for school and support his new family. (You send a photo of a temple you have, and he returns original art for a small fee.)

Wouldn't you love to create like that? Not very many people think themselves creative, but watch this video from President Uchtdorf, be inspired, and then go do something!

The Perfect Mom

Have you ever met someone who you just knew would be a terrific mom one day? I had that experience years ago when we moved into the Antelope Ward. I was asked to substitute in a young women's class and teach a lesson on motherhood and eternal families to a group of girls I barely knew. I had taught lessons before, but felt particularly guided while preparing for that particular Sunday. All of the girls were great-but there was one that stood out that day. I knew the lesson I was teaching and the thoughts that I had been given were specifically for her. From her questions, I knew she'd spent a lot of time thinking about family and motherhood. I still remember the beautiful feeling I had as she talked; the impression that one day she would be an incredible mother. The time is here! Tiffany and her husband Joe are preparing to add to their family through adoption. I know they are going to be wonderful parents. Not long after that Sunday, I had the opportunity to be one of Tiffany's young women's leaders. I watched Tiffany grow up and learned to love her. Later, I also had the chance to come to know-and to know is to love-her mother, truly one of the greatest mom's I think I've ever met. Tiffany had a great beginning and looks forward to a glorious future.

Who will the lucky child be that gets to join such an incredible family and have such a talented, sensitive and outrageously fun mom like Tiffany? I can't wait to find out! I pray it will be soon. Tiffany and Joe-good luck and congratulations!

When I saw this video clip, it brought back so many wonderful memories of when the Sacramento temple was being built, the open house, and the dedication. I can't wait to see it again!

What to do with a left over mango?

This throw together lunch was so good I didn't stop eating to take a picture-so you'll need to use your imagination. While rummaging around the fruit draw, I discovered a mango left over from our departing missionary dinner last week. I'm not sure whether the following inspiration was born of hunger or the mellow mood I've been in today (the kids went back to school this morning and Mark and I only have a few meetings this week, so it's my time to re-group.) or the beautiful mango, but it was delicious.
I pulled out the frying pan and grilled some fish (trying to eat healthy!) in olive oil lightly seasoned with an herbamare (an herbed season salt). Meanwhile I started cubing the mango and also some watermelon I had. (Flip the fish). Oranges are everywhere here-falling off the trees faster than we can eat them, so I squeezed half an orange over the fish and started chopping some cabbage (again with the healthy eating). When the fish was done, I set it aside and tossed some asparagus into the pan with a little more orange juice to deglaze the pan (and some water). While that was steam/sauteing, I chopped some cabbage and tossed it with the fruit. I added a splash of rice wine vinegar, 2 grinds of lemon pepper and a few dashes of tajin (with an accent over the i. It's Mexican fruit seasoning: ground peppers, salt and dehydrated lime juice.) The fish went on top of the fruit salad and the asparagus on the side.
This will be a repeat-I know my kids will love it. For a dinner, I'll beef up the salad a little with some baby spinach and almonds and add some couscous or quinoa on the side.
Aren't you glad spring is here?

Trust your team-mate

We have an awesome missionary named Elder Brucker. He's one that fits the term 'giant gentle'. One of the sweetest young men I've ever met, and he is a giant. Every time I shake his hand, I'm amazed that hands could be so big. Mark teases that he could play hop scotch with the states. Blessed with such a large stature, it's no surprise then, that he played football before he was a missionary. He shared a great football analogy the other day that I'd like to pass along (with his permission).

Elder Brucker played on the offensive line with a great team. They played well together, especially he and the teammate to his right. They knew how to work together. One day, that player was replaced. It was a player Elder Brucker didn't know and that didn't know him. They struggled to work together. They didn't trust each other and so each was trying to do their own job plus the job of the other. As a result, neither position was holding its weight. After a long practice, they finally sat down together to work things out. They came to the conclusion that they needed to trust each other enough to focus solely on their own part in the game. There was an immediate difference and success followed. Elder Brucker related that to missionary work (and we could really relate it to any commandment Heavenly Father has given us). We don't have to do it all, but we must do our part. We leave the rest to God. We express that trust in our Father in Heaven through prayers of real intent and He blesses our efforts. He used the scripture in 1 Nephi 3:7. The prophet's teachings in Words of Mormon 1:7 also fits well and here are a few more.
No one understands better or cares more about our success than our Heavenly Father. He is not only able to help us, but it is his chiefest desire to do so.

Buenas Noches

This is a picture of Amanda and I learning how to cook in Spanish together. Senora Holmes taught us how to make food from where she lived in Peru.

We made Causa Rellna and Palta a la Reyna. My favorite was the Palta a la Reyna.

When we were all done, we made lemonade. I had a wonderful time learning to cook.

Thank you Senora Holmes!

Thyroglobulin....undetectable

Technically, I don't know what it means, but in layman's terms it equals good news. There isn't enough thyroid activity to warrant another radiation treatment at present (and hopefully, forever.) It also means I don't have to do a month's worth of sending my body into hypothyroidism for other tests. Not good news....great news. That's what I brought home from my doctor's visit today.

Thanks once again for the support that we receive from everyone. The photo book my friends gave me when I left has a little caption that reminds me to look through it when I'm dragging. I don't have a lot of time to look through it regularly, but just seeing it reminds me of all the great people rooting for us not too far away. It helps bridge this temporary gap. We appreciate so much the prayers you offer in our behalf. We are doing great-and this only adds to our feelings of gratitude.

We love all our family and friends. A special thanks right now to Shanna and Jeff for caring for our house while we're away so we don't have to worry about anything. And to Stan and Randy and their families for the significant contributions they're making so we can be here. We recognize the sacrifices you are making and the responsibilities on your shoulders in our behalf and can't thank you enough. As you're gearing up for a busy and hectic spring, know we'll be praying for you, too.

We love all of you!

Mormons Made Simple

I really liked this simple narrative about what to expect at one of our church services. The website also has a clip about what the Book of Mormon is and where the nick name 'Mormon' came from. While these are great ways to get more information, the best way I know to find out about our beliefs.....is to ask! Happy Sunday everyone.

6th of 6

Just for fun, here's the 6th photo from the 6th file on my computer.

Thanks for the chance to wax nostalgic.Letting the birthday boy (or girl) all to themselves with their first birthday cake is one of my favorite family traditions. I'm so glad I have pictures that have survived to remember Jeff's first birthday. I don't have pictures of all the others, but reminiscing Jeff's birthday helped me remember some of those other precious firsts. One of my favorites was when Taylor turned 1. I made a cookie monster cake....it took hours to make and minutes to demolish. It was awesome! We were celebrating at my mom's house on Lemon Street. Instead of taking pictures, we made a video. I haven't been able to find the video, so for posterity's sake: I remember Taylor, true to his personality, took one careful taste of frosting with his finger and then dove in mouth first right into the center of the cake.

It was such a mess. We become wiser with age, and so you can see in these pictures several years after Taylor's day-Jeff's shirt came off before all the frosting went on. It's much easier to clean skin than cotton!

Here are some more great memories from that day-I can't believe how all the kids have changed! And to think, this year my baby (Jeffrey) will be getting baptized and my other baby (Taylor) will be driving! How can two brothers be so much alike and so opposite at the same time?

Now I'm supposed to challenge 6 people to take their own stroll down memory lane. I don't even know if there are 6 of you out there to take up the challenge-but if you are, post a comment so I can 'remember' with you. In other words, if you're out there lurking: Tag. It's your turn...

ps....it's worth the trip

Now those are some COOL boots!

They belong to my nephew, Hayden, one of the craziest and happiest little guys I know. Taylor's holding his brother Jacob. Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks?
Yes, you just saw some pictures of a little boy picking grapefruit off the tree last week-but what can I say? It's time pick the fruit! Look closely and you'll notice that this little guy is palming a grapefruit almost as big as his head-and it's a big head! Hayden is 18 months old, and I can't believe how strong and big he is....and judging from his arms and hands....how big he's going to be! I'm glad he's on our side.I had to put this picture in.... I have a one of Jessica trying to cut an orange with a cheese slicer almost identical to this one! No posing, I promise! (besides, it's a better shot of the boots-and yes, I cleaned the counter afterwards.)

Like I said, Hayden's a happy little guy, but to Lucky, he looked dangerous. Even though he was gentle and soft, Lucky tried hard to keep his distance. I could tell Lucky was getting stressed out from all the unwanted attention until we finally got the two of them outside chasing each other. Barking, hand shaking and spinning around in circles. Fun while it lasted-but after 20 minutes or so-Lucky was spent. (He has a bit of a weight issue.) Too many little people in to short a time. Lucky needs to learn how to hide.