Still workin' on it...

After teaching the lesson on Charity in Relief Society a couple of weeks ago, I knew that I had been asked to teach that lesson for a reason! I need to work on this!!! That lesson was for ME. Being more charitable in my thoughts as well as my words and my actions...all need work! Then last week Bro. Tanner and Sis. Martinez' talks really struck me too. About finding Christ in every page of the Book of Mormon and receiving His image in our countenance. Wow, I REALLY have work to do! Then TODAY, Sis. Saunders reminded me of it all again, even using some of the same quotes and scriptures that I used in my lesson. I loved hearing from all of these individuals, and Sis. Beatty as well, about learning to Trust in the Lord and his timetable. I especially loved the part about "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." (see my ADVERSITY post below). I understand why I go to church every week. It uplifts me and increases my desires to WORK HARDER. I appreciate the speakers who put time and effort into their talks...I appreciate the hymns we sing that uplift my soul and turn me to Christ. I am ever so grateful to partake of the sacrament each week to renew my covenants with my Savior and remind myself to TRY A LITTLE HARDER this week. I am also grateful for our young men who hold and honor their priesthood, who give us this privilege, this service to us each week. I am grateful to my Savior for atoning for MY sins. That I am able each week to strive to do better to show my appreciation to Him for what He did for ME. Thank you to all who are examples to me, in words and actions, as I renew my efforts again this week to try and be more like you. I will continue to work on Charity in word and deed (and thoughts!) as I study about Jesus Christ and try to become more like Him. As Pres. Hinckley said, "Try a little harder, to be a little better." I am trying.

Fun mail, Freshman and Free jars!

This mail call made my day! A picture drawn for us by David! It adorns my fridge and I love it!
Joel's first day as a freshman...wow, our baby all grown up! I was already at work or I would have made him SMILE! :)

And last but not least, any great ideas out there for the use of these jars? I have access to about 100 of them for FREE so if anyone would like some, please let me know...but I especially want to hear ideas for them! They are from Italy, kind of green in color and brand new. They are just a bit larger than a quart jar. Happy weekend everyone!

Remembering Mom...

In a few more hours it will be one year since Mom passed away. Aug. 26th, 2008 at 2 a.m. She was an anchor in my life, a wonderful example to me of how to live and how to act. Always loving and serving others...we weeped one year ago but Heaven rejoiced...another daughter made it home. We know she is with Dad and Lori, (her little girl that died at age 2) her parents and siblings and others of our ancestors who have gone on before. We are truly happy that she is pain free, has a perfect memory, and is with her loved ones. We are only sorry for ourselves that she is not still here with us...We still shed tears and miss her deeply. I pray daily to live my life in such a way that I may return to live with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and that I may see my parents again. I know they are just on the other side of the veil, cheering us on and awaiting our return. Her memory lives on as I sort through her belongings and her pictures...of which I am grateful to have...this one is of her and I in Colorado...I was 3. Love and miss you Mom!

Life's a peach! (or is it a pear?)

I am a beginner at canning fruit, but here's what I made! I used to help my Mom can fruits and vegetables many, many years ago...but now I am learning to do it myself! Thanks to my teachers Dan and Ann!! I appreciate your help! And your tools, and your kitchen!!

Here's some of the helpers on a wii break...canoeing!

All the Winiecke's know how to peel pears! They all helped with my project! I owe them big time! Thanks Tyler!

Amber and I peeling and cutting ~ Thank you Amber!!

Ann and Deann worked with me too...All together we canned 70 jars! It was fun ladies! If you're going to have to work, do it with friends!! It was an enjoyable though exhausting night!

Thank you sister friends!

Thank you Donna and Ann for coming over to watch Persuasion with me! It is sooo much more fun watching it with friends! It was fun having you over. And we learned some new words in the process:

Stile

Cobb

Assizes (Donna, I found the answer to that one in my book)

Now if I just understood the walking in circles around the pump houses...my "Persuasion" education would be complete.

Anyway, I enjoyed watching it and having you over...if anyone wants to borrow the movie you are welcome to (or come and watch it with me, I will watch it over and over!) and I also have another version of it too ~ pretty much the same but a few differences.

Happy Birthday Ashley!

It's birthday time for our Cello Princess!!!

As you can see, I am not a proficient blogger...this put the pictures in the opposite order of how I wanted them!!! So scroll from the bottom to the top! :) Anyway...Happy Birthday to our beautiful Ashley!!! 26 years ago today was the second best day of my life! (The first being marrying your dad!). It was so wonderful to become a Mom...and to be blessed with such a beautiful daughter! We have loved watching you grow through the years into the beautiful young lady you are! Your musical gifts from Heavenly Father have been an amazing part of your life and we love hearing you play your instruments! We love you more than words can say! Thank you for being a part of our life! XOXO

Isn't she adorable???

Today also marks the 12 year anniversary of us moving to Clovis. Yes, we moved on Ashley's brithday (we have moved on her birthday more than once!). It was going to be a temporary move, just while Dave finished school. Guess what...we love it here and we decided to stay!!! Thank you to all our friends who make it so enjoyable for us to be a part of the Clovis community.

May I persuade you to join us?

REMINDER: Book club - thurs. Aug. 6th...6:30 p.m. my house! The book was Persuasion by Jane Austen. We are watching the movie! Please RSVP if you haven't already. I want to have enough popcorn and chairs! See you soon!

Adversity...

"As part of His infinite atonement, Jesus … has borne the sins, griefs, sorrows, and, declared Jacob, the pains of every man, woman, and child (see 2 Nephi 9:21). Having been perfected in His empathy, Jesus thus knows how to succor us. … Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach or His encircling empathy. Therefore, we should not complain about our own life’s not being a rose garden when we remember who wore the crown of thorns!” (Neal A. Maxwell in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 89; or Ensign, May 1987, 72).

I must remember this! So many times I complain about my life "not being a rose garden" especially when I am in the midst of adversity. I loved this quote when I heard it today and wanted to post it here to help me remember it!!!