Faith

Well its been a while. I can give lots of reasons but I won't. Today in RS Brenda Yost gave a lesson on faith from several of Oct.08 conference addresses. It really got me thinking about several things. Of course she had some funny things.

One of the things she said is writing down our spiritual experiences so we can go back and draw upon during rough times. I made the comment how important it was as my daughter Avry wanted so bad to read Grandma Nielson's journals. Nick sent her some copies of them and she said she was disappointed as it was just day to day activities. You know, wash dishes, cleaned house, went to store, so and so stopped by. She wanted to know really how she felt about things. I guess my kids will find in my few journals the same thing. I have been one who doesn't want people to read after I am gone about all the bad and how my life REALLY was. But you know it most likely gives a false sense that life was peachy and I had no trials.

I need to take a few pages from my daughter Jeralee who writes it as it is. Her ups and downs her frustrations, hates, passions, loves you name it. She seems to turn around and find the humor or write it in a humorous way that we all crave for more. Or my son Geoff who writes such deep insights you have to read it over and over and try to figure out what he is getting at and then all of sudden it comes to you and you say WOW.

Ok back to the topic of Faith. She was funny as she said she was in New York in the fall last year and it was so beautiful. Of course which I totally agree and then she says think about coming into the SL Valley and the view sage brush and desert. She said I don't know if I would of had that kind of faith. But she quoted that the fire of their faith burned in their soul. Do we have that kind of faith. Faith is a choice when we have faith it leads to prayer which leads to revelation which leads to faith and the cycle continues as our faith grows.

Interesting faith and fear cannot co exist. Faith overcomes fear, then faith goes into hope which overcomes despair which equals action. So when you think about it we have faith in alot of things on a daily basis. When we can't find something we have faith we can find it then we have hope and then we start looking and thinking and soon we find it.

Hmmmmmmmmmm so where I am going with this. Just to let everyone know I have a strong faith in the church and family. My children amaze me and I have the strong faith that they will succeed in anything that they put their minds to. They all have proved it to me so many times.

So what do you do when you are home all day?

Last Saturday March 7, 2009 I stayed home all day. I did not get in my car and go anywhere. I ventured out side once to put the stickers on the Tahoe. To be honest I don't remember how long it has been since I stayed home all day.

So what did I do all day? I cleaned places that hadn't been cleaned for a while. I worked on Jason's quilt. Laundry, dishes, vaccum,ironing, read you name it I probably did it. If anyone really knows me, they know that I get side track really easy.

I will start cleaning the kitchen then go put something away in the office only to stop at the computer to check blogs, email, etc. Then notice some papers needing to be filed in the cabinet downstairs. Once those are put away. I remember the clothes need to be taken out of the dryer. I put them in a basket then start another load of clothes. I then fold towels and put them away only to see how bad the toilet and floor is in the one bathroom. I go into the kitchen to get some cleaning things when I realized I have not finished loading the dishwasher. I finish that and start wiping up the counters when I notice all the dirty dish towels and rags and then head downstairs where I notice stuff on the TV that needs to be put away.

Anyway you are getting the idea. By the end of the day I look around and realize I did accomplish alot and wish for 4 more days like that. It is just nice to have one of those productive days.

Red Shirt Friday

Have you ever read something and then you try to figure out where you had read it and can't find it? This last week I read something very profound on Red Shirt Friday. I thought it was an email that someone had sent me. But I couldn't find it. I finally decided it was in some magazine I read while I was at Red Mountain Spa. I can't even remember exactly what it said but I remember how I felt.

Clint and Lia sent Scott and I red shirts with I support our troops on it for Christmas. I didn't think much of it and thought maybe it was some promotion think they had going. It has layed nicely folded in my closet the last two months until this last Friday when I wore it for the first time proudly. I attempted to take a self portrait after 24 tries, this is the best I could do.



I copied this off the internet of the explanation for Red Shirt Friday.

Red Shirt Friday is a symbol of unity of support for our solders who have given their lives and their freedoms so we might enjoy ours.

Red Shirt Friday is not just to give thanks to the thousands that have died for us. It is also for the millions that have served our country, our serving our country now, and to the millions that have supported our brave military.

It is for the loved ones that have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for our benefit. Mothers, wives, brothers, sisters, children, and relatives.

It is for the friends neighbors, communities, organizations, states and our nation that suffer from our loss.

It is for all of the ones that are serving now and have served.

It is for our P.O.W.s and M.I.A.s.



Here is my son Clint and beautiful wife and daughters Nadia and Bianca last year when Clint had a two week leave from Iraq.

I am proud of my son for all that he does in protecting our country. He returned from a 15 month deployment in Iraq last November. I can't even imagine everything he has been through serving in Iraq. I know he had a friend killed, he has been shot at and had to shoot at others. Right now he is working hard on being promoted to an NCO. He has passed his board of review and working on getting enough points through correspondence classes to receive this promotion.

He has struggled with a lot of things in his life. His mother being one of them. When I had my accident as soon as he found out he called me from Germany to see how I was doing and express his love for me. I have watched him in the last several years over come a lot of things and have seen the growth in him getting out of his comfort zone and trying to do what is right.

So to Clint I love you and Thank you for the sacrifice of defending our country and being who you are.

Tag I am It!

Avry tagged me
What people I would of tagged have been tagged. So I thought I would just answer the questions.

8 Favorite TV Shows

1. Today Show
2. The Biggest Loser
3. Weather Channel
4. Golf Channel
5. Extreme Make Over
6. The Bachelor
7. Dancing with the Stars
8. CNN




8 Things I did Yesterday

1. Skied
2. Went to Bed at 9:30 pm
3. Drove to Big Sky
4. Had dinner in West Yellowstone
5. Got lots of sun on my face
6. Ate way to much
7. Spent the day with my future daughter in law
8. Up at 5:30 am



8 Things I'm Looking Forward To

1. My sons wedding in June
2. Spa Retreat in St. George
3. A week in Palm Springs
4. Spending time with my children
5. Lots more of skiing
6. Golfing this summer
7. Hiking
8. Summer (working out in the yard)




8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Jakers
2. Olive Garden
3. Johnny Carino
4. Sizzler
5. California Pizza Kitchen
6. Red Lobster
7. Sandpiper
8. PF Changs




8 Things on My Wish List

1. More understanding of the gospel
2. Travel anywhere especially England
3. Less wrinkles
4. To be 30 lbs lighter
5. A New House
6. A better economy.
7. Mission
8. Someone to clean my house

Oh What Do You Do In The Winter Time?

When all the world is white!
Buy a new car

Of course we had to stay with another SUV. We like the way they ride on trips and our last one really protected me. It a 2007 silver Chevy Tahoe. I haven't even driven it yet.

Remodel the Family Room

Well, Scott did all the remodeling. I did very little. He even arranged the furniture different. Notice our new basement windows. It really makes it warmer. Now to do the other half of the room.

Enjoy a winter sunset

This is Scott on the top of Kelly right at sunset. It was so pretty.

Ski

This is at Kelly Canyon. We have gone night skiing the last three Saturdays and of course I ski every Thursday at Targhee with about 30 ladies I ride up on a bus. This last Wednesday they were closed because of water problem. I was already at Claudia's "Blue Heron Inn" www.idahoblueheron.com. when I got the call. There are four of us that ride up to Rexburg to catch the bus. Claudia, Jamie, Carol and myself. We were deciding what to do since we had a free day. Claudia had two guests and invited us over to the Inn where her husband and her made us a gourmet breakfast. We then went and got our cross country skis. Claudia couldn't find her boots. So Jamie, Carol and I went up to Teton Lakes in Rexburg. They groom a trail around the golf course. It was fun. I had gone Cross Country Skiing with Jamie and her hubby and friend up the dry bed last Friday. I had bought some new CC skis and they are nice. I have been around my yard a few times also. After skiing we went back to Claudia's where we had a salad for lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon hand quilting on a Quilt Guild Quilt. Then Quilt Guild that night.

Quilt

This is Jamie in the loft of the Blue Heron Inn. I have really enjoyed just going over there and enjoying the serenity, the view, friends and quilting.

Sewing

This is a quilt top I just finished called "Cherry Pie" it will have pink minky on the back. I have Jason's quilt done and at the quilters. I have decided to keep my quilt frame and learn how to use it. I am working on another top called "Road Block".

Birthday's

Tiffany February 6, Rowan January 17, Lia February 6, Marshall January 7. Went to Red Lobster

Avry January 24

Double dating with your son and his girlfriend

We have been to the movie and dinner, Saturday night skiing, pizza at Heise and Sunday dinner at our house. We have enjoyed having Geoff close and know some day this to will end. Its been fun to get to know Cheryl and how much teasing she takes from Geoff. They really are cute together. Ahhhhhhh young love.

Of Course hanging out with my hubby


I don't have pictures of Thursday morning bowling, BYUI FHE and activites, snow mobiling, Cheryl's concert. She is an amazing flutest. So as you can see winter can be as busy as summer. Every monday I hurry home from the office and within in two hours I have ground wheat and made 6 loaves of wheat bread and made brownies for the FHE group that comes that evening. Can't decide if I will miss that when dad is released.

Blessings and Protection from Above

In the midst of our life we have incredible experiences that lets us know our Heavenly Father loves us and is constantly watching over us.

I was headed down on Thursday to go skiing with Jason on Friday and then Saturday was Avry's birthday and Tiffany's birthday is on the 6th of February. I was taking the girls shopping and lunch. I was then going to stay with Tiffany and go to church and watch her boys for an hour on Monday while she went for a job interview. Then head back to Idaho so I could get back to have a FHE group come to our home from the college

Thursday morning I bowled. Jenny Huskinson who was on our team a year and half ago got back from her mission from Uganda. It was so nice to see her and hear of some of her experiences. We are glad she could be back on our team, even tho we will miss Bonnie Peterson I had to do payroll at the office so hurried down to IF right after bowling as I wanted to leave at 3 so I wasn't driving very much in the dark. I started on my SUDA report and it ended up taking me longer to do it and didn't get away till 4:30. I was going to try and get to Ogden and stop at Joann’s before they closed and find some floss for a friend.

I had my Yukon loaded with the rest of Tiffany and Marshall's stuff that was stored at our house. It was mostly, things from their childhood, school, college, and mission. Six 18 gallon plastic totes, a couple of boxes, misc things. The roads were clear and I was making pretty good time. The forecast had said 30% rain and 50% in the evening. It started raining around Marsh Valley and the temperature was about 35. It was raining on the Malad pass but I slowed down some. I stopped in Malad and filled my car with gas, the ground was wet but not icy. I was hungry so I went in to get a hamburger. There was one girl that they were filling her order and 3 other people doing I don't know what. After waiting for 5 minutes I decided I couldn't wait any longer and needed to get going to make Joann's Fabric before they close.
As I entered the freeway I checked the time 6:33 and temperature 34. I called Scott and was talking on my bluetooth to see how he golfed as he was in LV. It was really raining and I was watching the temperature and thought if it drops to freezing the roads could be bad. I had passed the exit to Plymouth and had slowed down to 65 and noticed the temperature at 32. I had just passed the Plymouth exit and made note that there were a few cars way a head of me and I could see cars a ways behind. It was about then that I told Scott I am slipping I don’t know what exactly happened next if I tried to turn the wheel or touched the brake or what but I started spinning. I thought just let it go and it will stop and what ever direction I am going I will get it turned around. The next thing I knew my headlights shined on the snow on the side of the road which was about a foot deep. My car started up the side of the snow and started rolling. I know I rolled at least twice. When I stopped I was upright and facing east aways from the road. I didn't know it was east at the time. I was disorientated and thought I had rolled across the middle and the north bound lane. The policeman had to keep telling me I was on the south bound side. My car still running the wipers still going, light on. I sat there for a few minutes looking straight ahead and thinking I am OK. I know my head hit the roof. I turned the overhead lights on and tried to find my phone. I found my phone and called 411 and thought what am I doing that's not the right number. I then tried 911 but kept hitting a letter. I finally got it right and told them what had happened and where I was. She said they had been notified and help was on the way. I called Scott to let him know I was OK. He had called the Box Elder police and they said their had been multiple accidents. He then said he called the hospital and they said they were told their were multiple accidents and they were getting ready for it. I then called Jason.


You can't tell that the roof was caved in




A guy and his boy stopped and he said he was a retired firefighter and I couldn't’t get out of my car I rolled the window down and he asked if I was OK. Just a little in shock but I seemed to be OK. I crawled over to see if I could get out the passenger side. The snow was very icy and it was still raining. They asked if I had warm clothing. I found my ski coat but could only find one of my snow boots. It was then I notice the windows on both back side and the window in the back was out. The guys son started picking up things and handing them to me and I was putting them in some bag. When the police came he told them to go ahead. He asked if I was OK and said their were 5 accidents in the last few minutes between the two exits and that it had frozen suddenly. He asked for my insurance and registration. As I handed him my registration. An ambulance came. They made me come and sit in the ambulance and check me out. I was OK, they said they had 5 calls and got a 6Th while I was there. Another ambulance came by while I was inside. They gave me a bandage for a tiny glass cut on my finger and said since I was OK they were going on to check on another one. They walked me back to my car as the policeman was getting out of his car to hand me the paperwork. A truck went by and he said theirs the salt truck finally. He told me the wrecker had been called and what the guys name was and apologized that he couldn't stay with me as he had to go check on another accident. He told me to sit in my car. As I sat waiting for the wrecker I looked to the south and could see cars stopped and a police car and then farther down another police car. I looked to the north and I could see two police cars quite a distance apart.



Another car stopped to see if I was OK, I told him the police and ambulance had already been here and I was just waiting for the wrecker. I noticed a wrecker go by and thought maybe he didn't see me. So I waited who knows how long. The wrecker finally got there and he said he didn't see me and headed to the other one and it was a white SUV also, but they had not called it in. He had to go to the next exit and turn around and find me. He pulled my car on to the flat bed and picked up what stuff we could see. There had been a small box with Marshall's missionary letters and it was all over the side of the road and wet. I was so cold by now and my hair was drenched I took my scarf off around my neck and put it on my head. My ski coat was completely soaked through along with my pants. I sat in his truck while he finished picking up things. Jason and Avry had decided she was closer and since she had a Tahoe would come and get me and clean out my car. The policeman told me to tell her to come to the Riverside Exit but since she was aways a way the wrecker guy told me to have her come to Tremonton and meet at Denny's. Tremonton he said was only 5 miles away we had to wait for Avry for a few minutes and then she followed us over to their storage area. He got the car off the bed and Avry, Kaden and I started cleaning out my car. It was still raining but only 34 degrees at Tremonton and not icy. Things were a mess and lots of tiny glass in everything. Two of the tubs were completely broken. Avry was being funny as usual.

We got to her house and Justin and Kaden started hauling things in. We spread all the letters all over the floor to dry. I couldn't sleep so I spent most of the night drying the letters and rotating them.

Avry's family Room


Avry's living Room

Friday I went and got 4 new tubs for Tiffany and started the process of sorting and repacking and calling her and telling her what I had to throw out. Scott flew in at 1 and we decided to take the girls for birthday dinner at Red Lobster and head for home in the morning.

Sorting stuff from broken tubs in Avry's family room

I have thought and analyzed this episode in my life the last several days. There was no promptings like I have had in past experiences. I know my Heavenly Father could of prevented this from happening, but I also know that things happen for a reason. We may not know or understand for sometime. I know that I was protected. I had my seat belt on, I was alone, I was in the Yukon and not my smaller car and there were no other cars involved. What is more amazing is that I have no bruises, cuts and its been 3 days and I haven't developed any internal symptoms. It is interesting that I was never scared. It seemed more like a ride at an amusement park.

It has affected each of my children. From a call from Clint in Germany after reading about me on Geoff's facebook. He said he had a sense he had to talk to someone that day. To Tiffany sobbing on the phone apologizing for every mean thing she has said or did to me. To Geoff knowing he had told me he loved me just half an hour before to Avry being ok till she saw my car and me. From Jason's sincere love of checking up on me that night and the next day and would drive all the way to just give me a hug to Jeralee's wonderful humor of looking for a stunt driver for the next James Bond movie. She had me laughing so hard. And of course Scott for trying hard to find out how bad it was. I am so ever blessed for the family I have.

Happy New Year/2008 In Review

New Years Eve was spent with our Party Group at Meng's. Besides us and Meng's there was Anderson, Peterson, Furniss and Purser we had dinner and at 10 pm we were all yawning so we pulled out the domino's and played till midnight. Had some cold duck and headed for home and in bed by 12:30 am. Where are the days we stayed up half the night playing chardes. Guess that is what happens when you are pushing 60.

New Years Day we headed up to Targhee to do some skiing. The top was a blizzard slowly made our way over to Cheif Joseph and skied Blackfoot lift till about 11:30 went in to have an early lunch and then over to Scajawea. It got very crowded and found out both Dreamcatcher and Blackfoot lifts were closed. The snow wasn't to bad, the top was blowing and windy but once in the trees it was good. Scott's legs gave out, so Geoff and I skied. He took me through some trees not to bad. I was surprised at how I didn't get tired for my first time out. Excited for Wednesday ladies day to start this week.

Just a quick review of 2008

January found me skiing on Wednesday and bowling on Thursday. Scott went golfing in Mesquite while I went to Las Vegas with 5 other friends to the Miss American pageant in January.
February found us sking, bowling, and snowmobling. All the kids were home and we had a family picture. Clint had two weeks from Iraq and Lia and girls came from Germany. It had been 4 years since we had all been togehter.
March still sking and bowling. I still go to a quilt guild once a month along with still working part time at Scotts office. Did loose two new sets of ski poles (left them at the ski hill and no one turned them in)
April We headed to Palm Springs for a week of golfing and Scott got a new motorcyle for his birthday. Tiffany and Marshall and boys lived with us for 4 months.
May our willow tree got a major trimming from broken branches from an early snowstorm last year. Grandma Nielson passed away on May 24.
Summer Months found Scott traveling clear up to Cut Bank Montana down to Reno Nevada on projects. I went on a few trips with him. First time up to Gardnier Montana, North entrance of Yellowstone Park had a nice trip through the park. Did some hiking with friends. Went to Miss Idaho in June and Miss Idaho Falls won again. July had a family reunion in Draper and Snowbird Utah. We had a barbeque in Jason's backyard which made him get busy to finish his patio. Earlier in the day Jeralee and family, Avry, Tiffany and kids was spent at the children's museum and then playing in the fountains at the Gateway
August hiked Table Rock with friends. My brother brought my sister Laura up for a week took her to Targhee and Jackson. Picked up my sister Cheryl and we went to SLC and visited our kids and spent some time on temple Square. Was extremely busy with Miss Idaho Falls, not only taking care of the money and secretarial duties I wound up putting the program together. Went to Bend Oregon and did some golfing then on over to Eugene to visit Jeralee and family and see and do a little work on their new home. I got my first new leather coat in Jackson so I would look cool on Scott's motorcyle which I am getting more courage to ride with him
September we got a new riding lawn mower and it is a zero radius turning and I haven't learned to use it. Maybe I won't learn as I like Scott doing all the mowing now. Went for a few days to Sun Valley, rode our bikes and golfed. I also learned about belaying and mountain climbing with Geoff and have a few new scars to show.
October we went to Hawaii for almost two weeks for an AIA convention. We went to Oahu and the big island, did golfing, snorkling on a boat and a dinner cruise and rented a jeep.
November we went to St. George and did some golfing before Thanksgiving and then had Thanksgiving at Avry's. We got a new snowblower in anticipation of snow.
December we finally got new windows put in the basement. Sun Valley for a few days no snow so read the Twilight books. Finally finished the top of Jason's quilt after two years and almost have my stockings done. First year with no kids on Christmas Eve, but rented a cabin and had a fun time in Island Park. Then moved Tiffany from Lehi to Eagle Mountain, spent a day with Grandchildren.
On top of that Scott was Bishop of the BYUI 7th ward. Besides the ward activies we had a FHE group in every monday night during school and I made homemade bread each week and sent it home with the kids. All and all it was a pretty good year. Looking forward to 2009 and lots of exciting new things.