Sunday, January 31, 2010

Words of Wisdom

For some reason, all the topics at church today seemed to center around service - service to others.

I've always felt very uncomfortable when service has been rendered to me. I don't mind doing things for others, but don't seem to really appreciate when others "do unto me". We have been the recipient of so many wonderful people who have served us since our move here. However, there was a thought that was spoken today and it so touched me that I had to hurry and write it down. It was...
"You never know when you may be the answer to someone's prayer".
Since moving here, I've had numerous opportunities to serve others. I don't really look at is as performing acts of service, but rather "passing it on". Passing on the wonderful things that have been done for us by making and taking meals to singles or families, doing my monthly visiting teaching, feeding singles at our home, taking care of the sister missionaries, visiting sick friends and so many other occasions. But, I also realize how many times I've missed opportunities to serve others and then I wonder did I miss being the answer to someone's prayer? So, one of my resolutions this year is to be more mindful of the needs of others and take advantage of helping whenever possible.

My Word For This Year Is...

No, my word is not procrastination. It should be since it's taken me this long to decide on what my word of the year is. For those of you who may have forgotten my 2009 word, it was "adjustment". Let's see how that worked out for me...

1. Adjustment to living in a new state and a new town. I think that has been achieved.
2. Adjustment to living in a much smaller home. I can see one end of the house from the other end. Who needs more room anyway? I still would love an extra bedroom and an extra bathroom though.
3. Adjustment to a new job in a new field since I knew nothing about the oil business before a month ago. That's going well since I'm still at the same job, learning and growing every day, and I've already gotten one promotion.
4. Adjustment to a new church family. Will I grow to love them as much as my old church family? I hope so since they are the only one I will have. Oh, what a wonderful church family. I'm so fortunate to have made some wonderful new friends. I've also been blessed to have members who've helped me make sure that Joe has been cared for by taking him for doctor visits and just stopping by to visit him while I'm at work.
5. Adjustment to the weather. I won't elaborate on that since many of my blogs talk about that all important subject. Cold is still cold, but it doesn't seem as bad as it was in the beginning. The wind still blows hard and the temperature stays below freezing most of the time, but I'm enjoying the weather. But I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the spring/summer/fall here except it's too short.
6. Adjustment to not knowing my neighbors. I still don't know alot of my neighbors since work seems to prevent that, but I know that I would feel comfortable going to any of their homes in case of an emergency.
7. Adjustment to not having my friends near me other than on the internet. Thank God for emails, Facebook, cell phones, texting, telephones, cards, etc.!
8. Adjustment to my time schedule. Yes, I've gotten used to arising from my bed around 4:00 AM! Do I like it? No, but I've adjusted and there is always the weekend when I can sleep in!
9. Adjustment to the realization that Corey, Nikki and Derek are just down the road. (Well, almost). How fantastic to have made several trips to Utah to see the kids and not have to plan time and money several months in advance! I just wish they were a little bit closer so I could see them more.
10. Adjustment to having some anticipated free time. Maybe I will finally get back to enjoying a good book again. Still haven't read a book yet. Started a couple, but never finished. The closest my book reading has come from has been attending lectures presented by authors about their books.
11. Adjustment to it being just Joe and I (and the furry kids) in our little family group here. No more hopping over to Mom and Dad's or Susan's or Nancy's or seeing other relatives. Still a bummer on this as I would love to be able to pop on over to visit Mom and Dad and seeing other family members.

So, I think my 2009 word served me well and it's on to my 2010 word which is...

Patience

I chose this word because of continued changes that are occurring in my life mainly because of Joe.

Joe continues to experience health problems and they seem to be occurring more often. He is now putting eyedrops in his eyes for glaucoma and his eyesight is slowly failing. He continues to experience problems with keeping his blood sugar under control which still creates problems with his kidneys. If the truth were known, I could start at the top of his cute fuzzy head down to his eight toes and point out problems along the way.

Because I'm gone so much of the day and Joe is left on his own, this causes a great deal of stress on me from time to time. And, I don't see this getting any better.

So, patience is the perfect word for me this year:

1. Patience to understand how Joe feels and have more compassion for him.
2. Patience with Joe when he doesn't do as I think he should or as quickly as I think he should.
3. Patience with getting things done when I want them done as they relate to myself.
4. Patience to deal with the changes in Joe's health.
5. Patience to deal with the changes I'm beginning to experience.
6. Patience to understand that things don't happen just because I want them to.

I'm sure there are more instances where patience comes into play in my life other than waiting in lines or waiting on paydays or the regular day-to-day occurrences. I just want patience and I want it now!!!

Playing Catch-Up


It seems like forever since I last posted. We've not had any place that we had to be at recently on the weekends, but somehow the three days off seem to fly by and the blogging hasn't gotten down. I miss it. I've got so much in my head that I want to talk about and I've got to get busy. It's a new year with lots of things I want to accomplish and I need to get started.



Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Words of Wisdom

(This talk was sent to me several months ago via email by an old friend). President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaking at the Forest Bend Ward, Salt Lake City UT Sunday, October 12, 2008

“Even though I regularly have the opportunity to attend Fast and Testimony meeting, I don’t usually stand to speak. But today, I feel moved upon by the Spirit to share a message…


Last weekend’s General Conference was different than any before. We felt that down at Church Headquarters and have been talking about it all week. We live in troubled times. There is great financial crisis and we’ve seen something that hasn’t happened in the last 60 years: the world’s financial markets are collapsing.
I was six years old when the Great Depression began: the 10th of 11 children. My father was a mechanic and times were difficult for all of us. Many families were suddenly out of work all at once. There were large public projects to try and provide employment – like the great ditch or canal I remember being dug here in our city. It was at least six feet deep and dug by hand, with pick and ax. Nowadays, we’d use a piece of machinery to do it. But in those days, people worked with what we had. They were desperate times for many. There were things as a child that I didn’t understand and was afraid of. I didn’t like to go into the basement of our home. I thought the Boogeyman lived there. But as I grew older and we got some lights down there, I realized that the great dark space underneath the stairs was a large pile of old shoes. As a pair of shoes we were wearing would wear out or break down, we didn’t throw them out. We would use a shoe from that old pile as spare parts to repair our shoes or make new ones. It was just the way you did things in those times.


There’s a scripture that says “Yet learn we obedience by the same things we suffer.” It seems sometimes that we don’t learn until we need to turn and rely upon the Lord. In the Book of Mormon, well, if you looked in my copy, in the Book of Helaman about chapter 12 or 13, you’d see that I’ve written-in a swirling chain of circles across the top of the page. It might look like old cursive, but that’s not what it’s meant to be. It’s meant to remind me of the cycles of the people. In times when they were blessed with great prosperity and wealth, they forgot the Lord. Then when they fell to bad habits which led some to wickedness and placed many in peril, the righteous would turn/return to the Lord in their humbler circumstances. It’s a cycle of prosperity and wickedness we see repeated over and over again in the scriptures and now again in our day.


I remember once I went deer hunting with Brother Tuttle and some others. We were up in the mountains, riding on horseback. He went up one side of the canyon, and I went up the other. As I was riding, I bent over and just nearly kissed the saddle horn as we passed a low cedar tree that was right by the path. Well as we passed the cedar tree, there was no more path on the other side of it and the way before us was just a dropping hillside covered with loose shale rock. I kicked my feet clear of the stirrups, just in case the horse reacted badly, and it was a good thing I did. She reared up and I was thrown back. I hit my head on some rocks and got a cut right above my eyebrow that was bleeding heavily. I’d been holding my rifle in my hand and as my hand flew back and hit heavily against a rock, it broke as well. So I was laying there hurt and shaken. My companions on the other side of the canyon had seen what happened and I heard Brother Tuttle call out “Are you hurt?" I replied “Yes, I’m bleeding!” He called out again “Are you hurt?” I called again “Yes, I’m bleeding!”, but the wind was blowing the wrong way and they couldn’t hear me. The fourth time this happened, I yelled in response “No!” And they called back “Okay!” and continued to ride on up the mountain. That’s lesson one!

I finally got myself up, caught my horse down the mountain where she had gotten caught in some branches, and managed to get into town where I was bandaged up and my hand was tended to. Shortly after that, I was traveling on business and was at the airport. A fellow traveler, an older man not of our faith, saw my bandaged hand and asked if I was all right. I replied rather offhandedly. And he responded that it was something I would remember all the rest of my days. He then told me that he had once worked at digging a canal – now that caught my attention because I remembered the canal I have mentioned. He said that he was out of work at the time [the Great Depression] and couldn’t find employment. He saw the canal being dug and knew that if he asked the foreman for a job, he would be turned away. He saw a spare pick lying there, so he picked it up and started working. A short while later, the foreman walked by and, not recognizing him, asked him what he was doing. He explained to me that he told the foreman he was out of work and stated “I need to work. You don’t have to pay me, but I need to work.” Well, as you might expect, they worked things out and he was paid for his labors. We then proceeded to talk, this older fellow and I, and I have remembered his counsel. Now I am the old man giving counsel to you. In the Great Depression, people were frightened and growing more so. They began to be very resourceful. They had to be. Looking forward, we’re all going to learn that lesson, one way or another.

The Church is in excellent condition. You don’t need to worry about that. But as individuals we will face difficulty. Some will come to the Bishop seeking financial aid and counsel. And as judges in Israel, the Bishop will respond. The time for financial largess in our ward activities is over.” [President Packer then turned directly to our Bishop and counseled him that last year’s youth trip to Nauvoo, which was, President Packer said, a great opportunity for testimony building and missionary work, will not happen again. Times of/for that sort of expense in theChurch are past.]

President Packer then shared experiences of providing aid and service after the great Tsunami devastated Indonesia. He recalled... “I was speaking on the phone with a government minister who said “I’m standing in Banda Aceh and you cannot imagine what I am seeing. A city of a million people has been swept away and there is nothing.” A week later, I was standing in area of Banda Aceh and the need was immense. “What do you need?” I asked. “Body bags” was the reply. So we found 20,000 body bags in China and had them on a plane the next day. A call came, “we need 30 [thousand] more.” We found them and they were sent. The next call “do you have any motorcycles? We need to get back into the mountain villages with aid and medical supplies, but the roads are gone. Trucks can’t get through and elephants are too slow. If we had motorcycles, we could get through.” “Are they to be found in Asia” I asked. “Yes,” he said. So we found the motorcycles and had them on their way the next day.

The Church is sound and is able to provide these types of aid as a back-up where there is need. We [as members and in our individual wards] are the back-up position of the Church. Learn to apply the old Pioneer adage – “Eat [use] it up. Wear it out. Make do, or do without.” We’re going to have to learn to do without. Again, “Eat it up. Wear it out. Make do, or do without.” Even if we have the resources, we need to do more to be thrifty. Others will rely on us. The Church will rely on us. It is our responsibility and duty to be caring for ourselves, our family, and those around us. Be watching for need. Set something by that we can be of help to others when the time comes. Trust in the counsel of our wise elders/older people.

There are nearly 60,000 missionaries serving throughout the world today. The cost to support a missionary is right about $400 a month today. That’s $4,800 a year. Consider if we have the resources that there may be others who don’t and who have a need. When Brother Tuttle was a young man, he had a strong desire to serve a mission. But he didn’t have the money to pay for it, and his family didn’t have the money for it. So Brother Tuttle thought of who was the richest man in his town and, after saying a prayer, he approached him. A loan was made, a mission served, and the loan repaid. Those who need our help may not always ask us.

It’s about time the Lord taught us a lesson. A great catastrophe is coming. Now I probably shouldn’t say that because then it will happen. But it is going to happen. That’s what it will take to turn our hearts to the Lord. And we will learn from it. Our prayers will be different, less selfish. The scripture says “If ye are prepared, ye need not fear.” Renew your prayers. You can [also] think a prayer. Carry a prayer in your heart throughout the day. Learn to pray for that which is of worth.

Another scripture says “…do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.” (2 Nephi 9:51) That can be applied both spiritually [to prayer] and physically. Use what we have. If something is broken, fix it. Our young people are going to see different times than what they are used to. To you teenagers, your life will be different. Things are changing. You will have to do without some of the things you are used to expecting. Don’t be afraid. Change your life to do without the extravagances and luxuries that you’ve expected.

Learn to pray. There’s a difference between ‘saying prayers’ and praying. A wonderful time is coming – it’s not going to be easy, and it’s not going to be short. But don’t be afraid. Brother Tuttle was one of the Seventy when there were just seven of them. Now there are eight quorums of the Seventy called to go throughout all the world. It’s an apostolic calling to teach the gospel to every nation, people and tongue. They’ll know what to do and will lead and counsel where they are called.

Take care of what we’ve got. Begin to save. The rainy day is coming – in fact, the snowy day is already here [in reference to today’s first winter snow]. Reset our expectations. Give up selfishness. Wickedness is all around us. In today’s world, it’s not safe for children to be outside alone. We need to be ever watchful. We need to protect ourselves from the wickedness, avarice, and greed in the world. Read the scriptures and the revelations. The guidance and counsel are there. Read with new eyes, and the scriptures, the Book of Mormon, will take on new meaning.

As President Bush and world leaders gather in the coming week and the weeks ahead, there will be no easy answers or solutions. Hard times are ahead and it’s difficult for them to see what to do. It’s important to listen to the Sprit. We are led by prophets and apostles. We can see ahead. We can be and are prepared.
I pronounce upon you an Apostolic blessing. Comfort our children. Little children can be afraid of things we might not think of. Comfort them and strengthen our families. Turn off the television and focus on family. Pay your tithing. The promise is there – pay your tithing and you’ll be watched over. You’ll be alright. None of us is exempt from trials. If hard times come upon you and your income dwindles, remember that tithing is equitable for everyone: 10%. If you have nothing, then it’s 10% of practically nothing. Pay your tithing, do what you’re supposed to do. You’ll be comforted.

Sure trials will come. Because of them, faith will increase. Happiness will increase. Security will increase. You’ll be glad to be alive at this time. It’s a good time to be living. To be raising children. I leave this testimony, counsel, and blessing with you in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Change

I was in the process of cleaning out old email files today when I ran across what appears to be my last talk given in Sacrament Meeting in Tifton. It applied then and it applies now...

One of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.” I, on the other hand, like to use voice from time to time that I would like to have a normal life; that I would like to be like normal people. However, I have discovered that the only thing normal in life is the setting on a clothes dryer.

Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly.

This week I have been reflecting back on my days here in the Tifton Ward.

Ÿ 1965 while visiting grandparents
Ÿ Expansion of chapel - branch to ward
Ÿ Newlywed
Ÿ Various callings
Ÿ New mother
Ÿ Divorce
Ÿ New marriage
Ÿ People who have been born and died

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.


If you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly-cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly. My Dad has a saying which is…100 years from now, you’ll never know the difference.

Les’ death - missing out on opportunities with Corey and Derek

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.

Grateful for friends and family that have supported me in my lifetime.

A friend gave me a little plaque one day which said…

“When one door closes, another opens; (but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us).”
Alexander Graham Bell

Gratitude for:

Power of prayer
Priesthood blessings
Principle of tithing
Opportunities to serve
Compassionate service of friends

I hope that my neighbors will look upon me as a good example of the Church and what it means to be a good person.

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows.

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Personal Contemplation

Someone recently sent me an email that floats around from time to time. It's the one where you answer a series of questions i.e., favorite food, who was the last person you spoke with, what tv show you last watched, etc. There was one question that really made me stop and do some serious contemplation about what to put as the answer. The question was "What is your greatest fear?" Wow, that one really made me think. My answer was: "Being left alone in Wyoming without Joe". I had never really thought of the future in that sense until I wrote that answer.

Let's think about this...here I am in a state where I have no living relatives. The nearest are about 500 miles away in Utah. If I was left alone without Joe, what would I do? I have no home left in Georgia and am bound only to that state now because of my parents and siblings. I have two funeral plots bought and paid for in Georgia, but is that where I would want to be buried? Would I want Joe there? Would I continue to live here in Wyoming and care for myself alone? If so, what happens when I can no longer do that? (Heart beating faster now and my anxiety level is beginning to rise). The only thing I know for sure at this time is that I cannot imagine life without Joe. Which brings up another issue...what happens if I leave this earth before Joe? What will become of him? I pray that that doesn't happen as I cannot and do not trust that anyone can ever love him and care for him as much as I do. No one can love him enough to be patient with all of his medical problems, listen to his commentaries on life, politics and basketball. That's why when the time comes, I hope Joe leaves this earth first.

All this brings me back to that question...What is my greatest fear? I guess my answer really is "It's the unknown of my final days on this earth". In the perfect scenario, I will leave this earth at the same time with the love of my life. Then my children will not be left with the burden and worry and concern of caring for me and Joe, but be able to go on with their lives and remember the good things about me. But I don't plan on this happening for a very long time. Joe and I still have a lot of exploring to do and enjoying life to the best of our ability!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

So What's This About?

This is our front door open! That's the first time we've been able to leave it open (with the storm door) in several weeks. Let the sunshine in!!! (That snow has been in our yard for over three weeks now).

New Year's Eve 2009

Carrying on a family tradition, Joe and I had a "pigout party". It was a small occasion and that was fine with me considering I'd worked all day. We had the sister missionaries over to celebrate with us and they'd gotten permission to stay at our home until 9:30 p.m.

I had purchased a bunch of good junk food while in Utah and split it with the kids and brought the rest home to indulge. The sisters seemed to have enjoyed themselves. What do you think?

Sister Lyman (l) and Sister Merrill (r) partaking of some good ole sparkling apple ciders in two delicious flavors.

Then Joe came and joined the party...

After "pigging out", we played Apples To Apples. That is a fun game and it's amazing the things you find out about each other. (BTW...I won)!

The sisters left at 9:30 and Joe and I were in bed shortly thereafter after I'd called Mom and Dad and Corey and Nikki. We were real party animals.

Coming Home - Christmas 2009

This is a rest area that did not receive a plowing or sanding and it was drive and walk at your own risk! When Mother Nature is calling though, you do what you gotta do.
This is my favorite spot on the trip home. It's off the interstate between Rawlins and Casper on this two laned highway. I love it because when you are at the top of the mountain ridge you can see the whole valley below and about 20 miles in any direction.

My Dinosaur Rocks

Every time we come back from Utah, I've noticed this particular pile of rocks along the interstate. It always reminds me of a dinosaur's back. More specifically a stegosaurus.

Dinner TIme!

Looks like elk chops to me...

and this looks like prime rib!

These are some of the animals that we saw at Bear River State Park which is one of our rest areas when coming and going to Utah.

Stuck In The Mud

One day Trina was going out collecting water samples and I was going to be her chauffeur. Bad idea since I wound up getting us stuck in the mud!

After Trina finally got us unstuck, she went about collecting her samples...

This is one of the front wheels...

And this is one of the back wheels.

The truck was in four-wheel drive, but apparently I just "grannied" it across instead of going for it and that's what got us stuck. I had to open the back door of the truck and shimmy my way into the back seat while Trina climbed over the console into the driver's seat. Now that would have been a video to see, huh?

Monday Morning Meetings a/k/a MMM

The time: 7:15 a.m./The place: The lunchroom/conference room/The day: Every Monday/The Purpose: Plan work schedule for the week.

The people: Trina (l), Steve (m) and Mary (r).


After Dinner In The Mall


Passing Time

Derek finished eating before we adults did and was getting restless. So, Grandma Carol pulled out her camera and gave it to Derek.

These are only some of the pictures he took...


Christmas Eve Dinner

On Christmas Eve, Joe and I took the kids (and Flat Riley) to dinner at one of our favorite "special dinner" restaurants - P.F. Chang's.

More Snow Pics

On several occasions I've commented about the weather conditions in the oilfield. These pictures may give an idea of how crazy the weather can be at times.

Notice the snow drifts up next to side of the office...

This path was shoveled out so that we could get into this office door...

Some of the field workers trying to clear out the drift with shovels and snowblower...

Notice the backhoe in the background removing snow from the parking area in front of my building...
The snow was even blown into the breezeway...

This is what the FedEx office looked like when I had to drop off a package...

These were the icicles hanging from our home...

Saturday, January 9, 2010

So true. So very true.

















Just a comparison of what this general area in the canyon looks like in fall and winter. Beautiful in any season!

Heading Home After Christmas

Frozen waterfalls...
Those little black boxes are ice tents that people with brain freeze use to go ice fishing. Look at those crazy people standing on the frozen lake fishing.

Great pictures, huh? Just think what I could do with a great camera.