A New Job!!!

I have been keeping a secret. Some of you knew something was up. I called and asked to use people as referrences. I even called asking for an address I lived at for two months. Many many details were needed. It is complete. It is official.

Starting TODAY I am working as a Special Eduation Teacher for Sequel Youth and Family Services. That's right as of today. If you follow the link you may notice Sequel seems very similar to Three Springs.

That is indeed the case. Similar, but not identical. Sequel acquired Three Springs facilities and employees. Although I am now a Sequel Employee I still work at Three Springs...for now anyway.

Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas

Today, while pondering in church I thought about what I might say if someone asked mee what I wanted for Christmas. I tried to think of how I might tell someone there was no gift they could give that would compare with the gift we were given in Christ. Nor, the further gift to have the fullness of the gospel on the earth today with prophets and apostles. What better gift is out there? I was also trying to figure out how I might share these thoughts in a blog post.

I don't think there is anything wrong with having a holiday season of food, family, and gifts. It seems rather fitting, in the United States of America, to welcome in the winter months with a Thanksgiving Celebration for all we have been given to maintain throughout the winter. Then to continue for a month or so of various gatherings that will keep your spirits high when the weather might seem otherwise.

My concern is that the traditions may be happening without the meaning. I remember a student commenting once she didn't know why there was a star on the top of a Christmas Tree. I had someone else mention we could decorate for Christmas as long as it wasn't religious. huh? I continue on my path of how I want to Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

After church today I went to lds.org to find something to watch or listen to. There I noticed they had a new topic page for Christmas with the title of; Christ: The Real Gift of Christmas. Here The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has already posted videos and ideas all in one place. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Merry Christmas!!!

free to blog....

Today, I would like to thank Mr. George Washington. Not just Mr. Washington, but all those who stood with him, who faught along side him. I would especially like to thank those who died fighting for the cause Mr. Washington believed in.

I do not speak only of those who lived in the same time as Mr. George Washington. I also speak of those who have strived to maintain the prinicples of a free people thoughout time. Thank you for your efforts with quill, grand oratory, or musket rifle for allowing mee to be free... to have this blog and post this picture... which was found some where on the internet...(I didn't create it...I am not taking credit)

Monday Memory Moment

There aren't many things I remember having all of my life. I have a mouse I named Mickey. (I was very creative as a child. I also have a blanket which was made by my great-grandmother, Ella Glasgow. It is yellow with Raggedy Ann.

I don't remember being a big fan of Raggedy Ann and Andy. I do remember watching the show.

colder...

I like many have been commenting today about how cold it is. 14 degrees, the current temp, is better than the -13 wind child we had this morning. The wind chill right now is -1. This is according to my WeatherBug which reads from the Mountain Home Air Force Base.

With all the comments I still remember is being colder. To test I memory I decided to look it up. With the help of the National Weather Service and KBOI I found the following information.

as of this date (12/8/09) these are still record lows...
December 1990---I was 12 and a seventh grader...
20th:  -8
21st: -23
22nd: -25
23rd: -18
24th: -20
25th: -20
29th:  -17
30th:  -9

I still remember standing out for the bus, which was late, because it was too cold to start the engine.

Oh...and in case you are interested 0 was the record low for December 7th in 2009.

What was that about global warming?

It is now down to 10 degrees...

Monday Memory Moment

I got to Texas on December 3rd. I don't remember that day being cold. The next day however was colder than I expected Texas to be. It was December. It was also the Christmas Season!!!


I don't know who created the Texas Fort Worth Mission Christmas Program. However, we were directed to share it with as many people as we could. I remember going to our Bishop asking for his support. We were asking the ward members to have have us in their home to share it with them and their friends. We were a little surprised at his approach.


During Sacrament Meeting he asked the members to sustain President Gordon B. Hinckley as the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was 2002. He then asked us to stand. He reminded the congregation that we had been called as full-time missionaries by the prophet they had just sustained and he expected them to support us in our efforts.


I greatly enjoy the program we were asked to do. I actually lead the program last year for the Young Single Adult (YSA) Branch I was in at the time. I have been in the family ward for a year. I was presently surprised when the YSA Branch Preseident called mee last week and asked mee to do the Christmas program from them again this year.


I hope to include enough details for you to be able to enjoy reading it, or share it with your family and friends.


Materials:
Hymnal to include songs listed. Numbers are from the 1981 LDS Hymnal. If all the links are working you can follow them to printable and playable music. The songs are meant to be sung.
Scriptures to include New Testement and The Book of Mormon. The verses are meant to be read.
Globe, something for a Star
I also like to use a nativity set with pieces.


If you are reading this in facebook you may need to go to my blog for the links to work.


www.alwaysmee.blogspot.com


I gave it a title...enjoy... 

A NEW STAR

Begin with prayer
Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful, no. 202

Matthew 1:18-23

   18 ¶ ^aNow the ^bbirth of Jesus Christ was ^con this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

  19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick ^aexample, was ^bminded to ^cput her away privily.

  20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a ^adream, saying, Joseph, thou son of ^bDavid, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the ^cHoly Ghost.

  21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his ^aname ^bJESUS: for he shall ^csave his people from their sins.

  22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

  23 ^aBehold, a ^bvirgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his ^cname ^dEmmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Luke 2:1-7

   1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all ^athe world should be ^btaxed.

  2 (And this ^ataxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

  3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

  4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called ^aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

  5 To be taxed with Mary his ^aespoused wife, being great with child.

  6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

  7 And she brought forth her ^afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the ^binn.

O Little Town of Bethlehem, no. 208, first verse

Luke 2:8-14

   8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the ^aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

  10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you ^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people.

  11 For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord.

  12 And this shall be a ^asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

  14 ^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men.

Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains, no. 212

Luke 2:15-20

  15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

  16 And they came with ^ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

  17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

  18 And all they that heard it ^awondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

  19 But Mary kept all these things, and ^apondered them in her heart.

  20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

****At this point we would talk about the special feelings of a mother for a child. You could do this in general or specifics. Tonight I asked a friend who is new to the restored gospel about here feelings around coming to know the truth.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, no. 209

Matthew 2:1-11

  1 Now when Jesus was ^aborn in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

  2 Saying, ^aWhere is he that is born ^bKing of the Jews? for we have seen his ^cstar in the east, and are come to ^dworship him.

  3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

  4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he ^ademanded of them ^bwhere Christ should be born.

  5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

  6 And thou ^aBethlehem, in the land of ^bJuda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a ^cGovernor, that shall ^drule my people Israel.

  7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

  8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

  9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

  10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

  11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and ^afrankincense, and myrrh.

With Wondering Awe, no. 210

Get your star in the sky. The find Bethlehem on your globe. (As missionaries we often used a balloon. This got the kids attention. We would ask some on to draw on it.) Talk about the star in the sky. The wise men saw it travel far.


We know that the world turns. If they noticed it maybe there were many others who noticed it too.


The Book of Mormon tells us of people on what is now the American Continents who were also looking for a sign to tell of the coming of the Savior of the world.


As in many cases there are believers and non-believers. In this case the non-believers were going to kill the believers if the sign didn't come by a certain day. That day...is tomorrow.


A prophet in the land is taking his concerns to the Lord...

3 Nephi 1:11-13, 21-22

  11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.

  12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord ^aall that day; and behold, the ^bvoice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

  13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the ^asign be given, and on the ^bmorrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be ^cspoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

   21 And it came to pass also that a new ^astar did appear, according to the word.

  22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be ^alyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those ^bsigns and wonders which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the ^cmore part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.

Joy to the World, no. 201

Our Relationship with Christ***As missionaries this is were we would testify of the living reality of Christ. Doing this with the YSA Branch I have opened it up for the sharing of testimonies.


As always...follow the spirit.


Close with Prayer and song.

Silent Night, no. 204

Monday Memory Moment

"This was Ella Glasgow's China cabinet. Was used all her married life for her dishes and linens. Was given to Guy and Emma Glasgow at the death of Royce Glasgow in Dec. 9 1986. It was referbished in `87. Royce bought it for Ella in 1925 or `26.

2006, bought for $40 by [Mee] after passing of Emma Glasgow"

This "China" cabinet in now in my dinning area. It also holds some of my dishes and linens.

I vaguely remember it being in Great-Grandma's house. I really remember in in Grandma's house. I remember it being home to some of Granddad's unicorns. I remember it also holding some of Grandma's dishes and linens.

Dear President Obama,

It has come to my attention that you indent to "[cut] greenhouse gases". While I am in favor of taking care of Mother Earth, I do not agree with your approaches. I wonder, have you considered the "resistance in Congress" could reflect the feelings of the citizens of this great country.

As a voting citizen of the United States of America I choose to express my distaste in your reported plan. When FDR state "...we will not only defend ourselves to the utter most, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us..." he was supported by congress and the people in this country. It was backed by action. I have not seen the evidence of you being supported by a majority of the people whom you are suppose to REPRESENT to the world.

Please learn to listen. Listen to the people who are the people whom you have to selected to SERVE. Listen to those who are there to help you. Listen to those who choose to be free.

Here is a link to the most recent article I have read on the matter.

Laundry Soap

1 quart Water (not boiling)
1 Bar soap grated...choose your favorite...
1 cup Borax
1 cup Laundry Soda and/or oxyclean

Add finely grated bar soap to the hot water a little at a time and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted. Do NOT Boil.
Put 3 gallons hot water in a five gallon bucket. Pour the soap water into bucket of water and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
Stir until well mixed, it may become foamy. If it get close to the top stop stirring and the foam should go down.
Let sit over night. The compound will gel. Cover.

Use 1/8c or 1/4c with each load of laundry.

Personal note: I prefer this soup for my front load washing machine. I am going to try fabric softener next.

Monday Memory Moment

For most people using the restroom is not a memorable experience. I don't usually pay that much attention. Most of my foreign language teachers expressed the need to be able to ask for the restroom in the native language. I have seen a variety of different colors and creative methods to indicate location and designate gender. The following may, however, remain I favorite:

I believe it was under the direction of Dr. Kip Jenkins these restrooms where labeled in such a manner. It didn't take long for new comers to catch on..."I am going to visit with Eve."

I do have one favorite memory. It is not very detailed. The Relief Society and Priesthood where having a competition to see which organization could complete the greatest percentage of visits in this particular month.

Of course, it was the last or second to last day of the month. The Institute was full of people trying to visit with  their designated people.

Thus, there was no where left to visit privately. I suggested the shower in the women's restroom. There is a good size bench in there.  Although it was not ideal...I can say I have been visit taught in "Eve" at the Moscow Idaho LDS Institute of Religion.

Song of the Year

if you are reading this in Facebook or via e-mail you will want to go to my blog: alwaysmee.blogspot.com Last night I had the Country Music Awards on for noise while I was puddering around the house. When they announced the nominees for song of the year I took note. I don't remember all five. The two that caught my attention were: In Color & Then. Follow this link to my sister's blog and it will tell you why "In Color" caught my ear: "In Color" by Jamey Johnson "Then" by Brad Paisley and others caught my attention because it is most likely the song my sister will be asked to use when she makes a musical / pictoral presentaion for the beginning of my happily-ever-after.

a season of change...

I was talking with a co-worker last week. I made a comment about how things change. He asked if I was changing. "No, but things around mee are changing."

"So, you have to change."

I recently concluded fall, or autumn, is given to us as a yearly reminder of change. Change is a part of life. Although to can be cold and miserable. It can also be magnificently beautiful.

Changes:

About a month ago we had three more people laid off from where I work for "economic reasons." We lost a counselor, a teacher and a paraprofessional, my para :-(.

Today was the last day for another co-worker, an administrator. Well actually he has about 2 1/2 weeks of vacation. Then, next week will be the last week for another co-worker, a counselor. Gratefully these two co-workers are moving to a new job. It will be a great opportunity for them in their careers. I think it will also benefit their personal lives. With the two addition people leaving us the counselor previously laid off was able to come back.

There are other changes being made at work. On a selfish note...these two leaving mee have been my greatest sources for feedback and comic relief. I am going to miss them.

Saturday, one of my roommates is moving out. This will leave the house emptier. There are pros and cons to that.

My brother-in-law graduates from Basic Training this week. This means my little sister will be moving to Alabama anywhere between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day. (Not positive on the size of that window.)

Sometimes we decide when to start a new life chapter. Sometimes life decides. I am feeling very optimistic. Almost like a seedling breaking through the soil. Although I don't know what the fruit will be. And, there is still a lot of work to do. I am looking forward to the discovery. Hopefully I am able to recognize and harvest the fruit.

Monday Memory Moment

I believe I was in high school. We had gone on a family camping trip. I remember stopping at the Oregon Trail Interpretative Center in Baker City, OR. On our way back we crossed the Snake River, back into Idaho, at Oxbow Dam. The drive was beautiful as we traveled highway 71.

We decided we would camp in Cambridge. It is a small town where highways 71 and 95 meet. We ended up setting up camp at a small city park across from the LDS Chapel. It is within this park that I first saw a weather rock.

I thought it was great. So much so I have taken various people to see it throughout the years.

One group was a car load of people stuck after a rodeo. We walked up the hill to see the rock while waiting for AAA to come rescue us. I remember standing in the dark. We were admiring the rock when one of the party said, "Who knew this was here to come look for it?"

Cambridge's Ol' Timers Weather Rock

If the rock is wet it's raining.

If the rock is white it's snowing.

If the rock is moving it's windy.

If the rock is hard to see it's foggy.

Ol' timers are never wrong!

Monday Memory Moment

This weekend I made new memories. I also had a flood of memories return.

I went to Moscow with my Munchkin for the 40th year of SArb reunion and 100th University of Idaho Homecoming. The slide show at the top includes a variety of pictures. Most of them include Boyd. In the up coming weeks I will tell more about the places in individual posts.

Home Sweet Home

It started with a need, and then a plan.

Then began the gathering of materials.

Then the laborers with improvements and preparations.

A good days work.

Toby's test run.

A satisfied customer...

single-hood-ness

I don't want anyone trying to deny it. Please, no maxims, or attempted words of consolation. As I see it, it is a fact. Despite prayers, efforts, pleadings, and desire; the time has come to accept what has happened…

Centuries ago, it would have been a widely acknowledged fact. I recognize I was raised with social expectations which differ widely from those perpetuated by mainstream media and culture. I have, in part, examined values and principle within which I was socialized. I am still in the process of accepting or rejecting material tinting my view of the world. Let it be established I have accepted ideas into my platform which makes the follow statement true to myself, about myself.

I, Malinda, am an old maid.

If I were talking to myself I would ask... "Are you bragging or complaining?"

…bragging....

Within the world of the LDS people I have been a Young Single Adult since the day I turn 18. I greatly enjoyed that realm of social connectivity throughout college. My student ward was my family. Thanks to Facebook, e-mail, blogs, and cell phones I am still in contact with many of the people I knew during those years.

I have people complain others pestering them over the matter. I haven't felt that way. I have had people reassure mee that I would get married. I have also never been set up on a blind date. At the age of 22 I had a girl ask mee if I was worried about being so old and single. (laughable, I know). I told her I was odd enough I expected it would take a while to find someone to marry.

Complaining…

A couple of weeks ago I attended a single adult conference. On Saturday morning I was reviewing the program with a couple of sisters I had met the night before. One of them brought a statement from a speaker bio to our attention. I talked about him having a great love and respect for singles.

“Do we have a disease?” was the questions she asked. Are we an alien race or a group with disabilities? Does it take a certain amount of effort to love those who are single?

Although I agreed the statement sounded odd, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. The Brother the bio was about did an amazing job speaking. One of the things helped mee understand the statement of concern. It also relieved some tension I have felt concerning my state of being single.

“Being single is a burden.”

How is being single a burden? Many might sight all the things I can doing being single. Travel when I want to. Don’t have to worry about making others happy or catering to the needs of others. I only have to clean up after myself and my dog.

Yep, I get to travel, by myself. Well, I take Boyd (see the side bar) along for fun. I have no one to cater for. I have no one to help mee make decisions. I have no one to be alone with. I have no one to bounce ideas off of at 2 am.

I don’t want to be a whiner. Everyone has things they have to deal with. I try to remember all the things I have to be grateful for. I have a job I love. I have a house. I have a very handsome dog…

So here I am to that point where I don’t know how to explain what it feels like…to sit in church without a hand to hold or a companion to share insights with….how conscientious I am about talking with the brethren…how I feel I have nothing in common with young mothers…

What to do…

Pray. Prayer does amazing things. Pray for mee. Pray that you might know what to do for mee. Pray that you might know how to help others who are feeling alone. Pray, pray, pray…

Do something. It may seem silly, or unimportant. Do it anyway. Never let opportunities to serve pass you by.

What not to do…

Don’t treat mee like I am 20. I was 20 once. It was a lot of fun. I am grateful for all the memories I have from that time in my life. I am no longer there.

Don’t think I am strong enough. We are charged with sharing burdens. I am not good at sharing mine.

Speak up...

There is a lot of stuff going on in the world to day. It is up to us to maintain our freedoms. You need to let your voice be heard. Use this website to find out who to contact and how. Be an active part of the political process.

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened - LDS Newsroom

Apostle Says Religious Freedom Is Being Threatened - LDS Newsroom Shared via AddThis

Monday Memory Moment

I am pretty sure I haven't blogged about this yet. This painting was given to mee by a friend. She gave to to mee for my 30th Birthday. She said she used bright colors because she saw them all over my house and figured I like them. Picture painted by E.E. Rouse

What is going on?

I just read/watched a blog post from a facebook friend. I encourage all to see/read it.

"My Dirty Little Political Secret"

Monday Mustard Moment

I have a very gracious father. I don't know how conversations about increasing a persons allowance might typically go. We may not have had very many of them. "Double it," is the response I remember. 2 x 0 = 0. Dad might have even offered to triple it. We learned to manage money in a different manner.

We lived in Star. Dad worked worked in Eagle (East). Mom worked in Parma (West). We went to school in Meridian (South). By the time I was in high school my older sister was driving. In the course of the week we were the closets ones to a supermarket. Therefore it was decided we would get to do the shopping.

We were given $120-$150 a week. With this money we were to buy the groceries for the week. We also had to have money to fill our car up with gas and buy more milk later in the week. What ever monies were left over was ours.

We got to decided if we bought school lunches or take a lunch with us. It didn't take long to determine it was cheaper to take lunches. I recall making a lot of sandwiches. If I was making them Dad usually wanted one. I recall usually making three or four at a time.

There is something these unsuspecting sandwich receivers may not be aware of. Mustard Art. There was usually a picture of some sort inside. It was usually a smile. So...my family has eaten more happiness than they were ever aware off.

Monday Memory Moment

While I was a student at the University of Idaho I became a member of the Student Alumni Relations Board (SArb). Which led to the other...loving the University of Idaho because I joined SArb, or joining SArb because of a love for the University of Idaho.

I also liked to say SArb expanded my horizons. I had the opportunity to participate in a number of district and international conferences for the Association of Student Advancement Programs (ASAP).

Here are some pictures from our 1999 trip to Chicago. This indicated my first flight on an airplane.

We went to the Micheal Jordan restaurant. The people in Chicago thought we were weird to walk from our hotel...Chicago is flat...

They were having some sort of street art display with the cows. There were lots and lots of them throughout the city.

We went to a Chicago Cubs game. I can say I say Sammy Sosa play ball.

A few of us adoring our advisor Timmy.

More in the coming weeks....

Caring for Your Introvert - The Atlantic (March 2003)

A friend posted this article, as a joke I believe. I read it to see if it might be of use. (I work with a lot of people.) I was enlightened. Rather, I had something brought to the forefront of my memory...

I have two personalities.

A number of years ago I took a career aptitude test. I was taking this assessment at the University of Idaho Counseling Center. The goal was to gain insight. One should figure out what to do with their life, at some point. After responding to a bunch of word pairs and groupings one area, of six, should receive the highest score, by far.

Nope. All six areas where pretty close. That's mee, a well rounded individual. The two areas that where the highest, might have been off by one point. And, polar opposites. The inspiring words of the counselor..."Now we know why you are having such a hard time deciding what to do with your life." --Give that man a pat on the back--

I have decided being a Special Education Teacher is a perfect fit. I get to be social. I get to play with others. I also need to be rather obsessive-compulsive about paper work.

What did I glean from this article? I need to do more care for my inner introvert.

Caring for Your Introvert - The Atlantic (March 2003) Shared via AddThis

Monday Memory Moment

If you have not read "The Legend of the Three Trees" I highly recommend it. The first time I remember hearing the story is when Beth read us the book as a part of a Relief Society Enrichment activity. I loved it!

Later, I borrowed her book to read as part of the last talk I gave prior to leaving Moscow. I don't think my Bishop had any idea what he was going to get when he said I could talk about anything I wanted to.

I believe the trees where given to mee by my sister Nancy. She said she remembered how much I loved the story and thought of mee when she saw them bundled together in a set of three. They currently sit on my entertainment center as a reminder of the lesson told by the three trees.

In God We Still Trust

Think about it...

I have heard it said, "you are what you eat". I suggest we change it to, "You are what you think."

An EFT program I recently watched stated..."Your consistent thoughts become your reality." This presentation reminded mee of something my mission president often said:

WE DO WHAT

WE FOCUS ON!

As I was sharing these thoughts with a co-worker I remembered something I have attempted teach and practice while working with adolescents. Tell them what you want them to do. For example:

Johnny is talking, walking, and dribbling a basketball. You want him to hold the ball still. If you tell him to "stop". He may not know what you want him to stop doing. If you say, "stop dribbling the ball". The last thing he heard was "Dribbling ball". He may have not processed the "stop". Or, it may take him a longer than you want for him to come up with what else to do with the ball.

If you say, "Hold the ball still". He knows what to do, and the last thing he heard was, "ball still".

What about dieting? What do you think when you think diet? Limit food intake. Don't get to eat sweets. Don't eat, eat, eat. Not what you want to be focused on.

My co-worker introduced mee to this song...She has the little lion guy on her desk which sings the song for her. It keeps her moving...

Invocation

I have gone to church all my life. I have also attended a fair number of district and international conferences for various organizations. I usually enjoy the welcome and keynote speaker. This week I was pleasantly surprised.

I sat in the Grand Teton Room for the "Welcome" portion of the Idaho Juvenile Justice Association Conference. They had a local scout troop with the Idaho Falls Fire Department Bagpipes and Drums present the colors. Not totally unexpected. Nice welcome. Then they called for someone to give an invocation.

Like I said, I have gone to church all my life. I knew an invocation to be an opening prayer. I have also seen schools replace it with a poem or the likes. Considering an "invocation" welcome of sorts. It was a prayer. I sat in a room full of State of Idaho employees and we prayed.

It gives mee hope. We need all the prayers we can get. Our children need all the prayers they can get. Our government officials, elected and appointed, need all the prayers they can get.

May God bless and keep America the home of the free. Free to worship Him as we so choose.

Monday Memory Moment

I believe the first time I was in Idaho Falls was during the summer of 1999. After working 72+ hours for six weeks I took time to play. I was visiting some friends in the area. One of the things I was looking forward to was seeing the "Idaho Falls".

I had seen many pictures of the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. Most of the pictures I had seen placed the temple in the back ground of the water falls on the Snake River. It made for an almost ideal picture.

My feelings were heightened by my family line. My dad's parents were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. My mom's parents were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. My parents were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. I have also wanted to be married in the Idaho Falls Temple.

So one hot day in July I talked a friend into going to see the temple and the falls. As I stood there admiring the seen there was something that struck mee as odd or out of place. Does the water seem to be the in a flowing a very structured manner?

When I saw these straight lines and sharp angle I knew. I knew they were fake. The "Idaho Falls" were man made. I was disappointed...so...This is my new favorite angle of the Idaho Falls Temple.

Monday Memory Moment

 

I don't recall ever being overly attached to any of my stuffed animals. When I say overly attached I am thinking Linus style. Yet, There are some I currently feel I cannot yet depart with.

 

 

Meet Mickey...I know really original.  What can I say? I was only a wee lass. In fact, it is my understanding that I have had this poor mouse since before I was one year of age.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't recall ever naming my sock monkey. I remember having him when we still lived in Emmett. So, at least since before I was 5. However, I don't recall who gave him to mee.

 

 

 

 

 

This is Sister Duck. I got her from my mom for my twelve birthday.  She has a pocket on her back. It is suppose to be for p-js. I might have used it for them. She also came in really handy for hiding small objects as part of a  primary lesson.

 

 

 

This is Calvin. I got him for my 16th birthday. He got the middle name of the boy I liked at the time. I know, very infatuated girl of mee. Now that I am writing this I am not positive which friend gave him to mee.

Monday Memory Moment

This week everyone is talking about going to back to school. Mountain Home students, as well as college students returned to campus today.

I, on the other hand have the week off. It is my official summer vacation. So far, I am in the process of doing nothing. I don't believe that will last very long. I tend to prefer keeping busy.

As a child I remember spending a lot of time out side. We would play in the irrigation ditches or find other means of keeping cool.

The summer I turned 16 was the beginning of working summers for mee. That summer I babysat. By the next summer I was working at McDonalds. The following summer I was working at Godfather's Pizza and giving away free food samples at Albertson's. Of all the random summer jobs I have had there is one I will take with mee always.

During my junior year of college I became friends with Jeremy and his twin Jesse. Somehow an interesting fact came up. Their dad had the contract for the finishing carpentry work on the Spokane Washington Temple.

I asked Jeremy if he thought his dad would let me work with them. Jeremy said I needed to call and ask him. That was all it took, I had to ask myself. $6.50 plus room and board, I had a jod for the summer.

I once had someone tell mee I did get paid enough. It wasn't about the money. It was about the job. I got to help build a temple to the Most High God.

Prior to the dedication of the Spokane Washington Temple the Pullman Washington Stake was in the Seattle Washington Temple District. It was a 6 hour trip. I remember some of those trips well.

After the Friday Night Activity we piled on a bus about midnight. I believe we would get to the temple around 6 or 6:30 am. We would them complete one or two sessions, eat, and head home. We would get to Moscow again about 6pm Saturday night.

With the dedication of the Spokane Washington Temple our trips only took 6 hours. One and a half hours there, session, food, one and a half hours back.

What a blessing the temple is to the Intermountain Northwest. And I helped build it.

what a geek...

Yeah, it's mee, I'm the geek. I like having things spirally bound. It is so nice to have books that you can lay flat, or open all the way.

A couple of months ago I bought a coil binding machine. I have been using to bind whatever I want to.

I have used it to make resources more useable.

And to keep my most read books from falling apart.