Treasure Valley

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

How time flies.  Starting this week with thoughts from a message that came to me from a  friend, Renee Clavell, a few weeks ago that has been on my mind a lot. She is not LDS, but her weekly message really found a home in my heart. She started with Psalms 127, particularly the first two verses:

 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

I’ve often heard the last three verses ...

[Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.]

 of that Psalm referred to, but never really considered the first two verses in the way that she has.

She talks about how in the past she has let the cares of the day/week/moment drive her actions for the day, leaving out time for studying in the scriptures and/or praying.  And how she now realizes that all of those efforts have actually been in vain.  “Except the Lord build the house, they  labour in vain that build it.”  For example, if she cannot find time to talk with the Lord about her efforts/needs of the day, how can He be the One building the house?  Ever since reading her comments on that bit of scripture it has returned over and over again to my mind.  How often do we labor in vain?  

It also reminds me of Stephen Covey’s story in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People about building a ladder up a wall - only to find out in the end you’ve built up the wrong wall.  I wish I had the book with me; if I did I would look up that part and share the story as he did.  I think the two concepts kind of go together.

So there you have my thoughts for this week.

Birthday this week:  Holly Oliphant!  March 6th...so hope you all wish her a happy one, at least on Facebook!

Good news for this week is that Rose ?? Manville entered the world on Thursday, February 28th, weighing in at 6lbs. 13 ounces and measuring a good 19 1/2 inches:)!  She’d been trying to get out for some time, so is a very happy camper now:)!  Emily has been doing well and they are to come home from the hospital tomorrow (Sunday).  By the way, it was to be Rose Elizabeth...but now Emily is re-thinking that one:).  I have attempted to share pictures...but am not so good at it.  Facebook is a good source:)

Bad news for the week is that I came down to Carlsbad to help, particularly with Eli, while Em was in the hospital, then managed to get sick with some (probably) virus that took me off my feet and put me in bed the day after getting here.  Some help I’ve been!  I am doing better now so hopefully I WILL be able to help a little before I leave this coming Wednesday.

In talking with Dad it sounds like all the work I did at the office before I left to try to make things go smoothly didn’t work out after all - so now they are holding all the mail.  Guess I will get the details when I return.

Fun thing to share for the day:  Eli came running into the living room where I was sitting on the couch and threw himself on the floor, totally overcome with excitement and joy.  “Dad’s bringing me the iron; it will be so fun (beating his fists on the carpet)!!!”  And, Dad did, and Eli was thrilled and spent a fair amount of time “ironing” the carpet:)!  (Now if only one could bring such happiness and joy to our older children as easily!)

Ooops...before I quit....I wanted to share that Jennifer Coalwell has put together the most beautiful 5 x 7 note cards featuring a photo of a particular food (like Caramel Pecan Brownies) on the front, and the recipe on the inside back of the front (so you could cut the note off and have just a recipe with a photo), plus writing space for a note - they would make a lovely gift for a number of occasions so I wanted to share the information with all of you.  To order them (and to see what they look like) go to flavorsoftheumpqua.com - or to her blog, which is flavorsoftheumpqua.blogspot.com.  They come in packets of 4 for $4; I’ve ordered a set of each of the different ones she has available right now and am planning to make up sets with one of each recipe to give as gifts.  So - hope you take the time to look and I hope you like them. And I hope you will share them with others:)!  P.S.  The envelopes are color-coordinated with the photos; typically Jennifer-perfect!