Thought for the Week: (a little bit long, but means a lot to me so I will share) from a talk by Elder J. Christopher Lansing, Area Seventy, North America Northeast Area, January 2014 Ensign:
"The business I won today was founded by my father nearly 60 years ago. He died in 1980, leaving me to take the helm of the company at the young age of 30.
"In those early years, situations came up that required me to make decisions that affected the future of our frail business. I worked hard to act as my father would have acted, and I spent a great deal of time on my knees, trying to discern what to do. In all those decisions, I never felt a calming influence or any direction one way or another. I ultimately did what I thought was best and moved on. But I was disappointed I had not been able to get any confirmation ofmy actions.
One night my father came to me in a dream. I began to chide him for not helping me know what to do. He said he was aware of my situation but he was busy where he was and his former business was not terribly important. 'Chris, we really dont care about the business up here,' he said. 'What we care about very much is what you become because of your business."
That was a great lesson I hope I never forget. What we get during our life is inconsequestial, but what we become in life makes all the difference.'"
Note: The highlights are mine. I hope I can remember this lesson forever for me:)! Especially when facing discouragement or trials...it is what I am becoming that is important!
Mission Notes: Dad and I have come up with a plan of sorts which gives me (us) a sense of direction at least:). We are heading down to Roseburg on the 15th to assess the basement and decide what to move out so that, ultimately, we can move in. We hope to rent a storage unit that day or possibly before so that we can make a beginning on that effort.
We let the others in the office know that we are planning for the couple replacing us to take over our chairs starting Monday, with us at their side to offer help as needed for the next couple of weeks. Then, for the 2 weeks after that, we are planning to take off on Tuesday and Thursday for trips to Roseburg to accomplish our moving. Will have to rent a U-haul trailer for at least some of those days...will get more specific on that after we decide what all has to be moved and in what order. The week after that is our transfers/departures/arrivals week and we plan to be at the office full time that week to help as needed and the week afterwards we will disappear:). How is that for a beginning?
Have had a busy but not too stressful week at the office training and trying to keep up with things. Have had numerous opportunities to be a help to the missionaries and have enjoyed that:). Dad (and Elder Fluckiger) met with the auditor and did the yearly audit, which seems like it will be OK - altho we always have more computers and printers than are "allowed" - but they've been OKd in the past and we will hope they will be OKd this time around as well. Dad is quite happy to have that over with. I guess it has been a tiring week as well, as I've come home with absolutely no energy almost every night:). Part of that is I have been waking up usually at 4 or 4:30 unable to go back to sleep because of all the things I am thinking of that I need to do or share to help the person following me.
This next week will be kind of fun - backing myself out of the desk and position that I have had for so long now and watching another take over:).
Family Notes: OK - here is my grand effort to remember the phone calls and what was said. (If everyone would just send me a weekly e-mail then I could include your news and happenings in the blog by just copying them and not having to rely on my increasingly less perfect memory!)
It is fun to hear your voices and I will try. Guess what Jim Jr. bought this week? If you said another car you would be wrong. He bought a camping trailer and their family has set a goal of giving up several of the sports that took so much of their time last summer so that they can spend family time together in their new camper. Sounds like a great goal - as I know, much to my sorrow, babies grow up...and leave home!
Here is what I learned from Christine through a long e-mail answer to me: She sent pictures of Ammon without braces - first time since 2nd grade that he's not had metal in his mouth (except for a brief 5 days) and which has meant not eating popcorn among other things. She thinks he should at least get a couple years off until round 2.....Here is a picture of Ammon - braces free:)!
She also included a picture of her first cheese making effort - it looks pretty impressive to me:). When I asked about the cheese she shared: "The cheese looks good so far and we did eat some of it as there was too much for the cheese press (was supposed to handle 2 gallons but I guess we got lots of cheese from the Jersey). What we ate was pretty good but flavorless... right now it gets to dry for a couple of days to develop a good rind (not exactly sure how long to dry it for). Then we are supposed to wax it but we are going to try putting it in an vacuum pack bag (ordered one from Amazon) and then keep in our cheese "cave" (a mini fridge also ordered from Amazon - our Amazon prime trial runs out tomorrow but hey at least we can get things quickly for now) where it will "age" for at least 4 weeks (we did a farmhouse cheddar where regular cheddar needs 2 months). I figure our 2 pounds of cheese will cost about $150 per pound but the next batch should be cheap!"
It looks like it weighs more than a pound - maybe 2? If so, then the next batch should bring the cost down to $75 per pound, right? How many pounds does she need to make to get down to $5 (or less) per pound? Pretty impressive for a first effort:)!
She also shared that right after the cheese making their cow got sick and the vet had to give her antitiotics...so despite having/making butter, honey butter, yogurt, sour cream and buttermilk (and CHEESE), she did end up buying 2 gallons of milk. Oh well. Gold stars for all that effort!!!
Included in the e-mail was that she'd been making chocolate and candy bar wrappers for birthdays in Relief Society (decided they'd all rather eat chocolate than read cards!) Somehow that involved computer graphics...but I won't go there right now:). She also reported that her puppies are doing well - almost walking and their eyes are opening. Their kennel to keep mom corralled at night time is working out well and they are grateful:)! More gold stars to Christi for sharing so many happenings:). Oh yes... the house remodel is moving forward as fast as they can considering the winter weather. And, heard today (SAT) that they got some very much appreciated insulating in their basement that has made her bathroom MUCH warmer!
Sara called and it was good to hear her voice; I only got to listen to the first little part of the conversation though because another dear daughter called. Dad was not so good at reporting all they talked about, but he did say that they are being sued by the person who sold them their home. Sounded like a real pain and hopefully it will amount to nothing. I think next time she calls I will grab the phone and hang on to it:)
Emily sent beautiful pictures of Rose - so will put them here for all to see. Herr 1 year birthday is drawing closer - altho it seems almost impossible to me. Em had also posted a couple of cute pics of Eli on Facebook...will try to add those here in case you missed them. I know they are busy as always, but she did manage a couple of trips to Disneyland with Eli, trying to take advantage of their passes before they expire:). So here are my efforts towards that:
Well - it is a day later as I started this last night and it is now Saturday. Our Severe Storm warning turned into an ice storm warning - when I saw that early this morning and saw that 8 am was actually the best time of the day, we changed schedules and headed to the grocery store early. Dad wanted to go to Fred Myer first, but when we got the the main road and saw what we would have to go through to get onto the freeway he changed his mind, pulled out into the intersection and did a U turn (not much traffic out so that was good) and we headed back to Market of Choice and Wal Mart. Wandered through Wal Mart first but got very little there and got most of what I wanted at Market of Choice. It is really a VERY NICE STORE that I will miss VERY MUCH when we leave here:). Here are pictures from this afternoon:
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| Looking out our back door-there are actually icecicles hanging off the table & chair. |
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| Our poor tree in back - weighted down with ice, after being frozen out in November! |
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| Looking out the front window: the branch fell off our tree; people moved it out of the road, altho the road is almost impassable. |
We have spent the rest of the day in the apartment. Had planned a dinner with all the other Seniors in the office and Camp Alpine for tonight - which of course we had to cancel. Talked with Mary for a short while; Michael made it safely to Provo and has found an apartment and is back working for Old Navy (I think that is what it is) - I think they are happy to be closer together again:). Mary laughed at my answer when I told her my best way to get hold of Sara was to notice when she posted on Facebook and send her a message right then, OR to text her and hope she had her phone with her:). I thought it was a good answer but Mary laughed at me.
I think Jim and Jeanie are camping today:). Talked with Charlotte finally this week and found out they are still alive and well:) She stays busy and does not keep her phone close by so I think she is even harder to get hold of than Sara at this point. Hopefully you can all get in touch with each other better than I seem able to do:).
OK - this was on a Facebook post from one of our missionaries and I want Stephen to see it. If you do, could you let me know dear Steve? Here it is:
Dusted off my violin the other day, definitely need more practice. Lol forgot how much fun it was to play though!
Guess I had better quite writing, try to find my pictures and see if I can get them on here. BUT - before I really quit, in case you all did not notice that Holly had posted a while ago, here is what SHE posted:
To the LADIES in the family,
Although I know reality likely means it will not be possible for you to attend, I did want to make sure you all know you are invited to my upcoming baby shower(s). Of course, I would love to see any and all of you and especially wanted you to know you are included and welcome. I have a shower planned for March 8th with church friends/family, and will have another at my school sometime the first week of April. If a getaway down south sounds appealing, we have plenty of room for you to stay with us! Love you all!
Holly
Love to all! Wishing you a GREAT week!
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