Change: Out With the Old, In With the New!

Sometimes change is a good thing!

First the old: It all started 30 or so years ago my hubby became a locksmith. It was a choice he might not have made, except his dad decided to learn how to do it too. He was a locksmith full time for at least a year. It was a big investment financially in the beginning. There were tools, machines, keys, etc. to buy to get started. Then we realized it was not the job for us. Many things about the job made it a hard job, on call on holidays, no insurance, on and on. Even though my darlin kept the tools and machines for all these years, he didn’t do it as his job. He had moved on to better opportunities, and at this time has a great job with many benefits.

Now for the new: Like I said this locksmith job was many years ago, and we have had the tools and machines for all this time. They were taking up room in our tiny garage, and it wasn’t leaving enough room for the car. I said, “Why don’t you put all these things from locksmithing in the trunk of you car, and then when you are driving around town you can stop at a locksmithing business here in town and see if they want to buy these things?” He agreed and put them in his trunk. About six months later, he came home from running errands and said, “Guess what? I sold my locksmithing stuff.” Yay!!!

I wondered what he would do with the money.

He had such a great idea. He decided to buy a tennis racket stringer. The best part about that, is that he loves tennis!!! He is good at tennis, and plays at least once a week with friends. He had spend time and money on the locksmithing stuff so it was hard for him to part with them, but it ended up being a really great thing!

I’m so glad! 

Happy Birthday Darling Boy!!!

Happy Birthday to this wonderful grandson, Julian!

He is such a blessing in our family. He just turned 3 years old, and he is doing so many great things. He loves cars, and skateboards just like his dad. He is such a good brother to his big sister and little brother!We were invited to his party and it was so fun!

He got lots of great gifts, and had a big red cupcake cake shaped like a car!

It was yummy!

His party was a few days before his actual birthday, so grandma and grandpa stopped by to give him a treat and steal some hugs!!

I love this little guy.

I have always said, “Grandkids are your reward for not killing your kids!” I’m so glad that during some of those challenging years, we didn’t do away with Julian’s daddy!

Sunday Best!

“God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord.”

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Our Father in Heaven is so patient with us. He is always there for us, waiting for us to come to Him. I am learning, or relearning, that I need Him more everyday. I can’t do life without the help of Heavenly Father. I am so grateful that He is there for me. I love Him.

Hope your Sunday is the Best! Love. Joy

Eight is Great!

Today it has been eight years since I started my blog. 

As I read through the blog, I am so happy that I have been able to share these stories and experiences with everyone!

I am so thankful that I have written them down.

They are a treasure to me.

My life and all that I have experienced is wonderful. Even the challenges have taught me so much. Some of the best things I’ve learned in the last eight years are:

1-Family is everything. I can’t imagine my life with out my family. Both the one I grew up in and the one I have with my Darlin. I feel blessed to have a sweet husband, wonderful children, and I am in love with my beautiful grandchildren. I’m thankful I have a blog full of memories of my family.

2-A knowledge of God and my Savior, Jesus Christ is a blessing in my life everyday. The gospel gives me direction, and hope for my life. 

3-I am so thankful for my ancestors. The family who came before me, and who paved the way so that life would be better for me. They left homes they knew, for the unknown. They gave up comfort for the challenge of a journey to a new life. I can’t imagine what they went through, but I am so thankful. I love them!

4-Grandbabies are the best!!! I am completely in love with them! They are my reward for not killing my kids. Haha. But seriously, how wonderful it is to have these sweet little people who I get to love, and spoil, and then send them home. It is the best!

Thank you for your visit to my blog!

I love to have you come. 

She’s Here!!!

This beautiful little human is our new granddaughter!

She is perfect!

Our youngest daughter and “Bonus Baby” and her hubby, Anthony had this sweet baby this last week.

I am so in love with her!

She is a cute little trooper and has been doing well at life.

I’m so grateful to Heavenly Father for a new baby to love, and that our daughter has this wonderful opportunity to be a mama, she will be amazing. It will be so fun to watch this baby  grow and learn new things. Life is wonderful!

Happy Birthday Emily!!!

Anthony and Emily taking a Sunday nap.

Happy Birthday to this wonderful daughter! 

I am so blessed to have you in my life!!!

You are- very much a “Bonus”, sensitive, happy, thoughtful, motivated, loving, soon to be a mama, beautiful, amazing, energetic (not so much in the above pic), healthful, spiritual, considerate, hard working, faithful, responsible, creative, forever my baby, artistic, patient, kind, lovely, and a forever lover to Anthony!! 

I love you so much!!! 

I am so proud of you, and happy that you’re my sweet “Bonus Baby”!!!

Happy Birthday, Amber!!!

Happy Birthday to this amazing daughter-in-law!!!

I am so blessed to have you in my life!!!

Your are- a good student, beautiful, sweet, a guinea pig lover, fun, a hard worker, talented, sometimes stressed, mostly happy, patient, motivated, spiritual, a good teacher, a perfect match for Alex, huggable, thoughtful, a fan of U. of U., adaptable, responsible, and a forever lover to Alex!!

I hope all your dreams come true!!! 

Love you, darling girl!

Missionary Monday: Elder F. in Ghana!

One of my favorite artists back in the U.S. said “I’ve achieved a lot in life, but what’s a lot with more to gain” and “I’ve been patient, never complacent”. This past week I talked to some of the return missionaries here in this area, and they have really helped me gain a better perspective on life and on missionary work. A lot of times in life I think we see things through narrow vision. We set our sights too low. We get caught up on small things. I see it happening to myself all the time. One of the most dangerous things that can happen to us is getting stuck on our successes. It is good to celebrate, but we should always be looking to expand and work harder. We should be patient, but never complacent. I am a firm believer that the adversary uses laziness and stagnation to deter us from our heavenly course. Don’t let him get the best of you.

The work here in this area is progressing well. Brother I. will hopefully be baptized this week. We are meeting new people all the time. One of the coolest things ever happened this week. Elder D. and I started teaching someone who Elder A. decided to drop from our teaching pool. We began teaching him and reminding him of the wonderful things he felt when he was taught the first time. In a lesson we taught him about the Holy Ghost and baptism, Elder D. felt prompted to do something really powerful. He looked at this brother and said “I want you to be silent for 60 seconds. All of us will be quiet and I really want you to focus on how you feel. I know that you will feel the Holy Ghost. When the 60 seconds is up, tell me how you feel.” We all went quiet. 5 seconds later, he exclaimed “I know that this is the truth!”  It was so amazing to see him find the truth so boldly and instantly. He is a man of great faith. He came to church on Sunday and I know he will progress well.

Life is great. We got water back. I am learning how to cook all sorts of great Ghanaian dishes. People here loooove cassava and plantain. They use it in almost everything. They also love pepper, which is alright with me! The soil in Ghana is very fertile, so a lot of people have farms, where they grow all their cassava and plantain. Ha. It is one of the most popular professions. People here are also super good with their hands. Seeing a Ghanaian in the kitchen will blow you away! The people here are absolutely amazing. I will send a video of me pounding fufu very soon. I am learning new things every single day and trying hard to become like a Ghanaian!

Have a great week everyone. Stay blessed.

-Elder F.

Sunday Best!

I belong to the greatest women’s organization on the earth!

It has been 175 years since it’s organization. It is called the

Relief Society

of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It was organized in 1842, and since then the women of the Relief Society have done so much to bless the lives of others. In this organization we call each other sister.

Linda K. Burton who is the President of the Relief Society today said, ““The First Presidency has told us who we are: beloved daughters of Heavenly Father and dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ who are part of a great worldwide sisterhood, there are almost 7 million Relief Society members in 185 different countries. We are sisters.”

———————————————————————

All adult women in the Church are members of Relief Society. The Prophet Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society on March 17, 1842. He taught that the Relief Society was organized for “the relief of the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan, and for the exercise of all benevolent purposes.” In addition, he taught that the Relief Society was “not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls.” The larger part of the work of Relief Society today is “to look after the spiritual welfare and salvation … of all the female members of the Church.” The Relief Society was “divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God.” It operates under the direction of priesthood leaders. (See Handbook 2, 9.1.2.)


When I think of the blessings I have received in my life from being a part of the Relief Society organization I am so grateful for it. I have not only been blessed by the service of my sisters in the Relief Society, but I have had the opportunity to bless other sisters with my service. It is such a blessing to be part of such a wonderful organization!

Happy Birthday Relief Society!!!

Hope your Sunday was the Best!!! Love, Joy