Staying Home from Church

My husband, Mike, asked me to stay home from church today.
But today is the Christmas program, and they're counting on me to sing in the choir!
"You're coughing, sneezing, and can barely speak, much less sing," says he.
Humbug!
It's a sacrifice to keep my pride and these germs -- a "multitude of unheavenly hosts" -- home.
But wait. Today I can do something more important at home.
Today is for appreciating the desire and opportunities to sing as a true and recurring tender mercy that will once again come in my life.

Grandma Thomas's Cookies

Today, Clay and I baked my mother's Reese's Chewy Chocolate Cookies during my visit to Boulder.
I measured the ingredients, and Clay mixed the batter, a process that required vigor without a mixer. As we worked, we talked about "Grandma Thomas" and qualities that represent her character.
The cookies turned out tasty in spite of being a little long on flour and a little short on setting the timer. We ate a few and tucked the rest into Ziploc bags to share with Randee, Dan and his landlord, Geoff.
I like to think of joy as more of an experience than a product because the memory of it is timeless and stays fresh without Ziploc bags.

The Piano Recital 2015.06.02

Who knew that parents could play duets with their children at piano recitals?

So 21st Century!

Trip to Peru and Houses Sold

A few tender mercies that happened since I last wrote:

• Mike and I spent a couple of weeks traveling in Peru, including visiting Machu Picchu
• We worked our little hearts and bodies out getting our houses ready to sell
• We sold my house at 10490 Treeline St (Boise)
• We have a solid offer on Mike's house at 1959 S Toluka Way (Boise)
• Our builder, Dan Clark, has started on our new house, and the "skeleton" is standing already!

Ethan and Becca are Here

Ethan and Becca are spending a few days with Mike and me at Toluka Way. Since both teach university classes, they need to work on preparation stuff while they're here, but it's fun having them around.

Janette's 30th Birthday

Today is our youngest daughter, Janette's 30th birthday. What a gift she was, is, and ever will be!
Her husband, Brandan, surprised her with a party for nine of her girlfriends at a Sur la Table cooking party. We cooked and ate for two hours. Yum!

Turkey Noodle Soup

Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of leftover turkey noodle soup after a day of frazzle.

Love the Lord

2015 New Year's Resolution -- Love the Lord

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities. We should put God ahead of everyone else in our lives."

"The great test of life is obedience to God. 

The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it.

The great commandment of life is to love the Lord."

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson Chapter #1: Love the Lord
TEACHINGS OF PRESIDENTS OF THE CHURCH: EZRA TAFT BENSON

One Sentence Plea(se)

Starting to prepare a Relief Society lesson at 7:00 pm the night before calls for a tender mercy.

Putting Christmas Away

We've been gathering the Christmas stuff and putting it away, remembering the joyful experiences with family and friends.
Mike and I had Christmas dinner with Janette and Brandan's family after taking their gifts over on Christmas Day. Anthony's family had coughs and runny noses, but we took gifts and visited briefly.
All Mike's children and grandchildren -- Michelle, David, Tony, Christine, Mike (Christine's husband), Nora and Neva -- were here in Boise to enjoy turkey dinner together on Dec 26th. Tony's girlfriend, Shelley, was here also. David's wife, Jennifer, had to work, and Michelle's husband, Rob, wasn't able to make the trip.
All in all, it was a joyous time!

Engagement of Ethan Hawkley and Rebecca Jolley

Ethan and Becca got engaged over the Christmas holidays, and I'm excited for their future together!
They set the date for May, 2015 in one of the Arizona temples (I forgot which one).