I must write briefly about two more tender mercies that I recognized for this week. I had the grand opportunity to go over-night with my mother, Renee' Williams White and my sister, Kortny Cym White Arbon. Oh, the joy that fills my heart when I get to spend time with these two!
This was kind of a toss up celebrating both my mom's and my sister's birthdays. It is in the middle of the two. Kortny had requested it, because her birthday is Memorial Day Weekend, and Tad is always busy going to horse shows that time of year, so she wanted to celebrate it earlier. My mom's is the end of February.
It's become a trend of ours, that for my mother's birthday, we usually stay in a motel in Idaho Falls. My sweet Mom pays for the motel, even though it's her birthday. We usually stay in one by the river, across from the temple, but this time she wanted to try a Hampton Inn, I believe, out on Hitt Road, by the mall and the newer stores out there. The motel was really nice. I really liked it.
We met at 12 noon on Friday. I had gone to Madison Memorial on Friday morning, at 8:30, because my friend Mikelle Barr, who is their Quality Person had arranged for me to meet with my friend, who goes to the Epidemiologist's meeting in Idaho Falls, LuAnn Dixon. Well, when I get up very early Friday, bid my family good-bye for the two days, and made sure I was out in Rexburg and at the hospital by 8:30, the one lady said to me, "Oh, you must not have got the message." They had left a message on my hospital phone, at work, after I had left for the day on Thursday, saying that LuAnn, who I needed to teach me how to use the NHSN website, was not going to be at work on Friday, because she had already worked too many hours. Well, I obviously didn't get the message, so there I was. Mikelle was nice and let me go to their Huddle, where their leaders all meet togehter, but theirs is much more constructive and helpful than ours is. Then she spend about an hour and shared as much info as she knew about the NHSN reporting project, but mostly other things that were good to know. At the end of that, she apologized again, and then I left. So, I was done with my "meeting" by 9:30.
I had a grand day, anyway. I got a breakfast smoothie in Rexburg -oh, those are so good, went to Real Deals, which is a home decor place, looking for a clock since the one we love has "given out" and won't keep accurate time. They had a coupon for 15% off, since it's going to be Daylight Savings this week-end, dropped something off to Derek and took him a breakfast smoothie on campus - close to where he works.
Then I went to Idaho Falls, went to Real Deals there - found a clock I liked. I tried to go to the Scout office, to get Carl a bandalow thing to put his Scouting awards on - found out they've been in that office 50 years, but they moved, and I did not know, so I missed that.
Then I finally got to meet my mom and sister. We went to lunch at a Mexican Restaurant that's like Cafe Rio, but not. I can't remember it's name. They got their first. We all ordered sweet pork salad, even without knowing what each other were ordering.
We just had a blast with each other the whole time we were together. We love each other, we're all kind, good, fun people. We love to be together. We went to the brand new Tai Pan home decor store. We all loved it. We looked and looked. Hancock Fabric was going out of business and had 40% off. After taking an hour to pick out about 8 colors of Minkee for a girl and a boy baby (someday for Heather's baby), I found out that I had to buy 2 yards of each (I only needed 1/3 yard), so I put it all back. I did find beautiful mint green flowered cotton and tulle for a spring dress Elizabeth wants to sew. We were worn out by then, so we went to the motel, checked in, talked for a while, then decided we were ready for dinner. Kortny took us to a fairly new old fashioned 50's style diner out by the mall. It was so good - old fashioned food at very good prices. I think Blaine would have liked it.
We went back to the motel, the hot tub and pool were full of teenagers, so we skipped that. We just talked until we went to sleep. Ahhhhh, it was great.
The next morning, we had a free breakfast with the room, which turned out to be delicious - a great buffet. We didn't stop then. We went to another fabric store, Porter's. They were having a 25 % off Minkee sale, so I ended up getting the 16 pieces of Minkee for Heather's two boy or girl baby puff quilts idea for 25% off, so I thought that was great. These pieces were already cut into 1/3 yards and rolled and marked, so I didn't have to wait in line - just had Kortny help me choose and wala. So, I accoomplished my two sewing goals of Heather and Elizabeth's projects - Yay!. We went to a book store, a used book store I've always wanted to go in, by Hancock Fabric. I found the next sequel to the book Eve in Eden I've been reading, and one Mormon people's favorite poetry book, so I was thrilled. We also went to a Ben Franklin type store way out past the airport on Broadway, that Kortny showed us. We just had a blast. We ate at a Chinese place out there, by my old Bernina store. We talked and talked there for a long time. Finally, they drove me clear back out to my car at the hotel. I had to split up and head towards Rexburg, they go together towards their homes. Oh, it was a precious tender mercy couple of days.
I stilll need to write about the Horses story, but that will have to be tomorrow, I hope.
I just wanted to say that I love being a Homemaker/Mother/Wife. This week-end, I got to be mostly home, and I've just loved it. I did laundry - I like to make my own laundry soap. I like to keep the clothes nice and on hangers as soon as they dry. Blaine and I took Carl and Elizabeth out to the temple Friday evening. We had a miracle and got into the 6 pm session, even though we were only about 15 minutes before 6. I was handed a "ticket", told the man at the desk that my husband was coming soon - he had taken Carl and Lizzie to the baptistry to get them in and going. The man gave the last two tikcets to two ladies that came in next. He said that was all the tickets for that session. The next people that came in got the 6:45 time. I asked him if my husband would have to go to the next session. He smiled and held up one more ticket, he said it was for my husband, he said he wasn't supposed to do that. I squeezed his hand and thanked him.
Derek picked up Elizabeth and Carl until we finsihed our session, when they were done. Carl was baptized for some of Aunt Tammie's or Ken's distant relatives.
We got to eat dinner with Derek and a girl he is dating, A......
Today, Saturday, I've been able to sleep in til 8 (which was Heavenly), do some housekeeping, make plans for our Las Vegas trip that is coming up on Thursday, during our spring break, look at some Easter recipes, think about what we will do to celebrate and remember the last week of the Savior's life, how we will enjoy Easter, even though we're going to be on the road, thought about how we will get ready for General Conference, which is coming up, made a fruit pizza for Nikole's early birthday celebration, we went to Rexburg to see the new Divergent movie - called Allegiant - which wasn't really good and ate at the same Mexican Restaurant - I had the shrimp tacos, which are delicious - when we returned, we had a surprise of Bishop Moulton bringing us fish he had caught - like he used to, Blaine and I went for a walk to Trupp's and back - it was blessedly warm today here - only needed a light jacket, then Elizabeth and I sorted out the new pattern we have for her spring dress, together. It was just so fun for me to do normal house and family things - I get so much joy from that. I got to talk to my mother on the phone. Life is bliss.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Billie Ann, My Relief Society Sisters and my daughter's blessed Young Women Leaders, March 13, 2016
This week has been such an abundance of tender mercies!
I always pray for missionary opportunities. I often pray for certain people that have come into my life. I learned deeply from my son, Derek, during his mission, from a man in his mission presidency, President Christensen. He wrote a big on missionary work. I read that book. He helped me learn and see that if I am just extending invitations to my brothers and sisters who are not members, it counts as missionary work. I do not have to get someone baptized to count as missionary work. Just befriending, inviting, loving, helping those people is missionary work.
I put the challenge to the test this week. Whenever there is an event, sponsored by the Church, I figure it's a free, wonderful opportunity to invite non-members. The RS Presidency gave out the invitations early. I took three - one for me and two for my non-member neighbors - AH and HB. I knew they probably would not want to come, but I drove the invites to their homes and invited them.
I can tell this next part, because the woman told a lot of people at my church, so it's ok if I tell now. I took care of a patient at the hospital, a man in his late 60's. His wife's name was Billie Ann. They were from deep Arkansas. They were a darling couple. They have the thick accent (at least for here). I won't tell all the details we spoke about, because they would be a breech, but suffice it to know that we became good friends, just I prepared him for surgery and spoke to them both.
When he left for surgery, she started to cry. It turned out she has a lot of emotional things going on in their lives. It turned out that Blaine was able to give her a blessing of comfort, with another member man who works at the hospital. I talked a lot with Billie and helped her as much as I could.
When I went home, I thought of her all evening. I received the prompting that I should invite her to our ward's RS Birthday party, which would include a nice meal and a program and a game.
I didn't dare call on Wednesday, because it was the day after his surgery, but I still had the feeling. I called her on Thursday morning, the day of the event. I thought she probably wouldn't want to come, for one reason or another. But I knew she was really trying and wanting to make friends. And I knew my older group of RS sisters would be there, and many others. So, I called.
I said who I was. She was so excited, and so grateful for the care I had given. Then I invited her, telling her about the meal, all the ladies from 18 to 100 that would be there. She gladly accepted! I was stunned, grateful, thrilled!
All day I prayed and worried she would cancel on me. But at 5:30 she called me on my cell, and told me she had just left Felt. I told her that was fine. She didn't get to the church until 6, that's when it started. So, we hustled into the cultural hall. I took her first to the older ladies table. Here would be my dear, friends I've had all m life in Bates - Barbara Knight, Shauna Jamison - Barbara's daughter, Tess Dalton, Janeane Driggs, LaRue Ripplinger, Leora Wood - I can't remember who else. I just took Billie right there, asked if I could introduce my new friend - introduced her - they had to ask a few times about her name --- Billie? Dillie? She is a character and loves to talk, so she immediately felt at home and was gracious. My heart filled with warmth and joy.
Their table was full, so I looked for friendly women I knew would be welcoming to her. I saw Chelsea Peterson and Kortnee Woolstenhulme sitting there. I went to that table I introduced Billie. They introduced themselves, and later Becky Clayton, Jessica Beard, Sarah Henderson, Beth Brinkerhoff and maybe another sister came and sat with us and introduced themselves. These ladies are about my sister, Kortnee's age or younger. So, they're 7 to 10 years younger than I.
Again, bless their souls, my heart filled with warm and sweet peace and love, as they opened their "arms" and circled her and welcomed her and made her feel part of us.
Oh, the joy that filled my soul to overflowing! The program was a beautiful presentation about Emma Smith, Kortnee Woolstenhulme sang a beautiful song about Emma. There was a video from the church about the organization of Relief Society, how Emma said "We are going to do something extra-ordinary!" And we have.
Afterward, I introduced Bobbie to a few more sisters. When we left the building, Billie was only happy and complimentary about the whole evening, so grateful I had invited her. I just melted with love and joy that the Savior and Heavenly Father let me be an instrument in Their hands to touch one sister for this few days' time.
Billie still carries a heavy load of home problems and trials that won't be solved easily. But she loves the Bible, and now she's been in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When we were outside the church, I told her what it was, a bit about the Relief Society organization, etc. She didn't seem to really catch all that I said, who would?, but I planted a seed. And for that day, it was enough and more for me!
There are more tender mercies - a trip to Idaho Falls with my mom and my sister, and then a beautiful young women's in excellence program tonight, a talk about a team of chariot racing horses - both answers to my own prayers. I'll write about them next.
I always pray for missionary opportunities. I often pray for certain people that have come into my life. I learned deeply from my son, Derek, during his mission, from a man in his mission presidency, President Christensen. He wrote a big on missionary work. I read that book. He helped me learn and see that if I am just extending invitations to my brothers and sisters who are not members, it counts as missionary work. I do not have to get someone baptized to count as missionary work. Just befriending, inviting, loving, helping those people is missionary work.
I put the challenge to the test this week. Whenever there is an event, sponsored by the Church, I figure it's a free, wonderful opportunity to invite non-members. The RS Presidency gave out the invitations early. I took three - one for me and two for my non-member neighbors - AH and HB. I knew they probably would not want to come, but I drove the invites to their homes and invited them.
I can tell this next part, because the woman told a lot of people at my church, so it's ok if I tell now. I took care of a patient at the hospital, a man in his late 60's. His wife's name was Billie Ann. They were from deep Arkansas. They were a darling couple. They have the thick accent (at least for here). I won't tell all the details we spoke about, because they would be a breech, but suffice it to know that we became good friends, just I prepared him for surgery and spoke to them both.
When he left for surgery, she started to cry. It turned out she has a lot of emotional things going on in their lives. It turned out that Blaine was able to give her a blessing of comfort, with another member man who works at the hospital. I talked a lot with Billie and helped her as much as I could.
When I went home, I thought of her all evening. I received the prompting that I should invite her to our ward's RS Birthday party, which would include a nice meal and a program and a game.
I didn't dare call on Wednesday, because it was the day after his surgery, but I still had the feeling. I called her on Thursday morning, the day of the event. I thought she probably wouldn't want to come, for one reason or another. But I knew she was really trying and wanting to make friends. And I knew my older group of RS sisters would be there, and many others. So, I called.
I said who I was. She was so excited, and so grateful for the care I had given. Then I invited her, telling her about the meal, all the ladies from 18 to 100 that would be there. She gladly accepted! I was stunned, grateful, thrilled!
All day I prayed and worried she would cancel on me. But at 5:30 she called me on my cell, and told me she had just left Felt. I told her that was fine. She didn't get to the church until 6, that's when it started. So, we hustled into the cultural hall. I took her first to the older ladies table. Here would be my dear, friends I've had all m life in Bates - Barbara Knight, Shauna Jamison - Barbara's daughter, Tess Dalton, Janeane Driggs, LaRue Ripplinger, Leora Wood - I can't remember who else. I just took Billie right there, asked if I could introduce my new friend - introduced her - they had to ask a few times about her name --- Billie? Dillie? She is a character and loves to talk, so she immediately felt at home and was gracious. My heart filled with warmth and joy.
Their table was full, so I looked for friendly women I knew would be welcoming to her. I saw Chelsea Peterson and Kortnee Woolstenhulme sitting there. I went to that table I introduced Billie. They introduced themselves, and later Becky Clayton, Jessica Beard, Sarah Henderson, Beth Brinkerhoff and maybe another sister came and sat with us and introduced themselves. These ladies are about my sister, Kortnee's age or younger. So, they're 7 to 10 years younger than I.
Again, bless their souls, my heart filled with warm and sweet peace and love, as they opened their "arms" and circled her and welcomed her and made her feel part of us.
Oh, the joy that filled my soul to overflowing! The program was a beautiful presentation about Emma Smith, Kortnee Woolstenhulme sang a beautiful song about Emma. There was a video from the church about the organization of Relief Society, how Emma said "We are going to do something extra-ordinary!" And we have.
Afterward, I introduced Bobbie to a few more sisters. When we left the building, Billie was only happy and complimentary about the whole evening, so grateful I had invited her. I just melted with love and joy that the Savior and Heavenly Father let me be an instrument in Their hands to touch one sister for this few days' time.
Billie still carries a heavy load of home problems and trials that won't be solved easily. But she loves the Bible, and now she's been in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When we were outside the church, I told her what it was, a bit about the Relief Society organization, etc. She didn't seem to really catch all that I said, who would?, but I planted a seed. And for that day, it was enough and more for me!
There are more tender mercies - a trip to Idaho Falls with my mom and my sister, and then a beautiful young women's in excellence program tonight, a talk about a team of chariot racing horses - both answers to my own prayers. I'll write about them next.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Nikole Plays L'Orage by Friedrick Burgmuller, March 6, 2016
Some of the tender mercies for our week was that:
Heather was able to obtain two job interviews with US Bank in Cincinnati for this week. They are at two different bank locations, both US Bank. Brandon keeps enjoying his job at Nielsen Marketing Research. He says that all of the people working with him are 35 or younger. I know they are all young, sharp, on-the-ball men. They love their ward. The people are very welcoming. They have callings - Heather is the 10 year old Webelos leader, and Brandon is the 11 year old Scout leader in the Highland Heights Ward of the Cincinnati Ohio Stake. We are so grateful they are settling in and happy. We can't wait to go there for a visit, someday.
Derek was able to go down to Provo to visit some missionaries from his Boston Mission. He took Gary Breckenridge. They got to take Jose through the Provo City Temple Open House. Derek is receiving a lot of help, trying to get a good internship for this coming summer. My friend, Stephanie Peterson, is trying to help him in Brea, California. Derek and Todd Anderson, cousin, and thier team for Todd's Ghana Ties Company, applied to present at a big entrepreneur contest in Boise on April 1. It is sponsored by Zion's Bank and Boise State University. They were accepted. I believe they are one of ten entrepreneurs that were selected!
Nikole found out she was assigned the Fall Spring track at BYU. She is trying to make the best of that. She has enjoyed helping with Distinguished Young Women's Friday night. She was able to play a piano piece, L'Orage at the program, because she was last year's second attendent. She also helped Alta, be her back-stage mom.
Elizabeth has been taking Vitamin D which Dr. Redd told her to do, and to do the stretches that Dan Streubel gave her, and she still has some pain in her legs and feels numb at the end of practice, but she's doing it and I feel she has been blessed in it. Young men are started to flock around Elizabeth, and her 16th birthday is not until June 30.
Carl is learning how to pass the sacrament correctly and is doing Scouts. He is excelling at violin with Melanie Moulton, and is excelling at snow boarding with TMS Winter Sports Program.
I feel the Lord's hand helping me in my work at the hospital. He has helped me so much just the past week for nursing staff meeting and with some presentations I had to do. I feel better about a relationship with a daughter who has been struggling. Blaine blesses my life as he helps a lot with house chores. I had a fun day in Rexburg Friday, was able to get a permanent in my hair and buy some groceries. I'm very excited for my fun week-end with my mother and Kortny this Friday.
I have been studying about Eve. I learned that Eve made the choice in the Garden that would bless all of us, at least bless others, not just be good for her own interest. When we make choices that bless others, they are usually somewhat difficult but better, and we know they are the higher, better choice. I am grateful for her. Linda Prows gave that lesson, or at least about mothers, women from Elder Holland's General Conference talk.
Heather was able to obtain two job interviews with US Bank in Cincinnati for this week. They are at two different bank locations, both US Bank. Brandon keeps enjoying his job at Nielsen Marketing Research. He says that all of the people working with him are 35 or younger. I know they are all young, sharp, on-the-ball men. They love their ward. The people are very welcoming. They have callings - Heather is the 10 year old Webelos leader, and Brandon is the 11 year old Scout leader in the Highland Heights Ward of the Cincinnati Ohio Stake. We are so grateful they are settling in and happy. We can't wait to go there for a visit, someday.
Derek was able to go down to Provo to visit some missionaries from his Boston Mission. He took Gary Breckenridge. They got to take Jose through the Provo City Temple Open House. Derek is receiving a lot of help, trying to get a good internship for this coming summer. My friend, Stephanie Peterson, is trying to help him in Brea, California. Derek and Todd Anderson, cousin, and thier team for Todd's Ghana Ties Company, applied to present at a big entrepreneur contest in Boise on April 1. It is sponsored by Zion's Bank and Boise State University. They were accepted. I believe they are one of ten entrepreneurs that were selected!
Nikole found out she was assigned the Fall Spring track at BYU. She is trying to make the best of that. She has enjoyed helping with Distinguished Young Women's Friday night. She was able to play a piano piece, L'Orage at the program, because she was last year's second attendent. She also helped Alta, be her back-stage mom.
Elizabeth has been taking Vitamin D which Dr. Redd told her to do, and to do the stretches that Dan Streubel gave her, and she still has some pain in her legs and feels numb at the end of practice, but she's doing it and I feel she has been blessed in it. Young men are started to flock around Elizabeth, and her 16th birthday is not until June 30.
Carl is learning how to pass the sacrament correctly and is doing Scouts. He is excelling at violin with Melanie Moulton, and is excelling at snow boarding with TMS Winter Sports Program.
I feel the Lord's hand helping me in my work at the hospital. He has helped me so much just the past week for nursing staff meeting and with some presentations I had to do. I feel better about a relationship with a daughter who has been struggling. Blaine blesses my life as he helps a lot with house chores. I had a fun day in Rexburg Friday, was able to get a permanent in my hair and buy some groceries. I'm very excited for my fun week-end with my mother and Kortny this Friday.
I have been studying about Eve. I learned that Eve made the choice in the Garden that would bless all of us, at least bless others, not just be good for her own interest. When we make choices that bless others, they are usually somewhat difficult but better, and we know they are the higher, better choice. I am grateful for her. Linda Prows gave that lesson, or at least about mothers, women from Elder Holland's General Conference talk.
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