Conference at the Ranch April 2013

I enjoyed all the moments to listen to conference by myself, with Jacky, and especially with all the family.  There was a spat between boys and some choice words and actions to remind me that we are not the perfect fam, but I was indeed touched several times as I listened to the advice and revelation from our prophet, apostles and leaders.  I am grateful for their obedience, however reluctant it might be.     Hollond, Uchtdorf, and Dalton were most impressive to me.  It was a lot to take in, I look forward to hitting lds.org to review. Time to sleep.  I am pretty sure Pres. Monson is wiped out.  Sweet man.

BELIEVE

A high councilman from the stake spoke in church this past Sunday, it really touched my heart.  He spoke of the desire to have his children believe and that he is reminded about his belief and the journey he took to get it, by a Christmas bell, from the story The Polar Express.  Following church, the missionaries came to practice teaching to our kids and Paul participated.  I think he felt that was the reason they came anyways.  One of the sisters challenged him to really think about what he believes and continually asked him why he didn't want to know. I know that Paul doesn't want to know because he doesn't want to change. He is fine with what he 'doesn't' believe and that is comfortable with him.  It is easier to not believe, therefor have no responsibility to live a different way, or to hold a calling, pay tithing, go to church, have a commitment.  It is work to be a believer.  It is easy some days, harder other days when the world takes over.  It is even harder to live in a house of not necessarily ALL non believers, but with one adimant one and many immature ones.  I truly know in my heart that as long as our house is divided, it will fall, whether that be in this life or the next.  I feel just a tiny bit of the sorrow that Mormon felt when he had to lead a very wicked people. He is better than me.  He loved them as Christ would have him love, and I at least am only concerned about people that I love.  Many days I wonder, 'is this the path I am supposed to be on, or the one I need to make the best of because I chose it. I need to have Mormon's heart.  I pray for a heart like his.  I need to be a strong leader just as he was, even if they all choose not to live what I believe.  Mostly, I pray that they will BELIEVE.

On the Path

Last night I read part of the first chapter of Becoming His to Paul.  I felt peace reading of Christ  and how to start on the path of discipleship, "...toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." Elder Dallin H. Oaks
I desire us to become an eternal family, but I know there are (baby steps. in Paul's words) to that actually becoming a reality.  I have been on the path of true discipleship for almost 16 years, and I still have so far to go. Still in the process of letting go who I was and becoming who the Lord knows I can be.  I wonder if he reports to the Father, "so much potential, still needs a lot of work."
Ezra Taft Benson encouraged, "men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.  He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles (oooh Paul will like that), lift their spirits, multiply their blessing, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace."  Now who couldn't use more of all that.  What a blessing.
I think I am going to really love this book.
Thank you Emily for being more.

My Biggest Fan

Katie called me yesterday to let me know that her father had died suddenly from complications of cancer.  She also wanted me to know that he was my biggest fan when I played volleyball at Utah.

I am so grateful that I was able to talk with him in December at the boys basketball game against Skyline, (his grandson's team)

He was so excited to see my boys play.

It is comforting to know that up there is by biggest fan.

Here is to you Mr. C!

Obituary

Richard Lee Christensen

1937 - 2013 Richard Lee Christensen, born of goodly parents, A. Lee Christensen and Rosetta Widtsoe, came into this world September 5, 1937. He died on January 29, 2013 after a valiant second but swift battle with cancer. Dick graduated from Olympus High School afterwards serving an LDS mission to Norway. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Utah where he enjoyed his affiliation with the Sigma Chi Fraternity, making many life-long friendships. He was lucky to marry Suzanne Holt on December 21, 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple. They enjoyed 51 years of 'getting used to each other' while raising seven wonderful and loving children who kept them guessing as well as laughing. He had a strong and abiding testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ, the gift of the Atonement and the power of forgiveness. He served with his whole heart and loved those he served. Much more can be said of this great man but the most important would be his loyalty and unwavering love for his wife and his fiercely loving devotion to his children and grandchildren. Dick is preceded in death by his parents and his eldest son, Scott. We know that they welcomed him home with open arms. He is survived by his sweet wife, Susie, their children; Lisa Rider (Creighton), daughter-in-law Monica Christensen, Jim (Patti), Mike (Piper), Kim Cronin (Tom), Katie Rice (Laurn), Kelly Vorwaller (Nate) and two sisters Susan Larson (Douglas) and Rebecca Johns (Craig). He will be fondly remembered as 'Bompa' by his 18 amazing grandchildren and missed by his 10 grand dogs. A viewing will be held Friday, February 1st at Larkin Sunset Lawn from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. located at 2350 East 1300 South. The funeral will be Saturday, February 2nd at the Olympus 7th Ward Chapel located at 4500 South and 2700 East. There will be a viewing from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. with the service following at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Published in Deseret News from January 31 to February 1, 2013

Becoming His

I am reading a book, Becoming His, the author is Emily Freeman. This little book is my inspiration this year, this Big Year, because I want to be a better daughter of God.  I want to be more, I want my family to be more, my marriage to be more, my service to be more, my Love to be more. So, here I go!

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough in the exact place where we stand!  This has resonated with me since I read it.  I have been called to be the first counselor in the Young Women's.

The youth theme this year is;

I am so  grateful that I am standing where I am right now, believing, willing, faithful, blessed.  Time to pull up the sleeves and go to work.  Every Day!  With Emily's word's, with hope and strength through the Lord, I pray that my heart will continually be led to His.

the BIG year

It is the 1st day of the New Year.
It has been a 2 week vacation away from school & our regular schedule.
We were up late last night ringing in EVE2013 at the Marriott downtown SLC.
Dani, Lander & I have just watched the first episode of Dance Mom's, my favorite trashy reality show.
I know I am nuts about my kids sports lives, but these ladies, including the teacher are crazy, & I love it, & I love watching their amazing daughters dance.
I am tired, I am frustrated with my lack of patience with Jacky earlier tonight (not a great way to start my resolution of the meek mikki) & my irritation that get's the best of me when my pauly b rears that ugly little head of his. (love the man, hate the behavior,love the man, hate the behavior)
I leave for San Antonio in two days & I need to put away Christmas, get the toilet downstairs that overflowed into the main room fixed, wash the 10 towels that we used to mop up the pee water, get the fireplace going, fill the wonderful cabinets, that I love in the garage with all our crap, put away laundry, and on on on I could go with the complaints.( I am so grateful that I have all this stuff to do that is ours)
BUT, aside from me wanting to curl up in my bed, without brushing my teeth, I am going to post on the first day of 2013.
and I am going to be better about recording every, well almost all the
CRAZY
WONDERFUL
DISAPPOINTING
INSPIRING
INSIGHTFUL
FRUSTRATING
BEAUTIFUL things that are part of my extraordinarily blessed life.

THIS IS THE BIG YEAR!
inspired by the movie, The Big Year, about bird watchers who try to set the record as the one who spotted the most birds in one year.
I want this to be the BIG year to change my perspective to how I am going to lead my family of where I want us to be when this whole big test is finished.
I AM A DAUGHTER of my Heavenly Father who loves me,
and I love him.
I WILL "STAND"  as a witness at all times, and in all things, and in all places

Time to be more

FAITHFUL

PATIENT

MEEK

DISCIPLINED

PREPARED

LOVING

HONEST

VIRTUOUS

PRAYERFUL

Time to step up.  or as Brady Ewell said, "Man Up!"
Read this years ago in an institute manual, & most days it haunts me,
but occasionally it softly reminds me;
"you can not pull people up to where you want them to be, if you are not already there yourself."

Day 1 of the BIG year.
wow, I already need to pray for forgiveness & strength.
Thank goodness He is always there.
Goodnight.

It is my Duty

Today I was reading a book at my parent's house that has rekindled the duty that I have to my posterity to write down my life, their life, our life.  It is a pretty dang good life and to be honest, as much as I would like to think that I can remember it all, it is inevitable that I will become old & forgetful even more than I am now.
So, instead of rehashing this past year, well 10 years, I will go from here and maybe I will be able to recall some really good stuff in the past.

Day 1 of the rest of my life, or something like that.

I was walking with Dani & Sadie (our dog) & she was going on about things & I was stating my opinion and she told me that we just do not think alike. hmmmm.  Someday I know she will realize how much we are alike and she will be ok with that.  for now, she just wants to be like her dad.  hmmmmm, again. In my opinion, she is the better version of both of us.

We traveled to Idaho this weekend for my nephew Kai's farewell talk in church.  He was very sweet and the spirit was very strong as he spoke of the gratitude he felt in his heart about being called to the Honolulu, Hawaii mission.  It has made him feel closer to Kuku Kane & he is hopeful that he will be able to teach the gospel to our family in Hawaii.  The first Kane grandchild to serve a mission, what an example & what a strong young man.  My prayers go to him, as well as to Matt & Hallie.  I know they will miss him terribly, yet I know they will be blessed & watched over. Thank you Kai for your sweet spirit, I felt it very strong & the talks given today gave me renewed courage and strength to continue to have hope for my family.

Kealani was baptized on Sept . 1 last Saturday.
I was taken back at the strong spirit that was in the room that day.  I knew it was radiating from Dean & his family.  It was very pure & very peaceful.  Hallie and Lana both gave very good talks and I felt very good that day coming from that church in Syracuse, UT.  I am so grateful that I was baptized & that my children are baptized.  I look forward to the day when Paul joins us, as well.  It has been a journey I tell you.  Holding strong.  At least when I get to have experiences like today.  Thank you Kealani.  Thank you Heavenly Father.