Grateful for Sounds

Last week a friend of mine was talking to me about being grateful and that the only way we can do that is to honor our Father in Heaven every single day. I have been thinking of this so much since then.
Last Saturday I was sitting in the living room rocking Gretchen, Laura's baby. She had just fallen asleep and I was enjoying the still,quietness of this sweet baby. I didn't have any music going in the house, it was just quiet.
I started thinking about the sounds I was hearing and what they meant to me as far as gratitude.

• The first thing I heard was the lawn mower. Doug had been out of town all week and the lawn was in dire need of a hair cut. As I listened to the mower I could smell the fresh cut grass. I love that smell. I thought how thankful I was for a wonderful husband out there making our yard look well groomed, of the nice grass we have to walk, sit and play on. I have been in areas of the country where they can't grow nice grass so I am very grateful for that. I am thankful for this free land that we live in as well. 

• Next I heard an airplane fly over. Not 24 hours earlier I had gone to the airport to pick up my sweetheart. I am so grateful for airplanes, pilots, air travel to get us to our destinations quick and safely. 

• Third, I heard my dryer drying our clothes. I usually use my clothes line in the summer to dry clothes (which I love so much) but it has been so windy and I used my dryer. I am so grateful for the convenience of the dryer.

• Which brings me to my next thing, the wind.......I am not a lover of wind, I don't mind a breeze especially if I am working in the yard and a nice breeze comes up and cools me, but as I was listening to the breeze go through the tree outside the window I was very grateful for it. I love the sounds of wrestling leaves and I was glad it was cooling off Douglas as he worked in the yard and cooling off my house so I don't have to use the air conditioners.

• Which brings me to another one, the ceiling fan. We have air conditioners you put in the windows. We haven't had to install them yet this year, but the ceiling fans are so appreciated. They don't cost as much as the ac and they are very calming to me. I also love the quiet sound of them!!!

• I heard the birds outside and smiled. I love the sound of birds especially when I am laying in bed early in the morning and they are chirping away. The last two years we have had robins nests where we can watch the eggs, then the babies, then watch them leave the nest. 

• Ethan, Laura's 3 year old was in the playroom watching a movie. I could hear him laugh at it and talk and giggle. I am so grateful for that little guy. He brings a smile to my face when ever I see him or think of him. 

• Then I thought of this little angel I was holding. She was sound asleep and breathing so peacefully. What a joy to hear. I am so grateful for all of my grandchildren. I love their noises and everything about them. 

Adjectives of General Conference

This past weekend was the 184th Semi Annual General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was two days full of wonderful council from our church leaders. 

I have been sick with a sinus infection so as I listened I would go to sleep for a minute then wake up and wasn't to coherent at times. I decided to writing down words that struck me as words that we as church members use a lot to describe our church or things we believe in. Since Adjectives are describing words this fit perfect. Some are phrases as well. So, here goes, my list:

Faith 

Courage

Courtesy

Gratitude

Kindness

Love

Miracles

Forgiveness

Repentance

Humility

Empathy

Blessed

Joyful

Grace

Mercy

Do Good

Become Better

Mortal Capacities

Cleanse

Heal

Guide

Protect

Strengthen

Learn

Knowledge

Fasting

Praying

Father, Who Art In Heaven

Parenthood

Eternal

Blessings

Secret Yearnings

Prayerful Pleadings

Healed

Power

Call Upon

Follow

Witness

He Lives

Only Begotten

Heritage

Baptism

Covenants

Saints

Apastalic

Restored

Honor

Eternal

Family

Obedient

Promptings

Consequences

Gentle Tug of the Spirit

Spiritual

Commandments

Obedient/Obey

Strengthen

Choice

Accountable

Modest

Truth

Glorious

Salvation

Exalted Being

Prophecy

Promptings

Hope

Charity

Family Ordained of God

Service

Spiritual

Honest

Chast

Benevolent

Virtuous

Sincerely

Discipleship

Stewardship

Atoning

Sacrifice

I know all of these aren't exactly Adjectives but I feel they are words and phrases that we as church members know, use and understand.

Here are a few quotes I wrote hastily and I hope I have the right speakers. 

President Thomas S. Monson:

"Blame keeps wounds open, only forgiveness heals."

"We cannot truly love God without loving our fellow man."

Elder David A. Bednar:

"Is the load I'm carrying sufficient spiritual taction so I can safely get home to my Heavenly Father?"

Elder L. Tom Perry:

"Someone wrapped up in themselves is a very small package."

Elder Michael Teh:

"Recognize when we have enough. (Jacob) Do not spend money on that of no worth."

Wonderful talks, all of them, I need to read them and read this list of adjectives and become these "describing" words. 

Just Breathe

Breathe In,

Breathe Out, 

Move On!

Jimmy Buffet

Tuesday at the Temple

Today was Stake Temple Day!!! Our Stake President had asked every temple recommend holder to try to go to the Temple. I went at 8 a.m. to do initiatory work. It was wonderful. The sisters were so kind and helpful. I did 10 names but I was worried because of my arthritic foot I can't go without shoes for very long. We wear socks during initiatory and are up and down on our feet. It was a very tender mercy from my Father In Heaven because my feet didn't hurt a bit. It was a beautiful day when I came out and had to take a picture of the Temple. A little air plane was even going by right them.

Fun Friday

I had a wonderful day yesterday with Douglas. We went to one of my favorite antique stores downtown and I got an adorable child size oven I had been eying for a few years. The sweet owner of the store called the man who owned the booth and said, "hey, you have had this oven in your booth for a long time, I have a buyer, will you go down on the price?" He went down from $42 to $28. I was thrilled. I always wanted one of these as a child and now I have one. It is even electric. I also bought a cute little tart pan to go with it. In the picture I have an electric child's iron I have from my childhood. I used to iron my doll cloths with it. Wonderful memories and a very 'Fun Friday'.