The PERFECT day!

Saturday April 30th, 2011- It was a perfect day for me.  Mike and I slept in and laid in bed until we decided that our mattress needed to be turned over to the softer side.  Turning our mattress is like lifting a 1000 lbs wet noodle.  It is latex and we love it.  We took every thing off the bed and turned it over, remade the bed and laid back down on it.  We bounced our bodies and talked about if there seemed to be a difference.  We finally got up at about 10:30.  It was an unusual Saturday right off the bat.

We had a few places we needed to be that day.  But it looked like I was going to get my husband all to myself on this day.  Mike suggested we drive down to the coast and get some oysters.  I thought hummm not a bad idea but first I need a big bowl of fresh Strawberries.  With those eaten and getting ready we were off by 12:30 driving down to the coast.  We love fresh oysters and great company.  We already were together so the Oysters were the topper or so I thought.  We each ate 2 dozen (well I gave Mike 2 of my remaining 4) and devoured our basket of buffalo shrimp.  Nothing better then great seafood and great company.  Of which I had both!

With all of Mike's travel it has been hard to spend time together.  So we try to do it but haven't been very successful lately.  I have missed our 3/4 day weekend trips together where we picked a place and  went to explore it.

As we were driving home we were chatting and I was playing a game on my itouch.  I looked up and said, where are we?  I didn't recognize any of these trees!  Now if you haven't ever been here we have trees.  LOADS of trees.  Mike said, I am taking a different road home.  Ok!  I'm good.... take me away!

We drove over to St. Marks.  St. Marks is on the coast and they have a lighthouse and a national wildlife refuge.  We drove into St. Marks the town and realized we took the first turn and we needed the second one for the park.  Mike said check my wallet for change.  He had 2 dollars and we didn't know how much the entrance fee would be.  I had 15.00 at home in my purse but it was like I said at home.  We drove up to the gate only to see that the pay gate was closed and we would have to do a self service envelope.  We came up with $3.00.  We were 2.00 short.  I needed to use a bathroom and so we drove into the Visitors Center.  We were able to buy a years pass for 15.00.

Can I tell you we experienced some spectacular scenery as we drove towards the lighthouse.

The weather perfect, the company even more so!

How can anyone not recognize God's hand in all this beauty?

St. Marks Light House. 

The Gulf of Mexico

Beware of Alligators

The day was amazing, the weather wonderful and the company out of this world.  I am so glad that when I reach out and touch or hold Mike's hand there is still that spark.  As I say in the last video.  He is the person I love to spend the most time with .  He is my everything and I am glad we slipped away from town and hung out just the two of us! 

Getting Organized!

So my cute little niece Katrina started this idea in my head!  She makes medical binders for her kids and now Danika  (Katrina's sister) did one for each of her kids.  I think this is GENIUS!!! I don't have any kids at home anymore so I thought it was something I couldn't use BUT I can.  I can make a house binder.  We recently just had our sewer drained and the guy said to me, "you know you should have this done every five years."  I said well I would be more than happy to do this IF I could remember that 5 years down the road.  I mean who remembers that in 5, 10 years it's time for you to do that again and who did it last time?  But if I had a house binder I could put that information in my house binder and when time goes by I could check to see -hummm just how long ago was that last pumping!  So here you go...  take it and run with it.  I did tell Katrina she could make a fortune off this idea of hers.

So taking the whole binder into a different direction I am going to do a cute ideas that someday I will want to make or remember binder.  You know I have a ton of bookmarks but not only are they not in order but to find exactly what it is that I thought was so great takes time.  I know it will take paper and ink but it will work for me and it will be contained!

So this is how I plan on doing it!  I am going to get dividers and when I see something I like (frogs) I would like to make at some point I am going to copy that idea off and put it in this binder.  I will have tabs so I can easily put that idea under that tab.   I can then just say....hummmm I need to make or do ______ (fill in the blank) and look under that tab. 

I do have to say that this screams my mother!  She had a ton of stuff she tore out of magazine and stuff she thought was wonderful.  As children we were use to seeing her walk towards us with paper in her hands and  we knew she had something to share and we might as well sit for the education.  We sat down where we were and listened.  She was a wealth of information.

So here's having a day off from work and I am going to head to Target to get me a binder and tabs.  I can now have a home binder and an idea binder!

Easter

 Today is Easter and what a day it has been.  This week I have done something I have always wanted to do.  The thing that has always held me back was the lack of remembering in time.  So my goal was to read during Holy Week what happened to the Savior on each day.  So on Monday I read what happened to him on Monday.  It was an amazing week.  By Wednesday my heart was pretty tender and full.  I knew by Sunday I was going to be in a wonderful, humble and amazing place.  And it was! 

What experience did I gain during this week?  I grew to love my Savior even more.  I still don't fully understand the Atonement and how it actually works BUT I know it does.  There aren't  words enough that seem to be able to express my gratitude and love for what He has done.  So 2000 years ago life changed.  And how thankful I am it did.  I know He lives again and He gave me the best gift I could ever ask for.  A way back home to my Father in Heaven.  Oh how I love my Savior Jesus Christ! 

 A peek at my reading for this week. 

Saturday

Arrival in Bethany

 Sunday

Triumphal entry into Jerusalem

Jesus wept over Jerusalem

Jesus “looks around”

Return to Bethany

 Monday

Jesus curses the barren fig tree

Cleansing of the temple

Some Greeks desire to see Jesus

Jesus responds to unbelief of the crowd

 Tuesday – the longest day

The three parables are all directed at the attitude of the religious leaders.

1] Which son did his father's will?                    

2] Parable of the vineyard                                      

3] Parable of the wedding banquet              

Coalition of three unlikely foes who had disregard for each other – Sadducees, Pharisees, and Herodeans – aimed to catch Jesus in blasphemy or sedition against the State

Paying taxes to Caesar

Sadducees question about resurrection

Which is the great commandment - Which is the first commandment?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

 This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Whose son is Christ?

 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. Matthew 22:41-46

The poor widow's gift

Destruction of the temple – Christ literally hands his fate over to his enemies - blasphamy

Mount of Olives on the way home to Bethany  – Matthew 24 “The Olivet Prophecy”

 Wednesday

Sanhedrin plot to kill Jesus

Mary anoints Jesus for his burial - $18 - $20K

Dinner to celebrate the raising of Lazarus

Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus

 Thursday

Apostles ask “Who is the greatest?”

Washing of the feet

Passover meal – introduction of the Eucharist – emblems explained “Fruit of the vine”  & the Afikomen”

A new commandment I give you

Prediction of Peter’s denial

Discourses in the Upper Room

Departure to Gethsemane

33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

Mediation and Atonement by John Taylor – no turning back – all eggs in one basket

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

We were there looking on from the Spirit World – watching the great drama playing out as to whether Jesus would triumph as he had promised.  What a celebration among the heavenly hosts there must have been.

 Friday

Pontius Pilate – Sanhedrin connection (plot to overthrow Caesar)

Herod – saw and spoke to Jesus, but never heard his voice

Crucifixion – at the same time in Israel the Passover Lamb is killed

Joseph of Arimithea – very rich Jew – controlled the Tin trade from British Isles to Rome Jesus’ Uncle - takes the body of Christ to avoid it being buried in a nameless tomb

 Saturday

Keys over death and hell

Keys of the Resurrection

 Sunday

Again – we were there – to watch his remarkable resurrection from the dead

Early morn – at sunrise

Personality of Jesus – anxious to regain his body –finishes before women arrive at  the tomb only to find it empty

Appearances:

1.    Mary Magdalene

2.    Two disciples

3.    11 apostles

4.    Apostles – fishing – cast your nets on the other side\

5.    Lovest thou me? 3 times

Inmate Football

In the fall of 2008, there was an unusual high school football game played in Grapevine, Texas. The game was between Grapevine Faith Academy and the Gainesville State School. Faith is a Christian school and Gainesville State School is located within a maximum security correction facility.
Gainesville State School has 14 players. They play every game on the road. Their record was 0-8. They've only scored twice. Their 14 players are teenagers who have been convicted of crimes ranging from drugs to assault to robbery. Most had families who had disowned them. They wore outdated, used shoulder pads and helmets. Faith Academy was 7-2. They had 70 players, 11 coaches, and the latest equipment.
Chris Hogan, the head coach at Faith Academy, knew the Gainesville team would have no fans and it would be no contest, so he thought, "What if half of our fans and half of our cheerleaders, for one night only, cheered for the other team?" He sent out an email to the faithful asking them to do just that. "Here’s the message I want you to send," Hogan wrote. "You’re just as valuable as any other person on the planet."
Some folks were confused and thought he was nuts. One player said, "Coach, why are we doing this?" Hogan said, "Imagine you don’t have a home life, no one to love you, no one pulling for you. Imagine that everyone pretty much had given up on you. Now, imagine what it would feel like and mean to you for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."
The idea took root. On the night of the game, imagine the surprise of those 14 players when they took the field and there was a banner the cheerleaders had made for them to crash through. The visitors’ stands were full. The cheerleaders were leading cheers for them. The fans were calling them by their names. Isaiah, the quarterback-middle linebacker said, "I never in my life thought I would hear parents cheering to tackle and hit their kid. Most of the time, when we come out, people are afraid of us. You can see it in their eyes, but these people are yelling for us. They knew our names."
Faith won the game, and after the game the teams gathered at the 50-yard line to pray. That’s when Isaiah, the teenage convict-quarterback surprised everybody and asked if he could pray and he prayed, "Lord, I don’t know what just happened so I don’t know how or who to say thank you to, but I never knew there were so many people in the world who cared about us." On the way back to the bus, under guard, each one of the players was handed a burger, fries, a coke, candy, a Bible, and an encouraging letter from the players from Faith Academy.
What an incredible act of Christian witness and kindness and goodness that was. Proverbs 11:17 says, "Your own soul is nourished when you are kind." Proverbs 3:27 says, "Do not withhold good when it is in your power to act." Be kind to someone this week. Be kind to every person you meet. If you feel inclined, forward this link and share this message with a friend. Perhaps it will inspire them to do an act of kindness too. And, you might be amazed at what God will do with a simple act of kindness.

Thoughts and songs!

So we are a week out from General Conference.  Today in Gospel Doctrine Curtis Austin talked about Conference and do you think I could think of one thing that was talked about?  Well I actually did think of one talk and how much all the women loved Elder Scott's talk.  But as I just listened to the highlights from conference it brought by so many of the feelings I had that I am anxious to get started on listening and reading them. 

I remember going to bed that night and feeling such peace in my heart.  There is so much happening in the world right now.  We can't turn one way or the other without hearing about some sort of issue that is happening or about to happen.  I believe almost each area in life is under attack.  It is a scary world we live in right now.  It is as if we are in a tiny boat and the waves are 1000 ft high.  But while listening to Conference I was once again given a testimony that the Lord is at the helm of the world.  He knows what is happening and has everything in control and that gives me great peace.

♥ PEACE. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. ♥

 The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang a few children songs and this one touched me to my very core.

"I know that my Savior loves me."

I had in my phone calendar to go back this following week and read and get to know Pres. Uchtdorf's talk "

Waiting on the Road to Damascus

I can't wait to remember why I felt it to important to put that into my phone calendar so I can't wait find that out again.

I know that the more we listen and apply in our lives what we are taught in Conference we will keep that peace in our lives. And as the world swirls in heartache and disbelief we will have that sure knowledge that all if okay.  Today I thought about the feeling of comfort and peace and the value it is to me.  No earthly money, treasures or thing could ever replace or come close to replacing the comfort peace plays in my life.

A long time ago we would decorate the Stake Center with lights.  It was an awesome sight to see and was quite the draw for many people all over.  Anyhow the first night the lights were turned on a guest speaker was invited to come and speak and would give a short devotional and then they would flip a switch and the lights would then come on.  It was an exciting night for all.  One of those times it was Bobby Bowden.  He talked about having Christ in our lives.  He told us that he required his football players to attend some type of church.  If they didn't have a church to go to they could go with him.  He told us that in his years of coaching he found that when people/youth get into trouble (drugs, sex, violence, etc) it is because they are searching for something to fill a void in their lives and the thing they are searching for is Christ.  Most not realizing that was what they were searching for.  This left a great impression on me and I have thought about it through the years and you know he was right.  We fill our lives with stuff -take your pick big or small- drugs, sex, food, money, entertainment of various sources or any type of addiction- and we do use it to fill a void somewhere in our lives.  These things hold temporary happiness but before long you are looking to fill that darn void again.  The only lasting filler is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know this to be true.  The more I strive to live how I should, the freer I become from the chains that bind me to this world and unhappiness.  The more I give to the Lord the more liberated I am from the world.

I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.

I know that my Savior loves me.

Mail Call

So this is a new concept for me.  I was reading Kristen 's blog and copied the idea.  I liked it so here it goes!

Dear Mike: While I appreciate your great job I miss having you at home.  I appreciate all you do for me to keep me safe while you are gone.  I am sure the messages you get every time the alarm is set and unset drive you crazy yet they probably keep you up to date of my comings and goings.  I just wish those comings and goings were with you.   I will say it is easier to have you gone now then when we had little kids oh so many years ago.  I only have to take care of myself now.  Anyhow, this part of our lives can be over anytime now and I will be happy.  I miss our mini vacations we took 2 or 3 times a year.  We have much catching up to do and more places to explore so hurry home.  

Dear Mother Nature:  I think you have the most amazing earth.  I love the colors you use each day.  But your killing me with your pollen!  Can you please tone it down a notch or two?  Oh and by the way... thanks for amazing beaches and the sound of the ocean.  They are my favorite!

Dear  Mr. Postman: Your weird!  Quit opening my mailers and sticking my mail inside of it... I'm thinking that is a federal offense.

Dear Pres. Monson and others:  I love it when you come into my home and give me counsel on what I need to do to become a better daughter of God.  I am thankful for the many reminders you give me.  I am truly thankful for the spirit that comes into our home.  I love you!

Dear Calling:  While I love listening over and over again to General Conference talks I do not enjoy trying to merge 2 amazing talks together and teach them in 20-40 mins.  Hello who does that?  Okay me but still it is a hard task to ask of anyone.  

Dear Netflix:  Thank you for keeping me company at night!  I appreciate it!

Dear Wii Zumba:  I enjoying your dance moves!  Thanks for not laughing at me when I can't follow you.  

Dear Murphy:  I miss you my furry friend!

Fabulously WICKED

Alyse has wanted to see Wicked for years.  She had the music and would put it on for me to listen.  It didn't make much sense to me and seemed quite confusing.  This past summer we were going to try to go to NY and I thought I might surprise her while there and see it.  My friend told me she had a coupon to get tickets earlier and maybe even a bit of a discount and that I could go see shows in Orlando.  Since this was the beginning of Dec I thought that possibly this might make a cool Christmas present for Alyse.  So I talked to Mike and I purchased the tickets and bought amazing seats on row B!  I held on to them until her birthday in Jan.  She was so excited.  Since I had bought a pair of tickets that meant she could invite someone.  I wasn't sure I would be able to go.  I also wanted it to be her choice.  She chose Bryan since he was the one that turned her on to it.  As life sometimes happens he couldn't go so she asked me and I could go!

So the weekend came and we both took Friday off  and down to Orlando we went.  One thing I really love about Alyse is her constant desire to be in the temple.  We left Tallahassee dressed for the temple so we could go straight there.  I am so glad we did that.  We had a marvelous time in the temple.  We stayed for over 3 hours and we both walked out beaming with happiness at our experiences.

We woke up and got ready for the day.  Our showing of Wicked was at 2:00.  We shopped and grabbed a bite to eat, changed out clothes and we were off.  After driving around for a bit we finally pulled over and asked someone where the Performing Arts Theater was.  We drove right to the venue and I thought Alyse was going to burst out of the car.  We took pictures before we went in and as a final gift I bought her the updated souvenir book they sell.  We found out amazing seats and settled in for the ride.

So I am here to tell you that Wicked is an amazing  show to go and see.  It was everything Alyse had hoped for and since I wasn't sure it was a smash hit with me.  So all in all it was a WICKEDLY GOOD WEEKEND!