Another Day in Paradise.....

Okay, I am a computer idiot! I know how to post, but beyond that I can't figure out the playlist or photos, so turn off the song playing and scroll down to I am blessed and play that one while you read this. Today was a great day for a few reasons. One, yesterday I was so depressed. I had absolutely no reason at all, but sometimes my brain just works that way. It didn't help that no one was home and I had time to just sit and feel sorry for myself. I need distractions sometimes. The weird thing is that I had a good week. I have been feeling kind of overwhelmed thinking about the next month and everything that is coming up. I don't handle being so busy very well. Poor Cal, what he has to put up with. He came home late from being on call and rubbed my feet while he was telling me how wonderful I am. His words, not mine. He is so romantic. Not in the "romantic" sense, just an amazing friend and husband. I'm glad I get to have him forever. Another reason today was good, is that I felt better. I worked in my yard and just enjoyed my home. I have been feeling so sorry for the people in Myanmar and China and even here in the good old USA, who have had so many heartaches and destruction. I was just sitting on my front porch watching the sun set over the Great Salt Lake, and just feeling grateful for the peace and security I know every single day. My sister Nancy is struggling with some pretty serious health issues and this makes me realize how much I take my good health for granted. I hope and pray she will soon be better and on her feet. She is a good sister and I love her so much. Well, another day to cherish. I am happy for those. I don't have much to complain about but always find something anyway. Why is that? One of my goals this year has been to be more content. For the most part I am succeeding, but then have set backs now and again, like yesterday. I'm back on track, though. By the way, I'm reading a good book called "The Magic of Ordinary Days." It is a good read. Hope let me borrow her movie and it was very good. I hightly recommend it. I have really tried to get into Twilight but haven't been able to. Sorry Cassidy! I know it is so popular, but like Cass said, I tend to like books that deal with reality. For those of you who haven't seen Emma, go see it. It is really good and so uplifting. Well, that's it for today. I'll keep you posted on the rest of my life, in case you're interested!!!! Love,Wendy

Cassidy patiently sat beside me tonight and helped me do my music list. I hope you like it. Last week during Women's Conf and BYU, Sheri Dew encouraged us to have a voice in the world and share the feelings and faith we hold most dear. She mentioned different ways to do that and even mentioned a blog, so there you go and here I am. I know that I am an ordinary person, but really like to share my thoughts hoping they will in someway help to add goodness and optimism to our sometimes pessimistic world. I had a great day with my sweetie Cal at the VA hospital. This was my first experience in that dreary place. It felt like a prison hospital. Have these people ever seen color on walls. No wonder there are so many sick people in that hospital! Cal had to have an evaluation for his disability. For those of you who have ever wondered why he can't stay awake.....he has sleep apnia. Because this is something that he had while on active duty, it is considered a disability. Anyway, as I was sitting in the waiting room, filled with old veterans, I kept thinking about my Dad. He used to try to tell me things about the war and his experiences and I am sorry to say, most of the time I would tell him that I didn't want to hear because they were boring. How I have wished he were here to tell me all the things I'd like to hear now. Anyway, back to the waiting room. I looked at these men and wondered what their stories were. Some were obviously from WWII, and others looked and dressed like they were Vietnam Vets. You can kind of tell sometimes. I felt proud to be in their presence, and honor the service they gave for all of us here in America "the land of the free because of the brave." I am proudest of all of my dear Calvin, who spent 28 of his years serving honorably and I might add, enthusiastically to care for those who had been wounded or needed to be "fixed" physically. You may not know this but he helped to save many lives, and rendered much compassion to all he cared for. I love him for that. My brother Mike also served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and I feel privileged every time he feels open enough to share things with me. He served us well, and I am sooooo proud of his great strength. I love this country and feel so grateful to be an AMERICAN. I feel compassion for anyone who wants the same blessing for themselves and their families. I just wish there was a better way for everyone to share in the goodness. So thanks to all the Veterans. I hold them in high esteem and pay special tribute to the wives and husbands, fathers and mothers left behind to worry and pray and hope for their safe return.

Thanks to my sweet Whitney

Guess what? I have a blog!! I am still really new at this so it may not be fully operational for a little while, but listen...you are hearing beautiful music! Thanks Whit, you're the best. She gets her desire to serve everyone from her Dad. He is THE most helpful person you could ever meet and she is like that too. He gets that from his Mom, Joyce. She loves to help, give love, teach, whip up something yummy to eat and just generally help anyone and everyone especially her family. She is the most wonderful mother and mother-in-law, although in-law has kind of fallen by the wayside over the years as she has become a second mother to me. I love her like my own and hope to be just like her someday. My dear sweet little mother is in a nursing home, so she won't be reading this, but I do often pray that she will just be able to FEEL my love for her. She's my "Mama Darlin'. " I never realized all that she did for us, but am starting to get an idea of the magnitude of a mother's work. It is unending and eternal. Aren't we all so blessed! I went to the funeral of a 97 year old woman on Monday. She was the epitome of one who endured to the end. She loved to say that and I'm going to adopt that from her. I felt blessed to have known her for the two short years I did. Nathan was the last person she ever passed the sacrament to in this life. That in itself is a privilege. Well I will end this day singing His praise. I am thankful for small miracles and the beauty of the earth and skies! Wendy

Mother's Day Wonder!!

We have been trying to call Spencer all week and haven't been able to reach him. The phone just rings and rings. I went to Women's Conference and had a wonderful workshop on fear and the importance of ALWAYS remembering to exercise Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been trying to say that over and over when I feel anxious and worried. Anyway...I have been really getting worried for a number of reasons and yet each time I pray for his safety I feel a peaceful feeling come. This morning, I tried again and again but to no avail. I also had a strong feeling that I should go to the temple. Sometimes that just happens, the Lord kind of pushes me out the door. I didn't plan to go, but decided that I would be sorry if I did not so I did. I prayed that Heavenly Father would help me listen and feel whatever He was wanting me to know or do or feel at the Temple. I was a little disappointed that it was a pretty ordinary session. When I was sitting in the Celestial room, two young men walked in smiling and practically glowing and I thought "oh righteous young men" and then I began to cry and pray for Spencer and I poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father for him and I felt peace, again. Just as I got in the car, I saw that I had missed 8 calls in a row from Cal. I started to panic a bit thinking oh my goodness, he never calls like that, maybe Spencer is dead. I am a bit on the dramatic side but you know what I mean. I called him back and he answered as cheerful as could be. I told him he scared me to death. He explained that Spencer called and had just lost his phone and was fine etc. On my way home I turned on Kenneth Copes "You're still your fathers child" and began to cry again, only this time it was from all the tender mercies that Heavenly Father gives me. I felt such gratitude that Spencer was alive and well and hadn't been using drugs and all the emotions that come with that. I just felt joy and peace, again. I love my Savior so much! When I was almost home, Spencer called ans said he was waiting for me. When I walked in the house he said, "close your eyes". I did and he laid a BIG beautiful, glorious picture of Christ with children. It was framed and everything. It had a scripture on the bottom of it "REmember the worth of souls is great". He also gave me a story book called "Mom says I can." It talks about a little boy and how his mother believes he can do anything. He hugged me and said he really liked that scripture on the painting. I was dumbfounded, really. I couldn't believe it. Maybe this doesn't seem like much, but for Spencer this was HUGE. I'm not saying his life has changed, but something is in there and He at least has acted on that light, however small flickering inside his heart. My girls will know what I mean when I say "My cup runneth over!"
I just wanted to share this happy moment with those I love the most!!! Oh and I think that I just needed to do some service in the Temple today. Her name was Alfreda Mehring 1884 from Ohio.
Love, WEndy