Nie Nie Dialogues -

I was reading today in the online Meridian magazine and found a blog and some You Tube videos of the author of the blog Nie Nie Dialogues.

Her story really impacted me. It really demonstrates how one person/family's personal convictions, passion and courage can change the lives of others.

Mother's Day Weekend 2009

Thank you everyone for your phone calls and wishes! I had a wonderful weekend. It started with Karl driving over to Renton (instead of vice a versa). The Hood Canal Bridge is out so Karl willingly traveled the long southern route (4.5 hours one way) to be with me this weekend! (Thankyou, thankyou honey! I know how you hate to leave your garden and cats!)

He surprised me with what I thought was a "box of chocolates" that he couldn't wait for me to open and to my BIG SURPIRSE, it was a new digital camera, just small enough for me to tuck into my tiny purse! I am so excited!

We took an early trip Saturday to Poulsbo and watched Kaden and Nathan play baseball. Sherry and I did some window shopping and ate a sandwich and fancy tart at a new bakery. It was a beautiful sunshiny day!

Later that night Karl took me out to a new Thai resturant and we were able to finish off the left overs on Sunday after church in Factoria.

Make a Smilebox postcard



May Travels & Happy Sealings!

Whew! I just typed for 30 minutes a new post and tried to link a URL and lost all my previous typing! Hard lesson for a new poster! SAVE before you leave your screen!

I will try to "re-capture" the content.

Karl and I flew to SLC then rented a car and drove to Idaho Falls to attend his sister Karen and her husband Stan's Temple sealing. It was a beautiful experience. Many close and extended family members attended the temple session and up to 75 attended a follow-on reception at the church. The next day during fast and testimony meeting Karen shared their story of how they changed their lives from and the impact it had on their extended family was evident as many cousins shared their loved for their grandpa and grandma and each other. It was a beautiful time.

Later that Sunday we were greeted by hugs and kisses of our three little Utah munchkins in Lehi, Noah, Gabe and Carson. Sarah cooked a wonderful Sunday dinner, we went on a drive and got to see the home were we will be gathering for the Hirschi Kids gathering in June, and we got to see Paul's company's new office building. As a side note, Sarah gave us some information to secure tickets to the newest SLC Valley Temple open house on Friday, June 19th. We are so excited to be able to take all who will be coming thru the temple together.

Monday came too quickly and we flew back to Seattle counting our blessings - Yes we are grateful for our many blessings. We hope you enjoy the pictures.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Welcome New Baby Carson

We just returned from a wonderful visit with Paul and Sarah and there now 3 sons! View the pictures to get a flavor of our trip. Pictures are worth a thousand words so they say.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Unfortunately, we left Paul and boys in tough shape. It appears they (Gabe, Noah and Paul) are sharing a flu bug and so Sarah will have her hands full till they all get back on their feet. Thank-goodness for Priesthood blessings and family members who live close by. It was hard to leave, but reassuring to know they will be well looked after.

Waves - Crashing down on You, and Me!

Just yesterday I was lamenting, what can I do to take a stand and low and behold, just thumbing through the March New Era, I find a young boy who is doing just that and making a big impact! It is so exciting to me!

2008 Memories

Hi Everyone - I am still learning how to use all these slick tools. Here are my favorite pics for 2008. We send our love to everyone!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

12 Days of Christmas Carol - True Meaning

It has been so fun getting many Christmas Greetings from friends and family. Here is one of my favorite that was sent to us by a church member, Nola Judd with the message behind the 12 Days of Christmas Carol.

I never knew this, did you?

---

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone