Sentimental

Double click on the picture to read the words.

All I wanted for Christmas two years ago was photoshop. Lenn got it for me and I am now just starting to learn a few things.

The first picture will be our newest Christmas decoration. The picture I used has a very special meaning and I am so glad I took it.

The monkey was a gift from Abby, it was a favorite of hers at the time and she gave it to Landry. The green bear was from Bentley. He got that bear from the hospital when he broke his collar bone. This bear was a 'no touchy' item for everyone. When I suggested the kids give a gift to Landry, Bentley went to his room and brought out his green bear. My heart was touched. Before they closed Landry's casket Bentley gave him his green bear to have forever.

So...the point is...Christmas is a very special holiday that we get to celebrate so I wanted the picture to be more than just cute.

~Never Alone~

FOOTPRINTS
Last night I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to me, the other to the Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. “Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

The Lord replied, “My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of suffering, when you could see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Author Unknown

I never really got the real meaning of this poem, even though I had heard it hundreds of times during my life, until we were stuck in Primary's with Owen without a promising future.

Our Relief Society President came to visit me with one of my good friends. Weeks later she called me saying, she could tell that during her visit with me that I was being carried. She said I can tell you are not alone. What a comforting reminder that was then and again today.

We, Lenn and I, are often asked "how do you do it?". Well to be honest, I don't have a clue!! As I look back on some of the happenings in the past 2 1/2 years, I know we did not do it alone. Some things just were not possible to be done alone. There have been Heavenly Hands helping out in our greatest times of need. That I am grateful for!

(The picture I found above by mistake, therefore the reminder of the poem, there are some amazing photos on that site. www.capturedmiracles.org/store/gallery)

Be Thou Humble

Last Sunday we sang "Be Thou Humble" in relief society and the words really struck me. It was one of the those moments when I knew the Lord was there for me to carry the burdens I have been given. He will do the same for each one of us if we will allow Him to.

Be Thou Humble

Be thou humble in thy weakness and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,

Shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to they prayers.

Be thou humble in the pleading and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,

Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.

Be thou humble in thy calling and the Lord thy God shall teach thee

To serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love.

Be thou humble in thy longing and the Lord thy God shall take thee,

Shall take thee home at last to ever dwell with him above.

The last two lines were a great reminder that after we humble ourselves He will take us home to be with Him and our loved ones.

Halloween

Lenn came home with 4 mini pumpkins and a grin on his face. I could tell he was excited about some idea. He asked if we had paint and then told me what he had planned. He brought us each a pumpkin to decorate for Landry's grave. We had a good time painting and trying to be artistic and creative. Thanks Lenn, it was a great idea.

I think Bentley took the creative award (with Grandpa Johnson's help). It turned out to be one of the medicine witches or whatever they are.

Then we took them over to the cemetery when the weather was nice. (The pig is from his cousin, she brought it back in May and it is still there.)

This picture cracks me up! Lenn is always fussing with something. Bentley messing around. Abby being the center of something. I am behind the camera and Owen sleeping in the van.

I am sure Halloween is different in Heaven (maybe non-existent) but Happy Halloween anyway. We love you little Landry.