January 31, 2011

Wow, already the first month of the New Year has gone by. Both Kole and Tonya are in the same place and doing the same thing. That is a good thing a great thing to have a job these days. Tonya is enjoying the snow and Kole even had two days off due to bad weather.

I got a compliment on what I had posted and I couldn't remember what I had said so I had to come read it. Age is catching up with me.

I enjoyed the couple of events of the singles conference that I attended. My car battery died after the Saturday morning event so I didn't get to go on the hike. That was the event I was looking forward to attending the most. I waited for the tow truck and once they jumped my vehicle went and had a new battery put in.

They changed our Bishopric, same Bishop two new counselors. Change is always good. I am still in the nursery and a bunch of our kids went on to be sunbeams. Starting anew with a bunch of little boys where most of the ones that graduated were little girls and they all had names that started with an A except the twins they started with B's.

I belong to a Mormon Military Mom group and they also post missionary conversion stories once in awhile. The one posted this week was by a woman who had been taught by Elder Vern Busby and Sister Eathel Busby back in 1980 small world since Elder Busby is Grandma (Amy) Busbys brother.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Tonya got a promotion at work and I am proud of her. She seems happy and likes her job.

I am still still working for the same bank. I read something the other day about being safe on the internet and as a result I won't be posting specifics on where we live or where we work. To bad there are dishonest and people who prey on others. That being said I read something the other day that I really enjoyed. It came from a book by Cheiko N Okazaki and she was quoting Wilferd Peterson who she knew nothing about except this piece he wrote. He said, The art of becoming rich is simply to live richly in bond, mind heart and spirit.
You become physically rich when you have rich sensations: When your senses are alert and attuned to life so that the very fact of being alive takes on new dimensions and simple experiences have new meaning. The smell of a rose, the stretch of a muscle, the sight of a mountain, the sound of the surf, the taste of strawberries, the touch of clean white sheets...
You become mentally rich when you think rich thoughts: When you immerse you mind in the noble thoughts of others, preserved throught the ages in books; when you are curious to learn all you can about the world and its people, the earth beneath your feat and the farthest star in infinite space; when you develop an appreciation of beauty in painting and sculpture, poetry and music; when you expand your mind to encompass great ideas; when you use the magic of your mind to create and to serve...
You become emotionally rich when you have rich feelings; When you know the radiant glow of obeying noble inpulses to give and help and inspire; when you experience the bond of warm friendship and deep affection; when you know the joy of hearing a baby laugh; when you are aware of giving and receiving love...
You become spiritually rich when you discover the riches of the kingdom within: When you have a consciousness of the oneness of all life; when you experience kinship with nature; when you are open to the buoyant spiritual life of beingin tune with the Infinite;
The best definition of a rich person is a person with a rich self. What a person is, not what he has, is the measure of real wealth.

This made me realize how rich I really am and that I am and have been richly blessed.

11-13-2010 Update

Tonya is enjoying Iowa and working at Midwest Academy. She is looking forward to the snow. Catch her on facebook.

Kole is enjoying having a new truck. He does not enjoy the expenses associated with a new truck. Insurance for a young man is very expensive. Having driven with him I understand why it is so costly. I was not very different as a young driver. He has not been in an accident and that is wonderful. One of the challenges of life is learning how to care for and conserve those temporal blessings that we are given, expecially money. Adult choices of spending come with the adult consequences of not having when we over spend. As a parent it is also a challenge of how to help and not enable. As I observe what an entitled society we live in it is important to me that I some how be an influence for accountability and self sufficiency.

I am happy to have a job that I enjoy and good people to work with. I wish at times it were not so stressful and dependant up on getting new business. With both of my kids out of the house at the current time I have stuck my toe into the singles scene. It is not as easy as it was back in the day when I could just go join a ward and become involved. There is a conference coming up the weekend of the 18 thru the 21st. I will attend as painful and uncomfortable as it may be at times. I went to a planning meeting for the conference a couple of Sundays ago and really felt out of place. One of life's uncomfortable moments and an opportunity to learn and grow. Look for other ways to be involved was one lesson learned.

Our Stake has been really stressing reading the Book of Mormon and making it a part of our daily learning. I feel so blessed to have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and love those Prophets who wrote and abridged and Joseph Smith for bring it forth by the power of God.

Life is good and I am glad for the opportunity. Glad I made the choice I did in the pre-existance. Glad to have made the covenants I have made in my life. Now is the challenge of keeping them and living so I can return and live with Heavenly Father. I want to fulfill my purpose and destiny with courage and compassion. Doing so will bring me joy.

Kole is headed back to base 9-14-10

Kole is driving back to base.

I will miss him being around. He was such a good sport about my teasing him. He is a wonderful son and treats me very well.

Tonya is in Iowa. If you are on facebook you can catch up with Tonya

I turn 51 this month. Had a wonderful time skiing with the Layton's last weekend. It is fun to ride the tube. The grey hair has arrived and the body gets tired alot faster. It is fun to watch the younger generation have a blast. Great memories. Thanks Rhonda and Brent. My Mom even made cupcakes for my birthday.

Certified Scuba divers

Kole and I are certified scuba divers. We went to California and did our open water certification around the island. I got to see some sharks and a harbor seal then lobster on the night dive.

Kole purchased a Truck

Kole is the proud new owner of a 2008 black Toyota Tacoma 4x4. He is having fun driving around and I really like the smile on his face.

Kole is visiting

We took our scuba class this weekend and passed yippee.

Now we will working getting his truck purchased so we can take it when we go diving. Looking forward to visiting with family.

Tonya is working in Iowa. She said there was a lice breakout at the school.