More Sad News!! :-(

when I was home for lunch today, our neighbor/friend, Barb, called to let us know that
"Spendy" passed away this morning. He had been sick and they were having trouble keeping his blood sugar at a good level. (Spendy is a schnauzer, and a friend of Chewy's.)

I was saddened by this news, of course. What do you do for someone who loses their pet/child? I feel bad for them, in their loss.

Sad news, & happy news!!

Yesterday, I asked the art teacher at school where a particular student I had been working with, was.  She informed me that the student was back in Juvy.  I became very sad with this news. I think they are a great kid, just making bad choices.

I found out this morning that the student was caught in the act of graffitting. 

I was again saddened by this choice.

I felt yesterday, when I was first told, that I should go there and see them.  Is this a right thing?  

I am not sure.  I just know that deep down inside them, is a good person waiting to be found???

I am under no obligation to go there, but I feel I should.  Jeff says I need to take someone with me, with all the stuff here in the newspaper currently.  We had a para-pro (male) arrested for child pornography and molestation.  

Anyhow, I continue to feel for this person a sadness at the choices they are making and where it is taking them in their life.

On a good note, we will travel to  Yakima this weekend, and see Cliff & Vi, and also go to the temple.  I know that will help with my sadness. And it will make me happy.

Spring Break

Starting this Friday, we begin our spring break!! Yahoo!!!  We won't return to school until April 7th.  I am excited for a break from school.  We will be staying in Wenatchee this year, as the drive is too long to go to Utah, and Jeff will be in school.  I will need to find some fun activities for the kids and I to do.  Maybe spring cleaning, ;-)

We will be in Utah during the summer time. I am looking forward to that.  We will be going to St. George to see Les Miserables at the Tuachan theatre.  

That will be awesome!!

We are going to try and attend the temple this weekend, I pray it works out.

Today is a sunshining day for the moment, but still very cold.  30F at the moment.  

I finish my sub job on Thurs. of this week, I will miss coming here to Orchard Middle everyday and seeing Jolyn. I hope something else comes up soon.

Easter, talk on Resurrection

Happy Easter to all!!
I spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday, and thought I would share my thoughts with each of you. Hope you like it! :-)

Easter Sunday March 23, 2008
Talk on the Hope of the Resurrection

I was asked to speak on the Hope of the Resurrection.
What is Hope? Websters Dictionary defines Hope as a:
“Desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment.”

What is the opposite of hope?
In an article by Sis. Okazaki (Ensign, Nov. 1996), she says the opposite of hope is Despair. “Despair comes when we feel powerless to influence events and when the sources of meaning in our life disappear. Despair is a kind of disorientation so profound that we lose contact with the sources of life itself.”
She goes onto say that “The sources of hope are the sources of life itself. That is why hope persists, even when experience, reason, and knowledge say there is no reason to hope.” (end quote)

We have a reason for hope, and that is what I would like to share with you today.
In a talk by Sis. Julie Beck (Ensign, May 2003) she talks about our 3 great hopes.
In Moroni 7:41, Mormon asks, “What is it…..ye shall hope for?” His answer tells us of the 3 great hopes. “Ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal.”
Sis. Beck continues, “When you were baptized, you became participants in the FIRST great hope, the Atonement of Christ. Every time you worthily partake of the sacrament, you have the opportunity to begin again and do a little better.” (end quote)




In hymn #194, vs. 3 & 4, it says,
“There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin, he only could unlock the gate of Heav’n and let us in. Oh, dearly, dearly, has he loved! And we must love him, too, and trust in his redeeming blood, and try his works to do.”
In Jacob 4:11, it says …(open scriptures and read from Wherefore to resurrection which is in Christ.)


Sis Beck says “The 2nd great hope is the Resurrection. You are all promised that through our Savior, Jesus Christ, you will be resurrected, and you know that when this life is over, there is still much more life to be lived.” (end quote)

Pres. Faust has said. “the Resurrection of Jesus is one of the greatest messages of all Christianity. It is a divine gift of the Atonement for all mankind. The idea that one who has died can live again was so unprecedented, so foreign to all human experience that even the Apostles, who had been told it would happen, could hardly believe it.”
He continues, When Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary (mother of James), and the other women told the Apostles the had seen the resurrected Jesus, the Apostles did NOT believe.”
When Mary stood weeping by the tomb, an apparent stranger asked her 2 questions. “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”
In her grief, she pleaded with the stranger to tell her where Christ was laid. Jesus saith unto her, “Mary” and she turned to him.
One, only one person could speak her name that way. With that single word all doubt was swept away. She knew in that instant that Jesus had been Resurrected.” (end quote)

So, what is the Resurrection? The prophet Alma tells us in Alma 11:42-45.
“All shall be raised from this temporal death.
“The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame … ; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
“Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now. …
“And also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal.”

Now with the Hope of the Atonement and the Resurrection, Sis. Beck says you have a 3rd great hope, the hope of Eternal Life.
She says, because you have a Savior, you can plan for a future that extends beyond this life.” (end quote)

In John 11:25, Jesus says “I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

Pres. John Taylor, has said, “The debt is paid, the redemption made, the covenant fulfilled, justice satisfied, the will of God done and all power is now given into the hands of the Son of God - the power of the resurrection, the power of redemption, and the power of salvation.” (end quote)

Hugh B. Brown, (Friend, April 1979 - sums it up when he said the following, this season of the year, the whole Christian world unites in the quiet observance of the anniversary of the most significant, the most far-reaching, the most important fact in history. Easter is the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. …
The interest in this event is more universal than in any other: first, because it affects every soul, living and dead; and secondly, because it secures the priceless gift for which men naturally yearn—life everlasting. Each year multitudes come to appreciate anew its import when they stand sorrowing by the coffin of a dear one and remember the glorious promise contained in the words spoken on Easter morn—“He is risen!”
The first Easter was the springtime of all history, of new life, new hope, eternal growth, and immortality.
The world needs reminding of this great event. In the midst of error and superstition, … His plan, His system, His gospel, is the answer to the problem of how to save the world.
With Christians everywhere, we bow this day in humble gratitude for the priceless gift of God to men. The gift of eternal life is granted to us through His sacrifice and guaranteed to all by the only One who could pay the price. …
In spite of the unpromising outlook of the world today and the efforts of the enemies of righteousness, … Easter morn proclaims its joyful promise to all. … “(end quote)


I would like to close by reading the 4th verse of my favorite hymn, “How Great Thou Art”
“When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!”

How grateful I am for a knowledge that life goes on after we pass from this mortal life. I am grateful for a Savior, my Brother, Jesus Christ, who willingly paid the price for my sins and died on the cross at Calvary.
I know he was resurrected on the 3rd day, and that HE LIVES!!!
I pray that we can each be worthy and working towards the goal of life Eternal, to live with our Father and his Son, FOREVER!!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

New Neighbors, Friend for Chewy, and more!!

Here it has been a week again, my bad! I maybe can set a goal for once a week, and then I won't feel guilty when its been a week in between!! :-)

So last week, our neighbors, Steve & Renee, told us they were moving in a few days into their new home. We are sad to see them go. They own the house next to us and then the one next to that (which they lived in), and now are renting out both houses. The new folks who are moving into (Steve & Renee's) old home are a couple with a 12 yr. old daughter, Hannah. Jolyn & I tried last night to go and deliver a cheesecake with raspberry sauce to them, but they were not home.
While Jolyn & I were at a baby shower last night, Jeff & Lani went over with a plate of cookies. Which leaded to the couple (Craig & Cheryl) and their daughter, and dog (Alex) coming to our home and having cheesecake and visiting until 10:30pm last night. Chewy and Alex hit it off. Alex is a lab/dalmation mix. He is taller and skinnier than Chewy.


When Jolyn & I got home we were able to meet everyone. It was fun to visit with them. Cheryl is blind, homeschools Hannah, and is amazing.
Cheryl & I have alot in common, thus far, it is great!!

I have been praying for a friend, and I think my prayer has just been answered. How thankful I am that I have a Father in Heaven who is mindful of my needs!!
Alex spent the night last night with us, as they had to go back to Craig's Apt. to sleep and the apt manager does NOT allow pets. Their home just had new flooring put in and their toilets are not back in yet. They should be today. Alex hooked on to Lani, and slept in her room on the floor next to her bed. When we went to turn off her radio, after she was asleep, she was on the edge of her bed with her hand resting on Alex's back. It was so cute!!! :-)
Anyhow, it is great that we have a family living in the neighborhood. I haven't decided if Hannah is going to be friends more with Lani or Jolyn. Hannah & Lani hit it off pretty well, so that is great. Lani always complains she doesn't have any friends to play with in the area.



I have been subbing this whole month at Orchard Middle School (Jolyn's school). It has been fun, I will be there until Spring Break. I am covering for a lady who had surgery, and had to be out for 5-6 weeks.
I cover the office for 30 min. when I first arrive (9:30am), then I go to a 6th grade classroom, then the Library, then my lunch, then cover the Locker Room, Art, then back to the Locker Room. I finish at 2 pm. It is fun. I have enjoyed being there, and seeing Jolyn everyday. I love that she will still give me a hug, and say "Hi, Mom" when she sees me. It is great. How long will it last?? I hope always.
Well, time has come and gone, and I have to finish getting ready for work. Love to all of you!!

Forgetfulness, and Dogs!

Well, here we go again. The time has slipped away from me. YIKES!!! I have forgotten to write in here for a long time. Where does the time go??

Anyhow, Jolyn & I had a scary experience last night. We were almost home after dropping off a friend of Jolyn's (whom she had invited to YW), when we spotted a Border-Collie running loose. I called to the dog, and it ran the opposite direction,(onto a busy street), I turned the van around and turned onto the same street to follow the dog. He ran across the busy street and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle must have been frightened. As soon as the dog was hit, it stumbled, got up and kept running. I continued to follow it, it crossed back over the same street and turned down another. Needless to say I was calling the animal shelter in the process and as it was after hours, the answering service called the on call officer, who then called me. I followed this dog around for at least 25 minutes, losing it at one point, praying for help to find the dog, finding him again, him being scared and running some more. Finally, he went to what I assumed was his home and laid on the grass. The house had lights on inside but not on the porch, so I waited in the van. Soon, someone came out a side door and the dog ran to them. They went into the garage with the dog following. The animal control got there at this point, and approached the person in the garage. She was just a young lady (5th grade I believe), her parents were not home, and the animal control officer explained what had happened, and talked to her about the city ordinances, etc. Then I explained what Jolyn & I had witnessed, and left my phone number and name, if her parents had any questions for me. The dad called later that night, and I told him what had happened, and asked if "Elvis" was O.K. He said he appears to be. Anyhow, it was a crazy time. I am thankful for inspiration and the ability to speak with our Father in Heaven to help us in times of need.
Chewy seemed to be upset from it all, he was in the car with us, and witnessed the whole scenario, too!! Can dogs be affected by such things? I think they can, he wasn't ok for awhile after we dropped him at home, during the chase, as he was barking in our ears. He had watched 'Elvis' get hit, though. I wonder???

Anyhow, I am grateful no animal/person was hurt during it all.
Life can sometimes throw things your way when you least expect them. You just have to know how to roll with the punches. :-)